Types of Water Filters: Be An Informed Consumer

There are many types of water filters on the market today. Knowing what they are, what they can do, and cannot do, will help consumers make the best buying decision. In general, the types of water filters available today include:

Carafe Filters:

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For some consumers, the carafe filter is a great option. The better brands will remove lead and chloroform from the water and do so without being too slow. Other brands, however, are not so efficient and should be avoided.

The carafe type of filter is fine for households with one or two people but they are not a good choice for larger households as they do not filter water fast enough to service a big household.

Faucet-Mounted Filters

These types of filters are very popular today. They are easy to install, and depending on the type you purchase, they can remove a wide variety of contaminants from the incoming water. Many models will allow you to switch from filtered to unfiltered water, which is a bonus for most households as you do not need filtered water to, for instance, mop the floor.

Countertop Filters

These types of filters are great if you need to filter a larger amount of water, thus making them a good choice for families. They do not require any special installation other than screwing them into the faucet. Again, you want to match the type of filter you buy to the needs of your particular water. For instance, if you want to remove chlorine from the incoming water, buy a water filter that can do that task. Not all of them do.

Under-Sink Filters

Under-sink water filters will process a lot of water and are a good choice for those who do not want to wait for their water to be filtered. This type of water filter must be plumbed into the existing water line, but that is not as difficult as one might think. Also, all water coming from the tap will be filtered water; you do not have the on-off option.

Reverse-Osmosis Filters

The reverse-osmosis filter is the best choice for those who want to remove the most contaminants from their drinking water. These systems use household water pressure to pass water through a semi-permeable membrane. As such they are capable of removing a wide array of contaminants, including dissolved solids, fluoride and arsenic.

This type of water filter requires a bit of maintenance, including membrane replacement. They are not as fast at filtering as other types of water filters, but they do filter better.

Whole-House Filters

For many consumers, the whole-house water filter is the best solution for clean, fresh drinking water. This type of water filter allows all taps to deliver filtered water. It does require professional installation but, as just mentioned, they filter all of the incoming water. Depending on the model purchased, they can remove a wide variety of contaminants and are especially useful for households with iron or hard water problems.

Types of Water Filters: Be An Informed Consumer

CONSUMER REPORTS WATER SOFTENERS