Best Water Filter For Faucet: Should You Be Concerned About What You Drink?
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A faucet water filter is a tiny, low-cost filter that screws onto your tap and filters the water as it flows out. Faucet filters work by taking source water (i.e., tap water), passing it through a filter cartridge (usually made of activated carbon or ceramic), and then delivering the filtered water to you.
Faucet filters can remove chlorine, lead, sediment, bad tastes, and odors from your tap water. With a faucet filter, you no longer have to worry about drinking from the tap or using your sink for things like washing fruits and vegetables because of potential contamination from pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. In addition, some filters remove fluoride–a controversial public health measure that is added to most municipal water supplies.
In this article, we will provide some insight on what to look for when shopping for the best water filter for faucet for your needs.
Best Water Filter For Faucet
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter System, White, 1 Count | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Culligan FM-25 Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filtration System | 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Waterdrop WD-FC-01 NSF Certified 320-Gallon Longer Filter Life Water Faucet Filter | 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | PUR PFM400H Faucet Water Filtration System, Horizontal, Chrome | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | WINGSOL Faucet Water Filter 304 Stainless-Steel Long-Lasting Filter | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | O-CONN Faucet Water FilterFood Grade ABS Medical Material | 8.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Amazon Basics AMZN-FM-25 Advanced Water Filtration | 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | IVO Faucet Filter – Faucet-Mounted Water Filtration System | 7.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | PUR FM-2000B Classic Vertical Water Filtration Faucet Mount, Black | 7.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | iSpring DF2-CHR Faucet Water Filter | 7.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
Last update on 28th September 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Recommended Water Filters for the Faucet:
Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter System, White, 1 Count
- This complete Brita faucet water filter attaches to your standard faucet making tap water cleaner and great-tasting; filtration system is easy to install; no tools required
- Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can save money and replace 1800 single-use water bottles per year
- The space efficient design attaches directly to your faucet to give you a choice of 3 convenient spray options for everyday needs – filtered water, unfiltered water and unfiltered spray; Available in white and includes an electronic filter indicator for easy replacement reminders; Height 4.86″; Width 4.69″; Depth 2.26″; Weight .84 pounds
- Reduce 99% of lead, chlorine (taste and odor), asbestos, particulates, Benzene, and more; a helpful status indicator lets you know when to replace the filter with an easy 1-click filter replacement
- Replace your faucet mount water filter every 100 gallons or approximately every 4 months to keep water tasting great; this tap water filter fits standard faucets only, does not fit pull-out or spray style faucets; vs tap; 16.9 oz water bottle
Last update on 28th September 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Brita is also a well-known manufacturer, and this water filter system can help you reduce lead and contaminants in your tap water with minimal investment. It can be easily attached to your faucet and thanks to its chrome design it will easily blend with your sink. It is very straightforward to install and can filter out 60 contaminants like 99% lead, chlorine, benzene, and asbestos contaminants that are usually found in tap water.
It will provide up to 100 gallons of filtered water before it needs a replacement or around 3-4 months of typical use. Overall a great investment for filtered, great-tasting water without breaking the bank, so I would highly recommend this Brita filter system if you like its design.
Culligan FM-25 Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filtration System, 200 Gallon, Chrome
- Provide your family with visibly clean, great-tasting water for drinking, cooking and more
- FEATURES: Reduces atrazine, chlorine, lindane, lead, particulates class I, turbidity and bad taste/odor; Carbon block filtration method; Flow rate of 0.5 gpm at 60 psi; 30-100 psi pressure range; 40-100°F temp range;
- Easy installation with no tools
- COMPATIBILITY: Includes adapters for all standard sink nozzles (does NOT fit drop-down faucets)
- FILTER LIFE: Up to 2 months or 200 gallons, depending on usage and water conditions
- CERTIFICATION: Tested and certified by IAPMO against ANSI Standard 42 and 53
Last update on 28th September 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model from Culligan is another popular choice that can easily fit standard sink nozzles with the included adapters. It has a chrome finish that can easily blend with your sink faucet and features an advanced filtration system that can reduce atrazine, chlorine, lead, and other contaminants from tap water.
It will provide up to 200 gallons of filtered water before it needs replacement or around 2-4 months of typical use. The filter features a handy diverter tab that allows you to quickly switch from filtered water to tap water when needed.
Overall a great solution that will help you get healthier and cleaner drinking water without a huge investment. The FM-25 is the chrome version while Culligan also has a white version of the filter system named FM-15, which you should also check out if you prefer a white model to match your faucet.
Waterdrop WD-FC-01 NSF Certified 320-Gallon Longer Filter Life Water Faucet Filter
- NSF certifications: Tested and certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine, taste and odor, and to NSF/ANSI 372 for lead-free material. Provides you with safer and healthier water. ⭐Please Note: This system DOES NOT lower TDS value. If you want to decrease the TDS value, please choose Waterdrop RO system.⭐
- Longer filter life: Each faucet filter provides 320 gallons of cleaner water, or 3 months of typical use – that’s 2x longer than most faucet filters. 3-pack replacement filters are available for purchase! (Search “WD-FF-01A”)
- Lead reduction: The innovative ACF material features great and fast filtration. You will fill up 4 water bottles (16.9 oz for each) in 1 minute. Upgraded filtration technology to reduce lead chlorine, offering safer and refreshing water for you and your family.
- Convenient usage: The design of a simple switch between quality filtered water and regular tap water helps prolong the service life of the filter. The filtered water faucet adopts leak-proof technology and can be attached to your faucet very easily with the various adapters included.
- Important note: Works with standard faucets. Does not fit pull-out, hand-held, spray style faucets or faucets with sensor. Please verify if our product suits your faucet before purchase per the detailed instructions in product pictures. Operating Temperature: 41-122℉/ 5-50℃; Operating Working Pressure: 15-100 psi / 100-689 kPa.
Last update on 28th September 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This model from Waterdrop is a popular choice since it can provide up to 320 gallons of clean water or 6 months of typical use. If you like the fact that you will filter less frequently, this is a great option for you. It is quite easy to install and has quite a has an effective filtration system that allows up to 65oz per minute, allowing you to fill up to 4 water bottles in one minute.
Moreover, it features a simple switch lever that allows you to quickly switch to regular tap water when needed. If you are interested in a long-lasting filter, this is your best bet and can also be found online at a relatively low price which makes it also a value-for-money option you should consider.
Types of Water Filters
Countertop: Countertop models attach directly to your countertop or sink and filter your tap water. These require a connection to the plumbing under the sink and some will include an adapter for connection to a standard faucet.
Under-Sink: Under the sink models attach directly under your sink and filter your tap water. These require that you either have or buy an adapter for connection to a standard faucet. You will typically get better filtration with an under-sink model, but they are more expensive.
Faucet-Mounted: Faucet-mounted models screw onto your existing faucet and filter your tap water. These require that you either have or buy an adapter for connection to a standard faucet. You usually get the least filtration with these filters, but they are also the cheapest.
Pitchers: Pitchers are a smaller version of a countertop unit and usually cost less than $100. They come with 1-2 gallon pitchers and need to be refilled every few days.
Whole House: Whole house units are designed to remove contaminants from the water before it enters your home. These are usually installed at the point where the city water line enters your home. They cannot be used by themselves and will require a pre-treatment tank to work properly.
What Are the Different Filters Used?
There are 2 types of filters used in faucet water filters: activated carbon & ceramic.
Activated carbon filters are made from porous materials that have been treated with oxygen to open billions of pores inside the filter. These are great for removing chlorine, bad tastes, odors and organic chemicals.
Ceramic filters are not as good at removing harmful particles like chlorine, but they can remove lead much better than activated carbon–a primary concern for most homes built prior to 1986. Ceramic filters can also remove sediment from water, making it taste better.
Typically, both types of faucet filters will do a great job removing chlorine and sediment. Activated carbon is better than ceramic at removing lead and other organic compounds, while ceramic does a better job at removing some heavy metals like mercury and cadmium.
How do Tap Faucet Water Filters work?
it is vital to make sure you understand something before we explain how faucet filters work. The faucet-mounted filter is great to filter water, but it doesn’t purify it. Even though many misunderstood the use of faucet filters, it is vital to understand that those two terms are not synonymous.
These models can provide you with filtered water, while pure water is produced by reverse osmosis systems. In the case of reverse osmosis systems, they will remover up to 99% of contaminants found in water, in fact, a unit needs to be able to remove at least 95% of them in order to be called purifying system.
Water filters are able to improve the quality of the water but that doesn’t make the water healthy for you to drink necessarily. If the water in your tap is highly contaminated it can still be dangerous for your health after you drink it. This is a case where a purifier is best suitable.
Water filters rely on a cartridge whose components can filter contaminants found in water. Every brand uses its own cartridge filter which can differ as far as the interior components., yet they all work the same way.
This first stage of filtration is where large and small particles like dust and debris are stopped with the help of non-woven screens around the cartridge.
Once the water is free of rust and sediment the activated carbon block is the second stage of filtration that follows. This is the stage where contaminants are trapped as they are absorbed into the porous of the activated carbon. Such filters are good at removing chlorine but they can not filter out heavy metals.
Ann addition filter is needed at a later stage in order to filter lead, mercury but also but odor, and taste. It is vital to have a filter that has a slower flow rate as the time the water is in contact with the last filter will ensure that these are filtered.
Do I Need to Replace My Filter?
It depends on the model and manufacturer. For most models, you need to replace the filter cartridges every 1-2 months or 150 gallons of water, whichever comes first. Indicator lights will signal you when it’s time to change the cartridge for some filters.
Faucet filter prices range from $30 to $100, depending on the type of filter and manufacturer. Typically, faucet-mounted models are cheaper than under-sink models.
What Are the Benefits of a Faucet Water Filter?
- A filter will let you have healthier water and prevent contaminants from entering your drinking water.
- Drink water that is clean from the chlorine that may be used in municipal filtering facilities.
- Drink water that has no bad odor or taste
- Block heavy metals that can leak into the water through contaminated soil or distribution pipes.
- Filtering your own tap water is cheaper than buying bottled water.
- You can take along a faucet-mounted filter on trips and easily hook it up in your hotel room, RV or camper for safe drinking water.
- You can reduce the environmental impact of producing, transporting and disposing of plastic water bottles every day.
- They don’t require professional installation. Most faucet water filters are installed in less than 10 minutes.
- You can choose can switch between filtered and unfiltered water depending on your needs.
- Faucet water filter are a great space-saving solution compared to under-sink water filters.
What Are the Disadvantages?
- The quality of the filtered water depends on your source water quality to start with. If your source water is heavily contaminated, then the filter may not be able to remove it.
- The filter cartridges need to be changed regularly for optimum performance. Depending on how often you use your faucet filter and what type of contaminants are in your tap water, the cartridge(s) may need changing as frequently as every month.
What to Consider When Looking for the Best Water Filter for Faucet?
Water Contaminants
Take your time when researching for a filter. You want to look for filters that are effective in removing contaminants found in your area while also have enough capacity to handle your household for at least 1 month otherwise you’ll spend way more on replacement cartridges.
If you aren’t sure what contaminants are in your water, then get a simple test kit or contact your water provider for more information. You can then buy the appropriate filter to remove these contaminants.
Filter Capacity
These models need their cartridges replaced every now and then. Most filters will have a capacity of around 200 gallons of clean water before they need a replacement. For a daily used faucet in a house that can typically be around 2 months of use.
Make sure you know how often the filter needs to be replaced. Most filters need to be replaced every 30-90 days, but this depends on your source water quality.
Water Flow Rate
If the filter has a slow water flow rate, this will result in a longer filtering time and could be inconvenient to some people. It is vital that you consider how long it takes for your filtered water to reach the tap after you turn the faucet on. The water flow rate typically ranges from 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute, which is more than enough for most households.
Installation and maintenance costs
The filter should come with complete installation instructions to help ease the process. These filters don’t require professional assistance for installation or maintenance, so you can install it yourself.
If your source water is very dirty, you may have to change cartridges more often than other models. The replacement cartridge will cost anywhere from $10 to $100 depending on the type and model of the filter.
Some faucet filters have a filter change sensor that will tell you when it is time to replace the cartridge. This is an extremely convenient feature that can help you not to forget when it is time for a change.
Certification
Any reputable manufacturer should have their product certified by an independent third party. There are various certification programs within the filter industry, but NSF International and WQA Gold Seal are two well-recognized organizations that test water filters for contaminant reduction as well as chlorine taste and odor reduction.
Durability
Manufacturers will provide a limited warranty with their filters, but it is important to consider how long the filter can last without needing too many replacements.
Longevity is also important because you want the best water faucet filter for your hard-earned money. It would be a bummer if you have to replace this product after only 6 months.
Style and Finish
Look for a design that fits the style of your kitchen or bathroom. There are various finishes and colors available to suit a wide range of styles, so you should easily find one that fits your home décor.
Ease of Use
Is it easy to switch between filtered and unfiltered water? Do you need to remove the filter or situate it in a special way when not using it? Some models are easier to use than others.
Budget and Warranty
How much are you willing to spend? You can find high-quality models that are affordable for just about any budget. Stay within your price range so you won’t go overboard on a filter that is too expensive.
It is vital to pick a model from a reputable manufacturer that comes with a long-lasting warranty. Make sure that you can easily obtain replacement filters in your area or at least buy them in bulk so as to have spare. It is wise to pick a mounted filter that matches the rest of the sink, a good-looking filter will compliment your kitchen and won’t stand out as something added afterward.
Keep in mind that there are also other types of filters if you find that faucet-mounted ones are not suitable for you. For example, a pitcher-style filtration system is a great one even though it may not be as effective. Likewise, there are systems that can be installed under the sink, so if you are handy with tools they are also a great option to research for.
FAQ
Is It Necessary to Filter Tap Water?
Is It True That Faucet Filters Are Superior to Pitchers?
Is It True That Filters Need to Be Replaced Regularly?
Are There Different Types of Faucet-Mounted Filters?
Do Faucet-Mounted Water Filters Work With Any Type of Faucet?
Is It True That Water Filters Eliminate Germs?
Is Fluoride Removed by Water Filters?
What Determines the Duration of a Water Filter?
What Are Some Reputable Brands to Consider?
1. Brita is one of the best-known manufacturers because they offer good value for money. The products are easy to install and cost-effective for removing heavy metals, chlorine, pesticides, and other contaminants found in tap water.
2. Pur is another company that is known for producing quality filters that are capable of removing pesticides, mercury, and other contaminants. They offer a variety of faucet-mounted systems that can be used in different kitchens.
3. APEC is also a very reputable brand due to its high-quality products. They have been around for a while and have earned a good reputation among consumers. Their filters are capable of removing more contaminants than most other brands on the market.