The best water purifiers for homes in South Africa match the purifier to the job. For the purest drinking water, a reverse osmosis system such as the Little Luxury 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System removes over 99% of impurities at the kitchen sink. For every tap, shower and geyser, a whole house system such as the Gold Standard treats the main line. Little Luxury Water Filters supplies both, plus tap filters, jugs and a cooler.
Much of Gauteng's tap water starts at Katse Dam in the Lesotho Highlands, flows into the Vaal system and is treated by Rand Water. Chlorine kills germs, but ageing pipes add rust and silt. A purifier works like any water filter that removes impurities through a fine physical barrier, such as a sediment cartridge, activated carbon or a membrane.
People use "purifier" and "filter" loosely, but strength differs. Carbon water filters remove chlorine, odour and taste. Reverse osmosis water filters also strip out dissolved salts, fluoride and bacteria. Pick water purifiers for homes by water source first, then by goal. The guide on how to know which water filter you need covers each water source.
For drinking water, there is the 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. Whole-home options are the Gold Standard, Water-Stream and Full Monty borehole systems. Point-of-use options are the Platinum Under Sink system, the Maintenance Free Classic Countertop Water Filter with Booster, the 3-Stage Tap Water Filter, the Hawaiian Water Filter Jug 2.5L and the Vitality Mini Water Cooler. Browse the full range of water filtration systems.
R1,999.00
Under-sink reverse osmosis with a 12-litre storage tank.
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R2,099.00
3-stage main-line filtration with a 5-year guarantee.
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R2,599.00
NSF 42 and 53 certified media. No drilling needed.
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R18,500.00
8-stage system for borehole and tank water.
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R25,000.00
Self-cleaning whole house system for problem water.
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R2,499.00
Filters and chills water from a 7-litre refillable bottle.
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R999.00
6-stage countertop filter rated for 181,843 litres.
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Each purifier type solves a different problem. The guide to the best water filtration system for homes in S.A. covers whole-home setups in depth.
| System Type | Best For | Contaminant Removal | Installation | Little Luxury Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse osmosis | Drinking and cooking | Over 99%, including fluoride | Moderate, under-sink | 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis |
| Whole house | Every tap and shower | Sediment, chlorine, rust | Plumber recommended | Gold Standard, Water-Stream |
| Borehole and tank | Stored water | Sand, rust, particles | Outdoor frame | Full Monty |
| Under-sink carbon | Better-tasting water | Chlorine, taste, odour | DIY in minutes | Platinum |
| Tap and jug | Renters on municipal water | Chlorine, taste, odour | None | 3-Stage Tap, Countertop, Hawaiian Jug |
Reverse osmosis water filters push water through a membrane with pores smaller than bacteria. In the Little Luxury 6-stage system, the membrane removes over 99% of impurities, including fluoride and dissolved salts. Earlier stages trap rust, sand and chlorine to protect the membrane. Check your water pressure first. The system needs at least 3 bar, and above 5.5 bar you need a pressure-reducing valve. Little Luxury Water Filters often sees homes pair it with a whole house system.
A whole house system sits on the main line. The Gold Standard pairs a 1 to 3 micron sediment filter with carbon block and granular carbon to remove chlorine, odour and certain heavy metals. It handles up to 0.95 litres per second, and cartridges last up to 12 months. Smallholdings around Hartbeespoort often run on boreholes, which suit the 8-stage Full Monty. The Water-Stream suits homes with high chloramines.
More stages mean more passes through different filter media.
The 3-Stage Tap Water Filter clips onto most mixer taps, filters down to 1 micron and suits municipal water only. The Hawaiian jug sits in the fridge, and the Vitality cooler holds 8.14 litres of chilled, filtered water. These water purifiers for homes move with you. Compare coolers in the guide to the best water dispenser for home and office.
Little Luxury products are also sold at:
For the purest drinking water, the Little Luxury 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System removes over 99% of impurities. For clean water at every tap, the Gold Standard Whole House Water Filtration System treats the main line.
Not quite. A carbon filter such as the Hawaiian Water Filter Jug 2.5L improves taste and removes chlorine, while the 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System also strips dissolved salts, fluoride and bacteria.
The 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System removes fluoride through its reverse osmosis membrane. Carbon-based units in the Little Luxury range mainly target chlorine, taste, odour and sediment.
The Full Monty Complete Borehole & Water Tank Filtration System is built for borehole and tank water. Its 8 stages remove sediment, sand, rust and suspended particles.
The 3-Stage Tap Water Filter and the Maintenance Free Classic Countertop Water Filter with Booster fit without a plumber. Little Luxury recommends a qualified plumber for the Gold Standard and 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis systems.
The 3-Stage Tap Water Filter, the Hawaiian Water Filter Jug 2.5L and the Vitality Mini Water Cooler with Filter need no plumbing changes. All three move with you when you leave.
