The water filtration niche is saturated with products self-proclaimed to be the best on the market. According to manufacturers, their products remove the most contaminants (“5X more than other water filters”), serve the longest, and provide the best-tasting water possible.
Unsurprisingly, there’s very little scientific backing to such claims. In the water treatment industry, only a handful of items are worth trusting, so we decided to make a list.
Whether you’re looking for the best filter by type (whole-house unit, under-the-sink device, water pitcher, and so on) or by its efficiency against a specific contaminant (lead, iron, sulfur), we have a product to recommend to you.
The Best Water Filters by Type
In this section, we review the best water filtration devices in the following categories:
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: Four-stage process with KDF media and catalytic carbon
- Contaminants removed: Not provided
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Filter life: 6-9 months for pre-filter, 10-year (1 million gallons) for other filtration media
- Flow rate: 9 GPM (1-3 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $1,016.44
- Filter type: Under-the-sink
- Filtration technology: Reverse osmosis and Claryum
- Contaminants removed: 88
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473
- Filter life: 6-12 months
- Flow rate: 13.32 GPD
- Warranty: Two years
- Price: $249.99
- Filter type: Under-the-sink
- Filtration technology: Heavy metals + VOCs filter
- Contaminants reduced: 232
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401
- Filter life: 12 months
- Flow rate: Not provided by the manufacturer
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $550
- Filter type: Countertop
- Filtration technology: Black Berkey Elements
- Contaminants removed: 200
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Filter life: More than two years (6,000 gallons)
- Flow rate: Not applicable
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $367
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Contaminants reduced: 365
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Flow rate: Not applicable
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $81
Best Whole House Filter – SpringWell CF1 Whole House Water Filter System
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: Four-stage process with KDF media and catalytic carbon
- Contaminants removed: Not provided
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Filter life: 6-9 months for pre-filter, 10-year (1 million gallons) for other filtration media
- Flow rate: 9 GPM (1-3 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $1,016.44
- The four-stage filtration is efficient against many dangerous pollutants
- A 10-year filter lifespan that’s matchless in the industry
- The 9 GPM flow rate is more than ideal for a family of four
- Comes with a BlueTooth system head
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Not tested by third parties
- No NSF certifications
- Professional assistance is required for the installation
When it comes to whole house water filtration, SpringWell CF1 is the absolute winner. Its status as the best in its category is down to its efficiency against the most common contaminants (chlorine, PFOA/PFAS, pesticides), the longevity of its filtration media, and its excellent flow rate.
SpringWell CF1 employs a four-stage treatment process to handle impurities. First, the water passes through a five-micron sediment pre-filter that eliminates sediment particles, such as clay, sand, and silt.
Then the water moves into three filtration beds:
- Flex bed: Designed to prolong the contact time between the succeeding media and the water and boost the effectiveness of the filtration.
- Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) bed: The KDF media bed is specifically designed to block chemicals (chlorine, pesticides, and herbicides) and heavy metals (lead, arsenic, chromium, and so on).
- Catalytic carbon bed: This bed developed by SpringWell removes organic contaminants such as volatile organic compounds and pharmaceuticals.
These three main beds have a million-gallon filtration capacity, roughly equalling ten years of clean water for a family of four. That being said, you’ll need to replace the five-micron pre-filter once every six to nine months for optimum performance.
But how to know when it’s time to replace the pre-filter? The SpringWell device has a system head that you can connect to your smartphone via BlueTooth. This head informs you when to replace the filters and allows you to monitor the filtration process.
SpringWell CF1 provides nine gallons of clean water per minute (GPM) — more than enough to accommodate the needs of households with one to three bathrooms. If you have a larger family, the manufacturer also offers the CF4 (12 GPM) and CF+ (20 GPM) models, which cost more.
All SpringWell products are made in the United States and come with a lifetime warranty.
Unfortunately, SpringWell doesn’t have its products tested by a third-party lab. As a result, they have no NSF certifications.
Lastly, note that you’ll likely need the services of a professional plumber to install the SpringWell CF1 unless you’re consider yourself handy and enjoy DIY projects, but that goes for all whole house systems.
To explore more whole house options, visit our Best Whole House Water Filter Systems guide.
Best Reverse Osmosis System – Aquasana OptimH2O
- Filter type: Under-the-sink
- Filtration technology: Reverse osmosis and Claryum
- Contaminants removed: 88
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473
- Filter life: 6-12 months
- Flow rate: 13.32 GPD
- Warranty: Two years
- Price: $249.99
- The most efficient RO system on the market
- Claryum tech supplements RO tech
- NSF certified
- Filters are easy to replace
- Wastes water
- The installation requires plumbing experience
- Only two-year warranty
Reverse osmosis (RO) has lately become one of the most popular water treatment solutions for many Americans because it’s an efficient method. Yet, most RO systems are not tested by third-party labs and hold no NSF certifications. In that sense, Aquasana OptimH2O stands out from its competition, as it employs innovative technology that promises to be effective and has the certifications to back it up.
Third-party water-testing labs tested Aquasana OptimH2O and confirmed it removes 88 hazards, including lead, asbestos, and fluoride, with great success rates, as listed in its performance data sheet.
The device holds all the relevant NSF certifications with NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 (see FAQs to learn what these certifications mean).
The effectiveness of the Aquasana OptimH2O doesn’t rely solely on its RO tech but also on the manufacturer’s proprietary tech, Claryum.
Claryum is a blend of four different filtration methods, such as ion exchange and microfiltration, which greatly supplement RO.
Aquasana OptimH2O is an under-the-sink unit, meaning it goes under your drinking water faucet and treats only the water from that faucet. With that in mind, its 13.32 GPD flow rate is more than enough to meet the drinking water needs of families of any size.
The unit has three cartridges, all of which are twist-offs, meaning you only need to twist them to replace them.
Speaking of replacements, if you decide to go with the Aquasana OptimH20, you’ll need to replace the Claryum filter once every six months, which could burden your budget in the long run.
RO devices waste water and the Aquasana model is no exception. According to user experience, the OptimH2O unit wastes four cups of water to produce one cup of filtered water. That ratio is not eco-friendly at all.
Although most under-the-sink devices are DIY-friendly, that’s not the case with OptimH2O. If you have little or no plumbing knowledge, it’s a good idea to call a plumber to carry out the installation.
Lastly, the device features only a two-year warranty, which is humble.
For more RO options, visit our guide on the Best RO Systems.
Best Under-the-Sink Device – Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under-the-Sink Water Filter System
- Filter type: Under-the-sink
- Filtration technology: Heavy metals + VOCs filter
- Contaminants reduced: 232
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401
- Filter life: 12 months
- Flow rate: Not provided by the manufacturer
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $550
- The most efficient under-the-sink unit with 232 reduced contaminants
- Doesn’t remove healthy minerals
- NSF-certified
- DIY-friendly installation
- Low maintenance
- 2,000-gallon filter life
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Expensive
- Replacement filters are expensive
- Decreases water pressure
If you want a non-RO under-the-sink unit, you’re lucky. The under-the-sink model by Clearly Filtered isn’t only a significant upgrade on the Aquasana OptimH2O item but it’s also the most efficient under-the-sink unit you’ll find anywhere, with its remarkable technology and more than 232 reduced pollutants.
Similar to other ground-breaking water treatment products, this Clearly Filtered model features its own blend of filtration methods in one cartridge. The manufacturer refers to this cartridge as the heavy metals + VOCs filter.
Most water filters that target heavy metals have either RO or ion exchange properties, both of which also remove healthy minerals. Interestingly, that’s not the case with the Clearly Filtered device, as the heavy metals + VOCs filter keeps mineral molecules intact while reducing health hazards.
Independent labs have tested the Clearly Filtered unit and documented how well it reduces contaminants. It’s NSF-certified with NSF Standards 42, 53, and 401 and comes with a performance data sheet where you can read all about its contaminant reduction rates.
Unlike Aquasana OptimH2O, you don’t need professional assistance to install this model. So long as you follow the manual, the installation process is DIY-friendly and won’t take more than fifteen minutes.
When it comes to filter replacement frequency, Clearly Filtered is once again amongst the best on the market. Its filters need to be replaced only once a year and entertain a 2,000-gallon filtration capacity. Its cartridges are twist-off, too, so the replacement process is easy.
In the same line with SpringWell, Clearly Filtered produces all its products on domestic soil here in the US and offers a lifetime warranty.
However, the under-the-sink filtration device is among the most expensive products in its category, as are its replacement filters.
Finally, some users complain that their water flow decreases by 20% to 25% after installing the unit. That’s mainly due to the prolonged contact time between water and filter which makes the filtration more effective, but we understand how it could put off some customers.
Read our Best Under Sink Filters guide to check out other great under-the-sink units.
Best Countertop Unit – Big Berkey Water Filter
- Filter type: Countertop
- Filtration technology: Black Berkey Elements
- Contaminants removed: 200
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Filter life: More than two years (6,000 gallons)
- Flow rate: Not applicable
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $367
- The Black Berkey Elements are the strongest gravity filters
- Removes 200+ contaminants
- 6,000-gallon filtration capacity
- Tested by various EPA-certified labs
- 2.25-gallon filtered water capacity
- Made of stainless steel
- Lifetime warranty
- Plastic spigot
- The treatment process is not fast
Big Berkey is the #1 countertop water solution choice of many Americans, and for a good reason. Thanks to its unique technology, Big Berkey efficiently filters more than 200 prominent contaminants while sporting some of the most long-lasting filters in the niche.
The unique technology of Big Berkey is referred to as the Black Berkey Elements, which is a two-cartridge setup (there’s also a four-cartridge option suitable for large families). This setup boasts various effective water treatment methods, from adsorption (attracting impurities with an ionic structure) to microfiltration.
Additionally, Big Berkey is a gravity filter, meaning the water makes its way down the filtration media with the help of gravity, prolonging contact time and ensuring maximum effectiveness. This allows the unit to reach impressive removal rates for some of the most prominent pollutants like lead, arsenic, and benzene.
The filters of most countertop devices on the market last about six months. After that, you need to replace them. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Black Berkey Elements, as the filtration capacity of this two-cartridge setup is 6,000 gallons. This number means the unit will serve the drinking water needs of a family of four for more than two years.
Big Berkey has no NSF certifications, but that’s not a problem, as various EPA-certified independent labs have tested the product. So, this unit has several performance data sheets under its belt detailing what it removes and with what percentage.
Moreover, the device has a 2.25-gallon filtered water capacity, so you won’t need to refill it more than once daily.
The unit is also sturdy, as its body is made of high-polish, food-grade stainless steel. However, its spigot is plastic, albeit BPA-free, which is a thumb-down for us.
Furthermore, as a gravity filter, the device takes over an hour to complete its treatment process. For those who want access to clean water quickly, other devices could be a better match.
Visit our Best Countertop Water Filters article to look at alternatives to Big Berkey.
Best Water Pitcher – Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Contaminants reduced: 365
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Flow rate: Not applicable
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $81
- The most powerful water filter on the market thanks to Affinity Filtration
- Reduces more than 365 contaminants
- NSF-certified
- 4-month filter life is excellent for a water pitcher
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Expensive
Were you impressed by the tech of the Clearly Filtered under-the-sink device or the Black Berkey Elements? Then you’ll be even more impressed by the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher, the most powerful water filter on the market, period.
Distinguishing itself from its under-the-sink sibling, the water pitcher utilizes a unique technology called Affinity Filtration. Thanks to this tech, it’s able to reduce more than 365 impurities from the water with excellent success rates.
The product has been tested by third-party laboratories and holds all the relevant NSF certifications in NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473. You can check all the 365 impurities it reduces by looking at its extensive performance data sheet.
Like the Black Berkey Elements, Affinity Filtration combines several techniques varying from adsorption to microfiltration. The filter also has a unique physical structure that subjects the water to a tortuous path. As a result, the 10-cup Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces a higher number of contaminants than its competition and with better reduction rates (especially lead, PFOA/PFAS, and fluoride).
Similarly to its under-the-sink sibling, the filter lifespan of the water pitcher is the best in its category. While the filters of most water pitchers (for instance, Brita) last only about a month, this unit provides clean water for up to four months (depending on the usage).
As a cherry on top, the water pitcher is made entirely in the United States and features a lifetime warranty.
However, just like the Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink unit, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is expensive, and so are its replacement filters.
To check out other high-quality water pitchers, head to our guide on the Best Water Filter Pitchers.
The Best Water Filters by Water Source & Contaminants
Not all water filters are equally effective against tap or well water contaminants. Nor are they capable of handling the same contaminant with equal efficiency.
In this section, we’ll present to you the best in the following categories:
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Contaminants reduced: 365
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $81
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: Aquasana Rhino + UV lamp
- Contaminants removed: Not provided
- NSF certifications: NSF 42
- Filter life: Two months to five years, depending on the component
- Flow rate: 14.7 GPM (1-5 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Five years
- Price: $1,399
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: AIO + Katalox media
- Iron removal: 30 ppm
- NSF certifications: NSF 42, 44, 61, and 372
- Filter life: Five to ten years
- Flow rate: 7 GPM (1-2 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $1,519
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Lead reduction: 99.3%
- NSF certifications: NSF 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $81
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: AIO
- Sulfur removal: 30 ppm
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Flow rate: 10 GPM (1-3 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime on the tank, 5-10 years on components
- Price: $3,606.36
Best Water Filter for Tap Water – Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Contaminants reduced: 365
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Price: $81
- The most powerful water filter on the market, thanks to Affinity Filtration
- Reduces more than 365 contaminants
- Reduces the most problematic tap water contaminants with great industry-leading rates
- NSF-certified
- 4-month filter life is excellent for a water pitcher
- Made in USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Expensive for a water pitcher
If you want to treat the most prominent tap water contaminants, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the obvious choice, with more than 365 reduced contaminants and remarkable reduction rates.
Tap water refers to the water a municipal water supplier provides through municipal pipelines. This water is treated in various ways before it’s distributed to citizens’ households.
The water treatment carried out by municipal authorities eliminates common contaminants, but also adds chlorine, chloramines, and fluoride to the water. The first two are for disinfecting the water and water lines, and the third, fluoride, for promoting teeth health in the young population.
Yet, these chemicals are either an aesthetic or a health concern for citizens. Chlorine and chloramines change the water’s taste, odor, and color. Fluoride leads to various problems, including bone fractures and arthritis.
In addition, houses built before the 1980s are likely to have lead in their pipelines (solders and fixtures included). No matter how well the municipal authorities treat water before distributing it, lead still leaches into the water supply once it’s in the pipelines of old houses.
The water pitcher is your best bet for dealing with chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, and lead. Its minimum reduction rates when it comes to those pollutants are the following:
- Chlorine: 99.5%
- Chloramines: 99.7%
- Fluoride: 99.5%
- Lead: 99.3%
Read our detailed review above to learn more about the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher.
Best Water Filter for Well Water – Aquasana Rhino Well Water Filter System With UV Filter
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: Aquasana Rhino + UV lamp
- Contaminants removed: Not provided
- NSF certifications: NSF 42
- Filter life: Two months to five years, depending on the component
- Flow rate: 14.7 GPM (1-5 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Five years
- Price: $1,399
- The strong UV lamp kills all the well water pathogens
- Great sediment filtration
- Pre-filter and post-filter to optimize the UV process
- 14.7 GPM flow rate
- Filters are easy to replace
- Complicated filter replacement frequencies
- Bulky
- The installation requires professional help
- Five-year warranty
The contaminants most prominent in well water are sediment particles and coliform bacteria that somehow find their way into the water supply. The Aquasana Rhino Well Water Filter System With UV Filter is the best defense against all well water problems.
The Aquasana system features one pre-filter, one Aquasana Rhino Well Water Filter, one post-filter, and an ultraviolet lamp.
- The pre-filter deals with sediment, including dirt, clay, sand, and silt, and decreases the turbidity of water.
- The Aquasana Rhino features KDF media combined with activated carbon that handles chemicals and heavy metals that could be present in groundwater.
- The UV lamps require the water to be crystal clear in terms of turbidity to kill all the microorganisms. The post-filter ensures there’s no turbidity left so that the UV lamp can do its job with ultimate efficiency.
- The 40-megajoule UV lamp, the most powerful one on the market, kills all the problematic bacteria and viruses, such as E. coli and salmonella.
The Aquasana doesn’t sacrifice flow rate during this complex process, and it’s able to maintain a water flow of 14.7 GPM. That’s more than enough for households with one to five bathrooms.
The Aquasana is a bulky setup, but its filters are easy to replace. However, since the setup has many components, it’s easy to mix up which filter you need to replace and when. Let us help:
- Pre-filter: Replace once every two months
- Aquasana Rhino: Replace once every five years
- Post-filter: Replace once every six months
- UV lamp: Replace once a year
As we said, the setup is bulky, so the Aquasana might not be for you if you’re short on space. You also want to get a pro to install it for the same reason.
Lastly, the manufacturer only offers a five-year warranty for this product.
If you aren’t sure this is the unit for you, check out our Best Well Water Filtration Systems for a list of alternatives.
Best Water Filter for Iron Removal – SoftPro IronMaster Iron Removal System for Well Water
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: AIO + Katalox media
- Iron removal: 30 ppm
- NSF certifications: NSF 42, 44, 61, and 372
- Filter life: Five to ten years
- Flow rate: 7 GPM (1-2 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $1,519
- 30 ppm iron removal rate
- Katalox media coated with high-concentration manganese dioxide
- No harsh chemicals are used in the backwash
- DIY-friendly installation
- NSF-certified
- Lifetime warranty
- Low flow rate
The SoftPro IronMaster Iron Removal System is the ideal choice to deal with excessive iron levels in your water, a problem that happens due to the presence of iron-rich soil and rocks around your groundwater supply
SoftPro IronMaster removes 30 parts per million (ppm) iron, an unprecedented number in the niche. The unit owes its success to the fact it employs both the Air Injection Oxidation (AIO) method and Katalox media.
Iron removal systems first oxidize this mineral with the AIO method to deal with it. After the AIO process, the small iron particles become larger, so the filtration media catches them more successfully.
However, the filtration media type is also essential when removing iron, and that’s where SoftPro IronMaster distinguishes itself from the competition.
The Katalox media employs high-concentration manganese dioxide, which amplifies the device’s oxidation capacity and presents more surface for largened iron particles to stick to. That’s how SoftPro IronMaster removes 30 ppm of iron, which is impressive considering a standard device only removes about 7-8 ppm.
Another distinct feature of SoftPro IronMaster is that it only requires plain water for backwash. It’s a great feature, especially considering all the other iron removal systems utilize harsh chemicals for their backwash processes.
Despite being a whole house unit, SoftPro IronMaster is easy to install. The installation becomes even easier if you get the quick-connect hose kit ($79).
The components of the system are made of food-grade material, and the unit’s certified against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 44, 61, and 372, which is a testament to that.
The device comes with a lifetime warranty as well.
Despite all its selling points, SoftPro IronMaster has one major drawback. It only entertains a 7 GPM flow rate, so it’s not suitable for families with more than 4 members.
Visit our Best Iron Filters for Well Water guide if you want to compare it to other options.
Best Water Filter for Lead Reduction – Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Filter type: Water pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Lead reduction: 99.3%
- NSF certifications: NSF 42, 53, 401, and 473
- Filter life: 4 months (100 gallons)
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Price: $81
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher was our pick in several other categories, but it’s also the best unit for reducing lead. It has a 99.3% lead reduction rate.
This rate has been tested and confirmed by independent laboratories, so you can be sure it reflects the scientific truth. Additionally, the device is certified against the NSF/ANSI Standard 53 – the certification that pertains explicitly to health hazards such as lead.
For a full review of the product, see our detailed review above.
Best Water Filter for Sulfur Removal – US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System
- Filter type: Whole house
- Filtration technology: AIO
- Sulfur removal: 30 ppm
- NSF certifications: Not certified
- Flow rate: 10 GPM (1-3 bathrooms)
- Warranty: Lifetime on the tank, 5-10 years on components
- Price: $3,606.36
- Removes 30 ppm of sulfur
- Employs hydrogen peroxide as an oxidation agent
- Vortech backwash tech
- Removes 20 ppm of iron
- Comes with different flow rate options
- Lifetime warranty on the tank
- Expensive
- Its components have warranty options varying between five to ten years
- Requires professional installation
Hydrogen sulfide, or sulfur, and the bacteria responsible for producing it give off a stench akin to rotten eggs when present in private wells. To eliminate this stench from your faucets, you need to install a sulfur removal unit such as the US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System, the best one for the job.
Similar to iron removal systems, sulfur systems operate based on AIO. Once the water is injected with an oxidation agent, its hydrogen particles get larger, so the filtration media easily picks them up and traps them.
However, one distinct feature of the US Matrixx model makes it our favorite. While most AIO systems employ chlorine, oxygen, or potassium permanganate as an oxidation agent, this sulfur removal device uses hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is much more potent than the other oxidation agents, so the US Matrixx system removes 30 ppm of hydrogen sulfide from the water. The industry standard, in contrast, is only 8 ppm.
The backwash process of the US Matrixx is innovative, too. The device utilizes a backwash technology called Vortech, which creates a vortex inside the tank, increasing the contact surface. Because of this, the backwash process of the US Matrixx is faster and more thorough than that of devices with a conventional backwash process.
You’ll be happy to know this system is also remarkably effective against iron. Even though its 20 ppm iron removal capacity is shy compared to the SoftPro model we reviewed earlier, it’s still well above the industry standards (7-8 ppm).
Pick a flow rate option depending on your household size:
- 1-3 bathrooms: 10 GPM
- 4-6 bathrooms: 15 GPM
- 7+ bathrooms: 20-25 GPM
Of course, the cost of the device will increase with the flow rate option, and we need to note that the US Matrixx is already one of the most expensive sulfur solutions on the market.
Additionally, although the tank comes with a lifetime warranty, the warranty on the electronic parts of the device ranges between five to ten years.
Lastly, we recommend hiring a professional plumber to install the unit, as it’s complex.
For more sulfur removal products, visit our Best Sulfur Filter for Well Water guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s answer the most common questions about water filters.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces more than 365 contaminants, which makes it the most powerful water filter on the market.
Although some water treatment brands advertise their products with claims like “it removes 1,000 contaminants,” such claims typically lack scientific backing.
That’s not the case with Clearly Filtered. Independent labs have tested the manufacturer’s claims, and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) has certified the item’s efficiency.
The average price of a water filter depends on its type:
Whole house filters: Depending on the unit’s size and flow rate, a whole house filtration system might cost between $1,000 – $5,000.
Reverse osmosis systems: RO systems come in under-the-sink, countertop, or whole house form. While whole house RO systems cost the same as other whole house units, under-the-sink and countertop devices usually cost $200 to $1,000.
Under-the-sink systems: The cost of an under-the-sink device changes based on its filtration techniques. That said, you should expect to pay between $100 and $1,000 for one unit.
Countertop units: Contingent upon the filtration technique, a countertop unit typically costs $50 to $500.
Water pitchers: For a decent water pitcher, expect to invest $20 to $100.
NSF certifications provide scientific proof to manufacturer claims and establish that the product aligns with EPA regulations. So, yes, they’re important.
However, if a product doesn’t have NSF certifications, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work as advertised.
For instance, SpringWell products aren’t NSF-certified. Yet, they’re the most trustable water treatment products for many Americans that constantly get great reviews.
Trusted brands often encourage their customers to conduct third-party tests on water, one before installing their device and one after. If the results show that their product is ineffective, they offer refunds.
Different NSF certifications pertain to different contaminants in water:
NSF/ANSI Standard 42: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates aesthetic impurities (taste, odor, color, chlorine) under the National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs). NSF 42 pertains to contaminants regulated under NSDWRs.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53: The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) set by the EPA pertains to health hazards, namely dangerous chemicals and heavy metals. NSF 53 certifies product claims regarding their removal/reduction of such threats.
NSF/ANSI Standard 58: Applicable only to RO systems, NSF 58 ensures the product utilizes a healthy RO process, pushing the water through a semipermeable RO membrane.
NSF/ANSI Standard 401: The EPA classifies pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and similar chemicals as “contaminants of emerging concern.” These chemicals are known to cause health complications, but the exact degree of the potential complications still requires research. NSF 401 establishes that the water treatment product removes or reduces at least fifteen of these chemicals.
NSF/ANSI Standard 473: Perfluorinated substances, or PFAS, are hazardous pollutants. NSF 473, sometimes called P473, pertains to claims concerning PFAS.
But not all products with an NSF 53 certification are effective against all kinds of hazards regulated under the NPDWRs. For instance, a product might have an NSF 53 certificate for removing lead and arsenic, but it could be useless against, say, mercury.
Because of this, products with NSF certifications come with performance data sheets listing what they remove and with what success rate. If you’re interested in removing a specific impurity, you should check the performance data sheets of different products before making a purchasing decision.
Conclusion
If you want the best whole house filtration device on the market, SpringWell CF1 is your ideal choice. Aquasana OptimH2O, on the other hand, presents the best RO alternative.
As for a non-RO under-the-sink unit, the Clearly Filtered under-the-sink system is the best in its category. Countertop units don’t get any better than the Big Berkey model.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the most powerful water treatment product, reducing up to 365 contaminants. It’s also the best defense against most common tap water contaminants, including lead.
Do you want to have the cleanest and safest well water possible running at all the faucets of your household? Then, Aquasana Rhino + UV lamp will do the job for you.
Lastly, while SoftPro IronMaster is your best bet against iron, if you want to tackle high levels of sulfur, we recommend the US Water Systems Matrixx Infusion System.
