Best Overall
Brita Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
- It removes around 60 contaminants including lead, chlorine, and asbestos.
It removes around 60 contaminants including lead, chlorine, and asbestos.
- It can only fit on standard-size faucets.
It can only fit on standard-size faucets.
When you want to cut down on plastic waste and not resort to buying bottled water all the time, we recommend the Brita Faucet Mount Water Filter System.
We made this our pick for "best overall" because it removes 99 percent of the lead from your water, and is reasonably priced.
It also takes out around 60 other contaminants like asbestos, chlorine, benzene, and more from tap water. For additional protection, there is an extra sieve layer inside the filter to trap sediment and smaller contaminates.
One filter gives you about 100 gallons of filtered tap water. It has an indicator that lights up green when it's ready to use, orange when the filter is almost done, and red when it needs a new filter cartridge.
As long as you have a standard-size faucet, you’ll be able to use this water filter. But if not, this is not the best filter for you, as you won’t be able to use it with spray faucets and pull-on faucets.
The Brita is available in white and chrome finishes. Replacement filter cartridges are available in packs of two or three.
Product Details: Filter Type: Sedimentation | Weight: 0.84 pounds | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: Four months
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Key Terms to Know
- NSF-Certified: If a product is NSF-certified, that means all aspects of a product, including development, were evaluated by the NSF and met the organization's health and safety standards.
Best Budget
Waterdrop Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
- It has an active carbon layer that filters out most contaminants.
It has an active carbon layer that filters out most contaminants.
- There is no LED indicator light, so it’s hard to tell when the filter needs to be replaced.
There is no LED indicator light, so it’s hard to tell when the filter needs to be replaced.
If you’re looking to economize, the Waterdrop Faucet Mount Water Filtration System is the best water filter for the money.
At low cost, you get an NSF-certified filter that can remove 94.2 percent of chlorine, lead, and other contaminants from tap water. What’s nice about this filter is that it features an active carbon fiber layer that is 10 to 12 times more absorbent than a regular carbon filter.
We also like this filter because it can keep contaminants like pesticides, bacteria, and heavy metals from seeping into your water. It can also remove bad taste and odors from tap water.
Although it’s made to fit most standard-size faucets, it has six adaptors to ensure you get the fit you need. There is also a switch on the filter that lets you switch seamlessly between filtered and regular tap water. It has a strong water stream that flows quickly and can fill about 10 cups with filtered water per minute.
The system yields about 320 gallons of cleaner water. The one downside is that there is no LED indicator light, so you won’t be able to tell when the filter needs to be replaced or track how much water you’re using. Waterdrop replacement filters come in packs of three.
Product Details: Filter Type: Activated Carbon | Weight: 1 pound | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: Three months
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best Splurge
Engdenton Faucet Water Filter
- It’s made from stainless steel that stands up to high pressure without cracking.
It’s made from stainless steel that stands up to high pressure without cracking.
- The filter is heavy—you need a strong faucet to attach it to.
The filter is heavy—you need a strong faucet to attach it to.
Activated carbon makes the Engdenton Faucet Water Filter one of the best filters for removing toxins like chlorine, sand, rust, and dirt from your water supply. It also prevents bacteria growth in your tap water.
The Engdenton filter features a high-quality stainless steel exterior that is able to withstand high water pressure without cracking or breaking. Plus, the body can swivel a full 360° in any direction. It filters up to 320 gallons of water.
It’s designed to fit most standard faucets, as long as it’s not a spray faucet or an irregularly shaped one. At 0.5 gpm (gallons per minute) the water filter can provide you with about 8 cups of filtered water per minute, so you won’t have to wait ages to fill your pitcher.
The manufacturers say it has ten times the filtration ability of other filters. Just be aware that the filter is quite heavy, so you need to make sure that your faucet is sturdy enough to hold it. Compatible replacement filters are available.
Product Details: Filter Type: Activated Carbon | Weight: 1.55 pounds | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: Six months
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ERIC BROCKOB
Best for Well Water
Pur Plus Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
- This water filter improves the taste of tap water through the use of natural minerals.
This water filter improves the taste of tap water through the use of natural minerals.
- If the filter light dies, you have to buy a new filter head.
If the filter light dies, you have to buy a new filter head.
The Pur Water Filtration System is the best water faucet filter to purify well water. It’s a comprehensive filtration system that reduces up to 70 different contaminants in the water—including lead and mercury.
It’s also NSF-certified and has been tested to meet safety standards. If you hate the taste of your tap water, this pick takes the extra step of filtering the water with natural minerals for a cleaner taste.
Like with other models, you can turn the filtered water on and off using a lever on the filter’s body. One filter will last for around 100 gallons of use. A built-in filter light indicates when the filter needs to be replaced.
Keep in mind that, as with other options, it can only fit certain faucets, and you won’t be able to use it if your faucet is extra wide or has a spray handle. Also, when the filter light battery dies, you have to buy a brand-new filter system.
Other than these minor caveats, it’s still one of the best faucet water filters on the market. It’s available in stainless steel and white. You can pick up a two-pack of replacement filters for about $25.
Product Details: Filter Type: Ion Exchange | Weight: 1 pound | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: Three months
Best for Hard Water
Culligan Advanced Faucet Mount Filter
- It uses carbon block filtration technology to significantly reduce toxins.
It uses carbon block filtration technology to significantly reduce toxins.
- You have to replace the filter every two months.
You have to replace the filter every two months.
This Culligan Advanced Faucet Mount Filter tackles hard water issues, leaving you with pure-tasting water. It uses a carbon block filtration method to reduce harmful chemicals like chlorine, lindane, lead, asinine and other particles from the water. It also can remove bad taste or odor.
Keep in mind that its filter life is shorter than other filters on this list. Typically, you’ll need to replace it every two months, compared to about every four to six months for other models, which is more common—but it depends on how much water you use.
It comes with two aerator adaptors that should be able to fit most standard faucets. Mounting it on the faucet is easy and requires no tools to install.
To switch from unfiltered to filtered water, all you have to do is pull the diverter valve to get fresh water for drinking and cooking. Even though the body is plastic, the attachment and diverter valve are made of metal, so it doesn't feel cheap.
Unfortunately, it lacks a filter light, so it doesn't alert you to replace your cartridge. But you do get a sticker to place on the device to remind you to change it.
Product Details: Filter Type: Carbon Block, Sedimentation | Weight: 14.4 ounces | Orientation: Horizontal | Filter Life: Two months
Best for Lead
ZeroWater Extreme Life Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
- It reduces lead in water by up to 98 percent for fresh-tasting and healthy tap.
It reduces lead in water by up to 98 percent for fresh-tasting and healthy tap.
- It works better for lead than other contaminants.
It works better for lead than other contaminants.
If you’re looking for clear, clean water for drinking and cooking, the Zero Water Extreme Life Faucet Mount Filtration System gets the job done. This filter is WQA-certified and has been tested to reduce lead by 98 percent.
It also removes nasty chemicals like chlorine, particles, and other contaminants that make water taste bad, though it’s mostly used for lead. You can get about 400 gallons of filtered water out of it.
It also stands out because it features a compact horizontal design that’s much sleeker than other options. Not to mention there are filter lights that warn you when the cartridge needs to be replaced. Replacement filters are on the pricey side.
This Zero Water filter is movable, so you can swing it to the left or right even when it's fixed on the tap. We appreciate that installation is easy, and can be attached to your faucet in minutes. While you’re able to attach it to most faucets, it doesn't work with fixtures with spray handles or drop-down designs.
Product Details: Filter Type: Carbon Fiber | Weight 0.74 pounds | Orientation: Horizontal | Filter Life: Six months
Best For Chlorine
Waterdrop Countertop Filter System
- It filters 8,000 gallons of water before you need to replace it.
It filters 8,000 gallons of water before you need to replace it.
- It’s one of the bigger options on the market.
It’s one of the bigger options on the market.
If you want to remove all traces of chlorine from your water, consider the Waterdrop Countertop Filter System.
Besides filtering chlorine and other chemicals from tap water, it lasts for up to 8000 gallons before you need to replace it. This makes it a good option for those who prefer to replace their filter once a year as opposed to every few months.
As big as it is, it’s not a permanent fixture, so it’s a good option for apartments and RVs. It features a five-stage filtration system that removes toxins such as chlorine, colloid, as well as sediment. At the same time, it adds minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium to your drinking water. Adding additional quantities of minerals to your tap can improve the taste and provide health benefits.
On the one hand, it’s nice that it’s made from stainless steel, but it has a reputation for breaking under pressure. At 1.6 gpm (gallons per minute), the Waterdrop filter has a strong and steady water flow once the filter is switched on.
Replacing these filters can be tricky, as there's no filter light on it. You might have to rely on your taste buds to tell when it’s time to swap out the filter. When it's time to swap out the filter, pick up a replacement.
Product Details: Filter Type: 5-Stage Filtration | Weight: 5.08 pounds | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: One year
Best for Sulfur
Mist Water Filter
Though sulfur makes your water smell and taste bad, you can fix that by using a faucet water filter with activated carbon fibers like the mist Stainless Steel Faucet Filtration System.
While it may not be as effective as an under-the-sink filter, it could be your best bet to remove sulfur from your water—as long as it’s not an overpowering amount. This system has a capacity of 320 gallons before it needs to be replaced.
The plastic exterior of the product is made from food-grade material and is certified lead-free and BPA-free, making it a pretty eco-friendly option, though plastic doesn't last as long as stainless steel.
Additionally, it’s NSF-certified and significantly reduces the presence of heavy metals, chlorine, sediments, rust, and other impurities.
Each filter includes six adaptors, plus various nuts and bolts to put it together. There is also a manual to help install it and an accessories bag for storage. Filter replacements come in packs of three.
Product Details: Filter Type: Activated Carbon | Weight: 1 pound | Orientation: Vertical | Filter Life: Three months