We tried a Reverse Osmosis Water Dispenser — was it worth $529?

We drink water every day. Several times a day, ideally.

But let’s be honest: most of us are settling for flat, or even foggy, tap water when we could be sipping something that tastes like it just swished out of the Swiss Alps.

I’m not talking about an Aqua Panna bottle upgrade — I’m talking about a total overhaul of the way you hydrate.

Something like a reverse osmosis system. Never heard of it before? You’re not the only one.

Years ago, when I left the city and bought my old house upstate, I assumed I was moving toward better water quality. But as in-person work became the new normal again, I found myself drawn back into the city for longer stretches of time, which meant my pipes were sitting stagnant for days on end. Not ideal.

The result? My water just tasted off. I thought my fridge filter was doing the heavy lifting, but after a dear friend visiting the house pointed out how bad the water actually tasted, I knew it was time for a change. That’s how I discovered the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser A1. I wasn’t ready to invest in a massive, whole-house setup, and the countertop machine felt like the perfect compromise.

Priced at $529, the A1 is a premium countertop RO system. While it’s a pricier alternative to your basic fridge pitcher, it boasts customizable settings and a multi-step system that removes impurities rather than just hiding them. The result? Healthier and better-tasting water.

Waterdrop Reverse Osomosis System — Waterdrop

A long name for a simple setup; the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser trades bulky, under-sink hardware for a sleek countertop design that can improve the taste and quality of your water.

The NSF-certified RO system utilizes a 7-step process that includes sediment-targeting carbon filtration, a high-performance RO membrane and UV sterilization to eliminate over 1,000 contaminants, including lead, microplastics and “forever chemicals“. Users can easily track their water quality in real-time by glancing at the built-in TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) display.

The A1 is just over 7 inches wide, but still boasts a generous capacity. The 136-ounce reservoir can easily hydrate the whole family with fewer refills required. Plus, with the plug-and-play design, you can enjoy purified water anywhere, even while traveling or camping out in an RV — so long as an outlet is nearby.

According to reviewers, the A1 delivers water that isn’t just purer but also tastes fresher, and it works fast. Using the clear OLED screen, you can enjoy water tailored to your taste with just a few taps. There are five volume presets to choose from, plus precision temperature control, ranging from 41 to 203 degrees. For ultimate convenience, the AI also offers filter replacement alerts, night mode and a child lock.

The A1 is more than a water filter; it’s a lifestyle upgrade for families looking to eliminate plastic waste, prioritize health and enjoy the convenience of a custom-poured glass in just a few seconds.

Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser A1 Review

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows An appliance wrapped in plastic and styrofoam packaging inside a cardboard box, Image 2 shows Two Waterdrop water filters, a cleaning brush, and a slotted gray container — This Waterdrop dispenser required little more than opening the box and putting it on the counter. Barret Wertz New York Post

What was the setup process like?

The setup is completely painless. The “no install” part is real; I unboxed it, filled the tank, locked in the filters, ran the flush cycles, and it was basically ready to live on my counter like it belonged there.

There were no parts to put together. I did need to lock in the Pre-Sediment and Carbon Block (CF) filter and the Reverse Osmosis (RO) filter in their proper places and run three cycles, but once that was done, I was ready to hydrate.

It weighs in at just over 38 pounds, so there is a slight lift required, but nothing that would require two people. The fact that it’s so easy to set up and move around makes it an ideal choice for renters as well — you could easily pack up and take the RO System with you.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A hand lifting the clear plastic water reservoir of a coffee maker, Image 2 shows A black electrical cord secured with light blue tape to a dark gray appliance with "Waste" and "Tap MAX" labels — The generous 136-ounce reservoir and waste tank allows for plenty of hydration without relying on regular refills. Barret Wertz New York Post

How does the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser work?

If you can operate a coffee maker, you can operate the A1 RO System.

The temperature control is fast and efficient. Cold water is instantly drinkable, and the hot settings are genuinely useful for tea and quick kitchen moments. You have your pick of five standard cup sizes, and an auto-shutoff ensures the perfect pour. In other words, no spills, no messes. If you’re seriously fretting over your water quality, having the TDS readings on display also provides peace of mind.

I’ve also begun to notice a difference in my hydration habits. I’ve always been a big seltzer guy, but now I’m drinking more still water because it tastes better, and it’s easier to get hot or cold on demand. I reach for it the way I reach for the fridge to fill up a glass of water, which is the real test of a countertop appliance. It’s become a habit, not a chore. It’s no Apple, but the user interface is still pretty intuitive.

Refilling the tank is the tradeoff. It’s not difficult, but it is a tad cumbersome. Still, the maintenance feels manageable. I haven’t had to change filters yet, but I imagine the filter-life reminders will be a bit of a persistent nudge, much like a fridge or coffee maker alerting you to spend on maintenance.

However, it’s a necessary trade-off: those alerts ensure the filtration is always performing at its peak, so I’m never second-guessing the quality of what’s in my glass.

The noise level is livable. I don’t know why I didn’t expect any noise, but for the noise it does make, it’s not loud at all. The real price of convenience is the counter space. Yes, it takes up some room, but that’s a small price to pay to avoid spending hours installing an under-sink tank and messing with the plumbing.

Pros and Cons of the Waterdrop X Series Reverse Osmosis System

Pros:

Advanced reverse osmosis (RO) filtration paired with UV sterilization helps remove contaminants and bacteria
Independently lab-tested to reduce up to 99% of PFAS, PFOA, PFOS and more “Forever Chemicals”
Includes “Away” mode, Energy-Saving Night mode, an integrated Child Lock, and automated filter replacement alerts
Users can choose from 6 temperature presets and 5 volume options
A built-in TDS display provides real-time readings of your water quality
No plumbing or professional installation required

Cons:

Requires a significant amount of counter space; may not be the best fit for smaller kitchens
The A1 unit is still dependent on electricity for heating and cooling, and needs to be connected to a power outlet
Like all RO systems, the AI produces a small amount of wastewater (concentrated brine) during the purification process
Requires recurring filter replacements, including the CF filter (every 500 gallons) and the RO membrane (every 1,100 gallons)

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Top-down view of a water filter showing an empty water reservoir on the left and two filter compartments on the right, Image 2 shows Two white rotating filter covers labeled "CF" and "RO" on a white appliance — Setting up the Pre-Sediment and Carbon Block (CF) and the Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters were incredibly easy. Barret Wertz New York Post

How does the A1 compare to competitors/non-reverse osmosis filtering?

Compared to a fridge filter, pitcher filter or faucet-mount filter, the A1 is certainly an improvement with the bonus that it gives you hot and cold on demand. It feels very office-kitchen-quality.

The key difference is that reverse osmosis does deeper work than most standard carbon filters, so it’s not just masking taste and smell. It’s actually stripping down what’s in the water. Compared to an under-sink system, it’s way more renter-friendly and low-commitment. Compared to bottled water, it’s less wasteful and more convenient once it’s part of your routine.

The tradeoff is you’re refilling a tank instead of having a continuous line, and it takes up real counter space. I debated with installing a filter under the sink, but in the end felt I just wasn’t home enough for that sort of investment. Still, if you’re a renter or a homeowner who wants serious filtration, the A1 is a good option.

Who is the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser best for?

I would say that the A1 is best for people who want clean-tasting water on autopilot without installing anything. This includes renters, busy homeowners, families and anyone who drinks a lot of tea, makes formula or is constantly refilling a reusable bottle.

I’d consider the A1 the best “no-install” water upgrade for renters and commitment-phobes. It delivers a true upgrade in water quality without asking you to remodel your kitchen or learn plumbing. It’s basically the serious filtration choice for people who don’t want or can’t handle a serious project.

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A Waterdrop countertop water dispenser in a kitchen, Image 2 shows A Waterdrop water dispenser filling a glass with water, showing a temperature of 71 degrees Fahrenheit and TDS 5 — Following the initial flushing cycles, I was drinking fresh, delicious, ice cold water. Barret Wertz New York Post

Final Verdict: Is the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser worth it?

If you’re the type of person who needs filtered water regularly and cares about RO-level filtration, then yes, the $529 price makes sense.

You’re not just paying for filtered water, you’re paying for the convenience, plus a built-in system that nudges you to drink more water because it’s right there and tastes good. That said, it’s still expensive.

If your main goal is simply to stop your water from tasting weird, there are cheaper fixes like a high-end pitcher, a better faucet filter or maybe even just flushing the line for a minute when you get home.

How We Tested

To test the Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser, we considered four main parameters that may be useful for homeowners or renters: taste and odor test, temperature accuracy and usefulness, speed and convenience, as well as maintenance and trust signals.

Taste and odor test (before/after): I compared the taste of my room-temperature regular tap water to the filtered water over multiple days, including days when the house had been sitting unused. I also tested it against water from my fridge filter to see if it was actually an upgrade or just different.
Temperature accuracy and usefulness: I used the cold setting for straight drinking and the hot setting for tea and quick kitchen tasks. I paid attention to whether it consistently hit the temps I expected, and whether it felt practical in real life, not just on paper.
Speed and day-to-day convenience: I tracked how quickly it dispensed the ounces listed and how often I had to refill the tank. I also noted whether the size and footprint felt reasonable on a normal kitchen counter.
Maintenance and trust signals: I monitored the real-time readouts and filter-life indicators, and I paid attention to how hands-off it stayed once set up. I also judged how annoying the filter changes and flushing process felt, because nobody wants high-maintenance hydration.

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