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Reverse osmosis, also known as RO, is probably the most thorough and effective water filtering process available to homeowners. Although it sounds very complex, water filtering with reverse osmosis is actually quite simple.

Essentially, the reverse osmosis process uses your existing water pressure to force tap water through a special membrane that filters out everything but the water, leaving you with a storage tank of the purist reverse osmosis filtered water imaginable.

The reverse osmosis process is simple, but incredibly thorough. Once water enters the reverse osmosis water filter it travels through a pre-filter before being pushed through a semi-permeable reverse osmosis membrane that removes most of the impurities, pushing only clean pure water into the storage tank. The impurities are then redirected to the drain while the reverse osmosis filtered water waits for your consumption. Then, when you're ready, the water passes through a final reverse osmosis carbon filter before reaching your glass.

Reverse osmosis water filters are available in both counter top and under the sink versions (requires some installation), giving you a little flexibility in where and how you install your reverse osmosis water filter. Since a reverse osmosis water filter is a bit larger than traditional water filters, however, they do not come in pitcher and faucet designs and are usually more expensive than other options. A reverse osmosis water filter is well worth the price, however, if you're looking for the most advanced water filtration process available to consumers.

All reverse osmosis systems use the same techniques and, for the most part, have the same components. In fact, most of them look very similar, too. But the big difference is inside. A higher quality reverse osmosis water filter has better filters and reverse osmosis membranes that help separate the water from the impurities.

In general, reverse osmosis systems are incredibly clean, too, since they use drainage systems to get rid of the impurities rather than trapping them inside the unit. And, since reverse osmosis uses basic laws of physics to operate, reverse osmosis systems do not consume any energy.