Aug 2026 Rankings
Best Countertop Water Filter
We tested 6 products for harmful chemicals, real-world performance, and ease of use. Our top pick: AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter.
By Renee Torres, R3 Research Lead·Updated Aug 2026
6 products · 5 brands40+ hrs researchNo brand pays us
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All Countertop Water Filter Rankings
6 of 6 products
$135.99
2
9.0
$169.99
$229.95
| Product | PFAS Removal Status | Filter Life (Gallons) | Waste Water Ratio (RO Only) | Score | Price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock safety data | 9.0 | $135.99 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 9.0 | $169.99 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 6.6 | $229.95 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 6.6 | $367 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 5.8 | $389 |
Not all 6 countertop water filter cleared our safety screen.
See which ones we flagged, which failed, and which ranked #1.
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Compare Countertop Water Filter head-to-head
- AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter vs AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (Glass)
- ProOne (AquaCera) ProOne Big+ Gravity-Fed Stainless Steel Water Filter (3.25-gallon) vs AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (Glass)
- Berkey Big Berkey 2.25-Gallon Gravity-Fed Stainless Steel Water Filter System vs AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (Glass)
Renee's Take · Aug 2026
How I Tested 6 Countertop Water Filters
I tested 6 countertop water filters from 5 brands across 9 safety checks, including PFAS Removal and Lead Removal. Every product was scored the same way: material safety first, then real-world performance and ease of use.
What I found: The top picks pass third-party safety verification and hold up in everyday use. The countertop water filters I left off had unverified material claims, missing certifications, or hidden tradeoffs that matter day to day.
Here's what came out on top:
- 1.AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter · AquaTru · 9.0/10 · $136
- 2.AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter (Glass) · AquaTru · 9.0/10 · $170
- 3.ProOne Big+ Gravity-Fed Stainless Steel Water Filter (3.25-gallon) · ProOne (AquaCera) · 6.6/10 · $230
What Matters Most?
The criteria R3 evaluates for every countertop water filter
Safety
PFAS Removal, Lead Removal, Filter Housing / Reservoir Material
Efficacy
Filter Life (Gallons Between Replacements), Total Contaminant Count Removed
Usability
Waste Water Ratio (RO Only), Setup Complexity + Power Requirement, Fill Time (Minutes Per Gallon)
Common Questions
Real questions families ask about countertop water filter — answered with the data behind every score.
AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter is our top pick right now. It scored highest across the 6 we reviewed on what matters most to families: how safe it is, how well it actually works, and how easy it is to use day-to-day.
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