The 7 Best Reverse Osmosis Systems for Clean Tap Water

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We researched reverse osmosis systems from the top brands, taking into account size, speed, water waste production, and ease of installation, as well as the flavor of the water they produce. Our top pick, the APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis System , is easy to set up, features five-stage filtration, and has an automatic shutoff.

A reverse osmosis system is a specialized form of water filtration that reduces your reliance on plastic bottles by providing clean, potable water right from your tap.

Things you won’t see in a budget reverse osmosis system include a remineralization filter, digital readings of TDS, or a tankless system. The PureDrop RTW5 does take up substantial room under the sink with a 4-gallon holding tank. However, this affordable option includes a replacement set of pre-treatment filters, meaning you won’t need to open your wallet for a new set any time soon.

While many reverse osmosis systems cost a few hundred dollars, you can spend less and still have peace of mind about your drinking water quality with a budget system. The PureDrop RTW5 Five-Stage Reverse Osmosis System is easy on the wallet but tough on contaminants. This filtration system utilizes sediment and carbon filtration before squeezing water molecules through a fine reverse osmosis membrane for water with up to 99 percent of TDS removed.

There are five filter cartridges to replace on an annual basis (or every 2,000 gallons), along with the UV bulb. Like other HomeMaster filtration cartridges, these are all-in-one units that don’t require you to open the housing or use any tools for replacement. Discard the old filter cartridge and insert a new one with minimal effort. There’s also no opportunity for biofilm or bacteria to build up inside the filter housing.

The HomeMaster HydroPerfection is well-equipped as a reverse osmosis system for well water. It features nine stages of filtration, including reverse osmosis, sediment, and catalytic carbon filtration. A UV light chamber sterilizes 99.99 percent of microorganisms and is the last step of the purification process. In addition, the system is equipped with a permeate pump which boosts clean water pressure and reduces wastewater.

Well water presents additional water purification concerns, including eliminating the presence of microorganisms like coliform bacteria or eradicating heavy metals such as iron. For this reason, you’ll want to choose a reverse osmosis system with advanced stages of water filtration. We’d also recommend a model with UV light since it’s a proven method of destroying viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

This is a six-stage filtration system, with the final step being an alkaline remineralization filter. Instead of the slightly acidic water that results from standard five-step reverse osmosis systems, the last stage of the iSpring RCC7AK. Filters for stages one through three, along with the alkalinity filter, will need to be changed about twice a year. The reverse osmosis membrane will last two to three years before needing replacement, and the post-carbon filter needs replacement annually.

Since a reverse osmosis membrane removes particles down to 0.0001 microns in size, purifying water in this way removes bacteria, sediment, VOCs, and other contaminants. However, it also removes minerals and alters the pH of the water. So if you’re looking for that familiar "hard water" taste, then choose a reverse osmosis system with a remineralization filter, like the highly-rated iSpring RCC7AK.

To use this countertop reverse osmosis system, you fill the tap water tank (1-gallon capacity), wait for the water to pass through all four stages of filtration, then dispense purified water from the clean water tank. For every 1 gallon of tap water, the AquaTrue produces about 3 liters of purified water. The entire process only takes a few minutes, so you can either leave the water in the dispensing tank or transfer it to a pitcher or other storage tank in the refrigerator.

For a reverse osmosis system with no plumbing or installation requirements, check out a countertop purification system. AquaTru is a popular choice for renters or if you want to purify water without taking up space under the sink. The 18 x 18 x 15-inch unit sits on the counter and plugs into a standard household outlet. There are three cartridges that house the sediment, carbon, and reverse osmosis filters. Filter life is expected to last for 600 to 1,200 gallons of purified water, so your replacement schedule will depend on the frequency of filtration.

Another notable feature of this under sink reverse osmosis system is Home Master’s easy-change filter cartridges. The canister and filter media are integrated into a single unit that you replace when it's time for a filter change . This means no tools are needed, and you’ll never worry about the filter housing cracking or becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. The trade-off is that a lack of housing means the modular filters and tubes are exposed under the sink rather than being tucked into a sleek housing unit like some other under the sink reverse osmosis systems.

Under-sink reverse osmosis systems are the most popular type since the majority of the system—filter housing, storage tank, and plumbing tubes—is tucked away and out of view. Since purified water that has been stripped of natural minerals is stored in the holding tank, the slightly acidic water can cause holding tank degradation over time. However, the Home Master Artesian Reverse Osmosis System solves this dilemma by using a full-contact system. This type of reverse osmosis system adds beneficial minerals to the water twice—once before it enters the storage tank to avoid tank degradation and once before dispensing to ensure excellent taste and proper pH.

This option for a tankless reverse osmosis system measures about 16 x 6 x 12 inches, leaving room under most sinks for cleaning supplies and storage. It installs in less than 30 minutes, according to the manufacturer, and annual filter changes are super simple, thanks to the design of the five-in-one composite filter. Rated for 600 GPD, the Waterdrop D6 supplies even large families with fresh, purified water. It also does so with less water waste; the ratio is 1.5:1 for purified water to wastewater.

A tankless reverse osmosis system saves space under the sink, produces less wastewater, and increases the system’s capacity to produce purified water. The Waterdrop D6 RO Water Filtration System is a great option if you’re looking to do all of that and enjoy easy maintenance of the system. Plus, it includes a smart faucet dispenser that provides real-time insights on water quality based on TDS.

This reverse osmosis system is most often used under kitchen sinks to provide filtered water for drinking and cooking. The output is 50 gallons per day (GPD), which is suitable for the average household needs of three to four people. The APEC ROES-50 includes a 4-gallon storage tank, faucet dispenser, along with the filter set, necessary tubing, and an installation kit. Filter life is six to 12 months for stage one to three filters, and two to four years for the reverse osmosis membrane and carbon filter.

The APEC ROES-50 is a great option for improving tap water quality. This five-stage reverse osmosis system removes up to 99 percent of the most common contaminants found in tap water, including lead, chlorine, bacteria, copper, fluoride, and iron. The filtration system includes double carbon blocks for enhanced performance. Take note that there is no remineralization filter, so the water may taste "flat" compared to untreated drinking water.

Who else recommends it? Bob Vila, BestReviews, and This Old House all picked the APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis System.

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the APEC Water Systems Essence Drinking Water Filter System (view at Amazon) since it offers five stages of filtration and filters are long-lasting, easy to change, and widely available. If you're looking to spend less, consider the PureDrop Five-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System (view at Lowe's). It's also a five-stage RO system but may require more frequent filter replacement.

What to Look for in a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

Water Waste

Unlike traditional water filters, not all of the water that is pumped through a reverse osmosis filter comes out the other side as drinkable water. Only a relatively small percentage—50 percent or less—is filtered, and the rest is considered waste. When possible, avoid units with 75 percent or more waste, especially if you are treating a high volume of water per day. This unit is typically measured in ratio form, so a tank that produces 75 percent waste will have a filtered water to wastewater ratio of 1:3.

Container Size

Reverse osmosis filtering takes time, so most filters of this type have tanks that store water rather than filtering it on demand. If your family drinks a lot of filtered water or you are filtering all of your tap water through reverse osmosis, make sure your tank is big enough to accommodate your needs.

Filter Speed

While there are reverse osmosis filters that can filter water as you need it, most of them take some time to refill. If you are replacing your regular tap water with purified water, look for a unit that can filter 50 or more gallons a day (the unit measurement for this number is called GDP). If you're just using it for drinking water, you can opt for a unit with a slower refill rate and a smaller tank.

FAQ

• How does a reverse osmosis system work?

  In every reverse osmosis system, there is an RO membrane, sediment filter, carbon filter, and several stages of filtration. When water first enters the system, it goes through prefiltration which usually consists of the sediment and carbon filter to remove sediment or chlorine that could clog up the membrane.

  Water then goes through the membrane where dissolved particles are further removed. Once the filtering is complete, it goes to the system's storage tank, where it is ready for use. When you turn on your faucet, the filtered water will come from the storage tank through another filter in the system that polishes it for drinking.

• How do you install a reverse osmosis system?

  If you're installing a reverse osmosis system underneath your kitchen sink, you'll first want to make sure you have enough room in your cabinet for the storage tank and filters. It's best to install the sink spigot first, so you're able to get the lines under the countertop before it gets crowded underneath the sink. Installation is simple and only requires basic plumbing knowledge.

• How do you replace filters in a reverse osmosis system?

  Every reverse osmosis system requires periodic maintenance to keep your water as pure as possible. If you don't replace your filters and membrane every so often, you risk lowering the quality of your water and damaging or clogging the system. Refer to the owner's manual for how often to replace your filters, but this will also depend on the quality of the water in your area.

  Although it doesn't require professional plumbing skills to change the filters yourself, you'll want to read the manufacturer's step-by-step instructions carefully on how to replace them. Make sure to purchase the right filters that need replacing since there are both carbon pre-filters and carbon post-filters for reverse osmosis systems.

• How do you sanitize a reverse osmosis system?

  The best time to sanitize your reverse osmosis system is when you change your filters. According to US Water Systems, you will first need to shut off the water running to your reverse osmosis system, then open the faucet to depressurize the system, and remove all filters and the membrane. You will then need to pour a sanitation packet into the first filter's housing and turn the water supply back on so it can run through the system. After the tank is full, you should turn the water back off and run the faucet to drain the system. Repeat this process twice to make sure all the sanitizer has been flushed out.
  

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Erica Puisis, a freelance home writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2017. When researching picks for this list, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, considering RO systems with and without a storage tank. She evaluated the most popular options based on the water waste of each system, filtration speed, filter maintenance, and storage tank considerations. All of our recommendations include at least four stages of filtration and some include a remineralization filter.