Considering an under-sink water purifier but not sure if it’s the right choice for you? Then you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through both the disadvantages and advantages of under-sink water purifiers.
After reading this post till the end, you’ll be ready to make an informed decision. So, without any further ado, let’s jump right in!
Under Sink Water Purifier Disadvantages
Costlier Than Normal Above The Counter Water Purifier
The first thing you’ll notice is the cost. An under sink water purifier can be almost twice as expensive as a regular above-counter model.
For example, a popular 5-liter Aquaguard water purifier will cost about ₹10,000. But if you go for an AO Smith under sink model, you could be looking at a price close to ₹20,000. That’s a big difference!
You might wonder why there’s such a price jump. Well, under sink purifiers often use more advanced technology and design. They have a water pump along with regular filters in the system. The RO water storage tank alone costs close to ₹3000.
They’re designed to fit neatly out of sight and still give you great quality water. This design and technology bump up the price.
It’s not just the price of the purifier itself. Installing an under sink purifier can be tricky. Most of the time, you’ll need a professional to do it (along with additional requirements in the whole setup, which we’ll discuss shortly.) This installation can add to your overall cost.
Installation Is Challenging
1. Electrical Outlet Requirements:
The purifier needs a power source. Ideally, the electrical outlet should be within 1/2 – 1 meter of the purifier for safety and functionality.
If an outlet isn’t present, installation costs can increase by approximately ₹500 to ₹1500 for wiring and outlet setup, depending on your location and electrician rates.
2. Plumbing Connectivity:
A direct connection to your freshwater (drinking water) line is required. This might involve adjusting the existing plumbing. If new pipes or fittings are needed, it can add an extra ₹1000 – ₹2000 to your installation costs.
3. Waste Water Disposal:
Just like any other water purifier, you need to plan for the disposal of waste water. The drainage setup should ideally be directly connected to your sink’s drain to avoid water logging.
4. Countertop Modifications:
For using the filtered water from the under sink water purifier, you need a dedicated above the counter top.
Now, the problem is installing a dedicated faucet for the purified water often requires drilling a hole in your countertop. The standard size for faucet hole drilling required for the under sink water purifier is at least 10 mm – 20 mm depending on the size of the faucet outlet.
The Space Problem With Under Sink Water Purifiers
When you’re thinking about getting an under sink water purifier, remember one key thing: space. Under your sink, there’s only so much room.
You’ve got pipes, cleaning supplies, and even trash bins sometimes. And all these can take up room.
Because of this limited space, you can’t just pick any water purifier. You have to choose one that fits properly. This often means you can’t go for the bigger models with more storage space.
Pro-Tip: Before you decide on an under sink purifier, measure your space. Know how much room you have so you can pick a purifier that fits well. You don’t want to end up with a purifier that’s too big to fit under your sink.
Slightly Increased Electricity Usage
One important thing to know about under sink water purifiers is that they might use more electricity than you expect. Here’s why:
These purifiers often require a water pump. This pump’s job is to move water from the purifier up to your tap. It’s a key part of how the system works.
Compared to simple, gravity-based filters, under sink purifiers with pumps consume more power. This could slightly increase your electricity bill.
So these were all the potential drawbacks of under sink purifiers. But now let’s look at some advantages as well.
Under Sink Water Purifier Advantages
1. Gives A Clean Appearance To The Kitchen
With an under sink purifier, your kitchen gets a neat and clean look. Since the purifier is out of sight, it doesn’t add to the clutter on your countertop. You don’t have to worry about hiding the water purifier in the kitchen just for a clutter-free appearance.
This is a big plus compared to standard countertop or wall-mounted purifiers, which can take up a lot of space and make your kitchen look cluttered.
2. Easy And Convenient To Use
Under sink water purifiers provide an uncomplicated way to access clean water. The outlet faucet, which is the tap, stays at your countertop level.
This means when you need water for any daily task, it’s readily available with a simple turn of the tap.
There’s no need to bend or stretch to reach a water purifier.
Also, Using an under sink water purifier is similar to using regular countertop water purifiers. They work on the same basic principle: taking in tap water, filtering out impurities, and then providing clean water.
If you have experience with standard purifiers, using an under sink model is quite easy.
3. Saves Valuable Kitchen Working Space
Under sink water purifiers are smart choices for kitchens, especially when you want to keep your counters clutter-free.
Installing these purifiers under the sink means you use the space that’s often just for storing things. This way, you don’t lose any valuable area in your kitchen.
4. Pre-Existing Setup Advantage
If your kitchen already has a power outlet, plumbing connections under the sink, and hole in the countertop, then you’re at a great starting point for installing an under sink water purifier.
This existing setup can make the installation process much simpler and less expensive.
Is It Worth Buying An Under Sink Water Purifier?
| Pros | Cons |
| Gives a neat and clean appearance to the kitchen | Almost double the cost than normal water purifiers |
| Frees up the above counter kitchen work space | Higher setup cost and complex installation |
| Easy and convenient to use | Consumes under sink space which could have been used for storage |
| Installation becomes less challenging if you already have a pre-planned setup for it | Slight increase in electricity consumption |
So, in short, yes, an under sink water purifier is definitely worth buying. Sure, it has some considerable disadvantages like higher setup cost, and installation challenges.
However, the benefit you get from a clean and clutter-free kitchen is huge. Plus, using the under sink water purifier is very easy and similar to using standard water purifiers.