Where to Buy a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Feb 22, 2023
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In the market for a reverse osmosis water filter system?
There are several main options to pick from with regards to where you can buy one, and they all have their advantages and disadvantages.
You should carefully consider each choice as sometimes, what works best for others might not necessarily be the ideal option for you.
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Key Takeaways
- Generally speaking, you have 4 options for when it comes to choosing a place where to buy a reverse osmosis water filter system: Online directly from a brand, online from a large retailer, from a local water treatment expert, from your local hardware store.
- Buying online directly from a brand will give you access to the lowest prices and exclusive deals, but you are also limited in product selection.
- Large online retailers should have most brands and products listed, but you need to be careful in order to avoid low-quality filters.
- A local water treatment expert will be more expensive but able to offer the best product support knowing the water conditions in your area.
- Local hardware stores often hit a good balance between range of products and pricing, but you may be left alone with your purchase decision.
Where to Buy a Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
So, where to buy a reverse osmosis water filter system?
The four main options for buying a reverse osmosis system are buying it directly from the brand/manufacturer you are eyeing, shopping from a large online retailer, going to a local water treatment expert, or shopping at a hardware store.
Let’s have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Online Directly from Brand
Many of the biggest brands on the RO filter market have their own online stores where they sell their products. While this option limits you to the product line of a specific company, it usually comes with some nice additional benefits like a wider range of products that may not be available elsewhere, or extra warranty deals.
This option may not be ideal for you if you live in a remote location where shipping can be problematic. It’s also not the best approach if you still haven’t explored the market in detail and are not sure which brand you want to go with.
Pros
- Access the full range of products by a specific manufacturer
- Typically the lowest prices on the market as you’re buying straight from the source
- Frequent discounts
- May offer products which are not available elsewhere
- Extra goodies like extended warranty deals and occasional discounts
- Talk to an expert who understands their products in detail
Cons
- You’re limited to a specific brand’s products
- Reviews are not always reliable
- Shipping might be difficult for remote locations
Online from Large Retailer
Many large online retailers also carry a selection of reverse osmosis systems and other types of water filters. They also have the financial capacity to run frequent deals and discounts, which can make their prices better than their physical store counterparts.
You have to be careful about each product you’re considering though. Always verify any claims you see through independent sources and avoid brands that are not talked about enough elsewhere.
Pros
- Good selection of products from different brands
- Regular discounts and other promotions
- Product reviews may not be controlled by the manufacturer
- Many online stores have great return policies
Further Reading:
Cons
- You need to be careful to avoid landing on low-quality products
- Not all online stores have reliable customer support
- Reviews are often unreliable and prone to manipulation
Local Water Treatment Expert
If you have a water treatment expert in your area, that’s an option you should definitely consider if you’re comfortable with spending a bit more on this purchase. Someone with enough experience in the field will be able to guide you through your purchase step by step, helping you make sure that you’re getting the best product for your budget.
As you’re probably guessing though, this option can be a bit more expensive than the others on this list.
Pros
- Work with an expert to identify the ideal solution for your situation
- Receive extra insight about your water treatment aligned with local conditions
- Usually not very busy
- Many experts offer installation services as well
Cons
- Costs more than the other options
- May not have a wide range of products available in stock
Local Hardware Store
If you’re looking to do your shopping in person, your local hardware store is another good option to check out. Many hardware stores have a great selection of products to pick from, and they are also more reliable than online marketplaces because they carefully vet what they’re selling. However, you may have to occasionally deal with availability issues when certain products are out of stock.
Pros
- Good balance of price and availability
- Some stores offer installation services
- Careful selection of brands to avoid fake or low-grade products
Cons
- Some products may be more expensive compared to online stores
- Not all hardware stores offer guidance for your purchase
If you have any questions about where to buy a reverse osmosis system please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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