Written by: Alexandra Uta // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Dec 28, 2023
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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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
The iSpring RCC7 – learn more on Amazon.com
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:
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:
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:
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.
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://www.123filter.com/ac/index.php?rt=account/download/startdownload&download_id=84
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).
The iSpring RCC7 has no earlier product versions as far as we are aware.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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Price: | $$$ |
Filter Stages: | 4 |
Flow Rate: | 0.42 gpm |
NSF: | 58, 372 |
Annually: | ~$145 |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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AquaTru |
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Price: | $$$ |
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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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!
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