Tap water is cheap, convenient and always available – but is it safe to drink? While it can meet basic health standards, it can still contain contaminants such as chlorine, lead, pesticides and even microplastics. The quality of tap water depends on where you live and in some cases it can pose hidden health risks. Before you fill your next glass, we’ll discuss why you should think twice because of its safety, its safety and the five best water filters to ensure you get the cleanest and healthiest water .

Water filters are becoming increasingly popular every year (necessary) to provide everyone with safe and clean water. Pollutants can come from endless lists of sources, whether they occur naturally or artificially. For example, groundwater can travel on the ground, chemicals are released underground, or metals are released from sewers in factories and farms. Sometimes, natural disasters can occur and can affect your water source, requiring a certain degree of filtration.

As the Palisades wildfires tear apart in Los Angeles neighborhoods, the LAPD and the Department of Hydropower warn residents not to drink or cook with tap water due to the risk of pollution. Wildfires can pollute water in a variety of ways – burning trees, buildings and infrastructure release harmful chemicals into the air, seeping into the water system through damaged pipes or other infrastructure. In addition, plastic tubes can melt, melting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances. Drinking water in areas affected by fire contaminated water can cause giardia, intestinal infections or long-term health risks, leading to water-borne diseases. In some cases, these water quality problems may last for many years. Situations like this highlight why having a reliable water filter is not only its taste, but also a key guarantee for your health.

Are you wondering if your tap water is really safe to drink? Although accepted for basic safety, it can still contain chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides and even microplastics. This article covers everything you need to know about the different types of filters, what you’re looking for in a water filter, and the five best filters that meet your needs.

What pollutants do water filters remove from tap water?

Depending on the type of water filter you have, each filter can remove several different types of contaminants. Some of these chemicals, contaminants and other harmful materials include:

Sediment (dirt, sand, rust, debris)
chlorine
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Some pesticides and herbicides
Some heavy metals (depending on the type of filter)
Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury
Fluoride
Bacteria and viruses (if combined with UV filtration)
Salt and dissolved solids
Heavy Metals

Choose the water filter that suits you

Choosing the right water filter depends on the water quality, budget and filtration needs. Before you start seeing what’s there, you should test and identify the type of contaminants in the water. You can do this using a home test kit to check the water report through the water supplier, or send the sample to a certification lab. Then, depending on your results, you can choose the filter that suits your needs:

Activated carbon filter: Remove chlorine, bad taste and odor, and some contaminants (no heavy metals or bacteria)

Reverse Osmosis (RO) system: Remove high percentages of contaminants including heavy metals, fluorides and dissolved solids

Ion exchange filter: Remove dissolved ions (such as minerals) and heavy metals

UV purifier: Kill bacteria and viruses, protozoa and cysts (do not remove physical impurities such as chemicals)

Another way to determine the removal of water filters is to look for NSF (National Health Foundation) certification as well as the numbers on the filter label. The NSF database allows you to find specific products and see that their certifications can be removed from tap water.

Common NSF water treatment standards include:

Standard 42 (taste and smell)
Standard 53 (reducing cysts)
Standard 58 (Reverse Osmosis)
Standard 62 (Distillation)

The 5 Best Water Filters on the Market

Choosing the right water filter can have a huge impact on the quality and safety of drinking water. Whether you’re looking for pitcher filters, faucet accessories, or high-capacity systems, every home has a solution. Here are the five best water filters available.

ISPRING reverse osmosis system – best for comprehensive filtration

For those who want state-of-the-art filtration systems, the ISPRING reverse osmosis (RO) system is the top choice. This six-stage alkaline recall filtration system not only eliminates 99% of over 1,000 harmful contaminants, including PFOA, PFO, PFOS, chlorine, chloride, fluoride, lead, lead, arsenic, asbestos and sodium, but also It also restores the important mineral water that can taste and minerals. The system is NSF/ANSI (National Institute of Standards) certified, connected directly to your faucets, and continuously uses clean, awe-inspiring water supplies and filters that only need to be replaced every six to twelve months. If you are seriously considering eliminating contaminants and maintaining mineral balance with a meticulous system, Ispring is one of the best options.

Buy now for $206.99 (register $229.99)

Drop gravity feeding system – best for high capacity

The water drop gravity feeding purification system is ideal for families that require a lot of clean water. The system has a capacity of 2.25 gallons, is made of durable 304 food stainless steel, resists corrosion and wear, and is strong enough to withstand 220 pounds of pressure. Its 4-stage high-efficiency filtration process reduces 98% and 98.5% of chlorine of fluorine, while also reducing heavy metals, sediments, spores, rust and other harmful substances. The water tray is an impressive lifespan of each filter (or 53,000 plastic water bottles) and is a long-lasting, environmentally friendly pure water solution.

Buy now for $159 (Reg. $259)

Brita Elite Filter – Best for everyday use

Brita Elite filters outperform their base model while maintaining simplicity and cost-friendly results. Unlike other filters that peel off minerals, Brita’s Elite filter retains the essential minerals and electrolytes while also reducing over 30 pollutants, including chlorine, mercury and benzene. The BPA-free filter also eliminates 99% of lead and contaminants five times that of the original Brita. Designed to fit all Brita pitchers and dispensers (excluding Brita streams), lasting up to six months, saving about 1,800 plastic water bottles per year. If you are looking for an easy way to improve your tap water, then the Brita Elite is a great option.

Buy now for $33.49

PUR PLUS Filter – Best for faucet filtration

For those who prefer faucet-mounted filters, the PUR Plus filter is an excellent choice. It uses activated carbon, ion exchange and mineral filtration techniques to purify water while improving its taste. Certified to reduce 70 chemicals and physical substances (including lead, mercury and microplastics), which outperforms many pitcher filters, which remove contaminants ten times higher than Brita’s pitcher model. PUR has a lifespan of 100 gallons per filter and is the only faucet brand that has been certified by WQA (Water Quality Association) and NSF. If you want to access cleaner, better-tasting water directly from the faucet, then the PUR Plus is a reliable investment.

Buy now for $12.59

Zerowater – Best for removing total dissolved solids (TD)

If you are looking for a filter that removes almost all dissolved solids from water, Zerowater is a good choice. The BPA-free system has a five-stage ion exchange filtration process that eliminates organic and inorganic contaminants including PFOA, PFOS, LEAD, LEAD, chlorine, chlorine, mercury, chromium, chromium and class 1 particles. This is one of the few filters that can lower the total dissolved solids (TDS) to zero, ensuring exceptionally pure water. Each filter lasts 15 gallons, saving about 110 plastic water bottles per filter. If you want water with almost all contaminants, Zerowater is a very effective option.

Buy now for $34.99

FAQ

Shouldn’t tap water be safe to drink?

Treating tap water to meet basic safety standards does not mean it is free of contaminants. Heavy metals, chlorine, microplastics, pesticides and even drugs can still get into your water source. Aging infrastructure and environmental pollution can also introduce new pollutants when water reaches home.

Why are all water filters unequally produced?

Not all water filters are equally effective because they use different purification techniques to remove different contaminants, require different levels of maintenance and meet different certification standards. Choosing the right filter depends on your water source, health issues, and personal preferences.

Is bottled water better than filtered tap water?

No, bottled water is usually just tap water that is filtered in plastic packaging. It is also more expensive and helps with plastic waste. Household water filters are a cheaper, more sustainable, and often a cleaner alternative.

Can’t I just boil water instead of filtering it?

Boiling water will only kill bacteria and viruses, but will not remove chemicals, heavy metals or microplastics. In some cases, boiling can even concentrate contaminants (e.g., lead and nitrates) rather than eliminating them.

Filtering tap water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your health. While municipal water treatment systems do everything they can to provide safe drinking water, pollutants can still enter your supply due to aging pipelines, industrial runoff and even natural disasters. A reliable water filter adds an additional layer of safety to ensure that your drinking water is free of harmful substances such as heavy metals, chlorine and microplastics. From simple pitcher filters to high-capacity reverse osmosis systems, there are so many filtering options available for every home and budget. No matter where you live, filtering tap water is a smart decision to ensure that every diet is as clean and pure as possible.