Getting clean, delicious, and healthy water for your family does not have to be a struggle or drain your bank. Being able to access filtered water directly from your tap is a fantastic thing as it does not limit water consumption for you and your family.
Countertop reverse osmosis water filters allow you to remove contaminants from your tap water without taking much space or struggling with the installation. They are designed to fit easily to your faucet, offer exceptional filtration process, and are portable, making them suitable for camping or office.
But before discussing some of the best Countertop Reverse osmosis systems let’s take a deep dive into how a reverse osmosis system works. We’ll also be discussing the criteria that you need to keep in mind while going for a portable reverse osmosis system!
What Is a Portable Reverse Osmosis System?
A portable Reverse osmosis system is a normal reverse osmosis system that’s portable. So all we need to know is what a reverse osmosis system is. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes unwanted molecules, ions, and various particles. The reverse osmosis process is most commonly known for removing salt and other harmful particles from water molecules. It’s also known for purifying seawater.
The reverse osmosis system uses an applied pressure for its filtration system. This applied pressure helps to get rid of suspended and dissolved biological and chemical components (Most notably bacteria’s). Because of the applied pressure, large particles and bacteria get stuck in the membrane pores. But the pores do allow smaller particles such as water and H2O to pass through freely. The fresh and clean water is received after the water passes through the membrane pores.
Reverse Osmosis Vs Regular Osmosis- Which one is better?
So you might have the question as to how is this different from a normal filtration system. You see, in reverse osmosis system uses solvent diffusion throughout the membrane. And it also has a strict 0.001 micrometers Nano-filtration system. So even if a particle doesn’t get dissolved in the water, it’ll get stuck in the Nano-filtration pores.
On the other hand, regular osmosis systems use a predominant removal mechanism that removes bacteria and other particles through force. But in most cases, all this pressure goes in vain as the membrane pores are just 0.01 micrometers in size.
So as reverse osmosis systems feature a solving mechanism along with a nanofiltration system, it’s best for purifying water.
Reverse Osmosis System Process
Reverse osmosis happens in 4 main steps. All of these steps ensure the maximum filtration process for the water. Let’s take a look at what they are.
- In the first step, the Water enters the RO system. And upon entering, it’ll go through a prefiltration process. While going through the prefiltration process the water encounters a sediment filter and carbon filter. These filters remove chlorine and sediment that can clog or damage RO membrane
- After going through prefiltration, the water enters the reverse membrane. And in the reverse membrane, dissolved particles even too tiny to see with microscopes get removed.
- At this stage, the main filtration process is over and the water flows to the storage tank. It stays there until someone takes the water out. The reverse osmosis system will continue to purify water until the tank is full. And after the tank is full, it’ll shut down.
- Upon turning on the water faucet, the water flows from the storage through another filter that polishes your water. And after one final polish, the water reaches the faucet and you utilize it afterward.
Things To Consider While Buying A Reverse Osmosis System
So choosing a portable RO system can be a bit of a hassle. You might wonder what’s there to worry about? Trust me because you’d be surprised to know that there are a few.
Reason Behind Getting an RO system: First of all, ask yourself why do you need a RO system? Is it because of the contaminants such as Arsenic or Fluoride in your water? Or is it because of aesthetics such as taste? RO systems are great at getting rid of dissolved molecules such as Arsenic. But if you want a RO system solely because of issues such as taste, it might be overkill.
Water Source: Up next we’ll be discussing the water source. You see water sources can play a big role in which RO system you want to get. Some RO systems work better with city or municipal based water systems as the water in those places are clean but has chemical components that might be bad for your health. And in places such as outside of a city, the water might be contaminated with biological components. So you’ll have to base your pick on water sources too.
Your water usage: The next point to make a difference is the amount of water you might need. Different RO systems have the different purifying capacity. So if your family needs more water then go for a higher-end RO system. And if the need for water isn’t too much you can opt for a medium or low-budget RO system.
Budget: The fourth point that you’ll need to think of is your budget. Do you want to aim for a higher budget RO? Or would a medium budget RO be enough? You’ll need to factor in the maintenance and installation cost here too as you’ll need to change the membrane and filter yearly/bi-yearly.
Style: The final point to consider is the style of the unit. You can go for a quick change style filter, but it’ll be expensive. Or you can go for a traditional styled RO system but it’ll be hard to put together if you aren’t into putting together things.
Now with all of the discussion wrapped up, let’s take a look at some of the best counter portable RO systems!
Aquasure AS-PR75A
If you asked me what is the best portable countertop RO is at the moment, I’d tell you the name of Aquasure AS-PR75A without any doubt. Designed to provide the cleanest water to the masses, we couldn’t help loving the features of this RO system.
The Aquasure AS-PR75A removes up to 99% contaminants. And these contaminants include the likes of bacteria, chlorine, fluoride, and heavy metals. This RO system is also NSF certified. And the faucet, tubing and other components included with this RO system ensure the highest possible quality. The support provided by the manufacturers is great too as you’ll find 3 years of warranty and lifetime tech support.
The AquaSure RO system guarantees exceptional and efficient performance. This powerful RO system can produce up to 75 Gallons of water a day! The Aquasure RO also has an encapsulated RO membrane that cleans and purifies water in half the time compared to other RO systems.
The build quality of this RO system is the best of the bunch. That’s because this RO system is designed and manufactured in-house. So the quality is assured at every step. The Filters are easy to use and install as they come with a quick twist cartridge design. The RO system also has a leak-proof shutoff valve and flow-lock just in case there is any sort of leaks.
Though the price is a bit higher than other RO systems, it’s understandable because it’s the best RO systems out there at the moment.
Pros
- Removes up to 99% contaminants.
- This RO system is NSF certified.
- The faucet, tubing and other components included with this RO system are of the highest quality.
- Up to 3 years of warranty and lifetime tech support.
- It can produce up to 75 gallons a day.
- The encapsulated RO membrane cleans and purifies water in half the time compared to other RO systems.
- This RO system is designed and manufactured in-house.
- It has a leak-proof shutoff valve and flow-lock just in case there is any sort of leaks.
Cons
- Slightly expensive.
Countertop Portable Universal 5-Stage RO system
If you’re looking for a bit updated version of RO systems but minimalist looking the go for the Universal 5-stage RO system. Unlike other countertop RO systems, this one has 5 stages of purification instead of 4. And as the price is a tad bit lower than other RO systems, you might be intrigued to go for this one.
The universal 5-stage RO system instantly transforms regular water into high-quality drinking water. Thanks to its minimalistic design it’s very easy-to-use and takes only 60 seconds to install. This Ro system also doesn’t require any sort of plumbing or permanent fixtures.
Let’s talk about the capacity a bit. Each filter lasts anywhere from 8-12 months. Depending on your usage. Though the usage time is a bit low, you’ll have to consider its 5-stage purification process. This RO system can purify up to 3 gallons an hour. The cost to run this RO system is quite low too as it costs about 4.5¢ to purify every gallon.
This Ro system is one of the first to bring a 5-stage RO filtration system. And because of the 5 stage purification process, this RO system removes up to 99% contaminants including chlorine, bacteria, arsenic, pesticides, and many other chemical components. It also has a Unique Deionization Ion Exchange Media filter that ensures ultra pure water.
However, it can leak out once in a while, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for that. Other than that, it’s one of the most unique purification systems out there at the moment. So don’t hesitate to pick this up.
Pros
- Minimalistic design.
- It’s very easy-to-use and takes only 60 seconds to install.
- This Ro system doesn’t require any sort of plumbing or permanent fixtures.
- Each filter lasts anywhere from 8-12 months.
- A unique 5-stage purification process.
- It removes up to 99% contaminants including chlorine, bacteria, arsenic, pesticides, and many other chemical components.
- The Unique Deionization Ion Exchange Media filter ensures ultra pure water.
- It can purify up to 3 gallons every hour.
- A low Purifying cost of 4.5¢ per gallon.
Cons
- Suffers from occasional leaks.
APEC RO-CTOP Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
If branded and a top pick is what you’re after then take a look at the APEC RO-CTOP Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. Known as one of the top RO systems at the moment, it’s one of the best sellers on amazon.
The APEC RO-CTOP filter is a portable, lightweight, and free-installation system. It is a top-rated brand that offers high performance providing your household with enough drinking water on demand right from your kitchen tap. The system removes up to 99% of harmful contaminants like chlorine, odors, and unpleasant tastes producing great-tasting water for your enjoyment and proper body functioning.
This RO system filters water through four stages, offering superior purification and reliable water supply. It uses high capacity filters (made in the USA) with high-quality filtration components that protect and prolong the lifespan of the RO system. The filters have a quick-connect fitting that allows easy installation and quick filter change-outs.
The system is compact for easy packing and lightweight for easy transportation. It is suitable for your home, college dorms, office, and condominiums. It’s also perfect for people who travel a lot and need a guaranteed source of clean drinking water. To ease your worry when using the APEC RO-CTOP system, the brand has WQA certified water specialists to give you excellent technical support for installation and maintenance for the entire lifespan of the system.
However, it isn’t compatible with sprayer faucets, pull-out faucet, and unusual size designer faucets. So if you leave that bit aside, this is one of the topmost Portable countertop RO systems you can get at the moment. So hurry up! This RO system runs out as soon as it’s available on the market!
Pros
- Removes up to 99% of contaminants
- Portable, lightweight, and free-installation system
- Refreshing and great-tasting water
- Quick and easy installation and filter change-outs
- Excellent lifespan support
- Compact and lightweight for transportation.
- Technical life support is offered by manufacturers for the life span of the RO system.
Cons
- Not compatible with sprayer faucets, pull-out faucet, and unusual size designer faucets
AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filter System
Looking for an NSF certified budget RO system? The answer to that question is the Aqua TRU countertop water filter system. Known in the community as one of the best water filtration systems, this might just be what you’re looking for.
As we’ve mentioned already, the Aqua Tru water filter system is NSF standard certified. And it can remove up to 82 contaminants. The contaminants removed by this RO system include lead, chromium, copper, chlorine, and many others. On top of that according to the manufacturers, this RO system was designed to remove 1000’s of pollutants lurking in your water.
Setting up this RO system is very easy too. You don’t need any kind of installation or plumbing. Just plug it up and you’ll be good to go. Pouring water is easy too as the easy dispensing button fills up your glass quickly and easily. And finally, the dispensing tank is removable so you can use it to store cool water in the fridge or use it as a pitcher.
Changing the filters is something that you won’t have to worry about. As the Aqua Tru RO system comes with quick-change twist and seal filters. And these filters last up to 2 years so they are quite durable. In terms of recharge capacity, the Aqua Tru can purify up to 4 Gallons of water every hour.
Though they provide up to a year of warranty, the 30-day return policy just isn’t enough. Other than that I believe this to be one of the best RO systems at the moment.
Pros
- This RO system is NSF standard certified.
- It’s quite easy to use thanks to the plug and use mechanism.
- The removable dispensing tank can be used to store cold water in the fridge or as a pitcher.
- Compact design for portability and space-saving
- Digital display to alert you for a filter change
- Easy to replace filters.
- Each filter lasts up to 2 years.
- Purifies 4 gallons of water every hour.
Cons
- The 30-day return policy is not long enough.
Alcapure Zero Installation Purifier
If you want to transform your tap water into safe, healthy, and delicious drinking water, the Alcapure Zero Installation Purifier is your filter. It uses reverse osmosis to purify the water to bottled water standard. And while doing all that it looks sleek and stylish!
A great thing about the Alcapure purifier is it’s zero installation support. So even the person that has no tool knowledge can put it together. This purifier provides alkaline water by keeping the pH level between 7-8. One other great thing about this RO system is that the manufacturers provide a 1-year moneyback guarantee alongside a 1-year warranty.
This RO fills up 0.5 gallons of purified water in about 15 minutes. And after being filled up, the unit will turn itself off making this RO system a perfect companion for small and medium families. The Alcapure RO system is BPA free and removes up to 99% contaminants. It also has a pretty high recovery rate of 50%.
And finally, we have the design. It has a modern and stylish design, so it’ll look good on your countertop without any doubt. And as the supply tank is located in front of the unit, it’s quite a space saver. You can easily place this under your kitchen cabinet to save up space.
Though changing the filters is a bit of pain, you’ll like this filter anyway. It looks good and works good, what else do you need?
Pros
- Easy to use with zero installation support.
- Minimal power usage of 30Watts
- Provides alkaline water by keeping the pH level between 7-8.
- The manufacturers provide a 1-year moneyback guarantee alongside a 1-year warranty.
- It fills up 0.5 gallons of purified water in about 15 minutes
- The Alcapure RO system is BPA free and removes up to 99% contaminants.
- It has a pretty high recovery rate of 50%.
- Modern and stylish and space-saving design
Cons
- Does not have NSF certification
- Changing the filters is a bit of a pain.
Express Countertop Water Filter
If you’re looking for a budget option while not compromising the components then check out the express countertop water filters. It’s simple, easy to use and cheap!
Let’s start by discussing the good points. For starters, it’s easy to install. So someone not familiar with tools can also set this up with 4 simple steps. The manufacturers also provide good support as you’ll get on-demand support. The manufacturer also provides a 1-Year limited warranty just in case anything goes wrong.
Unlike other water filters, this one needs minimal maintenance to run. It has a quick-connect style water filter so removing and replacing the filter is as easy as it gets. The Express water filter comes with a 4 stage RO setup. The setup contains a Sediment filter, Granular Carbon filter, Reverse Osmosis Membrane, and Post Activated Carbon filter. All of these combined remove 99.99% of major contamination and chemical components from the water.
The flow rate of this RO system is quite good. You can easily get up to 3-4 gallons every hour. So for a family of 4, this much water is more than enough. You’ll also have to worry about leaks thanks to the quick connect system.
Though it isn’t NSF certified, it’s a good RO system at an even better price. So if you’re on a budget then this is the RO system you should go for.
Pros
- Easy to set-up with 4 simple steps.
- The manufacturers provide on-demand support.
- Up to 1-Year limited warranty.
- Remove up to 99.9% contaminants
- It has a 4 stage RO setup that contains a Sediment filter, Granular Carbon filter, Reverser Osmosis Membrane, and Post Activated Carbon filter.
- Refills up to 4 gallons of water every hour.
- The quick-connect system prevents leaks.
- Fits standard bathroom and kitchen faucets
Cons
- Does not have NSF certification
Final Thoughts
So what is reverse osmosis (RO), and how does the system work? Reverse osmosis is the process of water purification that filters the water removing harmful contaminants, making it suitable for consumption. The RO system uses a partially permeable membrane to remove large particles, ions, unwanted molecules from the water. It is designed to remove suspended and dissolved chemical and biological pollutants.
RO countertop water filters can remove contaminants up to 99%. Below is a comprehensive review of the best countertop reverse osmosis system that you can choose from for your home and traveling purposes.
Everyone needs to drink a lot of water for a healthy body. The question you need to ask yourselves is what you are doing to ensure your family is getting well-filtered, safe, and refreshing drinking water. Accessing clean and safe drinking water does not have to be a struggle. There are a lot of water filters in the market to solve the problem of unclean water.
Some advantages of using a countertop reverse osmosis water filter are; superior purification, quick installation, suitable when traveling, do not take much space, and produces refreshing and great-tasting water. The above article will help you make a wise decision on the best countertop reverse osmosis water filter for your home. Leave a healthy lifestyle by drinking healthy water.