We tested Cloud RO to assess its ability to purify our municipal water in a townhome in Denver, Colorado. In this review, we’ve summarized our objective data and analysis across a range of performance categories, including contaminant reduction, ease of setup, maintenance requirements, efficiency ratio, and more.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
| Price | $749 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 200+ |
| Certifications | NSF 58 |
| Process | Carbon + Reverse Osmosis + Remineralization |
| Filter Capacity | Pre/Post Filters 500 gallons, RO membrane 1,500 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$200 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Table of Contents
📊 Scoring Data
Cloud RO is a conventional tank-based RO system, but with a modern twist. To accurately compare it to the other under-sink RO purifiers we’ve tested, we comprehensively evaluated the system’s features and performance across six key scoring categories, which, when combined, gave us an overall averaged performance score. You can see our scores for Cloud RO in the table below.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.42 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 99 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 35 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 16% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 80 GPD |
| Component Quality | Exceptional |
| Component Certification | Certified |
| Setup | Below Average |
| Servicing Requirements | Exceptional |
| Costs | $0.26/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free on all orders in the US |
| Returns | 12 month guarantee |
🎬 Video Review
🚰 Contaminant Reduction
Score: 9.42There were two scores that influenced the overall score for contaminant reduction in our testing:
- The data we received from our own water quality testing
- Performance certification data (or lack thereof) from official testing organizations
We combined these to obtain our overall contaminant reduction score. This is fairer than only using our own testing data, which has limitations: we can only test a product’s ability to remove the contaminants in our own water, so evidence of certifications allows us to confirm a filter’s proven ability to reduce additional contaminants.
Our Performance Testing
Score: 9.58
We tested Cloud RO in a relatively new Denver townhouse that uses city water. To get the most accurate and comprehensive results, we sent samples of our water to a testing company, Tap Score, to conduct analysis in laboratory conditions.
We took a pre-filtered water sample straight from our faucet. After installing and using Cloud RO for three weeks, we then took a filtered water sample from the dedicated RO faucet.
Health-Related Contaminants
Score: 7.70
Our initial testing showed that the quality of our untreated water really wasn’t that bad; however, it did still contain trace contaminants with potential health effects that we wanted to remove.
Of these, our primary concerns were the two disinfection byproducts detected (chloroform and bromodichloromethane), which both exceeded the HGL:
- 8.22 PPB of chloroform was detected, exceeding the HGL of 0.22 PPB by 3,635%
- 2.65 PPB of bromodichloromethane was detected, when the Tap Score HGL is 0 PPB.
Fluoride was another of our primary concerns. Although it wasn’t detected in concentrations exceeding the HGL, the homeowners have a newborn baby, so we wanted to remove fluoride from the water used for formula, drinking, and cooking.
You can see the full list of contaminants with health effects detected in our water in the table below.
| Property | Type | Measurement | Pre-Filtration | Post-Filtration | % Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroform | Disinfection Byproducts | PPB | 8.22 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Total THMs | Disinfection Byproducts | PPB | 10.87 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | PPB | 2.65 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Fluoride | Inorganics | PPM | 0.6 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Sulfate | Inorganics | PPM | 20 | 1.1 | -94.50% |
| Chloride | Inorganics | PPM | 15 | 1 | -93.33% |
| Aluminum | Metals | PPM | 0.164 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Barium | Metals | PPM | 0.0264 | 0.0057 | -78.41% |
| Copper | Metals | PPM | 0.0099 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Manganese | Metals | PPM | 0.0016 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Molybdenum | Metals | PPM | 0.002 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Strontium | Metals | PPM | 0.097 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Zinc | Metals | PPM | 0 | 0.024 | #DIV/0! |
| Bicarbonate | Minerals | PPM | 62.98 | 10.36 | -83.55% |
| Calcium | Minerals | PPM | 18.1 | 1.2 | -93.37% |
| Carbonate | Minerals | PPM | 0.729 | 2.39 | 227.85% |
| Magnesium | Minerals | PPM | 3.4 | 1.53 | -55.00% |
| Potassium | Minerals | PPM | 1.03 | 0 | -100.00% |
| Sodium | Minerals | PPM | 15.3 | 1.44 | -90.59% |
| Hardness (Total) | Properties | PPM | 59.95 | 9.34 | -84.42% |
| pH | Properties | 8.4 | 9.7 | 15.48% | |
| Total Dissolved Solids | Properties | PPM | 76 | 14 | -81.58% |
Our results for our post-install test showed that Cloud RO had removed 100% of both disinfection byproducts and fluoride, which is exactly what we’d expected from an RO purifier. It also eliminated aluminum, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and strontium, and greatly reduced barium (by 78%) and sulfate (by 94%).
Aesthetic Contaminants
Score: 3.50
An unexpected result of our testing was that Cloud received a low score of 3.5 for aesthetic contaminants.
The system did a great job at reducing 100% chlorine, the most common aesthetic contaminant in treated tap water.
But the presence of chlorine doesn’t affect Tap Score’s own scoring algorithm because the contaminant isn’t tested by the lab (we tested for it ourselves using the provided DIY test strip due to chlorine’s volatile nature).
So what brought down the aesthetic score in our purified water test results?
The Tap Score algorithm lowered the aesthetic score due to the purified water’s high 9.7 alkaline pH.
This is actually one of the selling points of the system and it demonstrates its ability to remineralize water and increase its pH (many folks spend a lot of money on bottled water with a high pH).
However, the Tap Score algorithm is affected by high pH water because, according to the lab, it “may cause a bitter or baking soda-like taste, leave deposits on your fixtures, and have a slippery or soapy feel”.
Luckily, you don’t need to worry about deposits on your fixtures from a point-of-use RO system that has its own faucet, and we didn’t notice any negative taste or texture effects after installing the unit.
Minerals & Salts
That brings us onto the topic of the minerals and salts concentrations in our water. This testing sub-category isn’t something that we currently assign a score to, but it’s definitely worth a mention when we’re talking about reverse osmosis systems.
RO units purify water, which means they remove everything, including minerals and salts that give water a pleasant alkaline taste and contribute to its pH.
A great feature of Cloud RO is its built-in remineralization filter, so it adds these minerals back into the water.
The manufacturer claims that the minerals reintroduced by the remineralization filter are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and trace minerals, which “naturally elevate” the water’s pH and make it more alkaline.
However, we found that the calcium in our water was reduced by 93%, magnesium by 55%, potassium by 100%, and sodium by 90%.
This is actually quite a common result that we’ve experienced when testing RO systems with a remineralizing post-filter. It seems that even though the filter reintroduces trace minerals back into the water, the concentrations of minerals added aren’t equal to those reduced, which means there’s still a mineral reduction overall.
But we still know that the remineralization filter is effective in this system because the pH of our water increased from 8.4 to 9.7. As we mentioned in the above section, this is a great outcome, especially since demineralized RO water generally has a low pH of 6.0-6.5 due to its lack of minerals.
Performance Certifications
Score: 8.00
In this updated review, we’re happy to report that the manufacturer has now obtained an NSF 58 certification for TDS reduction.
While we think any certifications are better than none for the reassurance they can provide for performance quality, this isn’t the most impressed we’ve been with a product’s certifications. Cloud RO didn’t get the top score here because it’s only certified to reduce one of the six contaminants listed on the product page (lead, fluoride, PFAs pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and TDS), or 16% of the manufacturer’s overall reduction claims.
TDS reduction is all well and good, but it doesn’t tell us which specific contaminants the system can reduce. We’d like to see additional certifications for the reduction of contaminants with harmful health effects, like lead, PFAS, and chromium-6.
🚦Filtration Rate
Score: 8.50The water production rate for reverse osmosis systems is measured in GPD (gallons per day), and the filtration rate for Cloud is 80 GPD.
Is this the best GPD rating we’ve seen? No. We’ve seen RO systems that can deliver up to 600, 800, or even 1,000 gallons per day – although this is really nothing more than a number, since the average family of 4 drinks just 2 gallons of water per day.
Let’s also not forget that flow rate is less important in this system than it would be in a tankless RO unit because when you turn on the tap, you can access water that’s stored in the tank rather than having to wait for it to flow through all the filtration stages before reaching your faucet.
The tank holds 3.2 gallons, so it’s unlikely that you’ll leave the faucet on long enough to empty it in one go, and the tank will be replenished between uses.
Plus, there are a few unique performance features that make Cloud RO more reliable than a tankless unit, including its dedicated solenoid valve, which shuts off water flow once optimal volume has been reached in the tank, boosting faucet flow rate while preventing TDS creep (an issue that’s common in tankless systems).
💦 Efficiency Ratio
Conventional tank-based RO systems have a pure-to-wastewater ratio of 1:4, meaning that for every 1 gallon of pure water produced, 4 gallons are wasted.
Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding wastewater in the RO process – it’s just how it is. But many systems are becoming more efficient, and Cloud is one of them, with a much-improved efficiency ratio of 1:1. That means only 1 gallon of water is wasted for every 1 gallon purified.
Water waste is something that you will need to be comfortable with when buying any reverse osmosis system. If you don’t want to waste any water at all, you’ll have to consider a standard, non-RO under-sink water filtration system, but then you won’t get the perks of purifying your water.
📐 Design
Score: 10.00Cloud RO is a modern, smart take on a conventional tank-based RO system. This compact unit features a small 3.2-gallon water tank, which stores purified water, giving you faster access to the water you need when you turn on the tap.
The system comes with a dedicated faucet (available in four finishes). You can access RO water when you need it, and use your normal faucet when you don’t need purified water (such as for washing the dishes), so you don’t use the filters unnecessarily.
The factors that affected Cloud’s overall design score were:
- Its component quality (based on our own subjective analysis).
- Whether or not it had a materials safety certification (based on objective data).
Component Quality
Score: 10.00
Cloud got the top score from us for component quality. It’s made from BPA-free food-grade plastic and comes with a lead-free, stainless steel faucet, ensuring your purified water won’t get recontaminated on its journey into your glass.
The system feels sturdily built, and we appreciate that all the filters are housed in a solid box (which the manufacturer calls the “magazine”), so there are no flimsy components on the outside. The unit base holds the filter unit and contains sensors and a permeate pump.
Smart Features
Like many modern RO systems, Cloud has a few smart features that you might enjoy or find useful.
You can connect the unit to a mobile app and view tracking data thanks to its built-in sensors. Data includes water consumption (tracked by the pressure sensors), tank volume, and water filter lifespan.
Certification
Score: 10.00
Cloud has a materials safety certification as a component of its NSF 58 performance certification, so it received the best score in this category from us.
Filter Materials & Media
There are four filters in the Cloud RO unit:
- Sediment Filter: Traps dust, rust, dirt, and other debris and sediment that could clog the later filter stages. The filter has a 5-micron rating, meaning that it traps contaminants down to 5 microns in size.
- Activated Carbon Block & Anti-Scale Filter: Combines adsorption (from the 1-micron activated carbon media) to reduce chlorine, tastes, and odor, and an anti-scale media, which protects the RO membrane from limescale damage.
- Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Uses DOW filmtech technology to reject the majority of impurities while allowing water molecules to pass through.
- Remineralization Post Filter: A coconut carbon block filter with a blend of three different media to add healthy minerals to water, boost its pH, and polish water before it’s delivered to the tank for storage.
The four filters are housed in plastic cartridges.
⚙️ Setup
Score: 7.50Installing any reverse osmosis system is relatively tricky – you’ll need to plumb the system into your main water line and hook up a drain line to carry the wastewater into the closest drain. These are two extra installation requirements for RO systems only.
But we found it easier to install Cloud RO than conventional under-sink tank-based RO systems, thanks to its compact, simplistic design.
Installation Challenges
The most challenging part of the installation process was drilling the hole in the granite countertop for the faucet, but with a diamond-tipped drill bit (which we ended up buying for this purpose), it was no big deal.
We also had to drill a hole above the p-trap in the sink drain for the drain line, but again this was pretty easy. The rest is simply plugging all the plumbing together, which was really easy following the instructions in the user manual. There’s also a handy video installation guide on the Cloud website if you’re more of a visual learner.
Installation Benefits
What we particularly appreciate about this system’s design is that the base is detachable from the main unit body, so you can install the base alone without having to work around the bulk of the filter unit, then simply attach the unit once you’ve finished. Plus, all the fittings are pre-installed, so you don’t have to waste your time putting the unit together like a jigsaw puzzle before you can start with installation.
Another benefit of Cloud RO’s design is that you don’t need to plug the unit into a power supply because its internal sensor tech is powered by the battery pack. That means you have more leniency when it comes to your install location as it doesn’t need to be within a certain distance of a power socket.
Still, you’ll need DIY know-how and some basic plumbing knowledge to install this system, and that’s why it received a slightly lower score from us in this category. You might need to enlist the help of a friend or a family member if you’re unsure.
🔧 Maintenance
Score: 10.00We awarded Cloud’s maintenance score by combining our scores for its servicing requirements and ease of maintenance.
Servicing Requirements
10.00
We found that Cloud’s filter tracking features and app made maintenance about as easy as it gets for a system of this kind.
We could use the app to know the system’s filter and battery status at a glance, as well as get a reading of our water’s TDS (a higher-than-optimal TDS count indicates that one or several of the filters need to be replaced).
Swapping out the filters is easy and can be done as recommended by the app. The only maintenance aspect we identified that you might consider a negative is that you’ll also need to replace the battery as well as the filters, which is an extra job and expense. But the battery lasts 1.5+ years, and you’ll receive a new battery pack with your replacement RO membrane, so this isn’t a big inconvenience.
Costs
Score: 10.00
We estimated that the ongoing spend for Cloud RO is around $0.26/ gallon. This is based on the combined maintenance cost of all four filters and the battery pack in the system.
As we mentioned, the system has internal sensors that track and suggest filter changes based primarily on your water usage (i.e. the volume of water flowing through the system), as well as incoming water hardness/TDS, post-RO hardness/TDS, and pressure changes over time.
The pre and post-filter typically need to be changed every 6 months, and the RO membrane and battery typically need to be changed every 18 months, which is about average for a point-of-use RO system.
🏢 Company
Score: 9.40The Cloud RO unit will set you back at least $550 (depending on whether there are any promotions or sales running at your time of purchase).
Since you’re making a substantial investment, you want to know that you’re buying from a reliable company. We’ve evaluated Cloud Water Filters as a manufacturer in this section.
Warranty
Score: 8.50
Cloud RO is backed by a 1-year warranty against mechanical issues, defects, and performance/cosmetic flaws due to improper manufacturing. If you make a claim that’s covered by the warranty, you’ll receive replacement components as needed.
You can view the warranty terms on the product FAQ page here.
Shipping
Score: 10.00
Cloud Water Filters offers free shipping throughout continental U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. If you live in Canada, the manufacturer recommends contacting them at [email protected]. Shipping takes around 2-3 weeks from your order date.
Returns
Score: 10.00
The returns period for Cloud RO is the exact same as the warranty period: 1 year. All customers are entitled to a 100% money-back guarantee, so if you’re unsatisfied in any way or just don’t like the unit, you can return it for a full refund.
This is a longer returns period than we’re used to seeing, and it’s also a big bonus that there’s no restocking fee, so you truly do get your money back. If you’re a little unsure about spending a lot of money on a system, Cloud’s returns policy means you can essentially test it out without having to commit to the purchase.
🫰 Value For Money
To finish this review, we want to weigh up Cloud RO’s pros and cons and comment on its overall value for money.
The system is costly upfront, although it’s not one of the most expensive POU reverse osmosis units we’ve come across. After extensively reviewing its features, we think it’s worth the money you pay upfront, especially given that replacing the filters is affordable in the long run.
However, value for money depends on your own personal situation, including what you are comfortable spending on a water filtration system, whether you’re on board with the RO water treatment process (including the setbacks of water waste and mineral loss), and the value you place on purifying your water.
If you’re keen to reduce as many contaminants as possible from your water and you want a smarter version of the conventional under-sink RO concept, you’ll probably find that Cloud is great value for money.
But if you’re not bothered about those additional smart features and company perks (i.e. a great warranty and guarantee) and you don’t mind using a clunkier, less efficient system, you can buy cheaper alternatives that use the same concept but may not offer the same quality of performance.
Found this review helpful?
Comment below or share this article!