Review: Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Jan 26, 2024
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The Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System features a solid filtration process including remineralization and NSF certification. Does it check all the boxes though, or are there any notable shortcomings? Let’s find out in today’s review!
Contents
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Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Stages: | 5 |
| Water Flow: | Not Specified |
| NSF Certifications: | 58 |
| Annual Cost: | ~$120 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System – All Specs
- Model: AQVR5
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$120
- Filter Media/Process: Sediment Pre, Carbon Pre, RO, Carbon Post + Remineralization
- Filter Stages: 5
- Recovery Rate: 25%
- Filtering Capacity: 6-24 Months
- WxHxD: 13.5″x14.4″x4.3″
- Tank: 9.4″x14.3″x9.4″, 3.2 gal
- Water Temperature: 39-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 30-125 psi
- Water pH: 5-10
- NSF Certifications: Standard 58
- Warranty: 1 Year (Limited)
Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete – Key Features
The Aquverse AQVR5 reverse osmosis system utilizes a 5-stage filtration process that includes remineralization. The 5 filtration stages are:
- 5-micron sediment pre-filter: removes particulate matter like dirt, sand, and rust.
- 5-micron carbon block: reduces chlorine, organic chemicals, and improves taste and smell of water.
- TFC reverse osmosis membrane: deals with various contaminants like dissolved solids, microorganisms, and more. This is where most water contaminants are being removed.
- Carbon + calcite post-filter: final improvement of taste and smell. Also the calcite adds minerals to the purified water, improving its pH balance and increasing alkalinity. For some people, this might improve the overall taste as well.
Most RO systems for home use feature the same or a similar filtration process, which is perfectly fine as it is effective and time-proven. What makes the Aquverse AQVR5 stand out from the competition is the fact that it’s certified against NSF Standard 58 for the reduction of several harmful contaminants, including arsenic 5, chromium 6, and lead.
What’s more, the system is definitely DIY-ready. We have a standard installation process with quick-connect fittings etc. The same goes for system maintenance: Tool-free and fast filter replacements.
Filter life is 6 to 24 months, at around $120 in annual replacement cost which is pretty standard. The system price tag is okay, too.
Warranty: 1-year limited.
Aquverse 5-Stage RO System Pros
As mentioned before, you can easily install and set up the Aquverse AQVR5 on your own, making it perfect for users who prefer a DIY approach. It comes with a leak stop valve which automatically shuts off the system if a leak is detected.
More pros:
- Thorough filtration, thanks to the 5-stage process.
- Detailed information about contaminant reduction rates.
- Backed by NSF certification for standard 58 for guaranteed effectiveness.
- Remineralization stage means you don’t have to worry about your daily mineral intake.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
Aquverse has provided a list of contaminants addressed by this system, along with reduction rates. These include:
- Arsenic: 99.7%
- Barium: 98.8%
- Cadmium: 99.7%
- Chromium-3: 98%
- Chromium-6: 99%
- Copper: 98.8%
- Fluoride: 96.9%
- Lead: 97.3%
- Radium 226/228: 80%
- Selenium: 99%
- Turbidity: 99.8%
- TDS: 90.3%
The Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete – learn more on Amazon.com
Installation
Here is an overview of the installation steps. Always make sure to pay attention to the official manual and follow the exact steps outlined in it, of course!
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Find a suitable location for each component. Pay attention to the sizes of the different components, as well as the locations of their connections.
- Locate or drill a hole for the faucet.
- Install the faucet in the hole. Pay attention to the order of the base, washer, nut, and adapter.
- Install the adapter valve on your water supply.
- Shut off the main water supply.
- Disconnect hose from the supply valve.
- Install adapter valve on the supply valve.
- Connect the riser hose to the adapter valve.
- Insert 1/4″ orange tube into the quick connect fitting on the valve.
- Turn on the cold water supply.
- Check for leaks.
- Find a location for the system drain. It should be on a horizontal or vertical segment of the piping, and not downstream from the garbage disposal.
- Connect the system drain, using the provided gasket. You’ll need to mark a location and drill a hole through the pipe.
- Install the storage tank.
- Install the shut off valve on the storage tank.
- Install filter cartridges, following this order:
- Stage 1: sediment filter.
- Stage 2: carbon block filter.
- Stage 3: RO membrane.
- Stage 3: flow restrictor.
- Stage 4: mineral activated carbon filter.
- Install the whole filter system assembly in its final position.
- Install the leak stop valve.
- Start the system and check for leaks.
- Fill the tank once – this should take a couple of hours – and drain it before the first use.
The Package (Parts)
- Aquverse Manifold System
- Sediment Pre-Filter
- Carbon Block Pre-Filter
- RO Membrane
- Mineral Activated Carbon Post-Filter
- RO Storage Tank
- Tank Shutoff Valve
- Faucet
- Faucet Adaptor
- Angle Stop Valve
- Flow Restrictor
- T-Fitting
- Shut Off Valve
- Drain Saddle
- Screws
- Tubing
- Teflon Tape
- Installation Manual
- Installation Template
- Flow Restrictor
- Leak Stop Valve
Maintenance
Maintaining the Aquverse AQVR5 is very simple and straightforward – you just pull and turn to replace filters, and don’t need to use any tools. Different stages should be replaced according to the following schedule:
- Sediment pre-filter: 6 months
- Carbon block pre-filter: 6 months or 2,500 gallons
- RO membrane: 24 months
- Post-filter: 12 months or 2,000 gallons
Your overall maintenance costs will come down to around $120 a year, which is mostly standard for this type of product.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://832311.app.netsuite.com/c.832311/Aquverse/files/Aquverse%20AQVR5%20Installation%20Guide.pdf
NSF and Other Certifications
The Aquverse AQVR5 comes with a certification for NSF standard 58, which is nice as it guarantees filtration effectiveness.
- NSF 58: reduction of arsenic 5, barium, cadmium, chromium-3, chromium-6, copper, fluoride, radium, lead, selenium, turbidity, TDS.
Earlier Product Versions
There are no earlier product versions that we know of.
Aquverse Reverse Osmosis Cons
Users have complained about the following:
- Tank may sometimes not fill properly.
- System may leak from specific spots.
Our main issue is the system’s recovery rate which is 25%, meaning 3 gallons of water go down the drain per 1 gallon purified. Now, this is the standard ratio for systems of this type, but it’s still a lot of water. Reverse osmosis systems that use a pressure pump waste much less.
Additional NSF testing and/or certifications for other contaminants types would’ve also been nice.
Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete Reverse Osmosis System is adequate with some minor quirks, but those seem to be rather limited in frequency. The price is okay for the provided filtration, and the fact that the system has an NSF certification is a major advantage over similar models. However, there’s no pump so you’ll get a lot of wastewater. 4 stars.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 4.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.5/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Comparison to Other Reverse Osmosis Systems
Finally, let’s compare the Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System to the Waterdrop G3 and AquaTru, two very strong competitors in this market niche.
Waterdrop G3 |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Stages: | 4 |
| Flow Rate: | 0.42 gpm |
| NSF: | 58, 372 |
| Annually: | ~$145 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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AquaTru |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Stages: | 4 |
| Water: | 1 Gallon in 10-15 Minutes |
| NSF: | 42, 53, 58, 401, P473 |
| Annually: | ~$100-120 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Stages: | 5 |
| Flow Rate: | Not Specified |
| NSF: | 58 |
| Annually: | ~$120 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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The AquaTru in particular stands out for multiple reasons, including its thorough testing and certification that covers NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473. This makes the AquaTru capable of filtering at least the following:
- Chlorine: 96.6%
- VOCs: 95-99%
- Chromium-6: 97.2%
- TDS: 87.1%
- Cyst: 99.99%
- Fluoride: 93.5%
- Lead: 99.1%
- Radium 226/228: 96.4%
- BPA: 99%
- Various trace pharmaceuticals and pesticides: 86.7-96.6%
- PFOA, PFOS: 97.5%
It’s a compact and intuitive system overall, with very simple countertop installation that takes practically no effort and less than 10 minutes. Efficiency is quite good too, with only 20% of input water going to waste, which is significantly better than what’s offered by the Aquverse – and that makes sense, since the AquaTru uses an internal pump. Speaking of build quality, it’s also made of BPA and BPS-free Tritan plastic. Some users report occasional minor leaks or their devices breaking down, but there doesn’t seem to be an excessive number of such reports. Keep in mind that the model is more expensive to buy than the Aquverse, although its annual maintenance cost is around the same at $100 – $120 per year.
The Waterdrop G3 – read the full review here – is a tankless under sink reverse osmosis system. It filters water on demand and doesn’t store it. It’s tested (and partially certified) against several NSF standards – 42, 53, 58, and 401, meaning it’s capable of removing:
- VOCs: 99%
- Chlorine: 99%
- Nitrate: 98%
- Fluoride: 99%
- Arsenic: 99%
- Chromium-6: 99%
- Lead: 99%
- PFOA/PFOS: 99%
It also uses an internal pump like the AquaTru, which brings its flow rate up to 0.42 gallons per minute, enough to fill a cup of water in 8 seconds. There’s very little wastewater too – only 33%, better than the Aquverse. Installation is simple, similar to what you get with the Aquverse, and you also have a smart faucet which alerts you about the status of different filters, as well as the overall state of the system. You will have to swap out filters every 6-24 months, depending on the type – some last for around 550 gallons of water, others for up to 2,200. The replacement process is very simple and requires no tools.
Other cool features are real-time TDS monitoring and filter life indicators on both the RO faucet and the system itself.
The Waterdrop G3 is made of BPA-free plastic, and the company offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee where you can get your full purchase amount back if you return the unit in the first 30 days. There’s also a 1-year warranty in addition to that – but it only applies when using the unit with municipal water.
The only complaints we’ve seen about the Waterdrop G3 include minor noises when it’s idle. It costs more than the Aquverse initially, but it’s about the same in terms of annual maintenance.
With all that in mind, the AquaTru is our favorite contender. If you want an under sink-style system, then it really depends what you prefer: Tankless with little wastewater? Go with the Waterdrop G3! Tank-based with remineralization? In this case the Aquverse can make a good choice.
This completes our review of the Aquverse AQVR5 5-Stage Complete RO System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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