Water filters can be found in all shapes and sizes. There’re water filter pitchers, countertop and under sink reverse osmosis systems, whole house water filters, faucet filters – you name it.
Each type has its pros and cons, and your ideal product depends on your circumstances and preferences.
This guide shall provide you with the best drinking water filter system in each category. We’ll also answer a few common questions people have about how to filter water for drinking at home. Let’s go!
Best Drinking Water Filter Reviews
1. Our Number One Drinking Water Filter Pitcher
Water filter pitchers are small enough to be carried around and stored in the refrigerator for a cooling, they’re handy, and they’re affordable.
What’s more, you can assemble it easily. All this makes water filter pitchers the most popular type of home drinking water filters money can buy.
In our opinion, the best drinking water filter as far as pitchers are concerned is the Clearly Filtered. Filtered water taste? One word: Superb 5 stars!
A few complaints about slow filtration speed and filters not lasting as long as advertised. We haven’t had any issues with this.
Pitcher Alternative: Aquagear
We wanted to provide you with one water filter pitcher alternative in case you don’t like the Clearly Filtered for whatever reason.
Our number two is the Aquagear. It has been tested nowhere near as thoroughly as the Clearly Filtered,
however, it’s still one of the best units out there removing fluoride (98.6%), volatile organic compounds, lead (99.9%) and other heavy metals, nitrate (97.6%), TTHMs (99.0%), and more. NSF testing standards 42 + 53 are met.
Another feature to point out is the long-lasting replacement filters. 150 gallons of water should last you up to 6 months.
And they, too, are made in the USA. The pitcher itself is warranted for a lifetime.
Disadvantages? Not exactly cheap compared to some of the most popular water filter pitchers. Also, filtration can be slow.
Our Favorite Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System: Aquatru
Reverse osmosis filtration removes almost all water impurities. Plus, RO systems provide enough water for an entire family and they’re cost-effective.
When it comes to reverse osmosis drinking water systems in 2020 the AquaTru is our first choice. Because NSF certifications are awarded to Aquatru for making water supplies free from 80 different contaminants.
That’s better than any other RO system we know of, and guarantees healthy, safe, and great tasting drinking water for you and your family.
It does not require drilling or any type of drain connection. It does not require installation too because it is a countertop unit – perfect for renters and to save money. 4.5 stars.
2. Top Under Sink RO Drinking Water System with Remineralization: Aquasana OptimH2O
In case you prefer under the sink over countertop you should check out the Aquasana OptimH2O reverse osmosis drinking water filtration system.
Just like the AquaTru, it has earned several NSF certifications for the removal of 80+ water contaminants like chlorine, chloramine, lead, VOCs, arsenic 5, chromium 6, BPA, PFOA & PFOS – you name it. In other words, highly effective filtration is guaranteed for pure drinking water.
However, that’s not all. The Aquasana OptimH2O also remineralizes your water with calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This improves taste and balances pH. 4.5 stars!
3. Whole House System Best for Well Drinking Water: Springwell WS4 (+ SpringWell CF4)
In our opinion, the most promising whole home drinking water filter system for well water in 2020 is the SpringWell WS4, combined with the SpringWell CF4 as reviewed above if need be.
The CF4 take care of essential minerals and keep them in water. 5 stars!
Please note: You can learn all about the SpringWell CF4 above. This review features lists all pros and cons of the WS4.
4. Gravity Drinking Water Filter Review: Berkey
Gravity filters require neither electricity nor external pressure to operate. This makes them ideal in emergencies. Berkey is one of the most popular gravity water filter brand – and rightly so! Easy to set up and use, simple to maintain, and yet highly effective at providing water that easily meets drinking standards. 4.5 stars!
5. Best Drinking Water Filtration System for Faucet: Brita Complete FF-100
Lastly, faucet water filters. They give you access to filtered drinking water right at your kitchen sink or bathroom tap. They are simple to use and affordable too.
Our recommendation: The Brita Complete FF-100. It’s by far the best in terms of contaminant removal rates. 4 stars.
6. The best under sink water filter: iSpring RCC7
The great iSpring RCC7 is the best filter that you can get. It is a 5-stage reverse osmosis filter that you can easily install under your sink.
Its compatible size allows you to fix it anywhere. The filter has the ability to 99.9 percent of all the harmful contaminants found in the water like chlorine and lead.
It comes with three filters. The PP sediment, carbon block and carbon KDF. You need to change these filters once a year. The maintenance of the system is easy and affordable.
After passing through these filter, the water goes through the filter that performs reverse osmosis. And then finally Carbon GEC filter polishes the water and deliver the clean and pure water to you through your faucet.
It can provide you with approximately 75 gallons per se. That is enough water for the whole family.
The water produced by the filter is neutral tasting so you wouldn’t have to worry about the taste. If you want something a little more permanent than a water filtration pitcher, then you should go for this under-sink filter.
7. Culligan FM-15A Faucet Mount Filter – Best Faucet Water Filter
Are you tired of using the same smelling tap water? then you should get yourself the Culligan FM-15A filter. This might be the solution to your problems.
It is small, simple and compact. You can easily attach it to the head of the faucet. This filter can remove chlorine and all the bad tastes and smells from your tap water.
The filter can remove contaminants and particles as small as 0.5 microns. It can remove particles like dirt, sand, rust, and lead etc.
One of the best things about this filter is its efficiency. It is quick and produces a glass of pure and clean water in less than 30 seconds.
It is also super easy to install. You don’t need any plumbing experience for installing it. You can fasten it easily onto the faucet.
You can prolong the life of the filter by turning it off while doing simple tasks that don’t require filtered water. Things like normal cleaning and washing.
8. Intex Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump – Best Pool Water Filter
The Intex Krystal is super-efficient and also easy to operate. It is the choice of most pool owners nowadays. This particular 10-inch pool filter is equipped with a powerful motor that can pump 2,100 gallons of water per hour.
The filter also has a built-in timer, so your pool would be able to manage itself. You wouldn’t have to worry about it all the time.
The filter can keep the pool clean and free from any algae or dirt particles. It is without a doubt the most budget-friendly pool filter out there.
The only that you would have to worry about is the maintenance of the filter. The machine can do rinsing, backwashing, recirculation and drainage by itself, you just have to turn the control valve. It can provide you with approximately 19,600 gallons of clean water for your pool.
9. AquaHomeGroup 15-Stage Shower Filter – Best Shower Filter for Hair And Skin
The cartridge for these filters has the super powerful KDF 55, sediment filters, calcium sulfite, super-porous balls, and activated carbon.
It reduces or removes metals like mercury, lead, nickel or chromium. It is also good for reducing bacteria and pesticides. It prevents the growth of fungi and provides you with clean water for showering.
It also provides minerals and vitamin C for the nourishment of your hair and skin. It can’t turn you 5 years younger but the users reviewed that after using this filter they felt less itchy and experienced less hair fall. I guess this shower filter is worth a try.
How to check if Your Water Is Cleaner Enough?
As mentioned earlier, if you want to know if the water in your home is clean enough for drinking and other purposes you need to have it tested or check the most recent water quality report if accessible.
Both options have their ups and downs:
- Sending a direct water sample to a professional, independent lab can give you the most comprehensive picture of what’s lurking in your water – if you have the money. The more substances you want to test for, the higher the cost will get.
- Annual water quality reports must be provided by your water utility for free. But what if you’re on a private well? And also, what if your water gets contaminated on its way from the utility to your home, or even inside your home?
What Is a Drinking Water Filter and Why Do You Need One?
Ideally, a drinking water filter is any type of water filtration equipment that’s suited to make tap or well water potable.
Truth is, most drinking water filters currently on the market are far away from this goal. Or rather:
Tap and well water in western countries are usually already safe enough for human consumption so that it doesn’t make a difference if a so-called drinking water filter only reduces the unpleasant taste and odor and a few chemicals like chlorine.
We believe that drinking water filters should be as effective as possible at removing a wide range of contaminants from water.
This is why we’ve only included the most effective model of each filter type in the above list.
System Types and Sizes
Certainly, the most popular type of drinking water filter is filter pitchers. They’re small, easy to handle, and don’t require installation.
We also like the countertop and under sink reverse osmosis systems due to their unmatched performance.
Countertop units in general are compact and can be assembled within a few minutes. The same goes for faucet and gravity water filters. Under sink filter systems are somewhat larger and require permanent installation.
Then there are whole house water filtration systems that, as the name suggests, provide filtered water for an entire home.
They’re by far the largest and not everyone has the necessary skills to hook them up – plumbing required.
We hope this list of the best drinking water filtration systems was helpful. Questions? Ask away!
And keep in mind: We’ll add a new drinking water filter review occasionally. So come back for more!
