Which filter system is right for me? Activated carbon countertop filter or reverse osmosis system?
Two Paths – One Shared Goal: Good, Living Drinking Water
At Aquadea, we pursue a clear goal: drinking water should not only be clean, but should also feel good, taste good and be a pleasure to drink. Depending on your living situation, water quality and personal outlook, there are different, equally valid ways to achieve this.
Basically, our filter systems can be divided into two main categories:
- Activated carbon block filter systems with germ barrier ( Okato Nature or Ukato)
- Reverse osmosis system ( Zen-Flow)
At Aquadea, both variants always work in combination with vortex technology, but they differ in their filtration principle, type of installation and the character of the water.
Option 1: Activated Carbon Filter with Germ Barrier – Natural, Direct, Practical for Everyday Use
Our countertop filter Okato Nature and our under-sink filter Ukato, with a high-quality activated carbon block and germ barrier, reliably filter pollutants such as chlorine, organic compounds, drug residues and many other contaminants out of tap water. At the same time, the natural mineral structure of the water is preserved.
Click here for the independent expert report on the filters’ pollutant retention.
With this system, after filtration the water is passed through an external Aquadea vortexer – ToneOne, Trinity or Opulence. This gives the water structure, movement and order – a water that many people experience as rounded, lively and familiar.
These solutions are particularly suitable for people who:
- prefer near-natural filtration
- want to stay flexible (e.g. when moving house)
- or are looking for a simple, low-maintenance solution
Option 2: Reverse Osmosis – Maximum Reduction, Newly Built-Up Water
The Zen Flow reverse osmosis system takes a different approach. It filters the water very thoroughly and, in addition to pollutants, almost completely removes limescale and dissolved salts. The result is a very pure, neutral base water that can then be remineralized in a targeted way.
At Aquadea, the osmosis system is complemented by an upstream inline Crystal Vortex™ unit. This means: the water is already vortexed and structured before filtration, before it passes through the pre-filters and the fine membrane. This combination is particularly harmonious, as technical purity and energetic order come together.
This solution is especially interesting for people:
- in regions with very hard or heavily contaminated water
- who want thorough filtration
- or who prefer very neutral water that is built up individually
Click here for the replacement filter cartridges for the Zen-Flow reverse osmosis system.
Not Either-Or, but a Conscious Choice
At Aquadea, the two systems are not in competition; they represent two different approaches to water quality. The following overview shows the differences so that you can see at a glance which system better suits your situation, your everyday life and your feeling.
Comparison Table of Aquadea Filter Systems
| Criterion | ZEN FLOW reverse osmosis system | Okato Nature / Ukato activated carbon filter |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration performance | Up to 99% of all pollutants incl. ions, limescale, heavy metals, nitrate, fluoride, bacteria, microplastics, PFAS, hormones, drug residues | 95–99% chlorine, benzene, phenol, pesticides, heavy metals, microplastics, PFAS, hormones, drug residues, bacteria and germs |
| Filtration principle | Nanofiltration (0.0001 µm) through an 800 GPD osmosis membrane with 5 stages | Activated carbon block (0.8 µm) + hollow-fiber membrane as germ barrier, 99.99999% (0.1 µm) for germs |
| Especially suitable for | Regions with hard, calcareous water; thorough pollutant reduction incl. dissolved salts/ions | Flexible use with moderate water quality; quick filter change |
| Installation | Permanently mounted under the sink (upright or horizontal), professional installation recommended | Simply screws onto the faucet, no tools needed, mobile use | Ukato: simple under-sink installation |
| Recommended vortex unit | Aquadea inline vortex unit, 1- or 3-stage, and optionally Trinity at the outlet of the aerator thread | ToneOne, Trinity, Opulence or other multi-stage cascades with bundle nozzle |
| Price without vortex unit (from) | from €1,100 | Okato €450 / Ukato €257 |
| Power connection | Required (0.9 W standby, 60 W production) | Not required |
| Water flow rate | approx. 2 liters/min (at 15 °C) | Up to 5 liters/min |
| Aquadea vortex unit installation | ✅ Inline Crystal Vortex™ upstream of the system for energetic structuring + Venturi effect through the osmosis membrane | ✅ M22x1 male thread for a downstream drinking water vortexer (recommended) |
| Special vortexing feature | Strong vortexing even before filtration by the inline vortexer + additional potentization through the Venturi effect in the nano-membrane | Higher oxygen input through vortexing after filtration with Trinity or similar |
| Mineralization | ✅ Remineralization with calcium, magnesium, potassium after osmosis (optionally without) | Minerals in the water are preserved |
| Filter change | Every 6 months (2 Zen Flow cartridges), Zen Flow membrane approx. every 3 years, tool-free via quick-change | Quick-change every 6 months of 1 cartridge (Q1); for multiple cartridges (Q1 and Q8) |
| Wastewater | Pure water to wastewater ratio approx. 1:1 (very favorable) | No wastewater; only let approx. 0.5 l of standing water run off after half a day without use (stagnant water) |
| Additional functions | Automatic flushing, leak protection, quality display, integrated pressure pump | Germ barrier through hollow-fiber membrane, NSF and TÜV tested |
| Mobility | Permanently installed, not mobile | Okato: flexible, can easily be taken along (e.g. when moving, to a holiday home) Ukato: permanently installed |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 36 × 13.2 × 50 cm (compact, under-sink) | Okato: height 42 cm, base diameter 13 cm (countertop) |
| Design | Compact ABS housing with stainless steel osmosis faucet | Aesthetic combination of stainless steel and turned wood |
| Maintenance | Low, regular filter change every 6 months | Very low, quick-change system every 6 months – priority |
| Ideal for | Permanent installation, maximum filtration performance, limescale protection for appliances, large families, limescale-free water | Flexible use, rented apartments, smaller households, moderate requirements |
Summary: Which System for Which Situation?
Okato Nature activated carbon filter – the flexible solution
- Lower purchase cost (from just €257 (without vortex unit))
- Quick payback (4.5–7 months)
- Mobile and flexible to use
- No installation needed, no power connection
- Higher oxygen input through downstream vortexing
- Minerals are preserved
→ Perfect for rented apartments, mobile use, moderate water quality
ZEN FLOW reverse osmosis system – deep purification
- Up to 99% pollutant reduction incl. limescale and ions
- Ideal for regions with hard, calcareous water
- Strong energetic enhancement through inline vortexing before filtration + Venturi effect
- Protection for household appliances and fittings
- Remineralization after osmosis for optimal taste
- High flow rate without a tank
→ Perfect for permanent installation, maximum purity, limescale problems
Both systems can be combined with Aquadea’s proven Crystal Vortex™ technology and deliver living, energetically structured water – depending on your individual requirements and regional conditions.
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