So, you want to get a filter for your drinking water, right?

But maybe you don't want something you have to refill all the time, and you don't want the hassle of installing a system to your plumbing.

If that's the case, you'll want to check out the countertop water filters in this review.

More...

All of them sit on the counter next to the sink. They connect to your kitchen faucet and provide clean filtered water on demand. No refilling, and no messing with the plumbing.

Sounds interesting? Keep reading to learn more about these filters.

First you'll find a comparison table for a quick overview, followed by an explanation of how these filters work, the pros and cons, and a list of what to look for when you're shopping for one.

Then we'll look at each filter individually, giving special attention to how well they reduce the contaminants that most people are worried about.

By the way, if you're looking for a fluoride filter, you'll be glad to know that some of these filters do reduce fluoride.

Rather than keep you in suspense, I'll tell you right now - the top pick is the ProOne ProMax Countertop. You can check the availability and price at ProOne here or go straight down to the mini review.

Did you come here looking for the refillable types of filters that sit on the counter, like pitcher filters, distillers, and gravity fed survival type filters? Those are covered in other posts, which you can check out here: 

If you're in a hurry and don't have time to spend reading the whole article, you can skip to whatever interests you most using this quick navigation.

Comparison Table: Best Countertop Water Filters

Product

Filter Life

Reduces Fluoride?

Warranty

Check Price

ProOne ProMax

ProOne ProMax countertop water filter

1 year or 900 gal

yes

2 years

Home Master TMJRF2E

Home Master countertop water filter

1 year or 750 gal

 BUT

 only effective for fluoride for 3 months


yes

3 years

APEC

RO-CTOP

APEC RO-CTOP water filter system

6-8 months for Stages 1-2; 2-3 years for Stages 3-4


yes

1 year

APEX

MR-1050

APEX countertop water filter

750 gal

no

30 day money back on unopened product

New Wave Enviro

New Wave Enviro water filter

1 year or 1500 gal

no

1 year

How do countertop water filters work?

All of these models have a tube with an adapter on the end to attach to your kitchen faucet. You simply remove the aerator from your faucet and screw the adapter on in its place.

When you turn on the cold water, it goes through the tube and is forced through the filter and out the dedicated faucet. That faucet is attached to the unit itself. 

The unit is designed to sit on the counter. You want to position it so that the water outflow goes into the sink.

There is no switch on the filter faucet. You simply turn the water off and on with the sink faucet handle.

A diverter allows you to stop the water from going through the filter and lets it just come out the sink faucet instead. That will keep you from wasting filtered water on dish washing and things like that.

You just have to be careful and make sure that the diverter is switched off when you turn on hot water because hot water will damage the filter.

What are the advantages of countertop water filters?

  • Convenience - There's no container to refill and no waiting for the water to drip through. Just turn on your faucet and get clean filtered water instantly.
  • Easy Installation and Maintenance - These filters are simple to install and easy to maintain. You can be up and running in a matter of minutes. And there's no maintenance to speak of, except changing out the filter every now and then.
  • Space Saving - Most units take up less than 6 inches of counter space next to your sink. And you won't lose any of the precious space under your sink, like you do with undersink systems.
  • Inexpensive - You can get a decent water filter for under $100, although the best ones are going to cost more like $200. That's still cheaper than a whole house system or a lot of the gravity filters.
  • Effective - Most of the brands will reduce some of the worst contaminants in drinking water supplies like chlorine and lead. Some do a lot more than that, though. 
  • Portable - Moving? Going on vacation? Just unscrew the tubing from the faucet and take your filter with you. It's also a good option if you live in an apartment or dorm where you can't make changes to the plumbing.

What are the disadvantages of countertop water filters?

  • Standard Faucet Only - If you have a pull-out or pull-down kitchen faucet, you're out of luck. These filters can only be attached to standard faucets.
  • Awkward Tubing - Keep in mind that the tubing is going from the end of the faucet over to wherever you have set the unit. It has the potential of getting in the way of whatever you're doing in the sink. It also doesn't look great, if that matters to you.
  • Limited Effectiveness - These small filters aren't designed to eliminate as wide a range of contaminants as some of the larger systems. They also can't be used in emergency situations. All of the manufacturers state that their filters are only to be used with treated water.

Countertop vs faucet mount filter: Which is better?

Faucet mount water filters are convenient and cheap, but they're not as good as countertop filters. Because they attach directly to the faucet, there's a lot of of pressure from the water, and they have a tendency to crack and leak.

The countertop models are much sturdier, and the filters last longer. Most of them remove a wider array of contaminants, too.

Given the choice, I would go with a countertop rather than a faucet mount filter.

What should I look for in a countertop water filter?

All countertop water filters are not the same, so you'll want to take a close look at them before you decide which one to buy.

Here are four important questions to ask about each one:

1. Which contaminants are removed and how much are they reduced? 

This is where water filters differ the most.

All countertop filters are going to, at a minimum, take out chlorine and make your water taste better. But if you're concerned about other toxins like lead, arsenic, fluoride, chemicals, and biological contaminants, you're going to want to dig a little deeper.

You should find out exactly which contaminants a filter eliminates, and what percentage of each is removed.

If you're on city water, pay special attention to the type of disinfectant used by your supplier. Most use chlorine or chloramine, or possibly both. They're not the same, and many filters will remove chlorine, but not chloramine.

For more information about chloramine, please see Chlorine vs Chloramine in Drinking Water: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

Go for a filter that reduces at least 90% of the toxins that concern you the most. 

Some manufacturers publish third party lab test results on their websites, but many do not. If they are not willing to share this information, it tends to make me question the validity of their claims. 

2. How long will the filter last?

No matter which brand you choose, you're going to have to change out the filter element every now and then.

Each product listing gives the average filter life (or capacity) either in gallons or months/years. Note that this is an average. Your mileage may vary depending on the quality of your tap water and how much water you use.

The filter life is an important factor in determining your overall cost. A more expensive system with a longer filter life may end up costing less than a cheaper system whose filters need to be replaced every few months.

3. Is it easy to find replacement filters?

Before you invest in a water filtration system, make sure that you'll be able to buy replacement filters when you need them. Otherwise, you'll end up having to replace the whole thing.

Generally, the retailer you buy the system from will also sell the replacement filters. Just make sure before you make the purchase.

Some manufacturers have filter replacement subscription services, and some replacement filters are also available through Amazon Subscribe and Save.

4. Does it come with a warranty?

You can tell a lot about a company and their confidence in their product by the warranty they offer. If they don't guarantee it for at least six months, I would steer clear of it, myself.

Mini Reviews: Best Countertop Water Filters

Now let's take a more in-depth look at the top five countertop water filters. These five were selected based on performance and user experience.

ProOne ProMax Countertop System (top pick)

We'll start with the Number One Pick - the ProOne ProMax Countertop.

This system is one of the newest offerings from ProOne USA (formerly called Propur USA), an American company that also makes an excellent countertop gravity filter as well as other water purification products.

ProOne ProMax countertop water filter

ProOne ProMax

It might look like a lot of the other filters, but don't let that fool you.

Yes, this system is a bit pricey compared to the others, but it really is a cut above. The difference maker is the ProMax filter.

Here's how the manufacturer describes this multi-stage filter: 

Each stage is comprised of layers of unique infused microporous foam technology designed to target specific groups of contaminants. Contains no resins or beads. (source)

It reduces over 200 contaminants up to 99.9%, including chlorine, chloramines, fluoride, lead, arsenic, VOCs, PCBs and other pesticides, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and a whole lot more. 

You can see the complete list and independent lab test results here.

And let me say right here that I place a high value on a company's willingness to share this kind of data with the public. How else are we, as consumers, supposed to make intelligent choices if we don't have all the facts?

Okay, stepping down from my soapbox...

The filter will need to be replaced about once a year. You'll know it's at the end of its life when the flow of water slows down a good bit and/or you start to notice an off taste or odor.

Click here to check the price of the replacement filter at Amazon.

ProOne also offers a dual stage version of this system. It has a pre-sediment filter that blocks particles like dirt and rust from getting into and damaging the ProMax filter.

It costs $30 more to get the extra filter, but it's worth it if your water tends to have debris in it from older pipes or from a well, or if you just want the extra protection. And the replacement filter is very inexpensive.

ProOne ProMax countertop dual stage water filter

ProOne ProMax Dual Stage

You can select the dual stage option when you check out at ProOne.

The system comes with a two year warranty on the unit (housing, faucet, tubing, etc) and a one year warranty on the filter element

You can buy the ProMax Countertop directly from ProOne USA. They have free shipping and they have a variety of ways to pay, including PayPal.

Sometimes they run special deals, and sometimes you can find what you're looking for on their "Outlet" page. It's definitely worth checking out.

Click here to buy the ProMax Countertop System at the ProOne website.  

Home Master TMJRF2E (reduces fluoride - for a little while)

Home Master is one of the brand names manufactured by Perfect Water Technologies, a company located in Arizona.

They started out with reverse osmosis systems and have expanded to include many different types of water filters.

Home Master countertop water filter

Home Master TMJRF2E

The TMJRF2E is one of several countertop filters made by Home Master. Of those, it's the best overall in terms of contaminant reduction.

There are several layers of filtration media housed inside the filter element, each targeting a different group of contaminants:

  • Catalytic Carbon and Coconut Shell Carbon Blend - targets chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, certain pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals (click here to see the list of contaminants reduced by the carbon part of the filter)
  • KDF85 - targets lead, iron, and other heavy metals
  • Activated Alumina - reduces fluoride
  • Compression Disks - blocks sediment particles down to 5 microns; prevents "channeling" to ensure even filtration

Contaminants are said to be reduced up to 93%, but there is no data available to verify exactly how much each is reduced. I emailed the manufacturer requesting lab test results, but as of this writing, I haven't heard back from them. 

Unlike the ProMax filter, this one does not reduce micro-organisms like giardia and E. coli. 

Home Master is slightly better at fluoride reduction than ProMax (93% vs 90%), but the filter can only work on fluoride for 3 months. It will continue to reduce other contaminants for up to about a year, or 750 gallons.

So, if fluoride is a major concern to you, this might not be the best choice. You're going to have to replace the filter four times a year! This ends up being more expensive than replacing the ProMax filter annually.

You can check the price of the replacement filter at Amazon here.

This model comes with a 3 year warranty, which is great for a small water filter like this.

Here's a video about the Home Master water filter from the manufacturer's YouTube channel:

And, you might like to know that this model comes black as well as white.

One more thing...

To avoid any confusion, note that there is a model TMJRF2 - without the "E" on the end. It looks identical to the TMJRF2E, but the filter is different. It does not have KDF85, and it does not reduce chloramines. The price difference is negligible, so you'd be better off with the "E" version.

APEC RO-CTOP (portable countertop reverse osmosis)

Now here's the APEC RO-CTOP - a water filter that's quite different from all the others. That's because it's actually a reverse osmosis system

I wanted to include it because it sits on the countertop next to your kitchen sink and uses water from the faucet just like all the others do.

APEC RO-CTOP water filter system

APEC RO-CTOP

(Rather than go into all the details about how a reverse osmosis filter works, I'll refer you to another post: APEC Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems Review. You can click on over and read that if you'd like to learn more.)

You may know that reverse osmosis is one of the most effective ways to purify water. It removes up to 99% of many kinds of contaminants - lead, chlorine, fluoride, VOCs, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and more.

The main disadvantages of reverse osmosis are that:

  1. it also removes healthy minerals from the water.
  2. it wastes water as part of the filtration process.
  3. it's somewhat expensive to buy the system and to replace the filters.

You might notice from the picture that there's no faucet with the RO-CTOP. See that long piece of tubing with the red tip? That's where the filtered water comes out. 

And it comes out slowly. You might get about two gallons in an hour if you're lucky.

The system is made up of four separate filters, or stages. They don't all have the same capacity.

Stage 1 and 2 filters need to be replaced every 6 to 8 months, and Stage 3 and 4 will last for 2 to 3 years. If you buy one of these, you'll need some way of remembering when to replace which filter.

Check the price of the Stage 1 and 2 replacements at Amazon here.

You can't buy the Stage 3 and 4 filters separately. They only come in the complete set of Stages 1-4. That's okay because by the time you have to replace Stages 3 and 4, you're also going to need another set of Stage 1 and 2 anyway.

Check the price of the complete replacement filter set at Amazon here.

If you're not crazy about the way the RO-CTOP looks, you can get the version that comes with a case. The case will set you back about another $40. It looks like this:

APEC countertop water filter case

If country of origin is important to you, you'll be glad to know this APEC water filter is made in the USA, and the company's customer service department has a great reputation. It comes with a 1 year warranty.

APEX MR-1050 Countertop Filter (alkaline water)

Next up is the MR-1050 from APEX Water Filters. This filter doesn't just take contaminants out of the water. It also adds minerals to make the water more alkaline. 

APEX products are made in the USA, in California.

Although the system itself isn't NSF certified, the materials used in the manufacture of the system are NSF and FDA approved. 

APEX countertop water filter

APEX MR-1050

This is a five stage filter, and it reduces a wide variety of contaminants. 

It uses KDF-55 and granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals, as well as E. coli cryptosporidium, and giardia.

Exactly how much of these contaminants are reduced?

That I can't tell you. I emailed the manufacturer to ask for the data. All they would tell me is that the system has been tested. Whether that's a third party lab or their own lab is unknown. 

We do know that the APEX MR-1050 does not reduce fluoride. It says so on their website.

This filter doesn't remove beneficial minerals, but some people want an extra boost. Two of the filter stages use "Alkaline beads" and calcite to add calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium to the water as it passes through.

Filter life is about 750 gallons, so you'll have to replace it about once a  year. Like all the others, you'll know it's time when the water starts to taste or smell funny or the water flow slows way down.

Click here to check the price and availability of replacement filter cartridges at Amazon.

Are you into color coordination? Then you'll like this - the outer case of the MR-1050 comes in six different colors plus chrome. The prices vary, so pay attention when you're ordering.

As far as warranty goes, they say, "If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied with an Apex Water Filter, we’ll replace it or refund the purchase price–no questions asked." This sounds good, but I'd prefer to see warranty terms spelled out.

They do have a 30 day money back guarantee, but that's only on unopened products. And you have to pay for return shipping unless it was their mistake and not yours.

New Wave Enviro 10 Stage Plus (popular, but deservedly so?)

Finally, we have the 10 Stage Plus Water Filter System from New Wave Enviro, a company based in Colorado.

Inside the filter are ten different layers of various filtration media that reduce different kinds of contaminants as the water flows through.

New Wave Enviro water filter

New Wave Enviro 10 Stage Plus

Some of the contaminants it reduces are chlorine, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides. It does not reduce fluoride.

This video from New Wave Enviro describes the ten stages and what they do.

Unfortunately, there is no data available about how much these contaminants are reduced. They don't even give a ballpark figure like "reduces up to 90%" like other brands do. That just seems a little odd to me.

I reached out to New Wave Enviro via email, asking if they had independent lab test results that would validate their claims. To date, I haven't heard back from them. If I do, I will update the information here.

The filter in this system is supposed to last for 1500 gallons, or about one year for a family of four. That, of course, depends on the quality of the water you're starting out with. 

Check the current price of the New Wave Enviro replacement filter cartridge at Amazon.

This system comes with a one year limited warranty on the hardware and a 30-day money back guarantee.

If this filter does what it says, and if you don't want a filter that takes out fluoride or that adds minerals, this might be a good choice.

I do have a bone to pick with New Wave Enviro, though, over a statement they make about fluoride filters and aluminum. Here's what they say in their FAQ's:

Fluoride can be removed with reverse osmosis, distilling or with activated aluminum. The 10 Stage does not contain activated aluminum, as it tends to dump in high concentrations of aluminum. Enviro Products has also chosen not to use activated aluminum due to the link between aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease.

First of all, it's not activated aluminum, it's activated alumina. Activated alumina is not the same thing as aluminum. It's a solid made of aluminum oxide and is not harmful to humans or the environment.

Fluoride filters utilizing activated alumina do not "dump in high concentrations of aluminum" into the water, and there is no connection between activated alumina and Alzheimer's Disease. (For more information, see Activated Alumina Fluoride Removal Myths.)

As you can probably tell, I'm not totally sold on this water filter. That's why it's last on the list. But it does seem to be popular and has a lot of happy customers, so I thought I ought to include it. You might want to check it out.

Verdict: What's the best countertop water filter?

All of these countertop systems are worth considering.

But, if you want my opinion - and I assume that's why you're reading this - I'd say that the best one is the ProOne ProMax Countertop water filter.

Why?

Because it does a superior job of reducing all of the contaminants that you need to be concerned about in your drinking water, including fluoride. And, it has the data to prove it.

The manufacturer is well known and reliable, and they offer a good warranty on their product.

Click to buy the ProMax Countertop at ProOne USA.

The Home Master is second because, although it does reduce fluoride, the fluoride protection only lasts for three months. It does have the best warranty, though.

The APEC RO-CTOP is also very good. If you'd prefer a reverse osmosis system, then I'd recommend that one.

And, if your water comes from a fluoridated water supply, and you want to keep the fluoride, then you'll want to consider either the APEX MR-1050 or New Wave Enviro.

I hope you found this review helpful. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments below. If I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to find it for you.

Last Updated on April 7, 2022

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  1. Hello Marge,

    First of all, I’d like to thank you for all of your time, and knowledge of your shared reviews. Can you please tell me which high quality and tested product brand that you currently recommend between ProOne Water Filters and AquaCera Water Filters for a Countertop Water Filter. I’ve referred to both websites and their most recent test results. AquaCera test result reductions were higher in most of the categories than ProOne. In addition, ProOne is no longer selling the ProMax unit recommended on your website. Also, there were some reviews regarding the difficulty in changing the ProOne filters.

    In Health and Wellness,
    IntuitLiving Design

  2. Greetings. Have you considered reviewing Brondell’s water filter systems? That appears to be another popular brand. Their stuff is certified (by the Water Quality Assn.), but the replacement filters are pricey.

  3. What do you think of Berkey counter-top filters? I see this page has an ad by them, and I have been pleased with mine.

    1. Hi, Ken! I don’t know of any pitcher filters that are completely stainless steel. The only ones I’ve seen have a stainless steel outer layer but are plastic inside. Please see my post on the best water filter pitchers for other options.

  4. What do you think about the AquaCera HCP Counter-Top Filter System w/ 10″ CeraMetix Filter W9332230 AquaCera HCP Counter-Top Filter System w/ 10″ CeraMetix Filter W9332230 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KWF40F4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lw-ACb3C597EG
    or the Aquacera Twin Countertop Fluoride Plus Water Filter System? Aquacera Twin Countertop Fluoride Plus Water Filter System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQPKRSO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5t-ACb8ZS1D4A

    How do you these compare to the Propur countertop water filter systems you mentioned in the article above?

    Thank you.

    Sincerely,
    Jimmy

  5. Good day,
    thank you for the sharing and generous giving info about this products. I live in asia and most of the water source are from deep-well. so i really have no idea what kind of minerals we are getting from our water. so far we are buying from some water stations and thinking that we are not even sure how they filter the water that my family are drinking each day. wondering maybe you may give me some advise on which from the mentioned product suite my need and budget. thank you in advance and more power.

    R

    1. Hi, Romel! I would suggest that you have your well water tested to find out what’s in it. Do you know what kind of well it is? If it’s a drilled well, then you probably don’t have to worry about biological contaminants like E.coli. But if it’s a dug well, there’s a greater chance that it is contaminated.

      Of these countertop filters, the Propur one or the APEC reverse osmosis would give you the most protection. You might also want to take a look at the gravity filters I’ve reviewed here: https://thesafehealthyhome.com/best-countertop-gravity-water-filter-systems-review/

  6. Thanks for sharing and covering some great products in your review.. really appreciated! I’m actually looking for a solution for the whole apartment’s water..

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