Many people think reverse osmosis systems are expensive when buying a water purification system because RO systems can effectively remove more than 99% of contaminants and provide drinking water that exceeds tap water standards.

Many good websites offer affordable reverse osmosis systems, and their prices are usually between $150-600. Comprehensive whole-house systems usually provide water for the entire home, which costs more, usually between $1,000 and $3,000.

In this article, we will take a deep dive into the factors that affect the cost of reverse osmosis systems and some tips for purchasing RO reverse osmosis systems. Please continue reading below!

How Much Does A Reverse Osmosis System Cost?

The cost of a reverse osmosis (RO) system depends on various factors, including system size, quality, number of filtration stages, and whether it is for residential or commercial use. Here is a general breakdown of what you might expect:

Under-sink RO Systems

These systems are typically used in residential settings, such as kitchens, living rooms, etc. Some RO systems, such as the TOKIT AquaPure U2, are simple to design and can be used simply by connecting to a power source, with no additional installation costs.

Under-sink RO systems (including the system itself and basic faucets) typically cost around $150 to $600. The TOKIT AquaPure U2 RO system has a 2:1 pure-to-waste ratio, but it sells for $259, and TOKIT provides 1 year of after-sales service and product technical support.

Whole-house RO Systems

Whole-house RO systems are primarily designed to provide purified water to the entire home. These systems are more extensive and therefore more expensive. Costs range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the capacity of the home's plumbing system and customization needs. It’s also more expensive to install an RO system. Because it requires more extensive plumbing work, installation costs can easily run from $500 to $1,000 or more.

These costs also include ongoing maintenance expenses, such as replacing filters and membranes. Filter banks for whole-house systems cost about $50 to $100 per year, depending on the type of system. Reverse osmosis (RO) membranes typically last for several years, but replacements can cost between $100 and $200.

Overall, investing in an RO system requires upfront costs for the equipment and installation, as well as ongoing maintenance expenses. However, for many users, the benefits of having continuous access to pure, safe drinking water in their homes more than offset these costs.

Factors That Affect the Cost of a Reverse Osmosis System

When you consider installing or purchasing a reverse osmosis (RO) system for your home, the price is often driven by different features and functions, each of which can affect the system's performance, durability, and effectiveness. Here are some more detailed factors that affect price:

System Capacity and Size

The size of an RO system is directly related to its capacity, which is usually measured in gallons per day (GPD). Systems designed for whole-house filtration that can treat hundreds of gallons of water per day are much more expensive than smaller under-sink systems that may only need to purify a few gallons of water per day for drinking and cooking.

Number of Filtration Stages

RO systems offer varying numbers of filtration stages, from basic three-stage systems to more advanced five- to seven-stage systems. Each stage typically adds another type of filter, such as a sediment filter, a carbon filter, and the RO membrane itself. More stages can remove a wider range of contaminants but also increase initial cost and maintenance expenses, as filters need to be replaced more frequently.

Component Quality

The manufacturing quality of the system's components is also an important factor in determining price. High-quality membranes and durable filter housings ensure that the system will operate efficiently for a long time, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs. Premium components are more expensive but offer better long-term value through enhanced performance and reduced maintenance.

Membrane Types

The specific type of RO membrane used can affect performance and cost. Some membranes are specially designed to have a higher tolerance to chlorine or a higher rejection of specific contaminants such as fluoride or arsenic. Specialty membranes are generally more expensive but are necessary to treat particularly problematic water sources.

Installation Complexity

Depending on your home's existing plumbing and the specific requirements of your RO system, installation costs can vary widely. Factors such as the need to install additional faucets, integrate with existing water lines, or add a booster pump to increase water pressure can complicate the installation process and increase costs.

Additional Features

Advanced features such as UV purifiers for additional disinfection, built-in water softeners to prevent scale buildup, or remineralizing filters to add beneficial minerals back into the water can improve water quality but can also add complexity and price to the system.

Brand and Warranty

Choosing a reputable brand usually means a higher price, but you can usually expect solid warranties and customer support. A good warranty can cover the cost of replacing defective parts and provide professional service, which can add value despite the higher initial investment.

By considering these detailed factors, you can better assess the true value of an RO system, not just its sticker price, ensuring you invest in a system that meets your specific needs and provides the best return in terms of water quality and system longevity.

Benefits of using an RO system

Using a reverse osmosis system in our daily lives can bring me more convenience, such as the TOKIT AquaPure U2 RO system, which can not only effectively remove some harmful minerals, but also add strontium, which can effectively relieve cell aging, promote digestion, and absorption, prevent osteoporosis, etc. The following are its main benefits:

• Effective purification: removes a variety of pollutants, including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and chemical residues, making the water safe to drink.
• Improved taste: After multiple stages of filtration, especially activated carbon and post-carbon filters, it ensures that any unpleasant tastes and odors are removed.
• Health benefits: By filtering out harmful contaminants and adding minerals back into the water, such systems help make drinking water healthier.
• Convenience: Provides clean water directly from the tap, eliminating the need for bottled water, and thereby reducing plastic waste.
• Economic: Although there is an upfront cost, RO systems can save money in the long run compared to buying bottled water.

By integrating these stages and advantages, systems such as TOKIT AquaPure provide a comprehensive solution to meet household water purification needs, effectively combining health, taste, and environmental considerations.

Tips for buying a Reverse Osmosis System

• Know your water quality: Test the water quality first to understand the main contaminants.
• Determine the purpose: Determine the need to choose an under-sink, countertop or whole-house RO system.
• Budget considerations: Under-sink systems and countertop RO systems are cheaper, while whole-house systems are more expensive.
• Filtration efficiency and pure-to-waste ratio: Choose a water purification system with high efficiency and a pure-to-waste ratio of at least 2:1.
• Installation requirements: Confirm the installation space and pipe conditions.
• Maintenance costs: Understand the cost of regular replacement of filters and membranes.
• After-sales service and technical support: Choose a brand that provides good after-sales service.
• Environmental considerations: Choose products with a low waste-to-water ratio and good water-saving effect.

Summary

In summary, understanding some of the advantages and cost prices of these reverse osmosis systems, as well as the installation and maintenance costs involved, can help users buy the right products more friendly. Whether choosing a simpler under-sink model countertop water purifier or a full-size whole-house system, it can improve our daily water quality problems.

TOKIT AquaPure U2 uses a 6-stage RO filtration system and a barrel-free design to ensure that every drop of water is pure and safe, and improves the taste of water quality through a post-mineralized filter. It is equipped with a 600G large flux of 1.5L/min, which can meet daily drinking water needs.

The dual faucet design, integrated water path, filter life indicator light and regular automatic flushing function make it easy to install and worry-free to use. It is an efficient and economical water purification solution. Now TOKIT AquaPure U2 is on hot pre-sale. Click here to learn about our products and get relevant discounts!

Related reading: What is a reverse osmosis system?