Which water filter is the best? Choose the right filter

Published on July 20, 2026 | Reading time: ~11 minutes

What is the best water filter? It's the most frequently asked question by anyone looking to improve their tap water, and at the same time, the question where most comparisons go wrong. They list ten products and declare one a winner, while the best filter for a single person in a new-build apartment is very different from that for a family of five in a hard water area.

In this guide, we'll flip the question. Not "what is the best filter", but "which water filter is right for me". You'll learn about the four main types, who they work for, and how to make a decision in minutes. At PureFilter, we see that customers who first assess their situation are much more satisfied with their choice afterward.

What does "the best water filter" mean?

Dutch tap water is among the cleanest in the world and is monitored for more than 60 parameters, according to Vewin. However, it's not identical everywhere: water hardness varies greatly by municipality, and substances like chlorine, limescale, lead from old pipes, and traces of PFAS play different roles depending on the region. That's why "the best water filter" isn't a product but a match.

Three questions determine your choice: what do I want to remove from my water, how much water do I consume, and what can it cost per year? Answering these three first immediately eliminates half the options.

The four types of home water filters

Virtually every home water filter falls into one of these four categories. Each type has a clear profile.

Water Filter Pitcher

The cheapest entry point, from about 25 to 45 euros. You fill a pitcher, wait a few minutes, and pour. Ideal for one to two people who primarily want better taste and less limescale. Disadvantage: filter cartridges only last 100 to 200 liters, so they need to be replaced about every month, and annual costs add up.

Gravity Filter

A standalone system with two reservoirs that sits on the countertop, like Berkey. It filters broadly, including bacteria, without electricity or a connection. Disadvantage: it takes up significant counter space, a full reservoir takes 1 to 2 hours, and the purchase price is often over 200 euros.

Reverse Osmosis

The most thorough system: it removes up to 99% of almost all dissolved solids. This is both its strength and weakness, as beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium also disappear, unless a remineralization step is included. Such an installation often costs 300 to 600 euros, wastes water during filtration, and requires maintenance. You can read more about this in our explanation of the RO water filter.

Under-sink Inline Filter

A compact filter that connects to the cold water line under the sink. Filtered water comes directly from your existing tap, without anything on the countertop and without electricity. A good inline filter removes 100+ contaminants and preserves minerals. The PureFilter Mineral+ costs 149.90 euros, lasts 15,000 to 20,000 liters, and is installed in 5 to 10 minutes. See also our page on the under-sink water filter.

Which water filter is right for me?

Go through these three situations and recognize yourself. This way, you'll quickly know which water filter suits you best.

You live alone or with two people and want better-tasting water

A water filter pitcher is sufficient if your consumption is low and you primarily want to address taste and limescale. If you prefer not to buy a cartridge every month and still want continuously filtered water, an inline filter is also interesting for small households: you replace it at most once a year.

You have a family and drink a lot of water

For a family, capacity and convenience matter. A pitcher is quickly too small and too much work. An under-sink inline filter delivers unlimited filtered water from the tap without waiting, and with 15,000 to 20,000 liters per cartridge, it covers a family for well over a year. At PureFilter, we see that families primarily choose the variant including 3 filters to be set for years.

You want maximum purification, at all costs

If you're in an area where you want to reduce all dissolved substances to the extreme, reverse osmosis offers the most thorough filtration. Keep in mind that you'll lose minerals and pay more. For most Dutch households, this extra step is not necessary, as a certified inline filter already addresses the relevant contaminants and preserves minerals.

Advantages of an under-sink inline filter

For most households, the inline filter emerges as the strongest all-rounder. The main advantages:

• Unlimited and instant: filtered water from your own tap, no pitcher to fill and no waiting for a reservoir.
• No counter space: the filter is hidden in the kitchen cabinet.
• Broad purification: the PureFilter Mineral+ removes 100+ contaminants and is NSF 42, 53, 61, and 372 certified.
• Minerals preserved and added: through Swedish Mineral Rock, calcium, magnesium, and potassium return to your water for a full flavor.
• Low annual costs: with 15,000 to 20,000 liters per cartridge and a replacement filter starting from 49.90 euros, the price per liter is a fraction of bottled water.

Points to consider when choosing

Before ordering, check these points to avoid disappointment:

• Certification: choose filters with independent NSF certification, so that performance claims are verified and not just marketing.
• Minerals: pay attention to whether the system preserves minerals. Reverse osmosis without remineralization results in flatter-tasting water.
• Annual costs: calculate not only the purchase price but the cost per year. A cheap pitcher with monthly cartridges can turn out to be more expensive than an inline filter.
• Installation and home: if you live in a rental property, choose a filter that you can install without major modifications and take with you. Read our guide on water filters in a rental home.
• Water hardness: if you live in an area with hard water, give more weight to limescale removal. First, check the water hardness per municipality.

Comparison table: filter types side-by-side

Buyer's Guide

In short: a water filter pitcher is the cheapest start for a small household, a gravity filter is a broad all-rounder if counter space is not an issue, and reverse osmosis is the most thorough option for those who want to remove everything. For most Dutch households, the under-sink inline filter wins on the combination of convenience, broad purification, mineral retention, and low annual costs.

If you want continuously filtered water from your regular tap without compromising on taste, the PureFilter Mineral+ is the logical choice. If you're deciding between one cartridge or a supply, consider the variant including 2 filters. A single replacement filter is available from 49.90 euros. Also, view the complete range on our page home water filters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

The question "which water filter is the best" has no universal answer, but it does have a personal answer. First, determine what you want to remove from your water, how much you consume, and what it can cost per year, and the right choice will almost automatically emerge.

For most households, an inline filter under the sink combines the best of everything: broad, certified purification, preservation of minerals, and low cost per liter. If you want to try this all-rounder immediately, the PureFilter Mineral+ is a safe starting choice. More comparisons can be found on the homepage and in our frequently asked questions.