This website has already reviewed the best under sink reverse osmosis systems as well as the best countertop reverse osmosis system. The question remaining is which version should you get for your home? The answer depends on a number of factors, which we will be reviewing through today.
#1: Space limitation
One of the most practical limitation is the space availability in your kitchen. If you are staying in an apartment or a small house, you will find that the under kitchen area is not sufficient to fit in a reverse osmosis system. If you faced this same problem, then a countertop reverse osmosis system is your only bet.
#2: Installation
In terms of installation, countertop RO systems offers a much better experience as the steps are easier to follow. For under sink installation, it is good to have some experience doing your own plumping or you might need to spend hours figuring out what goes where. Alternatively, you can always hire a plumber to do the installation for you. It will cost you money but will save you lots of headache.
#3: Capacity
Another important difference between under kitchen and counter top RO units is the amount of water they can generate. Most of the time, countertop reverse osmosis systems have a weaker water flow so the amount they can produce per day is limited. Under kitchen RO units, on the other hand, can produce hundreds of gallons of clean water, depending on which model you buy. Most of the time, if you need large quantities of clean water, there is the 200 gallon, 400 galleon and 1000 gallon reverse osmosis systems to choose from.
#4: Speed
As mentioned in #3, the water flow is slower in most counter top RO systems. Usually, it is not as fast as turning on the tap as you need to wait for the water to be filtered. The solution is to store up the clean or filtered water first in storage jars and use them when needed. For under sink reverse osmosis systems, they can be pretty instant. If not, it is probably because the pressure is insufficient. In that case, you will need a booster pump to get the pressure up. Some under sink RO units have built in booster pump to reduce the installation problems but they usually cost more as they are priced in the USD500+ range.
#5: Price
Prices wise, a counter top reverse osmosis system is usually cheaper by a range of USD50 to USD100+ if you compare it an average under kitchen RO unit. If you are talking about high end under sink systems, then the difference can be a few hundred dollars.
#6: Water quality
Surprising, there isn’t too much difference when it comes to the water quality produced by both under kitchen and countertop models. I have seen both models that are capable of bringing the TDM down to within less than 10 PPM. That is a good indicator that you are getting excellent water quality from these reverse osmosis systems.
Conclusion
After reading this, you should know that water quality is not the issue when choosing between the under kitchen or counter top reverse osmosis system. The decision lies in how much water you are going to use, your budget as well as your preference for speed.