Best Water Filters For Home Use 2023 (Don’t be Fooled)

America’s tap water is contaminated, but you’re not powerless to fix it. Today’s home filtration systems use the same powerful technology as treatment plants. You can install them yourself, and they cost just pennies per day to operate — so don’t wait another day to get started.

Our research shows that these eight models are effective, affordable and user-friendly. Why worry when you can filter?

Our Top Rated Water Filter Picks

• Best Whole House Water Filter: SpringWell CF1
• Best Reverse Osmosis System: WaterDrop G3P800
• Best Filter Pitcher: Clearly Filtered
• Best Gravity-Fed: Big Berkey
• Best Under-Sink Filter: Cleary filtered
• Best Faucet Water Filter: Brita Basic
• Best Shower Filter: Aquasana AQ-4100
• Best Countertop Filter: Epic Pure Nano

#1 SpringWell CF – Best Whole House Water Filter

---

Best for: Families with bad city water who want an affordable, hassle-free alternative to bottled water.

Not best for: Well owners — for well water, you need SpringWell’s WS Well Water Filter System.

Pros:

• We like that Springwell CF1 eliminates up to 99.6% of harmful chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants.
• Tested and proven ActivFlo technology boosts contaminant reduction rates while still preserving water pressure.
• I love that it’s very low-maintenance with only a sediment filter needing to be changed every 6-9 months. And, it is also non-toxic and safe for your drinking water – no lead or other chemicals added!
• We found the installation to be effortless with SpringWell’s optional Easy Installation Kit. Plus, you can purchase with confidence knowing that if you don’t like it, you have a full refund option.
• Overall, the Springwell CF1 system provides great-tasting water for a fraction of the cost – it’s a must-have for every home!

Cons:

• Doesn’t significantly reduce lead.

My Take

Filtration isn’t complicated, so why pay for bells and whistles that don’t improve your water quality? If all you need is a whole-house filter to take chlorine and chemicals out of your shower and drinking water, the SpringWell CF1 takes the gold for no-frills filtration. You’ll find it at the intersection of budget and performance.

Read our full review: Springwell CF1 Review

#2. WaterDrop – G3P800 Best Reverse Osmosis System

---

Best for: City water users under frequent boil orders.

Not best for: It’s overkill for chlorine reduction.

Pros:

• Enjoy pure water on-demand with the WaterDrop G3P800 reverse osmosis system – we tested it and found that it eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, chlorine, heavy metals and up to 90% of TDS.
• Get a cup of filtered water in just six seconds – the brisk flow rate is a real time-saver!
• The smart faucet displays the system status at a glance, so you’re always in the know.
• I love the tank-free design – it saves valuable storage space under my sink.
• Low wastewater ratio = better for both the environment and your wallet.
• The optional remineralization filter restores healthy minerals and their refreshing flavor.
• Installation is a breeze – it only takes 30 minutes or less and the filter changes are super easy!

Cons:

• Not recommended for well water
• It’s on the pricey side.

My Take

You’ll never wonder what’s in your water again with the G3P800. The combination of reverse osmosis filtration and high-intensity UV light makes water potable without the usual storage tank.

If want an RO filter but you have a garbage disposal under the kitchen sink, it fits and we love ours. Tankless technology is still in its early stages, but we’re confident in the advances. It’s the future of reverse osmosis filtration.

Read our full review: Waterdrop G3P800 Review

#3. Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher – Best Filter Pitcher

---

Best for: renters or anyone looking for the best water filter pitcher that will knock out nearly 400 contaminants.

Not best for: Bargain hunters who just need a carbon filter to remove chlorine.

Pros:

• I love that the Clearly Filtered Pitcher eliminates all dangerous contaminants, including lead, fluoride, glyphosate, hormones, microplastics, and PFOA that other filters have trouble with.
• We like that it holds 10 cups of water – plenty for a family!
• The water tastes clean and fresh, just as nature intended.
• Safe materials won’t leach chemicals or off-tastes into your drinking water.
• Long-life filter cartridges mean less maintenance for you.
• It has been tested and certified to NSF 42, 53, 244, 401, and 473 guaranteeing its performance.
• Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee – so it’s risk-free!
• What’s not to love?

Cons:

• Costs three times more than the Brita pitcher which can a bummer for most.
• Generic aesthetics.

My Take

No water filter pitcher targets as many contaminants as the Clearly Filtered — the competition can’t keep up. It won’t win any beauty contests, but it delivers the best filtration money can buy in a portable and budget-friendly package. You will not be disappointed.

#4. Big Berkey Water Filter – Best Countertop Water Filter

---

Best for: Renters and nomads who need portable, road-ready filtration.

Not best for: Busy folks — the Big Berkey needs more than the usual maintenance.

Pros:

• We like the Big Berkey water filter because it has been tested to reduce over 200 contaminants, including heavy metals and bacteria.
• The materials used are built for safety and durability. Plus, the stainless steel housing looks great in any kitchen or living space!
• Its long-life filter elements make it ideal for emergency filtration needs.
• It’s perfect for small-space living – fitting easily into campers and RVs.
• Replacement filters are surprisingly affordable, so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to keep your water clean and healthy.
• This filter even breaks down quickly and neatly in minutes for travel. With all these benefits, we’re sure you’ll love the Big Berkey water filter!

Cons:

• Can’t be used with salt-softened water
• Filters require periodic cleaning to achieve maximum performance.

My Take

Berkey has a few detractors, but most complaints are the result of unrealistic expectations. The Big Berkey requires higher-than-average maintenance but offers better-than-average results.

Throwaway filter cartridges are convenient, but the Big Berkey’s ultra-long-life elements make it a favorite in the emergency preparedness community. An effective, efficient and reliable filter, we trust it and so should you.

Read our full review: Big Berkey Review

#5 Clearly Filtered – Best Under Sink Filter

---

Best for: Comprehensive filtration for large families, apartments or condos.

Not best for: Well water with heavy sediment should be pretreated first.

Pros:

• Get RO-level filtration at a carbon filtration price with this filter.
• We are happy to find that performance wasn’t an issue with over 200+ contaminants removed.
• Filters last a family of 3-4 up to a year or 2000 gallons.
• This is a Non-permanent installation that requires no permanent changes to your plumbing system.
• Works with your existing faucet, so no issues there.
• Does not remove beneficial minerals.
• 10-minute set-up with nothing but a wrench – it’s literally that simple.
• Mount it in any way it fits — performance doesn’t rely on the orientation.

Cons:

• Higher initial price than similar systems in its class.

My Take

The Clearly Filtered is in a class of its own. No ordinary carbon filter, it rivals the contaminant reduction of reverse osmosis systems but without the ecological impact. The price seems high, but in our research, it reflects the performance and material quality. You can’t buy a better under-sink carbon filter.

#6 Brita Basic – Best Faucet Water Filter

---

Best for: Quality chlorine filtration on a dime.

Not best for: Well water with serious chemical or biological contaminants.

Pros:

• Reduces 60-plus tap water contaminants including chlorine and lead — the water tastes great.
• We have peace of mind knowing that this water filter reduces 99% of lead and other heavy metals found in tap water.
• We love that it fits standard faucets, and is compatible with both threaded and non-threaded faucets.
• Tested to meet NSF standards for water filtration, you can trust in its quality.
• Installation takes just minutes—simply attach it to the faucet and you’re good to go.
• It provides great value, with a long-lasting filter that lasts up to 100 gallons.
• The filter indicator lets us know when it’s time to replace the filter.
• I also appreciate that the Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter is BPA-free and meets all EPA standards for water filtration.

Cons:

• Sluggish flow rate leaves you waiting for water.
• We noticed that we still can smell some chlorine.

My Take

Brita introduced its first filter pitcher in the 1970s. Now. they’ve put their award-winning carbon technology in faucet filters. You get the same clean water but on demand from a cost-effective, simple-to-install unit screwed onto your faucet. You won’t break the bank with a Brita.

#7. Aquasana AQ-4100 – Best Shower Water Filter

---

Best for: Removing chlorine from city water that can cause dry-hair, and itchy skin.

Not best for: Well water with sediment will clog this filter prematurely.

Pros:

• In testing its performance and found out that it provides a considerable improvement in smell, and clarity of water compared to tap water.
• Targets lead, iron and other minerals that affect color-treated hair.
• The housing can easily be screwed on and off.
• KDF media prevents the growth of mold and bacteria within the filter.
• Available with or without a shower wand — you choose.
• We like that the filter is good for up to 6 months or 600 gallons of water before it needs to be replaced.
• We didn’t really notice decrease water pressure.
• Multiple massage settings soothe sore muscles.

Cons:

• It does kind of look designed with cheap aesthetics

My Take

Showerhead filters offer chlorine-free showers without installing a whole-house filtration system. Low-cost, they’re ideal for renters. In our tests, the Aquasana performed as promised — we noticed an immediate difference in water quality. It offers a better shower experience.

Read our full review: Aquasana AQ-4100 Review

#8. Epic Pure Nano Water Filter Dispenser

Best for: Families who need affordable, high-volume city or well water filtration.

Not best for: Singles and couples might prefer a filter pitcher.

Pros:

• Removes 200-plus contaminants including fluoride, arsenic, microplastics, VOCs and PFOA
• Eliminates up to 99.999% of viruses, parasites and bacteria — even E coli.
• Preserves natural minerals for the freshest taste possible.
• Space-saving design tucks neatly into the refrigerator — it’s easy for kids to use.
• Countdown timer cues you to replace the filter on time.
• Unique lid design lets you refill the dispenser without removing the cover.
• Mail back four used cartridges for recycling and get a free filter!
• 1% of Epic Pure’s sales support environmental causes.

Cons:

• Replacement filters cost almost as much as the entire dispenser.
• Independently tested to NSF 42, 53 and 401 standards but not certified.

My Take

The Epic Pure Nano relies on a unique blend of filtration media to reduce a broad range of hazardous contaminants. It’s not NSF-certified. But in their testing and ours, it meets or exceeds NSF standards. With more capacity than a pitcher, it takes longer to fill — about 15 minutes to filter a complete batch. But quality filtration takes time, and that’s exactly what you get with the Nano.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Select the Best Water Filter

A water filter is your first line of defense against the harmful contaminants in tap water. But there are no fewer than a dozen types of water filters using different filtration methods that only target specific substances. No one model does it all, so we’ll help you identify the best water filters for your unique filtration needs.

Why You Should Trust Us?

We’re not rocket scientists, but we understand the importance of clean water and what it means to you and your family. Our team has decades of experience in the filtration industry.

Our buying guides and product reviews were written exclusively for you — the average consumer who just needs a hand selecting a quality water filter. Your trust is priceless, and we work hard to earn it.

How We Evaluate Water Filters

We use more than a dozen metrics to evaluate filtration systems. We research companies, pour through reviews and analyze customer feedback across hundreds of websites.

We verify NSF and WQA certifications — plus we do our own testing under real-world conditions, so you’ll know first-hand what to expect. Knowledge is power, and it’s our gift to you.

Which Filter is Right for You?

Amazon sells more than 10,000 water filters. If you don’t know where to start shopping, you’re not alone. So, let’s refine your choices based on a few key factors.

Do you own or rent your home?

Whole-house filters are permanently plumbed into your main water line. The return on investment is low if you’re in a short-term rental because you can’t take it with you.

And if the landlord doesn’t approve, you’re out of luck. But that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a water filter — you’ll just need a different type. We’ll discuss your options in depth.

Water Quality

A filter that doesn’t target the contaminants unique to your water supply is a waste of your money. We’ll explain more about water quality and testing.

Lifestyle

If it takes more time than you have to maintain a water filter, or it doesn’t produce enough filtered water to meet your needs, it’s not the right fit. We’ll help you find you one that is.

Budget

The best water filter for you is one that fixes your water quality issues and fits your lifestyle for a price you can afford. Keep reading — we’ll put the puzzle pieces together.

Understanding Water Quality

Water quality is the sum of what it contains. The more you know, the easier it is to choose the right water filter.

If you drink city water, your annual consumer confidence report lists the problem contaminants in your water supply from heavy metals and minerals to chlorine and fluoride. It’s mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and produced by your water utility.

If you drink well water, testing is up to you. The CDC suggests annual testing for pH, nitrates, total dissolved solids and coliform bacteria. It’s a start, but if your water looks, smells or tastes bad, we recommend the Tap Score Essential Well Water Kit. It tests for 52 of the most common contaminants in well water.

Contaminant Removal Capability

Different types of filters remove different kinds and quantities of contaminants — no one system does it all. Carbon filters, for example, reduce chlorine, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). But sometimes, that’s not enough.

In some parts of the country, municipal tap water contains dozens of chemicals and other contaminants from pharmaceuticals to microplastics. The filter you choose should reflect the contaminants in your water supply.

What to Look for in a Water Filter

System Type

There are two types of water filters — point-of-entry (POE) or whole-house filtration systems, and point-of-use (POU) filters.

Whole-house water filters are integrated into your plumbing system and treat water home-wide.

POU filters treat water from one tap. Examples include:

Under-Sink Water Filters

Under-sink filters treat small volumes of water for drinking and cooking. Installed under the kitchen sink, installation requires no permanent changes to your plumbing.

Pros include price. Under-sink filters are inexpensive, yet some can remove as many major contaminants as a whole-house filtration system. And because they’re not permanent, they’re ideal for renters and nomads.

Cons include size. The storage tank on a reverse osmosis system fills an entire cabinet.

Countertop Filters

Countertop filters come in two types — filters that attach to the faucet via a hose — and freestanding, top-loading filters with a spigot. Both are equally capable.

Freestanding filters offer better aesthetics but pouring in water is a chore. Faucet-attached filters are more convenient, but the hose is a hassle.

Faucet Water Filters

Faucet filters attach to the faucet in place of the usual aerator. Most are just carbon filters, but better models kick it up a notch with microfilters that remove a broader range of harmful contaminants.

Pros include tool-free installation and price — if you have $20, you can have better drinking water. And they install in seconds without tools or plumbers.

Filtered Water Pitcher

Most water filter pitchers are just activated carbon filters. But the best water pitcher filters boast enhanced filtration media that reduces hundreds of harmful contaminants from heavy metals to uranium. It’s a lot of bang for your buck.

Pour tap water into the top chamber and it flows through a cartridge and into a filtered water reservoir below. Store it in the refrigerator for access to clean drinking water anytime. Ultra-convenient, some are even dishwasher-safe.

Pros include cost — a basic Brita pitcher starts at $25. Better models like the PUR filter cost a few dollars more. Cons include capacity. If you have a thirsty family, you may fill them a dozen times a day, and they rarely hold enough to meet cooking needs.

Refrigerator Filters

Refrigerator filters are activated carbon filters that purify ice and water from built-in dispensers. But you can still enjoy better-tasting ice by adding an external filter if you don’t have one built in.

Inexpensive, they attach to the water line behind your refrigerator. For most homeowners, it’s an easy DIY project.

Showerhead Filters

Showerhead filters are a type of faucet filter for your shower tap. Screw it on and it removes contaminants like chlorine that can irritate your skin and respiratory tract.

If you can’t afford a whole-house filter, installing a faucet filter in the kitchen and a showerhead filter in the bathroom is an affordable solution.

Water Bottle Filters

For filtered water on the road, try a water bottle filter. Like a filter pitcher, just fill it and go. Brita makes both bottle filters and pitchers.

Filtration Method

Water filters use one or more of these filtration methods to eliminate contaminants from drinking water.

Adsorption

The adsorption process draws contaminants to solid surfaces like activated carbon. Its expansive surface area is a magnet for fine sediment, chlorine, lead, pharmaceuticals and chemicals from glyphosate to trihalomethanes.

But not all activated carbon filters are equal. How the carbon is activated, processed and enhanced determines it’s filtration capability. Catalytic carbon, for example, is activated using iron hydroxide to increase adsorption of negatively charged contaminants such as PFOA/PFAS. Enhancing carbon with KDF media increases the amount of lead it reduces.

And carbon isn’t the only adsorptive media used in water filters. Activated alumina, for example, is similar, but it targets fluoride, selenium and arsenic.

Reverse osmosis

The reverse osmosis process relies on a semi-permeable membrane laced with microscopic pores. Like a paper sediment filter for dirt, molecules larger than the pore size are eliminated.

Reverse osmosis filters remove 99% or more of most tap water contaminants, including heavy metals, fluoride, bacteria, parasites and hard minerals. They struggle with sediment, chlorine and certain chemicals, however, so most are part of multi-stage reverse osmosis systems that include sediment and activated carbon cartridges.

The gold standard for filtration, under-sink reverse osmosis systems are budget-friendly and effective. But they waste water. A reverse osmosis filter produces two gallons of wastewater for each gallon of purified water it produces. Still, RO filters can make even the most brackish water drinkable. For some families, it’s the only solution.

Distillation

Distillation is one of the world’s oldest filtration methods. As water boils in the bottom chamber of a two-chamber pot, steam is captured and condensed. The purified droplets are collected in a carafe and contaminants with a boiling point lower than water are left behind.

Distillation is an inexpensive filtration method, but it has limitations. A mid-sized home distiller produces a maximum of 6 gallons per day of filtered water. And it requires electricity to operate — an average of $0.25 per gallon and climbing given today’s skyrocketing power rates.

Still, you can purchase a distiller for less than $100, and it produces water so pure that you can use it in medical devices like CPAP machines. If you have to buy distilled water, it could pay for itself within two years.

Nanofiltration

Nanofiltration is similar to the reverse osmosis process but without producing wastewater or removing the healthy minerals that give water its refreshing taste. It removes contaminants as tiny as 0.01 microns.

Ion exchange

Ion exchange filters use electrically charged resin beads to pull contaminants out of water. Opposites attract, so beads carry a positive or negative charge depending on the target contaminants.

In a water softener, for example, negatively charged beads target positively charged hard minerals, trapping them in the softening tank. An occasional burst of salt water from the brine tank breaks the electrical bonds, sending contaminants down the drain while regenerating the resin.

Ion exchange media can also be blended with carbon to enhance its contaminant removal capability. Brita’s filters are a good example — it’s why they remove more contaminants than average carbon filters.

Water conditioning

Water conditioners treat hard water, but they don’t remove minerals. Instead, they change their molecular structure so that they can’t form limescale.

Conditioning addresses some but not all hard water issues. But it requires no salt, uses no electricity, produces no wastewater, and it’s better for the environment.

Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light is one of the few filtration methods guaranteed to make water potable. Other water filters remove some pathogens, but not enough to protect you from illness. UV light renders bacteria unable to reproduce or cause disease.

Used alone or as a backup filtration system, a UV water filter is the best protection against waterborne microbes as long as the bulb is replaced regularly.

Filter Capacity

A filter’s capacity is how many gallons of water it can treat before it needs to be replaced. High-capacity filters last longer. Low-capacity filters are cheaper, but you’ll replace them more often.

Lifespans vary significantly. Some whole-house water filters are good for a million gallons or more while cartridges in an under-sink filter need changing every few months.

Choosing a water filter with the right capacity is the key to taming maintenance chores. A single person, for example, may get six months out of a faucet-mount filter. A large family will have to buy replacement filters by the crate.

Flow Rate

Flow rate is the maximum number of gallons that can flow through a filter per minute. The faster the flow rate, the better your water pressure. The industry average for whole-house systems is 6-7 GPM, but the best water filters offer 10 GPM or more. Anything less and brisk showers turn into trickles.

Flow rate is less impactful with point-of-use filters. Refrigerator filters, faucet-mount models and pitcher filters average 0.5-0.75 GPM — it’s plenty for most folks.

Several factors, including the size of your plumbing, your incoming water pressure and your water quality, impact flow rate. But the filtration method has the most impact. Water naturally flows faster through a loose granular carbon filter than it does through a reverse osmosis membrane.

Installation & Maintenance

DIY installation can save you $1000 or more on a water filtration system. Plumbing skills are a must for installing whole-house filters. But setting up under-sink filters, faucet-mount filters and pitcher filters requires no technical skills.

Filter replacement is straightforward. The maintenance schedule varies based on the type of filter. A water conditioner, for example, is a self-cleaning, set-it-and-forget-it system.

But most filters need changing as follows:

• Water softener resin every 5-10 years
• Whole-house carbon media every 10-15 years
• Reverse osmosis membranes every 3-5 years
• Faucet filters every 1-6 months
• Refrigerator filters every 6-12 months
• Countertop filters every 3-6 months
• Showerhead filters every 3-6 months
• Filter pitcher cartridges every 1-3 months
• Water bottle filters once a month
• UV lightbulbs every 12 months

Replacement Filter Costs

The cost of replacement filters contributes to the annual operating cost of a filtration system.

On average, here’s what you’ll spend annually:

• Reverse osmosis membranes — $75-$100 per unit
• Whole-house carbon media — $150-$300
• Water softener resin — $400 every 7 years
• Faucet filters — $30
• Refrigerator filters — $60
• Countertop filters — $80
• Showerhead filters — $80
• Faucet filters — $70 a
• Filter pitcher — $80
• Water bottle filters — $70
• UV filters — $50

Maintenance costs add up, but it’s a fraction of what you’d pay for bottled water. A single cartridge can replace thousands of single-serve water bottles. It’s a bargain for you and the planet.

Filter Certifications

Certifications are the best assurance you have that filters are safe and effective. The two most pertinent are:

NSF Certifications

The National Sanitation Foundation is a non-profit organization that tests water filters for quality and performance. Certified models are independently tested and guaranteed to perform as advertised.

Of the dozens of standards, these are the most reassuring:

• NSF 42 for chlorine reduction
• NSF 44 for water softeners
• NSF 53 for contaminants with adverse health effects, like lead
• NSF 58 for reverse osmosis water filters
• NSF 177 for showerhead filters
• NSF 401 for emerging contaminants
• NSF P473 for the removal of forever chemicals including PFOA and PFOS

WQA Certifications

Like the NSF, the Water Quality Association tests and certifies water filters. The standards are similar, but the WQA also considers environmental impact.

Gold Seal filters are performance-certified. Models with sustainability certification are money-savers. They use less energy and produce less wastewater than similar filters.

Understanding Warranties

A good warranty protects your investment if something goes wrong. But it’s critical to read the fine print.

The best water filters have comprehensive warranties that cover both parts and performance — if your six-month filter only lasts three, you have recourse. But because water quality is so variable, most warranties only apply to defects in workmanship and not normal wear and tear.

Questions you should ask yourself include:

• Who pays for return shipping if the filter is defective?
• Does DIY or outdoor installation void the warranty?
• Does the warranty cover both parts and labor for repairs?

Some manufacturers offer extended warranties for an additional fee. It’s an option worth considering if you’re on a strict budget.

Frequently Asked Questions