Whole Home About Shop by Room ➜ Kitchen ➜ Tap Water Filters

Under Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Reverse osmosis systems filter out the greatest number of, and most dangerous water contaminants including 90% of fluoride, 99.99% of cysts, 99.9% of asbestos, 99% of lead, VOCs, PFOA/PFAS and microplastics, and 96% of chlorine, chloramines, arsenic, pesticides, and herbicides. An under-the-sink version doesn’t waste nearly as much water as a whole-house RO system, if the option to focus on just drinking and cooking water is available to you. This one from Aquasana is truly NSF tested and certified by the Water Quality Association (see why this is important below). It also remineralizes the water, one of the most important features we look for in RO filters.

Under Sink Carbon + Ion Exchange

This filtration system is NSF tested and certified by the Water Quality Association to reduce over 97% of chlorine and chloramines, 99% of microplastics and lead, and 96% of PFOA/PFOS. It’s also certified to reduce mercury, chlorine-resistant cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, and pharmaceuticals. It cannot remove certain contaminants that RO systems can (like hexavalent chromium, for example), but it is smaller and doesn’t waste water like RO. This is the best under sink water filter of its kind because Aquasana is very transparent about their certifications. The best way to know if you need this or an RO system is to test your water to see what’s in it.

Tap Water Filters

Glass Carafe

Unfortunately, none of the stainless steel countertop water filters on the market are NSF certified, and they don’t remove contaminants nearly as well as Brita or Aquasana in testing by third party outlets. That leaves plastic pitchers for every countertop water filter that actually works. While the pitchers are all generally BPA free, we’re still wary of BPA alternatives. This glass carafe is an ideal solution because it fits a Brita replacement filter. If it’s not your style, or not in your budget, simply using the plastic pitcher first, then transferring to a glass or stainless steel jug immediately after filtration is a good option that reduces your water’s total contact time with plastic.

Brita Elite Countertop Filter

This countertop filter is NSF tested and certified to remove PFOA/PFAS, some pharmaceuticals, chlorine, and microplastics. It can’t remove arsenic or fluoride, bacteria, or a handful of other concerns, but for a countertop filter, this is a solid choice that has consistently high ratings across multiple third party testing outlets. Depending on what is in your city’s water supply (or your well), what your pipes are made of, and how old they are, this may be a convenient and cost-effective choice. The best way to know for sure is to test your water to see what’s in it.

Not seeing the brand or specific product you’re interested in? I may not have it listed for a specific reason, or I haven’t researched it yet. I’m happy to share — just reach out!

More to Consider

Dish Drying Racks

All Tap Water Test Kits

What I Use in My Home

Whole Home About Shop by Room ➜ Kitchen ➜ Tap Water Filters

Best Tap Water Filters 2024