Water Filter Pitcher vs Faucet Filters: Which to Choose?

It’s pretty common to hear someone say they can’t stand the taste of city water. Not all tap water is equal, and some sources taste better than others. More importantly, tap water often contains¹ trace amounts of contaminants that you’d probably prefer not to consume. Some of them can even have nasty consequences if ingested in large volumes. Of course, water filtration can be pretty expensive, which is why many people use smaller systems that are more cost-effective.

Two of the most popular affordable water filtration systems are water filter pitchers and faucet filters. While they provide pure, healthy drinking water free of unwanted substances, they each have positives and drawbacks. Let’s compare them and determine which one is best for each situation.

Water Filter Pitchers

If you want cold water, your best bet is to put water in a pitcher and keep it in the fridge. A filtering pitcher takes it a step further by purifying the water you put in it. One of the advantages of a water filter pitcher is that since it fits in the fridge, your drinking water is always cold and refreshing.

On the downside, the pitcher has a limited capacity and can only hold a few cups of water at a time. However, some pitchers are designed to stay in the fridge and feature a push-button release nozzle. They can sometimes hold as much as 23 cups of filtered water to provide as much clean drinking water as you need.

However, they’re a bit more difficult to fill. With a standard pitcher that has a handle and a pour spout, you can easily top off the water each time you use it so that you always have the maximum capacity prepared. The most you’ll be able to hold is about 6-10 cups.

Faucet Filters

Faucet filters solve the problem of the limited capacity of filter pitchers. These filters screw directly onto your sink faucet. When you flip a switch, the water flow is diverted to run through the filter and produce clean, filtered water. Since it’s attached to the sink, it will supply you with any quantity of water you need.

Of course, the water will be whatever temperature your tap water normally is, so if you want a more refreshing drinking experience, you’ll have to add ice or chill the water before you drink it. While faucet filters are convenient, they’re also cumbersome and can become a nuisance on your faucet.

This is especially true if you wash dishes in the sink. The bulky filter can make it difficult to position your faucet where you need it and seems to get in the way more than you’d expect.

• See also: 6 Best Glass Water Filter Pitchers

What are the Similarities Between these Filters?

Although they have differences, the two types of water filters have far more in common. They’re both equally effective at removing unwanted impurities from your water. In fact, the same brands will generally offer filters of each type, giving you the same filtration abilities in both models.

The filters in both types also have the same average lifespan of about 2-3 months before they need to be replaced. Both filters generally include an indicator light that will warn you when the filter is approaching the end of its useful life. They’re also priced pretty similarly, though it’s possible to find filter pitchers at a lower price.

Which Should You Choose?

With so many similarities between these two types of water filters, the choice comes down to two things. First, how much filtered water do you need at any given time? Second, would you prefer your water to be cold when you get it? If you need lots of filtered water and don’t want to be hindered by the small capacity of a pitcher, the faucet filter is the best decision.

On the other hand, if you only need a few cups of filtered water at a time and you’d prefer it to be cold and refreshing when you pour it, a water filter pitcher is the better decision. A pitcher filter is ideal if you want the cheapest water filtering method. However, if you want the most convenient and quickest way to have filtered water, a faucet filter will provide all the clean water you need immediately.

Conclusion

Water filtration systems have become much more affordable in recent years, making it possible for everyone to have clean and pure drinking water in their homes. Two of the most affordable and effective filter systems are water filter pitchers and faucet filters. They both remove contaminants to provide you with delicious and healthy drinking water.

Faucet filters provide an endless supply of room-temperature water right from your tap. Filter pitchers can hold several cups of purified water, which can be kept cold in the fridge for drinking. Whether you want convenience or cold water, both are viable systems that make it affordable and easy to get healthy and great-tasting drinking water in the comfort of your home.