Choosing the best water filters for drinking water can feel overwhelming with all the options out there. However, if you’re reading this, chances are you already know something isn’t quite right for you with your tap water — maybe it’s the taste, odour, or texture — and you’re ready to do something about it.
This guide will walk you through what to consider so you can choose the filter that’s best for you and your family. We’ll cover the different types of drinking water filters and highlight what really matters before you buy.
“My water tastes disgusting,” said a prospective customer when asked why she was looking for a water filter.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify what you want to change about your drinking water (taste, smell, etc.).
- Choose the best drinking water filter type that suits your lifestyle and needs.
- Consider ongoing costs like cartridge replacements.
- Look at reviews and after-sales support from the supplier.
Why Should You Consider Water Filters?
The taste of chlorinated or chemically treated water is off-putting to many people. When water doesn’t taste good, people tend to choose one of three paths:
- Drink less water, leading to dehydration
- Replace water with sugary drinks, potentially harming long-term health
- Buy bottled water, which comes with its own issues
Let’s take a closer look at each.
- Dehydration
It’s easy to become dehydrated — especially if you’re working at a desk or screen. Hours can pass without a sip of water. Chronic dehydration often creeps in once you stop feeling thirsty, even though your body still needs hydration.
The result?
- Brain fog
- Low energy
- Muscle fatigue
- Irregular heart rate
- Mistaken hunger cues
All of which can reduce productivity and self-confidence.
Turning to Sugary Drinks
According to this study on the effects of sugary drinks, regular consumption has well-documented risks:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of stroke
Replacing water with sugary drinks may satisfy taste preferences, but it comes at a cost to your long-term health.
Bottled Water: Not Always Better
Financial downside:
In 2020, Australians spent over $740 million on bottled water. At $3.50 a day, that adds up to $1,200 per person per year — or $4,800 per year for a family of four.
Compare that to a basic under-sink filter system:
Installed from $550 Maintained for just $110/year
That’s less than 5 cents per litre!
Health downside:
A litre of bottled water contains around 240,000 plastic particles, 90% of which are nanoplastics. The long-term effects on human health are still unclear — but definitely concerning.
Best Water Filtration System At Home
There’s a wide range of water filtration systems on the market — from simple jugs to more sophisticated under-sink and reverse osmosis systems. Understanding the basics will help you decide what will work for you.
Cartridge usage depends on number of people in the home and water quality.
Jug Filter for Drinking Water
- Portable, no installation
- Good for light use, improving taste and smell
- Cartridge lasts up to three months
Benchtop Filter for Drinking Water
- Sits on your benchtop and connects to your tap with a diverter
- Allows you to easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water
- Benchtop water filters provide filtered water on demand
- Ideal for renters or people who move frequently – quick and easy with no plumbing work
- Cartridge lasts up to six months
Under-Sink Filter for Drinking Water
- Installed under the kitchen sink with a dedicated filtered water tap
- Undersink water filters offer a clean, tidy solution with excellent flow and performance
- A good choice for households looking for daily convenience and aesthetic appeal
- Cartridges last 6-12 months. Always include a sediment, unless single cannister
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filter for Drinking Water
- Reverse Osmosis water filters offer premium-level filtration (removes up to 98% of particulates)
- Uses a semi-permeable membrane to separate out particulates smaller tyhan 0.0001 micron
- Includes a separate line for waste water in the process
- Some systems have only carbon cartridge post-membrane – this delivers water with no minerals
- To re-activate the water, post-membrane reactivation cartridges must be included. These can include mineral, alkaline and oxygenation cartridges
- Cartridges last up to 12 months and membrane up to 2 years
“Since we installed our RO system, the water tastes so smooth.”
What to Consider When Choosing a Filter for Drinking Water
Your Household’s Water Use
Think about your daily water usage — not just for drinking, but also for cooking and filling kettles or bottles. Higher usage means more frequent replenishment of the Jug Filter and cartridge replacement. Filters attached to the tap or undersink vary in running costs, offset by efficiency.
What You Want to Remove
Different cartridges are designed to target different particulates:
- Sediment filters remove dirt, sand, rust
- Carbon filters reduce chlorine, odours, and improve taste
- Specialty filters remove fluoride, heavy metals, PFAS, microplastics and more
If chlorine taste is your biggest issue, a carbon filter may be enough. However, for more comprehensive filtration, consider a system like reverse osmosis.
Budget and Maintenance
Filters range from $30 jugs to $1,000+ multi-stage systems. Also consider the following:
- Cartridge replacement costs and frequency
- System lifespan
- Ease of DIY maintenance
Sometimes spending a bit more upfront can save you more in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Good-tasting water doesn’t need to be a luxury — it can be part of everyday life. Whether you’re simply looking to improve the taste of your tap water or want peace of mind about what’s in your glass, there’s a filter that’s right for you.
Contact Us at WestOz Water Filters and a friendly Staff Member will be able to provide tailored advice that considers your needs, your water habits, and your budget with no extra cost.
Empowering You to Filter Your Own Water
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what filter for drinking water is best for my needs?
Figuring out the best water filter for your home depends on a few things. First, you need to know what you want removed from your water. Once you know what you want removed, you can choose a filter that’s good at removing those specific things. Also, think about how much water your family uses and how much money you want to spend. This blog is a review of drinking water filters for the kitchen. A whole house water filter also provides filtered water to suit your household needs.
Do water filters for drinking water remove taste and odour from tap water?
Yes, many water filters can make your tap water taste and smell much better. This is especially true for filters that use activated carbon. These filters are great at soaking up things that cause bad tastes and smells, like chlorine. So, if your water has a strange flavour or odour, a good filter can usually sort that out, making your water much more pleasant to drink.
How do filters for drinking water work?
Water filters work in different ways to clean your water. Some use a physical barrier, like a very fine mesh, to catch tiny particles. Others use a chemical process, like activated carbon, which acts like a sponge to absorb impurities. There are also filters that use a process called reverse osmosis, which pushes water through a super-fine membrane, leaving most particulates behind. The goal is always to trap or get rid of the unwanted particulates, giving you more pleasant tasting water to drink.
Can filters for drinking water address hard water issues?
The only drinking water filter that addresses hard water issues is a reverse osmosis water filter. While other water filters are brilliant at cleaning up your drinking water, they usually don’t fix hard water problems. Hard water is when your water has too much calcium and magnesium carbonates, which can cause limescale build-up in kettles and pipes. For hard water, you really need a water softener. This device uses a different method to remove those minerals. So, if you have hard water and want to protect your appliances, you’d likely need both a water filter for drinking and a water softener for your whole house.
How often should I change my drinking water filter cartridge(s)?
The lifespan of a water filter cartridge varies quite a bit, depending on the type of filter, how many people in the home, the taste of water being filtered and how much water you use. In Perth, smaller cartridges, like those in a jug, might need changing every month or two. Cartridges in undersink filters can last anywhere between six and twelve months. It’s important to check the instructions that come with your specific filter, as changing cartridges on time ensures the filter keeps working properly.
Does drinking water filters remove bacteria and viruses?
Yes, but not all! Having said that, WA Water Corporation ensures the exact amount of chlorine is added to our municipal water for safe drinking. Specific rain water filters are designed to remove harmful bacteria and viruses, making your water much safer to drink. Look for filters that are certified to remove biological particulates, often using very fine micron cartridges, like 0.5micron bacteriostatic carbon or UV light. These types of filters are particularly important for ensuring your drinking water is free from potential illness-causing microorganisms.