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This Water Filter is Worth Sacrificing Counter Space

This full-coverage five-stage filter dispenses water at the touch of a button.
Waterdrop A12 in use on a countertop
Photo: Elizabeth Briskin

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Though I live in New York City, which many believe has some of the world’s best tap water, I like to run my H2O through a filter for good measure. I’ve tested all kinds of filters, from in-fridge pitchers to gravity-fed contraptions to under-the-sink installations. 

The Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter stood out because it accommodates a high volume of water, promises to dispense both hot and cold water at the touch of a button, and is equipped with a powerful five-stage filter. 

Rating: 4/5

Best Reverse Osmosis Countertop Filter

Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter

Waterdrop RO Countertop Water Filter

The appliance requires a bit of setup. It’s large, though not overly heavy, and it can be installed on the counter by one person. After you unwrap and install the various parts, the machine needs to run through an initial system flushing, which takes about an hour. Once that’s finished, you fill the rear water reservoir, and it’s ready to use.

The filter dispenses water in six temperatures, supposedly between 50 and 203 degrees Fahrenheit. I didn’t find that the coldest setting was all that cold, certainly not as cold as refrigerated water. It also has five automatic volume settings (from 4 ounces to 20 ounces) that dispense with the press of a button. This is a handy feature, as it means you don’t have to stand by the machine holding a button to get your water.

  • Waterdrop A12 full watertank
  • Waterdrop A12 side
  • Waterdrop A12 filter
  • Waterdrop A12
  • Waterdrop A12 water tank

The water from the Waterdrop tastes great; it’s pure, clean, and clear. You do have to rinse and replace the water in the tank every day, even if it’s not drained. A couple of times, I noticed a film developed on the water surface in the tank if I didn’t rinse it daily (this is before the water runs through the filter). 

Ultimately, the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Countertop Filter is a convenient water cleaning solution that removes a long list of potential contaminants, as well as minerals commonly found in tap water (TDS, PFOA, PFOS, chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, lead, nitrate, chromium-VI, copper, sediment, and salt). Unlike a pitcher-style filter, there’s no waiting for the water to trickle down; as soon as the tank is full, it’s ready to dispense. Though the cold setting isn’t as cold as I’d like, and the system does demand some counter space, if you have the room to spare and are looking for a full-coverage filter with instant water dispensing, this is a great choice. 

Where to Buy the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter

Get the Waterdrop RO Countertop Water Filter at:

 

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Lizzy Briskin Avatar

Lizzy Briskin

Contributing Writer and Editor

Lizzy Briskin is a trained chef, writer, and reviewer with over 6 years of experience in the industry. She has contributed to BobVila.com since 2022 and focuses on kitchen products and home projects.