Comparing Water Filters to Refill Your PATH Bottle

Your PATH bottle comes with the power to be refilled hundreds, even thousands of times or more until it's ready to be recycled. When you exceed just three refills, you start making a dent in the carbon impact of bottled water.

Empowering your PATH bottle with many refills means tapping into your most convenient water sources. When it comes to tap water, some states have exceptional tap water, such as the top-ranked states Hawaii, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, and Massachusetts, according to a U.S. News ranking. But even if your state is top-rated in tap water, most people feel better having their water run through a filtration system before drinking it. That's why we're sharing some of the most common filtration systems you can use to filter your water and refill your PATH bottle.

3 top water filter questions answered

#1 - Which filter makes water taste better?

When we refill our PATH bottle, we want it to taste crisp and fresh. So, what filters help us achieve that? Carbon filters are known for their taste-enhancing abilities. Carbon filters are highly porous, which makes them absorbent and capable of removing a wide range of contaminants from water and substances like chlorine, which is present in tap water. They are some of the most common filters you can find in a variety of formats, like filtered pitchers, filter faucet attachments, refrigerator filters, and elsewhere. 

Another filtration system that makes water taste better is reverse osmosis. One of the most powerful filtration systems for purifying drinking water, reverse osmosis can be found in whole-home systems or countertops. One aspect of reverse osmosis is that it filters so well that minerals are removed, so you will want to look for a system that remineralizes the water to improve its taste. 

#2 - Does all filtered water taste the same?

Not everyone experiences water filtration the same way, and that's because each filter has unique capabilities and strengths that can influence the taste. Some people appreciate activated carbon filters' crisp, clean taste, often described as smooth and refreshing, while others might find it lacks depth or character. 

Reverse osmosis, one of the most powerful filtration systems, delivers exceptionally pure water, but some find it too neutral or even flat. That's why remineralization is often used to restore some of the natural minerals, giving the water a slightly more balanced, crisp, and revitalizing taste. For those who prefer a richer, fuller flavor, the Berkey water system is known for leaving water with a slightly sweet, mineral-rich taste that many find satisfying. On the other hand, ceramic filters, known for their ability to retain essential minerals, offer a taste that some describe as more earthy or natural, providing a familiar and comforting flavor profile.

#3 - What type of filter is best for drinking water?

This depends on a few factors, like your location, the quality of your water, the quality of your pipes, and your personal preferences. Ultimately, you want your drinking water to be healthy, and when it comes to taste, that varies for everyone. 

If you live in an area with good municipal tap water and your pipes are in good condition, a simple carbon filter should be sufficient for drinking water. In other areas where water is more challenging, or if your pipes are older or leaching any metal, reverse osmosis filtration might be best to ensure it is highly purified.

Below are some options that you can use to find the best filter for your needs based on location and lifestyle. Ultimately, the goal is to get a system that supports your ability to refill. 

Faucet-Mount Water Filters

For a simple installation that filters your drinking and cooking water, faucet-mounted filters are a great option. To install, you will just unscrew the aerator from the threaded tip of your faucet and screw on the filter. Faucet filters allow you to easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water with a knob. These filters might not fit all kitchen faucets, especially pullout sprayers or non-standard faucets. If you have a standard kitchen faucet, these are a great option; here are some of the most popular faucet-mount water filters. 

PATH Pure Filter 

We'll start with our own faucet filter option, which creates pure, crystal-clear water from an advanced ceramic filter that mimics the earth's natural filtration process. Inside the filter, there are twists and turns that channel water through millions of half-micron pores. This design is a bit like biomimicry, where it removes bacteria and impurities, leaving nothing but the purest water with which you can refill your PATH bottle. You can purchase the PATH Pure Filter by following this link.

PUR Advanced Faucet Filtration System

The PUR faucet filter is found easly online and is well-rated for improving water taste and removing common contaminants like lead, chlorine, and mercury. It is certified by WQA and NSF to reduce 70 chemical and physical contaminants, including lead. It's also NSF-certified to reduce microplastics commonly present in tap water.

Brita Tap Water Filter System

Known for its compact design and user-friendly operation, the Brita faucet filters provide dependable filtration that enhances water taste and removes lead, asbestos, and other harmful contaminants. This water filter system features Advanced Brita Carbon-Block Technology, which effectively eliminates chlorine taste and odor while also reducing various other contaminants in your drinking water.

Pitcher Water Filters

Water pitchers are an excellent choice for ease if you have limited space or are unable to install your own fridge with a filter or a home filtration system. Most familiar water pitchers remove chlorine without compromising cartridge life or flow rate. In contrast, some pitchers can be slow, prone to clogging, or have shorter filter lifespans. A small pitcher stored in the refrigerator might be sufficient for one or two people, but for a family that consumes several gallons of water daily, a larger pitcher or a continuous filtering system might be more practical.

Brita Elite Filter with Standard Everyday Pitcher

Brita Elite Filter is a common and timeless pitcher known for its reliable filtration and ease of use. Highly rated for improving taste while reducing chlorine, lead, and other contaminants. The Brita Elite claims to eliminate 99% of lead, chlorine (taste and odor), cadmium, mercury, benzene, and asbestos, with the convenience of an electronic indicator that provides easy filter replacement reminders. 

ZeroWater 10-Cup 5-Stage Pitcher

The ZeroWater 5-State Pitcher offers thorough filtration, removing virtually all total dissolved solids (TDS), including harmful contaminants and minerals. It includes a TDS meter for monitoring filter performance. This pitcher claims to be APMO Certified and BPA-Free, with a 5-stage filter to reduce PFOA/PFOS, lead, chromium, and mercury. 

PUR Classic 11 Cup Pitcher

The larger 11-cup PUR Classic Pitcher is ideal for families and provides solid filtration with a focus on taste. It allows users to pour filtered water while the upper compartment continues filtering. The filter is NSF-certified and claims to reduce chlorine, mercury, copper, zinc, and other chemical and physical substances. 

Under-Sink Water Filters

Under-sink filters are perhaps the most convenient option despite the more challenging installation process. They don't take up counter space (though they require room under the sink) and offer a more streamlined appearance than other options. Similar to countertop filters, they can handle a large volume of water. However, installation might require professional plumbing work and possibly drilling a hole through the sink or countertop for the dispenser.

iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The iSpring RCC7 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System is highly regarded for its thorough filtration capabilities; this system removes up to 99% of contaminants, including lead, fluoride, chlorine, and many others, making it a top choice for those in search of superior water purification. Its advanced 5-stage filtration process effectively eliminates up to 99% of over 1,000 harmful substances, such as PFAS, chlorine, fluoride, lead (up to 98%), arsenic, asbestos, calcium, sodium, and more.

APEC Essence ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The APEC Essence ROES-50 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System offers similar filtration to the iSpring RCC7 but at a slightly lower cost. It's known for producing clean, great-tasting water. The APEC technology claims to be capable of removing up to 99% of impurities, including arsenic, chlorine, lead, fluoride, heavy metals, and over 1,000 other contaminants. It supports a maximum of 2000 ppm (parts per million) of Total Dissolved Solids.

APEC WFS-1000 3-Stage Under-Sink Water System

The APEC WFS-1000 3-Stage Under-Sink Water System is a more cost-effective option that still offers effective filtration, particularly good for households with lower levels of contaminants. The ROES-PH75 is a 75 GPD 6-stage system designed to remove up to 99% of impurities and claims to remove chlorine, taste, odor, VOCs, harmful fluoride, arsenic, lead, heavy metals, and over 1,000 other contaminants. It handles a maximum of 2000 ppm Total Dissolved Solids.

Countertop Water Filters

Countertop filters are also simple to install. Just remove the faucet aerator and attach the filter hose to the faucet. This makes them ideal for renters who may not have permission to make significant plumbing changes. Basic models typically use carbon filtration, while more expensive units may incorporate reverse osmosis or ultraviolet light for added protection against serious contaminants. According to tests, countertop filters are less prone to clogging compared to pitcher or faucet-mounted filters, but they can take up space on your countertop and may not be compatible with all faucets.

Berkey Water Filter System

The Berkey Filter is an eye-catching metal countertop filter with a 3-stage Filtration. The Purewell gravity water filter system utilizes advanced composite filter technology to effectively reduce a wide range of contaminants. The black carbon filter, certified by NSF/ANSI 42, features a 0.01μm hollow fiber UF membrane, a silver ion membrane, and an activated carbon block to reduce chlorine and capture rust, sediment, organic matter, PFAS heavy metals, and more. This water filter system is also certified by NSF/ANSI 372 for safety and quality.

Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop Reverse Osmosis System

No installation is required for the Bluevua RO100ROPOT Countertop Reverse Osmosis System, making it a great alternative if you're unable to install a full-scope reverse osmosis filter. It offers high-quality reverse osmosis filtration, removing a wide range of contaminants. This system employs five layers of filtration, including a remineralization filter, to deliver the purest water possible. It eliminates 99.9% of all potential contaminants while enriching the water with essential minerals, claiming to balance taste and health benefits so you can confidently enjoy your tap water and refill your PATH bottle. 

Aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop Water Filter

The Aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop Water Filter is a non-RO option that claims to be highly effective at removing contaminants while preserving healthy minerals. This filtration system combines four distinct methods to reduce up to 99% of 78 contaminants, including lead, PFAS, chlorine, pesticides, microplastics, and more. It claims to remove 15 times more contaminants than the leading pitcher filter while preserving essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

These filters are well-regarded in the market for their performance, ease of use, and the quality of water they produce. The choice between them depends on your specific needs, such as the types of contaminants you want to remove and the setup that best fits your home. We encourage you to find the ideal filter for your home water needs. It may even be a filter in your fridge or other water filter setup. The main point is that you ensure you have ample, safe, and fresh water to refill your PATH water with so that you can make a measurable impact on the planet every day.