When I learned about the bad effects that fluoride can have on our health, I knew that I had to do something to protect myself and my family.
Maybe you feel the same way.
More...
If you're not sure how to reduce the fluoride in your water, you've come to the right place. In this review we'll cover different types of water filters that will get rid of the fluoride in your drinking water. Plus, there's even a fluoride water filter for shower heads I want to tell you about.
You'll also find mini reviews of the specific models that I recommend in each category.
Click on a topic in the quick navigation below, or just keep scrolling to read the whole article.
Comparison Table: Best Fluoride Filters
**This table is best viewed in horizontal orientation on mobile devices.**
Product | Type | Fluoride % Removal | Warranty | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
APEC RO-90  | Reverse Osmosis | 97.7% | 1 year | |
ProOne Big+  | Gravity Filter | 96% | Lifetime on system; 1 year on filters | |
Megahome  | Distiller | 99% | 1 year | |
Clearly Filtered Pitcher  | Pitcher Filter | 98% | Lifetime | |
Clearly Filtered 3 Stage  | Under Sink | 99.5% | Lifetime | |
Clearly Filtered Universal  | Inline/Fridge | 99.5% | Lifetime |
Each of these brands has its advantages and disadvantages, but they all do the job of reducing fluoride. I hope that the information in this guide will help you to decide which is the best one to meet your needs.
Water Filters That WON'T Reduce Fluoride
First, let's talk about what doesn't work.
All water filters are not made equal.
Most pitcher type filters like Brita and Pur may make your drinking water taste better, but they don't take out fluoride. The same goes for most faucet mounted filters and many under sink water filtration systems. They use activated carbon, usually made from coconut shells.
If a filtration system only has an activated carbon filter, it will not work on fluoride.
I have read that activated carbon can remove 40 to 60% of fluoride in water, but it loses its effectiveness in a very short time. That's why I don't recommend carbon block filters for fluoride filtration.
The good news is there are much more reliable methods to choose from.
Water Filters That WILL Remove Fluoride
*Suggested Reading:
Does Activated Alumina Add Aluminum to the Water It Treats? (Pure Water Products)
Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water Supplies by Activated Alumina (EPA)
Reverse Osmosis Fluoride Filters
How does RO work?
A reverse osmosis filter system involves sending tap water through a series of carbon block filters and a reverse osmosis membrane.
This filtration system is connected to the cold water plumbing in your house, and it uses water pressure to push the water through the system. In the process, the contaminants are collected in a brine which goes down the drain.
The components are all installed in the cabinet space under the kitchen sink. A small storage tank holds the filtered water until you turn on the dedicated faucet that's mounted on the sink.
Most RO systems have 4 to 6 stages that the water goes through, although I've seen as many as ten! Sometimes, besides the basic filtration, they add on some extra steps like the addition of minerals, exposure to ultraviolet light, and ozonation. Of course, the more stages a system has, the higher the cost.
Here's a diagram illustrating a basic RO system setup:
Reverse Osmosis Pros and Cons
PROS:
CONS:
Best Reverse Osmosis Filtration System for Fluoride: APEC RO-90
APEC RO-90 Reverse Osmosis
Fluoride Reduction: 97.7%
Warranty: 1 year
APEC RO-90 gets rid of fluoride plus most other contaminants. Get yours today at Amazon.
APEC is an American company with an excellent reputation for making the highest quality water filtration systems.
Their most popular model is the RO-90. It's a 5-stage system that can put out up to 90 gallons of filtered water a day.
Fluoride is reduced by 97.7% with an APEC RO filter.
APEC also makes other models for different needs:
You can read Which APEC Reverse Osmosis Water Filter is Best? for more details on all of these APEC systems.
All RO filtration systems will reduce the fluoride and give you good clean drinking water. If you'd like to learn about even more options, please see my review: The Absolute Best Reverse Osmosis Systems for 2022.
Gravity Fluoride Filters
How does a gravity filter work?
A gravity filter is a very simple system. It's made up of two containers, one stacked on top of the other. Two or more filter elements are housed inside. Different brands use different media for filtration.
To use it, you pour water into the top container and gravity pulls the water down through the filters into the bottom container. A spigot in the bottom part allows you to dispense the water.
Please note that not every gravity filter can act as a fluoride water filter. Be sure to check the specifications before you buy.
Gravity Filter Pros and Cons
PROS:
CONS:
Best Gravity Filter for Removing Fluoride: ProOne Big+
ProOne Big+ Gravity Filter
Fluoride Reduction: 96%
Warranty: Lifetime on system; 1 Year on filters
Grab a Big+ at ProOne USA
The Big+ (that's Big Plus) is one of several sizes of gravity filters made by ProOne. You might know ProOne by its former name, Propur - the company changed the name at the beginning of 2021.
They also made a few minor changes to the stainless steel component, but the ProOne filter technology hasn't changed.
It holds 3 gallons of water, so it's good for a group of 4 or more. You could use it for a big group, but that would mean refilling it more often.
A ProOne filter system usually comes with two filters, but you can add another one to speed up the filtration. Each filter consists of granular activated carbon encased in a silver infused ceramic shell.
The typical reduction of fluoride is about 96%. It targets all three forms of fluoride: sodium fluoride, hexafluorosilicate, and fluorosilicic acid. (See lab test results here.)
ProOne is also excellent at removing lead, chlorine, chloramine, bacteria, viruses, and many other toxins.
Click here if you'd like to learn more about the Big Plus. You'll go to my in-depth ProOne Big+ review.
Or read my detailed comparison of the best gravity filters for information about other brands that also reduce fluoride in drinking water.
Water Distillers for Fluoride Removal
How does a water distiller work?
There's an interesting way that distillation differs from filtration.
Instead of removing contaminants from the water, the process of distillation removes the water from the contaminants. That sounds similar, but it's not the same.
A distiller boils the water and turns it into steam. Chemical contaminants, including fluoride, are left behind. The high temperature also kills any biological contaminants like viruses or bacteria. As the steam cools, it turns back into pure water, which is collected in some kind of container.
I've had a hard time nailing down the exact percentage of fluoride reduction by distillation. Most everything I have read says that distillation removes "a high percentage" or "most, if not all" fluoride from water.
Water Distiller Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Best Fluoride Removing Water Distiller: Megahome
Megahome Distiller
Fluoride Reduction: "all or most"
Warranty: 1 year
Buy a Megahome from Amazon and stop hauling jugs of distilled water home from the store.
The Megahome Countertop Water Distiller Model MH943TWS is a popular model. It's well constructed and made of high quality stainless steel, enamel coated steel, and glass. Only the handle and lid are made of food grade polypylene. But the water never touches any plastic because the nozzle is made of glass.
Because the distillation process takes about 5 to 6 hours, you'll only be able to make a maximum of 4 gallons per day.
Fluoride is removed completely or almost completely using the Megahome distiller.
I've also written a detailed review of the Megahome distiller if you'd like more information.
You can also see Best Home Water Distiller Options for the details on some other top brands.
Pitcher Style Fluoride Filters
How do filter pitchers work?
Filter pitchers have a simple setup. There are three main parts: the pitcher, the reservoir, and the filter.
The filter is attached to the reservoir. You fill the reservoir with tap water, and the water seeps through the filter and drips down into the pitcher. Contaminants are blocked and collected in the filter.
Because the filter collects the contaminants, it eventually gets clogged up and stops filtering. That's why you have to replace it every now and then.
Water Filter Pitcher Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Best Fluoride Water Filter Pitcher: Clearly Filtered
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Fluoride Reduction: 98%
Warranty: Lifetime
Shop for my favorite pitcher at Clearly Filtered. Use code SAFEHEALTHYHOME2020 for 10% off!
I said above that most pitcher style filters aren't any good for fluoride filtration. Well, the Clearly Filtered is one that does take out fluoride.
This pitcher holds 2 quarts of water, and the filter will last for about 3-6 months, or 100 gallons. It does an amazing job of removing lots of harmful contaminants from drinking water, including lead, chromium-6, and, of course, fluoride.
Fluoride reduction with the Clearly Filtered pitcher is 98%.
The Clearly Filtered is also available at the Clearly Filtered website with free shipping. There's also an option to save 10% on replacement filters by signing up for their subscription service.
Plus - enter the code SAFEHEALTHYHOME2020 at checkout to get an additional 10% off your purchase.
You can read more details about the Clearly Filtered in my review of the best water filter pitchers and My Review of the New Improved Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher.
Clearly Filtered has recently added an insulated stainless steel filtered water bottle for kids to its lineup! It's a great way to ensure your kids are drinking fluoride free water while they're away from home.
Read Clearly Filtered Junior Water Bottle Review: Why Your Kid Needs One for all the details.
Check out the kids filtered water bottle at Clearly Filtered.
Best Under Sink Water Filter for Fluoride Removal: Clearly Filtered
So, what's the best fluoride reducing filter that goes under the sink, but isn't an RO filtration system? Well, your options are fairly limited. But, they do exist, and the one that reduces the most fluoride is made by Clearly Filtered.
Clearly Filtered Under Sink Filter
Fluoride Reduction: 99.5%
Warranty: Lifetime
Get a 3-stage system like this one I installed in my kitchen at Clearly Filtered. Don't forget the coupon code!
The Clearly Filtered 3-stage under-the-sink filtration system installs quickly and easily under your kitchen sink. I know it's easy because I did it myself!
It hooks up to the cold water line, and it uses your existing faucet. So, you won't have to drill an extra hole for a dedicated faucet. The disadvantage is that there's no bypass, so all the cold water is filtered - not just your drinking and cooking water.
This model reduces fluoride by 99.5%, and the filter life is 2,000 gallons, or about one year.
You can take 10% off the price when you order at Clearly Filtered.com by using the code SAFEHEALTHYHOME2020 at checkout.
To learn more about the Clearly Filtered, you can read my Hands On Review of the Clearly Filtered Under Sink Water Filter.
A second under counter filtration system brand you might consider is the ProMax FS10 from ProOne. The fluoride reduction isn't quite as good as Clearly Filtered - 88% vs 99.5% - but it's a little less expensive.
You can check out the ProMax FS10 at the ProOne USA website.
Best Refrigerator Fluoride Filter: Clearly Filtered
There are a couple of fridge filters that are good at removing fluoride.
First is the Clearly Filtered Universal Inline/Refrigerator Filter.
That's the same company as the water filter pitcher and under sink filters above, and it also does a great job of reducing fluoride. Test data shows a 99.5% reduction in fluoride.
The filter life is about 365 gallons.
Click here to check it out at Amazon or here to check it out at Clearly Filtered.
Install a Clearly FIltered and have great tasting fluoride free drinking water straight from your fridge. Grab one at Clearly Filtered!
A second model to consider is the ProOne Promax Inline Refrigerator Filter. (ProOne is the new name for Propur, as of January 2021.)
Fluoride reduction is about 90%, according to independent lab test results.
This water filter lasts up to 750 gallons or about 9 months, so about twice as long as the Clearly Filtered.
You can check the price and availability at Amazon or at the ProOne website.
Shop for the ProMax inline fridge filter at ProOne USA.
Faucet Filters Don't Work on Fluoride
There's not a single faucet mount filter I'm aware of that is capable of fluoride reduction. I had reviewed one called the iSpring LittleWell that could do it, but that model was discontinued. I'm not a fan of faucet mount filters, anyway.
Best Fluoride Shower Filter: ProOne (formerly Propur)
So maybe you have a filtration system for your drinking water. But you might be concerned about absorbing fluoride through your skin. If you also want to do something about the fluoride in your shower water, I have good news for you.
There is one shower filter that reduces fluoride: the ProOne. It's the only brand that I've found that works on fluoride.
Reduce the fluoride in your shower water with this filtered shower head from ProOne USA.
According to independent lab test data, it removes 48.2% of sodium fluoride, 43% of hexafluorosilicate, and 48.1% of fluorosilic acid. The reason the reduction rate is so low is that water passing through the shower has only brief contact with the filter medium.
So, this shower filter can't completely eliminate fluoride from your shower water, but it can cut it almost in half. Your only other solution would be to install a whole house fluoride water filter.
You can find more information about the ProOne shower in my review of the best shower head filters.
Conclusion: Use Care When Choosing a Fluoride Filter
I don't think I can say that one particular filter is the best fluoride water filter. All of the filters I've mentioned will do a good job of removing the fluoride from your drinking water.
Which type of water filter, and which particular model would be best for you is really a matter of personal preference based on the other features.
The first decision to make is whether you want an installed filtration system or a portable system that can be used at home and away from home.
If you want an installed RO system, think about what your special needs might be. How good is your water pressure? Do you have a medical condition that requires your drinking water to be alkaline? Make sure the filtration system you choose addresses those issues.
If you're more interested in portability and in being prepared for emergencies, you'll probably want to go with a gravity filter or a pitcher filter. The gravity filter can handle a much larger capacity, though.
A distiller is easy to transport, but you have to be able to plug it in. It's also very slow. Definitely not good for emergencies, but it's suitable for everyday use for one person or a small family.
I hope you've found this helpful in deciding which is the ideal filtration solution for your situation.
If you have any questions about any of these filters, feel free to ask in a comment below and I will try to give you an answer as soon as possible.
Last Updated on January 16, 2023
This is such a useful summary of what's out there. Thank you for doing the leg work.
Wondering if you tested zero water pitcher filters and what results you may have obtained. Their website show a good reduction in chlorine and fluoride up to 40 gallons passing through one filter.
Hi, Bill! Yes, I included ZeroWater in Best Water Filter Pitchers | 2022 Edition.
I am pretty satisfied with the water quality that filtered by Big Berkey because it can remove more than 95 percent of fluoride in water, but it can become a perfect choice if it can filter faster.
Hi, Samantha! Yes, it is slow, so you have to plan ahead. That’s about the only negative about the Berkey. All gravity filters are slow, though – not just Berkey.
I known about its problem but I think it does not matter to me. I will buy it because it is a great water filter. Thanks for replying, Marge!
Thanks Marge for this article. Helpful research offered too. Would you have some thoughts to how de-fluorinated water may benefit during this Covid-19 pandemic?
Hi, Toni! I’m not quite sure what you’re getting at, but I don’t think there’s any connection to be made between the two.
Hi – just came across this review, would be interested in a review of whole house water filters as well. Would love to have the equivalent of purified water for the whole house! Hard and confusing to research online…
Thanks!
Hi, Adrian! Thanks for the comment. I will consider it.
Hi, I see Dr. Mercola sells a undercouner filter and claims it filters out chlorine but not minarels, do you know anything about that filter?
Hi, Stevens! No, I’m not familiar with Dr. Mercola’s filter. But if it’s a carbon filter, that’s right – it’ll take out chlorine but not minerals. That’s typical of carbon filters. The only filter that does remove minerals is reverse osmosis.
Sorry I meant fluoride you write that most carbon filters do not filter out fluoride.
Well, technically, they can remove some fluoride, but the effectiveness is not complete and is very short lived. Mercola’s filter might have some other component that removes fluoride, but I don’t know anything about it. I would want to see some third party lab test results on it, myself.
Marge, thank you for researching this so thoroughly! I’m thinking of buying a Propur gravity filter, but some reviews are saying you’d need to clean these regularly, and that they can grow a film inside, perhaps mold? Have you found this to be true? And if so, how do you clean it? It makes me think that the under sink filter would be less maintenance, but I like the idea of less water waste with a gravity filter.
Hi, Kim! You have to occasionally clean the filters in gravity filter systems because they are sitting there in “dirty” water. Stuff accumulates on the outside, making it more difficult for water to pass through the pores. Eventually they’ll get too clogged up and won’t work at all. That’s why you need to scrub them every now and then. You just use plain water and a Scotchbrite pad. I personally don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I’ve never had to clean mine more than every couple of months. How often you need to clean them depends in large part on the quality of the water you put in. Generally, I don’t think you’ll get slime or mold if you keep it clean and keep it in a cool location (or at least not sitting in the sun!) It’s never been an issue for me.
Hi, Marge! Great research and article! Thank you so much! Have you researched the ZeroWater filters? Do they remove enough fluoride?
Hi, Renee! Yes, the ZeroWater pitcher filters out 99% of fluoride. I’ve included it in my best water filter pitchers review.
Hi we are thinking about buying a GE reverse osmosis system. Does it filter fluoride?
Hi, Linda! All reverse osmosis systems filter fluoride. It’s the RO membrane that does the trick. It’s probably the best and most reliable method of removing fluoride from water.
Are you aware of any under-sink RO systems that allow you to collect, rather than waste, the water. Seems possible to use that for cleaning and watering some plants.
Hi, Nicole! It’s always possible to collect the waste water, but you’d have to do a little modification, and maybe hire a plumber to do it. Another option is the APEC C-TOP countertop model. It has a hose to take the waste water back out the faucet. You could probably just let it drain into a container. Info on that model is here: https://thesafehealthyhome.com/best-countertop-water-filters-review/#tab-con-12
Thank you so much for posting this! Please don’t take it down, I’m going to use it as a reference guide after I move to the Bay Area, CA. The city I want to live in fluoridates their water (yuck). I don’t want a calcified pineal gland or any of that other crap. What a lie that it’s good for public health. Really appreciate the research you did.
Hi, Erica! Glad I can be of help. I’m not planning to take down the post. I update posts like regularly so that the information is current.
Hello I know this review is not for whole house water filters but after really thinking about drinking water you cant hell but think about everything else we use water for in the house, could you please create a review for whole house filters? I really appreciate all of the information you provided. I am on city water and would like to take the flouride and chloramine out along with heavy metals and any other chemicals. I am on Ebmud here in Northern CA. I have purchased a drinking water filter based on this review and now I cant stop thinking about the shower/tub laundry, dishes (hot water) and so on. Any advice would be great! Thank You, Niles…
Can you tell me what the Propur alkanility level is. This is also a big concern.
I have an RO system & have been told RO systems grow black mold & I think RO is tasteless because minerals are removed
Thank you,
Geraldine
Hi, Geraldine! Which Propur filter are you referring to?
Thanks for the great article.
I was considering Berkey but read a couple of negative comments about it in a few different places. People say that 1) its fluoride filter doesn’t work as well unless your municipal water has acidic PH between 5-7, 2) activated alumina fluoride filter generates toxic gas which may outweigh the the benefit of removing fluoride. Do you have any insights into this? (By the way, another common comments I find about gravity systems in general is that they are easy to get rusted… is this right?)
Hi, Jude! No, I’ve never heard that about the fluoride filter not working on higher pH water. And activated alumina generating a toxic gas? Nope, never heard that one, either. I’m wondering where these people got their information. If you have a link, I’d be interested in reading about it. I’ve never had any problem with my Berkey rusting, and I’ve had it for a long time. I have seen some comments about it happening, though. If it did, I’d contact the manufacturer.
The filter you recommend for attaching to kitchen faucets is not currently available at Amazon and says they don’t know when or if it will be available again. Anywhere else I can get one of these? I want to get one for my mom for Christmas. (iSpring LittleWell)
Hi, Patty! Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I went to the manufacturer’s website, and it looks like they’re not making it anymore, although they still sell replacement filters. I’m going to give them a call today and see what’s up. I’ll reply back here after I do.
Hey, good news! I just got off the phone with iSpring. They have a brand new upgraded version of their faucet mount filter. It’s the DF2, and you can find it at Amazon here. It removes the same contaminants as the DFW2, and the guy there told me it does an even better job. The replacement cartridges are not listed yet, but he said they will be in the next couple of weeks.
I’ll be updating this post with the new information.
Hi Marge, I really appreciate your super-quick response as I am keen to order a filter.
Hello, I saw in the gravity filter comparison you provided on contaminant removal that fluoride showed as “n/a” for Propur. Since it is included in your article as a fluoride filter, I was wondering what that meant.
Hi, Anne! The gravity filters comparison table is giving you the actual data that I got from the lab test results. Propur’s doesn’t just give a generic “fluoride” reading. They break it down into the 3 different forms of fluoride – sodium fluoride, hexafluorosilicate, and fluorosilicic acid. Alexapure does the same thing. That’s why there’s n/a for fluoride and numbers for the 3 specific types of fluoride. Rather than give an average of the 3 (which is probably what the Berkey number is), I listed the specifics.
That’s a great question. Thanks for asking!
We have the Big Berkey but just found out that the gravity filters do leach a trace amount of silver into the water. I read that in Facebook group and had my water tested. That’s a deal killer for us.
Hi Tim! I’m not quite sure how Berkey could leach silver when there is no silver in the filters or the container. Do you have some documentation you can share? Some other brands of gravity filters do use silver to prevent the growth of bacteria. Silver has long been used as a disinfectant.
It just occurred to me that the silver issue might be in reference to the Berkey ceramic filters, which are indeed impregnated with silver. If you’re using the Black Berkey filters (which most people do), this is irrelevant. At any rate, I would want to see some lab test results that prove that silver is leaching into the water. And I would contact the manufacturer (New Millenium Concepts) directly if I were concerned about it.
Thank you so much for posting these reviews. My son just went to college and his dorm does not have a filtered water station. I am looking to purchase something for him that takes out fluoride, chlorine and, frankly, all the gunk that doesn’t belong in drinking water. The Big Berkey looks too wieldy; he only has a small desk to put it on. You recommend the Clearly Filtered pitcher. For a college student, do you believe the Clearly Filtered eliminates enough negative agents? I am VERY impressed by how much the BB eliminates. Thank you for your time. 🙂
Hi, Joanie! I think the Clearly Filtered pitcher is more than adequate for your son’s situation since he’ll be using municipal pre-treated water.
But if you have your heart set on a Berkey, you could go with the smaller version, the Travel Berkey. Its total capacity is 1.5 gallons, and the dimensions are 7.5″ diam X 19″ high. My daughter had one in her room when she was living with roommates. You would have to buy the additional PF-2 fluoride filters, and tell your son to replace them every 6 months.
Here are links for the Travel Berkey – https://amzn.to/2MEYlB2 (at Amazon) or https://thesafehealthyhome.com/berkeyfilters-travel-berkey (at Berkey Filters). I suggest checking both to compare prices.
Thank you for stopping by. Best wishes for a successful year at college for your son!
What about whole-house? Do I want to be watering my fruit and vegetable plants with this poison? It’s just going to get into the food. And what about swimming, bathing? Like, where are the studies about absorption through the skin? I can get RO water for cooking and drinking for 25 cents a gallon. A counter or under-sink solution is a waste when I need a real solution.
Hi Kurt! You can get a whole house system for fluoride if you want to go that route. And Propur makes a shower filter that reduces fluoride. I have only covered filters for drinking water in this article. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.