Under-sink water filter – which one to choose? | CzystyStyl Guide
Deciding to install a water filter is a step towards health, huge savings, and environmental care. However, before choosing a specific model, it's worth understanding why it's worth filtering water in your own home in the first place.
Where does tap water come from, and why is it worth using a filter?
Water supplied by waterworks in Poland undergoes a purification process, but before it reaches your glass, it travels a long way. At water treatment plants, it is disinfected – most often with chlorine, which spoils its taste and smell. Then, it flows through kilometers of pipes (often outdated, cast iron, or plastic). Any network failure poses a risk of rust, bacteria, and viruses getting into the water.
What do you gain by installing a filter under the sink?
- 100% certainty about water purity: You purify water just before drinking it.
- Simple savings: No more buying expensive bottled water. Clean tap water costs a fraction of a penny per liter.
- Ecological solution: Less plastic means a cleaner planet.
- Versatility: Clean water is always at hand. It is essential for active people, makes life easier when cooking (soups and coffee taste much better), is completely safe for sensitive individuals, allergy sufferers, seniors, and children, and is also excellent for pets and plants.
Identify your problem – match the solution
Most of our customers look for a filter because of a specific, troublesome water problem. Find your situation below:
1. Water has an unpleasant smell and taste (e.g., chlorine aftertaste)
Solution: All filters will solve this problem: sorption (carbon) filters, ultrafiltration systems, and reverse osmosis. Activated carbon effectively deals with chlorine.
2. Hard water and stubborn limescale in the kettle
Solution: To 100% eliminate the limescale problem and extend the life of household appliances, you need reverse osmosis. There are also inline filters with special cartridges (with ion-exchange resin) that can partially soften the water, but their effectiveness depends on the water hardness level and they require more frequent cartridge replacement.
3. Fear of bacteria and viruses
Solution: Reverse osmosis removes up to 99% of bacteria and viruses. An alternative is inline filters with a capillary membrane (ultrafiltration), which also do an excellent job of retaining biological contaminants. An additional safeguard (after filtration) can be the use of a separate UV lamp.
4. Rusty water (iron, sand in pipes)
Solution: Any under-sink filter can handle this problem. Mechanical (sediment) cartridges effectively capture rust and solid contaminants.
5. Microplastics, heavy metals, and chemical compounds
Solution: Only reverse osmosis (RO). The osmotic membrane is the only effective barrier against heavy metals and microplastics dissolved in water.
Technical classification of filters – what exactly do they remove?
1. Sorption (carbon) filters
They use activated carbon cartridges and mechanical filtration.
Remove:- chlorine,
- unpleasant odor and taste,
- basic mechanical impurities.
- bacteria and viruses,
- heavy metals,
- microplastics,
- drug residues and pesticides.
Examples: Aquaphor Krystal A, PHILIPS AUT1211/10
2. Filters with ultrafiltration (capillary membrane)
An intermediate solution. The capillary membrane retains mechanical and biological contaminants.
Remove:- sediments and turbidity, rust and sand,
- bacteria and some microorganisms,
- chlorine (thanks to carbon cartridges).
- dissolved salts,
- water hardness (calcium, magnesium),
- nitrates and fluorides,
- heavy metals in ionic form.
Examples: Aquaphor Eco Pro, Aquaphor Eco H Pro, Vio UF02-600, ViO BP-UF01
3. Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Filter water through a membrane with a permeability of up to 0.0001 microns (removing up to 99.8% of impurities).
Remove, among others:- heavy metals (lead, copper),
- bacteria and viruses,
- microplastics,
- chemical compounds,
- limescale and water hardness.
Step 1: Summary. When to choose Reverse Osmosis and when Ultrafiltration?
Given the above information, we have prepared a ready-made selection scheme for you:
Choose Reverse Osmosis (RO) if:
- You want to forget about limescale: Osmosis effectively removes minerals responsible for water hardness. Your kettle and coffee machine will shine.
- You demand uncompromising purity: The osmotic membrane removes up to 99% of all impurities, including viruses, bacteria, rust, and lead.
- You care about the taste of food: Soups, coffee, and tea prepared with osmotic water have a much deeper and more distinct taste.
- You want crystal clear water, safe for: infants, allergy sufferers, seniors, people with skin problems, and very sensitive individuals.
- You have a water softener (or whole-house water treatment system) at home: After softener regeneration, the water contains a high concentration of salts. Only reverse osmosis will purify water for drinking purposes.
- You use your own well: Osmosis is the safest barrier against bacteria and contaminants from the ground.
- You live in an old building: Are you doubtful about the quality of the pipes? Osmosis will remove heavy metals and microplastics from the installation.
Ultrafiltration or a Sorption Filter is sufficient if:
- Your tap water comes from a safe, municipal network, but you want to improve its smell and taste (get rid of chlorine).
- You want to maintain the natural composition of water: You want the water to have a natural level of calcium and magnesium without the need for artificial mineralization.
- You are looking for a Zero Waste solution: Inline filters do not generate any wastewater to the sewage system.
- You appreciate simplicity: The equipment does not require electricity and has no electronics that could break down.
Step 2: I chose Osmosis. With or without a tank?
Tank Storage Systems
- Operate without electricity: They rely on water pressure in the network.
- Lower risk of failure: No advanced electronics or pumps.
- More filtration stages: Usually from 5 to even 8 stages (including mineralization).
- Water reserve: You have several liters of clean water in the tank even if the water supply fails.
Examples: Ecosoft PURE Balance, AQUAPHOR RO-102S Black, Bluewater Cleone Balance
"Direct Flow" Systems (Tankless)
- No stagnant water: Water is filtered continuously.
- Space-saving: Ideal for small kitchens.
- Less wastewater: Modern pumps = less dirty water discharge.
- High efficiency: Fast and continuous flow from the tap.
- Safety: Built-in flood protection systems.
Examples: Midea 600GPD RO5, VIO AW-RB08 1200 T, PHILIPS AUT8960/10, Klarwod RO DIGITAL 600G
Step 3: Mineralization and Water with Elevated pH (Alkaline)
Many customers look for systems with a built-in mineralizer. However, it's worth remembering that the main source of minerals for humans is food, not water. Built-in mineralization is not always a plus – it gives water a taste that you may not like.
- Separate mineralizer: If you buy a mineralizer separately, you can replace or disconnect it at any time if you prefer crystal clear water.
Examples: Aquaphor inline mineralizer, Philips AquaShield AUT605CM
- Redox and Bioceramic cartridges: If your doctor has recommended water with an elevated pH (e.g., for stomach problems), choose a system with a special cartridge or buy one separately. Remember: alkaline water has a specific taste and is not recommended for continuous consumption by people with a healthy digestive system.
Examples: 2.5'' Inline Redox Cartridge
Step 4: Key parameters – how to filter products in the store?
Knowing the filter type, pay attention to these parameters when choosing a specific model. Models intended for home use can be found here: Under-sink water filters
Also, pay attention to Smart functions, e.g.: intelligent reminders about filter replacement, leak protection, or WiFi connectivity, SMART faucet.
Filters in rented apartments
Are you renting an apartment and not allowed to drill into the countertop? That's no reason to give up clean water!
You can buy any filter and connect it to a three-way faucet (or four-way faucet). Such a faucet replaces your existing tap and has a separate channel for filtered water. No drilling, complete comfort!
We most often recommend ultrafiltration systems (if you don't have an outlet under the sink) or compact tankless osmosis, which is easy to dismantle when moving out.
No space under the sink? Choose a countertop dispenser
What to do when the cabinet under the sink is completely occupied by trash cans or kitchen systems, but you still want to enjoy the highest quality water? An excellent alternative is countertop water dispensers with reverse osmosis.
- No need to connect to pipes: Many of these devices are freestanding systems with an integrated tank (e.g., Philips models). Just pour tap water into them, and the device will filter it itself!
- Heating and cooling: Modern dispensers will prepare boiling water for tea in a few seconds, water at the ideal temperature for baby formula, and in summer, they will serve pleasantly chilled water.
- Full mobility: You only need an electrical outlet. You can place the dispenser in the kitchen, living room, home office, or take it with you to the allotment garden.
- Modern design: They are a very elegant and functional gadget that fits perfectly into modern interiors.
Still have questions?
Chat with us, send an email, or simply call us! Our consultants will be happy to help you choose the ideal solution, tailored to your kitchen and water parameters.
