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Looking for the best countertop water filter system for your home?
Well, if you do not have any under sink space in your kitchen, a sink top type of water filter could be the best choice for you.
Even though the water filter options for countertop is fewer compared to under-sink, but after hours of researched and reviewed, I found some really great one in terms of filtration performance, space efficiency, portability, design, and functionality.
In this post, I’ll show and explain to you the top 10 countertop water filtration systems that excel in certain areas.
Why Countertop Water Filter
The countertop is one of the most popular types of water filtration systems available in the market and is preferred by many families due to its advantages over other types of water filtration:
Compared to the water pitcher filter:
- Greater filtration performance
- More options for filtration methods
- Faster water filtration rate
- No fill up is needed
- Last longer (higher capacity)
Compared to the faucet water filter:
- Greater filtration performance
- More options for filtration methods
- Last longer (higher capacity)
Compared to the gravity-fed water filter:
- Faster water filtration rate
- More options for filtration methods
- No fill up is needed
- Smaller in size
Compared to under sink water filter:
- Simpler installation
- Easier maintenance
- Occupy less space (usually)
- Cheaper
- Easier maintenance on countertop area
Compared to the water distiller:
- Faster clean water production rate
- No fill up is needed
- Not require electricity
To sum up, here are the 5 main benefits of using a countertop water filtration system:
- High water filtration performance
- Fast water filtration rate
- More options for filtration methods
- Countertop placement
- Last longer (higher capacity)
High Water Filtration Performance
Normally, a countertop water filtration system would consist of one to five stages of water purification, and more stages are usually better in filtering out contaminants in tap water, this flexibility allows them to have high water filtration performance.
Fast Water Filtration Rate
All the countertop water filtration systems except Reverse Osmosis have a fast water filtration rate.
Besides, you don’t have to refill the filtration system from time to time with tap water like using a water pitcher filter and gravity-fed water filter.
This allows you to fill up the cup or water bottle quickly and ensure no shortage of clean drinking water supply, especially for families with more members.
More Options of Filtration Methods
Another benefit of a countertop water filtration system is the choice of filtration methods.
You can choose a standalone activated carbon filter or a combination of filters like double activated carbon stages with a sediment filter, Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, RO with deionization (DI), RO with mineralization, and more.
Countertop Placement
The countertop placement is suitable for a kitchen with no or limited under-sink space to put the water filter.
Also, it’s easier to install and replace a countertop water filter compared to the under sink filtration system and is much quicker to spot a water leakage to prevent serious damage to house furniture.
Last Longer (Higher Capacity)
The countertop water filter has a larger capacity and lasts longer compared to the water pitcher and faucet filter, which reduces the annual replacement frequency (less hassle to you).
Top 10 Best Countertop Water Filtration System
- APEC Countertop RO-CTOP-C Reverse Osmosis System – Best Overall
- Revolution Countertop RO System with Deionization – Best Filtration
- Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Countertop Water Filter – Best Non-RO
- 0PPM POQ-4B-100 Countertop RO+Deionization System – Best Value
- APEC RO-CTOP-PH Countertop Alkaline RO System – Best Alkalinity
- Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filter – Best Design
- Express Water Countertop RO Water Filter – Best Portability
- LiquaGen Countertop RO+Deionization System – Best for Aquarium
- CleanWater4Less Countertop Water Filter – Best Budget
- Brondell H2O+ Pearl Countertop System – Best Compact Size
How to Choose the Best Countertop Water Filter System (Buying Guide)
Want to learn how to choose the best countertop water filter system for your home?
Here are the 5 key factors to consider:
- Water source quality
- Water filtration method
- Additional features
- Design
- Cost
Don’t feel like learning now? It’s totally fine, just click HERE to skip to the best countertop water filter reviews section.
1. Water Source Quality
Before you start looking for a water filter, here are some questions you need to ask yourself:
- What’s your water source quality?
- What are the contaminants in your tap water that you want to get rid of?
- Is your water hardness level? Is it soft or hard?
The most accurate way to answer the above questions is to get your water test report from a certified lab.
From the water report, you’ll know the quality of your water such as the water hardness level, the contaminants, and the concentration of those contaminants.
Alternatively, you may get the information from your water supplier or estimate the water hardness level with the TDS meter.
2. Water Filtration Method
Once you know the quality of your water, the next will be deciding the most suitable filtration method to treat the water.
If your water’s hardness level is high, like more than 120 ppm (or 120 mg/L), it’s best to use the Reverse Osmosis system to lower down the total dissolved solids (TDS) in water.
But if your water’s hardness level is low, like less than 60 ppm (or 60 mg/L), then the Reverse Osmosis system is a bit overkill, and I’ll suggest you go for a combination of sediment filter and activated carbon block.
If you want to completely remove the dissolved solids in water, like for aquarium purposes, then an additional stage of deionization is highly recommended to bring down the total dissolved solids (TDS) value to zero (or close to zero).
If your tap water contains excess amount of cations (eg: magnesium, calcium) or anions (eg: nitrate, arsenic), then Deionization (Ion-Exchange method) is an effective way to remove those ions.
Also, most of the time (if not all), you’ll need a sediment filter as a front layer of filtration to block the larger particles (eg: rust, sand, stone, etc.) and an activated carbon filter to treat chlorine taste and odor, so these two are like the defaults in a multi-stages water filtration system.
For a standalone filter, it has to be the activated carbon filter, and you’ll have to replace the filter cartridge frequently due to the absence of the sediment filter.
3. Additional Features
Do you love to drink alkaline or mineral-rich water?
In a multi-stage countertop filtration system, you can always add a mineralization stage at the end of the system to increase the alkalinity and mineral contents in the water.
4. Design
Since it’s a countertop water filter, the appearance does play as part of the deciding factors.
For instance, a countertop water filter with a nice design is more preferred here to make the kitchen looks nicer.
Also, in terms of size, the smaller the better as it occupies less countertop space (more space-efficient).
5. Cost
How much are you willing (or afford) to spend on a water filtration system?
Most of the time, you get what you paid for.
So if you have the budget, get the best water filtration system for your family, it’s definitely worth.
But if your budget is a constraint, just get the basic water filter will do, don’t put yourself into a financial dilemma.
The 10 Best Countertop Water Filter Reviews in 2023
Without further ado, here are the 10 carefully picked countertop water filters for your consideration.
1. APEC Countertop Reverse Osmosis System RO-CTOP-C [Review] – Best Overall
- High-performance reverse osmosis water filtration system
- Fast water filtration rate of 90 GPD
- Plug and drink, installation-free, and lightweight design
- Portable system
- High capacity filters for long-lasting performance
- Fits most standard faucets
- 100% made, designed and assembled in the US.
- More
The APEC Countertop RO-CTOP-C is a portable high-performance Reverse Osmosis water filtration system.
It can remove up to 99% of harmful contaminants in water including sediments, chlorine taste and odor, heavy metals, microorganisms, and more.
Here are the 4 layers of powerful filtration:
1st Stage – Sediment Filter: Remove all sediments like rust, dust, dirt, sand, and larger particles.
2nd Stage – Coconut Shell Carbon Filter: Focus on Chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more chemical contaminants.
3rd Stage – Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Deal with the most difficult contaminants like arsenic, lead, bacteria, viruses, chromium, total dissolved solids (TDS), and other 99% of contaminants.
4th Stage – Coconut Shell Carbon Filter: This acts as a post-filter to remove any residual taste, odor, and particulates.
This APEC countertop system is great in terms of water filtration power, water flow rate, design, and portability.
You can detach easily from your existing faucet and bring it along when traveling. It’s also suitable for temporary stay, RVs, mobile homes, and small apartments.
Pros:
- Effectively remove majority of contaminants in water
- Compact size
- High water filtration rate
- Easy to set up
- Portable
- With casing option
Cons:
- Only fits standard faucets
- No water tank for storage, so you need to fill up water containers in advance
2. Revolution Countertop Reverse Osmosis System with Deionization [Review] – Best Filtration
- High water filtration performance
- Easy and fast installation
- Portable
- Up to 75 GPD of water filtration rate
- With Deionizing (DI) Mixed Bed
- Greatly reduce dissolved solids in water (close to 0 ppm)
- Long filter life
- Fit most kitchen faucets
- More
The Revolution Countertop RO+DI is a 5-stage water filtration system that can effectively reduce a large number of contaminants like Chlorine, Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Zink, Sulfate, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Sodium, Chloride, Fluoride, Aluminium, Herbicides, Cadmium, Nitrate, Insecticides, Cadmium, Viruses, Bacteria, VOCs, total dissolved solids (TDS), and more.
The filtration system also comes with a Deionization Ion Exchange Media filter to remove any residual ions from the water, leaving a close to 0 ppm pure filtered water.
Here’s the breakdown of the 5 stages of water filtration:
1st Stage – 5 Micron Sediment Filter: Remove larger particles like rust, sand, dust, and more to protect the rest filters.
2nd Stage – Coconut Activated Carbon Filter: Remove chlorine taste and odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cloudiness, and more chemicals contaminants in water.
3rd Stage – Thin-film Composite (TFC) RO Membrane: Remove the majority of harmful contaminants like lead, arsenic, fluoride, bacteria, viruses, dissolved solids, and more.
4th Stage – Deionizing (DI) Mixed Bed Polishing Filter: Remove residual ions to produce ultra-clean water with close to 0 ppm.
5th Stage – Premium T33 Coconut Carbon Filter: Remove any residual contaminants like the taste, odor, and more.
Also, the portability of this filter is great for travel, RVs, temporary home, and aquarium purposes.
There are only a few companies that make countertop type of Reverse Osmosis system, Revolution is one of them, and they produce one of the best countertop water filters in the market.
As a Reverse Osmosis system that without a water tank, its water filtration rate of 75 gallons per day is considered quite slow.
Thus, I’ll advise you to collect the filtered water into water containers in advance to avoid short of clean drinking water.
Also, with the combination of Reverse Osmosis and Deionization, it’s very effective in filtering water that is hard and with high ppm value.
Pros:
- Hugely reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Fit most standard faucets
- Reasonable price
- Portable
- Fast and easy installation
- Long filter life
Cons:
- Diverter is vulnerable to leaking
- Slower water filtration rate compared to non-RO system
3. Home Master TMJRF2 Jr F2 Countertop Water Filter [Review] – Best Non-RO
- The 3 stages of water filtration can effectively remove chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, fluoride, and more contaminants
- Compact design allows it to be fit on kitchen countertop easily
- Portable and lightweight
- Easy and quick installation
- More
The Home Master Jr. F2 Countertop Water Filtration System is an advanced 3-stages granular filter that can effectively remove sediments, chlorine taste and odor, arsenic, fluoride, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, and more contaminants while keeping the good minerals.
It’s designed to be compact and space-saving while maintaining its great filtration performance in getting rid of unwanted contaminants in tap water.
Here’s the breakdown of the 3 stages of filtration:
1st Stage – 5 Micron Compression Disks: Remove sediments and prevent channeling.
2nd Stage – Activated Alumina: Remove fluoride and arsenic.
3rd Stage – Coconut Shell Carbon: Remove chlorine, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, and more.
The activated alumina is a contact-dependent media, which mean a higher amount of contaminant can be removed by letting the water stay in the media for a longer time, like lower down the water flow rate.
Looking for a non-RO countertop water filter?
You may consider this Home Master TMJRF2 Jr. F2 countertop system, it’s a compact system with great filtration power and rapid filtration rate.
Due to its portability and lightweight design, you can move it around your kitchen sink easily and bring it along when traveling.
If you don’t have under sink space and limited countertop space, this is your best choice for non-RO system.
Pros:
- Great water filtration performance
- Retain essential minerals
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Portable
- Reasonable price
- Quick and easy to install
- Can filter fluoride
- Great water taste
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Short filter lifespan
- Cannot reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)
4. 0PPM POQ-4B-100 Countertop Reverse Osmosis+Deionization System [Review] – Best Value
- Strong water filtration performance against 99% of contaminants
- Hugely reduce dissolved solids in water
- With deionization filter
- Easy to install
- Portable
- Fast water filtration rate up to 100 GPD
- More
The 0PPM POQ-4B-100 Countertop RO+DI Water Filtration System is designed to produce zero ppm pure water with the combination of Reverse Osmosis and Deionization.
Here’s the 4 filtration stages to make zero ppm water:
1st Stage – Sediment Filter: Remove dust, rust, sand, dirt, and larger particles.
2nd Stage – Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filter: Remove chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, and more chemical contaminants.
3rd Stage – TFC Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Focus on the most difficult to remove contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, radium, lead, chromium, total dissolved solids (TDS), bacteria, viruses, and more.
4th Stage – 0 PPM DI (De-Ionized) Filter: Remove dissolved solids, minerals, and ions.
If you have a home aquarium, then this water filter is your friend.
The 0 ppm DI water it produced is suitable to use as reef water for your lovely fishes.
But take note that you will not get 100 GPD water filtration rate if the water pressure is below 65 PSI, and make sure you have at least 35 PSI water pressure in order for the system to function.
If you want to improve the taste for drinking purposes, you may add a standalone activated carbon filter right after the DI filter.
Besides, It’s quick to install and detach, allowing you to move it around your house and outside. The portability makes it a great choice for travelers, mobile home, RVs, temporary housing, apartment, and more.
Want to test your water quality with the TDS meter? Get it here!
Pros:
- Strong water filtration performance
- Capable to produce 0 ppm pure water
- Fast water filtration rate of 100 GPD
- Easy to install
- Portable and lightweight
- Space efficient
- Inexpensive
- The water produced is suitable for aquarium
Cons:
- Require high water pressure to operate and maintain high filtration rate
- Water taste is flat
- High wastewater production
- The DI filter need to be replaced frequently to produce 0 ppm water
5. APEC RO-CTOP-PH Countertop Alkaline Reverse Osmosis System [Review] – Best Alkalinity
- High water filtration performance with a Reverse Osmosis system
- Come with US Made food-grade calcium for improved alkalinity
- Up to 90 GPD water filtration rate
- Installation-free, lightweight and portable
- Great water taste with added calcium minerals
- High capacity and long-lasting filter
- Fit most standard faucets
- More
The APEC RO-CTOP-PH is a 4-stage alkaline countertop Reverse Osmosis system with the US Made food-grade calcite (calcium carbonate) mineral cartridge to raise water’s pH level and alkalinity.
By using a high-performing Reverse Osmosis membrane, it can effectively remove up to 99% of contaminants like chlorine taste and odor, lead, arsenic, cadmium, fluoride, chromium, and radium.
Here’s the breakdown of the 4 stages of water purification:
1st Stage – Sediment Filter (Polypropylene): Remove rust, dirt, sand, dust, and larger particles.
2nd Stage – Coconut Shell Carbon Filter: Remove chlorine, unpleasant taste and odor, and cloudiness.
3rd Stage – Reverse Osmosis Filter: Remove up to 99% of harmful contaminants in water.
4th Stage – Calcium Carbonate Remineralization Filter: Add calcium minerals to improve water taste and neutralize water acidity by raising the pH level.
Do you love alkaline water?
If yes, then this is the one for you.
It’s simply the best countertop Reverse Osmosis system that produces high purity alkaline mineral water.
Also, Its lightweight and no water tank design, installation-free setup, and portability make it a perfect choice for travel, RVs, short stays, apartments, and mobile homes.
Pros:
- High filtration performance
- Great water taste
- Simple installation and maintenance
- No water tank and lightweight
- Portable
- Produce alkaline water containing calcium minerals
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Compatible with the standard faucets only
- Expensive
6. Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress Countertop Water Filtration System [Review] – Best Design
The Brondell H630 H2O+ Cypress is a 3-stage countertop water filter that’s designed to provide you clean and safe drinking water with a push of a button.
It can effectively reduce water contaminants like chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, herbicides, bacteria, viruses, atrazine, turbidity, and more.
Here are the 3 stages of H2O+ Cypress H630 water filtration system:
1st Stage – Composite Plus Filter: Remove sediments like rust, sand, dirt, and larger particles.
2nd Stage – Nanotrap Filter (2 micron): Reduce bacteria, viruses, turbidity, and more particulates.
3rd Stage – Carbon Block Filter: Remove chlorine taste and odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and residual contaminants.
The Brondell H2O+ water filtration system is also tested and certified by WQA against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 372 to ensure filtered water quality.
If you like something that is elegant and nice looking, you’ll definitely like this Cypress countertop water filter.
Aside from its great exterior, the powerful filtration capability and fast water production rate are also something you don’t want to miss.
Besides, it’s slim and compact, allowing it to fit nicely into your kitchen without much hassle.
Last but not least, the system also comes with a water dispenser, so you can just connect it to the water source and start getting clean drinking water with a push of a button, on-demand.
How convenient is that?
Pros:
- Great water filtration capability
- Fast water filtration rate of 0.5 GPM
- Elegant design and nice looking
- Easy to install and replace filter
- Comes with water dispenser and a push-button
- Great water taste
- Inexpensive and value for money
- No wastewater
- Slim and compact
Cons:
- Ineffective in reducing total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Need careful operation as the push-button may stick in the ‘ON’ position
- The filters are required to replace frequently
7. Express Water Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter [Review] – Best Portability
- Effectively remove up to 99% of major contaminants in water including chlorine, fluoride, nitrates, viruses, bacteria, and more
- Quick and easy installation
- Come with a faucet
- Fits most standard faucets
- More
The Express Water Countertop is a 4-stage Reverse Osmosis water filtration system that utilizes a top-rated RO membrane to remove the majority of harmful contaminants such as chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, chromium, cadmium, bacteria, viruses, sulfate, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, and more.
Here’s the 4 stages of water filtration:
1st Stage – Sediment Filter: Remove larger particles like rust, dust, sand, dirt, and more.
2nd Stage – Granular Carbon Filter (GAC): Remove chlorine, bad taste and odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more.
3rd Stage – Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Removes the most difficult contaminants like fluoride, arsenic, lead, chromium, total dissolved solids (TDS), and more contaminants..
4th Stage – Post Activated Carbon Filter: Remove any residual taste and odor.
It’s rare to find a countertop multi-stages Reverse Osmosis system that comes with a faucet, and that’s one of the points I like about this water filter from Express Water.
You can just plug in the water source tubing to start getting countless clean RO water right from the faucet, simple as that.
Pros:
- Quick and simple to install
- Easy filter replacement
- Fast water filtration rate up to 90 GPD
- Great customer service
Cons:
- Fits standard faucet only
8. LiquaGen Countertop Reverse Osmosis + Deionization System [Review] – Best for Aquarium
- Strong water filtration performance
- Portable and Installation-free
- Hugely reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)
- Ideal for aquarium purposes like reef tank, saltwater tank, and freshwater tank.
- Space efficient
- Available in 50, 70, and 100 GPD options
- Produce deionized water with zero ppm
- Long-lasting filters
- More
The LiquaGen Countertop RO/DI Water Filter System is designed to produce zero ppm ultra-pure water that is ideal for the aquarium and laboratory-testing purposes.
The 0 ppm water is the optimal environment for marine life and plants like fish and coral.
Here’s the breakdown of the 4 filtration stages:
1st Stage – Inline Sediment Filter: Remove all the sediments like rust, dust, dirt, and large particles.
2nd Stage – Inline Carbon Filter: Remove chlorine, unpleasant taste and odor, and more chemicals.
3rd Stage – Reverse Osmosis Membrane: Remove up to 99% of contaminants including fluoride, lead, arsenic, bacteria, viruses, radium, total dissolved solids (TDS), and more.
4th Stage – Inline Deionization (DI) Resin: Remove mineral ions like calcium, iron, sodium, sulfate, chloride, and more.
If you have a home aquarium, this is one of the best RO+DI water filtration systems that produce zero ppm water for your marine life.
It saves your money and time from going to fish stores to buy aquarium water.
Its portability allows you to use it outdoor and indoor according to your needs.
This water filter also comes with 3 filtration rate options to choose from, which is 50, 70, and 100 GPD, so you can pick according to your budget.
Pros:
- Strong filtration power
- Remove dissolved solids and produce 0 ppm DI water
- Long-lasting filters
- Fast water filtration rate
- Portable and space efficient
- Installation-free
- Great customer service
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Require high water pressure to operate
- High wastewater ratio if operate under low water pressure
9. CleanWater4Less Countertop Water Filter [Review] – Best Budget
- Simple and quick to install
- Compact design
- No maintenance is required
- Fast water filtration rate of 1 GPM
- Last up to 10,000 of water filtration
- More
The CleanWater4Less Sealed Countertop Water Filter is a large capacity 5-in-1 granular activated carbon (GAC) filter that provides safe and tasty water in a compact housing.
The 5-stages of filtration consists of a sediment pre-filter, a depth pre-filter, a high-grade granular activated carbon (GAC) media, a depth post-filter, and a final micron filter.
The two things I like about this sealed countertop water filter are the low-entry cost and its super-long filter life (10,000 gallons) with no filter replacement needed, which make it the best budget choice for individuals and families.
You just throw it away after use and get a whole new set will do.
Besides, the water filtration power is good too for its size.
Pros:
- Long filter life up to 10,000 gallons
- High water flow rate at 1 GPM
- Quick installation
- No filter replacement needed
- Compact and space-efficient design
Cons:
- Limited filtration capabilities
- The water flow rate will slow down before the 10,000 gallons mark
- Normal exterior design
- Do not fit on all faucets
10. Brondell H2O+ Pearl Countertop System [Review] – Best Compact Size
- Effectively remove chlorine taste and odor, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more contaminants
- Sleek countertop design
- Compact size and lightweight
- With filter replacement indicator
- Fits most standard kitchen faucets
- Tested and certified by WQA against NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53
- More
The Brondell H2O+ Pearl Countertop System consists of an advanced carbon block filter to get rid of chlorine taste and odor, industrial chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and more particulates.
The system comes with filter replacement indicator to remind you when it’s time to change your filter cartridge, which save your effort in tracking the time manually.
Just need a basic water filtration without occupying much kitchen countertop space?
If yes, then this Brondell Pearl Countertop System is all you need.
It gets the job done while being small in size, allowing it to fit easily around your kitchen sink.
Also, the sleek design of this countertop system make it look nice in your kitchen too!
Pros:
- Remove chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, and more contaminants
- Sleek and nice design
- Compact size and lightweight
- Fast water filtration rate of 0.5 GPM
- Great water taste
- With filter replacement indicator
- Easy and quick installation
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Limited water filtration power
- Short filter lifespan
- The filter replacement indicator is inaccurate sometimes
Summary
Here’s a comparison of the top 10 best countertop water filters:
| Model | Stage | Flow Rate | Reason to Pick | Price |
| APEC RO-CTOP-C | 4 | 90 GPD | Best Overall | Check |
| Revolution RO+DI | 5 | 75 GPD | Best Filtration | Check |
| Home Master TMJRF2 | 3 in 1 | 0.5 GPM | Best Non-RO | Check |
| 0PPM POQ-4B-100 | 4 | 100 GPD | Best Value | Check |
| APEC RO-CTOP-PH | 4 | 90 GPD | Best Alkalinity | Check |
| Brondell H630 Cypress | 3 | 0.5 GPM | Best Design | Check |
| Express Water RO | 4 | 90 GPD | Best Portability | Check |
| LiquaGen RO+DI | 4 | 100 GPD | Best for Aquarium | Check |
| Cleanwater4less | 5 in 1 | 1 GPM | Best Budget | Check |
| Brondell H2O+ Pearl | 1 | 0.5 GPM | Best Compact Size | Check |
FAQ
Here’s the list of frequently asked questions about water filtration:
1. Why the water flow rate is slower than advertised?
All water filtration systems require a certain level of water pressure to operate at optimal condition, lower water pressure will result in a slower water filtration rate.
2. Why my filtered water have black flakes or grey in color?
No worries, It’s normal for the first few times if you are using a water filtration system that contains carbon block filter.
The greyish color is due to the black color carbon block and the black flakes are from the newly manufactured carbon block.
Just open the water tap and flush the system for about 5 minutes and 2-3 times will do.
3. Can I straight away drink the filtered water from a newly installed water filter?
No. Newly installed system may have residues or cloudiness, which require flushing prior to using.
Once you have installed a new water filter, you need to flush the system for 10-45 minutes or 5 to 10 gallons of water, depending on the water filter.
4. Is RO water bad for you?
No, RO water is simply the purest drinking water. There’s no solid scientific proof or research shows that RO water is bad for you.
5. Why the TDS value I measured is not much difference between tap water and filtered water?
Because a flow-through water filter (non-RO) will retain the minerals in water which contribute to TDS value, therefore, the TDS reading will not drop much if your tap water is treated and soft.
TDS value is only applicable to estimate the effectiveness of a Reverse Osmosis system.
6. Can a TDS meter really measure the Total Dissolved Solids in the water?
The answer is no.
I have seen many people used a TDS meter or TDS pen to measure total dissolved solids in their water without knowing what is really being measured.
In short, what TDS meter measured is the electrical conductivity (EC) in water (pure H2O has virtually zero EC), and then times the EC value by a factor between 0.5 to 1 (set by the manufacturer) to estimates the TDS (which is not the real Total Dissolved Solids in water).
For instances, dissolved organic solids (eg: sugar) and microscopic solid particles (eg: colloids) are not measurable by the TDS meter because they do not affect the water conductivity significantly.
The accurate way to measure the actual TDS in water is to evaporate the water and then weighing the dissolved residue left.
7. How long can your water filter cartridge last?
For safety wise, any filter cartridge that is not washable should change every 1 year (maximum) except sediment filter which required to change more frequently (2-4 times a year depending on water quality).
While for the RO membrane, the lifespan is about 2 years since it gets washed constantly.
8. How to know whether the filter cartridge is clogged or it’s time to replace?
You can measure the pressure drop by installing pressure gauges before and after the filter.
When the filter cartridge is new, run the water filtration system and write down the difference of pressure reading (let’s say 2 psi). Then measure again after a few months, you’ll notice the pressure difference is increasing, let’s say to 7 psi.
When the difference of 2 pressure gauges reading reach about 15, it’s time to change the filter cartridge (or wash if it’s washable).
9. Is the water filter brand important?
Not absolutely but is recommended if it’s a highly reputable brand in term of product safety, quality control and customer support.
As we discussed earlier, the important parts of considering a water filter system are about the material of the components, where the components are manufactured, and the functionality of the filter system.
So more importantly, choose a water filter system which all its components are manufactured by reputable companies with strict material control and strict quality control (eg: US-based manufacturers).
10. If the water filter is “Made in USA”, is that mean it’s 100% safe and good?
Not really. For example, a water filter company bought all the low-quality components from elsewhere and assembled in the USA, the company is allowed to say the water filter is “Made in USA”, but this doesn’t justify the product quality and safeties.
What you really need to know is where the components (which used to build the water filtration system) are manufactured. For instance, if all the components are made in the USA and assembled in Thailand, then the water filtration system is considered safe.
11. Is NSF certification required?
The answer is no, but it’s recommended to have NSF certified for all components that have contact with water (especially for smaller brands).
NSF is a certification system and not a quality control system, so it can’t guarantee the filter performance in the long run and the quality of your filter when it’s manufactured (since thousands of filters are being manufactured and shipped to customers directly without going through NSF).
Conclusion
Have you decided which water filtration system to buy?
I hope the above guide and reviews did help you a little bit in making the right decision in choosing the best countertop water filter for your family.
Remember, healthy and safe drinking water plays a vital role in your life as you need to drink water every single day.
So, choose the best for yourself as well as your lovely family members.
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