Compare Water Filters
ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the APEC Water Systems ROES-50 Essence Series 5-Stage Under-Sink RO 5.7/10 and the ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher 8.0/10 on the same water filters scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher comes out ahead, led by its safety score (8.0/10 vs 5.5/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on APEC Water Systems ROES-50 Essence Series 5-Stage Under-Sink RO vs ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher.
Unlock the full APEC Water Systems ROES-50 Essence Series 5-Stage Under-Sink RO vs ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You own your home and are comfortable with a basic DIY under-sink installation.
You want certified RO performance at roughly half the price of a countertop unit.
You're willing to manage filter replacement schedules manually without reminders.
You want on-demand filtered water from a dedicated faucet rather than filling a pitcher.
You want certified PFAS and lead reduction from an EPA-recognized body in a pitcher under $33.
You live in a low-to-moderate mineral content water area where filters last 30–40 gallons.
You value real-time water quality monitoring — the included TDS meter is the best in this category.
Budget matters and you want maximum certified protection per dollar spent.
The main thing to know
Under-sink installation required: drilling, supply line connection, and a dedicated faucet. Not an option for renters or buyers without basic DIY plumbing confidence.
A ConsumerLab study found ZeroWater's filter releases plastic particles into filtered water. If microplastics are a top concern, this is a meaningful flag — consider AquaTru instead.
Skip this if you...
You're renting or can't drill under your sink.
You specifically need certified PFAS or lead claims — APEC's certification covers TDS, not those contaminants individually.
You want an indicator or reminder system for multi-stage filter replacement.
Microplastics are a top concern — independent testing found ZeroWater adds plastic particles to water.
You live in a high-mineral-content area where annual filter costs can exceed $600.
Slow fill time is a dealbreaker — expect around 13 minutes per full pitcher.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Water Filters options at every price pointEvery Water Filters in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated APEC Water Systems and ZeroWater across 3 independent criteria: Safety (91%), Efficacy (6%), Usability (3%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with ZeroWater ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher - it scored 8.0/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Water Filters across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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