If tap water is your go-to for daily hydration, it might be time to integrate a water filter into your kitchen. Water filters are designed to purify your water by eliminating harmful impurities such as chlorine, lead and pesticides, with the level of removal varying by the filter’s sophistication. They can also improve the taste — and in some cases, the clarity — of the water.
1
Best Under-the-Sink Water Filter
Aquasana 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter
Credit: Aquasana
Pros
- Filters last up to 6 months
- High flow rate
- Filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and more
Cons
- Requires installation
Simply turn on the tap and get filtered water for up to six months. This under-the-sink filter system eliminates chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and more.
2
Best Water Filter Pitcher
Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher with Longlast+ Filter
Credit: Brita
Pros
- Top performer in our tests
- Filter lasts six months
- Doesn’t leave black specks
Cons
- Hand-wash only
As one of our top-tested water filters, Brita’s Longlast+ filter removed more than 30 contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and more. We appreciated its speedy filtering, coming in at 38 seconds per cup. Compared to its predecessor, it lasts six months rather than two, and it doesn’t leave black carbon specks in the water.
3
Best Shower Filter
Jolie The Filtered Showerhead
Credit: Jolie
Pros
- Sleek design
- Easy install
- Excellent chlorine filtration
Cons
- Steep cost of shower head and replacement filters
Unofficially dubbed the “shower head of the Internet,” Jolie has certainly become one of the most popular, particularly for its sleek design. Our extensive home testing confirmed that it does live up to the hype. Unlike other shower filters we’ve tested, the Jolie Filtered Showerhead is an all-in-one design that takes minimal effort to set up. Former GH Senior Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin said it took her about 15 minutes to set up.
We found that it offers excellent chlorine filtration. Its filter contains a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and calcium sulfate, which the brand claimed is better than typical carbon-based filters at capturing contaminants from hot, high-pressure shower water. After nearly a year of use, Saguin noticed “less scale buildup near the drain of the tub,” adding that the “water feels softer without any sacrifice in pressure.”
Keep in mind that the cost of the shower head itself is steep as is the price of the replacement filters.
4
Best Small Water Filter Pitcher
LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass Water Filter Pitcher
Credit: LifeStraw
Pros
- Filters more contaminants than typical glass pitchers
- Lightweight and easy to hold
Cons
- Slow to filter
Weighing in at a mere 6 pounds when filled, this small but mighty glass water filter pitcher was lightweight and easy to hold and pour during our tests. Also available in plastic, it improves the taste and clarity of water. Just note that you’ll need to refill it more often since it only holds 2.5 cups of tap water and we found that it filtered slowly.
What’s more, this water pitcher uses two types of filters: a membrane microfilter and an activated carbon and ion exchange filter. Our review of the brand’s third-party lab test data confirmed that it removed more than 30 contaminants, including chlorine, microplastics, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, E.coli bacteria and cysts.
5
Best Water Filter Bottle
Brita Water Bottle with Filter
Credit: Brita
Pros
- Kept water cool and crisp
- Built-in carrying loop
- Available in 2 sizes
Cons
- Some testers did not like the design of the straw
Brita is a brand that consistently performed well in our Lab tests. One tester said they loved this bottle for travel because they could fill it up anywhere and know that their water would taste fresh. The bottle is available in stainless steel or plastic — testers found the double-walled stainless steel kept water cool and crisp all day long.
It’s also available in a 26-ounce size, which fits most cup holders, or a 36-ounce size, which is handy if you’re on a longer trek or can’t refill as often. Its built-in carrying loop makes it easier to tote around too. Some users noted that the design of the straw made it harder to drink through.
6
Best Countertop Water Filter
Brita Hub Instant Powerful Countertop Water Filter System
Credit: Brita
Pros
- Automatic fill setting
- Don’t have to replace filter as often
Cons
- Little warning for filter change
Winning a GH Kitchen Gear Award, the Brita Hub impressed our panel with its countertop water machine that can dispense water manually or automatically. The brand stated that you can go six months before replacing the filter. However, GH Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou has only had to change the filter once every seven months.
“It has a large capacity, so you don’t need to fill it up as often. I love the automatic pours because I can walk away while it fills up,” Papantoniou says. The one negative flagged by our pros? Once the red light turns on to change the filter, it stops working. Just make sure you have extra filters in stock.
7
Best Water Filter Pitcher to Deactivate Bacteria
Larq PureVis Pitcher with Advanced Water Filter
Credit: Larq
Pros
- Filters microplastics, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals and more
- UV light deactivates or inhibits the growth of E.Coli and Salmonella
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Filter replacement may be pricier than others
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.
8
Most Stylish Water Filter Carafe
Soma Glass Carafe
Credit: Soma
Pros
- Sleek design
- Easy to hold
- Filters chlorine and 4 heavy metals
Cons
- Hand wash only
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, however it needs to be washed by hand.
9
Best Water Filter Faucet
Culligan Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filter
Credit: Culligan
Pros
- Easy to install without tools
- Switches from unfiltered to filtered water
- Affordable
Cons
- Makes faucet bulkier
“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,” says GH Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab Director Dan DiClerico. He especially liked the design and the fact that 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. One drawback is that it makes the faucet bulkier.
