Clean water is essential for good health, both for ourselves and for our families. We need pure water for drinking and cooking, cleaning, for our pets, and often for plants. However, depending on your locality, there may be trouble with municipal water systems.
Groundwater pollution, high mineral content, or reliance on wells can cause water to have chemicals, pollution, or other contaminants. Some people use bottled water, water delivery services, or carry refillable containers back and forth from the store to solve these problems, which all have their own difficulties and expenses.
A better option is a home water filtration system using reverse osmosis, which removes a vast range of contaminants from water. Here are the best portable reverse osmosis systems for the home.
Comparison Chart
KFLOW Countertop Reverse Osmosis System, 4-Stage Water Filter System, Double RO Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System with Filter Life, TDS Monitor, 0.0001 Micron Precise Filtration (KFL-TDS-180)
APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP-C Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System with Case, Installation-Free, Fits Most Standard Faucet
Aquasure AS-PR75A Premier Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System – 75 GPD High Contaminants TDS Rejection Membrane with Quick Change Water Filter and Chrome Colored Finished Faucet
AquaTru – Countertop Water Filtration Purification System with Exclusive 4-Stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis Technology (No Plumbing or Installation Required) | BPA Free
Best Portable Reverse Osmosis System Reviews
KFLOW Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
The KFLOW Countertop Reverse Osmosis 4-Stage Water Filter system is ready to use right out of the box. Its compact design fits easily on a kitchen counter. The bright electronic display allows the user to select the volume of water desired, from as little as half a liter up to the default setting of 1.7 liters.
The display also tracks particulates in the tap water and in the filtered water; it notifies when to replace the filter. The unit is made of BPA-free plastic, and the carafe is made of shatterproof glass. A handle in the fill-tank makes it easy to carry when it’s full, from the tap to the machine.
The KFLOW system filters water through four filters: a polypropylene membrane, a carbon block membrane, then two reverse osmosis membranes. These filters remove more than 1,000 contaminants, such as carcinogens, heavy metals, organic particles, and inorganic pollutants.
The filters last one to two years with average use, producing up to 2,970 liters of filtered water per cartridge. The KFLOW system can easily be moved to a new house, or used in an office, an RV, or anywhere electricity is available and clean water is wanted. The machine comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use, with no installation
- Filters are easy to access and replace
- Display is bright and easy to read.
- Handle on wastewater container makes filling easier
- Carafe is glass rather than plastic
Cons
Replacement filters can be expensive
APEC Water Systems RO CTOP
The compact APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP-C Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis water filter system gives pure water without electricity or a wastewater tank, making it an excellent choice for RVs, dorms, and other small spaces.
Water pressure provides force to filter up to 3 gallons of tap water per hour through the four-stage filter system. The filter system is enclosed in a compact case, which sits on the counter near a sink with a standard faucet.
A simple faucet attachment sends water through a hose, into the filters, and out another hose, which you insert into a container to hold the filtered water. Tap water passes through first a 5-micron sediment filter to remove dust, particles, and rust, then through a coconut shell activated carbon filter, which removes chlorine, odors, cloudiness, common chemicals, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
The third filter is a DOW Chemical FILMTEC reverse osmosis membrane, which removes 99% of contaminants and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), and the final carbon filter removes any residual taste.
The device can easily be moved from place to place and used anywhere with sufficient water pressure and a standard faucet. The first two filters will last for 6-8 months, or 1,500 gallons; the third and fourth filters are good for 3-5 years, depending on use.
All components and filters are BPA-free and carry a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer. All APEC products are designed, engineered, and assembled in the US, and the company participates in numerous programs to provide clean water to people in need.
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Lightweight and portable, requiring no electricity
- Designed and assembled in the US
Cons
- Only works on standard faucets without sprayers, so it may not be compatible with all kitchens
- Requires at least 30 psi water pressure to work and can take a long time to filter
Aqua sure AS-PR75A Premier Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
The Aquasure Premier Advance QuickTwist RO four-stage water filtration system removes over 1,000 contaminants, such as arsenic, virus, lead, chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and bacteria, from water.
No electricity is required because the system is powered by a water pressure of at least 40 psi. This product will filter up to 75 gallons a day, and a 4-gallon reservoir will hold clean water till it’s wanted.
Pure water is dispensed via the included faucet, with a choice of brushed nickel or chrome finish. Aquasure also offers alkaline filters for those who want to re-mineralize their filtered water. The under-sink design includes leak protection and a shock-absorbing valve to protect plumbing.
With average use, the first two filters will last from six to twelve months; the third and fourth filters will last up to 2 years. Aquasure offers a one-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. The company also gives discounts to military personnel and to first responders.
Pros
- Includes filtered water storage tank and high-quality faucet
- No need to carry heavy containers of tap water or wastewater to and from the machine
- Long-lasting cartridges with affordable replacements
Cons
- A large tank can take up space under the sink and be challenging to install
- Aquasure recommends adding a water softener to prevent scale and mineral build-up
AquaTru – Countertop Water Filtration Purification System
The AquaTru Countertop Water Filtration Purification System with 4-stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis Technology arrives ready to use. It sits compactly on a kitchen counter or anywhere you want pure water that has access to electricity.
The tap water tank has a handle for ease of carrying it when full of water. The unit filters 1 gallon of tap water in 12-15 minutes, removing organic and inorganic compounds, chlorine, PFAs, and other contaminants, yielding about 3 quarts of purified water.
The clean water container has a convenient push-button dispenser that can be removed from the base and placed in the fridge if cold water is desired. Each set of filters will replace 4,500 plastic 16.9 oz water bottles.
The AquaTru is BPA and BPS-free and has been tested and certified to comply with NSF/ANSI standards. It comes with a 30-day unconditional 100% money-back guarantee and a 1-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Compact and easy to use
- No installation or setup
- Convenient to use on countertop or chill in the refrigerator
- Purifies a gallon of water in less than 15 minutes
- Affordable replacement filters
Cons
Leaves 25-30% of water as waste
AlcaPure Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter by RKIN
The AlcaPure Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter by RKIN is a four-stage water purification system that generates alkaline water with an improved taste. The system comes with either a black or silver-white outer casing.
The countertop system requires no installation; just plug it in. The compact AlcaPure machine fills and dispenses from the front, so it’s easy to use when placed on a kitchen counter with cupboards above.
The purified water reservoir fills with .5 gal in about 15 minutes, then the unit shuts off automatically. The clean water, with 99% of all contaminants removed, dispenses from a valve on the front of the machine.
An indicator light on the front of the device also notifies when it’s time to replace filters, about once a year with regular usage. Even better, you can choose whether to drink pure neutral water or pure alkaline water with some trace minerals to restore the taste of bottled water. It is backed by a one-year money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Choose neutral or alkaline water
- Easy to use with no installation
- Compact and stylish
- One year money-back guarantee
Cons
- Filters may be challenging to access and replace
- Filters may need to be replaced frequently
Conclusion
Our top pick for in-home reverse osmosis water filtration is the APEC Water Systems RO Countertop. It is highly portable and adaptable to many uses and locations. Installation is simple, and it requires only minimal water pressure to operate.
While not as sleek as some of the products reviewed here, the water it produces is every bit as free of contaminants. The system is simple, portable, affordable, and effective.
We also like that it is backed by US-based manufacture and support from a company with decades of experience in water quality and a commitment to their mission.