10 Best Countertop Water Filter Picks of 2020 | Reviews
Find the best countertop water filter for your kitchen with our comprehensive guide here. Today, we explain all the important details that you should know before you buy the best countertop water filter system and review the top 8 countertop water filters available right now. We will also present you with two new entries for 2020.
In other words, we included on this list two products that have all it takes to become some of the best countertop water filter choices for contaminated water this year!
Countertop Water Filters Guide
We’ve selected the 8 best countertop water filters for you to compare. These models cover every range of budget and are each outstanding in their own way.
Check out their performance in the key areas that matter to you with our comparison table, then read about them in more detail in the reviews that follow.
At the end of the reviews, you will also find 2 countertop contenders for 2020 we like very much but we didn’t get to review yet. If you want us to go in-depth on any of them, let us know in the comments section below!
There’s also a buyer’s guide which details exactly what things you should be looking for in a quality system.
There are many different types of water filters out there, and we discussed many of them in detail. As you know, each water filter system comes with its own pros and cons.
So, what makes a countertop water filter special, and why would you choose one of these over another type? This is the lowdown on countertop water filter systems.
1. They are really convenient
Countertop systems are among the simplest water filter systems to install and maintain. I would say they come second only to pitcher filters in terms of convenience.
Most over the counter water filter systems are attached to the sink faucet, with the water fed through a filter to come out of the faucet on the filter device. To set this up takes just a couple of minutes and requires no tools or DIY skills.
The maintenance of these systems is also really easy. The majority of them use just one filter that will need to be replaced every 3-12 months (depending on the manufacturer). Changing the filter requires no tools either, and is just a matter of twisting the housing off, and snapping the new filter in.
2. They represent good value for money
Water filter systems can be very expensive. A whole-house system, for example, can cost upwards of $1000. However, countertop units are much cheaper. The big difference in cost here is mainly due to the size and capacity. A whole-house unit is expected to filter a much larger volume of water and maintain higher water pressure. A countertop system is installed only at the kitchen faucet and therefore handles much smaller volumes of water and lower pressures.
3. They’re more effective than different water filter methods of a comparable price
Of the cheaper water filtration methods, countertop systems are probably the most effective. Similar priced filtration methods would be water filter pitchers and faucet filter systems.
Countertop systems are more effective mainly because they can use bigger filters with more stages of filtration. By using more types of filter media they can reduce a wider range of harmful water pollutants from drinking water. However, the most effective home water filter would be the more expensive reverse osmosis system.
4. The filters last longer than water filter methods of a comparable price
As the filters are much bigger than those of pitcher filters and faucet devices the filters have a longer lifespan. Some filters can last as long as one year which means maintenance is really minimal, and running costs stay low. It is important to know that countertop water filters’ lifespan is comparable (although shorter in most cases) with the lifespan of under-sink water filters as well.
The Top 10 Best Countertop Water Filters Reviews and Recommendations
Let’s see next the eight detailed reviews of the best countertop water filters on the market. At the end of this presentation, you will also find two countertop filtration system suggestions that we didn’t review yet. If you are interested in the two contenders of 2020, leave us a comment and we will update this guide with the complete product reviews!
Until then, let’s see some of the best countertop filters for drinking water you can try today!
1. APEX Alkaline Filter – OUR TOP PICK OF BEST COUNTERTOP WATER FILTER
The APEX Countertop Alkaline Drinking Water Filter is a system of some distinction, and has a considerable reputation. Besides being an effective filter of water contaminants, it also adds healthy minerals back to your water to make some really great tasting water. The system is made from NSF certified components.
The unit uses a 5-stage water filtration process. Combining these different filter materials adds up to an effective countertop system that removes a large number of harmful contaminants from household drinking water. Let’s see how it works:
Stage 1 uses KDF material to remove chlorine, chloramines, and also heavy metals like iron, mercury, lead, manganese, arsenic, aluminum, and copper.
Stage 2 is a coconut shell activated carbon layer. Activated carbon specializes in the removal of chlorine. It will improve the taste and odor of the water.
Stage 3 removes further contaminants but focuses on adding healthy minerals to the drinking water. It adds calcium, potassium, and sodium to the water. These minerals improve the taste, and also make the water more alkaline by increasing its pH value.
Stage 4 is another coconut shell activated carbon layer. It removes more chlorine and improves the odor.
The final stage of water filtration makes the water more alkaline by adding the mineral calcite. Calcite is effective at neutralizing acid and raising the pH to more alkaline levels.
Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter Tech Specs and Features
The 5-stage APEX filter is awesome, but a nice feature of this model is that it will accept 10″ size filters from other manufacturers too. For example, if you decide that you need a filter that is effective in removing fluoride then you are free to use it.
The APEX Alkaline is easily connected to your existing faucet. It comes with all necessary hardware (including an adaptor) and can be installed in minutes. The great thing about these countertop units is that they are so convenient. Installation is a breeze and then all that’s required of you is a simple filter change every few months. The APEX filter is said to last for around 1500 gallons of use, which is a considerable lifespan.
We love this countertop water filter system. It does a great job of reducing a wide range of contaminants and makes the water taste really good too. The clear filter housing and long-life filters are two other great reasons to go with APEX. In our opinion, all things considered, this is the best countertop water filtration system.
2. Home Master Jr. F2 Elite – BEST FOR REMOVING FLUORIDE
Home Master is a maker of top quality water filter systems. They make exceptional reverse osmosis water filters and whole-house systems, and this model is no different. Unlike most countertop water filtration systems, this one actively targets and removes fluoride. It’s one of the most powerful countertop systems available, as it reduces such a wide range of contaminants.
The F2 Elite model is Home Master’s flagship countertop system. It uses 5-stages of water filtration to treat your water. These 5-stage water filters last for 500 gallons of use (around 3 months on average). Let’s take a look at how they work in a bit more detail.
The 1st filtration stage contains activated alumina. This is one of the most effective materials at removing fluoride and arsenic from water supplies.
The second stage of filtration is a catalytic carbon layer. Carbon is an effective weapon against chlorine and chloramines. It will also guard against pesticides, herbicides, iron, hydrogen sulfide, THMs, and pharmaceuticals.
Stage 3 is an activated carbon layer made from coconut shells. This will target chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, and VOCs.
The 4th layer of filtration is made of KDF85. This material effectively combats harmful contaminants such as lead, mercury, aluminum, iron, manganese, copper, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine, and chloramines.
The final layer is a 5-micron compression disk. This provides protection from particles like sediment, dirt, and rust. The compression disk ensures that the entire 5-stage filtration process is applied evenly to all of the contaminated water.
Home Master TMJRF2E Jr F2 Elite Sinktop Water Filtration System Tech Specs and Features
Despite providing such a thorough level of filtration, the F2 Elite won’t remove the healthy particles from the water. Healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium remain in the drinking water. These minerals are key ingredients in great tasting water.
The F2 Elite features a slim profile so it won’t take up much space in the kitchen. It is really easily installed in just a few minutes, and comes with all the necessary adaptors to attach to any faucet with a removable aerator tip.
There aren’t many countertop water filtration systems that can match this level of performance in reducing levels of so many harmful contaminants. It’s incredibly thorough for a countertop system. Its ability to remove fluoride makes it stand out from the crowd too.
3. CleanWater4Less Countertop Water Filtration System – BEST BUDGET BUY
This model from US-based manufacturer CleanWater4Less is our choice as the best value countertop water filter. This system is cheaper than most because it doesn’t need filter changes. Simply plug it in, then after 10,000 gallons of use, discard it and replace it with a new one.
As it doesn’t need expensive filter replacements, the running costs of this system are really low. In fact, there are none. The initial cost of the unit is the only outlay, and that lasts for a massive 10,000 gallons of use.
To put that into perspective, if the average person consumes 3 gallons of drinking water each day (drinking and cooking), then a family of 5 should get about 2 years of life out of one unit. That is quite incredible for something that is so cheap, to begin with.
cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System Tech Specs and Features
GAC is particularly effective at removing chlorine and hydrogen sulfide from the water. It will also reduce radon, heavy metals, and VOCs. This system is suited to homes supplied by municipal water. I wouldn’t recommend it for well water supplies.
Key Features
Rating: 4.5
Price: $
Removes: Chlorine, VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, radon, heavy metals
5-Stage water filtration
Easy installation
No filter changes
No maintenance
Amazing value
You can set up this filter in just minutes. Moreover, it requires absolutely no further maintenance over the course of its life. The stylish diverter valve attaches right to most standard faucets.
As far as value for money goes, you cannot top this product. It’s also a great choice if changing filters represent a problem. Certified “frustration-free” as the manufacturer says, you will like this countertop water filter and enjoy its many benefits!
4. Big Berkey BK4X2 – AMAZING QUALITY
The Big Berkey is a bit different from the other countertop filters we have included in our post. Instead of attaching to the faucet, this unit needs to be filled from the top. I guess it’s like a huge, glorified water filter pitcher, but just far more effective at filtering your water.
The Big Berkey BK4X2 allows gravity to do the work and force the water down through its filters.
It comes as standard with 4 filters. There are two regular filters and 2 fluoride & arsenic filters.
The system can actually fit 2 more of the standard black filters, which increases the water flow rate from 3.5 gallons per hour to 7.
Big Berkey BK4X2 Countertop Water Filter System Tech Specs and Features
The standard black filters have a lifespan of 3000 gallons each, which gives 6000 gallons of use for the two that are provided. That’s an absolutely huge lifespan that would be measured in multiple years rather than months. The fluoride & arsenic filters last for 1000 gallons of use.
Key Features
Rating: 4.2
Price: $$$$$
Removes: Fluoride, herbicides, pesticides, lead, mercury, nitrates, VOCs, radon, and trihalomethanes, and more.
Doesn’t rely on faucet water supply
Doesn’t remove healthy minerals
Long-lasting filters
Portable
The filters are really powerful and reduce a wide range of harmful water particles. Contaminants it reduces include herbicides, pesticides, lead, mercury, nitrates, VOCs, radon, and trihalomethanes. The fluoride filters will remove up to 95% of the chemical.
The Big Berkey is made of high-quality stainless steel and has a capacity of 2.25 gallons. It is 19.25″ tall has a diameter of 8.5″. A real bonus of a system like this is that it doesn’t rely on your faucet water supply. That makes it perfect for if there is ever a water cut-off, or for camping trips, or off-grid living. A system of this size would suit households or families of 1-4 people.
Really powerful water filtration that doesn’t attach to the faucet. The filters seem expensive, but they last about 6 times longer than the average countertop filters. That actually makes them very reasonably priced.
The Waterchef C7000 is NSF certified to reduce a wide range of contaminants. It also uses smart technology to monitor usage and current filter effectiveness.
The C7000 uses a solid carbon block filter that has a really long shelf life. It will last for 1000 gallons of use, which is probably around 1 year. The filter combats a variety of harmful tap water contaminants by maximizing its contact time with the water. The contaminants that this water filter reduces include:
Crucially, it won’t remove healthy minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium either.
This means it produces great-tasting and chemical-free water from the kitchen faucet.
WaterChef C7000 Premium Countertop Water Filtration System with Intelligent Monitor Tech Specs and Features
My favorite feature of this water filter is the real-time Intelligent Monitor. Most water filters don’t have a means of monitoring the effectiveness of their filters, and those that do usually use a time-based system that is inaccurate.
The C7000 actually measures the water usage of your home, so that you always change water filters at the optimum time. That means no guesswork and no risk of using a filter once it is well past its recommended life cycle. It works using a three-light LED system.
Green: Everything is in fully working order.
Yellow: Less than 10% of the filter capacity is left. It’s time to order a new filter.
Red: The filter has reached its capacity. It should be changed right away.
We love this water filter. The intelligent filter monitor and NSF certification (Standards 42 and 53) make it a system of some distinction. Did we mention it has a lifetime warranty too? Overall, this one of the smarter ways to reduce/remove a broad range of tap water contaminants, give up the waste and expense of plastic bottles, and enjoy a cleaner, healthier, great-tasting water for drinking and cooking.
This water filter reduces a huge range of contaminants to below EPA’s minimum levels. These include chlorine, chloramine, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.), asbestos, PCBs, cysts, protozoa, trihalomethanes, and hydrogen sulfide.
It achieves this with its epic 10-stage filter. Let’s break down exactly what this filter does.
Stage 1: 30 Micron sponge filter. This stops the larger particles like dirt, sediment, and rust from going any further.
Stage 2: 8 Ounces of KFD-55. This is a patented material that is excellent at removing chlorine, and heavy metals.
Stage 3: 10 Micron felt pad. This removes more solid particles.
Stage 4: 30 Cubic inches of super fine mesh, coconut shell, and granular activated carbon. Activated carbon is one of the best ways of reducing chlorine. It also removes herbicides, pesticides, mercury, arsenic, and trihalomethanes.
Stage 5: 10 Micron pad. This removes more sediment and larger particles.
Stage 6: 7 Cubic inches of ion exchange resin. This helps to remove lead.
Stage 7: 30 Micron pad. Protects against any remaining sediment.
Stage 8: 7 Cubic inches of granular activated carbon. This protects against organic contaminants.
Stage 9: 2 Ounces of calcite. This adds healthy minerals to the water. Besides being healthy, this also raises the pH to more alkaline levels.
Stage 10: 1 Micron filter. Filters out cysts and protozoa.
New Wave Enviro 10 Stage Plus Water Filter System Tech Specs and Features
The amount of water pollutants that this reduces is really impressive. That’s not all though, as it also adds healthy minerals to your water to maintain an alkaline pH level. Furthermore, the filter lasts a massive 365 days. That’s a great return for a countertop water filter and makes the price of the filter represent pretty good value too.
The New Wave Enviro water filter comes with everything needed for a really quick installation. It doesn’t require any tools or DIY skills. The unit also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
This 10 stage water filter is more than just hype and delivers really effective filtration results. There aren’t many countertop units that combat this many pollutants. The filters also last one whole year, which is a great return for this type of system.
7. Aquasana AQ-4000W – NSF CERTIFIED
The Aquasana AQ 4000-W is NSF certified to reduce 68 harmful contaminants from water. It comes with a solid reputation and an awesome 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
The AQ-4000 is the only Aquasana countertop water filter. As you know, Aquasana is one of the biggest manufacturers of whole house water filter systems and even modern water softeners. It provides effective water filtration using a twin filter system. The filters last for around 6 months or 450 gallons of use. Now, the filters aren’t cheap, but they are NSF certified to reduce a wide range of contaminants.
The certification means they meet strict safety standards and have been independently tested to prove their effectiveness. They are certified to reduce 68 contaminants, but more specifically they will reduce the following:
96.6% Lead
96.6% Mercury
97.4% Chlorine
99% Asbestos
99.4% Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
99.9% Cryptosporidium & Giardia
81.8% Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
Aquasana AQ-4000W Countertop Drinking Water Filter System Tech Specs and Features
These are pretty impressive figures for a countertop unit. It does this using a 3-stage filtration process that combines a carbon filter, ion exchange, and sub-micron filtration. The Claryum filter technology actually preserves the healthy minerals too. That means beneficial magnesium, calcium, and potassium remain.
The filters are easily removed and replaced, and the unit is easily installed too. There are no permanent fixtures and installation simply involves screwing on the faucet attachment.
The NSF certification makes this a really effective water filter. The filters aren’t cheap, but you can rest assured that they do their job very well. The Aquasana AQ 4000 reviews really well with regard to contaminant reduction, but it’s not as kind to the wallet as some others. That’s just the consequence of the NSF certification.
8. Watts Premier 500315 – GREAT VALUE
The Watts Premier 500315 countertop water filter provides high-quality carbon filtration. It has a sleek, minimalist design and takes up very little space in the kitchen. As you know, Watts is one of the biggest names in water filtration systems, with excellent choices of whole house water filters and even under-sink water filters.
The 500315 model is NSF certified to remove chlorine, chloramine, lead, sediment, sand, and rust from drinking water.
Watts Premier 500315 Countertop Drinking Water Filter Tech Specs and Features
It does so with a 5-inch carbon block filter, but it will happily accept 10″ filters from other manufacturers too. That means you are free to experiment with different types of filters that range in cost and the contaminants that they protect against.
This is one of the cheaper countertop filters available. It’s a great choice for municipal water supplies.
Well, that brings us to the end of our 8 best countertop water filter reviews of the year. If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to get in contact, and we promise to get back to you promptly.
Now, it is time to show you the two contenders we were talking about at the beginning of this guide. As we said, if you want in-depth reviews for any of these products, leave us a comment in the dedicated section and we will update this article with full analyses!
2 Best Countertop Water Filters to Consider in 2020
The first product we would like to mention is coming from APEX as well. It has a 4.4 stars-ranking, more than enthusiast customers’ reviews, and a great price for its tech specs.
It also makes the water more alkaline by adding healthy minerals back to it after the initial filtration;
It comes with a 30-day 100 % satisfaction money-back guarantee and limited one-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Featuring a whopping 4.2-stars rating and almost half the price of the above-mentioned APEX EXPRT MR-2050 countertop water filter, this AmazonBasics product is something to consider when you want fast, easy, and affordable drinking water filtration. Here are the tech specs and features that captured our interest:
Five-stage filtration system to reduce/remove chlorine, bad taste, and odors from your water;
Filter life of 30,000 gallons;
Tested and certified by IAPMO to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 for material and structural safety.
These two countertop water filters were our recommendations for this year. Now, before we conclude this article, let’s move on to the buying guide we promised!
Before You Buy a Countertop Water Filter: What to Know
Here are a few important points to consider before you buy a countertop home water filter.
1. What water contaminants are you looking to reduce?
The answer to this question should decide which water filter you need. Some are good at removing chlorine, while others are better for heavy metals like lead. The best tabletop water filters will reduce a wide range of contaminants.
There are a few different ways to find out which contaminants are hiding in your water:
Check out your local Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This is a yearly drinking water quality report from your local water authority.
2. Is alkaline water important to you?
Alkaline water is that which has a pH of greater than 7. Some people believe alkaline water to be healthier and better for the body.
Some water filter systems have the ability to add healthy minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium to the water. This improves the mineral content of the water, but also raises the pH to more alkaline levels. As you know, you can always get one of the best water ionizers on the market to make alkaline water at home.
However, if you want to kill two birds with one stone, you can go for an alkaline countertop water filter or even a smaller, fancier alkaline water filter pitcher.
3. How much are the replacement filters, and how long do they last?
It’s easy to judge a system’s cost based on the initial outlay, but the true cost is based on the filters.
A $50 system that uses $20 filters that need to be replaced every 3 months will cost $850 over 10 years.
A $100 system that uses $50 filters that need to be replaced every year will cost $600 over 10 years.
Be sure to check out the replacement filters before you buy them. We’ve included this information whenever possible in our countertop water filter reviews.
4. Is the countertop water filter certified?
The best water filters come with certification to prove their effectiveness. The main certification for countertop units is from NSF. If you see this mark then you can be assured of the unit’s quality. We have talked about NSF and WQA certifications before, so check out each product’s description and see the mentions regarding third-party testing and certification.
Such matters are particularly important when you want to make sure that your future water filter is able to remove chlorine, bad taste and odor, and many other common tap water contaminants.
Does the filter remove fluoride?
Fluoride in drinking water is another hotly debated subject. Most countertop units won’t remove fluoride, but some will. We’ve included a couple of the best ones below (Home Master Jr. F2 Elite & the Big Berkey).
Bottom Line
This was our guide on the best countertop water filters to consider this year. We hope we helped you make the best choice for your family.
Perhaps you need an under sink water filter instead? Check out our latest post to see the best models!
Come back soon as there is lots more to come from Water Filter Answers over the coming weeks and months. To stay up to date with all the latest news in the water filter world (including information on water pollution and the environment) you follow us on Facebook. There’s an icon in the top right corner of the page!
Hi I'm Jamie, teacher and owner/chief contributor at waterfilteranswers.com. We strive to bring you the most informative water filter reviews in the most intuitive and user friendly way. Besides offering advice on the water filter to suit your needs, we also post topical articles on water pollution and the environment.
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hello. your topic, the apex alkaline filter, mr 1050, is nsf certified. however, when looking at the amazon web site, they say national safety foundation, which it is not. it’s the national sanitation foundation. please clear up my confusion before i purchase. you say it’s the best countertop filter. i need to know what i’m getting. thank you. joel
Thank you for all the information. kindly asking an advise, our water source is a deep well. so we have no idea what kind of minerals we are having in our water. we are buying filtered water so far and still no idea what kind of filtration they have. please please advise which is better for me and my family.
hello. your topic, the apex alkaline filter, mr 1050, is nsf certified. however, when looking at the amazon web site, they say national safety foundation, which it is not. it’s the national sanitation foundation. please clear up my confusion before i purchase. you say it’s the best countertop filter. i need to know what i’m getting. thank you. joel
Thank you for all the information. kindly asking an advise, our water source is a deep well. so we have no idea what kind of minerals we are having in our water. we are buying filtered water so far and still no idea what kind of filtration they have. please please advise which is better for me and my family.
Respectfully yours,
Romel