Alisa Meredith

Having access to safe, clean drinking water is an essential aspect to leading a healthy life which many parts of the world are lacking. Maintaining proper filtration is just one method of many wherein we may create a trustworthy water from natural sources. For corners of the globe lucky enough to possess treated municipal water, as well as electricity and refrigeration, fridge filters supply cool, filtered drinking water in a convenient location. If you are currently utilizing the water dispenser in your refrigerator, have you considered the condition of the filter? When it comes time to replace your fridge filter, there are a few important features to look out for, in order to prevent your family from consuming dangerous chemicals and contaminants. If this is something you're concerned with, for good reason, we have compiled a guide to finding the best fridge filters for your convenience.

Not all refrigerator water filters are the same – read that again. Today's market is saturated with varying refrigerator models, with or without water dispensers. As such, it's easy to see why there are countless fridge water filters to choose from, leaving many homeowners feeling frustrated. With each passing year, quality differences have changed, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. One aspect seems to remain constant with this type of filter, however, as the majority of fridge filters utilize granular activated carbon, or GAC.

Water filters are a diverse product, with varying styles, features, unique designs, and even materials. Many of these filtration devices are capable of performing two functions simultaneously, in order to aid in the operation of the fridge itself, as well as water filtration. Such operations also serve to protect various mechanics within the filter from impurities which may originate in specific portions of the moving components found inside the fridge.

As a commonly utilized bacteria and odor absorbent, activated carbon goes to work removing unpleasant elements frequently found in treated tap water. While this simple style of filtration is cheap and effective, it comes at the price of frequent filter replacements in order to maintain efficiency. Additionally, because ice makers also take advantage of the fridge filter, some of the filter's overall lifespan is devoted to ice production. This essentially means GAC may not be the workhorse capable of meeting the demanded of your household.

The frequency in which you replace your refrigerator water filter is highly dependent upon demand, such as the amount of people residing within your home. For example, a family of six will wear down a water filter more quickly than one person would, especially when one is a large consumer of ice, and the other isn't.

Many fridge models are supplied with a light that illuminates whenever it's time to replace the water filter. However, this is not always the case, and there are other signs it may be time to make a replacement. If you begin to notice a taste difference in your water or ice, it's safe to say you should replace your fridge filter. You can also use a sticker or calendar to keep track of how many days, weeks, or months have passed since your last filter replacement.

In an effort to maintain higher levels of safety, there is a lot of consideration and effort behind the production of each water filter. This includes enacting the most appropriate manufacturing standards, certifications, safety protocol, and more. These procedures are actively put into place in order to ensure each water filter manufacturer follows specific guidelines, ensuring overall consumers safety.

The water safety testing and certification standards set forth by the NSF are considered to be the highest, most rigorous standards of the water filtration industry. NSF certification standards are used throughout countries such as the US, Europe, and even Australia. The World Health Organization, or WHO, even utilizes the NSF to provide the standard for drinking water filtration and safety. If you take notice of a number alongside the NSF mark, know that it refers to the certification standard adhered to.

The American Water Quality Association, or WQA (Water Quality Association) is held as the authority of water quality in the United States of America. The WQA represents the water treatment industry as a whole, as well as practitioners, in addition to the interests of numerous enterprises. In order to provide comprehensive support, the WQA works to promote the effective development of the water industry around the globe.

As mentioned, the NSF is in charge of the development, promotion, and enforcement of a whole slew of safety standards most manufacturer of water filtration products must abide by. One of the tests commonly used to measure the overall removal rate of contaminants is known as NSF Standard 42.

This test is used to determine whether or not any given the material used within a filter is safe to use. In addition to verifying whether product information is accurate, as well as product structure, the standard 53 tests the filtration capabilities of pollutants including: cysts, lead, and volatile organic compounds (or VOCs).

Several aspects have an influence on flow rate, including pipe diameter, friction loss, and water velocity. Water flow is defined as the amount of water running through any given surface, one unit at a time. In essence, flow rate measures the speed of which water flows through residential or commercial piping. This measurement also plays a vital role in determining the proper system for your household and appliances, regardless of whether it's a UV system, carbon filter, or water softener. When you choose the most appropriate flow rate, a home treatment system should be capable of:

The main purpose of a water filtration cartridge, especially in a refrigerator, is to neutralize and remove contaminants and solids. Additionally, many filter models efficiently remove: herbicides, pesticides, benzene, chlorine, lead, mercury, water cysts, particles, and more. However, it should be noted, not every filter is created equal. The reality is, there are many water filters on the market that are incapable of removing or reducing contaminants. In order to determine your needs, in terms of contaminant removal, it's important to utilize water reports. You can purchase water testing kits and easily test your tap water at home. This better enables homeowners to make informed decisions, and narrow down the specific water filter that will be well worth the investment. By using the NSF's contaminant selection guide, you can browse various filtration products, categorized by certifications, and more.

The Samsung Genuine DA29-00020B is known for its consistency and its ability to deliver pure and tasty drinking water. As is the case with the higher-end models in this market, this unit can handle cleaning water successfully for up to six months or up to 300 gallons of water before needing replacement. This model usually retails for approximately $50 - $55, so it is a bit on the expensive side when compared to other filters.

Waterdrop filters have comprehensive certification from WQA, IAPMO, and NSF 401, 53, 42 and 372. To achieve these standards, the filter cartridge is thoroughly tested to ensure perfect filtration. The NSF 401 certification shows that it significantly reduces levels of ibuprofen, phenytoin, naproxen, estrone, bisphenol A, and nonylphenol. Additionally, it has also achieved the NSF 53 standard for removing mercury, benzene, and lead from water. This refrigerator filters significantly reduce the levels of many different harmful substances in your water, including chlorine, heavy metals, lead, mercury, odor, large particles, and many other major impurities. The filter additionally allows through many of the beneficial minerals in water that are essential for health. Waterdrop uses coconut shell carbon blocks supplied from Sri Lanka that have enlarged surface area and more micropores than inferior carbon blocks. The filter cartridge is far more effective in reducing levels of chlorine, dirt, sediment, rust, and a wide range of heavy metals. In line with our high level of attention to detail, we have chosen a BPA-free and food-grade housing for the filter that exceeds the NSF 372 certification for lead-free filtration.

Frigidaire offers several different fridge water filters, and if you choose that brand you should do so based on what type of refrigerator you have in your home. The EPTWFU01 Water Filter is known for its ruthless ability to eliminate problematic substances in tap water, and it enjoys tested certification with NSF for standards 42, 53 and 401.

If you find yourself questioning your needs in terms of refrigerator water filtration, NSF certification, and more, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please feel free to utilize the comment section below, or skip the wait and contact us directly through the contact form.

When you begin to notice the decreased quality of the tap water in your home, countertop water filters serve as an affordable alternative to bottled water, or even whole house filter systems. Unfortunately, tap water contaminants are a part of daily life throughout the United States, but especially other parts of the world. A countertop water filter is capable of removing contaminants, such as copper and chlorine, which commonly present in tap water, which creates an unpleasant taste. Most of these contaminants and solids will not create a large health concern, but create inconveniences such as poor flavor and overall quality.

Aside from a compact design, most of the top countertop water filters present a sleek appearance to fit into a majority of interior design. Compared to under-the-sink water filters, countertop units require zero installation, and are essentially ready to go from the moment of unboxing. For many users, countertops present straightforward means of providing their household with high quality, filtered water basically on demand. If you find yourself to be someone concerned with the water you are consuming, or want to improve your tap water even further, our list of the top countertop water filters of 2021 is for you. Let's get started with five of the best countertop units this year, as well as a quick rundown on their features, advantages, and disadvantages.

As the ground-breaking RO system, and Waterdrop's latest release, the M5 RO system has been designed to provide the most advanced features in water filtration technology. With a 5 stage filtration system, the Waterdrop utilizes two layers of sediment PP membrane, premium carbon block, RO membrane, as well as post-activated carbon block. Together, these elements create a countertop water filter that is capable of removing various harmful susbtances such as chlorine, lead, particulates, rust, sand, TDS, and more. This is in addition to the efficient removal of particles contributing to the bad flavor and odor of tap water.

Waterdrop's M5 Countertop RO system provides an 80 ounce water pitcher, crafted out of BPA-free Tritan material. This not only provides an improved water purification experience, but also ensures clean, safe, drinking water. As a portable water pitcher, many users find the Waterdrop M5 to be easy to carry around their house. Capable of rotating 180 degrees, the M5 can pour from various angles, with an easy to replace annual filter. This particular unit does not require electricity, utilize a water pump, or require extensive knowledge or skill to install and use.

The M5 operates at a quiet level, adopting a cutting-edge, all-in-one filter in order to provide safe drinking water for 12 months. With an annual filter, such as the one utilized in this model, households can enjoy up to 550 gallons of filtered water, free of worrying over the hidden contaminants of tap water. This provides customers with the ability to enjoy safe water, without the hassle of monthly filter replacements. And, when it is time to change the filter, it only requires about 3 seconds to complete.

By utilizing gravity in order to force water through a filter cartridge, the Big Berkey removes contaminants commonly found in tap water, without plumbing or electricity. Simply fill the top reservoir with water, similar to how you might with a filter pitcher, and allow water to feed through. This design enables users to keep filtration contained within this Big Berkey unit, without needing to attach a filter to a faucet.

Simply place the Big Berkey on the most convenient section of your countertop. One downside to the Big Berkey, is that it is slightly boisterous compared to other countertop systems, measuring in at: 19 ¼” x 8 ½”. The bottom compartment, which holds filtered water readily for use, is capable of holding 2 ¼ gallons of clean water.

Aside from it's large size, the Big Berkey filters water as effectively as other, more traditional countertop water filter systems. The upside to a design, such as the Big Berkey, is that it doesn't require electricity, and the filters have a lifespan of up to 6,000 gallons before replacement. Users may break their Big Berkey down in order to take it on a camping trip, in an RV, and it also works well in an apartment or condo.

The APEX MR10-50 countertop system efficiently removes foul flavor and odors, while also adjusting your tap's pH to more suitable levels. By employing a 5-stage filter, the APEX countertop water filter removes contaminants such as chlorine. Unfortunately, the MR10-50 is incapable of removing solids such as fluoride, a common concern for many homeowners or health conscience individuals. Set up in stages, the APEX MR10-50 filter features a remineralizing element in order to adjust pH levels. If pH is a concern in your home, this APEX may bring your water to a level close to 7, or 8 ½. Overall, you can expect a lifespan of 750 gallons out of these filters before replacement.

For those concerned with a space saving unit, the Home Master Jr. F2 countertop filter system is a great solution. Individuals searching for a water filter system capable of removing flouride, the Home Master is here to save the day. Aside from filtering out fluoride, this countertop unit is capable of removing VOCs, TOCs, arsenic, selenium, and chlorine. Compression disks are utilized between layers of filters, in order to provide regular, efficient filtration during regular use. Overall, this filter's lifespan is shorter when compared to similar units, ringing in at under 500 gallons.

The overall design of the Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher is self-contained, with built in water filters. These filters are capable of removing impurities commonly found in tap water, in order to provide your family with safe, clean drinking water. There are a few sizes available for the Waterdrop Chubby, which provides users with a variety of sizes to better suit their needs.

Compared to other countertop water filters, it's worth noting that water pitchers filter at a slower rate compared to other countertop systems. This is because water must flow through a filter cartridge, at a slow trickling pace. As with most water filter pitchers, the filter cartridges of the Waterdrop Chubby provide a lifespan of 40 gallons, or two months of use.

Testing the drinking water quality of your household tap water is the most important stage of selecting your next countertop water filter. This will not only give you an idea of the contaminants present in your water, but also provide insight into the quality of local water sources. A report goes great lengths in breaking down any of the impurities your future water filter system will go up against, as well as educate you on the features you should shop for. The only downside to this type of report is that they do not factor in contaminants that might be picked up on the way to the treatment facility. This includes various bacteria, and even lead. A water test kit is easily obtained online, or even through local home improvement stores.

Setting, and sticking to a budget will go great lengths in ensuring you get the most bang for your buck, without overspending. Countertop filtration systems come at a wide variety of price points, which is why identifying a budget is essential – your biggest limitation is your pocketbook. Avoid hurting yourself financially, and set a price range you are comfortable with, and capable of sticking to without fail.

When you don't understand common contaminants present in drinking water, you won't get the most out of your water filter unit – regardless of the style. This is because you will fail to understand what your filter is up against, and may miss out on purchasing a feature you really need, for other features you should bypass. Once you understand these contaminants, you can educate yourself on how the alter the appearance and taste of water, even going as far as to affect overall odor. Once you set a budget, continue on your search by reading about contaminants in local water sources, as well as the results from your own water test kits.

Some of the most commonly identified contaminants include bacteria, calcium, chlorine, copper, heavy metals, magnesium minerals, and viruses. However, chlorine, for example, is added to water once it flows to treatment facilities in order to disinfect it. This contaminant imparts its own distinctive taste onto the resulting tap water, creating a flavor most individuals have a natural aversion to. Residential piping may utilize copper and lead, which also adversely affects taste, and carries other various health ramifications. Additionally, minerals such as magnesium and calcium create buildup in the form of limescale, which imparts an alkaline taste to tap water.

Countertop water filter systems are a very popular choice, discussed extensively. This specific category of water treatment systems are renowned for their space-saving design, as well as overall affordability, and ease of installation. Basically, you can find a unit for any budget, and feel confident in setup, installation, and use, regardless of your skill level. Hopefully, you are now more informed in regard to the top countertop water filter options of 2021, and can move onto making an informed purchase.

The essence of water filters in pitchers and refrigerators is reducing contaminants from water or make your tap water smell or taste much better. While these filters do the basics, you can get advanced water purification results by choosing a reverse osmosis water filtration system.

The reverse osmosis (RO) water system design makes the connection with your plumbing under the sink seamless. The tap water goes through the semipermeable membrane and other filters, reducing contaminants and sediments, leaving you with an abundance of purified water safe for drinking and other household uses.

In this blog, we discuss the top RO systems you should look out for when you are shopping for a RO system for your home.

While several RO models exist in the market, our experts have sieved through the list to provide the top standard, tankless, and countertop reverse osmosis water treatment systems from the best manufacturers in the industry. Whichever you end up with, you can rest assured of excellent filtration with high efficiency.

Asides from being a premier RO filtration system, the Waterdrop RO Drinking Water Filtration System sports a tankless design and guarantees a high output. The absence of a tank maximizes the output by filtering water on demand. This means you get an instant and unending supply of filtered water at all times – up to 400 gallons per day. This highly efficient system wastes just a gallon of water for every gallon of purified water provided.

Other top features of the Waterdrop RO system include a multicolored LED display that helps monitor the status of each of the three filters. You also get to see the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels of the filtered water in real-time.

Depending on your budget, you may have to pay a premium for this new RO system technology, up to 2x the prices of the traditional RO systems.

This RO system is known for its seamless installation and high-capacity filters. You get a longer service life from the filters compared to other water filter systems. This RO system from APEC adopts a six-stage filtration system, which allows the filter to last for a full year before they are due for replacement.

This system gets rid of 99% bacteria while restoring the important healthy minerals and calcium into the filtered water. You can get up to 75 gallons of filtered water daily. The wastewater to filtered water ratio is 3:1, i.e., 3 gallons of wastewater for every 1 gallon of filtered water.

You will need sufficient under sink space for this water filter system, thanks to its 11-inch by 15-inch, 4-gallon tank.

Most under sink RO system owners often complain about their system not producing sufficient filtered water. However, that problem is fixed with this RO water filter system from iSpring. The system can conveniently produce up to 75 gallons of filtered water daily, meeting the water needs of even large families.

The six-stage filter system is not common, especially with a special mineralization filter that eventually restores healthy minerals removed in previous stages into the filtered water. Another exciting feature of this RO system is its appearance. The faucet in this system has a modern brushed nickel look, complementing the beauty of your kitchen.

Are you worried about your RO system taking up a lot of space under your sink because of its large tank? Or are you bothered about not getting enough filtered water because f the typical low purified water capacity of RO systems? Your fears are allayed in this Waterdrop RO Reverse Osmosis water filtration system.

With a modern, tankless design, this system requires less than 70% of your cabinet space while providing you with up to 400 gallons of pure water daily. Asides from the very high filtration capacity, the filtered water comes at a rather fast speed, thanks to the faster water flow.

The compact filters are effective against a wide range of contaminants, which makes the unit less bulky. The filters offer a service life longer than the usual six months. Replacing the filter is also easier with the twist-and-pull design.

The AQUA TRU Countertop water filtration system is your best choice if you want a filtration system that takes up no space under your sink and needs no installation.

This system has a self-contained design that is ready to use out of the box. It adopts a four-stage filtration process, effectively removing 82 contaminants. It is effective against chlorine, radium, copper, lead, and other impurities. Thanks to the twist-and-seal filters that last for up to two years, you will find the installation easy.

It takes about 12-15 minutes for the system to filter the filled gallon tank. The width of the entire compartment is just 18 inches – it requires only a little space on your counter.

There are quite several health benefits that come with owning a reverse osmosis water treatment system. However, the most important return from your investment is the constant supply of filtered water, free of bacteria, microorganisms, and impurities like chromium, arsenic, among others.

With a reverse osmosis system, you eliminate the bitter taste and foul smells associated with tap water, leaving you with great-tasting and odorless water.

A reverse osmosis system will help you save money in the long run by removing the need for bottled water purchases, which is the more expensive option.

There are talks about the wastewater from RO systems impacting the environment. However, an RO system helps to reduce the use of bottled water, thus reducing the amount of plastic waste on our planet.

The best water filter straws come in handy for your backcountry and outdoor trips. Whether you are going camping, trekking, or hiking, you need clean drinking water to keep you going. With a water filter straw, you can get rid of contaminants like sediments and waterborne protozoans and bacteria from natural water, making it fit for drinking.

Finding the best water filter straw can be quite challenging. The options are endless, each offering a unique set of features. The only way is to make deep comparisons of the key features in each model, including the adopted filtration system, the filtration capacity, speed, and others.

This blog offers an expert review of highly-rated straw filters in the market to save you stress and helps you choose the model that best works for you.

Access to clean water is a blessing. Turning on your faucets to get clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing, or other domestic activities may seem basic to you. However, it is a luxury for others who do struggle to access either clean or dirty water.

Clean drinking water is rare in most remote places of the world, including Africa. These areas often rely on water filters to enjoy pure water. With a water filter straw, you can drink from natural water sources in the absence of clean and potable water. These water filter systems make unsafe water safe for human consumption by getting rid of the numerous dangerous microorganisms and parasites.

A water filter straw is often equipped with multiple purifiers so that when you sip water from a natural source like a river or lake, the water passes through the system, and the harmful contaminants are removed before the water gets to your mouth. The filtration process of a water filter straw is simple and fast – it all happens between the period of water entering the filter and getting to your mouth.

The filtration process starts with blocking the larger contaminants and debris, followed by the smaller organisms, thanks to the 15-micron diameter filters in the system. If you want a water filter system that can filter out viruses, go for an ultra-filtration system with a 0.1-micron diameter filter.

The water filter straw can be connected to our collapsible water pouch and gravity water bag to filter water for drinking. Both ends can be disassembled and connected to water bags or water bottles, offering you clean drinking water anywhere you want.The filter straw comes with a gravity water bag and small collapsible water pouch. The perfect combination can accomplish all of the functions of other personal water filters because of the variety of ways it can be used.

This water filter straw kit from Waterdrop ticks all the boxes. The filter straw adopts a 0.1-micron hollow fiber membrane to remove most of the common bacteria and protozoans in water.

The gravity-fed water bag is a flexible product made specifically with active lifestyles in mind. Simply fold it into any shape and carry it wherever you need it. It is reusable and designed to withstand long-term usage. Waterdrop collapsible water pouch is less bulky than other water bottles and can be easily carried anywhere you want.

The Sawyer Products mini water filtration system is right after the LifeStraw water filter straw. It solves the need for clean water for people who spend considerable time outdoors. For instance, anytime I am out to hike or hunt, I always have it in my backpack. For me, it was part of my preparations for the unplanned. After all, no one knows what nature has in stock for us explorers. It also eliminates the need to pack water bottles. All we have to do is find a lake, pond, or any other natural water source, and we are good to go.

The compact and lightweight design of this mini water filter make it easy to pack and move around. It slots easily into your backpack, and when you bring it out, everyone gets fascinated by its sleek design. The best part is that it ensures that everyone stays hydrated by providing plenty of clean drinking water.

I have seen a couple of reviews where users claim to find it difficult to draw water from the straw. This is not my experience, and I believe most users do not have this issue.

When you get this SUPOLOGY kit, you are getting more than a filter straw. The package comprises almost all the necessary outdoor and tactical tools you may need out there. For instance, you get what you need for camping, hiking, and even climbing, including a fire starter, water filter, flashlight, a tactical pen, and more. All of these you get with a one-time purchase!

The professional quality of this kit is remarkable. It is ideal for outdoor life and even preparedness. If you are preparing for survival or disaster, this kit will be an excellent addition to your backpack. The other components of this emergency survival gear kit include a portable backpack, a wire saw, and an army knife. Now you have more at your disposal than your courage and skills.

However, if you are interested in only a filter straw, you should consider another option on this list. While you get the straw, it comes with a host of tactical issues. It is highly wp-com-recommended for people who are new to survival preparedness.

There is no doubt about the reliability of this water purifier straw. The two-stage filtration gets rid of most contaminants while improving the odor and taste of the water. Another positive talking point is the food-grade, durable, and thick stainless steel this item is made of. The materials are certified by every necessary authority, including the FDA.

The quality and performance are great, and you can count on the filter to provide you with quality water at all times, thanks to the replaceable carbon capsule. The replacement of the carbon capsule may be necessary to keep the system running efficiently.

You can also use the model to reduce the organic chemicals, chlorine, odor, and bad taste in the water. The 1000-liter filtration capacity is also excellent, and the system works without batteries. There is also no need for pumping or the use of chemicals. How soon or frequently you replace the carbon capsule depends on the quality and quantity of water filtered.

Overall, you get a portable, handy, and durable water filter system that comes in handy for survival and traveling.

The SIMPURE straw is the best filter straws for drinking water. The 0.1-micron rating makes it highly efficient and effective against even the smallest contaminants and particles from the source water. The innovative five-stage filtration is even more impressive, ensuring that you get high-quality results at all times. You can 100% trust the filtration ability of this system to give you safe drinking water, wherever and whenever.

Another impressive feature of this excellent filter straw is the effective filtration process. The multiple filter setup includes a GAC filter and a joint preset filter system, which makes it more effective against 99.9% of contaminants in the water. You can worry less about volatile chemicals, chlorine, and bacteria in water – the SimPure Water Filter straw removes them all.

This filter straw is also effective against microplastics and more harmful chemicals. The food-grade materials and BPA-free materials are 100% safe and FDA-certified. The filtration capacity of this filter straw is 1000 liters but may differ based on the quality of the source water.

I have seen a few quality control issues. However, these reports are from a minority of users. Most users are satisfied with the performance of this filter straw, confirming its effectiveness against bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants in water.

The best water filter straw is a must-have for people who love outdoor adventures, survival gears, and backpacking. They are usually handy and easy to use while ensuring you get clean and healthy drinking water anywhere and anytime. The right water filter straw for you depends on your need and personal preferences. So, ensure you compare all the options and choose a portable water purifier that works best for you.