Reverse osmosis systems are water filters that use a specialized membrane to remove or reduce the presence of contaminants from water. RO systems are considered to be among the most effective water filtration systems and are a top pick for homeowners who are looking to reduce the most contaminants and hard-to-remove contaminants like fluoride and arsenic.
However, not all reverse osmosis systems are created equal — so it’s important to research to ensure you’re investing in a quality solution that meets both your budget and your needs. To give you a head start, we’ve gathered our picks for the best reverse osmosis systems available right now.
System Comparison Table
| Product |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | A+ | B | B- | C | C | C | C |
| Price | $224.99 | $235.00 | $320.70 | $240.00 | $199.95 | $169.99 | $375.99 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 90 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 52 | 1 | 8 |
| Flow Rate | 0.8 gpm | 0.5 gpm | 0.4 gpm | 0.4 gpm | 0.5 gpm | 0.8 gpm | 0.4 gpm |
| Remineralizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Certifications | 42, 53, 58, 401 | 58 | 58 | 372 | 58 | 58 | None |
Aquasana SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO)
The Aquasana SmartFlow® RO is our top-rated system, certified to reduce 90 contaminants including fluoride, lead, and microplastics. It combines powerful RO and Claryum® filtration, includes a remineralizer, and features an all-metal faucet in multiple finish options.
| Grade | A+ |
|---|---|
| Price | $224.99 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 90 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, CSA B483.1 |
| Filtration Technology | Reverse osmosis combined with Aquasana Claryum® filtration (activated + catalytic carbon, ion exchange, and sub-micron filtration); includes remineralization stage |
| Warranty | 2-year limited warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee |
System Overview
This system offers great bang for your buck compared to other options that are more expensive but filter fewer contaminants. As a result, it’s our top recommended reverse osmosis system.
Aquasana’s SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis removes up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, chlorine, and lead. Among those contaminants, the system reduces 90% of fluoride — which is a contaminant that people often turn to RO filters for help with, though not all RO filters actually address it. Performance claims for the system are also backed up by rigorous testing by the WQA, who has certified it to several NSF/ANSI Standards, including 42, 53, 58, 401, and CSA B483.1. Outside of contaminants that we’ve noted, the system can also help reduce the presence of pesticides, herbicides, microplastics, PFOA/PFOS, and other impurities that may be present in your tap water.
The system is packed with technology that’s worth calling out, like the Claryum® technology that uses three different methods of filtration to remove contaminants and the SmartFlow® membrane technology that helps reduce waste water and extend filter life. The system also comes with a remineralizer, which helps to restore healthy minerals that are often lost during the reverse osmosis process. Restoring these minerals helps to improve the health benefits and taste of your tap water.
We also like that it comes with an all-metal faucet in several finish options, including brushed nickel, chrome, oil rubbed bronze, and matte black to match your home’s aesthetic. Unlike some RO systems, you may also be able to keep your existing faucet if you’d prefer (as long as it meets the manufacturer’s specifications).
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, and CSA B483.1
- Reduces up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants including fluoride, arsenic, lead, VOCs, and microplastics
- Includes remineralizer stage to restore healthy minerals and improve taste
- All-metal faucet available in four finishes
- 2-year limited warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee
- May require professional installation depending on plumbing setup
iSpring 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System (RCC7AK)
The iSpring RCC7AK is a solid performer with a 6-stage system that includes a remineralization filter for balanced, great-tasting water. It’s certified to NSF/ANSI 58 and offers filtration at an affordable price, but it has some limitations and issues with leaking.
| Grade | B |
|---|---|
| Price | $235.00 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 13 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Filtration Technology | 6-stage reverse osmosis system including sediment, carbon, RO membrane, and alkaline remineralization filter; removes common contaminants and improves taste |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee |
System Overview
The iSpring 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis RCC7AK System was designed to restore water’s natural alkalinity and mineral balance for better tasting water, though it offers great contamination removal capabilities in general at a very reasonable price. It can remove up to 99% of chloramines, chlorine, fluoride, asbestos, calcium sodium, arsenic, and up to 98% of lead from drinking water. However, it won’t remove notable contaminants like pesticides, herbicides, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, or cysts.
This system is NSF/ANSI 58 certified and has a remineralizer stage to produce a balanced alkalinity, restore healthy minerals, and improve taste. Another positive is that it’s made for DIY installation with everything you need included, and the manufacturer provides access to manuals, instructional videos, and lifetime technical support.
When it comes to downsides, some users have reported it’s prone to leaking as a result of the feed water adapter and plastic fittings, which required many users to buy teflon tape to help with. Users also reported leaks with the faucet it comes with, and another con is that you can’t choose a finish for this faucet to match your home’s aesthetic.
- Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58
- Has a remineralizer stage to restore healthy minerals
- Easy, DIY installation
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee and 1-year warranty
- Does not remove pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, or cysts
- Leaking issues with feed water adapter, requiring Teflon tape or a replacement part
- User reports of a flimsy faucet that’s prone to leaking, and no options to choose a finish to match your home’s aesthetic
Bluevua Countertop Reverse Osmosis Filtration System (100ROPOT)
The Bluevua 100ROPOT is a countertop RO system ideal for renters or those without plumbing access. It claims to help reduce a wide variety of contaminants and includes a remineralizer, but it’s only certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 so the claims can’t be verified entirely among some other concerns to be aware of.
| Grade | B- |
|---|---|
| Price | $320.70 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 6 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 58 (independently tested) |
| Filtration Technology | 4-stage countertop reverse osmosis system with integrated smart filter life reminder; includes remineralization stage and long-life filters |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
System Overview
The Bluevua 100ROPOT is a countertop reverse osmosis water filter that has the look of a coffee maker, but the potential to significantly improve your water quality. With four stages of filtration, the brand notes the system can help reduce a wide variety of contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, cadmium, chlorine, lead, and more. However, you should know that the system is only certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, so we can’t validate these claims entirely. The brand has done extensive testing by other groups like SGS, WQA, and PONY — though in many cases the tests were not conducted to NSF Standards. We do want to highlight that the system features a remineralizer to restore healthy minerals, and you can purchase a UV filter as an add-on to help protect against bacteria and viruses.
Another positive for the system is easy installation, as you just need to plug it in and flush the system to start using it. Although the system is easy to install, there is an ongoing inconvenience from having to refill it which doesn’t apply to under sink systems. The system filters at a rate of 0.069 gallons per minute, meaning it will take about six and a half minutes to filter water and fill the 0.45 glass carafe. With that in mind, it’s not suitable for larger households because you may have to refill the carafe often and spend several minutes waiting between refills. We also saw users report the glass carafe is thin and prone to breakage. Finally, if it didn’t catch your eye initially, you might also be surprised by the system’s high cost which is nearly double the price of other reverse osmosis systems that offer superior performance.
- Independently tested to NSF/ANSI Standard 58
- Includes a remineralizer stage to improve taste and restore healthy minerals
- No installation required — countertop design is great for apartments or renters
- Smart LED reminder alerts you when it’s time to change the filter
- Only removes 6 contaminants — fewer than most under-sink RO systems
- Large countertop footprint
- Higher price than other countertop or pitcher filters
Waterdrop G2P600 Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System (WD-G2P600-W)
The Waterdrop G2P600 is a tankless RO system with a fast 600 GPD flow rate and sleek design. While it offers easy installation and claims high performance, it lacks certifications that comparable systems offer and doesn’t include a performance data sheet.
| Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Price | $240.00 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 0 (no published performance data sheet) |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 372 (lead-free components only) |
| Filtration Technology | 2-stage tankless reverse osmosis system with integrated pump and composite filters |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
System Overview
Last but not least, the final RO system to make our list is the Waterdrop G2P600M, which features two stages of filtration and can filter up to 600 gallons of water per day. The system touts that it eliminates 1,000+ contaminants, including fluoride, PFOA/PFOS, and VOCs, among others.
Its CF filter reduces the presence of rust, sediment, and organic matter in your water with its sediment PP membrane and activated carbon block, while the MRO filter combines a sediment PP membrane and an activated carbon block with a PET pleated membrane and an extremely fine 0.0001-micron reverse osmosis membrane to intercept fluoride, PFAS, TDS, salt, nitrates, and heavy metals, and more. It also has a simple “30 minute installation” and “2 second replacements” with no plumber required, and features a tankless design to save space under your sink.
Despite the positives, one glaring issue we see with the system is that it’s only certified to NSF/ANSI 372, which verifies the product minimizes the lead content in its construction. This means that while the system features several stages of filtration to protect against over 1,000 contaminants, there isn’t a performance data sheet to back up those claims and this we can’t reliably say it reduces any contaminants. Another issue is that although the faucet comes in a premium metal finish, you can’t choose between several options, meaning it may mismatch with your home’s design.
- Tankless design saves space and improves flow rate
- Easy DIY installation with simple push-to-connect tubing
- Smart filter life indicators on the front panel
- Not certified to NSF/ANSI standards for contaminant removal
- Does not include a dedicated faucet or faucet finish options
APEC 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter (ROES-50)
The APEC ROES-50 is a reliable 5-stage under-sink system certified to NSF/ANSI 58. Made in the USA, it’s a no-frills, high-value pick with strong contaminant reduction but no remineralizer stage.
| Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 52 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Filtration Technology | 5-stage under-sink reverse osmosis system with sediment and carbon filters plus high-rejection RO membrane; made in the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
System Overview
The APEC ROES-50 is a product that’s easy to recommend, coming in at a reasonable price of $199.95 considering it reduces 52 contaminants through five stages of filtration. Notable contaminants the system addresses include chloramines, chlorine, cysts, fluoride, herbicides, lead, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs, and more. The system is WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, and users report it provides great-tasting water to make drinking and cooking more enjoyable. Another benefit is that the system features easy installation, so you can DIY and save by not having to hire a plumber.
When it comes to downsides, there are a few worth noting. The system does not offer different finish options, so the faucet they provide may be a mismatch with your home. Additionally, the system requires a decent amount of space below your sink to support the 50 gallon capacity it offers. Last of all, it does not include a remineralizer stage, so you may be missing out on healthy minerals lost during the RO process.
- Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58
- Removes up to 99% of 52 contaminants, including chlorine, fluoride, lead, and arsenic
- Great long-term value at a budget-friendly price
- Highly rated by users for reliability and water quality
- Does not include a remineralizer stage
- Takes up a lot of space under the sink
- No faucet finish or color customization options
Express Water (RO5DX)
The Express Water RO5DX is a budget-friendly 5-stage system with quick-connect installation and certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, though the performance data sheet only specifies reduction of TDS and there are additional concerns to be aware of.
| Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 1 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Filtration Technology | 5-stage reverse osmosis system with sediment, carbon block, RO membrane, and post-carbon filter |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
System Overview
The Express Water RO5DX is a budget-friendly 5‑stage under‑sink reverse osmosis system that’s NSF/ANSI 58 certified and offers easy installation and maintenance. It claims to reduce 99.99% of contaminants like lead, chlorine, and fluoride — though the performance data sheet only specifies the system’s capability to reduce total dissolved solids (TDS) which is why we can only verify it reduces one contaminant. Additional concerns are that users note the flow can be slower than high-capacity models and the lack of advanced features like remineralization.
- Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58
- Budget-friendly system with everything included for installation
- Simple 5-stage design removes a wide range of common contaminants
- Quick-connect fittings make installation relatively easy
- Does not include a remineralizer stage
- The performance data sheet only specifies reduction of TDS
- No faucet finish customization
Frizzlife Tankless Reverse Osmosis Water System (PD600-TAM3)
The Frizzlife PD600-TAM3 is a modern, tankless RO system with an alkaline remineralization stage. It’s not certified to NSF standards, but it could still be an option for those wanting pH-balanced water from a sleek unit.
| Grade | C |
|---|---|
| Price | $375.99 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 8 |
| Certifications | None listed |
| Filtration Technology | 3-stage tankless reverse osmosis system with 0.0001 micron membrane and alkaline remineralization stage to balance pH and restore minerals |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty |
System Overview
The Frizzlife PD600‑TAM3 is a tankless RO system that includes an alkaline remineralization filter to help restore healthy minerals and improve taste. It’s known for its space-saving design and water efficiency, as Frizzlife claims it can reduce wastewater by up to 450% compared to conventional RO systems. Users report the system is relatively easy to install, operates quietly, and fits nicely under sinks without requiring a storage tank. However, the lack of formal NSF/ANSI certification remains a drawback especially given the high price, and some criticisms include occasional leaks and low water pressure.
- Includes an alkaline remineralizer stage to restore minerals and improve pH balance
- Compact, space-saving design
- Easy to install with push-to-connect fittings
- Filter life indicator included on the front panel
- Not certified to NSF/ANSI Standards
- Only reduces 8 contaminants, fewer than other top systems
- High price point
Choose the Right Reverse Osmosis System for Your Home
With information about some of the top RO systems on the market right now, you should be equipped to choose a solution. If you’re still unsure about any of the systems on this list, you can learn more about them and RO systems in general on our Reverse Osmosis Filter Reviews page, or click on the systems to learn more. We’ve also included some helpful information about RO systems in the FAQ section below.
FAQs About Reverse Osmosis Systems
Is reverse osmosis the best filtration method?
Reverse osmosis is generally considered the most effective filtration method, as it’s capable of removing a wide range of contaminants ranging from heavy metals to microorganisms. While reverse osmosis systems may have higher upfront costs compared to other filtration methods, they offer exceptional performance if removing contaminants is a priority.
How do reverse osmosis systems work?
Reverse osmosis systems use pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane containing pores that are small enough that most contaminants can’t pass through. Larger contaminants, including minerals, ions, bacteria, and particles, will get caught, and filtered water passes through to the other side.
How long does a reverse osmosis system last?
A reverse osmosis system’s lifespan can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the system, maintenance frequency, and the water conditions it is subjected to. On average, a well-maintained residential reverse osmosis system can last 10 to 15 years or longer.