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A faucet filter is a cheap and effective way of cleaning water. It traps dirt and sediment and also removes strong odors from water. On the good side, it’s proven that faucet filters work, and they work well. 

Filter pitchers are different because they don’t treat water at the source. Instead of being attached to the tap, the filter is in a jug or pitcher. Reports also show that filter pitchers make water taste and smell better

It’s hard to choose between the two since they both work well. We’ll help you decide by explaining the difference between a faucet filter vs pitcher filter. 

Faucet Filter

How does it work? 

First things first: a filter is not a purifier. A filter improves the smell and taste of water, but it doesn’t remove all harmful chemicals. It can remove chemical components like lead, but it could miss minor elements like arsenic and salt. If you’re not sure about your drinking water’s overall quality, then you should get it tested and/or invest in a purifier with a reverse osmosis system. 

A faucet filter is attached to the tap, and then it acts as a sieve. Water will first pass through the screen before it comes out of the tap. The non-woven screen traps dirt and sediments. The water then passes through a carbon block, which removes organic chemical matter that produces foul smells. If it’s advanced, the block also removes limescale and other heavy metals. 

At the end of the process, the filter produces clean and tasty water by removing physical contaminants and chemical pollutants. 

Pros

  • Easy Installation. The biggest benefit of buying a faucet filter is how easy it is to install. You don’t need any fancy equipment or prior experience. You can install it in 5 minutes or less. There are many internet guides to help you if you come across any trouble.
  • Removes Odors. Water companies commonly use fluoride and chlorine to clean water. While the components are great at killing bacteria, they can produce an offensive smell. Using a faucet filter removes the terrible odors. 
  • Produces Healthier Water. By removing contaminants in drinking water, the tap filter makes water more healthy. It removes chemical elements that might make you sick. It also removes dirt that might mess with your digestive system. 
  • Helps Save the Environment.  Drinking bottled water is terrible for the environment. Statistics show that people buy millions of plastic bottles a day. The bottles will likely end up in the oceans or other natural habitats, endangering species and reducing quality of life. Using faucet-mount filters means that you can have clean drinking water straight from the tap. 
  • Blocks Heavy Metals. As municipal pipes get old, they rust, and the rust is likely to leak into your drinking water. Ew, right? The water can also be contaminated by chemicals that leak from the soil. The water company might not cover such instances, and it’s up to you to filter the water. Faucet filters can reduce the number of heavy metals in your water big time.
  • Saves Money.  It might seem cheaper to buy bottled water instead of installing a water filtration system. However, purchasing water gets expensive, yet a  filtration system will work for a long time. 
  • Boosts Skin Health. In some cases, blemished skin is not a result of an unhealthy diet or a terrible skincare routine. The problem could be the water that you’re using to wash your face. Having a faucet filter means having access to cleaner water that might improve your skin’s health. 

Cons

  • May be Hard to Determine Size. You might struggle with finding the right sized filter for your faucet. Buying the wrong size renders the whole water filtration system useless. However, you can take a picture of your tap and receive expert advice before you make a final purchase. Most manufacturers or hardware store owners have size guides to help you find the most suitable size. 
  • Decreases Flow Rate. Inserting a faucet filter might decrease water flow. The water passes through the sieve first, and this slows down the water pressure. Using a faucet filter requires some patience. 
  • Requires Regular Changes. Faucet filters work full time, so they can get worn down at quicker rates. If you don’t learn how to clean it properly, you might require regular replacements. Replacing a water filter can be costly, and if you don’t clean it on the regular, a filter will be more expensive in the long run. 
  • Causes Clutter. Unfortunately, most faucet filters are unattractive. They look messy because they cover the tap. If you care about kitchen aesthetics, this might not be the product for you. However, there are plenty of modern filter options that come in elegant colors that seamlessly fit with the rest of your kitchen. 
Sale
iSpring WGB21B 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System, with 10" x 4.5" Sediment CTO(Chlorine, Taste, and Odor) Filter, 1" Inlet/Outlet
  • [Two-Stage Effective Filtration] The whole house water filter has 1st-Stage premium 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter (FP15B) captures dirt, sand, silt, dust, rust, and scale particles, using high quality coconut shell carbon and highly compact fabrication tech, 2nd-stage CTO filter(FC15B) knocks out cloudiness as well as bad tastes and odors, removes over 90% of chlorine, and is highly effective on VOCs like pesticides, herbicides, and industrial solvents.
  • [Superb Filtration Capacity] 10"x4. 5" replaceable whole house water filters can provide up to a full year of clean water(up to 50, 000 gallons) for a family of four. 1-inch inlet and outlet ports allow fast water flow with less pressure loss. Fine PP sediment filter and premium quality CTO filter not only bring clean and fresh water to every faucet in your house, but also help prolong the lives of your water-using appliances and protect plumbing from sediment and scale buildup.
  • [Easy Installation and Filter Change] The system comes pre-assembled onto the mounting bracket for a streamlined, DIY installation. Filter wrench included to make routine filter changes easy and quick. A pressure release valve allows for the release of built-up pressure when changing filters. Refer to our manual and/or YouTube videos to Install this point-of-entry (POE) filtration system at the main water supply to get clean and healthy water for the entire family.
  • [Retain Valuable Minerals] Unlike an RO system, this system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and instead keeps healthy minerals in your water. If you are interested in a filter that removes TDS, consider our iSpring Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems.
  • [Peace-of Mind Customer Service] Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, 1-year warranty, and extended manufacturer warranty upon warranty registration at iSpring. Lifetime CS and tech support from Atlanta, GA USA. We stand behind our products. If you encounter any problems with any of our products, please reach out to us immediately. We are happy to help!

Pitcher Filter

How does it work?

Pitcher FilterWhile the process differs from brand to brand, all pitcher filters use the same concept. Pitcher filters use activated carbon to clean water. A big sieve traps the bigger particles while the activated carbon absorbs harmful contaminants like chlorine and pesticides. 

The larger area has sponge-like qualities and absorbs contaminants from tap water. Like faucet filters, the pitcher filter can remove metals such as mercury and lead. It can also remove bigger particles like dirt. Also, a pitcher filter eliminates the smell and taste associated with organic compounds in water. 

The most significant difference between pitcher and faucet filters is their structure. A faucet filter is attached directly to the water source, while a pitcher filter works like a water dispensary. You pour water into the filter, and then cleaner water collects in the tank. While this is just as effective, unfortunately, it takes time and can only work for cups of water at a time. 

Pros

  • Affordable. When it comes to a faucet filter vs pitcher filters, a pitcher is much cheaper. A faucet filter is a whole system, while a pitcher filter is a single device. It’s affordable because it’s a beginner water filtration system suitable for people who only want to clean their drinking water. 
  • Effective. A low price does not mean low performance. A pitcher filter works as well as (and sometimes better than) other filtration systems. It can remove chlorine and zinc from your water, thereby improving smell and taste. Activated carbon technology is highly effective. 
  • Easy to Use. Unlike a faucet filter, there is no installation necessary. The only thing you have to do is pour water into the jug, and it will do the rest. You are one step away from turning unfiltered water into filtered water. 
  • Can Process a Large Quantity. Even though some pitcher filters might have small volumes, others can clean gallons of water. Smaller pitcher filters can clean up to 18 cups of water at a time. The biggest advantage is that you can pre-filter water. You can store pre-filtered water in a different place. 
  • Portable. Unlike a faucet filter, a pitcher filter is not stuck in one place. You can move a pitcher between different parts of the house. You can also carry it out of the house and use it when you’re camping. 
  • Environmentally Friendly.  Like the faucet filters, a portable filter is also environmentally-friendly. Even though it’s made of plastic, it’s a better solution compared to bottled water. You can clean the water yourself instead of outsourcing the work to big companies. 
  • Improves the Taste of Food. Cooking with contaminated water can dull flavors. Boiling water beforehand is also harmful because it makes the water harder. An easy solution is filtering water because it only removes harmful pollutants. You can keep the other minerals that make food taste better. 

Cons

  • Requires Regular Refilling. Unfortunately, you need to keep pouring water into the jug. This can be inconvenient for moments when you’re desperate for clean water. 
  • Time-Consuming. It takes time for the water to go through the cleaning process. Depending on the brand that you buy, water might flow through at a snail’s pace. In such a case, a faucet filter is a better bet because purification is rapid. 
  • Needs Regular Replacement. Charcoal filters need frequent replacements. You’ll need a new sieve every two months or so. The whole process can be costly if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime kind purchase. On the other hand, you could reduce the costs by learning how to clean a water filter. 
Sale
Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, BPA-Free Water Pitcher, Replaces 1,800 Plastic Water Bottles a Year, Lasts Two Months or 40 Gallons, Includes 1 Filter, Kitchen Accessories, Large - 10-Cup
  • The BPA-free Everyday water pitcher with filter holds 10 cups of water, enough to fill 3 24-ounce reusable water bottles; Product reservoir and lid may vary
  • Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can save money and replace 1,800 single-use plastic water bottles* a year; *16.9 oz water;**Based on IRI data;***vs. tap
  • This space efficient Brita pitcher fits perfectly on refrigerator shelves, features an easy-fill locking lid and is easy to pour; Height 10.47"; Width 5.59"; Length/Depth 10.94"; Weight 2.29 pounds
  • Brita is the #1 water filter** reducing chlorine (taste & odor), Mercury, Copper, Zinc and Cadmium; always get cleaner***
  • Compatible with Longlast and Standard water filters; for the freshest tasting water, replace your Longlast filter after 120 gallons or approximately every 6 months or Standard filter after 40 gallons or approximately every 2 months

Last Word on the Faucet Filter vs Pitcher Filter Debate

Since both methods are effective beginner systems, it can be hard to choose between a faucet filter vs pitcher filter. Your final decision should be based on what you want to do with the filtered water. 

If you need large volumes of water quickly, you’re better off with a faucet filter. If your primary concern is simply drinking a glass of water on the regular, a pitcher filter is just what the doctor ordered.