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First available in the 1980s for private use in homes, reverse osmosis filtration (RO) surpasses other filtration systems by eliminating up to 99.9% of contaminants from drinking water. They are commonplace today in many modern homes, and there are several companies manufacturing numerous RO systems. Buccaneer Slurry Pumps
There are so many, in fact, that you might have some trouble deciding between them. To help, we’ve examined the top contenders in the RO market and compiled this list of the best reverse osmosis water filters, along with information to assist you in making an informed purchasing decision.
We developed our list of the best reverse osmosis water filters by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria, then reviewing the most widely available water filters from that list and scoring them all based on 35 different attributes, focusing primarily on speed and connections. We further pared our list down to the best reverse osmosis water filters. Our ratings take into consideration factors like filtering stages, price, filter change frequency, warranty, flow rates, installation requirements and additional features. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Why you can trust Forbes Home: The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy.
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Home Master TMHP HydroPerfection Reverse Osmosis System
The Home Master TMHP HydroPerfection Reverse Osmosis System is a nine-stage filtration system that comes with a standard 3.2-gallon tank. Larger tanks, up to 53 gallons, are available at additional prices. The TMHP features 75 gallons per day (GPD) of pure water production and remineralization for improved water taste. It can produce a gallon of RO water in 19.2 minutes.
Home Master RO systems include a five-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. While the TMHP is our top pick, it also comes with the steepest price tag in our review.
Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Reverse Osmosis System
We like the Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Reverse Osmosis System for its customization ability. Although, we also like Home Master’s five-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee. The TMAFC comes with the company’s standard 3.2-gallon tank.
However, upgrading the tank to 4, 9 or 53 gallons for an added cost is possible. It can even go lower to 1.2 gallons to fit in a tight spot. Multiple parts upgrades, such as an upgraded pump, antimicrobial tubing, high-performance membrane, refrigerator connection kit and garbage disposal drain adapter, are also available.
iSpring RCC7AK-UV NSF Certified Under Sink 7-Stage RO Drinking Water Filtration System with Alkaline Remineralization and UV Ultraviolet Filter
ISpring’s RCC7AK-UV NSF Certified Under Sink 7-Stage RO Drinking Water Filtration System creates excellent drinking water from tough-to-handle water sources like wells and groundwater. The system features 75-GPD RO water output and can function with as little as 45 PSI of water pressure.
The ISpring RCC7AK-UV contains a powerful 11W UV lamp to remove biological impurities. The lamp automatically illuminates when water is flowing. While the daily output is relatively high, it has to work hard to achieve the task at a flow rate of just .052 GPM. The product has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a fairly short one-year standard warranty. Longer warranties are available for purchase.
APEC Water System ROES-PH75 – Essence Alkaline Mineral 6-Stage 75 GPD Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water
The APEC Water System ROES-PH75 is a high-quality RO water filtering system with several premium features and the lowest cost in our review. The system includes an iron filter, often reserved for more expensive models. Also included is a 4-gallon tank and a premium designer faucet.
The ROES-PH75 also comes complete with a remineralization filter and produces up to 75 GPD of RO water. However, only a one-year material and quality warranty applies, and a UV filter doesn’t come with the system.
APEC Water Systems RO-PH90 – Ultimate Alkaline Mineral 90 GPD 6-Stage High Output Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water
The RO-PH90 from APEC Water Systems is a premium RO system featuring 90 GPD water production. A 4-gallon tank stores 99% pure water after cycling through the extra capacity filters that reduce filter-change frequency.
The APEC Water Systems RO-PH90 is a complete system, including a designer faucet and an iron filter for tackling well water and water from other challenging sources. The system doesn’t include a UV filter and features short one-year materials and a quality warranty.
Express Water UV Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System – 11 Stage UV Water Filter with Modern Faucet and Tank – Under-Sink Water Filter – with Alkaline Filter for added Essential Minerals
With a low average price and solid features, the Express Water UV Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System churns out up to 100 GPD of water that’s undergone 11 filtering stages. At a flow rate of 14.4 minutes per gallon, the Express Water system is truly quick.
A unique feature of Express Water is its undersink water leak detection system. The feature monitors for water leaks and turns off the flow if a leak is detected. The only downsides are the short warranty and the fact that an iron filter doesn’t come with the unit.
APEC Water Systems ROES-PHUV75 – Essence Alkaline Mineral pH+ and UV Ultra-Violet Sterilizer 75 GPD 7-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water
For consumers looking for good value, the APEC Water Systems ROES-PHUV75 stands out. While not the least expensive system in our review, it comes with great features for the money. The ROES-PHUV75 features both a UV filter and an iron filter for an average price not much higher than several systems that don’t include at least one of those items.
The system has a maximum output of 75 GPD at a flow rate of a gallon every 19.2 minutes. However, APEC only puts a one-year materials and quality warranty on the product.
Home Master ULTRA Reverse Osmosis System
The Home Master ULTRA Reverse Osmosis System sets itself apart by offering options. The undersink system produces just 50 GPD of highly filtered water, and the flow rate of 28.8 minutes per gallon isn’t exactly fast. However, the ULTRA is almost entirely customizable. Choose from five tank sizes, nearly 20 faucet finishes and numerous upgradable parts to make the system fit your needs.
The ULTRA also features Home Mater’s five-year limited warranty for your protection, and the system includes both an iron and a UV filter. The only function missing is remineralization capacity, and the price is just a little on the high side, considering the lack of that feature.
iSpring RCC7P-AK Under Sink 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Filtration System with Alkaline Remineralization and Pump
Featuring a flow rate that produces up to 75 GPD of water, the iSpring RCC7P-AK Under Sink Six-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Filtration System with Alkaline Remineralization also has a built-in booster pump—handy for situations where water pressure is lower than 40 PSI.
The system comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. More extended warranties of three and five years are available at additional costs.
iSpring RCC1UP-AK 7 Stage 100 GPD UnderSink RO Drinking Water Filtration System With Booster Pump, Alkaline Ph+ Remineralization Filter and UV Filter
iSpring’s upgraded RCC model is the RCC1UP-AK 7 Stage 100 GPD UnderSink RO Drinking Water Filtration System With Booster Pump. This system features improved characteristics and flow rates over iSpring’s previous listings in our review. However, the average retail price is a bit higher as well. The model includes up to 100 GPD of water production, a booster pump for low water pressure situations and a UV filter.
The model doesn’t include an iron filter, though, and iSpring only places a one-year standard warranty on it, while extended warranties are available for purchase.
Reverse osmosis water systems aren’t the least expensive filtering option available. For their extra cost, it’s important to choose the one that perfectly fits your family to get the most from your investment.
Reverse osmosis water filtration systems come in a variety of sizes to meet different needs. Whole-house systems are available, as are commercial models, that yield filtered water for nearly all of the water used in the home or business.
Point-of-use and portable models are exactly what they sound like. These systems produce enough filtered water to supply a single faucet with purified drinking water and are typically mounted below the sink or on a countertop.
All filtration systems must balance the unit’s production amount against the level of filtration. Typically, that means that the faster the water comes out, the less filtered the water is. But that’s not the whole story. Although RO systems produce purified water quite slowly, systems can compensate by storing some of that water in a tank for later use.
Look for a system that purifies your water to the desired level and can keep up with your family’s quantity demands, whether that means using a tank or buying one with faster production output.
The water pressure in your home could be a factor when deciding which RO system will work best. An RO filtration system requires at least 40 pounds per square inch of water pressure to operate at an acceptable output level. The higher the pressure, the better.
Although some municipalities can supply water at up to 60 psi, if you think you may have low water pressure, or have a private well, check the psi. In your home before committing to a system that requires higher amounts.
The cost of an RO filtering system hinges on a number of factors. Size, filtration capability and peripheral equipment are the main drivers of price. Not surprisingly, RO systems for whole-house use are the most costly, while small countertop point-of-use models can be hundreds to thousands of dollars less.
All RO systems filter out microscopic contamination. However, some provide deeper filtration than others. The high filtration models are generally more expensive.
Many RO systems come with added components such as storage tanks, faucets, pumps and remineralization features that put some beneficial minerals back into the water before it reaches the tap. More or better components typically mean a higher price tag.
Determining the best RO system for your household requires finding one that produces enough water of the purity you desire and doing it without too much hassle.
Any water purification system you choose has just one job. The first consideration when choosing an RO system is how deeply it filters and which contaminants it can or can’t remove.
The amount of purified water an RO system produces is also crucial. These systems can take a great deal of time to filter out impurities. Depending on the number of people in your home and what the water is used for, you may need just a few gallons a day or many.
RO systems have a water production rate of between 25 and 100 gallons per day, and most have storage tanks that hold the purified water until it’s needed.
Identify a system that produces the amount of water your family needs daily with a large enough storage tank to fulfill the need.
RO systems aren’t plug-and-play devices. They require installation, which can be complex, and regular filter changes. Choose a system that’s easy to install if you’re doing the work yourself. Ensure that filters are relatively easy to swap, cost-effective for your budget and readily available in your area.
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Reverse osmosis filtering systems are highly effective at eliminating most contaminants commonly found in drinking water. However, as with anything mechanical, it’s important to know the pros and cons of reverse osmosis water filters to consider before committing.
Many homeowners choose to hire a plumber to install their RO filter system, especially whole-house units that require changes to the home’s main plumbing supply line. However, point-of-use systems are often installed as a DIY project.
It’s important to note that all systems will require a slightly different installation process and you should always follow the provided directions. However, as far as the basics go, to install an under-sink RO system, start by making a plan for it to fit in the small available space. Start your installation by turning off the main water to the home.
To determine the best reverse osmosis water filter ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed over 150 products. Each product’s star rating is determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
A small percentage of points were awarded for company structure characteristics as recorded by LinkedIn company profiles.
Customer service characteristics, including features and availability, were evaluated for each competing company, along with ratings and review listings from Trustpilot, BBB, Consumer Affairs, Facebook and Google Maps.
Customer support scores were awarded after analyzing each company’s commitment to features like available live chat or phone support, online assistance, such as blog posts, knowledge base and community forum availability and an FAQ page.
A few percentage points were set aside for editorial points awarded to competitors that exhibit outstanding features, products or performance characteristics.
Average pricing from at least six retailers, if available, and warranty length and details were examined and scored accordingly by company and product.
Ease of installation, installation requirements and the availability of professional installation made up our installation score for each product and company.
Product specifications, including the number of filters and stages, filtration time, maximum TDS, size and weight, waste water ratios, filter replacement frequency and flow rate, were all analyzed and calculated to determine our specs score for each product.
Product features, such as storage tank size and availability, certifications, remineralization capability and the existence of alkaline, iron and UV filters, made up our features score for each product.
Reverse osmosis systems are the most effective at removing contaminants from drinking water. However, the devices also remove beneficial minerals. They can remove enough minerals that the water they produce can harm household plumbing. RO filtering is the best at what it does, but it may not meet every family’s needs.
In theory, reverse osmosis would certainly help well water. However, RO systems rely on high water pressure to operate, which many private well pumps can’t supply. Well-water users who wish to install an RO system should test for high enough water pressure or consider installing an auxiliary pump or a more powerful well pump.
Osmosis occurs naturally as a property of water on a cellular level in which the liquid passes in one direction through a semipermeable membrane taking dissolved nutrients along—think tree roots soaking up mineral-rich water. Reverse osmosis is the opposite, in which water is placed under pressure and forced the other way through a semipermeable membrane which dislodges and separates impurities from the liquid.
Depending on the size and capability of the system, it could cost as little as $750 or up to $15,000 for whole-home reverse osmosis water purification.
All types of water filters have particular benefits over other kinds. The filter that’s best for the drinking water in one location can vary from one that’s highly effective elsewhere. That said, reverse osmosis systems remove the most contaminants from water under most circumstances.
Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and consultant for several publications. Throughout his career, he strived to assist his clients in finding the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empowering them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors. Deane’s primary career goal involves sharing home-related knowledge and providing self-sufficiency tools to as large an audience as possible.
Heavy Duty Slurry Pump Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.