Water Filters

Best water filters: Faucet filters and pitchers

Faucet-mounted water filters are the preferred type in most reviews. These are installed right on your kitchen faucet. You can then choose between filtered or non-filtered water.

The PUR Vertical water filter (*est. 30) ranks as the highest-rated filter of any type. If your tap water is safe but you want some extra protection from contaminants and off-tastes in your drinking and cooking water -- or you're tired of refilling your filter pitcher -- this is your best bet.

Every single one of the nine most reliable reviews we found recommends some version of the PUR faucet-mount filter. All are reasonably priced around $30, and all use PUR's 3-Stage filter which is certified to reduce a broader range of chemicals, microbes and metals than any other pitcher or faucet filter, including chlorine, particulates, bad tastes and odors. PUR's vertical faucet-mount filter gets slightly more nods than the newer horizontal version, which receives a few complaints of leaks.

A faucet-mount filter is easy to install -- simply screw it onto your faucet. Most, including the PUR Horizontal, have a lever that allows you to select between filtered water for drinking and unfiltered tap water for other uses. With the PUR Vertical, the entire housing swivels up and down to switch between filtered and unfiltered, taking up a few more inches of sink space in the "filtered" position.

Filter cartridges have to be changed every one to three months to reduce clogging and maintain water flow. Faucet-mounts are handy if you want to use filtered water for other things besides drinking water -- cooking, for example, or making coffee or ice cubes. Due to variance in faucets, installing a faucet-mount might require a trip to the hardware store for an adapter.

PUR is the most widely known faucet-mount brand. Brita has begun to make inroads with its Brita On Tap faucet-mount (*est. $20 to $30, depending on model) , which is recommended by reviewers at About.com, ApartmentTherapy.com and among owners who post ratings at Target.com.

Brita owners at Amazon.com prefer the Brita Aquaview (*est. $20) , a version of the On Tap that includes a window showing the sediment that has collected in the filter. With the Brita Disposable Faucet Filtration System (*est. $30) , you never change the filter; you just throw the whole thing away. The Brita Disposable gets almost uniformly positive reviews on Amazon.com, where most users say it is easy to install and use, but this relatively new model has amassed few reviews anywhere else.

Omni (*est. $13) also makes a faucet-mount that is recommended by About.com Guide to Coffee and Tea, Sean Paajanen, but Omni's faucet filter was the lowest-rated performer in a top expert test. It flowed decently and didn't clog, but it couldn't do the job it is supposed to do – reduce contaminants and bad tastes.

Faucet filters are recommended over pitchers in general, but if you like to keep cold drinking water in the fridge, they are an option. The downside is that you'll be constantly returning the pitcher to the sink for a refill. Larger pitcher filters are heavy when full of water.

Close behind the PUR Vertical Faucet Mount water filter in reviews are the PUR Ultimate pitchers (*est. $15 to $30, depending on model). The pitchers use PUR's 2-Stage filters, which reduce nearly as many contaminants as the highly rated PUR faucet-mount 3-Stage filters. One notable exception: PUR pitcher filters are not officially certified to reduce lead, although they still do a good job in tests of reducing lead in drinking water.

Pitchers are an easy -- but slow -- way to filter water. You simply fill the pitcher with tap water and allow it to filter through by gravity. It takes about fifteen minutes to filter half a gallon of water. Also, the amount of filtered water you can make is limited by the size of the carafe. The larger the pitcher, the heavier it will be when full. Pitchers range in size from about eight cups to a gallon. Larger models sometimes have dispenser nozzles.

The most recognized manufacturer of water-filtering pitchers is Brita. Brita pitchers (*est. $12 to $30, depending on model) perform very well in expert tests, but other reviews and consumer ratings are more uniformly positive for PUR's pitchers. Unlike PUR pitcher filters, Brita pitchers are not certified to reduce cysts such as cryptosporidium and giardia (which can cause nasty stomach-flu-like symptoms that require medical treatment). These cysts don't often contaminate municipal water supplies, but a 1993 cryptosporidium outbreak in Milwaukee sickened over 400,000 people and was blamed for 100 deaths.

In an ApartmentTherapy.com review, water filtered through a PUR pitcher beat both water from a Brita pitcher and New York City tap water in two rounds of blind taste testing. The PUR water has a "sharper, cleaner taste than Brita," the reviewer wrote. The model tested was the PUR Flavor Options pitcher, which gives users the option of squirting artificial strawberry, raspberry or peach flavoring into their glass of water, but the reviewer left out the flavoring.

One new pitcher, the Clear2O (*est. $11) , claims to overcome the time-delay problem that plagues pitchers: it connects directly to the faucet via a hose built into the jug handle, using the water pressure to force water quickly through the filter. About.com guide Sean Paajanen calls the Clear2O "the most complicated water filter jug I have ever used," but praises it for indeed filling very fast and removing many water impurities. The Clear2O has accumulated a half-dozen mostly positive reviews on Amazon.com, although a couple of users found it clumsy.

Other pitchers that earned a smattering of recommendations in reviews were the Shaklee Perfect Pitcher 82301 (*est. $17), judged good at removing lead and bad taste and fair at removing chloroform in one test, and the Culligan Designer pitcher (*est. $9) , recommended at About.com.

Undersink and reverse osmosis water filters

If you want to hide your water filter out of sight under the sink, the Kenmore 38454 (*est. $50) is the best choice in reviews. It performed as well as models that cost up to $350 in one major comparison test, displaying good lead removal and an excellent flow rate. It didn't clog too easily, and did a good job removing off-tastes and chloroform. However, a couple of user reviewers at Sears.com, where Kenmore filters are sold, downgrade this filter for being hard to install. Undersink filters attach to the water pipe under the sink, and professional installation is recommended (though an experienced do-it-yourselfer could probably manage).

Undersink models filter water faster than faucet-mounts. Filter cartridges last longer with undersink filters, and generally need to be changed every six months or so. But they do take up room under the sink. Undersink filters vary widely in price, but in comparison reviews, most do an excellent job filtering lead, chloroform and bad taste. The Omni CBF-3 (*est. $150) and Everpure H-300 (*est. $190) undersink filters are recommended by About.com's Sean Paajanen.

The Multi-Pure CBVOCSB (*est. $340) and Culligan undersink filter (*est. $34) have a couple of glowing consumer reviews each on Amazon.com, but neither of these filters has earned wide recognition.

If your water harbors the unusual contaminants nitrates or perchlorate, a reverse osmosis filter – such as the Whirlpool Gold WHER25 (*est. $160) – is your only option, according to National Geographic's The Green Guide. Reverse osmosis systems remove almost every contaminant you could possibly have in your water. These systems used to be popular, but since advances have been made among other filter types, reverse osmosis filters are not recommended for most people.

Part of the problem is that this process -- which pulls water through a membrane -- wastes about five gallons of water for every gallon of purified water produced. Because reverse osmosis wastes enormous amounts of water and flushes contaminants back into the water supply, they should be considered "only if nitrates and perchlorate are problems in your area," according to The Green Guide.

The filtering process is very slow compared to other methods. Reverse osmosis systems fit under the sink and require professional installation. While reverse osmosis systems are the most effective filters available, keep in mind that they also filter out "good" minerals such as fluoride, calcium and iron, which are healthful in the small amounts generally present in drinking water. Iron deficiency, in fact, is one of the most common deficiencies in the United States for women of childbearing age.

The Whirlpool Gold WHER25 is less expensive than other models reviewed, and it performs almost identically to the more expensive Kenmore Elite (*est. $250) in tests. Like other reverse osmosis filters, both were shown to be excellent at filtering contaminants and bad taste, with little clogging, but both reduced flow rate.

At Sears.com, owners rate a less-expensive Kenmore reverse osmosis filter, the Kenmore Ultra Filter 450 Reverse Osmosis System model 3815 (*est. $170), just as highly as the aforementioned Kenmore Elite. Both filter exactly the same contaminants. For an extra $80, the Elite version has a compact cabinet-style design that requires no mounting, as well as a longer filter life and larger capacity – up to six months and 650 gallons of water, versus four months and 450 gallons for the Kenmore 450 system.

Whole-house filters

If rust or sediment is ruining your appliances, the Whirlpool WHCF-DWHV whole-house filter (*est. $35) slightly edges out other whole-house filters, experts say. As implied, this type of filter attaches to your home's water main to provide filtered water throughout the house for drinking, bathing, cooking, laundry and dishwashers. The units themselves are inexpensive, but experts recommend hiring a plumber to install the system. Filters last six months or more.

Whole-house filters don't remove contaminants such as cysts -- you'll have to add a faucet-mount or other secondary filter if you need that level of filtration. In Consumer Reports' recent tests, whole-house filters weren't great at filtering bad tastes, either. But for stopping dirt, sediment, rust and scale at the door, with a fast flow rate and little clogging, whole-house filters are king. Some also reduce chlorine.

The Whirlpool WHCF-DWHV performed similarly in tests to Kenmore and GE whole-house filters which are no longer available on their retailers' websites. It slightly edged out those filters for first place in one highly ranked consumer test, perhaps because this Whirlpool model combines a low initial price with a fairly low price per replacement filter (*est. $24).

A more expensive Whirlpool whole-house water filter, the Whirlpool Central Water Filtration System WHELJ1 (*est. $380), earns an average of 4.9 stars out of 5 from consumers posting at Lowes.com based on features, value, design, quality and ease of use. The Whirlpool WHCF-DWHV model in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers sells for a fraction of that cost and posts 4.1 stars out of 5 at Lowe's.

About.com's Sean Paajanen recommends the Culligan (*est. $28) and pricier Doulton (*est. $280) whole-house filters. Among five filters reviewed at WaterFilterComparisons.com, the most types of contaminants were removed by the expensive Rhino EQ-300 (*est. $800) , which is supposed to have a filter life of up to six years, and Wellness MG (*est. $5,950), which is supposed to emulate natural spring water. This review does not make it clear whether it actually tested the filtered water, however, and we found no other reviews confirming these claims.

Specialty water filters

Distillation filters boil water and condense the pure steam, leaving almost every impurity behind. This method kills microbes as well as eliminating contaminants such as arsenic, lead and mercury, although not volatile organic chemicals and chlorine. An accompanying carbon filter can remove these, according to editors at The Green Guide.

Unfortunately, distillation also removes "good" trace elements such as fluoride. Distilled water contains less dissolved oxygen, which may make the water taste flat. Some sites perpetuate the myth that drinking distilled water "leaches" minerals from your body, but reputable sources such as the Natural Resources Defense Council do not give credence to these claims.

Distillation filters can be difficult to find. One, the Kenmore Water Purifier 34480 (*est. $80), is the most-reviewed filter at Sears.com, earning high average scores.

Ceramic filters have gotten reviewers' attention. Polycarbonate plastic -- such as that used in most water pitchers -- is made using a chemical called Bisphenol-A, which has been found to leak into the container's contents. The FDA says that Bisphenol-A (BPA) is harmless, but based on animal studies, some researchers are warning that it can contribute to certain cancers, cause hyperactivity in kids and affect fertility. For that reason, some people are choosing to avoid drinking beverages from plastic water bottles and trying to avoid canned goods (Bisphenol-A is also used to make the plastic liners in canned goods). Water pitchers are usually made of plastic containing BPA, and the actual filter in pitchers, faucet-mounts, undersink and whole-house models may be housed in plastic or may be petroleum-based itself.

One reviewer at RealFoodLiving.com recommends the AquaRain 400 ceramic filter (*est. $240), which uses gravity to pass water through a ceramic filter into a stainless-steel reservoir below. Reviewers at Grist and ApartmentTherapy.com discuss Stefani Terracotta Water Coolers and purifiers (*est. $95 to $150, depending on model), a similar setup made of clay and based on traditional filters that reviewers say have been used for years in foreign countries to make contaminated water safe to drink. These filters are considered environmentally friendly because they require no electricity and are made of recyclable or compostable materials. They are not listed as certified by NSF, however.

The National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) is a nonprofit testing lab that certifies claims that a filter removes a particular substance. Before you buy, check for NSF certification for the particular contaminants you want to filter. All the models in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers are NSF-certified water filters. There are other testing agencies besides the NSF, and some filtering systems are not tested at all by independent agencies. It is not a requirement that filter models be certified, but with so many certified models available, we don't see much advantage in purchasing a water filter without NSF certification.

Do you need a water filter?

One of the original benefits of home water filters was cost savings over bottled water. Drinking water from a filter pitcher costs about $75 per year for the typical household drinking 240 gallons annually, versus $214 per year for the cheapest supermarket bottled water, according to analysis by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Faucet filters can save even more money.

But many recent studies show that most commercially bottled water is no healthier or cleaner than ordinary tap water -- which costs the average American just two-thousandths of a penny per gallon, according to estimates by the Washington, D.C. nonprofit consumer rights group Food & Water Watch. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public or municipal water supplies, but it is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that regulates bottled water and then only when the product is sold across state lines. The FDA requires only that bottled water be packaged under strict sanitary conditions and that it is as good as tap water. So, bottled water may contain as many impurities as the water delivered through your pipes.

Most American's tap water is safe, but the Natural Resources Defense Council reports that about 7 million Americans get sick every year after drinking contaminated tap water. In rare cases, death results.

If your tap water is safe but tastes or smells "off," even the most inexpensive filters usually do a good job making the water aesthetically pleasing, reviewers say. To find out if you need a stronger filter to remove contaminants, municipal water customers can check the Annual Water Quality Report every water utility is legally required to make available to all citizens. You can find your local water report at the EPA website.

However, these reports count only those contaminants regulated by the EPA – by no means all of the contaminants that might be in your water. And these reports consider only how clean the water is when it leaves the plant. They can't detect any contaminants you may have in your household pipes, such as lead. Lead can cause brain damage, especially in children. "Every homeowner, especially if they have children under six, should have their water tested for lead," warns Erik Olson, a senior Natural Resources Defense Council attorney specializing in drinking water, in National Geographic's The Green Guide.

People with wells should also have their water tested annually by a submitting a sample to a state-certified lab, experts say. One such lab is National Testing Laboratories Ltd. (800-458-3330 or www.ntllabs.com).

Important Features: Water filters

Here are some points experts say to consider when buying a water filter:

• If you're concerned about more than taste and odor, get a water contaminant report from your local water utility. Ask for the Municipal Drinking Water Contaminant Analysis Report. This will tell you what's in your drinking water and guide your filter choice. The EPA website makes these reports available. .

• Estimate your water usage. Families will quickly grow tired of filling and refilling pitchers. You might be better off with a faucet-mount or undersink carbon-filtration system.

• Make sure replacement filters are readily available. One reason to go with a well-known brand is that it is easy access to replacement filters, since you'll need lots of them. Pitcher and faucet-mount filters must be changed every one to three months.

• Start small. Try using a pitcher or faucet mount before considering an undersink or whole-house unit. They're usually just as effective at improving taste and odor, the most common reasons for buying a water filter.

• Water filters don't make great gifts unless you also provide extra filters. Opinion sites are peppered with comments from folks dismayed by the cumulative cost of water filters. While the initial investment is small for pitchers and faucet mounts, a year's worth of replacement filters can outpace the initial cost of the unit.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
9	PUR 3-Stage Faucet Mount (*est. $30 to $40, depending on model)	details
7	PUR Ultimate Pitchers (*est. $15 to $30, depending on model)	-
7	Brita Pitchers (*est. $12 to $30, depending on model)	details
4	Brita On Tap Faucet Mount (*est. $20 to $30, depending on model)	details
2	Kenmore 34551 Countertop (Discontinued )	-
2	Whirlpool Gold WHER25 Reverse Osmosis (*est. $160)	-
1 each	Culligan Whole House , Kenmore 38454 Undersink, Whirlpool WHCF-DWHV Whole House, Shaklee Perfect Pitcher 8230, GE Profile Smartwater PXRQ15F Reverse Osmosis , Aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop ,Culligan SY-2300 Undersink, Rhino EQ-300 Whole House , Wellness MG Whole House, Culligan Designer Pitcher , Clear2O Pitcher , Omni Faucet Mount , Everpure Undersink, Omni Undersink , Doulton Whole House , Waterpik InstaPure , Culligan Monitored Undersink, Multi-Pure CBVOCSB Undercounter , Multi-Pure CBVOCSC Countertop , Culligan Undersink , AquaRain 400 Gravity, Whirlpool WHCF-DWHV Whole House, Shaklee Best Water MTS2000, Whirlpool Undersink Main Faucet Standard Drop-In WHCF-DUF, Whirlpool Central Water Filtration System WHELJ1, Kenmore Elite Ultra 650 Reverse Osmosis System, Kenmore Water Purifier 34480 Distiller

Reviewers most often recommend the simplest solutions: pitchers and faucet-mount water filters. Reviews are conservative in recommending reverse osmosis water filters because of the water waste involved in the process. Undersink models have better water flow than faucet-mounted systems, but they might require professional installation. We found the best reviews overall for PUR faucet mount filters. Brita and PUR pitchers both get good reviews, but PUR pitchers can filter out cysts, which Brita filters cannot.

Sponsored links