We have all had the experience of drinking water and thinking, “Oh ... that’s not right.” A water filter can help with the taste and much more – and a better understanding of them can help you pick the right one for daily use.
Water quality can be affected by plumbing, geography, mineral buildup, weather events and emerging contaminants such as Pfas, pharmaceuticals and disinfection byproducts. Many filters on the market claim to remove impurities, but that doesn’t mean the technology is reducing the contaminants that you should be most concerned about.
We decided to put these claims to the test. We tested nine different water filters for taste and ease of use, then third-party tested them in labs to evaluate their efficacy. Fascinatingly, the household-favorite Brita was beaten by many other brands.
Why you should trust us
We are students, professors and researchers from the Drexel Food Lab at Drexel University, a food product design and culinary innovation lab. For the Filter US, we have previously tested the best air fryers, the best nontoxic cookware and the best instant coffee, and answered common questions about food safety.
How we tested
We talked to public health experts and water quality engineers about how to choose the best water filter systems. After setting up each individual water filter using manufacturer instructions, we organized a blind taste test.
Between 67 testers, we managed three rounds of tests in an elimination method. Winners move on; losers are left behind. We tested nine separate filters against a control sample from our lab’s kitchen sink. Each filter was assigned a randomized number, and participants were asked to smell and taste each sample in a random order
Last, we sent samples to third-party labs facilitated by the water testing company Tap Score, using their Essential City Water Test and VOC Water Test, which were tested in labs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, or the toxic chemicals you don’t want in your water.
We tested these water filters in our food lab in a commercial building on Drexel’s campus and our plumbing and water system is different from a residential setup. After sending our water to Tap Score for testing, we learned that our regular tap water has high quantities of chloroform and other water disinfection byproducts. These contaminants are a result of the chlorination process used to reduce bacteria in our drinking water. Your residential water should not be testing nearly as high as ours, but it does make you think about water quality for those who work from an office or industrial building.
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The best water filter systems in 2026
<em>Best water filter overall:</em>Larq PureVis Pitcher with Advanced Filter
Tap Score: 92 out of 99
Why we love it: This filter produced some of the best-tasting water, according to testers. The Larq uses a two-step filtration with a carbon-based filter and a secondary UV light to kill bacteria. Its easy setup included washing all parts (minus the UV-C wand), soaking the filter for 10 minutes, then flushing the first batch of water.
As a “smart” filter, it offers the Larq app to track your hydration needs and filter replacement times. We asked a student to take the filter home and report back about her experience after using it for about two weeks. Tester Dr DeAndra Forde especially liked how the Larq app connected with Apple Health to “assess based on [data] how much water or liquid intake I need daily”.
It’s a shame that … It is the most expensive pitcher we tested, with a base price of $168 plus $32.50 for replacements every two months. At that price point, you could spend a bit more and go for the brand’s Under Sink Filter at $199. This attaches to the pipe under your sink (no plumber required), filtering the water before it comes out of the faucet, and can filter 1,453 gallons of water over six months. The PureVis pitcher can only filter 180 gallons in the same time and will require three replacement filters to do so.
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<em>Best budget water filter:</em>Culligan ZeroWater Pitcher
Tap Score: 85 out of 99
Why we love it: Culligan’s pitcher offering is simple enough to use. This slender seven-cup pitcher is designed with an ergonomic handle for easy pouring and could fit in a refrigerator door. At $24.99, it’s a few dollars more than a comparable Brita, but you get much more contaminant reduction, including lead and Pfas.
The standout feature is the integrated total dissolved solids (TDS) reader. The TDS puts a visual on when you need to replace the filter. The tool is actively measuring TDS with every refill. When the number reads higher than six, that’s your cue to replace. A little over half of the respondents said there was no aftertaste, but written feedback was mixed. While some people said this pitcher was “very clean tasting”, one more ambiguous (and poetic response) was that it reminded them of a “3am random wake up in the winter”.
It’s a shame that … The filters cost almost as much as the pitcher itself, but we appreciate its high quality for the overall low price.
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<em>Best countertop water filter dispenser:</em>Aquasana Clean Water Machine
Tap Score: 89 out of 99
Why we love it: This countertop filter system was easily integrated into our lab setup. With a detachable water chamber, it allows for rapidly filtered water at the press of a button. Unlike other systems, where you have to wait for the water to drip through, the Aquasana filters water as it pours, so you can quench your thirst immediately.
The chamber’s 64oz capacity is enough to fill the alleged day’s worth of water for one person or two emotional support water bottles. It does require a plug, so it has to live on the counter, and at about 10x8in and a foot tall, it may not work if you have a small kitchen area at home.
It’s a shame that … Since the filter is on the counter, the water isn’t chilled. If you prefer cold water, this may not be the best option for you.
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<em>Best water filter for outdoors:</em> Culligan MaxClear Filter System (2.25 gallon)
Tap Score: 87 out of 99
Why we love it: The Culligan MaxClear has a unique stainless steel aesthetic, so it will look beautiful anywhere, indoors or out. And 11 out of 15 respondents agreed there is no aftertaste and one commented on how “smooth” the taste was.
The MaxClear uses a dual carbon and ceramic filter to reduce microplastics, total Pfas, lead and 15 other contaminants. It comes with one filter that you insert into the top section, and for the Scout size you have the option of using two filters, which allows them to last longer together. Unlike traditional water pitchers, this is a multigallon gravity filter system (using natural gravity to pull water down through a filter). If you’ve had your eye on the famous Berkey, but are not ready to drop the cash, this could be the pick for you.
It’s a shame that … This system has a slow drip (6.4oz per minute after setup) and may take more than 24 hours to get the three discard batches of water through during setup. So, don’t do your first setup at the campgrounds, or you may not have water for a few days! Finally, this is not meant to be used “adventurously” with untreated water. The best use case is a campground with a plumbing system.
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<em>Water filter with longest life:</em>AlexaPure Pro Water Filtration System (2.5 gallon)
Tap Score: 84 out of 99
Also made from durable stainless steel, AlexaPure has the same large capacity as the MaxClear, but claims to filter up to 200 gallons with each replacement – four times more than the MaxClear and much more than any other filter on this list. While both gravity systems did have similar lab reports, the AlexaPure ended up ranking in the middle among the nine filters based on the Tap Score reports (84 out of 99). The real ding is the overall cost. The initial system comes in at a whopping $279.95 including one filter, and each filter replacement is $119.95 (though, again, 200 gallons).
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Water quality scores based on third-party lab testing
Tap Score generates a score from 1 to 99 for every water sample based on a proprietary algorithm. It takes into account health factors such as the presence of arsenic, aesthetic factors like smell, and even factors that could affect your plumbing, including pH. The health factors are weighed the highest.
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What you need to know about water filter pitchers
In order to understand water filters and their technology we dived into the research and spoke with our colleague Nicole Weber, MPH, an affiliate faculty member at Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University and a certified health education specialist. When asked about common misconceptions regarding water filters, Weber had two main takeaways. The first, the misconception that filters can remove everything. She said: “Filters are specific, so it’s important to choose the right one for your particular water quality issues.” Jessica Goddard, PhD and chief science officer, and John Pujol, CEO and water quality engineer for Tap Score, a company that connects people to labs for third-party water testing, agree. Testing your water before buying a filter ensures you pick the right filter, which means you get the right filter for your needs, they said.
You should still review your annual water utility report to find out which contaminants (and levels) are present in your water before buying a filter. “[When] you know your risks, you can identify which water treatment or filtration solution would be most appropriate,” said Weber. Her second point emphasized the importance of maintenance for the filter. “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, changing and maintaining the filter,” she said, “otherwise you can introduce bacteria or mold in this process, potentially making your water less safe.”
How do I choose the right water filter?
Learning about water filter technology can be eye-opening and seriously overwhelming. The main takeaway is that different technologies have different efficacy on different contaminants. For example, the tap water in our lab tested for high levels of nickel, copper, and magnesium. A carbon block filter is effective for reducing nickel, but not for the other two. A more effective filter would be reverse osmosis or an ion exchange. But these technologies can vary in price, up-front and in maintenance costs. To pick the best option, consider your budget and who will take responsibility for cleaning and changing the filters.
Every filter that makes a claim to reduce a contaminant should have the certification to match. Certifications aren’t everything, but it is the best way to ensure that the filter targets your contaminants of concern. It is best to go directly to the producer’s website to review their certification documents.
How do I clean and maintain my water filter?
If we didn’t say it enough already – proper maintenance is important to ensure the filter keeps working over time. Some of our filters said to boil weekly; others had no cleaning instructions. All the filters had different guidance for replacement, and you’ll typically see two suggestions: a set timeline or water usage. Consider your household size, your municipal water report results and how much water is consumed daily. With a little calculation, you will be able to determine how often to replace your filter and how many filters are needed for a year. (Tip: if you buy from companies directly, they often have discounts for bulk or subscription orders.) If you know you won’t replace the filters, save your money and keep drinking tap.
Can I test my own tap water?
Yes. Tap Score offers a variety of tests for different needs. After you buy the test online, in the mail you’ll get a sample tube and details about how to take your sample. You will need to ship it on the same day you take the sample, so plan to take it early in the day so you have time to drop it in the mail.
Tap Score also has a lot of educational resources about water, water testing, regulation and how to read your water report. On their website they have examples of water test reports so you can click through the resources offered for a sample test. They have even conducted peer-reviewed research about bottled water toxicity compared with average residential tap water. In case you’re tired of lugging cases of water on a weekly basis, you might check it out.
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All the filters we tested
OnlyPure 10 Cup Water Pitcher with Composite Membrane Filter
MaxClear Scout 2.25-Gallon Gravity Countertop System with Gravity Water Filter
ClearlyFiltered 10-Cup Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology
Alexapure Pro Water Filtration System with Genuine Replacement Filter
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Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
The seven best air fryers in the US, tried and tested in a food lab
The seven best nontoxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab
Caraway’s new nonstick, nontoxic saute pan brings splatter-free joy to my weeknight dinners
