The Only Water Filters Worth Buying (and Why), According to Experts

This Amazon bestselling water filter will rid your water of over 1,000 impurities, including lead and arsenic. Because it’s so powerful, it can also remove some benign (and potentially beneficial) minerals, like fluoride, so that’s something to keep in mind. The filter also comes with parts that ensure a leak-free installation, including O-rings and fittings with stainless-steel teeth. “We installed this APEC many years ago; we change the filter every six months, and the filter still does its job,” one reviewer wrote. “Water hardness continues to be low when measured … Best part is the filter replacements are not super expensive as some others on the market.”

This budget-friendlymulti-stage filter comes with a sediment filter, pre-carbon filter, and carbon block filter, and even a sleek chrome faucet! It also boasts a built-in LED indicator that lets you know when it’s time for a filter change, but typically, the 600-gallon capacity filter is designed to last one year. “We moved into a newly refurbished place,” one satisfied Amazon customer wrote. “I purchased this water filtration system (and spare cartridges) to go in the kitchen. Clean water is especially important in making good coffee, so I use this to fill my drip coffee reservoir and my espresso machine reservoir, as well as for daily drinking water. No problems with the install or with use. The status light on the handle is a good addition. No longer have to guess when the filters need to be changed.”

What’s so cool about this particular under-sink water filter is that it uses a reverse osmosis system to eliminate pollutants, then re-mineralizes your water through a second filter and balances its alkalinity. The final result? Purified water that’s clean enough to be bottled and sold. “I’ve had this product for two years now, and it is still working perfectly,” one shopper wrote. “Initial setup takes a little while, but replacing the filters on the maintenance intervals is pretty easy. iSpring customer service is also fantastic.”

Culligan is a leading brand name in water filtration, and it’s not hard to see why. Amazon reviewers contend that this easy-install, twist-on filter system produces great-tasting water and takes up minimal space in their under-sink cabinets. Plus, the filter has been independently tested and proven to remove lead, mercury, chlorine taste and odor, and other undesirable chemicals. “For years, we were using a Brita pitcher in the fridge, and honestly, it got annoying having to constantly replace the water,” one shopper wrote. “I was looking for something that was easier to use once we went through our last filter, and I came across the Culligan US-EZ-1. It was very inexpensive and promised a year of clean water with just one filter… We have had no problems with it thus far. I especially love that I can wash dishes with hot water running, and my wife can fill up her water bottle at the same time with cool, filtered water.”

According to Apartment Therapy Media CEO Maxwell Ryan — who swears by the Multipure Aquaperform — this is a serious carbon filter. “A solid block carbon filter held in a stainless steel housing that sits under your sink and comes with its own chrome faucet, we’ve been using the Multipure for about five years. The water tastes great and the ease of use couldn’t be better (it’s just not refrigerator cold).” Ryan says. “The filter (which we change about every six months — or when the water begins to run slowly) is activated carbon inside of a large cylinder and is said to the the only filter in NSF testing that reduces all of the following contaminants: lead, mercury, cyst, asbestos, VOC, MTBE, PCB, chloramine, and arsenic V.”

This sleek RO filter system removes hundreds of contaminants with thorough 10-stage RO filtration, blocking particles bigger than 0.0001 microns in water, has long-lasting UV light, and prevents scale formation.

Senior shopping editor Britt Franklin is a huge fan of the 18-cup LifeStraw Home Dispenser that lives in her fridge: “To keep water clean and fresh, there are two filters that work their magic to remove bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. They also reduce chemicals, mercury, lead, dirt, chlorine, pesticides, and more — without diminishing the good elements, like magnesium and potassium. Believe it or not, the filters also reduce cloudiness in your water, so you can actually see how clean it is! The activated carbon ion filter lasts up to 40 gallons and should be replaced every two months, and the powerful membrane microfilter lasts a whopping 264 gallons, which means it only needs to be replaced once a year. Best of all, both filters are under $25 apiece, and can be purchased as a subscription or a bundle so you don’t have to worry about not having a new filter at home when it’s time to swap them out.”

Leave it to Drew Barrymore to create the Beautiful by Pur 30-Cup Dispenser — it says it all in the name. There’s no sleeker way to stay hydrated! “Slim and compact, this chic water filter is quite literally the loveliest dispenser I’ve ever come across. It’s taken up a notch with the signature spigot (which can be locked down for a consistent flow), gold accents, and a matte lid that helps add to its style,” our commerce SEO editor writes. “The thing that sets it apart is the semi-translucent finish that perfectly hides the water filtration system while still keeping the water level visible so you know when you’re running low.”

Yes, a water pitcher can actually be beautiful! “Part stainless steel, part glass carafe, the Aarke water purifier is reminiscent of a French press, but it’s the interior that hides the real magic,” contributor Alyssa Longobucco says. “The core of the vessel is a stainless steel hopper and filter cartridge that can be filled with the included filter granules developed by Aarke in collaboration with Austrian BWT, one of the leading water technology companies in the world.” Each bag of filter granules can purify 120 liters of water, which comes out to about four weeks. At that point, you just rinse out the old granules and refill them with a new batch that comes in a recycled bag. No plastic waste!

Another stunning water pitcher, Soma has brilliantly designed a sustainable solution for those who want a little more from their drinking water. The filter, which should be traded out every two months, is made from 60% plant-based and renewable materials — primarily activated coconut shell carbon and charcoal — that filter out chlorine, mercury, zinc, cadmium, copper, and other smells and tastes. “I use my Soma to fill everything, including my electric kettle, humidifier, French press, and of course the 32-oz. mason jar I use as a water glass,” contributor Stella Totino writes.

Our staff reviewer says the ZeroWater pitcher is way better than her old Brita. “Several attributes make this pitcher stand out from the rest. ZeroWater has a five-stage Ion Exchange Filter, which claims to remove virtually all dissolved solids (or TDS) from your tap water. Unlike other pitchers’ status buttons that are built-in, you stick the meter in your cup, and if it reads higher than 006, it’s time to swap it out. The body of the pitcher is made from BPA-free plastic, too, and has a 12-cup capacity. Last but not least, a major bonus is the spigot toward the bottom, which you can push instead of having to lift and pour.”

This water pitcher can help reduce more than 365 contaminants from unfiltered water. You’ll need to change the filter regularly for maximum efficiency, but that’s super easy with a handy replacement filter subscription! Now through March 31, you can use the code KITCHN15 and receive an additional 15% off subscriptions for a total savings of over 20% off (23.5% to be exact).