How often should you change a water filter?

On average, countertop and under-sink filters should be changed every six months. But, since filter capacity and usage can vary widely, you should ultimately check the manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.

How do you clean a water filter?

If you have a pitcher or freestanding water filter, you can remove the filter itself to clean the rest of the unit with dish soap and water, rinsing thoroughly. If you have a countertop water filter, this can prevent microbes and algae from growing inside. Berkey, for example, recommends cleaning the system every two to four months. Again, always refer back to your instruction manual for the best results.

The 6 Best Water Filters for 2024

Royal Berkey Water Filter on kitchen counter — Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue

What's in your tap water? While the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA oversees the contaminants in tap water, water supplies around the U.S. still contain pollutants like chlorine, metals like lead and copper, and so-called forever chemicals or PFAS, the group of chemicals that the notorious Teflon belongs to. (At least Teflon isn't in your non-toxic cookware, right?)

The good news: you can reduce the contaminants in your tap with a filtration system. When shopping for a water filter, you can narrow your options based on what you want to filter out (more on that) and how often you want to replace the filter. Your deciding factor, however, will likely be whether you'd prefer a pitcher, a freestanding filter, one that connects to the sink, or a whole-house system. Here's what we recommend, based on our extensive research and testing filters in our homes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

APEC Water Systems Essence 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System at Amazon ($200)

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Best Value:

Brita XL Water Filter Dispenser at Amazon ($35)

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Best Countertop:

Berkey Royal Water Filter at Amazon ($408)

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Best Pitcher:

ZeroWater 10 Cup Round Water Filter Pitcher at Amazon ($32)

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Best Faucet Mount:

PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Water Filtration System FM3700 at Amazon ($39)

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Best Whole House:

Express Water Whole House Water Filter at Amazon ($500)

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Amazon

View On Amazon $200 View On Wayfair $203 View On Walmart $260

Pros

This under-sink filter is quiet and efficient, and the combination of reverse osmosis and activated carbon can handle the dirtiest water.

Cons

You’ll have to drill a hole to accommodate the additional tap required for the filtered water.

This top-rated brand earned its reputation for a reason: it uses reverse osmosis to filter out up to 99% of contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, lead, chlorine, and many more pollutants that not all filters address. The system is installed under the kitchen sink and comes with a separate tap for filtered water, so you’re not using drinking water to wash hands or dishes. Filters for this system should be changed every six to 12 months, depending on how much water you use, but the replacements are fairly inexpensive, and changing them is simple.

The system does require a more complicated installation, as you’ll need to drill an extra hole in your sink for the additional tap. But once it’s installed, it runs quietly and without disrupting your water pressure. To top it off, APEC donates free drinking water filtration systems to low-income or immunocompromised individuals through its FreeDrinkingWater charity, something we can get behind.

Filter Type: Reverse osmosis, double carbon block | Filter Replacement: Every 300 gallons/six months | Certification: WQA

Amazon

View On Amazon $35 View On Target $50 View On Walmart $38

Pros

It holds more water than the average pitcher, and the dispenser is convenient for pouring.

Cons

The Standard filter needs frequent replacing.

One of the best-known water filter brands, Brita makes no-fuss water filters that our editors have relied on in their homes. We're singling out the XL Water Filter Dispenser for its simple setup, large capacity, and affordable price. "It's a great substitute for standard fridges that don't come with a built-in water filter or dispenser," says Associate Commerce Editor Arnesia Young. "And it's pretty sturdy, as I've had mine for over a year now with no issues or complaints." We like being able to dispense water directly from the fridge without having to fiddle with a pitcher. We find it a bit cumbersome to refill, especially in a small sink. But, you can refill it less often, as it holds a lot more water than the average filtered pitcher.

It comes with a Brita Standard filter, which uses an activated carbon/ion exchange method to absorb chlorine, mercury, and metals like copper and cadmium. It's also compatible with the Brita Elite filter, which also removes lead, asbestos, and benzene, and lasts longer (about six months or 120 gallons). This model doesn't have the built-in sensor that some have to let you know when change the filter. But, it comes with a clear film that you can stick on it to write down the last time you replaced the filter.

Filter Type: Carbon, ion exchange | Filter Replacement: Every 40 gallons or two months | Certification: WQA

Royal Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filter

Amazon

View On Amazon $408

Pros

In addition to filtering out contaminants, it purifies water from parasites and bacteria. It's durable, and the combination of a stainless steel build and replaceable filters gives it a long lifespan.

Cons

It hasn't been ANSI- or NSF-certified, and we'd like to see that change. Also, it's slow to filter, especially at first.

This freestanding filtration system is one of the few that can be considered a water purifier, thanks to its ability to remove over 200 contaminants and filter out 99.9% of pathogenic bacteria. That makes it ideal for household use as well as filtering water on the road or when camping (though we'd recommend the smaller Travel Berkey for that). It's a gravity-fed water filter, which just means that gravity moves the water from the upper chamber, where you fill it, to the lower chamber. To get there, water has to seep through the 0.2- to 0.3-micron pores of two activated carbon/ion exchange filters. This microfiltration method makes nearly any water drinkable, trapping heavy metals, parasites, sediment, and more. Berkey also sells attachment filters to remove lead and arsenic.

Setting up the Royal Berkey involved washing its parts and tightening them by hand. The filters have to be primed first to remove air, which means placing each filter under the faucet so water can saturate it. The system comes with a silicone faucet cover to help with priming, but it snapped when our editor tried to attach it to her faucet, which made the process more challenging. After assembling it, we filled up the 3.25-gallon upper chamber and let the filter do its work. It took several hours before we had our first batch of water, but the system became more efficient as more water filtered through. Still, we recommend keeping water in the upper chamber at all times to avoid running out (and having to wait a few hours for it to filter again).

"Getting started with the Berkey took more time than I expected, but I love how low-maintenance it is now that it's set up," says Associate Commerce Editor Mary Claire Lagroue. "Once you know how to prime the filters, replacing them should be easy, too."

Filter Type: Carbon, ion exchange | Filter Replacement: Every 6,000 gallons or two to five years | Certification: None specified

Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue
Food & Wine / Mary Claire Lagroue

ZeroWater 10 Cup Round Water Filter Pitcher

Amazon

View On Amazon $32 View On Home Depot $32

This pitcher filters out over 99% of total dissolved solids and has its own water quality meter.

The filtration process is a bit slow, so it takes longer for the top chamber to empty.

Pitcher-style filters are one of the easiest ways to achieve filtered water since they require minimal setup and typically take up little space. This BPA-free pitcher from ZeroWater offers a 10-cup capacity and uses a five-stage filtration system that removes 99.6% of total dissolved solids (TDS), including heavy metals like lead, copper, and mercury, as well as chlorine and fluoride.

To use, fill up the upper reservoir with tap water and cover it with the lid. The water will flow through the filter and be ready to drink within a few minutes. You can store the pitcher in the refrigerator or countertop, depending on the temperature you prefer. This pitcher includes a water quality meter so you can know when the filter needs replacing. It only takes a few seconds to change the filter, so it’s a breeze to use.

Filter Type: Carbon, ion exchange | Filter Replacement: Every 40 gallons | Certification: NSF

Amazon

View On Amazon $39

Pros

This affordable filter is easy to install and filters out more than 70 impurities, including mercury and lead.

Cons

The filter is not compatible with all faucet types, and its output is on the slow side.

One of the simplest water filters to add to your home, this faucet mount filter doesn’t even require any special tools to install — it snaps right on. Add it directly to your kitchen faucet, and you can have filtered water available with the switch of the lever. This filter uses activated carbon and ion exchange to reduce heavy metals like lead and mercury, certain pesticides, and more. Not only that, it enhances the water’s taste with natural minerals.

This small but mighty filter can handle up to 100 gallons (on average, about three months of use) before the filter needs to be replaced. An indicator light will alert you when the filter needs changing. One downside is that the Pur filter’s output is on the slow side, but it’s fine for filling water bottles or a pitcher to leave in the fridge.

Filter Type: Carbon, ion exchange | Filter Replacement: Every 100 gallons or three months | Certification: NSF

Home Depot

View On Amazon $500 View On Walmart $480 View On Home Depot $500

Pros

This system is fantastic for large households and is unlikely to affect water pressure.

Cons

The filters need to be extra tight to prevent leaks. This system also won’t noticeably reduce the hardness of hard water.

If you’re looking for a whole-house system to give you filtered water from every tap, this model is a pretty solid choice. Set in a stainless steel frame, it uses a three-stage filter — KDF, sediment filtration, and an activated carbon block — that removes heavy metals, chlorine, fungus, dirt, as well as bad odors and tastes. This system allows for a steady flow of 15 gallons per minute, so you shouldn’t notice any change in water pressure after installation.

While it is a little trickier to install than an under-sink model, once it’s in, the filter replacements are quite simple. Best of all, each filter set is good for up to 100,000 gallons of water. You’ll only have to replace the filters once or twice a year, depending on how much water your household uses.

Filter Type: Sediment, KDF, activated carbon block | Filter Replacement: Every 100,000 gallons or six to 12 months | Certification: NSF, ANSI

Factors to Consider

Your Water Source

To choose a filtration system, it helps to know what's in your tap water. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) operates a free tap water database, where you can enter your zip code and get a list of the main contaminants in your local water supply. While the federal government regulates tap water and has outlined legal limits for the contaminants in it, the water supply where you live may not meet the EWG's standards for health. If you're concerned about the levels of certain contaminants, look for a filter that targets them. Looking at the report for your zip code, you can also see which filtration method (activated carbon, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis) will help.

Filtration Method

Activated carbon is the most popular filtration method, used in whole-house systems, filtered water bottles, and everything in between. Carbon filters trap organic contaminants, lead, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and pesticides. This improves the taste and smell of tap water.
Ion exchange filters remove metals, minerals, and harmful ions or molecules in water (such as cyanide) and replace them with other ions: sodium and chloride. This softens water and makes it smell and taste better, too. A lot of filtration systems combine ion exchange with activated carbon.
Reverse osmosis uses pressure to separate water molecules from other molecules, including lead, arsenic, PFAS, bacteria, and viruses, according to the EPA.

Maintenance

How often you maintain your filter will depend on how “polluted” your water is to start, and what type of filtration you’re using. Smaller filters, like faucet mounts or pitchers, will likely need to be changed more frequently, while larger filters can often go for at least six months to a year before needing replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you change a water filter?

On average, countertop and under-sink filters should be changed every six months. But, since filter capacity and usage can vary widely, you should ultimately check the manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.
How do you clean a water filter?

If you have a pitcher or freestanding water filter, you can remove the filter itself to clean the rest of the unit with dish soap and water, rinsing thoroughly. If you have a countertop water filter, this can prevent microbes and algae from growing inside. Berkey, for example, recommends cleaning the system every two to four months. Again, always refer back to your instruction manual for the best results.

Our Expertise

Bernadette Machard de Gramont is an LA-based freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.