How safe is the water in your home? To avoid illnesses, it’s important to know what you are consuming when next you are taking a glass of water. With this, you can get the correct treatment units including filters, Reverse Osmosis filter etc. that effect elimination of diverse substances. In this case, the best faucet water filter system in your home is one that can help address such issues due to water quality.
Currently, 71% of Americans drink tap water, but 55% of them confirm that they are worried about the contaminants existing in their water. Likewise, 42% said that do not treat or filter the water they drink.
What is a Faucet Filtration System?
A faucet water filter is a tap water filtration unit that gets connected to any given faucet, or ‘’fit’’ on any compatible tap and it can therefore be placed in the kitchen area.
Most faucet mount water filters available on the market offer simple levels of filtration. What this means is, they will make water safer for drinking if the water supply is not heavily laden with complex contaminants.
What Are the Benefits of Using A Faucet Mount Filter?
Faucet filtration of domestic water systems comes with many benefits, including:
- Clean and safer drinking water
- Tap water is cleaner than a large number of brand water products
- Immediate clean water
- The bottom small lever acts as a toggle between filtered and unfiltered water any time you require it
- Easier as compared to always having to put your money on bottled water.
- Faucet water system is relatively very convenient and takes little space
- Lowers plastic waste
Apart from these above mentioned, there are a lot of other benefits that you gain by having a faucet mount filter in your home.
How Do Faucet Water Filtration Systems Work?
When faucet water filter installation is complete and when the tap is turned on, water passes through the tap filter that holds a filter cartridge.
The filter cartridge may have by one or more of the above described types of filtration media. Filtration media include granular activated carbon, Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF), ion exchange resin, etc. Different filter media target different water contaminants:
- Most filter media can effectively help to filter chlorine, particulate matter, sediment among others.
- The double treatment adopted in the activated carbon filtration process and hence the filtration of chemicals.
- The ion exchange filter media either exclude or transform undesirable species.
- Kinetic Degradation Fluxion employ the use of copper- zinc granules in a redox reaction to remove heavy metals, hydrogen sulfide aspects, chlorine.
This water goes through either filter media that is located in the filter housing or exits the system, all over fresh and clean.
1. PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Water Filtration System
PUR is popular in making one of the best faucet water filters on the market and the PUR PLUS faucet mount filter is no different. You can use two different replacement filters on this uit; polyurethane reactive basic and polyurethane reactive MineralClear. And while other filters use only ion exchange and carbon filter media, this product uses both.
This combo has been tried and is NSF certified (42, 53, and 401 standards) to remove over 70 contaminants from your drinking water. Well, I was confident of my safety every time I took a gulp. Some of the familiar elements on this list include chlorine, asbestos, cysts, lead, mercury, TTHM, different VOCs, etc. Hormonal substances; heavy metals; pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and herbicides can also be present at very low concentrations in water.
To sum it up, PUR is a safer way for those with heavily contaminated water supply system. Therefore if you are having any issues with your supply this product is designed to meet your needs.
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2. Brita Basic Water Filter System
- This complete Brita faucet water filter attaches to your standard...
- Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita,...
- The space efficient design attaches directly to your faucet to...
- Reduce 99% of lead, chlorine (taste and odor), asbestos,...
- Replace your faucet mount water filter every 100 gallons or...
The Brita basic faucet water filter has a white plastic housing making it suitable for rust and corrosive areas. Through this filter, we got filtered water with a flow rate of 0.5 GPM. It features an activated carbon filter cartridge with the filter capacity of 100 gallons of water serving about 4 months. Duration of this time is enough that we can stop to worry about constant availability of clean water.
In the Brita faucet water filter the activated carbon cartridge eliminates chlorine and lead from water which enhances the smell, taste and quality of the water. The electronic version comes with a green light indicator that informs you whenever the cartridge requires replacing.
One good thing about the filter is that it sits directly on the kitchen faucet. However, it is not suitable for installation in kitchen faucets that have pull-out or spray features. On the hand, this water filter is very easy to set up because it does not need any tools for assembly or installation which helped in reducing the time we took when assembling it.
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3. Culligan FM-25 Faucet-Mount Advanced Water Filtration System
- Provide your family with visibly clean, great-tasting water for...
- FEATURES: Reduces atrazine, chlorine, lindane, lead, particulates...
- COMPATIBILITY: Includes adapters for all standard sink nozzles...
- FILTER LIFE: Up to 2 months or 200 gallons, depending on usage...
- CERTIFICATION: Tested and certified by IAPMO against ANSI...
The Culligan FM-25 faucet filter is chrome plated and its design can blend with any kitchen décor theme. We needed a unit that could meet the current models of the modern kitchen layout and we found one. Secondly, the use of stainless steel gave us confidence of its durability. It arrived with 05 GPM for its flow rate and 200 gallons for filter capacity cartridge. This Intervals run for 2 months depending on the water quality and usage.
This was sufficient for our house’s everyday use because, in our locality, water quality is not typically not extremely problematic. The two main problems are solved having this cartridge which contains a carbon block to reduce chlorine, atrazine, sediment, lead, lindane, turbidity and bad water taste. Secondly, it is easy to install besides being relatively easy to use by anyone within our household.
Unlike most faucet-mounted water filters, the Culligan FM-25 faucet water filter only fit most faucets apart from the drop-down faucet.
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4. Engdenton Stainless-Steel Faucet Water Filter
- High quality food grade 304 stainless steel housing,...
- The most advanced Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) filtration...
- Speedy water flow: 0.5GPM filtered water, 8 cups (8.5oz/cup) of...
- ★ONLY suitable for standard faucet. Please study the PHOTOS to...
- If you need technique support or return, please contact us via...
The Engdenton stainless-steel faucet water filter has a quality steel faucet material that is not only durable but is also sturdy in design to fit our modern kitchen. The comparative advantage of the Engdenton faucet water filter over the other faucet-mounted filters in the market is due to the fact that while other faucet-mounted filters are made with flimsy plastic this one is made of steel.
If all you want is an entry-level faucet water filter, you should go for the Engdenton faucet water filter if your foremost concern is on taste. Therefore, it is not higher on that list because we would like to have more layers of protection in water filtration.
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5. PUR PFM150W Faucet Filtration System
- FAUCET WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM – Enjoy refreshing, filtered...
- REDUCES 70 CONTAMINANTSȽ – This PUR PLUS drinking water...
- EASY TO ATTACH – The faucet mount water filter is easy to...
- COMPATIBLE DOES NOT MEAN COMPARABLE – Genuine PUR faucet...
- #1 SELLING BRAND IN FAUCET FILTRATION** – Contaminants can...
The PUR PFM150W filtration system is perfectly suitable for households with a moderately complex water filtration system. It can filter out about 70 water pollutants that infiltrate well /ground water through industrial and agricultural effluents. As much as this is not typical features of our supply, the reliability of this product makes it onto our list.
Using the activated carbon filter it removes mercury lead and pesticides from your drinking water making it safe for home. Since the lead aspect is most beneficial to us, this filter was helpful. This filter cartridge is capable of removing up to 100 gallons of water and the water filter can last for 3 months at least, hence being able to provide enough safe water for taking.
We had to concentrate on the time element and cartridge usage and decoding the days of use and gallon usage, as PUR recommends replacing the cartridge even if the latter has not filtered 100 gallons to avoid bacterial growth.
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What Factors to Consider as You Choose the Best Faucet Water Filter?
A) Water Supply Contaminants
There are strings of impurities in tap water such as pesticides, organic matter, chemical effluents, microorganisms, damaging metals, lead, mercury and the like. To get information on a given house supply you can start by entering the contaminants you want to know more about in the National Drinking Water Database (NDWD). Using this information one can buy the right faucet mount water filter needed for use in the sink.
B) Construction Material
Faucet water filters are mainly made of stainless steel or BPA plastic with various finishes.
Faucet water filters that are made of plastic are usually cheaper on the market and they do not rust or corrode easily. Some of the filter models are thick, which are made of plastic material that makes the faucet very sturdy and durable. However, the average plastic filter will need frequent replacements to that of the stainless steel types. The use of stainless steel provides more durability than other movable structures.
Unit cost of stainless steel filters is marginally higher, but are more durable and produce fewer leaks. These types can also complement the kitchen faucet and sink to make them look like the same style.
C) Filter Flow Rate
The flow rate is described as the ratio of a specified volume of water passing through the filter system over a specified time. Its measure is in gallons per minute (GPM). Home water filters should ideally filter many gallons of water per minute.
These filters are preferred for drinking and kitchen uses since most of the dishwashers and showers are known to use up 5 GPM. Nevertheless, small domestic faucet water filters indeed have their flow rate for no more than 0.5 GPM, excluding the very few specialties. As a result, these may not fulfill some of the high water pressure requirements. Tap water filters have a fixed flow throughput of 0.5 GPM most of the time. This is roughly the same, as the amount of water that would be in eight standard water glasses in one minute.
D) Water Usage and Filter Life
The filter life indicates the operation time of the filter with normal utilization. This is mostly written in the product information column or can be found on the manufacturer’s website. After then and based on the usage, the filter will most likely lose its functionality and filter very little.
Filter life of one filter can highly vary from another filter life. Long filter life is ideal on average, but it is usually no problem, as their use extends the product’s lifespan. The filter life equally corresponds to its usage or frequency of usage. For example, one minor action such as allowing the water faucet to run wastes both water and decreases the filter lifetime of the system used in plumbing.
It therefore implies that you will have to replace the filter cartridge frequently. It would be much preferable to only apply the filter when preparing or consuming water that is to be ingested. This will enable you to create longer filter life and save you some of your money in the process.
E) Filtration Cartridge
After a period of usage, the filter may not be as effective as it used to be, but that does not mean you discard the whole faucet-mounted filter; you just replace the cartridge. The majority of filtration system companies also provide the replacement filter cartridges, so there wouldn’t be much problem with procuring it.
The lifespan of these cartridges can be measured in terms of the gallons of water they filter. They estimate that depending on the product, this may vary from 100-1,000 gallons of water. A longer lifespan is generally better.
Some manufacturers also recommend the cartridges for use in relation to the number of months they should be replaced which is between one and three months. This means that you do not need to calculate the flow rate of water passing through your filter.
F) Useful Extra Features
Besides the basic filter components, there is one more features that you will have to look at – does it have any useful additional options available? Such features are; the size of the filter and the filter replacement indicator/sensor among others.
H) Installation Process
Most faucet-mount attachments are normally not cumbersome to install; in fact, they do not require any tool. Some manufacturers also provide different sizes and options in order to choose what suits best since you will not have to many problems.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Faucet Water Filters
1. Do faucet filters work better than pitcher filters?
Pitchers and faucet filters have the same ability to filter the water; the differences are minimal because they achieve the same result. While the culligan faucet mounted filters provide an unlimited supply of filtered water when mounted on the faucet the pitchers would require constant filling in the filtration process.
2. Which filtration system is most effective in removing most contaminants?
The most effective treatment method relative to contamination is normally a reverse osmosis system. Some of the filters offer several purification stages with concluding reverse osmosis procedure to achieve 99% water purification. They include chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals and herbicides.
3. Can you connect a faucet water filter to the fridge?
The faucet water filter cannot be connected to the fridge. Nonetheless it is possible to connect specific ones directly to the fridges after understanding the type and possibility of the water purifier and the fridge.
