WQA certifies the RO-90 to NSF/ANSI 58 for lead, fluoride, arsenic V, chromium-6, radium and other metals, plus dissolved solids. Its US-made filters cost about $60 to $75 a year.
The catch: It has no PFAS certification and no mineral stage, so the water can taste flat.
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Our verdict
The RO-90 is APEC’s step up from the ROES-50: the same five-stage layout (a sediment filter, two carbon blocks, a FILMTEC membrane and a coconut-shell carbon polishing filter), with a 90-gallon-a-day membrane, a 4-gallon tank and a designer faucet. APEC says its filters are made in the US.
The difference that matters is certification. WQA certifies the RO-90 to NSF/ANSI 58 for 12 claims: lead, fluoride, arsenic V, chromium-6, trivalent chromium, cadmium, copper, barium, selenium, radium 226/228, turbidity and dissolved solids (TDS). The ROES-50 is certified for TDS alone. Our NSF certification guide explains how to check a certifier’s listing yourself.
It’s also cheap to run. APEC’s manual calls for new pre-filters once a year and a new membrane every 3 to 5 years, which comes to about $60 to $75 a year at APEC’s prices. What it doesn’t have: a PFAS certification, a chlorine claim or a mineral stage. APEC’s RO-PH90 adds minerals back and carries the same WQA list, at a higher price.
You want certified lead, fluoride or arsenic reduction at the kitchen sink, with low filter costs and enough output for a busy household.
You need certified PFAS reduction, or prefer water with minerals added back. See the Waterdrop G3P800 for PFOA/PFOS.
How it scored
Contaminant reduction carries the most weight in the overall score. How we score filters
What it removes
Every certified row below is on WQA’s NSF/ANSI 58 listing for the RO-90. WQA lists claims, not percentages.
| Contaminant | RO-90 | Certified to |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Fluoride | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Arsenic Vat 300 ppb influent | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Chromium-6 and trivalent chromium | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Cadmium, copper, barium, selenium | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Radium 226/228 | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity | Certified | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Arsenic III | APEC’s claim | Not certified |
| PFAS, chlorine, nitrate | – | No claim |
WQA’s listing for APEC Water Systems, seen on 7 October 2026, gives the RO-90, RO-PH90 and RO-Hi the same 12 claims. APEC’s product page also lists arsenic III, which isn’t on the WQA listing; arsenic III usually needs to be converted to arsenic V before reverse osmosis can reduce it reliably. A separate WQA listing covers NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 for lead-free materials. We found no APEC listing at NSF International.
What it costs to run
APEC’s RO-90 manual calls for the pre-filters every 12 months and the membrane every 3 to 5 years. At APEC’s prices, the pre-filter set is $44.95 and the complete five-stage set $127.95, so expect roughly $60 to $75 a year. NSF/ANSI 58 doesn’t give reverse osmosis filters a gallon rating, so we can’t give a certified cost per gallon.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Certified by WQA for lead, fluoride, arsenic V and chromium-6
- Low filter costs, about $60 to $75 a year
- 90 gallons a day and a 4-gallon tank for busy kitchens
- US-made filters and lifetime technical support (APEC)
What to know
- No PFAS or chlorine certification
- No mineral stage; the RO-PH90 adds one for more money
- Under-sink install with drain and faucet hole
- Sends water to the drain; 1-year warranty
What owners say
Owners rate the RO-90 highly for build quality, fast tank recovery and APEC’s support. The recurring complaints are flat-tasting water and drain water.
Often praised
- Solid build that lasts for years
- Tank keeps up with heavy use
- Helpful US-based support
Common complaints
- Flat taste without minerals added back
- Noticeable water sent to the drain
- Filter changes in housings can be messy
Recurring themes across verified buyer reviews.
Specifications
- Type
- Under-sink reverse osmosis, 5 stages
- Stages
- Sediment, 2 carbon blocks, FILMTEC membrane, carbon post-filter
- Certifier
- WQA
- Certified to
- NSF/ANSI 58; NSF/ANSI/CAN 372
- Rated output
- 90 gal a day (APEC)
- Tank
- 4 gallons
- Filter life
- Pre-filters 12 months; membrane 3 to 5 years (APEC)
- Remineralization
- None (RO-PH90 adds it)
- Warranty
- 1 year, plus lifetime support (APEC)
Alternatives worth considering
iSpring RCC7AK-BN
Waterdrop G3P800
AquaTru Carafe
Common questions
Is the APEC RO-90 certified?
Yes. WQA certifies it to NSF/ANSI 58 for lead, fluoride, arsenic V, chromium-6, trivalent chromium, cadmium, copper, barium, selenium, radium 226/228, turbidity and TDS, and to NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 for lead-free materials.
RO-90 or ROES-50?
The RO-90. WQA certifies the ROES-50 for TDS only, while the RO-90 carries 12 claims, including lead, fluoride and arsenic V. The RO-90 also makes more water a day. See our ROES-50 review.
Does it remove fluoride and arsenic?
It’s certified for fluoride and for arsenic V. APEC also claims arsenic III, but that isn’t on WQA’s listing. See our fluoride guide.
Does it remove PFAS?
It isn’t certified for PFAS. For certified PFOA/PFOS reduction under the sink, see the Waterdrop G3P800, or read our PFAS guide.
Does it add minerals back?
No. The RO-90 has no mineral stage, so the water can taste flat. APEC’s RO-PH90 adds a calcium stage and carries the same WQA certification.
The bottom line
Buy the APEC RO-90 if you want certified lead, fluoride and arsenic V reduction at the kitchen sink, with low filter costs and plenty of daily output. If you’d rather have minerals added back for less money, the iSpring RCC7AK-BN is certified for lead and fluoride. For certified PFOA/PFOS, look at the Waterdrop G3P800. Compare them all in our reverse osmosis guide.
- Certifier listings: WQA, APEC Water Systems, NSF/ANSI 58: RO-90 (systems with storage tank), claims arsenic V (300 ppb influent), barium, cadmium, copper, fluoride, hexavalent chromium, lead, radium 226/228, selenium, TDS, trivalent chromium, turbidity. Same list for RO-PH90 and RO-Hi. Separate WQA listing for NSF/ANSI/CAN 372.
- Also searched: NSF International (APEC): no listing.
- Maker documents: APEC RO-90 product page and owner's manual, APEC replacement filter prices.
- Independent lab tests: None used.
Sources
Prices as of October 14, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.