Tip of the day: Find the right water filter

A flood of new water filters is making it easier than ever to remove impurities from your tap water. Here’s how to choose the right model for your home.

Analyze your water. Your first step is to review the Consumer Confidence Report, which your water system must provide to you each year. The CCR is usually mailed to you, printed in newspapers, or posted on the Web site of your local government. For help understanding the CCR, read “Deciphering your water report.”

But remember, this report tells you about the water in your municipality, not necessarily what’s coming out of your taps. The only way to know the quality of the water supply in your home is to test it. To find the names of state-certified testing labs or the state authority responsible for certifying these labs water, go to www.epa.gov/safewater/labs or call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). You might be able to get a test kit for free or at minimal cost.

You might also consider using the Watersafe All-In-One Drinking Water Test Kit, about $18, to check your water. In our tests, it provided quick, accurate results for chlorine, lead, nitrate, nitrite, two pesticides, pH, and total hardness. Results for bacteria were less reliable and took 48 hours.

Ultimately, you might find you don’t need a water filter.

Choose the right model. Read our analysis of the different filter types to find one that matches your lifestyle and water problems. For example, if your family consumes several gallons of water a day, a single carafe just won’t do.

Read the fine print. Even within a specific type, the claims of which contaminants a filter can remove vary. So match the filter to the contaminants in your water. And use our Ratings (available to subscribers) to gauge the efficacy of each device.

Add in the long-term costs. All but one of the 27 models we tested for our latest report have filters that you must replace periodically. Our Ratings include the yearly filter-replacement cost for each model; it ranges from $20 to $330 annually.

Illustration by Mark Synder

Comments

[evangelos raptis]

what is the best shower head water filter?

[brian k]

i was hoping to see more info on which filters were the best at filtering out many of different contaminants. it focused on chlorine and lead, but what about atrazine (pesticide) or benzene or cysts or lindane or mercury and the laundry list of other contaminants in water
i was disappointed to not see more attention to this.

[steve chapman]

This is not helpful in finding specific shower head water filters, that are tested and recommended products. That is why I subscribe to your service, and not what I expected for this product. There are many types and brands available, with different performance and quality. It would be helpful for you to review, rate, and recommend the best as you do in most other products.

[Elene Murray]

I am interested in a product for my home that removes all impurities, especially the most common ones in treated water like chlorine and flouride. I would go with a reverse osmosis but they waste so much water. You have no alternative systems such as a distiller rated at all. It would help me if you had a better representation of the available products tested and available for our review.

[Shari]

I would like to purchase a whole house water filtering system. There are so many types out there but you haven't reviewed any whole house systems. Why not? Please do soon. We have a high iron content in our water.

[Shari]

I need to purchase a whole house water filtering system and you have yet to review any of the many available out there. There is such a large range of prices and types of systems that I am asking that you please review these soon. Please help identify those systems that work best and reduce the most common impurities at the most reasonable price. We also have a high iron content.

[Darren]

Please review whole house softener and purification systems, such as those offered by Rain Soft and Culligan. Lowes and Home Depot sell products for a fraction of the price. However, the high-pressure sales of those companies make the consumer feel that those "big-box" products are inadequate. We live in an area with horrible water and the tests run on our carafe-filtered water looked horrible. Is this a gimic? It's hard to get all the facts.

[Margaret]

I, too, am seeking information about recommended SHOWER water filters, not drinking water filters.

[Lisa]

I'm interested in water filters, both in the kitchen and the shower, that remove fluoride. I'm extremely disappointed to not find any ratings information on those kinds of filters AND that the information you DO have on filters doesn't go into nearly enough detail in terms of which filters successfully remove which contaminants. Lead and chlorine aren't our only concerns!

[Marilyn]

What are various SHOWER water filter ratings?

[D Clark]

I need to purchase a home water softener. I have not seen anything about these, but they are a common need for houses near the water.

[Christina Jones]

I need a whole house water purification system to remove high iron and mineral content. I also have acid water but have a neutralizer already in place. It would sure be helpful if you would look at the systems available as the price varies greatly. My current system (Echowater 3000 /R40 has started failing (after ten years) and I need to know what can do the job most economically. Prices vary greatly. I just got a price of $3650 installed (EC4-250) that uses potassium chloride. Tank holds 500lbs.
I'm not impressed with the life time guarantee, as I am 64 years old and likely to sell the farm before 10 years. Please help us get the facts.
Christina

[Chris]

Like the others above, I am in need of a high output water softening system for my home. The Las Vegas desert water is as hard as it gets! I need a very high output system since my pool was installed with an auto-fill feature which unfortunately was tapped into the home water lines rather than the irrigation lines. I guess my pool water will also be soft.... Obviously many people would love a review of this product type. How long until we can hope to see it?

[Bill]

I would appreciate a thorough review of the performance of no-salt water treatment equipment (such as the Freije Easywater system or GMS Clearwater system). These claim to successfully use magnetic elements to treat an entire household's water with the effect of the water being soft. I don't want to use a salt-based water softening system and would like to know how well the magnetic systems actually work.

[Duane]

I'm not in a position to answer questions about water treatment systems performance and/or reliability, but here is an interesting site:

http://www.chem1.com/CQ/

This guy provides good, sound, scientific information debunking many of the pseudoscience water treatment systems out there. It's a good first-stop site before you spend big bucks on a home water treatment system.

[Patty]

I would like information on FREIJE EasyWater System. It is a saltless water conditioning system.

[Toni]

I'm throwing my 2 cents in as well. I would REALLY like to see some information on water softener systems. The levels of lime in the local water have risen to incredible levels lately (its actually killing our pet fish now - we'll have to switch to bottled water until we can get this fixed.) Our current system is either overloaded or not able to treat this at all. Filtration and water softening systems can be expensive, so it would be great to have CR's objective view!

[Sandy]

Like others.....I desire a whole house filter and would LOVE your research of them! PLEASE!!!!! Also pool info. Salt water? Ultraviolet? Copper? I realize that you can't test everything; but, these products have been around for a while and your subscribers need advice :-)

[Sandy]

Like others.....I desire a whole house filter and would LOVE your research of them! PLEASE!!!!! Also pool info. Salt water? Ultraviolet? Copper? I realize that you can't test everything; but, these products have been around for a while and your subscribers need advice :-)

[John]

I'd really like to see CR do a review / evaluation of whole house water purification systems. It seems that water quality issues are becoming more prevelant no matter where you live. I've seen ads for Puronics and others which run $5000 or more and are as significant a purchase as a car (which is annually reviewed by CR).

[Daren P]

A review of house water softeners would be very helpful. Hope you have one coming soon.

[Anderson]

I agree that a review of house water softeners would be very helpful. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, more than 85% of the US geography has hard water. Based on this statistic, it seems as though many consumers would be interested in such a review. I hope to see one soon.

[Beth]

I would like to see a review of whole house filtration systems.

[Mindy]

I, too, would like info on water softeners and whole house water purification systems. We have been without a water softener for 6 months and we have had skin problems, dishes that aren't clean and fish that have died. I hope to see something soon, because I can't wait much longer to purchase something!

[Bill]

We need guidance from CR on home water purification systems, i.e. which companies are good, what to look for, etc. Can you tell us when you might do a feature? It looks like from the comments above, there is a need. This article does not address my issues so your help is needed.

[Jerrod]

I am disappointed with the fact there is no mention of whole house water filters. This the the sole reason I subscribed to the online service. I just assumed that you had done some homework on this subject as you've done so well on most other consumer products.

I guess I'll just make a guess as to which unit to buy...I'm glad I only paid for one month.

[Mary]

Yes, please review water softeners, including comparing salt vs salt-free varieties.

[Ker Daunkle]

I rely on CR for great reviews and would love to see one on water softeners.

[TC Garrod]

Thanks Duane!

Your reference to this site was excellent. It helped shine some light on these magnetic water treatment systems.

Here is the link again for others.
http://www.chem1.com/CQ/

Consider a review... it was worth it for me.

[Steve]

I too would REALLY like to see some tests on water softeners, especially no salt systems. I see systems such as Pelican out there with reviews on opposite ends of the scale. Do the no salt systems really work? Our city water meets all potability guidelines but is VERY HARD.

[Dick Jadick]

Need information on whole house water treatment. Signed up for this web info site specifically for this info. When will you be publishing some comparisons on the many systems available. Particularly interested in effectiveness of non salt systems.

[Pati]

Yes, I too would really love to see water softeners reviewed. I need to purchase a new one and I dread the thought of shopping for another one as it was so difficult the last time we did this as there is no unbiased information out there to help us know what to look for only the salesman's "pitch".

[Tom]

I would like to see a review of water softeners. There is a huge range of price, and the sales pitch of the high end units tells of how bad the cheaper ones are, but they don't provide data for accurate comparison.

[Holly]

I also believe CR is remiss in not featuring water softeners. This is a continuing health, construction, and comfort area that's also rife with consumer fraud. Like the previous poster, I'd also like to know what really works and if the no-salt systems are so much hype.

[Terry]

I was really hoping that CR would have separated the reality from the hype on whole house water filtration. I don't want a salt based system. Like so many others before me, I would like to see extensive review on the other technologies that are being touted, but may also be a scam.

[Alfred Anderson]

I too would like to have had access too a critical review of the offerings for water softeners. My experience with a recent sales pitch is uninformative.

[Kay Everhart]

The need for whole house systems is increasing. We have 2 tankless hot water heaters and have been told that if they malfunction due to hard water deposit build up, the warranty will not cover it. Additionally, all other house hold appliances suffer extraordinary wear and tear due to hard water. Our water measures over 22ppm on minerals when VERY HARD water measures 10.5 and up. These systems are expensive and confusing. PLEASE review.

[Chris]

Please review water softeners!

[Bill]

Please follow the feedback of all these posts & review whole house water filtration systems.

[Carol Mosier]

Please, can you review energy efficient reverse osmosis units and whole house water softeners including salt-free systems? I see that you haven't done so in 7 years or so, and there are a lot of new products out there now. We switched our softener system to use potassium salts, and my husband is chafing about the increased cost over regular salt systems. Also, he is chomping at the bit to buy a new system called "Easy Water", which is salt-free and shows wires wrapped around water pipes. It seems bogus to me, and when I try to research it, I can find NO information as to how it is accomplished, especially on their website. I am very skeptical of it.
We are also looking for an efficient R.O. unit, since ours is 10 years old and we can barely get one and a half glasses out of it, and then have to wait 30 min. for another, even though we have replaced the filters regularly. Thank you, thank you!! I never buy any large ticket item without consulting your website. We LOVE C.R.!!! ;<)

[Jerry]

Why haven't you tested water softeners and iron filters?

[James H. Sloop]

Why have you not evaluated a whole house water filter system? You have been requested to do so now for one year. What is the delay?? Are you working on it??

[Don]

Like all the others, I too would like to see a review/comparison of chemical vs. non chemical water softeners. I found several magnetic brands on the web ranging from $9 to $5000. I had a potassium softener from Sears but just after the warranty expired so did the control board. Also in the heat of the Phoenix area the potassium tends to solidify into the consistancy of concrete. Some guidance would help.

[Jim]

I too would liek to see information on whole house water systems. I was surprised to find nothing on CR on tnis subject.

[Rachel Khafi]

It is clear that water is of major importance to people, look at bottled water sales, I am also very surprised that you have not done more to address this subject.

I have subscribed for years, and have found that you have come up short on a number of products (vapor cleaners, carpet cleaners, rototillers, etc.).
I personally would find it much more helpful if you spent much less time and effort on new cars, and more on other things.

[Vivian Starbird]

PLEASE, PLEASE post some information on the Frieje EasyWater System. We have horrible well water and don't want to buy something without checking it out. We don't have room for a regular size water softener.

[sheila morga]

I am interested in reading your comparisons of whole house water filters.

[Mike]

When can we expect a review of available whole house water softener systems and drinking water filtration? Clearly this is long overdue by the many comments here. Anyone else find unbiased resources on the web? The Culligan sales pitch is just too patronizing and insulting for products of this cost.

[Kim]

My water softener is having problems, is very old and I suspect I will need to purchase a new one. I was hoping I could get some reviews and information from CR, but I guess that is not to be. Please CR, give us info on Water softeners.

[MaleCrystalBall]

I just paid for a subscription and I am VERY dissappointed that there is nothing about WATER SOFTENERS!!

Please Please Review some soon!

[Chris]

I am jumping on the water softener review bandwagon. I have tried to research them on the Internet and it is next to impossible to find reliable info. I especially would like research on non-salt based models, which ones work to remove hard water problems and which ones are gimmicks? And are the softeners at Home Depot just as good as Kinetico?

[Dave]

Just adding to the requests that CU review and report on water softeners: salt and no-salt.

[Gary Hamby]

I would like to see your review of Easywater which sounds far too good to be true.

[Larry]

I hope CR will update the information on Drinking Water Filters. The Kenmore (Sears) 34551 has been discontinued. The other choices do not measure up to the Sears unit.

[Kristen]

Please review water softeners!

[Jamie F]

Just want to add my vote for a review of water softeners. Ours needs to be replaced and I would love to have CR's input before we drop hundreds of dollars on a new one!

[Maurice G]

I too hope CR will soon review & recommend water filtration systems. I'm very disappointed at the lack of information presently available. I expect more.

[Hugh Morton]

I too am disappointed to find nothing recent on whole house water filters and water softners. I live in west central Florida, am on a well feeding off the aquifer and have recently developed skin problems. My doctor has advised that a water softner may help but I am having a real problem getting reliable information on both water filters and softners. Help from CR would be most beneficial.
Resp/Hugh Morton

[Ally Purvis]

I will chime in-- I need to know about water softeners-- especially the non-chemical ones like the Pelican brand. My diet does not need any more salt in it. Our well water is so hard and horrible to drink.
Please do a report on these-- looks like there are many customers of Consumer Reports that are asking for it!!
thanks
ally

[Debra I.]

I think it is long overdue for Consumer Reports to provide reviews and recommendations on home water softener systems. My city has very hard water and I would like to purchase some sort of system. Are the systems at places like Home Depot and Lowes as good as other advertised systems (e.g., Kinetico)?

[A. Bonar]

Please do an evaluation of home water softeners! We count on Consumer Reports to guide us and help us against the high pressure, Water Treatment Companies, and provide information regarding the Big Box Store smaller systems. Thanks

[Bill]

From the comments above, it seems that CR is still stuck in a 1950s engineer's world view of consumption products. In addition to avoiding car crashes, we now need a non-toxic, sustainable world. So, I'm interested, like the seekers above, in water filters that really protect us, as well as providing useful soft water. What about the plastic tubing used by various water filters? Does it contain bisphenol A, or other questionable chemicals? What about the "instant hot water" devices linked to many water filter systems?

[Rich]

I have to agree that there are allot of qualifiers that go into the selection of a water softeners and/or treatment systems. The costs vary from a low $300 to a hight of $5,000 and with this in mind we would like to know what is the best products on the market for our homes. Catagorys such as affects on piping long term, warrenty, filter changes, power requirements, service, etc should be something that we all would like to see.

[Bruce Hoyer]

I don't think we should hold our breath for any water softener/ whole house conditioner reviews. Obviously, CR doesn't care too much about so many requests for this. Plus, many of CR recommended products get poor reviews by consumers, so what good are they?

I think their website could use some updating also. It never 'remembers' me and I can't find a way to contact them (unless I want to renew my subscription, which I doubt I will).

Got this off my chest, for what it's worth.

[Todd A]

Like others here, I would very much like CR's take on water softeners and whole-house systems for a house we are about to buy with very hard municipal well water. I just subscribed to CR Online assuming that something that basic would have a review here and am more than a bit disappointed that there has not been a study done. Please fill this vital need ASAP!

[donna gunion]

We are looking to replace our water softener by atlantic filter, model 168-45. It is 16 yrs old and has gone ka-put. I have seen ads in Sears for water softeners that are priced from $359.00 to $422.99 on sale. Atlantic Filter said it would cost approximately $850 to replace our current one. What size do we need with now only 2 people living in a 5 bdrm 3 bath house??? Please review so we know what to buy..
thanks
d

[Linda Taylor]

I would like to purchase a whole house water filtration system. You haven't reviewed any whole house systems. Please do soon.

[David]

Why don't you take action on the Water softeners reviews so many of your subscribers (Including myself) are asking for? At least tell us what your problem is concerning Water Softeners.

[Judith]

I also would like info on water softeners.

I keep hearing about no salt systems. Do they work?

[Susan Crowley]

I would like info on good, fast-filtering water pitchers. Thanks.

[Wendelin Anthony]

After seeing and reading so many comments, are you doing any testing on the subject of water softners? If you are not, do you have any suggestions of web sites to check.

I am also interested in a system for our entire house and need to make some decisions rather quickly.

[Lynn]

We were told by a 1 plumber that our copper pipes were thin, another they were ok, had copper stains in tub, and mineral build up in toilets, Water tested hard and acid but no iron by two companies.
one a local company other Culligan. Basically told Neutralizer and Softener. Can't find any reviews from any company's. Really wish to keep any pinhole leaks or pipes breaking in the crawl space and keep my icemaker and dishes spotless.
Are you planning on Researching Water TReatments ?
Lynn

[Katherine]

This was not helpful at all. I am looking for whole house filtration systems and/ or water softeners, perhaps using the no-salt systems. I cannot believe that you have not rated them. Please do so as soon as possible. We need to make decisions on a new home very soon.

[William Breeding]

why do you not have any reports on salt free water softners--isn't it about time?

[Hector]

I have come to the need of a water softener. After weeks of research I am more confused than ever with the many products available that claim to solve the problem. Do water conditioners which work on the basis magnetic, electrical fields and sound waves work as well as salt basis components ? In California they have begun out lawing water softener (salt based) because of environmental reasons. What are our choses? Can you help?

[Betty]

I continue to get notices for me to renew my on line and in print Consumers subscription. But you still do not have any info on the non electric, salt, magnetic or any other type of water softener systems. I really need that information . I will renew when you can supply me and as it seems from the other requests many others with this informarion please

[bob murdy]

I need a water softener for my house and am disappointed that thier is no information comparing them. It is a common need.

[Lida]

We have a whole house water softener/filtering system, and are thinking of getting rid of it. We are having problems with the water leaving stains on everything even after adjusting the salt. We have even turned it off for months and still have spots. We have had our water tested (we are on a well), and we have slightly hard water. We have been waiting for several years to see you do a review on these systems....and have seen many request for you to do so. Will you? We always consult your pages before we make a purchse...but sometimes (not often) you let us down. Sorry to say. Please help all of us!

[roman]

I too am looking for information on salt-less water softners. I find it hard to believe with so many people living in areas with hard water that Consumer Reports doesnt have anything in the lab. You spend much time on simple kitchen appliances which, in my opinion, dont deserve the continued testing that a system that can affect the total plumbing of a home and its water use appliances.
Please run tests on these types of systems

[Brenda]

I too would like to see reporting on the whole home water system. On review of CR various products it seems you limit your testing to major department/home store brands ie those carried by Sears (kenmore); Lowes (whirlpool) etc. What about the major private corporation products such as Rain Soft and others like them? I'm sure there are a couple of hundred privately held companies that sell these products that people would like to see tested. Please include some in the testing processes

[Deb]

I specifically signed for one month to get info on water softener systems. Shame on you for not reviewing this product when you have so many requests for it. Oh well, it's only $5.95.

[Lee]

Hi. We are looking for a comparison of water purification systems for our entire home. Where can we find CR's comparison? Please advise asap. Thank you. Lee in Boston

[Scott]

uh... water DISTILLERS, anyone???

[John]

I also lament the lack of a water softener review. As mine requires replacement, I was disappointed to find nothing on CR as objective information on this common appliance is hard to find.

[Robert Constans]

need info on water softner

[Tracy]

I too am disappointed there is no info on water softeners

[ANDREIA WILLIAMSON]

Would love to read reviews on water softeners.

[Tom]

I had a visit from Rain Soft today to sell me a whole house water purification and conditioning system. I ask if CR had reviewed their product and got no response. I put the purchase on hold while I went to the CR webpage for a quick review of home water conditioning systems and found nothing. My family members have water softners but once again no review by CR. Why and when is CR going to do a report?? Please include Rain Soft in your review.

[Sherrie Smith]

I would think that with all the requests for CR to test water filters and water softners that you would be doing something about it soon.
I have a well and I am looking for a good water softner and whole house filter system. I found this website http://www.watersoftenerscompared.com/compare_water_softeners.html
that compares water softners and I looked at the website for Pelican http://www.waterfilter-usa.com/saltfree-water-softeners-c-75.html?p=table
I am very much interested in this product but I would really like to know what CR could tell me about their products before I buy.
Please let me know when you will be doing a report on water softeners.
Thank you

[Matthew H.]

Consumer Reports. You need to report the rip-offs of water purification. I had to do tons of research on this subject, because of the lack of useful information on the internet. I ended up spending $1000.00 combined for a water softener and RO system, the EXACT models sold by door-to-door salesman for $6,000 or more. These systems are just re-branded with their information and claimed as their own product.

[Dave Kuhn]

I too am looking to Consumer Reports for concrete information on the different whole house water purifications systems. Please advise me if and when this topic will be covered! Thank you in advance!

[Rick R.]

I paid for your site and was greeting with reviews for products that have long been discontinued. (This was also my experience with online CR last year).

I will never subscribe to your site again and will spread the word.

[Laura]

I live in the country with very irony well water. Shortly after we moved onto our farm we had a eco-water system installed. This was after much research. Unfortunately, the business we bought it from closed down shortly after we had it installed and no one else in the area or the whole state knows anything about them. So we have no idea if it works properly or not. It's not removing the iron and other particulates. Well 15 years later we still have problem water and it seems to be very difficult to find the proper filtration system. The information is not out there. It would be wonderful to know what type of system works and filters the water properly and dependably. I may not be looking in the right place but I'm not sure where else to check.

[Josi Straub]

This is the lamest review I've ever read from you guys! Gives me no information whatsoever. Wake up guys - people want clean, untoxic water in their homes for drinking, cooking, and bathing, as in whole house water conditioners, including the new eco-friendly Easywater models. You're no help at all in this most important of issues. What's up with that???!!!

[Garry]

I agree with Josi, I subscribed to Consumer Reports to find info on Freije Treatment Systems (Easy Water). Alas nothing, nothing pending. This product has been around awhile, I am guessing I should not even consider this product, too bad because I feel it would be an economical and most "green" solution.
All I have ever heard is how Consumer Reports is the best resource. My first try was a "bust".

[Lois Acheson]

I just read the posted comments from June through September 2008. Many people are asking the same thing. When will Consumer Reports do a comparison on water softening systems - both salt systems and no salt systems?

[Shaun]

How about a review on Water Softener's? Looking to invest in one really soon...

[Susan]

COME ON CR! DO A WATER SOFTENER REPORT! PLEASE.................

[Joe]

I'm another consumer looking for reports on water softeners. Sears seems to have good deals on their Kenmore and Elite lines, but I want to get some good reviews so I can comparison shop.

[laurie]

I too, just signed up for a year to determine what water filtration unit I should buy. I am so disappointed to find NOTHING. Please review this important topic ASAP. Please email me to let me know when you will have this information.