Nine Cool Countertop Filters for Your Kitchen

One of the main things that separates developed countries from developing countries is reliable, clean water. Films like Erin Brokovich and Dark Waters expose that common tap water in some areas of the United States may not be as safe as many people believe.

One solution to this issue is disposable bottled water, but the bottled water trend is leading to other problems. Americans alone buy approximately 50 billion disposable plastic water bottles per year. That's 13 bottles per month per person and 50 billion potential bottles of waste.

And ironically enough, bottled water isn't necessarily cleaner or purer than tap water because the industry is much less regulated than public-water systems are. In fact, studies show that 25% of bottled water is nothing more than tap water.

Other solutions do exist. Read on to learn more about countertop water filters, arguably the most efficient, environmentally-friendly, and simple solutions to having healthier water and even potentially making your water taste better.

What Are Countertop Water Filters?

Countertop water filters are simply what they say: water filters that sit on your countertop. They aren't plumbed directly to your waterlines but are usually connected to your faucet through the aerator.

These filters appeal to consumers because they're typically easy to use and install. Some systems calculate how much water you've used and when to change the filter, while others just recommend changing after a particular number of months.

Nine Countertop Water Filters Worth Considering

Here are some of the top countertop water filters and more information about what they do:

Royal Berkey Water Filter

The Berkey is the most expensive of all the filters in this list, coming in around $330. It's also the heaviest and biggest at 20.4x12.6x12.5 inches and 12.76 pounds.

However, the Berkey also looks as luxurious as it sounds. It has a large storage capacity of 3.25 gallons (12.3 liters).

It comes in stainless steel, allowing it to match stainless-steel appliances and blend right in with the rest of your kitchen. It also does its job well, filtering out over 99 percent of all bacteria and viruses while keeping healthy minerals in the water.

The filter has a big capacity, able to filter as much as 3,000 gallons, making the Berkey a good fit for a big home and a big family.

Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter

The Apex costs approximately $85. With its clear and sleek exterior, it has a modern look and also comes in a variety of colors if you don't like the clear filter.

The Apex is able to remove contaminants like chlorine, sediment, radon, mercury, and harmful pesticides. It also filters out cryptosporidium and giardia, the microorganisms that contribute to water-borne illnesses.

The Apex weighs a mere five pounds and is 6x6x14 inches.

Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Countertop Water Filtration System

This Home Master costs around $90 and comes in both black or white finishes and can match just about any decor.

It has a three-stage filter that removes up to 93% of fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, and other chemicals, and it also comes with a three-year warranty.

Home Master has a big line of filters, giving you many options. The filter lasts either three months or 500 gallons, whichever happens first. Weighing 4.25 pounds and measuring 12.3 x 9.4 x 7.6 inches, the Jr. is a compact unit that works especially well for people who don't stay in one place for long.

New Wave Enviro 10-Stage Water Filter System

The New Wave Enviro 10 costs around $90, similar to other moderately-priced countertop filters. It weighs a mere 4 lbs 1.6 ounces and measures 5.3 x 4.5 x 12 inches.

It's a robust unit that filters out out a long list of scary things, including chlorine, trihalomethanes, organic and inorganic arsenic, mercury, lead, PCBs, floating solids, asbestos, pesticides, and herbicides.

For a family of four, the manufacturers estimate that the New Wave will last about a year. The company also includes a complimentary service that reminds you when to change your filter.

The Enviro comes with a one-year warranty on hardware and a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. Clearly, the manufacturers believe in their product.

CleanWater4Less Countertop Water Filtration System

The CleanWater4Less comes in with a relatively lower cost than the others in this list at just $60. This filter system will create 10,000 gallons of freshwater and comes with no replacement filters.

It uses granulated activated carbon that reduces chlorine by 97% and effectively filters out sediment. It also takes out volatile organic compounds that would make the water both taste and smell foul.

It measures 5x5x9.5 inches and weighs 3.45 pounds, so it's a junior-size filter with a big punch.

Home Master Jr F2 Elite Sinktop Water Filtration System

The Home Master Jr. F2 Elite is another lightweight filter at five pounds, but its performance is hefty in that it removes up to 93% of dirt and rust. It also filters out fluoride, aluminum, lead, iron, mercury, copper, chloramines, chlorine, VOCs, THMs, and pharmaceuticals. In other words, this filter works.

The filter costs around $93 and comes with a three-year warranty. It lasts three months or 500 gallons before requiring replacement, whichever comes first.

Ecosoft Countertop Drinking Water Filter System

Much like its counterparts, the Ecosoft filters out chlorine, lead, sediment particles, and chlorination byproducts.

It's a super lightweight at 3.15 pounds and measuring 3.5x3.5x12 inches. It also comes with a one-year warranty. The filter lasts up to six months or 1,500 gallons.

The Ecosoft costs around $37 and takes up less space on the counter than most of the other filters on the list.

Water Fall Home Water Filter by KOR Water

If you care about the aesthetics of your life-saving water filter, then you should consider the Water Fall Home Water Filter by Kor. Standing at 16.5 inches tall, with a seven-inch diameter and one-liter capacity, it comes in as the smallest and lightest system on our list at just 12 ounces and costs just $69.

The Water Fall stands out from all other filters on this list because it uses a coconut filter instead of the typical carbon filter. The dishwasher-safe Water Fall also has a unique BPA-free design, looking somewhat like an hourglass.

However, the filter on the Water Fall only lasts two months or 80 gallons. It doesn't attach to the aerator of the faucet but is instead a pour-over filter.

Aquasana Countertop Drinking Water Filter System

The Aquasana has a list price of $100, but you can find it for as cheap as $60, depending on the seller.

It also removes 97% of chlorine and reduces 76 other scary-sounding contaminants, including mercury, pesticides, giardia, chlorine, and chloramine. This filter takes out the nasty stuff and retains the healthy minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium for the healthiest water.

In the end, the Aquasana will cost you 11 cents per gallon of water, and so compared to the two-dollar bottle of water down the street, the Aquasana is extremely cost-efficient.

Save Yourself, Save the Planet

Countertop water filters offer a great solution to the problems of unclean water and environmental pollution due to plastic bottles. You can avoid contributing to the bursting landfills by filtering your own water at home with a stylish countertop filter.

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