For a number of years, I’ve been increasingly aware about what I eat and drink. Gone are the times after I may survive on many cans of fizzy drink, chocolate, and snacks to gasoline my images adventures. I merely cannot put my physique by it anymore, plus it was having a detrimental impact on my potential to remain sharp and give attention to my duties. As an alternative, I switched to having water as usually as I can throughout every day, and regardless of the temptations of the colourful fridges in fuel stations, I’ve managed to this point to keep away from the temptations. Has there been a change? Sure, I can preserve going for longer, I don’t really feel as bloated, and I’ve saved cash in the long run. However I’ve usually questioned if I may do even higher.
Analysis means that even gentle dehydration—only a 2% drop in physique water—can impression focus, reminiscence, and general efficiency. So I began questioning: may having constantly clear, filtered water at residence save me much more cash and provides me extra entry to scrub and wholesome water?
Then, out of the blue, we acquired an electronic mail from Waterdrop, asking if we wished to attempt their newest water purifying system. Maybe this could be the answer to my wants. Would one thing just like the Waterdrop X16 really assist me keep sharper and really feel higher throughout lengthy days of taking pictures or enhancing? I knew it wasn’t going to enhance my images instantly, but it surely felt value discovering out.
This isn’t your typical digital camera gear evaluate, however bear with me. Over the previous couple of years, like lots of you studying this, I’ve spent a whole lot of time on the highway, within the subject, and in my residence studio. I’m all the time chasing gentle, planning shoots, enhancing photographs, and educating. One factor I’ve discovered, particularly after lengthy taking pictures days and late enhancing nights, is that the way you gasoline your physique makes an actual distinction to the way you carry out. That features hydration.
Clear water won’t sound like a photographer’s concern, however I’d argue in any other case. Whether or not you are a full-time shooter, operating a studio, or simply making an attempt to remain sharp throughout lengthy days behind the lens, the standard of the water you drink instantly impacts how nicely you’re employed. So I made a decision to take a correct have a look at the Waterdrop X16, a high-end under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system, to see if it may earn a spot alongside my studio equipment.
Why Water High quality Issues Extra Than You Suppose
In Eire and throughout a lot of Europe, mains faucet water is mostly thought-about secure. However “secure” doesn’t imply “perfect.” Plus, I’m certain that the place you reside, you’ll have comparable water high quality challenges.
In lots of areas, chlorine by-products (THMs) are nonetheless discovered at ranges above EU limits. In 2024, Eire reported a number of the highest THM ranges in Western Europe, at 47 μg/L, regardless of the EU common being round 11 μg/L. These compounds are related to an elevated threat of bladder and colorectal most cancers. •Environmental Safety Company (EPA) Eire•
Lead pipes nonetheless exist in lots of properties constructed earlier than the Nineteen Eighties. Publicity, even at low ranges, can impair mind perform, particularly in kids.
Nitrates, largely from agricultural runoff, exceed WHO thresholds in additional than one-third of EU groundwater websites.
Microplastics have now been present in over 80% of worldwide faucet water samples, together with many in Europe.
After which there’s PFAS (so-called “eternally chemical substances”), which at the moment are linked to all the things from immune system disruption to fertility points. These aren’t successfully eliminated by commonplace water remedy crops.
As photographers, we rely closely on each bodily and psychological efficiency—lengthy hours carrying gear, staying alert throughout dawn or sundown shoots, and staying targeted whereas enhancing. Even gentle dehydration has been proven to trigger short-term reminiscence points and lack of consideration span. So sure, what we drink, and the standard of that water, has a real-world impact.
First Impressions: What’s within the Field
The Waterdrop X16 is a compact, tankless reverse osmosis system. It arrives well-packaged with:
The principle filtration unit
Sensible digital faucet
All of the required tubing and fittings
Energy provide
Three-stage inner filters (together with RO membrane, activated carbon, and remineralization)
Every part it’s essential to get going is within the field, which is sweet to see. That stated, I did run into one challenge: whereas Waterdrop states that it’s DIY-install pleasant, I had to herald a plumber. My current kitchen water inlet system didn’t enable for a clear or safe be part of to the primary provide line, so until you’re assured and have a more moderen plumbing setup, it’s value budgeting for skilled set up.
As soon as put in, the unit suits neatly underneath the sink, with a small footprint (approx. 46 × 16 × 42 cm). It runs quietly, with no tank to take up further area, and the digital faucet is each responsive and clear, displaying TDS readings in actual time (whole dissolved solids) and alerting when filters want altering. TDS, it appears, is a crucial measurement of water high quality and is used to find out the protection of water high quality for ingesting. To have this constructed into the tap can solely be an excellent factor, I think about.
Efficiency and On a regular basis Use
The Waterdrop X16 has some spectacular specs:
Filtration price: 1,600 gallons per day (~6 liters per minute)
11-stage filtration, together with 0.0001 μm RO membrane, UV sterilization, and remineralization
Water restoration ratio: 3:1 (3 liters of fresh water for each 1 liter of waste)
Digital faucet with filter life indicator, TDS show, and contact activation
NSF/ANSI licensed for supplies and efficiency
In real-world use, that interprets right into a noticeable change in each the style and readability of the water. There’s no chlorine tang, no sediment, and no chemical aftertaste. The water has a clean, impartial pH round 7.5 and feels barely “softer” because of the added magnesium and calcium in the course of the last filtration stage.
It’s fast too—you’ll be able to fill a typical cup in about 2 seconds, and also you’re not ready round for a tank to fill between makes use of.
Well being Advantages in Observe
As soon as put in, I began utilizing the filtered water day by day for tea, espresso, cooking, and naturally, straight ingesting. Right here’s what I’ve observed and what the science says:
Sharper focus throughout workDrinking extra and ingesting cleaner made a distinction over time. My focus was extra constant throughout lengthy edits or video creation. That strains up with analysis displaying even gentle dehydration can scale back short-term reminiscence and response pace, whereas clear water (freed from contaminants like lead and nitrates) helps cognitive efficiency.
Bodily well-beingAfter full-day shoots or lengthy hikes with gear, clear water helped with restoration. It’s not a miracle resolution, however hydration with mineral-balanced water helps joint lubrication and steady blood strain—two components that matter in case you’re in your toes all day.
Lowered reliance on bottled waterI used to maintain bottled water within the studio for company and myself. That’s now fully changed. No extra plastic waste, and no extra recurring price. I even convey a reusable bottle on journeys, crammed earlier than leaving residence.
Skilled expertise within the studioOffering a glass of pure, filtered water to a mannequin, shopper, or assistant is a small gesture that reveals professionalism. For these operating a shared or rented studio area, that is a simple strategy to elevate the expertise.
Upkeep and Issues
Upkeep is minimal. Filters are designed to final:
RO membrane: as much as 24 months
Activated carbon + pre-filter: each 6–12 months
Remineralization cartridge: about 12 months
The good faucet alerts you when it’s time to vary every one. Swapping filters is a tool-free course of and takes lower than 5 minutes.
As for electrical energy, the system makes use of a UV sterilizer and pump, however vitality draw is minimal, particularly given the well being advantages and day by day utilization.
Last Ideas
If in case you have made it this far, then you definitely already know that this is probably not conventional equipment for photographers, however I’d argue that hydration is as important to efficiency as any lens or tripod. Whether or not you’re chasing gentle alongside the coast or operating a business shoot in a studio, clear water helps psychological sharpness, bodily endurance, and professionalism.
Would I like to recommend the Waterdrop X16? Sure, with a caveat. Finances for set up in case your water provide line is awkward. However as soon as in place, the system runs quietly, effectively, and with out fuss. In the event you’re operating a studio, educating, or simply need to make sure you’re at your finest all through the day, it is a stable long-term funding in your well being and workflow.
