If you’re shopping for a faucet-mounted water purifier, Cleansui’s EF102 and EF103 are two models that can be hard to choose between, because both use the same cartridge, EFC11, with a filtration capacity of 900 liters and a flow rate of 1.6 liters per minute. Looking at the basic specs, you may wonder: what’s the difference between Cleansui EF102 and EF103? If they use the same cartridge, how is EF103 different from EF102, and which one should you choose?
The main difference isn’t the cartridge itself but the way water is dispensed, the functions, the display and the details of the unit. EF103 offers 3 water modes: unfiltered straight stream, unfiltered shower spray and filtered straight stream, while Waterclick’s information on EF102 lists two settings: filtered water and tap water.
So if you’re choosing between these two models, don’t just look at the fact that EF103 is newer or pricier. Consider whether its extra functions suit the way you use water day to day.
What Do Cleansui EF102 and EF103 Have in Common?
Before looking at the differences, it helps to start with what the two models share, since this is the main reason many people feel EF102 and EF103 look so alike. Both are faucet-mounted water purifiers and use the EFC11 cartridge, part of Cleansui’s Super High Grade group, with a filtration system made up of Polyethylene Hollow Fiber Membrane, Activated Carbon and Ceramics.
The EFC11 cartridge has a filtration capacity of 900 liters, and the stated flow rate for the unit is 1.6 liters per minute.
So when it comes to filtration, don’t conclude that EF103 filters cleaner than EF102 just because its model number is higher, since both use the same EFC11. The difference worth focusing on is the user experience and the unit’s functions, rather than which model has the better cartridge.
Comparing Cleansui EF102 vs EF103
| Features | Cleansui EF102 | Cleansui EF103 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Faucet mounted | Faucet mounted |
| Cartridges | EFC11 | EFC11 |
| Cartridge grade | Super High Grade | Super High Grade |
| Cartridge capacity | 900 L | 900 L |
| Flow rate | 1.6 L/min | 1.6 L/min |
| Filtration system | Hollow Fiber Membrane + Activated Carbon + Ceramics | Hollow Fiber Membrane + Activated Carbon + Ceramics |
| Digital display | Yes | Yes |
| Shows the water remaining. | Yes | Yes |
| Flow rate alert | Yes | Yes |
| Battery alert | Yes | Yes |
| Unfiltered water, straight stream | Yes | Yes |
| Unfiltered water, shower spray | Not a highlight of this model | Yes |
| Filtered water, straight stream | Yes | Yes |
| CC measuring function | Not specified | Yes |
| Approx. dimensions | 126 × 112 × 79 mm | 126 × 119 × 79 mm |
| Latest price found | 4,390 baht | 3,990 baht |
| Stock status when checked | Temporarily out of stock | In stock on the category page |
Prices are those found on Waterclick on the date checked and may change with promotions.
What Is the Cleansui EF102?
Cleansui EF102 is a faucet-mounted water purifier designed to attach directly to your faucet, so it suits people who want water filtration without installing a unit under the sink.
Its key feature is the EFC11 cartridge, a Super High Grade cartridge that combines Activated Carbon and Hollow Fiber Membrane with other filter media in the system.
The unit has a digital display that shows usage information, such as how much water the cartridge has left, along with flow rate alerts and battery status. This suits users who want to know roughly how much cartridge life remains without having to guess from when they started using it. Another plus of EF102 is its fairly compact body, which makes it a good fit for condos, apartments, rental homes or kitchens with little space around the sink.
Read more: Cleansui EF101 vs EF201: What’s the Difference, and Which Suits Condos and Rentals?
What Is the Cleansui EF103?
EF103 is a faucet-mounted water purifier that uses the same EFC11 cartridge as EF102, with a capacity of 900 liters.
What sets EF103 apart is its water delivery design, with 3 modes:
- Tap water, straight stream
- Tap water, shower spray
- Filtered water, straight stream
Having a shower-spray mode makes it more convenient to use tap water for everyday tasks such as washing dishes or rinsing ingredients, without sending every drop through the cartridge. EF103 also has a digital display for usage information and a function that helps you measure water in CC, a detail added for convenience.
So EF103 doesn’t differ from EF102 by filtering more; its focus is on flexibility in everyday use.
Do EF102 and EF103 Use the Same Cartridge?
Yes, they do. Both EF102 and EF103 use the EFC11 cartridge, so when it comes to the cartridge alone, the two models stand on the same footing.
EFC11 uses Hollow Fiber Membrane technology together with Activated Carbon and Ceramics. Cleansui places EFC11 in its Super High Grade group and states that it can filter out the substances listed in the standards for Cleansui’s filtration systems.
This is why choosing between EF102 and EF103 shouldn’t mainly hinge on which one filters better, since both use the same cartridge. A better question is: which unit’s functions do you actually want?
Do EF102 and EF103 Filter the Same Amount of Water?
In terms of cartridge capacity, both models are rated at 900 liters, with a stated flow rate of 1.6 L/min.
So comparing these two figures, there’s no significant difference between them. Actual cartridge life depends on how much water you use and your conditions of use.
How Do EF102 and EF103 Differ in Water Modes?
This is one of the most noticeable differences. EF103 has 3 water modes: tap water in a straight stream, tap water as a shower spray, and filtered water in a straight stream. For example, when you’re washing dishes you can use the tap-water shower spray, and when you want a drink or need to fill a glass, you switch to filtered water.
The benefit is that not every task has to send water through the cartridge, so the cartridge is used only for water you actually want filtered. Use is split into two settings, filtered drinking water and tap water, with the focus on switching between the two. So if you regularly use your faucet both for drinking and for washing dishes, EF103’s water-mode difference may be something you genuinely notice day to day.
What Does EF103 Add Over EF102?
Looking at the big picture, EF103’s notable functions are about adding flexibility. Besides choosing between filtered and unfiltered water, it also has an unfiltered shower-spray mode that’s well suited to all kinds of rinsing and washing.
Another function is a water volume display for measuring in CC, which can make it easier to control how much water you use in some situations. The unit also has an indicator showing the appropriate flow rate, so it’s easier to keep an eye on how the system is working.
So EF103 adds convenience and finer control over how you use it, rather than more filtering capability.
Do EF102 and EF103 Differ in Size?
Yes, there’s a slight difference.
EF102 measures approximately 126 × 112 × 79 millimeters.
EF103, meanwhile, measures approximately 126 × 119 × 79 millimeters.
So EF103 is about 7 millimeters deeper than EF102.
The difference may not seem like much, but for sinks with limited space, especially in condos or dorms, check the actual space around your faucet before installing. Besides the size of the unit, you should also check your faucet’s style and size, because faucet-mounted water purifiers can’t be fitted directly to every type of faucet.
EF102 or EF103: Which Is Better for Condos?
Both models suit condos in terms of installation, since they’re faucet-mounted and don’t require a filtration system under the sink. If the space around your sink is fairly tight, EF102, which is slightly shallower, may be worth comparing. But if you want a tap-water shower spray for washing dishes or preparing food, plus the flexibility to switch water modes, EF103’s functions fit the bill better. So for a condo, consider both the installation space and how you actually use water.
EF102 or EF103: Which Suits Rentals and Dorms?
For rentals and dorms, the strength of a faucet-mounted water purifier is that it doesn’t need a permanent installation under the sink. EF102 suits people who want the EFC11 filtration system with a digital display and simple, easy-to-use basic functions. EF103 suits people who want more water modes, especially the added tap-water shower spray.
And if you move in the future, both models keep the faucet-mounted advantage of being removable and reinstallable in your new home, as long as the new faucet is compatible.
How Much Do EF102 and EF103 Cost?
EF102: 4,390 baht, down from a regular price of 6,500 baht
EF103: 3,990 baht, down from a regular price of 6,900 baht
So at the time we checked, EF103 was cheaper than EF102 by about 400 baht — even though EF103’s regular price is higher.
However, prices can change with promotions, and stock status may differ. So if price is what decides it for you, double-check the price on the store page before ordering.
If EF103 Is Cheaper Than EF102, Should You Choose EF103?
Looking only at the prices found when we checked, EF103 was about 400 baht cheaper than EF102 and also has extra water-mode functions. But you shouldn’t decide on the current price alone, because promotions can change and EF102 and EF103 may differ in stock status.
What to consider: if all you need is the EFC11 filtration system and a digital display, EF102’s basic functions are enough for that kind of use. But if you want 3 water modes, including a tap-water shower spray, EF103’s functions are a better fit. So the difference to base your decision on is functionality, not just the price of the unit.
EF102 vs EF103: Which Model Suits Whom?
Here’s a simple way to sum it up:
Choose EF102 If…
You want a faucet-mounted water purifier that uses the EFC11 cartridge, with a digital display to track usage.
You want a slightly more compact unit and don’t particularly care about a shower-spray mode.
It suits people who want simple operation, mainly filtered water for drinking and tap water for general use.
Choose EF103 If…
You want 3 water modes: tap water in a straight stream, tap water as a shower spray, and filtered water.
You want functions to display and measure water volume in CC.
You often switch between filtered water and tap water, for example for drinking, cooking and washing dishes. And if the price you actually pay for EF103 is close to or lower than EF102’s, that’s another factor you can weigh in your decision.
Are EF102 and EF103 Good for People Who Drink a Lot of Water?
Both models have a cartridge capacity of 900 liters, so it’s best to work it out from how you actually use water.
For example, if you use 2 liters of filtered water a day, that’s about 60 liters a month.
If you use 3 liters of filtered water a day, that’s about 90 liters a month. But if you also use the purifier for cooking, the volume going through the cartridge rises quickly. So use the 900-liter figure to estimate how much you can use, rather than reading it as a fixed lifespan that applies to every user.
Do EF102 and EF103 Need Electricity?
The filtration system in both models doesn’t need electricity to filter water. However, the models with a digital display have electronic parts to show information such as remaining water volume, flow rate and battery status. So not having a power outlet near the sink is no obstacle to the unit’s filtration.
What Should You Check on Your Faucet Before Buying EF102 or EF103?
This is not something to overlook, because faucet-mounted water purifiers can’t be installed on every kind of faucet. Check what type of faucet you have, whether its thread or spout size is supported, and whether the adapters supplied with the unit will fit.
In particular, pull-out faucets, sensor faucets, faucets with special spray heads and faucets with tips that can’t be removed may need further checking. If you’re not sure, take a photo of the end of your faucet and check with the seller before buying, so you don’t run into installation problems.
Cleansui EF102 vs EF103: What’s the Difference?
Looking at the data for both models, EF102 and EF103 have very similar filtration fundamentals: they use the same EFC11 cartridge, with a capacity of 900 liters and a flow rate of 1.6 liters per minute. So the difference isn’t that EF103 filters more or cleaner water than EF102; it’s about functions and how you use the unit.
EF102 suits people who want a faucet-mounted water purifier that uses EFC11, with a digital display and a focus on basic use.
EF103 adds flexibility with 3 water modes, unfiltered straight stream, unfiltered shower spray and filtered straight stream, plus functions for displaying information and measuring water in CC.
If you’re choosing between these two, ask yourself whether you’ll use a shower-spray mode and how much you want EF103’s extra functions. If the answer is that you don’t need them, EF102’s functions may be enough. But if you want the convenience of using it in several ways, EF103’s functions are a better fit.
Most importantly, before you buy, double-check the current price, stock status, faucet compatibility and cartridge replacement conditions, since these details can vary by model and sales channel.
FAQ Cleansui EF102 vs EF103
What’s the difference between Cleansui EF102 and EF103?
Both use the EFC11 cartridge, with the same 900-liter capacity and flow rate of 1.6 liters per minute. The main differences are in water modes and functions: EF103 has 3 water modes, including a tap-water shower spray, plus a function for measuring water in CC.
Do EF102 and EF103 use the same cartridge?
Yes, both use the EFC11 cartridge, so you can refer to the EFC11 cartridge’s information when comparing the two models.
Does EF103 filter better than EF102?
You shouldn’t conclude that from the model number, since both models use the same EFC11. The main differences are the unit’s functions and water modes.
Which is better for a condo, EF102 or EF103?
Both work well in condos as faucet-mounted water purifiers. If you want flexible water use and a shower-spray mode, EF103 has appealing extra functions, while EF102 is slightly shallower.
Can EF102 and EF103 be used for cooking water?
Yes. The filtered water can be used for drinking and cooking, as the filtration system is intended. However, use filtered water only in appropriate amounts, and replace the cartridge according to the manufacturer’s conditions.
How many months does EFC11 last?
Cleansui rates the EFC11 at 900 liters, or about 3 months at 10 liters a day. How long it actually lasts depends on your daily water use.
How many water modes does EF103 have?
EF103 has 3 modes: tap water in a straight stream, tap water as a shower spray, and filtered water in a straight stream.
Does EF102 have a display?
Yes, it has a digital display for usage information, including the cartridge’s remaining water volume, flow rate alerts and battery status.
Which is cheaper, EF102 or EF103?
Based on Waterclick’s prices at the time we checked, EF103 was 3,990 baht and EF102 was 4,390 baht. But prices and promotions can change, so check the current price before you buy.