As water has got a pivotal role to play in our lives, the search for a best water filter and arriving at a conclusion is a significant task. This decision is very vital whenever you are doubtful about the quality of water you are drinking, looking for a more sustainable option than plastic bottled water as well as trying to replace an existing filter. There are a variety of options available in the marketplace and on online platforms but you need to know and understand your needs first while looking out for a best water filter most suited to your requirements.
In another article, we have already guided you regarding the factors to consider before bringing home a water purifier. A number of factors influence this choice such as water quality in your area, price attached with the system and the extent of removal of contaminants depending upon the filtration capacity of a specific filter. In this article, we are further going to explore the different water filters you can have in your homes to purify water by looking at their benefits as well as at the ease of installation.
Each one of us is concerned about its drinking water quality as water on its journey i.e. from water sources to our tap water pick up a lot of harmful contaminants even though the municipality try to remove as maximum as they can. Old and worn out water pipes, aging faucets, pesticides, hot weather, largely cause the water to become contaminated rendering it impure and unhealthy. Once the water reaches to our homes it is then in our control to get its quality checked. Another factor that becomes a reason to search for a best water filter is its bad taste. If water doesn’t taste good it is likely going to affect our intake of water.
Water filters Availability
We are in the business of water filtration from past 15 years so over the years many advancements in technology are ongoing. Once technology obsoletes the other due to cost effectiveness and efficiency. Many of these water purification systems have been designed to remove different kind of contaminants so each is serving different purposes. Nowadays due to this technological integration, many best water filters are using a combination of different technologies to cater maximum benefits to consumers. There is a wide variety of systems available in market based on capacity, designs and water filtration media. We will discuss here the more popular units and the ones which people are still using due to budget constraint irrespective of the fact that new and more advanced technologies have taken their place.
Let’s discuss some of the common water filters one by one based on their benefits, purification method as well as procedure to install.
- Pitcher filters
- Sediment filters
- Faucet filters
- Fridge Filters
- Counter top Filters
- Under the sink filters
- Water Softeners
- KDF filters
- UV filters
- Whole House Water filters
- Pitcher filters
Installation
These filters are just like handheld jug and need no installation. They are compact and space efficient drinking water filters as these filtration pitchers occupy just some space in your refrigerator.
Filtration media
They work on the activated carbon media where carbon particles tend to filter impurities from water.
Benefits
The carbon particles in these pitchers remove chlorine, chloramines and eliminate pesticides, hydrogen sulfide, nitrates etc. but they fail to purify water from microorganisms, many inorganic chemicals and heavy metals. They are mainly helpful in removing the bad taste of water and smell of chlorine. These kind of water filters are useful where water is not much polluted and you just need to enhance the taste of water by removing the bad smell and taste. Pitcher filters are an inexpensive option but they do not remove everything and secondly they just filter a limited quantity of water and need to be refilled again for drinking purpose.
- Sediment filters
Installation
Sediment filters as the name suggests filter dust particles sand, sediments upto 5 microns from the water. These filters are usually installed under the sink as a single cartridge filter and are quite convenient to install.
Filtration media
The filtration media in these filters is polypropylene which is usually a membrane and it filters solid particles present in the water.
Benefits
This is a basic filter but it cannot be regarded as a best water filter. It is sold alone as well as this is a pre filter in many filtration systems where it is used in combination with other purification methods. Areas where dust and sand is the only issue in the water then sediment filter is very effective. It is less expensive and readily available. It is mainly recommended for cooking purposes, washing and cleaning purposes. Sometimes it is used in combination with a water softener.
- Faucet filters
Installation
Faucet filters perform filtration directly on the tap water. They are usually attached or mounted on the point of use and then you get filtered water directly from the tap they are attached with. Shower filters you see are a typical example of faucet filters. These are quite small and are easy to install within no time.
Filtration media
This filtration is usually carbon based and also contains KDF media which is usually in the form of resins.
Benefits
Faucet filters are very effective in removing the bad taste and smell of water. Some filters also come with polypropylene membrane and filter sand, dust and rust. They make water softer to some extent but pesticides and heavy metals do not come under their scope. Secondly they need replacement more often as they do not have much capacity due to their size.
- Fridge Filters
Installation
A fridge filter or inbuilt fridge dispenser comes by default within a refrigerator. This basic filtration is very popular nowadays in modern refrigerators, water dispensers and ice makers as well.
Filtration media
A fridge filter also uses carbon based filtration. Carbon filtration adsorbs all chlorine and filter out the smell of chlorine hence enhancing the taste and drinkability of water. This filter also removes harmful pesticides and other chemicals. But it does not purify water from all kinds of chemicals and contaminants.
Benefits
This is very cost effective as it comes as an added feature when you buy either a fridge or dispenser. But you can have it free only when you purchase a new fridge but the filter needs to be changed on a periodical basis as suggested by the company. This filter removes chlorine, chloramines, harmful pesticides and other chemicals. But it does not guarantee pure water free from all kinds of chemicals and contaminants.
- Counter top Filters
Installation
A counter top system is a compact, beautifully designed box that houses the filtration system. They are designed aesthetically to be on your kitchen countertop. Nowadays kitchen counter top filters are sold as water dispensers serving both the purposes – supply of hot and cold water that is usually filtered at least to some basic filtration standards. These systems are attached with the kitchen faucet and perform filtration on the kitchen tap. Water dispensers sold in the market also come these days with some inbuilt basic filtration procedure.
Filtration media
These filters use a combination of filtration media. Usually a PP filter, carbon filter and carbon block filter works together to remove sand, dust, chlorine, rust enhancing the aroma of water and eliminating and bad odour. Some counter top filters may contain a reverse osmosis membrane.
Benefits
Counter top filters are good in removing many harmful chemical but you can’t say that they can make water 99.9% pure because they usually don’t contain a reverse osmosis membrane.
- Under the sink filters
Installation
Under the sink filtration units are usually installed under the kitchen sink as they are installed in the cold water pipe line. They need some time to install as a separate faucet is placed in the sink to get filtered water. Sometimes people make a direct connection of the drinking water filter with the water dispenser supply. Usually the companies from where you buy under the sink filters provide free installation when you purchase a filter system.
Filtration media
These filters use a combination of filtration methods. Some under the sink filters just use sediment, carbon and post carbon filtration media. But nowadays many of these under the sink filters come with a reverse osmosis membrane. Hence you can say water passes through multiple stages of filtration in these filters. Reverse osmosis membrane filters the water upto 0.0001micron and hence purify it once from everything. A remineralistaion tube is added in the system to add back all the essential minerals.
Benefits
This reverse osmosis under the sink filters are highly in demand especially after covid hit the earth. Theses purifiers filter all kinds of dangerous and harmful contaminants from water. Hence they are mostly recommended for drinking water filtration.
- Water Softeners
Installation
Water softeners are designed for protection against lime scale build up for the whole house as well as household appliances that are installed to the water mains. These softeners are tend to be installed at the point of entry of water in the house and their installation take some pre-arrangements and it is time taking.
Filtration media
Water softeners work on the phenomenon of ion exchange where hard minerals such as calcium and magnesium are replaced with softer ions present in the softener resin usually sodium or potassium ions.
Benefits
Softener eliminates water hardness (Calcium and Magnesium) which badly affects the performance and longevity of household appliances as well as energy consumption. Softener prevents hard water from scale build-up in plumbing and water-using appliances leading to a restricted flow of water in your dishwasher, washing machine and shower head. It saves energy consumption as well as more energy is needed to heat hard water scale. But it is quite expensive and secondly it does not remove harmful contaminants from water. It can be installed in combination with a basic water filter to get more benefits.
- KDF filters
Installation
KDF(Kinetic degradation flux) filters gets installed in minutes, easily attaching at the wall or to your existing tap or shower head. KDF filter cartridge is very easy to replace; installation and filter cartridge replacement instructions are usually provided by the seller.
Filtration Media
KDF filters are usually sold in the market as shower filters. These filters use the technology of oxidation reduction. KDF media is used along with carbon based filters as an additional filtration stage.
Benefits
They extend the life of the granular activated carbon and carbon block in the system by removing chlorine and hydrogen sulfide. KDF beads attach to chlorine, iron, calcium carbonate and convert them into harmless components by changing their composition which are then easily backwashed from the filter. They also limit the growth of bacteria, fungus and algae in the filters carrying them.
- UV filters
Installation
Ultraviolet filters are usually sold as an additional feature in other water purification systems such as in under the sink filters and in whole house filters. They sterilize the water against bio-invaders.
Filtration Media
The purification technology used in an ultraviolet sterilizer is based on an ultraviolet rays emitting lamp. It sterilizes the non-wanted microscopic organisms in the water by exposing them to a certain defined germicidal wavelength. This wavelength destroys the protein coating of the bacteria and viruses hence restricting their multiplication and reproduction. Within seconds, UV light kills 99% of germs making them inactive.
Benefits
UV filter remove harmful germs efficiently from the contaminated water but it is not usually installed separately. It usually comes as an additional stage in the water purifiers; alone it will only remove unwanted bio-life but the other contaminants will stay as it is in the water. Secondly, its performance gets affected due to power cut off as it only operates in the presence of electricity. Another drawback is that the light emitting diode needs yearly replacement and it is quite expensive. Rather than UV an anti-bacterial tube is added in the filtration system as a replacement of UV.
- Whole House filters
Installation
These filters are designed to filter the water of whole house rather than just drinking water. Whole house filters safeguard the whole villa. They are installed at the point of entry of water in the house and by pass is added to turn off the filter. Their installation consumes some time but they are installed usually free of cost by water filtration companies.
Filtration Media
These whole house purifiers work on GAC(Granular Activated Carbon) or UDF(Ultra Fine Depth) filtration technique. These filters are usually 3 stage filters consisting of sediment, powdered carbon and carbon block. UV sterilizers are also added as an extra stage in whole house filters.
Benefits
They provide filtered water supply for the whole house and are ideal for cleaning, washing and bathing purposes. They remove suspended particles in the water, chlorine, VOC’s, and other harmful pesticides but they need space and are more costly as they protect home appliances from scale build up. For drinking purpose usually reverse osmosis filters are considered best water filters and are highly recommended.
Conclusion
There is no ultimate single name for a best water filter. One can be best for you but not for others as it is a more subjective decision. A lot of factors can help you decide that which filter you can opt for and which is best suited to your needs. More budget is required to go for a whole house water filter but it provides filtered water to whole house. Remineralised reverse osmosis filters are more effective in removing everything from water than just GAC filters. You need to choose between the technologies prevalent in the market for filtration. Cost benefit analysis as well as the water quality in your home can assist you in arriving at a final decision. You can give us a call to our company representative and a visit can be arranged free of cost for you to suggest optimal solutions according to your circumstances. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you can’t decide on your own what filter to have for your place and get your free water quality test done by Safe Water Technology.