Water filters will filter out any bacteria and impurities from your water, ensuring that it is safe for you and your family to drink. There are four main types of water filters that are available for residential use, all of which offer a number of different benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the differences between these four types of water filters allows you to choose the water filter that best fits your needs.

Pitcher Water Filters: Water pitchers that have a water filter installed in the top can filter out water before you drink it. These types of water filters are the most common, and are available in a plethora of styles and sizes. The cost of a pitcher water filter upfront is very low, but due to the fact that it has to be replaced fairly regularly, which means that you have a running cost that will continually add up over time. Furthermore, pitcher water filters are not as effective at removing chemicals and contaminants from your water as other types of water filters are.

Faucet-Mounted Water Filters: Mounted directly on the end of your faucet or tap, this type of water filter is much more effective than pitcher water filters, and the filter itself has to be changed less regularly. The filter can be turned on and off as needed on most models. However, faucet-mounted water filters do not fit on all models of taps, and can restrict the flow of water through the faucet itself.

On-Counter Water Filters: Located on the counter and connected directly with the faucet, on-counter water filters often employ more than one kind of water filtration to ensure effective filtering of drinking and cooking water. The filter rarely has to be changed, and provides a constant and large flow of filtered water. However, installation costs may be high, and a plumbing modification may be needed in order to actually install the filter.

Under Sink Water Filters: Mounted underneath the sink and connected directly to the water supply, under sink water filters provide a constant supply of filtered water, similar to on-counter water filters, but without taking up any counter space. The filters rarely have to be changed, and most models have a switch that allows you to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. However, under sink water filters tend to be the most expensive type of water filters, and may require a plumbing modification to install.