Looking for a reverse osmosis water purification system can be a daunting task. There are several types out there with so many features that you can easily get overwhelmed. In this buying guide, we will have a look at seven of the best reverse osmosis systems that are portable and can easily be put in your kitchen, RV or office, easy to install so you will not need to worry about hiring a professional to install them and easy to maintain as they come with cartridges that even a five year old could replace with great ease. Which one do we regard to be the best? We will give an analysis of the key features present in the devices and help you make a judgment as to which countertop reverse osmosis system is the best for you. In addition, we will show you which system is best for those buying on a tight budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best countertop reverse osmosis system on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Comparison Table
List of the 7 Best Countertop Reverse Osmosis Systems
1. KFLOW Countertop RO Water Filter, Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
This is a minimalistic looking device from the manufacturer, KFLOW. The design allows the water purifier to perfectly blend in with the décor in your kitchen, office or even your RV. This device comes with a host of features. It is very easy to install and setup. You do not need to hire a plumber in order for you to setup and install this device. You do not even need to have any tools to setup the device. It is equally as easy to operate. All you need to do is to fill the water tank and press a soft, easy to press button. It is extremely user friendly. It helps you to save water up to 300% more than conventional reverse osmosis systems. It has a creative carafe. This carafe replaces pressure buckets commonly used in reverse osmosis systems. This means that you do not need to worry about long time water storage in the machine leading to secondary pollution. It comes with a replacement reminder. This reminder tells you how much life is left in your filters. When your filters have ceased to function, it notifies you that you need to replace the filter. This means that you do not need to worry about your device suddenly failing to produce water as it produces warnings in advance. It allows you to place it virtually any place that has a power supply. This means that you do not need to worry about things such as water filter pitchers, and the proximity to a faucet.
The filters are very easy to install and replace. The spiral design of the cartridges makes the filter installation and replacement a breeze. As a result, you will not need any tools at all and the filter replacement process will take a few seconds to complete. It comes with a 4 stage filtration system. This system has a host of benefits. It improves the total dissolved solid count, it makes the taste much better, it reduces lime scale and turbidity. It removes carcinogens that are dangerous to your body. It also removes heavy metals such as lead, iron, mercury and aluminum. It removes microorganisms and other small particles. It also removes inorganic pollutants. This means that the water that you will drink will be very safe for consumption. It is CE certified. This means that it adheres to strict European standards which shows that it is a high quality device. This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that you cannot get replacement carafes. In addition, cleaning the tank may be a task that many will not find very enjoyable. Due to all these factors we have chosen this as the best countertop reverse osmosis system.
2. Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Counter Top Water Filtration System
This is a very minimalistic countertop reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, Home Master. This device comes with a host of features. It is very portable. It comes at a weight of just 4.25 pound and it can easily fit into any restricted spaces. This means that you can use this device in a very small kitchen due to its space efficient design. The device is very simple to install, and if you follow the installation instructions, you must not find it too hard to setup and install this device in your kitchen. It comes with all of the components needed for it to work properly and it can be installed in under 10 minutes without using any tools at all. This means that you do not need to worry about hiring a professional to setup this device for you. The product is of very good quality and this means that you do not need to worry about it falling apart a few days or weeks after purchase.
The product comes at a very attractive price. This means that you do not need to worry about this product creating a gaping hole in your pocket. It is very easy to use. You do not need to worry about it needing any complicated steps for you to use it every day. It has a high flow. This means that you do not need to worry about it taking time to produce drinking water. It comes with an advanced multi-stage granular filter. This filter will last a very long period of time. This means that you do not need to worry about constantly having to purchase new filters for your reverse osmosis system. Many customers praise the product for its ability to produce water that tastes really good. In addition, it also removes 99% of all sediment present. The manufacturer shows great pride in his product and offers a 3 year limited warranty. This product has the main drawback that a few components present are made out of plastic and may cause the unit to leak a bit. Due to all these factors, we have chosen this as the best budget countertop reverse osmosis system.
3. APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
This is a high quality portable reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, APEC Water Systems. This manufacturer is quite reputable and is known for making very high quality products. This product lives up to that high standard. It weighs only 7 pounds. This makes it very portable and you do not need to worry about the system being too heavy for you to install on your own. This device is very easy to install and set up. It comes with a John Guest quick connection fitting. This allows for you to make quick filter changes. It also comes with faucet adapters. These allow you to connect to most faucets with very little effort. This means that you do not need to be a professional to set this up. You will not need to hire a plumber at all. All you need to do is to follow the very simple to follow instructions that are present in the instruction manual. It is lightweight and compact. This makes it easy to pack up and transport. It does not need a tank. This means that it will not take up a lot of space in the location where you put the device. This makes it ideal for use in apartments, condominiums, RVs, retirement homes and even college dorms.
It comes with a high capacity filters. These high capacity filters are made in the USA. This means that it adheres to the strict laws meant to protect you, the consumer. This also means that the device will last for a very long period of time. It comes with 10 inch standard filters. It also comes with a ¼ inch quick-connect fittings for durable and easy filter change-outs. The manufacturer offers free technical support for the entire lifespan of the system. This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that the hose started to leak less than a month after purchasing the device. In addition, the device is not compatible with sprayer, pull-out and unusual size designer faucets.
4. Frizzlife Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
This is a very stylish countertop reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, Frizzlife. This device comes with a modern design. It has a big, bright LED display. This display unit shows you all the relevant parameters that you will need. This means that you do not need to worry about struggling to figure out how much water has been produced by the device and you also do not need to worry about being unable to see the figures in the dark as the screen lights up both during the day and during the night. This screen also allows you to enter touch commands. This makes it look and feel like a proper 21st century piece of machinery. It has a compact design which allows it to fit your office desk, night table while acting as a stylish accessory. It is different from other conventional reverse osmosis systems. You do not need any water filter pitchers, faucet filters. This allows you to put this device wherever you want to. It is very easy to fill up. All you need to do is to load the easy to remove tank with water from your faucet. After reinserting this tank back into its position, you just touch a button and allow the device to start producing ultra-pure reverse osmosis water.
The cartridges are very easy to replace. They have a twist in design which allows you to finish the filter cartridge replacement within 2 minutes. The device has a 4 stage reverse osmosis process. It removes high grade sediment filter, blocks fine debris and reduces particles from water. It then conditions water prior to entering the reverse osmosis membrane, thus, prolonging the service life of the reverse osmosis membrane. The 0.0001 micron reverse osmosis membrane gets rid of 99.99% of up to 1000 contaminants. The granular active carbon filter then reduces the organic compound as well as the unpleasant taste and odor. This device does not need any tools for you to install it. This makes any Jack and Jill able to install it in minutes. This device has a few drawbacks. It is rather pricey. In addition, a few customers complained that it generates a significant amount of noise when it filters the water.
5. AlcaPure Zero Installation Purifier Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter
This is a good looking countertop reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, RKIN. This device is made to make your house look pretty modern. It boasts a stylish, compact design that will beautify any kitchen. The manufacturer makes it very easy to install and setup this device. He boasts that the device requires “Zero Installations.” The device works just like your coffee maker. This means that there is no need for any messy hoses or leaky diverter valves that are prone to failure. All you need to do is to fill the bottom pitcher with water from the kitchen faucet. You then push the big, easy to press button and continue with what you were doing. After about 15 minutes, the top container will get filled with approximately 0.5 gallons of purified water and the unit will turn itself off. It has a space efficient rectangular design which allows the device to fit into rooms with very little space. It does not need any additional top or side clearance. The manufacturer shows great pride in his product. He claims that it removes up to 99% of all contaminants from your water.
You get to choose between the AlcaPure Edition and the OnliPure Edition filters. The AlcaPure Edition post filter returns a small amount of beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium. This increases the pH to a perfectly balanced alkaline level of 7-8 on the pH scale. The OnliPure Edition post filter reduces even the tiniest amounts of any leftover contaminants after the reverse osmosis process. This reduces the total dissolved solids to zero. It has a 50% recovery rate, which makes it rank among the highest available reverse osmosis filters. It uses 30 Watts, which is less power than that used by a Macbook’s power brick. It has a 4 stage filtration system. These filters are designed in such a way that you need to replace them once a year. They are very easy to replace and do not require any guesswork or any need for you to keep track of which filter needs to be replaced and when. This device has one main drawback. A few customers complained that the machine may leak a bit.
6. Countertop Portable Universal 5-stage Reverse Osmosis RO Purification Water System
This is a portable reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, Reverse Osmosis Revolution. This portable system comes with a host of features. It is very easy to install and setup. The manufacturer claims that you will spend less than 60 seconds to install and setup the device. This means that you do not need to worry about getting a professional to do this for you as any novice can easily setup and install this device. It does not require any plumbing job or permanent fixtures. This means that you do not need to worry about purchasing any external adapters and fixtures. It is able to process 3 gallons of drinking water per hour. This is more than adequate water for a typical family. It is able to remove more than 600 contaminants. This makes your water very safe to drink. It also removes most major contaminants such as chlorine, chloramines, viruses, bacteria, arsenic and more. This means that you are guaranteed that the water that comes out of this device is safe to drink.
It has a unique 5 stage reverse osmosis system. In the 1st stage, the dust and rust particles are trapped. In the 2nd stage, common chemicals as well as volatile organic compounds are removed. In the 3rd stage, up to 99% of total dissolved solids are removed. In the 4th stage, high quality water is produced, and in the very last stage, the premium coconut carbon type filter cartridge makes the water of very high quality. The countertop reverse osmosis system comes with a kitchen diverter and a standard adapter. These fit up to 96% of kitchen faucets. The filters are long lasting. The manufacturer claims that they can last from 8 – 12 months. This device has a few drawbacks. The filtered water hose is a bit short. In addition, a few customers complained that the device leaks.
7. AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filtration Purification System with Exclusive 4 – Stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis Technology
This is a popular, easy to install countertop reverse osmosis system from the manufacturer, AQUA TRU. Drinking water is filled with contaminants. Information from studies carried out on the topic show that toxins, micro-plastics, cancer-linked contaminants, and other known carcinogens are present in municipal drinking water. This makes it imperative that you as a home owner take measures to protect yourself against such danger. The AQUA TRU reverse osmosis system is patented and is certified to remove dangerous contaminants from the water. It is certified to NSF standards by IAMPO to remove 32 contaminants. These include lead, chromium, copper, fluoride, radium and chlorine. It removes so many contaminants that you will certainly taste the difference. It is very easy to install and setup. You do not need to worry about getting a plumber or purchasing any expensive tools in order to install this device in your kitchen.
The manufacturer claims that it is so easy to install that a typical person will set it up in a couple of minutes. It costs less than fully installed under the counter reverse osmosis systems. This makes it a good investment to buy this device instead of dealing with the complicated permanent under counter reverse osmosis systems. It comes with filters that are very easy to change. The filters last from 6 months to 2 years and when they need replacement, all you need is to twist and seal them and you are good to go. It comes with a 4 step reverse osmosis filtration system. This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained about the quality of the product and claimed that it broke apart after a few months. In addition, a few customers complained that the sensor was a bit faulty.
Best Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Brands
The best countertop reverse osmosis system brands are KFLOW, Home Master and APEC. KFLOW makes minimalistic looking devices. These devices perfectly blend in with the decor in your kitchen. They are easy to install and are very user friendly. Home Master makes good quality devices. The device from them that we reviewed comes with a 3 year warranty, is easy to install and comes at a very attractive price. APEC is a reputable brand in the reverse osmosis industry. Their device that we reviewed is of high quality, can be used in a wide variety of applications and is quite lightweight.
Best Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
KFLOW Countertop RO Water Filter, Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
This is the best countertop reverse osmosis system It is a minimalistic looking device. It will easily blend in with your décor in your kitchen, office or RV. It is very easy to install and setup, is CE certified, has a 4 stage filtration system and has filters that are very easy to install and replace.
Here are the key features we liked about this countertop reverse osmosis system:
- Minimalistic looking
- Easy to install and setup
- User friendly
- CE certified
- Easy to replace cartridges
Best Budget Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Counter Top Water Filtration System
This is the best budget countertop reverse osmosis system. This device comes with a host of features. It is lightweight which makes it very portable, it has a high flow rate, and it is very simple to operate.
Here are the key features we liked about this countertop reverse osmosis system:
- Minimalistic
- Lightweight
- Very attractive price
- 3 year limited warranty
- Easy to install
How Much Does a Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Cost?
Countertop reverse osmosis systems are not cheap devices. These devices cost anything from 70 USD to 600 USD. The high end devices are near the 600 USD mark. Such devices have features such as a modern look, a touchscreen display and extreme portability. An example of such as device is Frizzlife Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System.
The low-end to mid-range devices cost anything from 70 USD up to 350 USD. Such devices are quite portable, have 4 filter filtration systems and are quite easy to install and setup. An example of such a device is the Countertop Portable Universal 5-stage Reverse Osmosis RO Purification Water System.
Types of Countertop Reverse Osmosis Systems
The reverse osmosis systems use two types of reverse osmosis membranes:
Thin Film Composite Membrane
These are the countertop reverse osmosis systems that use thin film composite membranes. These are constructed in the form of a film from two or more layered materials. They can be considered as a molecular sieve. These have a high rejection of undesired materials such as salts, have a high filtration rate and have a good mechanical strength. They can reject up to 98% of standard contaminants and are less susceptible to organic fouling. They can only treat chlorine free water.
Cellulose Triacetate Membrane
These are the countertop reverse osmosis systems that use cellulose triacetate membranes. These are produced from cellulose and a source of acetate esters. This type of membrane can treat water which has chlorine in it. It is more susceptible to fouling from bacteria and rejects up to 93% of standard contaminants.
Why Should You Buy a Countertop Reverse Osmosis System?
Cleanliness
Water from the tap comes with a lot of impurities. These vary from dissolved solids to viruses, and sometimes dangerous chemicals. A reverse osmosis system will enable you to clean your water and give you peace of mind as you are guaranteed that your water is relatively safe to drink.
Portability
These water purifying devices are very easy to carry around. Some of the countertop reverse osmosis systems come in a similar shape to a coffee maker and operate in a similar manner. This means that you can carry them around quite easily.
Easy to Install and Use
The countertop reverse osmosis systems are usually easy to install and use. This means that you do not need to hire a professional to install them. Some offer a “tools free” installation. This means that you will not need to buy any special tools to set up the countertop reverse osmosis system.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
Ease of Installation
When buying countertop reverse osmosis systems, this is an important feature to consider. You do not want to buy a device that needs you to hire professionals to install and use it. The countertop reverse osmosis system you choose must be very easy to install, and it is best to go for a tools-free device. This means that you will not need to have any specialized tools to setup the device.
Capacity
This is another important aspect that needs to be given a thorough analysis. You need to have a look at how much water the countertop reverse osmosis system can process in a given period of time. This will help you to choose the device that will be able to produce the most amount of water that meets your needs. If you have a large family, you are going to need a device that produces a lot more water than if you have a small family.
Warranty
When purchasing any electronic or electromechanical device, it is best to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. The warranty gives a good indication of the manufacturer’s confidence in his or her product. As a general rule of the thumb, products with longer warranties are made from better materials and last much longer than similar products that have shorter warranties. This is an important feature to consider when purchasing countertop reverse osmosis systems because these devices are pretty expensive.
Filters
All the countertop reverse osmosis systems use filters. These are used to help purify the water present. Before choosing a device to add to your home, you need to check how much replacement filters cost. If you find the replacement filters to be expensive, then try to go for a device that has cheaper filters. This means that it could make sense to go for a more expensive device. The returns will come after purchasing filters over a long period of time e.g. 3 years.
Style
Where exactly do you want the countertop reverse osmosis system to be placed? If you want to place it in your office, or if you want it to look good in any environment that you use it in, you need to choose a device that looks modern. There are very good looking osmosis systems in the market that will blend into virtually any environment that you put them into. Some look so good that they actually end up enhancing the environment that you put them into.
What is a Countertop Reverse Osmosis System?
A countertop reverse osmosis system is a water purification system that removes contaminants from feed water when pressure forces it through a semi-permeable membrane and it produces clean drinking water. These systems are portable and can be placed on a flat surface such as a counter, hence the name countertop reverse osmosis systems.
How Does a Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Work?
These devices are meant for water filtration. In every water filtration system, the objective is to put in unclean water and get clean water. In reverse osmosis, the water that needs to be filtered first goes through a set of filters. These are usually carbon and sediment filters. These remove sediment and chlorine that could clog or damage the membrane. After that, water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane. By semi-permeable, we mean that there are tiny perforations that block contaminants but allow water molecules to pass through.
The water flows from the side of the membrane which is concentrated with contaminants to the side of the membrane that has fewer contaminants. As you know, in osmosis, molecules move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. The water molecules therefore move to the less contaminated region which is on the other side of the membrane. As you may have realized, there will be a moment when there will be a high concentration of relatively clean water on one side and contaminated water on the other side. The principle of osmosis would then say that the contaminants will move from a region of a high concentration to a region of low concentration – the side with the clean water. Reverse osmosis, however, blocks contaminants from entering the less concentrated side of the membrane.
After the water exits the membrane, the water flows to a storage tank where the water is held until needed. Such tanks ensure that when you turn on the faucet, you instantly get a full glass of water. When a person needs to drink water, he or she turns on the drinking water faucet. When this occurs, the water comes out of the storage tank. It passes through a post filter to polish the water. This is usually a carbon filter. After this, you get yourself a nice cup of fresh water.
Countertop Reverse Osmosis System FAQs
Are the Filters Replaceable?
Most of the countertop reverse osmosis systems come with a replaceable filter. Most of these filters are very easy to install. You just insert and twist the filter and you are good to go.
Do these Systems Consume A Lot of Power?
In most cases, no. A typical countertop reverse osmosis system consumes just 30 watts. That is the amount of power consumed by a typical lightbulb
Can I Test the Performance of the Filter with a TDS Meter?
Not really. TDS is a measure of total dissolved solids – the bulk of which are calcium and magnesium minerals, which this filter leaves intact. As a result very little, if any, change in TDS is to be expected. A better option is to use chlorine test strips, and view that result as a surrogate indicator for the filter’s overall performance.
How Long do the Filters Last?
These components usually last for quite a while. They can last for anything from 6 months to 1 year. As a general rule of the thumb, the more water you use, the quicker you need to replace the filters.
Which Tools do I Need to Install It?
You do not need to have any tools at all to install most of the countertop reverse osmosis systems. Most are tool free. This means that all you need to do is to plug the device into an electrical outlet after filling it with water and you are good to go.
Conclusion
In this article we have explored the top 7 best countertop reverse osmosis systems. We have given a thorough analysis of each countertop reverse osmosis system. We also included a comprehensive guide aimed at equipping you with the skills of identifying the countertop reverse osmosis system that you can use to suit your unique needs. In addition we also included a comprehensive countertop reverse osmosis systemsFAQ section to help answer any questions you may have.
Check out the best countertop reverse osmosis system on Amazon.
