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About This Guide
Over several rounds, we tested and compared 45 countertop water filters. For each filter, we:
- Hands-on experience: Set up, used, and maintained it.
- Filtration effectiveness: Sent unfiltered and filtered tap water samples to professional labs for analysis in order to determine real-life contaminant reduction capabilities. Plus, we checked for NSF/ANSI certifications and other test data.
- More testing: Performed taste & odor, filtration/dispensing speed, wastewater (RO systems only), and other tests.
- All other product aspects: Considered initial + long-term costs, warranties, additional features, frequent customer complaints, etc.
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Video Chapters
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:50 – Lesson 1
- 03:40 – Best Countertop Water Filter
- 07:54 – Runner Up #1
- 09:42 – Runner Up #2
- 11:21 – Best for Hot & Cold Water
- 12:21 – Lessons 2 & 3
- 14:24 – Best Gravity Filter
- 17:42 – Gravity Filter Budget Pick
- 18:50 – Lesson 4
- 19:49 – Best Regular Countertop Filter
- 21:07 – Regular Countertop Filter Budget Pick
- 22:20 – Lesson 5
- 22:55 – Wrapping Up
Our Top 8 Countertop Water Filters at a Glance
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| AquaTru Classic Smart |
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| AquaTru Classic |
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| AquaTru Carafe Smart |
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| AquaTru Carafe |
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Custom: Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters) |
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Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Carbon Filters) |
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| Aquasana Clean Water Machine |
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| Waterdrop ED04 |
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45 Countertop Water Filters Compared
| Countertop Water Filter | AquaTru Classic Smart | AquaTru Classic | AquaTru Carafe Smart | AquaTru Carafe | Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Waterdrop A2 | Custom: Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters) |
Waterdrop C1H | Waterdrop A1 | Sans Water Purifier | Bluevua ROPOT-Lite | Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Carbon Filters) |
APEC ROCT-PLUS | SimPure Y9A | APEC ROCT-C1 | Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System (Old Model) | Aquasana Clean Water Machine | SimPure Y7P-BW | NU Aqua 4-Stage Countertop RO System | Alexapure Pro | RKIN U1-W | Frizzlife WB99-C | Brita Hub | Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Carbon + POSTreat Steel Fluoride Reduction Filters) |
Rorra Countertop System | Purewell 2.25G (with K-Series Black Carbon Filters + Fluoride Filter Elements) |
Brita Ultramax Elite Water Filter Dispenser | Waterdrop ED04 | British Berkefeld SS2 (with Ultra Fluoride Filters) |
Purewell 2.25G (with K-Series Black Carbon Filters) |
Waterdrop WFD-22L | ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read | iSpring CKC1 & CKC1C | Culligan Scout | PUR PLUS 30-Cup | Big Berkey (with Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filters) |
Waterdrop CTF-01 | Santevia Gravity Water System | British Berkefeld SS2 (with Ultra Sterasyl Filters) |
BOROUX Legacy (with BOROUX Foundation + BOROUX Proactive Fluoride Filters) |
Crystal Quest Countertop Thunder | Waterdrop King (with Black Filters + Fluoride Filters) |
Radiant Life SS Gravity Countertop Filter | Big Berkey (with Black Berkey Filters + PF-2 Fluoride Filters) |
ProOne Traveler+ (with G2.0 5″ Filter) |
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| Type | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Gravity | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Gravity | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Gravity | Electric | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Gravity | Reverse Osmosis | Reverse Osmosis | Electric | Gravity | Gravity | Gravity | Dispenser | Electric | Gravity | Gravity | Dispenser | Dispenser | Faucet-Connect | Gravity | Dispenser | Gravity | Faucet-Connect | Gravity | Gravity | Gravity | Reverse Osmosis | Gravity | Gravity | Gravity | Gravity |
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| Final Rating | 4.85/5.00 | 4.77/5.00 | 4.78/5.00 | 4.69/5.00 | 4.48/5.00 | 4.42/5.00 | 4.39/5.00 | 4.38/5.00 | 4.33/5.00 | 4.27/5.00 | 4.22/5.00 | 4.18/5.00 | 4.15/5.00 | 4.14/5.00 | 4.11/5.00 | 4.08/5.00 | 4.06/5.00 | 4.05/5.00 | 4.03/5.00 | 3.81/5.00 | 3.80/5.00 | 3.73/5.00 | 3.73/5.00 | 3.71/5.00 | 3.65/5.00 | 3.60/5.00 | 3.51/5.00 | 3.50/5.00 | 3.36/5.00 | 3.33/5.00 | 3.27/5.00 | 3.15/5.00 | 3.15/5.00 | 3.11/5.00 | 3.11/5.00 | 2.96/5.00 | 2.89/5.00 | 2.84/5.00 | 2.66/5.00 | 2.39/5.00 | 2.31/5.00 | 2.30/5.00 | 1.69/5.00 | 3.56/5.00 | 2.41/5.00 |
| Verdict (Best For) | #1 Overall + #1 for Filtration (Fully NSF/ANSI-Certified) | #1 Overall + #1 for Filtration (Fully NSF/ANSI-Certified) | Glass Carafe + Space-Saving | #1 RO System Budget Pick + Glass Carafe + Space-Saving | #1 Gravity Filter with Most Effective Filtration + Best All-Rounder | #1 for Hot Water + Great Budget Pick + Space-Saving | #1 for Cold Water + Cold & Hot Water | #1 Gravity Filter Budget Pick + #1 for Usability with Solid Filtration Results | #1 Regular Countertop Water Filter | #1 Budget Pick for a Regular Countertop Water Filter with Adequate Lab Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comment | Includes App | Includes App | Our Ultimate Custom Gravity Filter Combo! | We Tested the Old System Model (Uses Same Filters as the New) | Officially Endorsed Black Berkey Filter Substitute | EPA Stop-Sale Order Has Rendered Black Berkey Replacement Filters Unavailable | Discontinued (Also Applies to Newer G3.0 Filters) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Buy Here | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (Phoenix System) Check Current Price (Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters) | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (New System Model + 1 Filter) Check Current Price (Additional Filters) | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (Authorized Seller: Lehman's Home and Garden) | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (System) Check Current Price (Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filters) | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (Authorized Seller: Lehman's Home and Garden) | Check Current Price (System Incl. Foundation Filters) Check Current Price (Fluoride Filters) | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price | Check Current Price (System Incl. Black Berkey Filters) Check Current Price (Fluoride Filters) | Check Current Price |
| Discount Code | $100 Discount Already Applied When Using Our Link! | $100 Discount Already Applied When Using Our Link! | $100 Discount Already Applied When Using Our Link! | $100 Discount Already Applied When Using Our Link! | BOSWATER15 - Up to 15% Off! |
WD10BOS - 10% Off! |
BOS10 - 10% Off Phoenix System! |
C1HBOS - 5% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales! |
A1BOS - 3% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales! |
BOSWATER15 - Up to 15% Off! |
BOS10 - 10% Off! |
AQBOS50 - Up to 50% Off! |
SPY7P - $161 Off! |
BOSWATER - 5% Off! |
BOSWB2410 - $130 Off! |
BOS10 - 10% Off! |
ED04BOS - 3% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales! (waterdropfilter.com Only) |
BOSWATER5BERKEY - 5% Off! |
BOS5OFF - 5% Off! |
WD10BOS - 10% Off! |
BOSWATER5BERKEY - 5% Off! |
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| Score Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data. | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.99/5.00 | 4.99/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.26/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.33/5.00 | 4.14/5.00 | 3.80/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 4.26/5.00 | 4.04/5.00 | 3.92/5.00 | 4.07/5.00 | 3.76/5.00 | 3.87/5.00 | 3.68/5.00 | 3.55/5.00 | 3.30/5.00 | 3.61/5.00 | 3.15/5.00 | 2.80/5.00 | 2.94/5.00 | 3.26/5.00 | 2.46/5.00 | 2.49/5.00 | 4.13/5.00 | 2.10/5.00 | 3.33/5.00 | 2.20/5.00 | 1.99/5.00 | 1.81/5.00 | 2.29/5.00 | 2.20/5.00 | 1.10/5.00 | 2.44/5.00 | 0.95/5.00 | 0.00/5.00 | 3.20/5.00 | 1.38/5.00 |
| UsabilityFor gravity-type systems, usability scores include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands. | 4.64/5.00 | 4.24/5.00 | 4.43/5.00 | 4.03/5.00 | 4.61/5.00 | 4.25/5.00 | 4.22/5.00 | 3.85/5.00 | 3.92/5.00 | 4.04/5.00 | 4.60/5.00 | 4.50/5.00 | 3.46/5.00 | 3.53/5.00 | 3.38/5.00 | 3.26/5.00 | 3.66/5.00 | 3.80/5.00 | 3.99/5.00 | 3.98/5.00 | 3.80/5.00 | 3.60/5.00 | 3.85/5.00 | 4.46/5.00 | 4.05/5.00 | 4.23/5.00 | 4.40/5.00 | 4.48/5.00 | 3.44/5.00 | 4.29/5.00 | 4.15/5.00 | 3.38/5.00 | 4.45/5.00 | 3.72/5.00 | 4.29/5.00 | 4.20/5.00 | 4.38/5.00 | 3.16/5.00 | 3.51/5.00 | 4.21/5.00 | 0.70/5.00 | 4.07/5.00 | 3.83/5.00 | 4.19/5.00 | 4.06/5.00 |
| CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone and, for gravity-type systems, include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands. | 4.62/5.00 | 4.62/5.00 | 4.47/5.00 | 4.46/5.00 | 4.31/5.00 | 4.35/5.00 | 4.97/5.00 | 4.56/5.00 | 4.23/5.00 | 4.33/5.00 | 4.08/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 3.78/5.00 | 3.69/5.00 | 3.68/5.00 | 4.37/5.00 | 4.51/5.00 | 4.69/5.00 | 3.96/5.00 | 3.80/5.00 | 3.58/5.00 | 4.01/5.00 | 4.13/5.00 | 4.17/5.00 | 3.37/5.00 | 4.32/5.00 | 4.74/5.00 | 4.21/5.00 | 3.58/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.71/5.00 | 0.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 1.84/5.00 | 4.64/5.00 | 4.63/5.00 | 4.66/5.00 | 4.20/5.00 | 3.21/5.00 | 4.43/5.00 | 3.53/5.00 | 4.55/5.00 | 4.63/5.00 | 4.02/5.00 | 3.88/5.00 |
| Full Analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Price (Jul 13, 2026)No short-term sales. | $525 | $475 | $425 | $375 | $389 | $499 | $320.96 (Incl. 2 Nanomesh Filters) | $299 | $649 | $499.99 | $299 | $189 (Incl. 2 Filters, Save $20 with Filter Subscription) | $417.99 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | $439.99 | $499.00 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | $295.93 (Old System Model When It Was Still in Stock, Incl. 2 Filters) | $399.99 (Save Up to 54% with Filter Subscription) | $369.99 | $449.95 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | $399.98 (Incl. 2 Filters) | $749 | $449.99 | $194.95 | $259 (Incl. 2 Carbon + 2 Fluoride Filters, Save $20 with Filter Subscription) | $549 (Incl. 1 Filter, Save $100 with Filter Subscription) | $229 (Incl. 2 Black Carbon + 2 Fluoride Filters + Stand) | $49.98 | $59.99 | $340 (Incl. 2 Filters) | $148.99 (Incl. 2 Filters + Stand) | $54.99 | $44.99 | $49.99 | $199 (Incl. 2 Filters + Stand) | $44.14 | $544 (Incl. 2 Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filters) | $79.99 | $179.99 | $305 (Incl. 4 Filters + Stand) | $485 (Incl. 2 Foundation + 2 Fluoride Filters) | $202.23 | $259.99 (Incl. 2 Black + 2 Fluoride Filters + Water Level Spigot) | $379 (Incl. 2 Filters + Stand) | $521 (Incl. 2 Black Berkey + 2 Fluoride Filters) | $292.90 (When It Was Still in Stock, Incl. 2 G2.0 5″ Filters + Stand) |
| Filtration Lab Results | 2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 4.97/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 4.97/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 4.49/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 4.49/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 5.00/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 | 2026: 4.49/5.00The score is derived from testing the Patriot Pure Nanomesh filter in the Patriot Pure system, which is nearly identical to the Phoenix system. | 2025: 5.00/5.00 2025: 4.95/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2025: 4.73/5.00 |
2025: 5.00/5.00 2025: 4.19/5.00 |
2025: 4.73/5.00 2025: 4.42/5.00 |
2026: 4.38/5.00 | 2024: 5.00/5.00 | 2025: 5.00/5.00 | 2025: 5.00/5.00 | 2026: 4.49/5.00 | 2024: 4.26/5.00 | 2025: 5.00/5.00 2024: 3.40/5.00 |
2025: 4.38/5.00 2024: 4.75/5.00 |
2026: 4.42/5.00 2024: 4.08/5.00 |
2025: 4.37/5.00 | 2025: 3.69/5.00 2024: 4.68/5.00 |
2024: 3.96/5.00 | 2026: 3.75/5.00 | 2026: 4.23/5.00 | 2024: 4.15/5.00 | 2024: 3.11/5.00 | 2024: 3.56/5.00 | 2026: 3.71/5.00 | 2026: 3.46/5.00 | 2024: 3.49/5.00 | 2024: 4.81/5.00 | 2024: 3.10/5.00 | 2026: 3.73/5.00 | 2024: 2.79/5.00 | 2026: 2.39/5.00 | 2024: 2.81/5.00 | 2024: 2.79/5.00 | 2024: 2.83/5.00 | 2026: 1.25/5.00 | 2024: 2.94/5.00 | 2024: 1.95/5.00 | 2026: 0.00/5.00 | 2024: 3.53/5.00 | 2024: 1.75/5.00 |
| Remineralization Lab Results | See Remineralization Results Tabs | See Remineralization Results Tabs | See Remineralization Results Tabs | See Remineralization Results Tabs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taste Tests | 2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean (Optional Remineralization Post-Filter Added a Nice, Light Mineral Taste) 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2025: Clean 2025: Clean |
2025: Much Improved Compared to Our Tap Water but Not 100% Perfect 2025: Clean |
2025: Clean 2025: Clean |
2025: Clean (Optional Remineralization Post-Filter Added a Nice, Light Mineral Taste) 2025: Clean (Optional Remineralization Post-Filter Added a Nice, Light Mineral Taste) |
2026: Clean | 2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean | 2025: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2025: Much Improved Compared to Our Tap Water but Not 100% Perfect 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2026: Clean 2024: Clean |
2025: Clean | 2025: Clean 2024: Clean |
2024: Improved Overall Compared to Our Tap Water but with a Slight "Filter Aftertaste" | 2026: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Improved Overall Compared to Our Tap Water but with a "Filter Aftertaste" | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean with a Nice Mineral Taste | 2024: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2026: Clean | 2024: Clean | 2024: Clean |
| Odor Tests | 2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2025: No Odor 2025: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2025: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2025: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2025: No Odor |
2026: No Odor | 2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor | 2025: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2026: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2025: No Odor | 2025: No Odor 2024: No Odor |
2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2026: No Odor | 2024: No Odor | 2024: No Odor |
Some notes compare a product to an average, like "Fewer/More Daily Refills" or "Relatively Light." These refer to the averages for that product's specific subtype (such as countertop ROs), not across all countertop filters. |
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| Setup Process Incl. Filter Priming | -Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions, a helpful quick start guide, and labelled + color-coded filters -Our 2024 unit didn't work at first because water got into the front handle (we just had to let it dry) -QR code links to tutorial videos on YouTube -App was easy to connect (once we closed and opened it again it worked consistently) -Clear illustrated manual + quick start guide for connecting the app via WiFi -QR codes link to app download |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions, a helpful quick start guide, and labelled + color-coded filters -Our 2024 unit didn't work at first because water got into the front handle (we just had to let it dry) -QR code links to tutorial videos on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions, a helpful quick start guide, and labelled + color-coded filters -Our 2025 unit stopped filtering during priming (after troubleshooting with AquaTru, this could easily be resolved by pushing/loosening up a valve on the bottom of the feed water tank -Tutorial video on YouTube -App was easy to connect (once we closed and opened it again it worked consistently) -Clear illustrated instructions for connecting the app via WiFi -QR codes link to app download |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions, a helpful quick start guide, and labelled + color-coded filters -Our 2025 unit stopped filtering during priming (after troubleshooting with AquaTru, this could easily be resolved by pushing/loosening up a valve on the bottom of the feed water tank -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions and a helpful quick start guide -QR code links to tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with 2 clear fold-out instruction sheets including some illustrations -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Very easy to set up and prime with a clear illustrated manual and simple-to-follow on-screen prompts -Display can show QR code for product manual & service page -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime -Helpful, basic quick-start sheet with QR code linking to online manual (more detailed but not as detailed and fewer illustrations as with other systems) |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -QR code links to tutorial video |
-Easy to set up and prime with 2 clear fold-out instruction sheets including some illustrations -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear instructions (fewer illustrations than with other systems) | -Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions except for priming section using confusing wording (we could see first timers struggle with this) -Our first unit showed an error code unknown to APEC support and stopped working during priming; issue couldn’t be fixed so we had to ask for a replacement unit which worked fine out of the box -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime but the simple instruction booklet is just 1 large sheet folded in half with a lot of text and only 2 illustrations -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions + a helpful quick start guide -QR codes link to tutorial video and online manual |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Very easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions but with both our 2024 and 2025 unit the process did not go according to the manual (upon plugging the system in it displayed "03" instead of "01") -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction sheet (black & white) -No faucet priming required (filter arrives wet) -Our 2024 element didn't filter at all until we scrubbed it with a sponge) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instructions + quick-start sheet (includes QR codes linking to digital manual and app download) -App was easy to connect -At first, the system is a little intimidating taking it out of the box (large, very heavy, lots of buttons on the touch screen) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear, illustrated instructions -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with 3 clear fold-out instruction sheets including some illustrations -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with nice and clear illustrated instruction booklet + concise quick-start guide -QR code links to tutorial video on website |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Includes wrench to help install spigot and screwdriver for lid handle -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction sheet -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime but the 2 basic instruction sheets are not easily digestible (black & white, smaller font, only 1 illustration each) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Includes wrench to help install spigot and screwdriver for lid handle -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction sheet -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet | -Easy to set up and prime with clear instruction booklet including basic illustrations -Only compatible with standard-sized faucets -1 faucet adapter included -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with nice and very clear illustrated instruction booklet -Includes wrench to help install spigot -Each filter comes with a sponge for scrubbing during the priming process -QR code links to installation video |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated one-sheet quick start guide -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with 2 clear illustrated instruction sheets (black & white) -Phoenix filters include a flexible rubber primer that fits various faucet sizes but can slip off easily, especially if not completely dry -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Only compatible with standard-sized faucets -4 faucet adapters included |
-Easy yet more involved to set up and prime with very clear full-color illustrated instruction booklet and well-organized components -Includes scrubbing pad for pre-filter -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime but the 2 basic instruction sheets are not easily digestible (black & white, smaller font, only 1 illustration each) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear and detailed instruction booklet + 2 quick-start guides (well-organized with lots of illustrations) -Came with a free automatic filter primer which made priming very convenient and much easier than having to hold the filters at the tap (this was a limited time offer) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to attach to kitchen faucet (2 adapters included) -Printed instructions were tiny (we checked online manual instead) with just a few illustrations and not laid out very well with no word on priming upon first use -Only compatible with standard kitchen faucets |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear illustrated instruction booklet -Includes wrench to help install spigot -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with one-sheet instructions (only 1 illustration) that are mostly easy to follow but lagged behind other systems -QR code links to tutorial video |
-Easy to set up and prime with 2 clear illustrated instruction sheets (black & white) -Tutorial video on YouTube |
-Easy to set up and prime with clear instruction booklet (fewer illustrations than with other systems) -Includes wrench to help install spigot and sponge to scrub filter |
| Everyday Use (Speed & Water Capacity) | -Suited for daily use with a clean tank that stores water for later -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher in 1 continuous dispense |
-Suited for daily use with a clean tank that stores water for later -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher in 1 continuous dispense |
-Suited for daily use with a carafe (good size) that stores water for later -Requires more daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle from the carafe |
-Suited for daily use with a carafe (good size) that stores water for later -Requires more daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle from the carafe |
-Suited for daily use with a carafe (good size) that stores water for later -Requires more daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle from the carafe |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with a carafe (quite small) that stores water for later -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense or from the carafe -Ambient: dispensing into a glass is relatively slow -Hot: plenty of water but somewhat limited use due to lower temperature and very slow to dispense -Cold: up to 2 cups of refreshingly cold water with acceptable dispensing speed -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher -Includes airlock vent clip to keep filtration/dispensing flowing at full speed |
-Ambient: generally suited for daily use but dispensing speed is relatively slow -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for pretty much all beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with acceptable dispensing speed -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle (rapid stop & go dispensing) -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for most beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -Cold: plenty of refreshingly cold water with acceptable dispensing speed -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with a carafe (quite small) that stores water for later -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense or from the carafe -Ambient: dispensing into a glass is very slow -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for most beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -All: no volume presets |
-Suited for daily use with a carafe (quite small) that stores water for later -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle from the carafe -Dispensing into a glass is very slow |
-Suited for daily use – even filters on demand (1 cup in under 60 seconds) -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher -Includes airlock vent clip to keep filtration/dispensing flowing at full speed |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with acceptable dispensing speed -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for pretty much all beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -All: only 1 volume preset |
-Generally suited for daily use but dispensing speed is relatively slow and there are no volume presets -Requires fewer daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle (held at an angle) in 1 continuous dispense |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with a carafe (good size) that stores water for later -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle (1 continuous dispense or from the carafe) or 2-Quart pitcher (from the carafe) -Ambient: speed when dispensing into a glass is acceptable -Cold: up to 2 cups of refreshingly cold water with acceptable dispensing speed -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use with fast dispensing speed for this type of countertop water filter -Requires more daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense -No volume presets |
-Suited for daily use with acceptable dispensing speed -Requires fewer daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Ambient: suited for daily use with acceptable dispensing speed -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle (held at an angle; dispensing in 16 oz batches) -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for most beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Ambient: generally suited for daily use but dispensing speed is very slow -Ambient: with a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense -Hot: plenty of water hot enough for most beverages and instant food but very slow to dispense -Cold: up to 2 cups of refreshingly cold water but very slow to dispense -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Suited for daily use with a carafe (quite small) that stores water for later -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense or from the carafe -Dispensing into a glass is relatively slow -All: volume presets (mitigate slow speed) |
-Suited for daily use with fast dispensing speed for this type of countertop water filter + volume presets -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 continuous dispense |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher -Includes airlock vent clip to keep filtration/dispensing flowing at full speed |
-Suited for daily use – even filters on demand (1 cup in under 60 seconds) -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is slow -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use – even filters on demand (1 cup in under 45 seconds) -Dispensing is very fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use with slower yet acceptable dispensing speed for this type of countertop water filter -Requires fewer daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle (held at an angle) in 1 continuous dispense -No volume presets |
-Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is very fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use – even filters on demand (1 cup in under 30 seconds) -Dispensing is fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Dispensing is very fast -24-Cup Clean Tank Only Ever Filled to 16.25 Cups Max -Requires more daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle |
-Suited for daily use with very fast dispensing | -Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Dispensing is extremely fast -Requires fewer daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use – even filters on demand (1 cup in under 45 seconds) -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is very fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use with very fast dispensing | -Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Generally suited for daily use but too slow to filter on demand or larger amounts in a short time -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is very fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is very fast -Requires fewer daily refills than average -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Filtration speed is extremely slow and impractical for daily use | -Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Adding additional filter element(s) would increase speed -Dispensing is very fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
-Suited for daily use but on-demand filtering takes patience -Number of parallel filter elements already maxed out -Dispensing is extremely fast -With a single feed tank you can fill a 40-oz bottle or 2-Quart pitcher |
| Everyday Use (Dispensing) | -Easy and without splashing by pushing the blue front button -Clean tank needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty it out -Pouring into large glasses is only possible if the unit sits on the edge of the counter or you lift the clean tank |
-Easy and without splashing by pushing the blue front button -Clean tank needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty it out -Pouring into large glasses is only possible if the unit sits on the edge of the counter or you lift the clean tank |
-Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast | -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast | -The 2 buttons work just fine -Dispense ~0.13, ~0.26, or ~0.45 gal -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast -Filtered water passes through the optional mineral cartridge as it's dispensed into the carafe (after that the water will only contact the minerals again if the carafe is full) |
-Has option for both carafe (ambient water only) and dispensing into a glass (easy and without splashing) -Carafe has a comfortable handle and pours nicely -Large, responsive touch screen with intuitive interface and large font -Systems ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispense cold, ambient, or hot water up to 203 °F -Choose desired water volume in 2 oz increments and hot water temperature from 113–203 °F in 9 °F increments, or use the temperature (cold, ambient, 113, 149, 185, or 203 °F) and volume (4, 8, 16, or 20 oz, or custom) presets -Favorite mode saves preferred water temperature and volume -Optional child safety lock on hot water -Small magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 34 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Responsive and easy-to-navigate touch screen -Systems ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispenses ambient and on-demand hot water up to 203 °F -Choose desired water temperature and volume in 9 °F and 2 oz increments or use the temperature (ambient, 113, 149, 185, or 203 °F) and volume (4, 8, 16, or 20 oz, or custom) presets -Favorite mode saves preferred water temperature and volume -Optional child safety lock on hot water -Small magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -Large, responsive touch screen with intuitive interface -6 water temperature options: cold (41-50 °F), ambient, 113, 140, 185, or 203 °F -Dispense 4, 8, 16, or 20 oz, or custom -Optional child safety lock on hot water -Magnetic drip tray |
-Simple, responsive touch screen that feels intuitive -System senses Sans carafe and immediately starts refilling when placed on unit (dispensing stops when carafe is full) -You can dispense into a glass (without splashing) using the dispensing button -Dispense instant hot water up to 201 °F -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast -You can't dispense hot water into the carafe -No display reading for hot water temp -No child safety lock on hot water -Carafe lid can be installed backwards which causes auto-dispense to not work -Drip tray |
-Responsive and easy-to-navigate touch screen -Has option for both dispensing into the carafe or straight into a glass (without splashing) -Dispense full carafe (~0.32 gal) or half carafe (~0.17 gal), or custom (~0.32 gal max) -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast -Filtered water passes through the optional mineral cartridge as it's dispensed into the carafe (after that the water will only contact the minerals again if the carafe is full) |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 34 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy to use (no splashing) with seamless and responsive buttons integrated into the top lid -Systems ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -7 water temperature options: ambient, 113, 131, 149, 167, 185, or 203 °F -Dispense 8 oz or custom -Optional child safety lock on hot water -Magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -Touch screen with simple interface but problems with responsiveness -Magnetic drip tray |
-Responsive touch screen with intuitive interface -Has option for both carafe and dispensing into glass (easy and without splashing) -System ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispense ambient or cold water as low as to 43 °F -After the first pour, there was always a lot of water remaining in the cooling tank that we couldn't dispense no matter what we did and how long we waited -Dispense 8, 12, or 16 oz, or custom -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast -Magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -Spigot cover can help prevent leaks but interferes with pouring which becomes annoying -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 49 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing using the responsive button -System ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispensing stops automatically after 1 minute of continuous pouring to prevent flooding |
-Easy and without splashing -Intuitive touch screen but not always responsive -Dispense 6, 12, or 15 oz, or custom (using flushing button) -Magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -Responsive and easy-to-navigate touch screen -5 water temperature options: ambient, 100, 160, 175, or 200 °F -You are limited to dispensing 4, 8, 12, or 16 oz -Baby formula button (100 °F water) -Optional child safety lock on hot water -Drip tray that attaches via hooks |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 44 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Responsive touch screen with lots of buttons and icons which may feel overwhelming at first but is actually pretty simple -Systems ramps down the pour when pushing the button to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispense cold (≤59 °F), ambient, or hot water up to 212 °F -Choose from a range of customizable(!) water temperature options (baby formula: 109-127 °F, coffee: 167-185 °F, tea: 176-203 °F, hot: 194-212 °F) -Choose from a range of customizable(!) water volume options (small cup: 5, 7, or 9 oz, big cup: 10, 12, 14, or 16 oz) or 0.5 gal at once -No display reading for cold water temp -Child safety lock on hot water -Magnetic drip tray |
-Responsive touch screen with intuitive interface -Has option for both carafe and pouring straight into a glass (without splashing) -Slight delay when you press to stop dispensing which takes some getting used to -Dispense 4, 8, or 17 oz, or custom -Carafe has a comfortable handle, slides in and out easily, and provides a smooth stream without splashing even when pouring fast -Magnetic drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing using the responsive buttons -Dispense 12 or 20 oz, or custom -Drip tray |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 34 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing but spigot handle must be held open the entire time while pouring -Base lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Nice-Looking rubber mat functions as a drip tray and provides a space to put your glass without it clinking on the counter |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 37 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -System needs a stand or counter/fridge shelf edge to pour -Needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty out |
-Easy and without splashing using the responsive button -Dispensing continues to pour for 1 sec after you hit stop which takes some getting used to -Dispensing stops automatically after 3 minutes of continuous pouring to prevent flooding |
-Easy and without splashing -Plastic handle twists horizontally but has no hard stop and can continue spinning which is less intuitive -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 50 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 37 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -System needs a stand or counter/fridge shelf edge to pour -Needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty out |
-Easy and without splashing -System needs a stand or counter/fridge shelf edge to pour -Needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty out |
-Easy and without splashing, but faucet drips after dispensing -Diverter valve allows you to easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 37 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -System needs a stand or counter/fridge shelf edge to pour -Needs to be lifted/angled forward to completely empty out |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 34 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing as system ramps the pour up and down, but faucet drips after dispensing -Ramp down is rather lengthy which takes some getting used to -Diverter valve allows you to easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water -Unit feels extra stable on the counter thanks to rubber grips on bottom |
-Easy and without splashing -Base lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 42 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 50 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 42 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Faucet connector switch allows you to easily switch between filtered & unfiltered water |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 32 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand (slight wobble) lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 35 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -System must be placed at counter edge to pour -Optional stand lets you push it back and still fit a glass underneath (same seller/brand) -Dispensing the last 34 oz of water requires additional steps |
-Easy and without splashing -Tank stand lets you push system further on counter and still fit a glass underneath -Dispensing the last 39 oz of water requires additional steps |
| Everyday Use (Refilling & Size) | -Simplicity: empty and refill feed water tank after each filtration cycle -Tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -No max fill line but the instructions say to fill to "just below the handle" which is clear enough -Water shortage/change indicator -App reminds you to empty wastewater |
-Simplicity: empty and refill feed water tank after each filtration cycle -Tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -No max fill line but the instructions say to fill to "just below the handle" which is clear enough -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Simplicity: empty and refill feed water tank after each filtration cycle -Feed water tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -No max fill line but the instructions say to fill to "just below the handle" which is clear enough -Water shortage/change indicator -Small size saves space on counter -App reminds you to empty wastewater |
-Simplicity: empty and refill feed water tank after each filtration cycle -Feed water tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -No max fill line but the instructions say to fill to "just below the handle" which is clear enough -Water shortage/change indicator -Small size saves space on counter |
-Simplicity: 1 feed tank produces 1 carafe of water -Tank is easily accessible as it sits on the back corner of the unit instead of completely behind it making it easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -Tank status indicators |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove and place back on base but it's narrow which takes some getting used to -Risk of tipping over the narrow tank when filling if you are not careful -Tank status indicators -Small size saves space on counter |
-Feed water tank is easy to refill and fits firmly into place which suggests high quality but it also takes a bit more effort to lift out, and because the system is tall, deep, and very heavy it can make accessing the tank more difficult depending on where you place the system -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Smaller feed water tank is very easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -Water shortage/change indicator -Small size saves space on counter |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -Water shortage/change indicator -Small size saves space on counter |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Feed water tank is tall and located in the back of the unit making it a little more difficult to remove and put back on base depending on where you place the unit -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Feed water tank is very easy to remove, refill, and place back on base because its located on the side -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Feed water tank is very easy to remove and refill -Twice upon placing the tank back on the base, our replacement unit showed the same error code as the first unit but could be fixed by unplugging and plugging it back in -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove and place back on base (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) but leaks when it is lifted off the base even when empty -Semi-Clear feed tank lets you see how much water is left to filter |
-Feed water tank is tall and located in the back of the unit making it a little more difficult to remove and put back on base depending on where you place the unit -Max fill line on tank is a little hard to read -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove, refill, and place back on base -Tank is enclosed and hidden so you can't see water level -Water shortage/change indicator -Somewhat larger footprint |
-Easy to refill (instructions state to fill to 1″ from the top) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely |
-Feed water tank is large, heavy, latches onto hooks located in the back of the unit, and the max fill line goes right up to the divider inside the tank (some water may drop over and get lost in the waste compartment if you're not careful), making refilling more cumbersome -Some water leaks out of the bottom valves when tipping the tank over for emptying -Water shortage/change indicator -Somewhat larger footprint |
-Lid of feed water tank is also the carrying handle making it very awkward to remove, refill (lid gets in the way of water pouring in), and place back on base -Water shortage/change indicator |
-Feed water tank is easy to remove and place back on base but it's narrow which takes some getting used to -Risk of tipping over the narrow tank when filling if you are not careful -Tank status indicator |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Lid fits perfectly -Water shortage indicator -Fits the standard kitchen cabinet height (18″) -Somewhat larger footprint |
-Easy to refill (instructions state to add as much water as possible) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Window in lower tank for water level monitoring (you need a flashlight or look closely to see the level clearly) -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill thanks to flip top lid -Small size saves space on counter -Fits on fridge shelves |
-Easy to refill thanks to flip cover on lid -Semi-Clear feed tank lets you see how much water is left to filter -Fits on fridge shelves |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill (instructions state to add as much water as possible) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Window in lower tank for water level monitoring (you need a flashlight or look closely to see the level clearly) -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill thanks to sliding cover -Semi-Clear upper reservoir lets you see how much water is left to filter -Somewhat larger footprint -Fits on fridge shelves |
-Easy to refill thanks to sliding cover (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Narrow width fits slim spaces -Fits on fridge shelves |
-Very small size saves space on counter, though the tubing can get in the way | -Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) by removing the whole lid -Clear upper reservoir lets you easily see how much water is left to filter -Narrow width fits slim spaces -Fits on fridge shelves |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Very small size saves space on counter, though the tubing can get in the way | -Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits perfectly -Much larger footprint -Clear reservoirs for easy water level monitoring |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line but instructions say to fill completely) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits perfectly -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Water level spigot for easy monitoring |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely -Optional water level spigot for easy monitoring (same seller/brand) |
-Easy to refill (no max fill line and instructions do not specify a fill amount) -Plastic edge at filter base prevents contact with the media at that level, leaving ~0.5″ of water in the upper tank -Lid fits loosely |
|
| Everyday Use (Other) | -Portable clean water tank has handle and fits on fridge shelf for easy dispensing -App is easy to navigate and tracks feed & filtered water quality (TDS), gallons filtered, water consumption (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly), and filter status -App doesn't show actual TDS readings but says "low", "medium", "high", or "very high" for feed and clean water |
-Portable clean water tank has handle and fits on fridge shelf for easy dispensing | -Carafe fits in the fridge -2025 unit was very noisy when filtering (valve issue?) -App is easy to navigate and tracks feed & filtered water quality (TDS), gallons filtered, water consumption (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly), and filter status -App doesn't show actual TDS readings but says "low", "medium", "high", or "very high" for feed and clean water |
-Carafe fits in the fridge -2025 unit was very noisy when filtering (valve issue?) |
-TDS monitoring (feed + filtered water) -Carafe fits in the fridge and has markers to help you meet your hydration goals |
-Carafe fits in the fridge -Little temperature light illuminates your glass when dispensing |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Interior pure water tank can be removed with the push of a button; has handle + spout (decent pour stream) + removable lid and fits in the fridge -Option to refill interior pure water tank -Very noisy when filtering |
-TDS monitoring (filtered water) -Temperature light illuminates your glass when dispensing -Cooling function kicks in every once in a while making noticeable noise (can be avoided by turning cooling off or entering night mode) |
-TDS monitoring (filtered water) -Carafe fits in the fridge |
-TDS monitoring (filtered water) -Carafe fits in the fridge and has markers to help you meet your hydration goals |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Basic TDS-based filtered water indicator -Makes enough noise when filtering to be disruptive to conversation in the same room |
-Makes a grating noise when dispensing (not too loud but not the most pleasant) | -TDS monitoring (filtered water) -Carafe is tall but should fit in most fridges -Light illuminates your glass when dispensing -Very noisy when dispensing |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Tall feed tank doesn't sit very securely in base and seems prone to being knocked out of place if bumped -Slightly annoying noise when dispensing |
-TDS monitoring (feed + filtered water) -Makes a rattling noise while filtering but not overly bothersome |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding | -App allows remote control (turning system on/off, choosing water temp and dispensing amount, locking/unlocking hot water, activating/deactivating hydrogen function, manual flushing) -App monitors TDS (filtered water) and filter status -Hydrogen monitoring on display -TDS monitoring (filtered water) on display if hydrogen is turned off |
-TDS monitoring (filtered water) -Indicator that clean water in carafe has become stagnant (>24 hours) -Carafe fits in the fridge |
-Customizable reservoir placement (side or back) to "optimize space on your counter" works fine but seems unnecessary -Tall and narrow feed tank doesn't sit very securely in base and seems prone to being knocked out of place if bumped, especially if not positioned to back of unit -Slightly annoying noise when dispensing |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Rounded plastic ring on the underside should prevent scratching even on sensitive surfaces but doesn't prevent sliding -Battery-Powered for higher portability |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped tank stand feet prevent scratching/sliding |
-Highly portable thanks to an easily rechargeable battery lasting up to 30 days (~15 days in fridge) -Battery life indicator -Charging cable, cleaning brush, and optional rubber grips included |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped tank stand feet prevent scratching/sliding |
-Built-In TDS meter accurately reads the clean water in the reservoir and is also removable | -Hard to find convenient place for the system as the tubes can get in the way of normal sink use -Faucet drips when moving the unit around |
-Protective mat/non-slip pad for tank stand or counter -Rubber-Gripped tank stand feet prevent scratching/sliding |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding, but is oversized and detaches when lifted -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Hard to find convenient place for the system as the tubes can get in the way of normal sink use -Faucet drips when moving the unit around |
-No rubber on the plastic underside to prevent sliding; we can also see scratching on sensitive surfaces | -Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped tank stand feet prevent scratching/sliding |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding -Removing or replacing the top tank can cause the stainless steel fluoride filter covers to fall off |
-Hard to find convenient place for the system as the tubes can get in the way of normal sink use | -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding | -Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding -Rubber-Gripped tank stand feet prevent scratching/sliding |
-Rubber ring prevents scratching/sliding, but is oversized and detaches when lifted -Rubber-Gripped feet of optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding |
-Protective mat/non-slip pad for tank stand or counter | ||||
| Filter Replacements | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the side panel, color-coded, and quickly twist in/out) -App reminds you to replace filters (you can also set alerts) -You can order replacement filters (and other AquaTru products) in the app |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible through the side panel, color-coded, and quickly twist in/out) | -Easy (filters are color-coded but you need the included tool to unlock them which is not as easy as twisting in/out) -App reminds you to replace filters (you can also set alerts) -You can order replacement filters (and other AquaTru products) in the app |
-Easy (filters are color-coded but you need the included tool to unlock them which is not as easy as twisting in/out) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the side panel and quickly twist in/out) | -Easy (only 1 cartridge to replace that's easily removable thanks to handle; new filter simply clicks in) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (only 1 cartridge to replace that's easily accessible through the top lid and twists in/out) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the removable housing lid and twist in/out) -Display can show QR code to order new filters on Waterdrop website |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible although the tabs holding the pre-filter and RO membrane in place can be a bit difficult to open) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid and quickly twists in/out) -Filter wrench included |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid and quickly twists in/out) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the side panel and quickly twist in/out) -Instructions say to drain the filters before changing which takes about 5 minutes |
-Easy (only 1 cartridge to replace that's easily accessible through the top lid and twists in/out) -Filter removal tool included |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid and twists in/out) -Filter wrench included |
-Easy (filters are accessible behind the feed tank and quickly twist in/out) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the removable housing lid and twist in/out) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible through the top lid and quickly twist in/out) -Filter wrench included |
-Easy and convenient (filters are easily accessible at the front; 1 twist in/out + 1 push in/out) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the side panel, comes out with a button push, and clicks in) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter sits in a metal housing that's easy to remove from the system using the handle) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid) | -Filter requires a bit more effort to remove from pumping unit which might be challenging for people with limited mobility | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) -Front sticker includes space to record filter installation date for replacement tracking |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible but you need the included wrench to open the housing) -Transparent housing allows for filter inspection (CKC1C only) |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) -Each filter comes with a sponge for scrubbing during the priming process |
-Easy (filter is easily accessible through the top lid) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filter is easily accessible but you need the included wrench to open the housing) | -Easy (filter elements are easily accessible) but requires a bit more effort | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) -Front sticker includes space to record filter installation date for replacement tracking |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Fairly easy but the parts move around a bit due to the design -Filter wrench included |
-Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) | -Easy (filters are easily accessible) |
| Filter Change Indicator? | Y (App + System) | Y | Y (App + System) | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y (App + System) | Y | Y | N | Y (90-Day Timer) | N | Y (Tracks Refills) | Y | N | N | Y | N (TDS Meter) | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Feed Water TankFor gravity-type systems, measurements were taken 1″ below the top. | ~1.09 gal, Removable | ~1.09 gal, Removable | ~0.72 gal, Removable | ~0.72 gal, Removable | 0.95 gal, Removable | 1.31 gal, Removable | 1.73 gal | 0.88 gal, Removable | 1.13 gal, Removable | 0.88 gal, Removable | 0.97 gal, Removable | 1.66 gal | 1.28 gal, Removable | 1.39 gal, Removable | 1.38 gal, Removable | 1.74 gal | 8 Cups | 1.5 gal, Removable | 1.11 gal, Removable | 1.92 gal | 1.58 gal, Removable | 1.22 gal, Removable | 12.25 Cups | 1.66 gal | 1 gal | 1.65 gal | 9.5 Cups | 29.5 Cups | 1.63 gal | 1.65 gal | 12.25 Cups | 7.5 Cups | 1.65 gal | 14 Cups | 1.69 gal | 1.15 gal | 1.62 gal | 2.45 gal | 1.76 gal | 1.9 gal | 1.69 gal | 1.82 gal | |||
| Clean Water Tank | ~0.75 gal, Removable with Dispensing Button | ~0.75 gal, Removable with Dispensing Button | ~0.5 gal, Borosilicate Glass Carafe, Removable | ~0.5 gal, Borosilicate Glass Carafe, Removable | ~0.5 gal, Borosilicate Glass Carafe, Removable | 0.33 gal, Removable Carafe Internal (Cold Water) |
2.08 gal | ~0.27 gal, Internal, Removable | 0.2 gal, Internal (Ambient Water) 0.27 gal Internal (Cold Water) |
0.38 gal, Glass Carafe, Removable | ~0.36 gal, Borosilicate Glass Carafe, Removable | 2.08 gal | 0.5 gal (Pure Water), Removable Carafe 0.21 gal, Internal (Cold Water) |
2 gal | 0.45 gal, Internal | 0.4 gal, Internal | 2.18 gal | Internal (Cold Water) | ~0.41 gal, Removable Carafe | 1.98 gal | 1.3 gal | 1.89 gal | 34.5 Cups | 2 gal | 2.15 gal | 35.25 Cups | 24 Cups (Only Ever Filled to 16.25 Cups Max) | 2 gal | 18 Cups | 2 gal | 2.55 gal | 2 gal | 2.78 gal | 1.8 gal | 2.15 gal | 1.78 gal | 2.15 gal | ||||||||
| Dimensions (WxHxD)For gravity-type systems, measurements include top handle and spigot (stand excluded). | 12″x14″x14″ | 12″x14″x14″ | 6.4″x12.7″x16″ | 6.4″x12.7″x16″ | 10.9″x15.4″x14.3″ | 8.3″x13.6″x14.5″ | 8.5″x19.45″x10.3″ | 8.3″x13.6″x11″ | 7.8″x17.1″x18.3″ | 6.75″x11.3″x15.5″ | 9.5″x13.8″x9.5″ | 8.5″x19.45″x10.3″ | 7.9″x15.6″x14.3″ | 9.25″x14.25″x14.2″ | 8.3″x15.7″x17″ | 8.75″x20.2″x10.9″ | 9.7″x11.6″x7.85″ | 7.5″x16.2″x16.5″ | 10.75″x14″x15.5″ | 8.75″x20.6″x10.75″ | 9.5″x17.2″x18.4″ | 9″x14.8″x16.5″ | Feed Tank on Side: 7.8″x14.4″x11″ Feed Tank in Back: 7.2″x14.4″x13.75″Drip tray attached. |
8.5″x19.45″x10.3″ | 10.15″x17″x13.25″ | 8.75″x19.6″x10.75″ | 5.25″x10.25″x13.5″ | 7.1″x10.25″x12″ | 8.5″x18.55″x9.6″ | 8.75″x19.6″x10.75″ | 9″x8.6″x12.75″ | 6″x10.35″x14.4″ | 8.4″x12.6″x4.6″ | 8.75″x19.25″x11.5″ | 5.5″x10.2″x15.4″ | 8.5″x19.5″x10.75″ | 7.6″x13.15″x3.5″ | 12.15″x18.25″x13.25″ | 8.5″x18.55″x9.6″ | 9″x23.25″x10.75″ | 16″x7″x7″ | 8.7″x20″x12.45″ | 8.5″x20.5″x10.3″ | 8.5″x19.5″x10.75″ | 8.8″x20″x10.2″ |
| Weight Incl. Wet Filter Cartridge(s)Gravity-type systems: without stand. | 17.8 lbs | 17.8 lbs | 11.2 lbs | 11.2 lbs | 22 lbs | 20.2 lbs | 6.4 lbs | 13.4 lbs | 34.6 lbs | 13.8 lbs | 15.8 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 18.2 lbs | 19.8 lbs | 19.6 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 14.6 lbs | 17.8 lbs | 7.6 lbs | 32 lbs | 17 lbs | 7.9 lbs | 9.8 lbs | 13.4 lbs | 9.4 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 4.8 lbs | 7.6 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 4.5 lbs | 4.8 lbs | 8.4 lbs | 3.3 lbs | 6.4 lbs | 5.1 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 11 lbs | 7.8 lbs | 10.6 lbs | 6.8 lbs | 8.4 lbs | 7.6 lbs |
| Filter Media/Process | Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (Sediment Pre-Filter + Coconut-Shell GAC) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Activated Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Post-Filter |
Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (Sediment Pre-Filter + Coconut-Shell GAC) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Activated Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Post-Filter |
Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (Sediment Pre-Filter + Coconut-Shell GAC) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Activated Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Post-Filter |
Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (Sediment Pre-Filter + Coconut-Shell GAC) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Activated Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Post-Filter |
Stage 1: 5-Micron PP Sediment Pre-Filter Stage 2: 0.5-Micron Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Pre-Filter Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: 0.1-Micron Coconut-Shell Carbon Block Post-Filter Optional: Remineralization Post-Filter |
Stages 1-4: Composite Filter (PP Cotton + Activated Carbon Block + RO Membrane + Taste Enhancing Layer) Stage 5: UV Post-Filter |
Sediment Filter Layer + Carbon Nanomesh + Coconut Shell Carbon Block Core | Stages 1-6: Composite Filter (PP Cotton + Scale Inhibitor Layer + Activated Carbon Fiber Layer + PP Cotton + RO Membrane + Activated Carbon Layer) | Stages 1-3: Composite Pre-Filter (Non-Woven Fabric + Activated Carbon Layer + Scale Inhibitor Layer) Stages 4-6: Composite Filter (RO Membrane + PP Cotton + Activated Carbon Block Layer) Stage 7: UV |
Stages 1+2: Sediment/Carbon Composite Pre-Filter Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Carbon Post-Filter Stage 5: UV Post-Filter |
Stages 1-5: Composite Filter (5-Micron PP Sediment Pre-Filter + 0.5-Micron Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon Block + 1-Micron PP Sediment Pre-Filter + RO Membrane + 0.1-Micron Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon Block) Optional: Remineralization Post-Filter |
Carbon Filters: Official Phoenix Website Says Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon Impregnated with "Carbon Adsorbents" | Stages 1-3: Composite Filter (PP Sediment Pre-Filter + RO Membrane + Activated Carbon Post-Filter) Stage 4: UV Post-Filter |
Stage 1: Stainless Steel Mesh Stages 2+3: Composite Pre-Filter (PP + Activated Carbon) Stage 4: RO Membrane Stage 5: Remineralization Post-Filter Stage 6: UV Post-Filter |
Stages 1-4: Composite Filter (Sediment/Carbon Pre-Filtration + RO Membrane + Carbon Post-Filtration Stage 5: UV Post-Filter (Cold Water Only?) |
Sediment Filter Layer + Carbon Nanomesh + Coconut Shell Carbon Block Core | Activated Carbon + Catalytic Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin; Block Form (Submicron Filtration) | Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (PP Sediment Pre-Filter + Activated Carbon Block) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: UV Post-Filter |
Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (PP Sediment Pre-Filter + Activated Carbon Block) Stages 3+4: Composite Filter (RO Membrane + Granular Activated Carbon) |
Silver-Infused Outer Carbon Block, Ionic Absorption Core (?) | Stages 1+2: Composite Pre-Filter (Sediment Pre-Filter + Activated Carbon Block) Stage 3: RO Membrane Stage 4: Remineralization Post-Filter Stage 5: Hydrogen Post-Filter Stage 6: UV Post-Filter (Cold Water Only) |
Stages 1+2: Composite Filter (Activated Carbon + RO Membrane) Stages 3+4: Activated Carbon + Alkalinization |
Activated Carbon Block | Carbon Filters: Official Phoenix Website Says Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon Impregnated with "Carbon Adsorbents" POSTreat Steel Fluoride Reduction Filters: FluoRid Media (AA?) |
Dual-Layer Pleated Electrokinetic Nanofiber | Black Carbon Filters: Silver-Infused Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Block with 0.01-Micron Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membrane Core Fluoride Filters: PP Cotton, Fluoride Reduction Media Layer, PP Cotton, Activated Carbon Layer, PP Cotton |
Activated Carbon in Fibrous Matrix, Lined with Silver | Particle Filtration + Activated Carbon Block; 5-Micron | Ceramic Shell with Core Comprised of Activated Alumina and Lead Removal Media with Activated Carbon, 0.9-Micron Absolute | Silver-Infused Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Block with 0.01-Micron Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membrane Core | No Details Provided Except "7-Stage" and Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon Fiber | Particle Filtration + Activated Carbon + KDF + Ion Exchange Resin | Particle Filtration + 5-Micron Coconut-Shell Activated Carbon Block | Ceramic Shell with Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon + Carbon Block Core | Granular Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin + Particle Filtration | Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Block; Microfiltration | Non-Woven Fabric + Carbon Block + KDF + Minerals + PP Membrane | Pre-Filter: 0.3-Micron Ceramic Fluoride Removal Filter: Activated Alumina, KDF, GAC, Minerals Stones & Balls, Zeolite Post-Treatment: Mineral Stones (Incl. Maifan Stones and Bio-Ceramic Balls) |
Ceramic Shell with Granular Activated Carbon Core and Lead Removal Media, 0.9-Micron Absolute | Foundation Filters: "Specialized Blend" of Activated Carbon (Block), Contains Silver Fluoride Filters: GAC + Nano-Carbon Outer Layer |
Stages 1+3+5+10: 1-Micron Sediment Filter Pads Stage 2: Granular Activated Carbon Stage 4: RO Membrane Stages 6+7: 2 Types of KDF Stage 8: Ion Exchange Resin Stage 9: Granular Activated Carbon |
Black Filters: Activated Carbon Block Fluoride Filters: Mesh Screen, Fluoride Reduction Resin (AA?), Cotton, GAC, Non-Woven Fabric |
Ceramic Shell, Activated Carbon Combined with Zeolite Minerals Inside, 0.5-Micron Absolute | Black Berkey Filters: Proprietary Blend Incl. Activated Carbon and Ion Exchange Resin; Microfiltration PF-2 Fluoride Filters: Activated Alumina |
Silver-Infused Outer Ceramic Shell with Coconut Shell Carbon-Based Granular Media Core |
| Summary of NSF/ANSI Certs + Other Testing for Filtration Effectiveness | -Fully NSF/ANSI-certified! | -Fully NSF/ANSI-certified! | -Fully NSF/ANSI-certified! | -Fully NSF/ANSI-certified! | -Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications (for TDS and chromium 3) that Bluevua claims are pending -Extensive third-party testing but with at least some not over full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -Well-Covered by NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing to 100-400% filter lifeAll certification/testing is for the Patriot Pure system with Nanomesh filters. The Phoenix system is nearly identical, so the certification results should translate. |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications but well covered by third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications but well covered by third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Third-Party testing lacks most organics and at least some wasn't performed to full filter life |
-Only 4 NSF/ANSI certifications (for TDS, chromium 3, cadmium, lead) -Limited third-party testing with at least some not over full filter life |
-Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications (chlorine + taste/odor) -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Third-Party testing lacks most organics and at least some wasn't performed to full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -Well-Covered by NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing to 100-400% filter life |
-High count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Third-Party testing lacks most organics and at least some wasn't performed to full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications -Third-Party testing only covers TDS, chromium 3 + 6, lead, fluoride, PFOA/PFOS |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -High count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications (chlorine + taste/odor) -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life |
-Rorra claims they are in the process of obtaining formal certifications -Third-Party testing to 100%/120% filter life, but mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications -Minimal third-party testing, not over the full filter lifespan, and the black carbon filter cartridge shown in testing reports differs from the current cartridge |
-Higher count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -Higher count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -Only 4 NSF/ANSI certifications (for particulates, cyst, turbidity, and microplastics) -Some third-party testing with 6 heavy metals to 200% filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications -Minimal third-party testing, not over the full filter lifespan, and the cartridge shown in testing reports differs from the current cartridge |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -Handful of NSF/ANSI certifications covering important contaminants with additional third-party testing of the same contaminants to 100% filter life (we miss most organics) | -No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -Higher count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -Higher count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants but limited in regards to contaminant types mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics | -Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications (chlorine + taste/odor); certified to 1,050 gal only vs. 2,750 gal claimed life -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life |
-Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction (chlorine + taste/odor) and no additional third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing |
-Only 4 NSF/ANSI certifications (for particulates, cyst, turbidity, and microplastics) -Some third-party testing with at least some to 200% filter life, but mostly covering "easier-to-remove" organics |
-Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications (for particulates + microplastics) -Extensive third-party testing (gallon volumes vary by contaminant) |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing | -No NSF/ANSI certifications -Website mentions extensive third-party testing but provides only very little supporting information |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life |
-No NSF/ANSI certifications -Extensive third-party testing but at least some not over full filter life; filter size (5″ vs. 7″) not specified |
| NSF/ANSI Certs for Filtration Effectiveness (# of Impurities Certified) | 42, 53, 58, 401 (85) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 58, 401 (85) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 58, 401 (82) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 58, 401 (82) - Performance Data Sheet | 58 (2) (Bluevua Claims These Are Pending) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | 42, 53, 401 (75) - Performance Data SheetAll certification is for the Patriot Pure system with Nanomesh filters. The Phoenix system is nearly identical, so the certification results should translate. | 58 (4) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2, Performance Data Sheet 3 | 42 (2) | 42, 53, 401 (75) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401 (76) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401, 53 (73) - Performance Data Sheet | 42 (2) | Pending (?) | 42, 53, 401, 53 (32) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401 (33) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401 (4) - Performance Data Sheet 1 | 42, 53 (7) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401 (13) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401, 42, 53, 401 (26) - Performance Data Sheet | 42 (2) | 42 (2) | 42, 53, 401 (4) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | 42, 401 (2) - Performance Data Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| NSF/ANSI + Other 3rd-Party Testing for Filtration Effectiveness (# of Impurities Tested) Note: Not Always Performed throughout Entire Filter Life |
Other (~90) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53, 401, Other (195+) - Performance Data Sheet Note: Count May Include Overlap between Certified and Tested ContaminantsAll testing is for the Patriot Pure system with Nanomesh filters. The Phoenix system is nearly identical, so the testing results should translate. |
42, 53, 58, Other (20) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 58, Other (22) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | 58, Other (19) - Performance Data Sheet | Other (9) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | 42, 53, Other (80+) - Performance Data Sheet | 58, Other (17) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401, Other (195+) - Performance Data Sheet Note: Count May Include Overlap between Certified and Tested Contaminants |
58, Other (17) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, P231, Other (200+) - Performance Data Sheet | 58 (7) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53, Other (80+) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401 (65+) - Performance Data Sheets | Other (5) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53, Other (10) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | Other (4) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53 (5) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401, Other (200+) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53, 401, Other (91) - Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53, 401, Other (29+) - Performance Data Sheet 1, Performance Data Sheet 2 | 42, 53, 401, Other (85+) - Performance Data Sheets, Fluoride Performance Data Sheet | 42, 53 (14+) - Performance Data | 42, 53, Other (190+) - Performance Data Sheets | 42, 53, 401, P231, Other (240+) - Performance Data Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rated/Claimed Filter Life | Composite Pre-Filter: 600 gal or 6 Months RO Membrane: 1,200 gal or 2 Years Carbon Post-Filter: 600 gal or 12 Months |
Composite Pre-Filter: 600 gal or 6 Months RO Membrane: 1,200 gal or 2 Years Carbon Post-Filter: 600 gal or 12 Months |
Composite Pre-Filter: 300 gal or 6 Months RO Membrane: 600 gal or 2 Years Carbon Post-Filter: 300 gal or 12 Months |
Composite Pre-Filter: 300 gal or 6 Months RO Membrane: 600 gal or 2 Years Carbon Post-Filter: 300 gal or 12 Months |
Stage 1: 538 gal or 12 Months Stage 2: 538 gal or 12 Months Stage 3: 1,076 gal or 1-2 Years Stage 4: 538 gal or 12 Months Optional Remineralization Post-Filter: 260 gal or 6 Months |
528 gal or 12 Months | 200 gal per Filter Element | 1,100 gal or 12 Months | Composite Pre-Filter: 500 gal or 6 Months Composite Filter: 1,100 gal or 12 Months |
Composite Pre-Filter: 600 gal or 12 Months RO Membrane: 1,200 gal or 2 Years Carbon Post-Filter: 600 gal or 12 Months |
Main Filter Cartridge: 1,056 gal or 12 Months Optional Remineralization Post-Filter: 260 gal or 6 Months |
Carbon Filters: 2,750 gal per Element or 12 Months | 1,056 gal or 12 Months | Composite Pre-Filter: 6 Months RO Membrane: 9 Months Remineralization Post-Filter: 6 Months |
6-12 Months | 200 gal per Filter Element | 300 gal or 6 Months | 528 gal or 6 Months | Composite Pre-Filter: 9-12 Months Composite Filter: 1.5-2 Years |
200 gal per Filter Element | Composite Pre-Filter: 792 gal or 6-12 Months RO Membrane: 1-2 Years Remineralization Post-Filter: 792 gal or 6-12 Months Hydrogen Post-Filter: 6-12 Months |
Composite Filter: 900-1,000 gal or 12 Months Composite Post-Filter: 3 Months |
120 gal or 6 Months | Carbon Filters: 2,750 gal per Element or 12 Months Fluoride Filters: 530 gal per Element or 4-6 Months |
200 gal per Filter Element or 90 Days | Black Carbon Filters: 3,000 gal per Element or 12 Months Fluoride Filters: Inconsistent Claims across PureWell Website (500 vs. 1,000 gal per Element or 3 vs. 6 Months) |
120 gal or 6 Months | 200 gal or 3 Months | 400 gal per Filter Element or 6 Months | Black Carbon Filters: 3,000 gal per Element or 12 Months | 200 gal or 3 Months | 15 gal | 8,000 gal or 3-12 Months | 50 gal per Filter Element or 6 Months | 40 gal or 2 Months | 2,750 gal per Filter Element | Inconsistent Claims across Waterdrop Website (8,000 vs. 1,100 gal or 12 Months) | Pre-Filter: 1 Year Fluoride Removal Filter: 317 gal or 4 Months Mineral Stones: 2 Years |
400 gal per Filter Element or 6 Months | Foundation Filters: 12 Months per Filter Pair Fluoride Filters: 1,000 gal per Filter Pair |
Not Specified | Black Filters: 3,000 gal per Filter Element Fluoride Filters: 500 gal per Filter Element or 8 Months |
1 Year | Black Berkey Filters: 3,000 gal per Filter Element PF-2 Fluoride Filters: 500 gal per Filter Element |
900 gal per Filter Element or 6 Months |
| Yearly Cost (Jul 13, 2026)Estimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. | ~$75 | ~$75 | ~$116 | ~$116 | ~$120-150 Optional Remineralization Post-Filter: ~$40 |
~$70 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$165 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$60 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$140 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$97.50 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | ~$80 Optional Remineralization Post-Filter: ~$34 |
~$129 (Using 2 Carbon Filters in Parallel, Save $10 with Filter Subscription) | ~$86 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | ~$179 | ~$86-172 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | ~$165 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$73 (Save 15% with Filter Subscription) | ~$100 | ~$75-100 | ~$240 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$169-338 | ~$103 | ~$110 | ~$269 (Using 2 Carbon + 2 Fluoride Filters in Parallel) 2 Carbon Filters: ~$129 (Save $10 with Filter Subscription) 2 Fluoride Filters: ~$140 (If You Refill the FluoRid Media, Save $20 with Filter Subscription) |
~$300 (Save $40 with Filter Subscription) | ~$190 (Using 2 Black Carbon + 2 Fluoride Filters in Parallel) 2 Black Carbon Filters: ~$70 (Save 20-25% with Filter Subscription) 2 Fluoride Filters: ~$120 (Based on Biannual Replacement, Save 20-25% with Filter Subscription) |
~$73 | ~$112 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | ~$280 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$70 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel, Save 20-25% with Filter Subscription) | ~$56 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) | ~$400 | ~$22-88 | ~$546 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel, Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$77 | ~$12 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$40 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$195 | ~$336 (Using 4 Filters in Parallel) | ~$210 (Using 2 Foundation + 2 Fluoride Filters in Parallel) 2 Foundation Filters: ~$150 (Save $31 with Filter Subscription) 2 Fluoride Filters: ~$60 (If You Replace Just the Cartridge, Save 17.5% with Filter Subscription) |
~$185 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) | ~$92.5 (Using 2 Black + 2 Fluoride Filters in Parallel) 2 Black Filters: ~$6.5 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) 2 Fluoride Filters: ~$86 (Save 5% with Filter Subscription) |
~$140 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel) | ~$72 (Using 2 Black Berkey + 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters in Parallel) 2 Black Berkey Filters: ~$14 (Back When Filters Were Still Available) 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters: ~$58 |
~$272 (Using 2 Filters in Parallel, When They Were Still in Stock) |
| Product Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | Phoenix System: Stainless Steel Chambers (10 Years); Spigot (1 Year); All Other Parts (6 Months) + 100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters: 1 Year + 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
1 Year | 1 Year | 3 Years | 1 Year | Stainless Steel Chambers: 10 Years Spigot, Carbon Filters: 1 Year All Other Parts: 6 Months 100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
1 Year, 2 Years upon Product Registration | 1 Year, 2 Years upon Product Registration | 1 Year | 1 Year + 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee | 1 Year + 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee | 1 Year, 2 Years upon Product Registration | 1 Year Extendable upon Product Registration, Lifetime Warranty with Filter Subscription + 120-Day Satisfaction Guarantee | 1 Year | 1 Year + 1-Year Satisfaction Guarantee (25% Restocking Fee May Apply) | 1-1.5 Years | 2 Years | Stainless Steel Chambers: 10 Years Spigot, Carbon Filters, Fluoride Filter Housings: 1 Year All Other Parts: 6 Months 100-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
System: 1 Year Filters: 90 Days |
1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | Inconsistent Details (12 vs. 3 Months + 30 Days for Filter Cartridges) | Dispenser: 90 Days Filters: 30 Days |
1 Year + 3-Month Satisfaction Guarantee (30% Restocking Fee) + 6-Month Satisfaction Guarantee (50% Restocking Fee) | 5 Years (Filters Excluded) | Dispenser: 90 Days Filters: 30 Days |
Upper and Lower Chambers Including Lid: 1 Year Filters: 1 Year |
1 Year | System: 90 Days, 10 Years upon Product Registration Filters: 30 Days |
1 Year | System: Lifetime + 101-Day Satisfaction Guarantee ($16 Return Fee) Foundation Filters: 1 Year + 101-Day Satisfaction Guarantee ($16 Return Fee) Fluoride Filter Cartridges: 6 Months + 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee ($16 Return Fee) Fluoride Filter Shells: Lifetime + 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee ($16 Return Fee) |
1 Year | 1 Year | Stainless Steel Parts: 1 Year Filters: 6 Months |
Upper and Lower Chambers Including Lid: 1 Year Black Berkey Filters: 2 Years PF-2 Fluoride Filters: 6 Months |
Stainless Steel Parts: 5 Years Filters: 1 Year |
| Claimed to Be Made in | USA (Filters Only) | USA (Filters Only) | USA (Filters Only) | USA (Filters Only) | UK | UK | USA (Filters Only) | USA (Filters Only) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (More) Features/Pros | -Feels sturdy and well built (except we can see the hinges on the feed tank lid not lasting over time) -Tritan plastic is free from BPA, BPS, phthalate, and estrogen & androgen activity |
-Feels sturdy and well built (except we can see the hinges on the feed tank lid not lasting over time) -Tritan plastic is free from BPA, BPS, phthalate, and estrogen & androgen activity |
-Modern, pleasant look -Feels sturdy and well built including the glass carafe (except we can see the hinges on the feed tank not lasting over time) -Tritan plastic is free from BPA, BPS, phthalate, and estrogen & androgen activity |
-Modern, pleasant look -Feels sturdy and well built including the glass carafe (except we can see the hinges on the feed tank not lasting over time) -Tritan plastic is free from BPA, BPS, phthalate, and estrogen & androgen activity |
-Modern/Classic design -Feels sturdy and well built including the glass carafe -Automatic flushing before each filtration cycle counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life -One-Touch flushing |
-Sleek, modern design except for the large display font and icons -Base feels sturdy and well built -Optional boiling point correction (high altitude mode) -Cooling is optional -Automatic flushing (triggered after each water production cycle, 25 minutes of total water production, and 24 hours on non-use) counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks and spigot) -Comes with a stainless steel water bottle -Very nice packaging (extensive bubble wrap and tanks wrapped in mesh-like cloth instead of standard plastic) |
-Simple, modern design -Feels sturdy and well built -Optional boiling point correction (high altitude mode) |
-Feels sturdy and well built -Optional boiling point correction (high altitude mode) -Cooling is optional -Option to flush -Night mode to save energy (no cooling) and reduced noise -Vacation mode to empty all water |
-Simple, modern design with 2 colors to choose from -Feels sturdy and well built including the glass carafe |
-Simple, modern design -Feels sturdy and well built including the glass carafe -2 colors to choose from -Option to flush -Automatic flushing (triggered when tank is placed on base + after each filtration cycle + after 24 hours of non-use) counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life -Borosilicate glass infuser basket |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks and spigot) -Cleanable filters -Comes with a stainless steel water bottle -Very nice packaging (extensive bubble wrap and tanks wrapped in mesh-like cloth instead of standard plastic) |
-Very modern design -Feels sturdy and well built -Optional boiling point correction (high altitude mode) |
-Feels sturdy and well built -Option to flush -Automatic flushing after each dispense counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life |
-Looks great -Feels sturdy and well built -Cooling is optional -Semi-Automatic flushing counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life |
-Stainless steel tanks feel sturdy and well built overall, though there appears to be minor rust forming around one of the plugged holes | -Modern, pleasant look -Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built overall -BPA-free |
-Sleek design -Feels sturdy and well built except feed tank cover which is hinged and doesn't always line up -Automatic flushing after each filtration cycle extends RO membrane life -One-Touch flushing |
-Looks great (classic and modern at the same time) -Feels sturdy and well built |
-Nice, simple look (matte finish blends in with surroundings and is less prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks, stainless steel spigot) -Cleanable filters -Each filter includes a rubber cap to prevent drying during long periods of non-use |
-Nice, modern design -Feels very sturdy and well built -Hydrogen is optional (if activated, window in the front tank lights up blue so you can see the bubbles) -Cooling is optional -Manual flushing counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life |
-Feels sturdy and well built -One-Touch flushing -Automatic flushing (triggered before + after water production, when carafe is full after changing water, and every 2 minutes during water production) counters TDS creep and extends RO membrane life -Comes with a cover claimed to prevent green algae growth |
-Plastic construction feels solid overall (slightly less sturdy compared to similar systems and we can see the part that attaches the drip tray breaking over time if removed often) -BPA-free |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks and spigot) -Cleanable filters -Fluoride filters are refillable and use stainless steel housings -Comes with a stainless steel water bottle -Very nice packaging (extensive bubble wrap and tanks wrapped in mesh-like cloth instead of standard plastic) |
-Sleek, modern look (matte finish blends in with surroundings and is less prone to smudges; matching solid base adds a high-end feel; unique tap-style spigot handle stands out) -Feels very sturdy and well built (heavy; 316L stainless steel - superior to 304) -Very nice packaging |
-Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks, all-metal spigot) -Cleanable filters |
-Plastic construction feels solid overall (tank walls are slightly thinner and we can see the hinge on the filling lid not lasting over time) -BPA-free |
-Simple, modern look -2 colors to choose from -Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built (except we can see the hinge on the filling lid not lasting over time) -BPA-free |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Stainless steel tanks feel sturdy and well built -Cleanable filters |
-Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks, all-metal spigot) -Cleanable filters |
-Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built (except we can see the tank sliding cover not lasting over time) -BPA-free |
-Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built -BPA-free -Recycling program |
-Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built (except the faucet does not fit snugly in the base) -10-Inch standard-sized filter cartridge allows you to go off-brand with replacements -BPA-free |
-Polished or brushed finish -Feels sturdy and well built (stainless steel tanks, stainless steel spigot) -Cleanable filters |
-Plastic construction feels sturdy and well built -BPA-free |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -304 stainless steel tanks feel sturdy and well built -Cleanable filters |
-Simple, modern matte finish -304 stainless steel construction feels sturdy and well built -BPA-free |
-Cleanable ceramic pre-filter | -Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (stainless steel tanks, all-metal spigot) -Cleanable filters |
-Nice, simple look (no plastic knob on lid for a cleaner appearance; elegant spigot handle design) -Comes in 4 colors -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks and spigot) -Cleanable filters -Came with a free glass pitcher (this was a limited time offer) -Very nice, thoughtful, eco-friendly packaging |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -304 stainless steel tanks feel sturdy and well built |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks, stainless steel spigot) -Cleanable filters |
-Nice, highly reflective finish (but more prone to smudges) -304 stainless steel tanks feel sturdy and well built -Cleanable filters |
-Polished or brushed finish -Feels sturdy and well built (304 stainless steel tanks and spigot) -Cleanable filters |
|
| (More) Cons | -Unique design that not everyone may like | -Unique design that not everyone may like | -Feed water tank has a slight yellow tint (makes you think your tap water is yellow) | -Feed water tank has a slight yellow tint (makes you think your tap water is yellow) | -Automatic flushing wastes water | -Carafe isn't flimsy but pretty lightweight when empty -Automatic flushing may waste water |
-Conflicting info about the different filter layers presumably due to new cartridge design | -Night mode requires you to program a start + end time | -Automatic flushing wastes water -Infuser leaves less room for water and can't be used together with remineralization filter |
-Information provided on APEC website and amazon product page seems incomplete | -Flushing may waste water | -Carafe isn't flimsy but pretty lightweight when empty -UV post-treatment on cold water only? -Flushing may waste water -Packaging used inflated plastic bubble cushioning instead of styrofoam like all other units |
-System name looks like sticker letters instead of embossed branding, giving it a cheaper appearance -All-Plastic spigot |
-Automatic flushing may waste water | -To date, no large studies have confirmed the potential health benefits of hydrogen-enriched water -UV post-treatment on cold water only -Recommended bi-weekly flushing may waste water |
-Automatic flushing may waste water | -Moderate shine that easily smudges -Company website does not convey trust |
-All-Plastic spigot | -Moderate shine that easily smudges -Company website does not convey trust |
-Testing another ZeroWater filter cartridge in the 10-Cup ready-pour pitcher also showed potential problems filtering chloroform -"0 TDS approach" can be misleading (0 TDS does not necessarily mean pure water) |
-Polished finish: moderate shine that easily smudges | -Testing another PUR PLUS filter cartridge in PUR's 11-Cup pitcher, barium and boron were also detected in the filtered water at or above health guidelines | -All-Plastic spigot | -Plastic construction (BPA/BPS-free SAN plastic) -Plastic can get scratched up and has the potential to look worn over time |
-Very bare-bones design with all filters exposed | -Metal spigot but with plastic pull-down handle which seems prone to loosening or breaking over time | -All-Plastic spigot | -Testing a G2.0 m filter element in the ProOne pitcher, benzene was also detected in the filtered water at or above the strictest health guideline -Polished finish: moderate shine that easily smudges |
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| Frequent Complaints from Third-Party Customer Reviews | -Units that stopped working after a few months/years -Poor customer service -Leaking -App: major issues on both iOS & android (connection issues, app crashes, filter life reset not working, tracking issues) |
-Units that stopped working after a few months/years -Poor customer service -Leaking |
-Malfunctioning systems that didn't last very long -Poor customer service -Slow filtration -App: major issues on both iOS & android (connection issues, app crashes, filter life reset not working, tracking issues) |
-Malfunctioning systems that didn't last very long -Poor customer service -Slow filtration |
-Leaking (from base, tank seams, connections) -Extremely slow filtration sometimes stopping mid-cycle |
-Leaking -Setup & flush problems (stuck/repeated/never finishes) -Hot water not being hot, cold water not being cold (display showing target temperatures not matching actual output) |
-Phoenix system: water bypassing filter elements; leaking; overall quality issues -Patriot Pure Nanomesh filters: delayed or incomplete shipments; extremely slow filtration; poor customer service; bad taste/odor |
-Malfunctioning units (stop working, freeze mid-cycle, display persistent error code) -Leaking |
-Note: it looks like there's been a reset so not that many amazon reviews yet -Old complaints which may have been solved with the updated version included malfunctioning units, leaking, hot water not being hot, cold water not being cold, and unresponsive displays |
-Note: negative reviews were hard to find (customer feedback on Sans' own website is extremely positive) -We found these complaints on reddit: leaking, malfunctioning systems, hot water not being hot, bad customer service, weird noises |
-Leaking -Malfunctioning units -System underreporting filtered water TDS to suggest better performance (possibly due to TDS creep which we only observed to a minor extent on our unit) |
-Ineffective filtration -Water bypassing filter elements -Leaking -Overall quality issues |
-Poor/Unresponsive customer support -Replacement filter out of stock -Malfunctioning units |
-Bad taste/odor -Leaking/Dripping |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Leaking -Delayed or incomplete shipments -Extremely slow filtration -Poor customer service -Bad taste/odor |
-Dripping/Pouring that continues for a while after dispensing -Systems that died after ~1 year -Loud pump noise -Leaking |
-Leaking/Cracked water tanks -Water with bad/plastic/chemical taste or smell -Malfunctioning units |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Ineffective filtration -Customer service issues -Filters not reaching claimed life -Leaking |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet -Malfunctioning systems -Issues with customer service/warranty/satisfaction guarantee |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Leaking/Dripping -Units that stopped dispensing |
-Ineffective filtration -Water bypassing filter elements -Leaking -Overall quality issues |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Clogged filters -Leaking -Confusing setup |
-Leaking -Cracked plastic tanks or base |
-Units that stopped working due to dead pumps/batteries -Unresponsive dispensing button |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Clogged filters -Leaking -Confusing setup |
-Clogged filters -Lackluster filtration |
-Very short filter life/filters too expensive -Taste/Odor issues (fishy, sour, lemon, metallic) -Slow filtration/clogged filters |
-Leaking -Lackluster filtration |
-Extremely slow filtration -High ongoing maintenance cost due to short filter life -Leaking -Confusing setup/instructions -Bad taste/odor |
-Leaking spigots -Slow filtration/clogged filters |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet -Leaking |
-Housing impossible to open (can't replace filter) -Lackluster filtration |
-Overall quality/design issues -Leaking -Slow filtration -Cloudy water -Issues with mold/mildew/algae -Bad taste |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet -Extremely slow filtration -Ineffective filtration |
-Bad taste -Priming issues -Filters clogging rapidly |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet -Poor customer support/return policies -Extremely slow flow -Weak filtration |
-Leaking -Corroding tanks -Bad taste/odor |
-Note: not that many customer reviews yet | -Clogged filters -Ineffective filtration -Did not reach claimed filter life -Priming issues -Leaking -Overpriced |
-Customer service issues -Bad taste/odor -Extremely slow filtration -Leaking |
| Countertop Water Filter | AquaTru Classic Smart | AquaTru Classic | AquaTru Carafe Smart | AquaTru Carafe | Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Waterdrop A2 | Custom: Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters) |
Waterdrop C1H | Waterdrop A1 | Sans Water Purifier | Bluevua ROPOT-Lite | Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Carbon Filters) |
SimPure Y9A | APEC ROCT-C1 | Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System (Old Model) | SimPure Y7P-BW | NU Aqua 4-Stage Countertop RO System | Alexapure Pro | RKIN U1-W | Frizzlife WB99-C | Phoenix 2.25-Gallon (with Carbon + POSTreat Steel Fluoride Reduction Filters) |
Rorra Countertop System | British Berkefeld SS2 (with Ultra Fluoride Filters) |
Purewell 2.25G (with K-Series Black Carbon Filters) |
Culligan Scout | Big Berkey (with Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filters) |
BOROUX Legacy (with BOROUX Foundation + BOROUX Proactive Fluoride Filters) |
Radiant Life SS Gravity Countertop Filter | ||
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| Lab Reports | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | ||
| Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | |||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | Filtered Water | ||
| Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | Unfiltered Water | |||
| Comment | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Classic | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Classic Smart | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Carafe | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Carafe Smart | Lab results are for the Patriot Pure Nanomesh filter in the Patriot Pure system. The Phoenix system is nearly identical, so the results should translate. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reduction Rates for Undesirable Impurities & Contaminants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Disinfectants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorine | ✖ | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 87% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 87% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 93% | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 86% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Chloroform | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 100% | 100% | 88% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 82% | 91% | 100% | 100% | 85% | 85% | |
| Metals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copper | ✖ | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 90% | 100% | 100% | 89% | 88% | 76% | 87% | 100% | 93% | 100% | 100% |
| Iron | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Manganese | ✖ | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 37% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 78% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 78% | 100% | 100% | 34% Increase | 18% Increase | 47% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Barium | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 94% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 69% | 96% | 100% | 98% | 100% | 100% | 98% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 32% | 97% | 69% | 91% | 69% | |
| Boron | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 94% | 100% | 100% | 76% | 66% | 100% | 94% | 51% | 94% | 68% | 47% | 100% | 94% | 51% | 100% | 58% | 93% | 94% | 91% | 100% | 100% | 83% | |
| Strontium | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 91% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 2% | 100% | 100% | 91% Increase | 100% | 100% | 28% | 92% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | 86% | 7% Increase | 76% | 9% Increase | 100% | 49% | |
| Salts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrate (N) | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 90% | 100% | 87% | 100% | 92% | 93% | 91% | 100% | 92% | 93% | 60% | 89% | 96% | 90% | 96% | 95% | 51% | |
| Fluoride | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 56% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 87% | 76% | 100% | 100% | 88% | 4% | 100% | 19% | 100% | 15% | 100% | 100% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDS | ✖ | 94% | 94% | 95% | 95% | 86% (Uses Remineralization) | 95% | Not Applicable | 86% | 97% | 93% | 98% | Not Applicable | 93% (Uses Remineralization) | 94% | Not Applicable | 95% | 93% | Not Applicable | 87% (Uses Remineralization) | 87% (Uses Remineralization) | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0809 | 0.0809 | 0.052 | 0.944 | 0.0613 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Antimony (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00686 | 0.0479 | 0.0246 | 0.00576 | 0.0184 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Methylene Chloride (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.53 | 1.24 | 3.21 | 5.42 | 2.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bromomethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Toluene (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.64 | 1.73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00166 | 0.00176 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chromium (Total) (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arsenic (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00255 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Molybdenum (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00247 | 0.00219 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanadium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00823 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benzene (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Silver (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.00275 | 0.009 | 0.00194 | 0.00514 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 11.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Explanation: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full Removal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerable Reduction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Disinfectants (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ~2 | 0 | ||
| Disinfection Byproducts (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | 19.1 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 17.5 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 8.63 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 19.1 | 0 | 17.5 | 0 | 17.5 | 0 | 15.7 | 0 | 12.6 | 0 | 12.6 | 0 | 8.63 | 0 | 12.6 | 0 | 12.6 | 0 | 8.41 | 0 | 17.5 | 2.24 | 17.5 | 0 | 8.63 | 0 | 8.63 | 0 | 8.41 | 1.11 | 8.41 | 0 | 8.41 | 0 | 8.41 | 0 | 8.63 | 0.63 | 8.63 | 0 | ||
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | 4.88 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4.36 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4.88 | 0 | 4.36 | 0 | 4.36 | 0 | 4.60 | 0 | 3.05 | 0 | 3.05 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3.05 | 0 | 3.05 | 0 | 3.22 | 0 | 4.36 | 0.6 | 4.36 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3.22 | 0 | 3.22 | 0 | 3.22 | 0 | 3.22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Chloroform (µg/L) | 50.3 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 39.6 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 8.6 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 50.3 | 0 | 39.6 | 0 | 39.6 | 0 | 29.1 | 0 | 30.6 | 0 | 30.6 | 0 | 8.6 | 0 | 30.6 | 0.56 | 30.6 | 0 | 9.42 | 0 | 39.6 | 4.77 | 39.6 | 0 | 8.6 | 0 | 8.6 | 0 | 9.42 | 1.67 | 9.42 | 0.89 | 9.42 | 0 | 9.42 | 0 | 8.6 | 1.25 | 8.6 | 1.31 | ||
| Metals (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (mg/L) | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.009 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.0171 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.0078 | 0 | 0.009 | 0 | 0.009 | 0 | 0.0242 | 0 | 0.0086 | 0 | 0.0086 | 0 | 0.0171 | 0 | 0.0086 | 0 | 0.0086 | 0 | 0.0158 | 0.00158 | 0.009 | 0 | 0.009 | 0 | 0.0171 | 0.0018 | 0.0171 | 0.00204 | 0.0158 | 0.00385 | 0.0158 | 0.0021 | 0.0158 | 0 | 0.0158 | 0.00116 | 0.0171 | 0 | 0.0171 | 0 | ||
| Iron (mg/L) | 0.171 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.0882 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.171 | 0 | 0.0882 | 0 | 0.0882 | 0 | 0.0504 | 0 | 0.076 | 0 | 0.076 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | 0.076 | 0 | 0.076 | 0 | 0.108 | 0 | 0.0882 | 0 | 0.0882 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | 0.108 | 0 | 0.108 | 0 | 0.108 | 0 | 0.108 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | 0.102 | 0 | ||
| Manganese (mg/L) | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0055 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0.0029 | 0.00508 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0046 | 0 | 0.0055 | 0 | 0.0055 | 0 | 0.00965 | 0.00217 | 0.0068 | 0 | 0.0068 | 0 | 0.00508 | 0 | 0.0068 | 0 | 0.0068 | 0 | 0.00558 | 0 | 0.0055 | 0 | 0.0055 | 0.0012 | 0.00508 | 0 | 0.00508 | 0 | 0.00558 | 0.00747 | 0.00558 | 0.00657 | 0.00558 | 0.00297 | 0.00558 | 0 | 0.00508 | 0 | 0.00508 | 0 | ||
| Barium (mg/L) | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0354 | 0 | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0457 | 0.00112 | 0.0289 | 0.0017 | 0.0289 | 0 | 0.0354 | 0 | 0.0354 | 0 | 0.0416 | 0.0127 | 0.0363 | 0.0013 | 0.0363 | 0 | 0.0457 | 0.00112 | 0.0363 | 0 | 0.0363 | 0 | 0.0449 | 0.00105 | 0.0354 | 0 | 0.0354 | 0 | 0.0457 | 0 | 0.0457 | 0 | 0.0449 | 0 | 0.0449 | 0.0305 | 0.0449 | 0.00113 | 0.0449 | 0.0141 | 0.0457 | 0.00434 | 0.0457 | 0.0141 | ||
| Boron (mg/L) | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.112 | 0 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.12 | 0.00765 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.0131 | 0 | 0.112 | 0.0272 | 0.112 | 0.0377 | 0.104 | 0 | 0.111 | 0.00661 | 0.111 | 0.0542 | 0.12 | 0.00765 | 0.111 | 0.0357 | 0.111 | 0.0591 | 0.12 | 0 | 0.112 | 0.00694 | 0.112 | 0.0552 | 0.12 | 0 | 0.12 | 0.0503 | 0.12 | 0.00836 | 0.12 | 0.00681 | 0.12 | 0.0112 | 0.12 | 0 | 0.12 | 0 | 0.12 | 0.0202 | ||
| Strontium (mg/L) | 0.098 | 0 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.132 | 0.252 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.098 | 0 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.113 | 0.111 | 0.116 | 0 | 0.116 | 0 | 0.132 | 0.252 | 0.116 | 0 | 0.116 | 0 | 0.128 | 0.0926 | 0.11 | 0.211 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.132 | 0 | 0.132 | 0 | 0.128 | 0.0173 | 0.128 | 0.137 | 0.128 | 0.0305 | 0.128 | 0.139 | 0.132 | 0 | 0.132 | 0.0667 | ||
| Salts (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
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| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | 3.03 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.17 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.66 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.03 | 0 | 3.17 | 0 | 3.17 | 0 | 2.91 | 0.303 | 3.18 | 0 | 3.18 | 0.403 | 3.66 | 0 | 3.18 | 0.252 | 3.18 | 0.223 | 3.61 | 0.319 | 3.17 | 0 | 3.17 | 0.265 | 3.66 | 0.247 | 3.66 | 1.48 | 3.61 | 0.391 | 3.61 | 0.14 | 3.61 | 0.378 | 3.61 | 0.147 | 3.66 | 0.175 | 3.66 | 1.78 | ||
| Fluoride (mg/L) | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 0.973 | 0.429 | 0.989 | 0 | 0.989 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 0.989 | 0 | 0.989 | 0.131 | 1.01 | 0.245 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.04 | 0 | 1.07 | 0.124 | 1.07 | 1.03 | 1.01 | 0 | 1.01 | 0.82 | 1.01 | 0 | 1.01 | 0.857 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | ||
| RO Salt Rejection (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
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| TDS (mg/L) | 462 | 28.5 | 462 | 28.5 | 462 | 24.6 | 462 | 24.6 | 466 | 67.2 | 462 | 20.9 | 329 | 378 | 462 | 65 | 462 | 14.1 | 466 | 33.6 | 466 | 11.1 | 511 | 503 | 455 | 29.8 | 455 | 28.7 | 329 | 378 | 455 | 21.2 | 455 | 32.9 | 328 | 344 | 466 | 61.5 | 466 | 62.4 | 329 | 407 | 329 | 346 | 328 | 450 | 328 | 349 | 328 | 415 | 328 | 345 | 329 | 417 | 329 | 408 | ||
| Other Parameters (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
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| pH | 7.7 | 9.2 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 7.7 | 7 | 7.7 | 7 | 7.6 | 9.8 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 6.6 | 7.7 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 6.3 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 7.1 | 7.6 | 6.1 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.6 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 6 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 8.8 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 7.6 | 10 | ||
| Countertop Water Filter | Bluevua RO100ROPOT | SimPure Y9A | RKIN U1-W | Frizzlife WB99-C | Health Guidelines | Average of Non- Remineralization RO Systems |
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| Lab Reports | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | ||
| Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | |||
| Levels of Important Minerals, pH & Alkalinity | ||||||
| Our remineralization lab results reflect water dispensed immediately after purification, representing the shortest possible contact time between purified RO water and remineralization media — a baseline scenario for mineral concentration. We used this approach to ensure consistency across all tested RO systems. Additional testing using TDS meters and leaving water in contact with the remineralization media for extended periods showed considerably higher TDS levels, suggesting a likely increase in mineral content under those conditions. Conclusion: Actual remineralization performance during regular everyday use is likely better than reflected in our lab results but can vary significantly. This variation seems to depend on many factors that either directly impact mineral content or influence contact time — including the type and amount of remineralization media, overall RO system design, water conditions, and system usage frequency and downtime. | ||||||
| Minerals | ||||||
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 4.5 | 1.18 | 0.356 | 2.5 | Minimum Level: 10 Optimum Level: 20-30 Source: WHO |
0.11123 |
| Calcium (mg/L) | 0.404 | 1.17 | 4.42 | 0.367 | Minimum Level: 20 Optimum Level: ~50 Source: WHO |
0.47253 |
| pH & Alkalinity | ||||||
| pH | 9.8 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.4 | No Health Guideline | 6.72 |
| Alkalinity (mg/L) | 30 | 8 | 13 | 12 | 30 to 400 (IDPH) | 2.2 |
| Explanation: | ||||||
| Within Range of Health Guideline | ||||||
| Not within Range of Health Guideline | ||||||
| Countertop Water Filter | AquaTru Classic Smart | AquaTru Classic | AquaTru Carafe Smart | AquaTru Carafe | Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Waterdrop C1H | Waterdrop A1 | Sans Water Purifier | Bluevua ROPOT-Lite | APEC ROCT-PLUS | Aquasana Clean Water Machine | SimPure Y7P-BW | NU Aqua 4-Stage Countertop RO System | Alexapure Pro | Frizzlife WB99-C | Brita Hub | Purewell 2.25G (with K-Series Black Carbon Filters + Fluoride Filter Elements) |
Brita Ultramax Elite Water Filter Dispenser | Waterdrop ED04 | Waterdrop WFD-22L | ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read | iSpring CKC1 & CKC1C | PUR PLUS 30-Cup | Waterdrop CTF-01 | Santevia Gravity Water System | British Berkefeld SS2 (with Ultra Sterasyl Filters) |
Crystal Quest Countertop Thunder | Waterdrop King (with Black Filters + Fluoride Filters) |
Big Berkey (with Black Berkey Filters + PF-2 Fluoride Filters) |
ProOne Traveler+ (with G2.0 5″ Filter) |
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| Lab Reports (Please ignore results for bacteria as we didn't sample in a sterile environment.) | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | Filtered Water Report | ||
| Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | Unfiltered Water Report | |||
| Comment | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Classic | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Classic Smart | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Carafe | Shares Lab Results with AquaTru Carafe Smart | Potential Filter Priming Issue | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reduction Rates for Undesirable Impurities & Contaminants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Disinfectants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorine | ✖ | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Anywhere between 88% and 99% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bromodichloromethane | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 76% | |
| Bromoform | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not present | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not present | 100% | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 81% | |
| Chloroform | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 95% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | 63% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Metals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copper | ✖ | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 100% | 50% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 800% Increase | 83% | 100% | 100% |
| Iron | ✖ | Not Present | Not Present | 100% Increase | 100% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | Not present | 100% | 200% Increase | Not present | 100% | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | 0% | Not present | Not present | Not present | |
| Aluminum | ✖ | ✖ | Added (See Below) | Added (See Below) | 300% Increase | 300% Increase | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | Not present | 100% | 0% | Not present | 100% | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | Not present | 0% | Not present | Not present | Not present |
| Barium | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 75% | 75% | 100% | 50% | 100% | 0% | 2,075% Increase | 0% | 0% | 75% | 100% | 25% | 100% | 125% Increase | |
| Boron | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 60% | 60% | 90% | 67% | 50% | 50% | 67% | 80% | 80% | 50% | 50% | 100% | 20% | 60% | 100% | 20% | 40% | 0% | 100% | 20% | 1,720% Increase | 0% | 83% | 100% | 60% | 17% | 100% | 33% | |
| Zinc | ✖ | 100% | 100% | 50% | 50% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 50% | Not present | 100% | 100% | Not present | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 800% Increase | 100% Increase | Not present | Not present | 78,450% Increase | Not present | Not present | Not present | |
| Lithium | ✖ | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% Increase | 0% | 100% | 0% | |
| Strontium | ✖ | 96% | 96% | 98% | 98% | 98% | 95% | 100% | 97% | 97% | 96% | 93% | 98% | 98% | 24% | 98% | 30% | 61% | 25% | 77% | 52% | 100% | 5% Increase | 89% | 7% Increase | 46% | 57% | 92% | 24% | 98% | 30% | |
| Salts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrate (N) | ✖ | 100% | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | Not Present | 64% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not Present | 100% | Added (See Below, Flawed?) | Added (See Below, Flawed?) | 100% | Added (See Below, Flawed?) | 100% | 100% | 28% Increase | 42% | 46% Increase | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 15% | Not Present | 100% | 8% | 24% | |
| Fluoride | ✖ | Anywhere between 41% and 99% | Anywhere between 41% and 99% | 67% | 67% | Anywhere between 76% and 99% | Anywhere between 86% and 99% | Anywhere between 86% and 99% | Anywhere between 86% and 99% | Anywhere between 86% and 99% | 55% | 50% Increase | 69% | 74% | 20% | 52% | 5% | 47% Increase | 3% | 10% Increase | 10% Increase | Anywhere between 75% and 99% | 40% Increase | 75% | 10% | 27% | 3% Increase | 12% Increase (Flawed?) | 7% | 67% | Anywhere between 67% and 99% | |
| Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Uranium | ✖ | 100% | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | Not Present | 100% | Not Present | Not Present | 100% | Not Present | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | Not Present | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDS | ✖ | 91% | 91% | 93% | 93% | 91% | 93% | 98% | 96% | 94% | 88% | Not Applicable | 93% | 92% | Not Applicable | 91% (Uses Remineralization) | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | 132% Increase | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | |
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.14 | 0.19 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.65 | 1.01 | ||||||||||||||||
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) (Flawed?) | ✖ | <0.5We’re confident the nitrate increase is due to natural fluctuations and not an issue with leaching, as we’ve found significant amounts of nitrate in our water supply before. | <0.5We’re confident the nitrate increase is due to natural fluctuations and not an issue with leaching, as we’ve found significant amounts of nitrate in our water supply before. | <0.5We’re confident the nitrate increase is due to natural fluctuations and not an issue with leaching, as we’ve found significant amounts of nitrate in our water supply before. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Styrene (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.06 | 0.64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Methylene Chloride (µg/L) | ✖ | 3.22 | 2.41 | 0.96 | 0.83 | 2.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| m+p Xylenes (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Silver (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.06 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Benzene (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vanadium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.14 | 0.01 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0.22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.95Health guideline applies to water-soluble nickel compounds. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trichlorofluoromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Explanation: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full Removal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerable Reduction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raw Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Water Disinfectants (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | 0.36 | 0 | 0.36 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.98 | 0 | 0.98 | 0 | 1.39 | 0 | 1.39 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.82 | <0.1 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.82 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | 0.96 | 0 | ||
| Disinfection Byproducts (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | 0.9 | 0 | 0.9 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 4.64 | 0 | 4.64 | 0 | 4.04 | 0 | 4.04 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 0.61 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0 | 2.68 | 0.65 | ||
| Bromoform (µg/L) | 1.35 | 0 | 1.35 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 4.32 | 0 | 4.32 | 0 | 2.95 | 0 | 2.95 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 4.42 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | 3.19 | 0 | ||
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | 1.48 | 0 | 1.48 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 7.94 | 0 | 7.94 | 0 | 5.95 | 0 | 5.95 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 5.32 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 5.27 | 0 | 5.27 | 1 | ||
| Chloroform (µg/L) | 0.6 | 0 | 0.6 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.61 | 0 | 1.61 | 0 | 2.19 | 0 | 2.19 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 1.07 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 0.55 | 0 | 1.07 | 1.74 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.36 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | 1.07 | 0 | ||
| Metals (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (mg/L) | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.11 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | ||
| Iron (mg/L) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Barium (mg/L) | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.87 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0 | 0.04 | 0.09 | ||
| Boron (mg/L) | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.91 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.1 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0.04 | ||
| Zinc (mg/L) | 0.06 | 0 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0.02 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.02 | 15.71 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Lithium (mg/L) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.01 | ||
| Strontium (mg/L) | 0.52 | 0.02 | 0.52 | 0.02 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.40 | 0.02 | 0.40 | 0 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 0.53 | 0.02 | 0.44 | 0.03 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.46 | 0.35 | 0.53 | 0.01 | 0.44 | 0.31 | 0.46 | 0.18 | 0.44 | 0.33 | 0.44 | 0.1 | 0.44 | 0.21 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.44 | 0.46 | 0.44 | 0.05 | 0.44 | 0.47 | 0.46 | 0.25 | 0.46 | 0.2 | 0.53 | 0.04 | 0.46 | 0.35 | 0.46 | 0.01 | 0.46 | 0.32 | ||
| Salts (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | 1.47 | 0 | 1.47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.93 | 0.69 | 1.93 | 0 | 1.21 | 0 | 1.21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.42 | 0 | 0 | <0.5 (Flawed?) | 0 | <0.5 (Flawed?) | 1.72 | 0 | 0 | <0.5 (Flawed?) | 1.42 | 0 | 1.72 | 0 | 1.42 | 1.82 | 1.42 | 0.82 | 1.42 | 2.07 | 1.42 | 0 | 1.42 | 0 | 1.42 | 0 | 1.42 | 0 | 1.72 | 0 | 1.72 | 1.46 | 0 | 0 | 1.72 | 0 | 1.72 | 1.58 | 1.72 | 1.31 | ||
| Fluoride (mg/L) | 0.17 | <0.1 | 0.17 | <0.1 | 0.42 | 0.14 | 0.42 | 0.14 | 0.42 | <0.1 | 0.69 | <0.1 | 0.69 | <0.1 | 0.69 | <0.1 | 0.69 | <0.1 | 0.42 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.42 | 0.13 | 0.42 | 0.11 | 0.3 | 0.24 | 0.42 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.38 | 0.3 | 0.44 | 0.4 | 0.39 | 0.4 | 0.44 | 0.4 | 0.44 | 0.4 | <0.1 | 0.4 | 0.56 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.36 | 0.3 | 0.22 | 0.3 | 0.31 | 0.42 | 0.47 (Flawed?) | 0.3 | 0.28 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | <0.1 | ||
| Other (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Uranium (µg/L) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| RO Salt Rejection (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TDS (mg/L) | 327.9 | 29.4 | 327.9 | 29.4 | 395.2 | 25.8 | 395.2 | 25.8 | 395.2 | 36.6 | 329.4 | 24.6 | 329.4 | 6.6 | 327 | 13.2 | 327 | 20.4 | 395.2 | 46.2 | 364.2 | 352.8 | 395.2 | 26.4 | 395.2 | 30 | 309 | 291 | 395.2 | 34.2 | 364.2 | 367.8 | 309 | 306 | 364.2 | 348 | 364.2 | 349.2 | 364.2 | 291.6 | 364.2 | 1.2 | 364.2 | 355.8 | 364.2 | 467.4 | 364.2 | 355.8 | 309 | 413.4 | 309 | 307.2 | 395.2 | 917.4 | 309 | 293.4 | 309 | 194.4 | 309 | 285.6 | ||
| Other Parameters (Unfiltered | Filtered) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| pH | 7.66 | 7.61 | 7.66 | 7.61 | 7.86 | 7.77 | 7.86 | 7.77 | 7.86 | 6.94 | 7.93 | 6.85 | 7.93 | 6.28 | 7.78 | 7.34 | 7.78 | 6.45 | 7.86 | 7 | 7.89 | 8.32 | 7.86 | 7.02 | 7.86 | 6.63 | 7.79 | 8.02 | 7.86 | 7.02 | 7.89 | 8.54 | 7.79 | 8.31 | 7.89 | 8.09 | 7.89 | 8.21 | 7.89 | 7.55 | 7.89 | 7.27 | 7.89 | 7.66 | 7.89 | 7.28 | 7.89 | 7.86 | 7.79 | 9.18 | 7.79 | 8.6 | 7.86 | 7.43 | 7.79 | 6.25 | 7.79 | 8.2 | 7.79 | 8.05 | ||
| Countertop Water Filter | Frizzlife WB99-C | Health Guidelines | Average of Non- Remineralization RO Systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Links & Codes | |||
| Image | |
||
| Lab Reports | Filtered Water Report | ||
| Unfiltered Water Report | |||
| Levels of Important Minerals, pH & Alkalinity | |||
| Our remineralization lab results reflect water dispensed immediately after purification, representing the shortest possible contact time between purified RO water and remineralization media — a baseline scenario for mineral concentration. We used this approach to ensure consistency across all tested RO systems. Additional testing using TDS meters and leaving water in contact with the remineralization media for extended periods showed considerably higher TDS levels, suggesting a likely increase in mineral content under those conditions. Conclusion: Actual remineralization performance during regular everyday use is likely better than reflected in our lab results but can vary significantly. This variation seems to depend on many factors that either directly impact mineral content or influence contact time — including the type and amount of remineralization media, overall RO system design, water conditions, and system usage frequency and downtime. | |||
| Minerals | |||
| Magnesium (mg/L) | 1.94 | Minimum Level: 10 Optimum Level: 20-30 Source: WHO |
0.50 |
| Calcium (mg/L) | 0.85 | Minimum Level: 20 Optimum Level: ~50 Source: WHO |
2.00 |
| pH & Alkalinity | |||
| pH | 7.02 | No Health Guideline | 7.03 |
| Alkalinity (mg/L) | 20 | 30 to 400 (IDPH) | Most <20 |
| Explanation: | |||
| Within Range of Health Guideline | |||
| Not within Range of Health Guideline | |||
To learn more about our testing procedure, check our editorial guidelines.
Countertop Water Filter Reviews
1. Best Overall Countertop Water Filter (+ #1 for Filtration): AquaTru Classic (Smart) RO System
Final Rating: /5.00 (Classic Smart: /5.00)
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
Usability: /5.00 (Classic Smart: /5.00)
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
| Type: | Countertop Reverse Osmosis System |
| Classic PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $475 (Use Our Link for $100 Off!) |
| Classic Smart PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $525 (Use Our Link for $100 Off!) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$75 |
Check Current Price (Amazon, No Classic Smart Version)
Final Rating: /5.00 (Classic Smart: /5.00)
The AquaTru Classic and its app-connected equivalent, the AquaTru Classic Smart, are our overall top pick and #1 choice for filtration among the countertop water filters we reviewed. This is the only tested countertop system that earned a perfect filtration score, largely due to its excellent performance in our 2024/2025 lab testing. Plus, it’s fully NSF/ANSI-certified for contaminant reduction and produced clean-tasting, odorless water. Finally, it offers solid usability (great for the Smart version) at higher upfront but highly affordable ongoing costs.
What We Like Most
- Excellent results in our 2024 and 2025 lab testing.
- Clean taste with no odor in both 2024 and 2025.
- Fully NSF/ANSI-certified for contaminant reduction.
- Tritan plastic feels sturdy and well built, except for the feed tank lid hinges.
- Easy setup and priming with clear illustrated instructions and QR code–linked tutorial videos.
- Suited for daily use; clean tank stores water for later, making it instantly accessible.
- Single feed tank produces up to 12 cups in 12–15 min.
- Easy dispensing without splashing.
- Feed tank is easy to refill – done after each filtration cycle.
- Water shortage/change indicator and maintenance lights help keep performance optimal.
- Portable clean water tank with handle; easy dispensing; fridge-friendly.
- Easy filter changes: color-coded cartridges twist in/out; filter life indicators.
- Smart version adds app integration: tracks water usage, gallons filtered, qualitative TDS/water quality, plus empty wastewater reminders and filter replacement alerts.
- Low wastewater (average for a countertop RO).
- Well below-average annual filter replacement costs.
What We Don’t Like
- Design may not appeal to everyone.
- Our 2024 unit initially didn’t work due to water entering the front handle (resolved after drying).
- Clean tank must be lifted/angled forward to fully empty.
- Filling large glasses or carafes requires the unit to sit at the counter edge or lifting the clean tank.
- Slightly above-average upfront price (Classic) or well above-average (Classic Smart).
- Third-party complaints report units failing after months/years, leaking, and poor customer service; Smart app issues on iOS and Android (connection problems, crashes, filter-life reset failures, tracking issues).
Sara’s Video Review
Video Chapters
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:28 – What We Tested
- 01:01 – Filtration
- 07:01 – Usability
- 15:47 – Customer Feedback
- 16:27 – Costs
- 18:08 – Final Scores + Which to Pick
- 19:54 – Wrapping Up
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00 (2025) & /5.00 (2024)
- The AquaTru Classic removed 13 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 4 disinfection byproducts, copper, barium, boron, iron, manganese, zinc, nitrate, and uranium).
- Not removed to 100% were strontium and fluoride.
- TDS reduction was high (91-94%).
- We detected potential leaching of aluminum, but at a level below the strictest health guideline.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | ~2 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 19.1 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 4.88 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 50.3 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0078 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.171 | 0 | 100% | |
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0046 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0289 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0131 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.098 | 0 | 100% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 3.03 | 0 | 100% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.04 | 0 | 100% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | |||||
| TDS (mg/L) | ✖ | 462 | 28.5 | 94% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.7 | 9.2 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos: Filtered Water, Unfiltered Water | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.36 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.9 | 0 | 100% | |
| Bromoform (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.35 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.48 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.6 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.06 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.05 | 0 | 100% | |
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.06 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.52 | 0.02 | 96% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.47 | 0 | 100% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.17 | <0.1 | Anywhere between 41% and 99% | |
| Other | |||||
| Uranium (µg/L) | ✖ | 1 | 0 | 100% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | |||||
| TDS (mg/L) | ✖ | 327.9 | 29.4 | 91% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.66 | 7.61 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0 | 0.05 | |
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
The AquaTru Classic is fully NSF/ANSI-certified by the IAPMO for the reduction of all the important contaminants (85 in total) against NSF standards 42, 53, 58, and 401.
Reported reduction rates include: organics, including VOCs, herbicides, pesticides, and DBPs (95.00-99.50%+), free chlorine (97.00%), free chloramine (96.00%), PFOA/PFOS (97.50%+), emerging contaminants, including trace pharmaceuticals (86.70-99.00%), microplastics (96.48%), lead (99.10%), barium (96.40%), arsenic V (98.00%), chromium 6 (97.20%), chromium 3 (98.00%), TDS (87.10%), fluoride (93.50%), nitrate (87.20%), nitrite (90.20%), perchlorate (98.50%), cysts (99.99%), radium 226/228 (96.40%), and selenium (98.10%).
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our 2024 and 2025 tests, odor was completely eliminated and the filtered water tasted perfectly clean.
Usability: /5.00 (Classic Smart: /5.00)
Initial setup and daily use are very straightforward. When the water change indicator alerts you (usually after each filtration cycle), simply empty the wastewater and refill the feed tank. This produces up to 12 cups of filtered water (stored in the clean tank for instant access) in 12-15 minutes, which is fast enough for most and requires an average to above-average number of daily refills.
The clean tank is easily removable using the sturdy handle and fits in the fridge for chilling. Dispensing is smooth, splash-free, and extremely fast – just press the blue mechanical button. But due to its relatively low spout height, you may have to lift the tank for pouring.
The different filter elements last 600-1,200 gal or 6-24 months, which means easy, infrequent replacements, plus there are indicator lights to remind you.
The Classic Smart app provides non-numeric TDS readouts for feed + filtered water and filter + water change reminders. It also tracks water consumption, filter life, and more.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
As of July 13, 2026, the AquaTru Classic is priced at $475 and the AquaTru Classic Smart at $525. Using our affiliate link, you can save $100 on either model, reducing the upfront cost to $375 or $425, respectively.
We estimate $75 in annual filter replacement costs for both versions. Upfront price is slightly above average (well above average for the Smart version) and long-term cost is well below average.
Wastewater
We measured average wastewater, with a pure-to-drain ratio of ~1:0.6 (2024) and ~1:0.61 (2025).
2. #1 RO System Budget Pick (+ Glass Carafe + Space-Saving): AquaTru Carafe (Smart)
Final Rating: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
Usability: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
| Type: | Countertop Reverse Osmosis System |
| Carafe PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $375 (Use Our Link for $100 Off!) |
| Carafe Smart PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $425 (Use Our Link for $100 Off!) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$116 |
Final Rating: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
The AquaTru Carafe and its app-connected equivalent, the Carafe Smart, are our pick for a budget-friendly, space-saving countertop RO water filter with a glass carafe. It delivered excellent results in our 2025 lab test, building on its solid 2024 performance. It’s also fully NSF/ANSI-certified for contaminant reduction and produced filtered water that was odorless and tasted perfectly clean. To top it off, it offers solid usability at a slightly low-to-average upfront price with affordable ongoing filter replacement costs.
What We Like Most
- Solid results in our 2024 lab testing and excellent results in 2025.
- Clean taste with no odor in both 2024 and 2025.
- Fully NSF/ANSI-certified for contaminant reduction.
- Modern, streamlined, lightweight design with a small footprint; easy to move.
- Tritan plastic feels sturdy and well built, except for the feed tank lid hinges.
- Easy setup and priming with clear illustrated instructions and helpful tutorial videos.
- Suited for daily use; amply sized carafe stores water for later, making it instantly accessible.
- Single feed tank produces up to 8 cups in 10–15 min.
- Feed tank is easy to refill – done after each filtration cycle.
- Water shortage/change indicator and maintenance lights help maintain performance.
- Attractive glass carafe with a comfortable handle; pours smoothly without splashing; fridge-friendly.
- Easy filter changes: color-coded filters removed with the provided tool; filter life indicators.
- Smart version adds app integration: tracks water usage, gallons filtered, qualitative TDS/water quality; plus empty wastewater reminders and filter replacement alerts.
- Low wastewater, even for a countertop RO.
- Lower upfront price (regular Carafe model only) and ongoing filter replacement costs.
What We Don’t Like
- Our 2025 Carafe unit initially failed to prime due to stiff valves (easily fixed) and was noisier than the 2024 unit.
- Feed water tank has a slight yellow tint.
- Above-average number of daily refills.
- Third-party complaints report short-lived units, slow filtration, and poor customer service; Smart app issues on iOS and Android (connection problems, crashes, filter-life reset failures, tracking issues).
Sara’s Video Review
Video Chapters
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:28 – What We Tested
- 01:01 – Filtration
- 07:01 – Usability
- 15:47 – Customer Feedback
- 16:27 – Costs
- 18:08 – Final Scores + Which to Pick
- 19:54 – Wrapping Up
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00 (2025) & /5.00 (2024)
- The AquaTru Carafe removed 10 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, all 4 disinfection byproducts, copper, barium, lithium, manganese, and nitrate).
- Not removed to 100% were boron, strontium, zinc, and fluoride.
- Aluminum (2024) increased post-filtration but was still below its strictest health guideline. Iron also increased post-filtration (2024; fully removed in 2025) but remained below the EPA secondary standard.
- TDS reduction ranged from high (93%) to very high (95%).
- We detected potential leaching of aluminum (2025), but at a level below the strictest health guideline.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | ~2 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 19.1 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 4.88 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 50.3 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0078 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.171 | 0 | 100% | |
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0046 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0289 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0131 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.098 | 0 | 100% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 3.03 | 0 | 100% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.04 | 0 | 100% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | |||||
| TDS (mg/L) | ✖ | 462 | 24.6 | 95% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.7 | 7 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0 | 0.0809 | |
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos: Filtered Water, Unfiltered Water | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.44 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 2.68 | 0 | 100% | |
| Bromoform (µg/L) | ✖ | 4.42 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 5.32 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 1.36 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0.02 | 100% Increase | |
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.01 | 0.04 | 300% Increase |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.05 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.1 | 0.04 | 60% | |
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.02 | 0.01 | 50% | |
| Lithium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.53 | 0.01 | 98% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.42 | 0.14 | 67% | |
| RO Salt Rejection | |||||
| TDS (mg/L) | ✖ | 395.2 | 25.8 | 93% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.86 | 7.77 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
The AquaTru Carafe is fully NSF/ANSI-certified by the IAPMO for the reduction of all the important contaminants (82 in total) against NSF standards 42, 53, 58, and 401.
Reported reduction rates include: organics, including VOCs, herbicides, pesticides, and DBPs (95.00-99.50%+), free chlorine (96.80%), free chloramine (96.60%), PFOA and PFOS (99.00%), emerging contaminants, including trace pharmaceuticals (89.50-99.70%), microplastics (98.96%), arsenic V (98.80%), barium (95.40%), chromium 6 (97.50%), chromium 3 (99.60%), lead (99.20%), TDS (94.40%), fluoride (96.40%), nitrate (98.30%), nitrite (90.20%), perchlorate (98.30%), radium 226/228 (96.40%), cysts (99.90%), and selenium (98.10%).
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our 2024 and 2025 tests, the filtered water was odorless and tasted perfectly clean.
Usability: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
Initial setup and daily use are very straightforward. Simply empty the wastewater and refill the feed tank when the water change indicator reminds you (usually after each filtration cycle). This produces up to 8 cups of RO water per filtration cycle (stored in the carafe for instant access) in 10-15 minutes, which is fast enough for most but requires more-than-average daily refills. Our 2025 unit was also very noisy when filtering.
The sturdy borosilicate glass carafe is comfortable to handle, pouring smoothly and without splashing. Plus, it fits in the fridge for chilling.
The different filter elements last 300-600 gal or 6-24 months, so replacements are easy and infrequent – plus there are indicator lights to remind you.
The Carafe Smart app provides non-numeric TDS readouts for feed + filtered water and filter + water change reminders. It also tracks water consumption, filter life, and more.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00 (Carafe Smart: /5.00)
As of July 13, 2026, the AquaTru Carafe is priced at $375 and the AquaTru Carafe Smart at $425. Using our affiliate link, you can save $100 on either model, reducing the upfront cost to $275 or $325, respectively. We estimate $116 in annual filter replacement costs for both systems. Upfront price is slightly below average (average for the Carafe Smart) and long-term cost is slightly below average as well.
Wastewater
We measured low wastewater, with a pure-to-drain ratio of ~1:0.44 (2024) and ~1:0.55 (2025).
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3. Best Overall Countertop Gravity Filter: Phoenix 2.25-Gallon System with Patriot Pure Nanomesh Filters (Custom Combo)
Final Rating: /5.00
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
UsabilityUsability scores include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone and include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
| Type: | Gravity Water Filter |
| PriceNo short-term sales. Incl. 2x Nanomesh Filters (Jul 13, 2026): | $320.96 (Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off Phoenix System!) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. for 2 Parallel Nanomesh Filters (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$165 |
(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off Phoenix System!)
Final Rating: /5.00
The Phoenix 2.25-gallon system housing combined with Patriot Pure Nanomesh filters is our #1 countertop gravity water filter combo and the best all-rounder out of the tested gravity systems. It’s also our top pick for filtration in this category, as it achieved solid results in our 2026 lab test and is well-covered by NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction. Plus, it has comprehensive third-party testing to 100-400% filter life for nearly 200 impurities. Finally, it produced clean-tasting, odorless water and offers solid usability at slightly above-average upfront but well below-average ongoing costs.
What We Like Most
- Solid results in our 2026 lab testing.
- Clean taste with no odor.
- Well-covered by 75 NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction.
- Extensive third-party testing for contaminant reduction to 100-400% filter life.
- Sturdy 304 stainless steel construction including spigot – suitable for outdoor use and portable when stowed.
- Easy setup/priming with clear instructions (incl. a few illustrations) + helpful YouTube tutorial.
- Generally suited for daily use.
- Supports up to 4 filter cartridges; parallel arrangement increases filtration speed.
- Extremely fast dispensing with no leaking or dripping after spigot is closed.
- Optional tank stand allows pouring without placing the system at the counter edge.
- Airlock vent clip maintains full filtration/dispensing flow.
- Easy refilling; optional water level spigot aids monitoring of clean water supply.
- Rubber ring on clean tank and rubber feet on optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding.
- Easy filter changes.
- Phoenix system warranty: 10 years (tanks); 100-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Nanomesh filter: 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Filters made in the USA (?)
- Includes stainless steel water bottle and very nice packaging.
- Well below-average annual filter replacement costs.
What We Don’t Like
- No microbiological test data; website claims removal of “bacteria, viruses, cysts and other biological creeps.”
- High-shine, reflective finish prone to smudges.
- Too slow for on-demand use or high-volume output with 2 filters; performance improves with additional filters.
- Cannot fit a 40-oz bottle or pitcher under the spigot, even with the optional stand.
- Doesn’t fit under standard height kitchen cabinets (18″ clearance).
- No filter change indicator.
- Slightly above-average upfront cost.
- Third-party complaints about the Phoenix system include water bypass, leaking, and overall quality concerns.
- Customer complaints about Patriot Pure Nanomesh filters include delayed/incomplete shipments, very slow filtration, poor support, and bad taste/odor.
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00
- The Patriot Pure Nanomesh filter removed 9 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, all 3 disinfection byproducts, copper, iron, manganese, nitrate, and fluoride).
- Not removed to 100% were barium and boron.
- Strontium increased post-filtration but was still below its strictest health guideline.
- There was no potential leaching observed.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | ~2 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 8.63 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 4 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 8.6 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0171 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.102 | 0 | 100% | |
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.00508 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0457 | 0.00112 | 98% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.12 | 0.00765 | 94% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.132 | 0.252 | 91% Increase | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 3.66 | 0 | 100% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.07 | 0 | 100% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.6 | 7.9 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos: Filtered Water, Unfiltered Water | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
Patriot Pure Nanomesh filters are certified by the NSF for the reduction of 75 key contaminants against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401. (Certifications are for the Nanomesh filters in the original Patriot Pure system. The Phoenix system is nearly identical, so these results should translate).
These certifications include: chlorine (99.99%), cadmium (93.80-98.00%), chromium (95.50-96.50%), arsenic V (97.60-99.90%), mercury (99.90%), copper (98.90-99.90%), lead (99.90%), selenium (98.20-99.90%), PFOA (99.90%), PFOS (99.90%), 50 VOCs (99.50%-99.90%) and several emerging contaminants, including trace pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals (94.00-99.90%).
Nanomesh filters also have comprehensive third-party testing to 100-400% filter life against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401 and other non-NSF/ANSI standards for almost 200 contaminants – although some overlap may exist with certified contaminants (and there’s no test data on germs).
Additional third-party reduction rates include: chloroform (99.90%), dozens of VOCs & semi-volatiles (99.90%), pesticides (77.70-99.90%; most 99.90%), and other PFAS (99.90%).
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our test, the filtered water was odorless and had a perfectly clean taste.
Usability: /5.00
Initial setup and daily use are easy: just fill the upper chamber with water to ~1″ below the rim when the lower chamber is empty. With two filters installed, this produces up to ~27.7 cups of filtered water in ~3:30 hours – fast enough for most and resulting in an average number of daily refills. It’s not on-demand capable or well-suited for producing large amounts quickly, but adding up to two more parallel filters increases speed.
Dispensing is extremely fast and splash-free, with an airlock vent clip to keep filtration and dispensing flowing at full speed. The sturdy 304 SS tanks and spigot are stowable & suited for outdoor use. The optional tank stand makes for easy pouring into a glass.
Refilling is easy, especially with the optional water level spigot, as you won’t need to lift the upper tank to check on clean water reserves.
Each filter element lasts 200 gal, so replacements are easy and infrequent – though there’s no filter change indicator to remind you.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone and include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
As of July 13, 2026, the custom Phoenix 2.25-gal system including two Patriot Pure Nanomesh filters is priced at $320.96. Adding the optional water level spigot ($74) and tank stand ($52) and applying our 10% discount code to the Phoenix system and stand, brings the upfront total to $422.86.
We estimate $165 in annual filter replacement costs for two parallel filters. Upfront price is slightly above average and long-term cost is well below average.
Read Our Full Custom Gravity Water Filter Combo Review
(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off Phoenix System!)
4. #1 Gravity Filter Budget Pick (+ #1 for Usability): Phoenix 2.25-Gallon with Carbon Filters
Final Rating: /5.00
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
UsabilityUsability scores include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone and include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
| Type: | Gravity Water Filter |
| PriceNo short-term sales. Incl. 2x Carbon Filters (Jul 13, 2026): | $189 (Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off; Save Additional $20 with Filter Subscription) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. for 2 Parallel Carbon Filters (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$129 (Save $10 with Filter Subscription) |
(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off!)
Final Rating: /5.00
The Phoenix 2.25-gallon system with carbon filters is our favorite budget pick and #1 choice for usability out of the tested countertop gravity filters. It delivered solid results in our 2026 lab testing, and the filtered water tasted and smelled perfectly clean. However, it has only 2 NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants (chlorine and taste/odor), and at least some of its comprehensive third-party testing was not performed over the full filter life. Still, it offers great usability with slightly below-average upfront and well below-average ongoing costs.
What We Like Most
- Solid results in our 2026 lab testing.
- Clean taste with no odor.
- Extensive third-party testing for contaminant reduction but at least some not to 100% filter life.
- Sturdy 304 stainless steel construction including spigot – suitable for outdoor use and portable when stowed.
- Easy setup/priming with clear instructions (incl. a few illustrations) + helpful YouTube tutorial.
- Suited for daily use + filters on-demand (1 cup in <1 min).
- Supports up to 4 parallel filtration paths which increases speed.
- Extremely fast dispensing with no leaking or dripping after spigot is closed.
- Optional tank stand allows pouring without placing the system at the counter edge.
- Airlock vent clip maintains full filtration/dispensing flow.
- Easy refilling; optional water level spigot aids monitoring of clean water supply.
- Rubber ring on clean tank and rubber feet on optional tank stand prevent scratching/sliding.
- Easy filter changes + cartridges can be cleaned to restore flow rate.
- Phoenix system warranty: 10 years (tanks); 100-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Includes stainless steel water bottle and very nice packaging.
- Below-average upfront and ongoing costs.
What We Don’t Like
- Only 2 NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction (chlorine + taste/odor).
- No microbiological test data (for outdoor use).
- High-shine, reflective finish prone to smudges.
- Splashes if spigot is fully opened too quickly.
- Cannot fit a 40-oz bottle or pitcher under the spigot, even with the optional stand.
- Doesn’t fit under standard height kitchen cabinets (18″ clearance).
- No filter change indicator.
- Third-party complaints include ineffective filtration, water bypass, leaking, and overall quality concerns.
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00
- The Phoenix’s carbon filters removed 7 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, all 3 disinfection byproducts, copper, iron, and boron).
- Not removed to 100% were manganese, barium, strontium, nitrate and fluoride.
- We detected potential leaching of silver, but at a level below the EPA secondary standard.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | ~2 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 15.7 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 4.60 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 29.1 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0242 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0504 | 0 | 100% | |
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.00965 | 0.00217 | 78% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0416 | 0.0127 | 69% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.104 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.113 | 0.111 | 2% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 2.91 | 0.303 | 90% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.973 | 0.429 | 56% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.9 | 8.0 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Silver (mg/L) | ✖ | 0 | 0.00275 | ||
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos: Filtered Water, Unfiltered Water | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
The Phoenix has only 2 NSF certifications for contaminant reduction against NSF/ANSI standard 42 for chlorine (99.90%) and taste/odor.
However, it has extensive third-party testing against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53 and other non-NSF/ANSI standards for more than 80 contaminants, but at least some was not performed over the full filter life (and there’s no test data on germs).
Listed reduction rates include: chlorine (99.90%), chloramines (99.90%), PFOA + PFOS (>99.66%), PFOA (>99.00%), PFOS (>99.50%), aluminum (99.90%), fluoride (75.50%), antimony (99.90%), lead (94.00-99.90%), arsenic (99.90%), beryllium (99.90%), barium (99.90%), boron (99.90%), chromium (97.20%), manganese (99.90%), mercury (99.90%), nickel (99.90%), selenium (99.90%), nitrates (99.00%), nitrites (99.90%), and dozens of VOCs (99.90%).
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our test, the filtered water was odorless and had a perfectly clean taste.
Usability: /5.00
Initial setup and daily use are simple: just fill the upper tank with water to ~1″ below the rim when the lower tank is empty. With two filters installed, this produces up to ~26.6 cups of filtered water in ~50:03 min – quite fast and resulting in an average number of daily refills. It’s even on-demand capable (1 cup <1 min) and ideal for producing large amounts quickly. Adding up to two more parallel filters would increase speed even further.
Dispensing is extremely fast and splash-free, with an airlock vent clip to keep filtration and dispensing moving at full speed. The sturdy 304 SS tanks and spigot are stowable & suited for outdoor use, and the optional tank stand makes for easy pouring into a cup.
Refilling is simple with the optional water level spigot – you won’t need to lift the upper tank to check on the remaining clean water.
The cleanable carbon filter elements last 2,750 gal or 12 months each, so replacements are easy and infrequent – but there’s no filter change indicator to remind you.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone and include optional manufacturer-offered water level spigots and tank stands.: /5.00
As of July 13, 2026, the Phoenix 2.25-gal system including two carbon filters is priced at $189. Adding the optional water level spigot ($74) and tank stand ($52) and applying our 10% discount code to the Phoenix system and stand, brings the upfront total to $290.90. You can save an additional $20 with a filter subscription (deducted before our 10% discount code gets applied).
We estimate $129 in annual filter replacement costs for two parallel filters. Plus, you can save an additional $10 with a filter subscription. Upfront price is slightly below average and long-term cost is well below average.
Read Our Full Phoenix 2.25-Gallon Gravity Water Filter Review
(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off!)
5. #1 Regular Countertop Water Filter: Aquasana Clean Water Machine
Final Rating: /5.00
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
Usability: /5.00
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
| Type: | Electric Countertop Water Filter |
| PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $399.99 (Use Code AQBOS50 for Up to 50% Off or Save Up to 54% with Filter Subscription) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$73 (Save 15% with Filter Subscription) |
(Use Code AQBOS50 for Up to 50% Off!)
Final Rating: /5.00
The Aquasana is our #1 regular countertop water filter. It achieved solid results in our 2024 lab test and produced odorless water that tasted perfectly clean. Plus, the system has a high count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants, though this is mostly limited to the easier-to-remove organics. Usability is adequate, and while upfront cost is relatively high, ongoing costs are very affordable.
What We Like Most
- Solid results in our lab testing.
- Clean taste with no odor.
- High count of NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction but mostly limited to “easier-to-remove” organics.
- Attractive, sturdy, BPA-free plastic build.
- Easy setup with clear, illustrated instructions + quick-start guide and QR code-linked tutorial video + online manual.
- Suited for daily use.
- Relatively fast, splash-free dispensing using responsive button.
- Automatically stops after 60 seconds of pouring (prevents flooding).
- Can fill a 40-oz bottle with a single feed tank in one go.
- Feed tank is easy to remove/refill + semitransparent to view water level.
- Easy filter changes – top lid access, quickly twists in/out; filter change indicator and filter wrench.
- Low ongoing filter replacement costs.
- 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
What We Don’t Like
- Considerable amount of methylene chloride detected in filtered water in our lab testing (below strictest health guideline).
- Above-average number of daily refills.
- No volume presets.
- Ramps down the pour when you press stop, which takes some getting used to.
- Tall feed tank leaks when lifted + doesn’t sit securely (might tip easily).
- Slightly annoying noise when dispensing.
- High upfront cost.
- Customer complaints include dripping/pouring that continues for a while after dispensing, systems dying after ~1 year, loud pump noise, and leaking.
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00
- The Aquasana removed 10 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, all 3 disinfection byproducts, copper, barium, zinc, lithium, nitrate, and uranium).
- Not removed to 100% were boron and strontium.
- Fluoride increased post-filtration, though leaching is unlikely, as we’re unaware of any filter media that contains fluoride.
- We detected potential leaching of aluminum and methylene chloride but at levels below their strictest health guidelines.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.82 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.61 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.55 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.55 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.06 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.04 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.05 | 0.01 | 80% | |
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% | |
| Lithium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.44 | 0.03 | 93% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.42 | 0 | 100% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.4 | 0.6 | 50% Increase | |
| Other | |||||
| Uranium (µg/L) | ✖ | 1 | 0 | 100% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.89 | 8.32 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0 | 0.01 | |
| Methylene Chloride (µg/L) | ✖ | 0 | 0.96 | ||
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
The Aquasana is certified by the WQA for the reduction of 76 different contaminants against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401, though coverage focuses on the easier-to-remove organics.
Reported reduction rates include: chlorine (97.30%), chloramine (91.00%), particulate class I (0.5 to <1 μm – 99.60%), chloroform (99.30%), 50 VOCs (95.00-99.00%+), lead (99.60-99.70%+), mercury (95.40-96.20%+), MTBE (85.50%), PFOA & PFOS (99.70%), turbidity (99.34%), asbestos (>99.00%), cysts (99.995%), microplastics (0.5 to <1 μm – 99.60%), and several other emerging compounds, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals (93.90-98.40%+)
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our test, the filtered water was odorless and had a perfectly clean taste.
Usability: /5.00
Initial setup is simple, but day-to-day use is slightly less practical. Dispensing is easy, fast, splash-free (though a little noisy), producing ~8 cups per full feed tank and ~50 oz in a single button press. The button is responsive and the 1 min auto-stop lessens spills, but the unit ramps down the pour and lacks volume presets for convenience.
Refilling is straightforward, though more frequent top-ups are needed. The translucent feed tank shows the water level (no water shortage indicator light) and is easy to remove and reinstall, but it leaks when lifted. Plus, the tank is tall and doesn’t sit very securely in the base, so it feels prone to tipping.
The filters last 300 gal or 6 months, which means easy, infrequent replacements, plus there’s an indicator light to remind you.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
As of July 13, 2026, the Aquasana is priced at $399.99. Using our discount code, you can save up to 50% off, reducing the upfront cost to $199.99. Alternatively, you can save up to 54% with a filter subscription, though this won’t stack with other discounts.
We estimate $73 in annual filter replacement costs. Upfront price is well above average, but long-term cost is well below average.
Read Our Full Aquasana Clean Water Machine Review
(Use Code AQBOS50 for Up to 50% Off!)
6. #1 Budget Pick for a Regular Countertop Water Filter: Waterdrop ED04
Final Rating: /5.00
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
Usability: /5.00
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
| Type: | Electric Countertop Water Filter |
| PriceNo short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | $59.99 (Use Code ED04BOS for 3% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales!) |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 500 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. (Jul 13, 2026): | ~$112 (Save 10% with Filter Subscription) |
(Use Code ED04BOS for 3% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales!)
Final Rating: /5.00
The Waterdrop ED04 is our top budget pick out of the tested regular countertop water filters. It achieved adequate results in our 2024 lab test and produced clean-tasting, odorless water. Plus, the system has a higher count of NSF/ANSI-certified contaminants, though this is mostly limited to the easier-to-remove organics. Usability is solid, and while upfront cost is slightly below average, ongoing costs are around average.
What We Like Most
- Clean taste with no odor.
- Higher count of NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction but mostly limited to “easier-to-remove” organics.
- Modern, mostly sturdy and relatively lightweight, BPA-free plastic build.
- Easy setup with clear, illustrated instruction booklet and YouTube tutorial video.
- Suited for daily use.
- Below-average number of daily refills.
- Splash-free dispensing using responsive button.
- Automatically stops after 3 minutes of pouring (prevents flooding).
- Can fill a 40-oz bottle (held at an angle) with a single feed tank in one go.
- Feed tank is easy to refill using flip-top in lid + semitransparent to view water level.
- Portable (fits on fridge shelves) with rechargeable battery + battery life indicator + charging cable.
- Simple filter changes (push in/press and pull out) + filter change indicator.
- Lower upfront cost.
What We Don’t Like
- Slower dispensing speed for this type of system.
- No volume presets.
- Flow continues for 1 sec after pressing stop, which takes some getting used to.
- Some effort required to remove filter from pumping unit (may be harder for people with limited mobility).
- Customer complaints include units that stopped working due to dead pumps/batteries and unresponsive dispensing buttons.
Filtration: /5.00
1. Lab Results: /5.00
- The Waterdrop ED04 removed 8 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, all 3 disinfection byproducts, copper, barium, zinc, and lithium).
- Not removed to 100% were boron, strontium, nitrate, and uranium.
- Fluoride increased post-filtration, though leaching is unlikely, as we’re unaware of any filter media that contains fluoride.
- We detected potential leaching of aluminum but at a level below its strictest health guideline.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.82 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.61 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.55 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 0.55 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.06 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.04 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.05 | 0.03 | 40% | |
| Zinc (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% | |
| Lithium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.01 | 0 | 100% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.44 | 0.1 | 77% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 1.42 | 0.82 | 42% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.4 | 0.44 | 10% Increase | |
| Other | |||||
| Uranium (µg/L) | ✖ | 1 | 1 | 0% | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.89 | 8.21 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Aluminum (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0 | 0.03 | |
| Lab Reports: Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data
The Waterdrop ED04 is certified by the IAPMO for the reduction of 33 different contaminants against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401, though coverage focuses on the easier-to-remove organics.
Reported reduction rates include: chlorine (97.00%), lead (99.60%), mercury (92.30-93.80%), several VOCs (96.60%-99.99%), several pesticides (93.60-99.80%), and many emerging compounds, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals (94.40-99.00%+).
3. Taste and Odor Tests
In our test, the filtered water was odorless and had a perfectly clean taste.
Usability: /5.00
Initial setup and everyday use are very simple. Dispensing is easy and splash-free, producing ~29.5 cups per full feed tank and ~96 oz in a single button press. Though it’s a hair slower than other electric systems we tested, its speed is acceptable. The button is responsive and the 3 min auto-stop lessens spills, but the unit takes a second to stop the pour and lacks volume presets for convenience.
Refilling is easy using the flip cover on the lid. Fewer top-ups are needed due to the large, translucent feed tank that also shows the water level (no water shortage indicator light).
Portable thanks to its rechargeable battery, the ED04 even fits fridge shelves. The battery life indicator lets you know when it needs a recharge (last up to 30 days; ~15 days in the fridge). Optional rubber footpads add extra stability.
The filters last 200 gal or 3 months, and there’s an indicator light to remind you to change them. While replacements are infrequent, filter removal from the pumping unit takes a little effort.
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
As of Jul 13, 2026, the Waterdrop ED04 is priced at $59.99, though Waterdrop frequently offers sales. Using our 3% off discount code (which you can combine with most other promotions on the Waterdrop website), you can get the ED04 for as little as $46.19.
We estimate $112 in annual filter replacement costs. A filter subscription would save you an additional 10%. Upfront price is slightly below average, and long-term cost is about average.
Read Our Full Waterdrop ED04 Review
(Use Code ED04BOS for 3% Off on Top of Most Waterdrop Sales!)
Other Countertop Water Filters We Tested
While the filters above performed best in our testing, we evaluated 45 models in total.
Other Solid Options (Final Rating 3.5 or Higher)
The following systems/setups didn’t make the cut, but may still be worth considering:
- Bluevua RO100ROPOT (4.48/5.00)
- Waterdrop A2 (4.42/5.00)
- Waterdrop C1H (4.38/5.00)
- Waterdrop A1 (4.33/5.00)
- Sans Water Purifier (4.27/5.00)
- Bluevua ROPOT-Lite (4.22/5.00)
- APEC ROCT-PLUS (4.15/5.00)
- SimPure Y9A (4.14/5.00)
- APEC ROCT-C1 (4.11/5.00)
- Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System (Old Model) (4.08/5.00)
- SimPure Y7P-BW (4.05/5.00)
- NU Aqua 4-Stage Countertop RO System (4.03/5.00)
- Alexapure Pro (3.81/5.00)
- RKIN U1 (3.75/5.00) & U1-W (3.80/5.00)
- Frizzlife WB99-C (3.73/5.00)
- Brita Hub (3.73/5.00)
- Phoenix 2.25-gal Gravity Water Filter with Carbon + Fluoride Filters (3.71/5.00)
- Rorra Countertop System (3.65/5.00)
- Purewell 2.25G with Carbon + Fluoride Filters (3.60/5.00)
- Big Berkey (3.56/5.00)
- Brita Ultramax Elite Water Filter Dispenser (3.51/5.00)
Filters We Don’t Recommend (Final Rating Lower than 3.5)
These are the systems/setups we don’t recommend based on our test results:
- British Berkefeld SS2 with Ultra Fluoride Filters (3.36/5.00)
- Purewell 2.25G with Carbon Filters (3.33/5.00)
- Waterdrop WFD-22L (3.27/5.00)
- ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read (3.15/5.00)
- iSpring CKC1 & CKC1C (3.15/5.00)
- Culligan Scout (3.11/5.00)
- PUR PLUS 30-Cup (3.11/5.00)
- Big Berkey + Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filters (2.96/5.00)
- Waterdrop CTF-01 (2.89/5.00)
- Santevia Gravity Water System (2.84/5.00)
- British Berkefeld SS2 with Ultra Sterasyl Filters (2.66/5.00)
- ProOne Traveler+ (2.41/5.00)
- BOROUX Legacy (2.39/5.00)
- Crystal Quest Countertop Thunder (2.31/5.00)
- Waterdrop King (2.30/5.00)
- Radiant Life SS Gravity Countertop Filter (1.69/5.00)
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Countertop Water Filter
Shopping for a countertop water filter but not sure where to start? With so many different styles to choose from, wading through the sea of options can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the most popular types of countertop systems, highlighting their key attributes so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. While we will focus on “regular” countertop water filters, including electric, faucet-connect, and dispensers, we’ll also briefly touch on the two other main countertop categories: reverse osmosis and gravity systems.
Both of those already have their own dedicated Buying Guides, so there’s no sense in repeating all of that information here. Doing so would only make this section far longer and more complex than it needs to be, without telling you anything you couldn’t read in more detail elsewhere. So we’ll keep it brief and point you to the full write-ups instead: Countertop RO and Gravity Water Filter Buying Guides.
But First, Some Terminology
Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly outline the main types of countertop water filters that we’ll be examining here and in our other buying guides.
- Countertop ROs
- Uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores, allowing for broad rejection of water impurities (heavy metals, nitrates, fluoride, most organics like PFAS, and more) – considered the gold standard for contaminant removal.
- Require electricity and generate wastewater.
- Typically equipped with sediment and carbon pre-and post-filter stages to prolong the life of the RO membrane and enhance contaminant removal (sometimes combined into a single composite cartridge).
- Process water relatively fast and often have a carafe or clean tank (which may or may not be removeable) for filtered water storage.
- Some models can produce ambient, hot, and/or cold water.
- Gravity Systems
- Rely on gravity to force water through filters (often carbon-based and/or with a ceramic outer shell).
- No electricity required, but filter much more slowly compared to powered systems (think drip-by-drip rather than a quick stream).
- Most utilize stainless steel tanks and are stowable for better portability (well-suited for outdoor use).
- Large feed tank; large clean tank for filtered water storage.
- Heavy when full, tall, and most do not fit under standard height kitchen cabinets.
- Require a stand (often sold separately) or shelf/counter edge to pour.
- Regular (Electric)
- Powered devices that pump water through filters to achieve faster filtration speeds than can be attained via gravity alone.
- Filtration and dispensing occur simultaneously (no clean tank for filtered water storage).
- Generally, cannot compete with countertop RO systems in terms of filtration effectiveness.
- Regular (Dispensers)
- Rely on gravity instead of electricity to push water through the filter(s).
- Often provide acceptable filtration speed and a large enough clean tank for filtered water storage.
- Often made of plastic rather than SS (not designed for portability or outdoor use).
- Typically fit fridge shelves (not doors).
- Require a shelf/counter edge to pour (or you must devise a stand to elevate it).
- Regular (Faucet-Connect)
- Directly installed via a valve onto a standard-sized tap.
- Must be used next to sink (connected via tubing) – more of a hassle to relocate compared to freestanding systems.
- Very fast.
- Can instantly switch between unfiltered and filtered water.
- No electricity requirement.
- Filtration and dispensing occur simultaneously (no clean tank storage).
Tap Water Contaminants
Now that we’ve outlined the main countertop options, the first step in choosing the most suitable water filter for your needs is to identify the impurities you wish to remove from your tap water.
Unpleasant taste and odor are the easiest issues to address. To tackle these, you primarily need a countertop water filter that targets aesthetic contaminants (especially chlorine/chloramine). In our independent analysis, every tested system except for the Waterdrop WFD-22L completely removed chlorine.
However, if you’re also concerned about health-related contaminants, you need to make sure the filter you’re buying is capable of reducing the specific harmful substances that may be present in your water supply. There are two main ways to approach this:
- Conduct a test of your home’s water supply:
- Order an inexpensive water test kit online or visit a local hardware store and test the water yourself. Your local health department may also offer test kits.
- Alternatively, hire a professional lab to analyze a sample of water taken from your home. This is recommended by both the EPA and us at BOS Water and is more reliable than DIY home test kits. Two examples of such lab services are Tap Score and ETR Labs.
- Collect information about your city or town’s water supply:
- Contact your city administration and request annual water quality reports, called Consumer Confidence Reports (every public water utility is required to provide these for free).
- Alternatively, you can browse the EPA’s directory to find these reports, which is usually faster.
- Another option is to use this link to access the EWG Tap Water Database, which aggregates and analyzes the same Consumer Confidence Reports to make public water quality easier to assess.
- Problems with this approach:
- You can’t tell whether additional contaminants may enter your water along the way from the utility to your home.
- This approach does not apply if you rely on private well water.
Non-Potable Water
If you are also concerned with making non-potable water safe to drink – say, for emergency preparedness planning – microbial reduction is going to be crucial. Here, “microbes” refers to the three main groups of waterborne pathogens: bacteria, viruses, and parasites (such as protozoal cysts).
For brevity, we won’t discuss our stance on the use of mechanical filtration for water disinfection here. But don’t worry – we discuss it at length in our Gravity Water Filter Guide. Check it out if you want to learn more.
Filtration Performance: NSF/ANSI Testing & Certificates
Once you know which contaminants and impurities you’re dealing with, look for a system that is NSF/ANSI-certified to reduce those substances. Alternatively, you can consider a unit backed by independent third-party test data covering the relevant contaminants, ideally through 100% of the filter’s rated life (or longer).
You should pay particular attention to the following NSF/ANSI standards and protocols:
- 42 – water aesthetics (i.e., chlorine, chloramine, and taste & odor)
- 53 – health-related contaminants such as asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFOA/PFOS, certain salts including nitrate and fluoride, and heavy metals including lead, mercury, and chromium-6
- 58 – specific to RO systems; indicates the semi-permeable membrane reduces TDS and may also address contaminants like arsenic, nitrate/nitrite, cadmium, lead, barium, radium 226/228, selenium, copper, and cysts
- 401 – emerging contaminants like over-the-counter and prescription drugs, herbicides, and pesticides
- (NSF protocol) P231 – usually only relevant for gravity water filters; microbial reduction (i.e., bacteria, parasites, and viruses)
Did You Know?
NSF/ANSI certification means a water filter has been tested against one or more NSF/ANSI standards using standardized testing procedures. These procedures are designed to measure how effectively a filter reduces a specific contaminant, such as lead. Standardized testing is important because it allows for meaningful comparisons between different water filters. In addition, during NSF/ANSI certification, a filter is tested for contaminant reduction across its entire rated filter life, not just at the beginning. NSF/ANSI certifications can be awarded by NSF, WQA, and IAPMO. All three organizations are ANSI-accredited and equivalent in that sense. They are also independent from the applying water filter company, which makes their certification results reliable.
Aside from NSF/ANSI certifications, a filter company may also publish its own third-party test data. However, such data should always be interpreted cautiously, as testing is often performed only at the beginning of the filter’s life rather than at or near the end, and may not fully follow the test protocols and performance requirements defined in the applicable NSF/ANSI standards.
At BOS Water, we submit unfiltered and filtered tap water samples to professional labs for analysis to determine the real-world contaminant reduction performance of each water filter. We share the resulting lab data in the filtration tab(s) of our comparison sheet.
Usability
Usability is subjective, so it’s hard to know if a particular countertop water filter will suit your needs and preferences without first having the chance to test it out. Quickly skimming through user manuals, manufacturer websites, or YouTube videos can provide useful insight into a system’s relevant features.
Still, there are some key differences between the various classes of countertop filters that you might not consider ahead of time.
For example, gravity filters are appealing to many because they do not require electricity. But they filter water very slowly, sometimes taking hours before you can pour a few cups, so you must refill them well before you anticipate needing a drink. On the other hand, some powered devices can produce a cup in mere seconds after refilling the feed tank. For those with erratic schedules or who prefer to live a more unstructured lifestyle, the flexibility afforded by a powered device may outweigh the simplicity offered by a gravity filter.
We cover all such usability aspects of each system we test in this comparison guide, our Gravity Water Filter Comparison, Countertop RO Comparison, and dedicated reviews. Be sure to look at those to see whether the model you’re considering meets your specific requirements.
Initial Assembly and Filter Priming
Fortunately, most regular countertop water filters are very easy to set up and come with clear, illustrated instructions to get you started. Many also have tutorial videos on their website or YouTube if additional guidance is needed.
After choosing a suitable spot, setup for the dispensers and electric systems typically involves washing the tank(s) and occasionally other components like a spigot with soap and water prior to installing the filter. Some filters need to be soaked or rinsed prior to installation. A few are simply installed directly and primed by flushing the whole system with one or more feed tanks’ worth of water, discarding each filtered batch in-between.
Faucet-connect filters come with one important caveat: they usually only fit standard-sized kitchen faucets. Sprayer-type, pull-out, and other irregular faucets won’t work, so check compatibility before you buy.
Assuming yours fits, flushing is performed for several minutes after installing the valve on your faucet (using a provided adapter if necessary) and switching the lever to the filtered setting.
Everyday Use
Please note: the following volume, speed, size, and weight data reflect our own testing and may vary depending on the user, setting, and mode of measurement.
Tank Capacities
Where applicable, we highlight the size of the feed and filtered tanks for every system we test.
For systems with both a feed tank (or upper reservoir) and a clean tank (lower reservoir) – such as dispensers – clean tank size will dictate the maximum amount of water that can be stored and dispensed at one time before additional refilling is required. As the regular electric filters lack a clean tank, feed tank capacity instead determines this maximum amount.
With neither feed nor filtered tanks, there’s no upper limit to the amount of water that can be dispensed at one time by the faucet-connect systems – the only restrictions are those imposed by the system and faucet’s combined flow rate.
Number of Daily Refills
Feed tank size along with your personal water usage influences the number of daily refills you will need to perform for the dispensers and electric filters. As a point of reference, we assume 26-32 cups of daily water consumption for the average US households (roughly 2.5–3.15 people per the U.S. Census Bureau).
For the electric filters we tested, feed tank sizes ranged from 8 cups (Aquasana Clean Water Machine) to 29.5 cups (Waterdrop ED04). Consequently, the Aquasana would require 4 daily refills to keep pace with the demands of typical US households, while the Waterdrop ED04 would only need 1-2 to meet this same need. As a group, the electric filters required an average of 3 daily refills, ranging from 1-4, depending on the system.
The balance of feed:clean tank capacities will also influence how often you need to refill; a small feed tank paired with a larger clean tank will require more refills to fully fill the latter. This scenario is commonly observed with dispensers, where smaller upper reservoirs are frequently coupled with larger lower reservoirs. The systems we tested have ample clean water storage (18-35.25 cups), but most units require multiple top-ups to max it out, as their feed tanks range from 7.5-14 cups. The dispensers required 3-4 daily refills on average, ranging from 2-5.
Frustratingly, despite its 24-cup capacity, the ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read’s clean tank never filled up more than 16.25 cups before filtration would stop during our testing. This might have been caused by air trapping within the filter or an airlock between the feed and clean tanks.
No refills are required for the faucet-connect systems.
Where relevant, our comparison sheet lists feed/clean tank sizes and whether fewer or more daily refills are required for each countertop water filter we tested.
Filtration Speed – Overview
Filtration (water processing) speed measures how fast water moves through the filter. This is distinct from dispensing speed, which relates to how quickly the machine releases the filtered water.
For some categories of water filters, like the dispensers, we measured dispensing speed on its own as well as combined filtration and dispensing speed. This is to better illustrate situations where dispensing filtered water from a full clean tank may be very fast even though water processing may be somewhat slow – typical for gravity-dependent systems.
For other systems, like the faucet-connect and electric filters, filtration and dispensing occur simultaneously. Any system that lacks a clean tank or carafe to hold filtered water will filter and dispense at the same time.
Keep in mind that for almost all water filtration methods, there’s a tradeoff between filtration speed and filtration effectiveness. Contaminant removal is highly dependent on contact time between the water and most filter media – longer contact times generally lead to better results, and vice versa.
That said, there are two ways to achieve sufficient contact time: slowing the water down or increasing the volume of filter media it must pass through. This is why a fast system isn’t automatically the weaker one – it may simply be compensating for the shorter dwell time with a larger amount of media.
The comparison sheet indicates exactly what was being measured for each system – filtration, dispensing, or both – for our speed test results.
Filtration Speed Test Results
Let’s take a closer look at how the different classes of regular countertop water filters stacked up in our speed tests.
Electric
The electric systems filter and dispense water simultaneously, as there’s no clean tank for filtered water storage. The combined filtration and dispensing speeds are suitably fast for these units (the Waterdrop ED04 is the slowest of the group, but its speed is still acceptable for most users). For the models we tested, it took 8.5-16 sec to pour 1 cup and 32.75 sec to 1:02 min to dispense 4 cups.
Dispensers
To understand the speed test results for this class of countertop filter, we must first address a common design feature among the dispensers (also shared by gravity systems). For both these groups, low spigot placement near the bottom of the clean tank causes a few related issues:
- Up to several ounces of water (usually a few cups’ worth for gravity systems) must first be processed and collected in the lower tank before any can be dispensed. Practically, this matters the most when you have run out of clean water and you are starting from an empty system. In this case, you must wait until water reaches “dispensing level” before you can pour the first drop. It also affects how we report filtration speeds for each tested dispenser. We measured the time to filter and dispense 1 or 4 cups both before and after this requisite volume had been processed. For the dispensers we tested, this extra time was pretty minimal – a few seconds to 3 minutes, depending on the unit. But for some gravity systems, it took an extra hour or more.
- This same residual volume of water cannot be poured unless you tilt the tank forward or manually ladle it out.
- You will need to use a stand or counter/shelf edge to dispense, as the spigot height is too low to fit a glass underneath. The dispensers we tested did not have optional stands available for purchase, though you could always improvise a platform if you don’t want to set the unit at the edge of your counter or fridge shelf.
When starting with a freshly filled feed tank, an empty clean tank (dispenser), and starting the clock when water reached dispensing level, the time to filter and dispense 1 cup of water ranged from 26 seconds to 2:35 minutes. When adding the initial time required to reach the dispensing level, this jumped to between 31 sec and 5:19 minutes to dispense 1 cup.
We also measured the time to filter and dispense 4 cups. It took 1:39 to 13:14 minutes when the clean tank water was already at dispensing level. When starting from an empty clean tank, this increased to 1:44-15:58 min for 4 cups.
Finally, the time to filter and dispense the full feed tank ranged from 6:06 min to 1:03 hours, with all but one system (the PUR PLUS 30-Cup) fully filtering their feed tanks in under 13 minutes.
Faucet-Connect
As with the electric filters, faucet-connect systems filter and dispense water at the same time. Ranging from 3.75-4.25 sec or 8.5-10.25 sec to pour 1 or 4 cups, respectively, the faucet-connect models are very fast. In fact, they achieved the quickest 1 and 4 cup combined filtration + dispensing speeds out of all the countertop filters in our review.
On-Demand Dispensing
We define on-demand dispensing as processing and pouring 1 cup of water in <1 minute. For the slower categories of water filters (generally, the gravity-dependent styles), we indicate whether a unit is capable of on-demand dispensing to highlight that it filters and pours water relatively quickly for its type.
Two of the four tested dispensers qualify as on-demand capable. The Waterdrop WFD-22L, for instance, required only 5 seconds to reach dispensing level, plus 26 more seconds to pour out a cup.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, all the electric and faucet-connect systems are capable of on-demand dispensing. For these two classes of countertop filters, we don’t bother to denote them as “on-demand capable” in the comparison sheet or in our dedicated reviews, as it’s simply not a differentiating feature between them. All the systems we tested in these two categories could readily filter and pour 8 oz of water in less than a minute – some as quickly as 4 seconds.
Max Continuous Dispensing
In our Max Continuous Dispensing Tests, we measured how much water an electric system could provide at once before it needed a refill. This ranged from 64-236 oz and required one to three button presses, depending on the system.
Dispensing
For every countertop water filter, we evaluate the quality of dispensing and whether there are any pesky issues you should be aware of upfront.
We highlight all our findings in the comparison sheet, so you know what to expect and whether you are on the hook for any accessories that make dispensing easier. The key characteristics for each category of countertop water filter are summarized below.
Dispensers
For all the dispensers we tested, dispensing water is splash-free and fast to extremely fast with a full clean tank. The plastic spigots feel sturdy, are easy to use, and there is no dripping after the pour.
As noted above, due to the low spout height, all dispensers must be placed on a stand or at the edge of a counter or fridge shelf to allow enough clearance for pouring into glasses, 40-oz bottles, or 2-quart pitchers. However, none of the units we tested included a stand or had an option to purchase one separately, so you’ll have to improvise if you don’t want to use a ledge of some sort.
As a reminder, the last bit of water cannot be poured unless you tilt or angle the tank forward, but this was no more than several ounces for all the tested dispensers.
Electric
Dispensing water for all the electric systems is easy and splash-free. For each system, we remark on the responsiveness of the buttons or if there is a ramp up/down to the pour; we also note the presence of volume presets/custom options or an auto-stop feature to prevent flooding.
Though not exactly a ramp-down, the Waterdrop ED04 continued pouring for a second after pressing the button to stop, which could result in overfilling a cup if you aren’t expecting it. All systems could accommodate a 40-oz bottle, but we had to tilt ours to fit under the spout of the Waterdrop ED04.
Faucet-Connect
Dispensing water is very fast and splash-free for the two faucet-connect systems we tested. The lever on the diverter valve permits easy switching between filtered and unfiltered water. The rubber grips on the bottom of the Waterdrop CTF-01 also provide stability and lessen the likelihood of the unit toppling if bumped.
While the iSpring CKC1 (CKC1C) starts and stops the pour promptly, we noted a ramp up and down for the Waterdrop CTF-01. And although we did not experience leaks from either system, we did notice dripping from both faucets after the tap was turned off or when moving them around on our counter.
For both systems, 40-oz bottles should fit under the spout without tilting, though neither are high enough to fit a standard 2-quart carafe.
Refilling
Electric
The electric systems are generally simple to refill. Typically, the feed tank is easy to remove and replace on the base, though the Brita Hub’s tall, narrow tank seems prone to tipping. They all have clear or translucent plastic feed tanks, allowing you to see how much water remains to be filtered. The Brita Hub even has a tank status indicator light to let you know when the feed water level is running low.
Frustratingly, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine’s tank leaked when removing it to refill, even when it was empty. On the other hand, the Waterdrop ED04 is extra easy to replenish thanks to a flip cover on the lid.
Dispensers
The dispensers are all straightforward to refill – most have a flip-top lid or sliding lid cover. A couple have clear or semi-clear upper reservoirs so that you may see how much water remains to be filtered.
The ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read and the Brita Ultramax Elite, however, have opaque upper reservoirs that do not allow this. Instead, you’ll have to open the lid to see if there’s room to top off and be careful when moving the unit after refilling to avoid spilling any unfiltered water.
Faucet-Connect
Faucet-connect systems do not utilize a feed tank, so no refilling is required.
Weight and Dimensions
Note: all the regular countertop water filters we tested fit under a standard kitchen cabinet set 18″ above counter height.
Electric
The regular electric water filters we tested share a similar footprint, ranging from 76.15-99.00 in² (avg. 86.78 in²). At 4.8-7.9 lb (avg. 6.43 lb), they vary slightly in weight. By comparison, these units are generally much more compact and lightweight than the average countertop RO (130.41 in²; 18.48 lb).
Dispensers
The tested dispensers have a footprint of 70.88-114.75 in² (avg. 89.18 in²). At 2.7–4.5 lbs (avg. 3.50 lb), they’re a rather lightweight group, thanks to their all-plastic construction. With the exception of the 9″ wide Waterdrop WFD-22L, they are also streamlined enough to squeeze into tight spots. Plus, all the units we tested easily fit on our fridge shelf without any shelf reconfiguration needed, though they were too big to place on the door.
Faucet-Connect
The two faucet-connect models we tested are diminutive in size and weight, taking up a mere 26.60-38.64 in² and weighing only 4.8-5.1 lb. As such, these units save space on your counter and are so lightweight that moving them around is a breeze.
Despite their maneuverability, their exposed tubing can still get in the way of regular sink use. This tubing also tethers the system to the faucet, restricting its placement to a position near the sink.
Filter Replacement and Other Maintenance Tasks
Consider both the rated filter life and your average water consumption to determine how often you’ll need to replace your filters. While the replacement process is usually straightforward, higher-than-average usage will require more frequent changes.
At the same time, be skeptical of the validity of claimed filter lifespans, especially when they are not supported by NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing through 100% or more of the rated filter life.
Filter replacement indicators can be helpful, but they are not without caveats: they can be inaccurate, and many track elapsed time or the number of refills rather than actual water usage, which is more informative. Sometimes the tracked metric isn’t even disclosed by the manufacturer. Other systems (like the ZeroWater 32 Cup Ready-Read) may feature built-in TDS meters, but we’re not fans of using TDS measurements to assess water quality. You can read why here.
All the electric systems have a filter change indicator, with the Brita Hub tracking water usage. Depending on the system, we estimate filter changes for the electric models will be required 2-5x annually.
All dispensers except for the ZeroWater have an indicator (it only has a TDS meter), with the Brita Ultramax Elite tracking refills. The number of required filter changes vary considerably, from 4-5x yearly on the low end – and up to 33-34x yearly for the ZeroWater, if following its very short 15-gal rated filter life.
Neither faucet-connect system is equipped with a filter change indicator, though the iSpring CKC1C model has transparent housing that allows for visual filter inspection. We estimate infrequent, twice yearly filter changes for both faucet-connect systems.
For virtually all of the countertop water systems we tested, the filter replacements themselves are typically straightforward. Occasionally we encountered a housing that was a little harder to open, or required an included tool, such as a filter wrench.
Keep in mind that for most units, you’ll need to flush the system or prime the filters each time they are replaced – just as you did during initial setup. If that task seems too troublesome, you may want to focus on models that require less ongoing maintenance.
Budget & Costs
The upfront price of a countertop water filter is only one part of the equation. Long-term replacement filter costs are often more important and largely depend on the price and lifespan of the cartridges.
When estimating costs, claimed filter lifespans should be viewed cautiously – especially if a system is not supported by NSF/ANSI certifications or third-party testing across at least 100% of the rated filter life. To err on the side of caution, more frequent filter changes may be prudent for systems without this backing.
Check our comparison sheets and detailed reviews for discount codes, which may help reduce either the upfront cost or ongoing replacement filter expenses. In addition, some manufacturers offer discounts on the system or filters when you sign up for a subscription.
Additional Considerations
After weighing filtration performance, usability, and costs, what else is left to consider? A few additional factors may still matter to you:
- Product warranty: The systems we’ve reviewed range from 90-day to 2-year warranties, and a couple also offer satisfaction guarantees (though restocking fees may still apply).
- Appearance: The overall look of your water filter is worth giving some thought, as it will be parked on your counter 24/7 (unless you choose a model that fits in the fridge). Designs vary from utilitarian to modern, with some models available in multiple colors.
- Materials: Construction materials and quality differ. The Waterdrop CTF-01 has an attractive, sturdy 304 SS build. Most of the remaining systems in the regular countertop water filter lineup are made of BPA-free plastic, including the water tanks. While they generally felt durable on the whole, some systems had components – such as a hinged lid – that felt more likely to deteriorate over time.
- Specific usability: Several systems have unique attributes that impact daily use. For example:
- The Aquasana Clean Water Machine’s tall feed tank doesn’t sit securely in the base and seems prone to being knocked out of place if bumped.
- The Brita Hub’s customizable reservoir placement allows you to place the feed tank along the side or in the back to optimize counterspace. But this seems unnecessary, as rear placement increases the overall depth and only shaves 0.6″ off the width. Plus, its tall, narrow feed tank doesn’t sit securely in the base, and it too seems prone to being knocked out of place if bumped, especially if installed on the side of the unit.
- The Waterdrop ED04 is highly portable thanks to an easily rechargeable battery (lasts up to 30 days at ambient temperatures or 15 days in the fridge – fits on fridge shelves). Plus, it has a battery life indicator and comes with a charging cable, cleaning brush, and optional rubber grips to keep the system stable.
- The Waterdrop CTF-01 uses minerals in its cartridge which may improve water taste.
- Noise: Some systems were noticeably noisy during filtration/dispensing.
- Filter recycling programs: ZeroWater offers a coupon to help offset shipping costs (but does not provide free filters).
- Off-brand filter replacements: The iSpring CKC1 & CKC1C’s 10-inch standard-sized filter cartridges allow you to use replacement filters from other manufacturers.
In Summary
There’s a lot to think about when shopping for a countertop water filter. We’ve tried to highlight all the practical considerations for the regular systems – pain points, perks, and relevant usability features – in this buying guide. Plus, we go into more detail about gravity systems and countertop ROs in their dedicated guides, so be sure to check those out as well.
If you’re not sure where to start, a good first step is to identify what’s in your water and look for a system that is tested – and ideally certified – to reduce those specific contaminants.
From there, factor in your budget, household water usage, and any user preferences before making your final purchasing decision.
Frequently Asked Questions about Countertop Water Filters
1. Is a countertop water filter better than an under sink water filter?
Not inherently. Where a filter sits affects installation and convenience, not performance. Our lab tests have found both strong and weak performers in each category. What matters is the filtration technology inside. Reverse osmosis systems consistently reduce the widest range of contaminants, and RO is available in both countertop and under sink versions.
2. Are countertop water filters worth it?
Yes, and, as above, the format itself carries no performance penalty. Countertop filters make particular sense for renters, for kitchens short on space, and for anyone who can’t or would rather not install an under sink system, which often needs its own dedicated faucet and a degree of comfort with tools. Countertop units can still be highly effective, and they generally outperform filter pitchers, which tend to be weaker on contaminant reduction.
3. What are the pros and cons of countertop water filters?
Most advantages are practical: no plumbing work, no drilling for a dedicated faucet, nothing to undo when you move, and cartridges sitting in the open where changes are quick. Performance can be excellent – countertop reverse osmosis units exist alongside the more common carbon-block designs. The main drawbacks are space and convenience: the unit is permanently visible on the counter, faucet-mounted models don’t fit every tap, and standalone tank versions have to be refilled by hand.
4. What is the lifespan of a countertop water filter?
Across the 45 countertop water filters we analyzed, manufacturer ratings span 15 to 8,000 gallons and 2 months to 2 years, though 6- and 12-month intervals dominate. Also, multi-stage units are rated per stage. For example, RO systems commonly pair one or more pre-filters rated at 300–800 gallons or 6–12 months, an RO membrane at 600–1,200 gallons or up to 2 years, and a carbon post-filter at 300–600 gallons or 12 months. Gravity-fed carbon elements sit at the opposite end, up to 3,000 gallons per element. Gallons and months are alternatives (whichever you reach first).
5. How much does a countertop water filter cost?
It depends heavily on the type. Across the 45 systems we tested, dispensers run ~$44-55, faucet-connect units ~$50-80 and electric filters ~$60-400, while gravity systems (~$149-549) and reverse osmosis (~$202-749, median around $450) sit at the top. Replacement filters are the bigger long-term cost, and they don’t follow the same order: yearly filter spend ranges from roughly $12 to $546. Most RO systems land at ~$60-180 a year, yet a $45 ZeroWater dispenser costs about $400 a year to feed, while a $544 Big Berkey runs about $12 on carbon elements alone. Filter subscriptions commonly cut 5-25% off replacements, and our discount codes can save you considerable money on the purchase price – $100 off, for example.
About the Author(s)
Sara has been a lifelong home-improvement fan (she’s been hooked on This Old House since she was five) and taught herself any project she didn’t already know by watching YouTube tutorials. She is also an award-winning filmmaker. Armed with this skillset, Sara installs, primes, samples, uses, and maintains nearly every point-of-use water treatment system we test – then brings her results to life on camera for our YouTube channel.
Raoul has a background in mechanical engineering and has been writing about home water treatment since 2015. He designs our product review processes, analyzes the results, and ties everything together. As editor-in-chief, he tries hard to keep the whole operation running smoothly behind the scenes.