LivingCare Onyx Water Purifier Review: A Comprehensive Look at Water Purifiers and Dispensers
In this in-depth review, we take a closer look at the LivingCare Onyx water purifier. Discover its features, performance, and how it compares to other water purifiers and dispensers on the market. Whether you're looking for a hot and cold water solution or simply want cleaner, safer drinking water, this review will help you make an informed decision.
Water purifiers and dispensers have garnered significant attention, with many new homeowners opting to include them in their homes. The market offers a variety of options, ranging from small tap dispensers like Wells The One, which require space under your tabletop for their filters, to a wide range of tabletop models, including tankless and non-tankless varieties.
Recently, I decided to invest in a water dispenser, recognizing my wife's desire for instant hot and cold water. After researching available options, I chose the LivingCare Onyx, released in 2023. This sleek unit is one of the slimmest on the market, offering both hot and cold functions. Unlike traditional models, the LivingCare Onyx utilizes semiconductor cooling technology, which is touted for its energy efficiency.
Given Singapore's safe water quality, my primary requirement was a dispenser that could provide hot and cold water reliably. The additional water filtration capabilities of the LivingCare Onyx were a welcome bonus. Its compact size made it a perfect fit for our small kitchen tabletop.
Key Features
Size: The LivingCare Onyx is impressively compact, measuring just 13.5cm in width, 40.8cm in diameter, and 34.5cm in height.
Heating: It can heat water to nearly 100 degrees, ideal for various hot beverages or instant meals.
Cooling: The dispenser offers two cooling modes: Cool at 9 degrees and Max Cool at 5 degrees, ensuring refreshing cold water.
Filtration: Designed for a family of three, the filter is expected to last approximately 12 months.
Installation Experience
The installer arrived promptly at 9 am and efficiently installed the dispenser, leaving no messy wires or tubes exposed. He was patient, taking about an hour to complete the installation, and also provided a demonstration on how to use the LivingCare Onyx.
Utilising the Water Purifier
Excited to try the cold water feature, I was advised to wait 45 minutes for the initial cold water dispense as the semiconductor needed time to chill. Opting to wait an hour for good measure, I found that my first dispense on the max cool setting was not as cold as expected. It was only slightly cooler than room temperature. To confirm my suspicions, I asked my family members to test it, and they agreed that it was not cold. Using an infrared thermometer, I measured the temperature to be around 20 degrees Celsius.
At 12 pm, I contacted LivingCare customer service to report the issue. They promptly sent someone to check on the same day, and by 4 pm, they confirmed that the max cool temperature was 21 degrees Celsius and cool was 22 degrees Celsius. They did a one-to-one exchange. However, even with the replacement, the water temperature remained the same. I informed my sales associate, who advised me to monitor the temperature until the next morning.
The next morning, I purchased a food thermometer to measure the water temperature during the first dispense directly at the tip of the dispenser. The reading showed a slight improvement, hovering around 18+ degrees Celsius on the max cool setting. However, this was still not the advertised temperature, and the variance was too high. I contacted LivingCare again, and they arranged for their technician to check the temperature the next day. Once again, the technician confirmed that the temperature was 18-20 degrees Celsius on max cool.
As of now, I have gone through three exchanges, and the temperature remains the same. I am awaiting an update from LivingCare to resolve this matter.
Final Thoughts
The LivingCare Onyx is a well-designed product that demonstrates innovation and boasts excellent customer service. However, it falls short in delivering the promised cold water temperatures. If your primary focus is on cold water functionality, you may be disappointed. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a stylish and functional water purifier with a futuristic design, the LivingCare Onyx could be a suitable choice.
Temperature under Max Cool at 18.8 degrees. No where close to the 5 degrees as advertised.
Temperature at 73.7 degrees which is close to the 75 degrees as advertised.
The LivingCare Onyx on my kitchen table top