[This post was originally published March 24, 2017 and has been updated for 2018.]​​​

​What's so great about gravity water filters?

Plenty! They're simple to use and can give you a fresh ​supply of clean drinking water any time and any place.

But how do you know which one is the best?​ There are so many to pick from these days!

[This post was originally published on February 7, 2017 and has been updated with additional information.]​

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.

Sound familiar?

I'll bet you landed here because you have fluoride in your drinking water and you want to get it out.

If you're not sure how to remove fluoride from your water, you've come to the right place. In this review I'll tell you about four different types of filters that will get rid of the fluoride.

You'll also find mini reviews of the specific models that I recommend in each category.

[This updated post was originally published as Best Home Water Distiller Options for 2017.]

Imagine never having to going to the store again to buy distilled water, and never having to recycle another plastic water jug.

Sounds too good to be true?

It's not.​

Having your own water distiller makes it easy to have a constant supply of pure water at home. Think of all the time and aggravation it would save you.

So maybe you're convinced that this is the way to go, but you're not sure what to look for or what your options are.

Well, let me help you out.​

In this review, we'll take a look at four of the best selling distilled water machines available for home use in 2018. We'll talk features, prices, and pros and cons, to help you find the water distiller that's right for you.

This review was previously posted as 10 Best Water Pitcher Filters of 2017. It's been updated to include some new models, and a few were dropped.​

Do you want to filter your water without going through the hassle and expense of installing a full-blown filtration system?

If your answer is "yes", then you might want to consider a water filter pitcher.

This kind of filter isn't as good as something like a reverse osmosis system or a gravity water filter, but it's better than nothing. And sometimes it's just not practical to have a bigger system - like at the office, or in a college dorm, or if you're traveling.​

So if you've decided to invest in a pitcher water filter, the obvious question is

​WHICH ONE IS BEST?

Last updated: November 21, 2017

Are you looking for a gravity type water filter that works well but won't cost you an arm and a leg?

If you are, then you need to check out the Alexapure Pro water filtration system.

It's a stainless steel gravity filter that ranks right up there with Berkey and Propur, but it costs less to buy, and it costs less to maintain.

Did you ever meet an amazing person and you thought "Gee, they must come from a great family"?

And then you meet the family, and it turns out you were right!

Sometimes products can be kind of like that. You try one product​ and have a good experience with it, so you decide to try out another member of the "family". 

Are you looking for a good reverse osmosis filter that won't cost you an arm and a leg?

The RO5DX 5 Stage Reverse Osmosis System from Express Water is one of my picks for the best reverse osmosis systems of 2017.

Did you know that reverse osmosis takes all of the minerals out of the water - including the beneficial ones?

It's true. And that bothers some people.

But the Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact system solves that problem.

​The TMAFC is one of my picks for the best reverse osmosis systems of 2017.  It's a top rated RO system that remineralizes the water to raise the pH and make it less acidic.

I've written this in-depth review of the TMAFC to help you decide if it's the best water filter to meet your needs. We'll take a look at the features, how it works, how effective it is, and more.

If you don't want to take the time to read my whole review, you can click on a topic in the quick navigation below. Or scroll down to get all the details.

Pros and Cons of Home Master TMAFC

I always like to see what reviewers on Amazon say about a product. This system gets an amazing 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 500 reviews! Here's a summary of the most common likes and dislikes:

*Honestly, I had a hard time finding anything negative about the Home Master, and I read through hundreds of reviews. A few people had some complaints about defective parts, but those were quickly resolved by customer service.

Home Master FAQs

How does it work?

The system is hooked up to your plumbing and uses water pressure to force the water through a series of filters on its way out the faucet.

Here's what happens to the water, step by step:

What contaminants does the Home Master TMAFC remove?

According to the manufacturer, it "removes up to 98% of chemicals, heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants that other systems fail to remove." The list of contaminants is way too long to include in this post. You can read it for yourself at this link.

Now, I do want to note that although the CDC says that reverse osmosis removes bacteria and viruses, Home Master says that the TMAFC is not rated for removal of bacteria.

If you are on city water, this should not be a problem since your water has already been treated with chlorine or chloramine to kill bacteria.

What can I do about microorganisms in the water?

If you're not on city water, or if you just want an extra layer of protection, Home Master has two models that include an extra UV filter. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold are effectively killed by ultraviolet light, so the water is sterilized.

Does Home Master remove fluoride?​

Yes, it removes up to 93.9% of fluoride.

Why are minerals added twice?

Water becomes slightly more acidic when it goes through reverse osmosis. Left as it is, it can degrade the rubber bladder in the storage tank. 

Remineralizing the water before it goes to the tank makes it more alkaline, so it won't eat away at the rubber. That makes the tank last longer and also keeps the water from being re-contaminated.

Minerals are added a second time after the water leaves the storage tank, on the way to the faucet. This is to balance the pH and to make the water taste better.

​What minerals are added to alkalize the water?

Calcium and magnesium minerals from crushed marble are added to the water during the remineralization stages.​ This brings the mineral level up to 30-60 mg per liter.

​How much water can it filter in a day?

This system is rated at 50 gallons per day.​

How much water is wasted?

For every gallon of filtered water, 3 to 4 gallons of water is wasted. If you buy the permeate pump for the system, you can reduce the amount of waste to 1 to 1.5 gallons.

All reverse osmosis systems produce waste water. That's just how it works. But keep in mind that we're only talking about your drinking water. There's a lot more waste water produced from doing laundry, taking a shower, and flushing the toilet.

If this really bothers you, you could consider collecting the waste water and using it for something else.​ Some people use it for watering plants or for cleaning.

What comes with the system?​

Here's what comes in the box:

Is it hard to install?​

Reviewers on Amazon say that it's easy to install and normally takes less than two hours to do. You'll get detailed instructions with the system.

If you need more help, the manufacturer has a series of YouTube videos to guide you. Or you can get live help from their customer service.

​Can I install it in the basement?

​It's designed to be installed under the sink, but you can put it in the basement. There are tips for basement installation at the manufacturer's website.

If you're not experienced with plumbing, you might want to hire a plumber to do it for you.

​How often do you have to replace the filters?

The filters should be replaced annually - that's all but the RO membrane.

The reverse osmosis membrane will last 3 to 5 years, depending on your water quality and usage.​

Home Master makes replacing the filter as easy as it can be. The filter and filter housing are one unit, so you replace the whole thing every time.  

With other brands, each filter goes into a canister. You switch out only the filter and reuse the old canister.

Replacement filters are available at Amazon. They're going to run you around $80 for a set of 3. You can click here to check the latest price at Amazon.

A replacement RO membrane costs about $100 and is not currently available from Amazon. You have to buy it from the manufacturer.

What's the difference between TMAFC and TMAFC-ERP?​

The ​Home Master Model TMAFC-ERP comes with a permeate pump. This is a non-electric device that improves the efficiency of the system and greatly reduces the amount of waste water - by up to 80%.

You can buy a permeate pump later and add it to the TMAFC if you like.​

Click here to check the current price of the TMAFC-ERP system at Amazon. 

What's the difference between Home Master TMAFC & APEC ROES-PH75?

The APEC ROES-PH75 is a similar RO system that also remineralizes the water.

The biggest difference between APEC and Home Master systems is in the design of the filter housing:

APEC has canisters that hold the filters. When it's time to replace a filter, you take the filter out and put a new one into the old canister.​ As the canisters age, they can develop cracks and leaks.

Home Master filters and housings are all-in-one. This makes replacing the filters much simpler, and you never have to worry about old canisters wearing out.

They differ in their capacity:

• Home Master TMAFC: 50 gallons per day
• APEC ROES-PH75: 75 gallons per day

Their warranty periods are different:

• Home Master: 5 years
• APEC: 1 year​

You can read more about the APEC ROES-PH75 here.

​Where are Home Master filters made?

Home Master systems are made by Perfect Water Technologies in Scottsdale, Arizona.​

What kind of warranty does Home Master offer?

The system has a 5-year limited warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Verdict: Home Master TMAFC RO System

I think the Home Master is one of the best RO systems available today, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's effective, easy to install, and it's affordable. The overwhelming majority of owners have given it a huge thumbs up.

It's a good choice for someone who wants to have filtered water that is more on the alkaline side. ​

The capacity is perfect for an average size family.

Customer service is great, and it has an excellent warranty. That gives me a lot of confidence.

You can buy it directly from the manufacturer, but it's more expensive than other retailers. Plus the shipping is crazy expensive. It would cost about $35 to ship it to my home in New Hampshire.

If you buy from Amazon, you're going to get free shipping and secure ordering. 

Click here to head over to Amazon and grab a Home Master TMAFC for yourself.

If you don't think this is the right RO system for you, please click here to go and see my Top 4 Best RO Systems review.