Water quality has always been important to me, but it’s become even more important now that I have a baby at home. And because NYC apartments are notoriously small, I’m always on the lookout for compact water filters that promise to remove a wide range of toxins from tap water, while also improving its taste.
So when I learned about the Cloud RO (Reverse Osmosis) Under-Sink Water Filter, I had to try it for myself. The Cloud Water Filter is compact, app-connected, and delivers noticeably better-tasting water.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cloud RO installation process and what sets this reverse osmosis under-sink water filter apart from other water filtration systems.
My experience with the Cloud Under-Sink Filter
Easy installation
One of the Cloud Water Filter’s selling points is its easy installation. According to the brand, it should take between 30 and 60 minutes.
Since we didn’t have a soap dispenser or sprayer built onto our counter, we had to hire a professional to drill a new hole through our marble that now houses the water faucet. He drilled the hole and installed the water filter in under 30 minutes.
Although you do need a general understanding of under-sink plumbing, I’m confident my husband could have installed the Cloud Water Filter just as easily for us. One big bonus is that it’s battery-powered, so no electrical hookup is required.
Here’s a video tutorial you can follow if you plan to DIY.
Compact, sleek design built for small kitchens
I’m no stranger to under-sink water filters; I’ve been using them for years to filter out my questionable NYC tap water. But because under-sink space has always been limited, I’ve opted for the most compact models, and for the longest time, I didn’t think a reverse osmosis system was an option due to its sheer size.
“RO has always delivered the best protection out of all types of filtration, but the systems used to be big and bulky—and therefore not an option in your NYC apartment,” says Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab. “The technology has gotten more compact in recent years, so much so that some models can now fit in the cabinet under the kitchen sink.”
That’s why I was so excited when I discovered that the Cloud RO Water Filter fit perfectly underneath my kitchen sink. It consists of two sleek-looking units (a small tank and a larger system), and I love that it leaves me enough space under my sink to keep storing cleaning products, pet food, and everything else I can squeeze in. While the system typically sits in front of the tank, you can configure it to fit your space thanks to long cords.
I also like that the Cloud Water Filter comes with genuinely attractive faucets to dispense your clean water. I have matte black accents throughout my entire kitchen, so it was really important to me to find a faucet that matched this style.
Noticeably better-tasting drinking water
According to Cloud, NSF-58-certified filtration technology removes 99% of toxins from your water, including PFAS, lead, fluoride, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and more. Because the Cloud is a reverse osmosis system, there’s also an integrated remineralization stage. This puts healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium back in your water.
What all of this means is that your water isn’t just excellent quality; it also has an improved taste thanks to a balanced pH. I’ve been drinking Cloud-filtered water for the past few weeks, and I can confirm it tastes infinitely more delicious than our NYC tap water.
Quick filtration, minimal noise
One issue that’s associated with water filters is flow rate. I’ve witnessed other water filters decrease my water’s flow rate to a slow trickle, but I haven’t had this issue with the Cloud. Because the clean water sits in a tank, it’s ready to be dispensed when you need it. While the flow rate isn’t as fast as my other water faucet, which isn’t filtered, it’s sufficient for filling glasses, water bottles, and kettles.
Noise is another common issue. Though you can hear the Cloud when it’s in the process of refilling the water tank, the noise is subtle and infrequent. It’s not something that I notice regularly.
Tracking water quality in real time
The Cloud Water Filter features built-in smart sensors that send you water quality and filter performance updates in real time. Instead of having to guess when it’s time to order and replace your water filter cartridges, all you have to do is check your Cloud app to be sure. According to the brand, a family of four can expect to budget for one filter change per year at about $200 on average.
Since my filter is relatively new, it currently says that my filter quality and battery are both in good condition. Though I’m not checking the app every day, I like that it gives me some extra peace of mind when I open it and see that my drinking water quality is “excellent.”
Worth noting: Price and filter replacements add up
Starting at $600, the Cloud Water Filter isn’t the cheapest. You can find other reverse osmosis systems for a few hundred dollars less. Though the Cloud is worth it for me, if you don’t care as much about app connectivity or an aesthetic, compact design, then you could save some money by choosing another system.
Another detail to note is that filter replacements cost $200, which is pricier than average.
Bottom line: Is the Cloud Water Filter right for you?
Like all RO systems, the Cloud Water Filter costs more (both upfront and in long-term operating costs) and takes up more cabinet space than other under-sink water filters that performed capably in our tests. But if you’re looking for maximum protection from contaminants, it's worth the investment. Not only is it relatively easy to install if you have some basic plumbing skills, but I love that it has a remineralization process to improve my water's taste, and that it comes with a dedicated faucet that’s sleek and attractive.
Further setting it apart is that the filter connects to an app on your phone to monitor water quality, track filter life, and check water usage, but it’s not required for daily operation if you don’t want to use it. I also appreciate that I don’t have to replace the filter quite as frequently as with other under-sink water filters I’ve used, since it filters only my drinking water, not all the water that flows through the tap. While it’s pricier than other RO systems, it’s proved its worth over the past few weeks.
Why trust Good Housekeepking?
GH Institute Senior Reviews Writer and Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to home, parenting, travel, and more. She’s been using under-sink water filters for years and has been testing the Cloud Water Filter over the past few weeks.
To write this review, she consulted the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico, who brings more than 20 years of experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as for brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports.
