I wanted a water filter that could give me properly filtered drinking water without requiring an under-sink installation or turning my kitchen into a plumbing project. The DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter caught my attention because it combines RO filtration with a countertop setup that is much easier to live with.
After using it, I can see why I like the concept. The water tastes noticeably cleaner, the setup is convenient, and having filtered water ready to drink is a definite upgrade. There are a few things I would change, though, particularly around the reservoir and pitcher capacity.
Key Takeaways
- The filtered water tastes noticeably cleaner and fresher.
- Setup is much easier than installing an under-sink RO system.
- The countertop design makes it convenient for everyday use.
- The pitchers make it easy to keep filtered water available.
- The TDS display is useful for monitoring the filtration process.
- The reservoir provides less immediately usable water than I initially expected.
- The pitchers could be larger for heavier water drinkers.
- It requires regular cleaning and filter maintenance.
- Overall, I think it is a solid countertop RO system, but it is not completely maintenance-free.
What Is the DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter?
The DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter is a countertop water purification system that uses multiple filtration stages and reverse osmosis to filter drinking water. Instead of being permanently connected to the plumbing, I simply fill the reservoir and let the machine process the water.
Depending on the model, the system also includes features such as TDS monitoring, automatic filling and multiple pitchers. The whole idea is to make reverse osmosis more accessible without requiring a permanent under-sink installation.
That was particularly appealing to me because I wanted the filtration of an RO system without having to make my kitchen more complicated than it already is.
Why I Bought It
I bought the DREO because I wanted better drinking water without constantly relying on bottled water. I have used simpler water filters before, but I wanted something that went beyond simply improving the taste. Reverse osmosis appealed to me because it removes a much wider range of dissolved substances, and I liked the idea of getting that level of filtration without installing a permanent system underneath my sink.
I also wanted something that would be convenient enough to actually use every day. A complicated filtration system might technically give me better water, but if using it feels like a chore, I know I am eventually going to stop bothering with it.
My Experience Using the DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
Setting up the DREO was easier than I expected. I was prepared for the usual confusion that comes with anything involving multiple filters and water tanks, but once everything was positioned correctly and I completed the initial flushing, I was able to start using it without much fuss.
The first thing I noticed was the taste. The water tastes noticeably cleaner and lighter than the water I started with, particularly when it is cold, and I became much more aware of the difference after using the DREO regularly. Tea, coffee and even ice also taste cleaner, which made me appreciate the filtration beyond simply having better-tasting drinking water.
I really like the pitchers because they make the system more practical for everyday use. I can keep filtered water ready to drink and put one pitcher in the refrigerator, so I am not constantly waiting for the machine whenever I want cold water. The TDS display is also a nice touch because I can see the difference before and after filtration, although I would not treat the number as a complete measure of water quality.
The reservoir took a little more getting used to because I initially expected the amount of water I poured in to be roughly equivalent to the amount of filtered water I would get out. Since reverse osmosis uses some of the incoming water during filtration, that is not how it works in practice, so I found myself refilling it more often than I expected. The pitchers could also be larger, especially when I am filling a bigger bottle or drinking more water throughout the day.
The other thing I had to accept is that this is not a completely hands-off appliance. The reservoir and pitchers need cleaning, and the filters eventually need replacing, but none of that feels unreasonable to me for an RO system. Once I got into the routine, using it became pretty simple.
Overall, I am happy with the actual filtration. The water tastes good, the system is convenient enough for daily use, and I like getting the benefits of reverse osmosis without having to install a permanent system under the sink. The main drawbacks for me are really about capacity and maintenance rather than the quality of the filtered water itself.
Does the DREO Actually Make a Difference?
For me, yes. The biggest difference is simply how the water tastes. If the water going into the machine has a noticeable mineral, chlorine or otherwise unpleasant taste, the filtered water tastes much cleaner and easier to drink.
I also appreciate that the DREO is doing more than simply masking the taste. The reverse osmosis process is designed to reduce dissolved substances from the water, which is the main reason I chose this type of system over a basic pitcher filter.
That said, I would not assume that a low TDS number means the water is automatically free of every possible contaminant. TDS is useful for showing that dissolved material has been reduced, but it is not a complete water-quality analysis. If I had a specific concern about something in my water, I would want to check whether the particular DREO model is designed to address it rather than assuming RO filtration covers absolutely everything.
For everyday drinking water, though, I am satisfied with the difference.
The TDS Display Is Actually Useful
One of the little features I appreciate is being able to see the TDS reading rather than having the machine operate completely behind the scenes. It gives me a simple way to compare the water going into the system with the water coming out, and seeing the number drop makes the filtration process feel less abstract.
I do think it is important not to obsess over the number, though. A very low TDS reading can be reassuring, but it does not tell me everything I would need to know about the overall safety or quality of the water.
For me, it is useful information rather than a magic score that tells me whether my water is perfect.
What I Loved
The water quality is easily my favorite part because that is ultimately what I bought the machine for. The water tastes clean and refreshing, and I notice the difference much more now that I have been using filtered water regularly.
I also love not needing an under-sink installation. Being able to put an RO system on the countertop makes the whole idea much less intimidating, particularly when I do not want to modify my plumbing just to get filtered water.
The pitchers are another feature I ended up appreciating because they make the machine easier to incorporate into my routine. I can have filtered water ready in the refrigerator rather than treating the machine like something I have to operate every time I want a drink.
And although the TDS display is not a complete measurement of water quality, I like having it there because it gives me some insight into what the filtration process is actually doing.
What I Didn’t Love
The reservoir is probably my biggest practical complaint because the amount of water I can actually use is lower than I initially expected from the size of the tank.
That is partly a consequence of how reverse osmosis works, so I would not necessarily call it a design failure, but it is something I wish I had understood better before using the machine. If I am drinking a lot of water, I have to refill it more often than I initially anticipated.
I also wish the pitchers were a little larger. They work perfectly well for ordinary use, but when I am filling a larger bottle or drinking more water throughout the day, I can get through the available filtered water fairly quickly.
The maintenance is another consideration. I do not think it is excessive, but this is definitely not a machine I would buy if I wanted something I could completely forget about after setting it up.
Is the DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Worth the Price?
I think it can be, particularly if you specifically want reverse osmosis filtration. If the only thing I wanted was better-tasting water, I could get that much more cheaply with a basic water filter pitcher. The DREO takes up more space and costs considerably more, so I think it needs to be judged against other RO systems rather than ordinary water pitchers.
Where it makes more sense to me is if I want the filtration of an RO system but do not want to install one underneath my sink. The countertop design saves me from dealing with permanent plumbing, and that convenience has real value.
I would also remember that the purchase price is not the entire cost of ownership. The filters need to be replaced eventually, and the machine needs regular cleaning, so there is an ongoing cost and a little maintenance involved.
For me, the water quality and convenience make the DREO worth considering, but I would not describe it as the cheapest or easiest way to filter water.
Who I Think Will Love It
I think the DREO is a good option if you:
- Want reverse osmosis filtration without an under-sink installation.
- Dislike the taste or smell of your tap water.
- Want to reduce how much bottled water you buy.
- Have enough counter space for a dedicated filtration system.
- Like having filtered water readily available.
- Do not mind basic cleaning and filter maintenance.
Who Should Skip It
I would probably skip it if you:
- Have very limited counter space.
- Drink a very large amount of water every day.
- Want an especially large pitcher.
- Do not want to clean or maintain a filtration appliance.
- Are already happy with your water quality and existing filtration setup.
Alternatives
- AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis System
- Waterdrop Countertop RO Water Filter
- SimPure Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
- Brita Water Filter Pitcher
Conclusion
I went into the DREO Reverse Osmosis Water Filter wanting something that would make drinking water easier and better without requiring a complicated installation, and that is ultimately what I got.
The water tastes noticeably cleaner, the countertop design is convenient, and I like having filtered water available without constantly buying bottles. I also appreciate getting the benefits of reverse osmosis without having to commit to an under-sink system.
It is not perfect, though. The reservoir does not provide quite as much immediately usable water as I initially expected, the pitchers could be larger, and the machine still needs regular cleaning and filter replacements. None of those things are dealbreakers for me, but they are worth considering before buying.
Overall, I think the DREO is a solid option for someone who wants countertop reverse osmosis without the hassle of installation. It is more involved than a basic water filter pitcher, but the improvement in water quality makes that trade-off worthwhile for me.
Would I buy it again?
Yes. I like the water, I like the convenience, and I like being able to have an RO system without modifying my kitchen.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. I would recommend it to someone who specifically wants countertop reverse osmosis and understands that there is some maintenance involved. It is not the simplest or cheapest way to filter water, but for the combination of filtration and convenience, I think the DREO does a good job.
Also read my similar review of the Breville Barista Pro