10 Best Reverse Osmosis System Consumer Reports & Reviews 2022

Our right to clean drinking water is unnegotiable. It is imperative that you have access to safe, great-tasting, and high-quality drinking water.

However, what if your tap water is not safe enough? You could be exposed to dangerous contaminants like Arsenic, Lead, etc. But why risk it when you can have high-quality drinking water on the go?

Reverse Osmosis System or RO-system has been recommended as one of the most effective methods for removing harmful substances from the water.

It is a popular type of water filter which uses pressure and a partially permeable membrane to remove contaminants.

10 Best Reverse Osmosis System Reviews

Here are the top 10 best reverse osmosis systems according to consumer reports in 2022.

1. Waterdrop RO Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration System

The Water Drop RO filtration system is laden with features made of innovative technology for providing you with high-quality drinking water.

This filtration system has quite a few certifications in its name including NSF 58 & 372 certification. It also has certification against TDS reduction and ANSI.

The filtration system is equipped with patented filtration technology which can reduce more than 90% of TDS after complete flushing. Its filtration technology can filter with an accuracy of 0.0001μm.

The Waterdrop RO G3 offers you clean water through seven stages of filtration. These include three stages in the pre-filter, three stages in the RO filter, and one stage in the final carbon filter.

One of the most prominent features of this RO system is the tankless design. This allows you to filter the water without a tank and on-demand, unlike other under-sink systems which require pressurized tanks to hold filtered water.

The tankless design takes up less space and will keep producing when other units refill the tank and hence slow down.

This RO system is both easy to maintain and install. It uses three filters of different sizes which are easy to install. It also offers real-time feedback on your water quality through an LCD ring on the faucet. It glows to indicate the status of the filters.

2. Home Master Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

If tankless or canister RO systems are not suitable for your household or are causing problems, then an efficient alternative can be the Home Master RO system.

Claimed to terminate up to 98% of dissolved solids from water, the Home Master TMHP offers purification, nine stages of filtration, remineralization, and sterilization.

Let’s start with the filters, among which the sediment filter is responsible for catching large particles such as rust, dirt, sand, and more. It also removes anything that might damage the reverse osmosis membrane by blocking the filter.

Next are the iron and mixed-media filters. The former removes chemicals such as chloramines, herbicides, chlorine, and more from the water by using catalytic carbon filtration. The iron filter on the other hand removes dissolved iron from the water as it contains advanced redox media KDF85.

The system patented full contact remineralization technology. This is where the final stage of filtration takes place. This technology is responsible for maintaining the water pH.

This improves the taste of water by adding small amounts of calcium and magnesium as well. It balances the pH twice; in the water storage tank and when the water flows out of the faucet.

Other features include the permeate pump which prevents water waste and improves flow by using a non-electric permeate pump.

3. Frizzlife RO Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

Saving storage under your kitchen sink, the Frizzlelife OR water filtration system has a tankless design with a small footprint. It takes up less space and provides ultra-pure.

This convenient and tankless system offers a high water flow of up to 600 gallons per day! Its filtration system can fulfill a large family’s daily water consumption. Moreover, it offers a steady, stable, and fast stream of water. It can fill a 330 ml cup in ten seconds.

The next commendable feature of this RO system is alkalization and remineralization. The third stage of filtration solves the issue of the water being slightly acidic which in turn reduces natural minerals.

These features balance both the pH and the alkalinity of RO water. Frizzlelife provides weakly alkaline water which is beneficial for health.

Another helpful feature of the Frizzlelife Ro system is the smart LED display. You can clearly read the remaining lifespan of each filter and real-time TDS through the smart display panel.

The quality of your water is constantly monitored 24/7 with the help of the built-in TDS system. You will know when to change the filters in advance due to the color-coded indicators.

The Frizzlelife PD600 features an advanced water-saving technology that saves up to 450% of water compared to other RO filter systems.

4. iSpring 7-Stage Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System

When you want a moderately priced RO filtration system with thorough filtration, then the iSpring is the unit to look to.

This unit offers your water protection against more than a thousand different types of harmful contaminants like asbestos, arsenic, chlorine, etc. Its six-stage multi-layered filter system provides you with high-quality drinking water.

This compact design system can kill up to 99.9% disease spreading harmful contaminants. It is equipped with extra-long three pre-filters with a long life which not only removes contaminants but also protects the RO membrane.

The ultra-fine filter can remove harmful particles down to 0.0001 microns while the final polishing is provided by the GAC filter. After that, the alkaline filter provides the proper proportion of natural alkaline balance and healthy minerals.

One of the handier features this RO system has to offer is the do-it-yourself installation. The unit has been designed in a way that makes it very easy to install and maintain as well.

Moreover, its entire design is convenient enough for it to fit nicely under the kitchen sink. You wouldn’t need to use threading pipes as you simply push the tubing half-inch deep into the quick-fitting connectors. After that, you just lock and are ready to go.

5. Aquasana Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Water System

Aquasana OptimH2O is the kind of RO system which offers highly filtered premium quality drinking water. It claims to get rid of fluoride along with 87 additional contaminants.

The Aquasana RO system is very compact and convenient design-wise as it can be settled easily under the sink. The system can roll out up to 36 gallons of pure drinking water per day depending on the temperature and inlet water pressure.

The OptimH2O is equipped with three stages of filtration. The effectiveness of its filtration operation can be judged by the fact that it can remove up to 99% of asbestos and lead, 95% fluoride, and 97% of arsenic and chlorine.

In the first stage, larger particles are trapped in an activated carbon filter. The second stage is followed by the reduction of more harmful contaminants such as lead, nitrites, pentavalent arsenic, and nitrates through reverse osmosis membrane.

Five times more contaminants are eliminated in the third stage with the help of the proprietary mixture of catalytic and activated carbon called Claryum carbon. Mineralization is the final stage where the Aquasana balances the alkalinity of the water and other minerals.

Apart from its insanely effective filtration, the system is very easy to install with DIY filter replacement as well. Moreover, you also get an incredibly reliable and fast flow rate.

6. Express Water UV Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

When five or seven stage filtrations just aren’t doing the job anymore, I bring you an RO system that will filter your water in 11 stages! That’s right, enjoy premium quality drinking water with Express Water UV filtration system.

The system is claimed to have up to a 99% removal rate by eliminating over 108 harmful contaminants. However, the highlights of this RO model are its 11-stage water and UV purification system.

In the first stage, dust, rust, sand, and dirt are filtered through a Sediment filter. Pollutants like volatile organic chemicals and chlorine are removed in the second and third stages with granular carbon filters and carbon blocks.

The fourth stage is the RO membrane which focuses on removing contaminants like chromium, arsenic, lead, radium, and more. Stages from five to nine are the Alkaline Filter which includes adding antioxidants, five stages of mineralization, and oxygen to the water.

The tenth stage is UV water purification where viruses, coliform, bacteria, E.Coli, and other organisms are eliminated from the water. The last stage is the Pro Carbon Filter which removes odor from the water.

Along with the system’s rigorous filtration, it also consists of a number of unique features as well. This includes leak detection which consists of an emergency leak stop detector for shutting off excess water flow. It also consists of a double-sealed filter for preserving them.

7. APEC 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

The APEC RO system has a superior quality design and is WQA certified. Its intense quality control process offers a reliable operation and ultimate satisfaction.

Offering water, which is perfect for cooking and drinking, the APEC processes your water through a six-stage filtration process. That is why it claims to remove up to 99% of all harmful contaminants like arsenic, heavy metals, VOCs, chlorine, toxic fluoride, odor, lead, and more.

The APEC PH75 can easily provide up to 75 gallons of fresh drinking water per day. The rate is enough for a large family and the output is high as well.

Moreover, you can have complete trust in its durability and filtration quality as it has been certified and tested under industry standards.

The most popular feature of this RO system is the remineralization calcium filter. Since the water is a bit acidic after many dissolved minerals have been removed, the remineralization filter balances the pH and makes it a bit alkaline.

Another convenience this filter system offers not having the need to change the filter frequently. This is all thanks to the large capacity solid block filters which deliver almost two times more contaminant removing capacity.

8. SimPure Y6 Countertop Reverse Osmosis System

Wouldn’t you just love a water purifier that is ready to dispense water without any complicated setup? Then why not buy the SimPure countertop UV RO filtration system?

As the name suggests, this countertop filtration system is your solution to bulky under-the-sink installation. Its compact and ready-to-go design will perfectly fit in a small kitchen.

Let’s start with the three stages of filtration. Like its peers, this RO system also claims to remove up to 99% of harmful contaminants from your water. It does that in three stages starting from a sediment PP membrane which then goes through an activated carbon filter.

In the final stage of filtration, viruses, bacteria, and other organic matter are removed through the 0.0001-micron RO membrane. Moreover, it also prevents secondary pollution in the water and adjusts the taste as well.

The purifier has a very easy-to-use design which comes along with a soft-touch control panel. The panel sits on the front of the countertop and features four indicators showing the status of the purifier. It also features easy-to-change filters and a non-leakage design.

Another notable feature of the purifier is the five-liter tank which comes with 1.5-liter pure water storage. The tank is removable while the filtered water is dispensed in the storage tank.

9. Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration System

An RO filtration system that has been conveniently designed for both private and municipal well water supplies, the UltraEase quality water at a fair value.

Like many RO systems, the UltraEase has three stages of filtration for providing you with clean drinking water. Fewer stages mean fewer filters to replace but UltraEase does not compromise on the quality.

One of the better things about this purifier is the ease of installing filters and space-saving design. The UltraEase has a reliable yet compact design with a small footprint that allows you to store more things alongside the system under your sink.

When it comes to installing and maintaining filters in this system, the UltraEase only requires a quarter-turn of the wrist to release the filter and replace it with a new one. You wouldn’t even need to turn off your water.

Moreover, the filters also offer a long six-month life compared to others which only last up to three months. The best part is that you will know when to change the filters with the help of the EZ-Change indicator light.

The system comes along with one membrane, a designer chrome faucet, an instruction manual, and two filters.

10. Olympia 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

Looking for an affordable and decent reverse osmosis system? If yes, then you’ve come to the right review as you won’t find a product as good as the Olympia Water System at a decent price.

The highlight of this RO system is its commendable performance and five-stage filtration process. With 50 gallons of water per day capacity, this RO system efficiently removes not only unhealthy contaminants but also various viruses and bacteria.

Its five-stage filtration starts off with a 5-micron sediment filter which traps dirt, sand, and dust particles. This is followed by stage two and three which consists of a 5-micron carbon block filter. It eliminates chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, and improves water quality.

The fourth stage consists of a 0.0001-micron RO membrane which frees your water from harmful substances like radium, arsenic, cadmium, TDS, and more. The final stage removes any unpleasant odor and residual taste with the help of granular activated carbon.

The purifier offers a 4:1 ratio of drain water vs drinking water which is acceptable. It also comes along with an automatic shut-off valve, two carbon clock filters, a flow restrictor, a 3.2-gallon tank, and more.

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Reverse Osmosis System Buying Guide

If you want to buy the right reverse osmosis system for yourself, then you should consider some of the following factors:

Number of Filtration Stages

The quality of the filtered water depends on how thoroughly the RO system filters it. The process is mostly done through a number of filtration stages which vary according to different models.

The least number of stages a decent RO system has is three which usually consists of the sediment, carbon, and RO membrane stage.

However, if you go for something more advanced, you’ll notice that these RO systems also have a remineralization stage, UV purification stage, final carbon stage, and more.

Therefore, you should carefully consider the quality of the water you need and choose accordingly.

The extent of Remineralization Needs

Not many RO systems offer the luxury of offering the remineralization feature. Since an RO system removes not only the bad but the good minerals as well, some people might prefer to have those minerals easily by drinking water.

You can always make up for the lack of minerals in your water through your meals but If you really do prefer to have them in your water, then you should look for a model that can offer remineralization for your water.

Water Usage and Pressure

It might be possible that your RO unit will be filtering more water than you consume. This means that it would be wasting unnecessary water to produce drinking water that you might not be using.

Therefore, before choosing an RO unit for your household or office you should consider the overall water usage and consumption. Also, you should take into account the water capacity and storage of the unit.

If we talk about water pressure, there will be reduced production of filtered water if there isn’t sufficient water pressure available. This is because without pressure the water won’t be pushed effectively through the semipermeable membrane.

That is why it is recommended to have an RO unit that has a pressure of approximately 60 PSI as only then it would optimally function.

Water Wastage and Efficiency

Even though RO systems purify more water than distillers per day, they do wastewater. RO systems do save you in the electricity department as they use none but for every gallon of filtered water produced, an RO system wastes about four or more gallons of water.

Many consider this ratio as somewhat not that bad but if this is utterly unacceptable for you, then there are units available that produce zero water waste.

However, this might lead the RO to work harder and reduce its life as it would re-inject the concentrated wastewater back into the water feeding. That is why it is recommended to fit an RO system with a permeate pump to reduce water waste.

Ease of Installation

Nobody likes complicated installation and instructions. If you really want to save time, then choose a model that offers a do-it-yourself installation and maintenance.

Many models even come with a complete set of installation accessories. If you don’t want to do any kind of installation, then a countertop RO unit will be perfect for you.

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FAQs About Reverse Osmosis System

What are the Best Reverse Osmosis System?

If you are looking for a premium quality filter system. here is a list of the top rated as per our reviews;

1. Waterdrop RO Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration System
2. Home Master Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
3. Frizzlife RO Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
4. iSpring 7-Stage Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System
5. Aquasana Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Water System
6. Express Water UV Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
7. APEC 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
8. SimPure Y6 Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
9. Whirlpool WHER25 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration System
10. Olympia 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

How often do the filters need replacing?

How often should the filters be replaced in a RO filtration system depends on a few factors? It depends on the model, the number of people in the house, and your usage.

On average, the carbon and the particulate filters need replacement at least each year. If we talk about the RO membrane, then it needs to be changed every three to five years.

How much water waste is produced in a reverse osmosis system?

When it comes to waste, it’s true that the ratio is not quite balanced. An RO system might generally waste more than it produces.

However, the waste is not that noticeable either in your bill and generally as well. You can consider the operation of an RO system similar to how washing machines or dishwashers use water.

Do RO systems remove good minerals as well?

It is true that RO removes not only harmful contaminants from the water but also some useful minerals such as magnesium and calcium as well. You might need to compensate for the lack of minerals in the water through your diet.

However, there are many RO systems models with a remineralization process that balances the pH and the minerals in the water.

Does RO water taste bland?

One of the basic functions of an RO system is to rid your drinking water of unpleasant odors and taste. Generally, water after filtration tastes much better than tap water.

However, if you are really picky about how your water tastes, there are many reverse osmosis models that will adjust the taste of water through remineralization or balancing the alkalinity of the water.

What is the difference between an RO system and a water softener?

The thing is that an RO system not only filters water but also softens it as well whereas a water softener simply softens it without filtration.

However, if your RO keeps filtering hard water, the membrane might wear out faster than usual. Therefore, it is more economical to soften the water before it goes through the RO system.

Conclusion

Tap water isn’t always the freshest. Everyone deserves to have fresh and healthy water on the go. If you want to have premium quality drinking water, then there is nothing better than a good reverse osmosis system.

Most RO units not only remove up to 99% of all harmful contaminants but also balances the pH and minerals in your water as well.

A convenient option for your household’s water usage, an RO is easy on the water bill and does not use electricity at all.