Water is one of the fundamental building blocks of life, and many of us probably aren’t drinking enough of it.
The US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine put the recommended daily intake of water at 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women.
However, if we are expected to drink up to 10 cups of anything a day, then it doesn’t hurt to make sure it is free from contamination.
No matter where we live, the water from our taps is very seldom completely clean.
As well as things like, dirt, pesticides, and trace amounts of metal, the water we drink has often been treated with chemicals like Chlorine to combat these aforementioned substances.
This is why many people in the US and the rest of the world use water filters to remove debris and other toxic contaminants.
Filters allow us to feel safe in the knowledge that the water we are drinking is clean, safe and healthy.
Often filters are made for attaching to pitchers, but these require constant refills and once they are empty you will be stuck with regular tap water again.
Faucet filters on the other hand are easy to install on and allow you to get crystal clear water whenever you want straight from the tap.
So without further ado, let’s look at some of the best faucet water filters currently on the market.
Best Faucet Water Filter
OUR TOP PICK
Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter
EDITORS CHOICE
Home Master HM-Mini-1CCB Mini Sinktop Filter
BEST VALUE
Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter
OUR TOP PICK
Brita Basic Faucet Water Filter
The Brita Basic faucet water filter system is designed to be attached to your kitchen sink without any tools.
This inlet can be adjusted, which allows this unit to easily fit onto any type or shape of faucet.
It will redirect your water through the replaceable carbon cartridge, which removes any contaminants before providing you with clear and clean water from the outlet valve.
Brita claims that this filter can remove up to 99% of lead, chlorine, asbestos and other particulates from your drinking water.
This will not only make it more healthy, but it also helps to greatly improve the taste.
The outlet on the basic version has 2 settings to provide filtered water, and unfiltered water, for cleaning dishes.
Each cartridge will last for up to 100 gallons of water, or 4 months before it needs to be replaced.
There is even a helpful indicator on the main unit itself for telling you when the carbon filter needs replacing.
With a Brita Basic attached to your faucet, you can have beautifully clean water whenever you want, straight from the tap in your home.
Pros
- An indicator light tells you when the filter needs to be replaced.
- Removes 99% of contaminants.
- Two spray settings for regular flow and filtered water.
Cons
- Filter may leak if not fitted correctly.
Also available at: Brita
EDITORS CHOICE
Home Master HM-Mini-1CCB Mini Sinktop Filter
This mini sink top filter by Home Master is perfect for those who don’t have space for a full size filter.
It consists of a small nozzle that attaches directly to your kitchen sink and a main filter cartridge that can be placed behind your facet.
Thanks to the long tubes that connect the two components, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the space for this compact filtration system.
The 1-micron carbon block filter that this model uses will last roughly one year before it needs replacing.
This filter can remove up to 99% of chlorine and other contaminants from your water supply.
The nozzle will only fit on faucets with a removable aerator tip, and won’t be suitable for any tap that has an enlarged or strangely shaped spout.
Provided you do have a standard faucet in your kitchen, this unit is very easy to install, so you won’t have to wait long to start enjoying cleaner water.
Another great thing is how portable the HM-Mini is, meaning you can take it with you to other houses or even work and enjoy the benefits of filtered water wherever you go.
The plastic components of this system are completely BPA free and the product comes with a 1-year warranty, so you can get a replacement if anything goes wrong.
Pros
- High quality carbon block filter.
- Easy to install.
- Fits on most standard faucets.
- BPA free.
Cons
- Not the most durable.
- Not suitable for faucets with weirdly shaped spouts.
Also available at: Lowes
BEST VALUE
Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter
If you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to keep your water safe and fresh, then the Culligan FM-25 is just what you need.
This faucet mount filter fits over your existing faucet, and comes with attachments for fitting any kind of spout, except for the drop-down variety.
Each carbon block cartridge lasts roughly 2 months or 200 gallons of water before needing to be replaced.
The Culligan FM-25 has a flow rate of 0.5gpm, and can withstand pressures between 30 and 100psi.
It does a great job at removing chlorine, atrazine, lead and any other particulates from your water supply.
This ensures that every cup you drink is perfectly clean, hygienic and far more healthy that it was before.
Thanks to the included adapters, this unit is very easy to install and won’t require any tools to do so.
You know you can trust this filter to keep your water clean, since it is certified by the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
Each unit is also independently tested to ensure it delivers the level of filtration advertised on the box.
Pros
- Easy to install.
- Effective filter that removes most contaminants from your drinking water.
- Independently tested and IAPMO certified
Cons
- It is very difficult to replace the filter on this model.
Also available at: Walmart
RUNNER UP
Engdenton Faucet Water Filter
This faucet mounted filter uses an activated carbon filter to guarantee that you will never have to worry about getting dirty water again.
It’s made out of high quality materials with a food grade stainless steel housing that ensures it is very durable and completely BPA free.
The inlet can be attached to any standard faucet, but won’t be suitable for those with unconventional spout shapes.
The Engdenton filter features a flow rate of 0.5 gpm, which equates to roughly 8 cups of water per minute. This means you will still have sufficient water pressure for cleaning dishes and other tasks.
It is important to note that this unit will filter out bacteria, chlorine, and other particulates that can give your water a bad taste or odor.
However, it won’t have much effect on the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of your water, so if this is an issue for you then you may want to choose a different product.
Each filter cartridge will last you up to 3 months or for 320 gallons of water depending on how frequently you use it.
Since Engdenton have faith in their products, it comes with a 1-year limited warranty against defects or poor workmanship.
Pros
- Made with a durable stainless steel body.
- Decent flow rate of 0.5gpm.
- Activated carbon filter removes foul odors, tastes and chlorine from your water.
Cons
- Doesn’t affect the TDS of your water.
Also available at: Walmart
RUNNER UP
pH Regenerate Faucet Water Filter
As well as removing particulates and other chemicals from your water, this unit also raises its PH to make your water more alkaline.
Alkaline water is purported to have lots of health benefits such as lowering bone loss, and preventing some diseases.
While these claims have yet to be completely proven true, this unit is still a great choice for getting cleaner water from your faucet.
This filter is basically a mini faucet with a tube for connecting it to the spout of your kitchen sink. It has a compact footprint, and you should have no problem finding space for it on your countertop.
Thanks to the large PH007 filter cartridge, this model can last for up to a whole year before you need to replace the cartridge.
The lifetime of your filter may vary if you live in an area with hard, heavily contaminated water.
You can attach the tube to most standard faucets with one of the 5 common connectors included in the box.
There is also a universal connector which can be used to attach this unit to other, less conventional spout shapes.
Thanks to its sleek, modern design, this unit will look perfectly at home in your kitchen.
Pros
- Raises the PH of your water.
- Easy to install.
- Each filter cartridge can last for up to a year.
Cons
- This system isn’t as good at removing chlorine.
Also available at: InvigoratedWater
RUNNER UP
PUR Plus Filtration System, Chrome
The PUR Plus Filtration System is a self-contained unit that uses mineral core technology.
How this works is that the filter chamber contains a bed of natural minerals which your water runs over before reaching the outlet.
This makes your water not only cleaner, but far more healthy, not to mention it will taste much better.
With a body made from food grade stainless steel, this unit is both durable and completely BPA free.
You can easily remove the filter cartridge when it’s time to change it, and each cartridge is guaranteed to provide 100 gallons of clean water.
There is also a helpful light on the main body for telling you when the filter needs to be changed out for a new one.
Each filter cartridge from this company is certified to remove up to 70 different contaminants that can be found in tap water.
As such, with one of these on your kitchen sink you will be able to remove any lead, chlorine, and other particulates for water that tastes like it has come straight from a bottle.
If you want to massively improve the quality of your tap water, then you really can’t do better than the PUR Plus filtration system.
Pros
- Highly effective filter that removes over 70 different contaminants.
- An indicator light tells you when to replace the cartridge.
- Mineral core technology improves the taste of your water.
Cons
- Only fits on standard faucets with removable aerator tips.
Also available at: Pur and Target
Best Faucet Water Filter Buying Guide
If you are concerned about the quality of water in your home, then a faucet filter system is a great choice for improving it.
However, not all of these models work in the same way, and some will be more effective than others depending on a variety of factors.
As such, we have included this buyer’s guide to show you the most crucial elements any faucet water filter needs.
How Long Does Each Filter Cartridge Last?
The life expectancy of each filter cartridge varies greatly depending on where you live. Some areas have extremely hard water, while others have soft, fresher tap water.
In addition, there are many types of filters available, and they all use different methods to purify your water.
For example, some filters use activated carbon to remove impurities, while others use ion exchange resins to do so.
It’s important to note that no matter what type of filter you buy, you will always need to replace the cartridge eventually.
As such, you will want to buy a product that makes this process straightforward and simple.
After all, a great filter system won’t be worth much if the filter cartridge is nearly impossible to remove and replace.
Some units will even have helpful lights for indicating when you need to replace the filter.
If you suspect that your water contains a lot of pollutants, then you should buy a more heavy-duty filter that will last longer between replacements.
What Type Of Faucet Do You Have?
Not all faucets are built the same, and they can vary greatly in size and shape from household to household.
Most filters will only be able to fit onto modern taps with removable aerator tips.
Some kits will come with adapters for fitting onto different types of spout, which is great for households without standard faucets.
If you have a tap with a very unconventional spout shape, then you may struggle to find a filter system that will fit.
If this is the case, you may need to settle for a countertop or pitcher filter instead.
Durability
You will want any faucet filter that you buy to be completely watertight and durable enough to withstand daily use.
If your unit leaks, then it won’t be very good at cleaning your water, and it will likely only succeed in creating a mess around your sink.
As such, you should look out for a product built from high quality materials that won’t leak after a few weeks of continuous use.
What Do You Want To Filter Out?
Some filter systems will be better at removing specific contaminants than others.
Most units are capable of lowering the amount of bacteria, and chlorine in your tap water, but they can vary in their effectiveness when it comes to total dissolved solids (TDS).
For those with soft water that is already pretty fresh, this won’t be an issue.
However, those with extremely hard, or contaminated water may want to invest in a more heavy-duty filter to guarantee they are removing dissolved solids as well as larger particulates and bacteria.
Options For Changing The Spray
A useful feature to look out for when it comes to faucet filters is the ability to switch back to regular tap water.
After all, you don’t want to be wasting your cartridge on anything other than drinking water and food preparation.
The option to adjust the spray means you can switch back from filtered to unfiltered water for doing dishes or other chores where the water quality won’t matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Faucet Water Filters Work?
Faucet water filters attach to the spout of your faucet and redirect the water from it into a specially designed cartridge.
This cartridge contains a substance like activated carbon for removing any impurities from your water supply.
The clean water is then let out through an opening at the bottom of the cartridge, so you can drink it.
How Can I Tell If My Filter Needs Replacing?
Some models will have LED lights for indicating when you need to replace the filter cartridge.
However, if your faucet filter doesn’t have this option, there are other ways to tell when it’s time for a replacement.
Slower flow rate, peculiar tastes in your water, or bad odors are all dead giveaways that your system isn’t working the way it should.
If you notice any of these tell-tale signs, then you should buy a new filter cartridge as soon as possible.
What Are The Benefits To Alkaline Water?
Some faucet water filters are capable of raising the PH of your water to make it more alkaline.
According to some sources, alkaline water has a number of different benefits, including preventing some diseases and cancers, as well as preventing bone loss.
Other claims include alkaline water slowing down the aging process and helping to improve your focus.
It is worth noting that the veracity of these benefits is greatly disputed and a contentious topic among scientists.
As such, you should buy a filter for its ability to remove impurities from your water, and take it raising the PH of your water as a nice extra rather than a main selling point.
