Under the counter or "faucet style" water ionizers are a popular choice for people who have limited counter space or just want to avoid having another appliance sitting on their counter. My top two picks for under the counter water ionizers are the Chanson VS-70 and the Jupiter Delphi.

While both produce the same quality of water there are some differences between these two units - besides the price. Here's a closer look.

Chanson VS-70

The Chanson VS-70 is the same basic water ionizer as the Chanson Miracle counter top unit. It's a single filter 7-plate water ionizer capable of producing alkaline ionized water with a pH of 10.4 and an ORP of -750, depending on your source water.

A unique feature on Chanson's VS-70 is the ability to adjust the unit based on the TDS (total dissolved solids) in your water. Not only is the power of the unit adjusted based on the TDS found in your source water but it also adjusts your filter life indicator and length of the cleaning cycle. This ensures that everything in the unit is set for optimal performance based on your source water.

You have 7 available presents on the Chanson VS-70: 4 alkaline, 2 acid and 1 neutral setting with a voice alert letting you know what type of water is being dispensed.

The Chanson VS-70 also has a calcium port where you can add extra minerals to boost performance in soft water areas or just to increase the minerals available for your body's absorption.

As a single filter water ionizer your filter replacement cost will be lower - replacement filters will run about $55 and will last up to 12 months depending on your unit settings and source water. A filter life indicator will alert you when it is time to replace the fiter.

Because the activated carbon in the Chanson VS-70 filter is "wet-molded" its absorption volume is up to 20 percent higher than regular carbon block style filters. This gives you a longer lasting filter and reduces your overall cost of ownership.

The Chanson VS-70 is the most affordable 7-plate under the counter water ionizer at $2,150. 5-Plate under the counter water ionizers start at $1,995.

The price, the styling, adjustability and low cost of ownership make the Chanson VS-70 one of our top to picks for under the counter water ionizers. As our best selling under the counter water ionizer we have many happy Chanson VS-70 customers.

Jupiter Delphi

Our other top pick for an under the counter water ionizer is the Jupiter Delphi. The Delphi is the same basic unit as the Jupiter Athena. The only real difference between the Delphi and the Athena is the under the counter design. Also, the Delphi is a single filter model using the same BioStone main filter but without the sediment filter found as a second filter in the Athena.

The Delphi is a 5-plate dual filter unit featuring 9 preset buttons: 4 alkaline, 4 acid and one neutral. In my tests of the Jupiter Athena I was able to produce water with a high pH of 10.7 with an ORP of -760. With the same plates and the same advanced water chamber design I am confident that the Jupiter Delphi will produce the same quality of alkaline ionized water as the Athena.

Jupiter water ionizers are known to be some of the best when it comes to hard water. With an advanced cleaning system and unique electrolysis chamber design, the Jupiter Delphi is rated to perform well in hard water up to 14ppm.

Most customers find that they are replacing their filters about every six months with an annual cost of around $120, depending on your choice of filter. The Jupiter Delphi and Athena have several grades of filters available for these two units so that you can choose your level of filtration for particles and sediment based on your source water.

At $2,645 the Jupiter Delphi is a little more pricey than the Chanson VS-70 but many people prefer the sleek, simple style of the faucet and some just prefer a dual filter water ionizer.

Both the Chanson VS-70 and Jupiter Delphi are top performers and recommended as "top picks" for under the counter water ionizer based on their performance and customer satisfaction.

For more information on the Chanson VS-70 or the Jupiter Delphi, visit the store pages for these items.

Jupiter Delphi Chanson VS70