APEC ROES-50
#7 in With tankFull review
For a small household that wants a certified tank RO system at a low price. Larger families should look at the ROES-100.
Amazon $179.99$179.99
The APEC ROES-50 is the better under-sink reverse osmosis system overall, rated 3.6 to 2.8. The APEC ROES-50 leads on filter cost and price. The Aquasana SmartFlow RO wins on warranty. The APEC ROES-50 costs $300 less ($179.99 vs $479.99).
Aquasana SmartFlow RO
#13 in With tankFull review
For a buyer who wants the broadest certification and mineralized water in a tank system. The running cost is high, so budget buyers should look elsewhere.
Aquasana $479.99$479.99
Prices were last checked November 2, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the APEC ROES-50 for filter cost ($85 a year in replacement filters vs $310 a year in replacement filters) and price ($179.99 vs $479.99).
- Choose the Aquasana SmartFlow RO for warranty (2-year warranty vs 1-year warranty).
Scores side by side
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the same fixed reference points for every with tank under-sink reverse osmosis system; a clear win is highlighted. How we rank explains each one.
| Factor weight | APEC ROES-50 | Aquasana SmartFlow RO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.6/5 | 2.8/5 |
| Certification 25% | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 58 | 100 certified to NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Filter cost 20% | 67 $85 a year in replacement filters | 0 $310 a year in replacement filters |
| Water wasted 15% | 50 drain ratio not published (neutral score used) | 50 drain ratio not published (neutral score used) |
| Output 10% | 0 50 gallons a day | 3 51.4 gallons a day |
| Price 15% | 85 $179.99 | 3 $479.99 |
| Warranty 15% | 0 1-year warranty | 25 2-year warranty |
Independent measurements
APEC ROES-50
No independent test published yet.
Aquasana SmartFlow RO
| Tested by | TDS reduction | Output | Pure to drain | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Filter Guru | 95.4 % | - | - | TDS before and after filtration on the reviewer’s tap water. |
| Water Filter Guru | - | 44.6 gpd | - | At 51 psi and 59.2 F. |
| Water Filter Guru | - | - | 0.5 :1 | 64 oz test gave 1:2; a 12 oz test gave 1:2.25. |
Specifications
| APEC ROES-50 | Aquasana SmartFlow RO | |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration | ||
| Output | 50 gallons a day | 51.4 gallons a day |
| Stages | 5 | 4 |
| Remineralization | No | Yes |
| NSF/ANSI 58 | Yes | Yes |
| Other certifications | NSF/ANSI 372 | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 372, 401 |
| Replacement filters | $85 a year | $310 a year |
| Build | ||
| Tank | 4 gal | 3.2 gal |
| Booster pump | No | No |
| Smart faucet | No | No |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Released | - | 2023 |