10 Best Water Filters For Your Apartment (Reviews, Buyer’s Guide & FAQs)
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Are you looking for the best water filter for your apartment?
Impure water can endanger our lives as it may contain contaminants that can cause severe illnesses.
This is why we need water filters so that we can cleanse it of all impurities, make it safe for drinking, and even make it taste better.
Purchasing a good quality water filter can help you and your family stay safe by having constant access to clean drinking water.
It proves to be better than constantly buying bottled water which is expensive and contributes to environmental waste.
In order to protect ourselves from diseases and adopt a healthy lifestyle, water filters are a must-have household item.
Contents
10 Best Water Filters For Your Apartment Reviewed And Rated
With that said, let’s get started with our list.
Here are the top 10 best water filters for your apartment and their reviews.
1. Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
The Big Berkey water filter promises the removal of 99.9% bacteria from water along with food coloring.
It also effectively removes arsenic, fluoride, and other dangerous chemicals and metals like lead.
Although, not the fastest water filters out there, the quality of water it does produce is top-notch, even if it takes about one or two hours for every 2.25 gallon.
Since it comes with great size, able to purify 2.25 gallons per batch, it does not need constant refilling.
Its solid stainless-steel tanks are sturdy and make sure that external factors like sunlight do not affect the water quality.
While replacing the filters is not as easy as with some other water filters, you will get the hang of it quickly once you go through the instruction manual.
Since all of its filtration elements have different life spans, it’s important to keep a check on them to see when you need to replace a certain one.
A piece of equipment that can last you about 11 years, Big Berkey is a solid investment.
Perfect for those who want the purest quality water without having to install under sink filters, Big Berkey consists of components like 2 carbon filters which last about 3000 gallons, an upper and lower lid, and a spigot that flows easily.
If you want you can add in more water filters.
You can also take it with you wherever you want considering it can be moved easily.
That said, its large size takes a lot of space and if you don’t want your water filter to be too conspicuous, you might want to check out some other compact options.
However, it also has an overall lower cost per gallon, costing about 2 cents per gallon, so if you want a budget-friendly water filter that can last you a long time, it’s the perfect choice for you.
This is definitely one of the best water filters on this list.
Pros & Benefits:
- Stainless Steel Container
- Durable
- Long-lasting filter
2. Brita On-Tap Faucet Filtration System
Up to 60 contaminants can be removed by the Brita Faucet Water Filter that contains harmful chemicals, metals, and sediment.
With a capacity of 100 gallons, it can last your family about 4 months on average.
Conveniently equipped with indicators that flash green, amber, and red depending on the condition of the filter, it lets you know when to replace the cartridge.
For its optimum functionality, it is best to replace the cartridge as soon as the indicator tells you to do so.
The installation process for it is fairly easy as it’s compatible with most water faucets.
It will take you a maximum of ten minutes and it will be good to go.
It’s also a very budget-friendly option that effectively removes contaminants, however, it’s important to use it for treated water since it does not remove bacteria and germs.
It’s also convenient that all Brita faucet water filters use the same cartridge so, in case of one model’s discontinuation, you would still be able to make use of the cartridge you bought in other Brita filters.
The filter comes with a one-year warranty and its features aren’t too fancy or complicated with a dozen varieties, rather it keeps its design pretty basic.
While it’s not suitable for extremely contaminated water, it works quite effectively on water from urban sources.
A piece of sleek equipment with a white finish, the Brita also blends perfectly with your kitchen, offering both use and style.
This is my personal favorite on the list of the best water filters for your apartment.
Pros & Benefits:
- Easy installation
- Indicator for filter life
- Improves water taste
3. Soma 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
With a wooden handle and a compact design, the Soma Water Filter pitcher is as beautiful as they come.
You can store water in it as it is in the fridge or you could set it on the table for use.
The pitcher is equipped with waterproof glass and filters out substances like copper, chlorine, mercury, zinc, and cadmium.
The filter has the capacity of holding up to 40 gallons of water before it needs to be changed out.
It’s easy to fill, does not take up space, and does the job with style.
While it does not completely remove all harmful particles, it easily filters many impurities from the water so that the taste and smell of chemicals like chlorine do not irritate you while drinking.
Considering the filter housing is made from renewable materials, using the pitcher leaves a comparatively lesser carbon print, making it an extremely eco-friendly option.
The pitcher is also amazing for family use as its automatically opening lid makes it easy to fill, it can hold 10 cups of water and it’s made of shatterproof glass which makes it easier for you not to worry about kids breaking it!
One of its best qualities, however, has to be its visually appealing appearance and clean sophisticated design, that could easily match your home aesthetic.
The best way to use it is not to overfill the pitcher to the point that it has no free space left and avoid pouring it slowly and timidly.
Doing this might result in having the water dribbled over the sides and making a mess.
Instead, leave some space in the container and put some strength behind the pour, so the water does not leak from the sides.
Pros & Benefits:
- Bamboo handle that is sustainable
- Eco friendly
- Portable
4. ZeroWater 6 Cup Water Pitcher
ZeroWater Filter Pitcher promises to deliver the purest water for you to drink.
It comes with a water quality meter that helps you measure the number of dissolved solids in your water to ensure that what you’re drinking is completely safe.
It also includes a five-stage filtration process to weed out all contaminants and dissolved solids including lead so you have fresh water on the table.
The difference between tap water and water filtered out through the zero-water pitcher is remarkable as all odors and foul tastes are removed leaving tap water that is comparable to distilled water.
The pitcher is also NSF certified to clean the most out of your drinking water and reduce heavy metals like lead along with virtually all solids
It also contains a standard conductivity tester, which helps in determining the mineral content in water as electricity cannot be conducted through mineral-free water.
With double, the contaminant grabbing ability, and anion-exchange paste, the ZeroWater filter proves to have a stronger cartridge than many other options.
All unnecessary materials can be prevented from accumulating in the landfill, with ZeroWater’s effective recycling system.
With top tier filtration technology applied, it’s one of the better pitcher options.
Pros & Benefits:
- NSF certified
- 5 stage filtrations
- Reduces lead
5. LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle with 2-Stage Integrated Filter Straw for Hiking, Backpacking, and...
Love to go camping?
This water filter bottle might be your new best friend.
In case you travel often and filtered water is important to you, one of the best options for you is LifeStraw’s Go Water Filter Bottle.
Easy to carry, it’s perfect to take with you when you go places.
The Bisphenol-A free leak-proof plastic bottle is quite durable and filters waters from all sources increasing ease of use.
It also makes water delicious as the integrated water filter consisting of activated carbon capsules takes out all the chlorine, bacteria, and other contaminants that might make the water taste bad.
It’s also easy to clean as its silicone mouthpiece can be easily removed and filters can be replaced.
It does not use any iodized resin which is why the filtered water contains no aftertaste.
The replacements for all of its carbon capsules are also available and easy to buy from the market.
It also promises to remove 99.9% of all waterborne bacteria, protozoan parasites, and Microplastics.
However, some flaws include difficulty in drinking with the bottle’s filter straw.
It’s also not suitable for containing any other liquid other than water, as the filter traps flavor and can cause a bad smell if it’s continuously being filled with water that has a bad taste or odor.
Furthermore, since the filter occupies a lot of its space, the bottle does not have a lot of capacity and is a much expensive option compared to some other water bottles.
However, available in the color blue and grey, it’s a handy tool to have with you if you live in urban areas or are going for a hike and need freshwater on the go.
With its smart design, resistance to damage exterior, the bottle can handle rough and tough usage and if used well will last you for a very long time being worth the money.
Pros & Benefits:
- Leakproof
- Zero aftertaste
- Durable for a long time
6. APEC 5-Stage Water Filter
As far as the best water filters for under the sink, APEC 5-Stage Filter comes highly recommended.
This reverse osmosis filter employs basic reverse osmosis filtration without anything too complicated.
With a capacity of purifying water 50 gallons per day, it uses a 5 stage technique for filtration.
However, because of its large size, once it’s empty it also takes a lot of time to refill back again which may not be some user’s cup of tea.
If you can deal with being a little patient with that though, it will definitely be a worthy investment.
It’s easy to install and will take you only about an hour to do it yourself as it comes with easy to apply instructions and a user manual.
All of its filters can also be changed without much difficulty and do not require tools.
It also comes with a lead-free chrome faucet and FDA certified food grade tubing in order to maximize user safety.
It also has a Water Quality Association certified water filtration system which makes it efficient in cleaning well water and tap water.
With a 3:1 wastewater pore water ratio, the APEC filter is considered very effective.
A 2-year manufacturing warranty helps you return the product if you aren’t satisfied.
Even though its filters are pretty long-lasting, with 3 out of 5 needing to be changed around twice a year and the remaining two not needing to be replaced for at least every 2-3 years, it still comes with extra water filters so you do not incur any extra cost for at least 12 months, by replacing filters with the one you already have.
On the flip side, it does not contain any ultraviolet mechanism to destroy bacteria and other harmful microorganisms which is why it’s not that well suited for well water.
It’s perfect for those who are looking for relatively cheaper options for water filtration at their home.
Pros & Benefits:
- Lead-free faucet
- 2-year warranty
- WQA certified
- Whole house water filter
7. CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter
CuZn Under Counter Water Filter is perfect for large families as it has a lot of capacity and doesn’t need constant refilling.
With a 50.000-gallon capacity, it can last you up to a whole 5 years.
Instead of requiring you to go install an extra faucet, the filter connects directly to the cold-water line making it easier to install.
It has a high-performance three-stage filtration process in it, making sure to get out the worst of the contaminants.
In the first stage, it uses micro sediment membranes to filter out relatively larger sediments like sand and silt.
In the second stage, water bacteria, chlorine, and heavy metals are removed with the use of its KDF-55 filtration media.
All other bad odors and tastes and other contaminants like herbicides are removed in the third stage by the coconut shell activated carbon filter.
One thing that separates it from other carbon filters, is that its bacteriostatic filter known as KDF-55 hinders the production of bacteria and prevents it from growing on the filter and contaminating your water.
This water filter for an apartment enhances the appearance of your water making it look and taste good.
The easy installation helps you set it up without the help of a plumber.
Pros & Benefits:
- High capacity
- Easy DIY installation
- 3 stage filtration system
8. Whole House Home Master HydroPerfection Water Filter
Just like the other Home Master RO versions that go under the sink, this whole house filter also comes with extremely efficient pre and post-carbon filters and reverse osmosis membranes.
It also has materials that effectively filter iron making it all the more effective.
Since water acquired from private wells is more contaminated with dangerous pathogens than tap water, which is processed with chemicals, it is unsafe for consumption.
The HydroPerfection fixes this problem seamlessly by destroying 99.99% of any germs, bacteria, or viruses that pass through its RO membrane with the help of its UV chamber.
This is why it produces quality akin to that of distilled water.
It also proves itself to work excellently by showing great results on both lead and chlorine tests, almost removing the entire amount of chlorine from the water.
The filter also rejuvenates water with minerals like calcium and magnesium so the tank does not degrade and the overall taste improves.
However, despite its great performance, it does not offer a service that’s completely unique and the effect can be found in other cheaper options so depending on your budget, you could opt for something less expensive and get about the same value.
Pros & Benefits:
- Water remineralization
- Ease of maintenance
- Effective removal of pathogens
- Whole house water filter
9. Culligan FM-15A Faucet Mount Filter
Even though the Culligan is small and fairly simple looking in appearance, it’s actually a pretty powerful filter.
This NSF certified device is impeccable at removing all foul tastes, odors, and chlorine from tap water
The Culligan filter works like magic when it comes to producing freshwater, taking only 30 seconds to produce a cup.
It’s also extremely efficient in removing even the tiniest particles of dust, sand, and lead.
One great thing about this filter is that you don’t need to put a lot of effort into installing it.
Even if you have no experience with tools and equipment, you can still figure out how to fasten it to the faucet in barely any time.
If you’re someone who is picky about their water and want to exercise extreme precaution wherever you go, then this tiny contraption will come in handy while traveling from city to city.
However, one flaw that comes with its small size is that it does not have a lot of water filtering capacity which is why it requires filter replacements at least twice a month.
Of course, one way to increase the filter life can be to switch it off when you’re doing activities that do not require filtered water such as washing and cleaning.
However, this can prove to be inconvenient because switching it, again and again, might cause leakage in the filter which leads to contaminated water mixing with filtered water.
Another flaw is that after some use it becomes difficult to open the filter housing due to the cap being stuck which makes the whole replacement process a bit frustrating.
It’s also not compatible with a number of standard faucets including some pull-out and pull-down ones, however, this can easily be combated by carefully checking with the manufacture beforehand to determine whether these water filters will work with your faucet or not and rule out any fitting issues before spending money on it.
Pros & Benefits:
- Easy installation
- Travel friendly
- Relatively inexpensive
10. Aquagear 8-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
Equipped with filtration material consisting of numerous 2-micron pores, Aquagear does a good job trapping all the pollutants from the water that passes through it.
Even despite the small size, its powerful cartridge reduces contaminant levels up to 99%.
The pitcher holds a total of 8 glasses of water at a time, which is the recommended amount of daily water intake.
In the case, your water consumption exceeds that, there are still no worries as the pitcher is very easy to refill due to it having a top lid with a pressure valve.
It’s very durable and can handle about 150 gallons of tap water, which is quite a lot compared to others as they only last for 2 to 3 months, whereas the Aquagear pitcher can last about half a year before needing a replacement.
However, the pitcher is not suitable for well water that contains algae and other harmful microorganisms that require stronger filters to be cleaned out.
This pitcher is perfect for a small family that does not want to deal with the hassle of complicated installations and is content with getting fresh water to drink every day in the easiest way possible.
Pros & Benefits:
- Material that is DPA approved
- Long-lasting filter
- Decreases mercury and chloride levels in water
Where to Buy a Water Filter?
You can buy the water filters on our list via Amazon.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for on Amazon, most home improvement stores have plenty of water filters to choose from.
What Makes a Good Water Filter?
A good water filtration system is one that not only improves water quality but removes contaminants as well.
If you have a water source that doesn’t have harmful contaminants, your best option would be to go with a carbon water filter.
This is because carbon water filters help preserve minerals that can be beneficial to your health.
How Good Are Water Filters?
The quality of the water filter can vary greatly.
Some water filters are of poor quality and have been known to leak arsenic or other harmful contaminants.
However, there are plenty of high-quality water filters that do a successful job of blocking out harmful particles.
For this reason, it’s important to always conduct thorough research before buying a water filter.
Otherwise, you may be buying one that affects your health in a negative way.
Finding The Best Water Filter For You
Depending on your needs, there are a lot of options available in the market when it comes to the best water filters.
Whether you are a small family with less water consumption needs, or a big one with a lot of water usage; there will be something that’s suitable for you.
Your choice of water filter for an apartment will also depend on whether you are using tap or well water.
Different water filters are geared towards fulfilling different needs.
Some are more suited to removing chlorine, while others remove heavy metals like lead in a more efficient manner.
Each filter comes with its own pros and cons as there is no universal standard.
You need to test your water and properly analyze the type of substances that contaminate it, along with your filtration requirements.
This way you can choose the perfect filter that fulfills all your needs and provides you and your family with safe and healthy drinking water.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best water filters for your apartment.
If you know of any other water filters you’d like to share, let us know in the comments below.