Water quality matters most when it comes to what you drink. Whether your primary concern is simply a clean taste and smell, or you’re worried about the health of you and your family, a faucet filter is the easiest way to ensure that what you drink is of the highest quality. A faucet filter also ensures that all of your water, drinking, cooking, and cleaning, is all contaminant free and safe to use.
The Top Ten
Choose from among the top ten faucet filters available. These have been rated as the easiest to install, best value, and resulting in the highest quality water.
The Different Types Of Faucet Water Filter
Faucet water filters can be placed at several points between where the water supply comes under the sink, and when the water fills your glass. The simplest to install is the style of filter that fits right over the top of the faucet. These are most often installed by simply unscrewing the aerator and replacing it with the filter. These frequently have a small filter, which means that it has to be replaced frequently. However, many of these faucet-mounted filters are use selected, meaning that they can be turned off and on, lengthening the life of the filter. Some of these filters also will indicate when the filter cartridge has to be changed. These filters will not fit on all faucets, and can also lower the water pressure.
Other faucet filters are actually countertop filters. These are installed in a similar way to faucet-mounted filters, by removing the aerator and replacing it with the filter. However, countertop filters supply a reservoir that can take up space on your counter. These filters also do not fit on all faucets, but they have the advantage of not affecting water pressure.
Under-sink filters, as the name implies, fit under the sink. They are similar to countertop units, but instead of fitting over the faucet they are plumbed into the water supply and feed the faucet. Under-sink filters can also include several different types of filtering, doing a better job of a purifying the water. These filters are also larger which mean they last longer. These are also more likely to work with a wider variety of faucets.
Filters come in a variety of types, and not all of them do an equally good job removing every type of contaminants. Faucet units usually use either carbon absorption or micro porous filters. Carbon absorption filters are best at removing unpleasant odors and flavors, and do remove some harmful contaminants. Micro porous filters remove a wider array of contaminants, but can be more expensive to replace. Other types of filtering systems include reverse osmosis, and distillation. These are less common in faucet and under-sink filters.
Advantages Of A Good Faucet Water Filter
- Better taste
- Better for you
- Peace of mind
Water quality is on of those basics of modern life that people take for granted. Like well maintained roads and access to electricity, we all assume that the first world has figured this one out, and that we can more or less trust that the water coming out of our faucet is safe to drink. Even in cases where it might be perhaps taste a little funny, it’s usually assumed to be harmless.
The fact that the flavor of water differs from place to place should be a clue that the quality varies as well. Contaminants of all sorts can be found in drinking water, from relatively harmless bacteria, to more dangerous substances like heavy metals and herbicides. Other contaminants that have been linked to health problems are not regulated when it comes to their presence in the water supply.
A good water filter can address many of these issues, ensuring that the water you use for drinking and cooking is clean, clear, and safe. Every municipality in the United States is required to provide a Consumer Confidence Report that details what contaminants have been detected in the water supply, and at what concentration. Other countries have similar requirements. Examining this report will allow you to match the particular type of filter to your requirements. By using the right filter for you needs, you can have clean, healthy water to meet all your needs, whenever you need it.
Faucet Water Filter Cost
Faucet mounted filters are generally one of the least expensive varieties of water filter. A basic model of this type of filter costs around $20 to $25. Some filters have some extra functionality, and a few features that make maintaining your water quality easier. All filtering systems provide some sort of notice when it is time to replace the filter cartridge. Slightly more expensive models, in the $30 to $40 range, have a digital read out or an otherwise more elaborate indicator.
Under-sink filters have a much wider price range. A basic model with a single filter has a price similar to the faucet-mounted filters, generally falling between $20 and $30. Under-sink systems that include multiple filters, or have more complex filtering systems, or use higher quality systems, can be much more expensive. Generally, with an increase in complexity and features, there is an increase in price. Some under-s systems can cost as much as $450. There are multi-filter systems that cost as little as $150. It is also possible to place several simpler filters in line with each other, achieving a similar effect at a much lower cost.
Reviews
Filtrete Under-Sink Standard Water Filtration System
This filter fits in between the water supply and the faucet under the sink. All the fittings are plastic, and meant to be easy to install and replace. It can be installed by users with no plumbing experience and no special tools. Everything necessary is included in the box. However, this does mean that they can leak if not installed properly, or simply because the seals fail. It works well to remove sediment from the water, as well as any taste and smell.
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Culligan US-EZ-1 EZ-Change Undersink Drinking Water Filtration System
A basic under-sink filter that is simple to install and replace. The filter comes with everything necessary to install it. The filter cartridge can be replaced simply by twisting the old one off and twisting the new one on, without turning off the water. The filter does not fit a 3/8” faucet, and will require an additional adapter to hook up to a plumbing fixture of that diameter. Some users have reported repeated leaks and other problems that come with the plastic connectors and hoses. However, this Culligan filter does a great job filtering water and removing bad tastes and smells.
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Culligan FM-15A Advanced Faucet Filter Kit
This is a faucet-mounted filter, meaning it attaches directly to your faucet. It will effectively filter 200 gallons of water. The filter also has a simple switch, which will divert the water so it does not flow through the filter, allowing you to choose when to use it and lengthen the life of the filter. This kit does not fit all faucets, and you should determine whether it is compatible with your faucet. Some users have also reported that water pressure drops off when the filter is in use. This filter removes sediment, chlorine, and a variety of other contaminants.
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DuPont WFFM350XCH Faucet Mount Water Filtration Filter
This filter attaches directly to the spout of your faucet. It is not compatible with all faucets, so it’s important to make sure it will fit on what you have. This filter is unique in that it has a digital display that indicates how many gallons of water has already gone through the filter, as well as letting you know when it is time to change the filter. It has a capacity of 200 gallons, and allows you to choose when to use the filter so you can as much use out of the filter as you can. Several users have reported the digital meter is not always accurate, and that the filter will sometimes break, mixing filtered and unfiltered water streams.
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Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter
This filter uses micro porous filtering, which means that in addition to cleaning out bad tastes and smells, it will also remove many other types of contaminants, including lead and cysts. There is a switch, which allows users to choose when to filter water and when to just use unfiltered water, which extends the life of the filter. However, while the filter can clean up to 200 gallons of water, there is no indicator to let users know when it is time to replace the filter cartridge. The filter is chrome coated plastic, and can be somewhat fragile. Moving the filter can loosen the connection and cause leaks.
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A faucet water filter offers clean, fresh tasting water without wasting money on bottled water. Using one can help keep your family healthy and hydrated.
