Choosing between a faucet water filter and an RO water purifier: Which one should you go for?

Clean water is always a top concern for every household nowadays. Therefore, the demand for purchasing water filtration devices is also increasing. To help consumers easily choose the right water filtration device, Mytour will answer the question 'Should you use a faucet water filter or an RO water purifier?' in the following article! Let's follow along.

1. What is a faucet water filter?

A faucet water filter is a device that helps purify tap water, which has become 'HOT' recently. This device is also equipped with various standard filtration levels: activated carbon, sand, gravel, etc., to purify household water.

Faucet water filters have the ability to purify water directly without using electricity. Additionally, their simple and compact design allows them to be directly installed on the faucet. Therefore, this device can be classified as a rough water filter because it does not produce wastewater like RO water purifiers; instead, dirt and sediment are retained inside the machine.

1.1. Structure and Operating Principle

Faucet water filters have a very simple structure consisting of multiple filtration layers including activated carbon, sand, gravel, and other substances. This allows them to filter and remove impurities, bacteria, heavy metals, or microorganisms in water, ensuring efficient household water purification. However, depending on the brand and model, faucet water filters may integrate different filtration technologies.

In terms of operation principle, faucet water filters operate based on the pressure of the flowing water down the faucet instead of using electricity like other types of water filters.

1.2. Advantages Evaluation

• Faucet water filters have the most prominent advantage of compact design, thus not occupying much space in the kitchen.
• Being installed directly on the faucet makes them easy to assemble and maintain when necessary.
• Fast filtration speed due to the simple filtration system and can operate anytime the water faucet is turned on.
• Reasonably priced and affordable, so many consumers choose to buy them.

1.3. Disadvantages

• Faucet water filters do not have the ability to completely purify water of all impurities, microorganisms, bacteria, especially rainwater or well water.
• The filtered water cannot be used for direct consumption but only for washing vegetables, fruits, cooking, as it has fewer filter cores than other types of water filters.
• Durability is not highly evaluated because they are directly installed on the faucet head, requiring regular inspection and replacement.

2. Pros and Cons of RO Water Purifiers

RO water purifiers are water filtration devices that utilize the most advanced RO filtration technology to purify and remove impurities in water, ranging from dirt, pesticides, harmful bacteria to microorganisms. Additionally, they have the ability to supplement many beneficial minerals for health, ensuring pure and safe water. Therefore, these devices are favored by many households today.

2.1. Structure and Operating Principle

RO water purifiers will consist of several basic filter cores such as:

• Filter cores 1, 2, 3: Clean soil, heavy metals, dirt impurities and absorb chlorine, pesticides and plant protection chemicals in water.
• Filter core 4: R.O membrane filters up to 90% of impurities, bacteria, heavy metal ions and microorganisms providing completely pure water.
• Filter core 5: Absorb residual organic compounds, remove chlorine, raise pH to make water naturally sweet,...
• The subsequent filter cores are functional filter cores such as infrared Oxy filter core; Alkaline water filter core; Nano silver functional core, ORP functional core; mineralization core, ...

Depending on the model and brand, the number and type of filter cores of the RO water purifier will vary.

In terms of operation principle, when water is supplied to the RO water purifier, it will pass through filter cores 1,2,3 to remove large-sized impurities and dirt. Then, the water will continue to pass through the RO membrane to remove bacteria and viruses, ensuring clean water stored in the reservoir.

Then, the water will continue to pass through other functional filter cores to supplement beneficial minerals for health and balance the pH level in the water. If 10 liters of tap water are filtered, the RO water purifier will produce about 3-5 liters of clean, pure water, while the rest will be discharged.

2.2. Advantages

• RO water purifiers have a modern design suitable for every living space of the family.
• Efficiently purify water, providing clean, pure water that can be consumed directly without boiling.
• Cleanse all kinds of impurities, bacteria... with super small sizes in all water sources: rainwater, drilled well water...
• Provide beneficial minerals for health, support the treatment of some diseases, detoxify the body, prevent aging, and make food fresher.
• The RO membrane can self-cleanse during water filtration, ensuring better device performance.
• The device will automatically operate to purify water without the need for manual intervention. It will also automatically shut off when the reservoir is full.

2.3. Disadvantages

• RO water purifiers require electricity, resulting in additional monthly electricity costs and inconvenience if there is a power outage.
• Although they effectively filter impurities, RO water purifiers do not retain beneficial trace minerals for health unless additional functional filter cores are used.
• The amount of wastewater after filtration is large, leading to significant wastage of tap water.
• The cost of RO water purifiers is also higher, ranging from 2.7 - 50 million VND depending on the brand, number of filtration stages, and features (price reference at Mytour in November 2023).

3. Comparison between Faucet Water Purifiers and RO Water Purifiers

4. Which is Better: Faucet Water Purifier or RO Water Purifier?

Based on the analysis above, you probably have already noticed the differences between faucet water purifiers and RO water purifiers, haven't you?

You should opt for a faucet water purifier if:

• You have a small living space with insufficient room to install an RO water purifier
• Your usage needs are only for daily activities, cooking
• You have a tight budget but still want to own a water purification device, then a faucet water purifier would be a suitable choice

You should immediately purchase an RO water purifier when:

• Looking for more effective water filtration, especially for polluted water sources for daily use, ensuring pure and safe water for children or the elderly 
• Owning a durable water purification device with superior filtration capabilities that can be directly consumed, then an RO water purifier would be an excellent choice over a faucet water purifier 

Through this article, you've probably found the answer to the question: 'Should I buy a faucet water purifier or an RO water purifier?'. Hopefully, this Mytour article will help you make the best choice of water purifier that meets your family's needs. 

For more detailed advice on this device, please contact Mytour via the advisory hotline: 1900 6788 or visit the link:   to explore more high-quality products! 

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