Under Sink vs Faucet (Tap) Water Filter: Which is Better?

When it comes to water filters, there are two main ways to go: under sink or faucet (tap) water filter. Though both have their benefits, choosing one over the other is a big decision.

That’s why we’re comparing under sink vs faucet water filter below so you can understand the differences and make a more informed choice.

Faucet Water Filters 

Commonly known as a tap water filter, a faucet water filter ensures that you get a clean drinking water supply in your kitchen. Faucet water filters remove impurities and harmful contaminants from tap water, including heavy metals like lead, viruses, and bacteria, among others. 

These filters also encourage hydration, and they protect the environment as they reduce your need to buy plastic water bottles for drinking water. 

Moreover, these filters also remove unpleasant tastes and odors from water, making it healthier and taste much better than tap water. It would be best if you replaced their filters at regular intervals to ensure they work properly and don’t get damaged over time. 

How do Faucet Filters Work? 

As soon as you turn your faucet filter on, the tap water is made to flow through a non-woven screen inside the filter. This screen performs the job of trapping sediments such as dirt, dust, and sand. 

Then, the water passes through a compressed block of zeolite and carbon. Carbon granules have several pores on their surface. This sponge-like block gets rid of numerous chemicals, including chlorine. 

In this step, it is better if the water flows slowly as this allows carbon to come in contact with more chemicals and eliminate them completely. Then, the water gets ready for you to use. 

Pros of Faucet Filters 

• One of the most significant advantages of a faucet filter is its easy installation process. Most of these filters easily get attached to the faucet head and get ready to start working.
• As it is incredibly easy to install faucet filters, you don’t need to hire a professional to do the job for you. This means that you save up on paying the installation charges. Moreover, it is also easy to detach them, so you can stop them from filtering water at any point in time. 
• Faucet filters are usually cheaper than under-sink water filters, which makes them the right option if you are under a budget. 

Cons of Faucet Filters 

• While these filters are great devices, they may not last for many years. In addition, these filters can break easily and get ruined if hot water flows through them. Hence, they are not durable. 
• The filter cartridges of a faucet filter need to be changed much more often than under-sink water filters. If there are three people in your house, you will probably have to replace the cartridges every month. However, it may vary depending upon your usage. 
• Oftentimes mixer taps aren’t made to handle the additional weight, and therefore, these filters specifically exclude the liability of any such issue in their warranty. 
• These filters don’t specify what all impurities they eliminate, and hence, it can be tricky to determine whether the faucet filter you are buying is good or not. 

Under Sink Water Filters

Under-sink water filters are found under the sink or counter of your kitchen. These filters get installed under the sink, which saves up a lot of kitchen space. This feature of under-sink water filters makes them unique and stand out from their counterparts. 

These filters remove most of the harmful contaminants found in tap water. They are commonly installed in homes, and they are well-known for their efficiency and effectiveness. They can be moved easily, and their installation process is fairly easy. 

How do Under Sink Water Filters work? 

The functioning of an under-sink water filter is very simple. After you tap on their faucet, these filters give out clean drinking water. Then, the water enters the filter directly via the water lines of your house, and it gets filtered in no time. 

Then, the water makes an exit through a pipe and comes out of the tap. These filters don’t waste water and are suitable for the environment. 

Pros of Under Sink Water Filters 

• These filters are extremely effective as they eliminate most of the impurities from water. Apart from getting rid of dirt, dust, debris, foul taste & smell, bacteria, and viruses, under-sink water filters also remove Cryptosporidium and Giardia. 
• Some under-sink water filter models provide a vital scale reduction feature, especially in areas with a hard water supply. 
• Under-sink water filters are highly durable and have a longer lifespan than faucet water filters. Moreover, these filters are also very sturdy. 
• Because they have large filter cartridges, the filters of under-sink water filters only need to be replaced once a year. This means that you save up on money and time. These filters also have a higher flow rate of water. 

Cons of Under Sink Water Filters 

• Under-sink water filters demand initial purchase costs than faucet filters, and their cartridges cost more as well. This can make them an expensive option for some people. 
• The installation process of these filters is easy, but they require you to have some basic plumbing skills. If you don’t have the basic skills, you’ll have to hire a professional, which adds to installation costs. 
• Under-sink water filters are not as portable as faucet water filters. 

Conclusion — Under Sink vs Faucet Filters

With a thorough understanding of under-sink water filters and faucet water filters, you should be able to make the right decision by weighing their pros and cons and taking your preferences into consideration. 

We suggest you go through the article thoroughly to ensure that you pick the right option for your house.

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