Express Water RO5DX RO Filter Review

The need for water filtration cannot be ignored in the present times due to increasing water pollution and different types of contaminants being identified in recent times. You have to make sure that you have amped up your protection against these contaminants by installing the latest and powerful filtration units. If you have heard about Express Water RO5DX 5, and want to know more about it, you are at the right place.

In this review, we are going to evaluate every feature of RO5DX 5, list the pros and cons, and give our verdict at the end.

Express Water Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System – NSF Certified 5 Stage RO Water Filter System with Faucet and Tank – Under Sink Water Filter

Filtration Stages and Capabilities

The unit comes with a 5-stage filtration mechanism to provide you with pure and healthy drinking water. It provides you with 99.99% pure water, and this water is better than bottled water when it comes to purity and taste. Each stage can remove different contaminants from the water depending upon the filter being used in it. Let’s look at the working of each step independently.

Stage 1: Sediment Filter – The first filter is the sediment filter, and it removes particles like sand, dust, rust, dirt, and other suspended particles in water. It is also responsible for protecting and enhancing the lives of the next filters in the unit. The sediment filter acts as the first line of defense.

Stage 2: Carbon Block Filter – The second stage is the carbon block filter. As the name implies, it is placed to block chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and deal with taste and odor problems in water. It also focuses on chemicals in water such as insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and other industrial solvents and waste materials.

Stage 3: Granular Carbon Filter – The next stage is an extension of the 2nd stage. It is a more advanced step for filtering all the contaminants mentioned above. The granular carbon increases the surface area. As the water passes through granules, it helps in removing any leftover contaminants in the water. The chlorine taste and smell are further removed from water in this stage.

Stage 4: The Reverse Osmosis Membrane – It is the most critical part of the unit. It is where all the hard work happens, and most of the tough contaminants from your water are removed from it. The membrane is so small and fine that it allows only water molecules to pass through it. All the bacteria, viruses, heavy metals like lead, arsenic, chromium, mercury, copper, TDS are removed from your water, and dangerous contaminants like hydrocarbons, fluoride, radium, barium, uranium, sulfate, phosphate are also removed from the water.  These filtration capabilities make the filter ideal for well water and municipal water sources as well. Any contaminant, irrespective of its size and nature will be captured during this stage, resulting in 99.99% pure water.

Stage 5: Post Activated Carbon Filter –The post activated carbon filter has been placed at the last to ensure a final polishing of your water. It removes any leftover taste or smells from water, so you get to enjoy an excellent taste and odorless water.

Filter Replacement

When you are buying a big and advanced unit like RO5DX 5, you need to have a look at the filter replacement schedule.  The first three filters have a stated life of 6 months but can last for around 9 months depending upon the quality of water in your area and the number of gallons you filter daily from the unit. The unit has a maximum capacity of providing 50 gallons per day. The RO membrane and the post activated carbon filters have a life of 1 year, but they can also work for around 1.5 years depending on the quality of water and volume of water you filter from it. Another advantage of buying this unit is that you get 1 set of replacement filters free of cost which will work for 1-year. It will reduce the replacement cost for the first year, and you get to enjoy pure and healthy water at cheap rates.

Water Storage Capacity and Production Capacity

You get a storage tank of 3.2-gallon capacity, and the unit has a production capacity of 50 gallons per day. The daily water needs of a healthy American adult is 0.8-1.2 gallons, 50 GPD can satisfy a medium to large family’s drinking needs, cooking needs, water for washing eatables and drinking water for your pets. If you don’t waste water, 50 gallons a day are enough. Yes, we know that the water capacity this system is providing is a bit less than other 5-stage systems, but it is still substantially plenty of water.

Water Flow Rate

The unit offers a flow rate of 0.8 GPM. This flow rate is very fast as compared to other 5-stage filtration units. It is quite a testament to the fact that it is a powerful machine. You can quickly fill all the water bottles; wash your eatables without any worries and in less time.

Water Wastage

Every RO system has water wastage. In order to clean the membrane, a certain amount of water is wasted for every gallon of water it filters. This system wastes around 3 gallons of water for every 1 gallon of pure water produced. You need to make sure that this water is not wasted. You can use it for gardening, cleaning your home, and other such purposes. The water wastage ratio is high as compared to other RO systems. The latest technology only wastes around 2 gallons of water for 1 gallon of pure water.

Installation

The installation is an easy process; you do not need to call any professional for installation if you are aware of the basic plumbing knowledge. It comes with an installation manual which is illustrated with pictures to help you complete the installation process without any external help. It will take you a maximum of 2 hours to complete the entire process. The filter portion of the model is already assembled, and it is really helpful in the DIY installation. You must install the faucet at the first stage and leave the tubing at full length, install the input line for cold water, then the water tank, go for installing the drain tube, and then make the connections. The quick-connect tubing system also helps in easy installation. The best place to install the system is inside your kitchen cabinet under the sink. However, it is a versatile machine and can be installed in a wall-mounted design, countertop style, or a free-standing position. The color-coded tubing and filters make the installation process easier and less confusing.

Technical Details

As far as the technical details of the system are concerned, it is compatible with 3/8 inches and ½ inches under sink connections. You can use connectors if you have different sized pipes. The suitable pressure for operation is 40-80 PSI, the system is not able to handle pressure above 80 PSI, and it can end up being damaged due to the high pressure of water. It comes with a leak stopper which automatically shuts off the water flow once the water tank is full. You won’t get to experience any water leaks. It is an advantage of using this system, and such features are usually absent in other filtration units.  One good thing about this system is that it is easily upgradeable to advanced filtration setups. You can add additional filters like UV purification light, re-mineralization or an alkaline filter with the help of quick connect technology.

Warranty and Customer Service

You get a 1-year warranty with this filter. We understand that this warranty is very less as compared to other filtration units in the market. However, the Express Water products are so smooth, and of excellent quality that you don’t need any sort of warranty on them, you will rarely face any issue with them. The company offers a 24/7, highly responsive, and cooperative customer service to help out its customers. Just give them a call and they will make sure that your problems are solved ASAP.

Materials and Certifications

All the materials used in the making are certified by NSF, WQA, and other leading certification bodies. The plastic used is BPA free and is of high quality. You don’t need to worry about the structural integrity of this unit as it is a durable and reliable unit. The unit meets NSF standard 58 for system construction and is certified against lead removal. The system is tested by an air jet system for any leaks and is tested that it operated fine under the mentioned water pressure of 80 PSI.

Cost Analysis

The cost of the unit is economical. You don’t have to pay hefty amounts to buy this system. Another lucrative offer is the free replacement pack you get along the initial purchase. You won’t have to spend a single penny on this system for at least 1 year after buying it. The replacement cartridges are also economically priced. It will save you a lot of money as compared to water bottles and still provide you with better water as compared to water bottles.

Final Verdict and Rating