To purify tap water of limescale, chlorine, metals, and other harmful substances, here are the best home water purifiers to buy for still and sparkling water.
The home water purifier is used to improve the quality of tap water. We assume that purifiers apply only to the water supply that delivers drinking water and is not designed to be used in other conditions. That said, drinking tap water doesn’t always taste good.
Sometimes it is not even crystalline, has residues, and can give off bad odors. In the worst cases, it has traces of heavy metals, pesticides, medicines, microorganisms, nitrates, and substances of various types.
Municipal aqueducts are periodically analyzed to verify the quality of the water for it to be declared drinkable. Some substances must not exceed legal limits. Unfortunately, our water could still contain lead, chromium, or other harmful substances, even in infinitesimal quantities.
The water purifier eliminates or reduces many residues, but the filters differ. Some are great for limestone, some for heavy metals, some for chlorine, etc. Therefore, we must obtain the latest drinking water analysis from the municipality or the aqueduct to choose the best domestic water purifier.
They are public data within everyone’s reach. This way, we know which substances we must eliminate and can orient ourselves to choose the purifier.
Another reason to install a water purifier is to no longer buy plastic bottles, resulting in economic savings, less transport effort, and less waste to dispose of.
Table of Contents
How to Choose a Home Water Purifier
First of all, we distinguish water purifiers based on their structure and installation for the sink.
Over-sink purifier
This type of purifier is among the easiest to install. It is located above the sink and can be placed at a certain distance on the kitchen countertops. Being an exposed purifier, it is usually very accurate in detail and aesthetics. Installing an over-sink purifier is useful when the spaces under the sink are narrow.
Under-sink purifier
This type of purifier includes several solutions. The best under-sink purifiers are large, equipped with state-of-the-art filtration systems, capable of handling thousands of liters per year, perfect for large families.
In addition, the filtration system is equipped with a tank containing water made of hygienic materials such as stainless steel and optimized to prevent bacterial proliferation.
However, ultra-compact purifiers are top-rated, consisting only of the cartridge filter connected directly to the tap inlet. Most under-sink purifiers also include the new tap and relative fittings and gaskets to ensure you have a fully functioning system.
Tap purifier
The faucet purifier is the simplest to install and usually requires no tools. It is a straightforward system that attaches to the tap outlet and allows you to select filtered and unfiltered water as needed.
Some tap purifiers have a body for filtration and an additional tap, so they are connected with a hose to the main tap.
Table purifiers and jugs
The simplest and cheapest are the jug or tray purifiers. They are available in different sizes, do not need any technical intervention, and can be stored in the refrigerator. In addition, they are equipped with a removable cartridge for replacement.
Other functions
The best home water purifiers have additional features that offer great utility and cost savings. For example, they avoid buying additional bottles of sparkling water, save space in the fridge to keep water fresh, and even save boiling time.
Chiller
The cooling function, made in a special tank, delivers cold filtered water directly from the tap or dispenser. The water temperature is adjustable on two or three levels. The chiller is available in the under-sink purifier models and the over-sink models.
Carbonator
The carbonator makes the filtered water sparkle thanks to the addition of CO2. The carbon dioxide necessary to carbonate the water is supplied through a disposable or refillable cylinder. The first cylinders are always included with the purchase of the purifier.
The carbonation level is adjustable and can be combined with refrigeration to obtain the perfect water for your needs. The carbonator is available both with under-sink purifiers and with over-sink purifiers.
Hot water
The hot water filter function is not easy to find. Most purifier models indicate a temperature range that usually does not exceed 100-104°F. The reason is that boiling water ruins the filters. Yet, some models can heat the filtered water until it is boiling and ready for making tea, herbal teas, or cooking. This function is usually found in some models of the over-sink purifier.
Indicators and Display
LCDs show the number of liters left and indicate when to replace the filter cartridge to manage the purifier. In addition, in models with a chiller and/or carbonator, there is a water temperature and an indication of the type of water supplied.
Some models of under-sink purifiers do not have a display, but there may be a warning light on the supplied tap that warns when to replace the filter.
Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration
Filter cartridges are made with multiple layers of material, including activated carbon, cotton, biospheres, silicon, etc.
Like most tap or table purifiers, microfiltration systems can filter particles down to 0.5 microns. Microfiltration makes eliminating or reducing heavy metals, pesticides, medicines, and up to 99% of germs and bacteria easy.
Ultrafiltration systems, dedicated to advanced sink purifiers, can filter particles down to 0.1 microns. They also manage to reduce limescale and microorganisms.
Reverse osmosis or hyperfiltration purifiers.
Reverse osmosis purifiers work with ion exchange and are currently the most powerful purifiers for home use. They can filter limescale, reduce the water’s hardness, and eliminate residue.
Unfortunately, such efficient filters also eliminate calcium, magnesium, and some essential mineral salts. So, a good osmosis purifier must balance these substances to return pure drinking water but healthy for the body.
The most efficient osmosis systems may require two types of installation the one hand, the water tank, and on the other, the cartridges with filters.
Autonomy and Filter replacement
We must also consider the filter replacement times to choose the best domestic water purifier. We find expensive systems that require very little maintenance, with filter replacement every six months or one year. Other cheaper systems may require the replacement of the cartridge every month.
In addition to the replacement time, we consider the autonomy of the filter, i.e., how many liters of water it can treat. For example, a high-end under-sink purifier can treat 15,000 liters with a cartridge, while a 600-liter tap purifier can treat a 100-liter filter jug. Thus, regardless of the timing, we exploit the cartridge for its practical use.
However, some exceptions concern the times of non-use. With an advanced filter system, cartridge replacement can exceed the recommended time. So if it’s been a year, but 5,000 liters are still missing, we can safely use it. This is possible thanks to the quality and confirmation of the system, which remains unchanged even if unused.
On the other hand, other systems are affected by the period of non-use. For example, a filter jug with a cartridge used for a few days and then unused for one or two months may still require replacement because, in the meantime, the filter may have deteriorated.
Other tap purifiers may require you to run the water for a couple of liters before resuming regular use after a long period. But, again, these indications are different for each filter system.
The 10 best Home Water Purifiers to buy
Let’s now see the selection of the best home water purifiers with features and prices on the market.
- Certified Trust & Safety: Not just certified—fully trusted. With NSF, SGS, FCC, our...
- Enhance Your Taste Experience: Imagine water that not only quenches your thirst but also...
- Compact Powerhouse: Small in size, huge in performance. Imagine a powerful water...
- WATER DISPENSER: One BPA-free, large 27-cup Brita UltraMax Filtered Water Dispenser...
- CUTS OUT IMPURITIES: Brita water purifier dispenser cuts the taste and odor of chlorine...
- SUSTAINABLE: By switching to a Brita water filter system, you can save money and replace...
- Supreme quality - designed, engineered, and assembled in USA to guarantee water safety &...
- Only technology to remove up to 99% of impurities including arsenic, chlorine, lead,...
- WQA Certified System. Premium long-lasting filters used to treat tap water, well water....
- TESTED AND CERTIFIED BY SGS: Against NSF/ANSI 58, EPA 537 Standard. Converts your tap...
- UV PURIFICATION SYSTEM: Use no chemicals and emits absolutely no by-products, effectively...
- NO INSTALLATION REQUIRED: Simply plug it in and enjoy purified water instantly....
- Less than ＄25.99 per replacement filter (Search " B085G66JTZ "on Amazon), save over 50%...
- [After Sales Assistance] Waterdrop Backs the WD-10UA's high-end technical performance with...
- [Deep Filtration and IAPMO Certified] Based on independent testing, this filter can...
- WATER FILTER PITCHER: One BPA-free, small 6-cup Brita Metro Water Pitcher includes one...
- CUTS OUT IMPURITIES: Brita water filter cuts the taste and odor of chlorine and also...
- SUSTAINABLE: By switching to a Brita water pitcher with filter, you can save money and...
- ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY AT HOME- The 2.25-gallon Big Berkey System can be...
- INDEPENDENT TESTING- Black Berkey Elements (the original BB9-2) are composed of a unique,...
- INCLUDES AUTHENTIC BLACK BERKEY ELEMENTS (THE ORIGINAL BB9-2)- Don't fall for lookalike...
- Intelligent Display for Precise Monitoring: This reverse osmosis water filter features an...
- 8-Stage Filtration for Safe Drinking: This reverse osmosis system countertop utilizes a...
- Efficient 4:1 Pure to Drain: The water filter system has 4:1 pure to drain ratio to reduce...
- COUNTERTOP FILTRATION + PREMIUM-QUALITY CARAFE: No plumbing or installation is required...
- POWER SAVING/WATER SAVING: The water system automatically enters a power-saving standby...
- 5-STAGE ADVANCED RO FILTRATION: Five levels of filtration, including a remineralization...
- 3-Stage Filtration - The Purewell gravity water filter system adopts a composite filter...
- Smaller Filter Pore Size - The filter pore size of Purewell gravity water filter is 0.01...
- Complete Accessory Set: The system not only provides safe water but also adds a touch of...
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