Living in New York City means two things when it comes to the kitchen: constantly negotiating with counter space and having the best drinking water in the country.

That’s exactly where a countertop reverse osmosis system like the Waterdrop M6H finds its place. It fits into apartment life surprisingly well, though not without tradeoffs.

Peace of mind

New York City is known for having some of the best drinking water in the country, and for most people, straight-from-the-tap is perfectly safe and dare I say: tastes the best, too. 

But using a reverse osmosis system isn’t necessarily about fixing bad water. It can also take already good water and filtering it down to a much finer level.

The Waterdrop M6H uses a 7-stage filtration system, which goes beyond basic filtration to remove things like heavy metals, chlorine, PFAS, and microplastics, which you might not think about daily but are still present in trace amounts. It also has UV sterilization, adding another layer of protection by targeting bacteria that may not be caught in filtration alone.

That extra layer of filtration becomes especially helpful when you have guests or family visiting. My parents, for example, have more sensitive stomachs, so even small differences in water quality can matter.

One tradeoff with reverse osmosis is that it also removes naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. In practice, it shouldn’t be a major concern for most people. Food, not water, should be the primary source of these nutrients.

Built for apartment living

One of the biggest advantages of the Waterdrop M6H is how easy it is to set up. There’s no installation, no need to touch your plumbing, and if you’re renting: no back-and-forth with a landlord. 

It sits on my counter like any other appliance. It’s roughly the size of my super automatic coffee machine, which makes it feel familiar and non-invasive. And just like my coffee machine, I get access to great drinking water with just a few presses.

For apartment dwellers like me, that plug-and-play design is a huge win. I could be living in my current home for years, but will likely still need to move out at some point. That means I can take the M6H with me no matter where life takes me.

Compact is both good and bad

That small footprint is what makes it viable in a city kitchen, but it also introduces the biggest inconvenience. 

Because the unit is compact, the water tank isn’t huge, and neither is the wastewater capacity. The built-in 135oz water tank capacity is large enough to get you through a good portion of the day. 

In practice, that means you’ll be refilling clean water and emptying the waste tank regularly, sometimes more than two times a day depending on usage. 

It’s not difficult, but it’s definitely more hands-on than a built-in system that runs continuously in the background.

Eats up precious counter space

Beyond just physically occupying counter space, the machine changed how I use my kitchen. 

The spot it takes is often the same area I would use for prepping food, whether that’s chopping vegetables, rolling or kneading dough, and plating meals. It’s also the same spot I use for putting dirty dishes before they get washed.

So while it technically fits, it reduced my working surface in a noticeable way. In a New York kitchen, losing even a small section of prep space can have a huge impact on one’s daily routine.

Bottle compatibility can be hit or miss

Another noticeable drawback of its compact size is the height clearance under the spout. If you tend to use taller insulated bottles, especially the narrow ones, they won’t always fit comfortably underneath.

I have a combination of tall and short ones, and so that means having to tilt the taller ones or filling them in stages, which interrupts an otherwise convenient experience.

Well thought-out experience

Where the Waterdrop M6H really stands out is in how easy it is to use. The touchscreen is intuitive without feeling overdesigned, and the preset buttons for coffee and tea temperatures are more than welcome. Thanks to its instant heating, I’m never waiting around for hot water when I want a comforting cup of tea after a chilly day out.

One of my favorite features is the ability to customize how many ounces of water you want dispensed. You can set it, place your glass or bottle underneath — as long as it fits — and walk away while it fills because it stops on its own. It’s a small detail that makes drinking clean water convenient.

It’s just a bonus that I’m more conscious of the amount of water I’m drinking on a daily basis.

The detachable glass pitcher is another thoughtful touch. You can take it off and pour directly to your vessel of choice, store it in the fridge for cold water, or use it directly for cooking.

Better than a filter pitcher

If you’ve used a standard filter pitcher before, the difference is immediate. 

With something like a Brita, you’re constantly refilling and waiting for water to slowly drip through the filter before you can use it. The Waterdrop M6H produces purified water much faster and on demand.

Even though I have to refill the tank daily, it’s still far less frequent, and far less tedious, than topping off a pitcher multiple times a day. 

Cost-wise, it also evens out over time. Instead of repeatedly buying smaller filters, you’re replacing one larger filter less often, with a more advanced level of filtration to show for it.

Is the Waterdrop M6H your GadgetMatch?

Even in a city with excellent tap water, a reverse osmosis system like the Waterdrop M6H can be helpful. It makes the most sense if you’re renting but still want better-than-tap filtration without dealing with permanent changes. 

While not as inconvenient as a Brita pitcher, it still requires daily maintenance. It is not the best fit if you’re already tight on counter space, cook frequently and rely heavily on your prep area.

A permanently installed reverse osmosis system will always win when it comes to pure convenience, and Waterdrop has great options for that. It runs continuously, requires less day-to-day interaction that you just forget about it, and it doesn’t take up precious counter space. 

For my current setup, the Waterdrop M6H is a practical middle ground. It delivers many of the same benefits in a flexible, renter-friendly form.

The Waterdrop M6H retails for US$429 before tax. Maintenance is straightforward: the replacement filter costs $79.99 and lasts about 12 months or roughly 1,100 gallons of water.

It isn’t cheap, but you can think of it as a long-term investment in your health. Its benefits aren’t immediate or obvious day-to-day, but something you’ll likely appreciate over time and thank yourself for later.

TCL recently presented its latest residential and light commercial air conditioning innovations at MCE (Mostra Convegno Expocomfort) 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Visitors were able to explore TCL’s smart climate technologies at Hall 7, Booth T11/U20 at the Fiera Milano Rho, where the company showcased its AI-driven solutions. These are designed to improve indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and everyday comfort.

TCL air conditioners are built around three core technology pillars: AI Health, AI Voice Control, and AI Energy-Saving.

Dedicated experience zones were up for visitors to witness some of the brand’s latest air conditioning technologies — demonstrated in real-world scenarios.

Key features include:

• FreshIN 3.0: fresh air ventilation and intelligent purification to improve indoor air quality, plus offline voice control
• VoxIN: heating performance in temperatures as low as -40°C
• SaveIN: designed to support improved everyday energy saving performance for both cooling and heating
• BreezeIN: combines T-AI energy-saving technology, smart control, and Gentle Breeze for more comfortable cooling

In addition, for businesses, TCL also featured the light commercial air conditioner: the TCL Free Match. This outdoor unit enables one outdoor unit to connect with up to six indoor units for flexible climate control.

The 200Pa high-static ducted system is also ideal for businesses, with up to 20-meter extendable duct length. It is compatible with BMS and AIRZONE systems, meeting European commercial space standards.

More capabilities include enhanced heat dissipation and a self-cleaning function to help maintain system efficiency and long-term performance.

This particular unit supports Hotel Mode as well for interconnected control and automatic operation.

TCL has officially unveiled the RM9L, its first RGB-Mini LED TV, signaling a serious push into the next phase of premium display technology.

Announced in New York, the RM9L positions itself as TCL’s most advanced Mini LED offering yet. It leans heavily into color performance, using dedicated red, green, and blue LEDs instead of traditional white backlighting. The result: more precise color reproduction and support for up to 100% BT2020 color space, a benchmark often associated with high-end cinematic displays.

At the core of the RM9L is TCL’s CSOT UltraColor Filter paired with a new 30-bit by 3 backlight controller system. Together, they form a 120-bit color system designed to deliver finer control across each RGB channel. TCL says this enables better shadow detail, improved uniform brightness, and more consistent color across massive screen sizes.

The TV also packs a CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel, enhanced halo control for local dimming, and over 3,800 dimming zones. Peak brightness can reach up to 6,000 nits, putting it among the brightest TVs announced so far. Powering everything is the TSR AI Pro processor, which handles scene-by-scene optimization across color, contrast, clarity, and motion.

Built for big-screen immersion

The RM9L is clearly designed for larger-than-life viewing. It supports a native 144Hz refresh rate, with Game Accelerator 288 VRR and four HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming setups. TCL is also leaning into audio, with built-in sound tuned by Bang & Olufsen and support for Dolby Atmos FlexConnect for expandable home theater setups.

On the smart side, the TV runs on Google TV with Gemini integration, adding AI-powered assistance and content discovery.

An upcoming OTA update will bring support for Dolby Vision 2 Max, which introduces features like Content Intelligence, a new Imagine Engine, and Authentic Motion. TCL says this update will improve HDR brightness while preserving the creator’s original intent through bi-directional tone mapping.

Subheading: Pricing and availability

The TCL RM9L series is now available for pre-order in ultra-large sizes:

• 85-inch – $7,999.99
• 98-inch – $9,999.99
• 115-inch – $29,999.99

With the RM9L, TCL is making a clear bet: bigger screens demand better color. And with RGB-Mini LED, it’s aiming to lead that shift.