Filtersmart vs Springwell: Water Treatment Systems Compared

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Filtersmart and SpringWell are two well-known brands offering water filters, water softeners, and more. We’ve tried and tested all of the brands’ most popular products, and we’ll be sharing our findings in this guide.

Which brand offers the best whole-house water filtration system? The best water conditioner? The best reverse osmosis system? Read on to find out.

🏠 Whole House Water Filtration Systems

SpringWell

SpringWell’s whole water filtration system for city water is available in three sizes:

ModelFlow Rate (GPM)# of Bathrooms
CF191-3
CF4124-6
CF+207+

All three systems offer the same performance and contain the same media – the only difference is their size and subsequent flow rate. We purchased the SpringWell CF1 for this review.

SpringWell also has a single well water filter, available in two sizes:

ModelFlow Rate# of Bathrooms
WS1121-4
WS4204+

Filtersmart

Filtersmart has three whole house water filter systems for city water:

We’ll be reviewing the FS1000PRO in this guide, as it’s the most popular Filtersmart whole house filtration system.

Filtersmart doesn’t currently offer any filters for well water.

⚖️ Comparison Chart

SystemSpringWell CF Series<br data-lazy-src=Filtersmart FS1000PRO
Filtersmart FS1000PRO
Whole House Water Filter
Springwell WS Whole House Well Water Filter
Springwell WS Whole House
Well Water Filter System
Filtersmart FS1000
Filtersmart FS1000
Whole House Water Filter
Filtersmart Premium <br data-lazy-src=
Best forCity WaterCity WaterWell WaterCity WaterCity Water
# BathroomsUp to 7+ Up to 6 Up to 4+Up to 6 Up to 6
ProcessCatalytic Carbon + KDFCatalytic CarbonAIO + GreensandActivated CarbonCatalytic Carbon
Contaminants removed20+10+Iron, Hydrogen Sulfide, Manganese+10+10+
Flow Rate 9-20 GPM12-15 GPM12 – 20 GPM12-15 GPM12-15 GPM
Filter Capacity1,000,000 gallons1,000,000 gallonsn/a1,000,000 gallons1,000,000 gallons
WarrantyLifetimeLifetimeLifetimeLifetimeLifetime
Buying Options
Discounts
☝️ Get 5% off at springwellwater.com - Use code GURU5
☝️ Get 5% off at springwellwater.com - Use code GURU5

💡 Media Comparison

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF1 uses KDF and catalytic carbon media. These media are both known for being the most reliable, effective options for removing common impurities in city water, like pesticides and herbicides, chlorine and chloramine, and PFOAs. A sediment pre-filter protects the filtration media from particulates larger than 5 microns in size.

With its 4-stage proprietary design, the CF1 avoids channeling and gives water a longer contact time with the media. We felt that this significantly improved the performance of the filter, allowing for the most thorough filtration for a system of its kind.

Springwell cf whole house water filter catalytic carbon and kds media

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System uses the most effective chemical-free iron-removal technology, known as air injection oxidation. This process involves an air pocket (sitting at the top of the tank) and a media bed (taking up the rest of the tank).

Water enters the tank through the top, and oxygen in the air pocket passes into the water. This oxidizes dissolved impurities like iron. Water travels through the tank, and the oxidized impurities are trapped in the media. When the system backwashes, the contaminants are drained out of the media.

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System is protected by a 100-micron spin-down sediment filter.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000 contains acid-washed, high-purity granular activated carbon, made from steam-activated coconut shells. That’s a fancy way of saying that the media is coconut shell-based activated carbon. The letdown here is that the FS1000 doesn’t use KDF, too, like the SpringWell CF1 does, but activated carbon alone is still very capable. The FS100 also uses a 5-micron sediment pre-filter.

Like the SpringWell CF1, the Filtersmart FS100 has an up-flow vortech style tank that minimizes channeling and maximizes filtration results.

Media and filter of filtersmart fs1000pro

🧫 What Contaminants Do They Remove?

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF1 has separate filter stages that target different contaminants:

  • Chlorine and harmful chemicals are reduced by the KDF media
  • Organic contaminants like chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, herbicides, and pesticides, are addressed by the catalytic carbon media
  • Silt, sand, and clay are filtered out by the sediment filter

The CF1 doesn’t remove a huge set of contaminants, but most people are looking for a whole house water filtration system that can remove these select impurities from their city water.

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell Whole House Water Filter System

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System targets three specific contaminants:

  • Iron (up to 7 PPM)
  • Hydrogen sulfide (up to 8 PPM)
  • Manganese (up to 1 PPM)

Most well owners have problems with this set of contaminants. If you’ve noticed that your water has a brown tinge or is leaving orange stains, the SpringWell Well Water Filter should address the aesthetic issues in your home.

The SpringWell Well Water Filter also uses a 100-micron spin-down sediment filter, which removes large sediment particles, preventing damage to the oxidation media.

installing the springwell WS1 whole house well water iron filtration system

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell WS Well Water Filter System Review

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000’s main purpose is chlorine removal. This whole house water filter can remove up to 99.99% chlorine – but it doesn’t stop there. The FS1000 can also remove:

  • Pesticides
  • Herbicides
  • VOCs
  • Industrial solvents
  • Chloramine
  • SOCs

Plus, the FS1000’s sediment filter removes particulates down to 5 microns in size, including fine rust and dirt.

🚦 Performance Comparison

SpringWell CF1

We were impressed with the SpringWell CF1’s performance, and it met all of our “must-haves” for a whole house water filter.

The CF1 removes the most common contaminants from drinking water, and it’s quick to operate. The CF1 has a flow rate of 9 GPM, so your water pressure should stay almost exactly the same once you install the system.

We were pleased with the improved taste of our water when we started using the CF1. The chlorine after-taste was gone, and our water tasted much fresher.

Refer to the table below for our Springwell CF laboratory testing data.

ContaminantPre-FiltrationPost-Filtration% Reduction
Barium0.0267 PPM0.0158 PPM41%
Bromodichloromethane0.00832 PPM0 PPM100%
Chloroform0.0208 PPM0 PPM100%
Cobalt0.0011 PPM0 PPM100%
Copper0.222 PPM0.0532 PPM76%
Fluoride0.6 PPM0.5 PPM17%
Lead0.0182 PPM0.0007 PPM96%
Manganese0.002 PPM0.0013 PPM35%
Molybdenum0.0016 PPM0 PPM100%
Nickel0.0125 PPM0 PPM100%
Strontium0.125 PPM0.09 PPM28%
Sulfate36 PPM27.2 PPM24%
Total THMs0.02912 PPM0 PPM100%
Zinc0.917 PPM0.255 PPM72%
Springwell CF whole house filtration system

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System has an even faster flow rate than the CF1 – the smallest unit has a flow rate of up to 12 GPM. We noticed no drop in water pressure after installing the system.

We think the SpringWell Well Water Filter System stands out for its contaminant removal, too. Although it only targets three contaminants, these are the most prevalent contaminants in most well water sources. We were impressed with the system’s ability to remove high levels of both manganese and iron, as most well water filters only target one of these contaminants.

See the results of our third-party laboratory testing for SpringWell Well Water Filter System in the table below.

ContaminantPre-FiltrationPost-Filtration % Reduction
Antimony0.0003 PPM0.0005 PPM+66.67%
Barium0.051 PPM0.003 PPM94.12%
Boron0.023 PPM0.013 PPM43.48%
Calcium56 PPM1.44 PPM97.43%
Chloride10.5 PPM11.4 PPM+8.57%
Chromium (Total)0.001 PPM0 PPM100%
Cobalt0.0007 PPM0 PPM100%
Fluoride0 PPM0.244 PPMn/a
Copper0.211 PPM0.091 PPM56.87%
Iron2.37 PPM0 PPM100%
Lithium0.079 PPM0.003 PPM96.20%
Magnesium18.2 PPM0.414 PPM97.73%
Manganese0.002 PPM0.022 PPM+1000.00%
Molybdenum0.003 PPM0.002 PPM33.33%
Nickel0.009 PPM0.0009 PPM90%
Nitrate (as N)0.309 PPM0.364 PPM+17.80%
Potassium1.43 PPM0.156 PPM89.09%
Selenium0.002 PPM0.001 PPM50%
Silica9.04 PPM12.6 PPM+39.38%
Sodium18.8 PPM191 PPM+915.96%
Strontium1.08 PPM0.015 PPM98.61%
Sulfate132 PPM151 PPM14.39%
Titanium0.001 PPM0.0005 PPM50%
Turbidity0.42 NTU0.21 NTU50%
Uranium0.002 PPM0.002 PPM0.00%
Vanadium0.0007 PPM0 PPM100%
Zinc0.126 PPM0.074 PPM41.27%

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000 comes in two sizes, with two flow rates: 12 GPM and 15 GPM. This is a fantastic flow rate for a carbon filter – even better than the SpeingWell CF1 – although it’s worth acknowledging that the faster the water flow, the less contact time it potentially has with the filtration media.

Performance of filtersmart fs1000pro

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell CF Systems

The CF systems are a fantastic value for money, with a starting cost of just under $1,700.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter Systems are priced from around $4,000 to $5,000. We think this is a fair price for what you get, but it is slightly higher than average.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The Filtersmart FS1000PRO comes in two sizes, starting at just over $1,400. This is around $300 more expensive than the SpringWell CF’s smallest model.

Model Cost
SpringWell CF1, 1-3 bathrooms$1,643
SpringWell CF4, 4-6 bathrooms$2,070
SpringWell CF+, 7+ bathrooms$3,225
SpringWell Well Water Filter System, 1-4 bathrooms$4,068
SpringWell Well Water Filter System, 4+ bathrooms$4,998
Filtersmart FS1000, 1-3 bathrooms$1,421
Filtersmart FS1000, 4-6 bathrooms$1,421
Filtersmart Premium FS1000PRO, 1-3 bathrooms$1,758
Filtersmart Premium FS1000PRO, 4-6 bathrooms$2,083
Filtersmart Premium Filter PRO + Clarify Disinfection, 1-3 bathrooms$2,598
Filtersmart Premium Filter PRO + Clarify Disinfection, 4-6 bathrooms$2,923

📆 Filter Lifespan & Replacement Costs

SpringWell CF1

The SpringWell CF media has a 1 million gallon lifespan, which equates to about 10 years – ideal if you’re looking for a system that doesn’t need regular maintenance. The sediment filter lasts for 6-9 months.

SpringWell CF’s replacement media costs around $335, which isn’t bad, considering you only need to buy the media once a decade. The SpringWell 1-inch sediment filter is more expensive – around $80 – and you’ll need to pay for that about twice a year.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System’s greensand media has a lifespan of 18-25 years. Apparently, this is how long the system lasts, too – so you never need to perform maintenance throughout its entire lifespan.

The spin-down filter needs to be replaced occasionally. The filter is self-cleaning, so it should last longer than a sediment cartridge filter, but there’s no information on exactly how long it lasts. A new spin-down filter costs just over $100.

Spin-down filter and greensand media

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

The lifespan of the Filtersmart FS1000’s media is 1 million gallons, or around 5 years. The figures here don’t add up – SpringWell’s CF media apparently also has a 1 million gallon lifespan, but lasts for 10 years. We can only recommend following Filtersmart’s guidance and changing the media every 5 years to stay on the safe side.

Replacement media costs around $190, so it’s more affordable than the SpringWell CF’s replacement media. Still, it works out cheaper to buy and own the SpringWell CF1 in the long run.

You’ll need to buy a 20-inch pre-filter every 6-9 months, too, and a pack of 4 filters costs around $100.

Model ConsumableReplacement Cost
SpringWell CF1Pre-Filter$80
SpringWell CF1Media$670
SpringWell Well Water Filter SystemSpin-Down Filter$100
Filtersmart Premium FS1000PROPre-Filter$99
Filtersmart Premium FS1000PROMedia (cubic foot)$329
Filtersmart FS1000Pre-Filter$88
Filtersmart FS1000Media (cubic foot)$189
Filtersmart Premium Filter PRO + Clarify DisinfectionPre-Filter$99
Filtersmart Premium Filter PRO + Clarify DisinfectionMedia (cubic foot)$329

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell CF1

Most customers were impressed with the CF1’s easy install and clean water benefits, and the SpringWell whole house water filter reviews are largely positive.

One customer wrote that they were new to the area and needed a filter to make them feel better about their water. After installing the SpringWell CF1, they started drinking water from the tap again after 30 years of only drinking bottled water. They were also pleased with SpringWell’s customer support.

Some customers said that installing the system themselves was fine, while others said that it was a hassle. If you’re not the DIY type, you’ll probably need a plumber to install the system for you.

SpringWell Well Water Filter System

The SpringWell Well Water Filter System is also well-received by customers, with one customer writing that they thought the filter was working “perfectly”, and had effectively reduced the bad smell and staining that they’d experienced in their new home. The customer praised the SpringWell Well Water Filter for its ability to improve the quality and clarity of their water.

Some customers said that they thought the system backwashed too frequently, but this depends on your water usage.

Filtersmart FS1000PRO

Customers are generally happy with the Filtersmart FS1000PRO, although they’re not as happy as SpringWell’s customers.

One customer wrote that setting up and installing the FS1000 was easy, but they couldn’t comment on the system’s functionality because they’d only had it installed for one day.

In several of the more negative reviews, customers complained that the metal covering the carbon filter was a “sloppy fit”, and that the tank had arrived damaged, suggesting that packaging could be more secure.

☑️ Pros and Cons

👍 SpringWell CF1 Pros

  • Filter has a very long lifespan of 10 years
  • Water pressure isn’t affected by the system
  • Uses durable, certified components

👎 SpringWell CF1 Cons

  • There are mixed reviews on the ease of installing the system
Before and after installation of whole house water filter Sytem

👍 SpringWell Well Water Filter System Pros

  • The system is completely maintenance-free, aside from changing the sediment filter
  • Effectively targets iron and sulfur, and reduces low levels of manganese
  • Backed by a lifetime warranty and 6-month guarantee

👎 SpringWell Well Water Filter System Cons

  • Costs a lot upfront

👍 Filtersmart FS1000PRO Pros

  • Reliable system made from certified components
  • Activated carbon filter has 1 million gallon lifespan
  • One of the best whole house water filters for chlorine removal

👎 Filtersmart FS1000PRO Cons

  • Doesn’t combine carbon with KDF like the SpringWell CF1

🪨 Salt-Free Water Softeners (Water Conditioners)

SpringWell

SpringWell offers a single water conditioner, the Futuresoft, in three different sizes:

ModelFlow Rate (GPM)# of Bathrooms
FS1121-3
FS4154-6
FS+207+

Filtersmart

Filtersmart has a couple of water conditioners available:

  • The Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener Alternative System, Saltless Water Conditioner – FS500
  • The Filtersmart Premium Salt Free Water Softener Alternative PRO Series – FS500PRO

Both products are virtually the same. The only difference is that the PRO series comes with a 20-inch pre-filter – and costs around $200 more because of it. We reviewed the non-pro Filtersmart Conditioner, as it’s the most popular with customers.

Read a related review 👉 Filtersmart Whole House Water Filter & Salt-Free Softener Alternative Combo Review

⚖️ Comparison Chart

SystemSpringWell <br data-lazy-src=Filtersmart FS500 Saltless Water Conditioner
Filtersmart FS500
Saltless Water Conditioner
Filtersmart Premium FS500PRO
Filtersmart FS500PRO
Premium Water Softener
ProcessTACTACTAC
Capacity1,000,000 gallons1,000,000 gallons1,000,000 gallons
Flow Rate12-20 GPM12-15GPM12-15GPM
Regen Method MeteredMeteredMetered
WarrantyLifetimeLifetimeLifetime
Buying Options
Discounts
☝️ Get 5% off at springwellwater.com - Use code GURU5

🚦 Performance Comparison

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft uses template-assisted crystallization, or TAC for short, which is the most popular and effective conditioning technique. The FutureSoft prevents up to 99.6% of scale buildup – a figure that most other water conditioners can’t match.

TAC alters the formation of hardness minerals, turning them into crystals that are suspended in water, unable to leave mineral deposits. Although TAC isn’t quite as effective as salt-based softening.

limescale before after water softener install

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener uses the same popular technology as the SpringWell FutureSoft: template-assisted crystallization. The unit provides up to 99.6% scale prevention and gradually clears up existing scale deposits, and works efficiently regardless of the existing water hardness level of your water supply.

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener’s vortech-style tank extends water’s contact time with the conditioning media and allows for a more effective process.

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft is about average price for a water conditioner, with models costing between $2,800 and $4,800, depending on size.

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener FS500 starts at $2,280 for the smallest model. This is more affordable than the SpringWell Futuresoft, so Filtersmart has the price advantage here. You can pay a bit extra for a stainless steel cover for the conditioning tank.

Model Cost
SpringWell FS1, 1-3 bathrooms$2865.00
SpringWell FS4, 4-6 bathrooms$3475.00
SpringWell FS+, 7+ bathrooms$4800.00
Filtersmart FS500, 1-3 bathrooms$2,280.30
Filtersmart FS500, 4-6 bathrooms$2,605.30
Filtersmart Premium FS500PRO, 1-3 bathrooms$2,460.30
Filtersmart Premium FS500PRO, 4-6 bathrooms$2,785.30

📆 Resin Lifespan & Replacement Costs

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

The SpringWell FutureSoft uses a TAC media with a 1 million gallon lifespan. The media should last for about 6 years before it needs replacing. Currently, SpringWell’s website doesn’t stock replacement TAC media, so you might want to reach out to customer service to learn about media replacement costs.

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

Again, Filtersmart’s tank media has a 1 million gallon lifespan, but it lasts for 5 years – one year less than the SpringWell FutureSoft’s estimated media lifespan. Filtersmart also doesn’t stock the replacement TAC media on its website, so you’ll need to contact the manufacturer for more info. You can buy a 4-pack of replacement sediment filters online (they need changing every 8-10 months) for around $90.

Model ConsumableReplacement Cost
SpringWell FutureSoft® SeriesPre-Filter Cartridge$70
SpringWell FutureSoft® SeriesTAC MediaNot listed
Filtersmart FS500 Saltless Water ConditionerPre-Filter Cartridge$88
Filtersmart FS500 Saltless Water ConditionerTAC MediaNot listed
Filtersmart Premium FS500PROPre-Filter Cartridge$99
Filtersmart Premium FS500PROTAC MediaNot listed

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener

Customers were pleasantly surprised with the SpringWell FutureSoft’s ability to reduce scale, and most customers agreed that they noticed a difference within one week.

One customer wrote that they were happy with the small, space-saving size of the SpringWell FutureSoft, and said that although the system felt new to them, they already thought that their water tasted better. They were pleased with the simplicity of the installation process and said that there was no loss in water pressure after installing the system.

Some customers mentioned that the install kit isn’t worth buying or doesn’t meet local plumbing regulations, so check with a SpringWell rep before you buy.

Read the full review 👉 SpringWell Futuresoft Salt-free Water Softener

Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500

The Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener doesn’t have many customer reviews, but the handful of customers that have left reviews are generally happy with their purchase.

One customer wrote that they installed the Filtersmart Salt-Free Softener in their basement alongside a water filter. They had hard city water of 14 ppm (parts per million) and said that they thought the Filtersmart was a good product for their needs. The customer was happy that there was no wasted water and recommended the softener for people who didn’t want to use a salt-based system.

The only complaints related to installation – you need to pre-soak the media prior to installing the system, and some people didn’t realize this.

Customer review on filtersmart ff500

☑️ Pros and Cons

👍 pringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener Pros

  • Almost entirely eliminates scale
  • Doesn’t cause a drop in water flow
  • Media lasts for 6 years

👎 SpringWell FutureSoft® Salt-Free Water Softener Cons

  • Installation kit needs improving

👍 Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500 Pros

  • More affordable than the SpringWell FutureSoft
  • Good flow rate
  • Media lasts for 5 years

👎 Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener FS500 Cons

  • TAC media lasts 1 year less than the FutureSoft’s

⚗️ Reverse Osmosis Systems

SpringWell

SpringWell offers a single reverse osmosis system:

Filtersmart

Filtersmart also has a single reverse osmosis system:

⚖️ Comparison Chart

SystemSpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System
SpringWell
Reverse Osmosis System
Filtersmart 4-Stage <br data-lazy-src=
Efficiency Ratio
(Produced/ Waste Water)
1/41/4
Stages of Filtration44
Production Rate75 GPD50 GPD
TDS Reduction96.3% 91.1%
WarrantyLifetimeLifetime
Buying Options

🧫 Contaminants Removed

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System targets the majority of drinking water impurities. This means that not only the bad stuff is removed, but all the neutral stuff – like minerals, salts, and ions – is also removed.

Some of the contaminants treated by the Springwell RO Drinking System are:

  • Fluoride
  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Arsenic
  • Iron
  • Chloramine
  • Aluminum
  • Herbicides
  • Pesticides
  • Chlorine
  • Disinfection byproducts

It’d be great to know exactly how many contaminants the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System removes, but this information isn’t available online.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System removes up to 99.9% chlorine, as well as:

  • Heavy metals
  • Mercury
  • Copper
  • Sodium
  • Lead
  • Chromium
  • Chloride
Removing dangerous impurities

Alongside these contaminants, this RO system “may” reduce the following contaminants from your drinking water supply:

  • Arsenic
  • Radium
  • Potassium
  • Nitrate
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Sulfate
  • Phosphorous 

Again, it’d be great to see a datasheet for the Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System’s contaminant removal capabilities, but there isn’t one available on the manufacturer’s website.

🚦 Efficiency Ratio & Performance

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System offers a thorough filtration performance, combining a sediment filter, a carbon filter, a semi-permeable membrane, and another carbon filter.

There’s no information on how many gallons of water are wasted for every gallon produced by the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System – the closest we get to knowing about the system’s efficiency is in the user manual, which states that the membrane’s efficiency rating is 23.16% -this equates to roughly 4 gallons of water waster for every 1 gallon produced.

In terms of speed, the SpringWell is capable of filtering up to 75 gallons of water per day – more than enough to keep you going. The unit uses a storage tank, which holds filtered water and supplies your faucet whenever you turn it on, so you don’t have to wait for water to pass through all the filtration stages every time you turn on the tap.

Check the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System’s user manual before buying the system to check that your water parameters are optimal for the system’s performance.

Getting water from springwell ro drinking system

Related: Other Top Rated RO Systems to Consider in 2023

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System is another high-performing RO filter, reducing contaminants down to 0.0001 microns. The system uses four stages of filtration: a 5-micron sediment pre-filter, a carbon block filter, an RO membrane, and a final carbon block filter. TDS should be noticeably reduced after installing this system.

Again, the manufacturer doesn’t share the efficiency ratio of the Filtersmart, so it’s unclear how much water is wasted per gallon of water filtered. (although one of the listed benefits of the product is “low water waste”). What we do know is that the filter can produce up to 75 gallons of water per day, so it’s equally matched with the SpringWell RO System in this respect.

Thanks to the system’s built-in tank, there’s no more waiting than a couple of seconds for water after turning on the tap. You can choose to upgrade to the FS-75-twistloc-RO if you want a bigger storage tank that can hold more water at once, but for most people, this isn’t necessary.

Filtersmart’s website gives incorrect information about the filter stages – it looks like the information has been incorrectly taken from the Filtersmart whole house filter page as it discusses coconut shell carbon media.

💲 Models & Upfront Cost

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System is priced fairly for a tank-based under-sink reverse osmosis filter of its kind. You pay for a top performance by a trusted brand.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System costs just under $600, so it’s another fairly priced under-sink RO system.

Model Cost
SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System$442.23
Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System$598.00

📆 Filter Capacity & Replacement Costs

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

The SpringWell RO membrane lasts for about 2 years and costs around $100. The sediment filter lasts for up to 6 months and costs around $20, and the carbon block filters have a 6-month lifespan and cost around $30 each. The total annual maintenance cost is about $160-$260, depending on whether you need to replace the RO membrane or not.

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Filtersmart’s sediment and carbon filters need replacing every 1 year, and the RO membrane needs replacing every 2 years. This means you’ll need to replace the filters less frequently if you choose to buy the Filtersmart RO system instead of the SpringWell system. It’s not clear how much the replacement filters are, though, as they’re not available online.

Model ConsumableReplacement Cost
SpringWell RO SystemSediment Filter Cartridge$30
SpringWell RO SystemCarbon Block Filter Cartridge$50
SpringWell RO SystemRO Membrane Cartridge$200
Filtersmart RO SystemSediment Filter Cartridge$3
Filtersmart RO SystemCarbon Block Filter Cartridge$10
Filtersmart RO SystemRO Membrane Cartridge$60

💬 Customer Reviews & Complaints

SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System

Customers were generally pleased with the SpringWell RO drinking system, agreeing that the system was easy to install and produced great-tasting water.

One customer wrote that they were happy with the taste and water quality of their city water (which was originally more than 250 ppm) after installing the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System. The customer was also pleased with the service they received from SpringWell’s staff.

Some customers complained of a ‘gurgling’ sound coming from the system occasionally, and others said that the installation instructions were confusing.

Springwell vs filtersmart ro systems

Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

Customer reviews for the Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System are overwhelmingly positive – in fact, this is the best-rated Filtersmart product we reviewed. With that said, none of the reviews go into detail about the RO system itself.

One customer wrote that they loved the system and found it easy to install. They were so impressed with the results that they had installed a second system in two different houses.

We don’t know much about what the customers think of this system’s performance based on the reviews available online. We could only find one complaint: somebody hadn’t received instructions with their filter.

☑️ Pros and Cons

👍 SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System Pros

  • One of the most effective RO systems
  • Storage tank provides instant access to filtered water
  • Greatly improves water quality

👎 SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Drinking System Cons

  • Some customers struggled with installation

👍 Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Pros

  • Filters last longer than the SpringWell system’s
  • Comes with full warranty protection
  • Made and assembles in the US

👎 Filtersmart 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis System Cons

  • Replacement filters aren’t available online

🥇 Springwell vs Filtersmart: Which Brand Wins?

There’s a lot going for SpringWell’s and Filtersmart’s products, but ultimately, SpringWell comes out on top across all areas of water treatment.

SpringWell’s whole house water filtration systems, conditioners, and RO systems consistently receive praise and positive feedback with customers. The only thing that people complain about is installation – but you can always hire a plumber to do the job for you. When it comes to performance, reliability, and durability, SpringWell is a customer favorite.

We loved that the SpringWell systems produced instant results in our testing. It was immediately obvious that our water quality had been improved, and our testing confirmed this.

The Filtersmart products are almost as capable as SpringWell’s, but not quite. Generally, SpringWell’s products are slightly more durable and better-quality than Filtersmart’s. In most cases, SpringWell’s whole house water filters and other water treatment products are a better value for money than Filtersmart’s.

  • Laura Shallcross
    Senior Editor

    Laura is a passionate residential water treatment journalist who holds an undergraduate degree in Print Journalism and a master’s degree in Creative Writing. Over a span of 5 years she's written on a range of topics including water softening, well water treatment, and purification processes.

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