How should you choose the most optimal household water filter for you? Many people recommend water filter brands such as Doulton, 3M, and Panasonic which all vary in installation and even filter elements. This article recommends and compares water filters for everyone, combined with exclusive offers and Consumer Council water filter suggestions so that you can better distinguish between good and bad water filters upon purchasing.
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- Up to 73% off water filters Doulton, 3M, AquaMetix, etc.
- Filter kettle series as low as HK$238
- Discount on a water ionizer
- Replacement filter element (NSF certified) 2 pack discount, an average of HK$469 each
5 Recommendations to Water Filters and Preferential Products
A. Countertop Water Filter - saves space, no need to install
The filter’s inlet tap is the water tap’s outlet. When the faucet is turned on, fresh water flows through the built-in filter, which then leaves through the water filter’s outlet. The filter element of the countertop water filter has strong filtration performance. It does not occupy much space nor does it need to be installed by a professional; the filter element can last as long as one year. It is not necessary to change the filter element every few months, making it more affordable in the long run and is suitable for family use of 2-4 people.
Countertop Water Filter Comparison Table
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Doulton M12 Series DCP104+BTU 2501 Counter Top Water Filtering System |
Doulton M12 Series DUS+BTU 2501 Counter Top Water Filtering System | AquaMetix BSP Series HCP + B013 Counter Top Water Filtering System |
Pentair CTS-104M Counter Top Water Filtering System |
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health.ESDlife Price |
HK$868(38% off) |
HK$1,768(38% off) |
HK$458(73% off) |
HK$980(23% off) |
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Product Features |
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B. Undercounter/zinc disc - the most efficient water filtration
Undercounter (or under sink) water filters need to be installed under the zinc plate; this means that sometimes a special faucet needs to be replaced. If the undercounter water filter needs to be installed, occupants or families moving to a newly renovated place can ask professionals to help install it during the renovation period, or arrange for a technical staff from the water filter supplier to assist.
Most of this type of water filter will need to install 2-3 filter elements with different effects. For example, one filter may be used to remove chlorine, and the other filter will be used to filter heavy metals. Since each filter element specifically filters a particular substance, this water filter is one of the most effective and suitable for families with children who are water health conscious.
Undercounter Water Filter Comparison Table
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Azure Hydro Clear Water Filtration System with Drinking Faucet |
3M™ Aqua-Pure™ AP-DWS1000 Water Filtration System |
Pentair Everpure H300 NXT Medical Grade Under Sink Water Filtration System |
Doulton HIS-PF+UCC 9501 Under Sink Water Filtering System |
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health.ESDlife Price |
HK$1,920(20% off) |
HK$5,120(10% off) |
HK$3,980(19% off) |
HK$3,200(22% off) |
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C. Water Filter Jug - convenient and simple, the most affordable
The usage of water filter jugs is similar to that of ordinary jugs. The only differences lies in the fact that the filter jugs come with partitions of two layers; the upper layer is filled with unfiltered water which slowly flows through the filter element into the lower layer for storage. These jugs are convenient and simple, but the filtering capacity provided by the kettle is limited. This means that the filter element needs to be replaced frequently, the filtering efficiency is relatively low, and may not be suitable for households with a large number of people.
Water Filter Jug Comparison Table
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BRITA Aluna Cool 2.4L Water Jug with Maxtra Filter(6 packs) |
BRITA Fill & Enjoy Style XL 3.6L Water Jug with Maxtra+ Filter(6 packs) |
Good Aqua Tumbler Water Purifier Bottle |
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health.ESDlife Price |
HK$558(32% off) |
HK$698(33% off) |
HK$299(25% off) |
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D. Faucet type - beginner choice, affordable
Faucet water filters are the most common type of water filter because the entire water filter is installed at the outlet of the faucet. The water filter itself is equipped with a filter element, and comes with a switch that enables users to decide whether to use the water filter function. The price of the water filter is affordable and applicable for beginner families. However, it should be noted that most of this type of water filters only provide the basic function of filtering impurities, and the filter element should be replaced after 3 months of use, which makes the subsequent cost unexpectedly high.
E. Water ionizer - provides health benefits, the most complete water filter function
The main purpose of water ionizers is to electrolyze drinking water into alkaline or acidic water through electrolysis. This type of electrolyzed water is claimed to be mainly used for health care, gastrointestinal improvement and disease prevention. Water with different pH levels also have different functions. Since the water ionizers have been pre-configured with high-efficiency filter elements to filter out pollutants and impurities, they can also be used as highly efficient water filters.
Water Ionizer Comparison Table
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Prime Water Medical Grade Prime-RV Alkaline Water Ionizer |
Prime Water Prime LC-11 Alkaline Water Ionizer |
NEX EN-7P Medical Grade Water Ionizer |
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health.ESDlife Price |
HK$13,980 |
HK$26,980 |
HK$12,980 |
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Comparison Table of 5 Major Water Filter Types
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Countertop |
Undercounter |
Water Filter Jug |
Faucet |
Water Ionizer |
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Installation Method |
Faucet |
Under the zinc pan or through a special faucet |
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Faucet |
Faucet |
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Filter Capacity |
Strong |
Strongest🏆 |
Weak |
Average |
Strong |
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Price |
Average |
Average |
Affordable🏆 |
Affordable🏆 |
Expensive |
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Filter Element Life |
9-12 months🏆 |
9-12 months🏆 |
2-3 months |
3-6 months |
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Advantages |
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Disadvantages |
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Suitability |
2-4 person family |
2-4 person family, especially with children |
1-2 person family |
1-2 person family |
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Referring to the comparison table above, in regards to the filtration capacity and filter life, the countertop water filter and the undercounter water filter perform better. In terms of price, the water filter jug and faucet type are more affordable. The most important function of a water purifier is to filter for clean water. Therefore, an affordable countertop water filter would be the most ideal choice. If you prefer a strong filtration capacity, then the undercounter water filter would be more favourable.
Filter Element Type
While choosing a type of water filter for your household is important, you can’t ignore the importance of the filter element itself. The filter element can be said to be the soul of the water filter. The material selected for the filter element directly affects the filtering efficiency of the machine. The filter element materials can be divided into the following types and their respective functions:
- Activated carbon: filters chlorine, odor, turbidity, organic matter
- Ceramics: filters chlorine, turbidity, microorganisms, lead, and can be cleaned
- Hollow fiber membrane: filters turbidity, microorganisms, bacteria, rust
- Non-woven fabric: filters turbidity
- Ion exchange resin: filters rust, nitrate, sulfate
Limited Time Offer for Water Filter Cartridges
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Doulton BioTect Ultra BTU 2501 NSF 10 Inch Filter Candle | Doulton Ultra Carb UCC 9504 10 Inch Filter Candle |
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health.ESDlife Exclusive Offer |
HK$1,218/2 sticks |
HK$938/2 sticks |
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Product Features |
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Order now |
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Advice from the Consumer Counsil on Choosing a Water Filter
In 2015, the Consumer Countil tested 62 different water filtration products on the market, covering various types of water filters. Let’s take a look at the test results!
Countertop Water Filters
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Brand |
Model |
Retail Price |
Filter Element |
Suggested Replacement Time |
First Year Approximate Cost |
Subsequent Annual Cost |
Claimed Certification |
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Doulton |
HCS-R (M12) |
HK$2,010 |
HK$480 |
9-12 months |
HK$1,180 |
HK$480 |
NSF42 and NSF53 - Cryptosporidium, turbidity and lead |
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Mitsubishi |
SSX880E |
HK$2,698 |
HK$998 |
14 months |
HK$2,698 |
HK$998 |
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Panasonic |
TK38MRF |
HK$1,250 |
HK$958 |
1 year |
HK$1,250 |
HK$958 |
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Philips |
WP3802 |
HK$988 |
HK$558 |
1 year |
HK$998 |
HK$558 |
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As mentioned before, when considering a water filter, not only is it important to consider the price and the filtering capacity, but you should also pay attention to the “suggested replacement time” for the filter element and the “subsequent annual cost.” They are all related to how much the user will have to spend in order to maintain the cleanliness of the water. The price of Doulton’s HCS-R(M12) may be a bit expensive, but the price is the lowest considering the cost of the filter element. It is also NSF verified, so users can continue to enjoy high-quality water at a reasonable price.
Undercounter Water Filters
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Brand |
Model |
Retail Price |
Filter Element |
Suggested |
First Year |
Subsequent |
Claimed Certification |
| 3M |
AP-DWS1000 |
HK$5,400 |
HK$1,900 |
6 months |
Including installation fee HK$7,750-7,800 |
HK$3,800 |
NSF42 and NSF53 - VOC, lead, rust, residual chlorine, peculiar smell, cryptosporidium, nominal particles (level 1) and MTBE |
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Doulton |
HCS-R (M12) |
HK$2,010 |
HK$480 |
9-12 months |
Including installation fee HK$3,740-4,220 |
HK$2,280-2,760 |
NSF42 and NSF53 - VOC, lead, rust, residual chlorine, cryptosporidium and MTBE |
The two undercounter water filters in the table above are from 3M and Doulton respectively. It can be found that the filtering capacity for both water filters are almost the same. However, the installation cost of 3M AP-DWS1000 and subsequent annual costs is significantly higher. This is where the 3M water filter has always been criticized.
The test results of the Consumer Counstil may not directly tell you which water filter you should choose, but it can be observed that in addition to paying attention to the price and NSF certification, the retail price of the filter element, and recommended replacement time should also be considered. This is because the shorter the replacement time of the filter element, the more money you will need to spend on buying the filter element in the future. For example, the faucet-style pricing may be cheaper, but the subsequent expenses are higher, so you must consider the convenience of water filtration products relative to its maintenance when you buy the filter. How frequent you have to change the filter element and the number of people in your household will also pay a factor into your decision!
