I will start off by saying that I have an M.S. degree in Environmental Science. This has absolutely no bearing on this review, except that I completely understand the processes going on with the zero water filter and the concept of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

I did not purchase the zero water for any altruistic purpose. I did it to save money. I used to by bottled spring water because I grew up in a rural area and never acquired a taste for city water. I hate the taste of chlorinated water. I was looking for an alternative to expensive, and yes wasteful, bottled water that would taste good enough to drink.

I did a lot of research before deciding to buy this, and I am glad that I did. The result is that I love the choice I made. I am going to discuss my experience with this product and also respond to some of the other reviews that I read here.

So here we go:

1. The product is solidly made. I have owned this for five months and have had no problems with leakage from the filter (I am on number two) where it connects to the water reservoir or any other mechanical problems.

2. When I first set the product up, I did neglect to watch the O-ring around the filter when I tightened it. I saw a few drops of water leak out around the seal, realized what had happened, and screwed the filter on making sure the O-ring was secure and tight. This was complete user error and had nothing at all to do with the product. I mention it so that if you are just starting out, you do not make the same mistake.

3. It does take awhile for the water to filter through. When I first got this and after replacing the filter, I would say it took about twenty to thirty minutes to filter enough water to fill the container. After filling it the first time, I have just gotten into the habit of pouring water in when I take water out. It is easy and gives me a constant supply of water.

4. The life of the filter is highly dependent on the water quality from your tap and how much water you use. I was worried that I would end up spending more on filters than bottle water costs; it did not end up being a problem in my area. The TDS for my tap runs somewhere between about 98 and 140 ppm (parts per million) with an average of around 111 ppm. I have learned this from testing the TDS over time. To test the life of my first filter, I decided never to add water to the reservoir unless it was below 120 ppm. The only time my water gets above this is when their is a big rain storm, so I just worked around the weather. Using this as my guideline, my first filter lasted 71 days. I am on number two, now. Also, I use somewhere between two-thirds to all of the water capacity daily. Way more economical than bottled water!

Note: Before purchasing this, I went to the zero water website. They have a section where you can enter your zip code, and it tells you what the average TDS is for your area. For my area, their information was accurate. I would suggest doing this when deciding if this is right for you, especially if the cost of filters is an issue.

5. The taste of the water is good. Now, I will say that for the first four or five days the water has a funk to it. I thought it tasted vaguely like when you use purification tablets in water. I was not impressed, but I thought it was better than city water. What I noticed was that after a few days the water tasted better. This happened again when I replaced the filter. I am guessing that when you first use the filter there is some aromatic residue from the filter itself, but it goes away basically after you get through the initial water that you put in. I have super sensitive taste - my boyfriend did not notice the funk at all. He really likes this water, and once the funk goes away, I really like it, too. No chlorine taste! Yay!

6. I have read some concerns in the reviews about the pH of the water that you get. I have not tested the pH of the water after it has been treated with the zero water system. However, If the pH is 4 or 5, I am not very concerned about it. The natural acidity of your stomach is around 4 to 5, and drops to somewhere between 1 and 2 when you eat. I have had no problems with an acid stomach, etc. from this product. In fact, the lower acidity may reduce the amount of acid your body has to produce to counteract what you have consumed. I am not sure, but I have not noticed any changes in my physiology in response to drinking this water.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with my zero water purifier. It is economical, produces tasty water, and is very convenient. It is slender enough that we keep ours in the refrigerator, so we not only have good water, but we can keep it cool, as well. In five months, mine has more than paid for itself in savings from buying bottled water.

Hope this effort helps if you are making the decision as to whether or not this investment is right for you.

So far so good. water tastes great. I put it next to the tap so it works out great for me. The tool included is a nice touch. It filters quickly too.

The filter is expensive to replace but coming from small pitcher this is next level for water in terms of taste and work. I don’t have to refill as often. Totally worth it for me. Would recommend to everyone.

I came across this product by watching a review video from the YouTube channel Project Farm. The host of the channel offers what seems to be unbiased and pseudoscientific methods to testing and reviewing various items of a similar kind. Worth a watch.

My priorities when purchasing:

- Removal of dissolved solids

- Large capacity

- Long filter life

This item is well built and satisfies my criteria. It also comes with a water tester that can be used to confirm the quality of water dispensed as well as establish a baseline from your filling source. I cannot comment on the accuracy of this tester. In the independent review that I watched, the included tester was not used, however, the dispenser performed as advertised. Zero dissolved solids (of a particular kind). With water filtration, it is important to establish which contaminants you are most concerned about and confirm that the filter can address these.

This dispenser is easy to fill, filters relatively quickly, and provides plenty of water for one to two people for a day of drinking.

I purchase this for a friend and would recommend it as well.

I didn't want a pitcher style filter, didn't want under-the-counter and so I opted for this dispenser as a compromise for filtered water. Our water is so filled with chlorine, it's not very good-tasting. I use this water for drinking and making tea or coffee.

Good points: the filter takes out a lot of material and the water tastes good. It comes with a detector that measures dissolved material. Over 6 on the indicator and it's time to replace the filter.

I've had this for a good 3/4 of a year, and just now, the filter is showing "3" and I can taste a bit of something in the water. I fill it up on average about once a day, using the extension hose on my sink faucet.

Bad points:

Over time, you can sometimes get algae growth in the bottom chamber. We have a lot of algae in the air and sooner or later, a cell or two finds its way into the lower compartment (not via the filter--but small dust particles can cling to the filter housing or find their way in via the spout.) I wash out the unit well and then put in a solution of chlorine bleach, which is normally used to kill microbes. You'll probably have to do this more often than changing the filter. You may not have this problem but it's marshy and swampy here and we have a lot of agricultural dust and wind. Our Keurig's water reservoir has the same issue.

So, where are the replacement filters on Amazon? Not to be found, let alone on Amazon Prime. I finally found them, using the part number ZD-006, which work for pitchers and dispensers. I had to research that on another site to make sure I had the right filter. If you sell the unit, you should sell replacement filters and make it clear which ones go with which unit.

A lot of fines from the filter, charcoal, show up in the upper compartment. Even after thorough rinsing, a lot of fines come off. They don't make it into the lower dispenser compartment, however, so no real problem.

The tap drips ever so slightly after dispensing water.

Over all, this is a good water filter and more convenient than a small pitcher.

Excellent product! The water taste good as well as clean filter water! I love that you can test your water.

IF YOU KNOW YOUR WATER CONTAINS A LOT OF MINERALS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STEER CLEAR OF THE ZEROWATER FILTERING SYSTEMS.

Visit the ZeroWater web site (zerowater.com). There, you can find a map and determine if the water in your area has a high level of TDS. If it does, the ZeroWater system may not work well for you. If your location has water over 250 ppm from the tap, you will probably be disappointed with the ZeroWater systems.

CONSIDER WHY YOU WANT TO FILTER YOUR WATER

WHAT ZEROWATER DOES

ZeroWater's web site states that their systems are designed to reduce principally one kind of substance in water-- dissolved inorganic salts, and chlorine. The ZeroWater system is very effective at reducing measured TDS (total dissolved solids/salts); that is why they provide a sensor device for that kind of substance. ZeroWater filters do also reduce hydrogen sulfide, chromium, lead, and mercury. Keep in mind that ZeroWater also reduces calcium, magnesium and other harmless or beneficial minerals from the water.

If this is what you want and expect, then the ZeroWater system is a convenient alternative to reverse osmosis or other purification systems.

By design, ZeroWater DOES LITTLE to filter organic substances (such as cysts, spores, MTBE, VOC, pharmaceuticals, etc.). It is not designed to do so.

If your concern is to eliminate contaminants, ZeroWater will only remove inorganic ones.

If you really want to know what different filtration systems do, visit the NSF web site (NSF tests certifies water filtration products) at nsf.org/certified/dwtu

CHORINE TASTE

ZeroWater, like almost all water purification systems available, will reduce chlorine smell and taste. It does a fine job at that. So do plenty of systems that are less expensive per gallon.

"GOOD" TASTE

It seems that ZeroWater does make the water taste noticeably acidic. The water "feels" (on the tongue) and "tastes" fresh and zesty, but that is because removing alkaline salts from water will lower the pH of water. To some extent, our senses may react favorably to acidity (low pH), hence making the water taste "better."

By contrast, other filters leave more alkaline salts in the water, and thus taste a little brackish, and less "fresh".

DISPENSER DESIGN

The flaws of the dispenser have been noted by other reviewers, but I also concur...

The spigot on the dispenser is difficult to use, since considerable force must be applied during dispensing.

The plastic reservoir itself is flimsy (mine broke pretty easily).

The lid flops off too easily.

PRACTICAL USE OVER TIME

As the filters are used, the acidity becomes more noticeable. If the water has a lot of alkalinity (high pH) to start with, the useful life of the filter is very short (my personal experience). After only six gallons and three days of use, the water became very sour, eventually resembling diluted vinegar. I never experienced the fishy smell people complained about, but the acidity was enough that I reflexively spit out the water from the seventh gallon.

As the replacement filters are $15 each, the cost per gallon in my case seems to be over $2, if I need a new filter every six gallons.

I think that many people with lower TDS levels at the tap would have better results, which accounts for the many positive reviews of this system. However, I recommend potential buyers consider their own water and what they want to change about it.

If your water has high TDS, the filter replacements for the ZeroWater will become very costly. If you wish to eliminate organic compounds from the water, the ZeroWater systems will not accomplish that. If you want to make your water taste better, ZeroWater will get rid of the chlorine and make the water taste "fresh" for a while, as long as the filter is not burdened with high levels of things it is made to reduce.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

I am throwing mine away (I broke the reservoir, as stated above, so I don't feel right sending it back). Expensive lesson, but I learned the ZeroWater is not right for me.

I purchased this product 3/23/2023. Don't get it wrong the water is so good. But for some mysterious reason, it has now started to leak out of the bottom of the container. It has never been dropped. I'm just wondering what could cause it to suddenly leak. I contacted the company and they sent me another pitcher. Outstanding customer service

Happy with purchase. I used until I could get bottled water set up after my municipality changed the chlorination program and ruined the taste and smell of our city water. This eliminates everything. Everything. So well filtered that the water tastes flat, which is not a strength, but it is better than the city water option which is about like pool water. Now that I have bottled water, I keep this in the bathroom for brushing teeth, taking pills, etc.

Mantiene quello che il nome promette: zero residui. Quasi sempre il migliore nelle comparazioni indipendenti. E per me in effetti lo è.

At the beginning the quality as well as the taste of the filtered water was very good. Also the handling is very easy. But after using it for 2 weeks, the water tasted bitter and strange. I tested the water and as we started with a result of 0!!, it came within two weeks to 250, and a day later to 350! It is dangerous, and I tried to find out what's the problem is. Turns out there is no proper manual, and I needed to research online - which took a lot of my time. Overall, I would Not recommend to but this, as it is a waste of time, money and efforts.

Excellent product

I've been looking for something that tastes like SmartWater, but without all the additives...this is the closest thing I could find, and am very pleased with it. The filters may be a bit pricy, but compared to the quality of others I've tried (Brita, filtered fridge water), Zerowater is by far the best choice. (Go to last paragraph if you want details about size and filter life)

I also noticed that the taste of the water doesn't change if you leave it sitting out and it becomes lukewarm (which I tend to do often)...in the past I had to toss out water that had been left out because the taste had become even worse...now I drink up whether it is ice old or lukewarm. So I'm saving on water prices as a result. I even find myself filling up my workout water bottles at home so I don't have to use any of the water I find at the gym.

As far as size, it fits perfectly into the fridge and refills easily without pulling it out of the fridge entirely. As far as filter life...I've had it for a month, and have average water quality (166ppm), and haven't had to change the filter at all. This may be different if more people are using it (or if your water quality is worse), but I'm a single person household and I'm pretty active, so I still go through a lot of water.

Really works and cleans your water to 0 TDS. And you can then add your own minerals (Wasserist neutral+bakingsoda) and you have the perfect mineral water. Amd because you know whats in it you will never have to worry.

One tip to extend the life of your zerowater-filter is to keep a bottle of clean filtered water aside (without any minerals) and then wash the contents of the filter (so open it with a knife) with the clean water in a jar. And you can reuse it. Don't know how many times but at least more than twice.