Best water filters: 8 top ways to purify water at home
For many, one of the best water filters is an absolute essential in the home, unlocking access to purified water whenever you want it. An inexpensive yet hugely impactful investment, one of these filters will make your drinking experience more enjoyable, and allow you to reduce your plastic use at the same time.
It's important to note that the best water filters are versatile when it comes to design. If you want purified water when you're in the office, or out on a run, you don't need to strictly decant from your water filter jug. Instead, you can browse bottles with water filters built-in, or adapt your faucet to have purified water flowing all of the time.
If you are ready to make a permanent change to your faucet, this type of filtration can help to remove impurities such as lead, chlorine, microplastics, and more. For the short-term option, water filter pitchers are excellent value too, and you can get thousands of uses out of one before you need to replace it.
Identifying the best water filter for you is essential to have a more satisfying experience as you hydrate. Here, you'll find a thorough round-up of a number of different outstanding water filters, including details on inserts and sizes, as well as information on filters we've tested. You could also consider investing in one of the best hard water kettles, to ensure the boiling water that you consume is also filtered to its best.
The 8 best water filters worth your investment
LifeStraw Filter
Type: Pitcher
Filter life: 264 gallons
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 14 inches
+ Comes in glass and plastic
+ Plenty of colors to choose from
- Not the longest lasting filter out there
We love the look of the LifeStraw Home Filter Pitcher, which has a range of colors to choose from and comes in either glass or BPA-free plastic. The seven-cup design means it will fit into most refrigerator doors while still catering to the whole family.
The microfilter claims to last up to last a year with regular use and when it comes to the filtering function, there's a two-stage process present in order to make your water taste great.
AquaSana Filter
Type: Under-sink
Filter life: 500 gallons
Dimensions: 8.25 x 4.25 x 9 inches
+ Great price
+ Low running costs
- DIY installation process
When properly installed: the two-stage filtration system in the AquaSana Under Sink Filter will remove up to 97% of chlorine, as well as lead, asbestos, herbicides, and pesticides; dealing with upwards of 60 common water contaminants with every use, and at a flow rate of only 0.5 gallons per minute. All-in-all: owners have agreed that their water tastes exceptionally better after implementing this system.
LARQ Pitcher
Type: Pitcher
Filter life: 60 gallons
Dimensions: 9.5" x 10" inches
+ Advanced filtration method
+ Excellent tasting water
- Requires some charging
We loved this LARQ choice when we tested it, as it combines the practical elements of a pitcher with the advanced features you find in countertop filters. It has a two step filtration process, with an innovative filter that has been designed to ward off harsh contaminants and prioritize taste. Within the body of the pitcher, there is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that works to destroy bio-contaminants at a molecular level, including viruses and mold.
Cleanwater4less System
Type: Countertop
Filter life: 10,000 gallons
Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 9.5 inches
+ Simple installation
+ Well priced
- No replaceable filters
The Cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System is easy to install, with a universal diverter valve that should connect directly to most faucets. In terms of value with this filter, it is one of the better ones on the market; with a system rated to purify 10,000 gallons of water, it is sure to impress. The integrated filter isn’t as extensive as some other products but is said to reduce chlorine by 97%, plus it can deal with volatile organic compounds and sediment.
Waterdrop Pitcher
Type: Pitcher
Filter life: 200 gallons
Dimensions: 10.40 x 5.30 x 10.00 inches
+ Well priced
+ Good capacity
- Filter itself can be tricky
While filter jugs can be an expensive option, Waterdrop Lucid is one of the best value choices out there. Its 10-cup capacity is a good balance between size and portability, and the filter lasts for 200 gallons before you it will need to be replaced. Lastly, this choice turns to a seven-stage filtration system to improve the taste and quality of your water.
Apex Filter
Type: Countertop
Filter life: 750 gallons
Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 14 inches
+ Looks great
+ Clean-tasting water
- Filter can be hard to replace
The Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter comes equipped with a clear filter that is sure to be a talking point for anyone in your kitchen. Much like any other typical countertop model, this choice connects directly to your faucet, and it’s fed directly with tap water. Designed to last for up to 750 gallons — remove chlorine, sediment, radon, and more! — this easy-to-install option will look sensational in any kitchen.
Brita Ultra Max Dispenser
Type: Dispenser
Filter life: 120 gallons
Dimensions: 5.1 x 14 x 9.6 inches
+ Won't take up much space
+ Dispenser with large capacity
- Heavy to refill
If you like the idea of having a lot of filtered water readily available but don’t want the DIY hassle of an under-counter or countertop filter, the Brita Ultra Max Dispenser could be for you. With an 18-cup capacity, this slimline dispenser has enough water for the entire family. Designed to sit on a counter without taking up too much space, but you can slide it into a refrigerator, too. As this is a large item and heavy when filled with water, there’s a spigot on the front for filling up cups or bottles, and it has a decent flow rate.
LARQ Water Bottle
Type: Bottle
Filter life: N/A
Dimensions: 9.6 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches
+ Kills germs and viruses
+ Self cleaning
- Quite expensive
The LARQ Bottle is slightly different from the other products on this list: as it doesn’t have a filter; instead, it uses a rechargeable battery in the lid to power a UV light that kills bacteria and viruses, making water safe to drink. There are two cleaning modes: typical is for regular tap water, where you’ve got a fair idea of how trustworthy the source is; Adventure mode is a longer cycle for less reliable sources.
How we chose the best water filters
At Homes & Gardens we like to have hands-on experience wherever we can with products that we feature in our buying guides, as we explore in our guide to how we test. In the case of water filters, we haven't had the opportunity to test every single top-rated option, just yet, but water filters, jugs and bottles are on our agenda to test out at home, and there's an explanation below on who has tested the filters we have experienced ourselves.
The options that we are yet to test have been chosen based on a number of criteria, including what shoppers are searching for and user reviews that give true insights into what the filter is like. We've also carefully looked at the sustainable credentials of each, and how long the filter will last for.
Molly Cleary
Ecommerce Writer
Molly is the Ecommerce Writer for Homes & Gardens, and can often be found reviewing new appliances and buys for your home. She has tested out the LARQ water filter pitcher in this guide, and found it made a noticeable difference to the quality of drinking water in her home. It's also the sleekest filter jug you'll find, though it does require being charged from time to time in order for the filter element to work to its best ability.
Browse more water filters...
Securing the optimum water filter for your home is essential for hydration you enjoy. If you're still on the lookout for your ideal filter, then head to our recommended retailers to select your favorite:
How do I choose a water filter?
All water filters work in the same way: tap water passes through a filter that removes contaminants. There are different styles of filter, though.
Under-counter water filters are designed to fit into a cupboard and usually come with a new faucet. These give you clean, filtered water at the same flow rate as your regular faucet. Although harder to install, you get the benefit of a single faucet to use for everything, and you can quickly use filtered water everywhere, from cooking to filling a water bottle to take away.
Countertop water filters work in a similar way to under counter, but they’re usually connected to your faucet. You get the same advantages as with an under-counter model, but these models are easier to install. Having a bulky device on your kitchen counter is the main downside.
Pitcher water filters have everything built into a jug. You fill up the top reservoir with tap water, and it’s filtered through to the bottom as clean water. These are quick and easy to use, and you can store a jug of filtered water ready for use. The downsides are that you need a jug double the size (half for tap; half for filtered), and there’s a short wait for filtered water every time you fill up.
Bottle water filters are designed for on-the-go use. They’re handy if you’re on the move and want to refill your water from anywhere.
What does a water filter remove?
Each water filter system is different, so you need to check carefully what each one offers and their particular need. It’s worth pointing out that bacteria are generally not removed by most water filters.
Water filters will generally all remove chlorine and prove to be roughly 90% effective. Other contaminants include volatile organic compounds (harmful chemicals), heavy metals, and sediments.
How often should I change the filter itself?
Filters are rated: by the gallon, and most water filter systems will track how much of the filter was used. Once it’s time to replace the filter, you’ll get a warning. Cheaper systems that don’t track actual usage will tell you how long each filter will last.
Typically, you should replace filters promptly, as they’ll stop working effectively, and you may as well have non-filtered water.
