APEC Essence ROES-50
Score: 78/100
iSpring RO500AK
Score: 92/100Rankings
The iSpring RO500AK-BN is an NSF 58 certified tankless reverse osmosis system designed for under-sink installation, producing 500 gallons of filtered water per day. It features a three-stage filtration process with alkaline remineralization and a high-efficiency 2:1 pure-to-wastewater ratio to reduce water waste. Recommended for families, offices, and commercial settings due to its fast flow rate and high daily capacity.
The APEC ROES-50 Essence is a budget-friendly 5-stage under-sink reverse osmosis system designed for DIY installation, producing 50 gallons of purified water daily. It features a 4-gallon storage tank and utilizes a FILMTEC membrane to remove up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, and PFAS. However, experts note its high wastewater ratio and lack of full NSF/ANSI 58 certification compared to newer, more efficient models.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
5 stagesbest | 3 stages | |
50 gallons per day | 500 gallons per daybest | |
99.99 percentbest | 99 percent | |
4 gallonsbest | 0 gallons | |
1,000 countbest | 1,000 countbest | |
12 monthsbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 5.25 inches | 5.2 inchesbest |
| ↓ lower better | 17.5 inches | 16.25 inchesbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compliance & Safety(1) | ||
Certifications | WQA Gold Seal | NSF 58 |
Storage(1) | ||
Storage Tank Capacity (gallons) | 4 gallons | 0 gallons |
General(1) | ||
Installation Type | Under Sink | Under-sink |
Maintenance(1) | ||
Filter Lifespan (months) | 12 months | Not specified months |
Design(2) | ||
System Width (inches) | 5.25 inches | 5.2 inches |
System Height (inches) | 17.5 inches | 16.25 inches |
Power(1) | ||
Power Requirement | false | true |
Performance(5) | ||
Filtration Stages (stages) | 5 stages | 3 stages |
Daily Production Rate (gallons per day) | 50 gallons per day | 500 gallons per day |
TDS Reduction Rate (percent) | 99.99 percent | 99 percent |
Wastewater Ratio | 3:1 | 2:1 |
Feed Water Pressure (PSI) | 40 PSI | Not specified PSI |
Features(1) | ||
Remineralization | false | true |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers praise the APEC ROES-50 as a top pick for filtration performance relative to its price, describing it as a proven workhorse that punches above its weight class in removing critical contaminants.
Everyday consumers generally express high satisfaction with the water quality, noting it tastes better than bottled water and effectively removes city water odors. Recurring complaints focus on the messiness of changing filters, slow flow rates in low-pressure homes, and the high volume of wastewater produced.
“Great-tasting water, easy install, reliable for years.”
“Removes bad taste/odor from city water; better than bottled.”
“Filter changes messy; water everywhere.”
Professional sources highlight the iSpring RO500AK-BN's NSF 58 certification as a key differentiator, noting that it covers the entire system's performance rather than just individual components. The system is recommended for families, offices, and commercial settings due to its fast flow rate and high daily capacity.
The available search results do not contain specific user reviews, testimonials, or detailed consumer feedback regarding praise or complaints.
