Finding the right water filtration system for your home can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which one will best meet your needs. Two popular choices are the Halo 5 water system and the Pelican water filter system.
But which one is better?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare and contrast the Halo 5 and Pelican water systems, looking at performance, features, design, cost, and more. Read on for the full breakdown so you can decide which system is right for your home.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Halo 5 | Pelican |
| Filtration Stages | 5 stages: sediment pre-filter, 2 carbon filters, reverse osmosis, UV light | 2 stages: sediment filter, carbon filter + UV light |
| Filtration Performance | Removes wide range of contaminants including heavy metals and fluoride; reduces bacteria and viruses | Good at removing sediment, chlorine, and microorganisms; less effective for heavy metals |
| Water Purity | Produces highly purified water, removes up to 99% of contaminants | Improves purity but does not purify to the same level as reverse osmosis |
| Water Taste | Excellent taste with minerals and contaminants removed | Good taste with improved chlorine and sediment reduction |
| Filter Changes | Multiple filters to change annually at higher cost (~$150/year) | Single filter to change yearly at lower cost (~$60/year) |
| Installation & Maintenance | More complex, especially for reverse osmosis component | Very simple install and maintenance |
| Size & Footprint | Compact 13.5″ x 5.3″ x 14.3″ unit fits under sink | Larger unit at 28″ x 12″ x 12″ requires counter/floor space |
| Capacity | Up to 150 gallons per day | Up to 50 gallons per day |
| Flow Rate | 50 gallons per hour | 168 gallons per hour |
| Cost | $300-$500 for initial purchase | $200-$300 for initial purchase |
| Long-Term Costs | Approximately $150/year for filter changes | Approximately $60/year for filter changes |
Halo 5 Overview
The Halo 5 water system from Inspire Brands aims to filter and purify your drinking water using a 5-stage filtration process. Here’s an overview of what it offers:
- 5 stages of filtration:
- Stage 1: Sediment pre-filter that traps particulates like dirt and rust.
- Stage 2: Carbon KDF filter that reduces chlorine, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Stage 3: Reverse osmosis membrane that filters out dissolved solids, microorganisms, fluoride, sodium, and more.
- Stage 4: Carbon post-filter for final polishing.
- Stage 5: UV light for destroying any remaining microorganisms.
- Produces up to 150 gallons of clean water per day.
- Reduces up to 99% of lead and 96% of fluoride.
- Built-in leak detector shuts off system if a leak is detected.
- Digital display shows you useful information like filter capacity remaining.
- Small, compact design is easy to install under your sink.
- Optional permeate pump for improved efficiency (sold separately).
The Halo 5 employs reverse osmosis and carbon filtration to thoroughly clean your water supply. The stages work together to remove a wide range of contaminants, from sediment and chlorine to heavy metals and microorganisms.
The UV light stage provides a final safeguard against any remaining bacteria or viruses in the water. And the system includes helpful features like a leak detector, digital display, and small footprint.
Pelican Overview
The Pelican water filter system takes a different approach to home water filtration. Rather than reverse osmosis, it uses a combination of carbon filtration and UV treatment.
Here are the key details on the Pelican system:
- Dual filtration process:
- Stage 1: Sub-micron mechanical filtration removes sediment, rust, silt, etc.
- Stage 2: Activated carbon filtration reduces chlorine, VOCs, and other chemicals.
- Built-in 11-watt UV light destroys 99.99% of bacteria and viruses.
- Minimal water waste compared to reverse osmosis systems.
- Simple design for straightforward installation and maintenance.
- Clear housing lets you see the filter media and UV lamp.
- Capacity of up to 1,000 gallons between filter changes.
- High flow rate of 2.8 gallons per minute.
The Pelican system takes a more streamlined approach. It uses mechanical filtration followed by activated carbon and UV treatment. This process effectively reduces contaminants and microorganisms without the complexity and waste water of reverse osmosis.
The transparent filter housing provides a way to visually inspect the system. And the UV bulb only needs replacing annually, while the filters can handle up to 1,000 gallons.
Key Differences Between Halo 5 And Pelican Water Filter Systems
Now that we’ve covered the basics on each system, let’s compare them across some key factors:
- Filtration Performance
One of the biggest considerations when choosing a water filter is how well it actually filters and purifies your water. So how do Halo 5 and Pelican compare in this regard?
- Contaminant Removal
The Halo 5 system removes a wider range of contaminants thanks to its 5-stage reverse osmosis process. It can effectively reduce heavy metals like lead and mercury, fluoride, microorganisms, dissolved solids, and much more.
Independent lab testing found Halo 5 reduces lead by up to 99% and fluoride by 96%. So it excels at removing trace hazardous contaminants.
The Pelican system focuses more on sediment, chlorine, and microorganisms. The carbon filter does remove some heavy metals and chemicals, but not to the same degree as a reverse osmosis membrane.
However, the Pelican’s 11-watt UV lamp provides excellent microorganism disinfection, destroying over 99.99% of bacteria and viruses.
- Water Purity
With its extensive 5-stage filtration process, the Halo 5 produces exceptionally pure water. The reverse osmosis membrane eliminates dissolved solids and minerals, leaving you with water that’s as close to distilled as possible while still retaining healthy mineralization.
The Pelican system improves water purity via carbon filtration and UV treatment. But since it lacks reverse osmosis, its filtered water retains more dissolved solids than the Halo’s water.
If your main goal is ultra-pure drinking water, the Halo 5 is the better choice here. But if you just want to remove sediment, chlorine, and microorganisms, the Pelican gets the job done well at a lower price point.
- Water Taste
Both systems improve water taste by reducing chemicals like chlorine. The Halo 5 also removes total dissolved solids and fluoride, making for fresher, cleaner tasting water.
However, removing too many dissolved minerals can leave water with a flat, lackluster taste. Pelican’s water may have a more robust mineral taste since it retains more of these solids.
For the purest tasting water, Halo 5 wins out. But Pelican still produces good quality drinking water with improved taste over unfiltered water.
- Convenience and Maintenance
Water filtration systems also differ quite a bit when it comes to ongoing maintenance and convenience. Filter changes, required parts replacements, and general ease of use are key factors to consider.
- Filter Changes
The Halo 5 system requires filter changes on the sediment pre-filter, carbon filters, and post-filter.
The reverse osmosis membrane needs replacing every 2-5 years as well.
All told, you’re looking at about $120-150 per year in replacement filter costs.
Pelican’s filters only need replacing once a year or every 1,000 gallons.
And since it’s just a simple carbon block filter, replacements cost just $40-50. The UV bulb needs a $20 replacement annually also.
Clearly, the Pelican system is far more affordable and convenient when it comes to maintenance. Halo 5’s extensive filtration process requires pricier and more frequent filter replacements.
- Installation and Servicing
Installing and maintaining a reverse osmosis system like Halo 5 is more complex than a standard carbon filtration system. The reverse osmosis component needs careful setup to work properly and efficiently.
Pelican’s straightforward carbon filter and UV light setup is far simpler to install yourself and maintain over time. No special tools or parts are required.
For DIY installation and maintenance, Pelican is definitely the more beginner-friendly choice requiring minimal work on your end.
- Design and Specs
There are also some clear differences between these two units when it comes to their design and specifications.
- Size and Footprint
The Halo 5 system is compact and designed to fit under your sink. At just 13.5” x 5.3” x 14.3”, it has a small footprint and neatly tucks away out of sight.
Pelican’s system is larger and will require some space outside of your sink’s cabinetry. It measures 28” x 12” x 12” and stands vertically on the floor or countertop.
For an out-of-sight, under sink installation, Halo 5’s tiny size wins out. But Pelican offers a simpler setup if you have ample visible space.
- Capacity
With its high-output membrane, Halo 5 can produce up to 150 gallons of clean water per day. This can easily support the needs of 1-5 people in a household.
Pelican lags behind at just 50 gallons per day. It’s only suited to 1-3 people with moderate water usage.
Halo 5’s superior output can handle busy households with up to 5 people. Pelican works best for smaller households of just 1-3 members.
- Flow Rate
Reverse osmosis systems typically have slower flow rates due to the pressure required to force water through the membrane. The Halo 5 produces about 50 gallons per hour.
Pelican offers a high flow rate of 2.8 gallons per minute or about 168 gallons per hour. So you can fill a cup or bottle much faster than with Halo 5.
Pelican is the winner when it comes to fast flow and minimal waiting at your tap.
- Appearance
Here again, we see major differences between these two units:
- Halo 5 is designed for an under sink installation out of sight. It has a nondescript white exterior and digital display.
- Pelican features a polished chrome column with a transparent filter housing. The gleaming chrome and see-through case allow it to serve almost as a decorative feature.
For an inconspicuous installation, Halo 5 disappears neatly under your sink. Pelican makes a bolder statement with its gleaming chrome housing and contemporary design.
- Cost Comparison
Of course, cost is always an important factor when investing in a water filtration system. How do Halo 5 and Pelican compare price-wise?
- Upfront Cost
Halo 5 has a higher initial purchase price, ranging from $300-500 for the base system. Additional upgrades like the permeate pump will cost extra.
Pelican comes in at a more affordable $200-300 range for the standard package.
For budget-conscious buyers, Pelican offers huge savings upfront compared to Halo 5.
- Long-Term Costs
The higher maintenance costs of Halo 5’s filter replacements mean you’ll spend more over time. With 4-5 filters to replace annually at $15-30 each, expect to spend $120-150 per year.
Pelican only has one $40 filter and one $20 UV bulb to replace yearly, totaling just $60.
Over a 5 year period, Halo 5’s total cost could approach $1,500. Pelican’s 5 year cost would be under $500, up to 66% less.
If you’re looking for an affordable, lower maintenance system, Pelican provides huge long-term savings. Halo 5 does cost more but delivers superior filtration and water purity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For most households, a Halo water system may be overkill, but it can be worth it if you:
1. Have serious water contamination issues, like lead or arsenic.
2. Want ultra-purified water with all dissolved solids removed.
3. Need to filter higher water volumes for a large household.
4. Prefer the 5-stage reverse osmosis process.
5. Don’t mind the higher maintenance costs.
For general sediment, chlorine, and microorganism filtration, Pelican may be plenty at a lower price.
Yes, the Halo 5 system reduces fluoride by up to 96% thanks to its reverse osmosis filtration process. This can be beneficial if you want to limit fluoride intake.
The Halo 5 itself can last 5-10 years or longer with proper maintenance. The filters and reverse osmosis membrane will need regular replacement, about once per year or so. The digital display may eventually need replacement too.
The “best” water filter system depends on your needs:
1. For basic sediment and chlorine reduction, a carbon filter like Pelican is sufficient.
2. If you want ultra-pure water, reverse osmosis like Halo 5 is ideal.
3. For microbial protection, UV filtration is a must.
4. To remove specific contaminants like lead or fluoride, specialized filters are required.
Consider your water quality, household size, and budget to choose the right system for you. Combination carbon-UV systems like Pelican provide a good balance for most homes. But if you have contaminated source water, reverse osmosis is worth the investment for clean, safe drinking water.
The Verdict
So in the end, which system reigns supreme – the Halo 5 or the Pelican?
For outstanding water purity and filtration of sediments, chemicals, and heavy metals, the Halo 5 is the winner. Its 5-stage reverse osmosis process produces exceptionally clean water. And it can handle high water volumes for larger households.
Downsides of the Halo 5 include slower flow rate, larger footprint, higher costs, and more maintenance.
For a budget-friendly system that efficiently filters basic contaminants, choose the Pelican. It removes sediment, chlorine, and microorganisms at just 20% the cost of Halo 5. Simple maintenance and quick flow rate are added perks.
Just note that the Pelican does not purify water to the same ultra-clean levels as reverse osmosis systems like the Halo 5.
Ultimately, choosing between these two excellent water filtration systems depends on your needs and priorities:
- Halo 5 for purest water and high capacity needs
- Pelican for affordability and simplicity
With this detailed comparison, you now have all the info you need to decide on the best water filtration system for your home. Both Halo 5 and Pelican provide great options with their respective strengths and weaknesses. Water quality is just a filtration system away!