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Short answer: Buy the Konvio Neer Transparent Heavy Duty Pre-Filter Kit (about ₹1,199). Its clear bowl shows you exactly when the spun candle turns brown and needs changing. For refills, the Amazon Basics 5-micron spun filter two-pack (about ₹378) fits standard 10-inch housings. If you have an Aquaguard and want the genuine part, the Aquaguard Pre-Filter Assembly (about ₹999) is rated for 6,000 litres. Prices checked on Amazon on 10 November 2026.
A pre-filter is a plastic bowl with a cotton-like candle inside, fitted on the pipe before your purifier. It catches sand, silt and rust flakes before they reach the purifier’s own sediment cartridge and RO membrane. Those parts cost ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 to replace, so a ₹500 candle that saves them is the best value upgrade in water purification.
If you’re on borewell or tanker water, or your tank is cleaned once a year if you’re lucky, you need one. On clean municipal supply it’s still cheap insurance. Here are the kits and refills worth buying, and how to fit one without a technician.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Konvio Neer Transparent Heavy Duty kit, so you can see the dirt
- Best value kit: UWEK external pre-filter, with both 1/4 and 3/8 elbows
- Best starter pack: Konvio Neer kit with 2 spun candles
- For Aquaguard owners: Aquaguard genuine pre-filter assembly
- Best refill: Amazon Basics 5-micron spun filter, pack of 2
Side-by-side comparison
| Product | What you get | Change every | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konvio Neer Transparent Heavy Duty | Clear 10″ housing + 120 g spun + elbow + spanner | 3–4 months | ~₹1,199 |
| UWEK External Pre-Filter | Housing + 120 g spun + 1/4 & 3/8 elbows | 3–4 months | ~₹791 |
| Konvio Neer Kit, 2 candles | Housing + 2 spun candles + elbows | 3–4 months | ~₹899 |
| Aquaguard Pre-Filter Assembly | Genuine assembly + connectors | Rated 6,000 L | ~₹999 |
| Amazon Basics spun, pack of 2 | 2 × 10″ 5-micron refills | 3–4 months each | ~₹378 |
The 5 best pre-filters for water purifiers
How we score: the BachatPaisa score is our editorial rating out of 5. It’s based on published specs, warranty terms, service reach and value for money. We don’t lab-test products, and the score isn’t an Amazon rating. It rates each product overall; the order on this page reflects how well each one fits this particular need.
1. Konvio Neer Transparent Heavy Duty Kit – Best overall
BachatPaisa score: 4.4/5
The clear bowl is the reason to buy this one. With borewell water you’ll watch the white candle turn tan, then brown, and you’ll know exactly when to change it instead of guessing from a calendar.
The kit includes a 10-inch housing, a 120 g 5-micron spun candle, a 1/4-inch elbow, Teflon tape, a spanner and hanging brackets. Konvio recommends a new candle every 3 to 4 months.
Key specs
- 10-inch transparent housing
- 120 g, 5-micron PP spun candle
- 1/4-inch elbow, Teflon tape, spanner
- 6-month warranty on manufacturing defects
What we like
- You can see when it needs changing
- Everything you need in the box
What could be better
- Clear bowls can grow algae in direct sunlight, so mount it in the shade
Buy it if: you’re on borewell or tanker water and want to see what you’re catching.
2. UWEK External Pre-Filter – Best value kit
BachatPaisa score: 4.1/5
UWEK includes both 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch elbows, which covers the inlet pipe sizes of most home ROs: KENT, Livpure, Havells and many local brands. The 120 g spun cartridge is food-grade polypropylene.
The housing is opaque, so you’ll change the candle on a schedule rather than by sight.
Key specs
- External housing with 120 g spun cartridge
- 1/4 and 3/8-inch elbows included
- 6-month warranty on the housing
What we like
- Fits most purifier inlets
- Cheapest complete kit here
What could be better
- Opaque housing, so you can’t see the dirt
Buy it if: you want a complete kit at the lowest price and will change it every 3 months.
3. Konvio Neer Kit with 2 Candles – Best starter pack
BachatPaisa score: 4.1/5
The same reliable Konvio housing with two spun candles, so your first change is already paid for. It includes 3/8 and 1/4-inch elbows and pipe, plus Teflon tape.
It’s a good choice if you’re fitting one for a parent’s or relative’s home and want the spare candle there already.
Key specs
- Pre-filter housing + 2 spun candles
- 3/8 and 1/4-inch elbows and pipe
- Teflon tape included
- 6-month warranty
What we like
- Spare candle included
- Both elbow sizes
What could be better
- Opaque housing
Buy it if: you want a kit plus a spare in one order.
4. Aquaguard Pre-Filter Assembly – For Aquaguard owners
BachatPaisa score: 4.0/5
The genuine Eureka Forbes part, rated for 6,000 litres. Some owners prefer it so there’s never an argument with the brand’s technician about third-party parts during a service visit.
It costs more than the universal kits and does the same basic job, so it’s worth it mainly for the peace of mind.
Key specs
- Genuine Aquaguard cartridge
- Rated for 6,000 L
- Quick-connect fittings
What we like
- Brand-approved part
- Long rated life
What could be better
- Pricier than universal kits
Buy it if: you own an Aquaguard and use the brand’s service plan.
5. Amazon Basics Spun Filter (Pack of 2) – Best refill
BachatPaisa score: 4.2/5
Once you have a housing, this is all you’ll buy again. Two 10-inch, 5-micron candles, each rated for up to 5,000 litres depending on how dirty your water is. Amazon recommends a change every 3 to 4 months.
They fit any standard 10-inch pre-filter housing, including all the kits above.
Key specs
- 2 × 10-inch, 5-micron PP spun
- Up to 5,000 L each
- Replace every 3–4 months
What we like
- Very cheap per change
- Universal 10-inch size
What could be better
- Refill only, no housing
Buy it if: you already have a pre-filter and need replacements.
How to fit a pre-filter (about 15 minutes)
- Close the inlet valve that feeds the purifier
- Pull the purifier’s inlet pipe off the valve or T-connector
- Screw the elbow into the pre-filter housing’s IN port and seal it with Teflon tape
- Run a pipe from the valve to the housing’s IN port, and from the OUT port to the purifier
- Hang the housing on the wall below the purifier, out of direct sunlight
- Open the valve slowly, check for drips, and run the first litre to waste
When to change the candle
Change it when it looks brown or the purifier’s flow drops, whichever comes first. On borewell water that’s often every 2 months. On municipal water, every 4 to 6 months. Never wash and reuse a spun candle: the dirt goes deep into the fibre.
Do you need one on municipal water?
If your water is clear and the overhead tank is cleaned regularly, it’s optional. It’s still the cheapest way to make the purifier’s own filters last longer.
Questions people ask us
Which pre-filter is best for a water purifier?
The Konvio Neer Transparent Heavy Duty kit, because the clear bowl shows when the candle needs changing. The UWEK kit is the best value.
How often should I change the pre-filter candle?
Every 3 to 4 months on average, every 2 months on dirty borewell water, or whenever it turns brown.
Does a pre-filter reduce TDS?
No. It only removes suspended particles like sand, silt and rust. TDS is handled by the RO membrane.
Will a pre-filter void my purifier warranty?
Fitting it outside the purifier doesn’t change the purifier itself. If you’re on a brand service plan, ask the technician or use the brand’s own pre-filter.
What micron rating should I choose?
5 micron is standard for home ROs. It catches sand and silt without slowing the flow too much.
Bottom line
Fit the Konvio Neer Transparent kit, keep a pack of Amazon Basics refills in the cupboard, and change the candle when it turns brown. It costs about ₹1,500 a year and protects RO parts worth far more.
Also read: Best water purifier for borewell water · Which purifier is best for hard water.