Buying cheap water ionisers can end up costing you more in the long run. Technical developments and innovations are coming thick and fast. Most manufacturers have only just survived the coronavirus pandemic and do not have the financial resources to carry out R&D. Consequently, they are unable to launch a new product range. For this reason, they are selling off their products at rock-bottom prices in order to remain somewhat competitive.
What are cheap water ionisers and why are they sold at such low prices? Such devices are electrochemical appliances that use electrolysis to split tap water into ionised alkaline and acidic water. Manufacturers who lack the resources for product development bring outdated models onto the market at low prices in order to sell off their remaining stock.
In practice, this means you are buying a device whose technology is already lagging behind what is currently possible. Outdated electrode plates lose their effectiveness more quickly, and the ionisation values quoted by the manufacturer are often based on the device’s initial capacity. After a year of daily use, the actual performance may be rather disappointing, whilst the manufacturer may no longer be in business to honour the warranty or supply replacement parts.
In what area do the best water ionisers offer innovation?
- Automatic maintenance system against scale formation and reduce annual costs.
- Block sensors at hot water supply.
- Low power consumption and eco mode.
- Cupboard under countertop to preserve countertop space.
- Appearance faucet and easy operation of this faucet.
- Fewer platinum plates in the water ioniser while maintaining oxygenated water production power.
- Extension of the use of 1 Water Filter in terms of number of litres and improvement price-performance ratio.
- Ultra fine filter to capture nano particles from plastics and asbestos.
The investments made in premium water ionisers must be recouped by the manufacturer. That is why the prices are higher. Can you also recoup these yourself or is it better to choose a cheaper variant?
What is an automatic maintenance system?
DARC (double automatic reverse cleaning system)
- Automatic reversal of polarity of electrode and water flow path
- Preventing mineral build-up
- Improving the durability of the electrode
- Generation of high quality water ionised water over its lifetime
Are cheap water ionisers really cheaper?
These are models in the kitchen. By the way, we also offer the most powerful portable water ioniser for 270 euros. So you have the option of buying a cheap water ioniser for your kitchen for a third or half the price. Isn’t this like comparing apples and oranges? However, we’ll provide some guidance to help you with this. The key question: “What are the running costs over a 7-year period?”
The table below shows that, quite apart from giving your kitchen a modern look, there are also important financial considerations to bear in mind. There are many variables across the different manufacturers. We are not familiar with all of them. Some water ionisers have the features of premium water ionisers. However, many premium water ionisers do not have a maintenance system.
The table below is a start to help you make your choice. We recommend choosing a premium water ioniser and discuss why below.
| Feature | Cheap Water Ionisers | Premium Water Ionisers |
| Power consumption and Eco Mode | +/- 50 Watt extra | 30% bearing 150 watts |
| Water filter capacity | +/- 100 Euro per year extra | 30% higher |
| Maintenance costs | +/- 150 Euro per year with chemicals | no |
| Overhaul after 5 years | +/- €450 to restore strength | no |
| Risky expensive repair costs | no hot water sensors | hot water sensors |
Power consumption
It is important to minimise the power consumption of a water ioniser. The premium models use less power. Over a period of 7 years, this can result in a significant additional cost. An extra 50 watts of consumption means an additional electricity cost of around 5 cents per hour. That works out at 60 cents a day, assuming 12 hours’ use, no eco mode, and that you switch it off at night. That amounts to 217 euros a year. In total, that amounts to 1,533 euros over 7 years.
Automatic maintenance system
If you don’t have a maintenance system, over 7 years you’ll spend an average of 1,050 euros on descaling fluid, plus 30 minutes of your time every 6 weeks. That adds up to 8 hours a year and, over 7 years, 56 hours of your time.
Risk of expensive repair and or overhaul costs with cheap water ionisers
After five years, your water ioniser will need servicing. This will cost around 450 euros, or you might prefer to consider buying a new one after five years. A water ioniser connected to your kitchen tap poses a high risk. The risk is that, within seven years, you or someone else might accidentally let hot water flow into the ioniser. This will then be permanently damaged and an expensive repair will be necessary, as it is the heart of the water ioniser concerns.
Conclusion and advice
This opinion is an initial outline from mid-2024. We intend to add further aspects to this page and calculate them financially. In any case, we are glad you want to consume oxygenated filtered water to best support your health. And a soured body restore or prevent. We are happy to support you in your choice from our 30 years of natural medicine experience and from 7 years of experience importing and selling water ionisers.
Adding up the amounts from our calculation, in addition to the purchase price of cheap water ionisers also +/- €3,000 extra over a 7-year period. Cheap is expensive. The difference in purchase price with a Alpha Premium Water Ionizer is, likewise, much less than 3,000 euros. Will you go for a model costing between 600 and 1,500 euros, or will you opt straight away for the Alpha Premium Water Ionisers, which cost 2,200 euros or 2,800 euros?
Choose wisely: compare before you buy an ioniser
Read on before you make your decision. The price means little if you don’t know what you’re looking at — and it is precisely that insight that is the deciding factor for every buyer. Take a look at the comparisons and tests on this site to see which device really offers value for money.
→ Read the page on water ionisers for a full overview
→ View the water ioniser test and compare models objectively
→ Find out how a water ioniser tap works and fits
→ Ask your question via the ‘Drink Healthy Water’ contact form
Cheap water ionisers They may seem attractive, but it’s worth taking a close look at what you’re actually getting for your money. Cheaper models often have fewer plates, a lower wattage and less precise pH control, which means the water quality is disappointing in the long run. If you’d rather invest in a unit that will operate reliably for years to come, take a look at the comparison on this page before choosing cheap water ionisers.
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