🌊 ZeroWater Review - Water Filter That Reduces TDS to Zero?
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- The ZeroWater filter claims it can reduce TDS (total dissolved solids) to zero. Can it actually do that? And what does it taste like? We test the TDS score AND put it to a taste test in our ZeroWater review
Buy ZeroWater - geni.us/WXQIHkV (Amazon)
Table of Contents
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Design
1:13 TDS Explained
2:03 Usability & Maintenance
3:11 Test Results
4:39 Summary
#zerowater #water #cleanwater
Should you buy the ZeroWater filter?
Pros:
Great performance at removing TDS (total dissolved solids), in all of our tests it did indeed hit a TDS of 0
Water is extraordinarily pure of anything except water
TDS performance relative to other common filters was night and day. PUR and Brita struggled to remove even 30% of TDS in our test water (Phoenix, AZ source).
Cons:
Slower filtration speed due to the 5-stage system, filters about 0.8 cups every minute.
May remove good minerals naturally found in water during the filtration process
On the fence about if the ZeroWater system is right for you?
I would recommend this system if you’re looking for the following:
Maximum removal of total dissolved solids: During our performance tests, this filter removed 100% of dissolved solids every time. It is massively better at removing solids compared to more traditional filters like PUR and Brita, which achieved TDS scores of 511 and 396, respectively, in our tests.
Want 5-stage filtration: Many conventional filtration system uses a 2-stage system, but ZeroWater prides itself on the 5-stage system.
You’re okay getting used to the new taste: Because ZeroWater removes so many of the dissolved solids it gives the taste a surprising and different taste. Be prepared for the new taste and realize it might take some time to get used to.
Check out the full contextual ZeroWater Review here:
moderncastle.com/zerowater-fi...
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Buy ZeroWater - geni.us/WXQIHkV (Amazon)
Questions? Ask in the comments! I do my best to respond within 24 hours.
@Xposed You will almost certainly need to replace the filter more often than you will on Brita, PUR, and others. In Phoenix, AZ, it is every 2'ish weeks if you're using it often.
Even so, the Zero does do exactly what it says...reduces TDS to zero. From that perspective, it's an excellent filter.
Maybe take a look at our 3 way comparison here - moderncastle.com/zerowater-vs-brita-vs-pur/ - it can help break down the differences
How does the water taste after 2 weeks of continual use of the same filter?
I got a Zero Water filter last year. The directions say to fill it one way a little at a time, while the illustration on the same page shows something completely different. I emailed them and got a mindless response - contradicting the two other ways of filling it. Fortunately, I have decent tap water. Although if I put my zip code on the website - it says 322, the actually meter reads 55. The filtered water still reads 0 - even after 10 months.
Great review
Thank you!
thank you for the insight! :)
My pleasure!
I like to use the zero water and then fill up a gallon glass jug and add 3rd wave water packets to add back in the good tasting minerals.
We need minerals so if you gonna use the "filtered" water to drink from regular then you can remineraliz the water by adding fine Himalayan Sea salt.
Ours read on zeros or 2 on our Zerowater. And we know it works because we recently bought one of those that goes on the fawcet, Brita. Unfortunately it read 516 with the filter while without it it read 518.
Unfortunately, TDS isn't a perfect indicator of water quality.
See this video - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html - we explain in greater depth + have laboratory tests on Zero + 9 other popular brands.
I prefer the taste of zero water! Once you drink zero water or fina bottled water or distilled water you will never go back to mud tasting water of others period. I rather pay more the zero water filters even if they get used faster! I change mine about every 6-8 weeks but you get what you pay for and still cheaper then bottled water or safer then Wichita Ks water that we get boil alerts at least 2-3 times a year
Indeed we get what we pay for. We’ll pay a grocer, or related industry to be healthy or we pay a doctor because we are not.
If you live in an area with higher PPM from the tap you will need to change your filters sooner. When I was in California I'd get 5-6 weeks in MN I get 8..
Yep, that is absolutely true.
It's even crazier with Phoenix water. We'd get just 2-3 weeks here.
The filter does work and puts it at zero however the shower filter and the sink filters have higher numbers than before I put them on !!, do you know why? I payed extra and im kinda mad at them
That's very strange. Unfortunately, I don't know why that is. We have not yet tested their shower / sink filters.
My tbs meter DOES NOT READ AT ALL ! It comes on it says “000” no matter what I do !! Am I taking this thing back to target ?????
If you're getting 000 readings on unfiltered tap water then 100%, you should take it back to Target, it's defective.
I recently bought the Zero Water pitcher a month ago. Just recently the water started to taste and smell very fishy. The reading was higher than the 006ppm (it was 132ppm)so that indicates to change the filter. I was surprised as our city water is quite good so my filter only lasted 4 weeks using 8 to 10 cups per day. I was also wondering and a bit concerned as to what in the filter was creating such a distinct fishy taste when the filter needs changing…as my unfiltered tap water doesn’t have that.
Zero adds that terrible smell / taste as an indicator that it's time to change the filter.
@@ModernCastle thank you for your reply. I had asked the company what that taste was. They said it means the filter is exhausted and they are going to great lengths to get this taste removed. I sure hope what ever that taste is after the filter needs changing is not harmful.
@@27kjh My pleasure.
That's a very interesting reply.
I have been under the impression that the bad taste / smell is an intentional additive on their part. So it's interesting they are now saying they are trying to get it removed.
I don't know of anything within the normal filtration process that would create this type of taste / smell.
No other filter I have tested to date does anything even close to what Zero does in terms of bad taste / smell at the end of the filter life.
@@ModernCastle I phoned customer service the fellow told me it comes from the exhausted filter. I’m thinking the same as you about not getting that bad taste/smell with any other exhausted filter…so that’s having me question that answer. When mentioning I had heard that something was being added and he said yes to that??? I’m certainly not getting a straight answer from this company and that makes me a bit suspicious. I might start looking for a different water filter system. Water filters systems can get confusing…there are so many. So thank you for your response and your helpful review video’s.
@@27kjh Yeah...very frustrating answers from Zero on this topic. Feels like they are avoiding the actual answer.
You might be interested in our other videos on this topic.
czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html - in this video we sent water samples to a lab for 10 popular water filters to see which performed best
czcams.com/video/0moaVfrQDYM/video.html - in this video we did lab testing for AquaTru, a countertop RO system
Short answer in case you don't want to watch the videos...AquaTru's countertop RO system was the best performer by a healthy margin, but it's also $300. Best pitcher filter options are Waterdrop and Epic Water, both of which performed significantly better than Zero.
Taste soooo good better than Poland spring water
Please tell me how to stop the constant leak by dispenser spigot. I have to immediately pour water into another container or I will have a pond of water on counter. Sorry I cannot figure out how to stop the constant drip.
I'm afraid some of the dispenser valves just aren't perfect and that can happen. Nothing to do except replace it and hope the next one is better.
My zero water filter started smelling metallic after ab a month. How do I clean this to remedy this situation?
If the filter itself is smelling I don't think there is any cleaning it, you'd just need to replace it.
I tested our Brita filters and switched to a brand new filter when there was no change in TDS level. Absolutely did not change at all!!! So upset. I have bought filters for years using the Brita pitcher. Switching to zero water!
Few things:
1) Brita is not designed to remove TDS
2) TDS is not a measure of water quality, you can have a low TDS and still have a poor water quality
Take a look at our newer video here - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html
We tested 10 different filters at a 3rd party laboratory (including Zero and Brita).
@@ModernCastle what does the tester measure and why does Zero water include it in its packaging? The Zero Water changes from the faucet through the filter. Why doesn’t Brita? Sorry, I am not getting the idea of the tester.
@@grandmaofthree897 It measures TDS, total dissolved solids.
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is a measure of the dissolved combined content of all inorganic and organic substances present in a liquid in molecular, ionized, or micro-granular (colloidal sol) suspended form. TDS concentrations are often reported in parts per million (ppm). Source - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_dissolved_solids
Zero includes it because it reinforces their marketing message that TDS is a measure of water quality. It's a quick number that every consumer can see. It also allows consumers to see when the TDS is no longer zero and therefore they should buy more filters, so it increases the frequency at which consumers will purchase filters.
In my view, the function of the TDS meter is nothing but a marketing gimmick.
Here's a good video on the subject of TDS - czcams.com/video/d3MCiFB4biE/video.html
@@ModernCastle so many are using the TDS tester on videos as proof of unclean drinking water! Someday I will have our water tested. It comes from the Missouri River which is scary in itself. Thank you!
@@grandmaofthree897 You're welcome!
Does this filter come with a feature that lets you know when its time to replace the filter? Also, is the 0 TDS water produced fine for mixing salt in for a reef tank?
Yes and no...in terms of a display or countdown no.
However, the water will notably taste terrible, so you'll know it's time to replace when it starts to taste sour.
As far as using it for aquarium needs, I'm unsure of that. Sorry.
@@ModernCastle okay, no worries. Thank you for your time
@@alexandersouza1144 You're welcome
I got a ZeroWater from Walmart, it does reduce TDS from 180 to 0 PPM, but I find the water taste weird.
Indeed - that's because it removes bad dissolved solids and good dissolved solids. So the water ends up tasting flat.
How does it do with rainwater off an asphalt roof?
It is not designed for rainwater. It's for city / municipal water that has been treated.
I imagine it'll probably be okay, but still, it's not recommended.
You're better off getting a reverse osmosis system. I'd recommend one from bulk reef supply. They cost like 700$ for a super duper good one.
Good RODI systems will work way longer and give you more useful volume. Just make sure if you have chloramine in your tap ( which most municipalities use now ) you get Pentek ChlorPlus-10 for your activated charcoal canisters... because chloramine WILL DESTROY your canisters and membrane if you don't. And get the right deionization resin for your PH , or both to be safe.
Agreed.
A complete RO system would be better than any typical filter system like Zero, Brita, PUR, etc. But the upfront costs are definitely going to be more.
Full house for 700?
Way above my budget! Rather buy alkaline water.
Why does my filter leave black particles?
Happens with lots of filters. It's just little pieces of carbon that loosened from the filter. Nothing to be worried about. Try to avoid drinking them.
Does this remove bacteria? We're on a well with high levels of bacteria and iron.
Also what about water from a nearby creek? Will it be safe?
It does not. It is for city water, not well water or creek water.
@@ModernCastle this is strange, than where from is water comming to City. Does it mean that filter doesn't remove bacteria?
@@vedavyasa3568 Correct - this filter does not remove bacteria.
It removes dissolved solids, chemicals, and metals, but not bacteria, viruses, or live organisms.
With city / municipal water bacteria and viruses are destroyed with chemicals at treatment centers.
And now to explore the question. Do you need to remove TDS? Probably not. The way the video worded some parts were misleading, but not entirely so I think...
When I filmed this video I was sort of on the fence (through a lack of knowledge) on whether or not TDS was actually a good measure of water quality.
Since shooting this video I have learned that TDS really isn't a good measure of water quality at al.
All that to say, I tested ZeroWater and 9 other filter systems at a 3rd party lab to see how pure the water actually is.
That video is here - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html&lc
What about a review on the ROBOROCK s5 max?
We've not yet done a video review on the S5 Max, but we do have our contextual review here - moderncastle.com/roborock-s5-max-review/
Also, we do have our big Roborock comparison video here - czcams.com/video/qlOoa5yjvK4/video.html - It compares the S5 Max to all other Roborock models.
We're considering expanding our Roborock video series. Glad to hear there is interest in that! Beyond the S5 Max, are there others you'd be interested in seeing a video review for?
Modern Castle maybe the ROBOROCK s6 pure, or the Deebot T8.
@@MrBlueCreeper Great! I"ll put those on our list also. Thanks for your suggestions.
How often do you have to change the filter?
Where I live in Phoenix, Arizona, about every 2'ish weeks. We have extremely hard water.
Most places around the US I'd say 3-4 weeks is more typical.
Can I use bottled water in my pitcher
Yes, though why would you?
For the past six months I have been using this filter in the ten cup pitcher which holds more like 7 cups.Anyway, the filters, even brand new, take SO LONG to filter my tap water I can’t take it anymore….it took me eight hours to filter 6 gallons of water just now.
I try ALL of the ridiculous hints to get rid of air bubbles!!!?! Why not manufacture and sell a pitcher that allows the water to flow through the filter properly??? I just sat here for an hour and not a drop went through..nada…nothing. I am done. Looking for the next best…because when it works, this did a fantastic job. I just can’t devote this much time to filtering my water..I could have driven to town and bought jugs of distilled water in less time!
I'm sorry to hear you about your experience. That does sound really annoying.
You might be interested in our more recent video here - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html - Where we test 10 different filter pitcher brands using a 3rd party laboratory to see which is really the best.
@@ModernCastle Thank you for the info and the link. I emailed Zero Water with my complaint and they said it doesn’t sound normal and are sending me a new filter. So we shall see. I also tried pouring the water into a saucepan and then into the reservoir because when it comes out of my tap it is filled with air. It seems to help in the filtration time. I also devised a way to have the filter mechanism resting atop a gallon glass jar so that the thin stream of filtered water coming out of the bottom is not sitting in already filtered water. This works too if I can keep from knocking over the precariously balanced contraption. Hopefully the new filter from the company will restore my confidence in the whole set up. It really is a great filter and no other brand in its price range comes close to it.
@@vestcoat Glad to hear they are sending you a new filter. Hopefully the new one solves the issue.
@@ModernCastle yes. They do have excellent customer service.
We should get together. My water dispenser drips constantly. Can't figure out how to stop it.
We have the 0 water filter as well we hadn't replace in a couple months the water started to turn sour we tested TDS it was 407 our tap water test at 228. But the question I want to ask was how did it get higher from the filter when it's worn out?
If that really is the case it means once the filter is at capacity it is leaching previously removed TDS back into your water.
In any case, these water filter systems only work if you replace the filters regularly.
Thank you for helping me the question
@@djlig3r736 You're welcome!
I read somewhere that...if your not going to keep up with the normal time frame of swapping out your filters, it's better not to use one, because the filter will get clogged up with gunk, and bacteria will begin to grow, which is where your water will pass through. Is this true?
@@christophermunoz2568 you have to change the filter every 15-20 days. People expect filter to last 3 months. That is not the case with this brand.
Only 1 month use and now it shows 007, is it normal?
That's normal.
Generally, the filters only last 2-4 weeks.
I want to order more.filters
How do I get good minerals back into water? I’ve read a lot of people say drinking water with no minerals can lead to health issues
There are drops that add them back
Like these - www.amazon.com/s?k=trace+minerials+drops&crid=3RW9SLF4VK874&geniuslink=true&sprefix=trace+minerials+drops%2Caps%2C345&tag=mc_1001-20&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
@@ModernCastle thank you for the reply! If I just drank 1 or 2 regular water bottles of purified water a day do you think that’d be sufficient? Or just eating foods with those minerals?
Or is the amount of minerals in a couple bottles of water pretty negligible?
@@michellmusso2009 I should preface this with...there has been very little research done on this topic, whether or not the mineral absence of RO water can have negative health impacts. Everything you see on both sides of this is conjecture at best.
My personal view is that the minerals that are removed from the water are required in such trace amounts for your body to function that other beverages you drink (that weren't made with RO water) + foods that you eat are more than sufficient to replace those minerals.
Perhaps in some extreme cases where an individual only drinks RO water and has a very limited diet there is the potential for it to be more of an issue. But again, that is just conjecture.
There just isn't any reliable scientific study on this topic to say one way or another if this is an issue or not.
@@ModernCastle thank you so much. Im impressed how responsive you are especially on an older video. Easy subscribe + I’ll make sure to use that Amazon link you sent when/if I buy the mineral drops
@@michellmusso2009 You're too kind. Glad I was able to help. And thanks so much for the subscribe and your support! We've got some really awesome videos coming out in January and February, hope you enjoy them.
Anyone else have water stop flowing within a day of changing the filter? Loved this but the first fitler stopped flowing after 2 weeks, then the second one stopped within a day. Super dissapointing because i loved the water
When a filter is brand new sometimes the filter media is just so tightly packed it can prevent water flow. Best way I was able to solve is take a thin knife and poke 4-6 holes 1/3rd of an inch into the very top of the filter.
I have IT and îs very good , Water îs good , coffee made with this Water has a better taste 🤪
What I do, before using any water filter (we have VERY contaminated water, with trihalomethanes no less) is boil the water uncovered in a large stockpot for 5 minutes. This removes ~100% of the volatile THMs. Then I cover the pot and let it cool overnight, filtering it then.
Where do you live that you need to boil all of your water?
@@ModernCastle South Central Louisiana. Our trihalomethane level is over the federal limit by 60ppm. So, I'd like to be sure I'm getting it out of my drinking water.
@@peter5.056 Yikes, scary stuff
@@ModernCastle our municipality sends us a notice every month, to say that they're out of compliance with the regulations, so at least they're not trying to hide it;)
@@peter5.056 Well that's good, at least they are transparent.
I had one for a while but got rid of it. Water tasted sour after a couple of weeks use.
That's pretty common and usually just indicates the filter needs to be replaced.
In many places the Zero water filter needs to be replaced every 2 weeks.
@@ModernCastle Interesting. I thought it seemed very quick, especially since I am on city water.
@@TK-cl1jm Indeed, it is fast. Most filters like this would last 2-3 months.
While city water generally kills bacteria, viruses, and other super bad contaminants, it generally doesn't' do much for dissolved solids. Depending on where you live in the country you could have hundreds of TDS in your city water. In Arizona where I live the city water TDS is usually around 550 PPM.
The higher the TDS, the faster the filters burn through their life.
I just bought zerowater filter today (20 cup).. can you just help me if you know how long does the filter last? Thanks 😊
Depends on how bad / good your water is and how much you use it.
For most, I would start checking the water quality with the included meter at the 1 month mark. Then check it every couple of weeks after that. Once the quality starts dipping you'll know it's time to replace.
I've been using the Zero filters for quite some time. I was following the two step system where you filter through the old filter first and then pour that filtered water into the new filter to reduce it down to 0. I hadn't kept up on maintenance for awhile and the second filter was adding TDS back into the first filter water. So, I threw out both filters and went back to a one filter system with a new filter. What's odd is that the new filter only reduces my water TDS from 129 to 36 - not 0. Is it because the filter is new and needs breaking in? It seems like the old filters used to bring the TDS all the way down to 0 in the beginning before I left them on too long.
That's odd. There isn't a break in period. It should be doing zero TDS on day one.
@@ModernCastle That's what I thought, too. So I opened a second new filter and that was giving me a 3 reading. I don't know if sitting in storage (fully wrapped and sealed) has anything to do with it. But, I've compared costs and will start buying distilled water at the supermarket for $ 1 per gallon. I can't count on the quality of the Zero filters anymore. Oh, I did check my two TDS meters in the distilled water and they both read 0 so it's not a calibration issue. Also, if you want some eye-opening about Zero filters just read the one star comments wherever they are sold. A LOT of unhappy people.
@@STBRetired1 Yeah, it's a very polarizing customer base. Some love it, others hate it.
Initially was far more positive on ZeroWater, but after using for months and testing the water in a laboratory, I'm not as keen on them. They aren't bad, but there are better filters for less money.
@@ModernCastle have your reproduced the reading from their TDS meter in a lab before? I just got one and I'm a bit sceptical of a 0 reading. The cynic in me feels like they've put something in their filter and the meter just goes to 0 when it detects that
@@BaffledAlways We had Zero and 9 other water filters sent to a laboratory for testing.
Check it out here - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html
Short summary...it does really reduce TDS to zero, but it misses other more serious contaminants beyond TDS
Will this also remove radioactive ash in a rain barrel?
I don't know. That's not something we tested and not something Zero has any specs about.
The taste of ZW is very zingy! Guess you can get used to it
I use it with ice made from tap- unfiltered & it makes it decent Our tap is 34 already so I probably didn’t even need one. Don’t worry humans have jacked up every resource this planet has to offer. Give us a few years to get to all of the water & watch us make a profit as we smilefuck the next generation
Berkey water filter is my choice. Zero waters filters don’t last very long at all.
We've heard good things about Berkey. How long have you had yours?
How long do they last there
Used for the 3rd time and no longer filters. Water just sits there. A big fat waste of money!
Sometimes the filters do that. You just need to penetrate the top of the filter with a knife about 1/8th of an inch. Poke it in 4-5 different places. Then it will work fine. I've only had that happen once before.
WARNING - WARNING!!! I can only speak about the ZEN water filter. I purchased a Zero counter top water purifier for travel. It comes with a TDS water testing meter. When I use that meter to test a cup of tap water it reads well over 400+ in contaminants. When I use the meter to test a cup of ZERO water after being filtered it reads 0. When I use the meter to test ZEN water using a BRAND NEW FILTER AND NEW CERAMIC CONE it reads nearly 400!!!! I did this over and over. I allowed more than 4 run thrus of water on the new filter and STILL IT READS NEARLY THE SAME AS TAP WATER. ZEN IS BS.
Zen maybe a bad water filter. But just because it isn't removing dissolved solids doesn't mean it's not purifying your water.
By the same token, just because ZeroWater removes dissolved solids doesn't mean it's actually improving the water quality.
Last year we did an updated water filter video here - czcams.com/video/HeRGnHuYol8/video.html
In it, we sent 10 water filters samples, including ZeroWater, to a 3rd part laboratory for testing. ZeroWater was good, but not great. And there were a number of other purifiers that outperformed it.
I think the filter is too large for the container. It needs to be refilled too often.
Maybe...though I don't think Zero could make it much smaller. You'd be replacing the filter even faster if it was smaller.
Disgusting water . Didn’t work with my water and the importers to the uk weren’t interested .
What type of water do you have?
I bought this filter and it turns out drinking from this filter does not reduce my relative's Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Let's go Brandon!
😂