Reliability and quality rating: which water meter is best to choose for your apartment?

Author of the article

Alexander Georgievich Kondratiev

An electrical engineer by training, he worked as an electronics engineer, chief engineer at a food company, and general director of a construction organization.

Water meters allow you to control payments, save water and money. But not all meters are equally accurate and reliable. We studied consumer reviews, expert opinions and compiled a rating of water meters in 2021 for you. The best water meters are not necessarily the most expensive. For an apartment, models with complex options are not always needed; most often, basic functions are sufficient.

There are hot or cold water meters, as well as universal ones that can be installed on any pipe. The list of the best meters is compiled taking into account reliability, ease of installation, measurement accuracy, noise immunity, and maintainability. These parameters, as well as assessments of real customers, formed the basis for the selection of models.

Which company's water meter is better to choose?

The rating includes 7 manufacturers, the most popular on the Russian market. They have good coverage, have a transparent pricing policy and value their reputation, so they put the high quality of their products first.

Here are the companies we are talking about:

• Betar is one of the leaders in the production of energy flow meters. Its product line includes both household and industrial models designed for heavy loads. They are distinguished by their compact size, neat shape, clear dial, and resistance to mechanical stress. They are also distinguished from their competitors by a wide range of operating temperatures and a normal response to high pressure in systems.
• Aqua-S - the company produces Pulse flow meters, which are distinguished by high accuracy of readings, versatility, ease of installation and use. They can be used both in apartments and in industrial settings. The products are made from durable materials that are resistant to high humidity. They have a low risk of corrosion, leaks and failures.
• Heat and water meter - the company produces water and heat flow meters with characteristics that meet the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation for accounting for the use of natural resources in housing and communal services. She has a wide selection of products with different diameters, functionality, sizes, and degrees of moisture protection. Their installation allows you to forget about verification for as long as 6 years. The company’s devices can be used both at industrial production sites and at private residential properties, depending on the model. One of the popular options in its range is VSG-15-02 110 mm.
• Ecomera - the main activity of this company is the production of control and measuring instruments for metering water consumption, with their help it is possible not to overpay for resources. The range includes wing models made of brass, resistant to moisture and high mechanical loads. The permissible error here is 5%. They are designed for use in temperatures from 5 to 40°C for cold water and from 5 to 90°C for hot media.
• Itelma - the company offers to buy good water meters that count the number of pulses at the media output. Its products have an optimal price-quality ratio. The products are supplied to the market with good packaging, which simplifies the installation of the products. The key difference between the company’s offerings is their ergonomic design, high accuracy and durability; their average trouble-free service life is 15 years. Each flowmeter comes with a warranty of up to 48 months.
• Valtec is a brand owned by . A special place in its catalog is occupied by water meters, which have proven themselves to be excellent in recording the consumed cold and hot water. They are easy to install, easy to use and last for years. All this is ensured by compact dimensions, high-quality assembly, reliable materials, and corrosion resistance.
• ECO NOM is a brand under which affordable water meters are produced. It belongs to, which focuses on accuracy of readings and ease of use. It has both ordinary models and offers with a pulse output for connecting to a single network and receiving information in current time mode. Flow meters monitor the consumption of natural resources at temperatures ranging from 5 to 90°C.

The best descalers

Rating of the best water meters

When compiling the rating, the main emphasis was on analyzing the characteristics of goods and comparing them taking into account these parameters. Before selecting the nominees, we studied their reviews and recommendations from experts, and also conducted our own experiments.

Here's what we paid attention to when preparing this TOP:

• Type of water flow metering device – for cold or hot, universal;
• Operating temperatures;
• Maximum possible pressure;
• Areas of use;
• Weight and dimensions;
• Shape and design;
• Manufacturing materials;
• Dial quality;
• Possibility of remote control;
• Corrosion resistance;
• Equipment.

We also took into account the accuracy of readings, affordability of the best water meters, ease of installation and use.

What to look for when purchasing

1. When purchasing a device, a passport must be included in the kit; it must have a manufacturer’s stamp.
2. When supplied with the device, the package should usually contain: two connectors with nipples, equipped with gaskets and union nuts, a filter and a check valve.
3. You should not buy meters made of silumin materials (the photo shows a meter made of this material), such an alloy is not durable and is corroded by oxygen corrosion.

4. For the diameter attached to the pipes, it is better to choose the same size as the pipes in your house, or you will have to change the pipes, adjusting them to the meter.
5. For the maximum and nominal flow rate of the device, i.e. how much water the meter can pass through.

The best hot water meters

Such flow meters are made from special materials that can withstand high temperatures, on average up to 120 degrees. They can be used both in apartments with central hot water supply and in industrial environments. This category presents the 3 best meters in terms of accuracy and ease of use.

Betar SGV 3/15

The water flow measuring device “SGV 3/15” is recommended for use by housing and communal services services, as it is accurate and reliable in readings. However, during prolonged downtime due to exposure to salts, the turbine may stop rotating normally. This option has anti-magnetic protection, so even if you want to, you won’t be able to cut costs in this illegal way. The water meter is easy to maintain and operate, saving the family budget.

Advantages

• Inspection is required every 5 years;
• Sold complete with everything necessary for installation;
• 2 year warranty;
• Wide temperature range of measured water – from 5 to 90°C;
• Clear accounting of natural resource consumption;
• Does not require special working conditions.

Flaws

• The maximum possible water pressure is 1.0 MPa.

The SGV 3/15 device is compact, which allows it to be installed in niches of small rooms, where every meter is valuable.

Pulse 15U-110

There are no problems when taking readings using the Pulse 15U-110, the numbers are clearly visible, and it is very convenient that they are white and red on a dark background. Reviews note the high quality of the build, but just in case, a guarantee is given for as long as 3 years.

It can be used in water supply systems of apartments, offices, houses with data transfer to an electronic device, which simplifies its management. The device can withstand pressure up to 1.6 MPa. The water meter accurately counts the number of revolutions of the impeller rotating under the influence of the coolant in the pipeline.

Advantages

• Shows flow at temperatures from 5 to 90°C;
• Both horizontal and vertical installation are allowed;
• The measuring mechanism does not contact the media;
• Interverification interval – 6 years;
• Certified;
• Availability of connecting elements included;
• The weight is not big - 0.3 kg.

Flaws

• Suitable only for measuring high-quality tap water.

VSG-15-02 110 mm

The VSG-15-02 water meter is recognized as the most popular apartment meter in the Moscow region. It is suitable for both domestic and industrial use, but the media in the systems must be clean. Otherwise, the impeller may be damaged, which could lead to poor measurement accuracy. When used correctly, it shows detailed data on water consumption, down to fractions. The device is triggered by pointer and roller sensors.

Advantages

• Suitable for both vertical and horizontal installation on pipelines;
• Protected from mechanical impact by durable glass;
• Not affected by moisture;
• Easy to install in small areas;
• Simplicity of coupling assembly;
• Long service life.

Flaws

• May fail at humidity levels above 80%;
• It weighs a lot.

Despite the fact that the VSG-15-02 110 mm hot water meter is good and made of high-quality materials, it can still only be installed in heated rooms where the temperature does not drop below +5 degrees.

Water meter device

A cold water meter is a device that measures the amount of liquid passing through a water pipe in a certain unit of time. The unit of measurement is considered to be m3/hour. When installing this device, the cost of funds is calculated only for the volume of water that was used.

When calculating water charges by meter, the savings are at least 40%.

The operating principle is based on passing water through a pipeline through a measuring device, in particular an impeller. When it comes into contact with it, the part begins to rotate. The main pressure on the impeller is observed from the water flow. The number of its movements is recorded on the counting device using magnetic couplings.

Cold water meter elements:

1. frame;
2. impeller;
3. driving magnet;
4. ring sealing;
5. tuning disk;
6. shielding coupling;
7. clamping nut;
8. distribution plate;
9. reading device cover;
10. reading mechanism;
11. sealing clamp;
12. ring sealing;
13. half-assemblies with gaskets for connection to the pipeline.

The semi-gons are equipped with paronite gaskets that ensure the tightness of the connection. On top of the parts there are ears for sealing the measuring device.

The best cold water meters

These flow meters must be in every home, because with their help it is possible to control the consumption of cold water and save on its payment, for example, when leaving home. They are not designed to withstand high temperatures and are cheaper than devices for metering the consumption of hot media. This category describes the 3 best devices according to experts and buyers.

Betar SHV-15 Betar X-15

The device “Betar SHV-15 Bet.X-15” is designed exclusively to control the flow of cold water, and therefore the maximum temperature of the coolant here is 40 degrees. This model is not sensitive to pressure changes and can withstand high values. It is easy to install and can be installed at any angle. Due to its compactness, the product is especially suitable for small spaces. According to customer reviews, it does not leak due to durable materials and special protection.

Advantages

• Acceptable price;
• Squeegees included;
• Interverification interval – 6 years;
• Neat sizes;
• The weight is not great;
• High quality build.

Flaws

• Dull dial;
• Too much plastic in the case;
• No pulse output.

Compared to most models, Betar SHV-15 Betar X-15 has a dial located at the bottom, which may not be very convenient when placing the product in hard-to-reach places.

Ecomera cold ECO-32

The Ecomera device is designed to work with liquids at temperatures from +5 to +40°C; it is not suitable for recording hot media. It can be used in heating networks of housing and communal services. The device body is made of brass and can withstand significant mechanical stress. The water meter is available in three sizes – 1″; 1 1/4″; 1 1/2″; 2″. The design of this model is more complex than that of single-jet options, and therefore its price is several times higher, while the service life is on average 12 years.

Advantages

• Diagonal, horizontal, vertical installation;
• The interval between verifications is 6 years;
• Withstands pressure up to 16 bar;
• Good performance;
• Clear numbers.

Flaws

• No color highlights on the dial.

The Ecomera cold water meter is considered the best in terms of the accuracy of the results it shows down to the smallest values. However, the device has considerable dimensions and is larger than average in height, and therefore will not be the most convenient for small spaces.

Itelma WFK20.D080

...As our experience has shown, the weight of Itelm WFK20.D080 of 0.42 kg does not create a load on the pipes, and the length of 8 cm is convenient for installation in small rooms...

Expert opinion

The Itelma WFK20.D080 water meter deserves to be among the best because of its high sensitivity; it begins to record media consumption at a flow rate of about 10 l/hour. The device can withstand elevated temperatures up to 110°C, but is primarily designed to work with cold liquids.

The device calmly responds to pressure up to 25 atm. Its use is safe for humans and the environment, since nickel is not used in the production of the unit. Among the features of the product, it is worth noting the ease of installation in any position and reliable anti-magnetic protection.

Advantages

• Reading the indication is visual;
• High quality of readings;
• Excellent build;
• Reliable protection against high humidity;
• Great design;
• Frequent verification is not required; it is enough to carry it out once every 6 years.

Flaws

• No pulse output.

The best universal water meters

This is the most profitable option, since such a device can be purchased to control the consumption of both cold and hot water. That is why the cost of these flow meters is not low, although their choice on the market is quite wide. In our rating we are talking about the two most accurate models.

Valtec 3/4

The key advantage of this model is its focus on measuring the flow of both cold and hot water. This meter is installed mainly in apartments. It has compact dimensions and is suitable for installation in limited areas. It is characterized by an increased calibration interval of 6 years. The sensitivity threshold is 0.01 and 0.02 cubic meters. m/h for diameters 1/2 and 3/4″ respectively. Installation of Valtec ¾ does not create any particular difficulties, but the basic kit does not include transition fittings.

Advantages

• Warranty period 36 months;
• Correct readings even when the pipes are heated;
• Not only suitable for drinking water;
• High quality connection with pipes;
• Durable materials and reliable assembly;
• Low chance of corrosion.

Flaws

• Not a low price;
• The installation length is not large.

Valtec ¾ deserves to be called the best water meter for an apartment due to its resistance to high loads and due to its good throughput. Therefore, it can be considered as a suitable option for industrial applications.

ECO NOM-15-80

The EKO NOM-15-80 water meter is a household one and is suitable for monitoring the flow of both cold and hot media. Non-magnetic alloys are used to manufacture the device, which makes the structure more durable and can withstand high levels of moisture. At the same time, such operating conditions have virtually no effect on the accuracy of readings.

The product has a rotating mechanism, so it can be mounted in two positions - horizontal and vertical. Its long service life is guaranteed by reinforced bearings and a new, multi-stage media quality control system.

Advantages

• High quality manufacturing;
• Accuracy of measurements;
• Interverification interval – 6 years;
• 5 year warranty;
• Does not leak;
• Corrosion resistance.

Flaws

• A set of mounting parts must be purchased separately;
• Length 80 mm.

The operating temperature of ECO NOM-15-80 is 5-90°C, and the maximum pressure is 1.6 MPa, which only confirms the status of a universal device.

The best gas meters

Decast

appeared back in 1994 under the name “PC Pribor LLC”. From the very beginning, it specialized in the production of control and measuring equipment. The workshops of the enterprise are equipped with modern technological lines. Product quality is controlled by an automatic verification unit. The company's product range includes a variety of water, heat, electricity meters and auxiliary products for them.

Produced meters. Under the Decast brand, household hot and cold water meters of metrological classes A, B, C are manufactured, designed for different consumers and a wide range of requirements for measurement accuracy. Among them there are single-jet and multi-jet models, devices for rooms with high humidity, sensors with an electronic display and remote transmission of information. All products are equipped with a brass body.

Pros of Decast

1. There are models in different price ranges.
2. Good reliability and long service life.

Cons of Decast

1. The interval between verifications is 4 years.
2. Some products have special installation requirements.

Which water meter is better to install?

For installation in apartments and houses, it is recommended to choose one- or two-jet household appliances. At industrial facilities, turbine options are mainly used. To make it easier to read information, they can have a pulse input. Most models are equipped with anti-magnetic protection, which makes it impossible to illegally save on water consumption.

The choice of a specific counter from our rating may be dictated by the following features:

• If the device needs to be installed in a hard-to-reach place, then you should pay attention to Betar SGV 3/15 or Pulse 15U-110.
• For vertical placement, VSG-15-02 110 mm and Betar SHV-15 Bet.X-15 are suitable;
• In rooms with very high humidity levels, Ecomera will be relevant.
• In networks with strong pressure, Itelma WFK20.D080 will be useful.
• For those who do not want to do verification often, you can take a closer look at Valtec ¾ and ECO NOM-15-80.

First of all, it is recommended to choose a water meter with the best flow metering accuracy, and only then look at its ease of use and budget. You should also take into account the type of device, since one type is intended for domestic needs, and another for industrial needs.

Comparison of models

To make it more convenient to choose a brand of water meters, we have combined their main characteristics into a summary table.