APEC RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Review [2022]

apec portable countertop water filter system

Reverse osmosis units are a great way of ensuring a consistent supply of clean water. With these, you and your family can be sure of getting healthy and drinkable water right from the tap.

One of the best RO systems for the home that we have come across is the APEC RO-CTOP reverse osmosis filter. It has stood out to us with its remarkable construction quality and the plethora of features it comes with. It works astoundingly well, considering its size of 16 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches. 

Users can enjoy quality drinking water that tastes good, too, since no chemical treatment is involved. There are almost no impurities left in the water after it has been through the four-stage filtration process. So, let’s find out more about one of the great APEC RO systems out there. 

apec portable countertop reverse osmosis water filter system

APEC RO-CTOP Filter Key Features

The APEC RO-CTOP filter is a reliable option because of its useful features. Let’s have a look at the key features to understand this filtration system better.

Design

It is a sleek and compact filter with dimensions of only 16 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches. There are four filters in it with a RO membrane. There are two hoses for feed and waste water and one for pure water. This way, the channels for pure and impure water are completely apart, removing any chances of mixing these two.  

Ease of Use

Another key feature is the ease of use when it comes to this RO filter unit. The system weighs only 7 lbs, which increases its portability, so you can take it along to your new house quite easily. Additionally, the filters work automatically, and you do not have to worry about taking part in any of the steps of filtration. 

Water Flavor:

You can expect to have absolutely no odor or foul taste in the water once this RO system filters it. The coconut shell granular activated carbon filter in it absorbs all the chlorine from the water. It also absorbs other similar components that might make water unpleasant to drink. So, the APEC RO-CTOP filter leaves the flavor of water as pleasant and soothing as you want it to.

Product Specifications

You now know the features that make the APEC RO-CTOP filter stand out from others. Let’s go through the product specifications that make it a unit worthy of your investment.

Filtration Capacity:

The APEC RO-CTOP filter has a filtration capacity of 90 gallons per day. This is quite impressive considering its size and the wastage of only 2 gallons for 1 gallon of purified water. 

Flow Rate

The APEC RO-CTOP filter flow rate is quite impressive at a pressure of 35 to 90 psi. The flow rate in terms of GDP (gallons per day) is 90. The water pressure should be in the advised range to maintain this flow rate. Below this, you will have to use a water pump to keep the flow of water in this filter system running. 

NSF Certification

To top off other features, it has an NSF certification as well. It has been tested keeping 5 NSF standards in view. This filtration system can remove 80 water impurities, which increases its reliability. Since the APEC RO-CTOP filter has proved its water purification ability in several independent lab tests, it is quite trustworthy. 

Setup of APEC RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis

Setting up the APEC RO-CTOP filter is not that hard since the unit comes fully assembled. You just have to take it out of the packaging and fix everything in the right place. Here is a brief overview of the steps that you have to take care of while installing it.

  1. Remove the header from the faucet in your kitchen’s sink and check if it needs a valve adaptor. If it does need one, then you should insert a valve adaptor before the next step. 
  2. Now, hook the faucet adaptor of your RO system in the header and secure it in place.
  3. After this, turn the diverter head to let water into the RO system. Make sure to keep the faucet open at the maximum level to maintain high water pressure. The water running through the system at this point should be lukewarm to ensure a smooth setup.
  4. Direct the pure water outlet into a clean container and remove the red cap from it. 
  5. Meanwhile, the brine water produced as a result of purification will drain through the faucet adaptor. You do not have to worry about this since the RO systems produce brine water while filtering water. 

Filter Cleaning Process

After installing the APEC RO-CTOP filter, the next step is to make sure the filters are clean and functional. For this, you have to follow these simple steps.

  • Push down and hold the fitting collet ring to disconnect the tubing in a filter.
  • Now, pull out the tubing using small pliers.
  • Once you have pulled it out, discard the old worn-out filter.
  • Finally, insert the tubing into the new cartridge, and the filter will be all set to work again. 

Maintenance and Care

The maintenance of the APEC RO-CTOP filter is quite significant as it affects the life of the product as well as your health. With time, the filters wear out and do not perform as well as they should to provide you clean water. This is why you have to change the filters in time to prevent any inconvenience.

The pre-filters need replacement after six to eight months of use. These filters cover the first two stages of filtration; hence they accumulate more impurities and need more frequent replacements. 

For stage three filters, which are also known as a membrane, you have two options. If you consume well water, then you need to change the membrane every two years. But, it can last up to three years in the case of city water as it is generally cleaner than well water. 

The post-filter or the stage four filter needs a replacement after two years of use as well. It is advisable to change both membrane and post-filter simultaneously to avoid hassle. 

apec portable countertop water filter system

Pros and cons of the APEC RO-CTOP Water Filter

APEC RO-CTOP filter comes with a lot of features that make it worth the investment. However, with so many benefits at hand, it has some drawbacks as well. We’ve listed both the pros and cons below to help you determine if it’s the right choice.  

Pros of APEC RO-CTOP filter

Portability

What strikes us the most about this RO filter system is that it has a very lightweight body, weighing only 7lbs. This, along with the sleek dimensions of 16 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches, makes it very easy to carry and travel around. 

Simple Installation

The APEC RO-CTOP has a plug-and-play design, so the installation is rather simple. You just have to set up the faucet head adapter; that’s it!

BPA-free Construction:

The construction materials used for this RO system are completely BPA-free. This way, you will not be consuming any detrimental components along with the water treated in the APEC RO-CTOP.

Warranty

This filtration system comes with a limited warranty of one year. This way, you can be sure of getting a RO system that you can actually rely on. 

Efficiency

One of the major perks of this system is that it does not waste as much water as other units. It produces two gallons of brine water for every single gallon of water purification.

Cons of APEC RO-CTOP filter:

The only con for this RO filter is that it can seem a bit pricey for buyers. Other products on the market can work nearly as well as this filter, but without the high cost. 

How the APEC RO-CTOP differs from its Competitors

The APEC RO-CTOP has left many of its competitors behind with its amazing construction quality and working mechanism.

The first thing that distinguishes it is its plug-and-play design. It does not involve a tricky installation like other filters for which you might have to call a plumber.

Another difference is that this unit produces only two gallons of wastewater on generating one gallon of clean water. Other systems generally produce three or more gallons of wastewater for the same amount of purified water. This makes APEC RO-CTOP more efficient and eco-friendly.

We prefer the APEC RO-CTOP over others also because it can clean 99% of contaminants from water. This is a value that other filters do not guarantee as they do not have NSF certification either.

Where to Buy APEC RO-CTOP

If you think that the APEC RO-CTOP is just what you need, you can buy it here

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