SISTAIN's Water Filter Guide: The Complete Home Detox Companion

Epic Water Filter (Glass/Bamboo Pitcher)

• Contaminants Removed: 200+ including PFAS (97–99%), lead (99.9%), chlorine (98–100%), VOCs, chromium-6, microplastics. Claims 97.9% fluoride removal, though real-world independent testing (e.g., Quality Water Lab) found only ~27% fluoride reduction.

• Important Note: If fluoride removal is your primary concern, we do not recommend this filter. While Epic claims high fluoride filtration, third-party testing shows inconsistent results.

• Filter Life: ~150 gallons (3–4 months)

• NSF Certified: Independently tested to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, and P473

• Installation: None

• Material: Glass body with bamboo handle (recommended configuration)

• Price Point: $84 + $46-$53 refills

• Best For: High PFAS, lead, and microplastic removal in a glass pitcher design

• Rating: 4.25/5

Aarke Purifier

• Contaminants Removed: Chlorine and some heavy metals; performance depends heavily on the type of filter pod selected. Aarke offers multiple pod types:

  • Purifier+ Clean Pod: Basic filtration; reduces chlorine, taste, and odor.

  • Enriched Refilter+ Pod: Adds magnesium and retains some beneficial minerals, with moderate contaminant reduction.

  • Purifier+ Safe Pod: Highest toxin removal: includes activated carbon + ion exchange for targeting heavy metals, chlorine, and some organic pollutants.

  • For best contaminant removal: choose the Purifier+ Safe Pod.

• Filter Life: ~40 gallons (~1 month)

• NSF Certified: No

• Installation: None

• Material: Glass + metal; refillable filter pod

• Price Point: $140-$200 pitcher, $30-$35 refills

• Best For: Aesthetic kitchens prioritizing taste over toxin removal

• RATING: 3/5

FilterBaby

• Contaminants Removed: Chlorine, chloramine, microplastics, lead, rust, bacteria, certain heavy metals — removes particles as small as 0.000001mm

  • Clinical & In Vitro Results:
    

    • +69% wound healing

    • +126% skin barrier lipids

    • +20% cell regeneration (keratinocytes)
      

• Filter Life: 3 months

• NSF Certified: Pending

• Installation: 2-minute faucet install (tool-free)

• Material: High quality activated carbon & metal housing (Japan-made)

• Price Point: $125 for the Faucet; $45 for the refill

• Best For: Skin-focused homes, dermatology routines, apartment dwellers

• RATING: 4.5/5

Rorra Countertop System

• Contaminants Removed: PFAS (including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFDA, PFBS), Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals (e.g., BPA, estrone, ibuprofen, naproxen), Lead, Chlorine; 50+ total. Find out what's in your water using their ZIP code using their custom water report tool.

• Filter Life: 200 gallons (90 days)

• NSF Certified: Tested to NSF standards

• Installation: None required

• Material: Stainless steel (medical grade)

• Price Point: $449 with the filter subscription and $549 as a one time only purchase

• Best For: Households wanting no-install, stainless steel purification

• Rating: 4.25/5

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Berkey Countertop Filter

• Contaminants Removed: Claims to remove over 200 contaminants, including lead, arsenic, mercury, chlorine, VOCs, bacteria, and viruses. Independent tests show strong performance in bacteria and metal reduction, but some third-party labs reported limited fluoride removal and potential aluminum leaching with fluoride cartridges.

• Filter Life: Up to 3,000 gallons (Black Berkey elements)

• NSF Certified: Not certified by NSF/ANSI standards or any other credible third-party. Legal Note: Not approved for sale in California or Iowa due to lack of state-level certification.

• Installation: None; gravity-fed system

• Material: Primarily stainless steel; Berkey also offers systems like the Travel Berkey Light made from non-BPA copolyester

• Price Point: ~$300–$400 depending on size

• Best For: Off-grid use and households wanting large-volume gravity filtration without plumbing or electricity

• Rating: 2.5/5

FilterBaby Shower Filter (Pro Series Recommended)

• CONTAMINANTS REMOVED: Chlorine, chloramine, certain heavy metals, 60+ other key tap water contaminants and particles as small as 0.00001mm
• FILTER LIFE: 3 months
• NSF CERTIFIED: Pending; independently lab-tested
• INSTALLATION: 2 minutes, fits 99% of showers
• MATERIAL: Pro = Titanium-Aluminum; Diamond = Plastic
• PRICE POINT: $125 one-time purchase + $49 for filter
• BEST FOR: Skin-focused homes, eczema-prone or acne-prone skin
• RATING: 4.5/5

Rorra Filtered Showerhead

• Contaminants Removed: Chlorine, Chloramine and heavy metals such as Lead, Mercury and Copper.

• Filter Life: 200 Showers (90 days)

• NSF/ANSI Testing: Tested in accordance with NSF/ANSI 177 standards by multiple third-party labs.

• Installation: Fits all standard U.S. showers; includes wrench and thread tape for easy, tool-free installation.

• Material: High-quality, durable ABS plastic.

• Price Point: $199 for Showerhead + Filter Subscription or $239 one-time purchase.

• Best For: Anyone looking to improve their skin, hair and respiratory health. Also those dealing with eczema, rashes, psoriasis, thinning hair, fading color, scalp dryness, asthma and others.

• Rating: 4.5/5

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