There are many different types of water filtering out there. There is the basic water pitcher with a carbon filter that does a good job of making the water taste and smell better. There are micro porous filters that can attach to your faucet or water supply, and do a better job of cleaning out most types of contaminants. However, for the cleanest water, and the most efficient way of getting it, a reverse osmosis system is the way to go.
The Top Ten
Reverse osmosis is not a very intuitive process, and can sorting out which is the best system, and what is the best price, can be difficult. Here is a list of the ten best, as rated by Amazon customers.
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Filter Stages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | APEC 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System | 4.7 | 3 | $$ |
 | Spring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System | 4.5 | 5 | $$ |
 | APEC Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System | 4.9 | 5 | $$$$ |
 | iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System | 4.5 | 6 | $$$ |
 | Home Master TMAFC Undersink Reverse Osmosis System | 4.8 | 7 | $$$$$ |
 | iSpring RCC7P 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System with Pump | 4.6 | 5 | $$$ |
 | Home Master Ultra Undersink Reverse Osmosis System | 4.9 | 6 | $$$$$ |
 | APEC Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System | 5.0 | 6 | $$$ |
 | iSpring RCC7AK-UV Reverse Osmosis Water System | 4.1 | 7 | $$$ |
 | APEC High-Flow Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System | 4.8 | 5 | $$$ |
| Picture | Name | Our Rating | Filter Stages | Price |
What Is A Reverse Osmosis System And Why Do You Need One?
Reverse osmosis is a system for purifying water. It is not strictly speaking a filtering process, though it shares many of the characteristics of a filter. It reverses the process of osmosis to remove contaminants from water, and while it is used frequently in the home to improve the taste and quality of the water coming out of the faucet, it is a powerful enough process that it is also frequently used to remove minerals from saltwater, making it potable.
Osmosis is a physical process involving two liquids separated by a semipermeable membrane. This membrane is similar to a micro porous filter used in other types of filtering systems. One liquid has a higher concentration of solvents, and the other a lower concentration. Osmosis is the process of solvents passing through the membrane from one liquid to the other, equalizing the amount of solvents in each liquid.
Osmosis generally assumes that the liquid is still, and the pressure is more or less equal on each one. Reverse osmosis increases the pressure on one liquid, with the effect that the process is reversed. The solvents concentrate in on one side, resulting in one liquid with a high concentration of solvents, and one that has a very low concentration.
Contaminants can be a variety of things, including lead and other heavy metals, and bacteria that can cause illness. They can also include herbicides and other chemicals that can have an adverse effect on your health. In every case, these contaminants are dissolved in water. Unlike many other types of filtering, reverse osmosis removes all these potentially harmful substances to some degree.
How To Find The Best Reverse Osmosis System For Me
Reverse osmosis systems are a great way to purify and improve the quality of the water you drink and use on a daily basis. However, not all systems are the same. There are a number of variables to consider when choosing the right system for your needs.
The first thing to decide is what size of filter you would like. Reverse osmosis systems that supply a single faucet are available and come in a range of prices. Whole house filtering systems that include reverse osmosis filtering are also available. If you’re concerned primarily with the quality of your drinking water, a system that supplies a single faucet is probably enough. If you’re concerned with water quality for other uses, such as bathing and cleaning, then a whole house system might be a better option.
Water quality varies from place to place, and the particular pollutants and contaminants also are different in different areas. It is possible to find out what contaminants are most common where you are. If you get your water from a municipal supply, information on water quality will frequently be publicly available. Many filters use several different types of filtering processes in-line, so that the water goes through each filter and becoming cleaner at each step. Whole house reverse osmosis systems, in particular, can also have carbon absorption and micro porous filtration as well. The combination of filtering and should be chosen so that it deals with what is most likely coming into your house.
Reverse osmosis is a very efficient system, but it is not a fast one. The process can take some time, which requires a storage tank that is filled by the filter, and then supplies the house. The size of the tank will determine the amount of water available at any given time.
Reverse Osmosis System Cost
A good reverse osmosis system is probably going to cost over $150, making it one of the more expensive types of water filtration. All reverse osmosis systems are more or less the same, so the price is going to differ primarily based on the other features the system includes.
As mentioned above, filtration systems will often include multiple types of filtration within one system. Reverse osmosis systems can include carbon absorption and micro porous filters as well. The number and type of filters that the system includes is going to be one of the major determining factors when it comes to price.
Another important area to consider when choosing a reverse osmosis system is water flow. A RO filtration system can require a minimum water flow pressure coming into the filter in order for proper operation. A water supply that does not meet this minimum will require a water pump to boost the water pressure to operating levels. On the other end, because a RO system requires a storage tank, it can often result in a lower water pressure coming out of the device the filter supplies. To address this issue, many filters come with a water pressure booster pump. While it might be nice to have better water pressure, it can also increase the cost of the system.
Reviews
iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
This is a five-stage filter system, which means the water it produces is clean and pure, with most contaminants, including fluoride, removed. However, it is a more complicated install than simpler filtering systems. The system does come with everything needed for a basic install, including extra O-rings and Teflon tape, and there are videos available online to demonstrate the installation process. It might better to have a plumber install it, though, if you’re not very handy. The filter does have a 30-day money back guarantee and 1-year satisfaction guarantee, so you can exchange or replace it if there is a problem.
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Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis System
Reverse osmosis removes almost all contaminants, leaving you with pure, fresh tasting water. Most bottled water companies use reverse osmosis systems, and this filter produces bottled quality water. Reverse osmosis removes everything from the water, including many minerals that are important for health. The Home master system adds these minerals back, balancing the pH and keeping it from becoming acidic. This is a complex system, and installing it can be difficult if you are not familiar with plumbing. There are videos available online to help understand the installation process, and everything you need comes with the filter.
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Home Master Ultra RO Undersink Reverse Osmosis System
The next step up from the Home Master Artesian RO system, this unit includes 6 filters, including a UV filter that kills whatever bacteria and microorganisms are not filtered out. This system uses larger fittings and tubes to increase the flow rate of the water. The system comes with everything needed to install, which is fairly straightforward. The filters are designed to be easy to replace, but the clips used are plastic and potentially fragile. The fittings in general are plastic, rather than metal, and can have problems when connecting to metal connectors. Overall, however, it provides clean, healthy water.
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APEC ROES-PH75 Top Tier Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System
This system is entirely made in the United States, including the filters. It is an easy to install 6-stage reverse osmosis system. The APEC system reintroduces calcium carbonate (also sourced from within the US) to balance the water’s pH, and improve the taste. RO systems use several gallons of wastewater to produce the filtered water it supplies. The APEC system uses 3 gallons of wastewater to 1 gallon of filtered water, which is actually on the low end of comparable systems. It produces fresh, clean drinking water.
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iSpring RCC7AK-UV 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
This system uses a UV light, which kills and destroys bacteria and microorganisms that manage to get through the multi-stage filter. A common complaint when a UV light is included with these systems is that is heats the water when it is not flowing, making it too hot to drink and causing a heat danger. This RO system has a flow switch, which only turns the UV light on when the water flows, keeping it from heating the water. The system can be difficult to install, but produces healthy, alkali water for use.
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The advantage reverse osmosis systems have over other types of water filter is that it removes a greater range of pollutants, and does a better job of it. Combine that with its inherent high efficiency, and reverse osmosis is a great choice when it comes to meeting water quality needs.
