I love clutter-free kitchen counters, which is why when I started researching all the contaminants in our water supply I knew I wanted an under counter water filter. But researching WHICH filter . . . well, that was quite an undertaking.
After researching for about a year, I recently put together this in-depth buying guide that covers different filtration materials, methods and more. In this article, we’ll cover the pros and cons of under sink systems, plus my top recommendations.
- Advantages of Under Counter Water Filters
- Disadvantages of Under Counter Water Filters
- Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink System
- HydroViv
- ProMax FS10 Under Sink Filter (From ProOne)
- Aquasana Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow Filter
- FreshPoint F3000 by Pelican/Pentair
- Other Filters I Researched
- More About Water Filtration
Advantages of Under Counter Water Filters ^
1. Clutter-Free Counters – Although most (but not all) under counter filters take up a significant amount of space under your sink, they leave your counters clutter-free and available for other tasks. This can be a huge benefit if you have limited counter space to work with or just loathe visual clutter like I do.
2. Filtered Water on Demand – Unlike many countertop filters which require you to manually fill them with water, with an under counter filter all you have to do to is turn on your tap.
3. Performance – Though there are a few exceptions, under counter filters tend to outperform their countertop peers in terms of contaminant removal.
4. Low Maintenance – With most under counter filters, replacing filters occasionally is generally the extent of maintenance that is required.
5 Long-Lasting Filters – Countertop models often need frequent filter changes, while under counter filters tend to last quite a bit longer.
6. Removes More Harmful Contaminants Than Most Whole-House Filters – When I first started researching water filters I was most interested in whole-house options, because why not have pure water in every faucet, bath, shower, etc., right? Unfortunately, most whole house systems are less thorough than point-of-use systems. There is one system that filters around the same number of contaminants including fluoride, but it’s not currently available.
Disadvantages of Under Counter Water Filters ^
1. Installation – Some (but definitely not all) can be tricky to install and may require a professional plumber.
2. May Need To Drill A Hole In Your Counter – Some models require that you install a dedicated faucet, which involves drilling a hole in your counter to install it. This can be a problem for people who are renting or plan to move soon. If you have a veggie sprayer that you don’t use often sometimes you can use that hole instead.
3. Filtered Water Is Only Available At Point-of-Use – Unlike whole house water filters which filter all the water that comes into the home, countertop filters only filter water for one area (usually the kitchen sink). They do tend to remove more contaminants than whole house systems, though, so even people that have whole-house systems often invest in a point-of-use filter for their drinking water.
4. Holding Tanks May Harbor Bacteria & Mold – Reverse osmosis filters generally have a very slow flow rate, so they’re designed to filter water in advance that is stored in a holding tank for instant access. Critics of this approach point out that the holding tanks can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold if not regularly cleaned and sanitized. Personally, I’m not convinced that regular cleaning/sanitizing is enough, so you won’t find filters with holding tanks on this list.
With that in mind, here the best under counter water filters I came across in my research.
Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink System ^
Price Range: $550 (Save 10% with WELCOME10)
Clearly Filtered makes a water pitcher filter that is my top pick in terms of performance and price, so it’s no surprise I love their under counter filter, too. In fact, the more I learn about this company the more impressed I am, which is why I decided to go with this system.
Clearly Filtered says their products perform as well OR BETTER than reverse osmosis systems while keeping beneficial minerals intact. Big claims should come with verifiable data, and Clearly Filtered delivers on that front.
All of their filters have been independently tested and verified by EPA-accredited laboratories at levels exceeding NSF standards, and they post the results directly on their website.
Of all the filters mentioned on this page, Clearly Filtered is certified to remove the most contaminants. The only exception might be the HydroViv, which is customized based on the water in your area and therefore removes a different number of contaminants depending on the filtration materials used.
When I asked Clearly Filtered why their water pitcher is certified to remove/reduce 365+ contaminants instead of the 232+ listed for the under sink system, they told me that they tested the pitcher for a wider range of contaminants and therefore can report the higher number.
I asked if the filtration material is the same in both products (yes) and if they are considering testing the under sink system for a wider range of contaminants (also yes), so it may be that the list of covered contaminants is expanded in the future.
Pros
- Independent 3rd party testing by EPA-accredited laboratories has found it to meet NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 244, 401 and 473.
- Certified to remove 232+ contaminants including heavy metals, haloacetic acids, microplastics, thorium and cesium, pesticides, herbicides, phthalates, VOCs, PFAS some pharmaceutical drugs, and fluoride with a 90.7% removal rate. A link to the full list can be found in the top right corner of the product page.
- Built in the USA with medical-grade materials
- Long lasting filter life
- Doesn’t remove beneficial minerals from water
- Doesn’t waste water like reverse osmosis systems
- Non-permanent & easy installation (Doesn’t require a plumber, dedicated faucet, or storage tank)
- If you’re worried about remembering to order replacement filters, you can use their subscription option to have them delivered automatically
Cons
- Some reviews say that it reduces water pressure by about 15-25%, but I have this filter and haven’t noticed any difference in pressure.
Filtration Technology Used
Clearly Filtered uses a 3-stage filtration process:
- Stage 1 uses a stainless steel mesh screen to filter out large particles.
- Stage 2 uses granulated coconut carbon to remove chlorine, bad tastes and odors.
- Stage 3 uses their Affinity® filtration technology, which according to the company combines “eight different filtration materials, each of which is known for its strong absorbent properties. Together these materials work harmoniously in a process called ionic absorption. As your tap water passes through the filter, the contaminants will ionically bind to the materials, permanently removing them to give you expertly filtered water. “3 The filtration media does not use activated alumina (aluminum oxide) or bone char.
My Take On Clearly Filtered
I haven’t found any other option that removes as many total contaminants (including fluoride) as this system. If your water isn’t fluoridated there are a few other options below that are worth looking at.
Where To Buy The Clearly Filtered 3-Stage System
Due to high demand and global supply issues, this filter has sold out several times over the past few months.
As of today they do have a few in stock – click here and use code WELCOME10 to save %10
If they sell out again and you’re looking for a workaround while you wait for the under sink system to come back in stock, they make two other awesome products that I’ve used and recommend:
- Refrigerator Filter – Unlike most fridge filters that just focus on removing chlorine to improve taste, this filter removes 232+ contaminants while retaining beneficial minerals. Each filter is good for 365 gallons of water, and just like with the under-sink system, it hooks directly into your water line and filters water on-demand
- Water Pitcher Filter – I bought this filter to use in my kitchen (while waiting for the under-sink system comes back in stock) and to take with me on road trips so my family has access to clean water without buying single-use bottled water. It’s a great option for dorm rooms, offices, and at-home use.
HydroViv ^
Price: $199.99 (check it out here)
This company is interesting because it creates a unique filter for you based on your local quality report. It’s not just a basic system, either. HydroViv’s filters carry NSF certifications to Standards 42 and 53 and are independently tested to remove hundreds of contaminants.
Unfortunately, fluoride is not on the list of contaminants removed, so if you live in an area that adds fluoride or have naturally occurring fluoride in your water supply, this may be one to skip.
According to HydroViv, “To build a filter that removes fluoride, we’d have to compromise the cartridge’s performance against things like lead, arsenic, VOCs, Chromium 6, PFAS and other contaminants where there is conclusive evidence of negative health effects, and as scientists, we’re just not comfortable doing this… even upon request. So no, our systems don’t remove fluoride.”
Pros
- Hydroviv’s filters carry NSF certifications to Standards 42 (aesthetic effects) and 53 (health effects) and are independently tested to remove/reduce hundreds of contaminants.
- Each water filter system is customized to address local water supply concerns, but the list of contaminants removed includes arsenic, lead, chromium 6, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, MTBE, mercury, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, petroleum-based chemicals, chlorine, chloramine, disinfection byproducts, PFOA, PFOS, PFAS and more.
- They can make a customized filter for well water if you send in your water test results
- Easy 15 minute DIY installation – all the connections are screw-on and screw-off. There’s no cutting, drilling, or anything of the sort required.
- They email you when it’s time to replace your filter, or you can sign up for autoship.
Con
- Does not remove fluoride
Filtration Technology Used
Each filter is tailored for a specific area so the exact filtration media used varies, but it seems to be pretty standard stuff like activated carbon.
My Take On HydroViv
If fluoride is not a concern for your area, this is definitely one to consider.
Where To Buy The HydroViv Under Sink Filter
ProMax FS10 Under Sink Filter (From ProOne) ^
Price: $388.95
The ProMax FS10 has been independently tested and shown to remove 220+ contaminants including fluoride, VOC’s, lead, heavy metals, pesticides, SVC’s, disinfectants, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, PFOA, PFOS, microorganisms and more.
Pros
- Independently lab tested to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, P231 and 401 standards
- Removes/reduces 220+ contaminants
- Can be used with most tap and well water
- Can be installed inline (directly hooked up to main faucet) or can be set up to have a dedicated faucet
- Filters are long-lasting – up to one year if inline or two years if dedicated faucet
- Can be installed without a plumber and includes wrench for easy filter replacement
- Uses lead-free fitting
Cons
ProOne is well-respected in the industry and their filters have rave reviews overall. However, some Amazon reviews state that the filter cartridge in this particular model filled up quickly and caused the water pressure to slow significantly within 1-3 months of installation.
When the filter cartridge was replaced the water flow returned to normal. Replacement filters are $199.95, so replacing every 1-3 months would be pricey.
In the past, I have seen high-quality products have one not-so-great manufacturing run and then get back to normal. Given how positive user experiences have been with ProPur overall, I’m wondering if that’s the case with those handful of reviews.
Right now there aren’t a lot of reviews on this particular model to compare them with, so I’m waiting for more to come out before I develop an opinion.
Filtration Technology Used
ProOne says their multi-stage system includes:
- Electro absorptive non-woven technology which removes a wide range of submicron particulates, pathogens, trace pharmaceuticals and cellular debris using its naturally occurring electro-positive charge
- Multiple stages comprised of infused micro-structure water filtration media in tandem, each stage comprised of a unique proprietary formula engineered to target a specific group of contaminants
- Catalytic GAC (granular activated carbon) with enhanced carbon media to help improve water taste, odor and performance in contaminant removal
My Take On ProOne
Overall it seems like a very impressive system that meets more standards than most companies. However, since I wasn’t able to find many personal reviews or experiences with this particular filter, I’m waiting until more come out before I form a full opinion.
Where To Buy The ProMax FS10
Aquasana Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow Filter ^
Price: $209.99
Aquasana has a Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow under sink system that has a 4.5 star rating and 1600+ reviews. It’s rated to remove/reduce 77 contaminants and has an excellent track record in terms of reliability and performance.
Unfortunately, fluoride is not on the list of contaminants removed, so if you live in an area that adds fluoride or have naturally occurring fluoride in your water supply, this may be one to skip.
Pros
- Certified to meet NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53 (includes P473), and 401.
- Removes 77 contaminants including lead, PFOA/PFOS (two types of PFAS), cysts (cryptosporidium & giardia) chlorine, pharmaceuticals, asbestos, pesticides, and more
- Doesn’t remove healthy minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium
- Relatively long filter lifespan (600 gallons or up to six months)
Cons
- Requires a dedicated faucet
- Does not remove fluoride. Only the reverse osmosis systems do, and I opted not to go that route due to storage tank microbial growth concerns.
Filtration Technology Used
The 3-stage system uses a pre-filter (sediment filter) plus activated carbon, catalytic carbon, ion exchange and sub-micron mechanical filtration.
My Take On Aquasana
If removing fluoride is not a concern, this is a budget-friendly option to consider.
Where To Buy The Aquasana Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow Filter
FreshPoint F3000 by Pelican/Pentair ^
Price: $249
The FreshPoint F3000 removes/reduces 60+ contaminants including lead, cysts (cryptosporidium & giardia), VOCs, atrazine and lindane. It doesn’t remove fluoride – only the reverse osmosis systems do, and I opted not to go with storage tank systems due to microbial growth concerns.
Pros
- Certified by NSF International – the actual organization that sets the standards everyone is trying to meet – against NSF/ANSI Standard 42, 53, and CSA B483.1
- Removes 60+ contaminants including lead, cysts (cryptosporidium & giardia), PFOA/PFOS, VOCs, atrazine and lindane
- Keeps healthy minerals intact
- Relatively long filter lifespan (675 gallons or up to six months)
Cons
- Requires dedicated faucet
- Does not remove fluoride
Filtration Technology Used
Uses a 5 micron sediment filter and two carbon block filters.
My Take on Pelican
If removing fluoride is not a concern, this is a solid option to consider.
Where To Buy The FreshPoint F3000
Other Filters I Researched ^
Any time I publish a review of several products at once, I get asked if I’ve considered a different brand. Below are some that I did look into. If you think there’s another one I should please let me know in the comments!
Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System
When I first started researching water filtration, I thought reverse osmosis was the most effective removal technique. Sure, it also removes minerals, but I figured it might be worth it.
After a lot of reading, I think there are other systems that perform as well as RO systems and are less vulnerable to filtration problems. The membrane that RO systems use, for example, can become damaged and ineffective if the pre-filters (that remove sediment) are not meticulously maintained.
With that said, I did consider the Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System. It doesn’t have a storage tank that is vulnerable to microbial growth, and it has a better-than-average water usage ratio of 1:1. That means that for every gallon filtered, only one gallon of waste water is created. Many systems waste four gallons of water in order to purify one.
However, although the manufacturer says it filters out fluoride, one independent tester found that it only removed about half of the claimed amount. It also requires a dedicated faucet.
Given all the other high quality options available, I decided RO wasn’t for me.
CuZn UC-200
This under sink water filter system was recommended to me a few times over the years and it looks interesting, but it’s not NSF certified or certified by any other organization that I know of, doesn’t have any published performance data that I can find, and doesn’t reduce fluoride.
More About Water Filtration ^
Here’s how to find out what contaminants are in your water, and here’s my in-depth guide to choosing the best filter for your specific needs.
Do you have a question about under counter water filter systems?
Please let me know in the comments below!
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Sources
i have the ultra-uc-disinfect undercounter system by pure effect filters. i was wondering if you are familiar with this this company?
Hi Heather,
Thank you for all the info you share with us and the time you put in. I truly appreciate it so much! We have a countertop water system for drinking water but are now looking for a whole house water filtration system. I had cancer and I’m doing the best I can to help reduce the chance of it recurring. Do you have any idea how soon you’ll be able to share the information on the whole house systems? I’ve been looking at Springwell and Pelican brands. Any recommendations? Thanks and God bless you in all you do to help us all.
I’m so glad you have found my articles helpful! My plan is to publish it within the next couple of weeks 🙂
Great article on under sink water filters, including the one that promotes structured water, a subject that I’m interested in. One question about alkaline water- does that dilute your stomach acids, which are necessary in the digestion process? Looking forward to the Whole House water filter article. THANKS A LOT.
During my research process I considered a variety of water pH’s including very acidic (reverse osmosis) and alkaline water. I concluded that water which contains it’s natural minerals (and therefore is slightly alkaline) is the pH range I’m most comfortable with. I’m hoping to write about structured water at some point and will try to dive deeper into the alkaline water subject then.
So your top recommendation, Clearly Filtered, costs $500 for the system and then about $400 to replace the 3 filter cartridges roughly every 12 months per the company’s website. This is ridiculously expensive. How can you justify this kind of cost, not to mention making it your top recommendation? This is just silly…
I actually think it’s an amazing deal given how many contaminants it removes. Until very recently only reverse osmosis systems had this capacity, and often cost thousands of dollars (and had potential storage tank issues). Only one other filter on this list also removes fluoride, and it is priced similarly.
I’ve tried to offer a variety of options to meet different budgets and needs, which is why I included a review of countertop filters (which tend to be more affordable) and some more affordable under-sink options that don’t filter fluoride.
That said, after all the reading I’ve done I could not hit “add to cart” fast enough when the Clearly Filtered system came back in stock.
What is your evaluation/opinion regarding the Multipure Water Filter which I’ve been using for decades? I have a well …
I don’t think that is ridiculously expensive. The more you look into water contaminants and their effects, the more you test your body (for heavy metals, deficiencies, toxicities, etc. ), the more you try to figure out the root causes of your or someone you loves disease, the more comprehensive of a water filter you realize you need. Cheaper products often give cheaper results…
Do you not suggest Berkey anymore? Or is this for more than a counter style filter?
Hi Lydia, I think this article I just published will answer your questions. 🙂
So with Clearly Filtered or Hydroviv, the recommended setup is that cold water is always filtered? Do you feel like the unnecessarily uses filtered water when you are doing things like washing dishes?
If you use an under the counter RO, do you recommend how to add back minerals into the water?
Hi! I was wondering if you’ve done any sort of research on the Pure Effect under counter filter, and how it compares to the filters you’ve listed above. Thank you!
I am wondering the same!!
I would like to know this as well. My feeling is Pure Effects are the best of the best, but they are also pricey. I’m curious how they compare to others.
How do you think the Clearly Filtered under the counter system compares to the Berkey in terms of water quality?
I share my thoughts on the Berkey here: https://mommypotamus.com/best-countertop-water-filter/
Hello! Have you had time to really test the Clearly Filtered under counter filter? I am considering buying it and am wondering about the taste etc. I may connect it to a beverage faucet so it doesn’t filter all the water and slow down the pressure. I’d love to hear your thoughts after you have purchased and tested it!
Thanks 😊
I just stumbled onto your article. Love and appreciate your hard work. I just spent days of research and made my decision to order the hydroviv under counter and 2 shower head for our home. But here is my question : We have a class A RV so during travels you are subjected to a broad range of contaminants all over the country so in that respect what do you think would be the best choice for an under counter for an RV?
My water company states that they do NOT add fluoride, but that “there are low levels present naturally.”
In this case, do I need a filter that removes fluoride? Or is that only necessary when fluoride as added by the water company?
We have an Atla under counter system. Have you heard of it? It combines 3 stage filtration with vortexing but does have a holding tank which they claim never needs maintenance.
Can you find out if any filters also remove radium? Radium is naturally high in some states such as Colorado so it is detected in our water. I was told only RO systems can remove this which I am also hoping to avoid a RO system. The Clearly Filtered website says they only remove thorium and cesium for the radiological elements. Thank you.
That is such a great question. I’ve had extensive conversations with Clearly Filtered about this, and they also put me in touch with the lab they test through to confirm. Basically from what I understand there are two umbrellas for radioactive elements in water – gross alpha radiation emitters and gross beta radiation emitters.
For a variety of reasons, including the cost of obtaining and legally storing certain radioactive materials, thorium is the element the EPA uses to certify the labs for the removal of all gross alpha emitters. Based on my conversations with the lab, I am very confident that radium is covered under the umbrella of gross alpha. This is of particular concern to me because radium naturally occurs in my area, too. That said, I recently came across an expensive, highly specialized test that looks specifically for radium removal and I asked Clearly Filtered if they would pay for me to send pre and post filtration samples from my area for testing.
They enthusiastically agreed, which was what I expected based on our previous conversations regarding what the existing gross alpha testing results mean, so that is in process. I really like that they are happy to have their findings validated by third parties.
Hi there! Wondering about your thoughts on Hydroviv not releasing a full list of contaminants and percentages removed? I like that the company narrows in on your specific water needs, but still wonder about the other stuff! (Trying to decide between Clearly Filtered and Hydroviv). Thanks so much for your help!
When I talked with them they said they’re reluctant to give percentages because every water supply is unique and removal rates can vary based on water composition. Even within a region water composition can vary throughout the seasons so performance can vary a little. I respect their approach and at the same time I prefer seeing the test results that show how well a filter performs under test conditions. While they may not be my exact conditions it gives an overall indication of performance.
A glaring error exists in the information on the Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink System. I asked for clarification and received the following reply from Clearly Filtered. “The 3 Stage Under the Sink System has not been tested to remove bacteria, cysts and parasites,” which explains why there is no such testing listed on their website.
I could definitely be wrong, but from my limited search, it appears the ProOne FS10 has not been available for about two years. Do you have any update on availability?
Thank you for the information on water filters!
Hey Heather, I’m going to connect with Clearly Filtered on that question. The ProOne FS10 has been in and out of stock a lot due to demand, but it is still in production (not discontinued). There’s an option to enter your email to be notified when it’s available on the product page.
Hello.
Do you know of any that offer shower head filtration?
Thank you.
I’m just trying to sign up for the newsletter. Is there a link?
Hi Sarah, there’s a sign up form just above the “Sources” section of this article. 🙂
Many years ago, I purchased a Culligan under the sink RO system. Have you heard anything or done any research on Culligan?