Best Under Sink Water Filters: 2020 Buyers Guide

Why Trust Waterful.org?

Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .

Learn more about our team of water experts

The best under-sink water filter reviews will give you a good idea of which filters will meet your expectations and filtration requirements. Make sure that you read about the top under-sink water filters to make an informed decision that will give you the best value for your money.

Why Do I Need a Under Sink Water Filter?

Though tap water goes through the normal chemical process before getting to our homes, it is not always safe to drink. Statistics show millions of US citizens are exposed to unsafe water every year. Though the problem is prevalent in rural areas, a few cities report such cases from time to time. Some contaminants in tap water make it unsafe for human consumption.

One way in which drinking water gets contaminated is through local land usage. For instance, some of the pesticides that farmers use on their farms tend to leak into water sources leading to contamination. Apart from that, manufacturing processes such as sewer overflows and malfunctioning septic systems also lead to the contamination of drinking water.

Recommended Under Sink Water Filters

Now that you’re aware of the dangers of unfiltered water, let’s look at the best reviewed undersink water filters according to our water experts.

Best Overall Under Sink Water Filter

Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Undersink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

Health-conscious persons who are looking for water purification systems with exceptional capabilities should take a look at the Home Master TMAFC Artesian. The unit can give you water with a high level of purity whilst retaining essential minerals. The filter is engineered to give you a high flow rate and to minimize leakage problems.

The Home Master TMAFC Artesian water filtration system gives you a high level of protection against contaminants thanks to in-built RO technology.

In case you are worried that the reverse osmosis process will filter out magnesium and calcium, then you can rest assured knowing that the unit introduces these minerals back again once the reverse osmosis process is complete. You are left with high-quality mineral water that is as healthy as it is pure. The Home Master is a highly rated under-sink reverse osmosis water filter.

Before adding back the essential minerals, the efficient reverse osmosis process can about 98 percent of harmful contaminants, sediment, heavy metals, and chemicals.

Since the hoses are easy to attach to your water supply you do not need a wrench for connecting the hoses. Installation is, therefore, a simple and straightforward process that you can do on your own with just the user manual in front of you.

The filters can purify 2000 gallons of water before they need replacement. They will also need to be replaced after they have operated for a year. Hence, the filters have high capacity and you can enjoy peace of mind with the knowledge that filter changes are infrequent. The filters are also very easy to replace since you need to turn their fittings to unscrew them.

The unit passes your tap water through no less than 7 stages of filtration to give you exceptionally pure water. Thanks to the rigorous purification process, the model can bring down pharmaceuticals, dissolved solids, heavy metals, chemicals, chlorine, chloramines, and other toxic contaminants by as much as 99%.

Homeowners will be glad to know that the unit has a catalytic carbon filter to remove stubborn chloramine. This chemical is now being added to water to disinfect it. Ordinary carbon filters cannot remove this persistent chemical easily but the catalytic carbon media certainly can.

Thanks to the design of the filtration system, water wastage is reduced by 80 percent. Additionally, it gets around the problem called ‘TDS creep” to give you pure water.

Other filtration systems simply rely on a filter change so that the unit performs according to expectations. Unfortunately, this can lead to the buildup of biofilm, microorganisms, and sediments on the container walls that are not changed. The Home Master resolves this issue by making modular filters. Rather than replacing just the filter, you replace the entire module itself which includes the housing beside the filter.

The 5-year warranty is quite a statement since it indicates the confidence that the manufacturer has in the reliability of the unit.

Best Budget Under Sink Water Filter

Woder WD-S-8K-DC Under Sink Water Filter

The high-performance standards of the Woder WD-S-8K-DC are impressive. The filtration system can extract 99.99% of chlorine and lead. It can also dramatically reduce the concentration of mercury, chromium, lead and other heavy metals. The Woder is wonderful for removing carcinogens, volatile organic compounds, as well as other contaminants.

You can relish the taste of pure drinking water with the Woder since it efficiently eliminates bad taste, odor and turbidity from your municipal water. Turn your tap into a spring of fresh and pure water that is fit to drink and healthy for your entire family.

Since this model is compliant and certified for NSF/ANSI 42, you have the reassurance of knowing that it greatly reduces chlorine and takes out its repulsive odor and taste from your drinking water.

The selective filters that are deployed in this unit can remove as much as 99.99% of certain impurities. One very positive aspect is that the filtration is highly selective. So while the system substantially reduces heavy metals and other harmful toxins, it leaves other minerals behind that are essential for your health. There are many reverse osmosis filters available in the market that remove all metals and elements including those that are essential for your health. Hence, you can enjoy safe, healthy and good tasting drinking water with the Woder WD-S-8K-DC.

Installation is a very simple process. You don’t need professional plumbing help to put this water filtration system in place correctly. You just need to directly connect the hoses on the filter to a standard faucet and hose fittings of 3/8”.

You can feel good about purchasing this premium product since it is designed and manufactured in the US.

The high capacity of this water filter means that you can use it without any worries for a long time. The filters can work for 3 years or process 8,400 gallons of water before they become due for replacement. Since the filters are so long-lasting, you can enjoy years of uninterrupted use with the Woder WD-S-8K-DC.

The “YOU’LL LOVE IT” guarantee is as bold and straightforward as you can get. You either love it or leave it. It is as simple as that. The company will provide a full refund in case you are not satisfied with the product. You can use this product with full confidence as a result of this money-back guarantee. And the chances that you will not like this product are minimal since the unit is compliant with the relevant NSF/ANSI standards. Bear in mind that this product will work for municipal water supply or disinfected water. You cannot use this device for well-water, softened water, and saltwater.

Most Effective Undersink Water Filter

OPTIMH2O^® Reverse Osmosis + Claryum Under Sink Water Filter

You should know from the very outset that the OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum is tested and proven to remove 5 times more pollutants than other RO filters.

The OptimH2O utilizes a sophisticated filtration system plus RO technology to remove as many as 87 contaminants. Such capabilities render this model the ideal solution for hydration and health. Other ordinary filtration systems have far more modest capabilities being able to remove just 5 to 15 contaminants. The high-performance Aquasana OptimH2O is a filtration system par excellence.

It can eliminate up to 99% of lead and asbestos, 97% of chlorine and arsenic and 95% of fluoride and mercury. The OptimH2O is one of the best water filters that remove fluoride and chlorine.

Fluoride is known to be highly toxic at elevated levels. Many consumers are concerned about removing it since there are many other sources of fluoride besides tap water to which it is routinely added. The toxic effects of fluoride include dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, thyroid problems, neurological problems, and cognitive decline.

The Aquasana OptimH2O will allay your fluoride concerns since RO technology is the only proven method for effectively reducing fluoride levels. The unit can bring down fluoride levels substantially without substantially removing beneficial minerals. The water that you get is optimal for your health and pure at the same time.

To maintain mineral balance in your drinking water, the unit adds back potassium, magnesium, and calcium to filtered water. The device also shifts the pH to optimal alkaline levels that are ideally suited for your health making it a good alkaline under-sink water filter.

Here are the different filtration processes that the unit deploys to bring down harmful contaminants.

• Reverse osmosis – pollutants under 1 micron like arsenic and fluoride are removed
• Activated carbon – targets harmful organic chemicals like MTBE, VOCs, pesticides, and herbicides
• Catalytic Carbon – reduces ammonia disinfectant, chloramines and chlorine
• Ion Exchange – filters out heavy metals such as mercury and lead
• Absolute sub-micron filtration – filters chlorine-resistant pathogens like cryptosporidium and giardia
• Remineralization – adds back beneficial elements like potassium, magnesium, and calcium that also improve pH levels

Thanks to its ability to substantially bring down arsenic levels, the unit is a reliable arsenic under-sink water filter.

The high-performance filters are easy to detach and replace. You just need to twist and turn them to unscrew the used filters. You can attach the new filters with similar ease.

With a flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute, you won’t need to watch and wait for your water to trickle through drop by drop. You will have enough purified water every day which should be sufficient for all your drinking needs. The total amount of water that you get every day is determined by the inlet water pressure. The OptimH2O has a 3 stage filtration system. Since other systems rely on 5 or 7 stage systems, you might think that the OptimH2O will fall short. However, this is not the case. The unit combines certain stages into one. It is more efficient than other systems and it outperforms them since it removes far more contaminants than the average model.

Also Reviewed Under Sink Water Filters

CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter – 50K Ultra High Capacity

An under-sink filtering unit like the CuZn UC-200 is just what you need to keep wasted water to a minimum. Due to its compact dimensions, this model does not need a large amount of space under the sink. The performance characteristics and efficiency of the model are such that it can rival and surpass other RO systems with ease.

If you are looking for the highest-rated filter made in the USA, look no further than the CuZn UC-200. Your quest ends here. Superior performance, high capacity, low waste, and other highly desirable properties, make this unit the system of choice for American households.

Take, for instance, the durable high-performance filters.

The unit is also so easy to install. You just need a wrench to connect the model to your kitchen water line. Full instructions are provided in the user’s manual for this simple process. The average consumer couldn’t ask for more. 

 An important point to know is that the filters are bacteriostatic. This simply means that the filters do not allow the growth of bacteria and mold. This quality is highly imperative since you do not want nasty pathogens to proliferate on your filter.

The system utilizes a 3-stage process for efficient water filtration. The unit has a KDF-55 filter and a micro sediment membrane. The KDF-55 works well to keep most of the harmful chemicals found in water supplies out of your drinking water. The CuZn UC-200 can remove harmful heavy metals like chromium, nickel, mercury, lead, and others.

Since the filter has a coconut shell layer, it does not permit the growth of bacteria that it collects and filters out of your water. Another good feature of this system is that it does not remove healthful elements that make the water healthy, like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. One drawback of this is that the system does not reduce water hardness.

The CuZn UC-200 is also capable of substantially reducing the presence of toxic chemicals like pesticides, herbicide, and other organic compounds. The system also keeps out mold, algae and other harmful pathogens. The foul odor and bad taste will be a thing of the past with this unit. You will get purified water that tastes great and is crystal clear.

Chorine test strips are available so that you can check the performance of this unit periodically. If the strips indicate the presence of chlorine then it means that the filters need replacement. If you are looking for chlorine under-sink water filter, then be sure to consider the CuZn UC-200. The heavy-duty water filter needs replacement after 5 years or after it purifies 50,000 gallons of water – whichever comes first. The durability and longevity of this filter make it the ideal choice for homeowners who want a unit known for its long service life and reliability.

Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter System

The Frizzlife filter utilizes a 5-micron filter to trap sediments and an ultra-fine carbon block filter that is only 0.5 micron for removing 99.99% of chlorine, lead and other heavy metals.

One of the key advantages of the Frizzlife filter is that essential minerals remain intact. Unlike RO filters, it does not remove these beneficial minerals from your water.

The filter life is 1,600 gallons of water, which is quite high. Also, the manufacturer recommends filter changes every 6 months so that its performance remains largely unaffected.

Changing the filters is a breeze. You just have to twist the filter to unscrew it so that it comes loose. Replacing the new filter is also very convenient and takes mere seconds. While changing the filter, you do not need to shut off the water supply line. Instead, you can use the built-in shut off feature so that you can continue to use municipal water supply while changing the filter.

Included in the package are a 3/8” water adapter and a stainless steel faucet for easy installation. There is also a plastic wrench to make the installation job quicker and more convenient. Water tubing and system are part of the unit so that you can carry out the full installation without problems.

The flow rate at 40 PSIG turns out to be 1.5 gallons per minute. This is a fairly high flow rate due to which you will not have to wait for your water. You will have as much drinking water as you need on demand.

To ensure satisfactory and efficient removal of lead and chlorine, Frizzlife has had its filtered certified and tested by 3^rd parties for compliance with NSF standards 53 and 42.  

You will get great tasting water with the Frizzlife water filter system since it does well to remove chlorine, the disinfectant chemical that gives bad taste and odor to your drinking water. Thanks to the efficient filtration mechanism, the unit can remove 99.99% of contaminants. The Frizzlife takes care of toxic substances like carcinogens, volatile organic compounds, rust, mercury, chromium 6, chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals as well as contaminants.

Filtrete Maximum Under-sink Water Filtration System

The Filtrete Maximum Under-sink Water Filtration system has great performance features and compact dimensions.

The superior-grade filters can remove 975 of chlorine, 99% of microbial cysts and 99% of lead. They can also capture soil, rust, sediment and sand particles that are 0.5 microns thick.

As this unit is so efficient at removing bacteria and chlorine from your water, you will have an abundance of crystal clear water with great taste and quality.

The unit performs as it claims since it verified and tested by independent bodies. The model complies with NSF/ANSI Standard 42 & 53. NSF International has tested and certified this product to validate the performance shown in the datasheet.

At 1.5 gallons per minute, the flow rate of the device is well above par. At this rate, you will have all the drinking water that you require for you and your family.

Installing the unit is also a very simple job. You can connect the unit easily to your kitchen waterline using the push-fitting connections that require minimum skills for installation. You can do the job easily even if you have no prior experience working with hardware. The installation process should not take you more than a few minutes.

Here is the 3-step process for installation.

• Step 1. Turn off the water supply. Connect the hose from the faucet to the output connection located on the filter head.
• Step 2. You must now connect the input connection on the filter head to the water supply hose.
• Step 3. Connect the filter by revolving it a quarter turn to screw it securely in place.

Filter replacement is a cinch. You just have to twist the filter fitting by a quarter to unscrew it. You can then place a new filter and screw it back on with convenience.

The filter lifespan is 6 months. Hence, you just need to change the filter twice per year and not worry about replacing them too frequently. The relatively long lifespan is also great for keeping running costs low and saving your hard-earned money.

The 6 month replacement time frame for the filter is a long time and there is a risk that you may not remember it. If you fear that you will forget to change the filter after 6 months have elapsed, then you are in luck. You can sign up for a text reminder which will send you a text message when the replacement is due.  This product is designed to work for municipal water supply only and is therefore not meant to be used with any other source of water.

APEC WFS-1000 Super Capacity Premium Quality 3 Stage Under-Sink Water Filter System

The APEC WFS-1000 water filtration system is a great choice for those who are shopping on a budget and need an under-sink filter that does the job well.

It delivers high value for money since it is very efficient at removing the contaminants that it has listed.

The APEC WFS-1000 uses a 3-stage process to filter out contaminants and harmful contaminants from your tap water.

Stage 1: The 5-micron polypropylene filter traps sediment, rust, dirt, sand, etc.

Stage 2: The activated carbon block filter is efficient at removing VOCs, chlorine and other organic compounds that are harmful and give your water bad taste and smell.

Stage 3: Repeat the same process in stage 2.

You may notice that the first and second stages are the same. If you want to remove additional contaminants from your drinking water then you can think about getting another filter for the 3^rd stage.

For instance, you can opt for the fluoride removal filter that is also good at trapping bacteria. The fluoride filter will bring down the fluoride content to under 0.1 parts per million. The filter makes use of alumina which relies on an oxidative reaction to remove the fluoride. This component is a reliable fluoride under-sink water filter.

You can also deploy the WFS-1000-PB carbon filter which is good for lead removal.

The filter complies with NSF Standard 53 and is, therefore, a viable method to substantially reduce lead content in water. It can last for 2,500 gallons after which it must be replaced.

There is one final upgrade that you can also select. The WFS-1000-CHLORM will work where chloramines are used for disinfection instead of chlorine. Besides chloramines, the catalytic component also removes hydrogen sulfide through oxidation. A cartridge can filter 1,500 gallons of water before it needs replacement.

The unit is engineered and assembled within the United States. The manufacturer provides a 1-year guarantee for the product.

The mineral composition of the water will remain constant besides the listed elements and compounds that product removes. Therefore, essential elements like potassium, magnesium, and calcium are not filtered out during the purification process. Essential minerals therefore remain in your water and leave it as nutritious as it was.

Since the flow rate is very good, you do not have to wait a long time for purified water. The system is suitable for municipal water supply and water that has been correctly disinfected.

iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization

The iSpring RCC7AK is an alkaline under-sink water filter that provides comprehensive protection against a wide spectrum of toxins and contaminants. Not just that, it also has a spacious tank and the ability to replenish essential minerals for a low cost. If the value for money is what you seek, then the iSpring may be the ideal choice.

Under optimal settings, the iSpring can deliver 75 gallons of purified water each day. Not only is this enough for your drinking needs, but it will also prove sufficient for several other domestic needs if not all. You will be hard-pressed to find a better bargain at its price level.

The iSpring deploys no less than 6 stages for thorough filtration that will protect your loved ones against hundreds of harmful substances found in municipal water.

The Water Quality Association has conferred the WQA Gold Seal to the iSpring on account of its superior performance and reliability. The company has used FDA-approved food-grade materials to manufacture all components. This product has been independently tested and certified for compliance with NSF standards.

The iSpring has the full range of options and features that a homeowner can ask for from an under-sink water filter system. It is hard to find any good feature that has not been included.

• An alkaline filter helps to enhance the pH and add back essential minerals to the RO treated water.
• For easy installation, there are 4 colored tubes that you can connect quickly without the need for a wrench.
• The metal feed water adapter is designed and upgraded to be leak-proof
• The full set of parts and accessories are included in the package like quick fitting lock clips, elbow fitting, O-rings, and spare housing just in case you need it.
• The faucet is made from brushed nickel and is lead-free
• The see-through containers allow you to inspect them for any buildup of sediments

Since the unit leverages state-of-the-art reverse osmosis technology, it is very efficient at removing a vast range of pollutants in the range of 99%.

The alkaline filter has plenty of tiny mineral stones that can add back potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium ions to the RO treated water. The water will taste refreshing and be more palatable. With the iSpring, you can have a spring of fresh, pure and crystal-clear water right in your kitchen!

Under ideal conditions, the iSpring can pour out 2 to 3 gallons of purified water each hour. Thus, in one day it can provide 75 gallons of water.

The device also has a 3.2-gallon tank fitted with an automatic shut-off valve that is activated when the tank fills up.

Here is how the 6-stage process works.

• Stage 1. The polypropylene sediment filter traps particles, dust, sand, rust, and sediment.
• Stage 2. The granular activated carbon filter eliminates chlorine, poor taste, bad odor, discoloration, and turbidity.
• Stage 3. The carbon block finishes off any odor, discoloration or taste that remains. It also works to extend the membrane service life and improve the efficiency of the pre-filter.
• Stage 4. The RO membrane can remove several contaminants like bacteria, chlorine, chromium, lead, arsenic, radium, fluoride, asbestos, arsenic as well as many other toxins.
• Stage 5. The carbon filter removes tastes and odors that might come from the storage tank.
• Stage 6. An alkaline filter for including essential minerals in your drinking water and balancing its pH to optimal levels for your health.

One reason why the unit enjoys such a high rate of customer satisfaction is because of the rigorous quality assurance process. All components and the full unit must conform to premium quality standards and are tested extensively against air and pressure leaks.

Even though the model is built for top-class quality, there is always the possibility of a problem with your product. In case that happens, you need not worry because reliable and friendly customer support is available to resolve your issue quickly. You can also some DIY videos on water filter installation and maintenance.   

---

Click Your City/State for Tap Water Safety

---

---

WARNING: Utilities Do Not Test What Comes Out of Your Faucet

Learn Exactly What’s In Your Water

---