What is the best water filter for UK tap water?

It depends on what you want to remove. For basic chlorine and taste improvement, a jug filter like BRITA is fine. For PFAS, fluoride, and heavy metals, you need a reverse osmosis system. Our buying guides cover each category in detail.

Do I need a water filter in the UK?

UK tap water is legally safe to drink and meets strict standards set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. However, trace levels of contaminants like chlorine, lead from old pipes, and PFAS can be present below legal limits. A filter can reduce these if you want extra peace of mind, but it is not strictly necessary for safety.

Do water filters remove PFAS?

Only certain types. Reverse osmosis systems (certified to NSF/ANSI 58) remove 90-99% of PFAS compounds. Some activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 offer partial reduction. Basic jug filters and countertop filters typically do not remove PFAS.

How much does a water filter cost in the UK?

Jug filters cost between £20-£45 upfront with replacement cartridges around £5-8 each. Countertop systems range from £100-£200. Under-sink reverse osmosis systems cost £200-£500. Whole-house systems start at £500 and can exceed £1,000 for premium models.

Which type of water filter removes the most contaminants?

Reverse osmosis removes the widest range of contaminants including PFAS, fluoride, lead, bacteria, and hardness minerals. It is the most thorough filtration technology available for home use, but it also removes beneficial minerals and wastes some water in the process.

Best Water Filters for UK Tap Water

By TapWater.uk Research·Updated April 2026

Most “best water filter” articles rank products based on marketing materials. We do it differently: we match filters to contaminants actually found in UK tap water, using government data from the Environment Agency and water company compliance reports.

UK tap water is safe to drink. It meets strict legal standards. But “legal” and “ideal” are different things — trace amounts of chlorine, lead from old pipes, PFAS, and nitrates from farming can all be present within legal limits. The right filter depends on what is in your water and what you want to remove. This page helps you work out which type you need, then links to our detailed buying guides for each category.

Our buying guides contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This funds our independent water quality research. Our recommendations are based on certifications and contaminant data, not sponsorship. Full disclosure

What each filter type removes

Different filter technologies remove different things. This table shows what you can realistically expect from each type, based on independent certifications rather than manufacturer claims.

Filter type	Chlorine	Lead	PFAS	Fluoride	Bacteria	Hardness
Jug (carbon)
Jug (ion exchange)
Countertop
Under-sink
Reverse osmosis
Whole house

RemovesPartialNo effect

Choose your filter type

We have written a detailed buying guide for each filter category, with specific product recommendations tested against real UK water quality data.

Best Water Filter Jug UK

BRITA vs ZeroWater vs the rest. We test jugs against real contaminant data and tell you which ones are worth the money.

Best Reverse Osmosis System UK

The most thorough filtration you can get at home. Removes PFAS, fluoride, heavy metals, and virtually everything else.

Best Filter for PFAS Removal

Not all filters remove forever chemicals. These are the ones with independent certification to actually do it.

Best Shower Filter UK

Chlorine in shower water can dry out skin and hair. These filters reduce it at the source.

Best Whole House Filter UK

Filter every tap, shower, and appliance in your home with a single system installed at your water main.

Best Water Testing Kit UK

Not sure what is in your water? Test it yourself before spending money on a filter you might not need.

What NSF certifications mean

The single most important thing when choosing a filter is independent certification. Marketing claims mean nothing without third-party verification. Here are the certifications that matter:

NSF/ANSI 42Reduces chlorine, taste, and odour. The baseline.
NSF/ANSI 53Reduces health-related contaminants: lead, mercury, volatile organic compounds.
NSF/ANSI 58Reverse osmosis systems. The most thorough filtration standard.
NSF/ANSI 401Emerging contaminants: PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides.

Check your postcode first

See which contaminants are flagged in your area. We will recommend the right filter type for your water.

Try your postcode — e.g. SW1A, M1, B1