Breaking it down

Performance

Excellent filtering, simple design. Bells and whistles take a backseat to filtering performance with the Culligan FM-15A. In addition to reducing bad taste and odor -- including all Class I particulates -- it's NSF-certified to reduce parasites, lead, lindane, atrazine and turbidity. Testers at ConsumerReports.org rate it as one of the best filters across the board. Owners say they see a noticeable improvement in the taste of their water, particularly those who felt their tap water tasted too much of chlorine. Both experts and owners, however, note the very slow flow rate of the FM-15A, a common issue with faucet-mount filters. It's not the most attractive thing you'll ever see either, some say, but most don't seem to mind.

Ease of use

Easy to install -- if it fits your faucet. The Culligan FM-15A gets its best reviews for being easy to hook up, although there are a small number who disagree. Owners say the included faucet adaptors fit most sinks, but not all; some were able to find the proper adaptor at their local hardware store, others had to return the filter and find another solution. The filter includes a diverter valve to start filtering the water, and most say it's simple to use. The water pressure holds the switch in the filtered position; it returns to the unfiltered position when the water is shut off. The replacement filter is not the easiest to change, say some,

Durability/cost of ownership

Durable and affordable. Even those who were initially skeptical of the Culligan FM-15A's plastic construction say they are pleased with how durable the unit seems to be. Many say they've had theirs for quite a few years and it's still going strong and looks like new, and we read a lot of reviews from those who have bought one for every sink in their home -- it can be purchased in multi-packs. The FM-15A comes with a two-year warranty. Most expert and user reviewers also agree that it's a great value -- one professional testing organization named it a Best Buy. The replacement filter cartridge for this faucet filter is the Culligan FM_15RA (Est. $15) and they last for 2 months or 200 gallons. There is no filter replacement indicator, but the filter includes stickers to help remind you when it's time to order. The FM15-A is the white version, this faucet water filter also comes in chrome as the Culligan FM-25 (Est. $30).