HQUA OWS-12
#3 in Up to 12 GPMFull review
A bare bones budget UV for a cabin or a well that already passes bacteria tests. Too little is published to rely on it for a known problem.
Amazon $199.99$199.99
The HQUA OWS-12 is the better UV water purifier overall, rated 2.7 to 2.6. The Viqua VH200 wins on certification. The HQUA OWS-12 costs $485.01 less ($199.99 vs $685).
Viqua VH200
#4 in Up to 12 GPMFull review
A dependable small home or cabin unit from the biggest name in residential UV, with a real controller warranty. Larger homes need the VH410 or a monitored system.
Amazon $685$685
Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Viqua VH200 for certification (not NSF/ANSI 55 certified; flow rated at a stated 40 mJ/cm² dose vs not NSF/ANSI 55 certified, and no UV dose published).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every up to 12 GPM UV water purifier; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | HQUA OWS-12 | Viqua VH200 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.7/5 | 2.6/5 |
| Value 25% | 73 $41.66 per GPM ($199.99, 4.8 GPM at 40 mJ/cm², from 12 GPM at an unstated dose taken as 16) | 41 $97.86 per GPM ($685, 7 GPM at 40 mJ/cm²) |
| Certification 20% | 0 not NSF/ANSI 55 certified, and no UV dose published | 30 not NSF/ANSI 55 certified; flow rated at a stated 40 mJ/cm² dose |
| Monitoring 20% | 50 monitoring not published (neutral score used) | 40 lamp failure alarm, lamp change countdown |
| Lamp life 10% | 50 lamp life not published (neutral score used) | 6 9,000 hour mercury lamp |
| Warranty 25% | 0 warranty not published, scored as none | 22 3-year warranty |
Specifications
| HQUA OWS-12 | Viqua VH200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Disinfection | ||
| Rated flow | 12 GPM | 7 GPM at 40 mJ/cm² |
| NSF/ANSI 55 | No | No |
| Lamp | Mercury | Mercury |
| Lamp power | 40 W | 25 W |
| Lamp life | - | 9,000 hours |
| Monitoring | ||
| UV intensity sensor | - | No |
| Lamp failure alarm | - | Yes |
| Lamp change countdown | - | Yes |
| Shutoff valve | - | No |
| Build | ||
| Chamber | 304 stainless steel | 304 stainless steel |
| Ports | 0.8 in | 1 in |
| Maximum pressure | - | 125 psi |
| Voltage | 120 V | 120 V |
| Warranty | - | 3 years |