Our favorite water filters from Brita and Culligan were easy to install, looked good, and have certifications that ensure their quality,
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The importance of having access to clean, filtered water in everyday kitchens can make all the difference. While most tap water is safe to imbibe, whatever chemicals are used to clean it (cough chlorine cough) can affect its flavor. Not only can a glass of water taste bleh, but it can also actually negatively impact the taste of tea and coffee.
This is why we set out to find the best faucet filter by testing four popular models. We examined how easy they were to install and use, the effectiveness of the filter, how much replacement filters cost, and what certifications they had.
One of our favorite filters, from DuPont, was discontinued. We've removed it as a winner and added a high-performer from Culligan in its place.
The Winners, at a Glance
The Brita is a solid all-around choice. This particular filter had the second fastest flow rate, was lightweight and sleek in appearance, and included a button that changes colors depending on how close the filter is to expiration. It also boasted the longest time between filter changes in our lineup.
The Culligan impressed us with its speedy flow rate and sleek look. It's a reasonably-priced option that's simple to install, if a bit tricky to master while in use (to activate the filter, a pin must be pulled out mid-stream). Replacement filters are affordable, last for up to 200 gallons, and are easy to find online.
The Different Kinds of Water Filters
While it can be easy to recognize why you may want to filter water, choosing a filter type and model can be unduly complicated. Here are the general types and how they work:
What Certifications Mean
Faucet filters often promise to filter out unsavory ingredients such as lead, chlorine, cadmium, and mercury from water. It&#;s important to make sure this is true. The authorities on water quality are the Water Quality Association (WQA), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Each institution ensures that filters have undergone rigorous testing to meet qualifications. Some certifications to look for are NSF/ANSI Standard 53, NSF/ANSI Standard 42, NSF/ANSI 401, and NSF/ANSI 372.
We would like to note that although most faucet filters remove a lot of chemicals and unsavory things from water, they&#;re unable to remove perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PFAs are &#;widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.&#; To find all the details about water certifications, check out our review of water filter pitchers.
The Tests
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
What We Learned
How Water Faucet Filters Work
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
The intricacies of the filtering process can differ depending on the specific model of the water faucet filter, but the basics remain the same. After attaching the filter and mounting base directly to a faucet, you flip a switch (or pull out a pin, in the case of the Culligan). The water then flows until it reaches the filtration section. According to Culligan, &#;the water passes through a &#;sediment trap.&#; This screen helps remove particles of sediment like dirt or sand. After that, the water is typically sent through a block of activated carbon and zeolite, which is full of pores that trap contaminants like chlorine.&#; This process ensures that some of the worst (and perhaps slimiest of) offenders never make it into your drinking glass.
When it comes to brewing coffee, for example, filtered water is essential. &#;Water that&#;s too soft has a hard time actually pulling the good-tasting solids out of the coffee bed,&#; writes former commerce writer Jesse Raub. &#;At the same time, it&#;s really hard to control the chemical makeup of your tap. A good rule of thumb is to start with a carbon water filter.&#;
All But One Filter Removed All Traces of Flavor
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
While conducting the blind taste test, we found that the Brita, Culligan, and DuPont filtered out all flavors found in the unfiltered water. (We never knew we could describe water in so many ways until this test.) Our untampered and unfiltered water tasted faintly metallic, so we were disappointed that the water filtered by PUR had traces of that flavor.
Setup Was (Almost) Painless
We always enjoy simple instructions when it comes to setting up any kitchen fixture. (We&#;ve banged our heads against enough walls in frustration when building cheap furniture, thank you!) Most setups consisted of loading the filter cartridge into the faucet mount and then screwing on the entire appliance to the faucet itself. The PUR, Brita, and Culligan each included adapters for faucets that are either internally or externally threaded. But everything got a little dicey when we found out the hard way that the Brita cartridge was not screwed on entirely&#;the filter chamber filled with water and then sent the cartridge flying up and off the mount (and into our face). The lesson? Make sure the filter is properly attached before turning on the water.
Each Filter Required An Initial Flush
If you would like to take your filter home, set it up, and guzzle down the very first glass of filtered water, think again. Every filter required running water through the filter for at least five minutes before use. The Culligan&#;s initial flush lasted for even longer, clocking in at 10 minutes (we were baffled to find the flushed water ran a bit warm at first even though we ran cold water through the system). The flush serves two purposes: 1. To activate the filter. 2. To clean out any dust or other debris inside the chamber. Each filter also comes with a warning to only filter cold water&#;since hot water can cause damage to the filter&#;so it&#;s important to change to the &#;unfiltered&#; setting before doing something like washing dishes.
Filters Last Approximately Two to Four Months
If you&#;re staying as hydrated as possible (get that glowing skin, friends!) then odds are you&#;ll be putting your filter through the wringer. Most faucet filters need to be replaced every two to four months, depending on use. The Culligan has the shortest filter usage period since the company recommends swapping out each filter approximately every two months. On the other end of the spectrum, the Brita lasts for a proposed four months. The PUR and DuPont suggest filter changes every three months. Not sure if you&#;ll be able to keep track of time? We recommend the Brita for its indicator light. As the filter loses its life, the light changes from flashing green to flashing amber, to flashing red.
The Criteria: What to Look For in a Faucet Water Filter
Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Water Purification Faucet.
During testing, we looked for filters that were easy to install, use, and replace. We also considered how effective the filter is by conducting a blind taste test and checking to make sure that each is officially ANSI/NSI certified.
Our Favorite Faucet Filters
What we liked: The Brita&#;s flow rate was the second fastest of the bunch, filtering one gallon in one minute and 24 seconds. Unlike the other filters, this one only needs a filter change every four months. Even better? It comes with a filter light to let you know when the filter needs changing! Overall, the filter is lightweight, simple, and sleek, and it fits in well with other chrome appliances. Plus, at the time of testing, it was half the cost of the DuPont (our previous, now-discontinued winner).
What we didn&#;t like: We found out the hard way that the filter cartridge needed to be fastened very securely to the main section of the filter unit, otherwise the built-up water sent the cartridge flying. Once fastened properly, we did not have this issue again.
Key Specs
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
What we liked: Most importantly, this filter produced clean, neutral-tasting water. We were very impressed with the Culligan&#;s flow rate: It filtered a gallon of water in a mere one minute and 19 seconds, much faster than our previous winner, the DuPont. Replacement filters are $19 per filter, which is relatively affordable. On that note, the filter cartridge should be replaced every 200 gallons, as opposed to Brita's every 100. The filter is sleek and nice-looking.
What we didn't like: Activation of the filter itself&#;once affixed and flushed&#;was not intuitive. We had to pull out a pin on the side of the machine for the filtration to begin. This activation only works if the water is already running relatively steadily.
Key Specs
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
The Competition
FAQs
How does a faucet filter work?
The filter is attached directly to the faucet itself. As the unfiltered water flows into the filtration section, it is purified by a screen that filters out larger particles. The next part of the process&#;a section often made up of activated carbon and zeolite&#;takes care of smaller impurities.
What&#;s the difference between a faucet filter, a water filter pitcher, and a reverse osmosis filtration system?
While each filter has the same purpose&#;to cleanse water of a variety of harmful chemicals and other impurities&#;faucet filters, water filter pitchers, and reverse osmosis filtration systems are all set up differently. The faucet filter affixes to the faucet itself; water filter pitchers are freestanding pitchers to which unfiltered water can be added; and reverse osmosis filtration systems are often attached under the sink to the tap water source.
How much do filter cartridges cost?
Since every filter is different, replacement cartridges can vary in price. Cartridges can usually be purchased in sets, either directly from the company&#;s website, or online elsewhere. Price can greatly depend on the bulk of cartridges ordered but we have found that the range can go from $13 for two (such as for PUR) to $46 for a set of three (such as for DuPont).
How can I find out what is in my tap water?
There are a couple of ways to determine what exactly is in your water. Many water suppliers provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report. But if this is not the case, we recommend visiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency's website to access the information. You can also use a self-administered test in order to find out if you have hard water (we&#;ve used the Premium Water Hardness Test Kit).
What does a filter get rid of?
Faucet filters are excellent for removing both health and non-health-related impurities, depending on their certifications. This means that any certified filter is likely to remove things like lead, chlorine, cadmium, and more. However, most filters are not powerful enough to remove some long-lasting chemicals, such as those that fall under the umbrella of PFAs. Read more about water filtration in our review of water pitcher filters.
Is a PUR or Brita filter better?
The PUR faucet filter we tested had the right certifications, but it fell short on performance. The water we filtered with it tasted metallic. Regarding aesthetics, It's hard to get used to the enormous attachment. The Brita has a more discreet profile, cleanly filtered water, and only needed to have its filter changed every four months.
Why We're the Experts
Faucet-mounted water filters eliminate many more contaminants than pitcher filters do, last longer between replacements, and give you filtered water from the sink on demand. After months of in-home testing, we&#;ve concluded that the Pur Plus Faucet Filtration System is the one we&#;d choose for our own kitchens. It removes a wider array of contaminants than its competitors from Brita do, and it looks better, too.
The Mineral Core filter has the same 71 certifications and add a (supposed) flavor-improving element. Each lasts for 100 gallons or about three months.
The Pur Basic filter is certified for 71 contaminants, including lead. Each lasts for 100 gallons or about three months.
In an unusual turn for Wirecutter, we tested only one other model for this guide, the Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System. That&#;s because Pur and Brita offer the only faucet-mounted filters we&#;ve found that are certified to dozens of NSF/American National Standards Institute contaminant standards and are widely available in North America.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe Pur Plus faucet-mounted filter is ANSI/NSF certified for 71 contaminants, including lead, mercury, microplastics, many pesticides and industrial chemicals, and 12 &#;emerging compounds&#; (PDF) that are increasingly found in US drinking-water supplies. That puts it well ahead of Brita&#;s faucet filters, which are certified for 56 contaminants. The Pur filter is easy to install on a standard faucet (but be aware that no faucet-mounted filters will work on those with integrated pull-out sprayers). Over months of heavy testing, the Pur Plus proved durable, never developing leaks or other hardware problems, and its built-in flow meter and indicator light automatically signal when it&#;s time to replace the filter cartridge. Finally, since the Pur Advanced system is available in multiple finishes, you have a better chance of matching it with your kitchen&#;s hardware than you do the Brita.