10 Types of Water Filters: Find the Clear Choice for Your Home

Let it flow, let it flow, let it flow

A kid filling a glass with tap water
Photo: yamasan / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
A kid filling a glass with tap water
Photo: yamasan / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
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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.

6 signs you need a water filtration system, including bad taste, strange odors, and discoloration

1. Mechanical Filters 

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.

ProsCons
Moderately pricedDoesn’t get rid of chemicals
Easy to install and maintainFilters need regular changing
Improves water clarityCan’t remove microorganisms

Best for: Filtering out visible debris and sediment

2. Activated Carbon Filters 

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.

ProsCons
Gets rid of pesticides, VOCs, and certain heavy metalsCan’t remove minerals, microbes, or salt
May improve water’s smell and tasteNot effective against inorganic pollutants
Fairly cost-effective and simpleRequires periodic filter changes

Best for: Eliminating VOCs, chlorine, certain heavy metals, and pesticides

3. Reverse Osmosis 

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.

ProsCons
Capable of removing most contaminantsPricier than many other options
Can decrease water hardnessWastes water
May improve water’s tasteStrips healthy minerals from water

Best for: Producing ultra-clean drinking water that’s free from nearly all contaminants

4. Ion Exchange Filters 

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.

ProsCons
Reduces water hardnessIncreases sodium levels in water
Limits limescale buildup in pipes and appliancesDoesn’t remove bacteria or organic contaminants
Blocks heavy metalsExpensive to run

Best for: Minimizing scale buildup and softening hard water

What is Soft Water vs 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.

Morgan Rousseau
Content Editor, Angi

5. Ultraviolet Filters

Close-up of woman’s hand holding a glass under the tap
Photo: vitapix / E+ / Getty Images

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.

ProsCons
Removes microorganismsDoesn’t filter out chemicals or heavy metals
Energy efficientWorks best with clear water
Works without chemicalsCan’t remove particles

Best for: Eliminating bacteria and viruses

6. Ceramic Filters

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.

ProsCons
InexpensiveNot good for removing viruses, heavy metals, or chemicals
Works well against bacteria and parasitesNeeds regular cleaning and maintenance
Suitable for remote or resource-limited communitiesSlow filtration

Best for: Filtering out bacteria and sediment in places with limited clean water

7. Distillation 

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.

ProsCons
Eliminates many contaminantsExpensive to run
Creates exceptionally pure water, no matter the quality of the source waterTime-consuming filtration process
Doesn’t use chemicalsRemoves beneficial minerals

Best for: Situations where ultra-pure water is necessary, like medical work

8. Infrared Filters 

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.

ProsCons
Softens waterDoesn’t get rid of physical contaminants
Fairly easy to install and maintainPricey
Works with other types of filtersNewer filtration method with debatable effectiveness

Best for: Pairing with other types of filters

9. Activated Alumina 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.

ProsCons
Blocks arsenic, fluoride, and seleniumDoesn’t filter out bacteria or many other contaminants
Relatively affordableWater’s pH level impacts its effectiveness
Doesn’t remove beneficial mineralsFilter disposal can be tricky

Best for: Regions where fluoride, arsenic, and selenium levels are particularly high

10. Microfiltration

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.

ProsCons
Blocks solids and some microorganismsCan’t filter dissolved contaminants, including salts and minerals
Doesn’t use chemicalsPores are small and can get clogged
More energy efficient than many other filtersInstallation can be expensive

Best for: Filtering out bigger particles, bacteria, and certain viruses

How to Choose the Right Water Filter for Your Home

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reverse osmosis filters and activated carbon filters are highly-rated, popular options. However, a water pitcher filter is the best option if you're on a tight budget, as they cost as little as $17 and do an efficient job of filtering your drinking water. Another budget-friendly option is a faucet-mounted water filter, which runs about $20 on average. If you're willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, an under-sink water filter is a reliable option for filtering your drinking water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no water filter or treatment system that removes 100% of contaminants. To find the best water filter for your needs, first decide which kinds of impurities or contaminants are most important for you to remove, then find a filter that’s effective in doing so. For example, if eliminating bacteria is your priority, you could consider a UV filter. Distilled water is the most pure form of filtered water available.

On average, a whole-home water filtration system costs between $1,100 and $3,500. However, the exact cost will depend on a few factors, including the type of filtration method. The most budget-friendly filtration systems include chemical injectors, which start at $600. Higher-end options, such as water distillers and reverse osmosis systems, range from $1,000 to $4,800.

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