Photo: Apex
What We Like
- Re-mineralizes and balances the pH to slightly alkaline
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to install
- Effective 5-stage filtration
- Relatively long 4-8-month lifespan
What We Don’t Like
- Takes up countertop space
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an alkaline countertop filter to give you healthy and good tasting drinking water, be sure to check out Apex’s MR-1050.
Introduction
Most countertop filters are highly effective at eliminating contaminants to give you cleaner drinking/cooking water. However, Apex’s MR-1050 tops this off by producing great tasting water that is also very healthy.
To understand how it works, let’s go through the detailed review below.
Apex MR-1050 Review
Photo: Apex
Filtration Effectiveness: Re-Mineralizes and Alkalizes
The most outstanding feature about this Apex MR-1050 is its re-mineralizing and alkalizing feature. To achieve this, it incorporates the use of alkaline beads to add potassium, calcium, and magnesium, while a calcite layer further raises the calcium level to complete the process.
This results in the production of mineral water, which has several health benefits such as: giving better hydration than bottled water, balancing pH levels in the blood to neutralize body acidity, fatigue reduction, cleansing the body, and immune system enhancement, just to name a few.
That said, these two are part of a 5-stage filtration system and the rest include a KDF-55 layer, which removes bacteria, microorganisms, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and iron through a redox reaction.
Next is a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) layer, which reduces radon, benzene, chlorine, chloramine, odor, and organic chemicals. This section is longer than the rest because such contaminants are very common.
The third and fourth layers are the alkaline beads and calcite layers respectively, while the fifth layer is a set of micro felt pads. These are placed between the other stages as a form of separation and they polish the water by removing small concentrations of dissolved material.
The stages are set up from top to bottom and therefore, the water intake is at the top while the filtered water exits at the bottom.
However, a faucet attached at the bottom ensures that the water takes a longer period inside the media for better filtration. This is because it rises to the top with a curve that directs the outlet downwards for easy collection.
Therefore, for water to flow out, it must first fill up inside the different stages of the filtration media.
Apart from filtration, the unit is built using BPA-free plastic while the faucet is lead-free. This makes it very safe and healthy to use.
Installation: Very Easy
Installing a countertop filter is one of the easiest tasks. Simply find a suitable spot on your kitchen countertop close to the sink, then attach its intake to the sink’s faucet.
The Apex MR-1050’s filtration unit is shipped when fully assembled and contains 2 faucet adapters in the pack. These are the 15/16”-27M x 55/64”-27M and 13/16”-27M x 55/64”-27M.
Before buying the filter, ensure that your faucet can fit one of these. You can contact the faucet’s manufacturer or check its user manual for these measurements.
That said, there are three more faucet adapters that are available upon request and among them is a universal adapter that can fit all sizes. This comes in very handy if you don’t happen to get the faucet’s aerator screen thread measurement.
With all this sorted out, begin the process by removing the aerator screen from the faucet then screw in the diverter valve’s collar. It’s as simple as that. Detailed installation instructions are included in the user manual for easier guidance.
Before use though, you need to flush the system for a few minutes to remove any loose particles. Simply open the faucet then pull out the diverter valve to direct water to the filter and let it pour out the water.
Afterward, you can begin enjoying drinking the healthy, great-tasting mineral water.
Maintenance and Replacement: Requires a Single Cartridge
Though it has 5 stages of filtration, all these are fitted into a single cartridge, which simplifies the replacement process. The cartridge is designed to clean up to 750 gallons of water at a rate of 0.75 gallons per minute before wearing out.
Popular Mechanics claims that this can last for up to 8 months when serving a family of four and therefore, it has a relatively long lifespan.
After wearing out, begin the replacement process by using the included wrench to open the filter housing. Remove the cartridge inside and replace it with a new Apex RF-1050. It is important to note that this replacement cartridge is quite expensive because it contains all the media in one.
Finish off by tightening the cartridge into the housing using the same wrench. During each replacement, make sure to clean the housing to get rid of any dirt.
Operating Conditions
Before buying this countertop filter, certain conditions must be met for it to function effectively. For starters, the water feed should be cold because the media can only comfortably handle a temperature range of about 41-100ºF.
The water should be fed at a pressure range of 41-100 PSI. Lower pressure can work but you’ll get very little water. On the other hand, very high pressure might damage the media and therefore, you might need a pressure regulator to bring it down.
Other than that, the hardness level should be less than 3 ppm while the pH should range from 6.5-8.5.
Price: Quite Affordable
Apex’s MR-1050 is quite affordable because it costs less than $100. Despite this, it has a high-quality 5-stage filtration system that is very effective.
That said, the manufacturer has four more countertop water filters but the two closest ones to the MR-1050 in terms of features and price are the Apex MR-1030 and EXPRT MR-2050.
The MR-1030 is cheaper, but its cartridge lacks alkaline beads for stabilizing the water’s pH level.
On the other hand, the EXPRT MR-2050 is costlier and it exceeds the $100 mark. With this, you get dual filters, one being a 5-stage alkaline filter and the other a carbon block that further reduces chlorine, radon, odor, and other solvents. This gives you cleaner water.
Verdict
An effective countertop filter that gives you and your family healthy, good tasting drinking water.
With its 5-stage alkaline filtration system, Apex’s MR-1050 reduces most of the common water contaminants, then tops it off by adding potassium, calcium, and magnesium to alkalize it. This gives you good tasting water that is packed with several health benefits.
Specs
- Product Name: Apex MR-1050
- Product Brand: Apex
- Filtration: 5 stage
- Production: 0.75 GPM
- Cartridge Lifespan: 750 gallons
- Operating Temperature Range: 41 – 100 °F
- Operating Water Pressure: 41 – 100 PSI
- Product Dimensions: 12 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Warranty: 1-year limited (30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee)
Key Features
- 5-stage filtration system with an alkalization layer.
- Built-in chrome faucet.
- Easy-to-install countertop design.
- Includes all the installation hardware.
- Black, chrome, clear, blue, white, and red color options.