
For those wishing to drink healthier water, countertop water filters are a great choice because they have a much lower impact on the environment than buying bottled water.
However, did you know that different water filters remove different things?
It is even possible to buy water filters that remove healthy minerals that you would rather keep. One criteria for deciding which one to buy will be the content of your tap water.
The Environmental Protection Agency might have some information for you about this.
Another option is to buy a home water test. If you find your water has pesticides, that means you want to pick a water filter that targets those instead of one that targets harmful metals.
Think about how many gallons per day you are going to use. This could depend on the number of people in your household. If you anticipate using a lot of water, this might influence you toward choosing a faucet mount instead of a countertop filter.
Also consider the amount of space you have available. Countertop filters come in different sizes, so you want to make sure you can comfortably fit the one you choose.
Answering these questions puts you in a position to start considering products.
Below we've reviewed the top 10 best countertop water filters on the market in 2020.
Big Berkey Countertop Water Filter
With a 8.5” footprint, this model has the advantage of being as easy to find space for as a toaster. The Big Berkey is a High Grade 304 Stainless Steel construction means it’s durable and won’t rust.
It's purification system targets fluoride, which is actually put into water by the government for dental health, but studies like this one have caused some to want to remove it.
It points out a possible link between fluoride and the lowering of children’s IQ. The filters removes an impressive 100% of potentially disease causing pathogens which officially upgrades it from being a filter to being a purifier.
Pros
Cons
AquaTru Countertop Water Filter
AquaTru has filtration that has been certified by the international third-party National Sanitation Foundation. It also has met the standards of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
It has a 99.1% removal rate for lead, 97.2% for copper, 93.5% for fluoride, and has been made to handle many other pollutants as well.
The unit has been designed to be hassle-free when it comes to installation. It is supposed to be able to be set up in under three minutes.
The filters are also set up to be changed efficiently. It can process a gallon of tap water in fifteen minutes.
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Ecosoft Countertop Water Filter
This filter is easy on the wallet: the price is comparable to buying a filter container. It's size makes it a convenient fit for smaller kitchens.
Also, while it takes out harmful things like chlorine and lead it leaves beneficial minerals in the water. The instillation instructions are easy enough to be printed on one page. Another attractive thing is a year-long warrantee.
You can choose from a variety of colors to go with your kitchen's décor. The plastic used in its construction is free of BPA (bisphenol A), which the FDA limits the healthy daily amount of.
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Apex Countertop Water Filter
This product is designed in accordance with NSF and FDA guidelines. It targets cryptosporidium and giardia cysts which when present in water may cause illness.
Other things it cleans for include chlorine, sediment, and radon, mercury, and pesticides. This product is made in the USA, therefore helping our economy. Under $100, it helps your economy too.
The system is designed to screw in directly to your faucet. It removes any sediments or rust that may be coming out of your pipes. It is small and light enough to fit in a kitchen where space is a premium.
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New Wave Enviro Water Filter System
One attractive feature of this product is the fact that the cartridge is supposed to stay good for 1,500 gallons, which the makers of the product estimate should last a year for a household of four. It also has ten stages of cleaning.
Some highlights are the sponge filter to get rid of rust and larger solids, a felt pad to remove fine sediments, calcite to increase alkalinity, and a filter to screen out protozoa among others.
It leaves desirable minerals like potassium and magnesium in the water. However, it removes things like mercury, lead, asbestos, pesticides, herbicides, and more.
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Cons
Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
This device is travel-friendly. It is light weight and doesn't need to be hooked up to a faucet; it just needs you to add water for it to clean.
It takes care of 99.999% of both viruses and pathogenic bacteria. Other things it removes from your water include mercury, caffeine, ibuprofen, and lead.
The purification elements last for 6,000 gallons which works out to only two cents per gallon as far as the cost it will take to eventually replace them.
A gravity fed filter has the advantage of not needing electricity or functioning plumbing. This makes it great in case of emergency.
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Brondell Countertop Water Filter System
This unit keeps all dimensions under a foot and is less than five inches wide. It comes with adapters to fit those faucets that it doesn't already fit.
Water is dispensed at the push of a button. It comes with a one year warranty. At six pounds it should be easy to move when necessary.
It cleans according to three stages. The first stage is a composite plus filter for particles like sand and rust.
The second stage in a nanotrap filter for smaller things like waterborne microorganisms and cellulose fibers. The third stage is the carbon block filter for bad odors, chlorine, and more.
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iSpring Countertop Water Filter
The clear housing of this product allows the owner to see the filter to judge when it is time to replace it. Its carbon filtration works to remove contaminants such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, chlorine, rust, and odors. It has met NSF standards.
You can return it for your money back in the first 30 days, and the limited warrantee lasts a year. Because it connects to the tap, you don't have to remember to refill it and have to wait for fresh water.
This water is advertised as being great for RVs and campers as well as houses. The price is affordable.
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Lake Industries Countertop Water Purifier
This product advertises durability due to its stainless steel construction. It provides fast filtered water because it fits right on to your existing faucet and pours though a 3/4" spout. The filters are designed to be easily changed after every 1000 gallons.
Installation is accomplished in one step. You can get a full refund without giving a reason within the first 30 days after purchase.
The filter size is the same size as generic filters in case you want to buy a cheaper off-brand filter when it's time to replace. Customers report success at removing bleach smell from water with this product.
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Aquasana Countertop Water Filter
This product has a twin cartridge system which includes ion exchange as well as sub-micron and carbon filtration.
The water goes through more than two million square feet of surface area during the process. Unlike some other products, this one keeps the healthy calcium, potassium and magnesium in your water.
The list of things that it removes above the level of 99% includes chlorine, mercury, lead, asbestos, and more. It has certification to filter 60 different contaminants.
Forcing the tap water to be under pressure during filtration helps to make the process effective. Also, the whole package with everything needed to install is under the $100 threshold.
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Our #1 Recommended Countertop Water Filter
BIG BERKEY WATER FILTER #1 Water Filter
We have looked at a number of options including gravity filtration, tap, and countertop filters. They range in price from above $400 to below $100. Of course, price doesn't always translate in to the features you want. That's why it is still important to research you choice.
Of these, I would opt for the Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter because the ability to get clean water in an emergency situation without power appeals to me.
However, the product that is right for you is going to depend on the needs of your household.
You might want to spend some time researching the cost of replacement filters for the model you are looking at, as that could affect the overall cost effectiveness of going with that brand.
You are now prepared to go and find a water filtration system and start drinking healthier!