Waterdrop Water Filter review: A game-changer for clean, great-tasting water
Let's be honest, we've all been there — lugging massive plastic water jugs into our kitchens, subscribing to overpriced 'spring water' deliveries and then still buying fridge filters that barely make a dent in water quality.
Sound familiar? You're not alone.
If you're like me, then you're probably subscribed to a monthly water delivery service and are paying over $100 per month on 'Spring Water,' plus a rental fee for the dispenser. The point is that we pay a significant premium for the bare essentials when it comes to water.
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Enter the Waterdrop Filter X12 Pro RO System, a reverse osmosis system that says, 'You deserve better,' and then actually delivers. With its sleek design, smart faucet and science-y sounding 11-stage filtration process (yes, eleven!), this is not your basic under-sink setup. It's essentially the Tesla of water systems (if Tesla made household appliances and didn't just launch things into orbit.
Waterdrop Filter
Pros Sleek and compact design
Smart Faucet with easy-to-use features
Easy to install
Impressive flow rate
Water tastes great Cons: On the expensive end
Countertop installation might require professional assistance
Let's start with aesthetics. The X12 doesn't look like a clunky appliance you'd want to hide. It's compact enough to fit under most sinks but still packs in features that would make an engineer swoon: UV sterilization, smart touch faucet with an LED display and real-time TDS readings.
Better yet, Waterdrop Filter comes fully equipped with the X12 Pro Dual Flow feature, allowing users to choose between two water outlets for different filtration needs, making it even more versatile for daily use.
One flow is for purified drinking water through the Reverse Osmosis Faucet, while the other provides clean water from Your Kitchen Faucet for cleaner washing (think: fruit, dishes), offering you and your household complete purity.
Dimensions: 18.2″ (W) x 6.3″ (D) x 16.7″ (H) | Warranty: 1-year warranty (customers may purchase additional years of coverage at an extra cost)
How it Works & Setup
Al Murillo
Installation sounds intimidating, right? It's not. The entire process took me about 45 minutes and was less intimidating than I had anticipated. The system includes 11 pieces, including the Teflon tape and a valve converter if your outlet isn't standard. The instructions are clear, the fittings are color-coded and if you're even slightly handy (or have access to YouTube), you'll be fine.
That said, the only slightly tricky part is drilling the hole for the faucet if you don't already have a sprayer hole in your counter. Don't be alarmed, it's nothing that a couple of YouTube tutorials can't teach you within 5 minutes.
The Four-Connection Setup
Al Murillo
Let's break it down:
Water Port Tube: Connects the system to the smart faucet. Drain Water Tube: Sends wastewater out. Inlet Hose: Brings in cold water. Outlet Hose: Connects to your original kitchen faucet.
That's it — no plumber. No stress. Just you, a screwdriver and about an hour of feeling like a DIY god.
Al Murillo
What makes a Waterdrop filter different?
Once the system is connected, you plug it in and watch the Smart Faucet screen light up like a tiny control center. The first flush cycle takes about 35 minutes, the process that cleans the filters and preps the system. Bonus: you can pause it after 5 minutes if needed (you know, if you want to show it off to your neighbors).
Water So Good, You'll Side-Eye Your Old Filter
Let's talk about the actual water. It's cleaner and it tastes better. That's because of the X12's precise pH adjustment to around 7.5±, which is the sweet spot for drinking water. Too acidic or too alkaline can affect everything from taste to digestion. Balancing the pH helps maintain healthy minerals while avoiding that flat, 'dead' taste you sometimes get from over-filtered water. It's a household investment that I feel good about, especially when I know that fresh water comes in a flash. This creates a better living environment for me and my family.
What's the Deal with TDS, Anyway?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, a measurement of the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances in water. According to the EPA, lower TDS often means cleaner, better-tasting water. The X12 lets you watch these numbers drop with every pour thanks to its LED readout. It's like having a mini science lab in your kitchen, except way cooler.
UV Sterilization: Your Invisible Bodyguard
The built-in UV sterilizer activates as water dispenses, zapping microbes you can't see. This is especially helpful if your tap water contains bacteria or if you're using well water. Every time that little blue UV icon lights up, you know something powerful (and invisible) just happened. This makes my life easier and helps refute impurities from making its way into my glass.
Smart Faucet = Smart Living
Can we take a second to applaud the Smart Faucet? This thing pours fast — I mean 3-seconds fast! I was very impressed. Not only that, but it lets you set exact volumes from 5 to 64 ounces, saving you from overflows or guessing. Want a quick 16 oz for your water bottle? Turn the knob and go. It even reminds you when it's time to change filters, which saves me the guesswork (considering there are so many household to-dos already on my plate).
Goodbye Plastic Bottles, Hello Sustainability
If environmental impact matters to you (and it should), the X12 is a game-changer. Under-the-sink reverse osmosis systems help the environment by reducing the use of plastic water bottles, which is very important to me.
You're saving hundreds — maybe thousands — of bottles a year. Plus, Waterdrop Filter has a recycling program for used filters.
Maintenance? Barely Any.
Waterdrop Filter
Replacing filters is simple and tool-free. The system uses color-coded indicators and the Smart Faucet reminds you which filter needs attention. Depending on usage, you'll swap them every 6-12 months. Thankfully, a technician isn't needed, and you won't find any off-kilter (or should we say off-filter) surprises like with some pitcher filters.
What's more, you can also track how many days each filter has until it needs replacement, which is ultra-convenient.
Customer Support That Doesn't Ghost You
Waterdrop Filter's customer service is worth noting and something that, I find, makes it stand out among competitors. The website offers a handy compatibility guide by household size, residence type, and usage. The brand also has responsive support reps if you run into questions. It's not just 'buy it and figure it out'; Waterdrop Filter sticks with you — which is just as good as having fresh drinking water at my disposal.
The Final Verdict
Yes, the X12 Pro RO System is an investment, but it pays for itself in under a year when you consider water deliveries, bottled water, and fridge filter replacements. Murillo's breakdown says it all: 'We pay a significant premium for the bare essentials when it comes to water.'
With the X12, that premium finally works for you.
Between the smart faucet, balanced pH, UV sterilization and sleek design, the Waterdrop Filter X12 feels like the future of home hydration. It saves you money, saves the planet and gives you water that actually makes you want to drink, feel refreshed and carry on with your day.
How we tested
Al Murillo
Filtration Efficiency : We tested the X12's ability to reduce contaminants like chlorine, lead and sediment in various water samples.
: We tested the X12's ability to reduce contaminants like chlorine, lead and sediment in various water samples. Flow Rate and Water Pressure : We measured the filter's impact on water flow and pressure to ensure efficient performance without slowdowns.
: We measured the filter's impact on water flow and pressure to ensure efficient performance without slowdowns. Ease of Installation and Setup : We evaluated how easy it was to install the X12, focusing on setup time and clarity of instructions.
: We evaluated how easy it was to install the X12, focusing on setup time and clarity of instructions. Taste and Odor Improvement : We assessed the filter's effectiveness at improving taste and eliminating unpleasant odors from tap water.
: We assessed the filter's effectiveness at improving taste and eliminating unpleasant odors from tap water. Filter Longevity and Maintenance: We tested how long the filter lasted and how easy it was to replace and maintain.
For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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New York Post may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Let's be honest, we've all been there — lugging massive plastic water jugs into our kitchens, subscribing to overpriced 'spring water' deliveries and then still buying fridge filters that barely make a dent in water quality. Sound familiar? You're not alone. If you're like me, then you're probably subscribed to a monthly water delivery service and are paying over $100 per month on 'Spring Water,' plus a rental fee for the dispenser. The point is that we pay a significant premium for the bare essentials when it comes to water. Advertisement Enter the Waterdrop Filter X12 Pro RO System, a reverse osmosis system that says, 'You deserve better,' and then actually delivers. With its sleek design, smart faucet and science-y sounding 11-stage filtration process (yes, eleven!), this is not your basic under-sink setup. 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Don't be alarmed, it's nothing that a couple of YouTube tutorials can't teach you within 5 minutes. The Four-Connection Setup Al Murillo Let's break it down: Water Port Tube: Connects the system to the smart faucet. Drain Water Tube: Sends wastewater out. Inlet Hose: Brings in cold water. Outlet Hose: Connects to your original kitchen faucet. That's it — no plumber. No stress. Just you, a screwdriver and about an hour of feeling like a DIY god. Al Murillo What makes a Waterdrop filter different? Once the system is connected, you plug it in and watch the Smart Faucet screen light up like a tiny control center. The first flush cycle takes about 35 minutes, the process that cleans the filters and preps the system. Bonus: you can pause it after 5 minutes if needed (you know, if you want to show it off to your neighbors). Water So Good, You'll Side-Eye Your Old Filter Let's talk about the actual water. It's cleaner and it tastes better. That's because of the X12's precise pH adjustment to around 7.5±, which is the sweet spot for drinking water. Too acidic or too alkaline can affect everything from taste to digestion. Balancing the pH helps maintain healthy minerals while avoiding that flat, 'dead' taste you sometimes get from over-filtered water. It's a household investment that I feel good about, especially when I know that fresh water comes in a flash. This creates a better living environment for me and my family. What's the Deal with TDS, Anyway? TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, a measurement of the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances in water. According to the EPA, lower TDS often means cleaner, better-tasting water. The X12 lets you watch these numbers drop with every pour thanks to its LED readout. It's like having a mini science lab in your kitchen, except way cooler. UV Sterilization: Your Invisible Bodyguard The built-in UV sterilizer activates as water dispenses, zapping microbes you can't see. This is especially helpful if your tap water contains bacteria or if you're using well water. Every time that little blue UV icon lights up, you know something powerful (and invisible) just happened. This makes my life easier and helps refute impurities from making its way into my glass. Smart Faucet = Smart Living Can we take a second to applaud the Smart Faucet? This thing pours fast — I mean 3-seconds fast! I was very impressed. Not only that, but it lets you set exact volumes from 5 to 64 ounces, saving you from overflows or guessing. Want a quick 16 oz for your water bottle? Turn the knob and go. It even reminds you when it's time to change filters, which saves me the guesswork (considering there are so many household to-dos already on my plate). Goodbye Plastic Bottles, Hello Sustainability If environmental impact matters to you (and it should), the X12 is a game-changer. Under-the-sink reverse osmosis systems help the environment by reducing the use of plastic water bottles, which is very important to me. You're saving hundreds — maybe thousands — of bottles a year. Plus, Waterdrop Filter has a recycling program for used filters. Maintenance? Barely Any. Waterdrop Filter Replacing filters is simple and tool-free. The system uses color-coded indicators and the Smart Faucet reminds you which filter needs attention. Depending on usage, you'll swap them every 6-12 months. Thankfully, a technician isn't needed, and you won't find any off-kilter (or should we say off-filter) surprises like with some pitcher filters. What's more, you can also track how many days each filter has until it needs replacement, which is ultra-convenient. Customer Support That Doesn't Ghost You Waterdrop Filter's customer service is worth noting and something that, I find, makes it stand out among competitors. The website offers a handy compatibility guide by household size, residence type, and usage. The brand also has responsive support reps if you run into questions. It's not just 'buy it and figure it out'; Waterdrop Filter sticks with you — which is just as good as having fresh drinking water at my disposal. The Final Verdict Yes, the X12 Pro RO System is an investment, but it pays for itself in under a year when you consider water deliveries, bottled water, and fridge filter replacements. Murillo's breakdown says it all: 'We pay a significant premium for the bare essentials when it comes to water.' With the X12, that premium finally works for you. Between the smart faucet, balanced pH, UV sterilization and sleek design, the Waterdrop Filter X12 feels like the future of home hydration. It saves you money, saves the planet and gives you water that actually makes you want to drink, feel refreshed and carry on with your day. How we tested Al Murillo Filtration Efficiency : We tested the X12's ability to reduce contaminants like chlorine, lead and sediment in various water samples. : We tested the X12's ability to reduce contaminants like chlorine, lead and sediment in various water samples. Flow Rate and Water Pressure : We measured the filter's impact on water flow and pressure to ensure efficient performance without slowdowns. : We measured the filter's impact on water flow and pressure to ensure efficient performance without slowdowns. Ease of Installation and Setup : We evaluated how easy it was to install the X12, focusing on setup time and clarity of instructions. : We evaluated how easy it was to install the X12, focusing on setup time and clarity of instructions. Taste and Odor Improvement : We assessed the filter's effectiveness at improving taste and eliminating unpleasant odors from tap water. : We assessed the filter's effectiveness at improving taste and eliminating unpleasant odors from tap water. Filter Longevity and Maintenance: We tested how long the filter lasted and how easy it was to replace and maintain. For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America's go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We're not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren't already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we're known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
