Jun 2026 Rankings
Best Water Filters
We tested 8 products for harmful chemicals, real-world performance, and ease of use. Our top pick: AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis.
By Renée Torres, R3 Research Lead·Updated Jun 2026
8 products · 7 brands40+ hrs researchNo brand pays us
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All Water Filters Rankings
8 of 8 products
$29.99
$230.99
| Product | Certified by EPA-Recognized Body | Contaminant Protection Tier | Filter Life Monitoring | Score | Price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock safety data | 9.9 | $367 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 8.0 | $29.99 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 6.4 | $100 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 5.7 | $230.99 | ||||
| Unlock safety data | 4.3 | $28.49 |
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Compare Water Filters head-to-head
Renée's Take · Jun 2026
How I Tested 8 Water Filters
I tested 8 water filters from 7 brands across 6 safety checks, including PFAS Certification Standard and Lead Reduction Certification (NSF 53, ≤5 ppb). 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 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 · AquaTru · 9.9/10 · $367
- 2.ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher · ZeroWater · 8.0/10 · $30
- 3.Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology · Clearly Filtered · 6.4/10 · $100
What Matters Most?
The criteria R3 evaluates for every water filters
Safety
PFAS Certification Standard, Lead Reduction Certification (NSF 53, ≤5 ppb), Microplastics Safety Outcome
Efficacy
Contaminant Protection Tier
Usability
Installation Type, Pitcher Fill Time (minutes), Filter Life Monitoring
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Common Questions
Real questions families ask about water filters — answered with the data behind every score.
AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis is our top pick right now. It scored highest across the 8 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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