PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System
ZeroWater ExtremeLife
Waterdrop FC-06
Faucet-mount water filters are the ideal solution for folks looking for a budget-friendly, reliable way to remove contaminants from their tap water. They’re more affordable than water filter pitchers and offer the advantage of filtered water on demand. Some of the best faucet filters can remove tens of common contaminants from drinking water.
Here, we’ve shared our reviews of the most popular faucet mount filters available today, based on their ability to improve water quality and remove contaminants, their longevity, customer feedback, and overall value for money.
Table of Contents
🥇7 Best Faucet Water Filters
- Best Overall: PUR Plus
- Runner Up: ZeroWater ExtremeLife
- Most Durable: Waterdrop FC-06
- Budget Pick: Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System
- Best for Bathtub Faucets: Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter
- Longest Filter Life: Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Water Filter System
📊 Comparison Chart of Faucet Water Filter
| Product |  PUR Plus |  ZeroWater ExtremeLife |  Waterdrop FC-06 |  Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System |  Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter |  Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Water Filter System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
| Ratings | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Price | $58.99+ | $44.99+ | $47.99+ | $29.99+ | $64.95+ | $39.95+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 70+ | 5+ | 10+ | 60 | 10+ | 20+ |
| Process | Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange | Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange | Activated Carbon | Activated Carbon | GAC | GAC, Redox Alloy, Ion Exchange |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53, 401 | NSF 42, 53 | NSF 42, 372 | NSF 42, 53, 401 | – | – |
| Flow Rate | 0.52 GPM | 0.50 GPM | 0.50 GPM | 0.60 GPM | 0.60 GPM | 0.30 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 100 gallons / 3 months | 400 gallons/ 6 months | 320 gallons/ 3 months | 100 gallons/ 4 months | 2,000-2,500 gallons/ 12-18 months | 2,000 gallons/ 6-12 months |
| Annual Cost | $30-$50 | $30-$45 | $30-$45 | $40-$60 | $40 | $30-$60 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
⭐ Best Faucet Water Filter Reviews (2024)
PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System
In our testing, we found that the PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System was the best overall faucet water filter. It removed more contaminants (70+) than any other filter we tested and is WQA and NSF certified for its performance.
Specs
| Price | $58.99+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 70+ |
| Process | Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53, 401 |
| Flow Rate | 0.52 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 100 gallons/3 months |
| Annual Cost | $30-$50 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
When we got the PUR Plus system to review, the horizontal system cost just under $50. Given the filter lifespan of 100 gallons (or up to 3 months), we anticipated that we’d spend within $100 per year on filter replacements.
Best For:
Folks who want to invest in the very best faucet water filter that’s tested and certified to remove more contaminants than any other faucet filter.
What We Like:
- Removes more contaminants than most similar systems
- Affordable
- NSF and WQA certified performance
- Better build quality than other faucet filters
What We Don’t Like:
- Isn’t actually made of metal (it has a chrome overlay)
- Quite bulky
Superior Faucet Filtration
The PUR Plus Faucet filter works like any other similar filter: we attached it to the end of our faucet and used it to filter our cold water. The unit came with three adaptors, making it compatible with most standard faucets. Like any faucet filter, the unit can’t be attached to any type of non-standard faucet. The assembly process took us less than 5 minutes, and once installed, it was easy to use: we just turned on our faucet as normal. You can’t use it to filter hot water, and there’s a switch on the unit so you can divert water away from the filter turning on the faucet. We found that we had to be particularly careful not to bump the switch when washing dishes with hot water, since the unit is quite bulky and this is easy to do.
Performance-wise, this is where the PUR Plus Faucet Filter excelled. The filter’s activated carbon media and ion exchange resin have been WQA and NSF certified to Standard 53 (for the removal of 99.7% lead, mercury, copper, and some other heavy metals), and Standard 42 (for the reduction of chlorine, taste, and odor). Most faucet water filters we found could only remove a handful of contaminants, but this PUR filter can remove more than 70 impurities, making it a winner for anyone who wants the most thorough faucet filtration. The taste of our filtered water was noticeably improved, with no detectable chlorine after-taste.
Read the full review: PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System Review
ZeroWater ExtremeLife
A close runner-up to the PUR Plus filter is the ZeroWater ExtremeLife Faucet Mount filtration system. We identified a lot of similarities between this system and the PUR model, but it has a few unique benefits, including a WQA certification for PFOA/PFOS reduction and a longer filter lifespan of 6 months. However, the filer only appears to have been tested to remove 4 contaminants.
Specs
| Price | $44.99+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 5+ |
| Process | Activated Carbon + Ion Exchanger |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53 |
| Flow Rate | 0.50 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 400 gallons/6 months |
| Annual Cost | $30-$45 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
The ExtremeLife™ Faucet Mount Water Filter System was very similarly priced to the PUR Plus Faucet Filter at the time of our review (around $45). The filter’s 400-gallon lifespan is longer – ZeroWater says you’ll get up to 6 months out of it, and while this depends on your water quality, that does make it a better option for folks who want to limit their annual maintenance as much as possible.
Best For:
Anyone who wants to go for a faucet filter with a longer lifespan, or anyone who’s specifically looking for a faucet filter that’s certified to reduce PFOA/PFOS, but hasn’t been tested to remove many contaminants generally.
What We Like:
- Long 6-month filter life
- Certified performance
- Two design colors to choose from
- Small and compact
What We Don’t Like:
- Only removes a handful of contaminants
- Numerous reports of leaking
Certified PFOA/PFOS Removal
Like the PUR Plus Faucet Filter, the ZeroWater ExtremeLife Faucet Mount Filter has been WQA certified for its performance. However, this certification only applies to chlorine, PFOA/PFOS, and Particulates Class I, under NSF Standards 42 and 53. It also has third-party testing for the reduction of up to 98% lead. That makes 4 contaminants in total, or 5 if we class PFOS and PFOA independently. Does that mean the ZeroWater filter is only capable of reducing these contaminants? Not necessarily – it just means it’s only been tested to reduce them, but even so, we’d assume that its contaminant removal abilities are limited. That said, the filter does have one performance ability that the PUR model doesn’t offer: the ability to reduce PFOA/PFOS.
Performance aside, filter life was a big standout feature of the ZeroWater faucet filter for us. Its 400-gallon lifespan is four times the capacity of the PUR Plus model, and we were definitely tempted by the fact that we’d only have to replace the filter twice a year. We also found the filter’s design to be smaller and more compact than the standard faucet water filter design, so it’s less likely to get in the way on the end of your faucet.
Waterdrop FC-06
When we tested the Waterdrop FC-06, it ticked all our boxes as a durable faucet water filter that’s more sturdily built and less likely to be damaged by water pressure than plastic filters. We were also impressed with the filter’s NSF certifications for chlorine, taste and odor removal and lead-free design.
Specs
| Price | $47.99+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 10+ |
| Process | Activated Carbon |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 372 |
| Flow Rate | 0.50 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 320 gallons/3 months |
| Annual Cost | $30 – $45 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
What makes the Waterdrop FC-06 unique is that it’s made from stainless steel (rather than plastic with a chrome overlay). Given its more durable design, we expected a higher price tag, but when we got the unit to review, it cost around $48 – only a couple of dollars more expensive than the PUR and ZeroWater models.
Best For:
Folks who prioritize material quality and longevity and want the best faucet water filter that should last longer than plastic-based systems.
What We Like:
- Sturdy stainless steel design
- Good value for money
- NSF certified to remove chlorine
- Handy 360 swivel feature
What We Don’t Like:
- No performance data for contaminant removal
- Doesn’t remove as many contaminants as our top pick
Stainless Steel Faucet Filtration
We’ve tested enough plastic faucet water filters in our time to know that they’re not the most reliable when it comes to design quality and durability. The main appeal of the Waterdrop FC-06 for us was its stainless steel design, meaning it’s harder-wearing and should last longer without cracking or leaking – a common issue with plastic units. The filter comes with two adapters to fit most faucet types, and, rather than being static on the end of a faucet, it has a unique 360-degree swivel feature that we found particularly useful, allowing us to access filtered water at the most convenient angle.
In terms of the contaminants it can remove, the coconut shell carbon block filter is officially NSF certified to Standard 42, for removal of up to 98% chlorine. It’s also certified to Standard 372 for lead-free material. We also read in our research that the filter can reduce sediment, lead, and fluoride, although we couldn’t find any third-party test data to support these performance claims.
Read the Full Review: Waterdrop Faucet Filter Review
Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System
We’ve sidestepped a lot of Brita’s other well-known filters because they don’t match up to the competition, but the Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System is more than worthy of being on this list, thanks to its ability to reduce more than 60 contaminants and its NSF certification for chlorine removal. At around half the price of the other faucet mounted filters we reviewed, it’s our top pick as the best affordable faucet water filter that won’t break the bank.
Specs
| Price | $29.99+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 60 |
| Process | Activated Carbon |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53, 401 |
| Flow Rate | 0.60 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 100 gallons/4 months |
| Annual Cost | $40-$60 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
We have seen the price go up for this faucet filter over the past few years – when we first reviewed it, it was just under $20, and it’s now around $33. But it’s still fantastic value given how many contaminants it’s been tested to remove. The filter lifespan is around 100 gallons, or up to 4 months, so we were anticipating an annual cost of $40-$60 for replacement filters.
Best For:
Anyone with a smaller budget who wants to spend less upfront on a faucet-mounted filter without compromising on design quality or performance.
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Tested to remove 60+ contaminants
- NSF certified for chlorine removal
- Reputable brand
What We Don’t Like:
- Filter life isn’t the best we’ve seen
- Design quality could be better
Removes 60+ Contaminants
In terms of design, the Brita Complete Faucet Filtration System is a vertical faucet-mount unit that was slightly more compact on the end of our faucet compared to the horizontal models we tested. It’s one of the only faucet-mounted filters we reviewed that has a handy filter replacement indicator light, which counted down our filter life and flashed red to tell us when a new filter cartridge was needed. It’s not 100% accurate, since it’s timer-based and doesn’t account for water quality/usage, but we appreciated not having to make our own calendar reminder.
The exterior housing is made of plastic, and we did find it a bit flimsy. While we didn’t experience any issues with leaks or cracks during our testing period, customer reviews tell a different story. But the filter itself offers a pretty unmatched performance, removing 60+ contaminants – almost as many as our top-pick PUR Plus filter. Some of the impurities targeted include lead, microplastics, chlorine, (which it’s NSF certified to Standard 42 to remove), asbestos, particulates, VOCs, and more.
Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter
Most of the faucet mounted water filters we tested were intended for kitchen faucets, but there’s a growing number of bathtub faucet filters, and we found that the Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter was the best in this category. This BPA-free filter was more capable than any other bath faucet filter we tested, removing more contaminants than its closest competitors and boasting a long filter life of 12-18 months.
Specs
| Price | $64.95+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 10+ |
| Process | GAC |
| Certifications or Testing | – |
| Flow Rate | 0.60 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 2,000-2,500 gallons/12-18 months |
| Annual Cost | $40 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Price-wise, this Crystal Quest filter is on the costlier end, at around $68. But the filter lasts 2,000 to 2,500 gallons, or around 12-18 months, so the long-term value for money is actually better.
Best For:
Anyone who specifically wants to filter their bath water with the best bathtub faucet water filter.
What We Like:
- Great value for money
- Long filter lifespan
- Reduces chlorine, chloramine & more
- Easy install
What We Don’t Like:
- Filter housing is difficult to open
- Difficult to secure on sloping faucets
Reliable Bath Water Filtration
The Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter has a unique design compared to the kitchen faucet filters we reviewed. Instead of screwing onto the end of our bathtub faucet, it hangs from a string and needed to be positioned so that it sat beneath the flow of water. We appreciated the super simple install – it took us literally seconds to attach it to our flat bathtub faucet – but we did note that keeping the filter in place is likely to be more difficult if your faucet slopes downwards.
The filter media is granular activated carbon media. As is often the case with GAC, we noticed quite a few black particles escaping the filter when we were flushing it. This is fairly normal and doesn’t affect the quality of filtration.
Most faucet filters we tested can only be used with cold water to prevent damage to the media, but the Crystal Quest Bath Ball Filter is obviously intended predominantly for hot water. The filter is designed to reduce chlorine and chloramine, preventing skin and hair issues associated with these chemicals. It also reduces disinfection byproducts, some heavy metals, iron, pesticides, and hydrogen sulfide. Considering the filter is for bath water, not drinking water, we were impressed with just how many contaminants it could remove. It also balances pH, which apparently provides additional skin and hair health benefits.
Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Water Filter System
In our opinion, the Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Filter is the best-value faucet-mounted filter if your top priority is to minimize maintenance as much as possible. We were blown away by its 2,000-gallon lifespan – that’s 20x the 100-gallon expected lifespan for our top pick PUR filter.
Specs
| Price | $39.95+ |
| Contaminants Removed | 20+ |
| Process | GAC, Redox Alloy, Ion Exchange |
| Certifications or Testing | – |
| Flow Rate | 0.30 GPM |
| Filter Capacity | 2,000 gallons/6-12 months |
| Annual Cost | $30-$60 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
When we reviewed the Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Filter, it was priced at just under $40. Given the filter’s very long lifespan (up to 6-12 months with regular use), we couldn’t have been more pleased with the value for money from this system.
Best For:
Folks who want a long-lasting, low-commitment faucet-mounted filter cartridge that has a long lifespan and removes an impressive list of contaminants.
What We Like:
- Longest lifespan of any kitchen faucet filter we reviewed
- Affordable
- 6 stage filtration
- Targets 20+ contaminants
What We Don’t Like:
- No official certifications
- Some complaints about leaking
6-Stage Faucet Filtration
This Crystal Quest model isn’t only unique because of its filter life – it also has more individual filter stages than any other faucet filter we tested. There are 6 stages of filtration, including a washable 5-micron filtration pad that removes sand, dust, sediment, and cysts larger than 1 micron, two types of redox alloy (KDF) media, which reduce heavy metals like iron, copper, and mercury, and inhibit microorganism growth, granular activated carbon media, which reduces chlorine, lead, pesticides, and disinfection byproducts, an ion exchange resin, which reduces copper, lead, and aluminum, and a post-filter 1-micron pad, which further reduces sediment.
Packing so many stages of filtration into one filter has obvious advantages when it comes to contaminant removal, although we were slightly surprised to see that the filter is only advertised to remove just over 20 impurities. We read a few customer reviews that said the filter didn’t do a whole lot to improve their water taste, and we wonder whether it’s because there simply isn’t enough carbon media to effectively reduce tastes and odors. We also couldn’t find any evidence to support the manufacturer’s performance claims, so we don’t think it’s on par with the filters with testing or certifications for contaminant removal.
📚 Methodology: How We Tested The Best Water Faucet Filters
For this guide, we focused specifically on faucet water filter systems, since they offer unique benefits over other water filters: affordability, and the ability to enjoy filtered water on tap while still being suitable for rentals and requiring an easy install.
Here are the considerations we made when researching, reviewing, and shortlisting the best faucet water filters for this guide:
- Number of contaminants removed – Our main purpose for a faucet water filter was to remove contaminants from our water. Different water supplies contain different trace contaminants, so we prioritized testing and reviewing the faucet filters that removed as many drinking water contaminants as possible. Most faucet filters can only remove a handful of contaminants, but some of our top picks can remove 30, 40, 50, or more. Our advice is to conduct a water quality test or review your most recent Water Quality Report to find out what your water contains. This will give you more direction when it comes to choosing which problem contaminants you most want to remove.
- Filter Testing/ Certifications – We also looked for performance testing and certifications for the faucet water filters we reviewed. We know that many folks don’t want to invest in a faucet water filter without seeing proof that it can remove contaminants as claimed by the manufacturer, third-party testing and/or certifications are the best proof you can come by. Official NSF/ANSI, WQA, or IAMPO certifications are ideal, but we also considered faucet filters that had been tested by an accredited laboratory to NSF Standards. Some of the NSF certifications we looked for included NSF 42, for the reduction of aesthetic contaminants like chlorine; NSF 53, for the reduction of contaminants with health effects, like lead and PFAS; and NSF 401, for the reduction of emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals.
- Design quality & durability – Of all the water filters we’ve tested, faucet filters don’t have the best reputation for their durability. That’s largely because they’re typically made from BPA-free plastic. Plastic filters have the advantage of being lightweight and affordable, but they’re more susceptible to cracking and leaking under high water pressure. We found a small number of faucet water filters made from stainless steel, which is more durable, but is susceptible to rusting and is more expensive upfront. Our advice is to check customer reviews carefully before buying a plastic faucet water filter, and take your money elsewhere if you find that a lot of customers have complained about leaking or cracking.
- Cost – Faucet filters are more affordable than most other filters we’ve used, including water filter pitchers and under-sink systems. While we have noticed prices creeping up in recent years, most faucet mount water filters still cost less than $60 upfront. Our estimated annual spend for these filters was typically within $100. From our own experience, we deduced that price is usually determined by quality, longevity, and performance. The pricier faucet filters generally remove more contaminants and last longer, so ongoing maintenance costs are lower.
- Installation/maintenance – We also considered our installation and maintenance preferences for a faucet water filter, given what we knew about this filter type. The good news is that installing a faucet filter is generally very easy, and most filters we tested came with several adapters that we could use if the filter didn’t fit straight onto the end of our faucet. One thing we will note is that you’ll only be able to install the filter on a conventional faucet. We had a sprayer-style faucet in our old apartment, which meant we couldn’t install or test any faucet filters until we moved into a property with a conventional kitchen tap. As for maintenance, most faucet filters we reviewed lasted 3-4 months on average, with a few exceptions (some lasted 6+ plus). We found replacing the filters super simple, so on the whole, faucet filters are ideal for DIYaphobes like us. If you want to keep maintenance to a minimum, look for a faucet water filter with a longer lifespan of 6-12 months.
- Manufacturer support & product warranty – Finally, it was essential to us that the filters we shortlisted were sold by trusted manufacturers with a great reputation for customer service – and we checked that the filters had some form of warranty, too. We found that most faucet water filters have a warranty of 1 year, and some have a shorter (usually 30-60 days) money-back guarantee. For us, a warranty was a non-negotiable since it protected our investment and put us more at ease as buyers, which was particularly important given that faucet filters have a reputation for poor durability.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best filter for faucet?
The best filter for a kitchen faucet depends on your filtered water needs. If you want to remove as many contaminants as possible, we recommend the PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System, which removes 70+ contaminants. If you want a faucet water filter with the longest filter lifespan, go for the Crystal Quest Faucet Mount Water Filter System, which lasts 6-12 months.
Which faucet water filter removes the most contaminants?
In our research, we found that the PUR Plus Faucet Filtration System removes the most contaminants of all faucet water filters. This filter can remove more than 70 contaminants from a tap water supply, including chemicals, heavy metals, VOCs, and disinfection byproducts, and has been NSF certified for its contaminant removal abilities.
Do faucet filters really work?
Yes, faucet filters really work to filter tap water. These filters use carbon and other filter media to pull contaminants out of drinking water as it flows from the faucet. Make sure to buy a water faucet filter from a trusted, reputable manufacturer, and check customer reviews before you spend your money.
Are faucet water filters worth it?
Faucet water filters are worth it for anyone looking for a convenient, cost-effective solution to filter their tap water supply. However, these filters aren’t the best choice for anyone who wants to remove as many drinking water contaminants as possible, or anyone who wants to filter their entire home’s water supply.
Can you install a faucet water filter on any faucet?
You can install a faucet filter on most standard kitchen sink faucets. Faucet-mounted water filters aren’t designed for faucets with sensors, spray-style faucets, or any faucets with a unique or unconventional design.
🤓 About Our Experts
This guide was produced by Jennifer Byrd, our resident Water Treatment Specialist at WaterFilterGuru.com, and Brian Campbell, WaterFilterGuru’s founder. Jennifer conducted the extensive research required for our reviews, and Brian tested many of the filters in his own home. You can learn more about Brian and Jennifer in the author bios below.
