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       If you rely on tap water for daily hydration, it may be time to install a water filter in your kitchen. Water filters are designed to purify water by removing harmful contaminants such as chlorine, lead and pesticides, with the degree of removal varying depending on the complexity of the filter. They can also improve the taste of the water and, in some cases, its clarity.
       To find the best water filter, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute thoroughly tested and analyzed more than 30 water filters. The water filters we review here include whole house water filters, under sink water filters, water filter pitchers, water filter bottles, and shower water filters.
       At the end of this guide, you can learn more about how we evaluate water filters in our lab, as well as everything you need to know about buying the best water filter. Want to increase your water intake while traveling? Check out our guide to the best water bottles.
       Just open the tap and get up to six months of filtered water. This under-sink filtration system removes chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, volatile organic compounds and more. This product is also used in the home of Dr. Birnur Aral, former director of the GH Research Institute's Beauty, Health and Sustainability Laboratory.
       “I use filtered water for almost everything from cooking to coffee, so a countertop water filter wouldn’t work for me,” she says. “This means there is no need to refill water bottles or containers.” It has a high flow rate but requires installation.
       One of our top water filters, the Brita Longlast+ filter removes over 30 contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and more. We appreciate its fast filtration, which takes just 38 seconds per cup. Compared to its predecessor, it lasts six months instead of two and leaves no carbon black spots in the water.
       Rachel Rothman, former chief technology officer and executive technical director of the GH Research Institute, uses this pitcher in her family of five. She loves the taste of the water and the fact that she doesn't have to change the filter as often. The slight downside is that hand washing is required.
       Informally known as the “shower head of the Internet,” Jolie has undoubtedly become one of the most popular shower heads in the world, especially due to its sleek design. Our extensive home testing has confirmed that it lives up to the hype. Unlike other shower filters we've tested, the Jolie Filter Showerhead has a one-piece design that requires minimal effort to install. Jacqueline Saguin, former senior business editor at GH, said it took her about 15 minutes to set up.
       We found it to have excellent chlorine filtration capabilities. Its filters contain a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and calcium sulfate, which the brand claims is better than conventional carbon filters at trapping contaminants in hot, high-pressure shower water. After nearly a year of use, Sachin noticed “less scale build-up near the bathtub drain,” adding that “the water is softer without losing pressure.”
       Keep in mind that the shower head itself is expensive, as is the price of replacing the filter.
       This small but powerful glass water filter pitcher weighs only 6 pounds when full. It's lightweight and easy to hold and pour in our tests. It is also available in plastic, which improves the taste and clarity of the water. Note that you will have to refill it more often as it only holds 2.5 cups of tap water and we found it to filter very slowly.
       Additionally, this jug uses two types of filters: micro membrane filter and activated carbon filter with ion exchanger. Our review of the brand's third-party lab testing data confirms that it removes more than 30 contaminants, including chlorine, microplastics, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, E. coli, and cysts.
       Brita is a brand that consistently performs well in our lab tests. One tester said they like this travel bottle because they can fill it up anywhere and know their water tastes fresh. The bottle comes in either stainless steel or plastic—testers found that the double-walled stainless steel bottle kept water cool and fresh all day long.
       It's also available in a 26-ounce size (fits most cup holders) or a 36-ounce size (which is handy if you travel long distances or can't refill water regularly). The built-in carrying loop also makes it easy to carry. Some users have noted that the design of the straw makes it more difficult to drink from.
       Brita Hub won the GH Kitchenware Award after impressing our judges with its countertop water dispenser that dispenses water manually or automatically. The manufacturer claims that the filter can be replaced after six months. However, Nicole Papantoniou, director of the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Laboratory at the GH Research Institute, only needs to replace the filter every seven months.
       “It has a large capacity so you won't have to refill it often. [I] like the automatic pour because I can leave while it's full,” Papantoniou said. What shortcomings do our experts note? As soon as the red indicator for replacing the filter element lights up, it stops working. Just make sure you have additional filters available.
       The Larq PurVis Pitcher can filter over 45 contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, PFOA and PFOS, pharmaceuticals and more. The company also goes a step further by using UV light to inactivate E. coli and salmonella bacteria that can accumulate in water filter pitchers when filtering out chlorine.
       In testing, we liked that the Larq app is easy to use and that it keeps track of when you need to change filters, so there's no guesswork involved. It pours smoothly, doesn't spill, and is dishwasher safe, except for the small rechargeable wand that we found easy to wash by hand. Please note: filters may be more expensive than other filters.
       When business is over, you can proudly display this water filter pitcher on your desk with its sleek and modern look. Not only does it stand out with its unique design, but our pros also love that the hourglass shape makes it easy to hold.
       It filters out chlorine and four heavy metals, including cadmium, copper, mercury and zinc, through a cleverly disguised cone filter on the top of the carafe. Our professionals found it to be easy to install, fill and pour, but requires hand washing.
       “It's easy to install, inexpensive and tested to ANSI 42 and 53 standards, so it reliably filters a wide range of contaminants,” said Dan DiClerico, director of GH's Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab. He especially liked the design and the fact that Culligan is an established brand.
       This filter allows you to easily switch from unfiltered water to filtered water by simply pulling the bypass valve, and no tools are required to install this filter on your faucet. It filters out chlorine, sediment, lead and more. One disadvantage is that it makes the faucet bulkier.
       At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our team of engineers, chemists, product analysts and home improvement experts work together to determine the best water filter for your home. Over the years, we have tested more than 30 water filters and continue to look for new options on the market.
       To test water filters, we consider their capacity, how easy they are to install, and (if applicable) how easy they are to fill. For clarity, we also read each instruction manual and checked whether the pitcher model is dishwasher safe. We test performance factors such as how fast a glass of water filters and measure how much water a tap water tank can hold.
       We also verify stain removal claims based on third party data. When replacing filters on the manufacturer's recommended schedule, we review each filter's lifespan and filter replacement cost annually.
       ✔️ Type and Capacity: When choosing pitchers, bottles and other dispensers that hold filtered water, you should consider size and weight. Larger containers are great for cutting down on refills, but they tend to be heavier and can take up more space in your refrigerator or backpack. The countertop model saves refrigerator space and can often hold more water, but it requires counter space and uses room temperature water.
       With under sink water filters, faucet filters, shower filters and whole house filters, there's no need to worry about size or capacity because they filter water as soon as it flows.
       ✔️Filtration Type: It should be noted that many filters contain multiple types of filtration to remove different contaminants. Some models can vary greatly in the contaminants they remove, so it's a good idea to check what the model actually filters to ensure it suits your needs. The most reliable way to determine this is to check which NSF standard the filter is certified to. For example, some standards cover only lead, such as NSF 372, while others also cover agricultural and industrial toxins, such as NSF 401. Additionally, here are the different water filtration methods:
       ✔️ Filter Replacement Frequency: Check how often you need to change the filter. If you are afraid to change the filter or have forgotten to replace it, you may want to look for a long-lasting filter. Additionally, if you're buying shower, pitcher, and sink filters, you'll have to remember to replace each filter individually, so it might be smart to consider a whole-house filter since you'll only need to replace one filter for your entire house.
       No matter what water filter you choose, it won't do any good if you don't replace it as recommended. “The effectiveness of a water filter depends on the quality of the water source and how often you change the filter,” says Aral. Some models are equipped with an indicator, but if the model does not have an indicator, slow flow or a different color of the water is a sign that the filter needs to be replaced.
       ✔️ Price: Consider both the initial price of the water filter and the cost of refilling it. A water filter may cost more initially, but the price and frequency of replacement can save you money in the long run. But this is not always the case, so be sure to calculate annual replacement costs based on the recommended replacement schedule.
       Access to safe drinking water is a global issue that affects communities throughout the United States. If you're unsure about the quality of your water, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has updated its tap water database for 2021. The database is free, easy to search, and contains information for all states.
       Enter your zip code or search your state to find detailed information about the quality of your drinking water based on EWG standards, which are more stringent than state standards. If your tap water exceeds EWG's health guidelines, you may want to consider purchasing a water filter.
       Opting for bottled water is a short-term solution to potentially unsafe drinking water, but it creates a larger problem with serious long-term consequences for contamination. Americans throw away up to 30 million tons of plastic every year, of which only 8% is recycled. Most of it ends up in landfills because there are so many different rules about what can be recycled. Your best bet is to invest in a water filter and a cute, reusable water bottle—some even have filters built in.
       This article was written and tested by Jamie (Kim) Ueda, a water filtration product analyst (and regular user!). She is a freelance writer specializing in product testing and reviews. For this list, she tested several water filters and worked with experts from several of the Good Housekeeping Institute's labs: Kitchen Appliances & Innovation, Home Improvement, Outdoors, Tools & Technology;
       Nicole Papantoniou talks about the ease of using jugs and bottles. Dr. Bill Noor Alar helped evaluate the contaminant removal requirements underlying each of our solutions. Dan DiClerico and Rachel Rothman provided expertise on filter installation.
       Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of product design and manufacturing experience. She has held leadership positions at mid-sized consumer products companies and one of the world's best-known and largest apparel brands. Jamie is involved in a number of GH Institute labs including kitchen appliances, media and technology, textiles and home appliances. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling and playing sports.
       Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.