Typical tap water contains contaminants that could be harmful to human health. Fortunately, you can get yourself a good water purification system to remove these contaminants and enjoy safe drinking water. There are tons of variations available, so finding the right water filter for your home or business can be a serious hassle.
APEC and iSpring are two brands that stand out for their quality and efficient products. But which one should you buy between the two? This APEC vs iSpring review compares the two brands to help you choose the right system for your needs.
APEC vs iSpring: The Similarities
The manufacturers of both brands claim their water filters can remove up to 99.9% of contaminants. They make good use of their filters to provide a more effective filtration system. They can remove impurities such as viruses, chlorine, and lead.
Nobody would want a noisy filtration system in their home. Fortunately, both APEC and iSpring are designed to produce as little noise as possible.
While both brands are not exactly economical, they can be worth the investment in the long run. They come with leak-free fittings. You won’t have to stress over common water leak problems such as damaged equipment, stained floors, and molds.
APEC and iSpring both offer reverse osmosis (RO) systems that can be installed either under the sink or over the counter. Under-sink water filters are mainly recommended to free up counter space for other essential uses.
The installation process shouldn’t be a bigger problem, especially if you have some plumbing knowledge. You can use the instruction manual provided or use any relevant online content. But if you’re stuck or doubtful, you can get professional assistance.
APEC vs iSpring: The Differences
First Filtration Stage
APEC’s first filter is 100% polypropylene and is the largest. It can block large particles of up to 5 microns, including physical debris, dirt, rust, and mud. These particles, if allowed to pass, could easily block and damage the other filters. And you’ll be forced to replace them more frequently.
The only problem is, the filter is sealed, and you can hardly know when it’s due for a change.
iSpring’s first filtration stage contains a 5-micron, 100% polypropylene filter, as well. But it comes with a rather innovative design. It has a transparent filter, so you can see the amount of sediment collected and know when to change it. The unit also has a transparent outer casing, and you won’t have to disassemble the unit to know if it’s time to replace it.
The Carbon Filters
APEC has two activated carbon filters on each of the second and third filtration stages. This increases the time the water will be in contact with the filters; hence more contaminants removed. Most of the impurities, such as chlorine, odors, and turbidity, are removed by these filters. The resulting water is usually crystal clear.
Unlike APEC, iSpring uses only one carbon filter and one activated charcoal filter. But you can get the most out of the two filters. The water will first pass through the carbon filter to remove fine particles and impurities. Large particles hardly reach the activated charcoal filter, and you won’t be changing the filter more often.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filters
The RO system is a popular water filters design used in both brands. This is where you get your clean and safe water after removing all bacteria and heavy metals. Unfortunately, RO systems tend to “waste” a lot of water. The systems will use 2-3 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of clean water. A part of the excess water is used to constantly rinse the membrane of the collected contaminants.
APEC can handle up to 50 gallons of tap water per day. The RO membrane is protected by a sediment removal filter that catches remaining particles and rust. The membrane has a Spiral Wound design to increase its structural strength and filtering efficiency. However, APEC has not listed the details of their RO membrane; it only claims to be using ‘Industry Standard’ membranes.
iSpring filters up to 99% impurities through its 0.0001-micron filters to produce soft, odorless drinking water. It has a capacity of 75 gallons of tap water per day, making it suitable for a large family. Plus, iSpring has included an Alkaline Remineralization filter to restore beneficial minerals to the purified water.
Warranty
A warranty usually represents the level of trust that a manufacturer has over the expected lifespan of their product. APEC has a longer product warranty of 2 years, as compared to iSpring’s 1-year warranty. However, iSpring offers lifetime technical support as a bonus.
The Bottom Line
Which brand wins the APEC vs iSpring battle? Well, both brands have excellent water purification systems to consider. They have several features that give each system a competitive edge over the other. With this guide, you should be able to identify the system that meets your needs and preferences.