The best water filters for softer, better-tasting water on tap

Score: 93/100

This slimline jug may be on the small side with a 1.3-litre filtered capacity, but thanks to its fast filtration (it takes just two minutes to filter 700ml), this shouldn’t be an issue – and it fits nicely into the fridge door. Pouring was easy and accurate with no drips, thanks to the jug’s well-shaped spout and lightweight design. We also loved how the clever lid design means it can be filled up without taking it off.

Our entire panel loved the flavour of the water filtered through this jug, describing it as ‘pleasant tasting with a slight sweetness’. This might be down to the filter’s ability to remove unwanted substances in tap water while still preserving the mineral salts that are actually good for you. You’ll have to change the filter every month, but the digital indicator will let you know when. A sleek, well-designed and affordable buy.

Score: 91/100

If you want your filter to remove all impurities from your tap water, you won’t do better than the Zerowater jug. Its five-stage filter was the only one we tested that brought our TDS (total dissolved solids) reading all the way down to zero. And don’t just take our word for it – the jug comes with a clever built-in TDS meter, which lets you check the water purity for yourself. Zerowater advises changing the filter when this reading creeps above 006, which is still extremely pure.

It was a bit slower to filter than others (just over four minutes for 700ml), but given the results, we didn’t mind the wait. The large capacity is also great for bigger households, and we love the option of having the dispenser tap on the back, which saves you from having to pick up a full jug.

Just be warned: the filters don’t come cheap (it’s £79.99 for six cartridges) and if you’re in a very hard water area, you might find yourself changing them quite often.

Score: 91/100

For those who don’t love the idea of keeping their water in plastic (or simply want a jug that looks and feels a little more premium), this glass design is an elegant solution. It works fast too, taking just over a minute to filter 700ml of tap water – the quickest we tested. With those speedy refills, we don’t mind that it’s on the small side, as this also means it takes up less fridge space.

Our testers didn’t love the flap on the opening for refilling, as it can make a bit of mess if your tap’s water pressure doesn't immediately open it. But the results were excellent, with our entire panel preferring the flavour of the water after filtering, which they described as ‘fresh and clean tasting'.

Score: 87/100

All filters are far more eco-friendly than buying bottled water – but if you’re concerned about throwing away plastic cartridges, BRITA is a good choice. The brand’s filters aren’t just cheap and widely available, but they can also be taken to over 1,900 recycling points across the UK. This glass jug is BRITA's most sustainable model yet, made of 60% recycled glass and 50% bio plastic, and delivered in plastic-free recycled packaging.

But how did it perform in testing? This filter was very effective at reducing impurities and softening the water, and most of our panel preferred the taste over tap. Our testers also liked the design of the jug, which feels premium, doesn’t drip and fits neatly into a fridge door. It’s not the fastest (it took four minutes to filter 700ml), and it's a little heavy due to the glass body – but overall, this a great buy that’s more eco-friendly than others.

Score: 83/100

With its three-litre filtered capacity, this extra-large jug is ideal for keeping the whole family hydrated. Our testers were impressed by its super-fast filtration speed (one and a half minutes to filter 700ml) and found it easy to pour water without drips or spills. Despite the size, it’s fairly light thanks to the glasslike Tritan plastic build – though a full jug will be hefty to pick up.

The Maxfor+ filter cartridges this jug uses are some of the cheapest we’ve seen, and have a fairly long lifespan of two months. They can also be recycled using Aquaphor’s free postal scheme. As for the performance, this filter was very effective at reducing impurities and was particularly good at reducing limescale.

Score: 80/100

Despite costing under £10 (and with cartridges at just £2 each), ASDA's budget water filter jug was a strong performer in our tests. We found the filter effective at softening tap water and removing impurities, with most of our panel preferring the filtered water over tap. It’s on the small side, but it’s very light and fits neatly in the fridge door.

On the downside, the spout dripped a bit, it’s slightly slow (it took four and a half minutes to filter 700ml), and the lid is a little tricky to lift off with one hand. The cartridge life indicator is also just a date reminder, so it doesn’t reflect how much water you’ve actually filtered. But overall, this is a fantastic budget buy if you don’t need any of the bells and whistles.

Score: 95/100

If you want your water filtered to a very high standard – and dispensed hot or chilled at the push of a button – then this high-scoring countertop filter could be well worth the investment. Our tests found that Waterdrop's reverse osmosis filtration system removes almost all the impurities from tap water, resulting in a taste our entire panel preferred. It takes just under four minutes to filter 700ml – not the fastest, but it won’t keep you waiting.

We appreciate the child lock to prevent hot water accidents, and the quiet ‘night mode’. Plus, there’s no plumbing-in required. On the downside, it did splash a little, and the filter generates waste water that has to be emptied. The tank is also a bit tricky to remove for refilling (you can’t just top it up with a jug). But overall, this water filter is a fantastic buy for those with the cash and countertop space to spare.

Score: 87/100

With this clever little water filter, there’s no need to keep refilling a jug – you simply screw it onto the end of your tap. Our testers were impressed by the filter’s discreet, seamless design, and it barely affects the water pressure of the tap. We like that there’s a small switch on the side to activate the filter, so you’re able to save it for things like drinking water instead of the washing up.

The filter itself performed well in testing, with a significant drop in substances detected in the filtered tap water. Most of our panel preferred the taste too, saying the flavour was ‘noticeably different’. There’s no indicator to tell you when the filter needs replacing, but you can subscribe to email reminders – and we love that the inner filter is biodegradable.

Score: 78/100

This under-sink water filter is by far the most low-maintenance solution we tested. Once you’ve set it up, your tap works as normal, giving you filtered water on demand with no change in pressure. All you need to do is change the cartridge, which screws on and off, once a year. You don’t even have to set a reminder, as the smart buzzer will tell you when it’s time for a new one.

Installation is a little fiddly, but you don’t need to be a plumber by any means – you'll just have to undo a few bolts (we recommend watching Water2’s video). As for the filtered water, we measured significantly reduced water hardness, and most of our panel preferred the ‘clean, neutral’ taste compared to tap.

Score: 77/100

This water filter is very easy to install, taking our tester just five minutes to screw onto the tap. Once it’s on, there’s a pin on the side to activate it – so you can either use your tap as you normally would, or you can direct water through the filter.

It does lower the water pressure (though the thin stream is great for filling bottles), and we weren’t big fans of the bulky plastic design. However, most of our panel preferred the flavour of the filtered water over tap, with one noting a ‘considerable change to the taste’, which was ‘very clean and fresh’.