Reverse osmosis drinking water systems for under your sink come in many sizes and price ranges. Some have 3 canisters and 4 stages, another has 5 canisters and 11 stages, which one is right for you, and more importantly how much is the best one for you going to cost?
How Much Does An Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System Cost? Under-sink reverse osmosis systems can vary from $150 to over $3000. The most popular systems cost between $200 and $600, depending on how many stages the system has, and how many gallons of water that it can produce per day.
I have put together some descriptions and details of some highly recommended under sink reverse osmosis systems, and how much they should cost. Let’s get an idea of just how much an under sink reverse osmosis system should cost you.
What does an under-sink reverse osmosis system do, and what is the cost of the one that is right for you.
It’s not quite as simple as, get 3 stages for this much, and 7 stages will cost you this much. Every manufacturer makes its system different, and therefore even similar systems can cost different prices.
But if you are only looking to reduce sodium in your drinking water, a reverse osmosis system doesn’t have to cost very much at all.
The original reason that the process of reverse osmosis was developed, was to remove sodium from ocean water to make it drinkable.
The process involves running water through a semi-permeable membrane that allows water to flow through, but rejects unwanted contaminants, and rinses them away. This is the primary function of all reverse osmosis drinking water systems.
So, if you are just looking to lower the sodium in the water that you are drinking, a reverse osmosis drinking water system could cost you very little.
But don’t go online and buy the cheapest reverse osmosis system that you can find just yet!
Remember the old saying “You get what you paid for”, well this applies to reverse osmosis drinking water systems as well as any other item you might buy.
Even if all that you want is to lower sodium in your water, quality, reliability, and ease of use should be considered when choosing a reverse osmosis drinking water system.
Fortunately, I have found that quality, reliability, and ease of use in a reverse osmosis system does not have to cost much more than a system without it. It is worth the little extra money to get a reverse osmosis system that will last you a long time and deliver quality water.
If you are in the market for an under sink reverse osmosis drinking water system for your home, I suggest that you take a look at my recommended reverse osmosis systems, to give you a good idea of what you might want in a reverse osmosis system.
Where you get your water from, can affect the cost of the reverse osmosis system you need.
The most basic reverse osmosis drinking water system will greatly reduce sodium in your water, but it may not be equipped to remove chemicals like chlorine which is commonly used to disinfect municipal water supplies.
When a municipal water supplier treats your water with chlorine, they normally do not remove it after it has disinfected your water. This means that chlorine may still be in your drinking water when it reaches your home.
Some reverse osmosis drinking water systems only come with a sediment pre-filter to protect the reverse osmosis membrane from debris, but this will not protect your reverse osmosis membrane from chlorine.
If you get your water from a municipal water supplier that uses chlorine to disinfect the water, your reverse osmosis drinking water system should have a carbon pre-filter to remove the chlorine before it can get to the reverse osmosis membrane.
The additional cost of a reverse osmosis system that has a carbon pre-filter for chlorine removal is very minimal. In many cases, a comparable system with a carbon pre-filter may cost as little as $30 more, but it is worth it for the protection of your reverse osmosis membrane.
Since most reverse osmosis systems already use a carbon filter after the reverse osmosis membrane for improving the taste of the water and to reduce any contaminants in the water that may cause odors, there is often little need for many additional stages that could cause the cost to go up.
A reverse osmosis system can raise the pH of your drinking water, and it won’t cost you much extra!
But there are slightly more expensive reverse osmosis drinking water systems available that can improve the taste and increase the pH of your water after it has had the impurities removed from it.
They do this by adding a stage that uses calcium to add a smooth taste to the water, reduce the acidity, and calcium is also important for good health.
The cost of a pH increasing and taste improving reverse osmosis system is still very reasonable. They can range from around $200 to $300, and this additional stage is also available on many other systems with other stages at a slightly higher cost.
What you want to be removed from your water will have an effect on how much an under the sink reverse osmosis system will cost.
Sometimes water will have contaminants that you will want to be removed from your water other than just sodium.
Very high levels of sodium, arsenic, V.O.C.s, and other water contaminants may require a more elaborate reverse osmosis system, which of course will mean a higher cost.
Although you can find very high-quality reverse osmosis systems that have additional contaminant removal stages to them, if you have unique contaminants in your water, you may need to get a reverse osmosis system with special filtering abilities.
These high-end reverse osmosis drinking water systems can range from around $1000 to about $1700, and some can cost as much as $3000, but it is very rare that I come across a situation where that kind of filtration is necessary.
Most families find that a 3 to 7 stage reverse osmosis does a great job of purifying their water. That’s why I have chosen mostly these types of systems in my recommended reverse osmosis section.
The more gallons of reverse osmosis water you want to have per day will cost you more.
When looking at reverse osmosis systems and what they cost, you will find that the difference in the amount of water that a system can produce per day can greatly affect the cost of the system.
You will likely see reverse osmosis systems that will produce 50, 75, or even 100 gallons of water per day.
Now, ask yourself, do you really think that you will ever need to use 100 gallons of reverse osmosis water for your home in one day?
If you have a large family or plan on using reverse osmosis for light commercial use, then you might want to consider getting one that will give you 100 gallons per day. But most families use less than 50 gallons per day on average.
And you should also consider that producing a high volume of reverse osmosis water per day can often mean that the quality of the water will not be as good as a system that only needs to produce 50 gallons per day.
Why would you want a reverse osmosis drinking water system that will cost you more, just so it can produce more water than you will use?
In most cases, I recommend adding a larger reverse osmosis water storage tank rather than getting a system that will produce more water per day.
Why is this? Because a reverse osmosis drinking water system will fill a storage tank whenever it is needed. This means that the system will fill the storage tank overnight, and refill the tank at any time during the day when the water has been used.
For even a large family, this will provide plenty of water each day, without the cost of a higher volume system.
Just the name alone can make an under sink reverse osmosis cost more.
You’ve probably heard of a few water treatment companies that boast about being “The best in the industry”, or “HEY” call us. And you are probably familiar with the fact that an item can cost considerably more, just because it has the name of a big company on it.
Well, the same applies to under sink reverse osmosis drinking water systems.
When looking into purchasing an under sink reverse osmosis system, there are a few brands out there that you may not have heard of, but they are some of the best reverse osmosis companies in the business.
Since they specialize in making high quality under sink reverse osmosis systems as well as countertop and wholes house reverse osmosis systems, and not on an expensive advertisement, they are able to keep the cost of their systems very reasonable.
And as for reliability, and value, that is exactly what they concentrate on to be the most popular, with highly rated reviews. So don’t let the moderate cost of a well-reviewed under sink reverse osmosis system phase you. They are of high quality, long-lasting systems.
A highly rated under sink reverse osmosis system doesn’t have to mean a higher cost.
Online reviews are so important when choosing anything that you are looking to purchase. Most people consider a product review rating to be as important as the cost of the item.
And when it comes to deciding between one item and another similar item, the reviews are almost always the tiebreaker.
The cost of an under sink reverse osmosis system is just a number, but the value of an under sink reverse osmosis system is what you should be looking for when deciding on which is best for you and your family.
Seeing that a reverse osmosis system has positive reviews, and plenty of them can tell you a lot about the value of the system, and not just the cost.
Have other people found the system easy to use, does it produce great tasting water, are the filters easy to change?
Find out what other people are saying!
These are all very important questions that you can often find answers to, just by checking the reviews that have been left by people that already own the system that you are considering owning yourself.
The cost of an under sink reverse osmosis system is important, but when it comes to the actual value of a system, nothing beats checking the reviews.
All of my recommended reverse osmosis drinking water systems have great ratings and tons of great reviews, if they didn’t, I wouldn’t recommend them.
Adding a pump will pump-up the cost.
In some cases, where you may want to install your under sink reverse osmosis system in a spot other than under your sink, you may want to consider getting a system that has the addition of an assist pump.
The cost of an under-sink reverse osmosis system with an assist pump to increase the water pressure going to your faucet is minimal, and if you would like to install your system some distance away from your sink, an assist pump may be an important addition.
Check out my article on where to install a reverse osmosis system to see if the small cost of having a booster pump on your reverse osmosis system is a wise decision.
Beware of middlemen selling reverse osmosis systems that cost more than the original!
Have you ever been shopping for something, and noticed two items that look exactly alike just with a different name on the label. Then you look at the price tags and see that one is much more money than the other. This is very common with under counter reverse osmosis systems.
It’s always good to compare apples to apples, but not when the apples are exactly the same, just in different wrapping.
I find that if you see many well-rated models of under sink reverse osmosis systems with the same name on them, they are likely from a respectable company that has been marketing their own product for quite some time.
It’s when you see that one system that costs more and looks just like another one, but has no other systems available that you have to look out for. So if you find several models by the same company, pick the one that fits you best, and you should have found a good deal.
Don’t judge an under sink reverse osmosis system by its cost, get what is right for you!
Every under sink reverse osmosis system is going to improve your drinking water if your drinking water has dissolved solids in it that make the water taste bad. But, not all under sink reverse osmosis systems will help with everything that could be making your water un-pleasant to drink.
If you have any odors in your water, a basic under sink reverse osmosis may not reduce the odor at all. Getting a system with a carbon filter stage, will reduce odors in your water, and improve the taste.
In many cases, an under sink reverse osmosis system will have a carbon pre-filter for chlorine reduction, and a carbon post filter to reduce contaminants that create an odor in water.
If the odor is one of your concerns, the cost of getting the additional carbon stage is usually minimal, but well worth it.
There are even under sink reverse osmosis systems that have an ultraviolet light for disinfecting your drinking water of organic material, like bacteria.
Surprisingly, this extra water treatment stage does not cost very much more, and you can easily change the ultraviolet bulb yourself.
Although having a low-cost ultraviolet disinfection stage on your under sink reverse osmosis system may be a nice idea if your water comes from a municipal water supplier, it has probably already been treated with chlorine to disinfect the water, so although the cost of this stage is not all that much, it should not be necessary.
If you think that an under sink reverse osmosis system with UV protection may be right for you, see my recommended reverse osmosis systems to find the one that best suits your needs.
There are some other bells and whistles that may appeal to you, and get whichever ones that you feel might benefit you, but I strongly suggest that you purchase an under sink reverse osmosis system based on what it will do for you, and not just the cost.
If you are just looking for a cheap cost, you may get a cheap quality system!
What I am talking about here is just the overall quality of an under sink reverse osmosis system, and how the cost does and does not always reflect the quality of an item.
Before Henry Ford started building cars using an assembly line, cars were far more expensive, and far less reliable. Just because one under sink reverse osmosis system costs more than another, does not make it better.
It’s not that mass-producing reverse osmosis systems make them better, and at a better price, but most products that have been made on a large scale over a long period of time, will cost less because they have been improved over time.
Cost is always a factor nowadays, but the value is what you should be looking for in a reverse osmosis system.
I often will first look at the top of the line of a particular product that I am interested in buying, pick what features I want to have from that top of the line model, and then look for the model that has just those features that I want.
Yes, the cost of the product is important, but if you don’t purchase an item that will work best for you, aren’t you settling for something that you don’t really want. I would rather get the product that will make me happy, even if it will cost me a little more money.
Stick to the basics to keep the cost down.
An under-sink reverse osmosis system doesn’t have to look fancy, and if you are on a budget, and need to keep the cost as far down as you can, keep it simple. remember that the main purpose of a reverse osmosis system is to remove dissolved solids, like salt from your water.
To keep the cost way down without sacrificing quality, get a name brand under-sink reverse osmosis system that only has what is needed.
A sediment pre-filter, the reverse osmosis membrane, and a carbon post filter. That is all you really need for healthier water.
Providing that you don’t need a carbon pre-filter for municipally supplied water, the sediment pre-filter will protect the membrane from debris, then the membrane will purify your water by reducing the dissolved solids in it, and then a carbon post-filter will reduce odors and improve the taste. That’s it!
That is all you really need in an under-sink reverse osmosis system.
Bells and whistles on an under the sink reverse osmosis system can be expensive!
Just like any other hot product on the market, if you want a bunch of extra bells and whistles on an under sink reverse osmosis system, they are certainly available.
It seems that no matter what it might be if there is a gimmick that appeals to some people, there is a company that will sell it.
Many extra features on a reverse osmosis system may be very nice to have, and if you think that you would like to have them, by all means, get them.
Just be aware that there are often features that will have no benefit to you, so if the cost if a factor, you should probably not consider the unnecessary extras.
Where can I get the best price for an under sink reverse osmosis system?
You could go from store to store and hope to find a good price on an under sink reverse osmosis system and hope that it is a well-rated model. But you will almost always find the best prices, on the most popular models online.
I have looked for the best deals on all kinds of water-related products online and you can see my reverse osmosis finds on my recommended reverse osmosis systems page.
How much does it cost to install an under-sink reverse osmosis system?
If you are a little handy and would like to install your new under sink reverse osmosis system yourself, the cost to install it is almost nothing as long as you have the basic tools needed to do it yourself.
You can often install the reverse osmosis faucet right in an existing hole on your kitchen sink. And, with just a few screws, you can have the main system in place in almost no time.
But if you think that you would rather have a pro install your reverse osmosis system, it should cost between $150 and $400, depending on your location, and the complexity of the system that you have purchased.
An identical under sink reverse osmosis system may cost $150 to install in one area, but because of a difference in cost of living from one place to another, it may cost you $300 in some other area.
The more bells and whistles that an under sink reverse osmosis system has means more materials, time, and labor is needed to install it. Just another reason that I recommend getting the under sink reverse osmosis system that is right for you, and don’t just purchase one based on the cost of it.
As you can see from my recommended reverse osmosis systems, a high quality, but still reasonably priced 6-stage under sink reverse osmosis system may only cost about $150 – $200 to install by an experienced handyman or plumber.
And a premium 7, 8, or even 11 stage system that comes mostly pre-assembled should cost about the same because the number of connections is about the same.
Only when you get into the more expensive reverse osmosis systems should the cost of installation be much higher than $400.
If you are replacing an old under sink reverse osmosis system, there may be a small cost to dispose of the old system.
Because an under sink reverse osmosis system is primarily made up of plastic with a metal storage tank, there could be an additional cost to have your old system disposed of.
What are the future costs of an under-sink reverse osmosis system?
Replacement filters:
All of my recommended reverse osmosis systems use easy to find replacement filters that are very reasonably priced and easy to change.
The cost of the replacement filters for most highly rated under-sink reverse osmosis systems is usually about $50, and most manufacturers recommend replacing them every 6 months to 1 year.
Some of the more expensive under-sink reverse osmosis systems use filters that could cost you as much as $200.
Reverse osmosis membrane:
Reverse osmosis membranes that the most popular reverse osmosis systems use are not very expensive and can be easily replaced by the average homeowner.
The membrane of an under-sink reverse osmosis system performs the primary function of the system. That is why it is so important to replace the membrane regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
Fortunately, a replacement membrane for the most popular under-sink reverse osmosis systems generally will only cost about $20 – $40 dollars.
But beware of high priced reverse osmosis systems that can charge as much as $200 for a new membrane, and they will want to charge you for a service technician to come and change it for you.
So how much does an under-sink reverse osmosis system cost over its lifetime?
If you were to purchase a mid-priced under-sink reverse osmosis drinking water system that cost $300.00, and you purchase new filters every year for about $50.00, and a new reverse osmosis membrane for about $30.00 every 2 years, your total cost over 15 years (average lifespan of a quality under-sink reverse osmosis system) would be $1,275.00, or $85.00 per year.
So, if you find that your family uses just 2 cases of bottled water per week at $5.00 per case, a $300.00 under-sink reverse osmosis system will pay for its entire first year of use in just eight and a half weeks.
To Sum Up:
Basic 3 stage under sink reverse osmosis system.
Benefits: Reduce sodium (salt) in the water, reduce odors, and to improve the overall taste of the water.
Average cost: $165 – $185
My favorite 3-stage under sink reverse osmosis system!
| Brand | Whirlpool | | | ||||||
| Model | WHER25 | | | Reduces | |||||
| My Rating | 4.5 out of 5 | | | Chlorine | Yes | ||||
| Ease of install | Easy | | | Sodium | Yes | ||||
| Where Installed | Under Sink | | | Dissolved Solids | Yes | ||||
| Number of Stages | 3 | | | Sediment | Yes | ||||
| Estimated Gallons Per Day | 18 | | | Chemicals | Yes | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.5 out of 5 | | | Lead | Yes | ||||
| Permeate Pump | No | | | Microbial Cysts | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | No | |||||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | No |
6 stage under sink reverse osmosis system.
Benefits: Reduce sodium (salt) in the water, reduce odors, improve taste, and reduce chlorine from municipal water supplies. Plus alkaline remineralization stage.
Average cost: $239 – $269
My favorite 6-stage under sink reverse osmosis system!
| Brand | iSpring | | | Reduces | |||||
| Model | RCC7AK | | | Chlorine | Yes | ||||
| My Rating | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Sodium | Yes | ||||
| Ease of install | Easy | | | Dissolved Solids | Yes | ||||
| Where Installed | Under Sink | | | Sediment | Yes | ||||
| Number of Stages | 6 | | | Chemicals | Yes | ||||
| Estimated Gallons Per Day | 75 | | | Lead | Yes | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Microbial Cysts | Yes | ||||
| Permeate (Booster) Pump | No | | | Fluoride | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | Yes | | | Arsenic | Yes | ||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | No | | | Over 900 more | Yes |
6 stage under sink reverse osmosis system with a booster pump.
Benefits: Reduce sodium (salt) in the water, reduce odors, improve taste, and reduce chlorine from municipal water supplies. Plus alkaline remineralization stage and booster pump for stronger water flow.
Average cost: $279 – $299
My favorite 6-stage under sink reverse osmosis system with a booster pump!
| Brand | iSpring | | | Reduces | |||||
| Model | RCC7P-AK | | | Chlorine | Yes | ||||
| My Rating | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Sodium | Yes | ||||
| Ease of install | Easy | | | Dissolved Solids | Yes | ||||
| Where Installed | Under Sink | | | Sediment | Yes | ||||
| Number of Stages | 6 | | | Chemicals | Yes | ||||
| Estimated Gallons Per Day | 75 | | | Lead | Yes | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Microbial Cysts | Yes | ||||
| Permeate (Booster) Pump | Yes | | | Fluoride | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | Yes | | | Arsenic | Yes | ||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | No | | | Over 900 more | Yes |
7 stage under sink reverse osmosis system with ultraviolet light sterilization stage.
Benefits: Reduce sodium (salt) in the water, reduce odors, improve taste, and reduce chlorine from municipal water supplies. Alkaline remineralization stage and booster pump for stronger water flow. Plus an ultraviolet light purifier.
Average cost: $469 – $499
My favorite 7-stage under sink reverse osmosis system with ultraviolet light sterilization stage!
| Brand | iSpring | | | Reduces | |||||
| Model | RCC1UP-AK | | | Chlorine | Yes | ||||
| My Rating | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Sodium | Yes | ||||
| Ease of install | Easy | | | Dissolved Solids | Yes | ||||
| Where Installed | Under Sink | | | Sediment | Yes | ||||
| Number of Stages | 7 | | | Chemicals | Yes | ||||
| Estimated Gallons Per Day | 100 | | | Lead | Yes | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.8 out of 5 | | | Microbial Cysts | Yes | ||||
| Permeate (Booster) Pump | Yes | | | Fluoride | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | Yes | | | Arsenic | Yes | ||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | Yes | | | Over 900 more | Yes |
5 stage high volume under sink reverse osmosis system.
Benefits: Reduce sodium (salt) in the water, reduce odors, improve taste, and reduce chlorine from municipal water supplies. Plus a high volume filtered water production of 500 gallons per day, and one to one clean to drain ratio. For large families or light commercial use.
Average cost: $565- $599
My favorite 5-stage high volume reverse osmosis system!
| Brand | iSpring | | | Reduces | |||||
| Model | RCS5T | | | Chlorine | Yes | ||||
| My Rating | 4.5 out of 5 | | | Sodium | Yes | ||||
| Ease of install | Easy | | | Dissolved Solids | Yes | ||||
| Where Installed | Under Sink | | | Sediment | Yes | ||||
| Number of Stages | 5 | | | Chemicals | Yes | ||||
| Estimated Gallons Per Day | 500 | | | Heavy Metals | Yes | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.5 out of 5 | | | Microbial Cysts | Yes | ||||
| Permeate (Booster) Pump | Yes | | | Fluoride | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | No | | | Arsenic | Yes | ||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | No | | | Much More | Yes |
The average cost of highly rated reverse osmosis systems.
| Model | WHER25 | RCC7AK | RCC7P-AK | RCC1UP-AK | RCS5T | ||||
| Brand | Whirlpool | iSpring | iSpring | iSpring | iSpring | ||||
| Average Cost | $165 – $185 | $239 – $269 | $279 – $299 | $469 – $499 | $565 – $599 | ||||
| My Review | See My Review | See My Review | See My Review | See My Review | See My Review | ||||
| Stages | 3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | ||||
| Installed | Under Sink | Under Sink | Under Sink | Under Sink | Under Sink | ||||
| Overall Value | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||||
| Booster Pump | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||
| Remineralization Stage | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Ultraviolet Protection | No | No | No | Yes | No | ||||
| Available on | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
what about tankless RO systems such as waterdrop?