Reverse osmosis paired with activated carbon filtration (like the APEC systems) provides better water filtration than carbon filters alone. RO removes a significantly wider range of contaminants including heavy metals, fluoride, bacteria, and dissolved solids that activated carbon filters cannot. RO also reduces TDS (total dissolved solids) to a greater degree. However, RO removes beneficial minerals, whereas carbon filters leave them intact. For the best of both methods, many prefer using RO systems combined with a remineralization filter or mineral-rich pitcher for drinking water. So in summary, RO provides superior contaminant removal, while carbon filtration leaves in more natural minerals. Using both methods together balances purification with mineralization for optimized home water filtration.