iSpring RCC7 Review

The iSpring RCC7 is a popular reverse osmosis filter because of its attractive price point, superb filtration, overall taste, and simplified setup. Despite being an overall simpler system, it is still one of the higher-capacity filters within our review and rated for 75 gallons a day. For consumers looking for additional stages, the RCC7 is offered in a few different configurations, including UV or alkaline remineralization filters. This simple yet effective filter was the top performer in our review, removing almost all of the contaminants we used during testing.

Performance Comparison

Contaminant Removal

Water filters are becoming essential household items across the country. Unless your water comes from a pristine alpine lake surrounded by snowcapped peaks, erosion-resistant granite, and environmental regulations, you likely want a water filter. Not every tap source is considered safe, and most are far from delicious. To determine the water filters that work best, we carried out a study where we made a water sample containing high amounts of chlorine, iron, sulfate, lead, fluoride, and copper. Subsequently, we sent this sample to an independent water quality facility, Western Environmental Testing Laboratories, to assess the quality of the filtered water. The iSpring RCC7 was one of the most effective filters within our review as it cleaned the majority of contaminants from the sample.

The iSpring water filter showcased its exceptional performance by completely eradicating 100% of chlorine (12mg/l out of 12mg/l) from the water sample. Chlorine, typically used as a disinfectant, can adversely affect the water's taste and aroma. It also successfully eliminated 100% of fluoride (10mg/l out of 10mg/l).

Continuing its impressive performance, the iSpring effectively purged 100% of copper (52 mg/l out of 52 mg/l) from the water. High levels of copper can trigger gastrointestinal discomfort and may even cause liver or kidney damage over time. It also completely erased 100% of lead contents (.02 mg/l out of .02 mg/l), a toxic metal that threatens human health even at minimal exposure levels.

The iSpring managed to eliminate 99.88% of sulfates (2297.3 mg/l out of 2300 mg/l). High sulfate concentrations in water can potentially cause diarrhea. It also produces a generally unpleasant odor and taste. In addition, the model also removed 99.91% of iron (629.42 mg/l out of 630 mg/l). While iron is a necessary nutrient, its excess in water can lead to a metallic taste and can stain faucets. Notably, the sample originally had 3004.2 mg/l of contaminant, and the filtered sample possessed a mere 3.28 mg/l.

Taste

Nothing beats the refreshing taste of cold, clean water. Water filters like the iSpring RCC7 provide delicious and clean water straight from your tap. Taste can be subjective, so we conducted a blind taste test with our team to rank and describe the taste of water filtered by each unit. The filters processed water from a garden hose to produce the samples. The water from the iSpring is widely liked by our test team, and most individuals rated it above average with a neutral, crisp, odorless nature.

The purified water from the iSpring RCC7 filter is similar to bottled water with low mineral content. For those who prefer mineral water, the iSpring offers the RCC7AK, which includes an alkaline remineralization stage to add minerals back to the drinking water. The RCC7 filter provides near-bottled water quality to your kitchen. It improves the drinking water experience and removes or reduces metallic and chemical tastes from most water sources.

Setup and Maintenance

The Setup and Use metric evaluates the difficulty of the installation and setup process while factoring in the annual cost, required maintenance, and wastewater ratio. To help you find the best water filter for your long-term needs, we install each filter in our standardized test kitchen, filter plenty of water, conduct maintenance, and calculate the observed waste water ratios from our testing. The iSpring has a standard DIY-friendly installation and maintenance process, low annual cost, and competitive efficiency.

Reverse osmosis filters are a more elaborate and space-intensive setup than standard types because of the extra faucet and sink. It is designed with DIY installation in mind. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions and also has a well-done YouTube video to support the process. A DIYer should be able to install it in a couple of hours. The most challenging and intimidating part of the installation process of any reverse osmosis filter is the additional faucet. If the process seems beyond your comfort zone, a plumber can make quick work of the installation. The setup process is simpler than that of other filters as it requires the tank to be filled and emptied until no sediment comes out. This generally takes one to three rounds to accomplish.

The maintenance of the iSpring is to change filters according to the following schedule: stage 1-3 filters every six months, Reverse osmosis every 2-3 years, and the carbon filter every 12 months. The process is comparable to other systems in terms of difficulty and requires a C-spanner wrench. Some of the filters on this model use a filter and casing design. For these filters, unscrew the casing and then replace the internal filter and “O” ring to screw it back into place. While this takes longer than the full replacement filters, it remains a quick process relative to a system with multiple filter changes.

Operating Costs

The lower cost of filters makes this model one of the most affordable reverse osmosis systems annually at $50. The design and filters help improve the overall efficiency of this model as two gallons of wastewater are processed into one gallon of drinking water. The average filter discharges two to three gallons of wastewater per gallon of fresh drinking water, while the most efficient systems are closer to 1:1. The manufacturer recommends routing the remnant wastewater into a different vessel for nonpotable uses.

Should You Buy the iSpring RCC7?

The iSpring RCC7 stood up to the competition with incredible filtration performance, taste, and user experience. Our testing proved this model to be a best-in-class filter for those seeking a reverse osmosis filter.

What Other Water Filter Should You Consider?