In the modern world, it’s never been more important to eat and drink as cleanly and healthily as possible – additionally, it’s never been more important to try to save money.
Now, we all understand the benefits of buying bottled water, but it can rack up some serious costs, especially on the hottest days – and this simply can’t be sustainable over time.
What’s more, imagine the scenario – you’re at home, it’s late, and you’re extremely thirsty… but there’s no bottled water in the house!
You can’t go to the store at this time and simply pick up some clean water, and you don’t want to boil water right now.
What’s the solution then? You should have had a water filter!
Water filters are fantastic products that allow us to use our running water and purify it, so we’re never without clean, drinking water. Not only is this better for your bank balance, but it’s better for the planet!
In today’s guide, we look at our picks for the best countertop water filters. We’ll also give you a handy buyer’s guide and some frequently asked questions to help you in your search.
So, pour yourself a drink and get comfortable as we start our search!
Wait – What’s A Water Filter Exactly?
Before we storm off, it’s a good idea to clarify what we’re talking about when it comes to a water filter.
Effectively, a water filter is a product that allows you to extract the impurities from your running tap water and give you a sustainable option for hydration.
Removing impurities are essential to your health. Drinking impure or dirty water can contain pathogens and other unwanted bacteria which can make you seriously sick.
The unfortunate irony of this type of sickness is dehydration – so, avoid getting stuck in this deadly loop and get yourself a water filter!
OUR TOP PICK
Waterdrop WD-CTF-01 Countertop Filter System
EDITORS CHOICE
Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Filter System
BEST VALUE
Brio Self-Cleaning Countertop Dispenser
OUR TOP PICK
Waterdrop WD-CTF-01, 5-Stage Stainless Steel Countertop Filter
This multistage countertop water filter system is among the best that money can buy. Due to its smart staged design, the chances of getting sick from impurities is significantly reduced.
The most common impurities and harmful contaminants that are often found in tap water supply are weeded out with this countertop water filtration system and the result is the best clean drinking water you could ask for.
This particular filtration system adds the beneficial minerals and other essentials that your body needs, including things like magnesium and potassium.
This unique system can also take over a gallon of water each minute when it’s connected to a water supply, and it can hook up to most kitchen taps and standard faucet with little trouble.
In fact, it’s so easy that anybody can hook it up to your source of water and there’s no need for you to call a plumber in to help out!
Due to it being made primarily of stainless steel, the cleaning process of this filter is straight forward, meaning all you need to do is give it the once over with soap and a rag.
This filter really does give you some fantastic purified water at an affordable price and the most important aspect of all – it removes those water contaminants that it’s supposed to do whilst adding healthy minerals!
Pros
- Multistaged filter system allowing for few impurities
- Adds healthy minerals
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Some other filters have a longer life
EDITORS CHOICE
Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Drinking Water Filter System
If you’re looking for a smart-appearing and highly productive water filter system for your countertop, you’ll find very few that can match up to the Aquasana.
It can remove around 77 different harmful contaminants and reduces heavy metals such as mercury and lead. It even works well to reduce and remove any dangerous chemicals such as pesticides that might be in your water system.
Assuming you continue with frequent upkeep of your water filter system, you can keep your water flowing for cents on the gallon. That’s great value!
It has a three staged filtration system which looks to transform your unfiltered water into some of the most pure drinking water you can get without travelling to a natural water source!
Replacing the filters every so often is the equivalent of not using four thousand plastic water bottles, so not only are you getting great value and great water – but the planet is benefiting from less plastic!
Pros
- Top value
- Long-lasting life
- Removes harmful contaminants
- Smart-look
- Saves plastic
Cons
- It requires frequent filter changes (approximately once every 6 months)
BEST VALUE
Brio Self-Cleaning Countertop Bottleless Water Cooler Dispenser
When it comes to accessing clean water, you might not be worrying too much about the overall look of your water filtration system – but the appearance of this one might make you change your mind.
Its beautiful finish appears high-tech and futuristic and gives its users so many benefits whilst also being eye-candy.
You can save plenty of counter space due to its small and compact design. Saving countertop space is always going to be a bonus when it comes to buying a filter that fits on the kitchen counter!
Of course, it doesn’t just save you space, but it saves you time. Its “bottleless” design allows you to simply press a few buttons for the type of drink you’re hoping for with the cleanest possible water.
Its staged purification removes contaminants from water safely and these common contaminants even include things like dust!
Not only is the water quality high, regardless of the beverage you choose to have – hot or cold – but the filter also has some cool features that you might not have thought about when you’re in the market for a filter system!
Remember that scenario we gave you about needing a drink late at night? Well, this filter has an LED light that helps you see your drink system in the most difficult visual times.
How many types of water filters have you seen that has this feature?!
Right at your fingertips, this filter can produce refreshingly cold water and also piping hot water at a touch of a button – but perhaps its best feature is the self-cleaning system.
One of the more irritating aspects of buying a gadget or kitchen item is the need to consistently and frequently clean it, but the need for that is reduced massively here with its own self-cleaning system.
Of course, you’ll still need to pay attention to hygiene, but the frequency is lowered.
Pros
- Clean water
- LED lighting for night use
- Hot or cold water at a button push
- Self-cleaning
- Easy to access filters
- Dispense point is large
- Looks fantastic
- Saves space in your kitchen
Cons
- If a problem arises, beeping sounds can occur which can irritate customers
RUNNER UP
APEX Countertop Drinking Water Filter Alkaline Filtration System
If you’re looking for simplicity when you’re searching for a kitchen countertop source of safe water, then you needn’t look much further than this water filter system.
It does appear at first look to be an incredibly basic and simple kit, and to some extent that is true – but it holds within it a sophisticated technology that provides safe water for drinking and clean cooking water for boiling.
As with the other water filtration systems on our list, this water filter will remove the harmful contaminants that can make you sick if consumed, but this model has some unique properties.
It can connect to your kitchen faucet and sit tidily nearby for quick access, but due to its design – it will smartly help you reduce your costs and wastage of water – giving you the peace of mind that you are not only helping your household, but helping the environment too. Win-win!
When you purchase this, you will definitely use it on a daily basis, and you’ll enjoy every drop of clean, smooth water.
It does not require power to function, so don’t worry about additional energy costs – just easily install it on your kitchen counter to the faucet and away you go!
Pros
- No need for a power source
- Can fix onto most kitchen faucets
- Saves you money
- Saves plastic use
- 4 stage filtration method
Cons
- Some people have had difficulty removing the components
RUNNER UP
Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
This powerful water filter has its own independent systems that allow for purification rather than just “cleaning” the water that flows through it.
Upon basic inspection, you can already assume it has a large capacity – and you’d be right. It has just over a two gallon of water capacity which can simply and quickly purify water for a household of four people every day.
In fact, this system is so powerful that it can purify even the most contaminated of water, including water that has come directly from outdoor ponds, rivers and puddles.
The elements inclusive of this product are durable and long-lasting, which can continue operating for around 6,000 gallons of water before a replacement is necessary.
It’s a portable system which means you can take this all over the world – which is incredibly helpful for those who enjoy camping and other outdoor activities.
Therefore, you can have the peace of mind with this system that wherever you are, you’re drinking the cleanest and purist possible beverage.
It does not require power, and it does not require any plumbers or handy-workers to install it. It has simplicity and efficacy that is unmatched to many other products.
If you plan to keep this in your kitchen on the countertop – no problem! Although it is larger than some other picks on our list, it isn’t too big for the countertop.
Pros
- Portable
- Powerful
- Purifies water, not just cleans it
- Easily movable
- Long-lasting
- Saves you money
- Can be used in most environments
- Can purify most waters
Cons
- Other picks on the list might be better for space on the kitchen counter
Buyer’s Guide: What To Think About
With most products, you’ll want to be sure you’re getting the best that your money can buy – and this is perhaps more true when it comes to something involved in food and drink.
Drinking clean water is crucial, so choosing the right filter system is as crucial. But it’s not all about clean water, and we’ve listed some things you should be thinking about when it comes to buying a water filtration system for your countertop.
Size
Perhaps the most important thing to think about when it comes to something that will be on your kitchen countertop is the overall size of the product.
If you’re buying something that is too big, you might walk into your kitchen and see it as an eye-sore, which can really get you down – particularly if you’ve spent a lot of your hard-earned dollars on it.
The thing is though, some smaller products can’t hold the same water capacity and some might struggle to keep up with the features of larger products.
You’ll also want to think about the power supply with sizes. If your water filtration system requires a power supply, you’ll need to be able to have one nearby that can easily link up to your product, whilst also remaining safe and pleasing to look at.
Functionality
There are some pros and cons to powered filtration units. Typically, the ones that are powered have the ability to operate at a higher level, but if they’re not portable – they might not be able to “purify” water but rather make it safe.
In this regard, it will depend on what you’re looking for with your water. Safety is always going to be paramount, but do you want safe or pure water?
Additionally, you’ll have seen from our picks that some products allow for hot and cold waters to be dispensed.
Again, this will be something that your personal preference will come into play, but if you’re hoping for multiple uses to your water filter – you might be looking for this feature.
Life-Span
Water filtration systems will often require filter changes or new components, which overall should still save you money (and certainly help your carbon footprint) than purchasing plastic, bottled water.
But when it comes to you choosing your system, you’ll want to take a look at how frequently you’ll need to replace these items.
The likely scenario is, the more costly the product, the less frequent you will need to replace components – but this isn’t always the case.
It’s also important in this regard to check the cleaning processes. Some water filters can self-clean but they will still require hygienic upkeep.
The more frequently that you clean and maintain your filter, the longer your system should last.
Is It Certified?
You might notice on your search that some of these products have independent certifications or accreditations from third parties.
This can make a difference when you decide your filter system, especially if you see groups like the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) because you can be sure that the filter system will be safe and clean.
Be aware that some products may include misleading phrasing like “tested” and some customers automatically assume that these independent bodies have certified the product, but this isn’t always true.
So, if you’re looking for a guarantee of safety – keep groups like the ANSI in mind upon your search.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with many products, consumers will always have some common questions. We’ve taken some of the most asked and compiled a short Q and A format for you below.
Do The Stages Of Filtration Actually Matter?
It depends on the design of the product. Sometimes, the multistage filtration will be in use for a slow, but efficient cleanliness process.
However, some products will be able to filter the water in different ways.
It isn’t too much of a worry when you’re purchasing a water filtration system, but if you’re worried – check the manufacturer’s notes on their filtration and read what they’ve said about their stages.
Do I Have To Drink Filtered Water?
There are a few options when it comes to drinking safe water. You can either drink pure, bottled water, boil tap water (which doesn’t guarantee safety) or use a water filtration system.
As we just mentioned, boiling water does not guarantee safe water, but it does reduce the risk of contamination. The main problem is that you’ll have to wait for your drink and then even longer for it to be cool enough to consume.
Bottled water is the purest and therefore the safest, but it uses a lot of plastic and is much more costly. Although a water filtration system has initial cost and then upkeep costs, it will be much cheaper and much more sustainable over time.
