Top Picks for Water Filters 2024
Get Pure Water at Home!
Having lived in a rural property that has hard water, I know how important it is to have clean drinking water. Hard well water doesn’t just taste odd, contaminants like viruses and bacteria could be lurking in it as well. I don’t know about you but that’s not something I would want anywhere near my home and my family.
The obvious solution is to get a trusty water filter. Modern technology has made it much easier for us homeowners to have clean, fresh, and safe drinking water at home. It’s more cost-effective and more convenient.
The challenging part is going through the multitude of water filter options out there. Based on experience, you will probably come across a long list of water filtration systems boasting many different features. How do you begin to narrow down your options, right?
Don’t worry though because I’m here to help you get rid of the guesswork that is finding the ideal water filter for your home. After careful consideration, research, and comparison, with many different types of users in mind, I’ve narrowed it down to these top picks for water filters of 2024.
Table of Contents
Best Water Filters in 2024
- Best Water Filter Jug: BRITA Marella XL
- Best Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: Express Water RO5DX
- Best Under Sink Water Filter: iSpring RCC7AK
- Best Benchtop Water Filter: Brita Extra Large
- Best Filtered Water Bottle: Iron Flask Sports
- Best Filtered Water Dispenser For Large Families: Brita Extra Large (40 Gallons)
Clean drinking water is indispensable. We can’t live without it. According to research, the average person consumes half a gallon of water per day.
And with the increasing awareness on excessive plastic consumption, it has become imperative for many people to take part in the no-plastic revolution, thereby increasing the interest in home water filtration systems. This makes clean drinking water more accessible so there is no need to buy bottled water anymore. Simply buy a reusable bottle and fill it up in your home. Effective, sustainable, and affordable.
Let me help you make quick work of finding the best water filters in 2024. Here are the top six products you should set your sights on!
Best Water Filter Jug
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For the average-sized family, the Brita Marella XL water filter jug is a sterling choice.
It’s a very simple and fail-proof filtration system that takes the form of a water jug. You simply fill it with water and the water goes through a filter that separates the impurities. Despite its fairly large capacity, it’s small enough to put in your fridge if you like to drink cold water.
What’s great about this is that it doesn’t require complex installation. Even the kids in your home can be tasked to refill it with water when needed. The mouth of the jug is big enough to prevent spills if the kids are handling it.
One notable feature is the Intelligent ‘Meter’ technology. It tells you the hardness level of your water. It removes the guesswork of replacing the filter cartridge because it tells you exactly when your water jug is due for a new filter.
Water comes out tasting fresh and clean, thanks to the Micro Carbon Pearls in the filtration system. Aside from impurities, it also gets rid of chlorine so if you are using tap water, you would want to give this a go. The carbon pearls effectively remove the metal taste and smell of water.
The filters are fairly long-lasting. One cartridge can last for a month or so and replacement is easy to find. It’s also a renewable product since the cartridges can be recycled, perfect for people who are living a green lifestyle.
Best Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
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If your water source comes out dirtier than usual with many different kinds of impurities and metals, you might want to turn to a more thorough filtration system like the Express Water RO5DX.
It boasts of 5-stage reverse osmosis system that can remove up to 99.99% of the impurities in your water. If your water tests positive for minerals like fluoride, chlorine, lead, arsenic, calcium, and many more, this is the water filtration system that will give you more peace of mind.
The system itself is quite compact – easily hidden from prying eyes. You don’t have to deal with that eyesore of a filtration device on your countertop. But despite its compact stature, it can deliver up to 50 gallons per day. This should be sufficient for the needs of a family with 5-7 members.
Did you know that leaks are a common problem with filtration systems like this? The R05DX solves that problem by incorporating a built-in leak stop detector system. That means if it detects a leak, it will automatically shut off so that you won’t come home to a flooded house.
If you want to upgrade in the future such as if you have more family moving in, that shouldn’t be a problem with this. You can upgrade or customize it to suit your needs. You don’t need to change your entire filtration system.
Best Under Sink Water Filter
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What sets the iSpring RCC7AK apart is its 6-Stage Alkaline Remineralization Layered Filtration system. The 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis system is already good. However, there is a downside to it. It tends to produce pH 7.0 water, which is acidic. That is because it has a tendency to strip away every impurity and that can include helpful minerals.
The 6th Stage in this water filtration system brings back the minerals that the water has lost during the reverse osmosis system. That gives you the perfect balance of minerals.
This is one of the filtration systems where the water tastes so good, you just can’t help but drink some more. Even kids taste the difference in the way the water tastes with this system. It almost tastes like buying bottled water!
At first glance, the system looks complicated and high-maintenance. You’d be surprised to find out that it’s actually fairly low-maintenance. The 1st stage comes with transparent housing, so you can easily see if the cartridge inside needs to be replaced.
It’s not clunky and doesn’t take up space. In fact, it’s small enough to fit under the sink, making this the perfect choice for people with a small home.
Best Benchtop Water Filter
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There’s a reason why the Brita Extra Large Benchtop Water Filter has been getting rave reviews from people who have it at home. It’s a straightforward and simple system that is perfect for the average homeowner.
It’s similar to the first option but it comes with a large rectangular pitcher that can accommodate up to 1.13 gallons of water. It’s actually small enough that you can stick it in your fridge if you prefer drinking cold water.
The design is smart and user-friendly. The lid comes off easily and locks tightly to prevent water from spilling out. If you need to refill your bottle, simply twist the pour spigot.
What is great about this is that the water filter is simple and easy to replace. You can also find replacement filters easily. They shouldn’t cost you a lot of money and one filter can last for a long time. Reports say one filter can give up to 40 gallons of clean water. In most small to medium-sized households, this should be good for two months.
Best Filtered Water Bottle
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If you bring reusable bottles with you everywhere, you probably have an idea of how annoying it can be to keep on refilling them. You don’t have to worry about that anymore because the Iron Flask Sports Filtered Water Bottle has a capacity that is up to three times the average reusable water bottle. It’s the perfect on-the-go bottle.
Unlike other water bottles that tend to leave a pool of water behind when you set it on your desk, this one doesn’t. It has excellent insulating properties and doesn’t sweat. No need to worry about your stuff getting drenched when you store cold water in it.
The insulating properties are remarkable. It actually keeps water cold for up to 24 hours. You can also store hot water for your coffee if you want.
It’s quite easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning. The spout is large enough to make it easier to soap the inside.
Water comes out tasting fresh and clean. There’s no odd metallic taste to it.
Filtered Water Dispenser For Large Families
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The previous Brita water dispenser not large and sufficient enough for you? Don’t worry because Brita has a bigger version of that in the form of this one.
This version can accommodate up to 40 gallons of water, which should cater to the needs of a large-sized family.
Despite its bigger capacity though, it’s still compact enough to fit in the fridge. That is all thanks to its minimalist design. There are no extra parts that could get in the way.
It still comes with the features you loved in the smaller version such as the water filter indicator.
How We Chose The Winners?
After buying my home, I have become passionate about water filters. I have gone through the tedious task of researching water filters and figuring out what would be an ideal set-up for my rural property. Trust me when I say it’s not something you can do overnight. There are just way too many of them out there!
I’ve gone down the rabbit hole that is the world of water filters but thanks to my hours and hours of research and trial and error, I can now confidently recommend the best water filters out there.
I chose the winners based on the following:
- Ease of use – Who has the time and energy to figure out a complicated home filtration system right? The goal is to make it accessible and easy for consumers. You don’t want to be at your wit’s end trying to figure out how to install or use your filtration system.
- Efficacy – It has to do what it says to do. I checked the technologies used as well as the feedback of the people who have tried using them.
- Affordability – It has to be affordable as well. Many of us have a tight budget and I made sure to find water filtration systems that will not break the bank.
Disclosure: I receive an affiliate commission on some of these products when you make a purchase but I also make sure to recommend only the ones that offer real value for your hard-earned money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Filters
Is purified water the same as filtered water?
The terms “filtered water” and “purified water” often get interchanged. It’s easy to confuse these two terms but they are not the same.
Purified water tends to go through a more rigorous process of removing the contaminants and impurities in the water. Some of the common filtration processes that yield purified water include reverse osmosis and distillation procedures.
Filtered water goes through a simpler process. The water passes through a layer or several layers of filters where the sediments and solid impurities are separated. This is the common type of water filtration system used by homeowners.
What is a water filter?
A water filter is a device used to remove impurities from water. Common impurities include bacteria, parasites, and chemicals.
Water filters work by trapping unwanted particles and debris in the filter media while allowing water to flow through.
The filter media can be a variety of substances, such as activated carbon, sand, or synthetic fiber.
As water flows through the filter, it is forced to slow down and some of the larger particles are caught by the filter media.
The smaller particles pass through the media and are removed from the water.
Water filters are available in a variety of sizes and shapes and can be used in both homes and businesses.
Some water filters are installed under the sink, while others are attached to the faucet.
Some filters are also portable, so they can be taken with you when you travel.
Are water filters effective?
Water filters are generally reliable when it comes to removing impurities from your water source. However, no water filtration system is going to be completely infallible. Some issues might arise that will affect the efficacy of the filtration system.
One of these issues is a dirty filter. Over time, dirt and sediments will accumulate in the filter. If the filters are not changed in a timely manner, some of the sediments could get into your water source. This is why it’s important to look for water filtration systems that can tell you when you need to replace the water filter.
Leaks can also happen. More complex water filtration systems are connected by hoses and tubes that could loosen up over time. It’s good to keep an eye out on your water filtration device so that you can detect leaks before they become a more pressing concern.
Regular maintenance and the use of reliable filtration systems should give you more peace of mind. Set a schedule so you won’t forget to do routine maintenance.
What does a water filter remove?
This depends on the filtration system. A simple jug or pitcher filter can remove visible sediments as the water passes through a filter cartridge. However, if you are using a reverse osmosis system, it will strip away most of the contaminants in your drinking water. That can include harmful minerals and chemicals such as radium, chlorine, fluoride, and arsenic.
Many of the reverse osmosis systems out there are sophisticated enough to get rid of cysts such as entamoeba and toxoplasma.
These filtration systems also remove odors from the water, especially those that come with activated carbon layers.
How often should I change my water filter cartridge?
Check the specifications of the manufacturer. There should be instructions on how to remove the filter cartridge and when to replace it.
A simple system has a filter cartridge that can last for a month or so while more sophisticated systems can have longer-lasting filtration devices. You might not have to change the filter for at least 9 months.
What is reverse osmosis and how does it work?
When you search for water filtration systems, you will come across the term reverse osmosis. This is a multi-step water purification system that makes use of different kinds of filters to get rid of the impurities in water.
It pressurizes the water and pushes it against the filters. The water molecules will have to pass through a semi-permeable membrane where it will strip away even the most minuscule of impurities. This is why reverse osmosis is considered to be the most effective way to purify water.
Best Water Filters - Final Thoughts
I hope this guide has been helpful to you in finding the right water filtration products that suit your home. Remember to understand your needs first, especially when it comes to budget, technology, size, and capacity. These are important factors to consider when buying a water filter system.
Don’t hesitate to invest in a high-quality water filtration system. It will go a long way in making your life more convenient. There’s nothing better than having easy access to clean and safe drinking water.