How To Choose A Water Filter & The Best Water Filter For Your Home

One of the best actions you can take for your health is to filter your water. You may be surprised that drinking water is contaminated with harmful chemicals like lead, arsenic and PFAS. Test your tap water and choose the best home water filter from our guide so you don’t have to settle for contaminated water.

filling water glass from fridge

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It wasn’t until lead contamination was discovered in the public water system in Flint, Michigan that I even gave a thought to what was in my water. I just assumed that since I didn’t live in a third world country, all was good with my tap water.

With a little research, I learned that some American cities still struggle to supply safe drinking water. As if that’s not troubling enough, a 2023 study by the US Geological Survey found that close to half of the water supply in the United States is contaminated with PFAS forever chemicals, and that 56% of people in the US drank lead-contaminated water in a 2 year period between 2018 and 2020. 

When it comes to non-toxic living, drinking clean, safe water without contaminants is top priority. Because our bodies require us to drink a certain amount of water daily, we may be unknowingly exposing ourselves to contamination like heavy metals and PFAs while we sip. 

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), the guidelines for safe drinking water set by the Environmental Protection Group (EPA) are too lenient. What this means for our tap water is that we may still be exposed to concerning levels of contaminants even though the levels are within the limits set by the EPA. In addition, the EPA does not regulate many disinfection byproducts and harmful VOCs.

Even after the water in your local water supply has been treated, there may be contamination at smaller concentrations in the water. An example of this is small concentrations of pesticides and herbicides  from agricultural runoff. 

Even if the water at your local water treatment plant is pristine, it still has to make its way through plumbing materials, pipes and faucets before it fills your drinking cup. If any of the plumbing materials are corroded and contain lead, this lead will end up in your drinking water. 

Let’s have a closer look at some of the most common toxic chemicals in contaminated water.

Lead– Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposures, and the EPA has set the maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero. Young children and fetuses in utero are particularly vulnerable, and exposure to lead in this population has caused serious health issues like lower IQ and problems with learning and behavior. 

It’s extremely important to test lead levels in your water at home because plumbing materials may contain lead and contaminate the water as it flows through the plumbing system in your home. 

In my city alone, I found that there are still approximately 80,000 to 90,000 lead service lines in the distribution system– yikes! 

Arsenic– Arsenic is carcinogenic. Arsenic occurs naturally in rocks, and it contaminates lakes, rivers and underground water when the rocks erode and leach arsenic into the water. Industrial and agricultural waste may contain arsenic, and any discharge or runoff can contaminate the water supply.

Copper– Copper contamination in your tap water is a result of corroding faucets, pipes and any plumbing fixtures that contain copper. Too much copper in our bodies is associated with liver and kidney damage.

Chlorine– Chlorine is added to drinking water as a disinfectant. Although adding chlorine inactivates harmful microorganisms, chlorine can react with other chemicals and create disinfection byproducts that are harmful to human health.

PFAS– PFAS, short for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is a class of fluorinated chemicals that have water repellant, nonstick and stain resistant properties. They are a group of more than 5,000 human-made chemicals that contain fluorine bonded to carbon, creating a strong chemical bond that makes them hard to break down. PFAS are also known as the “forever chemical”, since they don’t break down in the environment and can remain in our bodies for many years, causing serious health issues like cancer, immune system dysfunction and thyroid disease. 

Nitrate & Nitrite– Nitrate and nitrite groundwater contamination are associated with agricultural runoff. Blue baby syndrome is a serious risk for infants exposed to high levels of nitrates, as it can interfere with oxygen transport in the blood. 

Microplastics– A 2017 study found that  94% of the US water system contains microplastics. Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic (less than 5mm). The plasticizers (such as phthalates and Bisphenols) in both plastics and microplastics are endocrine disruptors, and they can alter our body’s natural hormone production by increasing or decreasing hormone levels, by mimicking the body’s natural hormone levels and by altering the body’s natural production of hormones. Microplastics can cause oxidative stress in the human body, as well as alter our metabolism and cause reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity.

Pharmaceuticals– Tainted human excrement, dumping prescription drugs down the toilet, use of antibiotics in livestock and pharmaceutical companies dumping byproducts and waste from production all contribute to pharmaceutical pollution of our waterways. Most water treatment plants are not equipped to remove pharmaceuticals from water.

pouring water in lab cup

Best At-Home Tap Water Test

The next step is to test your tap water. This allows you to get a close up look at what contaminants could potentially be affecting your family’s health. I’m using the Tap Score Water Testing Kit because this company uses 100% EPA certified labs that have high scientific standards and each tap water sample is matched to a lab that specializes in your specific drinking water contaminants and concerns.   

Testing your tap water is also very helpful in choosing the type of water filter that will work best for your home. Once you get your Tap Score water test results, you’ll know exactly what contaminants are in your tap water, and you can choose a water filter accordingly.

types of water filters

A Few Types of Water Filters

Activated carbon filters – Activated carbon filters remove chlorine, organic contaminants, certain heavy metals, and some volatile organic compounds from drinking water. Activated carbon filters need periodic replacement since carbon adsorption capacity is reduced over time. Cons- Keep in mind that an activated carbon filter will not remove arsenic, nitrates, fluoride and perchlorates.

Reverse Osmosis Filter– Reverse osmosis filters remove a wide range of contaminants from water, and are effective at removing dissolved salts, minerals, heavy metals, and other substances that can affect the taste, appearance, and safety of drinking water. Cons- Reverse osmosis filters also remove beneficial minerals from water, so some systems incorporate a remineralization stage to improve the water’s taste and nutritional content. The reverse osmosis system uses a lot of water compared with how much actually makes it into your glass.

Ion Exchange Filter– removes certain ions (charged particles) from water and replaces them with other ions. This process is used to soften water, remove specific contaminants, and improve water quality for various applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Cons- An ion exchange filter does not remove all contaminants from water, so this is not ideal if there are numerous contaminants in your tap water.

glass of water and cut lemon

The Best Water Filters For Your Home

There is no “one size fits all” water filter out there. In terms of what type of filter removes the most contaminants, reverse osmosis filters are some of the most effective filters out there. The reverse osmosis membranes can filter very small particles (1 micron), bacteria and viruses. Since reverse osmosis does filter out nutrients and minerals, some companies utilize a system to add those beneficial minerals back in. Again, they also filter out all of the beneficial minerals that our bodies need, so some systems add them back in, or you can purchase drops like these Trace Mineral Drops or these Body Bio Remineralize Trace Mineral Drops.

Countertop Filters

These countertop filters are best for those who don’t want to deal with fussy plumbing under their sink.

AquaTru Carafe Alkaline Mineral Boost is the countertop reverse osmosis system that we use. I love that the carafe is borosilicate glass, and the system utilizes 4 stages of reverse osmosis. The additional stage raises pH and infuses the water with healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. It’s ideal for those seeking a clean, great-tasting, and alkaline hydration experience without the need for plumbing or installation.

  • Cost: $395
  • Filter Type: 4-stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis® plus Alkaline Mineral Boost
  • Water Tank Capacity: 64 oz. borosilicate glass carafe
  • Benefits: No installation or plumbing required
  • Testing: rigorously tested and certified by IAPMO to NSF standards, proven to remove 84 harmful contaminants from your tap water.
  • Shop: AquaTru Carafe Alkaline Mineral Boost

Aquatru Classic Countertop Water Filtration System is larger than the Aquatru carafe and it has a plastic reservoir tank. If you have more a household of 3+, this is the countertop model to get.

  • Cost: $475
  • Filter Type: 4-stage Ultra Reverse Osmosis®
  • Water Tank Capacity: 0.75 gallon tank
  • Benefits: No installation or plumbing required
  • Testing: rigorously tested and certified by IAPMO to NSF standards, proven to remove 84 harmful contaminants from your tap water.
  • Shop: Aquatru Classic Countertop Water Filtration System

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is what I bought for my daughter who lives in a college apartment and has 3 roommates. They offer a 3-pack of replacement pitcher filters.

  • Cost: $100
  • Filter Type: Affinity® Filtration Technology targets 365+ contaminants, with proven protection from fluoride, chlorine, lead, PFAS, arsenic & hundreds of other dangers, including those ordinary filters
  • Water Tank Capacity: 80 oz. Medical-Grade Tritan plastic that’s 100% BPA & BPS-Free, Phthalate-Free, Free of Estrogen and Androgen Activity
  • Benefits: No installation or plumbing required
  • Testing: rigorously tested and certified by IAPMO to NSF standards, proven to remove 84 harmful contaminants from your tap water.
  • Shop: Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Under Sink Water Filters

There will be some plumbing skills involved with under sink water filters.

AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System with Alkaline pH+ Filter is a great reverse osmosis filter that adds beneficial minerals back into your water.

APEC Water Systems Reverse Osmosis-90 Ultimate Series is a fairly budget-friendly filter that is tested and approved by WQA to remove up to nearly all impurities including arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals and 1000+ impurities in your water.

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter– Aquasana under-the-sink water filter system requires a little effort upfront to install, but once it’s set up, you’ll get filtered water for up to six months just by turning on the tap. It filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs and more. 

Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under Sink Filter– This sleek space-saver hides underneath your sink to give you proven protection from up to 99.99% of 232+ contaminants for your health and safety. It targets chlorine, fluoride, lead, PFAS & more, without removing beneficial minerals. It’s easy to install and maintain, simply flip on your faucet to enjoy safe, filtered water to cook with, clean with, and drink up.

Showerhead Filters

Jolie Shower Filter is my favorite, and we have 2 of them in our house. When my daughter lived in a sorority and couldn’t use a showerhead filter, she said her hair suffered and she couldn’t wait to use her Jolie filter again!

Jolie Filtered Showerhead

  • Cost: $169
  • Filter Type: A proprietary blend of American-made KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfite. This filter far exceeds NSF-177 certifications, and has been tested via multiple third-party labs. It does not clog nor reduce pressure.
  • Shop: Jolie Filtered Showerhead

Sink Filter

Filterbaby Skincare Filter

  • Cost: $124.99
  • Filter Type: The multi-stage filtration system consists of a woven mesh, a coconut-shell based carbon filter, and an UltraFilter membrane to remove contaminants like chlorine, microplastics, and certain heavy metals, as well as particles as small as 0.000001mm. The carbon filter component is designed to remove 99.9% of chlorine, while the UltraFilter removes ultra-small particles like bacteria and rust.
  • Shop: Filterbaby Skincare Filter

Bathtub Filter

Crystal Quest Bath Filter

  • Cost: $64.95
  • Filter Type: It uses a combination of proprietary ERA® 6500 and ERA® 9500 media and Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) to filter water, removing contaminants like chlorine, heavy metals, and sediment while de-chlorinating and balancing pH.
  • Shop: Crystal Quest Bath Filter

Whole House Water Filter

Aquasana Whole House Water Filters include whole house filters for well water and city water. If you’re on well water, choose the Aquasana Whole House Rhino Well Water Filter with UV to protect from bacteria, viruses, cysts and other contaminants commonly found in well water.

Aquasana Rhino Max Whole House Water Filter System is comprised of carefully sequenced stages, each with its own unique formula of high-potency, contaminant-grabbing media and filtration. This filter is independently tested and features a smart design, low maintenance, easy to replace filters, boosted water flow, bacteriostatic media and strong and safe materials.

Please see Aquasana website for dimensions and specifications of all whole house water filters.

Replacement Filters

It’s important to replace filter cartridges and membranes as recommended by the manufacturer. If you’re using an ion exchange system, you will need to replace the salt in water softeners and clean the brine tanks manually.

Aquasana Replacement Filters

Clearly Filtered Replacement Filters

Aquatru Replacement Filters

filling a glass of water