If you need a new water filter and want to see the best inline water filters on the market today, then strap in because that’s what’s coming up next.
Considerations for the Best Inline Water Filters
1. Purpose
Inline filters are just that: water purifers that are plumbed into your existing supply line, much like water softeners are. They purify every drop of liquid that goes past it, but you’ll need to consider if you really want that. There’s no on or off option on an inline strainer. It’s always on.
Inline filters can be used as faucet purifiers or for specific appliances. You’ll need to examine your drinking situation and see what you really are looking for. But remember: if you purify every drop of liquid that comes through your kitchen faucet, you’ll need to replace the strainer often.
2. Location
You’ll need to figure out where you can mount these bad boys. They generally are around 10 inches long or so and aren’t lightweight. If the unit comes with mounting hardware, use it. If it doesn’t come with mounting hardware, get some. Make sure there’s enough room around the purifier for you to both install it and change the strainer.
3. Replacement Cost
While most of the inline purifiers we highlight on this list are fairly simple, you’ll still want to take a look at the annual cost of replacing the purifier according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and the costs involved.
Our Top Picks for the Best Inline Water Filters of 2018
Time for our best picks. Make sure the one you choose is matched with the application you’re choosing it for. Some are intended as faucet purifier, some as appliance strainers.
Getting the wrong kind is going to mean either returns or lots of adaptors.
The Nahla Pure Premium Under Sink Direct Connect Inline Filter
Summary:
- Filters: 99.99% of all contaminants (VOC’s, lead, heavy metals, chlorine, etc.)
- Lifespan: 10,000 gallons
- Size: 13.8 x 6.2 x 4.6 inches
Features:
- 10,000 gallon life span.
- Direct connection to main faucet supply line.
- Cold water only.
If you’re looking for an inline water filter for a sink faucet, this is a formidable choice.
The Nahla Pure is made in the USA, has a 10,000 gallon lifespan and a simple direct connect to your ⅜ inch supply line. It also comes with a little clip that screws into the underside of your sink. The company’s not a highly established name yet, but they are doing a lot of things right.
The Nahla Pure claims to catch much more than the other filters: VOC, chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals. It also has a bacteriostatic component (read: silver) inside the purifier to keep bacteria growth to a minimum.
Drawbacks? There are a few.
- Municipal water only.
- Not NSF certified. In fact, not certified by any regulatory or standardization body at all.
- If you’re using it in your kitchen sink, don’t expect to get the three years they claim. If you wash dishes by hand once a day, you’d use up the lifespan of this purifiers in less than three years.
One more thing — the Nahla’s the most expensive on this list at around double the price of the next lowest priced purifier.
PROS
- Longest straining life.
- Direct connection straight into your supply line means all your water is purified.
- Claims to filter 99.99% of all contaminants.
CONS
- No replacement strainer available.
- If you’re using it as an inline under-the-sink purifier, you’re not going to get anywhere close to 3 years.
- Highest-priced strainer on our list.
Best suited for: Someone who wants every drop of liquid filtered.
Summary:
- Filters: Reduces cysts, lead, asbestos, sediment, Class I particulates, and chlorine taste and odor
- Lifespan: 750 gallons or six months
- Size: 2 x 10 x 2 inches
Features:
- Twist-and-lock purifier design results in easy purifier changes.
- Easy friction fit water line installation.
- NSF/ANSI certified.
Looking for an inline purifier for just your coffeemaker/espresso machine/ice maker/refrigerator? The GE SmartWater might be a good choice.
It fits ¼ inch plastic or copper supply lines and is compatible with pretty much any machine that has those lines. It’s got a 750 gallon lifespan, or about six months for the average family.
What does it purify out? Pretty much everything, including Class 1 particulates, yet still allows fluoride to slide on through. Unlike the Nahla Pure, its NSF and ANSI certified.
If you need an appliance filtration system, the GE SmartWater Inline Filter System is a good choice.
PROS
- Easy installation and purifier replacement.
- 6 months is a reasonable lifespan for a house purifier.
- Can be installed horizontally if you need to squeeze it in.
CONS
- OEM replacement purifier price is higher than unit price.
- May need a garden hose washer on top of purifier to prevent leaks.
- Never let it freeze.
- No documentation about the strainer media.
Best suited for: Someone looking for a reasonably priced workhorse filter that can be used for a variety of appliances.
Summary:
- Filters: Reduces rust, sediment, cysts, chlorine taste and odor
- Lifespan: 2000 gallons or six months
- Size: 4 x 6.8 x 14 inches
Features:
- No reduced water flow.
- Can be used inline with appliances or with your kitchen faucet.
- Internal shutoff valve and easy twist purifier replacements should keep mess to a minimum.
Looking for something from an established name? Take a look at the 3m Filtrete Undersink Water Filtration System. Easy to install? Check.
Take a look at this video to see how it’s done:
Gets rid of most contaminants? Check. Six month or 2000 gallon lifespan? Check. NSF certified? Not so much.
3M claims they’ve tested the filter, but the NSF has not. It’s something you should be aware of. According to 3M, the 3US-PS01 purifiers everything down to 0.5 microns, which is a very fine level of filtration.
PROS
- Strains down to the 0.5 micron level.
- Can be used for both appliances or as under sink faucet purifier.
- Easy installation and purifier replacement.
CONS
- Filtration claims certified by company only.
- Claims to not reduce water flow at all, but that is technically impossible.
- If installing in appliances, adaptors will be required.
Best suited for: Someone looking for an inline home purifier that is made by a widely known company.
Summary:
- Filters: Chlorine taste and odor, reduces scale buildup, improves liquid clarity
- Lifespan: 20,000 gallons. Say it with me. Twenty. Thousand. Gallons.
- Size: 10 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
Features:
- Brass connectors for secure fit.
- WQA tested and certified.
- 20,000 gallon lifetime.
The Watts Inline Filter: simple name, simple operation, but it does a lot of things right. A 20,000 gallon lifespan is huge considering this is not an under-the-sink purifier. It’s going to be sitting there, purifying water for your coffee machine, ice maker or other appliance for a long time. How long? The company says five years.
It’s got bacteriostatic properties so it doesn’t go all funky on you. It will get rid of the chlorine smell and taste as well as help reduce scale buildup. While it’s not NSF certified, it is certified by the Water Quality Association.
One thing to note — this is not for seriously dirty or contaminated liquid. It also says nothing about the purifier media other than it’s bacteriostatic. Would be nice to know what’s inside.
PROS
- Longest life of the filters on this list.
- Brass connectors provide a more secure connection than friction fit in the GE.
- Bacteriostatic — and needs it because it’s got a five year lifespan.
CONS
- Five years is long enough to forget about replacing it.
- Apparently does nothing to reduce Class 1 particulates.
- Installation kit sold separately.
Best suited for: Someone who already has clean water but wants to cut down on the chlorine taste in their coffee maker, ice maker, or in an RV.
Summary:
- Filters: Class III particulates, chlorine taste, and odor
- Lifespan: 3000 gallons
- Size: 4 x 4 x 12.5 inches
Features:
- EZ change filter promises simple twist-on and twist-off purifier replacement.
- Lowest priced unit on the list.
- 20,000 gallon lifetime.
Last but not least is the Culligan IC-EZ-1. It is similar to the GE SmartWater inline filter in that it has a housing that screws into the wall and the purifier plugs into that, making installation and filter replacement easy. It’s also NSF certified.
The Culligan claims to strainer Class III particulates. While that’s good, the GE goes farther, up to Class I. If you want your drink to smell and taste better, the Culligan is a good choice. If you want your h2o a lot cleaner than it is now, go with the GE.
What the Culligan has over the GE is this — 3000 gallon lifespan. That works out to something like three or four years. However, Culligan makes no bacteriostatic claims about this product.
PROS
- Low unit price and low replacement filter price.
- Easy replacement purifier.
- Can be mounted horizontally.
CONS
- Doesn’t purifier out as much as the GE.
- Head unit is a bit bulky, taking up more space for installation.
Best suited for: The person who already has pretty good supply but wants to get rid of a heavy chlorine taste or smell.
So, What is Our Favorite System?
Okay, we’re down to the wire and it’s a split decision simply because the inline home filters we looked at perform different functions.
For the straight-to-the-faucet route, we’re going to go with the 3m Filtrete. Sure, the Watts is WQA certified and has a longer lifespan. The Nahla has a massive lifespan as well. But the idea of not touching your house purifier for years and years somehow doesn’t sound right. While the Filtrete isn’t NSF or WQA or anybody else certified, 3M makes good products in our totally unbiased and unsubstantiated position.
For an inline water filter system that is dedicated to an appliance, refrigerator, or some such thing, we’re going with the GE SmartWater. It purifies out much more than the Culligan. It requires more frequent purifier replacement, but that’s not such a bad thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do inline water filters reduce water pressure?
Although it might seem like this question should have a straightforward answer, this is not the case. There are two primary things you need to keep in mind: they can cause a drop in water flow and water pressure, but they shouldn't.
A drop in pressure only occurs if the inline water filter is installed improperly or if you set it to be too powerful for your water flow, water hardness, impurities, and so forth, you'll quickly find that your water pressure is greatly reduced. We recommend hiring a professional to install any inline water filter for you.
How does an inline filter work?
Inline filters sit directly on the water line or appliance and the water passes through the filter before reaching the tap or appliance. Commonly used in households, this type of filtration is perfect for under-sink installations due to its small size. It's better than a whole-house water filter simply because of its size, making it ideal for smaller houses and apartments.
How long does an inline water filter last?
Even cheaper inline water filters can last you up to six months of continuous use. With such a small investment, you're getting a real bang for your buck, especially considering the fact that you're also saving up a lot of space that would otherwise be taken up by a whole-house water filter.
What happens if water filter is not changed?
Due to the buildup of hard minerals and other impurities, your water flow will decrease significantly. Not only that, but your filter won't be able to block out impurities nearly as much as it used to, thus increasing your risk of contamination. Always change out your filters when necessary, especially if the water starts to have a bad taste or smell. That's when you know it's reached its limit.
Final Thoughts
So there you have our picks for the best inline home filter system, both for your appliances and your kitchen sink. Or bathroom sink. Or whatever sink you choose to put an inline purifier in. They’re not that expensive and fairly easy to install. Why not get one for every sink in your house?
For other home filter products, you can visit this page to see more : www.watersoftenercritic.com/whole-house-filters-review