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Best Faucet Water Filters For Sink

Jennifer Hansen
Last Updated on
by Jennifer Hansen

Faucet water filter is a point-of-use (POU) water filtration system that purifies tap water. They connect to the tap/faucet’s inlet to filter contaminants, thereby providing healthy drinking water.

Faucet water filters are inexpensive and very portable, which makes them the preferred choice for most households.

If you’re on the market for a tap water filter, we’ve put together this list of the best faucet water filters for your convenience. Also reference our Frequently Asked Questions section for common questions on tap water filtration.

Faucet Water Filter Comparison Table

Top 6 Sink Water Filter
Editor’s Choice
  • Filter Capacity: 3 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 8.1 x 7.1 x 2.9
  • Weight (lbs): 1
pur-fm3700
  • Filter Capacity: 2-3 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 3.2 x 7.3 x 7.7
  • Weight (lbs): 1.15
culligan-fm-25
  • Filter Capacity: 2 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 5.5 x 3.5 x 6.5
  • Weight (lbs): 13.4 oz
brita-7540545
  • Filter Capacity: 4 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 2.53 x 6.3 x 9.75
  • Weight (lbs): 0.96
wingsol-filter
  • Filter Capacity: 3 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 5 x 3 x 2
  • Weight (lbs): 3.2 oz
  • Filter Capacity: 2-3 months
  • Dimensions (inches): 7.3 x 3.2 x 7.74
  • Weight (lbs): 1.15

Criteria For Choosing a Sink Water Filter (Faucet)

Believe it or not, there is a lot that goes into purchasing a sink water filter. After several years of trying out new devices, we still find ourselves going back to different faucet water filter units to see which we love most.

To make your life a little easier, we put together a short list of takeaways and suggestions for finding the best faucet water filter if you are short on time.

Below, find our top pointers and tips that must be understood before you check out the faucet water filter choices:

  • Stainless steel faucet water filter constructions are best for preventing leakages
  • New water filter models are Bluetooth-enabled for real-time smartphone feedback
  • Be skeptical of any water filter that claims to remove “100%” of pollutants
  • Read customer reviews to see how difficult the installation process is (they range from easy to challenging)
  • The most important targets for water filtration should be lead, chlorine, and mercury

Reviews: Best Faucet Water Filter

Here are our top picks for best faucet water filter:

  1. Waterdrop Faucet Filter
  2. PUR Advanced Filter
  3. Culligan FM-25
  4. Brita Tap Water Filter
  5. Wingsol Faucet Filter
  6. PUR Ultimate MineralClear Filter

Waterdrop Faucet Filter – Best Tap Water Filter

waterdrop-faucet-filter

In our opinion, the best faucet water filter is the Waterdrop Filtration System. It is one of the simplest and easiest ways to ensure your water is safe to drink. All you have to do is screw it on to the end of a faucet in your kitchen or bathroom, and its efficient carbon filter does the rest.

This product uses an Activated Carbon Filter (ACF) to clear your water of contaminants. It removes lead, chlorine, fluoride, and improves the taste of your water.

While the Filter design is nothing new, it is a step up in quality compared with competitors. It is made to last from sturdy materials that are resistant to damage and everyday wear and tear. Plus, it has a long-lasting filter that won’t need continuous replacement.

Also, compared with competitors, the Waterdrop Faucet Filter has a sleek look. It delivers water that is clean, crisp, and refreshing. Its filter is rated for 320 gallons, which is about three months of use for an average user. However, some report that their filter lasted as long as six months before it needed replacing.

As for design, the entire unit is made up of three main components: the filter cartridge, faucet adapter, and water switch. The faucet adapter screws onto most typical faucet housings, and the Faucet Filter comes with adapter pieces for 15/16” and 13/16” faucets.

Once installed, the Waterdrop Faucet Filter provides an outlet for tap water and another outlet for filtered water. With the water running, simply turn the water switch, and filtered water will begin to flow from the outlet.

Overall, this product comes highly recommended. Waterdrop has taken a simple and effective design and perfected it. It’s super-easy to install, is built for durability, and filters water efficiently. Plus, it has an economical price.


PUR Advanced Faucet Filter

pur-fm3700

As one of the leading faucet water filters on the market, the PUR Advanced Faucet Filter is a standout among a growing list of budget-friendly water filters for your faucet.

Although some have panned this filter for its unusually slow flow, we found that it adequately filtered our water supply at a reasonable speed even after several weeks of heavy use.

Featuring patented PUR technology, this water filter for your faucet easily screws onto the end of your sink faucet and a bright LED indicator lets you know when it is properly installed.

Once it is ready to go, the PUR Advanced water filter is good for up to 100 gallons of water (or roughly three months of water use) before it needs to be replaced.

Regarding water taste and filter quality, we found that the PUR Advanced faucet filter was comparable to that of the PUR pitcher. Although the taste may not be as subtle as the water from the pitcher, you can tell that the multi-stage filtration process is the same in both.

In our view, the taste from PUR water filters is superior to Brita and ZeroWater.

Overall, the PUR Advanced faucet filter provides excellent water filtration for lead, mercury, chlorine, and other dangerous additives without the hassle of having to fill a pitcher. If you do not want to settle for lousy filter quality, we suggest giving the PUR Advanced Faucet Filter a try.

Pros
  • Switching to a PUR filter can shave up to $1,000 off your yearly expenses by saving on bottled water
  • The PUR multi-stage filters remove over 95% of lead and other adulterants
  • The water taste and purity is comparable to the PUR water filter pitcher
  • The PUR filter head is easy to install on your faucet and snaps onto both new and old faucets
  • It is sold at a budget-minded price point
Cons
  • Since the purified water is flowing through your dedicated faucet you can expect a change in water pressure, although most buyers reported that the change in pressure was not significant from their faucet

Culligan FM-25 Filter Mount

culligan-fm-25

Finished with decadent chrome, the Culligan FM-25 Filter Mount for your faucet provides superior water filtration quality and a luxury design at an affordable price. With this faucet filter, you get the best of both worlds regarding aesthetics and performance.

This is because the Culligan FM-25 boasts a minimalist design while also providing one of the highest water flow rates in the business.

From the minute we took this water filter out of the box, we noticed that it was considerably smaller and lighter than comparable Brita or PUR water filters. Weighing less than one pound, the Culligan FM-25 can be easily screwed on to any faucet with only one hand.

Unfortunately, however, this Culligan model does not fit on drop-down faucets.

Unlike some other water filter brands, the Culligan FM-25 comes with several adapters in the box which make it compatible with all standard (e.g. non-drop down) sink nozzles . Using “Carbon Block” technology, the FM-25 can filter out virtually all contaminants for up to 200 gallons.

Better yet, all water filters are NSF-certified, so you know they can be trusted to not do any harm to your water.

Ultimately, there is a lot to love about the Culligan FM-25 water filter. Unless you have a drop-down faucet, there is hardly any reason we could imagine not to consider investing in this sleek and efficient water filter. Plus, its water flow rate can reach as high as 0.5 GPM at 60 psi, which isn’t bad if you ask us.

Pros
  • It features a speedy flow rate of up to 0.5 GPM
  • FM-25 filters can be used for up to 200 gallons of water
  • No tools are required to set up the FM-25
  • A simple diverter can be switched to go from advanced to regular filtration
  • NSF-certified for additional peace of mind
  • It provides great-tasting drinking water
Cons
  • This model is not compatible with drop down faucet heads

Conclusion

Overall, we think that the Culligan FM-25 water filter provides exceptional value for those who want to get the most out of their money while also maintaining an elegant aesthetic in their kitchen.

With a high flow rate and chrome finish, this is an outstanding faucet water filter for those with standard-size faucet heads.


Brita Tap Water Filter

brita-7540545

The Brita Tap Water Filter is a formidable tap water filter solution for households that need clean, pure tap water without breaking the bank. Unlike their world-famous filter pitchers, Brita’s faucet water filter comes with three spray options that vary the flow rate and filtration level.

This way, users have more freedom to decide how fast they want their water to pour.

Unfortunately, this water filter only fits standard faucets. This means fancier faucets in a drop-down style are not compatible with this device. However, most households have standard fixtures which this water filter can easily attach to without any issues.

Even though we have layperson plumbing skills, it only took us about five minutes to fully install this filter on our faucet — pretty easy.

When it comes to home water filtration, there is no water filter brand that is more trusted than Brita. After all, they are the brand that made the water pitcher craze so popular in recent years. However, one should not assume that because they were the first that they are the best. While this brand certainly offers great value, other brands are starting to give it a run for its money.

Overall, there are few complaints we can lodge at the Brita faucet water filter and many compliments. For instance, it is a breeze to install and can successfully weed out 99% of all pollutants and pathogens in drinking water.

Pros
  • Bright LED indicators let you know when to change the filter
  • Users can switch between three different spray options for different water flow rates
  • Each Brita water filter can cycle through 100 gallons of water before being replaced
  • 99% of lead, chlorine, benzene and other contaminants are filtered out
  • The lightweight design weighs only 0.84 pounds
Cons
  • The exterior of the filter is made of plastic
  • It does not come with a replacement filter

Conclusion

When it comes to finding the best faucet water filter, there are few options on the market that are more trusted than the Brita.

Although, like most, the Brita Faucet filter is made of plastic and can sometimes slow down after extended use, you can never go wrong by investing in Brita’s excellent filtration technology.


Wingsol Faucet Water Filter

wingsol-filter

The Wingsol Faucet Water Filter is one of the best stainless-steel tap water filters you can buy. Plus, its sturdy crack-proof construction means you can use it for generations without ever having to worry about replacing it with something newer.

Although this filter device is a little bit clunkier than some other models, you cannot go wrong by upgrading from plastic to steel. Unlike other filter brands, the Wingsol Faucet water filter is one of the best in the business from a durability and longevity perspective.

Based on our few months of use with this device, we were extremely satisfied. The Wingsol water filtration system removes most dirt, sand, rust, chlorine, chrome, mercury, and lead from drinking water.

However, the downside is that there is a bit of an aftertaste to the filtered water that is not present with Brita and other water filter brands.

Pros
  • The stainless steel construction is sturdy and well-designed
  • The price point is attractive for budget-minded shoppers
  • The filter only needs to be replaced after every 200 gallons
  • Its durable build prevents cracks and leaks
Cons
  • There is a slight aftertaste to Wingsol-filtered water

Conclusion

The Wingsol Faucet Filter System is an excellent home water filter that stands out for its durable stainless steel construction. Those interested in longevity might want to consider the Wingsol over its plastic counterparts.


PUR Ultimate MineralClear Filter

pur-pfm450s

Did you ever think that a tap water filter could be Bluetooth compatible?

Well, neither did we. To our surprise, the PUR Ultimate MineralClear Filter is a faucet tap water filter that is Bluetooth connected so it can communicate with your wireless devices in real-time.

This futuristic home water filter, although at a higher price point than some other models, provides excellent water filtration of chlorine and lead through the process of ion exchange. Plus, the taste of the PUR Ultimate water after filtration is second to none.

One of our favorite aspects of the PUR Ultimate MineralClear is that it is Amazon Prime eligible, which means Prime subscribers can have it delivered to their door for free in under two days.

In our view, this makes it an excellent water filter choice for those who want a faucet water filter fast that won’t break down. Plus, it connects to your phone—how cool is that?

Pros
  • Every device comes with Bluetooth connectivity
  • PUR Ultimate MineralClear technology weeds out over 70 contaminants
  • The filter pairs with an app on your phone to give you real-time updates
  • It is designed to filter out rust and other leakages from old piping systems 
Cons
  • Filters need to be changed every 100 gallons
  • It is sold at a higher price point than some other models

Conclusion

There is no questioning that the PUR Ultimate MineralClear water filter is the water filter of the future. This Bluetooth-enabled device is best suited for those who want to track progress and get feedback directly on their smartphones.


Faucet Water Filter User Guide

How Does a Faucet Water Filter Work?

Faucet water filters are designed to bolt onto your kitchen faucet. Rather than dispensing water through your faucet’s spout, it is routed through the attached filter where the water filtration process will occur.

Here is the basic process in water filtration:

Removes Sediment:

Sediment removal is step one in the water filtration process. This step occurs with a non-woven screen that is wrapped around the filter cartridge. The screen catches both large and small particles, including rust, dirt, debris, and sand.

Activated Carbon Block Removes Chemicals:

After the sediment is removed from the water, it moves through an activated carbon block within the filter. Each carbon granule has millions of little pores that act as a sponge and remove chemicals. This process is called adsorption. The slower the water flows through the carbon block, the more contact time it has with water, and the more chemicals are removed.

Removes any additional Chemicals:

The final step in the faucet filter is removing chemical contamination in the water. While the carbon block is great at removing some contaminants such as chlorine, sometimes it misses other ones like magnesium and calcium. The final chemical removal process removes other contaminants like lead, nitrates, and mercury.

As a final plus, this process improves taste and eliminates any odors from the water.

Water Filtration Quality:

NSF International is a public health and safety organization that works to improve global human health. They accomplish this goal by testing and certifying products, including water filtration systems.

NSF certifies drinking water filters to standards applicable to each type of treatment option. For example, you may notice NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 42, which refer to the standard to which the filter has been certified.

NSF certified means that an independent, third-party organization has tested the water filter and found it to meet certain guidelines. This gives consumers some peace of mind, knowing that their water filter product has been evaluated by a third-party.

For example, water filters meeting NSF/ANSI 42 are certified to reduce impurities such as chlorine and unpleasant tastes or odors. NSF/ANSI 53 are certified to reduce one or more contaminants with a known health effect, such as lead.

Benefits of Faucet Water Filters

There are many benefits of faucet water filters. Take a look at some of them:

Provides Clean, Safe Water:

Perhaps the most important benefit is cleaner, safer water. A water filter’s main purpose is to remove minerals and contaminants in your water in order to make it clean and safe to drink from your faucet. By using a water filter, you are removing harmful chemicals, including lead and other bacteria that could potentially make you or a family member sick from drinking water.

 Saves Money:

While there is the initial cost of a faucet water filter (although they are affordable!), they will ultimately save you money if you have been buying water from the store. You no longer will need to buy bottles of plastic water; simply refill a water bottle from the faucet’s water whenever you want.

 Offers Convenience:

Having a faucet water filter means having fresh, clean water whenever you like. No longer needing to go to the grocery store to buy drinking water is a plus! Faucet filters are more convenient than other water filtration systems, too. For example, pitcher filters are limited by the amount of water a pitcher can hold. Filter faucets also take up less space than countertop water filters and under-sink water filters.

Reduces Plastic Waste:

Many people drink bottled water if they don’t like the taste of tap water. Let’s face it: with over 500 billion plastic water bottles sold in the United States each year, there’s a lot of waste that won’t be recycled. Switching from buying bottled water to using a home water filter system on your faucet is not only economical, it reduces plastic waste.

 Easy to Install:

Water filter faucet attachments are simple to install. In fact, they can usually be installed in under five minutes without any difficulty. You can rightly consider the installation as easy when wanting to attach a water filter to your kitchen faucet for more pure drinking water. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What do faucet water filters remove?

When deciding if a faucet water filter is a good choice for you and your household, you need to know what exactly water filters remove.

Tap water filters remove chlorine, produce better tasting water, and eliminate odors. Filters also remove types of sediment, including rust, sand, and dirt. Finally, they remove any harmful organic compounds, bacteria, and viruses.

What should I look for in a faucet water filter?

When looking for a faucet water filter, you want one where the contaminants are reduced or even better, eliminated completely from your water. Reputable companies will publish lab test results to back up their claims, so it’s important to read these.

You should also pay attention to the size of the water filter. While faucet water filters are generally compact, some are larger than others. You don’t want it to occupy too much space in your sink area.
You should also research the water filter life, which is measured in gallons. The longer the water filter lasts, the less often you will need to change the cartridge.

Also, make sure that you’re going to be able to buy replacement cartridges for the water filter.

Will faucet filters fit on any faucet?

No. You should always check with the manufacturer of your faucet before buying an attachment. Filters do fit on most faucets, but not all of them are compatible with every faucet.

How do I install a faucet water filter?

As I mentioned, installing a faucet water filter is a breeze. Each one comes with detailed instructions, so following these carefully will ensure that your water filter is installed correctly on your faucet.

The basic steps include removing the aerator from your faucet, cleaning off any buildup, checking to see if you need an adapter, and if so, attach it, attaching the filter, and flush the cartridge.

What type of maintenance is needed for a faucet water filter?

The only maintenance necessary for a faucet water filter is changing the filter cartridge on a regular basis. Manufacturers indicate the lifespan of the filter, so check your product’s specifications for replacement time interval.

Typically, each water filter cartridge has a 100 to 300 gallon capacity.
It is easy to know when to change the filter if the water filter includes a filter change sensor. The light will indicate that it’s time for a replacement.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the quest for the best faucet water filter is an endless one. This is because there are always new features and perks that are coming out in newer water filter editions. For instance, greater smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth seems to be the trend of the future.

However, it remains to be seen whether this trend will end up becoming nothing more than a passing phase.

Regardless of which faucet water filter you decide to buy, you will not be dissatisfied with any of the filters listed above. Why? Because all of the top water filters get the job done. The hard truth is that there is usually little difference between them regarding taste and water purity levels.

However, small differences in personal preference should be able to nudge you toward the best purchase.

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About Jennifer Hansen
Jennifer Hansen
Jennifer is a clean water enthusiast and the lead editor of Water Filter Spot and created this website several years ago to share information that she's been researching in this industry for over 20 years.Jennifer studied environmental resource science in college and studied Western US water issues, including water policy, water rights, water pollution and environmental concerns.
Jennifer Hansen