May 2024
The reason that you are looking for the best reverse osmosis system reviews is that you know that these systems are the best to remove contaminants and of course you value your health.
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Have a Look at Our 3 Best Reverse Osmosis Systems
1. 7 Stage Reverse Osmosis System
2. Apec Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
3. Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
TOP 5 COMPARISONHave a look at Amazon’s top selections.
✅Click here to see a list of the best RO filters.
Reverse osmosis is also known as RO.
We all need clean water and in the age before the internet, we used to think that the water we get from the kitchen sink faucet is clean and healthy because it looked clean.
We now know that this is far from the truth since we are quite informed these days.
A microscopic analysis will reveal over 1000 contaminants in some cases.
If you want to know what’s in your water, you can buy a water test kit.
In some cases, the water tastes really bad and that’s when you know that you need to make a plan.
There are a lot of systems on the market and each has its own benefits and disadvantages.
Some of the water filtering systems that are used include the use of activated carbon, reverse osmosis, distillation, sold block carbon filters and more.
Out of all the filtration systems, the two systems that stands out and also removes the most contaminants are the reverse osmosis systems as well as the solid block carbon filters.
Both the solid block carbon filters and the reverse osmosis filters have their benefits and negative points.
The best reverse osmosis systems actually use a combination of carbon, sand and membranes to ensure proper purification, treatment and enhancement.
Reverse Osmosis Reviews: Pros and Cons
- Removes up to 99% of contaminants.
- Great tasting water.
- Healthy.
- Prevents disease.
- Some systems will re-deposit the calcium and magnesium that was removed.
- Produces water that goes to waste if you don’t make a plan with it.
- Removes beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium (6 & 7 stage systems will re-introduce the calcium and magnesium).
- Needs water pressure to operate.
- Will not work if water supply is cut.
- Installation can be a bit more difficult than just switching on your average appliance.
The waste water ratio is normally 4 – 5 parts of water lost to one part of clean water produced.
The water loss can be reduced to a ratio of 1 – 1.5 parts waste water to 1 part of water produced if you also buy a permeate pump to compliment your reverse osmosis system.
Even then, you can completely eliminate waste water by redirecting the drain water to some storage facility inside or outside your home.
Which Reverse Osmosis System to Buy?
Most of the good modern reverse osmosis filters have 5, 6 or 7 stage filtering, with the 6 and 7 stage ones actually replacing the calcium and magnesium that it has removed during the reverse osmosis filter process.
We therefore recommend that you buy at least a 6 stage reverse osmosis filter due to the fact that calcium at a minimum is added back to the water.
Our top recommendation is a 7 stage reverse osmosis water filter system that adds back calcium and magnesium.
Top 5 Reverse Osmosis Systems
Updated May 2024We have compiled a top 5 reverse osmosis filter comparison list and have ranked the systems from no.1 to number 5.
The top 5 systems actually consist of three brands where two brands have two reverse osmosis models each.
The extra models from each brand is a 6 stage reverse osmosis filter with remineralization that adds minerals back to the water after the reverse osmosis step.
| Brand | Stages | Vessel Volume | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Home Master TMAFC | 7 | 3.2 gallon (12 l) | |
 APEC ROES-50 | 5 | 3.2 gallon (12 l) | |
 iSpring RCC7 WQA | 5 | 2.5 gallon (9.5 l) | |
 iSpring RCC7AK | 6 | 2.5 gallon (9.5 l) | |
 APEC ROES-PH75 | 6 | 3.2 gallon (12 l) |
Reverse Osmosis Filter Comparison Chart
Our current top 3 reverse osmosis filter systems are listed below: Buying tip: If you can get a system below $300, it’s a bargain. Updated May 2024
Top 5 Best Reverse Osmosis System Reviews
✅1.Home Master TMAFC 7 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
Out of all the reverse osmosis systems reviewed here, you will notice that this system is a bit different than the others.
The reason we have chosen this system above two other best-selling systems that are also reviewed here is the modular 7 stage design as well as its effectiveness.
Consumer reports and reviews also back up our recommendation for this choice as the best reverse osmosis system.
Although initially it may not look as organized as the other systems, once installed, it is quite neat. The filters are just arranged differently.
The filters are a modular design which means that it is much easier to actually replace the filter. The whole module is replaced instead of removing the housing.
With the other reverse osmosis systems reviewed here, you will need to use a special tool and a bit of force to remove the filter housing.
This filtering system will remove up to 99% of contaminants including chemicals, salt, arsenic, fluoride, lead, GenX, pharmaceuticals, nitrates, E. coli, hormones and more.
The catalytic carbon media that is used in this system can even remove a stubborn type of chemical disinfectant called chloramine, that normal activated carbon struggle to remove.
Since reverse osmosis is very effective in removing minerals, this system utilizes two remineralization points (after the reverse osmosis process) to add small amounts of calcium and magnesium back to the water before you drink it.
If you also buy a permeate pump (does not require electricity), you could reduce water wastage by 80% and increase water production by 50%.
The is the most expensive system reviewed here but if you have a look at the benefits, it is well worth it; especially with the removal of chloramine that other systems may struggle with.
If you really want to go for the best you can actually have a look at the Home Master TMHP HydroPerfection unit, but be warned, it carries a hefty price tag.
✅Click here for more beautiful high resolution images, consumer reports, reviews, the price and more information.
- Great tasting water.
- Modular design.
- Easy to replace filters.
- Made in the USA.
- Instructions not clear enough.
- Wastes water if you don’t buy extra permeate pump.
✅2. APEC ESSENCE ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
This brand is very popular and consumer reports and reviews indicate that this is one of the best reverse osmosis systems that money can buy.
In fact, it is a best seller.
The system can remove up to 99% of contaminants of which include some of the following:
- Chromium
- Copper
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Fluoride
- Radium
- Lead
- and more…
It will also remove a bad taste and odor so that you can enjoy drinking clean water; use it in your coffee or use the water to wash your dishes.
The system will provide a continuous water flow throughout the day and will produce about 25.6 – 38.4 gallons (97 – 145 liters) of water per day, depending on the water pressure. This figure was calculated by using data from the instruction manual which states that the tank can fill up in about 2-3 hours.
Other sources state that the water production rate is as high as 50 gallons.
It has 5 stages that include a sediment filter, two carbon filters, a reverse osmosis membrane and a final filter.
Filter replacement:
- Pre-Filters: (Stage 1, 2 and 3) – Once every 6 – 12 months.
- Membrane: (Stage 4) – Once every 2 – 3 years.
- Carbon Filter: (Stage 5) – Once every 2 – 3 years.
Apec Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System Flow-Diagram
✅See more high resolution pictures here as well as more consumer reports, reviews and prices.
- Designed and assembled in the U.S.A
- Can be installed under the kitchen sink.
- Delivers superb and great tasting water.
- Water waste… 3 gallons for every 1 gallon produced.
- Installation not that easy. Depends on your experience.
✅3. iSpring RCC7 WQA Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
With this best-selling reverse osmosis system, you will want to drink more water due to the fact that the taste is superb.
This system is also one of the top selling systems and has provided consumers with a lot of clean drinking water for quite a while.
This system can also be installed under your kitchen sink and has a streamlined do it yourself installation.
The first three stages will remove larger particles while the membrane and final filter will remove the contaminants with a small molecule size.
According to the instruction manual, the 2.5 gallon tank can take about 1.5 – 3 hours to fill up which means that the actual amount of water produced per day is about 20 – 40 gallons (76 – 151 liters) per day.
The manufacturer states that the system is rated for 75 gallons per day.
Filter replacement:
- Pre-Filters: (Stage 1, 2 and 3) – Once every 6 – 12 months.
- RO Membrane: (Stage 4) – Once every 2 – 3 years.
- Fine Carbon Filter: (Stage 5) – Once per year.
Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Sample Installation
✅Get more high quality pics, customer reviews, information as well as consumer reports.
- Good rate of clean water production.
- Competitive price.
- Very effective in removing contaminants and lowering TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) counts.
- Wastes about 4-5 gallons for every 1 gallon of water produced.
- Installation is doable but requires a few tools… if you are not inclined to DIY jobs, get someone with experience.
✅4. iSpring RCC7AK 6 Stage Reverse Osmosis Filter
A reverse osmosis system is very effective in removing almost any type of mineral; including calcium and magnesium that are beneficial to the human body.
This reverse osmosis filter with remineralization has an extra alkaline stage which ensures that the removed minerals are added back into the water.
The extra stage uses natural red stones to re-introduce ionized calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium that have been removed by the reverse osmosis process.
This extra stage also uses natural calcite rock to increase the pH of the water which becomes slightly acidic (pH below 7) during the reverse osmosis process.
When acid comes into contact with calcite (a basic material), it dissolves the calcite, thereby increasing the pH of the water.
The normal price of this system is about $30 higher than the 5 stage reverse osmosis system reviewed at no.3.
When this reverse osmosis system is on sale, the price is only a few dollars higher than the system at no.3 and therefore it is recommended that you buy this specific model if you also want to re-introduce the healthy minerals.
✅See more details here as well as consumer reports.
- Transparent shell provides an easy way to check if the sediment filter (first filter) is due for replacement.
- Progressive filtration and healthy minerals added back into the water.
- Water loss ratio too high unless you can recover the water.
- Membrane quality below par in some products.
✅5. APEC ESSENCE ROES-PH75 6 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
Another model from the APEC brand that has made it into our top 5 list.
This is basically the same system as the ESSENCE ROES 50 with an extra stage.
The extra stage adds calcium carbonate back into the water to increase the pH levels.
For a few dollars extra (especially when it is on sale), you can get all the benefits that the ESSENCE ROES 50 provides.
If alkalinity is important to you, then this system is recommended, even though the price is a bit higher, but not so much that it will burn a hole in your pocket.
✅If you want more information as well as consumer reports and reviews, then have a look here.
Can Reverse Osmosis Remove Chemicals, Salt, Arsenic, Fluoride, Lead, GenX, Pharmaceuticals, Nitrates, E. coli, Hormones, Chlorine or Salt?
Reverse osmosis filtration will remove hormones, pharmaceuticals, salt, nitrates, protozoa, bacteria (such as E. coli), viruses, most of the heavy metals (chrome, lead and copper), minerals (including calcium and magnesium) and other contaminants and chemicals such as arsenic and fluorides that pollute our drinking water.
Say what? Fluoride? But isn’t fluoride used in toothpaste as well?
We are not going to debate the conspiracy theory behind it… or why it has been banned in certain countries or towns… we prefer not to drink fluoride or brush our teeth with it.
As for salt, new desalination plants are using reverse osmosis technology since it uses less energy than distillation.
With regards to Genx, some feel that reverse osmosis it is the only way to remove this toxin from our drinking water.
At this stage, reverse osmosis has not been certified as having the ability to remove GenX, but reverse osmosis is definitely recommended.
As far as chlorine is concerned, this is not removed by reverse osmosis but by activated carbon that adsorbs the chlorine into its micro pores.
The systems reviewed here all have pre-stage carbon filters; thereby chlorine is removed before the actual reverse osmosis process.
Can Reverse Osmosis Systems Remove Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC’s)?
No, but the pre-carbon filters in the reverse osmosis systems that have reviewed here can.
Activated carbon has got a huge surface area and is very effective at attracting volatile compounds such as oils and kerosene’s.
In fact, in a gold plant, activated carbon is heat treated in a rotary kiln in order to remove the volatile substances, which actually block the carbon pores and reduce gold adsorption efficiency.
How Does Reverse Osmosis Work?
Reverse osmosis makes use of a membrane with incredibly small holes (0.0001 micrometer) that only allows through the smallest water molecules. Compare that to the thickness of a human hair which is about 50 microns.
It’s like an ultra-fine cloth and needs pressure to actually force the water through a permeable membrane.
The water pressure in our homes is sufficient to allow this method of filtration.
Since most molecules are larger than 0.0001 micron, this ensures that most of the contaminants are removed (up to 99%).
Best Reverse Osmosis System Reviews Conclusion
If you want to live healthy, it is recommended to buy a 7 stage reverse osmosis system, but even a 6 stage reverse osmosis alkaline water filter system will do the job.
The biggest disadvantage with reverse osmosis systems is the fact that it wastes a lot of water and in order to stop unnecessary water loss, a permeate pump is recommended.
There is no perfect system out there and a system with positive and negative reviews shows both the good and the bad.
If you are looking for the best reverse osmosis system, you should not have to look further than what is recommended here.
Best Reverse Osmosis System
List updated:
May 2024
