7 Best Whole House Water Filter Systems

Table Of Content

• The Best Under-Sink Water Filters for Better Tap Water
• Find an efficient, long-lasting system that targets chemicals you’re worried about
• AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 Water Softener Iron Filter
• How We Chose the Best Well Water Filtration Systems
• Our Top Picks for Best Whole House Water Filter Systems
• Maintenance
• Easiest to Install

Money may earn a commission when you click on the products and services below. Opinions are our own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how they appear. 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. Some users noted that the design of the straw made it harder to drink through. These are our top-tested picks for the whole house, sink, countertop, shower and more.

The Best Under-Sink Water Filters for Better Tap Water

Crafted from durable stainless steel, this cutting-edge model eliminates over 52 types of contaminants, including chlorine, rust, dirt, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and much more. The life of each filter will vary greatly depending on the type and design. The replacement schedule will be measured in either the gallons of water processed and/or the length of time used. For example, a filter may last up to 100,000 gallons or 12 months, whichever comes first.

9 Best Water Filters of 2024, Tested & Reviewed by Experts - Good Housekeeping

9 Best Water Filters of 2024, Tested & Reviewed by Experts.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Find an efficient, long-lasting system that targets chemicals you’re worried about

The two-tank system is maintenance-free, and once installed, you have little to do other than enjoy fresh, clean water in your home (up to six bathrooms). There are smaller options for smaller homes and an opportunity for only having a water softener. If you already have POU water filters, this may be an economical option for you. If we’re being honest, faucet filters have let us down in the past due to their poor design quality and performance.

AFWFilters Iron Pro 2 Water Softener Iron Filter

The SpringWell WS1 is the best well filter on the market because it uses dual filtration to remove high levels of the most common well contaminants and also has an industry-best lifetime warranty. Most filters, to include water softeners, come with a sediment pre-filter to remove sand, dirt, dust, clay, etc. from your water, but the SS1 does not. But if you also want to filter your water, you may want to consider testing it first to find out what’s in it.

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. This under-the-sink filter system eliminates chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and more.

If you don’t have a highly contaminated source, a 0.35-micron filter might be overkill. Depending on the results of your water tests, you should buy a unit that will be effective on the contaminants already present in your water. If there is high heavy metal contamination, a normal unit with a copper-zinc mineral filter might suffice. However, if you have high bacterial contamination, you might need a unit with a UV filter. The water in your home will feel softer on your skin, and it will also be excellent for cooking and drinking.

This manufacturer offers a wide range of water filter products, such as faucet-mounted filters, filter pitchers, and large-capacity dispensers (the latter of which CR doesn’t currently test). Pur filters are available at national chains such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, Target, and Walmart, and at hardware and plumbing supply stores, drugstores, and online retailers. If you’re facing more serious water contamination issues, you may need the more powerful filtration of a reverse osmosis system. Using standard household water pressure, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane, then through filters. Reverse osmosis filters can remove a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved solids. But they can be extremely slow, rob cabinet space, and typically create 3 to 5 gallons of wastewater for every gallon filtered.

Many vendors and manufacturers offer a recycling program for used filter cartridges. If your region recycles the type of plastic the cartridges are made from, you can recycle them with your local recycling service. Let’s answer some of the more commonly asked questions about the filter systems and their components. If your system is making weird or new noises, it is time for a detailed inspection. Even if there are no changes to your water or audible signs that something is wrong, you should still maintain an annual inspection regimen.

Easiest to Install

The EcoPure includes a mounting bracket, a 6-month filter, the system itself, a vent tube and installation instructions. The package of the filter includes everything you’ll need to set it up and use right from the box, i.e. a black metal bracket, three big blue housings with caps, three filter cartridges, and a 4.5-inch housing wrench. A whole house acid neutralizer balances water's pH and prevents greenish stains from pipe corrosion on your appliances and metallic-tasting water. Acidity does not make water harmful to drink, but the materials leached into acid water through plumbing are a health hazard. Calcite, or calcium carbonate, buffers the pH to neutral without over-correcting the problem.

If there also are other contaminants, such as organic chemicals or lead, an added activated carbon filter would work. Filters also can use a series of stages to filter out contaminants for clean drinking water. For example, stage one will filter out sediment, while stage four will filter out organic chemicals. Different filtration systems filter out different contaminants for clean drinking water. Some filtration systems are designed to filter out heavy metals, while others are better for filtering out bacteria. This is why it’s so important to find out what contaminants you’re dealing with before investing in a well water filtration system for your home.

The U1 has already passed third-party IAPMO testing for the reduction of TDS, lead, fluoride, chromium 3 and chromium 6, PFOA, and PFOS. Using a home test water kit, you can determine the contaminants present in your water in about half an hour. With this information in mind, you will be able to find the right model in no time whatsoever.

Still, as stated earlier, you cannot view the micron rating in isolation, as with the increase in its number, the flow rate will decrease. Therefore, once you add up the water requirements of all these separate filters, you’d need to have a filter whose water flow rate must exceed 10GPM at the very least for a medium-sized home. Regardless of the reason, having a whole house water filtration system would make sure that your water supply contains no smell. You should look for a water filter that will both suit your needs and fit your budget. You are likely to find costly water filters with numerous features and budget-friendly filters that still get the job done. It is a no-brainer that the heavy duty systems are much more likely to last as compared to the replaceable cartridge models.