Your Water Filter Comparison Guide

You've decided to buy a home water filter and you're ready to do a water filter comparison. This guide to filtration systems gives you a quick overview of common water filters. You also have the option to read more information about the different types of water filter systems available on the market today.

Many people are confused about the difference between a water purifier and a water filter, when initially doing a water filter comparison.

Generally speaking you won't need to use a water purifier in your home. The difference between a water filter and a water purifier is that water filters only filter the water, whilst water purifiers filter and sterilize the water and render bacteria and viruses inactive.

Take a moment to perform a water filter comparison by manufacturer. Common brands such as Aquasana, Amway, Shaklee, PUR and Brita are compared according to their contaminant reduction capabilities, system price and replacement part costs in a year. (Link opens a pdf document in a new window.)

Water filter comparison

This guide assists you in doing a quick water filter comparison as there are many different types of filtration systems. Take a moment to follow the blue links embedded on this page. You will find easy to understand, indepth information to assist you during your water filter comparison.

• Carbon water filters can be either carbon block or granular activated carbon (GAC). They are the most common style of countertop and under the sink systems. 0.5-1 micron carbon block water filters have a higher contaminant removal ratio than GAC water filters.
  Advantage:
  Removes chlorine, lead, trihalomethane, chlorinated hydrocarbons, benzene, radon, solvents, pesticides, bad tastes and odors from water.
  Disandavantage:
  Not effective in removing bacteria or viruses. GAC must be changed regularly to avoid bacterial growth and maintain effective filtration.

• KDF water filters consist of high-purity copper-zinc grains that purify water when it flows through the grains. A good water filter uses copper-zinc or KDF in combination with other filtration media such as carbon.
  Advantage:
  Chlorine, chlorine disinfection by-products and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic) are removed. Prolongs the life of a carbon filter and creates an almost bacteria free environment. White scale build up is prevented by changing electronic structure of the hardness ions.
  Disadvantage:
  Organic contaminants and fluoride are not removed. Some sources say fluoride is deactivated.

• Multimedia filters generally consist of carbon block or GAC combined with KDF or the patented ATS.
  Advantage:
  Carbon and KDF work together to remove or reduce traces of contaminants such as chlorine, lead, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cysts, synthetic chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), MTBE, pesticides (lindane, atrazine), chemicals linked to cancer (benzene, TTHMs, toxaphene), turbidity and hundreds of other chemical contaminants that may be present causing bad taste and odors in your drinking water.
  Disadvantage:
  Fluoride, bacteria and viruses are not removed.

• Reverse Osmosis, or hyperfiltration, purifies water as it is pushed through a membrane with minute pores. Many bottled water companies use reverse osmosis to purify their water. Reverse osmosis should have a carbon pre-filter to remove VOCs.
  Advantage:
  Removes chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria, cysts and viruses.
  Disadvantage:
  Water is wasted. 3 parts water is discarded for every 1 part water obtained. Many synthetic chemicals (herbicides and pesticides) are smaller than water and cannot be removed unless a carbon pre-filter is used. Minerals required for good health, such as calcium and magnesium, are removed.

• Home water distillers produce purified water by boiling it in a boiling chamber. The vaporised steam transfers to a cooling chamber where it condenses and becomes a liquid again.
  Advantage:
  Sparkling clean soft water is produced that is free from chlorine, cysts, calcium, magnesium, bacteria and heavy metals such as lead. Hard scale mineral build up is reduced in appliances.
  Disadvantage:
  Volatile organic chemicals and trihalomethanes aren't removed. Distilled water isn't recommended for drinking because it is acidic, devoid of dissolved oxygen and minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are essential for wellbeing.

• UV water purification dinsinfects water instead of filtering it.
  Advantage:
  Ultraviolet water purification is very cost effective and destroys 99.99 % of harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. UV filters do not add chemicals to the water and therefore do not produce disinfection by-products.
  Disadvantage:
  Ineffective in turbid or murky water as the uv rays are prevented from reaching and disinfecting harmful microorganisms. UV water purification systems do not filter water and therefore do not remove any toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or other contaminants.

• Ozone water purification system is a treatment technology often used in place or in addition to chlorination by municipal water treatment systems.
  Advantage:
  The addition of chlorine as a disinfectant is significantly reduced in the presence of ozone, thus improving the the taste of water. Bacteria, viruses and protozoa are rapidly destroyed.
  Disadvantage
  Not cost-effective on a large scale. Ozone technology for the home is in its infancy stages and refinement of this technology is still required.

• Ceramic water filters are constructed of ultra fine ceramic with a filtration efficiency of 0.9 microns absolute as water is forced mechanically through its pores.
  Advantage:
  Removes or significantly reduces harmful parasites such as cryptosporidium and gardia (99.95% reduction), bacteria and particulate matter.
  Disadvantage:
  THMs (trihalomethanes), VOCs, mercury, endocrine disrupters, chlorine, pesticides and heavy metals are not removed by ceramic water filters. They are usually combined with a carbon filter to remove these contaminants.

• Water Softeners soften water by removing minerals that cause the water to be hard. Softeners put sodium ions into the water, in exchange for removing calcium and magnesium; thus making the water soft.
  Advantage:
  The negative effects of magnesium on pipes and laundry is reduced.
  Disadvantage:
  Softeners are not water filters or purifiers and do not remove chemical contaminants. This water is not recommended for drinking.

• Pitchers and Carafe Style Filters are a quick and easy option for consumers who wish to filter their tap water.
  Disadvantage:
  Basic pitcher water filters remove less than 75% chlorine and less than 95% lead. Cysts are generally not removed. Pitchers are quite inconvenient if large amounts of water are consumed, as there is only a capacity for 2-3 quarts (2-3 litres) of water.

• Boiling is the age old home remedy to make water safe. At times aboil water order is issued by public health officials when there is a concern that a disaster or other event has the potential to contaminate the water supply.
  Advantage:
  Boiling water kills bacteria, parasites and disperses chlorine as well as VOCs.
  Disadvantage:
  Boiling should not be used when toxic metals such as lead and mercury, asbestos, pesticides, solvents, or nitrates have contaminated the water. Boiling may actually concentrate these harmful contaminants.

Home-Water-Filter-Guide has done its own water filter comparison, and we highly recommend a multi-media water filter. Most people use municipal water, therefore the need for uv sterilization and ceramic water filtration is minimal. Reverse Osmosis and distillation remove many contaminants, yet also remove the essential trace minerals of calcium and magnesium. The combination of KDF and carbon in a multi-media filter is simply a winning combination and provides water that is clean, safe and tastes great.

When doing a water filter comparison, certain attributes must be present in any filter you are considering to purchase. Look for these criteria when you do a water filter comparison. It will mean the difference between a good water filter and an excellent water filter.