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Home » Water Filtration Systems » 8 Best Faucet Water Filters for Sink & Tap Reviewed
Now that you have decided that it’s a faucet-attached water filter that you are interested in, next comes the task of sorting through the many different options you have when it comes to purchasing one.
This is where my many years of water filtration experience can help you.
I have taken an extensive amount of time to accumulate data, test out filters, and research reviews on the best faucet water filters around.
From this wealth of information, I have put together this comprehensive review list of what I have determined to be the best faucet filters currently available on the market.
After conducting extensive research and using the criteria above, we created this review of the top 8 whole house water filtration systems for well water.
There is a reason that we selected this good-looking faucet-style water filter as our number one model.
That’s because it not only checks off several boxes as far as the characteristics that we like to see in a faucet-style water filter but it excels in many of those areas.
The activated carbon filtration capability of this filter reduces 99% of lead, 96% of mercury, 92% of pesticides as well as 70+ other contaminants. This faucet water filter system also looks great and is certified to guarantee quality.
It’s what you would expect from a water filter that’s made by a company with 30-years’ experience in the water filtration business.
Overall Opinion: If this will fit on your particular kitchen water faucet, then you simply can’t go wrong purchasing it.
See our full PUR Faucet Filter Review here.
This is another very impressive faucet-style water filter that is not much of a drop-off from our most recommended model.
It’s something that you would expect coming from a company with such a strong history in water filtration as DuPont.
It has more attached certifications than any other faucet water filter on our list and its sleek styling and nice polished chrome finish cannot be overlooked.
The filtration capability is top-notch removing most tap water contaminants and it lasts for 200 gallons or 6 months before needing replacement.
There is even a built-in electronic meter that tells you exactly how many gallons are left before the filter needs to be replaced.
Overall Opinion: If you are looking for a faucet filter that looks good, takes the guesswork out of filter changes, and has above-average filtration for its class, then this one is certainly worth taking a longer look at.
See our full Dupont Faucet review here.
To come in at #3 on our list of the top faucet filter models a product has to pass the eye test and do a good job of enhancing tap water.
This faucet-style water filter has both of those aspects covered along with some added convenience.
Quite simply put, if this faucet filter had an indicator as to when the filter needs to be changed, we would rate it right up there with the first two faucet-style water filters on our list.
This model from Waterdrop lasts for 320 gallons before needing replacement and it reduces lead, chlorine, and most tap water contaminants.
Overall Opinion: If you are looking for the most bang for your buck as far as purchase price and filter life is concerned, then this is a solid faucet filter choice.
See our full Watedrop Faucet Filter review here.
This model faucet-mounted water filter is all about convenience. That’s due to its long filter cartridge useful life and its exceptionally high flow rate.
Although it comes with no 3rd-party certifications other than on the parts it uses, the manufacturer claims it reduces several different contaminants in tap water.
It’s extremely plain looking but durable and it even comes with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
That means you get to take it for a test drive and you can get your money back if not satisfied with it.
Overall Opinion: If the most important aspect of having a faucet water filter to you is convenience, then you will want to take a closer look at this model.
This is a faucet-style water filter that’s made by a company that has been involved with some form of water filtration since 1936. That’s a lot of experience that goes into their products.
It’s not the best looking faucet water filter but most of its other features hold up well against the other models that we reviewed here.
Overall Opinion: This is a good economical option for those that are not overly concerned with the looks of their new faucet-attached water filter
See our full Culligan Faucet Filter Review here.
Brita is a name that when mentioned people automatically think of water filtration. That’s because they have earned a reputation for making quality water filtration products for many years now.
This is a pretty good faucet-style water filter from them. It does a better job filtering out contaminants than many water filters in its class and comes with several 3rd-party certifications too.
Overall Opinion: This is another economical faucet filter that looks good once installed and will definitely enhance the taste, appearance, and smell of your drinking water.
See our full Brita Faucet Filter Review here.
This is the only faucet-style water filter on our list that features a durable metal body. That also makes it the most durable faucet filter that we reviewed.
The Engdeton Faucet Filter will also swivel around 360°.
That means you can point its nozzle down to fill up a glass or turn it further up to fill pitchers and other larger size containers. Good water flow and longer useful filter life are also highlight features of this faucet-style water filter.
Overall Opinion: This is a good option for those that want a sturdier built and better-looking faucet water filter that offers just basic enhancement of their tap water.
See our full Engdenton Faucet Filter review here.
This faucet attached water filter will stand up with the best of them on our list as far as water enhancement is concerned. That’s due to its advanced coconut carbon filtration that greatly reduces or eliminates the impact of chlorine in tap water.
This faucet-attached water filter is also WQA Gold Seal certified and meets NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 testing standards.
Overall Opinion: While this in my opinion is one of the most bulky looking faucet filters on our review list, you shouldn’t overlook its ability to enhance your home’s tap water.
See our full Instapure F2 Essentials Review here.
| Product | Key Contaminants Removed or Reduced | Filter Life | Flow Rate | Filter Change Indicator | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUR Advanced | 99% Lead, 96% mercury, 92% Pesticides | 100 Gallons or 3 Months | Not Specified | Light | $$$ |
| Dupont WFFM100 XCH | Reduces Asbestos, Lead, Mercury | 200 Gallons or 6 Months | Not Specified | Digitally Metered | $$$ |
| Waterdrop Faucet Filter | Reduces Lead, Chlorine | 320 Gallons or 3 Months | 0.5 GPM | None | $ |
| iSpring DF2-CHR | Reduces Bacteria, Chlorine, Lead & Sulfates | 500 Gallons or 8 Months | 1.5 GPM | None | $$ |
| Culligan FM-15A | Reduces Lead, Chlorine, Turbidity | 200 Gallons or 2 Months | 0.5 GPM | None | $$ |
| Brita Faucet Filter | Reduces 99% of Lead, Chlorine Taste & Odor | 100 Gallons or 4 Months | Not Specified | Light | $ |
| Engdeton Faucet Filter | Sediment and Organics Reduction | 320 Gallons or 6 Months | 5 GPM | None | $$$ |
| Instapure F2 Essentials | Reduces Lindane, Chlorine Taste & Odor | 200 Gallons or 4 Months | 0.75 GPM | None | $$ |
For those of you that are not familiar with faucet-style water filters, here is an introductory guide that should help you get better acquainted with what they are and how they work.
When you have decided that you want to increase the quality of your incoming water supply, you first have to decide what level you want that to be.
Faucet water filtration systems are not designed to create large amounts of purified water like a whole house water filtration system. Instead, they are mostly used for drinking water and cooking purposes at one point of use in the kitchen.
They are also best for those who are just searching for a way to enhance the looks, taste, and eliminate any odors that are in their tap water. They will filter out larger solids and some other contaminants too.
If you are seeking a higher level of home water purification than this, then you should look for a more comprehensive water filtration option such as reverse osmosis system or a whole house water filter.
Faucet water filters also do not remove total dissolved solids from tap water (TDS).
There is nothing fancy about how a faucet-attached water filter works. Once in place, a sink’s tap water flows through them continuously.
They do not, however, filter that water unless a switch has been activated. This switch usually comes in the form of an easy-to-turn lever or knob.
Once the faucet-mounted filter has been placed in working mode, the water will then pass through its internal filter and any pre-filters that are inside of it.
Most faucet-style water filters use an activated carbon filter cartridge. These absorb impurities as well as block larger size particles that try to squeeze through them.
Over time, the trapped impurities will build up to a point where the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.
Here are some of the advantages you get if you choose to install a faucet-mounted water filter.
When you look at getting 100’s of gallons of enhanced water out of a filter cartridge that usually costs around $20, that’s an outstanding deal. This is especially true when you consider how many gallons that you get from them for a much smaller price than what you would pay for comparable bottled water amounts.
It takes no time for them to do the task that they were designed to do. That means no waiting around for tap water to be treated such as there is with other types of water filtration systems. All it takes is a turn of the activation lever or knob that’s on them to get a steady stream of improved tap water.
Some types of water filtration systems such as under-sink water filters usually need to be installed by professionals. That is not the case at all with faucet water filters. Most of them can easily be installed by you even if you only have minor mechanical ability. Many don’t require tools to install and several come with the necessary adapters to do the job too.
Since they mount to your kitchen sink or another faucet in your home, faucet filters are always right there and ready to use. Unlike water filter pitchers that you have to search for and put together. They also require very little upkeep in addition to simple and occasional filter cartridge replacements.
The switch on them allows you to only run them when you require filtered water. So, if you are filling a bucket for mopping the floor or getting water for your plants from the kitchen sink, you do not have to waste useful faucet filter life to do these things.
Be sure to compare these faucet filter characteristics when shopping for a new one:
How much does a particular faucet water filter cost and what is the cost of the replacement filters that it uses?
Lower price faucet style water filters that get positive marks on most of the other characteristics on this list represent good value for those that buy them.
What is the useful life of its filter and is there an indicator on the device (usually a light or meter) that tells you when it’s time to replace the filter cartridge?
Filter change indicators are nice because they take the guesswork out of when it’s time to change the filter. Having this feature is weighted strongly in my review list.
This includes looking at the type of filter media that a faucet filter uses and the contaminants that this helps reduce or remove. Some simply eliminate chlorine taste and odor while others will remove or reduce a variety of other larger size contaminants.
This should carry the most weight when evaluating any faucet-attached water filter and my review ranking greatly reflects that.
What is the unit’s flow rate? This is usually displayed in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate determines how long it will take a faucet filter to do such tasks as fill up a glass or pitcher of water. The higher the flow rate the less waiting time for containers to fill and the higher the water pressure.
Keep in mind that many manufacturers do not list a flow rate for their faucet water filters. This usually means the flow rate of their units is not optimal. It must also be stated that tap water passing through filter media slower often removes more impurities.
Is the installation of a faucet water filter straightforward and does it require any special tools to do the job? Do the contents of the package include such necessary items as faucet tip adapters?
Be sure that a particular faucet-attached water filter will fit your style and brand of faucet before you even purchase it.
Does it come with any certifications from trusted testing authorities? These include reputable independent testing bodies such as WQA, NSF, and ANSI. Having these certifications means what a manufacturer says about their faucet water filter’s ability to eliminate or reduce certain contaminants is true.
How does it look? Is it big and bulky and will be an eyesore once it’s in place or is it more streamlined or attached in a way that it’s not displayed so prominently? What color is it? Most are chrome or white, so choose one that best fits your kitchen setting.
3rd-party certifications can be very helpful when shopping for a tap water filter. That’s because they back up some of the filtration characteristics that faucet-attached water filter manufacturers claim that their products have.
One of the most relevant 3rd-party certifications for faucet water filters to come with is NSF/ANSI Standard 42. This has to do with the reduction of chlorine taste and odor. This is because so many municipal water systems use chlorine to treat the water that they distribute throughout their community.
Another important independent certification that’s relevant to faucet water filters is NSF/ANSI Standard 53. This is all about a faucet-style water filter’s ability to reduce such common household water contaminants as asbestos, cysts, lead, mercury, turbidity, and VOCs.
For older homes with lead pipes, faucet water filters that meet NSF/ANSI Standard 372 are highly recommended. Certification of a faucet-attached water filter by the WQA (Water Quality Association) also carries a lot of weight when looking to purchase one of these handy water filters.
One of the best aspects of faucet water filters that has been mentioned several times in this article is that they are convenient to have and use. Part of that means they require very little maintenance.
That does not, however, mean that they are totally maintenance-free.
Every few months, you should take the unit apart and clean it. When you are changing the filter is a great time to do this. Just use a soapy dishwashing liquid mixture all over any exposed parts (except the cartridge filters).
You can even gently rub with a toothbrush any areas where there is evidence of mineral or other buildups. If you have an aerator screen on your device make sure that is kept clean too.
Do you have to do this maintenance on them? Some people would rather not and they treat these units as a disposable product. Since faucet filters last several months before they need their filter cartridge to be changed and they are a relatively inexpensive item, many users just simply throw them away and install a new one.
You will only end up spending a few dollars more in most instances. Just keep in mind that you certainly won’t be lowering your carbon footprint on the planet in the process.
Be sure to check with a manufacturer’s fit guide before purchasing any model faucet filter so you get one that matches up with the brand and style of the faucet that you have.
Then gather a dry cloth, a pair of pliers, and some Teflon tape to do the job. Most don’t even require the pliers to be used.
There are some instances where a special aerator removal tool is necessary. This should be stated in the installation instructions that come with your faucet-style water filter kit.
Here are the steps involved when installing a faucet filter:
Keep in mind this is just a rough guide on how to put into place a faucet filter but many of them install similarly. Be sure to consult the directions that come with your new faucet filter as you are working.
These are such popular items that installation videos for many models of faucet water filters can be found by doing a quick search on YouTube.
Yes, most faucet water filters are entirely worth the cost. With a price range of around $20-$60 and the ability to filter your kitchen sink’s unfiltered water for 6-12 months that is a great deal.
Faucet water filtration system filters usually last between 6-12 months or 150-400 gallons of water before needing filter replacement.
Your faucet filters flow could be slow for a couple of reasons. It could be that the filter you purchased has a slower than normal flow rate because it takes longer to filter contaminants or it could be the case that your filter needs replacement since it is clogged with residue.
Yes, most faucet mount filter systems are super easy to install and anyone can screw them on to the kitchen faucet. Usually, the product comes with a simple instructions manual.
Installing a faucet water filter on your kitchen sink is a great idea and it can be done very inexpensively. That makes it something that can only benefit you.
So, once you have decided that a faucet-style water filter is the right choice for you, be sure to use the advice that you were given here to find a faucet filter that nicely meets your needs. Keep in mind that you also can’t go wrong by purchasing one of the faucet-style water filters that appears here on our list of the best ones.
Either way, you should end up with a new faucet-attached water filter that will nicely enhance your drinking water and do that in a simple and cost-effective way.
15657 N Hayden Rd #1162
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
United States
602-780-2598
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