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So many of us would love to do the healthy thing, and drink water right off the tap. No more sugar, we say. No more empty calories. But we just can’t commit: the water tastes too bad! It’s time to put an end to this; filter out the bad, right at the faucet level.
See also: Put that new, clean water to good use with these adorable and highly practical ice pop molds!
How They Work: Best Water Filter for Taps & Faucets
First, let’s clear up a misconception: what these do is filtering, which is not the same as purifying. If you are dealing with contaminated water, the appropriate solution is a reverse osmosis system, or similar; something designed to make water pure. A faucet filter will certainly improve the quality of your drinking water, but to a more minimal degree. Therefore, it should only be used then the water comes already treated.
Generally speaking, a tap filter works in 3 phases: first, a screen around the cartridge blocks out sand, rust, and other types of sediment. Then, the water flows through a block of activated carbon, which traps certain contaminants present in the water. The carbon is called “activated” because it usually includes a chemical that allows it to catch other types of elements that it alone would be unable to deal with. Silver, for example, is often incorporated to prevent the passage of bacteria.
Important to note: most, if not all, of these filters can handle cold water only. They should not be exposed to hot water.
Benefits of The Best Water Filter for Taps & Faucets
Better water quality: Chlorine, microorganisms, heavy metals. Chemicals from pesticides. These are some of the elements that a filter will do away with. Your water will be freed from unpleasant odors and tastes. You will notice the difference, glass after glass.
Zero water waste: Every drop that comes through the filter, comes out appropriately processed. Nothing gets diverted.
No power consumption: They require no electricity, which helps both your utility bill, and the planet!
Filters can be recycled: That’s right! Often, the manufacturer will provide you with a shipping label so that you can send back the used filters. Failing this, there will likely be a recycling campaign in your area.
What Counts
Longevity
The less often you have to trouble yourself with changing it, the better (not to mention the savings). This is measured by number of months, and gallons filtered.
Filtering speed
The longer the water stays in contact with the filter’s carbon core, the cleaner it comes out. This slows down the flow out of the faucet. Some filters incorporate technologies that allow the water to come out faster, while still cleaning it. This will be measured by gpm (gallons per minute).
What Gets Taken Out
While most filters remove the same range of contaminants from your drinking water, some will be more thorough than others. Fluoride and iron are a few examples of elements that not all filters will be capable of processing. You might want to have a general idea of what it is you’d like removed.
Filter change indicator
Who doesn’t like to be reminded of things we do only every once in a while —like changing a filter cartridge? A change indicator will tell you when it is time to swap. If there isn’t one, then you will need to note when you last did the change, and measure the volume of water you filter in your first week, in order to find out how much the filter works on a weekly basis. This is so you know when the month or gallon milestone has been reached.
Access To Non-Filtered water
You probably don’t want to keep the filter on duty while you’re doing dishes, for example. This will mean, after all, that a lot of filtered water will go straight down the drain. If you can run unfiltered water for certain tasks, your filter will be working only when it’s needed.
Design
1. Housing: Some come in stainless steel; most of them are plastic. BPA-free is most desirable in the latter case, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals eventually making it into your drinking water.
2. Swivel: useful to keep it out of the way so certain chores will be easier.
3. Finishes: Because aesthetics are also important. Getting to choose the right finish to match your kitchen’s scheme is sure to be a boon.
Installation
Not all kits are equal: They may come missing some accessories by default, or instructions could be incomplete. These filters are unlikely to require professional help, but we still want the process to be as easy as possible.
Certifications
Also known as “does it really do what it claims to do”. Some filters will come NSF/ANSI certified, or be backed by organizations such as the Water Quality Association (WQA).
A Faucet’s Favorites
PUR FM2500V
The hard-to-miss LED light will go from green to red when it is time to swap cartridges, which will be every 100 gallons or 2-3 months. The filter uses a combination of activated carbon and ion exchange to work with over 70 pollutants, lead and chlorine included. The housing is installed with one click, and comes with 4 different adapters.
Certified by both NSF and WQA.
Pros:
- Filtering is fairly thorough and trustworthy.
- Decent longevity.
- Easy to install.
Cons:
- Does not remove nitrates nor iron.
- Housing can develop leaks.
- Slow to filter.
Engdenton 40161502
This one can get out of the way if you need it, as it can swivel a full 360°. Housing is food-grade 304 stainless steel, which helps it withstand just about any level of water pressure without cracking or leaking.
Your water will be flowing out at a rate of 0.5 gallon per minute; the cartridges are designed to last a respectable 320 gallons, or 6 months at a base consumption of 27 cups per day). You will, however, have to manually monitor how long the cartridge has been working, as there is no indicator to tell you when it has run out its course.
Pros:
- Strong housing.
- Good water pressure.
- Filters are remarkably long-lasting.
Cons:
- No certification.
Brita 35214
4 months is how long you can expect its cartridge to last, or 100 gallons. You can get the unit with indicator so you don’t have to worry about keeping track, or without it if you’d rather pay about 30% less.
Aside from improving taste and odor, the filter can remove lead, asbestos and also certain common bacteria. It is also one of the options that can reduce fluoride. If you want to spare your filter some work while you do the dishes, you need only turn the knob to get unfiltered water running.
Pros:
- Dedicated to removing bacteria.
- Capable of processing fluoride.
- Needs replacing only every 3 times a year on average.
Cons:
- Cannot endure high pressure: better to operate it with faucet open only halfway.
- Housing can break easily.
Waterdrop WD-FC-03
This one works with two of the most common faucet sizes: regular and junior, both male and female threaded. If your faucet has an interior aerator, it will have to be removed before installing the filter.
One cartridge will work for up to 6 months, or through 320 gallons, with 0.5 gpm pressure flow. A turn of the switch will alternate your water flow between filter and straight from the tap.
NSF/ANSI certified, standards 42 (chlorine, taste and odor) and 373 (lead-free materials).
Pros:
- High chlorine removal rate.
Cons:
- Piece that secures the housing to the faucet is known to be weak.
Instapure F2BCT3P-1ES
The block used in these filters does not contain silver; instead, it relies on coconut carbon, intended to maximize retention and improve taste. Its switch provides access to unfiltered water.
This unit comes comes backed with the WQA’s Gold Seal, as well as NSF/ANSI certification, standards 42 (chlorine, taste, odor, particles), and 372 (lead content). Cartridge should be changed every 200 gallons or 3 months. This one requires keeping track of water workload and time elapsed so as to not miss replacement time.
Pros:
- Multiple certification.
- Filtering block does not involve metals.
Cons:
- No change indicator.
- Housing can be rather fragile, and should be handled with care.
The Best Water Filter for Faucets & Taps: Engdenton 40161502
As long as your faucet is conventional, you’re golden: this unit installs with relative ease, swivels a full 360°, and its ACF filter, of Japanese origin, is 10 times more capable than average units; its duration is rather remarkable, a respectable 6 months or 320 gallons. With any luck, you’ve found the best water filter for taps & faucets! At half a gallon per minute, filling up your cups and containers will be little different than straight out of the faucet. It doesn’t get much more durable than this: 304 stainless steel will endure water pressure, and even a hit or two. It may not have any certification, but it doesn’t need it: consumer opinion is a pretty strong endorsement.
See also: this is the best little companion for those hot summer days! Check out our home ice cream maker reviews here!
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