Top Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

Reverse osmosis, also known as RO, is probably the most thorough and effective water filtering process available to homeowners. Although it sounds very complex, water filtering with reverse osmosis is actually quite simple.

Essentially, the process uses your existing water pressure to force tap water through a special membrane that filters out everything but the water, leaving you with a storage tank of the purist water imaginable.

The process is simple, but incredibly thorough. Once water enters the unit it travels through a pre-filter before being pushed through a membrane that removes most of the impurities, pushing only clean pure water into the storage tank. The impurities are then redirected to the drain while the water waits for your consumption. Then, when you're ready, the water passes through another filter before reaching your glass.

Thankfully, reverse osmosis water filters are available in both counter top and under the sink versions (requires some installation), giving you a little flexibility in where and how you install your filter. Since reverse osmosis units are a bit larger than traditional water filters, however, they do not come in pitcher and faucet designs and are usually more expensive than other options. They're well worth the price, however, if you're looking for the most advanced water filtration process available to consumers.

All reverse osmosis systems use the same techniques and, for the most part, have the same components. In fact, most of them look alike, too. But the big difference is inside. Higher quality reverse osmosis systems have better filters and membranes that help separate the water from the impurities.

In general, reverse osmosis systems are incredibly clean, too, since they use drainage systems to get rid of the impurities rather than trapping them inside the unit. And, since reverse osmosis uses basic laws of physics to operate, reverse osmosis systems do not consume any excess energy. No wasted energy. You can't get greener than that.