Please note: Prices last checked on January 17, 2025. Also, costs were adjusted if a company has provided us with a discount code (short-term sales and discounts requiring some kind of subscription didn’t count). We may also have adjusted annual cost if a manufacturer’s stated filter lifespan appeared unrealistic.
Key Takeaways
Based on us (lab-)testing and comparing 9 different systems, a good faucet water filter costs between $20 and $35 upfront, and around $50 in annual filter replacements.
A brief summary of our data:
- Upfront costs for a faucet water filter are typically between $20 and $40.
- Upfront price range in our faucet water filter comparison is $21.99 to $115.00.
- Average upfront price in our comparison is $42.50.
- Average annual filter replacement cost in our comparison is $107.67.
- Our top faucet filter pick costs $32.99 upfront and ~$50 annually, our 2nd pick is the most affordable at $21.99 and ~$50 annually.
How much does a good faucet water filter cost in 2025, and how much do you need to invest if you want a top-performing system? Also, is there really a difference between budget and premium-priced faucet filters? We’ve tested 9 popular models first-hand to find the answers to those questions!
Contents
Faucet Water Filter Cost Overview
Below are the 9 faucet water filters part of our comparison including their upfront and long-term cost and their key performance metrics.
| Faucet Water Filter | PUR PLUS Horizontal Faucet System | PUR PLUS Vertical Faucet System | Brita Complete (Elite Advanced) | Brita Basic (Elite) | ZeroWater ExtremeLife | Culligan FM-15A | Waterdrop FC-01 | Filterbaby Skincare Water Filter 2.0 | Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Price (Jan 17, 2025) | $32.99 | $21.99 | $37.79 | $37.79 | $37.99 | $33.99 | $26.99 | $115 | $37.95 |
| Our Yearly Cost Estimate (Jan 17, 2025) | ~$50 | ~$50 | ~$70 | ~$70 | ~$36 | ~$50-120 | ~$45 | ~$180 | ~$30-60 |
| Final Rating | 4.29/5.00 | 4.19/5.00 | 3.76/5.00 | 3.66/5.00 | 2.88/5.00 | 3.03/5.00 | 2.87/5.00 | 1.79/5.00 | 2.36/5.00 |
| Filtration Score (Lab Results, NSF Certifications + Other Test Data, Taste & Odor Test) | 3.99/5.00 | 3.99/5.00 | 3.39/5.00 | 3.39/5.00 | 2.32/5.00 | 2.44/5.00 | 1.91/5.00 | 0.93/5.00 | 1.15/5.00 |
| Usability Score | 4.50/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 3.50/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 |
| Cost Score | 5.00/5.00 | 5.00/5.00 | 4.64/5.00 | 4.64/5.00 | 3.43/5.00 | 3.84/5.00 | 3.64/5.00 | 2.17/5.00 | 3.33/5.00 |
| Lab Results Score | 4.24/5.00 | 4.24/5.00 | 3.64/5.00 | 3.64/5.00 | 3.57/5.00 | 3.69/5.00 | 3.16/5.00 | 1.43/5.00 | 2.40/5.00 |
Average Upfront Price
Faucet water filters are usually priced between $20 and $40. However, budget outliers are already available for less than $10,while some premium-priced models can reach $100 or more.
The average upfront price in our comparison featuring 9 of the most popular and most promising faucet filters is $42.50, which is low compared to other water filter types. Also, that average cost is a bit skewed by the Filterbaby’s very high price tag so that the other 8 filters come in below average.
Average Long-Term Cost for Replacement Filters
In our comparison, the average long-term cost for faucet replacement filters is $107.67 per year, which is somewhat comparable to other filter types.
How Much Does a Good Faucet Water Filter Cost?
The PUR PLUS Horizontal came out on top in our faucet water filter comparison. This is particularly interesting because it’s priced considerably below average, showing that paying more doesn’t always guarantee a better product. And so, for only $32.99 upfront, you can get a good faucet filter that, in our testing, achieved the best filtration results and is backed by NSF certifications for the reduction of 70 contaminants (though they are mostly for easier-to-remove organics), offers decent usability, and comes with an extended 2-year warranty. The PUR PLUS Horizontal also excels long-term, with annual filter replacement cost of just $50, making it very affordable in the long run.
Our runner-up faucet water filter is the PUR PLUS Vertical, which is actually the most affordable in our comparison priced at only $21.99 – about 50% of the price average. Filtration performance was excellent for a faucet filter, we have the same NSF certifications and extended 2-year warranty as with the other PUR PLUS Horizontal above, and usability was decent. However, the plastic switch seems of lower quality, and we suspect it might break if handled too forcefully. Long-term costs for filter replacements are the same, inexpensive $50 per year as with the PUR PLUS Horizontal model.
Budget vs Expensive Faucet Filters
Again and interestingly-enough, the cheapest faucet water filter, the PUR PLUS Vertical, earned the second spot in our comparison. In contrast, the Filterbaby Skincare Water Filter 2.0 has the highest upfront cost of $115 ($125 without our $10 discount code), which is well over twice the average. Long-term costs are also significantly higher than average, costing ~$180 per year, although you can save 30% with a filter subscription.
So, for that kind of premium price, what type of system do you get? In our testing, the Filterbaby performed so poorly that we do not recommend it for drinking water or for use on the skin, for that matter. Our biggest concerns? The methylene chloride, dichloropropane, and toluene that appeared in our filtered water according to the lab reports. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the Filterbaby has no NSF certifications for contaminant reduction. Overall quality? The mounting connector appears to be prone to breaking if handled too forcefully, so material quality is no different from that of the PUR PLUS Vertical, although the Filterbaby does come with the nicest packaging!
Bottom Line
In our opinion, when it comes to faucet water filters, paying a premium price is definitely not worth it – and don’t be fooled by nice packaging! The PUR PLUS Horizontal and the Vertical model performed best in our comparison and both are budget priced coming in at around $20-35. The same goes for long-term filter replacements: Highly affordable.
If you are willing to spend more, don’t waste your money on an alleged premium faucet filter. You’d be better off investing in a countertop RO or another more advanced water filtration system.
Faucet Filter Cost Factors
Given the above, obvious cost factors for faucet water filters are hard to make out, so we’ve compiled a general list of factors that tend to affect the cost of most water filter types.
Filtration Process
The different filter media and methods used are often the same within the same filter category, but with some filters you get larger media volumes, which may increase costs.
Also, some systems have extra stages like remineralization or UV treatment with an RO system.
Even some faucet filters apply mineralization (so adding minerals without removing them prior).
NSF Certifications
Generally speaking, the higher the number of NSF certifications, the more expensive the water filter. This is because NSF certifications cost money, and they demonstrate due diligence since the manufacturer has taken the extra time to ensure the use of high-quality materials and effective filtration.
However, in the case of faucet water filters, 2 of the 3 cheapest systems (both PUR PLUS models) we tested have the most certifications (70 each), whereas the most expensive filter, the Filterbaby, lacks any certifications for contaminant reduction at all.
Replacement Filter Type
That doesn’t really apply to faucet filters, but modular replacement filter cartridges are usually more expensive than when cartridges and housings are separate.
Proprietary filters are also often more expensive than standard-sized ones.
Filter Life
Longer lasting filters mean fewer replacements so lower long-term costs compared to similar priced filters that don’t last as long.
Overall Usability, Design & Quality
Looks, style, thoughtful and easy install/maintenance, and general ease of use may also affect costs. Also, filter systems tend to cost more when they’re larger.
And as with most products, the better the quality, the more expensive a water filter system is. However, with the faucet filters we tested, the cheaper systems performed the best, but some may have cheaply made parts. That said, the most expensive system performed the worst, and it also has some cheaply made parts, so higher cost does not always mean higher quality.
Additional Features
Additional features can add to the cost, such as filter life indicators, TDS monitors, permeate pumps, and electronic pumps.
Scope of Delivery
Having additional options with a water filter may also increase its cost, like when a gravity system comes with a tank stand. In the case of faucet filters, you may get multiple faucet adapters for example.
Made in USA
Some water filters are Made in USA – or their filter cartridges are. Both usually adds to the cost.
Product Warranties & Satisfaction Guarantees
There’s often a standard warranty of 1 year with most water filtration systems. But some products are covered for 2 years or even offer lifetime warranties, while others are 30 or 90 days only. Generally speaking, the longer the warranty, the more expensive the system. But again, for our faucet water filters, this did not hold true as our budget picks offered 2-year warranties while the most expensive came with only 3 months, although apparently you can sign up for a lifetime warranty if you want one.
Satisfaction guarantees are only offered by few water filter brands, usually for point-of-entry systems.
Brand Perception
It’s common knowledge that Brands perceived as “premium” sell their products for more. Performance of premium brands is often better than average, but not always.
Further Reading
About the Author(s)
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.