Comparison table · updated 5 September 2026

Ranked by what it costs you in power.

Rated draw divided by output gives watt-hours per litre. Lower is better. Sorted best-first by default; click any column to re-sort.

35 systems shown
Zen 30
Schenker
Modular12/24V DC30110
3.7
$6,3001 × 2.5×21in
Zen 100
Schenker
Modular12/24/48V DC or AC100400
4.0
$9,6002 × 4×21in
Ventura 150 Deluxe
Spectra
Modular12/24V DC24108
4.5
$6,0001 × 2.5×20in
Ventura 150 Connect
Spectra
Modular12/24V DC24108
4.5
$7,4001 × 2.5×20in
Newport 400C
Spectra
Modular12/24/48V DC64288
4.5
$14,5001 × 2.5×40in
Zen 50
Schenker
Modular12/24V DC50240
4.8
$7,8002 × 2.5×21in
D100 DUO
Dessalator
Modular12/24V DC100700
7.0
on requestnot published
D60 Freedom
Dessalator
Modular12/24V DC60550
9.2
on requestnot published
D60 DUO
Dessalator
Modular12/24V DC60550
9.2
on requestnot published
Portable AC 140L
Rainman
PortableAC 240V100–1541,250
9.8
$5,3292 × 40in
Portable 48VDC 140L
Rainman
Portable48V DC100–1541,250
9.8
$6,2402 × 40in
Modular AC 140L
Rainman
ModularAC 240V100–1541,250
9.8
$5,4602 × 40in
Frame AC 140L, auto
Rainman
FramedAC 240V100–1541,250
9.8
$11,1682 × 40in
Frame AC 140L, manual
Rainman
FramedAC 240V100–1541,250
9.8
$7,6852 × 40in
Frame 48VDC 140L, auto
Rainman
Framed48V DC100–1541,250
9.8
$12,1152 × 40in
Frame 48VDC 140L, manual
Rainman
Framed48V DC100–1541,250
9.8
$8,6662 × 40in
Scout SW20
LEDI
Portable12V DC20200
10.0
on request1 × 2521
Modular 48VDC 140L
Rainman
Modular48V DC100–1401,250
10.4
$6,4212 × 40in
Portable 24VDC 55L
Rainman
Portable24V DC45–61600
11.3
$4,8981 × 40in
Modular 24VDC 55L
Rainman
Modular24V DC45–61600
11.3
$5,0531 × 40in
Frame AC 240L Torrent, auto
Rainman
FramedAC 240V180–2642,800
12.6
$15,0893 × 40in
Frame AC 240L Torrent, manual
Rainman
FramedAC 240V180–2642,800
12.6
$12,0893 × 40in
Portable 12VDC 34L
Rainman
Portable12V DC26–37400
12.7
$4,8981 × 40in
Modular 12VDC 34L
Rainman
Modular12V DC26–37400
12.7
$5,0531 × 40in
Frame AC 100L, auto
Rainman
FramedAC 240V70–1101,250
13.9
$12,1313 × 21in
Frame AC 100L, manual
Rainman
FramedAC 240V70–1101,250
13.9
$8,6423 × 21in
Portable AC 75L
Rainman
PortableAC 240V55–821,250
18.2
$4,4021 × 40in
Modular AC 75L
Rainman
ModularAC 240V55–821,250
18.2
$4,5221 × 40in
Portable AC 70L
Rainman
PortableAC 240V50–771,250
19.7
$5,2962 × 21in
Modular AC 70L
Rainman
ModularAC 240V50–771,250
19.7
$5,2992 × 21in
Portable Petrol 140L
Rainman
PortablePetrol100–154
petrol
$6,7312 × 40in
Portable Petrol 75L
Rainman
PortablePetrol55–82
petrol
$5,8041 × 40in
Portable Petrol 70L
Rainman
PortablePetrol50–77
petrol
$6,6992 × 21in
Zen 150
Schenker · spec unconfirmed
Modular12/24/48V DC or AC150
not published
on request3 × 4×21in
Ventura 200 Tropical
Spectra · spec unconfirmed
Modular12/24V DC31
not published
$8,2001 × 2.5×20in
Under 6 Wh/L · energy recovery
6–12 Wh/L
Over 12 Wh/L

How Wh/L is calculated. Rated draw in watts divided by output in litres per hour. Where a manufacturer publishes an output range, the midpoint is used. Petrol systems have no electrical draw; budget roughly 700 ml of fuel per hour instead.

Prices. Rainman figures are the manufacturer’s published US list, excluding freight, duty and installation. Schenker and Spectra figures are converted from European and US dealer listings as an indicative band. Australian dealer pricing is usually all-inclusive and will read higher. Every row needs an AUD dealer quote before it is marked confirmed.

Still to add. Blue Water Desalination, Pacific Light, Stella Marine, Sea Recovery, Echotec, Dessalator, Katadyn Survivor, engine-driven belt systems. Plus footprint, weight, noise, membrane replacement cost and Australian dealer coverage per row.