Under sink water filters are compact, efficient and affordable filtration systems, which remove all the harmful contaminants from the water, but they won’t produce any wastewater like reverse osmosis systems. An under sink water filter will not consume much space in your kitchen. In fact, it is placed under the sink where it gets completely out of sight. If you are planning to buy an under sink water filter, then you should definitely take a thorough look at my under sink water filter reviews consumer reports in which six best products have been profoundly analyzed. In order to get your hands on the best under sink water filter, you must carefully read below-mentioned reviews.
Reviews Of 6 Best Under Sink Water Filters
1. CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter
A highly efficient water filter system, the main highlight of CuZn UC-200 is the longevity of its filter. While you may find many brands boasting their long-lasting filters, but none compares the filter of this unit, which lasts for 5 years or 50,000 gallons. Besides a highly efficient filter, the unit incorporates a 3-stage filter, which comprehensively eliminates all sorts of contaminants present in the water.
Stage 1 removes large particles like dirt, sand, sediment, and rust from the water. Stage 2 is a layer of KDF-55, a material that is proficient in removing heavy metals like mercury and lead along with chlorine from water.
The last layer consists of a coconut shell carbon media, which enhances the taste of the water and dissipates any foul odor from the water. Any presence of pesticides, herbicides, and chlorine will also be removed in this stage. This unit connects directly to the water line, thus saving the cost of getting a new faucet.
2. Woder 10K-Gen3 Ultra High Capacity Direct Connect Water Filtration System
When you are looking for a simple filter unit that can efficiently clean the water coming out of your kitchen faucets, then consider Woder 10K-Gen3. A compact unit, it will easily fit under the sink of your kitchen. You don’t need an expert to install the unit, plus the longevity of the filter allows you to keep using it for several years. The filter can last for around 3 years or 10,000 gallons of use as per the company, but a lot depends upon the water quality in your region.
The filter is capable of removing up to 99.9% of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and chlorine from the water. The unit is tested to NSF/ANSI 42 standards, which further confirms the claims of the company regarding the efficiency of the unit. The filter doesn’t remove healthy minerals from the water. The company also offers a money back guarantee on the product, just in case you’re not satisfied with the product and wishes to return it.
3. APEC WFS-1000 Super Capacity Premium Quality 3 Stage Under-Sink Water Filter System
A sleek and elegant design along with a 3-stage filtration system, this under sink water filter is what you need to have clean and safe water. APEC is known for making the best reverse osmosis systems as well, but the filters incorporated into this under sink water filter will last longer than reverse osmosis filter systems, i.e., around 12 months.
But, this duration can go up or down depending upon water quality in your area. Coming to the three stages of this filter, then the first stage includes a 10-inch polypropylene sediment filter that removes larger particles like dirt, dust, sand, rust, and sediment from the water. The second stage includes a 10-inch carbon block filter that is used for removing chlorine and VOCs.
The last stage incorporates a 10-inch carbon block filter that refines the taste, odor, and color of the water, making it ideal for human consumption. While all harmful elements are removed from the water, all healthy materials like calcium, magnesium, and potassium stay intact. The company offers 1-year satisfaction guarantee along with lifetime support from a team of WQA certified water experts.
4. Filtrete Advanced Under Sink Quick Change Water Filtration System
You are looking at one of the most affordable under sink water filter systems. This filter is affordable, efficient and long-lasting. With the capability of removing 99% of sand, dust, sediments, and cysts from the soil, you can expect clean and safe drinking water with this water filter.
The filter included in this unit has a lifespan of 2,000 gallons or 6 months, which is on the lower side, but then, the cost of the filter is not that high. Regarding water flow, the unit won’t disappoint you as it lets the water flow at the rate of 1.5 gallons per minute. This filter system is NSF certified and doesn’t need much installation. Consider this product if you don’t have too much to spend on an under sink water filter system.
5. Culligan US-EZ-4 EZ-Change Undersink Drinking Water Filtration System
A well-constructed and high-performance unit, Culligan US-EZ-4 EZ water filter will provide you with healthy and safe water. The unit is NSF International certified and adheres to NSF/ANSI Standard 42, which means, you won’t find the taste of chlorine and foul odor in the water that has been filtered through this water filter.
You will get a premium 500-gallon filter with this unit, which is proficient in removing from hard metals such as mercury and lead to tiny elements like cysts, chlorine, and chloramine from the water.
The company allows you to select from a couple of filters they have for this unit. You will definitely like the built-in LED filter life indicator that informs you when you have to change the filter. This filtration system is easy to install and maintain, as you don’t need anybody’s help for both tasks.
6. 3M Aqua-Pure Under Sink Water Filtration System - Model 3MFF100
This model may be a bit pricey, but it is also one of the most effective water filtration systems available on the market. The efficiency of this unit can be determined from its ability to remove a wide range of contaminants such as cysts, lead, chlorine, and VOCs from the water. The filter is capable of eliminating particles larger than 0.2 microns in size.
The rating is as good as reverse osmosis systems or whole house filter systems. However, the water will not be wasted in this under sink water filter, plus the filter will last for 2 or more years. Talking more about the filter, then it is a blend of carbon block filter and pleated sub-micron filter. The former one treats chlorine better than any other filter and improves the taste and odor of water.
Why Get an Under Sink Water Filter?
Before buying an under sink water filter, you must ask yourself as to why you need it in the first place. Reason being, there are whole house water filter systems available on the market, which efficiently filter both drinking as well as bathing water. Moreover, you’ll find many cheap and reliable filters, so what makes under sink water filters special? That’s what we are going to find out now.
An under sink water filter can be a perfect choice for a variety of reasons. It’s time to shed light on those reasons so that you become clear in your head as to why you need an under sink water filter.
Space Efficient: As under sink water filter installs under the sink, you don’t have to make space for it on the counter of your kitchen. Moreover, a water filter is not something that you would flaunt, so it is better if it stays hidden under the sink.
Low Maintenance: It is always a wise decision to invest in products that are easy and cheap to maintain, and an under sink water filter is one such product. You don’t need to replace the filter of an under sink water filter as often as other filter systems, thus making it a low maintenance unit. In some units, the replacement of the filter takes place every 5 years.
Multi-stage filters: You will find the bestselling under sink water filters offering up to 3 stages of water filtration, thus making them an effective product for eliminating a broad range of harmful contaminants from water.
Good Flow Rate Of Water: You won’t experience the problem of less water pressure in under sink water filters, which is a big problem in conventional water filters.
Value For Money: Though under sink water filters may not be as cheap as countertop filters, faucet or pitcher filters, but their high efficiency and low running cost compensate for that.
How To Choose The Best Under Sink Water Filter
There are a few factors that you can’t afford to miss when buying an under sink water filter because if you do, then you will end up buying a bad product. Here are those important factors that you need to keep in mind:
Water Pressure
With more and more people complaining about the water pressure being reduced after installing a water filter, it becomes important for you to check that this problem doesn’t occur with the under sink water filter that you plan on buying. The water pressure needs to be normal (a bit slow is justified because it is being filtered). If it is too fast, then that means the filtration process was not done efficiently.
Filtering Capacity
Some filters are more efficient in removing contaminants than others. You will also find many models that incorporate excellent filter system, but they are not capable of removing a specific type of contaminant. To ensure that you are buying a good product, you must check the contaminant type and ratio using a home water quality testing kit. This test will make you familiar with the type of contaminant(s) present in the water coming into your house and in what amount.-
Installation & Filter Change
When buying an under sink water filter, you must pay attention to the installation process. It is recommended to choose an under sink water filter that is easy to install or else, you will have to call up a professional, which increases the overall cost of the unit. Besides installation, you must check as to how easy or difficult the process of changing filters is. If it is easy, then consider the product, otherwise move onto the next one.
Cartridge Longevity
This parameter varies from company to company, as you may come across models in which filters need to be replaced every six months or so, whereas, you will also find models in which the filters are changed after 2, 3 or 5 years. The role of cartridges is the same in all filters, but the ones that are lasting longer are made with high-quality components, so I would prefer to opt for those cartridges.
However, the cartridge may not last for as long as it has been advertised, the reason being the quality of water in your area, which may be different than the water used at the time of checking the quality of a particular cartridge. Therefore, you need to be a bit flexible with the time frame provided by the company as it can up or down depending upon the quality of water running from your kitchen faucet.
Wrapping Up
With that ends our discussion for the best under sink water filter. Now, the ball is in your court as to which product you want to buy. The main component in an under sink water filter is the ‘Filter’ itself, so make sure that you have properly analyzed the filters used in all six products that I’ve reviewed above. You need to be 100% sure about the product that you want to buy. If in doubt, again go through under sink water filter reviews consumer reports. Once you are fully confident about a product, its features, installation, and maintenance cost, only then make a purchase.