If you are looking for the best way to keep your family safe and healthy, you need to invest in a countertop water filter. These filters remove harmful contaminants from your water, making it safe to drink. Not all filters are created equal, though. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 5 countertop water filters on the market today. We will compare and contrast their features so that you can choose the right one for your needs!
Top 5 Countertop Water Filters
1. APEX EXPRT MR-2050 Quality Dual Countertop Filter
The APEX EXPRT MR-2050 Quality Dual Countertop Drinking Water Filter uses granulated activated carbon to remove common foul odors, tastes, and contaminants from your water. The filter also raises the water’s alkalinity by adding magnesium, potassium, and calcium to the purified water. The filter sits next to the kitchen faucet for easy access, and it install quickly onto most standard faucets. All of the APEX EXPRTs materials and components comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 42.”
2. Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter
The Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter employs a three-stage patented Nanotrap technology to deliver the same high-quality filtration offered by complex under-counter systems. This filter reduces harmful contaminants such as industrial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, turbidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microorganisms while also improving taste and smell.
This kitchen filter is designed to fit inconspicuously in your kitchen, and the filter can be installed below your countertop as well. The WQA (Water Quality Association) has independently lab-tested the filter for NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 372.
3. Home Master Jr F2 Elite Sinktop Water Filtration
The Home Master TMJRF2E Jr F2 Elite Sinktop Water Filtration System is designed to seamlessly integrate with any kitchen decor. Installation takes minutes and only requires connecting the unit to a compatible kitchen faucet. The high-efficiency filter uses a three-stage filtration system that includes five-micron compensation disks, activated coconut shell carbon, and activated alumina.
This filter successfully removes fluoride, chlorine, and other potentially harmful chemicals but doesn’t compromise the presence of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium which are all beneficial trace elements. It’s a worthwhile investment too- the filter can be used for up to 500 gallons or three months (whichever comes first). And if you’re worried about lugging it around on vacations with young kids in tow, don’t be; the unit is portable. An optional adapter pack for varied faucets is available for purchase as well.
4. iSpring CKC1 Countertop Drinking Water Filtration
The iSpring CKC1 Countertop Drinking Water Filtration System eliminates chlorine, sand, pesticides, herbicides, sediment, and rust from tap water – making it taste better too. The 6-stage filtration process uses a 5-micron Carbon Block Cartridge made of coconut shell carbon to remove impurities and improve the taste of drinking water. The filter is easy to install and compact for small spaces.
5. Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
The Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher uses seven stages of water filtration to reduce harsh chemicals, like chlorine and fluoride, as well as contaminants like lead and arsenic. The pitcher is made from BPA-free materials and has a natural wood handle for easy refilling without removing the lid.
The filter can cleanse up to 200 gallons before it needs replacing, which you can do so by purchasing a three-pack set of replacement filters. An intuitive indicator tracks the number of pours made and displays this information on an LED screen. The pitcher is designed to fit most refrigerator doors and has a spout lid cover to keep dust out. Finally, the NSF has certified this product.
Reasons to Own a Countertop Water Filter
Because the human body is mostly water, we need to drink enough of it every day to stay healthy and fight off infection. Unfortunately, tap water can sometimes contain harmful contaminants like bacteria, which can lead to health problems. A countertop water filter gives you fresh-tasting, chemical-free water without harming the environment with plastic waste.
A countertop water filter has many advantages, a few of which are:
- Decontamination: Filters improve water quality by removing chemicals, sediments, bacteria, and parasites.
- Waste reduction: Water filters are a great way to get pure drinking water without having to buy bottled water. By using water filters, you can help reduce the amount of plastic in the environment.
- Health benefits: Drinking clean water can help boost your immunity and reduce the chance of getting sick from contaminants.
Types of Countertop Water Filters
When deciding which is the best countertop water filter for your kitchen, take into account these key differences between water filter pitchers and faucet filters. Several gallons filtered per day, speed of filtration, micron pores size to catch contaminants, storage capacity for clean drinking water.
Water Filter Pitcher
Water filter pitchers make water filtration easy and relatively affordable. You can store them anywhere—on the counter or in the fridge—and they don’t need to be connected to the faucet. They also work nicely in offices and dormitories. The only drawback is that you may need to refill them frequently, depending on your household consumption. Some pitchers display filter life so you know when it’s time for a new one; typically, though, it’s recommended that you replace the filter monthly. To maintain your pitcher, wash it by hand every week with all its components
Faucet Filters
A countertop water filter system, or point-of-use water filtration system, attaches directly to the faucet—usually to the faucet’s aerator. By design, these filters save space while delivering on-demand filtered drinking water. Filtering materials like activated carbon eliminate contaminants from the stream. They typically take minutes to install and require some periodic maintenance along with replacing the filter
Few Aspects to Keep in Mind Before You Buy a Countertop Water Filter
Before you decide on a countertop water filter for your home, understand the contaminants in your water to know what exactly the filter will need to target. Many companies offer free water analysis so that you can find out which compounds or particles are present in your water. Think about a few other elements when buying a countertop water filter so that you can keep your family healthy and hydrated.
Size
Select a water filter size based on filtration capacity. To decide which size is appropriate for your home, take into account the number of people who will drink filtered water and have available countertop space about the unit’s footprint. Also, remember that the filter must be close to the sink.
Filtration Ratings
A filter’s capacity refers to the amount of water it can process and how long it will last. Some filters are better equipped to remove certain contaminants than others; some even get rid of beneficial minerals. The more common impurities found in water are chlorine, fluoride, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Do your research on what kind of filter you need by testing your water supply for contaminants before making a purchase.
Filter Maintenance Requirements
Every water filter’s lifespan is directly related to its model type; they all have different capabilities. Some filters only last for a short amount of time, like one or two months, while others can go much longer, even a year or more. It’s important to factor in the cost and frequency of replacing the filter when deciding which countertop water filter to buy so that you know how much it will cost to keep the filter working properly.
Ease of Use
Countertop water filters are simple and easy to use; you don’t have to worry about anything except filling up your glass or bottle. The filtration process starts as soon as the water touches the filter, meaning that you won’t have to wait for it like with a filter pitcher. Plus, there’s no need to constantly refill a container with countertop water filters- they’re much more convenient overall!
Water Taste
The taste of water can change noticeably after using a water filter. For example, unchlorinated water will have a different flavor from tap water. In addition, some filters remove minerals that are beneficial to people, which then might also affect the taste or feeling of the filtered water. Try to find filtration systems that maintain or add essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
Certifications
The National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) certify the different capabilities of filters to ensure that certain contaminants can be removed from the water. The two standards— Standard 42 for Aesthetic Effects and Standard 53 for Health Effects— are classified by the percentage or range of each contaminant a filter can remove.