The top 5 whole house water filter systems for 2022 and which is best for clean, mineral-rich water for kitchen, laundry, and bathing.
Most of us, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, are consuming water that contains the residue of treated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, fluoride, disinfectants, and their byproducts, as well as storm runoff. Growing awareness of the problem is why more consumers are seeking whole house water filter options.
For those on municipal water, about 80% of Americans, the water is treated in most instances with a variety of chemicals such as disinfectants like chlorine, chloramines, as well as acid neutralizers and more. These chemical disinfectants also cause the creation of disinfection by-products known as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAA).
In addition, most of the country (210 million Americans), now have their municipal water fluoridated without the consent of the homeowner. Fluoride is a nasty chemical derived from the fertilizer industry as a waste product from its manufacturing process. All of these chemicals have been shown to have deleterious health effects including reduced IQ in children.
Wells vs City Water
For those on private well water, like my family, the situation can be even more problematic. Wells are often the source of water contaminated with modern agricultural products including fertilizers, glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup and pesticides. It can also contain high levels of bacteria such as E-coli, can have excess calcium and magnesium contributing to hard water, rust that discolors laundry and bathrooms, and be very toxic with heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury and more.
That’s the bad news.
The great news is that excellent water filtration technologies do exist today that empower you to take charge and start making your home a better place for you and your family to gain true peace of mind. Some water technologies and solutions are better than others, however!
The best water filter solutions are known as Whole House Water Systems or Point-of-Entry Systems. They are perfectly suited for those looking to address water problems before the water enters the home. Thus, all water is cleaned whether for cooking, drinking, laundry, bathing, or watering the vegetable garden. This means that every faucet in the home (and even outside faucets) delivers clean, safe, great-tasting water!
5 Whole House Water Filter Options
Following is a discussion of the various whole house water filtration choices available to you today including the advantages and disadvantages of each. The best option is discussed at the end.
Sediment Filters
A budget-friendly unit that most homes would benefit from as it physically removes particulates from the water before entering your home’s plumbing.
Advantages: Inexpensive and easy to install for those with lots of sand, silt or dirt in their water.
Disadvantages: Ineffective in removing chemicals, bad taste, odor or any other contaminants.
Softeners
For those homes with hard water, a salt-based softener can mitigate the effects. However, these systems are limited in that they do not provide any removal or filtration of chemical contaminants. Many people find a water conditioner to be superior to a softener because a conditioner requires no salt, no backwashing, no electricity, and no maintenance.
Advantages: Both softeners and conditioners are effective in addressing concerns with high levels of water hardness caused by excesses in calcium, magnesium or iron.
Disadvantages: Softeners are ineffective in removing chemicals, bad taste or odor. They can contribute to high levels of sodium or potassium to the water. They also require regular maintenance.
Granular Activated Carbon Filter
A basic, entry-level whole house water system utilizing a single type of filtration media.
Advantages: Effective in removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts as well as eliminating bad taste and odor.
Disadvantages: Ineffective in removing many chemicals including chloramines and fluoride. It does not lessen the effects of heavy metals.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
RO Systems purify water through multiple stages usually including sediment filtration, ultraviolet light, deionization and the use of pre- and post-carbon filters in conjunction with the use of a reverse osmosis membrane.
Advantages: Effective in removing a wide spectrum of contaminants to produce very pure water.
Disadvantages: Very expensive. It requires lots of space. Wastes water. Takes out valuable minerals. Not optimal for fermentation or making kombucha or water kefir.
Mixed Media Filtration System (BEST Whole House Water Filter)
A mixed media whole house system utilizes a blend of highly effective and well-tested types of water filtration media typically formulated within a single cylindrical tank. It connects directly to the incoming plumbing to affect the entirety of your home’s water.
This whole house system is my vetted pick for the best quality!
For those also looking for the optimal in kitchen water purification, you would pair the whole house water filter with this biocompatible purification system.
Advantages: Effective in removing chlorine, chlorine by-products, heavy metals, fluoride, and bad taste and odor, all within a single tank. It can be customized to address special issues with well water. It will last for many years (up to 1,000,000 gallons) and is maintenance-free.
Disadvantages: More of an investment but well worth it in the long run especially since it is maintenance-free.
Do You Have a Whole House Water Filter Yet?
What are your water concerns based on the area you live? Have you installed a whole house water system yet? Is your water fluoridated? Are you concerned about pharma drugs and gut destroying glyphosate residues in your water like I am? What’s your story?
Clean pure water has been a huge system but I’ve never thought of the whole house! I’m afraid to even mention to my husband because of the expense! I’ve looked into the Berkey filter for my kitchen and drinking water…that might be a good place to start! Thought it would be awesome to get that mixed media system!!!
Your info is right on.
Believe we can assist in tech or health aspects regarding Water and Air, as these are our passion.
Too many people are’sick’ and can’t figure out why! Simple, not drinking enough good safe water or Breathing Pure Fresh Air
Hi Sarah. We recently put in a whole house filter and a softener. We still have an RO in the kitchen to filter out the salt. I have been adding Concentrace Trace mineral drops to our drinking water to address the issue of mineral depletion from the RO. I don’t know if you are familiar with these drops, but the list of minerals are extensive (close to 70) and when I recently read the fine print they listed several heavy metals. What are your thoughts on trace mineral supplements? Are they safe? Is there a better alternative to remineralize our RO water that is not super costly (my husband hasn’t yet recovered from our whole house filter and softener bill)! Thank you!
I am buying the radiant life whole house filter. I was about to also order the under the sink 14 stage filter system. However, I was concerned about he PH being too alkaline. I’ve read that the PH of water should be between 6-8 to mimic the ph of the water in nature-with 6.5 being the ideal ph of the best healing water in nature. The Ph on the 14 stage system is between 8-9. This article raises concern about the alkaline water systems. mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/11/alkaline-water-interview.aspx. What are your thoughts about this? I like the 14 stage system in many other ways. But I am concerned about the negative health effects laid out in the article of drinking water that is too alkaline, especially for my growing children.
Hi Sarah, We have the Mixed Media Filtration system and it is wonderful. It is well worth the money.
Sarah have you researched the portable filtration systems that don’t depend on electricity and can be used while camping travelling etc at least for emergencies. I recently purchased a Coldstream portable system which apparently filter reports comparisons showed were better than the Berkeley systems and cheaper and better built. I’m in the UK by the way so not sure if they have stock over there. osmiowater.co.uk/water-filters/in-line-water-filter-systems/portable-counter-top-water-filters/coldstream-sentry-gravity-water-filter-system.html
Hi Sarah,
I’m currently in the market for a whole of house water filtration system. We drink rainwater collected off our roof. My concern lies around pesticide and herbicide residue, as we live in the direct flight path of arial agricultural contractors, who I suspect have dumped the last of their load on the way back to their depot on occasion! (I also, as a university graduate, worked in the agrichemical industry, and know how these guys work, so it wouldn’t surprise me to find some residue in my drinking water, if I were to pay the $300 to test a water sample.)
Do you think there would need to be special filtration systems to ensure all pesticide/herbicide residue is filtered out of my drinking water?
Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated, as I value your thoughts on topics relating to health and wellbeing.
Most water today no matter where the source has all kinds of toxic residues in it … even water in pristine areas is testing polluted these days. I would suggest saving the money on the testing that will likely tell you what you already suspect and just put it toward a water system!
I am interested in a whole house water filtration system and thought you may have suggested brands/models in your article but didn’t see it. Can you share a few good whole house water filtration systems that we may want to start looking at?
This is the whole house system I recommend. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/go/house-water-system/ There are several sizes and types depending on how much water you need to have filtered in a daily basis and the type of water (municipal or well) you have.
Hello, I’m not clear, with the best whole house filter do you then need to buy both the whole house system and a biocompatible purification system? what is each of them doing?
Thank you
Cherine
If you have an old house, the pipes within the home could potentially recontaminate the water as it comes out of the tap in the kitchen, which is why filtering at the tap in the kitchen for drinking/cooking is a good idea (this is what the biocompatible system is). The whole house system is great for cleaning the water coming into the house for bathing, laundry, and for watering the vegetable garden/livestock/pets. Sorry if that was confusing!
I know this article is about whole house filters, but I’m surprised you didn’t mention a Berkey as a good budget friendly option.
Berkey isn’t a whole house system, which is what this review focuses on. Also, Berkey doesn’t connect to the tap .. you have to pour the water into it which is inconvenient IMO. We have a Berkey, but it is is the closet for emergencies if the water gets shut off or we don’t have electricity (we are on a well). In those situations, we could pour water from our freshwater lake into the Berkey and have drinkable water in a pinch. Otherwise, I find it too bulky on the counter for everyday use. I like my filter under the kitchen sink that connects directly to the plumbing.