Our Recommendations Best Overall: Big Berkey Gravity Fed Water Filter. Best Under Sink: Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System. Best for Faucets: Pur Plus Faucet Mount Water Filtration System. Best Whole House: Express Water 3 Stage Whole House Water Filtration System. Best Pitcher: Pur Classic 11 Cup Water Filter. More items... •
Keep in mind that water filters vary not only in their filtration methods but also in ease of installation and cost. Choosing a water filter will depend on your specific needs, as well as which type (e.g. a faucet filter, a water bottle filter, or a whole-house filter) will work best for you. We spoke with registered dietitians and reviewed filters by types, filtration processes, third-party certifications, contaminants removed, cost, and ease of use.
In order to choose a water filter that's right for you, you first need to know what is in your water. According to Jamie Gershel, MS, RD, registered dietitian of Jamie Gershel Nutrition, if you have access to public drinking water, there are regulations in place that ensure it is clean and safe to drink. Start by looking at your local water utility's annual water quality report or through a home water quality test kit.
Our top recommendation is the Big Berkey Gravity Fed Water Filter , which can hold 2.25 gallons of water at a time and removes bacteria, parasites, and heavy metals. For a more localized solution, we like the Pur Plus Faucet Mount Water Filtration System because it is easy to install directly on your faucet for filtered water on a tap.
Water filters can make the simple and important task of staying hydrated safer. Water from the tap may be a convenient way to get your recommended eight glasses a day, but it can contain contaminants such as heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, small bits of plastic known as microplastics, or chemicals that impact taste and smell such as chlorine. The best water filters can remove these contaminants, but they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution.
Best Overall: Big Berkey Gravity Fed Water Filter Amazon View at Amazon ($405) Why We Like It: Big Berkey has a large capacity and you only need to change filters every three years. It's Worth Noting: This filter is more expensive than others and takes up room on your counter. If you're looking for an easy-to-use, large, and long-lasting water filter that can provide clean water for a group, the Big Berkey Gravity Fed Water filter is a great option—and our top choice. This filter is first and foremost easy to use, relying on gravity rather than electricity or pumps. And the filter is transportable, so you can place it anywhere you'd like. The Big Berkey Filter uses carbon and ion exchange to remove over 200 contaminants, including bacteria, pesticides, and heavy metals. It is also meant to last: it is made from stainless steel rather than plastic, and it has a long lasting filter. The filter only needs replacing after 3,000 gallons, or around three years (and since this model comes with two filters, you won't need to replace anything for up to six years). Plus, it has a large capacity, holding 2.25 gallons at a time, making it a great option if you have a family or live with other people. While this filter is an investment, we think it's worth it in the long run. Unlike most filters that need frequent replacing, the sturdy and heavy duty Big Berkey is a low-maintenance filter you can trust. Price at time of publication: $405 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: 3,000 Gallons or around 3 years
3,000 Gallons or around 3 years Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $166 every 6 years
$166 every 6 years Capacity: 2.25 Gallons
2.25 Gallons Dishwasher Safe: N/A
Best Under-Sink Mount: Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System Amazon View at Amazon ($70) Why We Like It: As an under-sink filter, it won't take up precious counter space or be an eyesore on your sink faucet. It's Worth Noting: The inner filter should be replaced every three to six months. Under-sink water filters make it easy to drink filtered water straight out of the tap so you can use it for drinking, cooking, and cleaning dishes. One of the benefits of this particular filter is that it is easy to use and install—you can do it on your own without a plumber. Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System is third party certified by NSF/ANSI 53 & 42, an organization that develops health standards for products. These certifications ensure a product reduces a particular set of contaminants from drinking water, both in terms of chemicals that can alter taste or odor as well as contaminants that can cause health issues. Frizzlife states that it removea 99.99% of all contaminants including chlorine, lead, and heavy metals, while leaving essential minerals. Leaving in these minerals can help ensure that your water still tastes pleasant and that it remains a source of these minerals in your diet. What sets this undersink filter apart from others, and a big reason we recommend it: the Frizzlife filter is also easy to replace. The filter has a built-in shut off valve, so you don't need to shut off the water supply when replacing the filter cartridge. Rather than replacing the entire plastic housing, you only have to replace the inside cartridge, making this an eco friendly option. Price at time of publication: $100 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: 3 to 6 months
3 to 6 months Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $40-80
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$40-80 Capacity: 2 Gallons Per Minute @ 60 psi - fills 330 ml cup in 3 seconds
2 Gallons Per Minute @ 60 psi - fills 330 ml cup in 3 seconds Dishwasher Safe: N/A
Best Faucet Mount: Pur Plus Faucet Mount Water Filtration System Amazon View at Amazon ($22) Why We Like It: This filter easily attaches to your faucet and will alert you when you need to change the filter so you don't need your own calendar reminder. It's Worth Noting: While this filter works with many sinks, it will not work with popular pull down or handheld faucets. Using a faucet mount is an easy way to filter water directly from the tap. The Pur Plus Faucet Mount uses a filtration method called ion exchange along with activated carbon. Activated carbon helps remove chemicals through adsorption, a process in which pollutants are attracted to the carbon. Ion exchange uses a resin to replace harmful ions, or impurities, with less harmful ones. This model is certified to reduce impurities such as lead and mercury, along with chemicals like chlorine that can give your water an unpleasant taste. Another plus for this inexpensive faucet mount is how simple it is to install and use. You can attach the filter to your faucet on your own, without tools or a plumber. The filter has an on/off switch so you can decide when to turn on the filter—in case you'd like to only use it for drinking. It also has a change light that alerts you when your filter needs replacement, which occurs around every three months. Price at time of publication: $22 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: Up to 3 months
Up to 3 months Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $50
$50 Capacity: 100 Gallons
100 Gallons Dishwasher Safe: N/A
Best Whole House: Express Water 3 Stage Whole House Water Filtration System Amazon View at Amazon ($500) Why We Like It: This filter removes major contaminants and sediment, providing you with clean water and protecting your appliances. It's Worth Noting: Whole house filtration systems are expensive and you may need a professional for installation. Whole house water filters can be helpful if you have hard water or want to remove large sediment or dirt that may be in your water. If you're only interested in filtering water for drinking, you may be able to stick with an under the sink filter or a faucet attachment. However, if you use well water, your water has a strong smell, or you would like cleaner and better smelling water for your entire house, then a whole house filtration system like this one from Express Water is your best bet. According to Elizabeth Barnes, MS, RDN, LDN, a North Carolina based non-diet dietitian of Weight Neutral Wellness, whole house systems not only provide you with clean water, they can also extend the life of pipes and appliances such as your dishwasher and laundry machine. This Express Water whole house filter removes heavy metals, chlorine, rust, pesticides, dirt, sand, lead, and other impurities. Some whole house filtration systems can impact water pressure. This filter, however, is designed to have a high flow rate, providing up to 0.25 gallons of water per second. While whole house filtration is a more expensive option, the filter only needs replacing every 6 to 12 months. If you don't need a whole house filtration system, we think one of the other options on our list will be a better fit. Price at time of publication: $500 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: 6 to 12 months
6 to 12 months Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $100-$200
$100-$200 Capacity: 100,000 Gallons
100,000 Gallons Dishwasher Safe: N/A
Best Pitcher: Pur Classic 11 Cup Water Filter Amazon View at Amazon ($56) Why We Like It: This NSF certified pitcher removes contaminants, can fit in your fridge, and is dishwasher safe. It's Worth Noting: The filter needs to be replaced every two months—more frequent than any other product on this list. If you're looking for an easy way to filter your water without the hassle of installing a filtration system, a pitcher might be a great option. We like that this one from Pur is an NSF certified filter, so we can be sure that it is a trustworthy product that removes the contaminants it says it does. This filter is, above all else, convenient and easy to use. It has a stay-tight lid to help prevent spills, plus you can pour while the water is still filtering. The filter is also dishwasher safe—this is an important feature, since bacteria can easily grow inside water filters. The Pur filter holds 11 cups and can fit inside your fridge door. Changing the filter is also fairly easy, with an electronic filter replacement indicator lighting up when the filter needs to be swapped out. The filter needs to be replaced after 40 gallons, which typically takes around two months. Pitcher filters need to be changed more frequently than larger filters, such as those that go under the sink, so this can add up over time. Price at time of publication: $55 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: After 40 gallons or around every 2 months
After 40 gallons or around every 2 months Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $143
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Best Water Bottle: Grayl GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle Amazon View at Amazon ($100) Why We Like It: This water bottle is the perfect companion for hiking and camping, removing viruses, bacteria, chemicals, particles, flavors, and odors. It's Worth Noting: This bottle is more expensive than other water filtering bottles, and not all parts are dishwasher safe. A water bottle that both purifies your water and that is easy to carry is a must for every camping, hiking, or traveling trip. Plus, this one from Grayl is great to have on hand for a water emergency or natural disaster. The Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle is a durable bottle that carries 24 ounces of water. It uses ion exchange and activated carbon to filter water, removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, particles such as microplastics or sediment, and heavy metals like lead or arsenic. It is also easy to use—all you have to do is fill your bottle and press down with the filter for 8 seconds, no chemicals, long waiting times, or bulky equipment required. We really like how long the filter cartridge lasts: it only needs to be replaced every 350 presses or approximately 65 gallons of water. While there are cheaper water bottles with built-in filters, we believe the filtering capabilities of this model from Grayl separate it from the competition. Price at time of publication: $100 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: 350 Presses/250 Liters/65 Gallons
24 fl oz Dishwasher Safe: Outer [re]fill, inner press, and cap are top rack dishwasher safe
Best Countertop Filter: iSpring CKC1C Countertop Drinking Water Filtration System Amazon View at Amazon ($48) Why We Like It: This budget-friendly filter is easy to connect to your faucet and fits compactly on your counter. It's Worth Noting: The filter may need an adapter for certain faucets and isn't as sleek looking as other options. If you'd like to purify your water without having to install a system or take up space under your sink, a countertop water filter may be a good choice. We like that the iSpring CKC1C Countertop Drinking Water Filtration System fits compactly on your kitchen counter and is easy to install on your own without any drilling. Some counter top filters require manual refilling, but this connects directly to your faucet and is very straightforward to use. This counter top filter uses coconut shell carbon block to filter chlorine, odors, and sediment while leaving in essential minerals. This filter has also been tested by the Water Quality Association to meet NSF/ANSI standards. In addition to these positives, we like this filter's affordable price point. The filter does, however, need replacing every 6 months. Price at time of publication: $50 Product Details: Filter Replacement Frequency: 6 months
6 months Annual Filter Replacement Cost: $64
$64 Capacity: 5 x 5 x 12 inches (countertop unit dimensions)
5 x 5 x 12 inches (countertop unit dimensions) Dishwasher Safe: N/A
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