Today, water in most households is filled with different contaminants that can cause multiple health problems. Minerals, heavy metals, and other chemical compounds are common in the formula of municipal water. Apart from that, water is very hard, which makes it bad not only for drinking but for showering, too, as it negatively affects the condition of the skin, hair, and nails.
If you are tired of showering with low-quality water and buying bottles of water for drinking, a water filter is just the thing for you. They remove most impurities from the water and make it softer. They are comparatively cheap, especially if you take into consideration how many health benefits they can offer. With the best faucet and undersink water filters, you will have clean, great-tasting, and fresh-smelling water directly from the tap. Look through our guide and reviews to find the best water filter for your home.
What’s in Your Water?
Tap water contains a number of chemical impurities and harmful organic matters. To control the quality of the water, it is highly recommended to test it for most common contaminants. According to CDC, you can have your water tested in state and local health or environmental departments.
Water contaminants can be of four types:
Physical – impurities that affect the physical appearance of water. It can be sediment and organic materials.
Chemical – different chemical elements and compounds. These include chlorine, metals, salts, pesticides, toxins, and more.
Biological – living beings that contaminate water, namely bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Radiological – elements that emit radiation. The most common of them are cesium, plutonium, and uranium.
CDC has more information on water-related diseases and contaminants in public water systems, if you are interested.
Types of Water Filters
There are different types of water filters. According to the construction and the place of application, water filters can be:
Whole-house. Apart from the other types that can supply only one water device, these large units are installed to provide cleaned water to the whole house – kitchen and bathrooms included.
Faucet. As the name suggests, these filters are installed directly onto the faucet and allow you to have clean water coming from the tap. They are the most popular when it comes to supplying one room, be it kitchen or bathroom, with clean water.
Undersink. The compact design of these filters allows installing it even in bathrooms with limited space. They do not take up much space and can be hidden under the sink.
How to Choose the Best Faucet Water Filter
Technology. Modern water filters work on different water filtration technologies. The most popular are carbon and ceramic filters. Apart from them, there are models that work as deionizators and distillators. Other efficient technologies include fibredyne block, ion exchange, the use of ozone, and reverse osmosis. There are also mechanical and ultraviolet water filtrating systems.
Cartridge life. Replacing cartridges too often can be quite annoying. Make sure that one cartridge can offer no less than 100 gallons of clean water, which equals about three months of use.
Cost. Apart from the price of the unit itself, the maintenance cost includes the price of cartridges. It depends on how long one cartridge lasts, as well as on the technology it uses to purify water.
Finish. There are many filter models available on the market today. Some of them come in several finish colors. The most popular are white, black, chrome, and nickel. Make sure that the finish of the faucet complements to the decor of the bathroom.
Top Five Best On Tap Faucet Water Filters
1. Advanced Faucet Water Filter from PUR
This water filter is guaranteed to remove over 70 contaminants from your water. Those include lead, mercury, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals. This model works only with standard faucets and does not support pull-out or hand-held faucets. The construction of the unit allows rotating it 360 degrees.
This advanced filter from PUR is easy to install and just as easy to remove. One cartridge can offer up to three months of use, which equals about 100 gallons of filtered water. The cartridges are easy to replace. This model comes with an integrated filter life indicator that will tell you when it is time to replace the filter.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
2. Advanced Faucet Filter Kit from Culligan
This efficient water filter is compact and easy-to-install. It can be installed both in right-hand and left-hand position. This model is easy to operate – you can choose between filtered and unfiltered water with the help of a diverter. The filter comes with a two-year warranty. It is designed to offer 200 gallons of clean water.
This faucet filter kit from Culligan is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy clean, fresh, and healthy water. It removes bad taste, odor, and sediment from the water. At the same time, it eliminates lead, chlorine, lindane, atrazine, and other impurities. Culligan is known for its high-quality water filtrating systems and showerheads that are installed in many American homes.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
3. Premium Water Filter from DuPont
This faucet water filter comes with a unique Microban antimicrobial protection. It reduces sediment, chlorine, lead, mercury, cysts, lindane, asbestos, benzene, and other harmful residues. It makes the water much clearer, improves its taste and smell. Apart from being functional, this water filter looks quite stylish. It is available in three finish colors: brushed nickel, chrome, and white.
One of the most useful features of this premium water filter from DuPont is a digital display. It shows how many gallons of water the filter has cleaned, letting you know when it is time to replace the filter. This unit is compatible with standard faucets. It can be installed quickly and easily with the help of pliers.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
4. Advanced Tap Water Faucet Filter from Aqua Elegante
Apart from removing all of the most common contaminants, this water filter proves very helpful for killing bacteria and preventing the growth of scale, lime, mold, and fungi. It eliminates chlorine smell and sour taste, making the water mild and refreshing. The unit has an elegant design and comes with a shiny chrome finish.
This tap water faucet filter from Aqua Elegante comes with a sturdy construction to offer durability. It is made of solid and safe ABS plastic that is free of BPA and phthalates. Such choice of material makes the unit durable and prevents leakages. One filter cartridge lasts about four months – enough to provide 200 gallons of clean water.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
5. Water Filter System from InstaPure
With this filter, you can choose between filtered and unfiltered water thanks to the lever for switching. It does not need any tools in order to be installed. The design of the unit comprises a chrome base and a cap made of clear plastic. One filter lasts about three months.
Just like the other on tap water filters, this water filter system from InstaPure can remove bad taste, odor, sediment, and chemical contaminants from your faucet water. This product has been ANSI and NSF certified for its ability to reduce chlorine and improve the taste and smell of water.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
Top Three Best Undersink Water Filters
1. Under Sink Filter Premium Class I from Woder
This is one of the best undersink water filters available on the market today. This smart unit removes harmful minerals from the water, leaving all the essential minerals unaffected. This model has a long life – it can offer up to 10,000 gallons of clean water, meaning it can last about three years. With this unit, the water flow will remain unchanged.
This water filtration kit from Woder includes a filter, a head, an inlet hose, and an outlet hose. The unit can be assembled and installed in just a few minutes. The construction of the head includes an integrated valve to eliminate the possibility of leaks. It removes 99,9% of contaminants from the water, making it smell and taste great.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
2. Under Sink Direct Connect Water Filter from Nahla Pure
Get clean water from your tap with this undersink water filter. It can turn municipal water into pure and refreshing water that smells and tastes great and is good for your health. It can be connected directly to your cold water line so that you can have clean water each time you turn the handle of your faucet.
Just like the previous model, this water filter from Nahla Pure can last up to three years, which equals 10,000 gallons of clear water. It removes 99,9% of contaminants from the water, including volatile organic compounds, chlorine, lead and other heavy metals, and more.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
3. Undersink Drinking Water Filtration System from Culligan
This water filter will make sure that you have clean, good-tasting and fresh-smelling water coming directly from your faucet. It comes with a convenient twist-on/twist-off mechanism that makes installation and replacement easier than ever. This unit has a shorter life than the other models – it can filter no more than 3,000 gallons of water.
This water filter from Culligan has been certified by National Science Foundation. It can remove Class-III particulates from the water, as well as eliminate chlorine smell and odor. It fits all the standard sink water systems. Its secure connection makes sure that the filter stays in place until it is time to change it.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
Top Three Best Faucet Mount Water Filters
1. Faucet Mount Filter from Culligan
This faucet mount filter works wonders with making the water clean. Its advanced filtration system proves very helpful for removing sediment, odor, bad taste, and main contaminants – chlorine, giardia, cryptosporidium, turbidity, lindane, atrazine, and Class-I particulates – from your tap water. One filter lasts for about two months or 200 gallons of water.
This water filter from Culligan comes with adaptors that make it fit most aerator faucets. This unit comes with a simple design that makes it easy to install without any tools. You can activate the filter simply by pulling the diverter. This model comes with a two-year limited warranty.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
2. Premier Faucet Mount Drinking Water Filter from DuPont
This great water filter offers perfect performance when it comes to making the water clean and tasty. The unit can easily be attached to standard faucets. It comes with a stylish white finish that will look great in most bathrooms. This model comes with the Microban protection technology to ensure safety and improve the performance.
The Premier faucet water filter from DuPont comes with 0.5 gallons per minute water flow rate. It improves the composition of water, removing common contaminants. It also makes the taste and smell of water noticeably better. The package includes a faucet mount, a filter, two adapters, two washers, and plumbing tape.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
3. Faucet Filter, Chlorine Remover & Hard Water Softener from Sakaika
This water filter is efficient enough to eliminate up to 90% of chlorine, magnesium, lead, and other heavy metals. It makes the water much cleaner and softer. As chlorine is known to cause skin dryness and irritation, this filter can improve the condition of your skin, as well as hair and nails.
Apart from purifying the water, this water filter from Sakaika increases water pressure, which makes it a perfect choice for households with low water pressure. It can offer 10,000 gallons of clean water and lasts for about six months. Please note that this model can be mounted only on 15/16-inch male threaded faucets and 55/64-inch female threaded faucets.
Follow this link to order this water filter on Amazon
