Make New York Post a Preferred Source Not everyone has access to clean tap water.
In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that at least 45% of U.S. tap water contains PFAS and hundreds of unregulated or under-regulated substances, including heavy metals and agricultural nitrates. Many buy bottled water to avoid these contaminants, but that’s inconvenient and expensive, especially if you have a large family.
That’s where a good filter can come in, and after our testing, we can safely say the Waterdrop M6CG Remineralization Hot Cold Countertop RO System is one of the best.
It’s on sale right now for $80 off, making this a great time to buy.
Pros: Hot and cold water settings Adjustable temperature Adjustable dispensing amount Detachable glass pitcher One-touch smart panel Eight-stage filtration system Remineralization features Cons: The flushing instructions could be clearer The added minerals cause the water to taste different from the water filtered by the pitcher filter The Waterdrop M6CG is a reverse osmosis machine that filters out waste from tap water, along with harmful substances like lead and copper, while adding essential minerals like magnesium and zinc through an eight-stage filtration system.
Filtration: Eight-stage filtration system | Water temperature: Adjustable in 9-degree increments up to 203 degrees Fahrenheit | Cold water: 59 degrees Fahrenheit | Dispensing amount: Starts at 4 oz and goes above 20 oz | Minerals added: Potassium, magnesium and zinc |
Our tester, Paid Media Partnerships Manager Varun Datta, tested the Waterdrop M6CG right out of the box and found that the initial setup took about 10 minutes.
One of the first things he noticed was its size. The machine is fairly bulky and takes up a significant amount of counter space, which may be an issue for smaller kitchens. However, those with larger kitchens should have no problem fitting it alongside their other appliances.
“The set-up is fairly easy,” he shared, though he noted that the machine needed to be flushed twice before its first use. “Flushing manually is easy. You just have to hold the water button for five seconds to trigger the process.”
Including the flushing process, getting the machine ready to use took approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
“The interface is fairly easy to use, with button taps being the way to increase and decrease water temperature in 9-degree increments up to 203 degrees Fahrenheit,” Datta shared. The amount of water dispensed can also be adjusted, starting at four ounces and going up to more than 20 ounces.
It also has a cold water feature that dispenses water at 59 degrees Fahrenheit, plus a coffee setting that provides hot water for instant coffee. The one-touch smart panel makes it easy to select your preferred temperature and water volume.
Datta appreciated the automatic child lock, which activates after the machine has been idle for a few minutes.
To test the water quality and taste, Datta first poured himself a glass of room-temperature water, followed by cold water. He noticed a slightly metallic aftertaste compared to regular tap water and water from a Brita filter, which he attributed to the added minerals.
“This caught me off guard with the first glass, but by the second or third glass it became a normalized taste for me,” he shared, adding that he felt more refreshed and hydrated after drinking it compared to tap.
The cold water setting, however, impressed him less. Datta found that the water wasn’t that much colder than the room-temperature option, though he acknowledged that this may have been because he’s accustomed to drinking water straight from the refrigerator.
Fortunately, the machine’s removable glass pitcher can be stored in the fridge if you prefer your water colder.
Next, Datta tested the coffee setting by adding instant coffee to his mug and dispensing hot water directly into it.
“It dispensed water hot enough for a fresh cup of coffee to kickstart my morning,” he shared. The machine also has a voice feature that announces when dispensing is complete, making the process even more convenient.
While the machine is relatively straightforward to operate, Datta found that refilling the water tank could become tedious with frequent use. On days when he worked from home, he typically needed to refill it twice.
The machine provides an audible warning when the tank needs attention, usually instructing the user to remove the wastewater. However, because of the tank’s design, Datta found it easier to empty both the wastewater and remaining water before refilling it completely.
Maintenance is otherwise fairly simple. A QR code on top of the machine provides access to the filter status, allowing users to check when a replacement is needed — a feature Datta found this feature informative and easy to navigate.
As for noise, the machine generally operates quietly, though Datta noticed a slight humming sound from the side exhaust fan at times.
Is it worth it? If you’re looking for a countertop water filter that can replace bottled water and make filtered hot or cold water easier to access, the Waterdrop M6CG is worth considering, especially while it’s on sale for $80 off.
“Overall, the machine is easy to use and if you’re looking for a clean water machine, this will serve you well,” said Datta.
For Datta, the hot water setting ultimately proved more useful than the cold water feature. Beyond making his morning instant coffee, he found it extremely useful for preparing dishes such as curries that require additional hot water.
Overall, the Waterdrop M6CG is a convenient addition to the kitchen for anyone looking to incorporate mineral-enriched filtered water into their daily routine. Its adjustable temperatures, easy-to-use interface and instant hot water capabilities make it a versatile appliance for everyday use.
This article was written by Nishka Dhawan, Commerce Reporter for the New York Post. Nishka reports on the latest tech launches, innovations and trends to separate the best new products from the “AI slop.” Taking the latest technology for a spin, Nishka tests home appliances and tech products that actually improve your life, from vacuums to headphones to gaming gadgets and more – all while finding the best deals and lowest prices. Before joining The Post in 2026, her work appeared in Rolling Stone, ABC, NBC Select, Reviewed and Digital Trends.
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