Our expert-tested picks include pitchers, countertop dispensers, under-sink solutions and more.
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The U.S. has some of the safest drinking water in the world, but it’s not perfect. Lead and copper from old plumbing lines can find their way into the water supply, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, as can plastics, pharmaceuticals and industrial pollutants like arsenic and nitrate. Even if your home’s drinking water is toxin-free, the chloride used in treatment plants can give it a funny taste. That’s why our home and health experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute take water filter testing so seriously. For a device to make our recommended list, it must meet the strictest industry standards and be easy to use and maintain. As we like to say, the only thing worse than no water filter is one that’s doing more harm than good. For this report, we pulled together our top picks across the five main types of water filter that deliver safe, delicious drinking water.
Having tested dozens of water filters in recent years, our experts say under-sink filters offer the best combination of value, performance and convenience. This version from Aquasana is the category leader, thanks to its 3-stage filtration, which is NSF-certified to capture 77 contaminants, including heavy metals, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. It’s also one of the few water filters we tested that’s certified to remove PFAs, also known as forever chemicals, because they don’t break down in the environment or in our bodies. As with any under-sink water filter, some plumbing modifications might be required with the Aquasana, and you’ll need to drill a hole in your sink deck for the water dispenser, if there isn’t one there already. That could mean professional installation, adding about $150 to the project cost. But you’ll have clean, delicious water with a simple turn of the tap. In extended home tests, the filter did its job without premature clogging or a drop in flow rate. However, our tester noted that the device, with its 3 separate filters, takes up more cabinet space than others. The filter replacement cost of around $149 a year is also up there with the highest.
RELATED: 7 Best Under-Sink Water Filters
Water pitchers, also known as carafe-style filters, are the way to go if you’re on a tight budget. The pitchers are inexpensive, plus their replacement filter costs are low compared with under-sink devices. Many deliver superb filtering performance, including the Brita Everyday, which is certified to capture over 30 contaminants, including heavy metals, carcinogens, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and more.
The Brita was one of the fastest filters in our tests, coming in at 38 seconds per cup of water, without any black specks from the activated carbon filter finding their way into the carafe.
The drawback with any water pitcher is that it takes up space in the refrigerator (or on the countertop if you like your water at room temperature). Plus, you have to fill the pitcher at the tap, though the Brita's ample 10-cup capacity cuts down on the frequency; it is also available in a 6-cup capacity. Regular washing by hand is also important to prevent mold, mildew and mineral deposits.
According to Brita, the filter lasts about six months before you need to change it. That means you can have excellent drinking water for about $30 per year, the going price for a two-pack of the Elite Replacement Filters that our experts recommend using with the Brita Everyday.
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As the name implies, countertop are filters are designed to sit out on the counter. Our tests turned up a couple standouts, including this relative newcomer to the market from AquaTru. It’s more expensive than other countertop filters, but a few features make it worth the splurge, our experts say.
First and foremost, its four-stage filtration includes reverse osmosis, the most robust water filtration technology available to consumers. As a result, it’s certified to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 58 and 401 to remove more than over 80 contaminants, such as chlorine, heavy metals like lead, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and more. We should note that it also removes over 90% of fluoride, a fact some consumers may like, while others may not.
The AquaTru carafe comes with multiple filters: pre/carbon, reverse osmosis and VOC (a type of carbon filter to remove VOCs). If you prefer some minerals, there's also an option to separately purchase a Mineral Boost Alkaline VOC Filter or Filter Mineral Boost Alkaline Combo Pack. The mineral boost filter adds minerals like calcium and magnesium and is supposed to mimic the mineral-rich taste of Evian or Arrowhead.
The water filter system dispenses water into a carafe, which our experts found handy because you can store it on the counter or put it in the fridge. We also like the carafe is made of glass, not plastic, though of course that means being careful not to drop it.
The reverse osmosis process creates waste water that ends up in a tank at the back of the system. Be sure to empty the tank after every cycle because the water contains contaminants.
While the dispenser has a pricey upfront cost, the filters last longer than most, making the yearly cost of replacing filters comparable to some devices that capture fewer contaminants.
RELATED: 8 Best Water Bottles, Tested and Reviewed
The other countertop filter to make our picks list is ideal for large households that drink a lot of water throughout the day (maybe starting with a few water bottles in the morning for the kids to take to school). The Pur Plus, a 2024 Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award winner, holds 30 cups of water, and with its narrow design our pros say it can also live in the fridge, where it will dispense water that's both clean and cool.
The well-priced dispenser has several added features that make it an even better value, like the fact that it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The three-stage filtration is certified to NSF standards 42, 53 and 401, according to our verified review of third-party test data, so you can count on it to remove chlorine, heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceutical and more.
Our testers also liked the change-filter light and the large opening that makes filling easy. One downside: the Pur Plus filters very slowly, but that enhances its efficacy. Get into the habit of filling the dispenser before bed each night, and you’ll have plenty of clean, great-tasting water for the day ahead.
RELATED: After Months of Testing, These Are Our 2024 Kitchen Gear, Coffee & Tea Award Winners
Faucet-mounted filters are another affordable option that deliver pure water straight from the tap without the installation costs of an under-sink unit. The Advanced Faucet Mount Filter from Culligan, an established brand in the water treatment category, is tested to ANSI standard 42 and 53, so it is built to do a solid job filtering many contaminants, including lead and chlorine.
The filter makes it easy to switch easily from unfiltered to filtered water with a simple pull of a diverter valve, and no tools are required for installation. Nor do you need to worry about drilling a hole for a side dispenser, making the Culligan a good choice for renters, or homeowners with limited space on the sink deck. Keep in mind that, as with all faucet-mount filters, this device is not compatible with pull-down faucets. It’s also bulky, which might be a dealbreaker if you like a clean, streamlined look at the kitchen sink.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team of engineers, chemists, product analysts and home improvement experts work together to determine the best water filters for your home. We've tested more than 30 water filters over the years and continue to survey the market for new options.
To test water filters, we take into account their capacity, how easy they are to set up and, if applicable, how easy they are to pour from. We also read each instruction manual for clarity and look at whether pitcher models are dishwasher safe. 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. paying particularly close attention to which NSF standard the filters are certified for (some standards cover only lead, like NSF 372, while others also include agricultural and industrial toxins, like NSF 401). We also review how long each filter lasts as well as the yearly cost to replace filters when changing filters on the manufacturer's recommended schedule.
✔️ Type: There are three main options for filtering water for drinking that comes from the kitchen tap.
✔️ Capacity: For pitchers and dispensers that hold water after it’s filtered, pay attention to size and weight. Larger containers mean less refilling, but they're often be heavier and take up space in the fridge. A countertop model saves space in the refrigerator and often holds more water, but it requires real estate on the counter and will be room temperature water.
With under-the-sink and faucet-mounted filters, you don't need to worry about size or capacity because these filter water on demand.
✔️ Filtration method: Many filters incorporate multiple filter types to achieve various contaminant removal. The contaminants they remove can vary widely. The surest way to determine this is by checking which NSF standard the filters are certified for. For example, some standards cover only lead, like NSF 372, while others also include agricultural and industrial toxins, like NSF 401. Otherwise, here are the different water filtering methods:
✔️ 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 water pitcher and sink, you’ll have to remember to change each of those separately.
No matter which water filter you opt for, it’s no good if you don’t change the filter as recommended. 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 if 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.
Access to safe drinking water is an issue across the globe, and it affects communities in the U.S. If you’re not sure about your water quality, check the Tap Water Database, managed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). 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 larger problem with serious long-term implications around 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 reusable water bottle — some even have filters built-in.
This article was first written and tested by Jamie (Kim) Ueda, who is an analyst (and consistent user!) of water filtration products. She’s a freelance writer specializing in product testing and reviews. For this list, she tested several water filters and worked with experts across several Good Housekeeping Institute Labs: Kitchen Appliances and Innovation; Beauty, Health, and Sustainability; Home Improvement and Outdoors; and Media and Tech.
Dan DiClerico has written about the residential water filter market for more than 20 years, reviewing dozens of models from every leading brand. He also keeps up with the latest innovations by attending trade shows and industry events, like CES and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.
Nicole Papantoniou also contributed insight on the ease of use of pitchers and bottles.
Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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