The best water filters for UK tap water

“The taste of tap water can vary between regions due to differing hardness (see Water Hardness leaflet) and residual concentrations of chlorine used to maintain the safety of drinking water in the network.”

“When choosing a filter for this purpose ensure it contains activated carbon and change the filter cartridge in line with the manufacturer’s instructions or it will cease to be effective and may leach other chemicals or bacteria.”

Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate, Domestic water filters and softeners ↗

A cheaper first step, in the same guidance: “Before decided to purchase a carbon filter, be aware that a more cost-effective solution is to store a clean, glass, covered jug of drinking water in the refrigerator.”

“If you suspect that your home has lead pipes you can ask your water company to test the water at your kitchen tap. If the water company investigates and finds lead pipes or another source of lead in the plumbing system, they should provide you with written advice on what to do.”

“This short-term measure will protect you and your family, but if there are lead pipes or another source of lead present, these should be replaced as soon as possible.”

Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate, Lead in Drinking Water ↗

A filter listed for lead is a stopgap, not a replacement for the pipes. Do you have lead pipes?

Treatment depends on the mechanism. DWI says reverse osmosis removes most dissolved solids and softens the water. This describes RO as a process; the RCC7AK's NSF/ANSI 58 listing below certifies TDS reduction only, not hardness reduction.

Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate, Domestic water filters and softeners ↗

Some jug cartridges reduce carbonate hardness. BRITA says of MAXTRA PRO: “Its ion exchange resin reduces both carbonate hardness (limescale)”. This is the manufacturer's explanation of that cartridge, not a certified hardness claim for our LifeStraw pick. BRITA cartridge FAQ ↗

A jug treats the water you pour into it; an under-sink system treats the water at its connected outlet. Neither treats the whole house. For scale across the home, a plumbed-in softener uses a different process: “Softeners involve an ion exchange process that replaces calcium and magnesium (hardness) with sodium.” DWI advises retaining an unsoftened supply to the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking.

Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate, Domestic water filters and softeners ↗

Do you need a water softener?

“Before purchasing a water filter, softener or other product, contact your water company to obtain a free copy of the drinking water quality report setting out the results of tests on your home water supply.”

“Always follow the manufacturer’s advice about cleaning and maintenance and the frequency of changing cartridges; failure to do so will cause a build-up of deposits, create a breeding ground for bacteria and leaching of removed material back into the drinking water.”

Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate, Domestic water filters and softeners ↗

• Water filter jugs
• Under-sink water filters
• Shower filters for hard water
• Do you need a water softener?
• Do you have lead pipes?
• Which water test you need

Do I need a water filter in the UK?

For public supplies in England and Wales, the Drinking Water Inspectorate says there is no need to install additional treatment as a health protection measure. People buy filters mostly for taste; a filter listed for lead helps if your home has lead pipes, until they are replaced.

Does a water filter remove limescale?

It depends on the treatment. DWI says reverse osmosis removes most dissolved solids and softens water; BRITA describes carbonate-hardness reduction by its MAXTRA PRO ion-exchange cartridges. These treat only the water passed through them. A whole-house softener treats the connected supply. Our picks' listings do not certify hardness reduction; that alone does not establish whether they reduce limescale. See the cited guidance in the Hard water section.

Why do your links go to amazon.com?

Amazon's Earn Globally service can send the link on to amazon.co.uk. Delivery to the UK is not guaranteed, so check the exact model and delivery before you buy.