Classification of water filters from the easiest to the most complicated to install.
The advantages and disadvantages of each system should allow you to choose what is best for you!
Activated charcoal or binchotan
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
WOODY | Activated charcoal | 9€ | Zero waste, chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium. Change every year | Thick, to be boiled every 6 months. |
Ceramic beads
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
AUDUBERT | Bacteria | 20€ | Zero waste, mobile use, cheap | Persistent chlorine taste, noise in a glass jug or bottle |
WOODY | Bacteria | 15€ | Zero waste, mobile use, cheap | Persistent chlorine taste, noise in a glass jug or bottle |
Complete system: water dispensers.
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
COOLMART | 3 different filters : activated charcoal, ceramic and antibacterial | 265€ | - Particles, chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium, pathogens Annual filter change, light - Cuve en verre | - Made of plastic - 3 different filters: carbon filter to be replaced every 6 months, ceramic filter and anti-bacterial basket to be replaced every year - Large |
BERKEY | 3 different filters: activated charcoal, ceramic and antibacterial | 300 to 500€ | - Pathogenic bacteria, cysts, parasites, herbicides, organic solvents, VOCs, detergents, cloudiness, sediment and sedimentary minerals, foul tastes and odours - Stainless steel tank | Large, expensive, filters to replace and very low tap |
Filter carafe: easy to store in the refrigerator door
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
BRITA - Marella | Ion exchange beads and activated charcoal from natural coconut husks. | 21,50€ + filter between 5 and 8€ | 100% recycled and reused filters by Brita Chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium | Plastic, filter change every month |
GEYSER - Corus | Fibrous filter, activated charcoal and silver, modified pathogen filter | 20€ | Particles, chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium, pathogens | Plastic, change filter every month Non-recycled filters |
AMAZON BASICS | No information available | 13,34€ | Chlorine, lime, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium, pathogens. Compatible cartridges: Amazon Basics and Brita Maxtra | Plastic, filter change every month Non-recycled filters |
LAICA Carmen | Bi-flow filter, no information on the composition of the filter | 22€ | Heavy metals, chlorine and derivatives, bacteria, herbicides, trihalomethanes | Non-recycled filters |
PHILIPS MAYFLOWER | No information on the composition of the filter | 20€ | Chlorine, lime, heavy metals, microplastics and PFOA | Non-recycled filters |
Tap filter
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
GEYSER EURO | Fiber filter, activated charcoal and silver, modified pathogen filter | 50€ | - Particles, chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediments, magnesium, pathogens - Stainless steel hull | Not suitable for all taps, filter needs to be changed every 4 months |
SLICKBOX | No information on the filter | 25€ | - Ceramic, Maifan stone, alkaline ball, tourmaline, negative ion sphere, activated alumina ball - Stainless steel hull | Not suitable for all taps |
Sink Filters
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
HYDROPURE DIGITAL | Coconut activated charcoal | 165€ | Lead, copper, pesticides and other bacteria | Plastic, massive over the sink, has its own sink and expensive |
Under-sink filter
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
CULLIGAN | Vegetable activated charcoal from coconut shells | 20€/month | Chlorine, bad taste, pesticides, heavy metals, drug residues, organic matter and VOCs | External button, not very aesthetic, expensive in the long run, plastic |
CULLIGAN | Reverse osmosis | 35€/month | Chlorine, bad tastes and odours, pesticides, heavy metals, drug residues, nitrates, organic matter and VOCs | External button, not very aesthetic, expensive in the long run, plastic |
CULLIGAN | Activated charcoal | 15€/month | Chlorine, bad taste and odour, organic matter and VOCs | External button, not very aesthetic, expensive in the long run, plastic |
Osmosis unit
Brand | Operation | Price | Efficiency & benefits | Drawbacks |
ECOPURE | Reverse osmosis | 135€ | - 99% of harmful elements in water (nitrate, copper, chrome), bacteria and pollutants - Connected to the main valve - Easy to install | - Made of plastic - Filter to be replaced every 6 months - Cost of filters - Only available on Amazon |
AEG | Reverse osmosis | 215€ | - Greatly reduces : Arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, nitrates, TDS, chlorine, sulphates, radium, pesticides and herbicides, drug residues and endocrine disruptors - 6.4 litre tank with a flow rate of 4l/min - Invisible under the sink and easy to install | - Cumbersome: pre and post filter replacement every 6 months, membrane replacement every year and bleach disinfection once a year - 1 additional tap on the sink - Expensive |
Loulou the Kangaroo
I'll tell you all about it.