Our Best Water Filter System
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- 1 Our Best Water Filter System
Drinking water is essential to your daily health. Therefore many people have invested in a Water Filter System to remove all the harmful substance from our tap water.
What Is In Your Tap Water?
If you regularly drink a lot of water from the taps, then there’s a good chance that you may in fact be contributing to bad health in a number of ways. The fact of the matter is that all kinds of substances other than H20 find their way into our tap water. Some of these substances are unavoidable and include toxins and heavy metals that are picked up by the water as it makes its way through pipes and sewers to your taps. While these trace elements are so tiny as to seem completely harmless, when you start drinking several taps of water a day (which you should!) they add up and become a serious problem.
Our Best Water Filter System
If you want to skip our buyers guide, then take a look at our top pick. We have selected our best water filter system from each category.
Water Filter System | Type | Reviews | Average 5 Star | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
iSpring RCC7AK | Reverse Osmosis | 1300+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
APEC RO-CTOP | Countertop | 250+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher | Water Pitcher | 1400+ | 4.3 | Check Prices |
Why You Need to Clean Your Tap Water?
Fluoride
Fluoride is actually a natural mineral and helps the teeth in a number of ways. For one, it can help to strengthen the teeth by supporting the remineralization of enamel – where other minerals such as calcium are deposited back into the teeth to make them stronger.
At the same time fluoride is also able to reduce the amount of acid that is found in your mouth. These acids are created by bacteria, which feed off of sugars in your diet and then erode the surface of your teeth as a result, eventually leading to decay.
Advocates of fluoride will tell you that this is only a problem if you consume too much fluoride and so shouldn’t be an issue for most people. But therein lies the problem – as we are actually encouraged to drink a lot of water. And when you consider there are also large amounts of water in toothpaste… this becomes an issue.
Chlorine
Another substance that is added by choice to our water is chlorine. Chlorine is a disinfectant and you’re probably most familiar with it as being a substance that is added to the water in swimming pools. This, coincidentally, is why swimming pool water tastes so bad.
Yes, chlorine is effective as a disinfectant and can even sanitize sewage and industrial waste. But no, we shouldn’t drink it. That’s because chlorine bonds with numerous other substances in order to create a poisonous gas called hydrochloric acid. This is why swimming pool water becomes toxic when it comes into contact with human urine (which it does a lot). Unfortunately, this process also occurs when the chlorine comes into contact with substances in your gut – so it’s not a great choice for our water.
And in fact, it can lead to respiratory problems, damaged cells, memory loss and impaired balance when consumed over time!
Lead
While the others on this list so far are things that are actively added to our water, lead is a toxin that is unintentionally picked up as the water makes its way to our taps. We all know that we shouldn’t consume lead – which is why it had to be removed from pencils for instance.
Unfortunately though, lead is still used in many different pipes. And when those pipes corrode, they add around 10x the amount of lead into our water.
PCBs
PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls – substances that are used in a number of industrial processes. Insulation, oil, paints, adhesives, electronics etc. all lead to PCB contamination.
Estrogenic Compounds
Estrogenic compounds can make their way into our water via women’s products that are disposed of improperly, as well as numerous medications and other substances that find their way into our sewage systems.
These estrogenic compounds can, as the name suggests, increase estrogen levels in men and women, while reducing testosterone as a result.
Arsenic
Yep, arsenic – one of the best known poisons – is also found in our water. This is because it is once again used in many industrial applications and often is the result of improper waste disposal. Arsenic is only present in very small quantities in our water but as it builds up, it can cause skin cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, blackfoot disease and more. In Taiwan, blackfoot disease is more common owing to the large amounts of arsenic found in the water.
Mercury
Mercury is a naturally occurring element and is found in numerous dietary sources. However, mercury poisoning is a real and severe issue that can lead to brain damage, nerve damage, cognitive impairment, loss of motor function, headaches, weakness, tremors, mood swings, rashes and more. Eventually, mercury poisoning can even be fatal.
Dacthal
Dacthal is a herbicide – a substance that is toxic to plants and is used to kill off weeds and other unwanted vegetation – that is found in our soil and therefore many water sources. Animal testing reveals that this substance can lead to damage to the adrenal glands, the kidneys, the liver, the thyroid and the spleen.
What About Boiling the Water?
But wait a minute, what if you boil the water? Many people are under the impression that boiling water will kill off toxins and help to make it safe for drinking.
Unfortunately, this notion is entirely misguided. It is true that drinking water can help you to kill off bacteria and this is beneficial in just the same way that cooking meat is beneficial. The bad news though, is that boiling water does nothing to affect the toxins, heavy metals or other contaminants in the water. Boiling water will not reduce the amount of mercury, the amount of arsenic or the fluoride and most of the same issues will therefore be present.
But if boiling water is not the solution… then what is?
How Does A Water Filter System Work?
For those looking to remove the harmful impurities from their diet without relying on expensive, bottled water for the rest of their days, water filters are the best option.
A water filter is a machine that can remove many of these heavy metals, toxins and even bacteria and therefore allow you to drink the water without worrying about the harmful effects. That way, you can start to get all the fluid you need for optimum health but without taking in the bad stuff.
Physical Filtration
Physical filtration literally means that the water will be in some way strained – just as you might run water through a sieve. Of course, this process is much more comprehensive than using a sieve however and will remove much tinier particles – including trace amounts of minerals and toxins.
Chemical Filtration
Chemical filtration meanwhile means that the water will be passed through some kind of active material. This will chemically neutralize many of the harmful substances that live inside the water. Of course, some filters will actually utilizes both forms of filtration and that way provide an even more comprehensive job.
Within these two categories, there are then four different methods through which water filters can work. These are:
Activated Carbon
An activated carbon water filter uses activated carbon granules that come from activated charcoal. This is a porous kind of charcoal, which is made by burning wood with a reduced oxygen supply. This porous nature then means that there are countless tiny holes and little corners and divots for substances to get stuck into. As water passes through the activated carbon, it will be attracted to these gaps where it will get trapped. This process is called absorption.
Activated charcoal is very convenient for removing impurities such as pesticides, chlorine and industrial solvents but it isn’t as effective with limescale or heavy metals.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a process that involves forcing water through some kind of membrane. A membrane meanwhile is a very thin layer that acts like a filter and once again allows water to pass through but while leaving the substances behind.
Now, reverse osmosis is highly effective because it is essentially an even finer way of filtering the fluid. But it also involves making water move against its natural inclination – it needs to be pushed. This means that a reverse osmosis filter will need to use some form of electrical powered pump.
And like activated charcoal, reverse osmosis is not perfect at removing all kinds of pollutants. This is great for getting rid of limescale, nitrates and salts and not so good at removing bacteria. Another downside is that it causes some waste to be left behind.
Ion Exchange
Water Ionizer Machines are used primarily to soften water, which is done by removing limescale. These work by splitting atoms that belong to contaminating substances in order to make ions. Those ions are then trapped, while other ions are released in their place. These work via zeolite beads containing sodium ions which break apart the hard magnesium and calcium ions. Some people find this kind of water to be more pleasant to drink and to wash in, but the sodium is still essentially a contaminant and could be an issue for those on low-sodium diets. Filters need recharging and once again, certain contaminants are left in the final product.
Distillation
Distillation essentially means that water is boiled but this boiling does not work quite the same way as regular boiling (which we’ve already seen is not quite sufficient for completely cleaning our water).
In distillation, water is boiled in order to create steam and then the steam is captured and condensed via cooling to return to its liquid form. Imagine the water rising up away from the contaminants left below! This is actually a method you can use to make water safe to drink in the wild!
However, it’s worth noting that some contaminants still make it through as they will evaporate with the steam. These include volatile organic compounds in particular.
As you can see then, there is no single method for filtering/distilling water that is completely effective. Every method will be effective in removing some contaminants but not all of them. As mentioned then, the best filters will often combine multiple methods in a single product. Read our Home Water Distiller Guide
Disadvantages
While water filters are great tools to improve your health and wellbeing – especially if you have young children – nothing is perfect.
The main drawback of water filters is that they need maintenance and cost money to run. Most will have carbon filters that need regularly exchanging, while others use pumps or boil water which requires mains power. Of course, you’ll also need to wait for your filter to finish before you can drink your water!
There’s also a big lack of regulation here, which means it’s hard to know for sure that the product you’re getting is a good one. With that in mind, it’s well worth doing your research before you choose one.
Get this right though and the benefits definitely outweigh the costs. That expense isn’t ideal, but most people would agree that their health is worth it.
Types Of Water Filter Systems
We’ve seen the different methods that are used by various water filters but on top of this there are more ways that you can categorize and define water filters based on the type of product.
A Water Filter Pitcher
A pitcher type filter is a water filter that exists as a separate unit. This will be a simple pitcher on the surface, except it will likely also include a unit at the top that provides the necessary filtration. Pitcher type filters tend to be the most affordable and in many ways, they are the most convenient as they can simply be placed on a kitchen countertop or dining table and used as needed. Just fill the pitcher as tap water and then dispense as you normally would, only now with the knowledge that the water you’re drinking has had at least some of the harmful contaminants removed!
Countertop Water Filter
Another type of water filter is the countertop filter. This is a slightly larger and more expensive unit that will live permanently in the kitchen, normally plugged into a mains power supply. These slightly larger and more expensive units are marginally less convenient as they can’t be as easily picked up and carried around and will often need to be filled separately. However, their larger size and powered operation means that they can often provide a more efficient water filtration system that combines multiple different methods at once. That might mean they can combine a reverse osmosis function that utilizes a pump, along with an activated carbon system. Likewise, a countertop system might combine a distillation process along with activated charcoal.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
Finally, a reverse osmosis filter system is a filter that uses the reverse osmosis process we’ve already discussed. As we’ve seen, a regular countertop filter can also be a reverse osmosis filter but not all reverse osmosis filters will be countertop devices – some will fit under the sink for example. Reverse osmosis systems will universally require mains power in order to operate the pump and will tend to be at the costlier end, along with other countertop systems.
Choosing the Right Water Filter for You
If you’re considering getting a water filter, then you need to think carefully about which is the best kind of system for your purposes.
We’ve already seen how the type of filter system can have an impact on the precise impurities that will be removed. Doing some research on your local water and also considering the things you most want to avoid can help you make a choice regarding this aspect.
Water Filter Capacity
At the same time though, you also need to think about things like capacity. How much water can the filter hold? How long will it take to filter a full tank? This is an important consideration as you might otherwise find yourself having to repeatedly filter your water and constantly wait for it to be fully cleaned before you can drink it. Other practical considerations like this include compatibility: will the filtration system work with your plumbing system? Do you have space for it?
Budget
Another issue is budget. If you have unlimited budget, then the best system will be one that combines multiple different filtration strategies and has a huge capacity. But most of us do not have an unlimited budget and therefore we will be forced to make a compromise – that might mean starting out with a simpler pitcher filter.
Performance
Obviously, checking the quality of the unit itself is also important. Does it have good reviews? Is it certified in any way? How can it prove the claims that it is making regarding its effectiveness.
Finally, ask about maintenance. Unfortunately, most water filters are not ‘set and forget’ but rather require you to regularly change parts and need lots of maintenance. Even most pitcher systems will need to have the carbon element replaced occasionally as they can otherwise become ‘clogged’ and stop working.
Our Best Water Filter System
That’s a lot to consider and you might be getting something of a headache just thinking about it (or maybe that’s the chlorine?). To help you out, we’ve narrowed down some of the best water filters in each category. Any of these will provide you with a decent amount of filtration without breaking the bank and hopefully one will be right for your purposes.
Water Filter System | Type | Reviews | Average 5 Star | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
iSpring RCC7AK | Reverse Osmosis | 1300+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
APEC RO-CTOP | Countertop | 250+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher | Water Pitcher | 1400+ | 4.3 | Check Prices |
Best Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration
This sits under the sink and helps to filter thousands of pollutants using semipermeable membranes capable of catching elements up to 0.0001 micron thick. It also adds alkaline remineralization to fix the pH balance and reintroduces ionized minerals to soften the water. The pH balance of your water is important for avoiding overly acidic water which can otherwise damage enamel or potentially lead to digestion. Softened water meanwhile is something that – as described – many people find preferable. It is certainly a good thing to remove the unpleasant and unhealthy limescale that ruins your tea.
A truly comprehensive solution that fixes water right at the source through the taps. This is one of the ultimate solutions, as long as you are personally a fan of the softened water!
Best Countertop Water Filter System
APEC RO-CTOP Counter Top Water Filter
This countertop water filter uses reverse osmosis technology and provides crisp and clean water. Its lightweight and installation free, meaning you can easily install this yourself in minutes, and only fits on a standard faucet. Using 4 stage reverse osmosis system, this countertop water filter system can remove the following contaminants:
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chromium Hex
- Chromium Tri
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Lead
- Radium 226/228
- Selenium
Best Water Filter Pitcher
Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher
This top of the range water filter pitcher is one of the best on the market. Removing up to 2000% more contaminants than other leading water filter pitchers, removing lead, chlorine, fluoride and more. It has a premium designed, made in the US and 100% FDA approved food grade material. Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher has been rigorously tested and was tested independently to meet NSF standards. Lastly this water filter pitcher is very powerful and removes 6 types of contaminants including chlorine.
Our Best Water Filter System
Water Filter System | Type | Reviews | Average 5 Star | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
iSpring RCC7AK | Reverse Osmosis | 1300+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
APEC RO-CTOP | Countertop | 250+ | 4.7 | Check Prices |
Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher | Water Pitcher | 1400+ | 4.3 | Check Prices |
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of options, combinations and units that you can use to keep your water pure and clean. There’s really no need to carry on consuming those high levels of arsenic and lead, so go ahead and find one that’s right for you!