Reverse Osmosis Buying Guide - Tips, Reviews & Education

Take some time to learn & understand the basic principles of RO technology by doing research online. Then do some comparison shopping. Always ask lots of questions about the quality of the materials used, the workmanship, and the warranty.

The reality is you will have to educate yourself because there are very few if any reverse osmosis product reviews, comparison charts/tables or rating guides out there to inform you. There are no "Reverse Osmosis Guide for Dummies" books as far as I know. Having some basic water filtration education will be invaluable in helping you filter (pardon the pun) through all the confusing and sometimes deceptive water industry marketing copy and jargon.

The most important piece of any Reverse Osmosis water purification system is the membrane. This is the heart and soul of the system and it is the primary filter that makes RO filtration work. However not all membranes are the same and there are plenty of cheap generic ones out on the market.

The first thing you should always check for is the brand of the membrane. Quality membranes are usually manufactured by reputable scientific corporations such as DOW chemical or GE and are made in the USA. (I recommend DOW FILMTEC, which is a top quality filter.) If the RO system uses a generic no-brand membrane, it is probably a cheap lower quality membrane made overseas. Comparing RO membranes is pretty easy.

DOW Membrane = Excellent
Generic Membrane = Average-Good

You might be wondering how one can judge the quality of a RO system without having actual hands-on experience with the unit. While it is not a pure science, here are some methods you can use for your evaluation.

Check the overall weight and sturdiness of the RO system. Quality reverse osmosis systems are typically made of a dense, heavy polypropylene shell that is highly heat resistant and extremely durable. These systems typically weigh 20-30 lbs (not including water tank) and are solid as a rock. Lower end systems typically weigh much less and are made of flimsy weak plastics which are more prone to wear down, crack, or burst under the constant water pressure. Ask yourself, does the system look flimsy and frail in the picture? Then it probably is in real life as well.

Check to see if the seller provides a TDS meter. This tester tells you the Total Dissolved Solids in your water and gives you the ability to test the effectiveness of your water filter yourself. Trustworthy retailers will include this meter with the system purchase because they have confidence in the filtration ability of their products. If the seller does not include a free TDS meter that is a warning sign. Quality merchants will also report their systems' TDS rejection rates in their product selling points. Be careful of RO resellers who claim to be an authority yet do not mention TDS openly anywhere on their website.

You can also request a physical or email copy of the system manual. Check the quality of the user manual. It should be easy to read and understand with many pictures, diagrams and parts labeled, and applications explained, because RO systems are typically DIY, Do-It-Yourself projects. Is the owner's manual thorough, including detailed specs of the system and a troubleshooting section along with the normal installation instructions? Is the warranty policy printed on the handbook? Read the warranty policy closely. Reviewing the product manual and warranty can give you great insight on the both RO system and the vendor.

RO System Credibility Questions Checklist

1. Does the system weigh at least 20 lbs?
2. Is a TDS meter included with the system?
3. Is the owner's manual well written?
4. What is the warranty on the system?

Check to see if the system has been tested or certified by an independent organization like the WQA (Water Quality Association) for performance and quality. The WQA Gold Seal certification for reverse osmosis systems is Standard 58.

To receive the WQA Gold Seal distinction, a RO system must be constructed to meet strict public health standards and pass weeks of rigorous testing for material and parts safety, structural integrity, and contaminant rejection performance. In addition, the manufacturing processes, operational procedures and facility maintenance of the manufacturer are also audited annually to ensure compliance and accountability.

Therefore a WQA Gold Seal certified RO system is a strong assurance to you that the manufacturer of the unit cares about product quality, safety and durability.

Always check the credibility of the seller. Are they registered with the BBB (Better Business Bureau), and if so what is their rating? How many years have they been online and in business? You should be able to find these answers on their website but if not do not be afraid to ask.

You will be using your reverse osmosis system for years to come, so you want the supplier to be there for technical support and parts support down the road. The worst thing you can do is to purchase an expensive unit which breaks after a few months and the 'fly-by-night' company you purchased it from is no longer in business. Check if they have a product and customer service reviews page or testimonials page. You can also search for the company on independent third party review websites like Reselleratings.com.

Always call ahead with some questions just to get a better feeling of the company from talking to their sales and support staff. Do you get a direct line to a live person or a machine? Are they honest, straight-forward and knowledgeable? Does the website offer a water education & resource section that clearly explains the RO process? These are important points to pay attention too.

Quality reverse osmosis water purifiers are always multi-stage filtrations units composed of 4-5 separate but interconnected filter cartridges. Besides the RO membrane there are usually several pre-filters used in the system followed by a post filter. These are usually sediment and carbon block filters that support the membrane with water filtration. The more filters a system has the better the quality of the water. Additional filters also help maintain the life and durability of the RO membrane. Never purchase a RO system that doesn't have at least 4 filter stages.

The type of carbon filters used is also important. Solid "carbon blocks" are much better than GAC (granular activated carbon) filters, or small "in-line" filters. GAC filters tend to leak carbon powder that clog up the system. "In-line" filters are small so they wear out quickly, thereby exposing the membrane to harmful chlorine. "Carbon block" filters don't leak fines and are the longest lasting.

Generally, RO systems at the lower price range (below $250) are of lesser quality. I would not recommend them because of their frequent problems and shorter life-spans. RO systems at lower prices use mostly lower quality foreign made components that crack and leak easily under pressure and over time. They have a lower contaminant rejection rate, are usually mass produced clones and are often shipped untested. As you can imagine, such units are not usually supported well by their sellers either.

Of course, pricing can be deceptive because there are poor quality systems with high price tags, therefore the most expensive RO filters are not necessarily the best either. The truth is, like cars , there is quite a difference in the quality of RO systems although they may look similar or even identical to each other. Some may have additional features you don't need, so always select systems based on your own personal water needs and solutions. Figuring out how to get the best value for your money may seem very confusing and frustrating but you still need to compare features and prices. From my experience, a quality system that can support the water needs of a typical 3-6 person family should be obtainable for around $300 - $450.

As always, use the tips in this reference guide to help you make a better, more practical selection when shopping for a reverse osmosis system.

Some major commercial brands have recently jumped into the reverse osmosis market hoping to grab market share using their good names. However as you know by now, a RO system is only as good as the parts it's made of.

Avoid big name brand systems that do not list each part of the system for you to review because many times they are using generic parts. Always look for membranes made by companies like DOW chemical (DOW Filmtec), 3M, or GE which all specialize in RO membranes and deliver safer more reliable products.

Also check to see if these systems use proprietary filters. Proprietary non-standard filters are specially designed so that you are "locked in" and must purchase yearly replacement filters from the brand manufacturer at very high markup prices. Many discount and warehouse department stores sell these units at heavily discounted prices, tricking you into investing in their systems. But eventually you will pay back the money and then some, through their over-priced replacement filters. (Think printers & cartridges - but without the access to clones)

Look for systems that use standardized replacement cartridges which can be purchased at discount or sale prices from multiple merchants for more savings and a better deal in the long run.

QC is Very Important!

Check to see if these systems are built in the U.S.A or overseas. Foreign built systems are often mass produced and may not be wet tested before they are shipped. If these systems fail they will do so in your home and not the manufacturer's testing lab, which could mean a flooded kitchen. Smaller companies that specialize and sell only reverse osmosis systems will typically assemble and wet test every unit individually to the specifications requested by the customer before shipping it out to them. These companies typically offer better technical and overall support and are a better choice.

When it comes to the water filtration market, name brand systems can be good or bad. It's up to you to figure out the difference.

Here are the primary factors to consider when searching for a RO water filtration system.

1. Brand of RO membrane
2. Quality of overall system
3. WQA Certification
4. Seller Credibility
5. Number of filters used
6. Price range of unit
7. Name Brand systems - Generic parts?

RO: Reverse Osmosis

TDS: Total Dissolved Solids

GPD: Gallons per Day

PSI: Pounds per Square Inch

SED: Sediment (Filter)

VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds

GAC: Granular Activated Carbon

TFC: Thin Film Composite

CTA: Cellulose Tri-Acetate

WQA: Water Quality Association

FDA: US Food & Drug Administration

BBB: Better Business Bureau

Congratulations, you made it to the end of this lens! You are now ready to start shopping for a RO system. But before you go, here's a few key points to keep in mind.

A reverse osmosis system is a long term investment. Since you and your family will be drinking the water and connecting the water filter system to your water pipes, you don't want to worry about poorly designed systems that may give impure water, break down often, and even flood your home.

I personally suggest only purchasing systems that are built in the USA using majority American-made parts and are WQA certified, which are the best buy. These RO systems are usually put through better quality control testing standards and are more reliable and durable than foreign mass produced, clone systems.

A good RO filter will give you great tasting, healthy drinking water for many years. I wish you the best of luck in shopping for the right system!