9 Best Water Filters for Safer, Better-Tasting Water

Brita’s 10-cup pitcher easily fits in the fridge and is proven to get rid of chlorine (for better-tasting and -smelling water) plus some heavy metals. Our pros like that you can swap its filter with a Longlast one that also removes lead and other substances — and lasts for up to six months. An indicator in the lid lets you know when it’s time to replace it.

Capacity: 10 cups

This under the sink system requires a little more effort upfront to install, but once you do, you’ll get filtered water for up to six months with zero effort. It filters out chlorine, heavy metals, cysts, herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, and more. Not to mention, it’s the one GH Environmental Sciences Lab director, Birnur Aral, Ph.D. has in her own home! 

“I use filtered water for absolutely everything from cooking to coffee-making, so tabletop water filters can’t keep up with my use,” she says. “With this one, there’s no need to refill any carafes or tanks.”

Capacity: 800 gallons 

Great to keep in your gym bag or bring on a trip, Brita’s 20-ounce bottle makes quick work of filtering chlorine wherever you are. It improves odor and taste as you sip (the filter is in the straw), so you don’t have to wait to hydrate. While not designed to remove lead or other harmful chemicals, it’s lightweight (even when full) and offers a leak-proof design.

Capacity: 20 oz.

ZeroWater’s pitcher filters out chlorine to help water water smell and taste better, and removes any lead that it could have picked up from pipes along the way to your kitchen. The coolest thing about this one? It’s designed with a spigot below the handle to dispense water with just the push of a button! Keep in mind: It took some time to filter a full pitcher in Lab tests.

Capacity: 10 cups

If you’re primarily concerned with your water’s taste and smell, this 10-cup plastic pitcher is perfect. It filters out the substance so your water will smell and taste better. Our pros like that the small pitcher filters in seconds and has an indicator on the lid that lets you know when it’s time to change the filter. 

Capacity: 12 cups

If you’re a traveler who wanders off the beaten track this should be your go-to bottle. Not only does it remove lead, it also filters out organisms you might find in a dirty stream or a fountain or faucet you don’t trust (think viruses and cysts). We found it took a little bit of force to press the top which activates filtering, but once you get it, it works quickly. While it’s heavier than some other bottles when filled, its filtering power and dishwasher-safe design make it worth it.

Capacity: 16 oz.

If you want a pitcher that looks as great as it works, this glass carafe is super chic. It filters out chlorine for better-tasting and -smelling water. It took a little extra time to filter in our Lab tests, so be sure to fill it before guests arrive. Our pros also recommend getting a bottle brush to help make cleaning it easier.

Capacity: 6 cups

This pitcher is great for filtering lead and chlorine from your water. While it didn’t filter instantly, our Lab experts found it worked faster than others we looked at. It took a little time to set up the filter, but we were impressed at how lightweight the pitcher is, even when full.

Capacity: 7 1/2 cups

Create the ultimate water station on your counter with this Brita unit. It removes the widest range of contaminants of all our winners and comes with an 18-cup slow-flow spigot dispenser. We were impressed by how much it’s certified to filter — even copper and mercury. It was also the fastest in our test, working through 16 ounces in just half a minute. The mobile app is great for tracking usage and filter status.

Capacity: 18 cups