Faucet Mount Water Filters: Which is Best?

What's the simplest and cheapest kind of water filter you can get? I'd have to say it's the faucet mount water filter.

In this review, you'll learn about how faucet filters work, the good and the bad points, and what to look for when you're shopping for one.

Also included is a comparison table and then more detailed information about four of the best faucet filters out there.

Now, I have to be honest. 

I'm not a big fan of faucet mount filters. There seem to be lots of problems with them. But, for some people, this is the best solution. Maybe that's the case for you. I hope reading this will help you decide.

Use this quick navigation to skip to whatever interests you, or keep scrolling down to read the whole article.

• Convenience -  With a faucet mount filter, you've got on demand filtration right at your kitchen faucet. There's no need to constantly refill containers, and you won't run out of filtered water.
• Low Price - These are among the least expensive water filters. Most models retail for under $50. The replacement filters are inexpensive, too.
• Simple Installation - No tools are required to install a faucet filter. Just take off the faucet aerator and screw the filter on in its place.
• Easy Maintenance - The only maintenance you'll have to do is to replace the filter cartridge every few months. And this is a simple task.

• Limited Capability - Most faucet filters are not as effective as other types of filtration systems like reverse osmosis or survival type gravity filters.
• Narrow Range of Applications - Do you have a modern pull-out or pull-down faucet? If so, you won't be able to use a faucet mount filter. They can only attach to standard faucets.
• Reduced Sink Clearance Space - Some models are bulkier than others, but all faucet filters take up space under or beside your faucet. This can be annoying when you're filling large containers or washing dishes. 
• Cold Water Use Only - These filters are only to be used with cold water. Hot water will damage them.
• Tendency to Leak and Crack - Leaking and cracking seem to be universal complaints by users of faucet filters. This is true of all brands. The most likely cause is the buildup of water pressure inside the housing when the water is turned on too fast. It could also happen if you grab the filter to move the faucet arm back and forth.

Different brands may use different filtration materials and methods, but most have a couple of things in common.

The basic setup has a layer to block dirt and debris and then an activated carbon block that traps contaminants by adsorption as the water flows through.

Some models have additional layers to reduce a greater number of contaminants. That's why you want to do a little research before buying one.

Here are a few items to think about when you're shopping for a faucet filter:

• Contaminants Removed or Reduced - This is the most important factor to consider. All filters are not created equal. You want to be sure that the filter takes care of the pollutants that you are most concerned about. Reputable manufacturers will publish lab test results to back up their claims. 
• Filter Life - Filter life is measured in gallons. The longer the filter lasts, the less often you'll need to change out the cartridge. Just remember that the advertised number is an average. Yours may wear out sooner or later, depending on the quality of your water.
• Filter Indicator - Some models have some sort of indicator to tell you when it's time to change the filter cartridge. This will affect the price, of course. It's a convenience, but not a necessity. There are obvious signs to tell you when the filter is shot - a significant slowdown in flow rate and/or a bad taste.
• Finish/Color - Some brands offer a choice of colors and finishes. This may or may not be important to you.
• Availability of Replacement Cartridges  - Make sure that you're going to be able to buy replacements, or you'll end up having to throw away the whole unit.
• Warranty - Look for a minimum 1 year warranty since this type of filter is prone to breaking. Note that this warranty will normally cover the housing and not the filter cartridge.

A Word of Caution:

Beware of "unknown" brands that you find online.

Now, this is just me talking, but I tend not to put a lot of trust in brands that don't have a manufacturer's website and have a suspiciously high percentage of glowing reviews.

I have tried to contact some of these companies to ask questions, but I haven't had much luck.

When I've asked about lab test results and warranties, I've mostly heard crickets in response.

One seller did tell me that his/her product has a 30 day warranty, but that's about all the information I could get.

Drinking clean contaminant free water is crucial for good health, so I'd advise sticking to known and reputable brands like the ones in this review.

So, after weeding out the lesser quality filters, these are the top four filters that I recommend for your kitchen sink:

Unfortunately, this newer version doesn't remove fluoride from drinking water like the LittleWell did.

Here are the contaminants that it does reduce:

• chlorine
• chloramine
• cysts
• lead
• mercury
• lindane (insecticide)
• atrazine (herbicide)
• VOCs and other chemicals
• bad taste and odors
• sediment

The filter cartridge is held inside a chrome color plastic housing and attaches to the faucet with a metal fitting. An aerator is included.

It has a lever for switching between filtered and unfiltered water. 

As far as flow rate goes, this filter is fast - 1.5 gallons per minute. So you'll be able to fill containers and pots quickly and easily.

There's no indicator to tell you when to change the filter. But, the manufacturer suggests replacing it after 500 gallons, or about every 8 months. You can also tell by the taste of the water when the filter is worn out.

You get a one year warranty on the DF2 plus lifetime technical support from iSpring. Their customer service seems to be responsive and helpful should you have any problems.

And, in case you've never heard of iSpring, it's a family-owned business in Georgia that makes commercial and residential water softeners and filters, including reverse osmosis.

Lab test results show that it reduces lead an average of 98%. That's not bad, but it's not quite as good as PUR.

This filter has a valve pin that you pull out to engage the filter. It returns to the unfiltered position when you turn off the water. 

The FM-25 has a good filter life. It'll go for about 200 gallons before you have to change it. There's no filter change indicator, so you'll have to pay attention to the flow of the water. When it slows down significantly, it's time for a replacement.

And speaking of replacements, you'll probably have to order them online because they're not usually sold in stores.

You can check the availability and price of the FM-25R replacement cartridge at Amazon here.

There are two color choices: white and chrome. The chrome version costs a few dollars more than the white one.

Reading through online customer reviews, there seems to be a problem with the housing cracking prematurely. But, honestly, all of the filters have problems with leaking and cracking. I don't think the Culligan is any worse than the others in this regard. It seems to be the nature of faucet filters.

Their lab test results show a reduction of lead up to 99.9%, which is excellent!

And, it's good to know that this filter has been WQA tested and certified against NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 (aesthetic and health effects), as well as Standard 401 (emerging compounds).

This filter has an indicator light to let you know when it's time for a replacement. A green light means the filter is working. Yellow means it's almost time, and red means the filter is worn out and needs to be replaced.

Unfortunately, the battery for the indicator can't be replaced once it's worn out. But, the filter will still work. 

So, what is the MineralClear filter made of, and how does it work?

As the video below explains, the main part of the filter is made of high grade activated carbon combined with an ion exchange material.

Water first passes through an outer covering that blocks dirt and turbidity, and then it moves through the carbon block. That's where the toxic contaminants are absorbed.

Finally, it passes through a layer of minerals to improve the taste.

There are different finishes available for this filter. You can get it in white, black, chrome, and stainless steel. They all use the exact same filter cartridge.

Another variation is the PUR PFM800HX (see at manufacturer's website). It's the same as the PFM400H except that it's Bluetooth enabled so you can track the filter usage on your phone. I don't see the benefit in that, but I'm sure others might find it helpful.

Just like all the other brands, the PUR filter is easy to install on your kitchen faucet.

It has a lever to turn the filter on and off, and it does not automatically switch to unfiltered when you turn off the water. So you'll have to pay attention or you could end up wasting a lot of filtered water. Plus, if you accidentally turn on hot water with the filter engaged, you'll shorten its life.

As good as the filter is, it doesn't last very long compared to the others in the top five picks. It only lasts for 100 gallons. 

It does have a two year warranty, but that's only on the housing and fixture. Each filter cartridge is guaranteed for 30 days.

The WD-FC-06 uses a solid activated carbon block filter which reduces chlorine, sediment, bad tastes, and odors. Waterdrop claims that it reduces lead, heavy metals, and other contaminants. I haven't seen any third party testing to back that up, but that is exactly what carbon filters typically do.

You'll get about 320 gallons out of one filter cartridge, depending on the quality of your water. That's about 3 months on average.

Replacement filters are available online and at some local retailers. (Check the Amazon availability and price here.)

This model is NSF certified to NSF Standard 42 for reduction of aesthetic impurities. In addition, it's NSF certified to Standard 372 for low lead content and compliance.  In other words, the unit itself doesn't have lead.

Like the PUR, there's a lever you have to turn to switch from filtered to unfiltered water, and vice versa. This could be a plus or a minus, depending on whether you are forgetful or not! And it can be a little hard to turn when your hands are wet.

Waterdrop offers a one year warranty on the system. This does not include the filter cartridge.

If I were buying a faucet mount water filter today, I would get the DF2 by iSpring.

That's because it reduces the widest array of contaminants plus it has the longest filter life of all the brands.

True, it doesn't have a filter life indicator, but it seems that the indicators on other brands don't last long anyway.

To check the price of the DF2 and read the reviews at Amazon, click here.

All four produce clean great tasting water and take care of the most common problems that you'll find in city water. They mostly differ in features that are more a matter of personal preference. 

Now that you've made it to the end of this post, I hope you have enough information to decide if one of these faucet filters is right for you. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them.