The Best Water Filters to Remove PFAS, Lead and Fluoride
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Choosing the best water filter for your home can be a challenge. Some water filters on the market only filter out some contaminants and can leave harmful things in your drinking water. When picking out a water filter, there are a few things to consider. Do you want something installed under the sink or are you looking for a countertop filter or a pitcher for the refrigerator? How much are you willing to spend? And what contaminants are you looking to filter out? There are a couple of different ways to filter water. One way is the typical carbon filters that you can find in water pitchers. Another way is through reverse osmosis.
What Is Reverse Osmosis?
Reverse osmosis is a water filtration system that uses water pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane (kind of like a net). This “net” is so little that it only allows water molecules to pass through and it leaves all the dirty stuff like heavy metals, fluoride, chlorine, and even bacteria on the other side.
The benefit of reverse osmosis is that you get the cleanest water. It works great and is the best water filter that you can buy. However, it works SO well that it even filters out beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, and sodium. Not to worry! Some reverse osmosis systems come with the option to add these minerals back into the water. I would highly recommend that you get these added mineral filters. For my reverse osmosis recommendations below, I’ve included the mineral filters. Another downside of reverse osmosis systems is that they produce wastewater. A lot of systems waste 3-4 gallons, per one gallon of drinking water.
With this said, reverse osmosis systems filter water down to a sub-micron level. They filter out the smallest particles and are better at filtering out heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fluoride.
Does All Tap Water Have PFAS?
This article estimates that at least one PFAS can be detected in about 45% of US drinking water samples. This map from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) shows if there are PFAS in your drinking water.
What are PFAS? PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. PFAS are manufactured chemicals that break down very slowly and therefore can build up in our bodies, in animals, and the environment. These forever chemicals can cause health issues like decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risk of cancer, immune system problems, hormone disruption, high cholesterol, and a risk for obesity. (Source) PFAS can be found in food packaging, household dust, drinking water, soil, waterproof clothing, dental floss, cosmetics, food, and fire extinguishing foam.
It’s so important to get a water filter that removes PFAS especially if PFAS happen to be higher in your area. The water filters below all filter out PFAS.
What Does A Water Filtration System Remove?
Well, that depends on the water filter. All water filters are not created equal. Reverse osmosis systems will remove the most harmful particles, however, if you choose to go with a water pitcher, the pitchers below are also good choices. Dangerous things that can be found in drinking water include pharmaceuticals, microplastics, heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, PFAs, chemical disinfectants, fluoride, haloacetic acids, herbicides, pesticides, radiological elements, and VOCs.
All of the water filters below remove many harmful particles. Most of the water filters below are certified meaning that these water filers meet certain standards. For the ones that aren’t certified, I made sure that they were 3rd party tested which helps me to believe that the claims to remove all these particles are true.
With that being said, browse the list below and find a good water filter that works for you and be on your way to safer drinking water and better health!
1. Waterdrop G3P800 Reverse Osmosis System, 800 GPD Fast Flow
This reverse osmosis (RO) system filters out PFAS, fluoride, lead, chromium, iron, nitrate, and chloride as well as large particles and radioactive substances such as radium. In addition, it reduces vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene, monobutyl ether, and countless other contaminants.
It does not require a big tank like other reverse osmosis systems, however, it does have its own water faucet that you will have to install into your countertop. You will have a regular faucet for when you don’t need reverse osmosis water and a separate one for drinking water. It also has a smart screen on the water faucet that tells you the water quality and the filter life.
This RO system is NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58 and 372 Certified and uses EU standards. It also uses UV sterilization to prevent bacteria build-up in your unit. Because reverse osmosis is so great and can filter out very small particles, it unfortunately also filters out healthy minerals that help make water taste great. I would recommend also purchasing this filter that adds minerals back into your water.
2. AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Carafe Alkaline
Are you wanting all the benefits of reverse osmosis, but don’t want to install anything under your sink? AquaTru has a countertop reverse osmosis system that has been independently tested and certified by IAPMO to NSF standards to remove eighty-three contaminants. There is nothing to install. It’s super easy!
It filters out countless contaminants including PFAS, fluoride, lead, medications, chlorine, nitrates, arsenic, and many more. If you go to their website at the link below, they are transparent with their test results and you can see exactly what is filtered out and at what percentage. There are two options for this carafe. One is a regular carbon filter and one is with an alkaline mineral boost. Reverse osmosis is so wonderful with removing particles that it also removes good minerals in water. My advice is to pick the one with the mineral boost which adds these beneficial minerals back into the water.
This particular reverse osmosis system comes with a glass carafe. Don’t want one with a carafe at all? AquaTru also has another countertop option without a carafe. Again, make sure you get the alkaline one (that puts healthy minerals back in the water). See below.
In addition, AquaTru has an under the sink option for reverse osmosis that needs to be installed, but the plus is that you never need to refill it since it’s hooked up to your water line! All of these AquaTru reverse osmosis options are certified and are equally as good at filtering out the bad stuff.
3. Clearly Filtered
If you’re looking for a water filter pitcher, Clearly Filtered is an excellent option. This water pitcher is certified through the WQA (Water Quality Association) and their 3rd party testing meets or exceeds many NSF Standards. This water pitcher targets 365+ contaminants including fluoride, lead, BPA, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, heavy metals, HAA5, arsenic, and phthalates. This pitcher is made out of medical-grade, BPA-free recycled plastic that is 100% non-leaching. The filters last for about 200 pitcher refills (usually around 4 months). This is definitely in the running for the best water filter pitcher.
4. ProOne Water Filter Pitcher with Fruit Infuser
This water filter is unique because it comes with an optional fruit infuser. I rarely give my kids juice or any flavored drink so I like the idea of a fruit infuser. This water filter is NSF-certified and filters out 200+ contaminants including fluoride, lead, chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, PFAS, microplastics, parasites & more. This pitcher is made with BPA and BPS-free food-grade materials. The filter on this pitcher is made to last for about 6 months or 225 gallons.
5. Epic Water Filter Pitcher
This water filter removes 200+ contaminants including fluoride, PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, haloacetic acids, total trihalomethanes, chromium 6, and chloramines, A third party has tested this water filter and it exceeds NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401, & P231, however, it does NOT have an NSF certification. This pitcher is BPA and BPS-free and the filter life is 3 months or 150 gallons. It even comes with an LED light on the top that counts down from 90 days so you can remember to change your filter.
6. Epic Smart Shield Under the Sink Water Filter
The difference between this under-the-sink water filter and reverse osmosis units is that this filter doesn’t take beneficial minerals out of the water and it also doesn’t require installation. It’s a simple DIY install with no plumber, no second faucet and there is no need to drill a hole in your countertop. Simply hook this unit up to your cold water line and it will filter the cold water when you turn it on. Note that this is NOT hooked up to hot water, therefore, when you turn on the hot water, it will not be filtered. I don’t see an issue with this because most people use cold water to drink, fill up pots/pans, and wash produce.
This filter has been 3rd party certified by IAPMO against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401. This filter lasts for 12 months and filters out 70+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, bacteria, and pharmaceuticals, however, this filter does NOT filter fluoride. It’s BPA-free and made in the USA.
Finals Words On Choosing The Best Water Filter…….
Unfortunately in our world today, our drinking water is so dirty that a water filter is needed. Even most bottled waters that you buy at the grocery store aren’t filtered properly and can contain harmful particles. Both reverse osmosis systems and carbon filters are great options. Pick whichever one works best for your family and your budget! Whichever way you go, you are making a step in the right direction to have a healthier life.
Are you looking for other non-toxic products? Check out this post about the best non-toxic air fryers!
