Having pure drinking water is a very important step toward maintaining good health, but these days there are more options for ensuring a clean, pure water source than ever before. In fact, there are several different kinds of water filtration systems available for home use including the water pitcher filter, faucet filters,undersink filters,and whole house filters.

But how do each of these water filtration systems work, and which models have been shown to be the best quality units to buy according to consumer review organizations and surveys?

Water pitcher filters are extremely easy and simple to use, as all you have to do is fill the pitcher up and and watch the water filter through. Their simplicity and portability make them a very popular choice for lots of consumers. According to information gleaned from several water filter reviews the PUR Ultimate Pitcher is rated very highly for removing off-tastes and many contaminants and cysts. The filter is able to handle up to 40 gal. before needing to be replaced at a cost of nine dollars each. The biggest drawback with water pitcher filters is that they take a while to actually work, about 15 minutes at a time. So if you need drinking water quicker than that, a different water filter system will be needed.

Faucet mounted water filters are very popular these days and you see them advertised almost everywhere. They are very easy to install for even the most technically challenged among us, and are much quicker than water pitcher filters. They mount on the end of your water faucet and allow you to choose between either straight tap water or filtered water by just flipping a lever. They are very inexpensive to buy and their filter cartridges usually last two to three months. One of the most highly rated models of faucet mounted water filters is the GE Smartwater GXFM03C, which performed extremely well in most tests for both off-tastes and pollutants. It is capable of filtering out down to .5 microns for contaminants, and also does very well on sediments and cysts.

Undersink water filters usually do a little better job than the water pitchers and faucet mounted filters. However, often professional installation will be desired unless you are extremely handy around the home. Some advantages of using undersink water filters are that the water flow is extremely good, and the filters only need to be changed about once every six months or so at a cost of $20 each. A very highly rated model of undersink water filter is the Kenmore Dual 38460. All consumer reviews and ratings of this particular product were extremely high, and it would most likely make an excellent selection.

Whole house water filters do just what the name implies, they provide water filtration for the entire home simultaneously without having to be installed at each individual water faucet. Many homeowners see that as a real advantage, however the biggest disadvantage would have to be the fact that these kind of water filters will most likely require the services of a professional plumber to install properly, adding to its overall expense. Once again, Kenmore makes a highly recommended model according to most consumer reviews, the 38440. It attaches to the water main and can provide filtered water not only for drinking but for bathing, laundry, and other uses as well. Water flow rates are exceptionally good, and filters only need to be changed about every six months at a cost of about $15 each.

By reading through consumer reviews and ratings, you can get a pretty good idea of which models seem to be performing best for most people. Hopefully the information we have provided here will help you choose a high-quality, reliable, water filtration system for your home.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find home water filter systems and water filter reviews by visiting our Home Improvement website.