If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best water purifier is, then we would recommend Aquasana 10-Year Whole House Water Filter as our top pick.
How much do you spend on purified water per year? Whether you are purchasing water bottles or investing in filtered water pitchers, you may be spending so much money on something you could get every time you turn on the faucet. The best water purifier offers an affordable way to drink the cleanest water whenever you want.
From our testing, we found that the best water purifier provides filtration that removes waterborne diseases in the most contaminated waterways, but how well do they remove trace amounts of lead? How does the water taste? We tested several different types of water purifiers and compared features to bring you the ultimate water purifier buyer’s guide.
So, what is the best water filtration system? We’ve got all the details packed in this guide and review.
Here are the water purifiers we will be reviewing:
- Aquasana 10-year Whole House Water Filter
- AquaBliss High Output 12-Stage Shower Filter
- iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
- Aqua-Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine
- Home Master TMHP Hydroperfection Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
- Waterdrop 320 Gallon Long-Lasting Water Faucet Filtration System
- Gal Imperial Berkey
- Travel Berkey
- pH Active Insulated Water Bottle
- LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
- Sawyer Products Mini Filtration System
Best Water Purifier Buyer’s Guide
As lovers of pure water and long-time fans of filters, there are a few things that we expect to see in any water purifier.
What is the best water filtering system? Here’s a quick look at what the top water purifiers include:
- Provide filters to remove most contaminants, toxins, chemicals, bacteria, and other microbes from your water.
- Removes the bad taste of chlorine, fluoride, petrochemicals, and calcium carbonate often found in tap water.
- No spotting, scratching, or discoloration of your mugs and other kitchen utensils.
- Easy installation that gives all directions to the user.
- Easy to use with an extended filter capacity, making it simple to drink pure water without changing the filter every month.
Some water purifiers will always remove more contaminants than others. This guide lists each type of water purifier and what you can expect from each.
Types of Water Purifiers
Reverse Osmosis Filters (RO Filters)
One of the best filters for water purifying is a reverse osmosis or RO filter. These filters use a special membrane that can remove 99% of all contaminants. It is especially useful for removing chemicals like metals, lead, minerals, nitrates, asbestos, salts, and organic chemicals.
However, reverse osmosis filters typically use more than just the membrane. They typically have a multi-step filtration process where contaminants are also removed by carbon pre-filtration and post-filters.
RO filters typically need to be connected under-the-sink, allowing for clean water to go through your faucet. Tainted water is drained through another line that is connected to the trap in your sink. There is typically a second spout installed where pure water can flow out of at all times.
Alkaline Water Machines
Perhaps you are looking for clean and highly alkaline water. While most filters have a remineralization process, you may not find this in every filter. Remineralization is the process by which the pH is elevated up from its acidic results from filtration. While filtration can remove harmful chemicals, it can also remove health nutrients and vitamins.
An alkaline purifier will purify water, but it will also generally heighten the pH to 7.5 or higher. Those who want alkaline water typically look for filters that can produce alkalinity of 8.7 or higher.
Countertop Filter
These filters are so named because they can sit on your countertop next to your sink. These purifiers typically take up a small space on your counter, delivering purified water through a spout. While it’s not always cold, some models allow you to specify between cold and hot water.
Countertop filters may only have one type of filtration, which is typically an activated carbon filter. These can remove up to 95% of all contaminants, but they may not be able to remove some of the organic chemicals as reverse osmosis can.
If you decide to get a countertop filter, you should look for one that is convenient and an all-in-one with a multi-step filtration process.
Gravity Water Filter
With a gravity water filter, you can remove pollutants and chemicals with the help of gravity from your water. There are two chambers within this purifying machine. You’ll pour contaminated water into the top chamber, and the lower chamber will filter out the water until you are left with only pure drinking water.
There is no additional security or plumbing necessary to run a gravity filter, which is why it is valued in conservative energy homes.
Whole House Water Filters
Want to receive the best-filtered water to every part of your home? Then a whole house water purifier is the way to go. These filters are installed on your home’s main water line. The main benefit of this filter is that every faucet in your home will have pure, clean water.
Whole house water filters typically have a multi-step process that includes reverse osmosis, active carbon filtration, and UV filtration. These are the best filters if you want to have purified water in every part of your home.
Alkaline Water Bottles
This is the best-filtered water bottle for travel available right now if you like highly alkaline water. The other option for those who want an on-the-go option is an alkaline water bottle. These are water bottle filters that allow you to get alkaline water from any water, and you can use it just like a regular water bottle as well.
Alkaline water bottles are great options if you want to filter water at work or when you’re running at the park. It’s a great mobile and travel option to keep alkaline water in hand wherever you go.
The best water purification systems include alkaline and remineralization filters so that you get all of the antioxidants you need in one sip. While water bottles have this, you can get this every day at home, which makes an alkaline home filter more advantageous.
Under Sink Filters
Under sink filters may have active carbon or reverse osmosis filtration. The best ones come with a multi-step process that filters out 99% of all chemicals and contaminants. With under sink filters, your system is installed in the cabinet, attaching to the water lines that go to your faucet.
It’s typical that you’ll have a second spout installed with these systems, but others can use the same faucet as your hot and cold water.
Some people prefer this option because it provides constant purified water to your home. You can use it for drinking and cooking right from your kitchen faucet.
Faucet Filters
Faucet water filters are very convenient to install. These filters attach to the faucet itself and filter out the water as it moves through the purifier. You’ll receive the water from the spout on the purifier instead of the faucet.
In other cases, faucet filters are small attachments that allow you to still get water from the faucet, but it moves through a small filter first. These typically don’t remove all of the contaminants and have smaller carbon filters.
UV Filters
Ultraviolet filters are an effective way to disinfect and cleanse water from bacteria. UV rays remove harmful pathogens from your home’s water supply and can cleanse microorganisms that can destroy their genetic core.
While it is efficient and chemical-free filtration, UV purification can’t remove all of the toxins in your water, such as chlorine, fluoride, and lead. Most water filter systems that have UV filtration typically have other steps of purification to aid in cleaning your water.
Filters for an Emergency
Are you planning a survival or camping trip with minimal access to water? You should pack some survival water filters, such as filtered straws that allow you to drink water from most sources. While some natural ponds may seem okay to drink, there are tons of parasites and bacteria in natural waterways. You can easily fill up your canteen just by packing some of these emergency water filters.
Filters for RV and Camping
Countertop and inline water filters are available for RV camping. These filters easily attach to the water lines under your sinks and shower areas for your camper. These filters typically use carbon filters, but there are also reverse osmosis filters available.
Shower Head Filters
If you filter your drinking water, then you probably want to filter your shower water too. There are a variety of toxins in unfiltered shower water that can hurt your skin, and in particularly bad water areas, it can even cause cancer. Hard water is also one of the top reasons that people install a filter on their showerhead.
Many shower head filters use carbon filtration to remove hazardous toxins, including various types of metal as well as chlorine.
Bottled Water Filters
Want to get higher alkaline water from your water bottle? You can try a variety of water bottle filters that slip into your water bottle and purify it naturally. These are typically called filter sticks. These may have carbon ingredients, but they also use charcoal filters to remove BPA.
Benefits of Filtered Water
When you start filtering your water, you’ll notice a definitive difference in taste, but that’s not just it. The best water filter for home will also give you a sense of cleanliness all over, whether you are showering, taking a bath, or cooking.
A water purification filter offers so many benefits to use at home or the office as well. You can also invest in the best travel water filter. Filters are able to clean water up to 99.99%, removing contaminants and chemicals that would otherwise harm you. Here are some specific instances where filtered water is helping with health-related issues.
Alkaline Water Benefits for Athletes
Did you know that many basketball and football locker rooms are filled with alkaline water? In a recent article “The Bottled Water Obsession Taking Over NBA Locker Rooms,” NBA players like LeBron James and TJ McConnell talk about the positive effects of alkaline water.
The players say that it makes them feel more energetic and cleansing to drink than regular water. In fact, more alkaline bottled water products like Fiji and Essentia have become top favorites at home and at work for NBA players.
Studies have also shown that alkaline water is mineral-rich and helps with acid control in the stomach.
Bone Strength and Purified Water
Studies around the science world have proven that alkaline water can help with bone strength, including the reversal of bone resorption. Studies noted that an acid charge due to your diet can increase bone loss.
Alkaline Water and Osteoporosis
What if the best water filter system could also prevent bone strength problems in the future? Another study showed that alkaline water can help with osteoporosis patients. Mineral content and vitamin D in your diet are significant factors in whether you will develop osteoporosis as you get older. Studies have shown that increasing alkaline water intake and decreasing acidic diet habits can improve the condition considerably.
Acid Reflux
In a scientific report, alkaline drinking water was also shown to improve the symptoms of acid reflux. It’s one of the reasons that people with stomach problems call it the best drinking water filter. This is due to the abundance of pepsin and acid in one’s diet. With alkaline water intake, you can decrease the acidic charge in your stomach, neutralizing its effect on pepsin, which causes acid reflux symptoms.
Improves Blood Circulation
Published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the effects of electrolyzed pH highly alkaline water included higher blood circulation, which shows that alkaline water can be used as an antioxidant. The study further shows that after a workout, alkaline water can improve absorption and circulation, allowing your body to hydrate faster.
How to Test Your Water and See Results
Do you want to ensure that your water is showing improvement after you get a filter? Then you’ll need a water testing kit. These are typically purchased as water testing strips, but you’ll want to note what toxins that they test for. The best water strips will test for hundreds of different toxins, including chlorine, fluoride, petrochemicals, hard metals, and lead.
You simply place the testing strip in a glass of water from the tap, then note your results before you install the filter. After you install the filter, you should be able to see where multiple toxins were removed if the filter correctly worked.
What to Look For to Install a Water Purifier
Even with the best home water filter, you’ll still need to install the system correctly to get pure, flowing water to your faucets.
Your home has a lot of water lines, water pressure features, and cabinet space. If you want to install your water filter correctly, you’ll need to find your home’s PSI. You can rent a PSI gauge from a hardware store. You’ll attach to an outdoor or water line to test the pressure.
Most homes range between 40 and 45 PSI, but newer homes may go up to 50 PSI. This is important because your filter system will specify a minimum PSI necessary for you to receive fast-flowing water from your faucet.
Add-Ons and Accessories for Water Purifiers
There are a few things you can add on to increase your water’s purity and get the best water filtration.
iSpring Spindown
The iSpring Spindown is a high impact mesh made from stainless steel that is rated for 50 micron. You can install these filters to weed out sediment, and it’s flushable and reusable. These are typically installed before the filter attaches to the line. Even with the best filtration system, you can use a tool like this to deliver sediment-free water through your filter and prevent bacteria or mold from getting lodged in your filter canister.
UV Filters
The top water filtration systems have UV filtration as well. Ultraviolet filtration is helpful for eliminating bacteria in the world. These filters typically attach to the water line before your filtration system. These types of filters are highly rated for their ability to clean water of most bacteria before going through your carbon filter or reverse osmosis filtration.
Reviews of the Best Water Purifier Systems
We review the best water filtration systems in this next section. You’ll be able to answer what is the best water filter for your needs, as well as what is the best water purifier for home use and convenience.
We go over several different types of best water filters in these water filter reviews with pros and cons, so you can see the differences and effects on your life.
Below you’ll find the reviews for our top picks in these categories:
- Whole house water filter
- Water pitcher filter
- Under sink filter
- Alkaline water machine
- RO water filter
- Water bottle filter
- Bottled water
- RV water filter
- Camping water filter
- Countertop filter
Here is a look at the top water purifier selections for 2019.
Our Top Pick for Whole House Water System: Aquasana 10-Year Whole House Water Filter
This water system is one of the most effective in the world, and it has a 1,000,000 gallon water filter capacity. In our opinion, this is the best water filtration system for the home. As a whole house water filtration system, you get everything with this package to ensure purified water goes to every shower, faucet, and hose. Some of the best home water purification systems are so easy to install that you won’t have to call any plumber to help either.
In our opinion, this is the best water purification system if you want convenience at home and highly filtered results. One of the best things about this model is that it has a longer water softener piece. This gives it a higher capacity to handle 1,000,000 gallons, which means that it could last for up to 10 years in your home.
The installation kit makes it very easy to install in your home’s waterline, and the manufacturer also provides videos and as well as detailed instructions in case there are issues.
Pros:
- Long-life filters
- Lasts for 10 years or 1,000,000 gallons
- Filters out contaminants and 97% chlorine
- High-quality whole house filtration
Cons:
- Pex crimper is needed to finish the installation, but it’s not included.
Our Top Pick for Shower Head Filter: AquaBliss High Output 12-Stage Shower Filter
The AquaBliss is a 12-stage shower head filter that can remove and reduce almost all contaminants in your shower water. This includes chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria. The design also prevents the growth of mold.
With twelve-stage filtration, this is absolutely the best shower head filter. It has a chrome finish and doesn’t look inexpensive. The shower head filter uses carbon, calcium sulfite, and KDF-55 in the cartridge.
Installation is straightforward with this model. You simply twist it on and turn on your shower to get purified water streaming in your shower. The filter is also rated to last between 10,000 and 12,000 gallons. We definitely recommend if you want the top water purifier for your shower head.
Pros:
- Removes most contaminants like chlorine
- Easy installation
- Good value
- Will love the way your hair and skin respond
Cons:
- Lowers shower height
- Does not remove some chemicals such as chloramine
- Replace the filter in 6 months
Our Top Pick for Under Sink System: iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
For those who know about reverse osmosis filtration, you know that it’s extremely popular for those who want to remove almost all contaminants, including up to 99% of toxins. Most RO filters are under sink or whole house filters.
The good part about this filtration system by iSpring is that it also remineralizes the water. As filters tend to take out all vitamins in addition to contaminants, it’s good to have a layer that will add alkalinity and minerals back into your drinking water.
This is also a high capacity system that’s built to filter 75 gallons of water per day. The installation is also easy and works with most home PSI over 40. If you don’t have a 40 PSI, you will need a permeate pump installed to get the correct water flow. Check out our comprehensive buying guide to under sink filters here.
Pros:
- Removes almost all toxins and chemicals
- Allows for 75 gallons per day of filtered water
- 3.2-gallon pressurized water storage
Cons:
- Average filter life capacity
- Does not include UV filtration
Our Top Pick for Alkaline Water Machine: Aqua-Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 Alkaline Water Ionizer Machine
Air Water Life has been recognized for its excellent alkaline water purifiers. The Aqua Ionizer Deluxe 9.0 is, in our opinion, their best model, and you can easily use it with your faucet to get pure drinking water any time you want.
Also, this water can be customized for alkalinity and remineralization. There are many settings on the panel, allowing you to create hot or cold water, as well as extremely acidic or alkaline water.
The filter capacity is a little poor and can only handle about 4,000 liters before you need to replace the filter. Besides, you may not want to have this on your countertop as it is quite big and bulky with a dark finish. Check out our other top picks here.
Pros:
- Countertop filter with alkaline settings
- Customize your water’s alkalinity
Cons:
- Quite large and bulky
- Short filter capacity with only 4,000 gallons
Our Top Pick for Reverse Osmosis System: Home Master TMHP Hydroperfection Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
We had to include the Home Master TMHP system in our review because it is extremely popular with reverse osmosis enthusiasts. The filtration is excellent on this model, removing 98% iron, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
Also, it also has a UV light chamber, which destroys 99% of all bacteria and parasites in your water before it gets to the multi-stage reverse osmosis filtration. The design of this filter is also engineered to prevent the existence of mold and bacteria getting trapped in the filter for long periods of time, which is why it has a standalone filter design and not a canister filter.
This system is not difficult to install, but you will need to know where your water lines are and what PSI your home has. Some users noted that not all of the parts were included for a completely successful installation the first time, and others did have to consult with a plumber.
We believe that the instructions are pretty straightforward and so long as you have an hour on your hands, you can get this system installed with everything in the box. Click here to check out our other favorite RO machines.
Pros:
- Top-quality design and filtration
- The highest quality of filtration with UV and reverse osmosis layers
Cons:
- Installation and mounting can be a bit tricky; you may need professional help
Our Top Pick for Water Faucet Filter: Waterdrop 320 Gallon Long-Lasting Water Faucet Filtration System
Waterdrop is one of the newer filters on the scene. This is a tap mount filter that has a seamless and smooth design, making it a bit more sophisticated than some of its competitors on the market. The design is also a little different than some of the bulky attachments. With this one, you simply remove from the box and attach to your faucet with a quick twist.
It’s also rated for the highest capacity among faucet filters. One single cartridge is able to handle 320 gallons of water before you need to replace it. That’s actually longer than the average of 250 gallons.
Pros:
- Easy to install with a sophisticated design
- Removes sediments, small particles, chlorine, organic compounds, fluoride, and other petrochemicals
- Great quality
Cons:
- Not NSF certified
- No indicator light to let you know when the filter needs to be replaced
Our Top Pick for Countertop Water Filter: Gal Imperial Berkey
The Gal Imperial Berkey water filter is part of a brand that has a history for creating excellent water filtration. This system is absolutely sleek and sits on top of your countertop, storing up to 4.5 gallons of purified water at a time. It can serve up to 4 to 8 people daily and has a water flow rate of 16.5 gallons per hour.
The best part is that you don’t have to install anything to get clean water. You don’t have to drill holes in your countertops for a second faucet. You can also bring it with you to sports games or events if you need a quick water dispenser.
The filtration is superb in the Imperial edition, reducing and removing chlorine, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, sediment, arsenic, lead, and other harmful toxins. The filters are meant to last for 3,000 gallons, which is pretty standard for the size. You will likely need to replace every 4 to 6 months.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- No installation required
- Sleek countertop design
Cons:
- Must be manually filled with water
- Filter only lasts for 3000 gallons, which means you’ll have to replace after 4 to 6 months on average
Our Top Pick for Best Travel Water Purifier: Travel Berkey
The travel size Berkey is an excellent option for those who are on the go and need to have purified water at all times. This is a lightweight edition that filters out many of the same chemicals as the larger Berkey, but there are some differences. However, it’s definitely the most popular travel water purifier that you can find on the market today.
The Travel Berkey is also the smallest model with a capacity of only 1.5 gallons. It has the capacity to provide water for up to 3 people at a time, and it has a flow rate of 2.75 gallons per hour.
This is definitely an individual use or small home use water filter that can’t get as high with its filtration capacity. You can expect to change the filter every 1 to 3 months depending on your use.
Pros:
- Lightweight and very portable
- Great value
- Perfect for someone who travels for business
- Highest filtration for a travel system
Cons:
- Must be manually filled
- Does not have high storage capacity or filter life
Our Top Pick for Alkaline Water Bottle: pH Active Insulated Water Bottle
This sleek-looking water bottle is an absolute must for those who never go anywhere without alkaline water. The modern design and engineering meet a classic canteen style for handle and lid. You can also pick between a sophisticated chrome finish or traditional finish.
This water bottle can filter up to 22 ounces of alkaline water. It uses surgical stainless steel to give it that sleek look and comes with 2 lids- a bamboo lid as well as a sports lid with straw. The BPA-free insulated container can also extend the life of your hot and cold drinks. Also included, is a 30g PH-ON-THE-GO filter, which can last up to 30 days for someone drinking 8 cups of water per day.
Pros:
- Extremely easy to use
- Beautiful design
- Portable
- Remineralizes water
Cons:
- Requires you to buy filters ever 72 liters
Our Top Pick for Emergency Filter: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Have you ever wanted to turn water anywhere you go into purified water? You can do so with the LifeStraw personal water filter. This is a hollow-membrane filtration system that fits into a straw. You simply put the straw in your water bottle or any glass of water and drink.
As you suck up water through the filter, it will remove 99.99% of all contaminants, toxins, protozoa, bacteria, and other petrochemicals. It can last for 1,000 gallons, and it’s extremely easy to use.
Pros:
- Very portable and easy to use
- Bring with you on any camping or travel trip
- Reduces toxins and contaminants by 99.99%
- Can last up to 1,000 gallons
Cons:
- Can only suck up a small amount of water
Our Top Pick for Backpacking Water Filter: Sawyer Products Mini Filtration System
For those who like a quick, cheap, and light filtration system for their camping trips, Sawyer produces the best one. This mini filtration system is a pouch that you can use to revolutionize your water filtration on the go. It removes most contaminants and comes highly rated by its customers who go on backpacking and survival camping trips.
It only weighs about 2 ounces, but it has a filter capacity rated at 100,000 gallons of water. It costs much less than many of the big filter systems that may only last 10,000 gallons before having to replace the filter as well. It’s also pretty a good value and very versatile for everyday use.
Pros:
- Lightweight, easy to travel with
- Rated for 100,000 gallons
- Versatile use with a straw, water bottle, or glass of water
Cons:
- You’ll need to backflush to use this item correctly
- One pouch isn’t enough for longer trips, so you’ll likely have to spend more to get back up bags
Conclusion
When you need purified water every day, you’ll likely find that there is nothing more convenient than a whole house water filter, but there are many circumstances that may lead to you purchasing a travel water filter or countertop filter.
We find that the best water purifier system for the price and benefit is likely the Aquasana 10-Year Whole House Water Filter because of the long-lasting filter capacity and multi-stage filtration. Plus, you’ll get clean water and soft water for every faucet in your home. This can contribute to overall better health for you and your family.
