Indeed, there are plenty of ways you can filter your drinking water, and make sure you're not drinking anything you don't intend to. But does everyone need a home water filtration system? And, if so, which kind is best?
Environmental Hazards: Why Water Filtration is So Important
First, let's consider why it's important to get the best water filter possible.
For as much as we'd all prefer to believe that our tap water is crystal-clear and perfectly clean, that's simply not the reality. Remember that your water has to travel through miles of pipe just to make it to your home. Along the way, it picks up contaminants or debris from the pipe itself.
And this is to say nothing of different treatments used on residential drinking water, such as chlorine… some of which can be helpful, but many of which are not.
It may shock you to know that the average home's drinking water contains more than 300 contaminants. And if you'd rather whittle that number down to something close to zero, your best bet is with a water filtration system.
Different Types of Water Filter
So which type of water filter is recommended?
There are a number of options, and the most convenient tend to be fridge units, faucet units, and pitchers. The best water filter for you will depend on your preference.
- A fridge filter will come built into your kitchen appliance and will help filter out any water that's dispensed from the fridge or used to make ice. If you happen to have a fridge with a built-in filter, that's great! However, by their very definition, these filters will leave other home water sources (including bathroom taps) unfiltered.
- Faucet units help you to filter water from these other areas of your home, though again, you may need to invest in multiple units to ensure clean drinking water throughout your house.
- Another option is to invest in a pitcher that filters water for you, making sure you always have some clean, pure drinking water handy.
Reusable Water Vessels: An Eco-Friendly Option
Of course, one way in which you can avoid drinking contaminated water is to purchase bottles of water that have already been purified. The problem here is single-use plastic.
If you do prefer to purchase water rather than use your tap, it's best to buy in large quantities. You can get a large reusable jug and fill it up at a water refill station, such as at a grocery store. Then, you can use a cup or eco-friendly water bottle to carry around throughout the day.
By having a way to purify your own water before adding it to a reusable container, you can consume healthy drinking water and exercise greater environmental stewardship.
Choosing the Right Water Filter
As you look for the best home water filters, certification is a foremost concern. Specifically, be on the lookout for water filters that rise to the level of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification. NSF has rigorous, nationalized standards for clean and contaminant-free municipal drinking water, and the best water filters receive certification after undergoing a testing process.
There are several third-party and independent labs that test water filters and make sure they're up to NSF standards. Some examples include the CSA Group, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the Water Quality Association (WQA). If you see any of these certifications on a water filter, that's a good sign that the product has been thoroughly vetted and found to be effective.
Do You Need a Water Filter?
Most homeowners can benefit from a water filter; this is true whether you're drinking treated city water or water from a well, which can come with its own ground contaminants.
Some of the most common warning signs that you need a home water filter include:
- Your water tastes bad or stale (usually a sign of contaminants).
- Your home predates 1986 (in which case, there could be lead pipes bringing your drinking water).
- You get your water from a well.
- You wash your clothes and they come out looking dingy or dirty.
- You have a constant build-up of scum in your sink or shower.
If you notice any of these issues, it probably means you have bad water… and, that it may be time to improve your water quality with a new filter.
The Best Home Water Filters
As for the best water filters on the market, we've tested several and are happy to recommend the following.
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
PUR Advanced Water Filter
For a faucet-mounted filter, try PUR, one of the longest-running and most popular brands. This is an inexpensive way to skim out more than 70 of the most common water contaminants, leading to notably improved water taste and clarity.
Brita On Tap Water Filter
An alternative to PUR is Brita. Brita's on-tap filter promises improved water purity and major savings, as you won't have to spend nearly as much buying your water by the bottle. It can remove more than 99 percent of lead, chlorine, and other common contaminants.
Brita Pitcher
If you prefer your water filtration in a pitcher form, consider this option from Brita. It holds five cups of water, enough to fill two 24-ounce reusable water bottles.
Waterdrop Under Sink Filtration System
As for under-sink filters, we recommend this one from Waterdrop, a high-capacity filter that uses a four-stage process to ensure your drinking water is as clean as can be.
Culligan Whole House Water Filter
Whole-house filters are a little tougher to install, and require that the filter cartridge be changed regularly. In the long run, however, they can be one of the more convenient options, guaranteeing clean water from all of your taps. We like the Culligan model best of all, and it's priced very reasonably.
Get Clean, Fresh Drinking Water
Everyone wants clean, fresh, healthy water… and with the best water filters, you can get it. Start with these recommendations as you look for ways to ensure that it's only good stuff coming out of your home tap.
Josh Hurst is a journalist, critic, copywriter, and essayist. He lives in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and three sons. As a writer an independent reviewer of health products, Josh has written for Health, Shape, and Remedy Review.
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According to the Container Recycling Institute, a nonprofit organization with the goal of ending plastic pollution and promoting recycling, in 2018, Americans bought more than 70 billion plastic water bottles that were one gallon or less (in other words, single-use).
Of those, three out of four—or 52.5 billion bottles—ended up in a landfill or incinerator. And that's not even taking into account the many, many single-use plastic bottles that end up littering our parks, roads, and oceans.
Here's why it matters. According to the Recycling Coalition of Utah, it takes up to 1,000 years for plastic to degrade in a landfill. Additionally, the CRI says the production of plastic bottles themselves takes more water than the bottles actually contain, and the process requires more than 15 million barrels of oil. For reference, that's enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars for an entire year.
All this is to say, it's time we do our part to lower our plastic consumption and, as a result, our individual carbon footprints.
Fortunately, doing so is easier than ever before. That's because, with eco-conscious wellness on the rise, companies all over the world are launching eco-friendly water bottles that can be used over and over again.
Since there are so many reusable water bottles on the market, we've narrowed down five high-quality options for your consumption consideration. Ahead, you'll discover a handful of bottles that are all worthy of making room for in your kitchen and routine.
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Klean Kanteen Reusable Water Bottle
Klean Kanteen insulated bottles are some of the most eco-friendly water bottles on the market. The company is a certified B Corp, it supports 1% for the Planet by giving back a portion of its profits, and all products are Climate Neutral Certified.
If you're not worried about keeping your water cold, the company has a basic model that's uninsulated as well. It also sells items like tumblers with straw lids, basic stainless-steel cups, and 12-ounce reusable water bottles made just for kids.
Bottle sizes range from 16 to 64 ounces and come in a rainbow of colors.
Additionally, there are a number of cap options that fit each bottle, so whether you want to sip, chug, or drink your water through a straw, Klean Kanteen has you covered — it even sells spill-proof kids sippy-cup-style lids.
Why Buy: Certified B Corp; Supports 1% for the Planet; Climate Neutral Certified; BPA-free; Lightweight model available; Dishwasher-safe
Soma Reusable Water Bottle
If stainless-steel insulation isn't your thing, try a Soma bottle. These bottles are made of glass and come with a silicone sleeve to absorb impact when dropped. Plus, Soma bottles come with a lifetime warranty against breakage, so if your bottle does happen to shatter, the company will replace it at no charge.
Soma's product line includes not only standard glass bottles, but also a Sports Bottle with an activity-friendly cap, an insulated Brew Bottle for hot beverages and water infusion, ceramic mugs, glass straws, pitchers, carafes, and more. Each comes in a variety of colors, so you're sure to find one to suit your mood.
One of our favorite things about Soma is that it partners with nonprofit organizations like Parley and Lonely Whale, and a percentage of proceeds from every purchase goes to Charity: Water, a nonprofit that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries.
Why Buy: B Corp; Each purchase supports Charity: Water; Company offsets emissions with conservation-based forestry; Packaged with post-consumer waste and recyclable materials; Dishwasher safe; BPA-free
Hydro Flask Reusable Water Bottle
Hydro Flask is quite possibly the most popular eco-friendly water bottle among Gen Zers. The trendy reusable is renowned for its bold colors and simple design. With bottle options ranging from 12 to 64 ounces, there's a perfect pick for everyone in the family.
Hydro Flask lets shoppers choose from multiple lids, including standard, wide, and straw options. Each bottle is made with stainless steel accompanied by TempShield technology, which keeps cold beverages cold and hot beverages hot.
Beyond the bottle, Hydro Flask created a charitable program, Parks For All, that benefits public green spaces and promotes outdoor adventure among its shoppers. For every purchase made, a portion is dedicated to the program. As a result, Hydro Flask has donated more than $1.5 million to over 92 eco-friendly non-profits.
Why Buy: Supports Parks For All; BPA-free; Dishwasher-safe
LARQ Reusable Water Bottle
LARQ
If high-tech gadgets are your thing, you'll fall head over heels for this best-selling reusable water bottle. The LARQ's minimalist design is accompanied by UV-C LED technology that automatically activates every two hours to fully filter your water.
As such, the innovative design is able to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses from your beverage so that you don't accidentally give yourself something if you're one to use your bottle for a few days straight or if you're drinking unfiltered water while hiking. That also means it won't get funky between washes.
In addition to its sanitizing capabilities, LARQ double-walled bottles offer insulation of cold beverages up to 24 hours and hot beverages up to 12. There is also a LARK Movement model, which is single-walled (uninsulated) but lighter to take on your adventures The original bottle is available in 17- and 25-ounce options, as well as five colors, while the Movement bottle is sold in 24- and 32-ounce options and eight colorways.
Why Buy: Supports 1% for the Planet; Removes 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and viruses; Lightweight model available; BPA-free
S'well Reusable Water Bottle
Since the debut of its very first water bottle—the beloved 17-ouncer—S'well has been a household name among eco-conscious consumers. The eco-friendly bottles—which are now available in 9-, 17-, and 20-ounce options—are made with a triple-insulated silhouette that keeps cold beverages cold for up to 36 hours and hot beverages hot for up to 18.
Once S'well realized the demand for such an item, the company delved into food containers and barware as well in an effort to offer consumers yet another way to cut back on their single-use plastic consumption. Now, S'well shoppers can choose from a variety of designs, from tumblers to kid-friendly bottles to reusable cutlery, as well as a wide array of colors and prints that are sure to turn heads.
Why Buy: Certified B Corp; BPA-free; Triple-insulated; Supports UNICEF clean water initiatives and Lonely Whale
Rebecca R. Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area. She writes for a variety of publications, covering everything from beauty and wellness to style and news. She is a graduate of George Mason University. There, she earned her B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. The Virginia native is a lover of lists, Stevie Nicks, dark chocolate Sprinkles cupcakes, and the Oxford comma.
Eye-Catching Designs Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles
The company sells a range of eco-friendly items like leggings, rash guards, and board shorts that are made using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. There are currently 16 causes represented by distinct marine-life patterns, from whale shark research and invasive lionfish removal to sockeye salmon monitoring and abalone restoration.
One such organization is Get Inspired, a nonprofit that specializes in ocean restoration and environmental education. Get Inspired founder, marine biologist Nancy Caruso, says supporting on-the-ground efforts is one thing that sets Waterlust apart, like their apparel line that supports Get Inspired abalone restoration programs.
"All of us [conservation partners] are doing something," Caruso said. "We're not putting up exhibits and talking about it — although that is important — we're in the field."
Waterlust not only helps its conservation partners financially so they can continue their important work. It also helps them get the word out about what they're doing, whether that's through social media spotlights, photo and video projects, or the informative note card that comes with each piece of apparel.
"They're doing their part for sure, pushing the information out across all of their channels, and I think that's what makes them so interesting," Caruso said.
And then there are the clothes, which speak for themselves.
Advocate Apparel to Start Conversations About Conservation
Waterlust's concept of "advocate apparel" encourages people to see getting dressed every day as an opportunity to not only express their individuality and style, but also to advance the conversation around marine science. By infusing science into clothing, people can visually represent species and ecosystems in need of advocacy — something that, more often than not, leads to a teaching moment.
"When people wear Waterlust gear, it's just a matter of time before somebody asks them about the bright, funky designs," said Waterlust's CEO, Patrick Rynne. "That moment is incredibly special, because it creates an intimate opportunity for the wearer to share what they've learned with another."
The idea for the company came to Rynne when he was a Ph.D. student in marine science.
"I was surrounded by incredible people that were discovering fascinating things but noticed that often their work wasn't reaching the general public in creative and engaging ways," he said. "That seemed like a missed opportunity with big implications."
Waterlust initially focused on conventional media, like film and photography, to promote ocean science, but the team quickly realized engagement on social media didn't translate to action or even knowledge sharing offscreen.
Rynne also saw the "in one ear, out the other" issue in the classroom — if students didn't repeatedly engage with the topics they learned, they'd quickly forget them.
"We decided that if we truly wanted to achieve our goal of bringing science into people's lives and have it stick, it would need to be through a process that is frequently repeated, fun, and functional," Rynne said. "That's when we thought about clothing."
Support Marine Research and Sustainability in Style
To date, Waterlust has sold tens of thousands of pieces of apparel in over 100 countries, and the interactions its products have sparked have had clear implications for furthering science communication.
For Caruso alone, it's led to opportunities to share her abalone restoration methods with communities far and wide.
"It moves my small little world of what I'm doing here in Orange County, California, across the entire globe," she said. "That's one of the beautiful things about our partnership."
Check out all of the different eco-conscious apparel options available from Waterlust to help promote ocean conservation.
Melissa Smith is an avid writer, scuba diver, backpacker, and all-around outdoor enthusiast. She graduated from the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and sustainable studies. Before joining EcoWatch, Melissa worked as the managing editor of Scuba Diving magazine and the communications manager of The Ocean Agency, a non-profit that's featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary Chasing Coral.