Everyone needs safe and healthy water at home. The problem with water coming directly from the tap is that it exposes your body to chemicals and other contaminants. These pollutants could get you and your family in the hospital. That is why you need the best water filter to eliminate the impurities. While you cannot control water quality from the municipal supply, you can protect your family with a suitable water filtration system.
Choosing the Best Water Filter
Perhaps you want to get rid of dangerous chemicals in your home water. Or you need to improve the taste or smell of the water. From faucet-mount, reverse osmosis/under-sink, countertop, to pitcher filter, a variety of options is available out there. For helpful purchasing, here is an overview of each design.
Countertop Water Filter
If you are looking to save space in your kitchen, then a countertop filter is your go-to option. It will not take up space under the sink and you can have it freestanding next to the water source. The filtration mechanism works in a series of stages to filter a huge volume of water. Thus, it works for long to bring the desired results. The best countertop filter retains essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Because a countertop filter is installed beside the kitchen faucet, expect to have pure water at your disposal. Luckily, you don’t need to hire a professional installer to have the system fixed.
The best part is that you will not be refilling containers now and then because the countertop filter is hooked to your kitchen waterline. For a smarter investment, go with a gravity-fed model as it cleanses your water even during emergencies such as electricity blackout. You can also count on a gravity-fed filter if the municipal water is running on low pressure. The most important thing to check in a countertop filtration system is whether it can switch from non-filtered to filtered water. Make sure it is well-constructed so it may last longer.
Faucet-Mounted Filter
To improve the taste of your tap water, you can opt for a faucet-mounted filter. It is also the best when it comes to eliminating heavy metals and chlorine. Some models can get rid of a decent amount of pollutants but be sure to read the manufacturer’s guide. But before you get this filter, make sure it is compatible with your faucet. Note that it might also slow down the flow of water in the kitchen.
While faucet-mounted filters are less expensive and easily replaceable, you might want to calculate their long-term cost. You will find that a more expensive filter could serve you longer.
Pitcher Filter
This is one of the most affordable options for filtering home water. A pitcher is very effective at improving the odor and taste. But before you buy one, you must read the fine print. Note that even the best filter pitcher removes only a few pollutants e.g. chlorine, copper, mercury, and lead. It cannot effectively get rid of pesticides, disease-causing micro-organisms, or pharmaceutical residues. Furthermore, the water is held in plastic for longer hours and could end up picking contaminants.
The concept behind this system is very simple. Just pour water in a reservoir with a charcoal filter cartridge. Water percolates through it and settles in a tank set below. You may store the pitcher in your refrigerator to chill. Most carbon-based pitchers are compact enough to fit in fridge doors. You may also put them on countertops for easy refilling. However, you must replace the charcoal filters after 2-3 months for the best results.
Reverse Osmosis/Undersink Filter
Reverse Osmosis/The reverse osmosis filter is more suitable for tap water that comes in a very bad condition. It also makes sense when your countertops have very limited space. The system is effective at eliminating most impurities in water including fluoride. Plus, the undersink filter improves the smell, taste, and color. Besides retaining essential nutrients like magnesium and calcium, the system can also add the same elements.
At first, the reverse osmosis filter seems expensive but provides lots of benefits in the long run – that’s why we recommend the Fleck water softener. When purchasing this water filtration model, look for the number of stages it features. Because you will be installing it yourself, make sure that the instructions are clear. Unlike the countertop counterparts, this one does not require constant refilling of the reservoir. But it may not help you during emergencies because it relies on electricity for power.
Our Final Thoughts:
As you pick the right water filter, it is imperative that you determine your intended purpose. Test your water first so you can figure out what contaminants the filtration mechanism needs to remove. While some filters don’t remove all impurities, it is good to choose the best water filter depending on the source of water.