Best Water Filtration System For Home Amazon – We independently evaluate all our recommendations. If you click on the links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Abigail Clarkin is a contributing writer for Serious Eats. She currently works in marketing for a real estate developer in Providence, RI, where she regularly photographs food, plans events, writes articles and creates print assets for new businesses.
Best Water Filtration System For Home Amazon
Our preferred water filters from Brita and Culligan were easy to install, looked great and had warranties to ensure their quality.
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The importance of having access to clean, filtered water in everyday kitchens can make all the difference. While most tap water is safe to drink, the chemicals used to clean it (cough chlorine cough) can affect its taste. Not only does a glass of water taste blah, it can negatively affect the taste of tea and coffee.
That’s why we tested four popular models to find the best faucet filter. We looked at how easy they are to install and use, how effective the filter is, how much replacement filters cost and what warranties they come with.
One of our favorite filters from DuPont, discontinued. We removed it as a winner and added a top performance from Culligan instead.
Brita is an all round good choice. This particular filter had the second fastest flow rate, was light and sleek in appearance, and included a button that changed colors based on how close the filter was to the outlet. It also boasts the longest life among filter changes in our lineup.
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The Culligan impressed us with its fast flow rate and sleek appearance. It’s a reasonably priced option that’s easy to install, if a little tricky to master in use (a pin has to be pulled halfway out to activate the filter). Replacement filters are affordable, can hold up to 200 gallons, and are easily found online.
While it may be easy to identify why you need to filter water, choosing a filter type and model can be unnecessarily complicated. Here are the common types and how they work:
Faucet filters often promise to filter out nasty ingredients like lead, chlorine, cadmium and mercury from water. It is important to make sure this is true. The authorities on water quality are the Water Quality Association (WQA), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Each agency ensures that filters are rigorously tested to meet qualifications. Some certifications to look for include NSF/ANSI Standard 53, NSF/ANSI Standard 42, NSF/ANSI 401, and NSF/ANSI 372.
We’d like to note that although most faucet filters remove many chemicals and nasties from water, they cannot remove perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PFAs are “persistent, long-lived chemicals whose components degrade very slowly over time.” To find out all the details about water certifications, check out our water filter pitcher review.
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The intricacies of the filtration process may vary depending on the specific model of faucet filter, but the basics remain the same. After placing the filter and base directly on a faucet, you flip a switch (or pull a pin in the Culligan case). The water then flows until it reaches the filtration section. According to Culligan, “The water passes through a ‘sediment trap.’ This screen helps remove sediment particles such as dirt or sand. Then the water usually passes through a block of activated carbon and zeolite. chlorine.” This process ensures that some of the worst (and sometimes thinnest) offenders never make it into your drinking glass.
When brewing coffee, for example, filtered water is essential. “Too soft water really makes it difficult to pull the tasty solids out of the coffee bed,” writes former trade writer Jesse Raub. “At the same time, it’s really hard to control the chemical composition of your faucet. A good rule of thumb is to start with a charcoal water filter.”
When doing the blind taste test, we found that Brita, Culligan, and DuPont filtered all the flavors from untreated water. (We never knew we could describe water in so many ways until this test.) Our untreated and untreated water had a faint metallic taste, so we were disappointed that the PUR filtered water had traces of that taste.
We always enjoy simple instructions when setting up any kitchen faucet. (We’ve beaten our heads against the walls enough in cheap furniture-building frustration, thank you!) Most setups consisted of dropping the filter cartridge into the faucet bracket and placing the entire device over the faucet. PUR, Brita and Culligan each included adapters for faucets with internal or external threads. But things got a little messy when we discovered that the Brita cartridge wasn’t screwed all the way in – the filter chamber filled with water and sent the cartridge up and away from the holder (and into our faces). The lesson? Make sure the filter is installed correctly before turning on the water.
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If you want to take your filter home, set it up and sip the first glass of filtered water, think again. Each filter requires water to run through the filter for at least five minutes before use. Culligan’s initial flush lasted even longer, lasting up to 10 minutes (we were surprised to find that the first flush water was a little warm, even though cold water was running through the system). Flushing serves two purposes: 1. To activate the filter. 2. Clean the chamber of dust or other debris. Each filter also has a warning to only filter cold water — as hot water can damage the filter — so it’s important to switch to the “unfiltered” setting before doing anything like washing dishes.
If you’re staying as hydrated as possible (get that glowing skin, friends!), you’ll probably put your filter through the wringer. Most faucet filters should be replaced every two to four months, depending on usage. Culligan has the shortest filter life because the company recommends replacing each filter approximately every two months. At the other end of the spectrum, Brita has a suggested duration of four months. PUR and DuPont suggest changing the filter every three months. Not sure if you can keep track of time? We recommend Brita for its indicator light. As the filter loses its life, the light changes from glowing green to amber glowing red.
In testing, we looked for filters that were easy to install, use and replace. We considered how effective the filter was by conducting a blind taste test and verifying that each one was officially ANSI/NSI certified.
What we like: The Brita’s flow rate is the second-fastest of the bunch, filtering a gallon in one minute and 24 seconds. Unlike other filters, this one requires a filter change every four months. Even better? It comes with a filter light so you know when to change the filter! Overall, the filter is light, simple and sleek, and it goes well with other chrome accessories. And, at the time of testing it was half the price of DuPont (our previous, now defunct winner).
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What we didn’t like: We found out the hard way that the filter cartridge had to be very securely attached to the main body of the filter unit, otherwise the built-up water caused the cartridge to fly off. Once it was fixed correctly we did not have this problem again.
What we like: Most importantly, this filter produces clean, neutral-tasting water. We were very impressed with the Culligan’s flow rate: It filtered a gallon of water in one minute and 19 seconds, much faster than our previous winner, the DuPont. Replacement filters cost $19 each. Filter, relatively affordable. On that note, the filter cartridge should be replaced every 200 gallons, like the Britas should be changed every 100. The filter is smooth and nice.
What we didn’t like: Activating the filter—once it was activated and flushed—wasn’t refreshing. We had to pull a pin from the side of the machine to start the filter. This activation is only possible if the water is already flowing relatively steadily.
The filter is placed directly on the faucet. As the unfiltered water flows into the filtration section, it is cleaned by a large particle filter screen. The next part of the process – often consisting of activated carbon and zeolite – takes care of minor waste.
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While every filter has the same purpose – to clean water of various harmful chemicals and other impurities – faucet filters, water filter bowls and reverse osmosis filtration systems are all set up differently. The faucet filter sticks to the faucet itself; Water filter jugs are freestanding jugs that can collect unfiltered water; And reverse osmosis filtration systems are often attached under the sink