Best Water Filtration Systems Of

Best Water Filtration System: A Comprehensive Guide

Whether you’re looking for a water filtration system for your home, office or outdoor adventures, chances are good you’ve been hit with a tidal wave of choices, features and brands to wade through. 

That’s where we can help. We’ve done the deep-dive for you, filtering through the various systems and noting all of their features, benefits, pricing and more—so you can easily find the best water filtration system for your needs.

Best Water Filtration System for Home

The first place to start is to check what’s in your water, by finding your city’s water quality report. These reports, also called Consumer Confidence Reports, are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and show the level of various contaminants in your water and how they compare to the EPA’s standards for safe drinking water. You can also search by zip code on the Environmental Working Group’s Tap Water Database to see a list of contaminants in your city’s water. Those using well water, or anyone who wants to dive deeper into contaminants not listed in the water quality report, can opt to have their water tested by an EPA-certified lab.

Once you know what’s in your tap water, you can start narrowing down your choices to filters that are certified to remove specific contaminants. 

Next, we’ll review some of the most popular types of home water filtration systems, and what they’re used for:

• Whole-House Water Filtration Systems: These are complex systems that filter water as it enters your home, so every tap, including kitchen, bathroom and laundry, dispense clean, filtered water.
• Under-Sink Water Filtration Systems: This system is installed under your sink, usually in the kitchen, and filters water before it comes out of a dedicated, separate tap.
• Water Filtration Pitchers: The most popular type of home water filtration; simply fill a pitcher and store it in the fridge for use.
• Countertop Water Filtration Systems: As the name implies, these sit on the countertop and dispense filtered water via a nozzle on the unit.

Best Whole House Water Filtration System

A whole-house water filtration system is installed onto the main water supply pipe of your home, delivering filtered water at every tap, including kitchen, bathroom and laundry. While these systems come at a higher cost than under-sink or countertop units, they yield a larger benefit over time.

There are several factors to consider for whole-home water filtration systems, including:

• Filter Capacity: A higher-capacity filter comes at a higher cost, but is necessary for larger homes or families where efficiency and water pressure can be affected if the capacity isn’t considered. The good news is that the high-capacity filters usually need to be changed less often, which helps balance out the cost.
• Contaminants: Once you’ve checked your local water report, you’ll know which contaminants you’re dealing with. Typically, the more stages a filter has, the more contaminants it filters out. If your city’s water contains contaminants like chlorine, chloramines or sediment, then a one- to two-stage whole-house filter may be sufficient. However, if the report shows lead, bacteria or the harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS present, you may need to consider a specialized whole-house system for water filtration.
• Filter Type: Which contaminants are present will also help steer you toward the filter type that’s right for you. Filters start with basic sediment filters, which are lower in cost and filter out larger sediment particles but don’t filter chemicals or bacteria. Activated carbon filters are extremely popular, and whole-home systems often use granulated activated carbon filters to remove chemicals like chlorine and improve taste and smell while operating efficiently with high water pressure. Reverse osmosis filters are generally considered to be the most effective, and are also the most expensive type. 
• Certifications: Look for certifications from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Water Quality Association (WQA) or International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), which confirms which contaminants a filter is certified to remove. 
• Water Flow Rate: Flow rate is the rate at which water passes through the system, and is measured by gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate is affected by the size of your home’s plumbing pipes, physical size of your home and your family’s use rate, including appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. Ideally, your water filtration system should match the flow rate of your home’s usage. Generally speaking, a three-bedroom, 3,000 square-foot home is served well with a flow rate of five gallons per minute.
• Softening Capability: Water filtration systems that contain water softeners remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from your water supply. Hard water isn’t necessarily harmful to health, but a water softener can result in cleaner dishes, softer clothes and a better overall taste and smell.
• Filter Replacement Frequency: The more stages your filtration system has, the more filters that need to be maintained. Some filters may be on different replacement schedules. This is not a negative aspect to multi-stage filtration systems, just something to consider while shopping around, bearing in mind what filter replacement schedule is realistic for your household. The best option would be to find the balance between cost and maintenance that works for you.
• Cost: Often a deciding factor, budget is a major consideration when choosing a whole-home filtration system. Systems can range anywhere from $500 to $5,000. Cost is affected by the number of stages, lifetime of the system and whether it has specialty add-ons. Aside from the cost of the system itself and installation fees, you’ll want to consider the cost of replacement filters and how often you’ll need to buy them.

The Aquasana Rhino is our top pick for whole-house filtration system. Shoppers can choose from a handful of add-on options to customize their system, such as a water conditioner and UV filter, and the Rhino filters up to 14 gallons per minute, removing contaminants with a sediment pre-filter, activated carbon filter, copper-zinc (KDF) media filter and a post-filter. A 10-year warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee provide peace of mind for your investment.

Best Under Sink Water Filtration System

Under-sink filtration systems are installed under your kitchen sink and dispense clean, filtered water via a separate, dedicated tap. This type of water filter does take some plumbing knowledge for installation, but once installed they have a good flow rate and are effective at filtering out contaminants. 

Things to consider: Some models require drilling a hole in the countertop for the new dedicated faucet. If you rent or don’t want to make a permanent hole in your countertop, look for a direct connect model that connects into your cold water line and filters the water coming out of your existing faucet. 

The price range for under-sink filtration systems ranges from $50 to $500. Additional costs include installation and replacement filters, which vary in frequency depending on type and brand.

Our top pick in this category is the NSF-certified A.O. Smith 2-Stage Drinking Water Filter. With two stages of filtration and a dedicated faucet, this system filters out 99 percent of 77 different contaminants, including lead, mercury, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, chlorine and the “forever chemicals” PFOA and PFOS. It’s designed for use on a cold water line only, and the filters will need to be replaced every 500 gallons—approximately every six months.

Best Water Filtration Pitcher

The easiest and most affordable way to get started with home water filtration is with a water filtration pitcher. These systems are just as they sound: A water pitcher with a built-in filter system. You pour tap water into the filtering chamber and the pitcher takes care of the rest. They’re able to be stored on the countertop or in the refrigerator, and come in a variety of different sizes to suit your household’s needs.

Our favorite in this category is the ZeroWater pitcher, with a five-stage filter capable of removing chlorine, lead, chromium, “forever chemicals” also known as PFAS, and total dissolved solids (TDS). TDS covers salts, metals and other minerals that affect the taste of water. The ZeroWater pitcher is available in different sizes ranging from 10 cups up to five gallons, and comes with a handheld TDS electronic meter that allows you to test your filtered water and identify when it’s time to change the filter.

Best Countertop Water Filtration System

Countertop water filtration systems are great for anyone who doesn’t have the option to make the plumbing modifications that an under-sink system requires. They’re budget-friendly and easy to set up and maintain. Compared to water filtration pitchers, countertop systems have larger capacities, or are hooked directly into a water source for unlimited water flow, so they can be helpful for larger households.

There are several different types of countertop filtrations systems. Gravity-fed systems are filled manually and filter water into a large vessel, reminiscent of an iced tea pitcher with a spout at the bottom, and sit on the countertop to dispense freshly-filtered water. These systems are typically larger than other countertop systems, which is great for larger households, but they are tall and do require vertical space on your countertop.

Top picks to consider in this category are:

• Glacier Fresh Gravity-Fed Water Filtration System: NSF-certified, three-gallon capacity tank with an activated carbon filter that can reduce heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, rust, sludge, sediment and more, and a fluorine filter that effectively reduces fluorine and arsenic and can absorb residual heavy metal ions.
• Membrane Solutions Gravity Water Filter Tank: Three-stage, high efficiency gravity-fed water filtration system with a 2.25-gallon capacity and carbon block filter that removes bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorine, sediment, microplastics and more.
• Alexapure Pro Ultimate Flow Water Filtration Kit: Featuring a 2.25-gallon capacity tank and hybrid ceramic shell encasing a gravity block filter, this system removes fluoride, chlorine, viruses, bacteria, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals and more. It also comes with a collapsible, five-gallon water reservoir tank to store a reserve supply of fresh water.
• Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System: NSF- and IAPMO-certified system with a 2.25-gallon tank and carbon block filter with Nanomesh technology that removes pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Smaller countertop options that can slide under kitchen cabinets have a reservoir and use a power supply to filter water through the filtration system. These models are reminiscent of a pod-style coffee maker. They are quick and efficient, but if your household drinks a lot of water, be prepared to fill the reservoir often. We like the SimPure Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter, with a 1.3-gallon reservoir and highly-effective, four-stage filtering.

Point-of-use countertop systems hook into your existing faucet with a water line that directs water to the filter that sits next to your sink on the countertop. Filtered water is dispensed via a dedicated faucet that’s attached to the filter. They’re simple to install and provide unlimited filtered drinking water. This is a strong choice for large families or those who want to use filtered water for things outside of drinking, like cooking and making coffee. Our favorite in this category is the Apex Expert Quality Dual Countertop Water Filter, with a one-gallon-per-minute flow rate and excellent filtration capabilities.

Best Well Water Filtration System

Homes relying on well water need systems designed to address specific contaminants found in well water, such as iron, arsenic and bacteria. Whole-house systems are best for homes on well water, as they filter water at the source, providing clean water to every tap in the home for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, showering and doing laundry.

Our top pick for well water filtration is the Aquasana Rhino Well Water with UV, with a pre-filter, copper-zinc KDF filter, post-filter and UV filter designed to sterilize 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses and 99 percent of cysts, commonly found in well water. This unit delivers a 14.7-GPM flow rate, which is sufficient for most households.

Best Survival Water Filtration System

Survival water filtration systems are best suited for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness. The Patriot Pure Outdoor Water Filtration system features a rugged, durable design, insulated five-gallon cooler and carbon block filter with Nanomesh technology that targets more than 200 contaminants to deliver clean, safe drinking water, making it perfect for any outdoor adventure or survival situation.

Best Water Filtration System for Backpacking

Backpacking water filtration systems need to be lightweight and portable, in addition to being able to filter water from streams, lakes and other sources into safe, clean drinking water. 

The LifeStraw Peak Squeeze is a versatile, lightweight system that allows you to drink water directly from the source through the filter, or by filling the bottle and squeezing it into your mouth. Designed with a 0.2-micron hollow-core membrane microfilter that’s effective at protecting from bacteria, protozoa and microplastics, ensuring safe drinking water on the go.

Best Water Softener and Filtration System

Hard water is water that has a high mineral content, like calcium and magnesium. It can cause limescale over time, which in water pipes leads to reduced water pressure and flow. Hard water can also reduce the efficiency and lifespan of household appliances.

The Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter with Salt-Free Softener combines filtration and salt-free water softening, effectively removing contaminants and preventing scale buildup, providing both soft and clean water throughout your home.