Best Water Purifiers of 2018
When it comes to good, clean drinking water, water purifiers offer some help. There is a lot of debate over tap water, bottled water and purified water. You have probably heard the hype around water filters, and it is important to note that water filtration is not a fad. It improves the taste of your water and protects you from any harmful contaminants.Even before you start shopping around, you are bound to hear a few rumors. For instance, purifiers are:
- Too high maintenance
- Too difficult to install
- Too expensive
We want to help you find the best water filter to improve your water. In compiling our favorites, we hope that you can see where the myths end and the truth begins. The options on the market are extensive; you can find options that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Water Purifier FAQs
Water purifiers come in different models by different brands. There are a few different reasons that people purchase them, whether it’s for clean tap water, camping, or hiking. With the different types on the market, you probably have a few questions before you start. Here are a few of the most common questions about water filters.
What are water purifiers?
When it comes to clean water, you probably have heard of three things: water purifiers, water filters and water softeners. A water purifier cleans the water of contaminants and viruses. Often, household purifiers come in conjunction with a filter to rid of chemical components such as chlorine and fluoride.
What kind of impurities are in water?
The types of impurities found in drinking water are as follows: undissolved sand and mud, dissolved salts, dissolved inorganic compounds, organic compounds, biological impurities and decontaminants.
What types of water purifiers are there?
There are four main types of water purifiers: reverse osmosis or RO purifiers, ultrafiltration or UF purifiers, ultraviolet and faucet mounted, or gravity based purifiers.
Where can you pick up a water purifier?
You can find water purifiers online or in stores that sell kitchen appliances.
Is it more expensive than bottled water?
When looking at the prices of bottled water compared to a purifier, it may look like that the purifier is the more expensive option. This is not true in the end. You have to replace water bottles constantly. For some families, they may go through a case of water every few days. With a purifier, you have lower costs over a longer period. It is a bargain.
Are they difficult to install?
Every filtration system is different. For under-the-sink purifiers, installation may be more complicated. If you aren’t confident in the installation, you can always have it installed by a professional. However, the faucet purifiers and the pitcher purifiers do not have complicated installations.
How We Reviewed
Our review process was extensive. We know when you look for a purifier, anything that is less than clean water isn’t enough. If it doesn’t do the job, then it’s a waste of money. We looked at purifiers that followed an effective system that had all of the specifications of a good water filter. Then, not only did we look at what the brand or model claimed it could do, but we looked at what customers were saying about the product.
While there are some outliers that can be good or bad, we looked at the consensus and most common complaints. We want to make sure that you get the product that you pay for. Additionally, we don’t want you to be surprised by any flaws in the purifier when it arrives. Every product has pros and cons; we did our best to weigh them out evenly.
Aside from ranking and purpose, we also looked at prices. While some of the higher-priced purifiers are capable of more, they aren’t always the best deal. Likewise, some of the cheaper options may do as much as the more expensive. We tried to find a balance for different budgets.
Overall Price Range of Water Purifiers
A water purifier can come in a range of prices. It’s heavily dependent on type and brand. Models that filter more contaminants are going to cost you a few hundred dollars whereas a pitcher or water bottle may only cost you a little.
Top 10 Water Purifiers
APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
- Supreme quality – designed, engineered, and assembled in USA to…
- Only technology to remove up to 99% of contaminants including arsenic,…
- Premium long-lasting filters used to treat tap water, well water….
This system is one of the best water filtration and purifying systems on the market. It easily installs under the sink if you have any knowledge in basic plumbing. If you don’t, there is an instruction manual that makes it easy. However, you may want to get some advice from a plumber or your local appliance store. This filtration system eliminates 99% of all contaminants. Not only do you get clean, crisp water where you will taste the difference, but also safe water. Some people have reported issues with the hardware; however, APEC’s customer service is top of the line.
PUR Basic Faucet Water Filter System
- PUR BASIC FAUCET WATER FILTER: PUR Basic Faucet Filter in Black…
- FAUCET WATER FILTER: PUR’s Basic faucet filters are certified to…
- WHY FILTER WATER? Home tap water may look clean, but may contain…
PUR is a staple brand among water filter systems. While this system is not going to take care of as many contaminants as some of the options, it will rid you of many. Not to mention, it does what it sets out to do and leaves your water tasting cleaner and better. This system is easy to install because it simply hooks up to the water faucet. It’s durable and not prone to leak. It is one of the best prices for a faucet system also. It does the job without you having to put in extra work.
Big Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filtration System
- 2.25 Gallon holding Volume
- Height = 19.25″ ; Diameter = 8.5″
- Purifies up to 3.5 Gallons / Hour
This filtration jug is great for families. It’s large and it can be placed anywhere in your home. While the water is clean-tasting, it isn’t quite up to par with the some of the other options on the list. However, it is in a nice, attractive container with no installation. The washers, unfortunately, are made of rubber rather than silicone. This could cause a rubber taste in some cases.
Aquasana 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filter System
- Instantly Transform Ordinary Tap Water Into Clean, Extraordinary Water…
- High Flow Rate – This system powers through a half-gallon of water…
- Cost Efficient & Long Lasting – The most economical filter on the…
If you want a high quality filtration system with more capabilities, then the under-sink purifiers are usually your safest option. This one in particular has high and positive reviews. It works great and filters your water, but you do need to make sure that you’re on top of getting the filters changed regularly. When the filters need to be changed, the system can leak.
GE Reverse Osmosis Filtration System
- Reverse osmosis filtration reduces 15 different contaminants
- Replacement cartridges: fqropf filter set and fqromf membrane
- Features premium dedicated faucet with filter change reminder light
One of the best features of this under-sink purifying system is that it is easy to install. The instructions are easy, especially for those who want to do it themselves. This quick-working appliance cleans your water efficiently. This machine is easy to use, little maintenance and the water tastes clean and fresh. One of the best on the market, it gets the job done. You do need to be careful with the valves, however, some consumers reported the valve having some issues.
APEX Countertop Drinking Water Filter
- REDUCES HARMFUL CONTAMINANTS IN TAP WATER: Removes 99% of substances…
- CONNECTS TO DOMESTIC FAUCET MODELS: APEX countertop filters have been…
- COST-EFFECTIVE WATER FILTER: By using an APEX counter top alkaline…
APEX is one of the leading names in safe and clean drinking water. It’s a counter top system, so you don’t have to worry about any extensive installation or changes to your plumbing. If alkaline and pH levels are important for you to manage, APEX is fantastic for that. The right alkaline level actually makes water easier to drink and can leave you feeling less full. The one downside is that you do need to make sure that you don’t run anything except for cold water through the filter. It cannot handle hot or warm water.
Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System
- Maximum level filtration reduces 99% lead, 99% microbial cysts, 97%…
- Tested and certified by NSF international against NSF/ANSI standard 42…
- Installs in less than 30 minutes and offers 6-month filter life
This is another water purifying system that you install under your sink. It eliminates most of the normal contaminants in water. This is great for cities or foul-tasting water. Like all filters, it comes with a list of contaminants that it is able to filter out. You can use this to make sure it works for your particular situation. Make sure that you read the instructions very carefully upon installation! If you make an error, you could end up with a flood or leaking.
Brita 23.7 Ounce Hard Sided Water Bottle with Filter
- FILTER ON THE GO: The filter inside the BPA free bottle filters as you…
- BETTER TASTING: The water bottle filters and reduces chlorine taste…
- CONVENIENT: The hard-sided plastic, built-in carrying loop and flip…
Not everyone wants an entire water purifying system. If you’re on the go, then a water bottle filter might be enough for you. This is going to filter any water you pour into it. Tuck it into your bag and do not worry about bad-tasting water. An added benefit is that it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe. As with many filters of this size, it doesn’t filter out bacteria.
Brita Large 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher
- LARGE WATER PITCHER: This large, clear plastic pitcher is easy to pour…
- CLEANER AND GREAT TASTING: The BPA free Brita filter reduces chlorine…
- FILTER INDICATOR: For optimum performance, a helpful status indicator…
The Brita pitcher is one of the most common choices. There are reasons for this, of course. Not only is it one of the most affordably priced pitchers, but it also filters the water precisely how it promises. The pitcher is built a little awkwardly. The water pours slowly compared to other filters. It does not have an indicator for you to know when to change your filter, but there are instructions on when it’s time to change. It is, for the most part, a durable filter that lasts for years. If you do have a problem with it, Brita’s customer service is quick and friendly.
Soma Sustainable Carafe & Plant-Based Water Filter
- New, improved filter reduces chlorine, mercury, copper and more
- Shatter-resistant glass carafe
- Holds 6 glasses (48oz) of fresh filtered water
The Soma carafe is one of the unique filters on the list! Not only did manufacturers create this with sustainability in mind, but it also is made of glass, rather than plastic. With an attractive hourglass shape, this filter is not only sturdy and durable, it looks sharp at any table. If you’ve ever felt that a plastic filter just isn’t going to cut it at a formal dinner party, then you aren’t alone. The filter gives you a clean water taste, and it also looks elegant. It is the best item on the list for those who are interested in environmentally friendly options.
Comparison Table
Product |
Type |
Weight |
Dimensions |
Installation |
Warranty |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Rev erse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System |
under-the-sink system |
25 pounds |
16 x 5.2 x 17.5 inches |
easy |
1 year |
$189.00 |
| PUR Basic Faucet Water Filter System |
faucet system |
1.15 pounds |
7.3 x 3.2 x 7.7 inches |
easy |
2 year |
$23.99 |
| Big Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filtration System |
countertop filteration system |
7.45 pounds |
8.5 x 8.5 x 19.2 inches |
none |
6 months |
Price not available |
| Aquasana 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filter System |
under-the-sink system |
7 pounds |
12 x 4.2 x 9 inches |
easy |
1 year |
$142.85 |
| GE Reverse Osmosis Filtration System |
under-the-sink system |
7 pounds |
5.5 x 11 x 12 inches |
easy |
by request |
Price not available |
| APEX Countertop Drinking Water Filter |
countertop system |
5.5 pounds |
6 x 6 x 14 inches |
none |
1 year |
$80.95 |
| Filtrete Maximum Under Sink Water Filtration System |
under-the-sink system |
2.2 pounds |
3.5 x 3.5 x 14 inches |
easy |
by request |
$44.22 |
| Brita 23.7 Ounce Hard Sided Water Bottle with Filter |
water bottle filter |
6.2 ounces |
3.6 x 3 x 9.5 inches |
none |
none |
$23.99 |
| Brita Large 10 Cup Everyday Water Pitcher |
pitcher filter |
1 pound |
10.9 x 5.6 x 10.5 inches |
none |
90 days |
$26.99 |
| Soma Sustainable Carafe & Plant-Based Water Filter |
pitcher filter |
2.28 |
6.5 x 12 x 6.5 inches |
no installation |
by request |
$28.99 |
The Verdict
When it comes to a water filtration system that does everything that you could possibly ask it to do, the APEC Top Tier 5-Stage Ultra Safe Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System doesn’t disappoint. This system had the best reviews and the most capability of any of the options listed here. While it isn’t cheap, it stays reasonably priced for what it is capable of doing.If you have particularly dirty water or simply want a top filtration system, we think that this is the one. Consumers love it and the company backs it with a warranty.
