If your place receives an untreated water supply full of contaminants and pollutants, then nothing can be better than to opt for Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters. Compared to any other filter type, RO filters are more efficient in their performance and can remove any kind of impurities. . If you are also confused about choosing between APEC and Express Water filters, then Express Water vs APEC filter comparison may help you to make a better choice.
The water pollution index has immensely risen over the past few years, which has ultimately led to an increase in the demand for RO filters. Today, you can find multiple brands that offer RO filters, but not all of them can are capable enough to meet the required filtration demands.
However, out of a bunch of such filter brands, two significant companies which manufacture some of the best RO purifiers are APEC and Express Water. Both brands feature a diverse range of RO filters that are functionally efficient and more affordable than many competitors.
Table of Contents
Express Water vs APEC Water Systems: Comparison Table
Below is a table that can help you compare the statistics of the two brands better.
| Specifications | Express Water Filters | APEC Filters |
| Images |  |  |
| GPD Capacity | 50GPD to 100GPD | 50GPD to 95GPD |
| Flow Rate | 40 to 80psi | 40 to 75psi |
| Remineralization | Available | Available |
| Portable Filter | Not Present | Present |
| Filtration Stages | Five | Five |
| Purification Percentage | 99% | 99% |
| Single-Unit | No | No |
| Price Range | Affordable | More Affordable |
| Water Waste Ratio | 3:1 | 3:1 |
| Warranty | One year | One year |
| Price | See On Amazon | See On Amazon |
Express Water vs APEC Filtration Systems
APEC and Express Water filtration systems are categorized among the best RO water filters. Since the functioning of these two brands is the same, their specifications are often compared.
Below is a detailed Express Water vs APEC comparison to enlightening our readers with the differences between these two RO brands. But before directly getting to the comparison context, let’s review the two brands individually.
Express Water Filteration Systems
Express Water filters feature reverse osmosis technology, which can remove up to 99% of contaminants from untreated tap water. Besides purification of contaminated water, some Express Water filters also have a remineralization feature. With the help of this procedure, mineral salts like calcium and magnesium are restored in filtered water.
After remineralization, the water’s pH increases, implying that you can also get alkaline water from Express Water filters. Another brilliant feature of this filter is that it increases the oxygen-binding capacity of water. The water obtained from Express Water filters contain 20% more water than untreated tap water.
Express Water filters have a comprehensive range of features. Therefore, to scrutinize the Express Water vs APEC comparison in a better manner, it is first crucial to analyze the characteristics of Express Water filters.
Filtration Process
The filtration process for Express Water filters comprises five comprehensive stages, which ensure the removal of up to 99% of contaminants. As water enters the filter, it is immediately flushed through the sediment pre-filter. During this first filtration step, concrete, dust, and rust particles are removed from the water.
The water is then passed onto a carbon block filter, which ultimately initiates the second filtration step. At this stage, carbon particles remove chlorine and VOC taste from water. However, it must be considered that no contaminants are removed during this process.
The filtration process starts from step three, which involves the RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane. The membrane removes harmful contaminants such as lead, sulfur, arsenic, and nitrogen from the water.
The water leaving the RO membrane is purified, colorless, and tasteless. But to ensure the complete removal of contaminants, water is again flushed through a semi-permeable membrane. After the fourth stage, water is passed to another carbon filter that removes filtrated water’s residual odor and taste.
At the end of these five comprehensive stages, the filtration process terminates, and the remaining water is about 99% pure. Some Express Water filters, such as the Express Water Alkaline RO filter, feature an additional remineralization feature. In this case, water is filtered in ten steps rather than five.
In the earlier context, the remineralization process has been explained detailedly, which implies how this procedure increases the pH of the water.
Performance
Once the filtration and remineralization process terminates, the filtered water is channeled to the outlet with pressure. Compared to other brands, the flow rate of the Express Water filters is pretty high. On average, these filters deliver water at an optimal flow rate of 40 to 80psi, which is quite a good pressure for home filters.
However, the capacity of these filters is quite problematic and low. Filtration systems like Express Water RO5DX have a capacity of only 50 (Gallons Per Day). Some Express Water filters even have a lower GPD range than this range. This minimal capacity range implies that Express Water filters are only suitable if your water requirements are low.
Best Aspect
The best aspect of Express Water filters is its diverse range of purifiers and affordable price range. No matter which type of RO water filter you seek, you will surely find it in the Express Water range. Moreover, some of these water filters even have a remineralization feature, which can supply you with alkaline water.
Another amazing aspect is that you receive replacement accessories for up to one year with this filter. It implies that for a year, you won’t have to purchase replacement accessories; instead, you receive them for free with this kit.
Worst Aspect
The worst aspect of Express Water filters is that they don’t have good customer support. Many customers have reported missing parts in their filter kits, and some have even complained that their complaint number is inaccessible on weekends.
This is because the Express Water company remains closed on weekends, implying that if you face a technical problem with filters on weekends, you won’t be able to contact the filter company.
Furthermore, the filter body is sensitive, implying that you must handle it carefully. Otherwise, you may often encounter leakages and pipe bursts with Express Water filters.
Installation
Installing Express Water filters is probably the easiest. These filters come pre-assembled, implying that you won’t have to do technical plumbing tasks. Moreover, its manual is pretty user-friendly, and with its help, you can install the filter using DIY skills.
Since Express Water filters are quite sensitive, you must not mishandle their installation; otherwise, they may get damaged. Therefore if you don’t have experience in doing DIY tasks, then it is suggested to call for a plumber to install these filters.
Maintenance
Usually, the maintenance of RO water filters is quite challenging, but this rule does not apply to Express Water filters. Replacing and cleaning these filters is not a problem at all. For the first year, you receive replacement parts along with the kit.
Onwards, you will have to purchase them on your own; but it must be noted that their replacement parts are not expensive at all.
The express water filters produce three gallons of water waste for every gallon of filtered water. This water waste should not be drained. Instead, you can use it for cleaning and washing, as it is safe enough for these tasks.
Pros And Cons:
To better understand these filters, let’s have an individual review of one of the most popular Express Water filtration systems.
Express Water ROALK10DCG Reverse Osmosis Alkaline Water Filter
Express Water ROALK10DCG is one of the top-rated RO filters from this brand. The filter features a comprehensive filtration process of 10 steps that involve both filtration and remineralization.
During the first five stages, contaminants are removed from the water and made around 99% pure. After that, the remineralization process initiates, which restores beneficial quantities of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium in water. Thanks to this procedure, the pH of the water rises, and it becomes alkaline.
Alkaline water is not only advantageous to drink, but it also increases the longevity of the storage tank. Like other Express Water filters, this one also produces three gallons of water waste for every gallon of filtered water. Though wasted water is unfit for consumption, it is still purified enough to be employed for cleaning and washing purposes.
Being a more advanced filter than others in the Express Water range, this one also comes with a pre-installed leakage detector. Since the body of this filter is sensitive, this detector will inform you whenever a leakage happens. Determining the leak in its early stages can save the filter from permanent damage.
Though the storage tank of this filter can only hold 4 gallons of water, it can filter around 100 gallons of water per day. With an extensive capacity of 100GDP, it is evident that this Express Water filter is an apt choice for large offices or homes.
APEC Water Filter Systems
Another notable brand that manufactures some of the best RO (Reverse Osmosis) filters is APEC. If you had previously purchased an RO water filter, you might have come across this company. APEC filters come in various capacity ranges, meaning whether you want a 50GPD filter or a 90GPD one, you can find them all within this brand.
APEC filtration systems are designed and manufactured in California, USA. These filters are also certified with NSF, which further guarantees their optimal functionality and efficiency. If you want to know more about the features and specifications of APEC water filters, then refer to the following section.
Filtration Process
APEC features an extensive range of RO water filters. Whether you want a remineralizing filter, a filter with ample capacity, or a portable filter, APEC features them all. Despite diversification in their filter range, all their RO filters operate on the same filtration process.
Like Express Water filters, APEC purifiers filter water through five stages. The first stage comprises a polypropylene filter, which removes solid particles from water. This step is crucial to ensure the removal of chunk waste as it can trap in the carbon-block filter and may damage it.
Then comes the second stage, where water is flushed through the carbon block. As indicated by its name, this block is primarily made of carbon particles that help remove unpleasant tastes and odors from water. The carbon particles target chlorine and lead, which can impart a certain color, taste, and smell to the water. After filtration through this block, the water becomes almost colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
However, the key filtration process starts from step three, where water is filtered through the RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane. With the help of this membrane, contaminants like arsenic, sulfur, VOCs, and lead are removed from the water. No matter which kind of impurity it is, this membrane removes them all, and the water achieves up to 99% purity.
Sometimes, contaminants can escape the RO membrane and leach into the purified water. Thus, to avoid such situations, filtered water is passed through another carbon refiner during the fourth stage to remove leftover contaminants. The fourth step is like a check-post which ensures the 99% purification of water.
The filtration process terminates at the fourth step, and the water is delivered to the outlets during the last stage. The fifth step regulates the pressure quality of the water and gives it to its respective destination. However, if it is the APEC remineralizing filter, the filtration stages expand from five to seven.
During those two additional stages, healthy levels of minerals like calcium, potassium, and sodium are restored in water. Thanks to the inclusion of these substances, the pH of the water rises, and it becomes alkaline.
Performance
When it comes to performance quality, the APEC water filters are unarguably the best. All the APEC filters are constructed and assembled in the USA, which indicates their efficiency. Customers have even reported that
The flow rate of APEC filters is around 40 to 75psi and can get affected by certain factors like backend pressure. Therefore, you must check the backend pressure to avoid any drop in the flow rate of the filtered water.
Moreover, the construction of APEC filters is brilliant. They are made robust with premium-quality material, guaranteeing the filter’s longevity. All the parts of APEC filters are made lead-free, which ensures that the filtered water remains safe and purified even after exiting the filter.
Best Aspect
Compared to other RO companies, APEC offers the most inexpensive water filters. These water filters are excellent for those seeking efficient yet affordable RO filters. APEC filters might be low in price, but quality-wise they are perfect. From their extensive capacity range to optimal flow rate, APEC offers you a vast range of benefits at a meager price.
Another brilliant aspect of these filters is their easy installation and inexpensive maintenance. Usually, RO filters can be pretty challenging to install, but APEC ones are quite the opposite. Besides, the wastewater discharged from them is purified to some extent and can be utilized for washing or cleaning.
Worst Aspect
Though APEC filters are mostly flawless, there are still a few aspects that can be counted as their drawbacks. Firstly, APEC filters’ flow rate depends upon the incoming water’s backend pressure.
Since these are under-sink filters, they rely on backend pressure to create an optimal flow rate. Even though the advertised flow rate of APEC filters is around 75psi, a low backend pressure can cause a major drop in the promised flow rate.
Installation
As stated earlier, the installation of APEC filters is pretty straightforward. These filters come almost pre-assembled; all you have to do is connect a few pipes. With the help of the manual guide and a few video tutorials, you can quickly install any APEC filter.
Maintenance
Since the APEC filters are inexpensive, their replacement parts are also not highly-priced. This means you won’t have to spend much on replacing the filtration membranes after a certain period.
However, the problematic aspect is that these filters can be pretty challenging to maintain. You have to de-assemble the entire APEC filter just for regular cleaning sessions. Besides, the polypropylene filter requires frequent replacement every 10 months, which can make the overall maintenance process hassling.
Pros And Cons:
APEC Water Systems ROES PH75 Essense Series Top Tier Filter
Like the Essense Water filter, we shall also discuss a mineralizing RO filter from the APEC series. By doing so, we shall be able to compare the two brands better. APEC ROES PH75 is the only filter in the entire series to have mineralizing feature and produce alkaline water.
ROES PH75 has a generous capacity of about 75GPD, which implies that this filter produces sufficient water daily to fulfill large families’ needs. Besides five essential filtration steps, this filter features two additional stages during which remineralization is done, and the pH of the water rises.
This filtration system removes 99% of contaminants from water and, during the next step, restores essential minerals like calcium, sodium, and potassium. After the filtration and remineralization process terminates, the pressure of the purified water is maintained within the range of 40 to 75psi.
The filter can easily sustain the flow rate if the backend pressure is strong. However, if the backend pressure is low, the filter can face trouble in elevating the flow rate of the filtered water. Like other APEC filters, this one is also easy to install. By employing your DIY skills, you can easily install the filter without getting help from a plumber.
Express Water vs APEC Filters: Which is Better?
Now that you have analyzed the features of the two brands, it will be easier to compare their specifications. Both Express Water vs APEC manufacture Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters, and due to their functional similarity, customers are often confused about choosing between them.
Below is a detailed comparison, which can help you scrutinize these two brands’ differences. With its help, you can decide which of these brands’ filters is better suitable for your requirements.
Performance and Efficiency
The performance quality of these brands is quite similar. Their filtration procedures promise 99% removal of contaminants, and their remineralization processes are identical. However, the better among them can be decided based on their construction quality and flow rate.
Regarding their material quality, APEC filters are undoubtedly the best. Customers and analysts have even reported that the construction of APEC filters is far more sustainable than Express Water filters. Though Express Water filters are also pretty functional, they are susceptible to leakages.
The flow rate offered by APEC and Express Water filters is identical. Both brands feature RO filters with a pressure range of 45 to 80psi. However, the backend pressure does not affect the flow rate of Express Water filters much. But when it comes to APEC filters, the case is quite different, as its pressure fluctuates with the backend flow rate.
Installation Express Water Vs Apec
When it comes to installation, both APEC and Express Water filters offer a great range of leniency. They come with user-friendly manuals which can guide them regarding the installation of the filters. You don’t need to call for a professional technician or a plumber to install these filters.
Instead, you can install the filters yourself by employing your DIY skills. However, if you have never done DIY tasks before, it is better to seek professional help. Otherwise, you may damage the filter, which will only worsen the situation.
Maintenance Express Water Vs Apec
APEC and Express Water offer a vast range of affordable filters. Since both brands feature inexpensive filters, their maintenance cost is also low. You won’t have to spend much buying replacement parts for these filters.
Furthermore, with Express Water filters, you can get free replacement parts for a year with the kit. However, you won’t get free replacement filters with APEC products, implying that you will have to buy them on your own.
Another aspect to consider is that the APEC water filters are harder to clean than Express Water systems. The reason is that these filters require de-assembling for cleaning sessions, whereas the Express Water filters do not have any such requirement.
Waste Water Production Express Water Vs Apec
The wastewater production of APEC and Express Water filters is the same. Both filtration systems produce three gallons of water for every gallon of filtered water. Even the wastewater is pure enough for daily cleaning and washing.
Price Range Express Water Vs Apec
Another aspect that must be analyzed while comparing the two brands is their price range. Though both brands are affordable, APEC leads the race when it is compared with Express Water filters. Generally, APEC filters are more inexpensive than Express Water purifiers, ultimately making them more economical.
Customer Reviews Express Water Vs Apec
The last aspect to compare between the two brands is their customer reviews. Scrutinizing the customer reviews can help decide the winner between the two brands. On retailing websites like Amazon, APEC has more positive reviews than Express Water filters.
In fact, it would not be wrong to say that APEC is a more popular filter brand than the latter. Thus, if you want to decide the winner between the brands depending on their customer reviews, then APEC undoubtedly leads in this department.
Conclusion: Express Water Vs Apec
Among the two brands, the better one is that which suits your requirements the most. People who want a more affordable filter should opt for the APEC water system. But those who have backend water pressure problems at their places are advised to invest in an Express Water filter, as it can efficiently accelerate the flow rate of the purified water.
However, from this Express Water vs APEC comparison, it is evident that both APEC and Express Water manufacture some of the best Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters. Whichever brand you choose, you won’t be disappointed by their filtration quality and efficiency.