#1 Crystal Clear 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System |
| ProsWater tastes and looks excellent (and has no odor)3 gallon storage tank so water is always ready when you need itQuieter than competitors’ five-stage modelsRemoves many heavy metals, cysts, and other known impuritiesGood value for the moneyConsInstruction manual is unhelpful and at times incorrect |
The 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System by Crystal Clear is an advanced water filtration and purification system that is installed below the sink or countertop, typically in a kitchen. This system runs water through three filters, one reverse osmosis stage, and then an additional filter. It removes a number of minerals, heavy metals, and impurities, including lead, mercury, chlorine, rust, and particles, as well as several contaminants that are known to cause disease. Customers report significant improvement in the quality, taste, and appearance of their water. However, the instruction manual is notoriously unhelpful, and many users report frustration searching online for helpful advice; others hired a plumber to assist them. This system includes a sink-top faucet dispenser as well as a 3-gallon below-sink storage tank, which allows the unit to filter and store plenty of water for immediate use. Price wise, this model compares well to competing units from other manufacturers, is quieter, and also removes fluoride.Bottom line: This 5-stage under-the-sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System from Crystal Clear does an excellent job of improving water quality and removing harmful contaminants. It features an 3-gallon storage tank and an attractive sink-top faucet dispenser, separate from the primary kitchen faucet. Though it comes with poor instructions, once it is installed owners report years of consistent performance and great pleasure with the water quality.Read Full Review |
#2 Watts WP5-50 Premier Five-Stage Manifold Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment System |
| ProsVery clean water: no smell, no color, no odor, measurably better qualityFive-stage system is thorough and removes several contaminants other products do notStylish, quality faucet fits easily in existing auxiliary sink holeRelatively simple to installFilters are easy to changeStorage tank holds extra waterConsOwners complain of loud hissing noiseCreates more waste water than pure waterDoes not remove bacteria or viruses |
The Watts WP5-50 Premier Five-Stage Manifold Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment System is a comprehensive, five-stage water purification system that uses a combination of reverse osmosis and 4 filtering stages to rid tap water of a number of impurities and additives. It filters out sediment, chlorine, cysts (which can spread disease), lead, and a number of what are called total dissolved solids (TDSes), which includes arsenic, chrome, nitrates, and other impurities.This unit comes with a five-stage system and 3-gallon storage tank, both of which are installed underneath a sink or counter if used in the kitchen. It also includes a stylish faucet, which goes above the sink (in the auxiliary hole, if the sink has one available).When it come to water taste, appearance, smell, and overall quality, this is one of the most effective at-home filtration systems you can buy. However, many users report a loud hissing sound from the reverse osmosis process, which is irritating to owners who install the system in their kitchens. It also generates a significant amount of waste water for the amount of fresh water it produces.Bottom line: The Watts WP5-50 Premier Five-Stage Manifold Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment System is a thorough at-home filtration system. It serves its intended purpose very well: in terms of water quality (including taste, odor, and appearance) this product is one of the best. However, home users complain of a loud hissing noise, and the unit does create quite a bit of waste water for the amount of purified water it produces.Read Full Review |
#3 Watts Premier RO-Pure 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System |
| ProsLives up to the promise: very clean, clear, good tasting waterStorage tank for 3 gallons of water immediately readyGoes beyond smaller filters to remove TDS impuritiesAttractive, high quality faucet better than cheaper competitorsCan also connect to in-fridge ice makerStraightforward installation and filter replacementConsFour-stage means more bulk; takes up considerable under-sink spaceReverse osmosis wastes some water, creates gurgling noiseMore filters means more expensive filter replacement |
Designed to go a step beyond smaller purifiers, the Watts Premier RO-Pure 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System eliminates both biological contaminants and other impurities from tap water, including sediment, chlorine, bacteria, viruses, cysts, lead, chromium, sodium, arsenic, copper, and other unwanted substances. It comes with an attractive, high quality faucet designed to fit in the auxiliary hole of any standard sink. It can also be hooked up to a refrigerator or ice maker, in addition to the primary faucet, for additional functionality with in the kitchen.This four-stage system uses reverse osmosis with filtering steps both before and after the RO process itself. With four stages, it takes up a decent amount of space under the sink, but its installation is straightforward and clearly explained in the manual. This system also contains a high capacity, 3-gallon storage tank so that purified water is instantly available. Owners report that the resulting water is very clear in appearance, has no odor, and tastes very clean.Bottom line: The Watts Premier RO-Pure 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System installs underneath the kitchen sink and provides high quality filtered water for drinking, cooking, and ice making. Its 4-stage reverse-osmosis and filtration system earns high marks from customers, even those whose municipal water is notably odorous and discolored. While somewhat bulky under the sink, this product does what it promises to do, and does so well.Read Full Review |
#4 Culligan US-EZ-4 EZ-Change Level-4 Under-Sink Drinking Water System |
| ProsWater tastes goodThe price is rightDoesn’t take up the whole under-sink space like larger modelsCulligan is a trusted brand nameLight indicates when filter needs replacingConsCheap faucet breaks easily (even after replacement)Both faucet and connections are known to break and cause flooding |
The Culligan EZ-Change Level-4 Under-Sink Drinking Water System provides an affordable way to have filtered and purified drinking water on tap with minimal cost or labor. Both its performance and its price establish it as a compromise between filtered water pitchers on the minimal end and multi-step reverse osmosis purification systems on the complex end. The Culligan EZ-Change Level-4 Under-Sink Drinking Water System installs below the sink and attaches to an above-sink faucet. The plastic faucet that comes with the filter has a reputation for breaking easily (even during installation), which has caused some owners to experience flooding in their homes. The filter itself works well, reducing bad taste, color, and odors, and also reducing a number of contaminants, including chlorine, asbestos, volatile organic chemicals, cysts (including cryptosporidium and giardia, which are known to cause sickness if contracted through water). Each filter has a lifespan of approximately 6 months or 500 gallons of water, whichever comes first, and the unit also has a light to indicate when the filter is ready to be replaced.Bottom line: The Culligan EZ-Change Level-4 Under-Sink Drinking Water System makes great water, but comes with a cheap faucet that can easily break and cause flooding. When installed with a solid faucet, this filter system does a good job of improving the drinkability and quality of tap water. It installs under the sink, where it takes up very little space and can also be attached to an ice maker.Read Full Review |
#5 Watts WP2BVC Premier Two-Stage Microbiological Purifier Water Filtration System |
| ProsWater output looks clean & tastes good.Attractive faucet is higher quality than some competitors.Customers report good customer service from WattsSmall size under sinkGood price for the qualityConsOutdated or unclear manualNot as simple to install as manufacturer suggests |
The Watts WP2BVC Premier 2-Stage Microbiological Purifier Water Filtration System is a 2-stage at-home water purification system that is installed underneath a sink and comes with a separate, well-styled faucet to provide filtered water at the countertop level alongside the existing kitchen faucet. It is designed to remove a number of microbiological contaminants including bacteria, viruses, and cysts, as well as chlorine (often added during purification at the municipal level) and also sediment (often found in water). Users report that the Watts WP2BVC Premier 2-Stage Microbiological Purifier Water Filtration System provides high quality, clear, clean tasting drinking water. It is not quite as simple to install as Watts promotes, but most users have no major complaints once it is in. This system works in two stages, each which a separate filter; both filters should be replaced every 6 months, or if the water begins to slow before that (a sign they are no longer filtering as effectively).Bottom line: The Watts WP2BVC Premier 2-Stage Microbiological Purifier Water Filtration System does a good job for the price and includes a more attractive faucet than cheaper competitors, yet it’s not at the top of the price scale either. It’s a little tricky to install, but the end product is very clean, good-tasting water that is inline with the manufacturer’s promises.Read Full Review |