Water Filter Comparison
Waterdrop vs ZeroWater
An honest, data-driven comparison of two popular UK water filters — what they remove, what they cost to run, and which one belongs in your kitchen.
Our verdict
Key difference: ZeroWater goes further than almost any jug or tap filter on the market — its 5-stage system strips water to near-zero dissolved solids. Waterdrop takes a more balanced approach, targeting chlorine and lead without stripping minerals that contribute to taste.
If maximum contaminant removal is your priority — particularly PFAS, fluoride, nitrate, or arsenic — ZeroWater is the more capable filter and the only jug certified to NSF/ANSI 401. Waterdrop is the better option if you want filtered water at the tap without fussing over a jug, and do not need that level of contaminant removal. ZeroWater's higher running cost is the key downside, especially in hard water areas.
Waterdrop is best for
Convenient tap-mounted filtration for chlorine and basic contaminants
ZeroWater is best for
Maximum contaminant removal including PFAS and fluoride
Specs at a glance
Filter 1
Waterdrop
WD-FC-06 Tap Filter
Filter 2
ZeroWater
12-Cup Ready-Pour
Price
£30
£40
Annual filter cost
~£48/yr
~£120/yr
Rating
4.3/5
4.3/5
Type
countertop
jug
Filter life
3 months
2–4 weeks depending on TDS
Flow rate
2.0 L/min
—
Certifications
NSF/ANSI 42
NSF/ANSI 53, NSF/ANSI 401
What it removes
Head-to-head breakdown
Filtration technology
ZeroWater winsWaterdrop
Single-stage carbon block — targets chlorine and lead
ZeroWater
5-stage ion exchange — removes virtually all dissolved solids
Certifications
ZeroWater winsWaterdrop
NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine and taste only)
ZeroWater
NSF/ANSI 53 (heavy metals) + NSF/ANSI 401 (PFAS, pharmaceuticals)
Running cost
Waterdrop winsWaterdrop
~£48/year — 3-month cartridges are cost-effective
ZeroWater
~£120/year — filters exhaust quickly in hard water areas
Convenience
Waterdrop winsWaterdrop
Tap-mounted — instant filtered water on demand at full flow
ZeroWater
Jug format — 12-cup capacity, slow pour, needs pre-filling
TDS monitoring
ZeroWater winsWaterdrop
No TDS monitoring — replace on schedule (3 months)
ZeroWater
Includes TDS meter — know exactly when to replace the filter
Buy either filter
Countertop
Waterdrop WD-FC-06 Tap Filter
Convenient tap-mounted filtration for chlorine and basic contaminants
£30
- Clips onto most standard UK taps in minutes
- Switch between filtered and unfiltered flow
- Compact design that doesn't dominate the counter
Jug Filter
ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready-Pour
Maximum contaminant removal including PFAS and fluoride
£40
- NSF-certified to remove PFAS and heavy metals
- Includes TDS meter so you can verify performance
- 5-stage filtration in a simple jug format
Common questions
Does ZeroWater remove fluoride?
Yes. ZeroWater's 5-stage ion exchange filtration removes fluoride along with most other dissolved minerals. This makes it one of the only jug filters that can genuinely claim fluoride removal. If fluoride is a specific concern, ZeroWater is the right choice at this price point — the alternative is an under-sink reverse osmosis system.
Is ZeroWater or Waterdrop better for tap water taste?
It depends on what you find pleasant. ZeroWater removes virtually all dissolved solids, producing very flat, pure-tasting water — some people love it, others find it almost too neutral. Waterdrop removes chlorine but leaves minerals in, giving a crisper taste that is closer to good bottled water. Taste is subjective, but most people find the Waterdrop result more palatable as an everyday drink.
How often does a ZeroWater filter need replacing?
ZeroWater recommends replacing filters when the TDS meter reads 006 ppm. In soft water areas (below 100 mg/L hardness), a filter can last 4–6 weeks. In hard water areas like London or the South East (above 200 mg/L), you might need to replace every 2 weeks. Budget accordingly — at £120+ per year, ZeroWater is one of the pricier jug options to run.
See what is in your water
Enter your postcode to get a detailed water quality report for your area — so you know exactly which contaminants you need to target.