Best Faucet Water Filters in 2023 Tested and Reviewed
Healthy Kitchen 101 has tested some of the most popular faucet-mount water filter units in our lab. This review round-up will show you the best faucet-mount water filtration options for 2023, according to our reviewers!
Most people find it hard to put up with the taste and odor of tap water. Who wants to drink water that smells like it’s from the pool?
Good news is, you don’t have to. As small as they may look, the best faucet water filters will get the problem solved.
These faucet mount filters are gadgets that can be installed directly onto your tap. Water is filtered as you open it, and comes out of the tap purified. This is much faster and a whole lot more convenient than a water filter pitcher, which excels at the same job but at a slower pace.
Most faucet filters are modest in size and extremely easy to install, making them a great choice for apartment renters. They're also well-loved items among travellers who want a simple way to ensure water quality wherever they stay.
- Updated Feb 28, 2023:
Added hands-on review for the PUR FM2500V, using test methodology v1.0.
- Updated Feb 21, 2023:
Added hands-on review for the Waterdrop WD-FC-01, Brita Basic and Waterdrop WD-FC-06, using test methodology v1.0.
- Updated Feb 6, 2023:
Added hands-on review for the Culligan FM-25, using test methodology v1.0.
Why A Faucet Water Filter
Safe, tasty water…
Most faucet mount water filters come with a decent amount of filtration materials, allowing them to remove dozens of various contaminants from your tap water.
Some can absorb or neutralize not only chlorine but also toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. A few types are built with materials that work to increase the pH level of your water, making it more alkaline.
The result is safe, fresh, crisp-tasting water with bottle quality right from your tap.
...without plastic bottles
Did you know that most bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water?
Also, while they can be convenient, the cost is high for both you and the environment.
The most appealing thing about bottled water is, apart from their portability, the good taste and odor. With a faucet water filter, you can have the same tasty pure water right from your tap. At a significantly lower cost, and it is also A LOT better for the earth.
Pure water immediately served
A good pitcher filter can provide sufficient clean water for drinking and occasional cooking in a small family. However, you do have to refill and wait for a few minutes before you can get a few cups of water.
If you need more than a couple gallons of pure water a day, an under tap filter is a better choice. You get clean water immediately, and a few-minutes-wait can get you a decent amount for cooking or washing.
Of course it's not that tap filters are the answer to every water problem.
First, due to their compact size, they're not capable of removing all the pollutants in a large amount of water. If you have serious water issues (heavy chlorination, dangerous contaminants ect), a countertop or undersink filter with large capacity and strong filtration media would be a better choice.
Second, these filters are not compatible with all types of faucets. Most modern faucets nowadays are made pull-down, which makes installation of a such a device impossible. Choosing a faucet just to go with the filter, meanwhile, does not sound practical.
All that said, when a quick, portable solution is needed, nothing can beat a good tap mount filter.
Review of the Best Faucet Water Filters 2023
Among dozens of tap-mount filters on the market, we selected the ones most effective in removing toxic chemicals and contaminants from tap water, with designs proved to last for years.
Here's our picks for the Best Faucet Water Filters.
1. Best Overall: Waterdrop WD-FC-06
Things We Like
- Excellent chlorine filtration efficiency.
- High filtering flow rate.
- Unique design and installation system.
- Replacement filter is readily available.
Things We Don’t Like
- While unique, the installation system of the filter is hard to figure out.
- Plastic construction makes long-term durability a concern.
Waterdrop is a fairly new brand on the market, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as good as other established names like PUR or Brita. The company has done an excellent job at designing the Waterdrop WD-FC-06, which isn’t just one of the best-looking filters in our database, but also the most performant in all tests.
Performance
In the chlorine filtering test, the Waterdrop WD-FC-06 performed exceptionally well.
We pumped highly chlorinated water into the filter, collected the treated water, and sent a sample to the lab for testing using a water quality kit. The results were highly promising: despite the initial chlorine concentration of over 10+ mg/l, the WD-FC-06 effectively removed nearly all traces of the chemical, resulting in a near-zero reading (~0 mg/l).
The Waterdrop WD-FC-06 also aced our flow rate test. Mounting it to a high-pressure tap with a maximum flow rate of 2.2 GPM, the flow rate through the unit in filtering mode was recorded to be around 1.3 GPM. This is still considered very fast for a faucet-mount water filter.
If you’re looking for a filter with a fast purification speed, this one will do the trick nicely.
The Exterior
The Waterdrop WD-FC-06 is made from stainless steel, giving it a sleek, luxurious look. It’ll fit perfectly into the aesthetic of any kitchen. Although we did our best to spot even the smallest flaws in the design of the WD-FC-06, we couldn’t find any. It’s a very well-built filter.
The Filter
The Waterdrop filter block uses activated carbon to filter the water. It’s why the company has recommended flushing the filter for at least 5 minutes after installation to ensure that all traces of carbon are vented out of the unit. During the flushing process of our filter, the water ran black from excess carbon.
The filter has one of the highest capacities among faucet mount filters: one single cartridge can take care of 320 gallons of water before retirement. According to Waterdrop, the filter should last about 3 months with regular use.
Read our full Waterdrop WD-FC-06 Faucet Filter Review
Price at time of publish: $39.99
Key Specs
2. Runner-up: Waterdrop WD-FC-01
Things We Like
- Excellent filtering flow rate (1.3 GPM).
- Near-perfect chlorine filtration efficiency.
- Great build quality using 304 food-grade stainless steel.
- The routing valve is solid and easy to use.
Things We Don’t Like
- Lacks filter replacement indicator.
So far, in our database, the only one that can meet up with the WD-FC-06’s level of performance is its sibling, the WD-FC-01. This model, made from plastic, is slightly cheaper than the all-stainless steel design of the WD-FC-06. However, it’s still every bit as capable.
Performance
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01 didn’t do well in our chlorine test. After pumping highly-chlorinated water through the filter, we collected and tested the filtered water and got a result of around 0.5 mg/l.
While this amount of chlorine won’t be detectable by most people, it’s still a downgrade over the perfect filtering performance of the Waterdrop WD-FC-06. As such, it’s a pretty disappointing result for us.
But while the filter didn’t do well in the chlorine test, it’s the second-best filter in the flow rate test, with a recorded flow rate of 1.29 GPM in filtering mode. The WD-FC-01 is a smidge slower than the 1.3 GPM record of the WD-FC-06, but the difference is so small that the user experience between the two models will be the exact same.
The Exterior
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01 has a two-piece plastic housing, both made from white plastic. To use the filter, you must first assemble it by connecting the filter compartment and the mounting piece together through a connecting port.
You can mount the filter to the faucet via a mounting port with a silver retention ring, which will grip onto a faucet adapter.
When properly installed, the filter will be positioned vertically along the faucet, allowing more space over the sink for filling and washing tasks.
The Filter
The WD-FC-01 uses an activated carbon filter, which is why the filter must be flushed for a couple of minutes when it’s first installed to take out the excess carbon. The filter cartridge has a polyester outer layer, which will take out sediments and large debris. Lastly, it has a “mineral core,” which can improve the water's flavor and make it taste more refreshing.
The filter has been certified by the NSF against ANSI 42 Standard. It has a maximum capacity of 320 gallons, which is around 3 months with normal use.
Read our full Waterdrop WD-FC-01 Faucet Water Filter Review
Price at time of publish: $19.88
Key Specs
3. Best for Ease of Installation: PUR FM2500V Faucet Water Filter
Things We Like
- Performed excellently in our chlorine filtering test
- Lightweight plastic construction
- Convenient one-click installation system
- Has an indicator light to keep track of filter change
Things We Don’t Like
- Long-term durability can be a problem due to the plastic construction
- The battery for the indicator light can’t be changed out
With a vertical design and a slightly lower price than the 9400B, but not any lesser in filtration ability, the PUR FM2500V easily wins our nomination for the best tap mount filter to remove lead.
Performance
While the PUR FM2500V did excellently in our chlorine test (it achieved a perfect score for being able to cleanse highly-chlorinated water with a value of 10+ mg/l down to nearly 0 mg/l), it didn’t do well in our flow rate test. It’s among one of three models that failed the test, with a filtering flow rate of just 0.44 GPM.
The Exterior
The most notable design feature of the PUR FM2500V is the “one-click” installation system. Instead of tightening a rotating collar or fumble with a system of ring-and-adapter like with other models, PUR offers a more interesting and convenient system. You only need to install a suitable adapter on the faucet, then, line the mounting port with the adapter and push upward. A locking mechanism within the mounting port will grip the adapter and hold the filter in place.
When you need to remove the filter for whatever reason, there are two release latches on either side. Press them simultaneously, and the filter will disengage from the adapter.
The filter housing is made from grey plastic. While it helps reduce the filter's overall weight, the plastic material makes the unit feel flimsy and cheap. Additionally, long-term durability of the filter can be a concern.
The Filter
The FM2500V uses PUR’s special “Mineral Core” filter cartridge. It uses a combination of three types of filtering media: activated carbon, ion exchange material, and natural minerals.
The activated carbon and ion exchange materials take out all of the harmful contaminants and chemicals in the water, such as chlorine. Meanwhile, the inner core will “refresh” the water with beneficial minerals.
According to PUR, each filter cartridge has a maximum capacity of 100 gallons and should be replaced once every three months. The light indicator will tell you exactly when the filter needs to be replaced.
The filter change indicator is powered on an irreplaceable battery that dies within two or three years. After that, you’ll either have to remember the replacement time by yourself or buy an entirely new unit. The planned obsolescence of the filter is one of the very few things we disliked about the PUR FM2500V.
Read our full PUR FM2500V Faucet Filter Review
Price at time of publish: $21.81
Key Specs
4. Best for Removing Chlorine: Brita Basic Water Filter
Things We Like
- Excellent chlorine filtering performance
- Decent flow rate
- Good-looking chrome-plated plastic construction
- Has an indicator light to keep track of filter change
Things We Don’t Like
- Long-term durability can be a problem due to the plastic construction
- Battery for the indicator light can’t be changed out
Thanks to their water filtering pitchers, Brita products have become a household name at this point. The Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter has a nice design, is affordable, and has great filtering performance to cap it all off. It’ll be a pretty good choice if you’re looking for a value faucet water filter to help you refresh your tap water.
Performance
In terms of chlorine filtration, the Brita Basic did excellently. As with other filter models, we tested it by pumping highly-chlorinated water through the filter, then sampling and testing the filtered water. From 10+ mg/l going in, the filter's water has a reading of around 0 mg/l. As a result, it received a perfect score from us.
In the flow rate test, the Brita Basic passed with a filtering flow rate of 0.7 GPM. While it’s nothing exceptional, the flow rate is perfectly acceptable.
The Exterior
The Brita Basic has a plastic housing with 2 finish choices: chrome and white. The model we picked for testing in the lab is the chrome-plated version.
Constructed from plastic with chrome plating on the outside, the filter may look like a metal filter, but it’s nowhere near as durable. But while long-term durability may not be great, in return, the filter is lightweight and affordable.
A design feature we really liked is the antimicrobial plastic inner sheathing within the filter compartment. Supposedly, it helps prevent the development of germs and molds inside the filter.
The Filter
Brita uses an NSF-certified, GAC (Granulated Activated Carbon) filter. Since there’s carbon inside, you must flush the filter for at least 5 minutes before using it. During our test, the water ran black with excess carbon for a while before it cleared out.
The filter included in the package can handle about 100 gallons of water. When replacement time comes (which is 2 - 3 months), you need to switch it out for a new one. Fortunately, the Brita Basic filter comes with a filter-change indicator light that can tell you exactly when it’s time to buy a replacement.
Read our full Brita Basic Faucet Water Filtration System
Price at time of publish: $26.60
Key Specs
5. Best New Faucet Water Filter: Culligan FM-25 Faucet Water Filter
Things We Like
- Excellent chlorine filtering ability with a near-100% filtration rate.
- Good build quality, and premium materials.
- The locking collar fixes the filter solidly to the tap, preventing it from wiggling around.
- The push/pull routing valve is easy to use. Automatically reset after the tap is shut off.
- Replacement filters are cheap and easy to find.
Things We Don’t Like
- Very low flow rate in filtration mode (0.5 GPM).
- The filter of our unit leaked during testing.
Performance
The performance of the Culligan FM-25 is great. In our chlorine filtering test, the filter received a perfect score by filtering out all traces of the chemical in the highly-chlorinated that we pumped through it. Particularly, the chlorinated water sample has a reading of 10+ mg of chlorine in every liter of water. After passing through the filter, our test kit returned a 0 mg/l.
It performed less well in our flow rate test. Attached to our test rig with a high-pressure faucet outputting 2.2 GPM, the Culligan FM-25 only managed to produce 0.5 GPM after it was switched to filtering mode. The speed reduction is very noticeable and maybe a point of annoyance if you’ve always been used to using high-pressure faucets.
The Exterior
The Culligan FM-25 is made of light plastic with a sleek chrome finish. The mounting point for the filter is a rotating collar. You only need to slip it onto the head of your faucet and rotate the collar until the filter is locked tight against the faucet.
However, this will only apply to faucets with external threading. If your faucet has internal threading, the Culligan has two pieces of faucet adapters to help with installation.
Usability
You can flexibly change between using either plain tap water or filtered water on the FM-25 by using the knob to the side of the filter.
Pull the knob outward when you need filtered water and, vice versa, push it back into the filter when you no longer need filtered water, and the valve inside will switch to plain tap water for you. A notable feature of the FM-25 is that the valve will automatically reset to plain water mode when you turn the tap off, which can help you prolong the filter's lifespan by ensuring the filter only produces purified water when needed.
The Filter
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter is certified to meet NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. These standards indicate that the filter can improve the water's aesthetic (removing bad smell, taste, etc.) In addition, it’s also able to remove chemicals and contaminants like chlorine.
The filtration cartridge can process 200 gallons of water before it has to be replaced. Under normal usage, this should mean 2 to 3 months of use. But since there’s no replacement indicator on the Culligan, make sure to write down the installation date to keep track of when you need to buy a replacement filter.
Read our full Culligan FM-25 Faucet Water Filter In-Depth Review
Price at time of publish: $40.27
Key Specs
Why Trust Us
Healthy Kitchen 101 is committed to providing our readers with accurate, reliable information in our reviews. To that end, all of the reviews on our website are hands-on, meaning we’ve independently purchased the product and tested it in our lab.
Our test methodology is publicized, allowing you to see and understand exactly how we arrive at each conclusion and the basis we use to score the products. You can even use the test methodology to replicate the test yourself!
We establish most testing procedures in-house and consult with outside experts when necessary.
How We Test Faucet Water Filters
Each filter you see above has been rigorously tested by our reviewers in Healthy Kitchen 101’s lab.
In the current iteration of the performance test, we tested the filter in two ways: chlorine filtering efficiency and filtering flow rate (i.e. how fast the filter is at filtering water.)
For the chlorine test, we pumped chlorinated water through the filter. Then, the filtered water is collected in a vial and tested using a special test kit. To gain an excellent score, the filter must be able to filter out all traces of chlorine in the water sample.
In the filtering flow rate test of the filter, we measure how much filtered water the unit can produce in 20 seconds. We take measurements using a measuring cup, a timer, and a weighing scale.
As we look at the performance of the filter, we also evaluate its design and ease of use, too. An ideal filter must have a strong, durable construction with no noticeable design or manufacturing flaw. It should also be easy to use and install.
If you want to know more, check out our detailed testing methodology for faucet-mount water filters!
Our Expertise
Matthew Lee has been a reviewer for Healthy Kitchen 101 for over two years. Before becoming an editorial board member, he was a prolific tech-centric blogger, with a publication history for the International Business Times.
He has handled many reviewing projects in that time, from small kitchen appliances like waffle makers to faucets, showerheads, and water softeners.
One of his projects was testing and reviewing faucet-mount water filters with the Research, Testing, and Review (RTR) Lab of Healthy Kitchen 101. The team has spent more than 100 hours testing and sampling the quality of water produced by eight of the top faucet-mount filters on the market. Each filter was rigorously tested against several classes of chemicals and underwent several test sessions each, aiming to find the top product for the readers.
About your guide
Luna Regina is an accomplished writer and author who dedicates her career to empowering home cooks and making cooking effortless for everyone. She is the founder of HealthyKitchen101.com and HealthyRecipes101.com, where she works with her team to develop easy, nutritious recipes and help aspiring cooks choose the right kitchen appliances.
Matthew is one of the writers at Healthy Kitchen 101. Working as part of the Review Team, he directly contributes to the production of content for the site’s Product Review pages. Much like the other members of staff, he strives to bring you the most authentic and accurate reviews of kitchen appliances as possible.
Lap Vo is head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (the RTR) at Healthy Kitchen 101. He is responsible for designing and overseeing the testing of kitchen tools and appliances.