Best Water Filters for Small Apartments
When you live in a small apartment, you quickly realize how important it is to maximize your space and make smart choices about what goes where. That goes for everything — even the water filter you use. Clean drinking water is a must-have, but with limited space, you need a filter that’s efficient, effective, and space-saving. Lucky for you, there are plenty of great options out there that will fit perfectly into your cozy apartment setup. Let’s dive into the best water filters for small apartments, so you can find the one that’s right for you.
Why You Need a Water Filter in Your Apartment
Before diving into the specifics, let’s talk about why you should have a water filter in the first place. Even though tap water in most cities is treated, it can still carry impurities that can affect its taste, odor, or overall quality. Chlorine, heavy metals like lead, and other contaminants can find their way into your water. A good water filter helps ensure that the water you’re drinking is not only safe but also tastes great.
But finding the right filter when space is tight can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are options that cater to small spaces, letting you enjoy pure, refreshing water without a bulky installation.
What Are the Best Water Filters for Small Apartments?
Here’s a breakdown of the best types of water filters for small apartments:
- Pitcher Water Filters
- Countertop Water Filters
- Faucet-Mounted Water Filters
- Under-Sink Water Filters
- Portable Water Filter Bottles
Each of these options offers unique benefits, and your choice will depend on your preferences, the contaminants you’re worried about, and the available space in your apartment.
Pitcher Water Filters: Convenient and Compact
If you’re looking for a simple solution, a pitcher filter is often the best bet. It requires no installation and can easily fit in your fridge or on your countertop.
One popular and highly-rated option is the Brita Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher. You might have seen this filter before; it’s super popular on Amazon with thousands of positive reviews. It’s compact, affordable, and easy to use. It reduces chlorine, odors, and improves the taste of your tap water without the need for any setup.
Another great option is the ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher. This one goes a step beyond typical filters and is designed to remove almost all dissolved solids from your water. It’s ideal if you want an extra layer of filtration without the hassle of complicated equipment. The pitcher has a handy spigot at the bottom, making it easy to pour a glass of water while the pitcher stays in the fridge.
Pitcher filters are great for you if you’re looking for something that’s straightforward, with no installation requirements. They’re also budget-friendly and perfect for smaller apartments with minimal counter space.
Countertop Water Filters: Small But Powerful
If you’re looking for something that has a bit more filtration power than a pitcher filter but don’t want a complicated installation, a countertop water filter could be a good option. These filters don’t take up a lot of space but offer impressive filtering capabilities.
The Apex Countertop Drinking Water Filter is a top-rated choice for small apartments. This filter sits on your countertop and connects directly to your faucet when in use. It reduces chlorine, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals, giving you access to clean and great-tasting water with minimal effort. It’s also easy to set up—you just connect it to your kitchen tap and you’re good to go.
Another option is the Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter, which is perfect if you’re serious about filtration. Though slightly larger than the Apex, it offers the benefit of gravity-fed filtration without needing to be hooked up to your plumbing. You can just place it on a countertop, fill it with water, and let the gravity do the work. It has a sleek stainless steel design and is effective at removing everything from viruses to heavy metals, making it a powerful option.
These countertop filters are great if you want something more robust than a pitcher but without any permanent plumbing installations. Plus, they can sit comfortably on even a small counter without taking up too much room.
Faucet-Mounted Filters: Small, Easy, and Effective
A faucet-mounted water filter is a smart option for you if you want an easy installation with minimal space requirements. These filters attach directly to your faucet and provide clean, filtered water at the flip of a switch.
One of the most highly-rated faucet filters is the PUR Faucet Water Filtration System. It’s compact, affordable, and can be installed in minutes. It filters out over 70 contaminants, including lead, and its filter change indicator ensures you know exactly when it’s time to replace the cartridge. This type of filter is perfect for anyone living in a small space, as it doesn’t take up counter space and provides instant access to filtered water.
Another great option is the Brita Tap Water Filter System. It’s similar to the PUR filter and provides great filtration for chlorine, lead, and other contaminants. The installation process is simple—you won’t need any tools—and you can switch between filtered and unfiltered water with ease.
Under-Sink Filters: Hidden Away, Out of Sight
If you prefer to keep your filter system out of sight, an under-sink filter might be the best choice for you. These filters provide high-quality water filtration and stay neatly hidden under your kitchen sink.
One of the best options for small apartments is the iSpring US31 Classic 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filtration System. This under-sink filter is compact, providing you with clean water while leaving plenty of storage space for your cleaning supplies. It features a three-stage filtration process, ensuring that your drinking water is free of chlorine, sediment, and other harmful contaminants.
Another under-sink option is the CuZn UC-200 Under Counter Water Filter, which is very easy to install and requires no additional faucet—meaning you still get filtered water straight from your standard tap. This filter has a long lifespan, too; you won’t need to replace it for up to 5 years, making it both convenient and cost-effective in the long run.
Under-sink filters are ideal for those who don’t want anything cluttering their countertops. They’re effective, long-lasting, and don’t require frequent filter changes.
Portable Water Filter Bottles: Perfect for On-the-Go
If you’re short on counter space or want to keep your water filtration mobile, a portable water filter bottle can be the perfect solution. These bottles are great not only for home use but also for carrying with you wherever you go.
The Brita Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle is an excellent choice. It’s sleek, highly rated on Amazon, and perfect for filtering out impurities on the go. This option is great for someone who likes to go from home to work or the gym and wants access to filtered water all day long.
Another highly-rated option is the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle, which features a two-stage integrated filter straw that helps remove bacteria, parasites, and even microplastics. This bottle is a great choice if you want something versatile for your apartment, but also for hikes or travels where water quality may be uncertain.
How to Choose the Best Water Filter for You
Choosing the right water filter for your apartment depends on several factors:
- Space Available: Do you have enough countertop or under-sink space? Would a pitcher or a faucet-mounted option work better for your setup?
- Contaminants of Concern: If you’re mostly concerned with chlorine taste and odor, a pitcher or faucet-mounted filter may be sufficient. If you’re dealing with more serious contaminants like lead, an under-sink or multi-stage filter might be the best choice.
- Ease of Installation: Do you want something that’s ready to go right out of the box, or are you comfortable installing a system under your sink? A pitcher or faucet filter offers a no-installation approach, while under-sink filters might take a bit more work.
- Budget: Water filters vary widely in price. Pitchers and faucet-mounted filters are generally more affordable upfront, while under-sink systems might cost more initially but offer longer-lasting filtration.
- Portability: If you like to stay on the move, a portable filter bottle is the best choice. It gives you filtered water no matter where you are—perfect for busy urban living.
Final Thoughts
Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean compromising on access to clean, delicious drinking water. With so many compact and effective water filter options available, you can easily find a solution that fits your space and lifestyle. Whether you opt for a simple pitcher filter, a sleek under-sink system, or a portable filter bottle, there’s an option that’s perfect for you.
By choosing one of these popular, highly-rated options available on Amazon, you can enjoy great-tasting water that’s free of harmful contaminants—without sacrificing precious space in your small apartment.
Take your time to consider what’s important to you: convenience, installation effort, filter lifespan, or portability. Whatever you choose, having clean water at your fingertips is definitely worth it.