10 Best Home Water Filters of 2024, Tested & Reviewed by Experts - Good Housekeeping

✔️ 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 and 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, plus the systems tend to be more expensive and less water efficient. 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. The surest way to determine this is by checking which NSF standard the filters are certified for. For example, some standards cover only lead, like NSF 372, while others also include agricultural and industrial toxins, like NSF 401.

✔️ 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 if 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.