Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

10 Easy Pieces: Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems

Search

Start typing to search...

Search
Water FiltersIssue 20 — Back to Nature

10 Easy Pieces: Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems

May 13, 2020

If you’re looking to effectively filter your local municipal water directly from your kitchen tap, research shows that the best option is a under-counter install reverse osmosis filter system combined with an activated carbon component. Below are a few things to note when considering this style of filtration system, and further, our 10 choices for under-counter reverse osmosis (RO) systems.

  • Activated carbon filters (such as Brita), when used alone, filter a range of contaminants but do not filter inorganic pollutants such as fluoride, arsenic, nitrate, hexavalent, chromium, and perchlorate.
  • Reverse osmosis filter systems work by pushing water through a semi-permeable membrane that blocks anything large than a water molecule. This system removes inorganic pollutants, but alone, cannot effectively remove chlorine, trihalomethane, or VOC’s. This is why the best RO system includes an activated carbon component to remove all of the above contaminants, and up to 99-percent of total dissolved solids (TDS) from your water supply.
  • RO filters are wasteful, using 3 to 20 times more water than they produce. The key is to look for an RO system with the least amount of wastewater.
  • There are between 2 and 6 stages of filtration options for an RO system. Filters include a sand filter, carbon filter, cartridge filter, and membrane filter.
  • A 2-stage filter will remove the full scope of contaminants mentioned in bullets 1 and 2 except for fluoride. This is why a 3-stage or higher filter is what to look for if you’d like to remove fluoride from your water as well.
  • Because many minerals are removed in the process, some RO filters include or offer the option of purchasing an alkaline re-mineralizer to re-introduce beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium and balance the PH of the water.
  • Once installed, an RO filter system is relatively low maintenance with the need to change its filters about once per year.

N.B.: For a more comprehensive read on RO filtration, see articles on Water Filter Magazine and at Gimme the Good Stuff.

above: the waterdrop reverse osmosis water filtration system is the most space 17
Above: The Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System is the most space-saving of the bunch and can be installed under-counter or connected to the refrigerator. It produces a low amount of wastewater with a 1:1 efficiency ratio and its 7-stage filtration system filters 99-percent of all contaminants. It works with a PP cotton layer, premium carbon filter, a second PP cotton layer, 3 layers of RO membrane, and a post-activated carbon block layer. The filter is $539 directly from Waterdrop.
above: the home master artesian full contact undersink reverse osmosis water fi 18
Above: The Home Master Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System boasts a faster flow of water than other systems by using larger fittings and a wider tube and has a top efficiency ratio of 1:1. The system removes up to 98% of chemicals, heavy metals, and sediment with a 7-stage filter inclusive of the re-mineralization of calcium and magnesium to water. New systems are available via Amazon sellers starting at $329.95.
above: the ispring 6 stage superb taste high capacity under sink reverse osmosi 19
Above: The iSpring 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System is Water Quality Association (WQA) Gold Seal certified and filters up to 75 gallons of water per day. The 6-stage filter removes up to 99-percent of harmful contaminants and 98% of lead and includes an alkaline re-mineralization filter to better balance the pH of resulting filtered water. Filtration works with a sediment pre-filter, carbon KDF pre-filter, carbon block pre-filter, RO membrane, polishing GAC filter, and re-mineralization filter. The system is $199.49 on Amazon.
above: the pentair freshpoint 3 stage reverse osmosis system produces a low amo 20
Above: The Pentair FreshPoint 3-Stage Reverse Osmosis System produces a low amount of wastewater when filtering contaminants out of up to 50 gallons of pure water daily. It works with a simplified 3-stage filtration system including a Diamond Flow cartridge, RO membrane, and post-filter cartridge to remove total dissolved solids (TDS), chlorine, fluoride, lead, copper, and barium. Available at Fresh Water Systems.
above: the brondell circle reverse osmosis under counter water filter system is 21
Above: The Brondell Circle Reverse Osmosis Under Counter Water Filter System is compact and water-efficient (2:1 efficiency ratio), claiming up to 10x more efficient than traditional RO systems. It has the capability of producing 50 gallons of pure water daily and includes a chrome faucet tap, but can also be connected to other compatible faucet models. The Brondell is a 4-stage filtration system including a sediment (or sand) filter, pre-carbon plus filter, RO membrane, and a post-carbon block filter. Prices start at $299.99 on Amazon.
the apec water systems essence under sink reverse osmosis drinking water filter 22
Above: The APEC Water Systems Essence Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System is an advanced 6-stage RO filtration system guaranteed to remove 99-percent of harmful contaminants and includes an additional re-mineralizing filter. The 6-stage system works via sediment pre-filter, 2 sets of carbon block pre-filters, an RO membrane, an in-line carbon filter, and an in-line pH plus filter. The system has a 3:1 wastewater efficiency ratio and is $236.85 at The Home Depot.
above: neo pure (ro 4300rx) pharmacy trusted residential ro system is a 4 stage 23
Above: Neo-Pure (RO-4300RX) Pharmacy-Trusted Residential RO System is a 4-stage tank filtration system that works with a carbon pre-filter, a thin film composite membrane, extended contact filter, and polishing filter. It features a 3-gallon tank that is relatively compact and its carbon filters get changed every 6-12 months while the RO membrane is changed every 24 months; $199.99 at Fresh Water Systems.
the filtrete maximum under sink water filtration system is a super budget optio 24
Above: The Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System is a super-budget option for under $50 with still fairly decent filtration, though not as intensive as the others on this list. A great DIY option for those living in areas with high quality water, the filter reduces lead, microbes, chlorine taste and order, and 0.5 microns of TDS. Working with a single filter, the system is available with standard, advanced, or maximum (shown) filter options; $48.33 at Amazon.
above: the puredrop 5 stage reverse osmosis water filtration system with pre fi 25
Above: The PureDrop 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System with Pre-Filter Kit is a 5-stage filter that removes 99-percent of TDS, 96% of lead, 99% chlorine, and 98% iron. The PureDrop is relatively efficient (though not as efficient as others on this list) with a 1:3 wastewater ratio. Its 5-stage filter system includes pre-sediment, pre-GAC (chlorine, odor, taste, chemicals), pre-carbon, an RO membrane and post-carbon filters. The system is budget-friendly at $144.19 from The Home Depot.
above: the express water reverse osmosis water filtration system works via a 5 26
Above: The Express Water Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System works via a 5-stage filtration system of sediment and carbon pre-filters, an RO membrane, and post-activated carbon filter. The system is also customizable with the option of additional UV water filters, alkaline re-mineralization filters, de-ionization fillers, and more. The system is priced at $149.17 on Amazon.

Address more of your water needs with our posts:

(Visited 426 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.
Add to Collection
New Collection

Explore Deeper Into These Areas

Previous Post

Into the Wild: "Overgrow," a New Line from Calico Wallpaper in Brooklyn

May 12, 2020
Next Post

Kitchen of the Week: An Architect's Light-Filled, DIY Copenhagen Kitchen, Ikea Hack Included

May 14, 2020

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

Related Stories

Read all recent posts

join us on 10 Easy Pieces Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems portrait 6 27

This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: No connected account.

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.

v5.0

×
Join the Remodelista Family of Websites

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

Or Subscribe for Maximum Value!

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99
×
Sorry! As a registered member you get 10 free posts from our archive (posts more than a year old) every 30 days. You have reached your limit for this 30-day period. If you would like to access unlimited posts from the archive (ad free, too), become a subscriber today, and keep reading as many articles as you want.

Full Access Individual Subscription

Benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home sites
  • Ad-free browsing environment
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay just 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99


×
Sorry! You have reached your limit of three (3) free posts from our archive every 30 days. You can increase this to 10 posts by joining as a free Member, or read unlimited posts with no ads by becoming a paid Subscriber.

Subscribe to the Remodelista family of websites

For $5/month ($59.99 paid annually) you'll enjoy unlimited, ad-free access to Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home and all the benefits of Membership.



Subscriber benefits include:

  • Unlimited access to all three sites
  • Weekly access to subscriber-only content
  • Unrestricted access to 30,000+ archived posts
  • Receive the full-text daily newsletters
  • All features that Members have access to
  • Annual subscribers pay 50% off the monthly subscription price of $9.99

Become a Member at no charge

When you register as a free Member of the Remodelista family of websites (Remodelista, Gardenista, and The Organized Home), you gain access to all current posts plus 10 archived posts per month, our internal bookmarking tool, and the community bulletin board.

Member benefits include:

  • Access to all posts published in the past year
  • Access 10 archived posts (older than one year) per month on each site
  • Use of our internal bookmark tool, so you can save products, posts, and other pages for quick reference
  • Access to our community bulletin board so you can ask and answer design-related questions
  • Unlimited access to the Product Catalogs, Design Travel sources, and Architect & Designer Directory listings
  • Choose from our ten newsletters to keep up with the latest on the sites

My Account

Your member profile is powered by memberstack