Written by: Alexandra Uta // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Jan 19, 2024
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In this review, you will learn everything about the OROS-50 Reverse Osmosis System by Olympia Water Systems. The unit boasts an NSF-certified 5-stage filtration process among a few other interesting features. It is also highly affordable. Does that mean you should buy? Let’s find out!
Let’s cover the most important aspect first: The 5-stage filtration process of the Olympia OROS-50.
Bottom line is, we have a filter setup that is very typical for an under sink reverse osmosis system, and you can expect solid filtration results. In fact, the Olympia OROS-50 has been NSF-certified for the reduction of chlorine, taste and odor, and TDS (93%) – nothing crazy but a good start.
2 more features are the 3.2-gallon water storage tank that prevents you from running out of filtered water, and the RO dispenser with a basic chrome finish.
Filter life varies between 6 months and 3 years, depending on the filter stage in question. And there’s a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty that has you covered in case of defects in material and workmanship.
If we had to choose one advantage that makes the Olympia OROS-50 really stand out, it would be the unbeatable price. The system is not only very affordable upfront, at around $50-75 in annual filter replacement cost it is also incredibly cheap to maintain.
What’s the catch? It seems like there is none. We couldn’t find any major issues. Sure, the system doesn’t have the established track record that other models have, but still, it should be enough to give you access to properly filtered RO water 24/7.
Also, all system parts are BPA and lead-free, installation is relatively simple thanks to quick-connect fittings and color-coded tubing, and there’s a 30-day satisfaction guarantee backing up the product.
With the Olympia OROS-50 RO system, you’ll get rid of sand, silt, rust and other particles, VOCs, pesticides, chlorine, organic chemicals, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium-6, copper, fluoride, lead, radium, TDS, and foul taste and smell – among other things.
The Olympia Water Systems OROS-50 – learn more on Amazon.com
Thanks to step-by-step installation instructions with color photos, quick connect fittings, and color-coded tubing, setting up the Olympia OROS-50 is fairly easy. If you have experience with drilling and basic plumbing, you might be done in 60-120 minutes or less. And yes, everything you need for the install is part of the package.
Remember to call Olympia’s USA-based customer support/technical service in case you need assistance or a replacement for a broken part. The team members are very helpful and really seem to know what they are talking about.
To begin installation, get these tools ready:
Then, follow these simple steps:
Maintenance requirements with this Olympia reverse osmosis system are low. As per manufacturer instructions, here is how often you will have to change each filter component on average:
Please be aware that replacement frequency depends a lot on your water usage and source water quality, meaning that actual filter/membrane working lives may vary.
As mentioned before, annual maintenance costs are low (~$50-75).
To replace filters:
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://olympiafiltration.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Olympia-Manual-v1_7.pdf
The Olympia OROS-50 reverse osmosis system has NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certifications. The former covers chlorine, taste, and odor reduction, while the latter covers reduction of TDS (total dissolved solids).
This Olympia system has no earlier versions.
Here is what we don’t like about the OROS-50:
Water filtration is about protecting our health. This is why, generally speaking, we are not fans of going with cheap filters that often lack the effectiveness required to get rid of the nasty stuff lurking in our water supplies these days. In case of the OROS-50 by Olympia Water Systems, it could be different. Although you shouldn’t expect the highest quality build, the filtration process is solid for sure – especially considering the price tag. Our final verdict: 4 out of 5 stars!
Let’s see how the Olympia OROS-50 compares to the Waterdrop G3 and the AquaTru.
Waterdrop G3 |
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Price: | $$$ |
Filter Stages: | 4 |
Flow Rate: | 0.42 gpm |
NSF: | 58, 372 |
Annually: | ~$145 |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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AquaTru |
|
Price: | $$$ |
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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The Waterdrop G3 is a tankless under sink reverse osmosis system, meaning there’s no bulky tank eating up your space. Instead, the system filters water on demand. It uses four filter stages and has NSF certifications/testing to back up its filtration claims:
The system has been tested against NSF Standards 42, 53, 58, and 401, and results say it removes 99% VOCs, 99% fluoride, 98% nitrate, 99% chlorine, 99% arsenic, 99% chromium-6, 99% PFOA/PFOS, 99% lead, and other contaminants — way ahead of the Olympia OROS-50. It also has an NSF standard 58 certification for TDS reduction.
But there’s more. The Waterdrop G3 has an internal pump that increases water pressure, producing a flow rate of 0.42 gpm (this means you’ll never run out of filtered water). It only takes about 8 seconds to fill a cup. And thanks to the internal pump, the system produces only 33% wastewater. We don’t really know how much water Olympia wastes, but we estimate it wastes at least 75%, so Waterdrop beats it here, too.
Like Olympia, the Waterdrop is easy to install. It’s also easy to maintain because you don’t need to track replacement dates manually. The smart faucet’s LEDs and sound notify you when it’s time for a filter replacement, typically every 6 to 24 months or after filtering 550 to 2,200 gallons. The Waterdrop also has a TDS monitoring panel on the faucet and RO system, and one quick look tells you how well the filters (and the RO membranes in particular) are doing.
The filters are easy to replace. You can remove and install the cartridges with a single turn — no tools, no disconnections, no shutting off feed water. The Waterdrop G3 is also BPA-free, and the company offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee (that is, you can get a full refund if you return the system within 30 days). And if you use municipal water, you get a 1-year manufacturer warranty, too!
On the downside, Waterdrop is more expensive than Olympia, both at purchase and maintenance (maintenance is about $145 per year!). And we found complaints about the system producing annoying noises even without dispensing water.
The second RO system on our comparison list is the AquaTru, and it is by far our favorite! It’s an installation-free countertop model, and the best part is the detailed NSF testing and certifications covering almost 80 contaminants (NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473). That’s pretty impressive, and it assures you of clean, safe drinking water. Olympia, on the other hand, only has 2 NSF standards and one specific reduction rate.
The AquaTru 4-stage filtration process removes:
The AquaTru is easy to set up (ten minutes of DIY and you’re all set to enjoy the system). It filters water fairly fast and doesn’t take a lot of space. Plus, thanks to the internal pump, the system has an 80% recovery rate, meaning only 1⁄5 of the feed water is wasted. It trumps both Olympia and Waterdrop. Lastly, the system is made of safe, BPA and BPS-free Tritan plastic.
Unfortunately, we found complaints about leaking parts and units breaking down after a few months. We didn’t have any issues using the system, though. The major con is the higher price compared to the Olympia. Its annual maintenance cost is also slightly higher (about $100 to $120) but still better than with the Waterdrop G3.
In our opinion, the AquaTru comes first — fair price, reasonable maintenance cost, NSF-backed filtration, fast, little wastewater, and no installation. The Waterdrop G3 comes next because it’s effective, tankless, fast, easy to install, and wastes less water. The Olympia is okay if you’re on a tight budget. Still, you’ll be settling for the basics — no internal pump, relatively slow filtration, high wastewater, a more strenuous installation process, and fewer details on contaminant reduction rates.
This completes our review of the Olympia Water Systems OROS-50 Reverse Osmosis System. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
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