Review: GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System

Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Feb 28, 2024

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The GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System is an affordable, user-friendly water filter with very detailed NSF testing and certifications. In fact, it has one of the most thorough testing for contaminant reduction we’ve ever seen for an RO. Eager to find out more? Let’s go!

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GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
Price:	$$
Filter Stages:	3
Water Flow:	0.5-0.8 gpm
NSF Certifications:	42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Annual Cost:	~$180
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. Check Current Price

GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System – All Specs

Model: GXRQ18NBN
Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$180
Filter Media/Process: Sediment/Carbon Pre, RO, Sediment/Carbon Post
Filter Stages: 3
Flow Rate: 0.5-0.8 gpm
Recovery Rate: 21.2%
Filtering Capacity: 6-12 Months
WxHxD: 3.625″x9.25″x12.5″
Tank: 9″x14″x9″, 3 gal
Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
Water Pressure: 40-100 psi
Water pH: 4-10
NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Warranty: 1-Year (Limited)

GE GXRQ18NBN – Key Features

First things first, this reverse osmosis system has three filter stages. There’s a:

Pre-filter that removes sand, silt, sediments, and chlorine;
RO membrane that reduces dissolved solids and organic contaminants and;
Post-filter that traps organic chemicals like pharmaceuticals, pesticides/herbicides, VOCs, and PFOA/PFOS, sediments, and any leftover pollutant that could cause bad taste or odor.

The first and third filter stages are sediment cartridges containing activated carbon blocks.

Now, to the mind-blowing part — contaminant reduction. GE says their GXRQ18NBN is tested to remove 95 water contaminants, including:

Arsenic
Asbestos
Benzene
Chlorine Taste and Odor
Chromium VI
Cysts
Fluoride
Ibuprofen
Lead
MTBE
Nitrate
Nitrite
Simazine

Now this is only a very small excerpt. You can check the full list below. All in all, it’s one of the most thorough testing we’ve ever seen for a water filter and probably also the most detailed for a reverse osmosis system. You know what’s even better? Most of these rates are NSF-certified! Yes, the GE GXRQ18NBN has certifications awarded directly by the NSF and the IAPMO for standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473.

What’s more, the GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System has other features like a twist/lock design for fast filter replacements and a stylish yet functional brushed nickel RO faucet. The RO faucet also has an LED timer that flashes blue whenever you use the handle. When the filters have less than 10% lifetime left, it will flash blue thrice whenever you use the handle. And when the filters expire, the light will flash red constantly until you change the filters. All in all, you won’t have to track replacement dates manually because you’ll get regular reminders to change your filters. By the way, filter life is rated between six to twelve months (six months for pre and post-filters and twelve months for the RO membrane).Estimated annual cost: $180.

GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Pros

Most importantly, we appreciate this system’s thorough testing and specific reduction rates. They show it’s effective, especially since we have NSF certifications supporting them.

What about its usability? Well, the system uses push-to-connect fittings, which makes installation easy and quick. And thanks to the twist/lock design, you can replace the filters in no time and without mess.

Any manufacturer guarantee? Yes, there’s a one-year limited warranty on the GE GXRQ18NBN. To top it all, the system is very affordable, at least at purchase.

What Contaminants Are Being Removed?

Here is the full list of contaminants the GE GXRQ18NBN has been tested to remove:

1,1,1-trichloro-2-propanone – 96%
1,1,1-trichloroethane – 95%
1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane – 99%
1,1,2-trichloroethane – >99%
1,1-dichloro-2-propanone – 99%
1,1-dichloroethylene – 99%
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene – >99%
1,2-dichloroethane – 95%
1,2-dichloropropane – 99%
2,4,5-TP (silvex) – 99%
2,4-D – 98%
Alachlor – >98%
Ammonium – 90%
Arsenic – 98.2%
Asbestos – 99.9%
Atenolol – 94.2%
Atrazine – >97%
Barium – 97.8%
Benzene – 99%
Bicarbonate – 96%
Bisphenol A – 96.3%
Bromochloroacetonitrile – 98%
Bromodichloromethane – 95%
Bromoform – 95%
Cadmium – 98.1%
Carbamazepine – 93.1%
Carbofuran – >99%
Carbon tetrachloride – 98%
Chloride – 92%
Chlorine Taste and Odor – 97.5%
Chlorobenzene – 99%
Chlorodibromomethane – 95%
Chloropicrin – 99%
Chromium III – 98.3%
Chromium VI – 97%
Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene – >99%
Cis-1,3-dichloropropylene – 99%
Copper – 98.8%
Cysts – 100%
DEET – 95.4%
Dibromoacetonitrile – 98%
dibromochloropropane (DBCP) – >99%
Dichloroacetonitrile – 98%
Dinoseb – 99%
Endrin – 99%
Estrone – 90.1%
Ethylbenzene – 99%
Ethylene dibromide (EDB) – >99%
Fluoride – 96.5%
Heptachlor (H-34, Heptox) – >99%
Heptachlor epoxide – 98%
Hexachlorobutadiene – 98%
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene – >99%
Ibuprofen – 95.9%
Lead – 99.1%
Lindane – >99%
Linuron – 92.5%
Magnesium – 97%
Meprobamate – 97.2%
Methoxychlor – >99%
Metolachlor – 97.8%
MTBE – 97.8%
Naproxen – 92%
Nickel – 99%
Nitrate – 74.9%
Nitrite – 80.9%
Nonylphenol – 97.1%
o-Dichlorobenzene – 99%
P-Dichlorobenzene – 98%
Pentachlorophenol – 99%
Phenytoin – 94.2%
Radium – 80%
Selenium – 98%
Simazine – 97%
Sodium – 88%
Styrene – >99%
Sulfate – 98%
Tannin – 97%
TCEP – 96.9%
TCPP – 97.8%
TDS – 90.6-95%
Tetrachloroethylene – 99%
Toluene – 99%
Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene – 99%
Tribromoacetic acid – 98%
Trichloroacetonitrile – 98%
Trichloroethylene – >99%
Trimethoprim – 90%
Turbidity – 99%
Xylenes – 99%
Zinc – 98%

The GE GXRQ18NBN – learn more on Amazon.com

Installation

System installation is relatively fast. However, the warranty will not cover any damage caused by poor installation. The company advises getting professional help, especially if you need to drill an extra hole in your sink.

Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.

You’ll need these few tools for installation:

Measuring tape
Two adjustable wrenches
Screwdrivers (Philips and Flat Blade)
PTFE thread sealing tape
Electric drill
1⅜, ⅜ drill bits
Compression fitting (if your main water supply uses a rigid pipe)

Here’s how you install the GE GXRQ18NBN RO system:

Choose where to install the system.
Turn off the cold and hot water main supplies.
Open your faucet to drain the pipes.
Detach the cold water line from the shut-off valve.
Confirm that the gasket on the water supply fitting sits in the female threaded part.
Connect the water supply fitting to the cold water shut-off valve.
Install the cold water line (that you detached earlier) to the male threaded part of the fitting.
Install the drain adapter to the drain pipe. Alternatively, pass the drain tube from the system to an open drain.
Wrap the PFTE tape clockwise twice on the tank threads.
Fix the tank connector to the threads. Turn the connector seven to eight times to ensure a proper fit.
Set the storage tank beside the RO system assembly.
Install the RO faucet on your extra sinkhole. If there’s none, drill a 1-¼” or 1-½” hole on your sink or countertop.
Find the battery cover on the faucet handle and remove the strip covering it (this will get the timer to work).
Cut the tubes to the required ¼” and ⅜” lengths.
Connect the tubes as necessary: yellow tube to the storage tank, green to the RO assembly, blue to RO assembly, black to drain adapter, and red to RO assembly.
Sanitize the RO system using regular bleach.
Check the system for leaks and purge it for 24 hours before using your filtered water.

Video

The Package (Parts)

Reverse Osmosis Assembly and Tubing
Owner’s Manual and Installation Instructions
Performance Data Sheet
Water Supply Fitting
RO Faucet
Storage Tank
Tank Connector
Drain Adapter
Nitrate / Nitrite Test Kit
Eye Dropper

Maintenance

You need to replace the pre-filter every six months, the post-filter every six months (or 240 gallons), and the RO membrane once a year. Again, there’s a change indicator on the RO faucet that counts down to six months, so it’s easy to remember to change your filters. Thanks to the twist and lock design, filter replacements are quick and completely mess-free.

However, the cost of maintaining this system is high. We’re looking at about $180 annually, which is a bit much. That’s something to keep in mind.

Here’s the easy process of replacing the filters:

Turn the pre-filter cartridge anti-clockwise to remove it from the manifold.
Remove the post-filter cartridge too.
If changing the RO membrane, remove the RO cartridge too.
Dispose of the used cartridges properly.
Connect new cartridges to the system manifold by turning them clockwise. Start with the post-filter, then the RO cartridge, then the pre-filter. (If you’re not replacing the RO cartridge, just fix the pre-filter after the post-filter).
Flush the RO system for 24 hours before you resume use.

Manual

Here is a link to the official manual:

https://products-salsify.geappliances.com/image/upload/s–USnci1sT–/1d3bc364b4a72494ae55b307802e6e44953c3f84.pdf

NSF and Other Certifications

This system has two certifications directly from NSF and five more awarded by the IAPMO — seven NSF certifications in total. The ones NSF awarded are:

NSF 42, which covers chlorine, taste, and odor reduction.
NSF 58, which confirms the reduction of Arsenic (Pentavalent)<=300 ppb, asbestos, cadmium, barium, hexavalent chromium, trivalent chromium, copper, cyst, lead, fluoride, nitrate/nitrite, radium 226/228, selenium, turbidity, and TDS.

The NSF certifications by IAPMO are:

NSF 42: another confirmation that the system reduces chlorine, taste, and odor.
NSF 53 covers MTBE and the VOCs we listed earlier.
NSF 58: deals with Arsenic (Pentavalent) ≤ 300 ppb, Asbestos, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium (Hexavalent), Chromium (Trivalent), Copper, Cyst, Fluoride, Lead, Nitrate/Nitrate, Radium 226/228, Selenium, TDS, and Turbidity.
NSF 401: for reducing Meprobamate, Atenolol, Carbamazepine, DEET, Metolachlor, Trimethoprim, Linuron, TCEP, TCCP, Phenytoin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Estrone, Bisphenol A, and Nonylphenol.
NSF P473: for PFOS and PFOA.

Earlier Product Versions

As far as we can tell, this system has no earlier versions.

Cons

One issue we have is the high amount of wastewater. The system recovers only 21.2% of feed water, leaving about 80% down the drain — that’s a lot of water wasted, although it is pretty standard for under sink systems that don’t use a pump.

Also, the annual maintenance cost is about $180, and that’s quite expensive.

We also found some complaints from past users. Many experienced leaks due to poor design, which can be annoying and stressful. Some also had issues with the flow rate, saying it was too low.

GE GXRQ18NBN Review: Our Verdict + Best for

In summary, the GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System provides a thorough filtration process (considering the reduction rates), NSF certifications backing, an affordable purchase price, and a standard installation and maintenance process. On the flip side, we have a pretty short filter life, high annual maintenance cost, a large amount of wastewater because there’s no pressure pump, and issues with leaking. All in all, 4.0 stars!

Our Rating in Detail:

Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 3.5/5.0
Purchase Price: 5.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.0/5.0
Overall: 4.0/5.0

Check Current Price on Amazon.com

Comparison to Other Reverse Osmosis Systems

Now, let’s compare the GE system to the Waterdrop G3 and AquaTru, two popular RO options in the market.

Waterdrop G3
Price:	$$$
Filter Stages:	4
Flow Rate:	0.42 gpm
NSF:	58, 372
Annually:	~$145
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. Check Current Price Get 10% Off! Use Code: *`WD10BOS`*

AquaTru
Price:	$$$
Filter Stages:	4
Water:	1 Gallon in 10-15 Minutes
NSF:	42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Annually:	~$100-120
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. Check Current Price Get 15% Off! Use Code: *`BOSAQUATRU`*

GE GXRQ18NBN
Price:	$$
Filter Stages:	3
Flow Rate:	0.5-0.8 gpm
NSF:	42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Annually:	~$180
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. Check Current Price

We’ll start with the AquaTru, our favorite RO system. What do we appreciate about this system? For one, it’s a countertop unit that requires no installation. It saves space, and you can set it up for work within ten minutes. Then, its four filter stages have independent testing and certifications against NSF standards covering almost 80 contaminants. The system has the NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 certifications — a good sign that guarantees clean and healthy drinking water. It has the following reduction rates, among others:

chlorine (96.6%)
VOCs (95% to more than 99%)
chromium-6 (97.2%)
TDS (87.1%)
cyst (99.99%)
fluoride (93.5%)
lead (99.1%)
radium 226/228 (96.4%)
BPA (99%)
several trace pharmaceuticals and pesticides (86.7%-96.6%)
PFOA, PFOS (97.5%)

Remember GE’s long list of certified contaminants? It covers these contaminants on AquaTru’s list and a few more. Some of the reduction rates are equal, but there are many where GE has a higher rate and just a few where AquaTru is more effective. Overall, GE seems to remove more contaminants but remember: it has a low filter life. For it to actually stay more effective, you’ll need to replace the filters more often than you’ll have to with the AquaTru.

The AquaTru system is a breeze to navigate. It also filters water at a fast rate and really, really reduces wastewater. While the GE wastes about 80% of input water, the AquaTru recovers 80%. That means only 20% of feed water goes to waste, all thanks to the inner pressure pump. Lastly, the system is made of safe and durable materials, namely BPA and BPS-free Tritan plastic.

We noticed a few red flags from customer reviews — complaints about leaks caused by design flaws and units that went bad after a few months. To be fair, we didn’t experience any of these issues. One more thing to note is that AquaTru is more expensive than the GE upfront but cheaper to maintain at $100 to $120 per year.

Now, the Waterdrop G3: a tankless under sink RO system that filters water only when it needs to dispense it. This system has no storage tank, which is good because it means it takes up less space. The Waterdrop has four filter stages solidly backed up by NSF certification/testing. It has an NSF standard 58 certification for TDS removal and has been tested against NSF standards 42, 53, 58, and 401. The tests confirm that this system reduces 99% VOCs, 99% chlorine, 98% nitrate, 99% fluoride, 99% arsenic, 99% lead, 99% chromium 6, 99% PFOA/PFOS, and more. Still, in direct comparison, the testing cannot compete with the testing conducted on the GE/AquaTru.

The Waterdrop G3 minimizes wastewater to 33% of feed water, making it better than the GE. That’s because it, too, uses an internal pump to boost water pressure. The system flow rate is about 0.42 gallons per minute, so you’ll always have purified water and can fill a cup within eight seconds.

Like GE, the Waterdrop system is easy to install and provides reminders for filter replacements. The smart faucet and RO module use LED lights and sound to tell you when to change filters. There’s also a TDS monitoring panel that shows you the real-time effectiveness of the filters, especially the reverse osmosis membrane.

The filters are easy to change with just one turn — no need for tools, turning off the water supply, or disconnecting anything. And the filters last long enough, between 550 gallons to 2,200 gallons or 6 to 24 months.

Any manufacturer assurance? Yeah. There’s a money-back satisfaction guarantee that lets you return your system within 30 days and get a complete refund. There’s also a one-year warranty, but it applies only if you use municipal water. Finally, the system does not contain BPA.

On the flip side, we read about annoying noises coming from the Waterdrop G3. The system is also costlier than the GE but, thankfully, cheaper to maintain at an annual cost of around $145.

What’s our conclusion? The AquaTru is our top choice because it’s a blend of fair price, reasonable maintenance cost, NSF-supported and fast filtration, less wastewater, and no installation. GE and Waterdrop are on par as under sink systems, so it’s up to what you want. If NSF-backed filtration is really important to you, then get the GE GXRQ18NBN. If you prefer fast filtration, less wastewater, and a tankless system, then go with the Waterdrop G3.

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This completes our review of the GE GXRQ18NBN Reverse Osmosis Filtration System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Gene Fitzgerald

Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about Gene and the rest of the BOS Team.

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