When it comes to the “Stuff of Life” that makes up 60% of our bodies, purity absolutely matters. Many of the contaminants of emerging concern listed by the EPA are “forever chemicals” – or chemicals that bioaccumulate in our bodies. Unfortunately, it’s been nearly 20 years since the EPA has added any contaminants to the list of chemicals covered under the Safe Water Drinking Act, so only a fraction of the estimated 1000 chemicals of concern identified by a network of labs and researchers are monitored and/or regulated in any way. (1) The good news is that countertop water filters are an affordable option for providing safe, clean water. They require little-to-no installation and, unlike older technologies that primarily focused on removing chlorine, can filter a wide range of harmful contaminants including fluoride. Of course, there are some downsides, too. We’ll dive into the details below, along with my top product recommendations. Table of Contents Is a countertop filter right for you? Advantages of Countertop Water Filters Disadvantages of Countertop Water Filters Best Countertop Pitcher: Clearly Filtered Best Reverse Osmosis System: AquaTru Classic Best Compact Reverse Osmosis System: AquaTru Carafe Gravity Water Filters So, what happened to Berkey? Alternative Gravity Filter Brands British Berkefeld by Doulton ProOne (Formerly ProPur) More About Water Filtration Is a countertop filter right for you? ^ If you’re not sure what kind of filter you want yet – counter If you’re not sure what kind of filter you want yet – countertop, under sink, or whole house – here’s my in-depth guide to choosing the best water filter for your specific needs. The basic steps are: Find out what’s in your water Decide which type of filter you want. (Whole house, countertop, under sink, shower, etc.) Make sure the filter you’re considering removes the contaminants that are most concerning to you. (This will depend on which filtration materials are used. I’ve included this info below.) Check to see if the filter you’re considering has any independent certifications that verify the manufacturer’s claims. (I’ve included this info below.) Choose the best water filter for you based on your water quality, budget, With that in mind, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of going with a countertop water filtration system. Advantages of Countertop Water Filters ^ 1. Ease of Installation: These filters require little-to-no assembly or installation. Some don’t even need to be connected to the kitchen faucet, and you won’t need to drill a hole in the kitchen counter to use them. This is a huge plus if you’re renting and/or just don’t want to make permanent changes to your countertop area. 2. Portability: Because they’re not permanently installed, you can easily take most countertop filters with you on trips and/or when you move to new home. 3. Cost: Countertop filters are usually more affordable than under sink and whole house filtration options, making them a good option for families that want clean water on a budget. Disadvantages of Countertop Water Filters ^ 1. Takes Up Counter Space: As the name implies, these filters sit on the kitchen counter and take up space. This can be a downside if you prefer a clutter-free countertop or have a small space to work with, but there are small models that can work well in compact spaces. 2. May Have To Be Manually Refilled: Some countertop filters hook directly into the faucet, while others are standalone reservoirs that have to be refilled by hand. 3. May Have A Small Reservoir: Some standalone reservoirs hold a relatively small amount of water. When you’ve used all the water, you’ll need to refill the reservoir and then wait until the water is filtered before you can use it again. 4. Filtered Water Is Only Available At Point-of-Use – Unlike whole house water filters which filter all the water that comes into the house, countertop filters only filter water for one area (usually the kitchen sink). They do tend to filter out more contaminants than whole house systems, though, so even people that have whole-house filters often invest in a point-of-use filter for their drinking water

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