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The best countertop water filter depends on what is in your water and how much counter space you have, from no-power gravity systems to plug-in reverse osmosis units.
We compared 8 countertop filters by certifications, stages, capacity and filter life.
Quick Answer: The Best Countertop Water Filter
- Best Certified RO: AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards
- Best Gravity System: Big Berkey 2.25 Gal Gravity Water Filter System with BB9-2 Filters
- Best Value RO: Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
- Best Faucet-Mount: PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter
- Best Value Gravity: Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System
- Best Dispenser: ZeroWater 22-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
- Best Long-Life Faucet Filter: Waterdrop CTF-01 Water Filter for Sink Faucet, Stainless Steel
- Best Big Dispenser: Brita XL 27 Cup Water Pitcher Dispenser with Elite Filter
The AquaTru Countertop RO Purifier is our best countertop water filter for certified reverse osmosis. The Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter needs no power or plumbing, and the PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Filter is the simplest on-tap pick.
Best Countertop Water Filter Comparison Table
| Product | Best For | Type | Key Feature | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards | Best Certified RO | Countertop reverse osmosis | IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 41, 53, 58, 401, P473 | Check Price |
| Big Berkey 2.25 Gal Gravity Water Filter System with BB9-2 Filters | Best Gravity System | Gravity countertop filter | 2.25 gal, stainless, 2 Black Berkey elements | Check Price |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System | Best Value RO | Countertop reverse osmosis | 5 stages incl. remineralization | Check Price |
| PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter | Best Faucet-Mount | Faucet-mount filter | WQA certified for lead, 100 gal per filter | Check Price |
| Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System | Best Value Gravity | Gravity countertop filter | 0.01 μm, NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 (maker claim) | Check Price |
| ZeroWater 22-Cup Water Filter Dispenser | Best Dispenser | Countertop dispenser | 5-stage ion exchange, TDS meter | Check Price |
| Waterdrop CTF-01 Water Filter for Sink Faucet, Stainless Steel | Best Long-Life Faucet Filter | Countertop faucet filter | Up to 12 months or 8,000 gal (maker claim) | Check Price |
| Brita XL 27 Cup Water Pitcher Dispenser with Elite Filter | Best Big Dispenser | Countertop dispenser | 27 cups, Elite filter 120 gal | Check Price |
The 8 Best Countertop Water Filters
Each pick below was compared on certifications, filter type, capacity, filter life and value.
AquaTru Countertop Water Purification Unit, Certified NSF/ANSI Standards
1AquaTru says its countertop RO unit is certified by IAPMO to NSF/ANSI standards 41, 53, 58, 401 and P473.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 58 and more (maker claim)
- No plumbing
- Filters last 600–1,200 gal
Cons
- Higher price class
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop reverse osmosis
- Includes: System
- Key feature: IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 41, 53, 58, 401, P473
It needs no plumbing, and AquaTru rates its filters for 600 to 1,200 gallons.
It is our certified RO pick.
Big Berkey 2.25 Gal Gravity Water Filter System with BB9-2 Filters
2The Big Berkey is a 2.25-gallon stainless steel gravity system with two Black Berkey elements.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- No electricity or plumbing
- 2.25-gallon capacity
- Stainless steel
Cons
- Elements must be primed
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Gravity countertop filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: 2.25 gal, stainless, 2 Black Berkey elements
It needs no electricity or plumbing; you prime the elements, fill the top and gravity does the rest.
It is our gravity pick.
Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System
3Bluevua’s RO100ROPOT is a plug-in countertop reverse osmosis system with five stages, including remineralization.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- No plumbing
- Five stages
- Filter life monitor
Cons
- Needs power
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop reverse osmosis
- Includes: System + carafe
- Key feature: 5 stages incl. remineralization
Bluevua says its filters last 12 to 24 months and a display shows filter life.
It is our countertop RO pick.
PUR Plus Faucet-Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Filter
4PUR Plus is a faucet-mount filter that PUR says is WQA certified to reduce lead and NSF certified for microplastics and chlorine.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- WQA certified to reduce lead (maker claim)
- Change light
- Tool-free install
Cons
- Not for pull-out faucets
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Faucet-mount filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: WQA certified for lead, 100 gal per filter
Each filter lasts up to 100 gallons or about 3 months, with a change light.
It is our faucet-mount pick.
Purewell 3-Stage 0.01μm Ultra-Filtration Gravity Water Filter System
5Purewell’s 3-stage gravity system lists a 0.01-micron filter pore size and NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 certification for its carbon filter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- 0.01 micron pore size (maker claim)
- 304 stainless steel
- No electricity
Cons
- Takes counter space
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Gravity countertop filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: 0.01 μm, NSF/ANSI 42 & 372 (maker claim)
It uses 304 stainless steel and needs no power.
It is our value gravity pick.
6ZeroWater’s 22-cup dispenser uses a 5-stage ion exchange filter and includes a TDS meter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Removes virtually all TDS (maker claim)
- IAPMO certified for lead and PFOA/PFOS
- TDS meter included
Cons
- Filters can wear out fast in high-TDS water
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop dispenser
- Includes: Dispenser + filter
- Key feature: 5-stage ion exchange, TDS meter
ZeroWater says the filter is IAPMO certified to reduce PFOA/PFOS, lead, chromium and mercury.
It is our dispenser pick.
Waterdrop CTF-01 Water Filter for Sink Faucet, Stainless Steel
7Waterdrop’s CTF-01 sits on the counter and connects to a standard faucet.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stainless steel housing
- Long filter life
- Keeps minerals
Cons
- Does not reduce TDS
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop faucet filter
- Includes: System
- Key feature: Up to 12 months or 8,000 gal (maker claim)
Waterdrop rates it for up to 12 months or 8,000 gallons and notes it does not reduce TDS.
It is our long-life faucet pick.
Check Waterdrop CTF-01 Countertop Faucet Filter Price on Amazon
Brita XL 27 Cup Water Pitcher Dispenser with Elite Filter
8Brita’s UltraMax dispenser holds 27 cups and includes an Elite filter.
👍 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Big 27-cup tank
- Elite filter lasts about 6 months
- Spigot dispensing
Cons
- Slow refills
📄 Detailed Review
- Type: Countertop dispenser
- Includes: Dispenser + filter
- Key feature: 27 cups, Elite filter 120 gal
Brita rates the Elite filter for 120 gallons or about 6 months.
It is our big-family dispenser pick.
How We Chose the Best Countertop Water Filter
To choose the best countertop water filter, we compared popular gravity, countertop reverse osmosis, faucet-mount, dispenser and pitcher filters on Amazon by certifications, stages, capacity and owner feedback.
CDC says to test your water, check NSF certifications and change filters as the maker recommends; see the CDC guide to choosing home water filters.
Product details in this guide are based on manufacturer specifications and verified owner feedback. Read more on our How We Test page.
Buying Guide: Choosing a Countertop Water Filter
Keep these points in mind before you buy.
Test before you buy
CDC says to test your water or review your utility’s annual water quality report, then choose a filter for what is actually in it.
Gravity, RO, faucet or pitcher
Gravity systems need no power, countertop reverse osmosis plugs in, faucet filters work on tap, and pitchers and dispensers are the simplest.
Read the NSF standards
CDC suggests looking for NSF certification on the label: Standard 42 covers taste and odor, 53 cyst reduction, 58 reverse osmosis and 62 distillation.
Most filters do not remove germs
CDC notes most home filters, like pitchers, use carbon for taste or metals like lead and are not designed to remove germs; reverse osmosis removes germs and some chemicals.
Capacity and filter life
Compare tank size and rated filter life, from about 100 gallons for pitchers to thousands for gravity elements.
Change filters with care
CDC says to change filters as the maker recommends, wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.
Filter Safety Tips
Use your filter safely:
- Test or check your water report.
- Change filters on schedule.
- Wear gloves to change filters.
- Clean reservoirs regularly.
Quick answers about the best countertop water filter.
- Check your water report
- Change filters on time
- Gloves for changes
- Clean reservoirs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best countertop water filter?
The best countertop water filter for certified reverse osmosis is AquaTru, with Big Berkey for gravity filtering and PUR Plus for simple on-tap filtering.
Do I need a water filter?
CDC says test your water first; you may not need one.
Which type removes germs?
CDC says reverse osmosis removes germs and some chemicals.
What does NSF 58 mean?
It is the NSF standard for reverse osmosis systems.
How often should I change filters?
Follow the maker, per CDC.
Final Verdict
Our final pick for the best countertop water filter is the AquaTru Countertop RO Purifier. Choose the Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter if you want no power or plumbing, or the Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop RO as the simplest on-tap pick.
Related Guides
More water filter guides:
Product details are based on manufacturer specifications at the time of writing. Prices and availability change often, so check Amazon for the latest price.
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