While water filter pitchers are effective at removing contaminants from your drinking water, if your household typically goes through a few gallons a day, it’s worth investing in one of the best under-sink water filters. Once installed beneath your sink, these useful devices “can filter out things like iron, calcium, and other metals, and sometimes they can filter out bacteria,” says Jamie Alan, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. The result: cleaner, better tasting H2O straight from a dedicated spout.

Some of our favorite under-sink water filters come from Waterdrop, Aqua Pure and Aquasana. Turnkey And Consign Pcba

The best under-sink filter for most homes is the Aquasana AQ-5300, which is ANSI/NSF-certified to eliminate 70-plus contaminants and features a sediment pre-filter. The right water filter for you, though, comes down to a number of personal factors: which contaminants are in your drinking water, how much space you have under your sink and your budget.

While shopping, you might also consider looking into filter type. Some under-sink water filters use a process called reverse osmosis, which uses a polymer membrane to filter out contaminants, minerals and sediment. This is “one of the most thorough methods of filtration,” says Brian Campbell, clean water expert at WaterFilterGuru.com, though these devices tend to be costly and sometimes remove minerals you want to remain in your drinking water. Other common filter types are mechanical separation filters (often called sediment filters), activated carbon filters and ion exchange filters. Our top pick overall, for example, has activated carbon and catalytic carbon filters with ion exchange.

Ready to start drinking purer H2O? Ahead, here are the best under-sink water filters for top-tier water at home. And if you still have general questions about the functionality of water filters and whether or not you need one, check out our FAQ beneath our top picks.

Filter type: Sediment pre-filter, activated carbon and catalytic carbon filters with ion exchange | Filter capacity: 800 gallons | Dimensions: 12 x 4.3 x 12.9 inches | NSF-certified: Yes

Aquasana’s AQ-5300 offers up impressive filtration capabilities at a reasonable price point. Certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, the system filters out 77 impurities and has a high flow rate at 0.72 gallons per minute. It also has an 800 gallon-capacity, making it a good option for households that want lots of high-quality filtered water—and fast.

A sediment pre-filter helps pull out undesirables like rust, dirt and silt—a nice feature if you have well water—while extending the life of your system. The two subsequent filters (an activated carbon filter and catalytic carbon filter) tackle contaminants like pesticides and chlorine without stripping out important minerals like potassium, magnesium and calcium. When it’s time to change the filters (every six months is recommended), simply twist them off for easy replacement.

The faucet comes in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. One potential downside of this filter: It’s larger than most on this list, so if your under-sink cabinet is short on space, it may not be the best fit for you.

Filter type: Granular activated carbon | Filter capacity: 500 gallons | Dimensions: 14.3 x 9.3 x 8.4 inches | NSF-certified: Yes

If you’re in the market for a more affordable under-sink filter, consider this option from Culligan, which goes for less than $100, including the chrome faucet. Using a granular activated carbon filter, this system removes particulates like chloride, chloroform, mercury and lead, and offers a 0.5 gallons per minute (GPM) flow rate to get you water fast. And while it doesn’t have the largest filtration capacity out there, 500 gallons is plenty big for most smaller households.

It’s worth pointing out that this filter doesn’t tackle the cohort of contaminants including pharmaceuticals, herbicides and pesticides, so if those are of high concern for you, this may not be the system for you.

Filter type: Activated carbon and catalytic carbon filters with ion exchange | Filter capacity: 500 gallons | Dimensions: 8.3 x 4.3 x 9 inches | NSF-certified: Yes

The Aquasana AQ-5200 is basically a more petite version of our top choice for most households, the AQ-5300. The main difference is this model doesn’t have a sediment pre-filter, resulting in a smaller system that won’t take up as much precious under-sink space.

Using two shorter filters instead of three, the AQ-5200 weeds out 77 contaminants and works through about a half of a gallon of water every minute. According to NSF/ANSI standards, the system filters out more than 97% of chlorine and chloramines, 99% of lead and 96% of PFOA/PFOS. The included faucet comes in chrome, oil-rubbed bronze and brushed nickel.

Filter type: Reverse osmosis | Filter capacity: 400 gallons | Dimensions: 18.1 x 5.7 x 17.7 inches | NSF-certified: Yes

If you’re willing to pay a little extra for premium filtration, reverse-osmosis systems have membranes that remove all your standard contaminants, plus extras like viruses, bacteria and parasites. The Waterdrop G3, for example, carries an NSF 58 certification, which is one of the highest filtrations possible.

Featuring a tankless design, this Waterdrop system takes up less space under your sink than most reverse-osmosis systems, making it a great pick for those with smaller cabinets. Another perk: This system comes with a brushed nickel faucet featuring a monitoring panel that display the quality of your water and tells you when it’s time to change the filter. There are two caveats to keep in mind, though. One is that the system’s active carbon block is made from natural coconut shells, making this a poor fit for those will allergies to the fruit. Another is that it’s not recommended for well water, as large particles can clog the system.

Filter type: Dual stage carbon-block filtration | Filter capacity: 625 gallons | Dimensions: 15.8 x 10.9 x 3.3 inches | NSF-certified: Yes

Well water can contain contaminates that you’re less likely to find in municipal water, such as sediment, which only some filters are designed to tackle. One such system is the 3M Aqua-Pure, which uses dual-stage filtration to weed out dirt and dust, along with chlorine, lead, parasitic cysts, VOCs and other common contaminants. Additionally, this system (which comes with a polished chrome faucet) lets you know when it’s time for a filter change: It features an automatic shut-off system to turn things off after 625 gallons have passed through. When it’s time to swap filters, simply twist off the old one and twist on a new one—it’s as easy as that.

To compile this list, we started by tapping several clean water experts to get their insight into the best under-sink water filters. We then identified the top-rated and bestselling systems on the market, factoring in reviews from real customers. Finally we sorted winners by functionality, filter type, ease of use and value.

Some of the most trusted brands behind under-sink water filters are Aquasana, Aqua Pure, Culligan and Waterdrop. That said, one brand isn’t objectively better than all the rest. The best under-sink water filter for you is one that is designed to handle your water type, that filters out the contaminants you’re most concerned about, and that fits your budgetary and space constraints. Our top pick overall is the Aquasana AQ-5300, which can handle both well and municipal water and carries a moderate price, though the system may not be right for you. Again, it ultimately comes down to your personal needs and preferences.

Most clean water experts agree: If you can afford an under-sink filter, it’s worth owning one. “If you're a heavy user of a water filter pitcher, consider an upgrade to an under-sink filter,” says Paul Lewin, founder of Home Water Research. “Pitcher filters can be a great inexpensive option for many people, but if your family drinks a lot of water, you'll find yourself filling up the jug multiple times a day.”

If you’re nervous about picking out the wrong under-sink water filter for your home, Lewin suggests testing your water before you start the shopping process. “You can buy water test strips cheaply or get a more professional test,” he says. “Once you get your test results, you'll know what's in your water and be able to make an informed decision about which contaminants are causing you problems.”

Campbell also suggests taking measurements to make sure your under-sink space can accommodate the systems you’re considering. It’s also wise to familiarize yourself with a machine’s ing maintenance requirements, including how often you need to change the filter.

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I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.

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