If you are in a hurry and just want to find what the best under sink water filter is, then we recommend the iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System as our top pick.
What if you could have pure water at home in every faucet? What if you could wash dishes or cook knowing that your water was toxin-free? This is the beauty of having the best under sink water filter in your home. You could do away with harmful plastic water bottles, and the bill that goes with them.
However, not all filters offer the same quality. The difference between 90% and 99.9% purification is actually quite a big deal. This could mean the difference between your water containing trace amounts of lead or being nearly 100% toxin-free.
With an under sink water filter reviews and a detailed guide, you can make the best decision on what to budget for an under sink water purifier and what features result in the highest purification.
Here are the under sink water filters we will be reviewing:
- APEC WFS-1000 Super Capacity Premium Quality 3 Stage Under Sink Water Filter System
- iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
- Home Master TMAFC-ERP Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
- Express Water Alkaline Ultraviolet Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System 11-Stage
- Woder 10K-Gen3 Ultra High Capacity Direct Connect Water Filtration System
- CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter
- Filtrete Advanced Under Sink Quick Change Water Filtration System
- Frizz Life Under Sink Water Filter System
- Culligan US-EZ-1 EZ Change Undersink Drinking Water Filtration System
Under Sink Water Filter Buyer’s Guide
When you consider that most of your home’s water comes from a municipal water supply, then you have to know your water could also contain harmful toxins and petrochemicals. These are microscopic to the human eye, but the carbon filters and membranes in the latest water under sink filter systems can filter out nearly all of these problematic toxins in a matter of seconds.
Naturally pure flowing water is the greatest benefit of having a sink water filter, but to ensure that you know all the facts before purchasing a water filter for sink installations, these features and questions walk you through what matters most and how to spot the best under sink water filtration system. You can read our under sink water filtration system reviews below.
Benefits of Filtered Water for Your Health
There are a number of reasons why people are investing in whole home filters and under the sink filtration. Mostly it’s because water simply tastes better when it comes from a filtration system. However, there is much more to it than that. We’ve also made note of these valuable features in our undersink water filter reviews in the next section.
No More Fluoride
The best under sink water filter system will be able to remove 99.99% of all chemicals, but this one is essential. While fluoride was added to the water supply to help with tooth decay and gum disease, it’s a toxin that can affect your memory and brain, and it’s not necessary anymore. However, it’s hard to go back and remove this type of toxin from the water supply once added to it. You can thank the government for that oopsie!
No More Chlorine
The bad odor and taste you get from some tap water is likely due to the abundance of chlorine, which can cause significant problems if ingested, particularly with long-term exposure. Filters get rid of these toxins so that you only have clean, pure drinking water.
Improves Food Taste
Cooking with pure water is probably the best way to experience the taste of your vegetables, coffee, and tea. It’s been shown that drinking purified water can drastically improve your tastebuds and the quality of your food.
More Alkaline
If you have stomach problems, then you can purchase a water filter with an alkalinizer or remineralization process so that you get a pH of 7.2 or higher. A 2012 study demonstrated alkaline water may help with acid reflux.
Remove Dangerous Toxins
With some water supplies reporting back high levels of chromium 6, a carcinogen, and lead, it’s important that you test your water before you get a water filtration system so that you can see everything that your system is filtering out. These are dangerous chemicals that can lead to diseases.
Benefits of a Whole House Filter
One of the main reasons that people purchase a whole house water filtration system is because they want the convenience to always trust the water in their homes. They want to be able to turn on the tap and have purified water that simply tastes good and has no odor.
It’s also the fastest way to cleanse your body of toxins. When you are only using purified water to drink and cook with, then you are achieving higher levels of clean living. You’ll start to feel better without chemicals in your water every day.
Not every filter is a whole house filter, and there are still more benefits for those who choose to go with an under counter water filter. These are simpler to install and can still provide you with clean water in the kitchen or bathroom.
What to Look for in Buying a Sink Water Filter
When you spot under sink water filters with the best features, you’ll know because they meet your budget and have multiple stages of filtration. There are some sink filter features that you don’t want to miss when looking at systems and comparing prices. For one, there will always be a lot of systems that overcharge for the same thing that a smaller system can do for less. There are some additional options that are worth paying the extra cost if you value the purest drinking water.
Multi-Stage Filtration
Most filtration systems have more than one process, but the best systems will have more than three stages that the water moves through. This is generally because the first stage only removes larger bacterial problems and microbials. However, a reverse osmosis membrane, which is typically the third or fourth stage can remove everything else, leaving you with the purest H20. However, this isn’t the end. You also want remineralization, because otherwise your water won’t have any kind of nutritional value and it could be very acidic.
Long Filter Life
You don’t want to change the filter every three months. It can be a hassle. This is why most systems are rated for 2,000 gallons or more. This is technically a 6-month filter life, but you can also find one-year and five-year filter capacity levels. While the longer filter life does equal a higher price point typically, it’s worth it so you don’t have to buy so many replacement filters.
Easy Installation
This is really only evaluated by the customer, so you’ll need to read reviews to see what it takes to install. Typically, if the filtration system offers an installation kit with a video, you should be able to install within 15 minutes. However, if customers report missing items, then you should also look for a money-back guarantee in case your system has the same issues.
NSF Rated
The quality of the filtration is always related to the type. NSF rated means that it can remove 99% of chemicals, including lead. You should always look for this rating and also the gold seal to show that it has been tested and approved.
Second Faucet or Not?
If you don’t want a difficult installation, then you probably want to stick with a system that will work with your existing faucet. Otherwise, you may need to cut a hole in your countertop in order to fit this second faucet through.
Reverse Osmosis
Any filter that has a 99% filtrate rate will likely have a reverse osmosis membrane. This membrane uses the process to get rid of the worst, microscopic chemicals in your drinking water. It’s essential to have this in any high-quality water filter.
Other Options
You may also see ultraviolet filtration or UV filtration within the specifications of your system. This uses light rays to remove particles, sediment, and other chemicals from your water. With a higher stage filtration system, you will likely see UV ray filtration.
Remineralization is also important because you don’t want to drink pure water that doesn’t have any minerals and isn’t alkaline. You can find that most systems have a process to add back minerals or purify water without removing essentials like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Types of Under Cabinet Water Filter Systems
There are a few systems on the market that are worth the price. This is because they offer extremely high filtration with multiple stages and processes, and they have been highly rated for their filter life and installation. These are some of the filter systems that you should look for when you are shopping online.
Multi-Stage Filtration System
This simply means that the filter has more than two filters, and it will typically include active carbon filters, reverse osmosis membrane, and a remineralization filter. You may also find some filters use ultraviolet light to zap out chemicals from your water supply in an additional stage. We have included one of the highest multi-stage filters on the market in our under sink water filtration system review below.
Active Carbon Filter
This is a typical filter that you have probably seen before. These systems use one or two cartridges with active carbon to filter out some of the major toxins and bacteria. However, one drawback is that these filters need to be changed every three months to avoid mold and bacteria that can grow within the fibers. This is one reverse osmosis systems are preferred.
Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
We like these systems best because they offer the most filtration possible. This process uses a membrane that captures all of the toxins that got through the other filter. Typically, reverse osmosis systems have more than three stages, and the RO filter is always followed by remineralization.
Alkaline Water Filtration Systems
When a system has an alkaline process or a remineralization process, this means that you’re going to get back some of the nutrients that are removed in the purification process. This is because the system will remove calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as important and healthy vitamins and minerals. With a remineralization process, you can add these back fairly easily.
Countertop Filter Systems
These are not the same as the best under sink water filter, but you will see them side-by-side at hardware stores and in online catalogs. This is because they are thought to be more convenient since they require very little installation. You simply install these on your water faucet and set aside, where they can take up room on the countertop. This is one of the reasons that under sink filters are so valued.
Under the Sink House Filtration vs Whole Home Systems
With under the sink systems, you are only filtering the water from a single faucet or sink in your home. This isn’t the same as a whole home system that can filter water right from the water supply line going into your home. The main difference is where they are installed and your plumbing experience. With whole house filters, you will be able to get pure water for showers, bath sinks, and kitchen sinks all at the same time. These are a little bit more expensive and require extra care when installing.
How to Get the Best Undercounter Water Filters for Your Home
When shopping for a water filter under sink system, then you should consider what type of filtration you are after first.
For those who want the perfect profile of what to look for, here is what we would want in the best undercounter water filters:
- A multi-stage process with reverse osmosis and remineralization
- Removes 99% of all chemicals including lead, chlorine, chromium 6, and microbial cysts
- Easy installation with options for the faucet
- Small and lightweight, easy to install
Best Under Sink Water Filter System Reviews
Every home should have clean, running water, but studies have shown that isn’t the case in America. Many homes are still using wells to get water, and while that can be cleaner than a dirty municipal line, there are still problems with run-off, lead, bacteria, and rust. To ensure that your home has the best water filter under sink system, we’ve created this under sink water filter comparison below to show the best products and their features.
When selecting the right under sink water filter system for our reviews, we looked at water purity tests, customer satisfaction overall, quality of purification, ease of installation, and price. If the undersink water filter required installation, we factored that as well.
APEC WFS-1000 Super Capacity Premium Quality 3 Stage Under Sink Water Filter System
The APEC WFS-1000 is one of the top under counter multi-stage filters because of its high-end engineering and overall design. You will easily be able to set up this filtration system in a medium-sized kitchen cabinet or larger. It is designed to be simple and yet effective, which is why you can clearly see all chambers for each stage and filter.
This is a secondary faucet, which you will need to set up by pushing through your counter or sink fixture. This is a lead-free faucet certified by the FDA, and the system is backed by a lifetime warranty and support option. The water test showed a significant change, removing fluoride, chlorine, petrochemicals, arsenic, trace lead, and many other toxins.
Water tastes incredible after using this system just one time. However, it’s not the most water-efficient. You’ll notice that wastewater gets dumped, and you’re left with pure water slowly flowing from the faucet. It’s just not pressurized enough like your regular faucet, which is to be expected.
Pros:
- Very sleek design
- Multi-stage filtration
- Filters out most chemicals
Cons:
- May require a plumber for installation
- Slow flow from a 2nd faucet
- Per sink installation, not whole house filter
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
When you want a multi-stage filtration system that really works, the iSpring RCC7AK 6-stage under sink filter is the best one to go for. This is a reverse osmosis system, which means that it combines all of the filter types, excluding ultraviolet filtration. However, you’ll get 99% toxin-free water with alkaline remineralization, which offers the best quality of purified water for cooking and drinking.
This isn’t a whole house filter, but you can install it on any sink in your home. It is a high capacity system that removes over 1,000 contaminants. The water truly tasted odorless and quite pure after running through the 6-stage system, which includes active carbon filters and an RO membrane to deliver the ultimate pure drinking water.
The iSpring water filter is a little bit big under the cabinet, so you’ll need to set aside some room to fit the 6-stage filter in. The DIY installation is pretty easy to follow as long as you know your way around a faucet, and even if you don’t, there are plenty of how-to videos out there that can show you where each line is. The second faucet provided is also extremely sleek and refined.
Pros:
- High-quality filtration
- Removes 99% of contaminants
- DIY installation is easy
- Includes alkaline remineralization
- Beautiful faucet design
Cons:
- Larger system
- Requires manual installation and second faucet
Home Master TMAFC-ERP Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
For those who want pure drinking water, Home Master has come up with the best under the sink water filter on the market. It’s made to remove chloramine, chromium, and a thousand other contaminants. It removes up to 98% of toxins.
The system is fully patented as well, because of its ability to remineralize your water after removing these toxins. Since water filtration can remove important minerals, it’s important to have something that changes to a higher pH and restores alkalinity, as well as minerals to your drinking and cooking water.
The filters on this machine are also easy to install, and you won’t have to worry about re-installation or changing out the filters too much. They last about 2000 gallons, which peters out to changing the filter once per year.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to find a system with so much customer satisfaction, but this is one of those systems that can be installed under any sink and get great-tasting water. There are a lot of parts to the installation, so if you’re not familiar with plumbing parts and parts, you may want to watch a video before you install.
Pros:
- Great filtration
- Filters out 98% of contaminants
- Includes patented Artesian full contact RO system
Cons:
- May be difficult to install due to so many parts
Express Water Alkaline Ultraviolet Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System 11-Stage
This filtration system has one of the highest multi-stage processes that we have ever seen. With 11 stages total, this reverse osmosis water purification system truly delivers the ultimate drinking water right to your faucet. In addition to removing toxins, multiple stages add minerals and important vitamins back into your water, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
The UV sterilization phase is our favorite part of this filter. This means that you are not only filtering out microscopic organisms, chemicals, and lead, you are also eliminating bacteria, parasites, nitrates, arsenic, and other toxins. We found that this water was completely odorless and tasted so smooth after filtration, and it had the perfect alkalinity of 9.0.
In addition, Express Water has offered a one-year warranty with their products to ensure that you get your money back if you’re not satisfied. The installation was quite easy to understand, even though the system is a little bit bulky and heavy to maneuver under a cabinet. You’ll likely need someone to help you install and hold different water lines for you.
Pros:
- 11 stages of filtration
- The highest filtration possible
- Includes ultraviolet filtration
- Reverse osmosis system
Cons:
- Second faucet system means you’ll need to cut a hole in your countertop
- Requires a second person to help install
Woder 10K-Gen3 Ultra High Capacity Direct Connect Water Filtration System
Many consider this to be the best undersink water filter on the market because of its DIY installation. The Woder is a simple water filtration system that anyone can use to get out some of the major chemicals in their water supply. IT is a direct connect water filtration system that fits under the sink, and it is capable of removing chlorine, lead, chromium 6, and most heavy metals.
The water tasted considerably better and had zero odor after going through this one-stage simple under the sink water filter. It was amazing to see this filter in action considering it was probably the simplest to install out of any of the products. It also is made to last, meaning that your filters won’t need to be changed for three years according to the manufacturer.
The system uses a reverse osmosis filter that is able to remove every harmful toxin from the water. The one disappointing thing about this filter is that there is no alkalinizer or remineralization process. However, you’re getting exceptionally clean water for a fraction of the cost of a big water filtration system.
Pros:
- Easy to setup
- Filters out 99% of toxins
Cons:
- No remineralization process
- Water can be a bit acidic
CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter
The CuZn UC-200 fits right under the sink and has a 50,000-gallon capacity, and the manufacturer is from the US. These are the best traits of this simple water filter that is known for its long-term filters that don’t need to be changed for five years. There also isn’t a secondary faucet, and it’s rather quick to install.
It uses a 3-stage filtration process that starts with a micro sediment membrane, coconut shell carbon, and UC-200 process that purifies water without removing beneficial minerals. This means that your water stays mostly alkaline, though it isn’t what you’d like if you are looking for more alkaline water.
This filter also doesn’t have any carbon filters, which means that it can remove chemicals without even the change of causing mold or bacteria, which can be a problem with carbon filters if not changed regularly.
In addition, the customer support team at CuZn has been hailed for its ability to help customers and solve any problem, such as installation and low flow rates.
Pros:
- Great value
- Three-stage filtration in a simple, small design
- Fits right under the cabinet
Cons:
- No remineralization process
- Requires manual installation
Filtrete Advanced Under Sink Quick Change Water Filtration System
The Filtrete Advanced Under Sink Water Filtration System is easy to install and can reduce toxins down .5 microns. With improved taste and zero odor after filtration, we can safely say that this filtration system offers great purification without a need for a second faucet. You can simply use it with your current kitchen or bath faucet without any additional hardware or fixtures.
The installation was pretty fast with no need for additional support. You can install this system using your own tools, but the kit is provided for you. Since there is only one cartridge in the system, it’s really easy to attach a bracket and mount this system inside of your cabinet if you want to save space.
We liked that this filter was about to remove chlorine, sand, soil, silt, rust, sediment, and microbial cysts. The filter is rated to last six months. One of the drawbacks to this filter is that it doesn’t reduce all toxins, we did find trace amounts of fluoride. However, it is guaranteed to remove 99.3% of all lead in your water.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Quite affordable
- Small size
- NSF certified Standard rated for 53 and 42
- Removes 99.3% of all lead
Cons:
- No remineralization process
- Manual installation
Frizz Life Under Sink Water Filter System
The Frizzlife makes an incredible sink water filter system that has a high capacity and directly connects to your faucet. This saves you some time and energy as you don’t have to install a second faucet, and the overall system is quite small, meaning it won’t take up much room in your cabinet. This is only a two-stage filter, but it does a great job of removing the key toxins in most water supplies, including trace amounts of lead, chlorine, mercury, chromium 6, and other petrochemicals.
You can use this with either a ½” or ⅜” cold water line, so it won’t mess up your faucet either. Once installed, you’ll always have fresh, pure flowing water to drink or cook with. It also doesn’t require any plumbing experience, and there is a video included to help those who are uncomfortable working under the sink.
With a high flow rate at 40 psi, you won’t be disappointed at your water’s flow rate. The only issue would be that if you wanted hot water that is also pure, you might have trouble installing this faucet. There is a way to do it, and the installation shows you how you can get both hot and cold water from the same system. It requires some additional work.
Pros:
- Great value
- 99.9% filtration
Cons:
- While installation is easy for one line, it gets tricky if you want hot and cold water filtration
Culligan US-EZ-1 EZ Change Undersink Drinking Water Filtration System
When it comes to the best under counter water filtration, you want something that’s affordable, too. Everyone knows Culligan as the water filtration experts. The name has been around a long time in the business, and they are well known for their budget-friendly whole house water filtration systems. Their EZ-change undersink drinking water filtration system has a dedicated faucet and is rated for 3,000 gallons. This means that you should only be changing the filter once a year at most.
The system only has one major canister, so it’s quite small and easy to install under any cabinet. The included filter is NSF rated and reduces the number of toxins in your water. While it isn’t tested for 99% purification, it does removes chlorine odor and taste. One thing that it doesn’t remove is chromium 6 and some other microbial chemicals. If you have a specific problem with these in your water, then you may want a higher stage filtration system.
Ultimately, this system is good for any water faucet line, and it can put out .5 gallons-per-minute at 60 psi. You’ll need to check that your water line is compatible to work with this system so your water flow isn’t slowed down at the faucet.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
Cons:
- Isn’t rated for removal of chromium 6 or microbial toxins
Conclusion
Now that you have read through some under sink water filter reviews, you have an idea of the differences that you’ll see in quality, taste, odor, installation, and filter capacity. Ultimately, the best under counter water filter will be one that meets your budget and completely filters out all of the toxins in your water that you don’t want.
Overall, when we look at the water filtration systems available today, there are a few that stand out as the best. However, we also want to factor in several features, such as type of filtration, reverse osmosis process, remineralization, and installation. For the best system on our list, we believe that iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System truly has a top-of-the-line system that will serve you well. You’ll be able to get almost 100% pure drinking water with this system as well. This is definitely the best under sink water filter available.
