Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow
Choosing a water filtration system for your home depends on your household size, budget, and the specific contaminants you need to remove.
Expect to pay $17 to $20 for basic pitchers and faucet filters or $1,100 to $3,500 for whole-home water filtration system installation.
Reverse osmosis systems produce ultra-clean drinking water by removing nearly all contaminants, while activated carbon filters effectively eliminate chlorine and certain heavy metals.
Hiring a local water softener installation professional helps you select the right filtration system for your needs and ensures proper installation throughout your home.
There are 10 main types of water filters: mechanical, activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, ultraviolet, ceramic, distillation, infrared, activated alumina, and microfiltration. If you’re looking to bring cleaner, fresher-tasting water into your home, a water filtration system is a good investment. However, with so many different types of water filters available, understanding your options can get a bit overwhelming. Read on to explore the basics of today’s most common water filters, including how each type works and its pros and cons.
According to Angi customers, 36% of homeowners—or nearly 4 out of 10—notice a strange taste or odor in their home's water. Some people detect the smell of rotten eggs or chemicals. For others, the water may taste metallic or salty. Call a pro to get to the bottom of the issue.
A mechanical water filtration system uses a mesh barrier, screen, or porous material to prevent contaminants—like sediment, dirt, and rust—from entering your water supply. They have a micron rating that reflects how effective the filter is. Lower ratings equate to better particle-blocking capabilities.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Moderately priced | Doesn’t get rid of chemicals |
| Easy to install and maintain | Filters need regular changing |
| Improves water clarity | Can’t remove microorganisms |
Best for: Filtering out visible debris and sediment
These water filters have a bed of activated carbon that traps chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can also remove some pesticides and heavy metals (including lead), but they don’t work on minerals, microbes, or salt. Like mechanical filters, activated carbon filters often serve as one of the first stages in multi-stage water filtration systems.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gets rid of pesticides, VOCs, and certain heavy metals | Can’t remove minerals, microbes, or salt |
| May improve water’s smell and taste | Not effective against inorganic pollutants |
| Fairly cost-effective and simple | Requires periodic filter changes |
Best for: Eliminating VOCs, chlorine, certain heavy metals, and pesticides
Reverse osmosis (RO) filters force water through a semipermeable membrane under high pressure. This process removes contaminants and impurities as small as an ion, including chemicals, microorganisms, dissolved salts, and heavy metals.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Capable of removing most contaminants | Pricier than many other options |
| Can decrease water hardness | Wastes water |
| May improve water’s taste | Strips healthy minerals from water |
Best for: Producing ultra-clean drinking water that’s free from nearly all contaminants
Ion exchange filters swap hard water ions (such as calcium and magnesium) for softer ones (like sodium and hydrogen). They effectively serve as a water softener, which makes them suitable for areas with hard water. However, they can’t remove many types of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, and VOCs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces water hardness | Increases sodium levels in water |
| Limits limescale buildup in pipes and appliances | Doesn’t remove bacteria or organic contaminants |
| Blocks heavy metals | Expensive to run |
Best for: Minimizing scale buildup and softening hard water
The main difference between soft water and hard water is the mineral content. Hard water has higher levels of calcium and magnesium, whereas soft water has undergone a process to remove these minerals.
When water passes through an ultraviolet (UV) filter, it’s sanitized by a UV light. This light damages the DNA of any microorganisms in the water, including bacteria and viruses, which disrupts their ability to reproduce and harm your health. UV filters are excellent for disinfection, but they’re most effective when paired with filters that can block other contaminants.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Removes microorganisms | Doesn’t filter out chemicals or heavy metals |
| Energy efficient | Works best with clear water |
| Works without chemicals | Can’t remove particles |
Best for: Eliminating bacteria and viruses
Ceramic is a porous material, so when it’s used as a water filter, it can trap bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants. These cost-effective filters can be found in areas where waterborne diseases—like E. coli and salmonella—are a concern. However, their filtration capability is somewhat limited, so it’s best to use them in conjunction with other filters.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive | Not good for removing viruses, heavy metals, or chemicals |
| Works well against bacteria and parasites | Needs regular cleaning and maintenance |
| Suitable for remote or resource-limited communities | Slow filtration |
Best for: Filtering out bacteria and sediment in places with limited clean water
Distillation is a water purification system that involves capturing the steam from boiling water, then letting it cool and condense back into a liquid. As the vapor cools, it leaves behind many impurities and contaminants, including minerals, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses. The result is a highly purified form of water, which is often used in laboratory and medical settings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Eliminates many contaminants | Expensive to run |
| Creates exceptionally pure water, no matter the quality of the source water | Time-consuming filtration process |
| Doesn’t use chemicals | Removes beneficial minerals |
Best for: Situations where ultra-pure water is necessary, like medical work
This type of water filter system uses infrared light to change the physical qualities of water, decreasing the size of the water molecules so that they’re more easily absorbed by the body. This process softens the water but doesn’t remove contaminants, so infrared filters should be integrated with other types for maximum filtration.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Softens water | Doesn’t get rid of physical contaminants |
| Fairly easy to install and maintain | Pricey |
| Works with other types of filters | Newer filtration method with debatable effectiveness |
Best for: Pairing with other types of filters
As water moves through an activated alumina filter, certain contaminants—including arsenic, fluoride, and selenium—attach themselves to the alumina (aluminum oxide). It works much like an activated carbon filter, except it removes different contaminants. Before installing one of these filters, make sure you know how to dispose of them responsibly without harming the environment. If you have questions, contact a local water softener installation company.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blocks arsenic, fluoride, and selenium | Doesn’t filter out bacteria or many other contaminants |
| Relatively affordable | Water’s pH level impacts its effectiveness |
| Doesn’t remove beneficial minerals | Filter disposal can be tricky |
Best for: Regions where fluoride, arsenic, and selenium levels are particularly high
In a microfiltration system, water flows through a porous membrane, which captures large particles and certain microorganisms, including bacteria and some viruses. While they are energy-efficient and chemical-free, microfilters aren’t effective at removing chemicals or dissolved contaminants.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Blocks solids and some microorganisms | Can’t filter dissolved contaminants, including salts and minerals |
| Doesn’t use chemicals | Pores are small and can get clogged |
| More energy efficient than many other filters | Installation can be expensive |
Best for: Filtering out bigger particles, bacteria, and certain viruses
The best filter for your home’s drinking water depends on your household's needs and budget. If you have a large household with several people drinking tap water, you’d be wise to invest in a whole-whole-home water filtration system since it provides filtration to all your faucets 24/7. However, under-sink filtration systems are ideal for smaller homes with just one to three household members. If you live solo, you’d be fine with a water pitcher filter to meet your filtration needs.
As usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC TechniciansDid a great job replacing the ice maker and water regulator on my refrigerator. He was quick and thorough, very friendly and professional. If I needed a heart transplant I'd want him to do it!!!
We had a gutter blockage that was causing water to sheet down the side of the house and ultimately it started to come in at a window (need mortar people next). Called around 7:30am, and he responded by 8am. He was able to come out the same morning and do a look over and clean out. He also...
Scott checked our large crawl space for mold and water infiltration and recommended a viable solution. The crew was efficient and they cleaned up well after the job. The job was expensive but I am confident that I won't have to deal with the problem again. Highly recommend.
AdvantaClean of DublinThey were the most through inspecting the water system in my house. Even going the extra mile to get the water professionally tested for contamination.
Hague Water Conditioning, Inc.It went very well. The drain is absorbing all the access water. I had other estimates a year earlier and Hughes was right on. I will use them, again.
Hughes Construction CoVery well. Have already used them again to fix hot water heater
Service OlympiansThe Paul Davis team was very professional and went the extra mile to take care of my water damage. The work was very high quality and done in a timely manner. I would highly recommend their services.
Paul Davis RestorationHonesty is hard to find in business today. GBR met me today at a 3 story building regarding my being told that I needed to tuckpoint the brick because of water leaks. The owners took the time to evaluate the situation and advised me that I did not need their service at all. They pointed me...
GBR Masonry IncThey unclogged the drain and sent me a bill for more than 4 times what I paid before. I called the Water Works to ask why the bill was so high and that they should have gotten my authorization before assuming they could make expensive decisions like that on my behalf and for their benefit....
The WaterworksFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Your cost to install an under-sink water filter will depend on the type and size of system you choose and whether you need professional installation.
Do you know how often to change a whole-house water filter? Different types need different replacement times, from three months to 10 years.
The air quality in your home can have a huge impact on your family’s well-being. Read on to learn more about our favorite air purifiers to increase your home air quality and protect your family from allergens, pet dander, and other pollutants.
Discover the key differences between a water filter versus water purifier. Find out which option is best for your household's water needs.
Are refrigerator water filters good at keeping germs out of fridge water? Explore the pros and cons of refrigerator filters and whether you should get one.
Learn more about water filtration and which type of system is best for your home.
