Even if the tap water in your area is particularly good, you can still benefit from a good water filter. There really is no way to replicate the taste and purity that you get from a high-quality water filter.
But whole house water filters can be extremely expensive and time-consuming to install. So, many decide to opt for a countertop water filter instead. Contrary to what you might believe, countertop water filters can deliver the same sort of high-quality filtration that other kinds of water filters can.
In this article, we are going to make your life a lot easier by looking at a wide variety of really high-quality countertop filter options. We will do an in-depth review of each one and let you know what our opinion is on it.
While we aren’t officially going to crown one as the “best” as that is highly subjective, if you want our opinion on the best countertop water filter, we would say that the Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter System deserves the honors.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Countertop Water Filter 2021:
Best Countertop Water Filter Reviews:
Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter
To start off our search for the best countertop water filter, we are going to be looking at something a bit different. The Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter, even though it doesn’t say it in the name, isn’t your average water filter.
This is what is commonly referred to as an “alkaline” filter or a “remineralization” filter. These filters do the same thing that other filters do, which is remove contaminants. However, they also do something unique, which is to add extra healthy minerals into your water.
Like a lot of the filtration systems that you are going to see reviewed on our best countertop water filter list, the Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter uses multi-stage filtration to help keep your water pure and healthy.
Each filter is made using activated carbon, which is an extremely effective method for filtration. Activated carbon is good at removing any kind of contaminant, but it especially excels at getting out things like chlorine, fluoride, and other chemical substances that may still be present in your drinking water.
Where the Apex differs from a lot of the other filtration systems that you are going to be seeing on this list, is that it doesn’t just take things out of the water, it actually adds them in. The filter adds in alkaline minerals to the water.
Alkaline water tastes a bit different and it is very healthy for you. It can also be useful for those who live in an area where the tap water has an uneven pH level. If you just want pure tap water, then this isn’t really the filter for you. If, however, you have looked into remineralization and want to give it a try, then the Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter is as good a remineralization filter as any.
In terms of how much space the filter takes up and how easy it is to install, the Apex scores quite highly in both respects. The whole filtration system is shaped like a long tube, so it doesn’t take up much space at all and it should comfortably fit beside most faucets. Getting it connected to your faucet shouldn’t take more than a minute or two either.
- Quick, hassle-free setup.
- Doesn’t take up much space.
- 3-stage filtration that uses activated carbon.
- Great at removing chemicals like chlorine and fluoride.
- Some may dislike the mineralization of their water.
h2>Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter System
For the next review on our best countertop water filter list, we are going to be taking a look at what is undoubtedly one of the highest-end countertop filtration systems on the market right now. The Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter System is an extremely high-quality filter system that is the perfect option for those who want to give their family the absolute best when it comes to drinking water.
If you take a look at the price of this filter system, then you will see that it is quite pricey as far as countertop systems go. So, you may be curious as to why the price is so high. Well, one of the biggest reasons for the high price is the very impressive filtration setup that the Brondell is equipped with.
You can always tell that a filter is good when it offers multi-stage filtration and that is exactly what the Brondell does. It is equipped with 3 different filters. Each filter is made using special “nanotechnology.” What that means is that filter is extremely small, meaning it catches a lot more potential contaminants.
Each filter has a sort of “specialty,” so that it can catch contaminants that might have slipped past the other filters. So, for example, one filter excels at catching things like bacteria and other microorganisms, while another filter will specialize in getting rid of sediment. The end result of this multi-stage filtration is extremely pure, filtered water. You won’t ever get perfect water, but with the Brondell, you will be getting as close as possible.
In terms of installation, the Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter System is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, the actual process of installing the water filter isn’t difficult or complex in the slightest.
Essentially, there is a tube that you hook up to your faucet and then you hook up the other end to the filtration system. On the other hand, the setup can end up looking a bit awkward. The box-shaped filter takes a bit more space than most other countertop filters and the long tube connecting the faucet to the filter can be a bit out of place as well.
On the plus side, we did find that the Brondell had a minimal impact on the flow rate of your water, so if you hate the idea of having to wait slightly longer for your water, then this is a good option for you.
- Extremely thorough filtration.
- Not too difficult to install.
- Next to no impact on flow rate.
- Multi-stage filtration system that removes 99.9% of all contaminants.
- Pretty expensive as far as countertop water filters go.
- Has a bit of an awkward setup.
h2>iSpring CKC1C Countertop Water Filter
Moving on with our search for the best countertop water filter, we are going to be taking a look at yet another really good water filtration system that also happens to be a much more affordable option as well. The iSpring CKC1C Countertop water filter isn’t the most durable or well-made filtration system around, but it provides effective filtration at a good price, which is why we feel that it deserves to be highlighted on this list.
The iSpring opts for a very tried and tested method of filtration. It only has one filter, which is made out of activated carbon. If you will think back to an earlier review on our best countertop water filter list (the review of the Apex Water Filter), then you will remember that we already discussed the benefits of carbon filtration.
For those who don’t remember, let’s briefly talk about it again. Carbon is an amazing filter in general. It does a great job of removing large amounts of sediments, contaminants, and much more. Of particular note is carbon’s ability to remove chemicals.
If you have issues with overly chlorinated tap water that tastes of nothing but chemical (this is a big problem that impacts a lot of municipal water systems in the USA), then this is going to be a great purchase for you. Activated carbon, like the kind found in the iSpring filter, is absolutely amazing at removing excessive chemicals from the water and leaving it pure.
iSpring personally guarantees that their filter will get rid of 95% of all contaminants in your water. While you can find companies that will guarantee higher percentages like 99.9%, what iSpring has going for it is its price.
At under $40, this is a very reasonably priced water filter. When you also consider that the replacement filters aren’t too expensive either, you end up with a very budget friendly option that is also still going to deliver the sort of pure, great tasting water that you want your family to have.
Getting the iSpring installed is super easy and very quick. Much like with the Apex, the filter on the iSpring is shaped like a sort of long tube, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space on your countertop.
Actually getting it installed is as simple as hooking up the tube to the filter and then taking the other end and screwing it onto your faucet. There are no tools required and it fits very nicely into basically any kitchen setup.
One major criticism that we do want to mention is the fact that this could afford to be a bit more durable. A lot of the components of this filtration system are made of plastic and can snap very easily, which is unfortunate.
- Inexpensive.
- Super simple installation.
- Activated carbon filtration works very well.
- Replacement filters don’t cost that much either.
- Not the most durable model available.
h2>Cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System
The next filtration system that we think deserves to be reviewed on this best countertop water filter list is the Cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System. We will say right off the bat that there isn’t anything particularly special about this filtration system.
It doesn’t bring any particularly unique features to the table that you haven’t seen before (especially if you have been reading some other reviews on this list). However, it is a very well-made countertop filter and it has a lot of really good features that we have consistently praised in other reviews. So, it wouldn’t be fair to leave it off.
By now, you have probably noticed that a lot of high-end countertop filters use activated carbon filtration because of how effective it is. So, it probably isn’t much of a surprise that the Cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System, which is a high-end filter, also uses an activated carbon filter system.
As we have said many times on this list, activated carbon is great at removing contaminants, solids, and sediment. It is also very good at removing chlorine and other chemical contaminants which cause weird tastes and smells. So, on the filtration side of things, we don’t have any complaints about this filter.
As you might also have guessed, the Cleanwater4less Countertop Water Filtration System is not difficult to install. It follows the same procedure that many of the other countertop filters do. You just attach the tube and that’s it. You don’t need tools, nor do you need to disassemble anything.
This filtration doesn’t have a lot of flaws, but something that did bug us was the fact that the exterior was completely made of metal and there are no options to change it. This is an issue because you can’t see the filter (and thus know if it needs to be replaced or not) without disconnecting the filtration system and opening it up. For most, we imagine that this will be a relatively minor issue, but it is still something that we wanted to note.
- Tool-free assembly and installation.
- Uses very effective carbon filters.
- Built to last for a long time.
- Removes most sediments, solids, and chemicals from drinking water.
- Large capacity filter that can handle 10,000 gallons before replacement.
- Have to open it up to check on the filter.
AlcaPure Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter
For the final review on our best countertop water filter list, we have a very unique water filter to review for you. The AlcaPure Reverse Osmosis Countertop Water Filter is a countertop filter, but it is very different from every other filter that we have looked at so far for a few reasons.
First off, the AlcaPure does not get hooked up to anything. There is absolutely no installation required. You just find some space for it on your counter, fill it up with water, and that’s it. You can then get access to filtered water whenever you want. Some may dislike having to fill it up, while others may like that they don’t have to connect it to their faucet at all.
Something else that sets this filter apart is the fact that it is a reverse osmosis filter. We don’t want to get too much into the science behind how this works since it isn’t that important. What you do need to know is that reverse osmosis filtration is one of the most effective filtration methods available.
It doesn’t go very fast, but it eliminates most every contaminant in the water. It produces probably the freshest and cleanest tap water that you are going to have. There is no chemical, bacteria, or solid that the filter doesn’t get out. It really is very impressive.
- Best water quality on the list.
- Doesn’t need to be connected to faucet.
- Filter rarely needs to be changed.
- Most expensive entry on list.
- Some may not like that it can’t hook up to faucet.
Countertop Water Filter Buying Guide
After reading through all our in-depth reviews in our best countertop water filter review section, we bet that the last thing that you want to do is reading through more information about countertop water filters.
However, if you are still confused or unsure about any aspect of home water filtration, then we really would encourage you to read through this part of our article.
In this buying guide, we are going to give you all the information that you need about home water filtration. This includes talking about why you need a home water filter, the different kinds of water filtration systems available, and what goes into making a really good countertop water filter.
In other words, you are going to be getting all the information that you need to make an informed purchasing decision with regards to countertop water filters.
Do You Need A Water Filter?
Chances are good that most of you reading this best countertop water filter list live in an area with drinkable public water. Rich countries like the United States have amazing public water systems and very strict quality control systems in place that prevent contaminants from getting into the water supply.
In light of all this, it leads to the question of “do I actually need to invest in a water filtration system in the first place?” We would say that while water filters aren’t essential tools in most western countries, the benefits of getting one are still very noticeable and water filters are still a worthy investment for quite a few reasons.
The biggest reason to invest in a water filter, in our opinion, is purity. While governments do set safety standards, you have to remember that they are minimum standards.
So, while you are unlikely to find significant amounts of any harmful material in your water, you can still find small amounts of things like lead, dirt, debris, chlorine, mercury, and other potentially nasty and harmful contaminants.
For some, the idea of drinking any of this stuff may be too much. Others may have hang-ups over introducing these things into their body, even in small amounts, for health reasons. The only way to guarantee totally pure water is through the use of a home filtration system. Municipal filtration systems simply aren’t equipped to remove 100% of anything, so you have to invest in your system instead.
Another major consideration (and one of the main reasons why people choose to invest in filters) is taste. Again, municipal water systems aren’t too concerned with taste. When they filter the water that gets sent to your home, their main concern is filtering out large contaminants that could kill you or make you sick.
As a result, many people have tap water that tastes overly “chemical.” The chemical taste isn’t harmful, but for many, it can be extremely unpleasant. This leads to people spending lots of money on better tasting alternatives like soda or flavored water.
Pretty much every water filter out there (and certainly every water filter that was featured on our best countertop water filter list) will improve the taste of your water. The mere act of running the water through a filter will help to filter out unseen bits of sediment and chemical residue, both of which are usually the culprits behind bad or funny tasting water.
Finally, depending on how you currently consume water, a filter could save you money in the long-run. If you just drink tap water, you aren’t going to save much of anything obviously. If, however, you find that you are constantly resorting to bottled water or water alternatives like soda or flavored water to get around drinking your nasty tap water, then yes, a water filter can save you money.
As you saw from our best countertop water filter list, most countertop models aren’t all that pricey. Many can be bought in the $50-75 range and many others can be found for below that. Many people who invest in a filter find that it completely breaks them of the habit of buying things like soda, which is good for your wallet and your health.
The Different Kinds Of Filter Systems Available
Even though the purpose of this article is to help you find the best countertop water filter on the market right now, in this next section of our buying guide, we want to talk about all the different kinds of filtration systems that you might run across when shopping.
We aren’t going to go too in-depth, but we do want to go over the pros and cons of each. We also want to briefly explain why countertop water filters are the way to go.
Countertop Water Filters
Let’s start off by talking about the stars of the show, which are countertop filtration systems. These kinds of filters come in two kinds, as you saw from our review list. The first kind is filtration systems that attach directly to your sink. They end up acting almost as a secondary faucet. The other kind is physical filtration tanks that are simply compact enough to be placed on your countertop.
We think that these kinds of filters are the best option because they represent the best compromise between cost and ease of use on one hand and filtration quality on the other hand. Countertop filters often offer extremely good filtration quality that is almost on par with the quality offered by things like under the sink filters or whole house filters. At the same time, they aren’t as costly, as difficult to install, or as much of a hassle as those kinds of filters.
Pitcher Filters
By far the easiest and cheapest filtration system to use is the pitcher filter. As you can see from the name, this is essentially a pitcher with a built-in water filtration system. They are usually very inexpensive and of course, extremely simple to use. Just fill them up and the pitcher does the rest.
However, their benefits are offset by the fact that they have extremely small capacities and the fact that they tend to be the weakest when it comes to actual filtration quality. Many pitcher filters are little better than tap water in terms of quality of the water. Even top of the line pitcher filters will only remove a fraction of the contaminants that a good countertop filter would remove.
Under Sink Water Filters
Again, the name here is extremely self-explanatory. Under sink water filters are installed directly under the sink and are attached directly to the main water line. When it comes to the quality of the water produced by the filter, these kinds of filters are usually slightly better than countertop water filters. However, they come with significant downsides. For starters, they have a significantly negative impact on the water flow of the sink.
Since the filter is attached directly to the water line, all the water that comes out of the sink is filtered; which is a bit of a waste since there isn’t much point filtering non-drinking water. Also, under the sink filters require a lot more investment of both money and time (for installation and upkeep).
Whole House Water Filters
Finally, we have arrived at the highest-end home filters that you can buy, which are whole house water filters. Even though this is a best countertop water filter list, we have to admit that in terms of pure water quality, you simply can’t beat a whole house water filter.
At the same time, they do come with some major downsides. For starters, they are by the far the most expensive kind of filter. Secondly, they are extremely tricky to work with because they need to be attached directly to the main water line, which is a job that can often require a professional’s intervention to be done correctly.
Evaluating A Countertop Filter
Alright, so for the last part of this buying guide, we are going to be taking a look at exactly how you can go about picking out a very good countertop filter. In other words, we will be telling you the same criteria that we used to pick the filters that were reviewed on our best countertop water filter list.
Filter Quality
It goes without saying that when you are buying a filter, that your number one concern is the filtration quality of the device. Different water filters use different methods for filtering water. Generally, a good rule of thumb to follow is that the more filtration stages there are, the better the water will turn out. So, if you see a water filter that boasts about having multi-stage filtration, that is a very good sign.
Other things to keep an eye out for are reverse osmosis filtration or active carbon filtration. These two methods are among the most advanced and most effective filtration methods on the market right now. So again, if you see a filtration system advertising either of these things, then you can probably be pretty confident in the water quality that is going to be coming out of the filter.
Easy Installation
Something else that is very important is that you find a water filter that is easy to install. If you mess up when installing a water filter because it is a bit too tricky, then you are going to suffer for it later on; it could even cause damage to your sink if you don’t do it right.
So, the easier the filter is to install, the better off you are going to be. The good news is that generally speaking, countertop water filters are a lot easier to install than other kinds of filtration systems like under the sink filters or whole house filters. So, finding a countertop filter that is easy to get installed isn’t too difficult.
Water Flow
Something else that you might want to think about when picking out a water filter is how much water flow speed matters to you. Different filters have a different impact on how quickly the water comes out of the unit. A general rule of thumb (although it can vary quite a lot) is that the more thorough the filtration, the slower the water comes out.
This is a lot more noticeable on things like under the sink water filters or whole house filtration systems, but you will notice a bit of slowdown in the flow rate with countertop filters as well. If this matters to you, then make sure to spend some time looking around for different filtration systems.
There are countertop water filter systems out there that have less of an impact on your faucet’s flow rate. Some are so good that you will barely notice a difference at all. In fact, there are a few entries on our best countertop water filter list that have a negligible impact on the flow rate of your faucet.
Commenting
If you still have some lingering questions regarding how you can get the best countertop water filter, we would encourage you to make use of the comment section down below.
Like this guide? Then you’d definitely love our other guides on best faucet water filter and best masticating juicer.
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