Comparing Zip Water Replacement Filters
If you own a Zip HydroTap or similar system, you’ve probably noticed there are several replacement filter options. It can be a bit confusing – some filters are labeled “Residential,” others “Commercial,” and one is even carbon-free.
So what’s the difference between all these Zip Water filters? Let’s break it down in simple terms, focusing on who each filter is for (home vs. business use) and how they differ in filtration specs.
Zip 93701 – The 0.2 Micron Residential Filter (1″ Size)
This is the standard residential filter that comes with many home HydroTap systems. It’s a 0.2 micron filter in the smaller “1.0 size” cartridge format.
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Filtration Fineness: At 0.2 micron, it filters out extremely fine particles, including cysts and bacteria like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. It also contains carbon to remove chlorine, odors, and even heavy metals.
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Intended Use: Primarily for home use. Best for households with 1–2 residents or low daily water consumption.
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Size & Capacity: Smaller in size, which means less filter media. It will need replacement sooner under heavy use, but is more than enough for typical residential needs.
Zip 93702 – The 0.2 Micron High-Capacity Filter (1.5″ Size)
This filter offers the same ultra-fine 0.2 micron filtration as the 93701, but in a larger 1.5″ cartridge.
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Same Fine Filtration, More Capacity: Blocks the same tiny contaminants and removes chlorine and odors, but with greater capacity thanks to its larger size.
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Intended Use: Great for larger households, offices, or commercial installations where more people are using the system. It lasts longer and handles higher flow.
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Commercial Classification: Often called “commercial” due to its capacity, but it works just as well in a busy home. It’s really about usage volume.
Zip 93703 – The High-Sediment 3 Micron Filter (1.5″ Size)
This option takes a different approach: a 3 micron filter in the same 1.5″ format. It’s designed for areas with high sediment.
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When to Use 3 Micron: If your water supply has a lot of grit, rust, or sediment, a finer filter might clog too quickly. The 93703 allows water to flow more easily while still improving taste and reducing chlorine.
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Intended Use: Built with commercial or heavy-duty use in mind, but also helpful in residential settings with older pipes or sediment-rich water.
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Other Characteristics: Still contains carbon for taste and odor removal. It won’t filter microbes as finely as the 0.2 micron versions, but it prevents premature clogging in tough conditions.
Zip 93706 – The Carbon-Free 0.2 Micron Filter (1.5″ Size)
This one is unique: it’s a 0.2 micron filter without any carbon media.
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What Carbon-Free Means: It blocks fine particles and bacteria just like other 0.2 micron filters, but it doesn’t remove chlorine or improve taste. This is intentional, because in healthcare or lab environments, keeping chlorine in the water helps prevent bacterial growth in the plumbing.
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Intended Use: Specifically designed for health care, labs, and other commercial settings where water safety is more important than taste. It’s not really meant for a home kitchen, unless you have a special reason to keep chlorine intact.
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Key Differences: Offers the same microfiltration as other 0.2 micron filters but allows higher flow and avoids any risks associated with carbon media in sensitive environments.
Wrapping It Up
Here’s the gist:
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93701 is the go-to residential filter – small, effective, perfect for normal home use.
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93702 is the bigger, high-capacity version – great for heavy users, offices, or large families.
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93703 is the high-sediment option – designed to keep flow steady when your water supply isn’t the cleanest.
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93706 is the carbon-free specialist – built for hospitals, labs, and other unique situations where taste isn’t the priority.
All of these filters fit Zip HydroTap systems, but each serves a different need. The key is to match the filter to your usage and environment. That way, you’ll keep your system running smoothly and your water just the way you want it.
