RO Carbon (Post-)Filter Prices 2023
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Jun 22, 2023
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With RO systems usually needing yearly filter replacements, it makes sense to look out for the best deals to save you money in the long run.
There are quite a few options for carbon filters – both pre and post-filters – with varying price points.
Here is our list for 2023!
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Key Takeaways
- A standard sized RO carbon pre-filter will usually cost around $10 and up to $30. Proprietary-sized filters are usually more expensive. If you buy in bulk, you might pay less than $5 per unit.
- RO post-carbon filters come in at around $10 to $20. Bulk prices go as low as $5-6.
RO Carbon (Post-)Filter Prices 2023
Below are several examples of RO carbon and RO post-carbon filters and their prices in 2023:
| RO Carbon Filter | Price |
|---|---|
| Springwell SWROCR Reverse Osmosis Carbon Block Replacement Filter | $35.99 |
| Crystal Quest Coconut Based 5-Micron Carbon Block Filter Cartridge | $22.95 |
| Crystal Quest GAC Filter Cartridge (Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon) | $31.85 |
| Home Master Inline Carbon GAC Filter | $15.00 |
| Waterdrop WD-G3-N3CB Carbon Block Post-Filter | $29.99 |
| AquaTru VOC Carbon Post-Filter | $39.99 |
| US Water Systems 2.5 X 10 Carbon Block Filter | $10.95 |
| iSpring FC15 Standard 10 inch CTO Carbon Block Water Filter Cartridge | $18.99 |
| APEC Ultimate Series 23-CAB10 Carbon Block Pre-filter | $15.95 |
How Much Does an RO System Carbon Filter Cost?
A reverse osmosis system will typically come with carbon pre-filtration as well as carbon post-filtration. Both steps have slightly different purposes, but both are advantageous in ensuring you get the highest quality filtered water from your machine.
RO Carbon Pre-Filter Cost
Most RO carbon pre-filters come in standard 10-inch cartridges. One is usually around $10 but can be up to $30 a piece depending on the vendor, the quality, and the brand. If you are after proprietary sizes for unique-design systems, they will be even more expensive.
If you want to save cash over the long run, buy in bulk. Doing so allows you to get the per filter cost as low as $3 to $5 apiece.
RO Carbon Post-Filter Cost
Post-filters are often a little more expensive, at around $10 and sometimes up to $20, depending on the brand and quality. You can also look at bulk purchasing these, bringing the costs down to $5 to $6 apiece.
Why Are Carbon Pre-Filters in a Reverse Osmosis System Important?
There are a couple of reasons why a carbon pre-filter is super essential for use with your RO system. RO membranes are pretty delicate and susceptible to damage from chlorine. Since most water supplies contain chlorine for disinfection purposes, carbon pre-filters eliminate chlorine before it reaches the membrane, preventing damage. Activated carbon is highly effective at removing chlorine.
Carbon is also great at adsorbing dissolved gasses, which may slip through the RO membrane. Using activated carbon can enhance the overall treatment process when dealing with such gases like radon and carbon dioxide.
Carbon pre-filtration can also remove some pesticides and organic compounds that RO may not remove, such as atrazine and trichlorobenzene, and benzene and total trihalomethanes (THMs).
Further Reading:
What Does a Carbon Post-Filter Do?
Carbon post-filters are typically the final stage of the filtration process. They play a crucial role, as after water has moved through the RO membrane, it becomes highly pure and more susceptible to absorbing any impurities it encounters. While the water is stored in the RO tank, it may absorb plastic tastes and odors from the tank’s air bladder. To address this, a carbon post-filter is placed between the faucet and the tank, eliminating residual tastes – like a final polish.
The carbon post-filter also removes any remaining contaminants in the water, including chlorine and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs).
If you have any questions about RO carbon filter price please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
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