Review: iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

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The iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System is a solid under sink unit offered at a compelling price point. In addition, the system boasts several attractive features including a leak-detection valve, a clear-colored sediment filter housing, and good customer service.

Let’s take a closer look at the iSpring RCC7, and determine whether it merits more serious consideration.

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

Price: $$
Filter Stages: 5
Water Flow: Not Specified
NSF Certifications: 58
Annual Cost: ~$85-170

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.

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System – All Specs

  • Model: RCC7
  • Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$85-170
  • Filter Media/Process: Sediment Filtration, Carbon, RO
  • Filter Stages: 5
  • Membrane Rating: 75 gpd
  • Filtering Capacity: 6 Months to 3 Years
  • WxHxD (System): 15.5″x17.5″x5.125″
  • Tank: 11″x14″x11″, 3.2 gal
  • Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
  • Water Pressure: 40-70 psi
  • Water pH: 2-11
  • Fitting: 3/8”-1/2″
  • NSF Certifications: Standard 58 (TDS)
  • Warranty: 1 Year

iSpring RCC7 – Key Features

The iSpring RCC7 is an under sink reverse osmosis system with 5 filter stages and several other features that can make it an attractive option especially considering its moderate price point.

Five filter stages means it’s capable of removing a wide range of contaminants. It also sports NSF 58 certification for TDS (total dissolved solids) reduction as well as only using NSF-certified components. To explain which contaminants the entire system will remove, let’s take a closer look at each of the filter stages and their function:

  1. The first stage is a multi-layer polypropylene sediment pre-filter which will remove sediment, dust, sand, rust, and other particulates that could prematurely clog the later filter stages and RO membrane.
  2. The second stage uses coconut shell granulated activated carbon. It will remove chlorine (another contaminant that must be removed before RO membrane filtration), cloudiness, foul taste and odor, discoloration, and organic chemicals.
  3. Next up, a 5-micron carbon block pre-filter removes chloramine, smaller contaminants that may pass through the GAC stage, and more harmful chemicals.
  4. This stage is the system’s main filter stage – the reverse osmosis membrane itself. It will remove a wide array of contaminants down to 0.0001 microns in size. This includes things like fluoride, lead, arsenic, asbestos, salts, VOCs, heavy metals, and more.
  5. Last, a final carbon post-filter stage removes any residual taste and odor from your system and helps to ‘polish’ the water’s flavor.

All in all, we have the standard RO system setup with pre and post-filtration. You can expect the process to remove the vast majority of contaminants from your water making it much healthier, safer, and better-tasting.

What’s more, the iSpring RCC7 comes with a separate RO faucet made of brushed nickel, as well as a leak detection valve that will shut down the system when a leak is detected. Wastewater to filtered water ratio is 3:1- which may sound high but is fairly standard for systems without a specialized pump.

iSpring offers a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty with lifetime customer support along with a 1-year money-back satisfaction guarantee. Note that the warrant is only valid when used with municipal water and when registered online.

Filter life is 6 months to 3 years at around $85-170 in annual cost.

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Pros

Perhaps the iSpring’s most significant advantage is its solid filtration performance for the price. Retailing for around $200 for a 5-stage RO system, you get a pretty solid bang for your buck.

Another plus is the system’s clear-colored first filter stage. This allows you to check filter status at a glance without having to open anything. The system features standard-sized filter cartridges, which means you can swap out any of the existing filters for off-brand filters should you wish to save money or target a specific contaminant.

Everything is included for installation which is fairly simple.

Finally, the system has an annual maintenance cost of about $85 to $170 – depending on your water quality as well as your usage level. This is fairly reasonable for an under sink RO system, especially one with 5 separate filter stages.

What Contaminants Are Being Removed?

iSpring lists the following contaminants specifically for removal: vinyl chloride, chlorine (99%), copper (97%), up to 98% of lead, fluoride, asbestos, arsenic, sodium, calcium, and few more.

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

The iSpring RCC7 – learn more on Amazon.com

Installation

Installing the system is not particularly difficult and on par with most under sink RO systems of this type. The iSpring RCC7 comes with color-coded tubing connectors – making installation simpler.

No special tools are needed, but before you begin make sure you have the following on hand:

  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Teflon plumbers’ tape
  • Adjustable wrench or pliers
  • Flashlight
  • Rags
  • Sharp utility knife
  • Adjustable speed wrench with a normal ¼” and a ½” hollow diamond drill bit (for drilling the hole in the drain pipe and countertop)

Other than the above tools and materials, everything else you need for installation is included in the package. The system also comes with highly detailed written and video installation instructions.

To install, follow these steps:

Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
  1. The first installation step is setting up the feed water adapter under your sink.
    1. First, shut off the cold water supply under your sink and open your faucet to drain any remaining water and pressure. Disconnect the cold water supply valve from the water supply.
    2. Now, connect the included feed water adapter to the cold water supply ensuring the O-ring is positioned correctly, and secure it in place using pliers or a wrench.
    3. Now reattach the pipe running to the faucet to the adapter’s male end. Make sure the feed water adapter is set to the ‘Off” position.
    4. Attach one end of the included red colored tubing to the feed water adapter.
  2. At this point, you’ll want to install the dedicated RO faucet. Typically, this will require drilling a fresh hole through your countertop, however, if you have an existing ½” hole for a soap dispenser or water jet, you may be able to repurpose it for your faucet. The system also comes with a faucet bracket so you can install the faucet without drilling – although this won’t look as clean as drilling. To drill and install the faucet complete the following:
    1. Make an indent at your installation location using a hole punch.
    2. Then, using a ½” diamond bit for granite or a titanium bit for steel, slowly begin drilling your hole. Be sure to set the drill speed to slow to prevent chipping or overheating.
    3. Apply coolant to the drill to keep the bit from overheating (oil for steel and water for granite).
    4. Once you’ve bored through the countertop surface, be extra careful to apply pressure evenly to keep the hole straight. Boring through granite can be especially slow, and may take longer than you expect.
    5. Once the hole is finished, clean the area. Then install the front plate and washer to the faucet, and insert the entire arrangement into the hole. Secure the other end with the included washer and tighten.
    6. Connect the quick-fit connector to the faucet base, and then connect the blue-colored tubing to the fitting.
  3. The next step involves setting up the drain saddle.
    1. Select any location before the drain pipe’s P-trap for installation.
    2. Use your drill and ¼” bit to make a hole at your desired location. Apply the included black sticky pad around your new hole to keep it from leaking. Use your utility knife to cut the included black tubing at 45 degrees. Then insert the tubing and secure it with the back plate and screws.
    3. Insert the lock clip and tug on it lightly to make sure it’s secure.
  4. This step involves setting up the first three filter stages.
    1. Make sure the O-ring inside each plastic housing is positioned properly. You may wish to apply some food-grade silicone lubricant to form a tight seal.
    2. Be sure to note the directional arrow on the outside of the cartridge’s plastic wrap.
    3. Slide the cartridges into their plastic housings, ensuring that the extended portion fits into the groove in the housing.
    4. Insert and hand-tighten each of the filter housings onto their caps counterclockwise. Then using the included housing wrench, tighten a further quarter to half a turn. Do not tighten more, as this can damage the housing and make changing filters difficult.
  5. Next, the storage tank’s auto-shutoff valve will be installed. Apply ten to fifteen layers of Teflon plumber’s tape to the thread at the top of the tank. Hand screw the shutoff valve onto the tank. Now, attach the yellow-colored tubing line to the shut-off valve.
  6. This step involves installing the reverse osmosis membrane. Unlike the other filter stages, the RO membrane is already inside its housing, but the plastic packaging must be removed to set it up.
    1. First, detach the tubing connected to the connection on the membrane cap.
    2. Screw the membrane housing open and locate the end with two O-rings. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut open the plastic packaging on this end keeping the other end intact to hold the filter and avoid contamination. Insert the membrane back into position, and remove the remaining plastic.
    3. Check the O-ring to make sure it’s positioned properly, then screw the cap back on by hand until tight. Use the filter wrench to tighten by another quarter to half turn. Don’t reconnect the tubing connection you removed just yet.
  7. The next step involves connecting all of the remaining color-coded tubing connectors to their corresponding fittings. Consult the manual for detailed illustrations and pictures.
  8. Now, the leak stop valve will be installed. This will shut off the system in case a leak is detected.
    1. Cut the inlet tubing section square and attach it to the leak stop valve inlet.
    2. Now, run the other tubing connection to the inlet on the filter system.
    3. Attach the leak stop valve to the bottom of your cabinet below the filter system.
  9. Optional: Mounting the system is optional and not needed for it to work properly. If you wish to mount, make sure to use support brackets under each of the bottom three filter housings.
  10. This stage involves making the final tubing connections and checking the system for leaks. You will also need to flush the first three filter stages before use as well as flush the RO storage tank before use. The exact procedure differs slightly depending on the model, so consult the manual for specifics.

Video

The Package (Parts)

  • RO Machine Head
  • RO Membrane
  • 3 Pre-Filter Housings and Cartridges
  • Storage Tank
  • Tank Stand
  • RO Faucet w/ Installation Kit
  • Feed Water Adapter (⅜” and ½”)
  • 4-Color Tubing Set
  • Drain Saddle
  • Tank Valve
  • ASO Valve
  • Housing Wrenches
  • Teflon Tape
  • Spare O-Rings and Fittings
  • Leak Detector Valve

Maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, this iSpring RO system requires about the same as most under sink units, meaning the filter cartridges must be replaced on schedule and the storage tank must be cleaned/sanitized regularly.

The filters last between 6 and 12 months each while the RO membrane will last for 2 to 3 years before needing replacement. As mentioned previously, the first filter housing is clear – allowing you to quickly inspect it to see if it needs replacement without removing it from the housing.

The annual maintenance cost is approximately $85 to $170 – depending on your water quality and usage level. Additionally, all of the filter cartridges other than the membrane are standard-sized so you can go with off-brand filters to save money if you wish.

The exact procedure for replacing a filter cartridge differs slightly, but the following should give you a general idea of the replacement process.

To replace one of the pre-filter cartridges:

  1. Before beginning, shut off the tank valve on top of the storage tank and the feed water valve. Turn the RO faucet on to release pressure and water in the system.
  2. Rotate the housing clockwise using the included filter wrench to loosen it.
  3. Remove the old filter cartridge and dispose of it.
  4. Remove the new filter(s) from its plastic packaging and insert it inside the housing. Ensure the O-ring(s) are positioned correctly.
  5. Now, attach the housing back onto its cap and rotate by hand clockwise until tight. You can tighten a further ¼ to ½ turn using the housing wrench being careful not to overtighten.
  6. Now, disconnect the red-colored tubing from the pre-filter water outlet and the black-colored tubing from the flow restrictor. Then connect the drain saddle tubing to the pre-filter water outlet.
  7. Turn on the feed water valve and flush the system for 5 minutes. Check for leaks.
  8. Now shut off the feed water valve. Now, reconnect the flow restrictor tubing and the pre-filter outlet tubing.

Replacing the RO membrane follows a similar process but requires flushing the new membrane for 15 minutes before use.

Replacing the post-filter again follows a similar process, and also requires flushing for 5 minutes before use to remove any small carbon particles.

Manual

Here is a link to the official manual:

https://www.123filter.com/ac/index.php?rt=account/download/startdownload&download_id=84

NSF and Other Certifications

The RCC7 features NSF certification for Standard 58. This standard is specific to point-of-use reverse osmosis systems and tests for the reduction of harmful water contaminants. In this case, the certification only applies to the removal of TDS (total dissolved solids).

Earlier Product Versions

The iSpring RCC7 has no earlier product versions as far as we are aware.

iSpring RCC7 Reverse Osmosis Cons

The biggest drawback is the lack of information and testing regarding contaminant reduction rates. The iSpring RCC7 reverse osmosis system appears to only have three contaminant reduction rates, which we consider far too few for a multi-stage RO system like this. The manufacturer provides additional information on contaminant rejection rates on their website, but these appear to be general to reverse osmosis systems and not specific to this model.

Additionally, while the iSpring RCC7 is NSF-certified for Standard 58 – this only pertains to a single contaminant: TDS. Again, we’d like to see more NSF testing and certifications.

When it comes to user reviews, although the overwhelming majority were very positive, there were a few repeated issues worth mentioning.

  • First, some users had issues with the system leaking, even though some of these paid a certified plumber to perform the installation. This is somewhat concerning, although most of the reviewers also stated they were pleased with how quickly iSpring replaced the leaky component(s).
  • Secondly, a handful of customers complained about various components being faulty or of poor quality. This included connectors, the feed water adapter, and the filter housings. Once again, most of these were pleased with how iSpring resolved their issues, which is a definite positive for the company.

Last but not least, you should be aware that due to its style, the iSpring RCC7 tends to clutter under sink cabinets, and it wastes quite a lot of water while filtering (around 75% goes to waste). The latter is because there’s no booster pump included.

iSpring RCC7 Review: Our Verdict + Best for

Overall, the iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System could make a good choice when you’re on a tight budget. While it may not have the level of testing and certification we’d like to see, it’s still a good value for the price point.

Additionally, as the system doesn’t have a pump, it will generate a fairly large amount of wastewater during use. If this is not an issue for you, then the system certainly has its place. Be aware that there are models with superior quality and filtration performance, but these tend to cost more.

Our Rating in Detail:

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

Comparison to Other Reverse Osmosis Systems

Let’s take a look at how the iSpring RCC7 stacks up against some of the top point-of-use reverse osmosis systems on the market – the Waterdrop G3 and the AquaTru.

Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System (G3P600)

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.

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AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System

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.

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iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

iSpring RCC7

Price: $$
Filter Stages: 5
Flow Rate: Not Specified
NSF: 58
Annually: ~$85-170

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.

First up, the Waterdrop G3 is a tankless under sink RO which means it filters water on demand rather than storing it in a bulky tank. The system features 4 filter stages as well as thorough NSF testing against Standards 58, 42, 53, and 401. As a result, the system is tested to remove VOCs (up to 99%), nitrate (98%), arsenic (99%), chlorine (99%), fluoride (99%), lead (99%), chromium 6 (99%), PFOA/PFOS (99%), and more.

Additionally, the G3 uses an internal pressure pump to boost water pressure. This results in more efficient operation and an impressive 0.42 gallon per minute flow rate. That translates to filling a standard cup in about 8 seconds – which is very good for an on-demand RO system and much faster than the iSpring RCC7. The pump also drastically reduces the amount of wastewater generated to just 33% of all input water.

Installation is simple – similar to the iSpring. What sets the Waterdrop apart in terms of appearance, however, is its smart faucet display. This faucet uses an LED display and noise to alert you when it’s time to change filters as well as displaying the current level of TDS in your water. A similar display on the unit itself shows the same information.

When it comes to filter replacement, the G3 also stands out. Filter elements can be replaced tool-free in seconds without having to shut off the feed water – simply rotate, remove, and replace. The entire system features BPA-free construction, and Waterdrop backs up the system with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. Keep in mind the warranty is only valid when used on municipal water.

When it comes to downsides, some users complained about the G3 making loud noises. Additionally, the system costs significantly more than the iSpring, although annual maintenance costs are similar.

Next up, let’s compare the iSpring with the AquaTru reverse osmosis system. Unlike the G3 and the iSpring, the AquaTru features a space-saving countertop design – making it essentially installation-free. Setup time is just ten minutes or less, so you’ll save significant time and effort on installation when compared to the iSpring.

The system uses a 4 stage filtration process to remove contaminants and features thorough independent testing and certification. This includes 5 NSF certifications for Standards 42,53, 401, 58, and P473 and nearly 80 contaminants, such as: VOCs (95% to over 99%), chlorine (96.6%), TDS (87.1%), chromium 6 (97.2%), fluoride (93.5%), cysts (99.99%), BPA (99%), lead (99.1%), trace pharmaceuticals and pesticides (86.7% to 96.6%), PFOA/PFOS (97.5%), and radium 226/228 (96.4%). In comparison, the iSpring is only certified for a single standard and has very few reduction rates.

The AquaTru also features an internal pump to create an excellent recovery rate of 80%. This means only a fifth of the input water is sent down the drain as wastewater. This is better than the G3 and far superior to the iSpring. The system features BPA and BPS-free plastic construction.

When it comes to downsides, there were a few users who had issues with leaks or units that stopped working after several months although these were rare. We encountered no problems like that with our unit. Additionally, the unit is priced similarly to the G3 – which is significantly more than the iSpring. On the plus side annual maintenance costs were similar at about 100$ to 120$.

Overall, our top pick of the above systems is the AquaTru due to its impressive mix of filtration effectiveness, NSF certification, filtration speed, ease of installation, and low wastewater generation. In second place would be the Waterdrop G3 due to its fast flow rate, tankless design, ease of installation and maintenance, and low wastewater generation. The iSpring falls short of the above two systems mostly due to its high wastewater generation and lackluster NSF testing and certification. However, given its low price point, the system still makes a solid option when budget is a top priority.

This completes our review of the iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Alexandra Uta

Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Since 2020, she has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Alex has been using water filters and similar products for years which has gained her lots of hands-on experience.
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Alex

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