Water Filters: a simple guide (incl. fluoride)
Plain-English picks for better-tasting tap water, what to avoid, what to look for, and what to do if you want to reduce fluoride.
The 30-second take
- Want better taste? A simple jug/pitcher filter is fine.
- Want fewer nasties (lead etc.)? Go under-sink carbon block that’s independently certified.
- Want to reduce fluoride? Choose reverse osmosis (RO) or a special media (bone char / activated alumina). Most jugs don’t reduce fluoride.
- Shower water: a small shower filter can help with chlorine smell/dryness (not for fluoride).
Tip: Your local water report tells you what’s already in your tap. If unsure, basic home test kits are handy too.
Browse water test kits on Amazon ›
What to avoid (common gotchas)
- Vague claims like “purifies everything” with no proof. Look for independent certifications.
- Never changing filters. Old filters can make water taste worse. Put a reminder in your phone.
- Assuming all filters do the same thing. Different tech tackles different issues.
What to look for (kept simple)
- Independent certification (e.g., NSF/ANSI) = the maker’s claims were tested.
42 usually covers taste/odor (chlorine).
53 often covers certain heavy metals (e.g., lead).
58 relates to reverse osmosis systems. - Carbon block for taste/odor and some contaminants.
- RO or special media if you specifically want to reduce fluoride.
- Reasonable ongoing costs (replacement cartridges).
Fluoride: the short version
Fluoride is added to some water supplies. If you want less fluoride in your drinking water:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the most common home option. It also reduces lots of other dissolved stuff.
- Special media like bone char or activated alumina can reduce fluoride in some countertop/gravity systems.
- Most jugs/pitchers do not meaningfully reduce fluoride.
RO water can taste “flat.” Many systems offer a re-mineralization cartridge to add a little mineral back for taste.
See remineralization cartridges ›
Picks by need (easy options)
1) “Just better taste, please”
- Jug/Pitcher filters improve taste and smell (chlorine) and are the cheapest, lowest-effort step.
Browse water filter jugs ›
Tap-mounted filters (no plumbing) ›
2) “Cut the bad stuff more seriously”
- Under-sink carbon block systems give fast, good-tasting water at the tap and can target more than a jug. Look for independent certification and an easy install kit.
Browse under-sink filter kits ›
3) “I want to reduce fluoride”
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) under-sink systems are the simple, reliable way at home. Many include a tank and dedicated faucet.
Browse reverse osmosis systems › - Prefer countertop/gravity? Look for fluoride media add-ons (bone char / activated alumina).
Gravity systems with fluoride options ›
4) “My skin/hair hate chlorine in the shower”
- A shower filter can soften the chlorine smell/feel. It won’t make the water safe to drink and won’t meaningfully reduce fluoride, but many people notice nicer showers.
Browse shower filters ›
Upkeep (so it keeps working)
- Change filters on time. Mark your calendar when you install one.
Find replacement cartridges › - Taste changed suddenly? It’s often a sign the cartridge is done.
- Give housings a quick clean when you swap filters to avoid buildup.
Quick FAQ
Will a jug remove fluoride?
Usually no. For fluoride, choose RO or fluoride-specific media.
Is RO “too pure”?
RO reduces minerals along with contaminants. Some people like a re-mineralization stage for taste.
Whole-house vs. under-sink?
Whole-house treats all water (good for chlorine smell in showers), but for drinking, an under-sink unit is often the best value.