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Highest rated water filter


10 Best Home Water Filters 2022 – Top Water Filtration Systems

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Top pitchers and filtration systems for your home, sink and countertop.

By Jamie Kim

Amazon

We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our original top-rated picks — selected by the Kitchen Appliances; Home Improvement and Outdoor; and Health, Beauty and Sustainability Labs — remain the same, though we swapped out discontinued products for new winners including Brita, Aquatru, Sonaki, Culligan, Aquasana and Larq.

We all know how important it is to drink enough water. While many people have water dispensers in their refrigerators, some still rely on good ol' tap water. If that’s the case, you may want to add a water filter to your kitchen tools and gadgets to help filter out harmful contaminants like chlorine, lead, pesticides and more, which can affect taste, quality and in some cases clarity of the water.

The Good Housekeeping Institute is a champion of safety and sustainability, which is why water quality and water filters have been important to us for decades. Our Kitchen Appliances; Health, Beauty and Sustainability; and Home Improvement and Outdoor Labs regularly team up to evaluate the efficacy of popular water filters to ensure they properly filter harmful contaminants. To find the best water filters — including whole-house water filters, under-the-sink water filters, water filter pitchers, water filter bottles and even water filters for your shower — our experts narrowed it to the top-selling options, then collected hundreds of data points and evaluated contaminant removal certifications. We also took into account how easy it was to set up the filter, how quickly it filtered, how heavy it was when filled (if applicable), how easy it was to clean and more.

Best Under-the-Sink Water Filter

Aquasana

3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter

Aquasana

Now 58% off

$190 AT AMAZON $225 AT WALMART

BEST SMALL WATER FILTER PITCHER

Aquagear

Water Filter Pitcher

Aquagear

Now 20% off

$56 AT AMAZON $58 AT WALMART

Best Water Filter Pitcher

Brita

Everyday Water Filter Pitcher with Longlast+ Filter

Brita

Now 10% off

$40 AT AMAZON $80 AT WALMART

Best Countertop Water Filter

AQUATRU

Connect Countertop Water Filter

AquaTru

$499 AT AMAZON

Best Whole-House Water Filter

Aquasana

Rhino 600,000 Gallons Water Filter

Aquasana

Now 50% off

$599 AT AMAZON $1,015 AT WALMART

Best Water Filter for Backpacking

Brita

Water Bottle with Filter

Brita

Now 15% off

$25 AT AMAZON $25 AT WALMART

Best Water Filter Pitcher that Removes Bacteria

Larq

PureVis Pitcher with Advanced Water Filter

Larq

$148 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA

Most Stylish Water Filter Carafe

Soma

Glass Carafe

Soma

$57 AT AMAZON

Best Faucet Water Filter

Culligan

Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filter

Culligan

Now 15% off

$29 AT AMAZON $30 AT HOME DEPOT $33 AT WAYFAIR

Best Shower Water Filter

Sonaki

Inline Shower Filter

Sonaki

$70 AT AMAZON

How we test water filters

In order to find the best water filters, we search the filter market and use our categorical expertise to narrow it down to the most promising products.

We take into account how easy it is to set up and, if applicable, how easy it is to pour and how much water it holds. We also read each instruction manual for clarity and look at whether pitcher models are dishwasher safe. As applicable, we test performance factors like how quickly it filters a cup of water and measure how much water the tap water reservoir can hold.

We also verify contaminant removal claims via third-party data. We review how long each filter lasts and the yearly cost to replace filters if changing filters at the recommended time frame.

What to look for when shopping for the best water filter

✔️ Type and capacity: For pitchers, water bottles and other dispensers that hold water after it’s filtered, you’ll want to keep in mind size versus weight. Larger containers are ideal for refilling less often, but they will often be heavier and may take up more space in the fridge or your backpack. A countertop model saves space in the refrigerator and often holds more water, but it does require room on the counter.

With under-the-sink water filters, faucet filters, in-line shower filters and whole-house filters, there’s no need to worry about size or capacity as these instantaneously filter water as it flows through.

✔️Method: Most water filters use either a carbon filter or a reverse osmosis water filter, which can also include a carbon filter. The primary difference is that most reverse osmosis water filters use multiple filter types to remove more contaminants than carbon filters alone. However, some reverse osmosis systems also remove minerals that some may prefer to leave in. With both reverse osmosis and carbon filters, the contaminants they remove can vary widely, so it's best to check what the model actually filters so it suits your needs.

✔️ Filter replacement frequency: Check how often you have to replace the filter. If you dread changing the filter or simply forget, you may want to look for a long-lasting filter. Also, if you buy filters for the shower, water pitcher and sink, you’ll have to remember to change those separately, so it might be smart to consider a whole-house filter that requires only one filter replacement for the entire home.

No matter which water filter you opt for, it’s no good if you don’t change the filter as recommended. Birnur Aral, Ph.D., says, “The performance of the water filter depends on the quality of the water source and whether or not the filters are replaced regularly.” Some models come with indicators, but it a model doesn’t include one, a slower flow rate or different-colored water are signs that you need to change the filter.

✔️ Price: Consider both the upfront price of the water filter device and the filter refill costs. A water filter could cost more initially, but the price and frequency of the filter refills may save money over the long term. But that’s not always the case, so be sure to calculate the yearly cost of replacements based on the recommended schedule for changing.

Do you really need a water filter?

Access to safe drinking water is an issue across the globe, and it affects communities in the United States. If you’re not sure about your water quality, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just updated its Tap Water Database in 2021. It’s free and easy to search, and it has information for all states. Enter your zip code or search your state to find details on your drinking water quality based on EWG standards (which are stricter than those of the government). If your tap water does exceed EWG health guidelines, it may be a good idea to consider buying a water filter.

Opting for bottled water is a short-term solution to potentially unsafe drinking water, but it creates a much larger problem with serious long-term implications with regards to pollution. Americans throw away a whopping 30 million tons of plastic a year, only 8% of which is recycled. The majority ends up in landfills because there are many different regulations about what can be recycled. Your best bet is to get a water filter and a cute reusable water bottle — some even have filters built-in!

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This article was written and tested by Jamie Kim, who is a consistent user and analyst of water filtration products. She’s a freelance writer specializing in product testing and reviews. For this list, she worked with experts across several Good Housekeeping Institute labs: Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation; Health, Beauty and Sustainability; Home Improvement and Outdoors; and Media and Tech.

Nicole Papantoniou contributed insight on the ease of use of pitchers and bottles. Birnur Aral, Ph.D. helped evaluate the contamination-removal claims behind each of our picks. Dan DiClerico and Rachel Rothman provided expertise on installed filters.

Jamie Kim Contributing Writer and Analyst Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.

Best Water Filter Pitcher for 2022

In this article:

A great water pitcher will improve the taste and quality of your drinking water. If you're a bottled water drinker, a good home filter system or filter pitcher can also save you hundreds of dollars each year. In fact, we did the math to see how much you can save using a Brita or other filter pitcher in place of bottled water. Spoiler alert: It's a whole lot.

Brita may be the best-known water filter pitcher brand but that doesn't mean it's the best at doing removing unwanted metals and other materials from tap water. In fact, three years running, another brand has taken the top spot as best water filter pitcher.

In yet another round of testing this year, the $25 ZeroWater still reigns supreme, removing nearly all of the total dissolved solids (TDS) from water. But there are other models that did a formidable job including one extremely stylish pitcher that might catch your eye over the bare-bones, slightly cheap plastic models that dominate the category.

The bottom line is, if you want cleaner, better-tasting water, there are several options from the very inexpensive to the sleek yet pricey. We've run the tests and settled on these four models as the best water filter pitchers. 

Best water filter pitchers of 2022

David Watsky/CNET

ZeroWater Pitcher

Best overall water filter pitcher

Three years running, the ZeroWater has proved to be the best water filter pitcher at removing total dissolved solids from tap water making it an easy pick as the best model for most people. 

In our testing, the ZeroWater filter was pitcher perfect, removing all of the TDS from the water we ran through it, finishing with a 0 average reading. ZeroWater is so confident in its filter products that each model comes with a TDS water quality tester to see for yourself how well it works. We used our own tester in addition to the one included and the filter delivered a perfect TDS score on both.  

This formidable water purifier pitcher is also affordable and sturdy and it's available in a few sizes all of which use the same filter. Those include a smaller 10-cup round pitcher, 23-cup dispenser with spigot and even a massive 5-gallon water jug that can be fitted onto a water cooler.

ZeroWater pitchers are slightly more expensive than Brita and Pur but by no means a luxury purchase with some of the smaller dispensers starting at around $25. Each one uses the same 5-stage filter so you can bet that you'll get similarly clean water no matter which unit you decide on. A pitcher filter replacement two-pack costs $30 and each one is supposed to last for up to 40 gallons. For comparison, Brita and Pur, on the other hand, sell each of their filters for just $7 -- and claim to have the same 40-gallon filter life. 

Read our ZeroWater 6-Cup Filter Pitcher review.

 

$46 at Amazon

You're receiving price alerts for ZeroWater 6-Cup Filter Pitcher

David Watsky/CNET

Brita Standard

Another good option

Brita is probably the best-known of the water filter pitcher brands and it performed well in our testing, second only to the ZeroWater in the overall removal of dissolved materials. The Brita removed about 40% of the TDS. Not a bad showing but still significantly less than the winner.

This model is also a few bucks cheaper than a ZeroWater pitcher of the same size making it one of the most budget-friendly water filter pitcher options out there. To make things even more cost-efficient, the replacement filters can be had for about $6 if you buy them in a multipack. Each one is said to filter 40 gallons of water, enough for roughly two months of steady use (the same lifespan as ZeroWater).

While I wasn't in love with the build of the Brita -- the plastic feels a bit cheap -- it is just 1.32 pounds which is less than half the weight of the ZeroWater. If you have small kids or folks in the home who can't lift a heavy pitcher, this may be a good pick.  

Brita also makes a "Longlast" filter that's designed to last three times as long as the standard filter. We tested a Longlast and found it performed significantly worse than the Legacy (standard) filter. Plus, it's more expensive so I'd suggest sticking with the Legacy if buying a Brita. 

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Aarke

Aarke Water Purifier

Most stylish water filter pitcher

This stylish Swedish kitchen brand is best known for its elegant sparkling water makers but now offers an equally eye-catching filter pitcher. It was the best looking of the bunch with high-grade plastic, a stainless steel frame and a sleek overall design. It also did well removing about 40% of the dissolved solids from my tap water. It's not as efficient as our top pick, the ZeroWater filter pitcher, but about on par with the Brita models. Plus, this pitcher is good-looking enough to set this out for a dinner party or holiday gathering.

It's worth noting that the Aarke has a reusable filter so you only buy the granules which are easily loaded into the metal filter cartridge and saves a bit on plastic waste. A three-pack of filter granules costs $19.50 on Aarke's website is about the same price as Brita replacement filters and cheaper than ZeroWater filters. One package of granules is estimated to filter about 31.7 gallons of water. That's about 9 gallons less than Brita claims its filters will purify. 

You can also buy Aarke enriching granules to alkalinize your water if you so choose. 

$150 at Saks Fifth Avenue

$150 at Food52

Megan Wollerton/CNET

Seychelle ph30

Best pitcher for adding alkaline to your water

If the goal is to add alkaline to your water, then you'll want a completely different model. In a previous round of filter testing, we ran pH readings (measurements of how acidic or basic your water is) range from 0 to 14; 7 is a neutral reading. 

Despite conflicting research on the topic, some people attribute health benefits to more basic (or alkaline) water. As a result, select companies make water pitchers with filters that actually add nutrients as your tap water passes through. 

The $80 Seychelle ph30 pitcher took tap water from an already basic reading of 8.39 to 10.1, the largest increase out of the three alkaline pitchers in my test group. This pitcher's water filtration system uses two filters at a time, but they are supposed to last for up to 200 gallons. A replacement filter two-pack costs $50. 

$80 at Amazon

$69 at Seychelle

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All the water filter pitchers we tested


Here's a list of the nine pitchers we tested in this latest round:

One key thing to consider from this chart is the estimated life of each pitcher filter versus its cost. The Brita Metro Standard and Everyday models, the Pur Plus and the ZeroWater pitcher all have a lower estimated filter life of up to 40 gallons. While the Brita filter and Pur filter models cost about $7 each, the ZeroWater filters cost $15 each (but are sold in a $30 two-pack). Packets of granules to refill Aarke's reusable filter cost about $20 for three. 

Can you spot the ZeroWater filter? It's the one on the far right. 

Megan Wollerton/CNET

As you can see in the picture above, the ZeroWater filter on the far right is massive compared to others. Of course, that doesn't necessarily equal better performance but in this case, the ZeroWater did soundly outperform the others in removing contaminants. ZeroWater claims to have a five-stage filter that's better at removing particles while preventing mold from growing with use. Based on our testing results, it seems the brand may be onto something.  

(Keep in mind that filter life will vary based on the quality of your tap water and how much your filter has to "work" to remove impurities.)

How we test water filter pitchers

To test these water filter pitchers, we washed each one with mild soap and water, then followed the individual manufacturer instructions for soaking, rinsing or otherwise prepping filters for use. 

Testing for TDS (total dissolved solids)

We filled a marked mason jar glass with 16 ounces of tap water and used an Orapxi water quality tester to measure and note the TDS present to see how much was in the water originally and how much had been removed. While the results of my tap water varied slightly each time I filled a fresh glass with 16 ounces the TDS of the water used always read between 47 and 50 ppm, or parts per million. (Read more about TDS here and here.) 

Then we poured all 16 ounces into a water filter pitcher, waited for it to filter all the water, poured it into a new glass and took the readings again. For nonalkaline pitchers, you should expect to see a drop in the TDS readings, as impurities and other minerals are removed from the water. We repeated these steps a total of three times on each of the pitchers. 

TDS meters are not sophisticated enough to decipher which impurities, nutrients and other minerals each filter manages to remove (or add, in the case of the alkaline pitchers). For that reason, measuring TDS alone as an indicator of water quality has some limitations. But, in general, for a standard filtered water pitcher, we want to see a decrease in the TDS reading. Examples of the most common TDS include "calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, and silica," according to the US Geological Survey.

Measuring water pH

In a previous round of testing, we ran three alkaline water filter pitchers through a pH test -- Clearly Filtered, Invigorated Water pH Vitality and Seychelle ph30. All saw an increase in both the pH and the TDS, since they're designed to add minerals to your water, but the Seychelle saw the biggest pH increase which is why we've listed it as the best pitcher to buy if you want to add alkaline to your tap water.  

Measuring water taste

This is the least scientific test we'll run on the water filter pitchers but still an important one. After filtering water with each pitcher, we give the liquid a good old-fashioned taste test. For this latest round of testing, we took sips of each water from each in succession and compared each drink with that of purified bottled water. 

Here's a table of our most recent TDS removal test results. The data represents an average of three test runs for each filter pitcher. 

Test results


 TDS (% change)
Aarke Purifier -39
Brita Metro Standard -45. 6
Brita Everyday -45. 6
Brita Longlast -3. 1
Hydros -17. 5
Larg self-cleaning -2. 2
Lifestraw -2
Pur Plus -6
ZeroWater -100

Which water filter pitcher removes the most impurities?

The ZeroWater pitcher managed to reduce all of the total dissolved solids in my tap water, from an average initial TDS reading of 57 ppm down to zero. Both Brita pitchers with the standard filter tied for second place, with a reduction of TDS from 57 down to 31 (a 45.6% decrease). The stylish (and expensive) Aarke also did well, removing nearly 40% of the TDS from tap water. 

Water taste is a bit trickier to measure, but every pitcher did help reduce the slightly metallic taste of my tap water. Unsurprisingly, the ZeroWater pitcher model tasted the best, with no discernible metallic taste or scent. 

Overall, the ZeroWater (ZP-010) made our job pretty easy. It completely dominated in terms of removing TDS and also happened to have one of the sturdiest designs. But there are other good options here too: The Brita Metro Standard is a great budget filter pitcher that weighs less than ZeroWater's pitchers and has cheaper replacement filters. The Seychelle ph30 is a great pitcher pick if you want to add alkaline to water. And Aarke's water purifier is my pick for the most stylish water pitcher with a sturdy build, stainless steel frame and high-grade plastic pitcher. It costs much more than the others but offers a bit of elegance that few others do.

One thing to note is that we're really testing the filters here and not the pitcher itself. Because most home filter pitchers made by a single brand will use the same filter, you can bet that no matter which size or shape dispenser you choose, the filter should do the same job, for better or worse. ZeroWater, for instance, has a line of about six pitchers, jugs and dispensers in various sizes, all of which use the same very effective five-stage filter. The one caveat within the brands we've tested here is Brita which offers a LongLast filter that did not perform as well as the Legacy Brita filters.

Another big takeaway is just how widely filtered water pitchers can vary, both in terms of performance and even in terms of their key function, as in the case of alkaline pitchers. As long as you identify your needs before you buy, you're bound to find the right filtered water pitcher for you.

Water filter pitcher FAQs

How does a water filter pitcher work?

These handy kitchen gadgets work by allowing water to pass through a filter into a reservoir and removing impurities and contaminants in the process. To operate a typical water filter pitcher, you'll simply pour water from the faucet and let it drip down into the bottom where it's ready to be poured and consumed. This generally takes one or two minutes and you may need to fill the top reservoir twice or even three times and let it filter slowly down in order to fill the pitcher completely.

What contaminants should a water filter pitcher remove?

Most water filter pitchers will improve the taste and smell of drinking water by ridding it of odorous chemicals such as chlorine. Some more expensive or high-quality models also remove heavy metals, pesticides, PFAs, pathogens and other contaminants. Each water filter pitcher should state clearly on the packaging or website the exact materials it is intended to remove from water.

Which water filter pitcher removes the most contaminants?

In our testing, it was fairly clear which water filter pitcher removed the most contaminants. The Zero Water pitcher, while significantly bigger and more expensive than the other pitchers, removed all of the dissolved materials we were testing for. The Brita filter pitchers came in second place and also removed a substantial amount of contaminants.

While we haven't tested them yet, there are more elaborate water filters that you can have built into your sink from brands including Aquasana, Hydroviv and Berkley. These water filters may net better results but will run you in the $200-$500 range and require some form of installation which could incur even more costs.

Do water filter pitchers remove bacteria?

No. Water filter pitchers will remove many harmful contaminants like lead, copper, chlorine and organic compounds that affect the taste but they will do nothing to kill bacteria. Your tap water should already be treated for bacteria but if you're concerned about it, a standard water filter is not going to help.

In fact, if left unchanged for long periods of time a water filter itself could build up grime that could potentially cause bacteria to grow and permeate your water. Because of that, be sure to change your filter regularly as prescribed by each brand.

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