Water Filter Comparison: Which Type Is Right for You?
~7 min read · Cost-per-gallon math · Updated May 2026
💡 First, the honest disclaimer
Tap water is safe in most US cities. If your city water meets EPA standards (and you can check at ewg.org/tapwater by entering your zip code), filtering is about taste and removing specific contaminants — not survival. Don't let fear-based marketing convince you otherwise.
That said, a water filter eliminates the need for bottled water, which saves money and prevents hundreds of plastic bottles from hitting the landfill each year. A family spending $6/week on bottled water spends $312/year. Every filter on this list costs less than that.
The Four Types
| Type | Upfront | Filter Cost | Capacity | Cost/Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitcher (Brita) | $25–35 | $7/2 months | 40 gal/filter | $0.18 |
| Countertop (Berkey) | $280–350 | $60/year | 6,000 gal/pair | $0.02 |
| Faucet-mount (PUR) | $20–30 | $15/3 months | 100 gal/filter | $0.15 |
| Under-sink (APEC) | $180–250 | $50/year | ~600 gal/set | $0.04 |
| Bottled water | $0 | N/A | N/A | $1.00–2.00 |
Every filter type costs a fraction of bottled water. The question is which one fits your kitchen, your budget, and your patience level.
Our Picks by Type
Brita Everyday Pitcher (10-Cup)
Low commitment, no installation, fits in any fridge. Filters last 2 months and reduce chlorine, mercury, copper, zinc, and cadmium. Not the most thorough filtration but more than enough for municipal water that's already safe. The easiest possible entry point.
Check Price on Amazon →Berkey Water Filter (Big Berkey 2.25 gal)
Gravity-fed, no electricity, no plumbing needed. The Black Berkey elements filter virtually everything — bacteria, viruses, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, chlorine. Filters last 3,000 gallons each (6,000 per pair). At $0.02/gallon, it's the cheapest long-term option. The high upfront cost pays for itself within a year vs bottled water.
Check Price on Amazon →APEC WFS-1000 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis
If you want the most thorough filtration possible and don't mind a 30-minute installation, reverse osmosis is it. Removes 99% of contaminants including fluoride, arsenic, lead, and nitrates. Filter set lasts a year. You get a dedicated filtered water tap on your sink.
Check Price on Amazon →Cost vs Bottled Water (Family of 4)
| Year 1 | Year 2 | 5-Year Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled water | $312 | $312 | $1,560 |
| Brita pitcher | $70 | $42 | $238 |
| Berkey | $310 | $30 | $430 |
| APEC under-sink | $250 | $50 | $450 |
🌱 The "good enough" note
If your tap water tastes fine, you don't need a filter at all — just a reusable bottle. If you're buying bottled water primarily for taste, a $28 Brita pitcher eliminates that expense overnight. Start there. Upgrade later if you want to.