Having access to clean and healthy drinking water is very important. That’s why if you don’t own a reverse osmosis system, you should consider investing in one.
A reverse osmosis system gives you clean water so that you won’t rely on bottled water, which is, in fact, expensive in the long run.
The system gives you cleaner water by removing dirt, microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
However, the biggest problem comes in when you start shopping for one. Today, there are too many RO systems from reputable brands that claim to give you the cleanest of water.
In this review, we’ve compared 2 of the best systems available in the market, the APEC ROES-PHUV75 and Watts Premier WP531417 RO Pure Plus.
After going through the comparison, we believe that you’ll be able to settle for one that’s best for your situation. Keep reading.
Quick Comparison Chart – APEC ROES-PHUV75 vs Watts Premier WP531417 RO Pure Plus
| Feature | APEC ROES-PHUV75 | Watts Premier WP531417 RO Pure Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 16 x 17.5 inches | 14 x 15 x 15 inches |
| Weight | 2.88 ounces | 16.63 pounds |
| Water flow rate | 75 gallons | 50 gallons |
| Filtration stages | 7 water filtration stages | 4 water filtration stages |
| Color | White | Brushed nickel |
| Faucet | Lead-free designer faucet | A chrome top-mount twist faucet |
| Remineralization filter | Comes with an alkaline remineralization filter | No remineralization filter |
| Capacity of Storage tank | 4 gallons storage tank | 3 gallons storage tank |
| Filter life | UV filter lasts for 12 months, RO membrane, post-carbon, and alkaline filter last up to 3 to 4 years. | Pre-filters last up to 6 months, 1 year for carbon post-filter, and 2 to 5 years for the RO membrane. |
| Filtered water to waste water ratio | 1:3 | 1:4 |
| Certifications | Not mentioned | NSF/ANSI 372, NSF/ANSI 58, and WQA certified. |
| Warranty | Warranty period not mentioned | 1-year warranty |
| Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon |
APEC ROES-PHUV75 Review
APEC ROES-PHUV75 RO system is a product of APEC Water, an American company established in California in 1995.
The company has grown to become one of the leading brands in the production of water purifying systems and solutions.
APEC Water has been in the industry for more than 2 decades and has produced a significant number of high-quality reverse osmosis systems that provide high-performance levels.
Every APEC’S RO system falls under a certain series, including the ultimate series, essence series, countertop, and commercial-grade system.
The ROES-PHUV75 falls under the essence series and provides a comprehensive 7-stage filtration process.
Filtration Process
As aforementioned, the ROES-PHUV75 filters water in 7 stages to provide clean, pure, and healthy drinking water.
The 1st stage consists of a polypropylene sediment filter that removes sand, dust, silt, rust, and other particles from the water.
In the 2nd and 3rd stages, coconut shell carbon block filters eliminate most VOCs, chloramines, chlorine, and chemicals that lead to cloudiness, colors, unpleasant tastes, and odors in your water.
The 4th stage entails a high rejection TFC RO membrane that removes all remaining contaminants. It eliminates about 99% TDS and 1000+ other contaminants, including heavy metals, chromium, radium, and fluoride.
The filtered water from the 4th stage is then delivered to the storage tank.
Enter 5th stage!
From the tank, the RO water is passed through the 5th stage, which entails a watertight chamber with a UV sterilizer filter.
The UV light sterilizer has a powerful UV lamp that destroys all the harmful microorganisms present in the water.
It’s important to note that the wavelength of this lamp is quite strong (253.7 nanometers).
The lamp emits lethal germicidal UV energy that effectively attacks and destroys the DNA of all microorganisms in the water and kills them.
The filter kills up to 99.99% of all the microorganisms in the water, including cysts, bacteria, viruses, among others.
6th Stage Post –Carbon Filter
The RO water passes through the 6th stage from the UV sterilizer filter, where an advanced coconut shell carbon filter eliminates any residual chlorine taste.
And then finally…
The 7th Stage
In the first stages of filtration, essential minerals like calcium are removed from the water. The 7th stage helps reintroduce the minerals into your water once more.
This stage uses the APEC’S calcium mineral cartridge (an alkaline remineralizing filter) that adds calcium carbonate into the water and increases its pH level by 1 to 1.5.
The outcome of the 7 filtration stages is clean, purified, and healthy water with a great taste.
Water Flow Rate – Filtration Efficiency
The ROES-PHUV75 has a water flow rate of 75 gallons per day and is thus a perfect choice for medium-sized families.
It comes with a 4-gallon storage tank that holds 3.2 gallons of water. This should be enough to fit small to medium-sized households.
The system also boasts a 1:3 filtered water to waste water ratio, which means that for every gallon of pure water produced, 3 gallons of water go to waste.
Installation and Maintenance
With basic DIY skills, you can install the ROES-PHUV75 in minutes. The process is even made easier because the package comes with almost everything you require to set the unit up.
It also comes with a detailed manual to help you install the system with ease.
And when it comes to the maintenance of the unit, you don’t have to worry. The filters are durable; the 7th stage UV filter lasts up to 1 year, while the RO membrane, post-carbon, and alkaline filters can go up to 2 – 4 years.
Pros and cons of APEC ROES-PHUV75
Pros
- Relatively easy to install
- UV sterilizer destroys bacteria and viruses
- High daily water output of 75 gallons
- Raises the pH of the water
- Has long-lasting premium filters
Cons
- Wastes a lot of water – 3 gallons
Watts Premier WP531417 RO Pure Plus Reverse Osmosis System Review
Watts Premier WP531417 RO Pure Plus reverse osmosis system is made by Watts Premier, a subsidiary brand of Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
The brand was founded in 2001 and has manufactured various water treatment solutions, both for commercial and residential use. Their RO systems are not only of excellent quality but also cost-effective.
The Watts Premier WP531417 is a standard under sink RO system that offers a highly effective water filtration process.
Filtration Process
Unlike the ROES-PHUV75 that filters water in 7 stages, this system utilizes a 4-stage filtration process.
In stage one, a sediment pre-filter gets rid of dust, rust, coarse sand, silt, dirt, and other suspended particles from the water.
A 5-micron carbon pre-filter in the 2nd stage reduces chemical contaminants, including chlorine and chloramines, that cause unpleasant tastes and odor in the water.
In the 3rd stage, a 0.0001 micron RO membrane helps remove up to 98% of the remaining contaminants, including heavy metals, TDS, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals from the water.
The final stage features a VOC carbon block post-filter; a high-quality micron filter helps remove volatile organic compounds such as pesticides and herbicides from the water. The filter also refines the water by eliminating lingering tastes and odor from the storage tank.
Water Flow Rate and Filtration Efficiency
At 60 psi and above, the Watts Premier can produce up to 50 gallons of water per day, enough to cater to the hydration needs of small to medium-sized families.
It has filtered water to waste water ratio of 1:4, not as efficient as the ROES-PHUV75.To produce a gallon of pure water, the system wastes 4 gallons of water.
Installation and Maintenance
Setting up the system is pretty simple, especially if you have perfect DIY skills.
Changing the filters is also an easier task than with traditional models. The filters snap out easily and are also easy to replace.
The lifespan of the 2 pre-filters is 6 months, 12 months for the carbon pre-filter, and 2 to 5 years for the RO membrane. A TDS sensor in the faucet will notify when it’s time to change the filters.
Certifications
Watts Premier WP531417 is NSF/ANSI 372, NSF/ANSI 58, and WQA certified.
Pros and cons of Watts Premier WP531417
Pros
- Easy to install and maintain
- Long filter life
- Reasonably priced
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with everything needed for installation
Cons
- Wastes a lot of water – 4 gallons
- Not ideal for large families
