On the fence about the MXL-13? We discuss the key features and find out if it’s really worth the investment.
In today’s review, we take a close look at the numbers and see whether an ionizer of this stature really justifies the price tag. We delve deep into the facts and figures and compare the MXL-13 to its market rivals. What’s the power consumption like? Do 13 plates really make a difference? Is it easy to use? We answer these questions and a whole lot more in today’s review.
Introduction
Life Ionizers have been making making machines like this since 1996, and now offer their services worldwide from a series of international offices. We first became aware of them after reviewing the excellent MXL-9. The MXL-13 utilizes the same one touch interface and LCD screen but comes with big upgrades “under the hood”. While they may look the same and come in the same black/graphite color options, the MXL-13 takes performance to the next level.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the main features. We’ll discuss these in more detail a bit later on
- 1.7 – 12.2 pH Range
- 5-6 liters per minute
- Up to 805 Watts
- 13 XL Matrix Grid Plates
- Up to -880 ORP
- MicroMembrane Technology
- Lifetime Warranty
- Customized Water Filtration
- Self Cleaning
Design
While this new 2018 model has seen big performance upgrades, stylistically, Life Ionizers haven’t diverged much from the sleek look of the older iterations. In my opinion this is a good thing too, as the MXL-13 has a classy look to it. A black casing surrounds a graphite front to give a low-key, but stylish look that exudes quality.
With the buttons arranged horizontally along the top edge above a large, bright LCD display, the interface is clear and uncluttered. Many ionizers trip up here with the human to ionizer interaction becoming confusing and labored because of poor design choices. Especially in the cheaper ionizer models, a jumble of buttons and colors can make simple tasks confusing. Life Ionizers really nailed the design with the MXL range, and usability hasn’t been sacrificed for style.
This model also features the option of it’s own faucet that includes one touch buttons and an LCD display. Countertop or under-counter? The choice is yours.
MXL-13 Features
There’s a lot hiding in that black and grey box. In this section we detail all there is to know about the Life Ionizer MXL-13.
The Plates
If you haven’t realized by now, the number 13 in the name stands for the number of plates it uses to produce high pH, antioxidant water. Thirteen is an awful lot of plates for an ionizer and that means the MXL-13 harnesses some serious power! The MXL range is able to translate this power into the highest pH and ORP values on the market right now.
Life Ionizer MXL-13 Under Counter Alkaline Water Ionizer
The plates themselves are made of titanium and are coated in platinum. They are housed in Life Ionizer’s new XL chambers. The chambers are strengthened to prevent any risk of breakage, which is common in cheaper machines. These oversize chambers ensure that the contact time between the water and plates is always at a maximum. By increasing the contact time, the ionizer can reach greater levels of pH and ORP.
The plates are arranged in what Life Ionizer call the XL Matrix GRID. The layout is specially arranged so that more surface area can aid the energy transfer between the plates and the water.
The long-term efficiency of the plates is also assured with something called CleanTech technology. This inhibits hard water minerals like magnesium and calcium from forming scale that binds to the plates and pipes in the system. Scale is a real scourge that can significantly impact the effectiveness and the lifespan of plumbed appliances, but the MXL-13 is well equipped to deal with it. This new technology manages to prevent the minerals from bonding with surfaces, but importantly doesn’t remove them from the water. This means your drinking water will remain high in healthy mineral content that makes it taste great.
pH, ORP, and power
These stats are the real deal breakers for most people buying an ionizer. Thankfully, the MXL-13 doesn’t disappoint, and blows most systems out of the water (pun intended).
Let’s start with the pH. The 2018 MXL-13 is capable of producing water ranging from 1.7 – 12.2 pH. This is as big a range in pH as you’ll find. It even trumps the similarly priced Tyent UCE-11, which is a tough beast to tame.
The MXL-13 has an antioxidant potential of -903 ORP. This is slightly less than the aforementioned Tyent model, but it dwarfs what most ionizers can produce. This ionizer makes seriously anti-oxidizing water.
These pH and ORP values can only be achieved with some serious punch, and the MXL-13 has a whole 800 watts to get the job done. Handily, it can run on the dual voltages of 110 and 220 volts too.
Life Ionizer MXL-13 Under Counter Alkaline Water Ionizer
The MXL-13 is actually one of the most powerful home ionizers currently available. This is all well and good but it does seem pretty power hungry doesn’t it? Well, it’s not going to win any awards for lowering your energy consumption, but Life Ionizer have engineered it with energy efficiency in mind. Despite doing so much “work” its clever engineering means it goes easier on electricity than you’d think.
There’s one important thing that we haven’t mentioned so far, and that’s the water flow rate. How much ionized water can it produce on demand? Well, it scores pretty well in this area too. It’s capable of producing 6 whole liters of ionized water every minute. That’s a huge amount of water that will keep even the largest of households well supplied in times of peak usage.
Molecular hydrogen anyone?
Another high-tech feature with the 2018 XML-13 is it’s ability to make molecular hydrogen. Now the jury is still out on how beneficial for health molecular hydrogen actually is, but this model makes more of it than any other. If this is something important to you then, the XML-13 will fill your glass full of hydrogen rich water every time.
Let’s talk water filters
I know water filtration isn’t at the forefront of your mind when looking at a new ionizer, but it’s becoming an increasingly important part of these machines. The level of water filtration in ionizers is becoming more and more sophisticated, and in the XML-13 you have some seriously impressive hardware. But, one the best things about this model is the filter customization.
After ordering a Life Ionizer XML-13, their team of water quality experts will review your local water report to see exactly which contaminants are luring in your drinking water. These reports are published annually by your local water authority and give a detailed account of the latest water testing in your area. With this information Life Ionizers then configure a water filter set-up that is best suited to your individual needs. That means custom water filtration just for you. This is an awesome idea and shows an attention to detail and a level of customer care that is sadly rare to see.
Note: It’s important to note that these water reports are only available to those served by municipal water supplies. If you are supplied by a private well then an independent test would need to be carried out. At this point in time I’m unaware of Life Ionizer’s procedure in this instance.
The actual water filters themselves are easily installed in the top of the machine, without the need for any tools. A simple press and click will have them replaced in a matter of seconds. A nice touch is that the ionizer will actually notify you of when the filters are approaching the end of their life cycle. That means you can order new filters well in advance and always have your system running at optimal efficiency. Importantly, they won’t remove healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium from the water either, like some filters do.
But, the water filtration provided by this ionizer machine doesn’t stop there. There’s also an ultraviolet light filter. UV filters perform a sterilization type process that protects your drinking water from harmful viruses, bacteria, cysts, and pathogens. This form of filtration is the best way to remove things like cryptosporidium and E.coli, which can be especially dangerous for children.
Packing all this technology into a box measuring just 12.5″ x 6.25″ x 15″ is quite an impressive feat, and having it all housed together in one unit will leave your kitchen countertop free of clutter.
The warranty
The all important warranty can be a decisive factor in an appliance that costs what an ionizer does. The 2018 XML-13 comes with a guaranteed lifetime warranty. That means your purchase is completely protected and you can rest assured that Life Ionizer’s respect you as an individual and not just a customer.
The Final Word
The Life Ionizer Next Generation XML-13 is one of the most powerful ionizers we’ve come across. And credit to them, despite packing such a punch, it compares in price to lesser 11-plate models from competitors.
The thorough water filtration system that includes customized filters and a UV lamp is a personal highlight for me (well we are called Water Filter Answers), but the ORP potential and pH values that the XML can produce, dwarf most of the competition.
If you’re looking for the ultimate anti-oxidized water in your home then the XML-13 from Life Ionizers deserves serious consideration.
- MAX Cool – Super Cooling System
- MAX Plates – New Larger Titanium/Platinum Plates
- Dual internal filters with custom pre-filter system
- Under Counter Space-Saving Alkaline Water Ionizer | Faucet Mounted…
- 13 Titanium Cored – Platinum Coated XL Matrix GRID Plates
- 800 Watts of Efficient XL Power (SMPS)
Curious about rival ionizers? Check out our big guide.
Read more Life Ionizer reviews here.
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