Water accounts for 60% of your body weight and experts say that most people need to drink 6-8 cups (48-64 oz) of water each day to stay hydrated. However, the quality of your drinking water is just as important as the quantity. Drinking an adequate amount of contaminated water may do more harm than good, which is why it’s a good idea to filter your drinking water.
There are lots of great drinking water filtration systems on the market, and in this post we’ll share the best options for you to choose from with insight on what we like and don’t like about each.
Our Top Drinking Water Filtration Systems
- Best Overall: Aquasana Clean Water Machine – AQ-CWM-2-B ($199.99) | Jump to Review
- Runner Up: Aquasana SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis – AQ-SFRO ($199.99) | Jump to Review
- A. O. Smith 2-Stage Water Filter – AO-US-200 ($139.00) | Jump to Review
- Culligan Change Sink Drinking Water System – US-EZ-4 ($94.19) | Jump to Review
- Waterdrop Lucid 10-Cup Water Pitcher Filter System – PT-07 ($21.24) | Jump to Review
We chose these systems based on their combination of performance, price, and other factors. Note that while we may have rated different systems higher overall in other lists, this list was curated specifically for improving drinking water quality.
Aquasana – Clean Water Machine (AQ-CWM-2-B) – Best Overall
Model: AQ-CWM-2-B | Contaminants Reduced: 78 | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 | Capacity: 300 gal | Flow Rate: 0.5 GPM | System Dimensions: 9.69″L x 7.96″W x 11.61″H | System Cost: $199.00 | Cost of Replacements: $60.00
System Overview
The Aquasana Clean Water Machine is our top drinking water filtration system as a result of its exceptional performance and simple installation. You can set up the system in less than five minutes, as you’ll just need to plug it in, insert the filter, and flush the unit to start enjoying better quality drinking water.
Unlike most countertop or pitcher filters with an easy setup process, this unit packs the performance of higher-end systems. It’s certified by the WQA to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401 for the reduction of 78 contaminants including lead, chlorine, chloramines, microplastics, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs, and more. It also sets itself apart from other countertop and pitcher filters by using power to quickly push filtered water through the system, compared to others that have water slowly trickle through the filter which can leave you waiting for several minutes.
With a sleek design and capacity for 8 cups of water, you can set this on your countertop and use it as a water dispenser to get filtered drinking water with the tap of a button. We also like that the system features an indicator light to let you know when it’s time to replace the filter, which is just as quick and easy as installation.
Why You Should Get This System: The AQ-CWM-2-B offers the simple installation and convenience of a pitcher filter, but with the performance of higher-end systems packed into a sleek design at an affordable price.
Pros
- Reduces 78 contaminants including lead, microplastics, chlorine, and more
- WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401
- Sleek design that uses power to quickly dispense filtered water
- Holding capacity of 8 cups
- Indicator light that let’s you know when you need to replace the filter
- Fast and easy installation
- 1-year limited warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee
Cons
- Requires electricity to function
Aquasana SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO) – Runner Up
Model: AQ-SFRO | Contaminants Reduced: 90 | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, and CSA B483.1 | Capacity: 365 gal | Flow Rate: 0.8 GPM | System Dimensions: 15.74″L x 12.9″W x 15″H | System Cost: $199.99 | Cost of Replacements: $169.97 (pack of 4 filters)
System Overview
Aquasana’s SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis was our runner up on this list of the best drinking water filtration systems. If your goal is to remove as many contaminants as possible, then this system is hard to beat. The system uses the process of reverse osmosis, which is the most powerful water filtration method, to remove up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants including lead, chlorine, fluoride, and more. The system’s performance is also supported by rigorous testing, as it’s WQA certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and CSA B483.1. In addition to reverse osmosis, the system’s Claryum® technology also incorporates activated and catalytic carbon, ion exchange, and sub-micron filtration to maximize contaminant reduction for healthier drinking water.
The system includes some other notable technology that helps it stand apart from competitors, like its SmartFlow® membrane to help reduce wastewater and extend the system’s life. It also features a remineralizer to help restore healthy minerals that often get removed during reverse osmosis filtration, which will help your drinking water taste better and improve the benefits you get from it.
It should be noted that the system requires drilling a hole in your countertop and using a separate faucet, which means it might not be practical for everyone. Still, it’s a great way to improve your drinking water quality if you have the option and want maximum protection against contaminants.
Why You Should Get This System: The AQ-SFRO uses Claryum® to remove more contaminants than any other drinking water filter on this list, and it features a remineralizer to restore healthy minerals that are frequently removed during reverse osmosis filtration.
Pros
- Removes up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants including lead, chlorine, and fluoride
- WQA certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and CSA B483.1
- Utilizes Claryum® and SmartFlow® technology to improve performance, reduce wastewater, and extend the system’s life
- Features a remineralizer to restore healthy minerals
Cons
- Requires drilling through your countertop to install a second faucet, which may not work for everyone
- May require professional installation
A. O. Smith 2-Stage Water Filter (AO-US-200)
Model: AO-US-200 | Contaminants Reduced: 78 | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 | Capacity: 500 gal | Flow Rate: 0.5 GPM | System Dimensions: 11.73″L x 8.66″W x 5.67″H | System Cost: $139.00 | Cost of Replacements: $69.98
System Overview
The A.O. Smith 2-Stage water filter is a cost-effective way to improve your drinking water quality without compromising on performance.
The system reduces up to 99% of 78 contaminants including lead, chlorine, pesticides, and more and is WQA certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401. With its compact profile, the system can easily be installed under your sink so it’s out of sight while leaving plenty of room in the cabinet. Despite the lower price tag, it also features the advanced Claryum® technology to help reduce contaminants through different means.
Like most other under sink filters, it should be noted that this requires a dedicated faucet for installation, though the manufacturer notes that the process can be done without hiring a plumber.
Why You Should Get This System: The AO-US-200 is a budget-friendly powerhouse that can reduce up to 99% of 78 contaminants in a compact profile that leaves plenty of space in your sink cabinet.
Pros
- Reduces up to 99% of 78 contaminants including lead, chlorine, pesticides, and more
- Utilizes advanced Claryum® technology to tackle contaminants through different means
- WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 43, and 401
- Compact and space-saving design
- Installation that can be done without a plumber
Cons
- Uses a dedicated faucet that requires drilling
Culligan Change Sink Drinking Water System (US-EZ-4)
Model: US-EZ-4 | Contaminants Reduced: 77 | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 | Capacity: 500 gal | Flow Rate: 0.5 GPM | System Dimensions: 14.25″L x 9.25″W x 8.4″H | System Cost: $94.19 | Cost of Replacements: $79.99
System Overview
The Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filter offers great bang for your buck, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking at drinking water filters. Most notable, is the system’s sub $100 price point while still offering protection against 77 contaminants including lead, chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, and more. Best of all, these performance claims are backed up by certifications to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401 so you can be confident about the quality of your drinking water. According to online users, the system provides great-tasting water that’s just like bottled water.
The unit also features an LED indicator to tell you when it’s time for a filter swap, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of filter replacement schedules. While maintenance is easy, it’s worth noting that some users have reported difficulty with the installation process which ended up requiring a plumber. For more information on the system, you can check out our Culligan EZ-Change Under Sink Drinking Water Filter review.
Why You Should Get This System: The US-EZ-4 offers exceptional performance for a sub $100 system that provides great-tasting water similar to what you get from bottled water.
Pros
- Reduces 77 contaminants including lead, chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, and more
- Certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401
- Provides water that tastes like bottled water
- Features an indicator light to let you know when it’s time to replace the filter
Cons
- User reports of a difficult installation process requiring a plumber or additional parts
Waterdrop Lucid 10-Cup Water Pitcher Filter System
Model: PT-07 | Contaminants Reduced: 19 | Certifications: NSF/ANSI 42, 372 | Capacity: 200 gal | Flow Rate: 0.2 GPM | System Dimensions: 10.4″L x 5.3″W x 10″H | System Cost: $21.24 | Cost of Replacements: $32.99
System Overview
Last but not least on our list, is the Waterdrop Lucid 10-Cup Water Pitcher Filter System. This pitcher filter is by far the cheapest system on our list at a price of $21.24, making it a good choice if you’re looking to improve your drinking water quality without jumping into some of the higher-end and more expensive systems.
As a pitcher filter, this comes with all the usual things you can expect including an easy setup, but also a reliance on gravity-based filtration and limited performance. Specifically, the pitcher filter addresses 19 contaminants including chlorine taste and odor, rust, copper, and others. Backed by NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 372, the filter should help improve your drinking water quality, but it won’t offer the same performance of higher-end systems. However, it does offer a few of the bells and whistles of more expensive options, like an LED indicator to let you know when its time to replace your filter. It also claims to trickle water at a rate that’s 5x faster than other brands, which speeds up the filtration process to a minute.
Overall, it’s a great option if you’re looking to dip your toe in the water of filtration without breaking the bank, or if you already have a more advanced filter and want something portable for travel.
Why You Should Get This System: The Waterdrop PT-07 is a very low-cost filter that offers protection against 19 contaminants and is easy to transport for when you’re traveling.
Pros
- Reduces 19 contaminants including chlorine taste and odor, rust, copper, and more
- NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 certified
- Low cost
- Highly portable
- Trickles water 5x faster than other brands
Cons
- Lacks in performance compared to higher-end systems, which protect against a wider array of contaminants
- Even with a faster trickle rate, it still takes a minute to filter water
Which drinking water filtration system is best for you?
The right drinking water filter for your needs depends on what you want out of the system and how much you have in your budget. If removing the most contaminants is your priority, a higher-end system can be worth the extra cost. However, if you’re just looking for an incremental improvement over your tap water, you might want to start with a basic pitcher filter. Alternatively, you could go for a mid-range option that’s a good balance of each.
If you’re still not sure what system to choose, check out additional information we’ve compiled about drinking water filters.