Skip to main content

Ditch the bottles and quench your thirst with these home water filters

graphene filter
luchschen / 123RF
Why buy bottled water when you can get perfect H2O right from your kitchen tap? Well, maybe not perfect. Depending on your city’s filtration system, your home tap water may contain any number of contaminants. A good water filter ensures that you have clean, healthy, and delicious water whenever you feel parched. If you’re worried about what’s coming out of your faucet, you can get a water-quality report from your utility.

Not all filters do the same tasks. Some are just meant to get rid of contaminants that affect the taste of your water, while others tackle more serious concerns, like lead. NSF International can help determine if your filter actually removes lead. Here are some of the best home water filtration systems on the market today.

The never-forget-your-filter option: Brita’s Infinity Pitcher ($45)

brita infinity
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While the Brita Infinity Pitcher reduces contaminants such as copper, cadmium, and chlorine in your tap water, that’s not the reason why this filtration system is included on our list. The Brita Infinity earned its spot due to its automatic ordering system.

This water pitcher can be connected to Amazon’s Dash Replenishment system to automatically order replacement filters when you’re running low. The pitcher has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities and a tracking system that measures how much water it has filtered. The Brita Infinity will last for about 40 gallons until it needs a new filter. When it does, the pitcher notifies Amazon Dash Replenishment and a new filter (about $6) will be sent to your home.

Read more about Brita’s Infinity Pitcher

Amazon Kitchen Shorts: Brita Infinity

 The basic option: Pur LED Pitcher ($26)

pur led
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Water filtration pitchers may not give you the same purity levels as a reverse osmosis device, but they are perfectly suitable for most households. If you’re just looking for a simpler water filter pitcher to remove basic contaminants and provide healthy water for your family, you can’t go wrong with one of the many options from Pur. Our favorite is the Pur LED Pitcher. This filter in this water pitcher will last for about 40 gallons. This pitcher can’t automatically order a new filter like the Brita Infinity, but it does have an LED filter life indicator light which alerts you when it’s time to order a new one.

The fluoride-free option: Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher ($70)

aquagear-water-filter-pitcher
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Some people are looking for a water filter that will remove fluoride (though your teeth may not thank you), and the AquaGear pitcher does that, but it also has a lot of other features that come with a high price tag. The pitcher meets NSF standards 42 and 53, and the company says it removes chlorine to improve taste, as well lead. Each filter lasts for 150 gallons, so you won’t have to change it as often. AquaGear will also recycle the used filters if you return them and for each purchase provides someone in need with six months of clean drinking water through Thirst Relief International.

The faucet option: Pur Advanced Faucet Filter ($25)

pur faucet
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Faucet filters are a great option for on-demand pure water. These devices are relatively easy to install and typically provide better filtration than their pitcher-system cousins. The Pur Faucet Filter installs with one simple click and will last for about 100 gallons (about three months of use). Of course, you don’t have to keep track, as the indicator light will let you know when the filter’s nearly dead. As far as filtration goes, Pur boasts that its filter removes 70 contaminants, including 99% of lead and 92% of pesticides. That’s a step up from the pitcher system, but if you’re trying to get the purest water you can possibly get, you should probably install an under-counter filtration system.

PUR Faucet Filter Superior Filtration (30 seconds)

The serious option: iSpring Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System ($179)

ispring-reverse-osmosis-water-filter
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Under-counter filtration systems can be a hassle to install (you may even need to hire a plumber), but they can provide water that’s free of harmful contaminants in areas where that’s a concern. The NSF-certified iSpring 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System is an entry-level, under-counter filtration purifier that removes up to 99% of contaminants, including arsenic, chlorine, lead, and fluoride. The filtration system has several filters that need to be replaced, some every six months, others every few years. Like other reverse osmosis systems, this tank does waste some water as it’s purifying, so keep that in mind if you’re concerned about conserving H2O.

Editors' Recommendations

Dan Evon
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Pani’s smart home water monitor is the Fitbit of water usage
pani smart water monitor

Pani, a company focused on smart home water technology, announced the new Pani Smart Water Monitor on Wednesday, October 23. This water monitor is a smart device that attaches to a faucet, shower, or toilet. Then, it records water usage, checks for leaks, and sends real-time reports to an app. While many water monitoring devices monitor water running through your whole house, this one can target how much water is used in one particular area.

“Our mission is to help every home around the world have access to safe, clean water. To do this, we need to first generate awareness of how we use water,” Pani founder and CEO Allen Tsai said in a press release. “Our research shows that 53% of smart home gadget owners are looking for products to help them better understand their utilities, but only 3% of them own any gadgets in this category. Pani’s Smart Water Monitor offers consumers an easy, self-installation product with real-time monitoring for all fixtures -- it’s the Nest or Fitbit of water usage. ”

Read more
The Phyn Smart Water Assistant monitors your water usage and warns of problems
phyn smart water assistant helps conserve save money

Even as we strive to be more green in our day-to-day lives, some statistics continue to plague us. The EPA says that the average family wastes up to 9,400 gallons of water each year just from household leaks -- the equivalent of more than 300 loads of laundry. Phyn wants to provide a solution to this problem with the Phyn Smart Water Assistant, an in-home water monitoring system that promises to detect leaks anywhere in the home.

The Phyn Smart Water Assistant doesn't require a plumber for installation. It's designed to be a DIY project. The Phyn Smart Water Assistant attaches to the hot and cold water lines under your sink with minimal effort. Once attached, the Phyn detects usage patterns and identifies ways homeowners can reduce water waste and conserve more water throughout the week. According to Phyn, the smart water assistant will alert homeowners within seconds of a leak being detected.

Read more
Home Depot lines up crazy-good small kitchen appliance deals for Mother’s Day
home depot small kitchen appliance mothers day deals candy apple red aid 4 quart multicooker life

Home Depot has taken up to 43% off on small kitchen appliances including air fryers, multi-cookers, coffee makers, and immersion blenders for Mother's Day.

We've found the best discounts on Home Depot small kitchen appliances for the Mother's Day Sale. Shipping starts at $5.99, but orders of $45 or more qualify for free shipping. (In-store pickup may also be available.) Whether you're buying Mother's Day gifts or looking for new or upgraded small kitchen appliances for your kitchen, these five deals can help you save up to $86.
Modernhome Premium Digital Air Fryer  --- $25 off

Read more