Rating Top 10 reverse osmosis filters: design features, selection criteria, reviews

The reverse osmosis filter is the most advanced design for the post-treatment of drinking water, which can only be installed in an apartment or in a private house. They work at the molecular level and are able to remove even nitrates, before which the vast majority of other filter systems fail. However, in order for osmosis to work correctly, it is necessary to take into account in advance when choosing its characteristics.

There are many models on the domestic market now: Russian and imported, classic, compact and flowing. In this article, I compared 10 popular reverse osmosis filters. This information will certainly be useful to people choosing an effective system for the purification of drinking water.

Top-10 rating of reverse osmosis systems

This comparison involves reverse osmosis filters popular with consumers. I conducted an analysis and identified the main advantages and disadvantages of each of them, so that readers can approach the issue of choice fully armed.

BARRIER PROFI Osmo 100

Filter with classic layout. Equipped with three flasks for pre-filter cartridges. The delivery set includes two polypropylene filter elements with a capacity of 5 and 1 microns, a carbon filter. They are designed to remove mechanical impurities and chlorine. The model is equipped with a membrane element with a capacity of 100 gallons, a carbon post-filter, which improves the taste of water after it has been in the storage tank.

The main advantage of classic reverse osmosis is the ability to use third-party filter elements. The BARRIER PROFI Osmo 100 system has an affordable price, but it is quite cumbersome.

I am very pleased with the system I purchased. at the lowest price received very clean water. I also solved the problem of water for ultrasonic humidifiers, those who will understand me well.

Aquaphor DWM-101s Morion

A compact model from a domestic manufacturer, which is a licensed copy of the Japanese OMOIKIRI Pure Drop filter. Its main feature is a built-in water-water tank for 5 liters. This design has a number of advantages over classical systems equipped with a water-air tank. DWM-101s works approximately 2 times faster, filling the tank completely in 40-60 minutes. The second advantage is economy - this filter drains much less water down the drain. It should be noted the convenience of replacing cartridges - they are removed with one movement of the hand, the owner does not have to unscrew the flasks with a special key.

I bought it, assembled it myself - installed it, did not raise any serious questions, the instructions are detailed and understandable. it is very compact, the filter system and the tank are located quite tightly, which is important even under a corner sink. Filters - naturally by subjective assessment - good. The plaque on the kettle has ceased to form, the water tastes pleasant.

New water Expert Osmos MO530

This model is approximately 2 times smaller and 3 times lighter in comparison with classical reverse osmosis systems. The pre-filters, membrane and post-filter are housed in a narrow body with a thickness of only 8.5 cm. The scope of delivery also includes a plastic storage tank that can hold up to 8 liters of purified water.

The manufacturer uses a modern membrane from the Japanese company Toray. It is distinguished by high productivity, service life up to 3 years, and increased permeate take-off rate.

The filter is easy to use, I installed it myself, without any difficulty. Changing the cartridges is very simple, since the connection fittings close themselves, you do not need to tighten anything. One of the big advantages, personally for, is that the cleaning membrane has a lifespan of three years, the water from it is soft, pleasant to the taste, food and tea, on the water from this filter, becomes tastier.

Atoll A-550m STD

Reverse osmosis system from an American manufacturer. Differs in high quality assembly, is completed with a set of 3 pre-purification cartridges and a membrane from the American company DOW - one of the best manufacturers of membrane filter elements in the world. The design of the model allows the use of cartridges from third-party companies, but it itself takes up a lot of space.

I am very pleased with this system. To be honest, I haven't compared it with other systems, but the quality and taste of the water are satisfying. A kettle without a single trace of scale, no traces of tea remain on the mugs. I did not do a chemical analysis of water, but I will definitely do it in the future. Every six months I change the filters according to the instructions and I'm happy. Installation is very simple, you just need to follow the instructions, and of course the American quality is at its best.

Geyser Prestige 2

A compact flow-through reverse osmosis system that works without a storage tank.Uses a membrane of increased performance, a unique sorption filter element developed by Geyser. It effectively removes chlorine, iron and some of the hardness salts from the water, is capable of self-cleaning, due to which the declared resource of the cartridge is from 6 to 12 months. The manufacturer also offers a version with a tank and a mineralizer.

I was looking for an inexpensive Osmosis system. The geyser was perfect for the price. The package is good, everything you need is present. Quickly connected tubes are generally a masterpiece))) I also bought a transparent flask with a prefilter to save the resource of an expensive prefilter from Geyser. The water itself tastes normal.

Geyser Prestige M (12 l)

Reverse osmosis system of domestic production. Has a classic layout with a free-standing storage tank. Model M is additionally equipped with a mineralizer that saturates the water with useful microelements. The filter is equipped with a double connection tap, which allows you to choose between simply purified and mineralized water. The design of the reverse osmosis system allows the use of prefilters, membranes and postfilters from third-party manufacturers.

When using an ultrasonic humidifier, a white coating appeared on the furniture. Geyser Euro (on the tap) did not save at all, even when filtered with a minimal pressure force (a tiny stream), with Prestige M there was no plaque on the furniture. Very happy with the purchase.

New water Econic Osmos Stream OD320

Compact direct-flow reverse osmosis model, which does not require a bulky storage tank for operation. The use of a high-performance low-pressure polymer membrane from the Japanese company Toray provides the system with high performance. Pre-cleaning is carried out by means of a cartridge with pressed carbon, which removes chlorine and mechanical particles with a diameter of 1 micron. The mineralizing cartridge saturates the purified water with useful microelements and improves its taste.

In the spring, we had to change the old filter, which poorly purified the water from impurities and odors. An old friend advised to install the "New Water Econic Osmos Stream OD320" system. I coped with the installation in a couple of hours.After the installation of this system, the quality of the water has improved markedly - the white coating from the kitchen utensils has disappeared, there is no smell of bleach and the water has become softer.

Aquaphor DWM-31

A modern reverse osmosis system with a compact size. Instead of a standard storage tank, the model is equipped with a removable jug. It is easy to detach and can be safely kept in the refrigerator during summer so you always have clean and cool water on hand. The model uses a 100 gallon membrane, is equipped with two pre-cleaning cartridges in non-separable housings, removable without the use of a special key. By means of an adapter, bottles with a capacity of 5 and 10 liters can be connected to the filter. Thanks to the float valve, you are guaranteed not to flood your neighbors, even if you forget that a storage tank is connected to the DWM-31.

Still, Aquaphor is great, they produce filters for any technical conditions, for all occasions. We had nowhere to attach even the ultra-compact Morion under the sink, but we wanted reverse osmosis to eliminate both hardness and bacteria. This model with a jug as a tank seemed to be made for us, an ideal option. We are very pleased with the purchase, the water from the filter is just wonderful.

Sendo Aqua A12 boost

This filter is manufactured in South Korea and comes with a 75 gallon membrane. It is housed in an ultra-thin body with a thickness of only 8 cm, so it fits easily even in a small kitchen. The delivery set includes a water-air plastic tank with a total volume of 12 liters, which is completely filled in 35-40 minutes.

Thanks to the quick-release couplings, the reverse osmosis plant takes up to half an hour. The boost model is equipped with a special pump, so the filter can be used even with low pressure in the water supply system.

I like the water. I also judge by tea and coffee - a rich rich taste. We not only drink this water, I also give it to cats and water flowers. The filter itself has 4 stages of cleaning and a built-in mineralizer, which gives the water a special taste. The build quality, according to my husband, is at its best - there are no incomprehensible pipes, nothing crashes.

BARRIER K-OSMOS

Domestic compact reverse osmosis filter in a monoblock type housing. Equipped with two pre-filter cartridges, mechanical and carbon, post-filter that refreshes the water after being in the storage tank. The system looks elegant enough that it can be placed on the wall above the sink without fear of ruining the look of the kitchen. A freestanding tank can be easily replaced after it reaches its end of life.

The quality of the filtered water is really beyond praise. In Taganrog, tap water is officially non-potable, its quality is one of the worst in Russia; nevertheless, the filter turns it into very clean. Parents have an ordinary 3-stage filter, and even after replacing the cartridges, the taste is not the same and a little scale remains, K-OSMOS gives out very clean water, not the slightest scale.

The principle of operation of reverse osmosis systems

All reverse osmosis filters work according to the same principle. A special membrane is installed in them, the pores on which only water molecules and oxygen pass through themselves. Any impurities with a large molecular size are effectively eliminated, osmosis completely removes bacteria, hardness salts, nitrates and many other impurities from water. Most membrane elements are susceptible to chlorine and clogging with mechanical particles, therefore one or more carbon or polypropylene pre-filters are always installed in front of them. The filtration rate of reverse osmosis is relatively low, so most models are equipped with a special tank for clean water.

Filtered impurities do not remain on the membrane - in this case, it would quickly become clogged and fail. The water entering it is divided into two uneven streams. A smaller, cleaned part, or permeate, enters the storage tank or directly to the user, and the concentrate containing all the impurities is discharged into the sewer, which is recorded by any modern meter. The percentage of concentrate and permeate depends on the performance of the membrane and the pressure of the water in the water supply.

What to look for when choosing reverse osmosis

In order for the filter to serve for a long time and delight the owner with tasty and clean water, you need to carry out certain preparations in advance. I have highlighted the main points to check before making a purchase.

Water quality

The documentation for any reverse osmosis indicates the maximum permissible water quality indicators at which the manufacturer can guarantee its uninterrupted operation. If the content of iron or hardness salts is too high, the membrane will not work for the prescribed 1-3 years, clogging up much earlier. Before buying and installing a reverse osmosis system, be sure to take samples of your water for analysis and compare its results with the requirements specified in the instructions. If the available numbers greatly exceed the required ones, it makes sense to think about installing an additional filter at the point of entry of water into the house.

Pressure

For correct operation, reverse osmosis requires a certain water pressure in the water supply system. Manufacturers indicate the exact numbers in the documents for a specific model. If the pressure is less than recommended, all the water will be drained into the sewer, and the owner will not receive a drop of permeate, and if the pressure is too high, the risk of breakthroughs and flooding increases.

Before buying, be sure to measure the water pressure in the house and compare it with the indicators in the instructions. Insufficient head is compensated for by installing a filter with an electric pump, and excess head is compensated for by means of a reducer.

Cartridge availability

The vast majority of classic reverse osmosis systems use Slim Line 10 cartridges, which are easy to find replacements for. Compact models are most often equipped with filters that are unique to each manufacturer.They are usually easier to install, but finding a replacement kit, especially in a small town, can be tricky, so make sure you can buy consumables for your osmosis in advance.

Reliability

It is always good if pressed rather than screwed fittings are used in the filter design - this gives reliability to the entire structure. Evaluate whether the tubes are securely fixed, and whether they will not be knocked out by an unexpected water hammer, take a look at the thickness and quality of the plastic. So you will protect yourself and your neighbors from below from the flood.