Why Look For The Best Countertop Water Filter?
They say we are what we eat, but since the average human body contains around 60% water, I would argue that we are also what we drink.
For coffee addicts and drinkers of alcohol, the daily recommended amount of water consumption of 15 cups may appear excessive. But once you remain hydrated, you’ll be astounded at how fantastic it feels.
It takes effort to reach that daily goal, so it’s time to build up a thirst. Giving oneself access to clean, filtered water that is conveniently located on your countertop is one method to do this.
There are several different types of countertop water filters, ranging from little faucet adapters to enormous monsters for your kitchen counter. They all offer delicious tasting, spotless drinking water that is ideal for quenching thirst.
We are always looking into and evaluating the newest countertop water filters. Based on their capacity to reduce contaminants, simplicity of use, rate of output, and, of course, pricing, we’ve determined that these are the greatest countertop water filters for 2022.
Countertop water filters have experienced a significant increase in popularity during the past year. According to a 2018 NSF research, approximately 50% of US citizens filter their water; however, given the current market growth, we’d guess that this number is probably closer to 60–70%.
You should hunt for trustworthy guidance online if countertop filtration is something you’re interested in. You shouldn’t purchase a subpar countertop water filter based only on a biased review because they represent a significant financial commitment.
As you may guess, we’ve seen pretty much everything because it’s our duty to objectively evaluate each and every water treatment product available.
Countertop Water Filter Buyer’s Guide
Once you’ve determined that you require a countertop water filter, the following step is to choose the ideal model out of the many options.
To assist you in understanding all you need to know before making a purchase, I have put together this buyer’s guide.
Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
The Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter For anybody searching for an affordable, low-maintenance counter filtration system with a long filter life, the Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter is the perfect option.
Durable Stainless Steel Body, which won’t leach chemicals into your water and is built to last, is one of this filter’s primary advantages. Additionally, it includes gravity filtration, in which drinking water is sent through the filter cartridge and into the bottom chamber using gravity.
Additionally, it has a large water storage capacity (19.25″ x 8.5″) compared to some of its rivals. 2.25 liters of filtered, clear water are stored in the bottom reservoir. It’s renowned for having long-lasting filters as well. Depending on the quality of the water, the Berkey Purification Elements can last up to 3,000 gallons before needing replacement.
Some of the greatest gravity filters now on the market are Black Berkey components. The filters are capable of removing heavy metals, medicines, arsenic, and VOCs in addition to bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.
Despite this remarkable reduction in contamination, the Berkey’s filters keep the water’s essential minerals. The system has passed NSF Standard 53 testing, and the results are outstanding.
In addition, this countertop filter has one of the lowest lifetime costs of ownership on the market at less than $50 per year. It will save you a lot of effort and money to just change the filters after three years of use.
The Big Berkey also includes a lifetime warranty. Nothing is better than that.
However, the regular Black Berkey components won’t get rid of fluoride from your water, so you’ll have to spend more money on additional filters.
Only NSF standards had been checked on the Berkey. It lacks a recognized certification. In addition, the Big Berkey isn’t the ideal option if you want to use a gravity filter to conserve space because it is considerably larger than a pitcher filter. Filtration will go on even after the filtered water chamber is full. To avoid this, take careful not to overfill the upper chamber.
All in all, there have been allegations of Berkey distributors deceiving clients and fabricating data. But we still consider this the best countertop water filter.
AquaTru Countertop Water Filtration System
This filter is ideal for anybody searching for a countertop water filtration system that uses one of the most rigorous filtering techniques available to get rid of almost everything.
The 4-Stage Reverse Osmosis Technology, which eliminates fluoride, chlorine, hormones, toxins, carcinogens, and hundreds of other impurities from drinking water, is one of this water filter’s primary characteristics.
It is also acknowledged to be IAPMO R&T Certified, which measures up to 99 percent of 82 different water pollutants and is against NSF standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473.
Additionally, this countertop water filtration system is well-known for having a Handy Digital Display that can efficiently inform you when the filters need to be changed. The sleek, modern design of it has elements that are common in offices and kitchens. Only 1 gallon of water is wasted by its effective operation for every 4 gallons of pure, filtered water that is generated.
Sediment filter, coconut shell activated carbon filter, reverse osmosis membrane, and final activated carbon block filter are the four stages of filtration used by the AquaTru countertop filtration system. It is well renowned for being simple to use, requiring little setup or installation, and doing it all in less than 10 minutes. To get water, you just need to press a button.
The reverse osmosis membrane on this countertop filter also rejects practically all pollutants, including bacteria and volatile organic compounds. A pressure pump is also incorporated into the system to accelerate the filtration procedure. Within fifteen minutes, you’ll have access to a gallon of water. Only 20% of the water is lost due to wastewater, which is also a low ratio.
Only every 6 to 12 months or every two years for the reverse osmosis membrane will you need to update the filters. Filter replacements are inexpensivef for this countertop filter, costing about $100 a year. When to change the filters is shown by the filter change indication.
One drawback of this water countertop filter is that in order for it to function, you must be able to connect it to a power source. Despite being more effective than the majority of RO filters, the filter nevertheless wastes water when filtering.
Additionally, there is no remineralization filter, so if you want to drink water that is mineral-rich, you would need to pay for an additional filter stage. A disappointing 1-year warranty is also included with the AquaTru countertop water filter system, which is unfortunate for customers. However, it is still one of the best countertop water filters.
Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser
The Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser is one of the best countertop water filters for anybody searching for value because it is a cost-efficient countertop filtering solution.
Excellent Contaminant Removal Capabilities are one of the Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser’s Key Features. It can reduce more than 200 pollutants by up to 99.99%. Given its robust build and high level of performance, it offers excellent value for the money with an upfront cost of less than $100.
Additionally, it has undergone testing to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 40. It also removes a variety of impurities, including lead, fluoride, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, PFAS, and chromium 6, and is made of plastic that is known to be BPA-free. The opaque design makes it clear when the device needs to be cleaned.
This filter’s unit is quick and simple to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance. No small components or crevices need be cleaned.
Filters are inexpensive to change and are available in multipacks. The built-in filter reminder timer will alert you when a new filter is required. Additionally, the company offers a filter recycling program, so by utilizing this countertop water filtering system, you won’t be adding to the plastic waste problem.
As soon as there is enough water to do so, you may start dispensing water from the bottom reservoir. Additionally, you don’t have to wait for the bottom reservoir to fill completely before you can have a drink.
However, the Epic Pure requires a lot of space if you’re seeking for a countertop water filter that can be kept in your refrigerator. Most individuals will find the filter to be too large.
Despite being dishwasher safe, Epic Water Filters advises soaking the reservoirs in warm, soapy water as opposed to washing them.
The Epic Pure carbon filter cartridges need to be changed around three to four times a year and have a 150-gallon lifetime. For a countertop water filter, this is not the ideal filter lifetime. The Epic Pure has undergone NSF Standards testing, although it is not officially NSF certified.
RKIN AlcaPure Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter
People seeking for a countertop reverse osmosis water filtering system with an alkalizing & remineralization option should choose the RKIN AlcaPure Reverse Osmosis Water Filter, as it is one of the best countertop water filters.
Effective Reverse Osmosis Performance is one of its key features; the RKIN countertop filter can purify your drinking water of up to 99% of pollutants. It Features a High Filtration Rate – With this countertop RO system, you may get up to 75 gallons of clean, filtered water each day.
Additionally, it doesn’t require installation; you may use the RKIN RO filter without attaching it to your plumbing or faucet. Just turn the appliance on and add water.
The RKIN is also renowned for its 1:1 filtered water to waste water ratio, which means that it uses less trash than traditional reverse osmosis filters despite being one of the most effective filters of its kind.
Five-micron sediment filter, activated carbon block filter, reverse osmosis membrane, and alkalizing filter are the four stages of filtering used by the RKIN Countertop RO Filter. The AlcaPure, like the top RO systems, can eliminate up to 99% of all water impurities, including bacteria, heavy metals, fluoride, organic impurities, and more.
The system’s compact, fashionable appearance makes it perfect for storage in tiny areas. Anyone who lives in an apartment or RV should use this filter. You can carry the RKIN Countertop filter anyplace and put it up in a couple of minutes because it doesn’t need to be installed.
The RKIN AlcaPure is a top choice for anybody seeking for an eco-friendly, money-saving reverse osmosis unit since it utilizes less power and water than a conventional reverse osmosis filter. AlcaPure offers pure, remineralized water with all the benefits of bottled water without the wasteful plastic packaging. Additionally, an NSF 58 certified RO membrane is used.
Despite being BPA-free, the RKIN’s containers are still constructed of plastic. This might be a challenge for you if you care about the environment. Additionally, because The RKIN lacks NSF certification, its promises about pollutant reduction are simply that—claims. Without any certificates from other parties, the company tests its own goods.
Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Water Filter
The Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Water Filter is one of the best countertop water filters for anybody seeking for a filter that is guaranteed to meet performance promises and is supported by a valid NSF certification.
The Key Features of this water filter are NSF Approved for Contaminant Removal – The Aquasana Countertop water filter is NSF certified to decrease an additional 76 pollutants from drinking water and can remove up to 97% of chlorine. Additionally, it features a High Flow Rate of 30 gallons per hour, so your water will be filtered quickly.
It is also simple to install – The AQ-4000W was purposefully made to be quick and simple to install. Filters have a half-year life duration, lasting for up to 6 months before needing to be changed.
The Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Water Filter is a 2-stage filtering system that combines activated carbon, sub-micron filtration, and ion exchange media. According to Aquasana, this filter can remove 10 times more impurities than the leading filter pitcher on the market.
A wide range of pollutants, including heavy metals, chlorine and chloramine, pesticides and herbicides, volatile organic compounds, and more, may be eliminated by this filter.
With the Aquasana, NSF certifications provide you peace of mind because the filter is approved to NSF Standards 42, 53, 401, and P473.
With the help of the two faucet adaptors, you can easily and quickly connect the system to your faucet and use it with the majority of faucets.
This system has an annual cost of a little over $100, which is a reasonable sum to pay for a device with such great performance.
Comparatively speaking, The Filter is more expensive than some of its rivals. Although the NSF-certified quality is worth the extra cost, it does increase the price of the filter.
In this arrangement, the filter life is on the shorter side. It will take more effort on your part to change the filters.
The guarantee for The Aquasana is also only one year, which isn’t as lengthy as some of the warranties for some of the other filters on our list.
NU Aqua 8 Stage Alkaline Mineral Countertop Water Filter
Anyone seeking for a countertop water filter that filters and remineralizes water while being reasonably priced to run should consider the NU Aqua 8 Stage Alkaline Mineral Countertop Water Filter.
The Quick Connect to a Kitchen Faucet is one of the Key Features of this water filter. When needed, the NU Aqua offers filtered water by simply attaching to your kitchen faucet. Additionally, it incorporates a Single Filter Cartridge, which contains all eight filter stages, making maintenance less frequent and expensive. Up to 8 months pass before the filter has to be replaced.
Additionally, the product is covered by a respectable 5-year warranty. Additionally, there is a 120-day money-back guarantee, so if you don’t like the filter, you can return it for a refund.
One cartridge contains an impressive eight stages of filtration: a nano-silver filter (which inhibits bacteria and fungus growth), a KDF filter (which reduces heavy metals, chlorine, pesticides, and microbiological impurities), an activated coconut shell carbon filter (which targets chlorine and other chemicals), an ORP ball (which lessens water impurities), a bio-ceramic filter (which ionizes water), and a mineral stone filter (which adds (prevent larger particles from passing through).
The NU Aqua has a remineralization step that enhances the flavor of filtered water or tap water by incorporating beneficial minerals. Additionally, the upfront cost of the system and filters is under $100. Simply connect the filter to the water line using the adaptor, if necessary, to complete the installation of the NU Aqua.
However, the NU Aqua has a rather archaic style when compared to comparable countertop filters. The countertop filter isn’t the most appealing one available.
Since the NU Aqua lacks an NSF certification, the manufacturer’s performance claims are unsupported.
Apex Countertop Water Filter
With its single cartridge and filtered spout installed next to the kitchen sink, the Apex is extremely similar in design to the iSpring and is priced similarly to the Aquasana. This filter, which is exclusive to Apex, makes the water more alkaline, making it the only high-performance countertop filter to do so.
The Apex cartridge’s outside is clear, allowing you to see the interior filter and its many substrates that are intended to target various water contaminants. The KDF material, granular activated carbon, alkaline beads, and calcite are all visible inside, and they are all separated by microfelt pads that further remove any silt or other particles.
The Apex is extremely similar in design to the iSpring and is priced similarly to the Aquasana, with a single cartridge and filtered spout installed next to the kitchen sink. The only high performance countertop filter that does so is the Apex’s exclusive filter, which raises the water’s alkalinity.
Since the Apex cartridge’s outside is transparent, you can see the interior filter and its several substrates, each of which is intended to target a different type of impurity in your water. You can see the KDF substance, the granular activated carbon, the alkaline beads, and the calcite within, all of which are separated by microfelt pads that further reduce dirt and other pollutants.
Regarding the purported health advantages of alkaline-rich water, there is some debate. Supporters claim that by balancing the more acidic foods your body is exposed to, like tomatoes or coffee, it enhances energy, speeds up metabolism, slows aging, prevents bone loss, and even starves malignant cells. In reality, bottled water with greater alkaline levels is sold in supermarkets.
Alkaline detractors argue that this is what your kidneys are for and that there is little scientific proof to support all of these claims. Whatever the case, there is no denying that the Apex filter delivers clean-tasting filtered water for an extraordinarily low cost while successfully removing hazardous impurities from your water.
This item is created in the USA by a locally owned company and is lead- and BPA-free (a hazardous chemical present in certain plastic items) (always nice to shoutout to a fellow American). Apex guarantees that this product, like all of their others, complies with the NSF requirements for water cleanliness and filtration despite having paid any third-party certification costs.
This machine has a 750 gallon water capacity, lasts around 6 months between cartridge changes, and comes with a 1-year limited guarantee to protect you in the event that any hardware fails.
Standalone Countertop Water Filter Buyer’s Guide
Once you’ve determined that you require a countertop water filter system, the following step is to choose the ideal model out of the many options.
To assist you in understanding all you need to know before making a purchase, I have put together this buyer’s guide.
Considerations Before Buying a Countertop Water Filter
You should think about the factors that are essential to you in a water filter or that might have an impact on your selection before you purchase a countertop water filter system.
Contaminants Present – Know What is in Your Water
You must first be aware of the toxins present in your water if you want to choose a countertop water filter that will remove a particular group of them to produce drinking water that is filtered water.
Reports on the quality of the local water supply are accessible to the general public, and you should get one at least once a year. These reports outline the elements that your treated water includes.
To obtain more precise information for your own home’s water supply, you can also do your own water test.
These kits often include strips that, depending on the impurities in your water, change color. To find out what’s in your water, compare the strip’s color to the provided color chart.
System Process
Not every best countertop water filter filters water in the same way. The following is a summary of some of the most typical procedures among the top types of countertop water filters:
Granular or activated carbon filters latch onto particles and remove them from water by carbon adsorption. For capturing dangerous compounds like chlorine, insecticides, and herbicides, adsorption works well.
A semi-permeable membrane is used in reverse osmosis water filters to capture impurities as tiny as 0.001 microns. 99% of the total dissolved solids may be eliminated using the RO system method.
Distillation: This method of purifying water includes first heating water to a boil, allowing it to evaporate, and then condensing the water into a clean container. Minerals, salts, chemicals, metals, and bacteria are just a few of the pollutants that may be found in water.
Filter Testing & Certifications
To demonstrate that the filter performs as promised by the manufacturer, the best countertop water filters have either a WQA or NSF International certification. These certificates are challenging to get and can only be achieved through independent examination.
The following certifications are typical ones to be on the lookout for: NSF 401 – For removing emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals; NSF 42 – For removing aesthetic contaminants, such as chlorine, that affect water taste and odor; NSF 53 – For removing heavy metals, such as lead; and other health-harming contaminants, such as VOCs, asbestos, and mercury.
Unit Size and Space Available
If you want to get a faucet water filter, it’s a good idea to measure the area next to your kitchen sink. A countertop filter that won’t fit in your limited area is of little use.
Make sure the filter won’t be too tall or wide to fit in the available cabinet space if you intend to keep it there while not in use.
Filter Capacity (Lifespan) & Maintenance
Whatever kind of filter you purchase, it will need routine upkeep if you want it to survive for a long time.
The maintenance needs for various filters vary, thus it’s crucial to thoroughly study the user manual for that filter in order to know what is required.
While some filters need to be changed after just one or two months of usage, others may be used for between six and twelve months before they need to be replaced.
Some models require more filters than others, which increases the expense of maintenance. To maintain the functionality of your system, you’ll need to make sure you can afford to purchase new filters whenever you need them.
Ease of use
Countertop filters vary in their ease of use. The simplest filtration system to use after installation is a faucet water filter. To rapidly pour water into a glass, you simply need to click a button.
Conversely, when a water filtration pitcher is full, it becomes heavy and is harder to pour water into a glass. In order to receive clean drinking water, you will also need to manually refill your pitcher.
Filtration Speed
The system type affects how quickly a countertop filter filters water.
The benefit of water pressure works in favor of a countertop water filtration system that is connected to your faucet. Filtered water will be available right away with this kind of technology.
Gravity-based countertop filters will take longer to filter water. A pitcher filter will take five to ten minutes to generate a full jug of filtered water.
Connection to Faucet
To deliver filtered water from your tap, certain countertop water filters must be linked to your faucet. This indicates that you won’t need to manually add water to the filter because the system will pull water from your faucet when you push the water dispensing button.
Make sure you have the room adjacent to your kitchen sink if you want to purchase a system that attaches to your faucet. If you require a portable countertop filter, faucet-connecting filters are not appropriate for you because they can only function when they are connected to a water source.
Remineralization/ Alkalization
Not all countertop filters can purge the water of minerals like calcium and magnesium. Reverse osmosis filters, on the other hand, tend to provide a more complete filtering. While some individuals would prefer that these minerals weren’t present in their drinking water, others feel that water tastes bland without them.
The finest countertop water filters remove beneficial minerals along with the other contaminants in the water, but they then reintroduce them before the water is drinkable. Water tastes more alkaline as a result of this.
Costs and Budget
Numerous elements can affect how much a countertop filter costs. Countertop filters with a more intricate water filtration system or those made by a well-known brand are more costly. With prices ranging from $30 to $80, water filtration system is often on the more affordable end of the spectrum.
Standard countertop faucet filters are significantly more expensive, often costing between $150 and $300. Some filters, particularly those that employ reverse osmosis filtering, may potentially cost more than $1000.
Ratings
The internet reviews and ratings are the closest thing we’ll ever get to a taste test since they represent the most impartial authority on the true value of a product that is now available to us.
In this situation, experiencing the product through the eyes of other customers gives us a greater understanding of how it works and what it would be like to own it, giving us the best indication of whether it will be a pleasant or unpleasant experience.
Appearance
It is true that a countertop filter is never put away, even if this criteria is certainly not more significant than a filter’s real performance. Instead, it stands on the counter and serves as a reminder that you either purchased a very good filter or a very bad one.
Although I never consider a machine’s look to be a deal-breaker, I do mention it in the product description so that you may choose wisely based on your priorities and what you desire.
What Are the Advantages of a Countertop Water Filter?
Affordable options available
A countertop water filter can help you save a lot of money each month if you frequently buy single-use plastic water bottles. You will only need to purchase the first device and replacement filters once every few months with a countertop water filtering system.
Whatever filter you need, there are many options available that fit your budget. A quality product won’t need you to make sacrifices.
Low maintenance
Countertop water filters are a practical choice for anybody who would want to avoid a DIY situation because they require very no setup and extremely little maintenance, in contrast to most whole home or faucet water filters.
Since most come pre-assembled, starting your water filter will just require a few insertions and button presses. The system is ready to operate once your filters are in place. Your filter’s user manual will provide you with clear instructions on how to change your filters and how often to do so.
Don’t Take Up Too Much Space
Compact and space-saving countertop water filters are a feature of their design. Countertop water filters are slender and stylish and won’t occupy much side or storage space, unlike the majority of under sink water filtering systems, which are big and cumbersome.
Even more space-saving countertop water filters include water pitcher filters. When not in use, you may store them in a cabinet out of sight or wherever is most practical for you, such as your refrigerator.
Portable
The cheapest best countertop water filtering option, water pitcher filters, are the most portable. Once you’ve filled your water filter pitcher with tap water from your faucet, you may carry it wherever you choose because it’s not necessary for it to be attached to a sink.
Countertop faucet filters need additional setup but may still be relocated. As long as there is a faucet to attach the filter to, it should be simple to detach it and relocate it. You may even bring your filter on a trip so that you always have access to clean, secure drinking water.
Easy, Non-Permanent Installation
It’s not necessary to have countertop water filters in your kitchen all the time. A countertop water filtration system may be installed without cutting into your water supply line. There is no need for you to maintain a countertop water filter in one location or use it continuously for the rest of your life; you may use it whenever you need clean tap water.
Clean Water
You may get high-quality drinking water with countertop water filters in the comfort of your own home. At the very least, your countertop water filter should be able to remove chlorine and other contaminants from your water, which will improve its flavor.
Up to 90% of all pollutants and impurities may be removed from water with the finest countertop water filtering devices.
What Are the Disadvantages of Counter Top Water Filters?
Slower Filtration Rate
Countertop water filters work well, but not all of them deliver benefits right away.
In order to filter tap water for drinking, water filter pitchers employ gravity and require some time. You might need to wait anywhere between 15 and 20 minutes for your filter to create clean drinking water, depending on the quality of your water and the effectiveness of your filters.
Always Visible
Even if a countertop filter is beautiful, you might not want it on display in your kitchen.
Unfortunately, if you pick a faucet water filter, you will need a place for it next to your kitchen sink that is outside.
Individual Point of Use
Many countertop water filters are POU (point of use) devices since they are linked to your kitchen sink faucet. You won’t be able to use most countertop water filters elsewhere, such as your bathroom, as they are often only designed to be connected to a kitchen faucet.
Countertop water filters only influence the water quality at the kitchen sink because they are not linked to your home’s main water system.
Less practical
Compared to other filter types, some countertop water filters are less practical. For instance, water filter pitchers need to be replaced each time you run out of water and are cumbersome to carry when full. The water will then need to filter before you can get a sip.
Types of Countertop Water Filters
Gravity Fed Filters
Gravity-fed filters employ gravity to move water from a top chamber down into a separate bottom chamber after passing it through a filter. Most countertop water filters types use gravity to filter the water. Gravity filtering is also used by large stand-alone countertop systems like the Big Berkey.
A standard gravity water filter pitcher can filter a whole batch of water in five to twenty minutes. A large gravity unit will need many hours to filter an entire batch of filtered water.
You might need to wait for a complete batch of water to filter, depending on the kind of filter, before you can dispense or pour water for drinking. As an alternative, you could have access to purified water at any time.
Faucet-Fed Units
A flexible plastic hose connects a faucet water filter to your faucet, which is intended to sit on your kitchen countertop next to your sink. They often arrive substantially pre-assembled, making installation quite straightforward. To make the device operate, simply attach it to your faucet.
Water will start flowing from your faucet, through the system’s filters, and into your drinking glass as soon as you click the button on your faucet filtration system. Some faucet water filters will illuminate an LED to let you know when it’s time to change the filters.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
The most expensive countertop filtering systems include reverse osmosis filter. Reverse osmosis is a very effective water filtration technique that may remove up to 99.99% of all dissolved particles in water. Under high pressure, the procedure pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane.
Reverse osmosis wastes water, in contrast to conventional filters. A typical reverse osmosis system produces 1 gallon of pure water for every 4 gallons of waste water, or a 4:1 wastewater to pure water ratio. Today’s more effective systems, however, only squander 1 or 2 gallons of water for every gallon that is generated.
Water Distillers
Arsenic, lead, fluoride, viruses, and other impurities may all be taken out of water with a water distiller. Water distillers may get rid of even the tougher pollutants, including salt and dissolved solids, by boiling and condensing them.
Tap water is evaporated by water distillers, which then condenses the vapor back into liquid form. Contaminants are removed during water evaporation because they cannot produce steam. Water turns to vapor, leaving them behind in the boiling chamber.
After being condensed, most water distillers pass the water via an activated carbon filter in the spout. This is so that they may condense with water when they evaporate and some pollutants can persist as gases.
Common Media in Countertop Filters
A countertop filtration system may have a variety of filtering media, such as Mechanical Micron Filters, which, depending on the micron rating, remove particles within a certain size range. The size of the eliminated particles depends on the micron rating. Average lifetime is 3 to 6 months.
The next material is catalytic or activated carbon, which has a sizable surface area and a large number of pores. Adsorption can be used to capture pollutants in the medium. typical lifetime of 2 to 6 months.
Kinetic Degradation Fluxion is the abbreviation for KDF Media. utilizes the redox chemical process to remove impurities using a copper-zinc alloy. A year to eight months on average.
Ceramic filters are a low-cost media type that remove dirt, germs, and other impurities from tap water. Give a filtering period of around six months. Then there are the ultrafiltration membranes, where water is forced against a semi-permeable membrane using hydrostatic pressure. Membranes can survive for five years.
Finally, the Reverse Osmosis Membranes serve as a barrier to prevent anything larger than water particles from going through since they have minuscule pores as small as 0.0001 microns. typical lifetime of 2 years.
Is a Countertop Water Filter Right For Me?
You should contrast countertop filters with the other available types of water filters in order to determine whether they are the ideal filtration system for you. To get a sense of the most sought-after solutions available, check at the filter options below.
Countertop Water Filters vs Under Sink Water Filters
Your kitchen sink’s cold water line is connected to under sink water filters, which are placed beneath the sink. These filters can have their own faucet or direct water flow to the faucet on your ordinary sink.
Under-sink reverse osmosis filters may remove more impurities from tap water. Additionally, some individuals might prefer that kitchen under-sink filters are kept hidden from view. Compared to countertop options, under sink water filters need a more comprehensive installation. Installation normally takes an hour or so.
Countertop Water Filters vs Whole House Water Filters
Water filters for the entire house are connected to the main water line at the closest point of entrance into your home. The water used in all of your home’s faucets and appliances may be filtered by these devices.
There are several kinds of whole-house water filters available, and the majority of them purge tap water of pathogens, chemicals, silt, and metals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do countertop water filters work for all kitchen faucets?
Most common kitchen sink faucets may be connected to countertop faucet water filters. Contact the manufacturer if you’re not sure if one will fit your particular kind of faucet.
Can I connect more than one faucet to my countertop water filter?
No, you can only attach your filter to one faucet at once. It won’t take long to detach and rejoin in a different spot if you decide to go from one useful faucet to another.
What common contaminants does a countertop water filter remove?
The majority of countertop water filters can get rid of heavy metals, certain microbes, and chemicals including pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine. You can get water that tastes as good as bottled water with the finest countertop water filtering system.
There are little black particles in my water. Do I need to worry?
No. In most cases, seeing black particles in your filtered water is not a cause for alarm. These are not dangerous to your health and are most likely carbon sediment from your filters.
My water tastes and smells strange. What is the issue?
You probably need to replace the filters in your countertop water system if your water has progressively started to taste or smell terrible.
Calculate how many weeks your filters have been in use so far by consulting your filter handbook. The quality of the water in your home or increased wear and tear on the filters may have limited their lifespan even though you haven’t utilized your filters for the recommended number of months in the instructions.
How can I tell whether the water filter I have on my countertop is NSF or WQA certified?
Most manufacturers will refer to certifications in the product descriptions for their filters. Additionally, NSF offers an NSF mark that demonstrates a product has successfully undergone independent safety testing. The NSF database on the internet may also be searched.
Are all total dissolved solids removed by countertop water filters?
Unless you purchase a RO filter, the answer is typically no, depending on the filter you choose.
Some total dissolved solids are beneficial to your health in moderation. Minerals like calcium and magnesium, for instance, balance the pH of water and give it a more palatable alkaline flavor. The issue is with pollutants, not with TDS.
In my RV, can I use my countertop water filter?
You may use it in your RV if you have room on the side to place your countertop water filter. Since faucet countertop water filters are portable, you may easily unplug them from your home’s kitchen sink faucet and temporarily attach them to the faucet in your RV.
Pitchers with water filters are much simpler to transport. They may be used everywhere there is a water faucet.