SimPure T1-400 UV vs ALK: Which Tankless RO System Fits Your Needs?
— The real deciding factor is whether you want absolutely pure water (UV) or pure water that’s enriched for taste and health (ALK).
If you’re thinking about upgrading to a tankless reverse osmosis system, SimPure has two standout options — the SimPure T1-400 UV tankless RO system and the SimPure T1-400 ALK system with remineralization.
At first glance, they look almost identical: both are compact, high-flow, under-sink systems with impressive filtration power. But the water you get from them is quite different, and that’s the key to choosing the right one for your needs.
Let’s break it down.
Filtration Goals: Purity vs Mineral Balance
This is where the biggest difference lies.
-
SimPure T1-400 UV tankless RO system is all about achieving ultra-pure water. It’s designed to reduce TDS to nearly zero — we’re talking the kind of purity you’d expect from lab-grade water. Ideal if your main goal is stripping away every last contaminant and mineral, whether for health reasons, sensitive appliances, or certain cooking/brewing needs.
-
SimPure T1-400 ALK system with remineralization, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It still removes 99.99% of contaminants, but in the final stage, it adds back beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. This boosts the pH to above 7.5, resulting in alkaline water that many people find smoother, fresher, and more palatable.
Think of it this way:
If you want absolute zero TDS, go UV.
If you want healthier-tasting water with a natural mineral profile, go ALK.
Taste Profile
-
UV Model: Because it removes nearly everything, the taste is extremely “clean” — neutral and crisp, but some people find it almost too flat if they’re used to mineral water.
-
ALK Model: The added minerals give it a light, natural flavor. If you’ve ever had bottled spring water, it’s closer to that experience.
Technology & Stages
Both systems use an 8-stage filtration process, but there’s a twist:
-
UV Model: The final stages are focused on disinfection and ensuring no dissolved solids remain.
-
ALK Model: The 7th stage is an alkaline remineralization filter that restores essential minerals before the final polishing stage.
In other words, the UV unit ends with “nothing left but H₂O,” while the ALK ends with “pure water + healthy minerals.”
Performance Specs – They’re Closer Than You Think
Both models share:
-
Flow Rate: 400 GPD (about 0.28 gallons per minute) — fills a cup in ~12 seconds.
-
Pure-to-Drain Ratio: 1.5:1 — very efficient for RO systems.
-
Tankless Design: Saves up to 70% under-sink space.
-
Twist-in Filter Changes: Takes about 3 seconds.
-
Filter Alerts: Built-in pressure gauge to remind you when it’s time.
You’re not sacrificing speed or convenience by choosing one over the other.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose the SimPure T1-400 UV tankless RO system if…
You want the purest possible water with virtually zero TDS. Great for people with very high-TDS tap water, those on strict diets, aquariums, or applications where mineral content could cause issues.
Choose the SimPure T1-400 ALK system with remineralization if…
You care about purity but also want the health benefits and taste of naturally balanced, alkaline water. Perfect for daily drinking, coffee, tea, and cooking where flavor matters.
Bottom Line
You can’t really go wrong with either — they’re both high-efficiency, well-built systems that beat traditional RO units in performance and ease of use. The real deciding factor is whether you want absolutely pure water (UV) or pure water that’s enriched for taste and health (ALK).
If you’re still unsure, here’s a quick gut-check:
-
For science-lab purity, go T1-400 UV.
-
For great-tasting, mineral-rich hydration, go T1-400 ALK.
