by Curtis Grossi |
Last Updated: March 14, 2024 
Our editors independently research, select, and recommend the best products. Some of these may be affiliate based, meaning we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if items are purchased.
Countertop water filters are an easy and efficient way of getting clean drinking water without making any major changes to your plumbing system. Most of these models are inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, and above all else… transportable. That’s to say that you can take the filter with you either on a camping trip or during emergencies for a sure supply of safe drinking water.
The countertop water filters follow a series of multiple filtering processes to remove most, if not all, of the pollutants present in your drinking water. Actually, some of the latest offerings now go the extra mile to re-mineralize the water in case some of the useful minerals are lost in the filtration process. The water is then made more alkaline offering you numerous health benefits and enhancing its taste.
It would take you a couple of weeks or even months to compare all the different models that the market has in this category. So, our article brings you 5 of the best countertop water filters in 2020 to make the task easy for you.
In case you feel intimidated by all the features that you need to consider when choosing the best countertop water filter for home, our buying guide section has everything that you need to understand before hitting the market.
But first, let’s dive in and check our reviews of the best countertop water filters.
1. Royal Berkey Water Filter – Best For Well Water, Outdoors, And Emergencies
The Royal Berkey water filter packs most of the great features that you’d want to see in the best quality countertop water filters.
It has a height of 19.25 inches and a diameter of 8.5 inches. Although I wouldn’t say that it’s the most compact, it’s still very easy to move around and even to travel with.
This countertop water filtration system comes fitted with Black Berkey purification systems that have been verified to exceed NSF/ANSI standards. But it’s their performance and effectiveness that we were really interested in. This state of the art model filters cysts, parasites, and pathogenic bacteria.
It also removes hazardous chemicals like pesticides and herbicides while reducing harmful minerals such as lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. And the good thing is that it retains all the healthy minerals in the water.
Another great feature of this water filter is its ability to absorb fluoride and arsenic using filters known as PF2.
Considering all the contaminants that the Royal Berkey is able to filter out, this might be your go-to model for use at home, during outdoor activities, and in emergencies.
The two Black Berkey elements can both filter 6,000 gallons of water before requiring replacement (3,000 gallons each), while each of the PF2 will effectively eliminate fluoride and arsenic in 1,000 gallons of water.
Importantly, the Royal Berkey ships with everything that it requires to function: upper and lower steel chambers, 2 water purification elements, 2 fluoride and arsenic reduction filters, 2 wingnuts, 2 washers, a priming button, a spigot, a lid with handle, and a rubber gasket to protect both the base of the unit and your tops.
Lastly, you also get a free stainless steel BPA-free water bottle with a capacity of 24 ounces for clean and safe drinking water on the go.
Features
- Filter cartridges purify approximately 6,000 gallons of water before replacement
- Measures 23” by 9.5“
- Weighs 12.76 pounds
- Highly polished AISI 304 stainless steel finish
- NSF certified and exceeds ANSI Standards 53
- Manufacturer’s warranty
- Free water bottle
2. New Wave Enviro Water Filter System – Best for Chlorine
Our top pick for the best countertop water filter for chlorine, the New Wave Enviro Water Filter System uses a 10-step process to eliminate among others: harmful chemicals, organic and inorganic arsenic, bacteria, and heavy metals, chlorine, micro-organisms, hydrogen sulfide, and other lesser-known organic contaminants.
Its advanced water filtration system goes over and above to filter out major contaminants to below EPA minimum levels. So you have great tasting water to drink with most of the healthy minerals intact.
A great thing about this model is the fact that it takes you only 3 minutes to fill up 2 gallons. This output is far better than most competitors and it’s actually one of the fastest that we’ve come across with these water filtration systems.
The New Wave Enviro filters 1,500 gallons of water with each cartridge replacement cycle. The good news is that the filters are easily available and the replacement process is a breeze too.
Now, while this is a countertop water filter, there is an option to mount it under the sink using a conversion kit (buy on Amazon) that is sold separately. This might be a great option if you don’t have a lot of free space on your kitchen tops.
This product comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee plus a 1-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Features
- Size: 12.2” by 5.4” by 4.6”
- Weight: 0.5 pounds
- Optional under-sink installation
- 10-stage filtration system
- Beautiful white finish
- Filtration speed: 1.5+ gallons per minute
- 1 year limited warranty
- 30-day money back guarantee
3. Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter – Best Faucet Mount Water Filter
For those who are looking for an affordable countertop water filter 2020, Culligan – an American water treatment products company – gives you the FM-25.
This model is unique from the filters that we’ve seen so far in that it mounts directly onto your existing faucet. And that’s to say that it requires virtually no installation tools at all and it should be offering healthy drinking water free of contaminants in seconds.
The Culligan FM-25 is a level 3-advanced filtration faucet mount filter with a beautiful chrome finish. It uses Carbon Block filter to get rid of atrazine, heavy metals, reduces cryptosporidium, lead, giardia cysts, and chlorine. It also deals with the number 1 water quality issue of bad odors and taste to offer you odorless water with enhanced taste. It is NSF tested and certified against ANSI Standard 42 and 53.
The life expectancy of this water purification system’s filter is 200 gallons or 2 months (whichever comes first). After that, change the old filter with the FM-25R replacement filter cartridge (buy on Amazon) for a continuous supply of unpolluted water.
Please note that this model is to be used with cold water only of between 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a pressure range of 30-100 psi and 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm) flow rate.
Also important to note is that the product comes with adapters to fit all standard sink nozzles but does not fit on drop-down faucets.
Features
- Beautiful chrome finish
- Measures 5.5 by 3.5 by 6.5 inches
- Weighs 0.84 pounds
- Super easy installation process
- Two years warranty against all defects in materials and workmanship
4. Ecosoft Countertop Drinking Water Filter System – Best Budget Water Filter
Our search for the best countertop water filter system also brought us to another model that we’d really like you to check out – the Ecosoft.
You can choose from any of the three colors: Leaf, Ocean, and White that this countertop drinking water filter system comes in. The glossy plastic finish is elegant for these European designs and they are all gorgeous choices.
Each comes with 2 faucet adapters, a stainless steel spout, a plastic wrench, seal and ring for a flawless, leak-proof installation. To drink from these systems, just connect them directly to the faucet and enjoy filtered water to drink or cook with.
This affordable model comes with European-engineered technology that uses activated coconut-based carbon and a 10-micron filtration rating, to filter chlorine, chloramines, lead sediments, rust, and bad taste and odor before your drinking water pour in your glass. And similar to other systems in our best countertop water filters reviews, it does all this while maintaining all the beneficial minerals present in water.
One of the best features that grabbed our attention about this model is that just 1 filter cartridge can last up to 1,500 gallons! That`s equivalent to 6 months of clean water supply or approximately 200 plastic water bottles. The product is BPA free and uses European food-grade plastics only.
What`s more: you will receive an extra free replacement filter when you purchase the unit for the first time and exchange for any reason within 30 days of purchase. You also receive a 1-year full warranty.
Features
- Uses activated coconut-based carbon
- Weighs 3.15 pounds
- 3 color designs available; white, ocean, leaf
- Measures 3.5 by 3.5 by 12 inches
- Filter cartridge cycle- after 1,500 gallons or 3-6 months
- Contaminants removed: lead, rust, chlorine, chloramines, odors, bad taste, and sediments
- BPA-free, European Food Grade plastics used
- 30-day money back guarantee and 1 year warranty
5. Aquasana AQ4000 Countertop Water Filter System – Best For Compact Design
Aquasana is a company to reckon with in the world of water treatment products. It tends to have everything from whole house water filtration systems to under-sink water filters.
What we have here is one of the best compact countertop water filters – the Aquasana AQ4000.
Raw, unfiltered water is immediately transformed into a healthy drink upon entering this water pitcher filter. This state of the art model employs the claryum water filtration technology which, according to the manufacturer, reduces up to 10 times more contaminants than other gravity pitchers out there.
If you get your water supply from the municipal, this water filter’s ability to remove up to 97% of chlorine and chloramines from the water is a solid reason why you might want to check it out.
It also uses activated carbon to remove organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals, heavy metals using ion-exchange, while the absolute sub-micron mechanical filtration traps asbestos and cysts. The beneficial minerals are preserved for maximum hydration.
Another feature that we really liked about it is its 0.4 GPM flow rate. Again, this is an environmentally-friendly product designed with few disposable plastic parts.
This filter does not require installation since all you do is attach the diverter to the tap. And it’s amazingly compact and, therefore, won’t clutter up your sink space. The full system is NSF certified against ANSI Standards42, 53, 401, and P473 for absolute filtration of up to 77 contaminants in your water.
Features
- Measures 12 by 7 by 4 inches
- Weighs 2.95 pounds
- Has a 0.4 GPM flow rate
- NSF certified
- Filter cartridges last up to 6 months
- 10 times more contaminants reduction
Comparison Chart For Counter-Top Water Filters
| Model | Brand | Best For | Our Rating | Price | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkey Water Filter | Berkey | Best For Well Water, Outdoors, And Emergencies | 8.2 | $$$$$ | 12.76 pounds | 9.5 x 9.5 x 23 inches |
| New Wave Enviro 10 | New Wave | Best for Chlorine | 7.8 | $$ | 4.06 pounds | 12.2 x 5.4 x 4.6 inches |
| Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter | Culligan | Best Faucet Mount Water Filter | 7.2 | $ | 13.6 ounces | 5.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches |
| Ecosoft Countertop Drinking Water Filter Dispenser | Ecosoft | Best Budget Water Filter | 8.4 | $ | 3.22 pounds | 3.5 x 3.5 x 12 inches |
| Aquasana AQ4000 Countertop | Aquasana | Best For Compact Design | 7.4 | $$ | 2.95 pounds | 12 x 7 x 4 inches |
Best Counter-Top Water Filters Buying Guide
How safe is your drinking water? Contaminants such as bacteria, heavy metals, and other chemicals can be found in the city or well water which makes it unhealthy to drink. Whole-house water softening systems are rather expensive and impractical in rented apartments; therefore, arming yourself with one of the best quality countertop water filters might be the answer to your problem.
Many manufacturers claim to have the latest and most revolutionary counter-top water filters. This means that choosing just one to take home might feel like a daunting task.
These filters have numerous advantages: apart from the basic filtration of contaminants and chemicals, some can make drinking water more alkaline, while re-mineralizing and improving its taste. Alkaline water contains anti-aging supplements, can help boost your immune system and hydrate your skin while promoting weight loss.
What To Do Before Buying Water Filters
Test The Water
Buy a water test kit (find one here at Amazon): test your water to know what contaminants it has and select the best countertop water filter to rid it of these pollutants.
A water kit will also help determine the approximate quantity of contaminants you have. We have to stress that this is a very important step and will help you a great deal in choosing the most suitable filtration gadget to go for.
Do Proper Research
Once you know what contaminates your water, do a quick research online to know which ones are more hazardous in order to get a filter that can specifically get rid of them.
Set Up A Budget
Now that you know the type and quantity of contaminants to be filtered, choosing the kind of filter you need becomes easy. However, it is wise to decide on how much you are willing to spend before getting to the store and stick to your price range.
What To Consider Before Selecting A Countertop Water Filter
So, now that you have determined what contaminates your water, and the amount of money to spend, what specific considerations must you make before spending money on a particular model?
a) Type
There are two types of filters to choose from; faucet filters and water filter pitchers. Let`s look at each individually.
- Faucet Filters
The installation takes minutes because all you have to do is connect them directly to your faucet or tap, switch them on and the filtration process begins.
They are easy to use and filter the water efficiently giving you and your household clean filtered water to use. The biggest disadvantage of using the faucet models is that it is difficult to tell how much water has been filtered so the filters can be replaced.
- Water Filter Pitcher
You only need to assemble together the water filter pitcher, and it`s ready for use. They come with containers that can hold up to 5 gallons of water and apart from the regular filling required when the water runs out, no installation is needed.
Since they do not have to be connected to a water source, they can be placed anywhere in your kitchen, living room or in the office and won’t fill up your entire countertop.
Another advantage is that you could put a slice of your favorite fruit or veggie and enjoy infused water rather than plain regular water. (Check out our picks of the best water filter pitchers reviews here)
b) Proficiency
You will be happier having an easy to use the unit. In essence, faucet filters are easier to use. As discussed earlier all you`re required to do is connect them to a faucet, turn it on and flip a switch to use the filter.
For water filter pitchers, you have to manually refill the container regularly since they are not connected to a tap. For a busy home or office, even the biggest storage container might be inadequate.
c) Size
For a faucet filter, size is an important consideration. Since they must be placed near a faucet, on the sinks countertop, you must purchase a size that can fit and isnt overly large.
Water filter pitchers that can hold the maximum 5 gallons of water are also pretty large, consider where to place them before purchasing or consider a smaller model if you do not have enough storage space.
d) Maintenance
Water filters cannot be used indefinitely. At some point the filter cartridges have to be changed when they`ve filtered to capacity. These filters will last between 2 months to a year and some models use more than one filter at a time.
Know beforehand, how long your filter(s) is going to last, the availability of the replacement filters and how much they cost.
e) Price
There is a range in sophistication and price when it comes to water filter models. Higher price tags don’t always equal the best filters. Since these filters are made to filter varying contaminants, it`s difficult to choose one that is generally the best for everyone.
Some models are best suited to remove pesticides while others remove chlorine effectively. Choose the one that best suits your water filtrations requirements.
f) Effectiveness
As mentioned earlier a water test kit helps you know what and how much of contaminants are in your water. So, you can select a model that will effectively filter out the specific pollutants present in your drinking water.
Almost all filters can get rid of heavy metals, odor, sediments, and foul taste. Some filters will remove chlorine more efficiently than others. Models that are great at removing almost all contaminants, might remove even the good minerals contained therein.
g) Features
Go for a product that offers extra beneficial features like the ability to even get rid of fluoride, re-mineralize and alkaline water. After a filtration process, you might lose the taste or even the beneficial minerals water naturally has.
In that case, having filter cartridges that can re-mineralize and make the water more alkaline will be an added bonus and will improve the taste greatly.
How Does A Countertop Water Filter Work?
The water passes through a seemingly simple process but in real essence, the process is more complex than it meets the eye. It is a three-step process but there are manufacturers who will go a few extra steps to offer incredible results.
Here is a low-down of the major processes that take place during water purification:
- Mechanical filtration – sediments, particles, rust, and large microorganisms are filtered through the 0.1-0.3 microns pores in the first step.
- Softening the water – resins are used to trap toxins and heavy metals like calcium and magnesium that make water hard. They are filtered out using a process called ion exchange.
- Activated carbon filters – the carbon filters remove organic compounds including pesticides, herbicides, and disinfectants such as chlorine. The other processes aren`t in all countertop filters but they are important features to look out for in your filter of choice.
- Alkaline water – water pH is balanced when the water is exposed to invisible rays that ionize the acidic components making it more alkaline. Drinking alkaline water has various benefits including improving the immune system, hydrating the skin, and enhancing weight loss. Check out our reviews for the best water ionizers.
- KDF filter – this neutralizes lead, iron and further eliminates chlorine. It also helps eradicate hydrogen sulfide that causes odor in water.
- Re-mineralizing – this filter cartridge is introduced lastly and it helps reintroduce calcium and magnesium ions back into the water for healthier consumption. This is present in very few water filters but it’s highly beneficial.
Bottom Line
Countertop water filters are a great way to get around whole-house water filtration systems that can be quite expensive for most folks. You will be able to access clean, filtered drinking water using these appliances that restrict harmful pollutants from getting to your glass.
They are generally affordable, require low maintenance, and are also pretty easy to install. They efficiently remove contaminants in your drinking water and remain effective as long as the filter cartridges are replaced before they exceed their utmost capacity.
Some models come with instructive videos on how to prime the filter cartridges which makes it easier for you. With features like re-mineralization and alkaline water, you will be consuming healthy water that will help boost your digestion, improve your skin hydration while boosting your general immune system.
But as we always say, the best water filtration system for your home boils down to what is lurking in your water. If you’ve tested your water, we hope that you’ll find a model to suit your needs in our best countertop water filter reviews this year.
