If you intend to take your water filtration to the next level, reverse osmosis technology is the best you can get. With a specialized RO filter design that is coupled with multiple filtration stages, you get cleaner, pure drinking water.
Reverse osmosis systems are regarded as the most effective in reducing the most stubborn water contaminants. They eliminate lead, arsenic, asbestos, radium, fluoride, nitrates, bacteria, etc.
As there are countless RO systems on the market, it can be quite difficult for you to get the right fit for your home.
That’s why we’ve compiled this post for you.
Here, we review the best 5-stage reverse osmosis systems to help you make an informed buying decision.
Why 5-stage? 5-stage RO systems are the most common standard reverse osmosis systems available today. Keep reading to find out more.
Our Top Picks
- Best for a Small Family: APEC ROES-50 Essence Series
An under-sink RO system with a daily output of 50 gallons, long-lasting premium filters, removes up to 99% of contaminants from the water, comes with a lead-free designer faucet, measures 16 x 5.25 x 17.5 inches, weighs 25 pounds, is easy to install and supported by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- Best for Tap and Well Water: iSpring RCC7 Under Sink
This system produces 75 gallons of water per day, fits under most kitchen sinks, doesn’t require electricity to operate, offers superior filtration performance, is NSF/ANSI 58 certified, uses JG food-grade tubing and parts, is leak-free, measures 15 x 8 x 18 inches, weighs 20 pounds and is backed by a 1-year warranty.
- Best Budget: Express Water RO5DX
An RO system that filters 99.99% of water contaminants, produces 0.8 gallons of water per minute, comes with a 3-2 gallon tank, NSF certified parts, operates on 40 – 80 psi water pressure, has a leak-detector, measures 16.18 x 18.75 x 18.06 inches, weighs 11.8 pounds and is easy to install.
- Best Mini RO System: FS-TFC 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
An under sink mini size RO system that offers superior filtration performance, produces 100 gallons per day, has a super-low drain ratio of 1:1, works without electricity, comes with all parts required for easy installation, measures 11.5 x 5 x 11.5 inches, weighs 13 pounds and is supported by a 2-year warranty.
- Best for Areas with Low Pressure: Geekpure RO5-BP
This under sink RO system is made from premium quality materials, comes with a booster pump, produces 75 gallons of pure water daily, has a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:2, comes with a lead-free faucet, extra filters, produces great-tasting water, and is backed by a 1-year warranty.
Choosing the Right 5-Stage RO System
1. APEC ROES-50 Essence Series 5-Stage RO System
APEC is one of the leading manufacturers of water filtration systems with over 2 decades of experience. Their products are designed and assembled in the US and thoroughly tested before distribution.
Their water filtration systems are high-quality, and the APEC-ROES-50 is no exception. It’s an excellent choice for individuals looking for a system that hits the spot between quality and price.
With premium, long-lasting filters, the APEC ROES-50 filters water in 5 stages removing up to 99% of contaminants like chlorine, VOCs, toxic fluoride, arsenic, lead, heavy metals, lead, and 1000+ more.
The ROES-50 provides up to 50 gallons of purified water per day and has a filtered water to waste water ratio of 1:3, thus relatively efficient.
It requires a minimum operating pressure of 40 psi, meaning that if the pressure in your home is below that, you’ll get very poor results.
The system has a lead-free designer faucet and certified JG food-grade tubing and parts for safe, contamination-free pure water.
What’s more, it is suited for treating well and tap water, offers noise-free operation, is easy to install, and is easy to maintain. It is also WQA certified and backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
And if you want to feed the RO water to your refrigerator or ice maker, all you need to do is get an ice maker kit.
Pros
- Has premium, long-lasting filters
- Suited for treating well and tap water
- Offers superior filtration performance
- Reasonably priced
- Backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty upon registration
Cons
- Low water output
- Low water efficiency
2. iSpring RCC7 Under Sink 5-Stage RO System
A product of one of the top-rated US-based water filtration brands, the iSpring RCC7 is a water filtration system that embraces quality build to afford you high quality, problem-free performance.
The system can eliminate up to 99% of water contaminants, including arsenic, lead, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, a plethora of microorganisms, and 1000+ more contaminants.
A reinforced transparent 1st stage housing provides an easy way for you to visually inspect the pre-filter and see the contaminants being removed from the water. You can always tell when it’s time for a filter change.
The iSpring RCC7 is made with NSF-certified components from an ISO 9000:2000 certified company.
The system filters water in 5-stages that ensure that no contaminant makes it past the multi-level filtration system. It has a daily water output of 75 gallons of great-tasting water.
A major selling point of this system is that it fits under most kitchen sinks and doesn’t require any power source to operate. It also has a check valve that prevents the backflow of water into the membrane housing and leakage.
With a 3.2-gallon pressurized storage tank, the system ensures that you have an adequate water supply all day long. It takes a very short time to fill the tank; hence ideal for medium-sized to large families.
The unit requires a pressure of 40-80 psi to function properly. If your home’s water pressure is below 40 psi, you’ll require a pump to increase the pressure.
It measures 15 x 8 x 18 inches, weighs 20 pounds, is easy to install, use and maintain, and is backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- It takes a shorter time to fill the tank
- Produces 75 gallons of water daily
- Cost-effective and highly functional
- NSF/ANSI 58 certified
- Easy DIY installation
- Comes with all components needed for installation
- Uses food-grade tubings
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- No remineralization
- Reduced water efficiency
3. Express Water RO5DX 5-Stage Under Sink RO System
Express Water makes easy to use and install RO systems to handle all your needs. The RO5DX reduces up to 99.99% of harmful contaminants in your water.
The system filters water in 5 stages, where in the 1st stage, a sediment filter eliminates all suspended particles, including dust, sand, silt, and last, among others.
Next, carbon block and granular carbon filters eliminate any unusual tastes and smell in the water. They filter out chemicals like fluoride, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, pesticides, and VOCs.
In the 4th stage, the RO membrane does the horse work by eliminating the water’s most stubborn contaminants like TDS, lead, and arsenic. It also captures microorganisms like bacteria and cysts.
And in the final stage, a post-activated carbon filter polishes the water before it comes out of the faucet. It gets rid of any remaining tastes and smells.
The system has a daily water production rate of 50 gallons and a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:3. And although not highly efficient, it’s still considered an above-average RO system.
To prevent leaks, the RO5DX comes with a leak stop valve that cuts off the water supply automatically if it detects moisture on the floor.
The unit is very easy to install now that it comes 50% pre-assembled. It also features long-lasting filters that make it easy to maintain.
The pre-filters require changing every 6 months and the RO membrane every 2 to 3 years. The post-carbon filter lasts a year.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Delivers up to 0.8 gallons of pure water per minute
- Easy to install without a wrench
- It comes with spare filters
- Removes 99.99% of water contaminants
Cons
- No UV sterilizer
- Low production capacity
4. FS-TFC 5-Stage RO System
The FS-TFC is an under sink reverse osmosis system that filters water in 5 stages. It removes up to 99.99% of harmful water contaminants to give you clean, pure, and healthy water.
The 1st PP sediment filter cleans water up to 5 microns removing dust, sand, and debris.
The 2nd stage GAC filter eliminates odor, chlorine, color, and organic elements, while in the 3rd stage, a micron sediment filter reduces colloids and suspended matter.
Next, the water passes to the RO membrane, removing pharmaceuticals, VOCs, heavy metals, and other stubborn contaminants.
A post-carbon filter in the last stage purifies the water by removing any lingering taste and odor.
When it comes to water output, the TS-TFC produces 100 gallons of water per day. It can actually produce 18L of water in an hour at 60 Psi and a 200ml cup of water in 5 seconds.
It works without electricity and has a super low drain ratio of 1:1 hence highly efficient.
Developed for residential and commercial use, you can install the system in your kitchen, RV, bathroom, and office.
The system comes with a lead-free stainless steel faucet, measures 11.5 x 5 x 11.5 inches, weighs 13 pounds, and is backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty upon registration.
Pros
- Made from premium-quality materials
- Best for both residential and commercial use
- Lightweight and space-saving
- It has a super low drain ratio
- Produces 100 gallons of water daily
- It has a super-fast flow rate
- All materials are food-grade and safe to use
- It is easy to install
Cons
- Requires annual filter changes
- It’s hard to get replacement filters
5. Geekpure RO5-BP 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
Last on the list is the Geekpure RO5-BP, an under sink RO system designed for use in areas where water pressure is lower than 40 Psi. It comes with a booster pump that increases water pressure for optimum results.
It is made from premium quality components that ensure low maintenance and high reliability for years to come. All parts, including quick push fittings, tubes, storage tank, and RO membrane, are NSF certified to provide pure water.
The RO5-BP also features premium ceramic disc-operated lead-free water dispensing faucets and comes with extra 4 replacement filters.
It offers superior filtration performance by eliminating arsenic, lead, chlorine, fluoride, cadmium, mercury, heavy metals, and 1000+ more contaminants.
The system is ideal for medium-sized to large families now that it boasts a capacity of 75 gallons per day. It is also highly efficient with a filtered to waste water ratio of 1:2.
Installation is a breeze, and you won’t need to get a plumber to set the system up for you. All you need to do is follow the clear, well-organized instructions from the instructions manual that comes with the package.
Pros
- It comes with a booster pump
- It has a lead-free water dispensing faucet
- It comes with all components for easy setup
- Works quietly
- Best for tap and well water
- It comes with extra filters
- Reasonably priced and works excellently
- Produces great-tasting water
- Supported by a 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- No remineralization
Conclusion
The best reverse osmosis systems feature the latest innovative technology, are made from non-toxic materials, and offer superior filtration performance.
And all the systems listed in this review have all these features. They filter water in 5 stages and ensure that you get clean, safe, and healthy water.
But since you can’t get all the 5, we believe that by carefully going through the pros and cons of each model, you’ll end up with the best 5-stage reverse osmosis system that suits your home.