It was a hot Tuesday afternoon. I poured a glass of tap water. It smelled like swimming pool chlorine. That gross sip pushed me to buy a new filter. I needed clean, cold water for my morning coffee. So, I put two machines side by side. Here is my real take on the Waterdrop A1 Vs A2 battle.
Waterdrop A1 Review

This machine looks like a sleek coffee maker. It sits right on your kitchen counter. You just plug it in and fill the tank. No pipes or tools are needed at all.
Pros and Cons
Here is what I love and what I do not like about it.
| Pros | Cons |
| Makes hot water in three seconds | Water tank is heavy to carry |
| Very easy touch screen to use | Makes a soft buzz sound |
| No tools needed to set up | Takes up counter space |
Living With The A1
After using it for a couple of months, my mornings are faster. The hot water comes out super fast for my tea. The screen is bright and simple to tap. It is a joy to use daily.

But, the water tank is quite heavy when it is full. I have to lift it carefully to the sink. It also makes a low hum when it cleans the water. It is not loud, just a soft buzz.
Recommendation
This is perfect for renters who want fast hot and cold drinks. It is not good if you have weak wrists to lift the heavy tank.
Waterdrop A2 Review
This is another plug and play machine. It also gives hot and cold water without any plumbing. You just fill it up and press a button. It hides well in a corner.

Pros and Cons
Let us look at the good and bad sides.
| Pros | Cons |
| Pure water tastes very crisp | Setup flush takes thirty minutes |
| Simple twist to change filter | Big tank is hard to hold |
| Replaces the cold fridge pitcher | Also needs wide counter space |
Living With The A2
I have used this one for a few months too. The pure water tastes super crisp and fresh. It is so nice to skip the fridge pitcher. I just press a button for ice cold water.

The setup flush took a long time, about thirty minutes. You have to run water through it a lot at first. After that, changing the filter is a simple twist and click. It is very simple to maintain.
Recommendation
This is perfect for busy homes wanting clean water fast. It is not good if you hate waiting for a long setup flush.
Detail Comparison for Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
It is time to match them up directly. Let us look at the details that matter most. Here is how the Waterdrop A1 Vs A2 match up in daily use.
Filtration Quality & Stages: Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
Both machines clean water very well. They remove bad metals and weird smells. The water tastes pure from both units.
| Feature | Waterdrop A1 | Waterdrop A2 |
| RO Filter | Yes | Yes |
| UV Light | Yes | No |
Rating:
Waterdrop A1: 9/10
Waterdrop A2: 8/10

Temperature Options & Controls: Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
Both give hot and cold water fast. The touch screens are very easy to tap. They both make morning coffee a breeze.
| Feature | Waterdrop A1 | Waterdrop A2 |
| Hot Water | Yes, in 3 seconds | Yes, very fast |
| Cold Water | Yes | Yes |
Rating:
Waterdrop A1: 9/10
Waterdrop A2: 9/10
Ease of Use & Setup: Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
You just plug them both in. The screens are simple to read. But the A2 needs a very long first flush.
| Feature | Waterdrop A1 | Waterdrop A2 |
| Install Type | Plug and Play | Plug and Play |
| First Flush | Normal speed | Takes 30 minutes |
Rating:
Waterdrop A1: 9/10
Waterdrop A2: 7/10

Waste Water Ratio (Efficiency): Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
They both save more pure water than older units. The A1 saves slightly more water in the long run. They both split clean and bad water well.
| Feature | Waterdrop A1 | Waterdrop A2 |
| Pure to Drain | 2 to 1 | 3 to 1 |
| Tank Type | Separate tanks | Separate tanks |
Rating:
Waterdrop A1: 8/10
Waterdrop A2: 7/10
Water Taste & Odor: Waterdrop A1 Vs A2
Both stop that nasty pool smell completely. Every sip is pure and fresh. They make tap water taste like a mountain spring.
| Feature | Waterdrop A1 | Waterdrop A2 |
| Taste | Very crisp | Very crisp |
| Smell | Zero bad smell | Zero bad smell |
Rating:
Waterdrop A1: 9/10
Waterdrop A2: 9/10
Conclusion
Clean water makes daily life much better. No more smelly tap water for me. Picking the winner of the Waterdrop A1 Vs A2 depends on your needs. I hope my real thoughts guide you well.