The best countertop water filters are generally easy to install, have the advantage of portability, and use an electric pump or gravity to pass water through one or several filters, reducing dozens of common contaminants.
We evaluate and compare water filters based on our own hands-on testing. As a WQA Certified Water Specialist (CWS) and Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR) I’ve reviewed dozens of countertop filtration systems in my time running Water Filter Guru. Here, I’ve shared my top recommendations based on my own data-driven analysis.
AquaTru
Waterdrop King Tank
Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser
Table of Contents
Our Testing & Selection Process
We analyze each of the filters in our “best” guides for their performance, design quality, value, and more, using our own objective and data-driven testing processes.
For our Best Countertop Water Filters guide, we selected and shortlisted the filters based on the scores they obtained across all of our scoring categories. 
Our tests analyze performance across 6 key factors, including contaminant reduction, design, setup, maintenance, and company. We also evaluate filter materials, technology, and application, though these are not scoring factors.
Where possible, our scoring system uses objective and quantifiable data. In some testing categories, we use our own subjective assessment (supported by data when it can be obtained) to provide additional insight into a product’s performance.
You can see our complete testing and scoring process here.
To choose the best countertop water filters, we evaluated all the filters within this category that we’ve reviewed to date.
We selected the products that had obtained the best scores all around, with a particular focus on contaminant reduction. We’ve recommended different filter designs and technologies to suit different budgets and preferences.
Some water filters were automatically excluded from this guide, including:
– Under-sink systems, faucet filters, and other point-of-use systems that aren’t classed as “countertop” units
– Filters that were not available within the USA
– Systems that didn’t make the cut due to being poorer-value, sold by a new or lesser-known brand, or similar but not quite as high-performing as another system on our list
The 6 Best Countertop Water Filter Systems
| System |  AquaTru | Waterdrop King Tank |  Epic Pure Dispenser |  RKIN U1 |  Clearly Filtered Pitcher |  ProOne Big+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.54 | 9.10 | 8.90 | 8.86 | 8.78 | 8.56 |
| Price | $449.00+ | $249.00 | $75.00 | $749.95 | $90.00 | 229.95+ |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 | NSF/ANSI 372 | - | - | NSF/ANSI 42, 53 | NSF 42 (materials safety only) |
| Filter Capacity | 600 – 1,200 gallons | 3,000 gallons | 150 gallons | 792 – 1,200 gallons | 100 gallons | 1,00-1,200 gallons |
| Cost per Gallon | $0.11 | $0.06 | $0.31 | $0.08 | $0.55 | $0.41 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year | 2 years | 5 years |
| Review | AquaTru review | King Tank review | Epic Pure review | RKIN U1 review | Clearly Filtered review | ProOne Big review |
AquaTru
The AquaTru is a countertop filtration system that uses reverse osmosis purification to target a wide range of impurities in water. It reduced more contaminants than any other countertop water filter in our testing, and we were impressed with its quick and easy setup and maintenance processes.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $449.00+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 83+ |
| Certifications | NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 |
| Process | Mechanical + RO + Carbon |
| Filtration Capacity | 600 – 1,200 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$100 |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Why It’s Best
The AquaTru is the best overall countertop water filter because it secured the best score for contaminant reduction.
In our testing, it reduced 100% of all the trace contaminants in our water with its incredibly thorough RO purification process. It’s also the only countertop water filter we’ve tested that’s performance-certified for all contaminants it’s claimed to reduce.
Plus, it has the best efficiency ratio we’ve ever seen for a countertop RO system.
AquaTru Performance
The AquaTru scored a 9.90 for reducing health-related contaminants in our water. In our testing, it eliminated 100% of all contaminants with possible health effects, including fluoride, lead, strontium, uranium, molybdenum, and barium.
The system also reduced 100% chlorine in our water, giving it an equally high score of 9.90 for reducing aesthetic contaminants.
Plus, it’s been IAPMO certified to NSF Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 for the reduction of all 83 contaminants that AquaTru claims it can reduce, which incorporates a materials safety certification. It also has an NSF 372 certification for lead-free design.
Conventional RO systems waste up to 4 gallons of water per 1 gallon purified, but the AquaTru’s 4:1 recovery rate is much better and meant that we weren’t constantly emptying the wastewater tank.
The AquTru also received high scores from us for setup and maintenance – 10.00 and 9.75 respectively. Our unit arrived partially assembled and didn’t require a difficult filter priming process. We found it easy to keep up with its servicing requirements, and the display screen notified us when replacement filters were needed.
We think the AquaTru is the best countertop water filtration system for folks who want to reduce as many contaminants as possible in their water. Anyone who sees performance certifications as a non-negotiable should find AquaTru’s extensive IAPMO certifications reassuring.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 100% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.04 GPM |
| Component Quality | Outstanding |
| Component Certification | Certified |
| Setup | Exceptional |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.11/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping |
| Returns | 30 days |
Waterdrop King Tank
The Waterdrop King Tank is a stainless steel gravity countertop water filter that reduced or removed 9 contaminants in our water, including lead, disinfection byproducts, and fluoride. The unit holds 2.25 gallons of water and is gravity-fed, so unlike AquaTru, it doesn’t need electricity to operate.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $229+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 10+ |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 372 |
| Process | Carbon + Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity | 3,000 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$60 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Our Verdict
The Waterdrop King Tank is our top recommended stainless steel countertop water filtration system because it got high scores for contaminant reduction, filtration rate, and design.
The system did a great job of reducing the majority of contaminants present in our water, and its 4 GPH (gallons per hour) filtration rate was quicker than many similar systems we tested.
It’s made from 0.8mm thickened stainless steel, and although it wasn’t the thickest or sturdiest unit we’ve used, we appreciated the minimal plastic in the design materials.
Waterdrop King Tank Performance
The Waterdrop King Tank received a 9.51 score for contaminant reduction. Our test data showed that it had reduced 100% aluminum, chloroform, manganese, total THMs, and lead in our water, as well as 93% copper, 40% barium, and 28% sulfate.
The separate fluoride filters also reduced fluoride by 100%, and the system reduced 100% chlorine, effectively addressing any taste and odor issues.
Our only disappointment was that the King Tank isn’t performance-certified, which is one reason why Waterdrop’s overall contaminant reduction score was slightly lower than AquaTru’s.
We awarded the King Tank a score of 9.4 for design. Many of the other countertop water filters we tested store filtered water in a plastic tank, but the Waterdrop system limits water’s contact with plastic. It comes with a steel/glass sight spigot (many competitors sell these as add-ons), although this isn’t entirely plastic-free.
Setup and maintenance were trickier with the King Tank, and its scores in these categories (6.50 and 8.50 respectively) were lower. The user manual was clear and we didn’t need any special knowledge, but the filter priming process was time-consuming and tedious. Replacing the filters wasn’t technically difficult, but we had to follow the same priming process. However, the King Tank has one of the lowest ongoing costs of all the countertop systems we tested: just $0.06/ gallon.
We recommend the Waterdrop King Tank to anyone who wants a more affordable alternative to reverse osmosis, which doesn’t waste water or use electricity, and reduces contaminants without also removing healthy minerals.
Waterdrop N1
Another great offering by Waterdrop in the countertop water filter category is the N1. This system is a high-performing countertop RO unit, and reduced 100% of 10 health-related contaminants in our water. It’s around $150 cheaper than AquaTru’s base model and its 3:1 efficiency ratio is only slightly lower than AquaTru’s.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.60 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Not certified |
| Filtration Rate | 4 GPH |
| Component Quality | Excellent |
| Component Certification | NSF/ANSI 372 |
| Setup | Failing |
| Servicing Requirements | Weak |
| Costs | $0.06/gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping to continental US |
| Returns | 3 days |
Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser
The Epic Pure Water Filter Dispenser is the most affordable countertop water filter system to make our list. It got a great score for reducing contaminants in our water, and we couldn’t fault it’s super simple setup process.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $75 |
| Contaminants Removed | 200+ |
| Certifications | none |
| Process | Carbon |
| Filter Capacity | 150 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$184 |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
What We Thought
The Epic Pure was the best budget-friendly countertop water filter we tested, reducing more contaminants than any similarly-priced system.
It also has the simplest design of all the systems we used, so it’s great for folks who prefer a 5-minute setup process and only want to replace one filter.
The unit cost just $75 at the time of updating this review, making it exceptionally good value for money.
Epic Pure Performance
The Epic Pure’s overall contaminant reduction score was 9.00, putting it only slightly behind Waterdrop and AquaTru. It reduced 8 contaminants in our water, including 100% chlorine, uranium, copper, and phosphorous, 57% molybdenum, 41% barium, 27% fluoride, and 20% nitrate.
Like Waterdrop, Epic hasn’t obtained a performance certification for its dispenser, which we were disappointed about.
The system got a 10.00 score from us for its filtration rate. It filtered 0.453 gallons of water in just over 12 minutes, giving it a filtration rate of 2.23 GPH – pretty quick for a gravity-fed system.
We couldn’t have been happier with the filter setup process. We awarded it a 9.50 in this category because assembly took less than 5 minutes – we just washed and assembled the dispenser and reservoir, then inserted the filter. We didn’t have to prime the filter, but we needed to discard the first batch of dispensed water.
We think the Epic Pure dispenser is the ideal countertop water filtration system for folks with smaller budgets who want a comprehensive water treatment solution without the expense of a system costing hundreds of dollars. It’s affordable to maintain, too, with a cost per gallon of $0.31.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.30 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Not certified for any reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 2.23 GPH |
| Component Quality | Unsatisfactory |
| Component Certification | Not certified |
| Setup | Outstanding |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.31/gallon |
| Warranty Length | Lifetime |
| Shipping | Free shipping for the Clean Water Club only |
| Returns | Lifetime |
RKIN U1
The RKIN U1 is the most advanced and high-tech countertop reverse osmosis system we’ve tested. It dispenses hot or cold purified water at the touch of a button and eliminated most contaminants in our testing.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $749.95 |
| Contaminants Removed | 99% of most contaminants |
| Certifications | none |
| Process | Mechanical + Carbon + RO + Alkaline + Hydrogen infusion |
| Filtration Capacity | 6, 12, 24 months |
| Annual Cost | ~$180 |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty & 1 year money-back guarantee |
Our Take
The RKIN U1 is the most expensive countertop water filtration system we’ve tried, but it also impressed us more than any other system with its unique performance features.
It purifies water with reverse osmosis and remineralizes it with a built-in remineralization filter. There’s also a hydrogen infusion stage (can be turned on or off to your preference), which delivers a negative ORP of 340.
The unit’s purification performance wasn’t far off AquaTru’s – it eliminated the majority of the contaminants detected in our water.
RKIN U1 Performance
We awarded the RKIN U1 a 9.00 for contaminant reduction. It did a great job of removing 100% fluoride, lead, uranium, chlorine, copper, zinc, and molybdenum, and greatly reducing barium, nitrate, and sulfate. But its overall score was impacted by its lack of a performance certification.
The system excelled in the setup and maintenance categories, with 10.00 and 9.75 scores respectively. Like the AquaTru, the U1 is a plug-and-play system, and its push-button flush feature meant that we didn’t have to worry about priming or flushing the filters manually. We estimated its ongoing cost as $0.0809/ gallon, making it slightly cheaper to maintain than the AquaTru.
The U1’s filtration rate was only a little slower than AquaTru’s, at 0.07 GPM (AquaTru’s measured at 0.08 GPM).
As for design, we were generally pleased with the U1’s component quality, but we gave it a slightly lower score of 7.50 because of its majority-plastic design and lack of a materials safety certification.
We loved being able to dispense hot or cold water and take advantage of the different presets on the touchscreen control panel. In our opinion, the U1 is ideal for anyone who enjoys the convenience and unique benefits of high-tech gadgets, especially folks who use a lot of hot water for cooking and beverages.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.30 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Not certified for any reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.07 GPM |
| Component Quality | Outstanding |
| Component Certification | Not certified |
| Setup | Exceptional |
| Servicing Requirements | Exceptional |
| Costs | $0.08/gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping on orders over $175 to lower 48 states |
| Returns | 30 days |
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is a 10-cup jug that reduced more contaminants than most other water filter pitchers we’ve tested, and has a WQA performance certification for chlorine and PFOA/PFOS reduction.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $90.00 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 365+ |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53 |
| Holding Capacity | 10 Cups |
| Filter Lifespan | 100 gallons |
| Approx. Annual Cost | $150 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Why We Like It
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the best countertop water filter that we recommend for folks who prefer the portability and space-saving benefits of a water filter pitcher.
Its contaminant reduction abilities proved superior to most similar systems in our testing, and we also appreciated the longer 100-gallon filter life (most pitcher filters have an average lifespan of 40 gallons).
Plus, setup and maintenance were a piece of cake – the filter could be primed in a matter of minutes and the pitcher has just three main components.
Clearly Filtered Performance
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher got a score of 8.24 for contaminant reduction. We were pleased to see that it reduced 100% fluoride, uranium, chlorine, and copper in our water, as well as 86% barium, 67% strontium, and 53% molybdenum. But it only reduced 11% nitrate and 3% sulfate, and 0.0054 PPM of cobalt actually appeared in our filtered water.
We felt reassured by Clearly Filtered’s WQA performance certifications, although it has only been certified to reduce 3 out of the 365+ contaminants it’s claimed to reduce, so it didn’t impress us as much as AquaTru here.
The pitcher’s 2.27 GPH filtration rate, based on its ability to filter 0.5 gallons of water in 13 minutes and 12 seconds, meant that we had access to filtered water fairly quickly – something that isn’t a guarantee with gravity filters.
We awarded Clearly Filtered a score of 9.70 for its design, putting it in line with AquaTru. We noted that the pitcher (which is made of BPA-free Tritan plastic) felt sturdier, better-quality, and more durable than the majority of other water filter pitchers we tested. The pitcher is also WQA certified for lead-free design and holds a materials safety certification as a component of its performance certifications.
We think the Clearly Filtered Pitcher is a great choice for folks who want to effectively address many contaminants in their water with a smaller, more portable, and more affordable countertop filter. Its 10-cup capacity satisfied our two-person household without the need for constant refills, and we could easily carry it from room to room – it wasn’t tied to one location like the larger dispensers we tested.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 83 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 99 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 0.82% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 2.27 GPH |
| Component Quality | Outstanding |
| Component Certification | Certified |
| Setup | Outstanding |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.55/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 2 years |
| Shipping | Free shipping all orders |
| Returns | 30 days |
ProOne Big+
The ProOne Big+ is a stainless steel countertop water filter, like the Waterdrop King Tank. The system got a slightly poorer score in our contaminant reduction testing, but has a lower upfront cost and doesn’t require a separate filter to reduce fluoride.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | 229.95+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 200+ |
| Certifications | NSF 42 (materials safety only) |
| Process | Ceramic + Carbon |
| Filtration Capacity | 1,000 – 1,200 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$100 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Our Verdict
The ProOne Big+ might not have matched up to the Waterdrop King Tank for contaminant reduction with city water, but it performed well when purifying river water (something the King Tank can’t be used for). It also got better scores for design, setup, company, and maintenance.
It targeted most of the contaminants in our water with just one filter – unlike the King Tank, the Big+ reduced 100% fluoride with its main filter elements.
We also preferred the system’s design quality and feel, noting that it felt sturdier and more durable than Waterdrop’s offering.
ProOne Big+ Performance
The Big+ reduced 100% of lead, copper, fluoride, aluminum, and manganese in our water. However, what pulled its contaminant reduction score down was its failure to effectively address disinfection byproducts – it reduced just 47% of total THMs and 56% chloroform.
A unique benefit of this system is that it can also be used to filter untreated surface water, like river or lake water. We awarded it a 10.00 in our untreated water test because it eliminated all three bacteria types present in our test water.
The Big+ hasn’t been performance certified, but its filter has an NSF 42 certification for materials safety. The system did better than any other countertop water filter we tested in the design category, with tens across the board. Only the filter cartridges use plastic components, so the Big+ should tick your boxes if you want to avoid plastic where possible.
We found this ProOne unit easier to set up than the Waterdrop King Tank. The process took us less than 20 minutes, and we didn’t have to prime the filters – we just ran them under cold water and scr\ubbed the ceramic with a scouring pad for 2 minutes each. That made maintenance easier, too, although its ongoing servicing cost of $0.41/ gallon was significantly higher than Waterdrop’s $0.06/gallon.
The system’s 0.77 GPH filtration rate was slower than the King Tank’s, so it got a lower score of 7.00 in this testing category.
The ProOne Big+ might have let us down slightly on the contaminant reduction front, but we recommend it over the Waterdrop King Tank for anyone who values materials safety certifications and wants to avoid the hassle of priming filters.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Health Related Contaminants | 8.71 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.9 |
| Performance Certification | Not certified for any reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.77 GPH |
| Component Quality | Exceptional |
| Component Certification | Exceptional |
| Setup | Good |
| Servicing Requirements | Good |
| Costs | $0.41/gallon |
| Warranty Length | 5 years |
| Shipping | Free shipping on orders over $69.95 to the lower 48 states |
| Returns | 30 days |
Have you tested the new PROoNE G3.0 filters that their gravity systems use? Having used the G2.0 for a couple of years… I would say there is a difference in taste and texture making the new G3.0 filters superior. I imagine that the reduction of toxic contaminants has been reduced as well. JMO.
We’ve not yet tested the new filters, but its on the to-do list