Reverse osmosis or a water softener?
Under-sink reverse osmosis supplies drinking water at one faucet. A whole-home water softener addresses hardness in the water flowing through your home. Choose around the problem you want to solve.
Start with the job
- Want a dedicated tap for drinking and cooking? Consider a point-of-use RO system.
- Want to address hardness and scale throughout the home? Ask about a whole-home softener and a hardness test.
- Already have a softener? That does not make an RO system the same product. Check the requirements for your specific equipment.
What each system does
RO uses a membrane to reduce dissolved substances in water. A typical ion-exchange softener exchanges calcium and magnesium for other ions. Calcium and magnesium are the main contributors to hardness.
Neither product name alone tells you which specific substances a model reduces. Check the actual model documentation and independent certification for the claim you care about.
Can a TDS meter tell you which to buy?
A TDS reading is not a hardness test or a safety verdict. A softener can change the minerals in water without producing a large drop in TDS. Read what a TDS reading can tell you before comparing numbers.
What Sippa installs
Sippa's current package is the Waterdrop G3P600 under-sink RO system. It supplies a separate kitchen faucet. It does not soften shower, laundry or bathroom water throughout the home. See the installation requirements and included costs and exclusions.
What to check before choosing
Write down your goal, your current equipment and the issue you want to address. For a specific water-quality concern, use your utility's report or suitable laboratory testing. During Sippa's free visit, we explain our product and check your kitchen. The visit is not a laboratory test.
Sources
EPA: Point-of-use reverse osmosis; USGS: Water-quality questions and hardness. Reviewed November 3, 2026.