How To Shop For The Best Water Filter

Access to clean water is essential for health and well-being, but contaminants in our water supply can pose serious risks. A high-quality water filter can make a world of difference, ensuring the water you and your family consume is as safe and healthy as possible. In this article, we’ll explore why water filters are essential and how to choose the right one.

Why Do We Need to Filter Our Drinking Water?

Clean water isn’t always as “clean” as it seems. Tap water, while treated to meet safety standards, often contains contaminants that can harm human health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) highlights that millions of Americans are exposed to unsafe levels of toxins through their drinking water and many treatment plants around the U.S. fail to meet recommended water guidelines.

To better understand what’s in your water, visit the EWG’s Tap Water Database. Simply enter your zip code to see a detailed analysis of your local water quality.

Common Contaminants in Drinking Water

• Lead: Exposure to lead, even at low levels, can cause developmental delays in children and damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Studies show that over 10 million homes in the U.S. still receive water through lead service lines. (CDC)
• Heavy Metals: Similar to lead... arsenic, mercury, and cadmium are other toxic metals often found in groundwater and industrial areas, contributing to organ damage and developmental issues. (USGS)
• PFAS (Forever Chemicals): PFAS are man-made chemicals that have reached every single waterway in our nation. PFAS are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune suppression. They are called "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down in the environment. A 2020 study found that more than 200 million Americans could have PFAS-contaminated drinking water and nearly all Americans already have PFAS in their blood. (CDC)
• Chlorine and Chloramines: Used to disinfect water, these chemicals can form harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes (THMs), which are linked to cancer and reproductive issues. (NIH)
• Nitrate: Most commonly found in agricultural areas, nitrate contamination is linked to “blue baby syndrome” and has been linked to colorectal cancer, thyroid disease, and neural tube birth defects. (IWLA)
• Fluoride: Fluoride is intentionally added to most water treatment centers across the United States to help prevent tooth decay. For decades, opponents have been concerned about the neurotoxic effects of Fluoride and more recently studies are showing a link between lower IQ in children and fluoride (NIH). The U.S. sets a safety limit of 0.7 mg/L, but is poorly regulated and tests have shown some water treatment plants exceed this level. In addition, the Fluoride added to water treatment plants is not the naturally occurring fluoride, but instead is a synthetic waste by-product of manufacturers that corporations previously had to pay to dispose. Now, they sell it to cities for their fluoridation practices.

How to Shop for Water Filters

Not all water filters are created equal. Choosing the right one depends on your water’s specific contaminants, your household needs, and your budget. Here’s what to consider when shopping for a water filter:

Types of Filters and Their Benefits

• Carbon Filters:
• Effective at removing chlorine, THMs, and some pesticides.
• Ideal for improving taste and odor.
• Found in pitchers and faucet-mounted filters.
• Downside: Carbon filters do not remove all contaminants. Review the list of contaminants the product claims to remove. Usually we find that they always miss fluoride. But there may be other contaminants it is not filtering out.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems:
• Highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, fluoride, nitrates, and PFAS.
• Downside: Strips water of beneficial minerals, so consider adding a remineralizer.
• Distillation Systems:
• Removes most contaminants by heating water and collecting the steam.
• May leave water tasting “flat” due to the absence of minerals.
• Downside: Strips water of beneficial minerals, so consider adding a remineralizer. Energy-intensive and slow. Requires regular maintenance to remove scale buildup.
• UV Filters:
• Kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
• Downside: UV filters do not remove heavy metals, pesticides, nitrates, or chemical contaminants like chlorine and PFAS.

• NSF/ANSI Certifications: NSF has a ton of different certification levels, so make sure you understand which certification applies to your water filtration system. Some certifications are specific to filters, showerheads or types of filtration systems. While some certifications are provided for taste, order, water hardness. Because we are mostly concerned with contaminants, you'll want to look for: NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine), NSF/ANSI 58 (Government Regulated Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 401 (Emerging Contaminants).
• WQA Gold Seal Certification: Ensures the filter meets strict safety and performance standards, and can certify to NSF standards as well.
• Some brands use different independent labs that test to the NSF standards. You can inquire with the brand if you have specific questions about their testing standards.

• Glass vs. Plastic: Most systems are made of plastic parts because it is the most practical material. A few systems may have a glass pitcher or container, but still uses many plastic parts in transporting the water to your drinking glass. Is this a matter for concern? As long as the brand is using BPA-free and food-grade plastics, we don't recommend stressing over this. Bottled water in particular tests high for microplastics (NIH) because they are often exposed to heat in warehouses and trucks during transportation, which increases leaching into the water. There is less concern for a plastic container which is temperature-controlled in your home.

• Double Check the Contaminants List: Now that you know which contaminants to look for, ensure they are explicitly listed on the water filter you are considering. Some don't filter them all.
• Filter Maintenance: Regular replacement of filters is crucial to ensure effectiveness. Choose a system you can keep up with. Pitchers require more frequent replacements.
• Flow Rate: Higher flow rates are better for larger households. Not really a concern for pitchers, countertop or under the sink systems, but might be more important if you are looking at whole-house filters (high water pressure with a slow flow rate means the filter will be less effective).
• Cost: Consider both upfront costs and long-term maintenance expenses. Always look at the cost and frequency of replacing the filters. A whole-home filter is ideal, but expensive. If that is not an option, simply filter your drinking water and purchase smaller filters for your showerhead, tubs and sinks for a lower cost (or if you rent the home).
• Installation: if you own your home, you can install a faucet by drilling into your counter, or purchasing a whole-home filter. If you rent, you should opt for a countertop or portable system you can take with you.

Are TDS Levels a Good Indicator of Safe Water?

If you've ever sat through a whole-home water filtration sales presentation, you may have seen the salesperson pull out a TDS reader. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measures the combined content of all dissolved substances in water, including minerals, salts, and organic compounds. A TDS reading indicates the overall concentration of these solids but does not differentiate between beneficial and harmful components.

For example, essential minerals like calcium and magnesium contribute to TDS levels and are beneficial for health, while contaminants like heavy metals or nitrates can also raise TDS and may pose risks. It's important to interpret TDS in context, as not all dissolved solids are harmful—some are vital for taste and nutritional value. Understand the context of a TDS reading before falling for marketing gimmicks!

Our Recommendations for the Best Water Filters

At Crunchy & Co, we rather much inform you with the information you need to make your own informed choice. You can use the previously provided information to find the water filter that works best for you.

Personally, we always recommend a reverse osmosis system because it is the most effective at filtering out all contaminants, is cost effective, and requires minimal maintenance. Here is our round up of some solid choices that may work for you! Some links are affiliate links.

• AquaTru: A Reverse Osmosis system. Certified by IAPMO to NSF standards NSF/ANSI 42/53/58/401. Removes PFAS, Heavy Metals, Fluoride. They have countertop and under the counter systems. If you get the countertop version, you can buy it with a glass carafe)
• Reinmoson: A Reverse Osmosis system. NSF/ANSI 58 certified. Under the counter installation.
• Waterdrop: A Reverse Osmosis system. NSF/ANSI 42/58/372 certified. Add back minerals with the optional remineralization filter. Under the counter installation. Can alternatively be connected to your refrigerator water line.
• Frizzlife RO: A Reverse Osmosis system. WA-X countertop model is certified by WQA against NSF/ANSI 58. Frizzlife MP99 and MK99 are tested by IAMPO against NSF/ANSI 42 & 53. Filters on PD600 and PD1000 models are tested to NSF/ANSI 42 standards. Under the counter installation. Adds back minerals.
• iSpring 6-Stage: A Reverse Osmosis system, under the sink, 6-stage filtration, NSF/ANSI 58 certified. Adds back minerals.
• SimPure: A Reverse Osmosis system. No installation required. Countertop. Certified by SGS against NSF/ANSI 58, EPA 537 Standard.
• Clearly Filtered Pitcher: EWG tested for PFAS. Independently Tested to comply NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, 473. No installation required. Requires frequent filter replacements.

With clean water being a cornerstone of good health, investing in a reliable water filter is one of the best decisions you can make for your home. It's one of the first places we recommend you start in our article: How to Go Toxin-Free (without losing your sanity).

You may also be interested in checking out our shopping guides.