5 Best Water Filters for Apartment Renters

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The best apartment water filters don’t require a permanent install and performed better than their competitors in our testing. They have the advantage of portability and use different water treatment methods to reduce dozens of common drinking water contaminants. 

We produce our product guides using our own data and metrics from a number of different performance categories. Brian Campbell, Water Filter Guru’s founder, personally tested all the systems in this guide. Brian is a WQA Certified Water Specialist and Certified Water Treatment Representative with over 10 years of water treatment industry experience.

Our Testing & Selection Process

The 5 Best Apartment Water Filters

ProductAquaTru
AquaTru
British Berkefeld
British Berkefeld
Epic Pure
Epic Pure
RKIN U1
RKIN U1
Clearly Filtered
Clearly Filtered
Score9.548.978.908.838.78
Price$449.00+$229.00+$70.00$749.95$90.00
CertificationsNSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, & 372NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, & 372Not certifiedNSF 58 (in progress)NSF 42, 53
Filter Capacity600-1,200 gallons800 gallons150 gallons6, 12, 24 months100 gallons
Cost per Gallon$0.11$0.16$0.17$0.08$0.55
Warranty1 yearLifetimeLifetime1-year warranty & 1 year money-back guarantee2 years
Read ReviewAquatru reviewBritish Berkefeld ReviewEpic Pure reviewRKIN U1 reviewClearly Filtered review

AquaTru Performance

We awarded the AquaTru a 9.90 for reducing health-related contaminants in our water. In our testing, it reduced 100% of all the trace contaminants detected – including fluoride, lead, strontium, uranium, molybdenum, and barium – with its incredibly thorough RO purification process.

The system also received a 9.90 score for reducing aesthetic contaminants. It reduced 100% chlorine, including tastes and odors, in our water. 

One of the standout features of the AquaTru is that it has obtained IAPMO certifications to NSF Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 for the reduction of 83 contaminants – better than any other system we’ve tested.

Water waste is an outcome of the RO purification process, and conventional RO systems waste up to 4 gallons of water for every 1 gallon purified. We were pleased to see that the AquaTru has a 4:1 recovery rate, so we only lost 1 gallon of water for every 4 gallons purified. 

The AquTru also received a high setup score of 10.00. Most components in the unit were already installed, and we found the filter priming process quick and easy. 

Similarly, the system scored a 9.75 for maintenance because of its ease of servicing and its materials safety certification. It also has an NSF 372 certification for lead-free design.   

We think the AquaTru is a great apartment water filtration system for folks who have the budget for the best RO system, with an optional remineralization upgrade, that reduces the most contaminants and has extensive certifications. 

CriteriaResults
Overall Score9.54
Health Related Contaminants9.90
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.90
Performance CertificationCertified for 100% of reduction claims
Filtration Rate0.04 GPM
Component QualityOutstanding
Component CertificationCertified
SetupExceptional
Servicing RequirementsOutstanding
Costs$0.11/ gallon
Warranty Length1 year
ShippingFree shipping
Returns30 days

British Berkefeld Performance

We recorded slightly different results in our lab testing with the Ultra Fluoride and Ultra Sterasyl Filters: 

The Ultra Fluoride Filters removed 100% fluoride, chlorine, chloroform (a disinfection byproduct), uranium, and barium, and significantly reduced several other contaminants. They’re not yet performance certified, but they still earned the higher score of 9.17 in our testing. 

The Ultra Sterasyl Filters are performance certified (to NSF 42, NSF 53, and NSF 401, for the reduction of particulates, cysts, turbidity, and microplastics). They also performed well in our testing, removing copper, chlorine, and molybdenum completely and nitrate by 70%.

But their contaminant reduction score of 8.56 was slightly lower as they were unable to remove fluoride, barium, or strontium.

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Build Quality, Setup, & Maintenance 

What makes the British Berkefeld renter-friendly is its completely tool-free, non-invasive setup. The filters don’t require tedious priming, so the unit can be assembled in under 20 minutes, with no plumbing work required. This simple assembly earned both units a 9.00 setup score.

We were also impressed with the British Berkefeld’s sturdy 304 stainless steel construction throughout (including a stainless steel spigot), so there’s less plastic contact than with similar systems we tested. The Ultra Sterasyl model is NSF 372 certified for lead-free design though the Ultra Fluoride filters use the exact same, certified housing.

The unit comes in 6 sizes—we tested the 2.25-gallon unit (the most popular option, with Ultra Sterasyl Filters) and the 3.17-gallon unit (with Ultra Fluoride Filters), but the minimum holding volume is 0.25 gallons and the largest holding a whopping 6 gallons! So you should find something suitable regardless of your available countertop space. 

Both filter options are affordable to maintain, with the Ultra Sterasyl Filter costing about $0.09 and the Ultra Fluoride version slightly costlier at $0.16. Both configurations received a high score of 9.25 due to their accurate, non-inflated filter lifespan claims and low servicing effort.

Filtration speed is the only area where the British Berkefeld falls behind. It’s slower than many other countertop systems we’ve tested: the Ultra Fluoride Filters filtered just 0.42 gallons per hour, and the Ultra Sterasyl Filters even less at 0.3 GPH. As a result, the units scored just 6.00 in this category. However it could be argued that a slower filtration rate for gravity-fed systems like this is preferred, as that means longer contact time with the media and thus better rates of contaminant reduction.

If you’re looking for a solid, well-finished gravity filter with the choice of multiple water holding capacities, we think the British Berkefeld units are a great choice. They’re compact enough for apartments but can hold enough water to supply a couple or small family between refills.

CriteriaResults
Overall Score8.97
Health Related Contaminants9.50
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.90
Performance CertificationNone
Filtration Rate0.38 GPH
Component QualityExceptional
Component CertificationNone
SetupExcellent
Servicing RequirementsGood
Costs$0.16/ gal
Warranty LengthLifetime
ShippingFree Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US
Returns30 days

Epic Pure Performance

We awarded the Epic Pure pitcher an overall contaminant reduction score of 9.00, putting it in close third place behind AquaTru and Waterdrop. Our test results showed that it eliminated chlorine, uranium, copper, and phosphorous in our water, as well as reducing 57% molybdenum, 41% barium, 27% fluoride, and 20% nitrate.

Again, we were disappointed to see that the Pure pitcher isn’t performance-certified, which pulled down its score in this category. 

While all the apartment filters we tested had easy setup processes, Epic was a standout for us. It obtained a 9.50 score because the assembly and filter prep tasks were minimal – we just washed and assembled the pitcher and reservoir, then inserted the filter. The pitcher was ready to use once we’d filtered and discarded the first two batches of water. 

Filtration rate was another category in which the Pure excelled, receiving a 10.00 score from us – it came in at 2.23 GPH – still quick for a smaller water pitcher with a single filter. 

We think the Epic Pure filter is the ideal space-saving apartment water filter for people who want the most capable budget-friendly system, both upfront and in the long run (it has an ongoing cost of $0.31/ gallon). 

Our Tip: If you like Epic’s filtration technology but prefer a system with a larger water-holding capacity, consider upgrading to the Epic Pure Dispenser. It uses the same filter as the Pure pitcher but has a 1.7-gallon filtered water capacity.
CriteriaResults
Overall Score8.90
Health Related Contaminants9.30
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.90
Performance CertificationNot certified for any reduction claims
Filtration Rate2.23 GPH
Component QualityUnsatisfactory
Component CertificationNot certified
SetupOutstanding
Servicing RequirementsOutstanding
Costs$0.31/ gal
Warranty LengthLifetime
ShippingFree shipping for the Clean Water Club only
ReturnsLifetime

RKIN U1 Performance

The RKIN U1 secured a 9.00 for contaminant reduction. It was one of the best-performing systems in our water quality testing, reducing 100% lead, uranium, chlorine, fluoride, copper, zinc, and molybdenum. It also greatly reduced nitrate, barium, and sulfate. But strontium increased from 0.108 PPM to 2.42 PPM in our filtered water (we suspect this came from the remineralization filter), and the unit doesn’t have a performance certification, which pulled down its overall score in this category.

The U1’s 1:1 efficiency ratio also wasn’t as impressive as AquaTru’s, and we had to empty the wastewater tank more frequently. 

But its performance was otherwise pretty great, especially in the setup and maintenance categories. 

We awarded the U1 10.00 and 9.75 scores here because it was super simple to assemble (it’s a plug-and-play system like the AquaTru), and we could simply press a button and leave the unit to prime the filters for us. It also has the lowest projected ongoing cost of all the RO systems we tested, at just $0.0809/ gallon.

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 loved the U1’s touchscreen control panel, and the different presets meant we could use the system exactly how we wanted. But it received a slightly lower score of 7.50 because it uses a lot of plastic and it isn’t certified for materials safety.

Rkin u1 cool water small cup preset options

In our opinion, the RKIN U1 is the best apartment water filter for anyone with a bigger budget who wants to invest in a high-tech gadget that purifies water and delivers it exactly to your requirements.

CriteriaResults
Overall Score8.83
Health Related Contaminants9.30
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.90
Performance CertificationNot certified for any reduction claims
Filtration Rate0.07 GPM
Component QualityGood
Component CertificationNot Certified
SetupExceptional
Servicing RequirementsOutstanding
Costs$0.08/ gal
Warranty Length1 year
ShippingFree shipping on orders over $175 to lower 48 states
Returns30 days

Clearly Filtered Performance

The Clearly Filtered Pitcher got a score of 8.24 for contaminant reduction. It gave even the RO systems a run for their money with its 100% fluoride, uranium, chlorine, and copper reduction. 

It also reduced 86% barium, 67% strontium, and 53% molybdenum, and we found the filter’s WQA performance certifications reassuring, even if they’re not as extensive as AquaTru’s (it’s only certified to reduce 3 out of the 365+ contaminants on Clearly Filtered’s performance datasheet).

However, the pitcher didn’t do as well at reducing nitrate or sulfate, and the additional 0.0054 PPM of cobalt detected after filtration affected our filtered water quality.

The pitcher’s 2.27 GPH filtration rate was slightly faster than Epic’s (2.23 GPH), and we gave it the top score in this category.

Clearly Filtered also did well in our design testing, with a 9.70 score – the highest we’ve awarded for a water filter pitcher. It’s made from BPA-free Tritan plastic, and we noted that it felt thicker, sturdier, and more durable than most of its competitors. It’s also certified for materials safety and has a WQA certification for lead-free design.

We think the Clearly Filtered pitcher is the best option for folks who prefer the portability and space-saving benefits of a water filter pitcher but only want to consider certified systems. The CF pitcher is around $20 more expensive than the Epic Pure upfront and has a higher ongoing cost ($0.55/ gallon), but you may prefer to spend more on a system with a better design quality and certifications.

CriteriaResults
Overall Score8.78
Health Related Contaminants8.30
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.90
Performance CertificationCertified for 0.82% of reduction claims
Filtration Rate2.27 GPH
Component QualityOutstanding
Component CertificationCertified
SetupOutstanding
Servicing RequirementsOutstanding
Costs$0.55/ gallon
Warranty Length2 years
ShippingFree shipping all orders
Returns30 days
  • brian headshot
    President & CEO, CWS, CWR

    Brian Campbell, a WQA Certified Water Specialist (CWS) and Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR) with 5+ years of experience, helps homeowners navigate the world of water treatment. After honing his skills at Hach Company, he founded his business to empower homeowners with the knowledge and tools to achieve safe, healthy water. Brian's tested countless devices, from simple pitchers to complex systems, helping his readers find the perfect fit for their unique needs.

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