In This Buyer’s Guide:
- Why should you buy an undersink water filter system?
- Which contaminants do undersink water filter systems remove?
- How to install an undersink water filter
- Which undersink filter is right for you?
Why should you buy an undersink water filter system?
An undersink filtration system is a great solution for filtering large amounts of tap water for cooking and drinking. Compared to reverse osmosis filtration, it is a less costly alternative regarding water waste and financial expense.
Installation may require changes to your household plumbing. However, most filters will last longer and more efficiently filter contaminants than water filter pitchers, countertop water filters, or refrigerator water filters.
Most sink water filter systems have a dedicated faucet that allows you to choose between filtered and unfiltered water.
Once installed, changing the filter(s) is as easy as removing the canister and inserting the filter replacement. Moreover, these sink water filtration systems are underneath the kitchen sink and will not occupy space inside your refrigerator or countertop. They come in various space-saving designs at various prices to suit your financial needs.
Which contaminants do undersink water filter systems remove?
Undersink filters that use activated carbon filter media reduce the bad taste associated with chlorine taste and odor. Some also have pre-filters that remove sediment, dirt, sand, silt, rust, and limescale.
More advanced undersink water will remove contaminants as small as 0.5 microns, including lead, microbial cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), algae, mercury, pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Testing your water before buying an undersink filter is important to determine what harmful contaminants you must remove. This can be done in a water testing laboratory or at home with a water test kit. For more information, see our article “How to Test Your Drinking Water.”
How to install an undersink water filter
Always follow all instructions contained in the package when installing your water filter system. The basic installation process is as follows:
- Many undersink filter systems have a separate water dispenser, allowing you to choose between filtered or unfiltered water for various uses. Mount the faucet dispenser in your installation kit to the top of the sink. Most are designed to fit into the extra hole where the sprayer is usually located, but if this is already occupied and you want to keep it where it is, you’ll have to drill another hole. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the location and size of the hole, and only drill into stainless steel or porcelain cast-iron sinks. If your sink is all-porcelain, drill through the countertop instead.
- Shut off the water supply under the sink. Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect and remove the tubing connecting the water faucet to the supply valve.
- Install the filter between the cold water supply and the faucet underneath the sink, where the rigid water supply line was removed. An under-sink filter kit usually includes flexible supply lines. Connect one from the water supply to the filter inlet and the other from the filter outlet to the faucet tubing, making sure all fittings are sealed watertight to prevent leaks.
- Mount the canister to the back wall of the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink. When installing the replacement filter, ensure it is mounted high enough to allow enough space to remove the canister body.
- Turn on the water supply. Check the system and its fittings for signs of leaking and adjust them if necessary.
Which undersink filter is right for you?
The type of undersink water filter you need depends on what’s in your water supply and what you want removed. The most basic filters remove the bad taste and odor associated with chemicals like chlorine, while more advanced filters will remove more.
Shop Undersink Filtration Systems
Here are a few options, along with their features and specifications.
3M Aqua-Pure AP200 Compact Undersink Filter System
This compact filter system fits right underneath your kitchen sink and has a mounting bracket for easy installation. This premium dual-action cartridge will reduce the basics— rust, chlorine taste, and odor— leaving you with fresh-tasting water for drinking and cooking.
This is perfect for a household that needs the type of long-term, basic filtration that water pitcher filters can’t provide.
3M AP200 Compact Undersink Filtration System
3M Aqua-Pure 3MFF100 Undersink Water Filter System
The 3M Aqua-Pure 3MFF100 Undersink Water Filter System delivers a consistent flow of filtered water to meet your daily water needs. This convenient water filter system reduces chlorine taste and odor, lead, select VOCs, and other contaminants. This must-have ensures clean water for cooking, coffee, tea, baby formula, and more. Replace the filter every 6,000 gallons for best results.
3M Aqua-Pure 3MFF100 Undersink Water Filter System
OmniFilter OT32 Undersink Water Filter System
The OmniFilter Undersink Filter System easily improves the taste and quality of your water. It’s NSF/ANSI 53 certified to reduce various contaminants, including lead, MTBE, and VOCs. It’s easy to install and will require filter maintenance every 3-6 months.
OmniFilter OT32 Undersink Water Filter System
Everpure H-300 Undersink Water Filtration System
This powerful, commercial-grade filter system is ideal for any home or business. It uses an advanced Everpure Micro-Pure Quick Change Filter Cartridge that removes a long list of contaminants, including chlorine, chloramine, lead, mold, cysts, algae, rust, sand, silt, asbestos, sediment, dirt, limescale, particulates, oxidized iron, oxidized sulfides, oxidized manganese, VOC’s, THM’s and any other particles larger than 0.5 microns.
It also features Bacteriostatic control to stop the growth of bacteria inside the cartridge, which prevents premature clogging. The filter has a life of about 300 gallons and should be changed when you notice a significant reduction in water flow from the system. This water filter system does not include a faucet; however, compatible faucets may be purchased separately.
Everpure H-300 Undersink Water Filtration System
3M Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000 Undersink Water Filter System
This water filter system filters lead, sediment, rust, cysts, VOCs, and MTBE. It comes with a lead-free faucet and a built-in monitoring device that shuts off water to remind you when to change the filter. The quick-change filter cartridges should be replaced every six months or 625 gallons.
3M Aqua-Pure AP-DWS1000 Undersink Water Filter System
Watts 3-Stage WQCFU-T-11KIT Undersink Water Filter System
The Watts 3-Stage Undersink Water Filter System filters water in 3 stages for the effective reduction of many contaminants, including chlorine taste and odor, class IV particulates, sediment, dirt, silt, sand, THMs, limescale, rust, dissolved solids, lead, chemicals, VOC’s, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides and more. It is a less expensive alternative and uses color-coded quick-change filters for easy replacement. It also uses 100 percent of the water it takes in, leaving no wastewater, unlike the reverse osmosis system.
Watts 3-Stage Undersink Water Filter System
Brondell H2O+ Coral Three-Stage Under Counter Water Filtration System
The Brondell H2O+ Coral 3-Stage Filter System is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It delivers fresh, great-tasting water to your sink through its polished chrome faucet, making it perfect for drinking, cooking, and more! You’ll be confident that lead, chlorine taste and odor, VOCs, and more will be reduced, and maintenance will be extremely easy. Therefore, you can enjoy a convenient, worry-free water experience when you choose this system.
Brondell H2O+ Coral Three-Stage Under Counter Water Filtration System
Summary
Undersink filtration systems are an excellent way to improve water quality in your home. More importantly, they are cost-effective and economical. Water filtration systems reduce bottled water waste, positively impacting the planet and your wallet. Let us help you find the right solution for your unique needs today!
