5 Best Items to Filter Tap Water For Healthy Lifestyle

If you’ve been relying on good ol’ tap water for your daily hydration, you may want to consider adding a water filter to your collection of kitchen tools and gadgets. Water filters help remove harmful contaminants like chlorine, lead, pesticides and more, depending on the water filter’s capability. They can also improve the taste and in some cases, the clarity of the water.

Here in the Good Housekeeping Institute Labs, we are advocates for consumer safety and sustainable innovation in consumer products, which is why water quality and water filters have been important to us for decades. Since not all water filters are created equal in terms of what they can filter out, the experts in our Kitchen Appliances; Beauty, Health, and Sustainability; and Home Improvement and Outdoor Labs regularly team up to evaluate popular water filters to examine which contaminants are filtered and to what degree.

The water filters we review include whole-house water filters, under-the-sink water filters, water filter pitchers, water filter bottles and even water filters for your shower. To make our list of the best water filter you can buy, we scour the market to assess the top sellers. We then thoroughly examine certifications and hundreds of test results from third-party data on contaminant removal. We also take into account how easy the filter is to set up, how quickly it filters, how heavy the product is when filled (if applicable), how easy it is to clean and more.

Our Top Picks:

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What’s the Top Best Filter for Tap Water?

This under-the-sink system requires a little effort upfront to install, but once it’s set up, you’ll get filtered water for up to six months just by turning on the tap. It filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, and more. Not to mention, it’s the one Beauty, Health, and Sustainability Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. uses in her own home!

“I use filtered water for absolutely everything from cooking to coffee-making, so tabletop water filters can’t keep up with my use,” she says. “With this one, there’s no need to refill any carafes or tanks.”

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros:

1- Filters last up to 6 months

2- High flow rate

3- Filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, and more.

Cons:

1- Requires installation.

1- PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Water Filtration System.

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Our pros were impressed with AquaTru Connect’s three filter system that removes over 80 contaminants, one of the highest number of contaminants among the water filters we tested. According to our data review, all three filters remove what they claim. The pre/carbon filter removes particles like sediment and rust, as well as chlorine, which also improves taste. The reverse osmosis filter removes impurities down to 1/10,000 of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper and more. The carbon VOC filter is designed to enhance the taste of the water. It also filters out radon, a radioactive material that most filters do not remove and also removes over 90% of fluoride (which some may prefer be removed though others may not).

There’s no need to worry about when to change your filter as the associated smartphone app keeps track of it for you. All of this does come at a pricey $485, but the filters last longer than most others, making the yearly replacement cost comparable to filters that don’t remove as much.

Pros:

1- Removes more than 80 contaminants.

2- App keeps track of filter replacement.

3- Filters radon.

Cons:

1- Higher upfront cost.

2- Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System.

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Whole-house water filters remove contaminants before they enter your home, so you can be sure the water you use for cooking, laundry and showering is filtered and ready to go. Both Rothman and Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, recommend Aquasana as a brand for its reliability from previous testing and good customer service.

This whole-house filter reduces chlorine, lead and more, according to the brand. It lasts up to 600,000 gallons about six years so you won’t have to worry about changing the filter often. If hard water is an issue, there’s also an option to upgrade to a salt-free water conditioner or a model that lasts 10 years.

Pros:

1- Filters up to 600,000 gallons.

2- Option to upgrade to salt-free water conditioner.

3- Filters water for the entire house.

Cons:

1- Pricey.

3- Culligan FM-15A Advanced Faucet Mount Filter.

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Even though we didn’t test the filtering ability, our experts recommend this Culligan faucet filter saying, “It’s easy to install, inexpensive and tested to ANSI standard 42 and 53, so it is built to do a solid job filtering many contaminants.” DiClerico particularly likes the design, and we feel comfortable including this pick based on our experts and because Culligan is a well-established brand.

This filter allows you to switch easily from unfiltered to filtered water with a simple pull of a diverter valve, and no tools are required to install this faucet filter. It filters out chlorine, sediment, lead and more.

Pros:

1- Easy to install without tools.

2- Switches from unfiltered to filtered water.

3- Affordable.

Cons:

1- Makes faucet bulkier.

4- Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher.

Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This pitcher is great for filtering lead and chlorine from your water. Our Lab experts found it worked faster than others we tested. The filter setup was a little fussy, but we were impressed at how lightweight the pitcher is, even when full.

It boasts a 10-cup capacity but it has a fairly compact design, so it won’t take up too much room in your fridge or on your counter.

Pros:

1- Lightweight.

2- Filters quickly.

3- Filters lead and chlorine.

Cons:

1- Takes more time to setup than other pitchers.

How We Test Water Filters?

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team of engineers, chemists, product analysts and home improvement experts work together to determine the best water filters you can buy. We’ve tested more than 30 water filters over the years to come up with our list and continue to scan 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. We review how long each filter lasts as well as the yearly cost to replace filters when changing filters on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

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 and 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, plus the systems tend to be more expensive and less water efficient. 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.

Conclusion

It’s a wrap. That was our guide to the Top Best Water Filters for 2023. We are obviously slightly impartial but we hope that this helps you find the best water filter for you.

Save This Pin For Future Read