Buying a water filter: what to look out for? (2026)

What is a water filter?

Tap water in the Netherlands is safe and meets legal drinking water standards. Nevertheless, measurements by RIVM and Vewin show that traces of PFAS, pesticides, drug residues, and microplastics are increasingly detectable in tap water. This makes buying a water filter a conscious choice for many Dutch people seeking extra quality and certainty.

Why buy a water filter in 2026?

The Vewin Water Quality 2024 report indicates that PFAS compounds are found in more than 60% of Dutch water extraction areas. The European Drinking Water Directive has significantly tightened the PFAS standard by 2026 to 0.10 micrograms per liter for the sum of all PFAS. Although drinking water companies are working hard on further purification, extra filtration at home is a simple way to limit your exposure.

In addition to safety, taste and health play a role. Chlorine, added as a disinfectant, gives tap water a characteristic aftertaste that many people find unpleasant. Limescale causes rings on glasses and residue on appliances. At PureFilter, we see that customers primarily choose a water filter because they want to be more conscious about what they drink daily, not because they are afraid of their tap water.

What to look for when buying a water filter?

There are five criteria that truly make a difference. If you only compare on price, you run the risk of buying a filter that does not meet your expectations.

1. Filter capacity and proven effectiveness

When buying a water filter, always look for independently certified test results. Many manufacturers make broad claims about the number of substances they filter, but without certification, these claims are unverifiable. The most reliable certifications are NSF 42 (taste and odor), NSF 53 (health risks such as lead and PFAS), NSF 61 (material safety), and NSF 372 (lead-free construction). A filter that meets all four of these standards provides the most certainty.

2. Mineral retention or mineral addition

This is a criterion that most comparison guides miss. Not every filter treats minerals the same way. Reverse osmosis removes almost everything, including calcium and magnesium. Water filter pitchers generally leave minerals intact but add nothing. Inline water filters with remineralization technology, such as Swedish Mineral Rock, actively add calcium, magnesium, and potassium to the filtered water. This results in water that is soft, mineral-rich, and tastes great.

3. Ease of installation and suitability for your home

Water filter pitchers require no installation but have limited capacity. Reverse osmosis systems require a connection to the water supply and a drain. This is often not allowed in a rental property. Inline water filters are an intermediate option: they are easily connected to the water supply, sometimes with an additional filter tap, but do not require drilling or permanent modification to the home. Installation takes an average of 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Capacity and replacement

A filter pitcher typically has a capacity of 100 to 300 liters per filter cartridge, which amounts to 4 to 8 weeks with normal use. Inline water filters achieve capacities of 15,000 to 20,000 liters per filter, sufficient for 12 to 18 months. This significantly reduces maintenance and costs. For a family choice, also calculate the total annual costs: purchase plus replacement filters divided by annual water consumption.

5. Long-term costs

A water filter pitcher costs 25 to 50 euros to purchase, but replacement filters quickly cost 5 to 8 euros per month, or 60 to 96 euros per year. An inline water filter such as the PureFilter Mineral+ costs 149.90 euros to purchase, and replacement filters start from 49.90 euros per year. Over three years, the cost comparison is similar, but the filter performance and convenience are significantly better.

Types of water filters: which one is right for you?

There are three types of household water filters that you will most often encounter on the Dutch market. They differ greatly in filter performance, ease of use, and cost.

Water filter pitcher

The water filter pitcher is the entry-level option. You fill the pitcher with tap water, it slowly filters through a carbon cartridge, and then you pour it. Advantages are the low purchase price and zero installation. Disadvantages are the limited capacity of 100 to 300 liters per filter, frequent replacement (every 4 to 8 weeks), limited filter performance (no PFAS, no bacteria, no microplastics in standard models), and the hassle of constantly refilling manually. For single-person households who want to take a first step, it is a fine option.

Inline water filter (under-sink)

An inline water filter is connected to the existing water pipe under the sink. The filtered water comes directly from a separate filter tap or through the existing tap. This type of filter works continuously, without you having to manually refill water. High-quality inline filters with activated carbon and a remineralization layer, such as the PureFilter Mineral+, remove more than 100 contaminants (including PFAS, lead, chlorine, pesticides, and microplastics) and simultaneously add calcium, magnesium, and potassium through Swedish Mineral Rock technology. The capacity is 15,000 to 20,000 liters per filter, enough for a full family. This is the most complete solution for daily home use.

Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis pushes water under high pressure through an ultra-fine membrane that retains almost all dissolved substances, up to 99%. That sounds ideal, but there are three disadvantages. First, it also removes all healthy minerals, making the water taste bland and mineral-poor. Second, there is significant water consumption: for every liter of drinking water, 2 to 4 liters of water go down the drain as wastewater. Third, the purchase costs are high (350 to 700 euros) and professional installation is recommended. Reverse osmosis is the best choice if you want maximum reduction of a wide spectrum of contaminants and are willing to invest in post-remineralization.

Comparison table: PureFilter Mineral+ vs alternatives

Buying advice: which water filter suits your situation?

Choose a water filter pitcher if: you have a small single-person household, your budget is limited, and you primarily want to improve taste. Be aware that filter performance is limited and annual costs increase due to frequent replacement.

Choose an inline water filter if: you want a complete system that filters continuously, requires no extra manual operations, and simultaneously adds minerals to the water. The under-sink water filter is suitable for any family type, including in a rental property, and does not require complex installation. The annual costs are low thanks to the high filter capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 liters.

Choose reverse osmosis if: you live in an area with highly contaminated water, prioritize maximum filter performance above all else, and are willing to invest in a more expensive system including remineralization.

Frequently asked questions about buying a water filter

Conclusion: Buying the best water filter in 2026

Buying a water filter is not a complex decision if you know what to look for. The five key criteria – filter capacity with verifiable certification, mineral retention or addition, ease of installation, capacity per filter, and total long-term costs – make the difference between a filter that truly works and one that mostly just sounds good.

For most Dutch households, an inline under-sink water filter is the most complete choice. It combines high filtration performance (over 100 contaminants, certified NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372), the addition of healthy minerals via Swedish Mineral Rock, a high capacity of 15,000 to 20,000 liters, and a simple 5 to 10-minute installation. The PureFilter Mineral+ is available for 149.90 euros, including the first filter, and annual costs start from 49.90 euros for the replacement filter.

A water filter pitcher is a good entry-level option for small households on a limited budget, but it requires more maintenance and filters less comprehensively. Reverse osmosis offers maximum reduction but also removes minerals and requires a higher investment. See the extensive guide to choosing the best water filter for more details per situation.