Waterdrop A2 review: I didn’t expect it to replace my kettle
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read
We’ve been using the Waterdrop A2 in our kitchen for three months now, and it’s quickly become part of our daily routine.
A quick note before we get into the review: Waterdrop sent me the A2 for free, but they didn’t ask me to write this review or have any input into it.
In this Waterdrop A2 review, I'll give my honest experience of what it’s been like to use at home as a family, including the good, the slightly annoying, and whether I’d buy it myself now I’ve lived with it.
And honestly?
I expected the Waterdrop A2 to be a useful countertop reverse osmosis filter. I didn’t expect it to replace our kettle.
But that’s exactly what’s happened.
It now sits where our kettle used to be, making smoother tea and coffee for me, while my partner and 6-year-old son use it throughout the day for cold drinking water that comes out noticeably cooler than the tap.
Waterdrop A2 review: quick verdict
I’d rate the Waterdrop A2 4.5 out of 5.
For us, it has been a brilliant kitchen upgrade. The biggest surprise has been the instant hot water function. I thought the reverse osmosis filtration would be the main benefit, but day to day, the thing I love most is not having to wait for the kettle to boil.
The downsides? You do need worktop space, you have to refill the tank, and I personally don’t love the taste of plain cold reverse osmosis water without minerals. My partner and son like it, but to me it tastes a bit flat.
For exceptionally clean water and better-tasting tea and coffee, this is where the A2 really shines.
At a glance
What is the Waterdrop A2?
The Waterdrop A2 is a countertop reverse osmosis water dispenser that gives you both hot and cold filtered water.
Unlike an under-sink reverse osmosis system, it doesn’t need plumbing into your kitchen pipework. You fill the water tank, plug it in, and use it from the counter.
That all sounds good on paper, but I was more interested in what it would actually be like in a normal kitchen, with a family using it every day.
Set-up: easy, but you do need to flush it
Set-up was pretty straightforward.
There were no tools needed and no plumbing involved. The instructions were clear, and the main thing we had to do before using it properly was flush it through a few times.
Realistically, it took about half an hour before it was ready to use.
First impressions were good. It felt premium, the materials felt decent, and it looked modern rather than plasticky. It was also a bit smaller than I expected.
It’s still bigger than a kettle, obviously, but it didn’t feel as huge as I’d imagined.
What it’s like on the kitchen counter
Our Waterdrop A2 sits where our kettle used to sit, right by the sink.
That position makes a big difference. If it was across the kitchen, I think refilling the tank would feel more annoying. But because it’s right next to the sink, it takes about 20 seconds.
We probably refill it once or twice a day, depending on how much we’re using it. It has just become part of the routine. Sometimes I’ll go a day or two without refilling it because my partner has already done it.
It does take up more space than a kettle, but because it replaced the kettle, it doesn’t feel like we’ve lost loads of extra worktop. It also fits underneath our wall cupboards, which was useful.
I’d say it would work in a smaller kitchen if you were happy to get rid of the kettle. But if you have very little worktop space, it might feel too big.
The feature I didn’t expect to love: instant hot water
This is the standout feature for me.
Before using the A2, I hadn’t really thought about how useful the hot water function would be. Now, we use it every day.
I use the hotter setting for coffee, a slightly cooler setting for herbal teas, and the coldest setting for drinking water.
The hot water is definitely hot enough for tea and coffee. In real use, it's so much easier and faster than filling a kettle.
We use a Moka pot to make coffee, and the A2 shaves a few minutes off the process because I’m not standing around waiting for the kettle to boil. It sounds like a small thing, but when you’re making coffee every day, it does make the kitchen routine feel quicker.
I still use the kettle occasionally if I need a larger amount of boiling water. But for drinks, the A2 is much faster.
What does the water taste like?
For hot drinks, the A2 really shines.
We noticed the difference straight away. Tea and coffee taste so much smoother with the reverse osmosis water, and it makes them much more enjoyable to drink. It’s one of those things you don’t realise you’re missing because you’re so used to hard tap water — but once you try it, the improvement is really noticeable.
What about cold water? This is where I’m going to be really honest.
My partner and son liked the cold water straight away. They both use it daily, and my very particular 6-year-old now asks, “Is it cold water from the machine?” every time I get him a drink.
For me, plain reverse osmosis water took a bit more getting used to. It tastes very neutral compared with hard tap water, and the best way I can describe it is slightly flat — almost a bit dusty — although that sounds worse than it is.
That said, I’ll happily drink it when I want a cold glass of water. This is where the A2 has another advantage: it dispenses chilled water, so it feels much cooler and more refreshing than water straight from the tap (room temp water is available too).
If you’re wondering what plain RO water tastes like, pay attention to the tap water next time you’re somewhere with naturally soft water, such as Scotland, Wales or some areas of Cornwall. It often tastes lighter and less mineral-heavy than hard tap water.
RO water is similar, but even more neutral because more dissolved minerals and nearly everything else have been removed. Some people love that very clean taste straight away. For me, it took a bit of getting used to.
Has it helped with limescale?
Yes — a lot.
The biggest reason is that we don’t use the kettle multiple times a day anymore. Because the A2 has replaced it for normal hot drinks, we’re no longer constantly boiling hard tap water and dealing with kettle limescale.
And then there are the hot drinks themselves.
No more tea scum. Tea and coffee taste smoother, and the water feels much better for hot drinks than our normal hard tap water.
One thing to note — you do have the descale the machine — which surprised me at first.
If it’s filtering the water, why would the machine need descaling? But when you think about it, of course it does. You’re still putting hard tap water into the machine before it filters it, so the machine itself still has contact with hard water.
The good thing is that you only need to descale it once every six months, so it’s not a constant job. It’s just something to be aware of before you buy, especially if you live in a hard water area.
What it’s like for family life
This has been one of the nicest surprises.
My 6-year-old son can use the cold water himself, and because the water comes out cooler than the tap, it has made drinking water feel a bit more appealing for him.
As a parent, I also like that the hot water has a child lock. It feels more reassuring than a kettle in some ways, because I’m not lifting a heavy kettle full of boiling water for everyday drinks.
I wouldn’t say it has completely changed family life, but it has made daily drinks easier.
What’s annoying about the Waterdrop A2?
There isn’t anything major that annoys me, but there are a couple of small things worth knowing before you buy.
The first is that it’s slower than a tap.
You get used to it, but if you’re filling something large, it’s not as quick as turning on your kitchen tap. That’s why I still use our FlowPure on-tap filter for filling pans or when I want a larger amount of water quickly.
The second is the noise.
The A2 makes some noise when it filters and dispenses, and sometimes you can hear it humming when it’s not in use. There’s also quite a big gap between the dispenser and the bottom of your mug, so filling a tea or coffee mug makes a noticeable dripping/filling sound.
None of it is terrible, but it is noticeable.
Is the tank annoying to refill?
For us, no.
Because the A2 sits next to the sink, refilling the tank is easy. It takes seconds and has just become part of the routine.
The waste water side hasn’t felt annoying either. It doesn’t feel like there are too many tanks to deal with, and it doesn’t feel complicated.
But I do think this depends on your personality.
If you already hate refilling a water filter jug, you might find the A2 tank annoying too. It’s less hassle than a jug in my opinion, but it is still a tank you have to refill.
Waterdrop A2 vs BRITA-style filter jug
Compared with a BRITA-style jug, the A2 is much easier to live with.
You don’t have to fill a jug, wait for it to filter, put it in the fridge, carry it around or remember whether there’s any water left.
The A2 just sits on the counter and gives you hot or cold filtered water when you want it.
It also goes much further than a standard jug if you specifically want reverse osmosis filtration.
A jug filter can be useful for taste and some limescale reduction, but it won’t give you the same type of RO filtration as the A2.
The obvious downside is price and space. A jug is much cheaper and takes up less worktop space because it lives in the fridge. The A2 is more of a proper kitchen appliance.
Waterdrop A2 vs FlowPure on-tap filter
We still use our FlowPure on-tap filter every day, but for different things.
The A2 has a detachable water jug, so you can use the RO water for cooking if you want to. I just prefer to keep the A2 mainly for tea, coffee and chilled drinking water.
For cooking, like boiling pasta, rice or vegetables, I’m happy using filtered non-RO water from the FlowPure. I also still sometimes drink water from the FlowPure, so I tend to interchange between the two.
For us, having both feels like the best of both worlds: A2 for smoother hot drinks and chilled RO water and FlowPure for cooking and drinking water for me.
Waterdrop A2 vs under-sink reverse osmosis
The main difference between the Waterdrop A2 and an under-sink RO system like the Waterdrop G3P600 is where the effort sits.
With the A2, set-up is easy. There’s no plumbing, no drilling and no separate tap to install. You fill the tank, plug it in and use it from the counter. That makes it a really good option for renters, or for anyone who wants reverse osmosis water without changing anything under the sink.
The trade-off is that daily use is more manual. You do need to refill the tank and empty the waste water, although for us that has felt simple because the machine sits right next to the sink.
With an under-sink system like the G3P600, set-up is more involved. You either need to be confident fitting it yourself or pay someone to install it. But once it’s in, daily use is easier because filtered water comes straight from the tap and you don’t have a tank to refill on the counter.
That said, an under-sink RO system won’t give you the same instant hot and cold water experience as the A2. So if you mainly want RO water straight from the tap, under-sink makes sense. If you want an easy countertop set-up that can also replace your kettle and give you chilled drinking water, the A2 has the edge.
Are Waterdrop filters good overall?
If you’re thinking about buying the Waterdrop A2 but want to know more about the brand first, we’ve also looked at Waterdrop beyond this one product. Alongside using the A2 at home, we’ve seen Waterdrop systems from the plumbing side, including under-sink installations in real kitchens. I’ve also analysed 100 real Waterdrop customer reviews to understand the common pros, complaints and buying experience.
For a wider look at the brand, read our guides: are Waterdrop filters good? and Waterdrop filter reviews: what 100 real customers say
Who is the Waterdrop A2 best for?
I think the Waterdrop A2 is best for:
renters
families
tea and coffee drinkers
people who want RO water without plumbing
anyone who likes the idea of replacing their kettle
people who want hot and cold filtered water from one appliance
homes where the machine can sit close to the sink
It makes most sense if you’ll use both the hot and cold water functions. If you only want cold filtered water, there may be cheaper options.
For me, the hot water feature is what makes it feel worth it.
Who should not buy it?
I wouldn’t recommend the Waterdrop A2 as strongly if you have very little worktop space.
It’s not enormous, but it is still a countertop appliance. If your kitchen already feels cramped, you’ll need to think carefully about where it would go.
I also wouldn’t recommend it if you know you’ll find refilling a tank annoying. It doesn’t bother us, but if you want filtered water straight from a tap with no refilling, an on-tap or under-sink filter may be a better fit.
And if you’re fussy about the taste of plain cold water, you may want to look at the remineralisation version instead.
Would I buy the Waterdrop A2 with my own money?
Yes, I would — but with one caveat.
If it was just for me, I’d probably look at a hot-water-only option, like the Waterdrop K19, because the hot water is the feature I personally use and love the most.
But because my family love the cold water, I would definitely buy the A2 again.
My partner and 6-year-old son both use it for cold drinking water every day because they like that it comes out colder than tap water. My son enjoys using “the machine”, and it has made drinking water more appealing for him.
So for our house, the hot and cold Waterdrop A2 makes more sense than a hot-only dispenser.
The only thing I might do differently is consider the Waterdrop A2G with remineralisation, because I personally find plain cold RO water a bit flat. My family like it as it is, but for my own taste, I think remineralisation could make the cold water more enjoyable.
Is the Waterdrop A2 worth it?
For the right home, yes.
The Waterdrop A2 is worth it if you want reverse osmosis water without plumbing, instant hot water for drinks, chilled drinking water, and a countertop set-up that doesn’t involve changing anything under the sink or drilling through your worktop.
I think it’s especially good for renters, families and tea or coffee drinkers in hard water areas.
The biggest surprise for me was how quickly it became part of our routine. I thought I was getting a countertop RO filter, but what I actually got was a filtered water machine that pretty much replaced our kettle.
After three months of daily use, I’d give the Waterdrop A2 4.5 out of 5.
It loses half a point because plain cold RO water still tastes a bit flat to me. But for hot drinks, convenience and everyday family use, it has been genuinely brilliant.
FAQs
Is the Waterdrop A2 worth it?
Yes, for the right home. The Waterdrop A2 is worth it if you want reverse osmosis water without plumbing, instant hot water for drinks, chilled drinking water, and a countertop set-up that doesn’t involve changing anything under the sink.
Does the Waterdrop A2 help with limescale?
Yes, for drinking water and hot drinks. In my experience, the biggest difference has been no more tea scum and smoother tea and coffee. It has also reduced how much we use the kettle, so we’re no longer boiling hard tap water in it multiple times a day.
Does the Waterdrop A2 replace a kettle?
For us, yes. I still use the kettle occasionally when I need a larger amount of boiling water, but for everyday tea, coffee and herbal tea, the A2 has pretty much replaced it.
What does Waterdrop A2 water taste like?
For hot drinks, the RO water makes tea and coffee taste much smoother. Plain cold RO water tastes very neutral, and I personally find it a little flat without remineralisation, although my family liked it straight away.
Is the Waterdrop A2 good for renters?
Yes. The A2 is a good option for renters because it doesn’t need plumbing, drilling or a separate tap. You fill the tank, plug it in and use it from the counter.
What is the difference between the Waterdrop A2 and A2G?
The standard Waterdrop A2 gives you hot and cold reverse osmosis water. The A2G is the remineralisation version, which may be worth considering if you prefer plain drinking water with more mineral taste.
Do you have to refill the Waterdrop A2?
Yes. The A2 is a countertop system, so you do need to refill the water tank and empty the waste water. For us, this hasn’t been annoying because it sits right next to the sink.
Author bio: Lucinda Smalley is the founder of Hard Water Home, a UK-based consumer site helping households in hard water areas understand the challenges and solutions more easily — and make smarter choices for their health and homes. Based in Poole, she also co-runs an award-winning plumbing company, giving her first-hand insight into how water quality affects everything from appliances to skin and hair. When she’s not writing, she’s happiest at the beach with her family and a good cup of coffee (minus the floaty bits!). More about us ➡
