If there’s one kitchen appliance that quietly works day and night without being celebrated enough, it’s the water purifier. At our place, clean drinking water isn’t optional it’s survival. With constant concerns about TDS levels, contamination, and water safety, choosing the right purifier is one of the most important home decisions. Last year, after weeks of research and conversations with friends, I finally switched to Urban Company’s Native M1 and later added Native M2 for another family member’s home. Now, after more than a year of using both models regularly, I can say they are easily among the best RO purifiers available today especially in terms of water taste, build quality, maintenance experience, and long-term cost. This is my complete experience design and installation, day-to-day usage, filtration performance, customer support, costs, and the small things you only notice after months of use.
First Impressions and Design
Urban Company has definitely put effort into aesthetics. Most traditional RO purifiers look like dull white boxes mounted on the wall, but both the Native M1 and M2 bring a clean, modern, slightly premium appeal. They blend into the kitchen without looking bulky or old-fashioned.
Native M1 is the sleeker of the two, perfect for smaller spaces. Native M2 is larger but visually more impressive sharper lines, tougher feel, and a persona that gives confidence. After a year, both bodies have held up well. No discoloration, no rattling noises, and most importantly, no random water leakages. The touch controls and display indicators are simple and useful not flashy. You get clear readings for purification status, water level, filter condition, and warnings. There’s very little learning curve, which I appreciate. Even my parents use it comfortably.
Installation Experience
This is where Urban Company stands out compared to other brands. Their installation service is extremely streamlined appointments are quick, technicians are professional, and they show up on time. When Native M1 was installed, the setup took less than an hour, including TDS checks and after-use instructions. With the M2 installation, I noticed the technician was even more thorough. They tested inlet TDS, final TDS, and flow rate, and explained the filtration stages instead of installing and rushing out.
In both cases, we faced zero drilling mess, no sloppy pipes hanging outside the unit, and no last-minute charges. It was a clean start.
Filtration & Water Taste
Let’s be honest this is what matters most. And both M1 and M2 impressed us from day one.
The water taste is genuinely pleasant. With most RO purifiers, even after remineralisation, water often feels too flat. Here, the water tastes much closer to natural mineral water smooth, balanced, and neutral. There’s no bitterness or metallic tang, even when drinking plain water at room temperature. TDS output has consistently stayed stable in both machines. Even as seasons changed and water supply fluctuated, the reading barely moved.
What I appreciate most is how different filters play clear roles:
- Pre-filters handle sediments and large particles
- RO membrane manages heavy metal removal
- Carbon block tackles odor and chemicals
- Mineralizers add back essential salts
After a year, there’s been zero drop in quality or taste. No algal smells, no cloudiness, and no mixed aftertaste.
Native M1 vs Native M2: What I Noticed
After using both systems, here’s how they differ in real life:
Native M1
- Designed for smaller families or moderate usage
- Compact build, easy fit in any kitchen
- Water flow is steady and quiet
- Great if your inlet TDS is average
Native M2
- Built for larger households or high water demand
- Stronger suction and higher flow rate
- Feels slightly more rugged and durable
- Better suited for areas with high TDS or variable supply
Both deliver extremely clean water, but if you have many family members or plan heavy usage, M2 is the more future-proof choice.
Durability After 1 Year
If I had to give a score for build stability, it would be 9/10. Neither purifier has shown signs of fatigue. No loose parts, no sudden noises, no dripping joints, no reduction in flow. What impressed me most is filter housing quality. Some brands use flimsy compartments that loosen over time, but UC’s design feels firm and secure. The internal system hasn’t shown clogging issues either. Even during peak summer, when water often carries more sediments, the machines performed consistently.
Service & Maintenance
Urban Company’s service model is one of the biggest reasons I recommend these purifiers today.
First: AMC pricing is transparent and fair. You see everything clearly on the app filter status, life left, replacement cost, technician visits, and past history. No scams, no overcharging.
Second: technicians have been consistently trained and polite. They check water lines, remeasure TDS, inspect internal tubing, clean external panels, and run leak tests.
Third: replacement reminders are automated and helpful. No surprise breakdowns.
In one year, we never had a single emergency call. The machines behaved exactly as advertised, and service was smooth every time.
Running Cost
Compared to other branded purifiers, the long-term cost is lower than I expected. Not because filters last forever, but because replacements are not sold at inflated margins and the app prevents unnecessary servicing.
For example:
- Pre-filters need replacement sooner (depending on water quality)
- RO + Carbon + Mineral filters last longer
- Electricity consumption is near-negligible
For a family using the purifier every day, the operation cost actually balances out well.
Noise, Waste Water & Flow Rate
Noise level is minimal on both models just a soft hum during purification. No vibration issues. Wastewater, like any RO, is produced in expected quantities, but flow rate efficiency is better than most purifiers with similar outputs. Native M2 felt significantly faster, especially when filling bottles.
Mobile App Experience
The companion app is far more useful than I thought:
- Tracks filter health
- Shows historical data
- Schedules services
- Tracks technician visits
- Manages AMC
Most purifier brands don’t offer this level of convenience.
The Real Value After One Year
What I realised is this: most purifiers perform well in the first few months. The real test begins after one year—when filters age, parts settle, and water quality varies.
Native M1 and M2 passed that test beautifully: Clean water, No downtime, Fair maintenance, Good customer experience, and honestly, peace of mind. Because once a purifier starts malfunctioning, the stress isn’t just financial it’s emotional. Nobody wants to think about bacteria, rust, or chemicals every time they drink water. These machines remove that pressure completely.
My final thoughts if it is worth buying?
Absolutely. If you want a purifier that delivers:
- Consistent RO performance
- Balanced mineral taste
- Premium build
- Reliable customer service
- Long-term value
- Smart maintenance tracking
Then Urban Company’s Native M1 and M2 are two of the safest and smartest choices available.
There are cheaper models in the market, and there are more premium ones too. But very few deliver this combination of design, technology, transparency, and user comfort. One year later, I’m not even thinking about switching brands. And that, I feel, is the strongest review any product can earn. If you are considering a new water purifier, or upgrading from an older one, put Native on your shortlist. It may not be flashy, but it does the one job that matters most providing safe, great-tasting water without stress.
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