What is the best water filtration system for home use

What is the best water filtration system for home use

Amazon

We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our original top-rated picks — selected by the Kitchen Appliances; Home Improvement and Outdoor; and Health, Beauty and Sustainability Labs — remain the same, though we swapped out discontinued products for new winners including Brita, Aquatru, Sonaki, Culligan, Aquasana and Larq.


We all know how important it is to drink enough water. While many people have water dispensers in their refrigerators, some still rely on good ol' tap water. If that’s the case, you may want to add a water filter to your kitchen tools and gadgets to help filter out harmful contaminants like chlorine, lead, pesticides and more, which can affect taste, quality and in some cases clarity of the water.

The Good Housekeeping Institute is a champion of safety and sustainability, which is why water quality and water filters have been important to us for decades. Our Kitchen Appliances; Health, Beauty and Sustainability; and Home Improvement and Outdoor Labs regularly team up to evaluate the efficacy of popular water filters to ensure they properly filter harmful contaminants. To find the best water filters — including whole-house water filters, under-the-sink water filters, water filter pitchers, water filter bottles and even water filters for your shower — our experts narrowed it to the top-selling options, then collected hundreds of data points and evaluated contaminant removal certifications. We also took into account how easy it was to set up the filter, how quickly it filtered, how heavy it was when filled (if applicable), how easy it was to clean and more.

Our top picks:

  • What is the best water filtration system for home use

    Best Under-the-Sink Water Filter

    3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter Aquasana

    Read More

  • What is the best water filtration system for home use

    BEST SMALL WATER FILTER PITCHER

    Water Filter Pitcher Aquagear

    Read More

  • What is the best water filtration system for home use

    Best Water Filter Pitcher

    Everyday Water Filter Pitcher with Longlast+ Filter Brita

    Read More

  • What is the best water filtration system for home use

    Best Countertop Water Filter

    Connect Countertop Water Filter AQUATRU

    Read More

  • What is the best water filtration system for home use

    Best Whole-House Water Filter

    Rhino 600,000 Gallons Water Filter Aquasana

    Read More

Best Under-the-Sink Water Filter

Aquasana

3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter

BEST SMALL WATER FILTER PITCHER

Aquagear

Water Filter Pitcher

Best Water Filter Pitcher

Brita

Everyday Water Filter Pitcher with Longlast+ Filter

Best Countertop Water Filter

AQUATRU

Connect Countertop Water Filter

Best Whole-House Water Filter

Aquasana

Rhino 600,000 Gallons Water Filter

Best Water Filter for Backpacking

Brita

Water Bottle with Filter

Best Water Filter Pitcher that Removes Bacteria

Larq

PureVis Pitcher with Advanced Water Filter

Most Stylish Water Filter Carafe

Soma

Glass Carafe

Best Faucet Water Filter

Culligan

Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filter

Best Shower Water Filter

Sonaki

Inline Shower Filter

How we test water filters

In order to find the best water filters, we search the filter market and use our categorical expertise to narrow it down to the most promising products.

We take into account how easy it is to set up and, if applicable, how easy it is to pour and how much water it holds. We also read each instruction manual for clarity and look at whether pitcher models are dishwasher safe. As applicable, we test performance factors like how quickly it filters a cup of water and measure how much water the tap water reservoir can hold.

We also verify contaminant removal claims via third-party data. We review how long each filter lasts and the yearly cost to replace filters if changing filters at the recommended time frame.

What to look for when shopping for the best water filter

✔️ Type and capacity: For pitchers, water bottles and other dispensers that hold water after it’s filtered, you’ll want to keep in mind size versus weight. Larger containers are ideal for refilling less often, but they will often be heavier and may take up more space in the fridge or your backpack. A countertop model saves space in the refrigerator and often holds more water, but it does require room on the counter.

With under-the-sink water filters, faucet filters, in-line shower filters and whole-house filters, there’s no need to worry about size or capacity as these instantaneously filter water as it flows through.

✔️Method:Most water filters use either a carbon filter or a reverse osmosis water filter, which can also include a carbon filter. The primary difference is that most reverse osmosis water filters use multiple filter types to remove more contaminants than carbon filters alone. However, some reverse osmosis systems also remove minerals that some may prefer to leave in. With both reverse osmosis and carbon filters, the contaminants they remove can vary widely, so it's best to check what the model actually filters so it suits your needs.

✔️ Filter replacement frequency: Check how often you have to replace the filter. If you dread changing the filter or simply forget, you may want to look for a long-lasting filter. Also, if you buy filters for the shower, water pitcher and sink, you’ll have to remember to change those separately, so it might be smart to consider a whole-house filter that requires only one filter replacement for the entire home.

No matter which water filter you opt for, it’s no good if you don’t change the filter as recommended. Birnur Aral, Ph.D., says, “The performance of the water filter depends on the quality of the water source and whether or not the filters are replaced regularly.” Some models come with indicators, but it a model doesn’t include one, a slower flow rate or different-colored water are signs that you need to change the filter.

✔️ Price: Consider both the upfront price of the water filter device and the filter refill costs. A water filter could cost more initially, but the price and frequency of the filter refills may save money over the long term. But that’s not always the case, so be sure to calculate the yearly cost of replacements based on the recommended schedule for changing.

Do you really need a water filter?

Access to safe drinking water is an issue across the globe, and it affects communities in the United States. If you’re not sure about your water quality, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just updated its Tap Water Database in 2021. It’s free and easy to search, and it has information for all states. Enter your zip code or search your state to find details on your drinking water quality based on EWG standards (which are stricter than those of the government). If your tap water does exceed EWG health guidelines, it may be a good idea to consider buying a water filter.

Opting for bottled water is a short-term solution to potentially unsafe drinking water, but it creates a much larger problem with serious long-term implications with regards to pollution. Americans throw away a whopping 30 million tons of plastic a year, only 8% of which is recycled. The majority ends up in landfills because there are many different regulations about what can be recycled. Your best bet is to get a water filter and a cute reusable water bottle — some even have filters built-in!

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This article was written and tested by Jamie Kim, who is a consistent user and analyst of water filtration products. She’s a freelance writer specializing in product testing and reviews. For this list, she worked with experts across several Good Housekeeping Institute labs: Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation; Health, Beauty and Sustainability; Home Improvement and Outdoors; and Media and Tech.

Nicole Papantoniou contributed insight on the ease of use of pitchers and bottles. Birnur Aral, Ph.D. helped evaluate the contamination-removal claims behind each of our picks. Dan DiClerico and Rachel Rothman provided expertise on installed filters.

Jamie Kim Contributing Writer and Analyst Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.

Which water filtration system removes the most contaminants?

Reverse osmosis systems are some of the best options for your water. The Reverse osmosis system in the 4 stage design is a design that will help you remove the maximum number of contaminants from your water.

What filtration system is most effective?

A reverse osmosis system is the most effective type of filter for drinking water.
The most popular systems include activated carbon, reverse osmosis, mixed media, and UV filters. However, most systems use a combination of these methods for optimal filtration. Ultimately, the type of system that's ideal for a home depends on the water quality of that region.

What is the most cost effective water filtration system?

Best Inexpensive Water Filters—Pitcher, Under-Sink, Countertop.
ZeroWater, 20 Cup Water Filter Pitcher. AMAZON $35.99..
5-Stage Replacement Water Filters 4-pak. ... .
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System. ... .
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System. ... .
Big Berkey Countertop Water Filter System. ... .
Travel Berkey Perfect for RVs..