When I was approached to review the Homedics Restore Clean Water System, I wasn’t really sure if it would be techy or geeky enough for me to review it. After all, it is just a water filter, right? The only thing that made me want to dig a bit more into it was the fact that it actually has a power cord so I was curious as to how that would make any difference in water filtering.
While I don’t want this article to be an infomercial, it does make sense to provide video information about the product (so forgive the mini ad here), as I don’t think that I can pull off the same type of video review:
Just watching the video is sort of soothing, I mean soft music, clean colors and crisp water. Anyway…
So, the product has two types of methods to filter and purify your drinking water. First, there is a standard charcoal based filtering system, much like what you would find with Brita or other filters out there. However, it also has a purification method that involves “nuking†the water with ultra-violet light. This is where the plug come into play.
The Filtration process removes various pollutants, heavy metals, and chlorine. The Purification process removes Bacteria, Viruses and Microbial Cysts using a bright UV light.
So, does it really work? Unfortunately I don’t have a scientific lab in my house to really analyze the before and after of the water so I can only assume that things were properly filtered. I did, however, craft a “blind taste test†of sorts involving one of my daughters and my wife. Using unlabeled paper cups, I poured 2 different samples, one with tap water (do note, where I live, our tap water is actually of great quality) and the other with the Homedics filtered and purified water. I did the testing as well. The results were actually interesting and while not scientifically controlled, I do think it was accurate. For the most part (myself included in the test), it was really difficult to tell the difference between the two water samples, and, a majority of the time, the tap water was selected over the Homedics one because of taste. I’m guessing that since the Homedics water was essentially odor and tasteless, the tap water stood out as having “taste†and was therefore selected. I don’t view this taste test to be anything good or bad as related to the Homedics water, just simply that is what people chose. I’m sure that in areas where there is bad tap water that the Homedics would truly shine.
I also asked the PR firm that sent me the Homedics a few questions that I thought consumers might want to know, specifically:
- Question: How much are the replacement filters?
- Answer: The replacement filters cost $7.99 each (same as Brita)
- Q: How frequently do they need to be replaced?
- Answer: For average household use, filters will need to be replaced every 2-4 months depending on use.
- Q: Where can one purchase them?
- Answer: They can be purchased online at homedics.com/restore. You can also check the website to locate retailers near you who may sell it.
- Q: How much electricity draw is there? There is a big concern about being green. How does it compare to a lightbulb for example?
- Answer: The adapter uses a lithium battery, and the light uses UV light so it’s not really comparable to a lightbulb.
- Q: Is this smart enough to turn off after a certain amount of time?
- Answer: It unfortunately does not turn off after a certain time. When not in use you should unplug the pitcher from the power cord.
- Q: How can it be cleaned? Dishwasher or by hand?
- Answer: It is not dishwasher safe and should be washed by hand.
Some quick things to note as well, the UV light is only on for about 30 seconds (and seems to change colors as it purifies – it actually does change colors) when you are purifying the water and shuts off once it is done. I thought that the process was going to be much longer but it wasn’t.
Also, the plug has indicator to help you predict when you need to change the filter.
The retail price of the Homedics Restore Clean Water System is $99.99 (a Brita system cost start at about $20 but does not have the UV purification process, just the filter).
Personally I think this is a critical water solution for those people whose tap water isn’t that great and who cannot install either a refrigerator filter or an under-the-sink filter. Note, it should not be used with creek or stream water, only tap water.
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2. Details on my Review Policy is also on my “About†page.
HTD says: Filtered water is a must. The Homedics provides you with a means to not only filter but purify as well, all within the same device.
