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Top water purifiers for the whole house, sink, countertop and more. Juice Bottling Equipment
If you've been relying on good ol' tap water for your daily hydration, you may want to consider adding a water filter to your collection of kitchen tools and gadgets. Water filters help remove harmful contaminants like chlorine, lead, pesticides and more, depending on the water filter's capability. They can also improve the taste — and in some cases, the clarity — of the water.
To make our list of the best water filter you can buy, we scour the market to assess the top sellers. The water filters we review include whole-house water filters, under-the-sink water filters, water filter pitchers, water filter bottles and even water filters for your shower.
Here in the Good Housekeeping Institute Labs, we are advocates for consumer safety and sustainable innovation in consumer products, which is why water quality and water filters have been important to us for decades. Since not all water filters are created equal in terms of what they can filter out, the experts in our Kitchen Appliances; Beauty, Health, and Sustainability; and Home Improvement and Outdoor Labs regularly team up to evaluate popular water filters to examine which contaminants are filtered and to what degree.
We thoroughly examine certifications and hundreds of test results from third-party data on contaminant removal. We also take into account how easy the filter is to set up, how quickly it filters, how heavy the product is when filled (if applicable), how easy it is to clean and more.
You can read more about how we evaluate water filters in our Labs — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best water filter — at the end of this guide. Looking to up your water intake on the go? Check out our guide to the best water bottles.
This under-the-sink system requires a little effort upfront to install, but once it's set up, you’ll get filtered water for up to six months just by turning on the tap. It filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and more. Not to mention, it’s the one Beauty, Health, and Sustainability Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. uses in her own home!
“I use filtered water for absolutely everything from cooking to coffee-making, so tabletop water filters can’t keep up with my use,” she says. “With this one, there’s no need to refill any carafes or tanks.”
Brita's pitcher with the Longlast+ filter was one of our top-tested water filters, removing over 30 contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and more. We loved how speedy it was at filtering water, coming in at 38 seconds per cup. The Longlast+ filter is an upgrade from the original, lasting for six months instead of two, and it doesn’t leave black carbon specks in the water like the original filters.
Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman uses this water pitcher in her five-person household. She loves the taste of the water and that she’s not constantly changing the filter.
Even though we didn't test the filtering ability, our experts recommend this Culligan faucet filter saying, “It’s easy to install, inexpensive and tested to ANSI standard 42 and 53, so it is built to do a solid job filtering many contaminants.” DiClerico particularly likes the design, and we feel comfortable including this pick based on our experts and because Culligan is a well-established brand.
This filter allows you to switch easily from unfiltered to filtered water with a simple pull of a diverter valve, and no tools are required to install this faucet filter. It filters out chlorine, sediment, lead and more.
Our pros were impressed with AquaTru Connect's three filter system that removes over 80 contaminants, one of the highest number of contaminants among the water filters we tested. According to our data review, all three filters remove what they claim. The pre/carbon filter removes particles like sediment and rust, as well as chlorine, which also improves taste. The reverse osmosis filter removes impurities down to 1/10,000 of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper and more. The carbon VOC filter is designed to enhance the taste of the water. It also filters out radon, a radioactive material that most filters do not remove and also removes over 90% of fluoride (which some may prefer be removed though others may not).
There’s no need to worry about when to change your filter as the associated smartphone app keeps track of it for you. All of this does come at a pricey $500, but the filters last longer than most others, making the yearly replacement cost comparable to filters that don’t remove as much.
Whole-house water filters remove contaminants before they enter your home, so you can be sure the water you use for cooking, laundry and showering is filtered and ready to go. Both Rothman and Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, recommend Aquasana as a brand for its reliability from previous testing and good customer service.
This whole-house filter reduces chlorine, lead and more, according to the brand. It lasts up to 600,000 gallons — about six years — so you won’t have to worry about changing the filter often. If hard water is an issue, there’s also an option to upgrade to a salt-free water conditioner or a model that lasts 10 years.
The Larq PurVis Pitcher filters over 45 contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, PFOA and PFOS, pharmaceuticals and more. This pick also takes it a step further by using UV light to deactivate E. coli and Salmonella, which can build up in water filter pitchers when chlorine is filtered out.
In testing, we loved that the Larq app was easy to use and that it keeps track of when you need to change the filter, so there’s no guessing. It pours smoothly without splashing, and it’s dishwasher safe, except for the small rechargeable wand, which we found easy to wash by hand. Take note: The filters can be pricier than others.
You can proudly display this water filter pitcher on your table when company is over, thanks to its sleek, modern appearance. Not only does it stand out with its unique design, but our pros love that the hourglass shape makes it easy to hold. It filters out chlorine and four heavy metals including cadmium, copper, mercury and zinc with its cleverly disguised cone filter at the top of the carafe. Our pros found this was easy to set up, fill and pour.
This Sonaki shower filter softens water for better sudsing to get the most out of your shampoo. It removes contaminants with its five-stage model such as chlorine, sediment, heavy metals and more. DiClerico recommends this in-line filter since it’s fairly easy to install and will work with most showerheads, but be sure to check it's compatible with your showerhead.
“Note as well that, with its nearly 10-inch-wide housing, the Sonaki is less discreet than other shower filters, if your priority is maintaining a clean look in the bathroom,” says DiClerico.
Though we have not tested this water bottle that has a filter, Brita is a brand that consistently does well in our Lab tests, so we feel confident recommending it. According to Brita, the bottle is BPA-free and has a leakproof lid so you can throw it in your backpack without worrying about it spilling.
It’s available in a 26-ounce size, which fits in most cup holders, or a 36-ounce size, which is handy if you're on a longer trek or can’t refill as often. It has a built-in carrying loop to make it easier to tote around and is available in four fun colors. Some users noted that the design of the straw made it harder to drink through.
This pitcher is great for filtering lead and chlorine from your water. Our Lab experts found it worked faster than others we tested. The filter setup was a little fussy, but we were impressed at how lightweight the pitcher is, even when full.
It boasts a 10-cup capacity but it has a fairly compact design, so it won't take up too much room in your fridge or on your counter.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team of engineers, chemists, product analysts and home improvement experts work together to determine the best water filters you can buy. We've tested more than 30 water filters over the years to come up with our list and continue to scan the market for new options.
To test water filters, we take into account their capacity, how easy they are to set up and, if applicable, how easy they are to pour from. We also read each instruction manual for clarity and look at whether pitcher models are dishwasher safe. We test performance factors like how quickly it filters a cup of water and measure how much water the tap water reservoir can hold.
We also verify contaminant removal claims via third-party data. We review how long each filter lasts as well as the yearly cost to replace filters when changing filters on the manufacturer's recommended schedule.
✔️ Type and capacity: For pitchers, water bottles and other dispensers that hold water after it’s filtered, you’ll want to keep in mind size and weight. Larger containers are ideal for refilling less often, but they will often be heavier and may take up more space in the fridge or your backpack. A countertop model saves space in the refrigerator and often holds more water, but it does require room on the counter.
With under-the-sink water filters, faucet filters, in-line shower filters and whole-house filters, there’s no need to worry about size or capacity as these instantaneously filter water as it flows through.
✔️Method: Most water filters use either a carbon filter or a reverse osmosis water filter, which can also include a carbon filter. The primary difference is that most reverse osmosis water filters use multiple filter types to remove more contaminants than carbon filters alone. However, some reverse osmosis systems also remove minerals that some may prefer to leave in, plus the systems tend to be more expensive and less water efficient. With both reverse osmosis and carbon filters, the contaminants they remove can vary widely, so it's best to check what the model actually filters so it suits your needs. The surest way to determine this is by checking which NSF standard the filters are certified for. For example, some standards cover only lead, like NSF 372, while others also include agricultural and industrial toxins, like NSF 401.
✔️ Filter replacement frequency: Check how often you have to replace the filter. If you dread changing the filter or simply forget, you may want to look for a long-lasting filter. Also, if you buy filters for the shower, water pitcher and sink, you’ll have to remember to change those separately, so it might be smart to consider a whole-house filter that requires only one filter replacement for the entire home.
No matter which water filter you opt for, it’s no good if you don’t change the filter as recommended. Birnur Aral, Ph.D., says, “The performance of the water filter depends on the quality of the water source and whether or not the filters are replaced regularly.” Some models come with indicators, but if a model doesn’t include one, a slower flow rate or different-colored water are signs that you need to change the filter.
✔️ Price: Consider both the upfront price of the water filter device and the filter refill costs. A water filter could cost more initially, but the price and frequency of the filter refills may save money over the long term. But that’s not always the case, so be sure to calculate the yearly cost of replacements based on the recommended schedule for changing.
Access to safe drinking water is an issue across the globe, and it affects communities in the United States. If you’re not sure about your water quality, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just updated its Tap Water Database in 2021. It’s free and easy to search, and it has information for all states. Enter your zip code or search your state to find details on your drinking water quality based on EWG standards (which are stricter than those of the government). If your tap water does exceed EWG health guidelines, it may be a good idea to consider buying a water filter.
Opting for bottled water is a short-term solution to potentially unsafe drinking water, but it creates a larger problem with serious long-term implications around pollution. Americans throw away a whopping 30 million tons of plastic a year, only 8% of which is recycled. The majority ends up in landfills because there are many different regulations about what can be recycled. Your best bet is to get a water filter and a cute reusable water bottle — some even have filters built-in!
This article was written and tested by Jamie (Kim) Ueda, who is an analyst (and consistent user!) of water filtration products. She’s a freelance writer specializing in product testing and reviews. For this list, she tested several water filters and worked with experts across several Good Housekeeping Institute Labs: Kitchen Appliances and Innovation; Beauty, Health, and Sustainability; Home Improvement and Outdoors; and Media and Tech.
Nicole Papantoniou contributed insight on the ease of use of pitchers and bottles. Birnur Aral, Ph.D. helped evaluate the contamination-removal claims behind each of our picks. Dan DiClerico and Rachel Rothman provided expertise on installed filters.
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
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