The Best Water Filters, Reviewed
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Remove the harmful contaminants floating in your home’s water supply with a high-performance water filter.
Although the city water in your home may be safe to drink, it could contain harmful chemicals that are unpleasant-tasting or even unhealthy. A good water filter helps solve those problems by removing heavy metals, pesticides, chlorine, sediment, and other things no one wants lurking in a glass of drinking water.
Today’s water filters come in various forms, including gravity filter pitchers, reverse osmosis systems, countertop filters, and under-sink filters. Some water purifier options even treat all the water in your home. Although they may take different forms, they all use a filtration method, such as a carbon filter, membrane, ion exchange technology, or ultraviolet light, to remove contaminants.
If the water in your home needs further purification, then read on to learn more about what goes into the best water filters, and learn why the models below are some of the best in their class.
- BEST OVERALL: Brita UltraMax 18-Cup Filtered Water Dispenser
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: ZeroWater 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
- BEST PITCHER: Brita 10-Cup Longlast Everyday Water Filter Pitcher
- BEST FAUCET ATTACHMENT: Pur PFM400H Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
- BEST WHOLE HOUSE: iSpring WGB32B Whole House Water Filtration System
- BEST UNDER-SINK: Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink Water Filter System
- BEST COUNTERTOP: iSpring CKC1 Countertop Water Filter
How We Chose the Best Water Filters
To create our list of top-rated water filters, we looked at the wide range of options available on the market to provide a comprehensive list for shoppers to choose from. From simple pitchers that fit easily into the fridge to more permanent fixtures that install either on the counter, under the sink, or hook up to the water system for the entire house, our list of recommendations provides suitable options.
When gathering our top picks, we looked at a range of water filter reviews to ensure we were only including reputable brands that use top-quality materials. Most of our picks use long-lasting filters that—depending on household water consumption—will need to be replaced anywhere from every 3 months up to an entire year.
Our research also showed us that filtered water dispensers vary widely in terms of price. As such, we made sure to include both top-of-the-range filtration systems for shoppers looking for an upgrade and more budget-friendly options that provide clean filtered water without breaking the bank.
Our Top Picks
The top-rated water filters detailed here remove many kinds of contaminants from a home’s water supply and feature high capacities, limiting the cost of replacement. These filtration systems come from some of the best-known names in water purification.
Best Overall
Brita UltraMax 18-Cup Filtered Water Dispenser
Simple, affordable, and its large drinking-water capacity make this time-honored water filter from one of the most well-regarded names in in-home water filtration systems hard to beat. The Brita UltraMax features a large water dispenser that holds 18 cups, or 144 ounces, of water, and its filter removes chlorine, mercury, copper, zinc, and cadmium. This water jug is compatible with Brita’s Longlast and Standard water filters, which have a lifespan of 120 gallons and 40 gallons, respectively. That translates to 6 months or 2 months, depending on usage.
At 10 inches tall and less than 5 inches wide, this Brita’s small size means it can fit on a countertop or in the fridge without taking up too much space. An easy-to-use water dispenser tap makes filling a drinking glass or coffee carafe easy.
Product Specs
- Type: Pitcher
- Capacity: 18 cups
- Installation: None
Pros
- Very simple to use; fill with water and allow water to trickle through the filter
- Large 18-cup capacity; suitable for use as a whole-house water filter
- Compact size fits easily into a fridge or on a countertop
Cons
- Replacement Brita filters need to be bought every few months; can be pricey
Get the Brita UltraMax water filter at The Home Depot or Target.
Best Bang for the Buck
ZeroWater 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
ZeroWater’s 10-cup water filter pitcher is relatively affordable. This gravity filter features a five-stage system that uses both carbon and ion exchange technology to remove heavy metals, such as chromium and lead, pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine, as well as 99.6 percent of dissolved solids.
The ZeroWater filter pitcher’s water-quality meter, which attaches to the top of the pitcher for easy access, allows users to check the cleanliness of their water. This pitcher has a 10-cup capacity and includes a rubberized grip and one filter.
Product Specs
- Type: Pitcher
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Installation: None
Pros
- Includes a water-quality meter for peace of mind and user-friendliness
- Has a spigot and a regular pitcher pourer; prevents spills in busy households
- Fits easily into the fridge or on a counter
Cons
- Only comes with 1 filter; more will need to be purchased
- Replacement filters can be pricey
Get the ZeroWater water filter at Amazon or ZeroWater.
Best Pitcher
Brita 10-Cup Longlast Everyday Water Filter Pitcher
Brita is one of the most well-known manufacturers of water filter pitchers. The company produces a variety of pitchers and filters with different NSF/ANSI certifications. The classic Everyday pitcher is made of BPA-free plastic and holds 10 cups of water. It features an easy-fill locking lid and an ergonomic handle that makes it comfortable to pour. The pitcher is also space efficient and will fit perfectly on a refrigerator shelf.
The Everyday pitcher includes Brita’s newer Longlast filter that has NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 certifications. This filter reduces 99 percent of lead, chlorine, cadmium, mercury, benzene, asbestos, and more. Unlike Brita’s standard filter that lasts 2 months or per 40 gallons of water, the Longlast filter lasts for at least 6 months or per 120 gallons of water.
The Brita water filter pitcher itself has a basic sticker filter indicator so you can track the lifespan of your filter. However, even without the extra bells and whistles, it’s a solid product with a highly rated filter for an affordable price.
Product Specs
- Type: Pitcher
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Installation: None
Pros
- Filter provides water purification for up to 6 months; perfect for families or large households
- Ideal for smaller fridges and families to use
- Easy to clean compared to other models available
Cons
- Filter can slow down over time; may need to be replaced prematurely
- May be too large to fit in some fridges
Get the Brita Longlast water filter at Amazon.
Best Faucet Attachment
Pur FM4000B Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
With an attractive stainless steel finish and comprehensive filtration system, this stainless steel faucet-mount water filtration system from Pur uses a mineral filtration system that employs natural minerals, activated carbon, and an ion exchange to filter out contaminants while adding a clean taste to the water.
This water filtration system filters out a variety of contaminants, including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, as well as pesticides and herbicides. The filter mounts to the faucet with no tools required. Each Mineral Core filter is designed to provide up to 100 gallons of filtered water, equal to about 3 months of use.
Product Specs
- Type: Faucet attachment
- Capacity: 100 gallons
- Installation: Clicks easily onto the faucet
Pros
- Very simple installation; simply screw onto a current kitchen or bathroom faucet
- Fits most faucet varieties for user-friendliness and ease of use
- Easy on/off switch; can be used by adults as well as children
- Lasts up to 3 months before replacement
Cons
- Busier households may need more frequent replacements
Get the Pur water filter at Amazon, The Home Depot or Target.
Best Whole House
iSpring WGB32B Whole House Water Filtration System
This whole-house water filtration system from iSpring features three filtration stages: One filter removes sediment, while two carbon filters eliminate odors and taste while filtering out pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. This model doesn’t remove dissolved solids, making it a suitable option for homes on city water.
This iSpring model can treat 100,000 gallons of water before the filters need replacement, which should be enough to handle the water quality needs of a family of four for up to a year. With a maximum flow rate of 15 gallons per minute, this water purifier can handle most homes’ needs. Installation is easy with iSpring’s instruction manual and online video instructions.
Product Specs
- Type: Whole-house
- Capacity: 100,000 gallons
- Installation: Experienced DIYers, or hire a professional
Pros
- Built-in sediment removal and carbon-block cartridges
- Filters out a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, volatile organic compounds, iron, manganese, and harmful chemicals
- GAF and KDF filter cartridge increase the efficacy of this system
- Cartridges last for 6 to 12 months
Cons
- Not suitable for use in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- Installation is recommended for pros or experienced DIYers only
Get the iSpring WGB32B water filter at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Overstock.
Best Under-sink
Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink Water Filter System
With a high capacity and an ability to remove different types of contaminants, the Waterdrop 10UA water filter system fits under the sink. It boasts an impressive 8,000-gallon capacity to cover a full year of water use by a family of four. It uses a five-stage filtration system that removes chlorine; heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and fluoride; and a bevy of chemical contaminants, such as herbicides and pesticides. It also can filter out faucet-clogging sediment.
Push-connect fitting makes installation quick and easy. A fast flow rate produces 2 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch, so you won’t notice a decrease in water pressure. At just 12 inches long and 3.6 inches in diameter, this filter fits under your sink without hogging space.
Product Specs
- Type: Under-sink
- Capacity: 8,000 gallons
- Installation: Simple push-to-connect fittings
Pros
- Compact size fits under most sinks without taking up too much space
- Can be installed in just 3 minutes; suitable for DIYers as well as professionals
- Very easy to replace filter when it is no longer effective
- Relatively affordable compared to similar models available
Cons
- Filtration can slow over time; filter may need to be changed prematurely
Get the Waterdrop water filter at Amazon or Waterdrop.
Best Countertop
iSpring CKC1 Countertop Water Filter