Imagine gulping down clean water from any faucet in your house. It sounds nice, doesn’t it? You can easily achieve this level of convenience by installing a whole-house reverse osmosis filter. Not only is it good for drinking, but it protects your skin and hair and keeps your appliances running smoothly by preventing nasty mineral deposits.
But finding the right reverse osmosis system is no easy task these days. It seems like every brand out there claims to be the best thing since sliced bread.
After thoroughly testing water filters for seven months, considering factors such as performance, certifications, efficiency, durability, cost, and warranty, I’ve gathered all the information you need to make an informed decision.
1. Crystal Quest Whole House Reverse Osmosis System
- Best performance
- $2,227
Made in the USA, the Crystal Quest Reverse Osmosis System is a high-performing filter that removes a variety of contaminants, leaving only fresh water coming out of every tap around the home.
Pros
No matter the size of your home, you can find the one that suits you best. I love that Crystal Quest offers 11 models with different flow rates starting from 500 gallons per day (GPD) to over 7000 GPD to suit residential as well as commercial needs.
Every RO filter from Crystal Quest comes with a prefilter that improves the life of the RO filter. You can choose a sediment filter, carbon filter, or the brand’s proprietary SMART filter as your pre-filter.
Crystal Quest uses a TFC RO membrane that can effectively remove anything foreign in water, such as microbes, minerals, chemicals, and organic or inorganic compounds.
The company also offers different capacity storage tanks —165, 220, and 550 gallons — so you experience a consistent and uninterrupted water flow. This comes with an extra cost, though.
Crystal Quest’s modular designs are easy to set up and install. You can check their installation guidelines, or if you’re not so handy, call a professional plumber. Either way, your warranty will stay intact.
One benefit you’ll get out of choosing Crystal Quest is you can modify and outfit your whole-house reverse osmosis system with a remineralization tank or a UV sterilizer, depending on your water quality. If you’re new to this game, you can contact them and discuss your needs. Trust me, Crystal Quest’s customer service is one of the best on the market.
The Crystal Quest RO filter can easily last a decade or more if you maintain the filter and swap your RO membranes in time.
Cons
I appreciate that Crystal Quest filters are manufactured in the US. This speaks volumes about their quality. Still, it should display some test results and performance sheets for curious people like me.
I couldn’t find any certification on the website proving that its RO filter can neutralize toxins like lead, arsenic, and fluoride. On top of that, I couldn’t find any certifications from well-known organizations like the NSF and WQA on the website, and honestly, that’s a bit of a letdown.
Another slight downside is the one-year warranty, which is way too short for a whole-house system.
Overall
Crystal Quest offers a wide range of models to suit every household. On top of it, you can customize your order and include pre- and post-filters of your choice. If you want a whole-house filter that provides an uninterrupted flow of fresh, clean, and healthy water from all taps, buy it here today.
2. US Water Systems Defender Commercial Whole House Filter
- Lifetime warranty
- $8,163
US Water Systems Defender RO system uses robust technology and durable components built to last 20 years or more. The only downside is its hefty price tag.
Pros
The Defender whole-house reverse osmosis system will free your water of microbes, PFOS, chemicals, organic compounds, and anything that lowers the quality of your water. You can choose between four models with flow rates ranging between 2000 GPD and 8000 GPD. And you can further outfit your model with a storage tank.
US Water Systems also lets you choose the type of prefilter depending upon the quality of your water.
I like that it comes with a standard UV disinfection filter that will zap any microbial contamination. Unlike typical RO systems that are only 15% efficient, this filter is 80% efficient and wastes only 1 gallon of water for every 5 gallons of filtration.
What justifies its big, humongous price tag is the high-quality components, like multistage stainless-steel centrifugal pumps that last many years compared to average pumps that need replacement every six months or so.
The maintenance is easy, but you might need to spend extra on professional installation.
And lastly, you’ll get a lifetime warranty on tanks and two-year warranty on other parts, not including filters and pump tubes.
Cons
The cost of this whole-house filter alone exceeds $8,163, and when factoring in installation expenses, it can amount to approximately $8,600.This price might be too much for many users.
Another downside is I couldn’t find any certifications on the website
Overall
This whole-house reverse osmosis is built to last your entire life. The quality of the tank and the components is top-notch. You can customize your prefilters and choose between four flow rates to suit your needs. It may be expensive, but considering this is the only filter you’d need for the rest of your life, it’s worth it.
3. iSpring Tankless Commercial Reverse Osmosis Water System
- Produces fresh water but is high maintenance
- $1,234
iSpring’s tankless reverse osmosis system is a beast, producing 1000 gallons per day of fresh, clean water. It can be used for both residential and commercial applications.
Pros
iSpring’s RO system features a sediment filter, granular activated-carbon filters, and a 0.0001-micron RO filter that removes 99.9% of contaminants in water, including pesky heavy metals, chemicals, and microbes. The sediment filter is housed in a see-through canister that lets you see the filter’s condition in real-time.
It’s designed to work efficiently under a wide range of water pressures, from 80 to 130 psi, with a speedy output of 0.7 gallons per minute. Plus, you’ve got the convenience of built-in water gauges for easy pressure monitoring. Another benefit you can get out of this system is that you can judge the life of the filters through pressure gauges.
Installation and maintenance? Piece of cake. One thing about iSpring that sets it apart is its DIY filter designs that can be easily installed and assembled without a professional’s help.
Just follow the recommended filter replacement schedule: first stage every 3–6 months, second and third stages every 6–12 months, and the RO membrane every 2–3 years. It’s all dependent on your water quality. Plus, the system comes with a freestanding metal frame on wheels, making it easy to move around and lock in place.
The CRO1000 model is not just for residential use; it’s also perfect for offices, light industrial settings, and small businesses like restaurants, coffee shops, bars, tea shops, breweries, spas, and clinics.
You’ll get a one-year warranty that is not as fancy as US Water Systems’ lifetime warranty but is better than nothing.
Cons
Unlike Crystal Quest and US Water systems, this RO filter requires high maintenance and regular filter replacement, increasing the overall cost.
Another issue I faced with this filter was a decrease in filtration performance after a few months of use. This was a tad disappointing, considering I spent a thousand bucks on this filter.
Overall
While it does require some regular maintenance and filter swapping, it definitely delivers when it comes to providing fresh and clean water.
4. iSpring RCB3P RO Water Filtration System
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and don’t want to spend a fortune on a water filter, I have a great suggestion. The iSpring reverse osmosis system, priced at $544, captures a boatload of pollutants down to 0.0001 microns.
The iSpring RCB3P RO whole-house filter can pump out 300 gallons of fresh and clean water daily, which is suitable for a small household. You can buy a 10-gallon or 20-gallon storage tank separately with this filter. To use it for whole-house application, you might need to get yourself a pressurized storage tank with this system.
The system consists of five stages in total. The first three stages include a sediment filter, a granular-carbon filter, and a carbon-block filter that removes dirt, debris, chlorine taste, and odor. These filters last 6–12 months.
The next stage is the heart of the system. The three 100 GPD reverse osmosis filters capture anything bigger than 0.0001 microns and produce 300 gallons of fresh water daily. RO filters will last around 2–3 years, depending on the usage.
The last stage is a post-carbon filter that takes care of any residual odor-causing elements in the water.
One benefit of this filter is it comes with built-in pressure gauges and a booster pump that regulates the incoming water pressure and improves the efficiency of RO membranes. You can use the pressure gauges to check the life of the filters. But some customers have reported that the pressure gauges don’t judge the filter life accurately.
You’ll experience a decrease in flow rate in winter. This happens because the water’s viscosity increases, slowing the filtration through the RO membrane.
This filter requires a lot of maintenance. You’ll be buying new filters and swapping them with the expired ones every 6 to 12 months.
And lastly, this filter wastes a lot more water in the purification process than its competitors.
5. APEC Water Systems
Another option to consider is the APEC Water Systems whole-house water filter, which, priced at $3,043, comes with a point-of-use reverse osmosis filtration system while the whole-house feature is powered by catalytic carbon.
The coconut-shell activated catalytic carbon filter removes VOCs, chlorine, and chloramines, partnered with a water conditioner that reduces scale buildup throughout your home.
The system’s point-of-use RO system can remove a boatload of contaminants from your kitchen tap, including bacteria, heavy metals, and inorganics. You can kick back and savor that RO filtered water straight from a dedicated tap, while enjoying fresh chlorine-free water through the rest of the taps around your house.
It’s worth noting that you don’t really need to go all out and get a whole-house reverse osmosis. The most important water is the one you drink, right in the kitchen. As for bathing and washing clothes, a carbon filter, like the one in this system, should be sufficient if you’re on city water.
This filter is big enough for a house with 3–4 bathrooms.
However, APEC didn’t rank higher on the list because the water quality it produces is not as perfect as Crystal Quest and US Water Systems. When I tested it out, I found that there were still some contaminants lingering in the water. Since it’s a bit pricier than the Crystal Quest filter, one would expect equal filtration performance.
6. Hydro-Logic High Flow RO System
The Hydro-Logic RO System, priced at $800, produces 1000 gallons of fresh water everyday. The filter features three stages, including a carbon filter and two RO membranes.
You might need to buy a booster pump separately for it to work optimally. It’s a compact unit that can fit in any small space. You could use it in your RVs as well.
The water passes through a carbon filter before RO membranes. Note that it doesn’t include a sediment filter, so if your water has high levels of dirt and debris, it can wear down those expensive RO membranes much faster.
Normally, the membranes and filters last a long time, but they can be quite pricey to replace when the time comes. To prevent this, you might need to get yourself a sediment pre-filter with this filter.
It’s a decent filter if you’re cool with shelling out some extra cash. It’s already on the pricier side, and when you factor in the additional add-ons, it ends up costing way more compared to other similar setups.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to whole-house reverse osmosis systems, Crystal Quest stands out as the cream of the crop. Here’s why:
The pre-filter included with each RO filter extends its lifespan, and you can choose from sediment, carbon, or Crystal Quest’s SMART filter. Crystal Quest’s TFC RO membrane effectively removes microbes, minerals, and chemicals.
What sets Crystal Quest apart is its flexibility. Depending on your water quality, you can customize your whole-house RO system with a remineralization tank or UV sterilizer. Its exceptional customer service is always ready to assist you.
A Crystal Quest RO filter can last a decade or more with proper maintenance and timely RO membrane replacements. Plus, you’ll have a one-year warranty on your whole-house system.
If you want an affordable yet effective RO filter, Crystal Quest is just what you need.
Research Methodology
If you’re curious about how I ended up with this list of the best RO filters, this section is for you. I’ll provide an overview of the research method I used to identify and evaluate the top RO filters available in the market. Here we go.
Step 1: A big list of reverse osmosis systems
To create a list of the best RO filters, I did some serious digging. I scoured online marketplaces, checked out specialized websites, and even asked friends and family for their suggestions. After all, word-of-mouth can be a powerful source of insights.
Step 2: Online reviews
The next step was all about reading online reviews and tapping into expert opinions. I scoured popular websites like Consumer Reports, Angie’s List, and Trust Pilot, where I found a treasure trove of user feedback and detailed reviews. These platforms provided valuable insights into the performance and durability of various RO filters.
I also sought expert opinions to understand each model’s technical aspects and reliability. By combining user experiences and expert insights, I got a well-rounded view of the top contenders.
Step 3: Product analysis
I wanted to dig deeper and gather more information before I could start judging the filters. So, I turned to my friend, Google. I asked Google a range of questions about reverse osmosis water filtration to understand its working principles, key features, and maintenance requirements. Here are a few of the questions I asked:
- Do I need reverse osmosis filtration?
- Is a reverse osmosis system suitable for well water?
- What factors should I look into while buying a whole-house filter?
- What is the water purification process in a reverse osmosis whole-house filter?
- What is the maintenance required for an RO whole-house filter?
- What is the lifespan of the RO membrane in an RO whole-house filter?
- What are the installation requirements for an RO whole-house filter?
- Does a whole-house reverse osmosis system affect water pressure in the house?
- Are there any specific considerations for whole-house reverse osmosis water systems in terms of water source or quality?
Asking these questions helped me better understand reverse osmosis whole-house filters.
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
I discovered that some online reviews were potentially fake or biased, so I wanted to hear directly from customers themselves. I connected with individuals who had purchased and used various RO water filters and asked about their experiences.
They were incredibly helpful, sharing their feedback and water test reports, and even inviting me into their homes to see the filter’s performance firsthand. Their insights were crucial in evaluating filter quality and customer satisfaction.
Step 5: Interviews with companies
As my next step, I reached out to the filter brands themselves and chatted with them about the issues I found. Some of them were really helpful and willing to address the concerns, which was great. But a few brands didn’t even bother responding or didn’t seem interested in making things right.
I kicked them off the list and focused on the ones that actually cared about their customers. It’s all about finding the filters that not only work well but also have a brand behind them that values their customers.
Step 6: Test drives
Next, I took the plunge and borrowed and rented the filters on my list to put them to the test.
I set up a testing station in my basement and spent two good months thoroughly evaluating each filter. I checked their filtration performance, measuring how well they removed contaminants, as well as their flow rates to ensure a steady water supply. I even assessed the ease of installation and maintenance.
It was a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it. This hands-on approach gave me valuable insights into the filters’ real-world performance and helped me determine which ones truly stood out.
Step 7: Ratings
After collecting and organizing all the information, I created a spreadsheet to score each filter. Considering factors like filtration efficiency, durability, ease of use, and customer feedback, I evaluated and ranked the filters. This step allowed me to identify the top performers and determine the best RO filters for various needs.
Final Thoughts: The Best Whole House Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
After extensive research, I can confidently say that Crystal Quest deserves the title of the best whole-house RO filter. Here are a few characteristics that set it apart:
- 11 different flow rates to choose from
- Customizable pre- and post-filters
- Modular design
- Easy to install and maintain
- Cost-effective
- Longevity
- One-year warranty
If you’re seeking a permanent solution to eliminate pollutants and enjoy fresh, clean water throughout your entire home, look no further than the Crystal Quest reverse osmosis filtration system.
If you want to know more about whole-house filters, check out our guides and reviews below:
- The Best Whole-House Arsenic Filters
- The Best Whole-House Filters For Calcium
- The Best 3-Stage Whole House Water Filters
- The Best Whole-House Carbon Water Filters
- Whole-House Water Filter Cost
- 7 Reasons Your Whole-House Water Filter Gets Dirty Fast
- 13 Whole House Water Filter Benefits
- What Are Whole-House Backwash Filters and How Do They Work?
- The Best Tankless Reverse Osmosis System
