What a filter really costs, over five years.
The price on the box is the down payment. This adds every cartridge you will buy, replaced at the maker’s gallon or month rating, whichever comes first.
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How the numbers work
- Prices are each maker’s own list price, never a sale price. Where a maker publishes none, the price is the regular one at the store the maker sends buyers to, and the statement names the store. Never an Amazon price. Each statement says when it was checked.
- Replacement timing uses the maker’s rating in gallons and in months, whichever runs out first for your household. The system ships with its first cartridges, so those are not counted twice.
- Water use starts at 1 gallon of drinking and cooking water per person per day. That is TapBuff’s assumption, not a measured figure; change it to match your home.
- Whole-house systems see every gallon the house uses, so they start at 80 gallons per person per day, the low end of USGS’s estimate of 80 to 100 gallons for indoor use. For scale, EPA says the average American family uses more than 300 gallons a day at home.
- Shower filters see the showers: they start at 40 gallons a day for the household, EPA WaterSense’s “nearly 40 gallons per day” for the average family, all through the one shower the filter is on.
- Installation is added only when you enter a plumber’s quote, and only to whole-house systems. TapBuff doesn’t estimate it.
- Salt is counted for water softeners, from each maker’s own capacity at its salt setting, your water’s hardness (an example 10 grains per gallon until you enter yours) and the price of a bag. How softeners compare.
- Not included: plumbing parts, electricity for pumps, control valves or UV lamps, and the water an RO system, a softener or a backwashing filter sends to drain.
Every filter, five years, at a glance
A household of 3: 1 gallon each a day through a filter at the tap, or 80 gallons each a day through a whole-house system, before installation. Shower filters see 40 gallons of showers a day. Softeners include their salt at an example 10 grains per gallon. Filters at the tap come first, then shower filters, then whole-house systems, each kind cheapest per gallon first. “Replaced” is how often parts run out at that rate. A filter rated for few gallons runs out fast, which is why a cheap pitcher can cost the most. A plus sign means something due in those five years has no published figure.
| Filter | Type | Certified for | Replaced | Five years | Per gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterdrop 10UA Under Sink Water Filter (WD-10UA) | Under-sink carbon | Chlorine | Every 12 months4 replacements | $159 | 2.9¢ |
| Waterdrop Elfin Pitcher (WD-PT-05) | Pitcher | Chlorine | Every 7 months9 replacements, 600 gallons each | $403 | 7.4¢ |
| iSpring US31 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filtration System | Under-sink carbon | No certification found | Every 6 months9 replacements | $431 | 7.9¢ |
| Express Water StreamLine Direct Connect System (USC001) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine | Every 6 months9 replacements | $527 | 9.6¢ |
| APEC Ultimate RO-90 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Lead, Copper, Arsenic, Chromium (total), Fluoride | Every 12 months to 3 years6 replacements | $549 | 10¢ |
| Instapure ESSENTIALS F2 Faucet Water Filter (F2) | Faucet mount | Chlorine | Every 2 months27 filters, 200 gallons each | $563 | 10¢ |
| Frizzlife SK99 Under Sink Water Filter | Under-sink carbon | Lead, Chlorine | Every 3 to 12 months32 replacements | $590 | 11¢ |
| APEC Essence ROES-50 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | TDS | Every 6 months to 2 years22 replacements | $692 | 13¢ |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT-Lite Countertop Reverse Osmosis System | Countertop reverse osmosis | Lead, Chromium (total) | Every 12 months8 replacements | $805 | 15¢ |
| Brondell Coral UC300 Under Sink Water Filtration System | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 7 months9 replacements, 600 gallons each | $900 | 16¢ |
| Brita Tahoe Pitcher with Elite Filter (OB60, OB06) | Pitcher | Lead, Chlorine | Every 40 days45 filters, 120 gallons each | $942 | 17¢ |
| Brita UltraMax Dispenser with Elite Filter (OB24, OB06) | Dispenser | Lead, Chlorine | Every 40 days45 filters, 120 gallons each | $950 | 17¢ |
| A.O. Smith 2-Stage Under Sink Water Filter (AO-US-200) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 5 months10 replacements, 500 gallons each | $980 | 18¢ |
| Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage (AQ-6200) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 5 months10 replacements, 500 gallons each | $990 | 18¢ |
| Brita Elite Water Filter Faucet System (SAFF-100/FF-100) | Faucet mount | Lead, Chlorine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 33 days54 filters, 100 gallons each | $1,004 | 18¢ |
| Aquasana Clean Water Machine (AQ-CWM2) | Countertop | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 7 months9 replacements, 600 gallons each | $1,061 | 19¢ |
| Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 6 months9 replacements | $1,078 | 20¢ |
| LARQ Under Sink Water Filter | Under-sink carbon | PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, Chlorine | Every 6 months9 replacements | $1,090 | 20¢ |
| iSpring RCC7 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | TDS Reduction | Every 6 months to 2 years38 replacements | $1,100 | 20¢ |
| Brita Tahoe Pitcher with Original Filter (OB60, OB03) | Pitcher | Copper, Chlorine | Every 13 days136 filters, 40 gallons each | $1,124 | 21¢ |
| Waterdrop G3P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Fluoride, Chlorine | Every 6 months to 2 years15 replacements | $1,149 | 21¢ |
| Multipure Aquaversa (MP750) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 8 months7 replacements, 750 gallons each | $1,215 | 22¢ |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow (AQ-6300M) | Under-sink carbon | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 6 months9 replacements | $1,278 | 23¢ |
| AquaTru Classic (AT2000) | Countertop reverse osmosis | Lead, Copper, PFOA, PFOS, Nitrate, Arsenic, Chromium (total), Fluoride, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 6 to 13 months22 replacements | $1,344 | 25¢ |
| Instapure COMPLETE F5 Lead Reducing Faucet Water Filter (F5) | Faucet mount | Lead, Chlorine | Every 33 days54 filters, 100 gallons each | $1,375 | 25¢ |
| Brita Hub Countertop Water Filter System (87340) | Countertop | Lead, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 40 days45 filters, 120 gallons each | $1,545 | 28¢ |
| Waterdrop G3P800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Fluoride, Chlorine | Every 6 months to 2 years15 replacements | $1,669 | 30¢ |
| Brondell Capella RC250 Reverse Osmosis System | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Lead, Copper, PFOA, PFOS, Arsenic, Chromium (total), Fluoride, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 3 months to 2 years20 replacements | $1,950 | 36¢ |
| Ninja HydraSense Countertop Water Filtration System (WF1001) | Countertop | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 40 days45 filters, 120 gallons each | $2,050 | 37¢ |
| LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass Water Filter Pitcher | Pitcher | Lead, Copper, Chlorine | Every 13 days to 3 months156 replacements | $2,869 | 52¢ |
| Aquasana SmartFlow Reverse Osmosis (AQ-SFRO2) | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Lead, Copper, PFOA, PFOS, Nitrate, Arsenic, Chromium (total), Fluoride, Chlorine, Chloramine, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 3 to 12 months34 replacements | $2,917 | 53¢ |
| LARQ Pitcher 2 with Advanced Pitcher Filter | Pitcher | No certification found | Every 20 days91 filters, 60 gallons each | $3,007 | 55¢ |
| Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher | Pitcher | Chlorine | Every 33 days54 filters, 100 gallons each | $3,620 | 66¢ |
| Culligan 10-Cup Pitcher with ZeroWater Technology (ZEROP10) | Pitcher | Lead, Copper, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, Nitrate, Chromium (total), Fluoride, Chlorine | Every 13 days137 replacements, 40 gallons each | $5,103 | 93¢ |
| ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher (ZP-010) | Pitcher | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, Chromium (total), Chlorine | Every 5 days365 filters, 15 gallons each | $7,334 | $1.34 |
| Culligan MaxClear Scout Gravity Water Filter (MCS701P) | Dispenser | Lead, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, Chlorine, Chloramine | Every 17 days109 filters, 50 gallons each | $8,840 | $1.61 |
| Speakman Neo Handheld Filtered Showerhead (VSF-5000-E2) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 2 months24 filters, 3,000 gallons each | $149+ | 0.2¢ |
| AquaBliss SF100 Daily Revitalize Shower Filter | Shower | No certification found | Every 3 months19 filters | $397 | 0.5¢ |
| Weddell Duo Shower Filter (WD-100) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 5 months11 filters | $420 | 0.6¢ |
| T3 Source Showerhead (73311) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 6 months9 filters | $470 | 0.6¢ |
| Speakman Hotel Pure Filtered Shower Head (S-2005-HBF) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 6 months9 filters | $488 | 0.7¢ |
| WaterChef SF-7C Shower Filter System | Shower | Chlorine | Every 6 months9 filters | $524 | 0.7¢ |
| Rainshower Restore Shower Filter (CQ-1000) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 8 months7 filters, 10,000 gallons each | $615 | 0.8¢ |
| Aquasana Shower Filter (AQ-4100) | Shower | No certification found | Every 6 months9 filters | $707 | 1.0¢ |
| American Standard Spectra Filtered 4-Spray Hand Shower Rail System (9238759) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 4 months14 filters | $746 | 1.0¢ |
| Canopy Filtered Showerhead | Shower | No certification found | Every 3 months19 filters | $853 | 1.2¢ |
| AquaTru Shower (ATSH01) | Shower | Chlorine | Every 50 days36 filters, 2,000 gallons each | $1,587 | 2.2¢ |
| A.O. Smith Whole House Sediment Filter, Valve-in-Head (AO-WH-PREV) | Whole house | Nominal Particulate Reduction, Class V | Every 12 months5 replacements | $150 | under 0.1¢ |
| A.O. Smith Whole House Central Water Filter (AO-WH-FILTER) | Whole house | Chlorine | None in five years | $350 | 0.1¢ |
| Rheem Preferred 32,000 Grain Water Softener (RHS32) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $716 | 0.2¢ |
| WaterBoss Model 900 Water Softener | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $758 | 0.2¢ |
| Rheem Preferred Plus 42,000 Grain Water Softener (RHS42) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $766 | 0.2¢ |
| WaterBoss Model 700 Water Softener | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $800 | 0.2¢ |
| Whirlpool 30,000 Grain Water Softener (WHES30) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $817 | 0.2¢ |
| GE Smart Water Softener, 35,000 Grain (GXSH35W) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $916 | 0.2¢ |
| Whirlpool 40,000 Grain Water Softener (WHES40) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $957 | 0.2¢ |
| GE Smart Water Softener, 45,000 Grain (GXSH45W) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $1,016 | 0.2¢ |
| Whirlpool 48,000 Grain Water Softener (WHES48) | Whole house | Hardness | No cartridges | $1,147 | 0.3¢ |
| GE Smart Water Softener with Integrated Filtration, 30,000 Grain (GXMD30W) | Whole house | Hardness, Chlorine | No cartridges | $1,236 | 0.3¢ |
| SpringWell Whole House Water Filter System (CF1) | Whole house | No certification found | Every 12 months5 replacements | $1,593 | 0.4¢ |
| iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter | Whole house | No certification found | Every 6 months9 replacements | $1,651 | 0.4¢ |
| SpringWell UV Water Purification System, 15 gpm (SPRW-UV-15gpm) | Whole house | No certification found | Every 12 months4 replacements | $1,807 | 0.4¢ |
| SpringWell Salt Based Water Softener System (SS1) | Whole house | No certification found | No cartridges | $1,890+ | 0.4¢ |
| iSpring WGB32BM 3-Stage Whole House Iron Filter | Whole house | No certification found | Every 6 months9 replacements | $1,976 | 0.5¢ |
| SpringWell FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner (FS1) | Whole house | No certification found | None in five years | $2,100 | 0.5¢ |
| Aquasana SimplySoft 40,000 Grain Softener (WH-SF40) | Whole house | Hardness | Every 6 months10 replacements | $2,315 | 0.5¢ |
| US Water Systems Matrixx Smart Metered Water Softener (MXX-100, 10 gpm) | Whole house | No certification found | No cartridges | $2,445+ | 0.6¢ |
| Aquasana Salt-Free Water Conditioner (WH-SFWC-S) | Whole house | No certification found | Every 6 months19 replacements | $2,461 | 0.6¢ |
| SoftPro Elite Smart HE Water Softener, 40,000 Grain | Whole house | No certification found | No cartridges | $2,524+ | 0.6¢ |
| SpringWell Whole House Well Water Filter System (WS1) | Whole house | No certification found | None in five years | $2,625 | 0.6¢ |
| Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter (WH-1000) | Whole house | No certification found | Every 6 months19 replacements | $2,701 | 0.6¢ |
| Aquasana Rhino Chloramines Whole House Water Filter (WH-1011) | Whole house | No certification found | Every 6 months19 replacements | $3,501 | 0.8¢ |
| Aquasana HealthShield (WH-HS) | Whole house | PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Every 6 to 23 months21 replacements | $4,901+ | 1.1¢ |
Where to go next
- Filters, checkedEvery filter TapBuff has checked against a certifier’s listing, with five-year costs.Compare filters
- NSF/ANSI standards, decodedWhat each number on a filter box covers, and what it does not.Every standard
- What’s in your waterEnter your ZIP code to see what EPA’s records show for your utility.Look up your ZIP code