Water filters come in many different shapes and sizes and at many different prices. There are also a seemingly unlimited number of water filters being sold in the marketplace right now.
To help you narrow it down a little, here are reviews of the best countertop (or faucet) water filters on the market. These were selected because they are proven to be effective and providing healthy drinking water at a very affordable price point.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter | Best Overall |  |
| Lake Industries The Stainless Steel Countertop Water Purifier Filter | Budget Pick |  |
| Cuckoo Tankless Countertop Water Dispenser | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Royal Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
Pros:
- Large 5 gallon capacity
- Easy to Assemble and easy to use
- Cutting edge technology to remove pathogenic bacteria and viruses
- Very affordable
- Filtered water tastes great
Cons:
- Dimensions 8.5x8x20 inches
- Being a gravity-fed filter, requires a stronger hand to fill the upper chamber
A strong contender for the best countertop kitchen water filter, is the beautifully-designed Royal Berkey Water Filter, which is popular for its big 5-gallon capacity, easy assembly and use, outstanding performance and clean taste of filtered water, and cheap price, compared to its competitors.
The Royal Berkey is a gravity-fed system, meaning that you have to pour the unfiltered water into the upper chamber (the Big Berkey) through a spigot to filter it down to the lower chamber (the Little Berkey), where you can access it or pour it out.
Be careful during the filling process because it can splash if you pour too fast.
2. APEC Water Systems RO-CTOP Portable Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Fits most standard faucets
- Lightweight and portable
- TDS meter included
- Clean, clear, and pure water
- Quick filters
- Affordable
Cons:
- Dimensions may be smaller than advertised
- System may need to be cleaned frequently
- Frequent leaks
- Only filters 1 gallon per minute
The APEC Water RO-CTOP is an affordable reverse osmosis water filter that’s been designed to remove up to 99% of common water contaminants leaving you with clean, pure water, allowing you to skip the bottled water store. Having tested and compared many counter-top units, I can honestly say that this is one of the best reverse osmosis systems available for the price.
As soon as you open the box you’ll notice the quality of the system. It’s been expertly designed and the build quality is exceptional for the price. The useful features don’t stop there, the system includes a sediment pre-filter, a DI water tank, a pressure gauge, quick release valves, and a TDS meter.
3. APEX Quality Countertop Drinking Water Filter
Pros:
- Affordable
- Compatible with various faucet types
- Good for whole house filtration
- Produces great-tasting, clean water
- Allows you to save on water and electricity bills by pumping less frequently
If you want a countertop water filter that you can easily install, the Apex countertop water filter is a great choice for you.
This filter works best if you want a system that can treat the whole house and deliver clean, great-tasting water to all of the taps. In addition, you can save money on electricity bills and the amount of water you use because the system saves water by filtering it as you use it. Plus, installation is super easy, so even if you don’t have the expertise or tools to install a water purifier, you can still find success with this system.
While you’re probably familiar with purifying water using a method that involves boiling, you might not have heard of the countertop option that uses granular activated carbon to transform most harmful contaminants into harmless substances. The hot water technique involves pouring hot water into a chamber where the granular carbon is contained. This process creates a hydrogen gas, which is able to break down contaminants.
4. Cuckoo Tankless Countertop Water Dispenser
Pros:
- Powerful filtration system
- Reduces odor and taste of chlorine
- Compact and convenient
- Easy to use
- Made of high quality materials
- Can easily accommodate a large water bottle
- Great customer service
Cons:
- The company could do a better job at explaining the features of the product
- Not ideal for a big family
The Cuckoo countertop water filter is a low price and high quality product that is most suited for a single or a couple’s use.
This product is equipped with extra power charcoal sediment filters, which trap more impurities and deliver cleaner water than faucet-filtered tap water. The faucet water filter has an LCD digital meter that helps you track how much water you have consumed.
The Cuckoo countertop water filter comes with a stainless steel container and an installed filtration system. The filter also features an exclusive self-cleaning system that prevents the buildup of mineral and algae, which helps keep the water fresh and clean.
5. AlcaPure Zero Installation Purifier Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Effective at filtering out contaminants
Cons:
- Slow filtering rate
- Smaller capacity compared to other filters
Product Dimensions – 14.9 x 9.6 x 13.5 inches | 2-Year Made in the USA Company Limited Warranty
This is a perfect countertop water purifying system for areas where you only need to filter out contaminants (like chlorine) and are not worried about fluoride. It is also great for areas with relatively hard water and people who want to maintain an alkalinity of 8.0 or higher.
This countertop filter is easy to install and remove without using any tools. It is very easy to use and looks fantastic on the counter. This filter also gives water a nice, clean taste.
6. cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System
Pros:
- Great for reducing bad tastes and odors
- Durable and sturdy
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Can be cumbersome, especially in small spaces
- Doesn’t live up to the claimed 4.5-gallon capacity
There are quite a few water filters available in the market that can be attached to your tap. We wanted to see how three of the most popular models stack up against each other, so we took three of the best selling options – the cleanwater4less countertop water filter, Berkey water purifier, and New Wave water filter… and pitted them against each other in a detailed, side-by-side comparison.
7. Lake Industries The Stainless Steel Countertop Water Purifier Filter
Pros:
- Very effective water filter
- No installation or maintenance required
- Highly affordable
- Very light in weight
Cons:
- No electronic maintenance indicators
- Filling the unit from your sink involves bending over and pouring from above
- No independent water treatment facility, you need to rely on other water purification processes to ensure that the water being filtered is safe
The Lake Industries Stainless Steel Countertop Water Filter is our top pick because of its price, quality, and ease of use. The fact that it’s reusable and doesn’t require any installation or maintenance makes it one of the easiest filters to use regularly.
The filter removes 99.9% of all contaminants in your water, including chlorine and fluoride. It’s also effective in removing parasites, bacteria, heavy metals, and even odor. While it’s not intended to be a main water filter for your home, it’s great to use as a supplementary filter for areas of your home where you think the water might be contaminated, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or even your laundry area.
8. Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Counter Top Water Filtration System
Pros:
- Filters impurities like VOCs, heavy metals, bad tastes, odors, and chemicals
- Comes in a variety of attractive colors
- Effectively filters up to 50 gallons of water before you have to replace your filter
- Dual-stage filter purification system
- Less expensive than most other countertop filters
- Installation is complete in just a few minutes
- Replacement filters are cheap and easy to install
- Change the filter cartridge part number FM-25 in color: white
Cons:
- Gives out a smell when water comes out, may take a few weeks to break in
- No warranty to protect against leaks and damages
This filter is a great choice for everyday drinking water, and it’s a popular item on Amazon. The style is completely up to you – choose from a variety of eye-catching colors. From budget-friendly to flashy, you’re sure to find one that fits your home’s decor.
9. New Wave Enviro 10 Stage Plus Water Filter System
Pros:
- Compact design
- Ideal for those on a budget
- Comes with a certification card
- Easy to install
- Adjustable settings
- Positive customer reviews
Cons:
- Filter element requires replacement after 6-12 months
- Replacement filters are expensive
- Parts are not dishwasher-safe
The New Wave Enviro is a top-rated countertop water filter, with more than 2,200 reviews on Amazon alone, and a 4.5-star customer rating. It is inarguably the best choice for those who want the purest water possible.
The system is compact and easy to assemble, and installation is a breeze, that is, if you have basic plumbing skills. From your kitchen sink, you screw the filter directly onto the faucet. The entire apparatus is surprisingly lightweight at just 1.6 lbs.
The system comes with a cartridge that removes rust, silt, cysts, sediments, chlorine, lead, mercury, bad taste and odor. To switch the cartridge, you simply have to turn it around. It comes with a certification card, which lists most (if not all) of the contaminants it has removed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best countertop water filters?
When it comes to drinking water, most people prefer bottled water, but that doesn’t solve the tap water problem. We believe the best countertop water filters are the Aquasana AQ-4000 and the ZeroWater ZP-010.
Both of these water filtration systems are advanced and extremely effective in removing harmful substances like chloramines and chlorine from your water. Both provide you with clean, clear, tasty water that is clean enough to drink straight from the tap.
Both are made from high quality materials and are backed with excellent warranties, too. Both are certified for high performance and will ensure your tap water tastes great for years.
What water filter is the best?
It really depends on your personal preference and style. For example, if you prefer a pitcher design, but you're not crazy about the one it comes with, then you should contact the company to see if they'll send you a new filter. Even if they don't, it's still a good idea to get an extra one or two and store them for when the filter is blocked. We tend to change ours out on a weekly basis.
What is the best gravity water filter system?
In our opinion, the best type of water filter to have in your home is a gravity water filter. Gravity systems produce potable water through a natural process. All gravity water filters use a filter made from porous substances. Some popular filtration media include sand, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), activated carbon, and coconut shell carbon.
These filters remove large particles from the water and then the water is allowed to drip through the filter and into a holding tank. The tank can be a storage tank or a tank mounted on the machine. When the tank is full, the water is ready to drink.
What is the best portable water filtration system?
There isn't just one portable water filter on the market. A few of the portable water filter options are discussed in this guide along with our considerations for the different models. All portable water filtration systems that we know of have some environmental impact, either through production, shipping, or use. The system you choose should have the lowest impact and/or be a closed looped system. If everyone always used a refillable water bottle and filtered their water on-the-go, there would be no market for the portable water filters. That said, they are a great option for people who don't always have easy access to a safe water source like those hiking or in backcountry.
Conclusion
This is a very popular guide because countertop water filters are one of the most affordable types of purification systems available. They are also relatively easy to install and easy to maintain. Using this guide, you can make an informed decision on the best countertop water filter for your needs and your budget.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter | Best Overall | |
| Lake Industries The Stainless Steel Countertop Water Purifier Filter | Budget Pick | |
| Cuckoo Tankless Countertop Water Dispenser | Upgrade Pick | |