Record WT-0050 ยท Last verified September 2026
APEC Essence ROES-50 5-Stage 50 GPD Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink reverse osmosis by APEC. Certified to NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 372.
We may earn a commission. It never changes a grade.
Scorecard
| Measure | Grade | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Certification evidence | A | System certified: NSF/ANSI 58 (WQA), NSF/ANSI 372 (WQA) |
| 10-year cost | A | $1,075 over 10 years |
| Flow rate | n/a | Single-tap system |
| Warranty | F | 1 years on main parts |
| Returns | D | 30 days, 50% restocking fee |
What it treats
"Certified" means an independent body (NSF, IAPMO, WQA or CSA) lists this system for that contaminant. "Lab tested" means the maker published a third-party lab report. "Maker claim" means neither.
| Contaminant | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Maker claim | Other systems for Arsenic |
| Bacteria | Maker claim | Other systems for Bacteria |
| Chloramine | Maker claim | Other systems for Chloramine |
| Chlorine | Maker claim | Other systems for Chlorine |
| Copper | Maker claim | Other systems for Copper |
| Fluoride | Maker claim | Other systems for Fluoride |
| Iron | Maker claim | Other systems for Iron |
| Lead | Maker claim | Other systems for Lead |
| Manganese | Maker claim | Other systems for Manganese |
| Nitrate | Maker claim | Other systems for Nitrate |
| PFAS | Maker claim | Other systems for PFAS |
| Sediment | Maker claim | Other systems for Sediment |
| VOCs | Maker claim | Other systems for VOCs |
| Hardness | Maker claim | Other systems for Hardness |
No claim made for: Hydrogen sulfide, Uranium.
PFAS evidence: Page says it is 'Guaranteed to Remove' PFAS, PFOA, PFOS and GenX. Nothing backs it: the WQA Gold Seal listing is NSF/ANSI 58 for TDS only, and the manual's performance data covers TDS only.
Certifications
Specifications
| Type | Under-sink reverse osmosis |
|---|---|
| Technology | Sediment filtration, Activated carbon, Reverse osmosis |
| Water source | City water, Private well |
| Price | $231 to $253 |
| Capacity | Maker: 50 gallons per day at 60 psi (30 gpd at 50 psi); WQA NSF/ANSI 58 listing: 34.8 gpd daily production rate; 4-gallon tank (fills 1.9-3.1 gal depending on pressure). PDS efficiency 11.8%, recovery 25.4%. |
| Media | 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter (FI-ES-SED10), extruded activated carbon block, stage 2 (FI-ES-CAB10), extruded activated carbon block, stage 3 (FI-ES-CAB10), 50 GPD TFC reverse osmosis membrane (MEM-ES-50), coconut shell inline carbon post-filter (FI-ES-TCR-QC) |
| Stages | 5 |
| Port size | 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch feed water adapter |
| Needs a drain | Yes |
| Needs power | No |
| DIY install | Yes, with basic plumbing skills |
| Dimensions | system 15.5 x 5.25 x 17 in (L x W x H); tank 11 x 11 x 15 in |
| Weight | 26 lb |
| Warranty | 1-year limited product warranty to the original purchaser (repair, replace or refund at APEC's option); valid only with regular filter changes, APEC filters and 40-85 psi, pH 2-11, max 2,000 ppm TDS, 40-100 F; void if not operated in 'normal municipal water conditions' for the model or bought from a non-authorized seller. Lifetime customer and tech support. |
| Returns | 30-day returns from invoice date with an RMA number: full refund (less shipping) if unused in unopened packaging; 10% restocking fee if unused but opened; 15-45% if parts are missing or damaged; 50% if used and tested non-defective. Buyer pays return shipping unless APEC error or defect. |
10-year cost
| Item | Each | Times in 10 years | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| System purchase | $231 | 1 | $231 |
| Installation (assumed, professional) | $150 | 1 | $150 |
| Stage 1 5-micron sediment filter FI-ES-SED10 (stages 1-3: every 6-12 months, sooner on well water) | $11 | 19 | $209 |
| Stage 2 and 3 carbon block filter FI-ES-CAB10, 2 needed, price each (every 6-12 months) | $14 | 19 | $266 |
| MEM-ES-50 RO membrane (city water every 2-4 years; well water every 2 years) | $40 | 4 | $160 |
| Stage 5 inline carbon post-filter FI-ES-TCR-QC (every 2-4 years, with the membrane) | $15 | 4 | $60 |
| Total | $1,075 |
Install assumption: $500 for whole-house systems, $150 for under-sink units. Installing it yourself brings the total to $925. Try your own numbers in the 10-year cost calculator.
Owner reports
On-site Yotpo reviews (4.83 from 174) and Trustpilot both mention leaks at the filter housings and quick-connect fittings, on arrival or after about a year, and slow customer-service follow-up on replacements; a Trustpilot reviewer also needed two people to open the membrane housing cap.
Trustpilot: 4.2 from 878 reviews (source).
freedrinkingwater.com now redirects to apecwater.com. ROES-50 is still sold ($230.99 'sale price' with no compare-at). The page claims a 60-item 'Guaranteed to Remove' list (PFAS, lead, fluoride, arsenic, bacteria, viruses and more), but the only system certification is WQA NSF/ANSI 58 for TDS (plus NSF/ANSI 372 lead-free), so every contaminant here is 'claimed'. APEC's IAPMO NSF 58 file WC-29791 covers the tankless ROTL-A1000 (TDS, PFOA, PFOS), not ROES-50. Page says it treats 'tap, well, and hard water', and the manual gives a well-water membrane schedule, but the warranty is void if the unit is not run in 'normal municipal water conditions'. The IAPMO NSF 61 file listing 'APEC' as a brand is a different company (Yuhuan Yuzhi). Customer referral program also exists. Operating limits: 40-85 psi, 40-100 F, max TDS 2,000 ppm, pH 2-11.
Alternatives in the same category
| System | Grade | Price | 10-yr cost | Certified to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterdrop G3P800 (WD-G3P800-W) | B | $999 | $2,549 | NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 372 |
| Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2) | B | $190 | $3,253 | NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 401, CSA B483.1, NSF/ANSI 372 |
| Pentair FreshPoint GRO-575B (161112) | B | $722 | $2,987 | NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 401, CSA B483.1, NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 372 |
| Home Master TMAFC | B | $330 | $1,529 | None |
| Waterdrop X16 (WD-X16) | C | $1,999 | $3,755 | NSF/ANSI 58, NSF/ANSI 42, NSF/ANSI 372 |
Sources
- freedrinkingwater.com/products/roes-50
- apecwater.com/products/roes-50
- apecwater.com/products/roes-50.js
- apecwater.com/products.json?limit=250&page=1
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0674/1304/9597/files/ROES-50-V7.3.pdf?v=1765914531
- apecwater.com/pages/shipping
- find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/apec_water_systems/sid/5/keyword/apec
- find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/apec_water_systems/sid/29/keyword/apec
- pld-api.iapmo.org/api/search/myplc
- myplc.iapmo.org/api/projects/public/certificate-preview/29791
- flexoffers.com/affiliate-programs/apec-water-affiliate-program/
- api-cdn.yotpo.com/v1/widget/X7Mk4aiUoolhUrCxxl0VhWedc0rthify3ypecw8K/products/831560024089
- trustpilot.com/review/apecwater.com
