Water Purifiers

Your Guide to Choosing the Right Water Purifier

Choosing a water purifier isn't simply about buying the system with the most filtration stages or the finest micron rating. The best solution is the one that addresses the specific issues you have with your water while fitting your home, budget and lifestyle.

For most UK households supplied with mains water, the goal is usually to improve the taste and quality of drinking water rather than make it safe to drink. Public water supplies are carefully treated and monitored, but many people prefer to reduce chlorine, improve taste and odour, or target contaminants that have become a growing concern in recent years.

Whether you're replacing bottled water, upgrading an older filtration system or fitting a water purifier for the first time, understanding the different technologies available will help you choose a system that delivers the results you're looking for.

Why Install a Water Purifier?

Every customer has a different reason for investing in water filtration, but the most common objectives are remarkably similar.

Enjoy Better Tasting Drinking Water

Chlorine is widely used to disinfect mains water and plays an important role in protecting public health. However, it can leave an unpleasant taste or smell that many people notice, particularly when making tea, coffee, or cordial. A suitable carbon filtration system can significantly improve the taste and freshness of drinking water by reducing chlorine and the compounds responsible for unwanted odours.

Reduce Unwanted Contaminants

Depending on the filtration technology used, water purifiers can reduce a wide range of contaminants commonly found in drinking water. These may include sediment, heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microplastics, and in some systems, PFAS (forever chemicals). Different purification technologies target different contaminants, which is why selecting the right system is more important than simply choosing the most expensive one.

Reduce Reliance on Bottled Water

Many households choose a water purifier as a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to buying bottled water. Having filtered drinking water available directly from the kitchen tap can reduce plastic waste, eliminate the need to carry heavy bottles home and provide fresh water whenever you need it.

Improve Cooking and Hot and Cold Drinks

Filtered water doesn't just benefit what you drink. It can also improve the flavour of tea, coffee, soups, and many more home cooked meals by reducing substances that affect taste and odour.

Which Water Purifier is Right for You?

There isn't a single water purification system that's perfect for every home. The right choice depends on your incoming water supply, what you want to reduce and how you intend to use the filtered water.

There are several different ways to purify water, and the right approach depends on what you want to achieve. If you'd like to explore the options in more detail, our guide looks at seven different methods used by water purifiers and other approaches to water purification.

Undersink Water Purifiers

Installed discreetly beneath the kitchen sink, undersink systems are one of the most popular choices for UK homes. They provide filtered drinking water without taking up valuable worktop space and are available with a variety of filtration technologies depending on your water quality requirements.

Many systems connect to a dedicated drinking water tap, while others can be installed with compatible three-way kitchen taps, allowing you to enjoy filtered and unfiltered water from the same tap.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems provide one of the highest levels of domestic water purification by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane capable of reducing a broad range of dissolved contaminants.

RO systems are often chosen by customers with specific water quality concerns or those looking for a higher level of purification than standard carbon filtration can provide.

Carbon Water Filters

Activated carbon remains one of the most widely used filtration media for treated mains water. Carbon filters are particularly effective at reducing chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odours, making them an excellent choice for many UK households where taste is the primary concern.

Depending on the cartridge used, some carbon filters can also reduce a wider range of organic compounds while maintaining good flow rate and requiring relatively straightforward maintenance.

Specialist Water Purifiers

Some water quality issues require more specialist treatment. Depending on your requirements, you may benefit from systems designed specifically for reducing fluoride, improving water quality in hard water areas or targeting other contaminants. If you're unsure which system best suits your water supply, we are always happy to help.

Water Purifier or Mains Water Filter

Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they solve different problems.

If you want to...	The best solution is...
Improve the taste and quality of your drinking water	Water Purifier
Reduce chlorine from your kitchen drinking water	Water Purifier
Reduce PFAS or other specific drinking water contaminants	Water Purifier
Filter water for cooking and hot drinks	Water Purifier
Filter every tap throughout the property	Mains Water Filter
Protect pipework, showers and appliances	Mains Water Filter
Improve water quality throughout your whole home	Mains Water Filter

If your primary objective is cleaner drinking water from your kitchen tap, you're in the right place. If you're looking to treat all the water entering your property, our Mains Water Filters category is designed specifically for whole house filtration.

What can a Water Purifier Reduce?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, "What does a water purifier actually remove?" The answer depends on the filtration technology used. No single water purifier removes every contaminant, so it's important to choose a system that's designed to address the specific issues with your water.

Below are some of the substances commonly targeted by domestic water purification systems.

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to mains water supplies throughout the UK to help keep drinking water safe during distribution. While essential for disinfection, it can leave an unpleasant taste or smell, particularly when making tea, coffee or drinking water straight from the tap.

Activated carbon filters are widely used to reduce chlorine, often providing a noticeable improvement in both taste and odour. For many UK households, reducing chlorine is the main reason for installing a drinking water filter.

Want to know more? Read our guide on removing chlorine from tap water.

Sediment

Although mains water is treated before it reaches your home, small particles such as rust, sand or silt can occasionally enter the water supply, particularly following maintenance work or repairs to the local network.

A sediment filter helps capture these particles before they reach your glass, improving water clarity while also helping to protect downstream filter cartridges from premature blockage.

Heavy Metals

Some water purification technologies are capable of reducing contaminants such as lead and other heavy metals that may be present in drinking water under certain conditions.

The level of reduction depends on the filtration technology used, so it's always important to check with us instead of assuming all water purifiers perform in the same way.

If lead is your particular concern, read our guide to removing lead from drinking water for more information on how lead gets into tap water and the filtration options available.

PFAS (Forever Chemicals)

PFAS have received increasing attention in recent years due to the persistence in the environment and growing public interest in drinking water quality.

Some water purification systems are designed to reduce certain PFAS compounds, but performance varies considerably depending on the filtration media and system design. If PFAS reduction is one of your primary concerns, choose a system that has been designed and tested for this purpose and always refer to the manufacturer's published performance data if this is available.

For a more detailed look at where PFAS come from, their presence in UK water and the filtration methods that can reduce them, read our guide to PFAS in UK drinking water.

Fluoride

Many customers ask whether a standard drinking water filter will remove fluoride.

The answer is generally no. Most conventional activated carbon filters are not designed to significantly reduce fluoride. If fluoride reduction is important to you, a specialist filtration system is usually required.

If fluoride is a particular concern, our guide to removing fluoride from tap water explains how to check whether your water is fluoridated and compares the filtration methods available.

Microplastics

Awareness of microplastics in the environment has grown significantly, and many homeowners now ask whether they can be reduced through domestic water filtration.

Depending on their design and pore size, some filtration technologies can reduce certain microplastic particles.

If microplastics are a particular concern, read our guide to filtering microplastics from drinking water which explains what the latest UK research tells us and how different filtration methods compare.

Carbon Filtration or Reverse Osmosis?

One of the biggest decisions when choosing a water purifier is deciding whether a carbon filtration system is sufficient or whether a reverse osmosis system would better suit your needs.

Neither technology is 'better' in every situation. They simply address different requirements.

Carbon Water Filters

Carbon filtration is an excellent choice for many UK homes supplied with treated mains water.

Typical benefits include:

• Reduces chlorine, taste and odour
• Maintains a good flow rate
• Straightforward cartridge replacement
• Lower ongoing maintenance than more advanced systems
• Ideal where improving taste and reducing common contaminants is the main objective

For many households, a quality carbon filter provides everything that's needed for cleaner, better tasting drinking water.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a semi-permeable membrane to reduce a much broader range of dissolved contaminants than standard carbon filtration alone.

RO systems are often chosen by customers who want a higher level of purification or who have specific water quality concerns that require more advanced treatment.

Explore our range of Reverse Osmosis Systems to compare the different models available and find the right solution for your home.

Which Should You Choose?

As a general guide:

Choose a carbon water filter if you want to:

• Improve taste and odour
• Reduce chlorine
• Enjoy filtered water from your kitchen tap
• Keep maintenance simple

Consider a reverse osmosis system if you:

• Want a higher level of drinking water purification
• Have specific contaminant reduction goals
• Are happy with a multi-stage filtration system
• Want one of the most comprehensive domestic purification technologies available

If you're unsure which system best suits your needs, we're always happy to help you compare the available options and choose the most appropriate solution.

Feature	Carbon Filter	Reverse Osmosis
Improves taste & odour	✔	✔
Reduces chlorine	✔	✔
Broad contaminant reduction	Limited to certified performance	Broader reduction depending on system
Waste water	No	Yes (for most systems)
Maintenance	Simple	More involved
Best for	Most UK mains water	Customers wanting higher levels of purification

Installation and Ongoing Maintenance

Installing a water purifier is only the first step. Like any filtration system, regular maintenance is essential to keep it performing as intended.

Most domestic systems require replacement cartridges at intervals recommended by the manufacturer (usually 12 months). The exact frequency depends on factors such as household water consumption, incoming water quality and the type of filtration media used.

Replacing cartridges on time helps maintain water quality, preserve flow rate and ensure the system continues to perform as designed. Delaying cartridge replacement can reduce filtration performance and, in some cases, shorten the life of the system itself.

When replacing filters, it's always advisable to use the correct replacement cartridge for your system to maintain the level of performance it was designed to deliver.

Why Trust Fountain Filters?

Choosing the right water purifier isn't simply about selecting the product with the highest specification. The best system is the one that's suited to your water supply, your household and the contaminants you're looking to reduce.

At Fountain Filters, we specialise in water filtration and understand that every customer's requirements are different. Rather than recommending a one size fits all solution, we help customers compare filtration technologies and choose the system that's most appropriate for their needs.

When you buy from Fountain Filters, you benefit from:

• Specialist knowledge of domestic and commercial water filtration
• Carefully selected products from trusted manufacturers
• Expert advice before and after your purchase
• Genuine replacement cartridges and ongoing maintenance support
• Friendly UK based customer service

Whether you're improving the taste of your drinking water or looking for a more advanced purification system, we're here to help you make an informed decision with confidence.

FAQs

What is the difference between a water purifier and a water filter?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but a water purifier generally refers to a system designed to improve drinking water quality by reducing a wider range of contaminants. The level of purification depends on the technology used, such as activated carbon, reverse osmosis or specialist filter media. Always check the product specifications to understand what a particular system is designed to reduce.

Which water purifier is best for UK mains water?

That depends on what you want to achieve. If your main concern is improving taste and reducing chlorine, a quality activated carbon system is often an excellent choice. If you want to reduce a broader range of dissolved contaminants, a reverse osmosis system may be more suitable. The right solution depends on your water quality, household requirements and the contaminants you want to target.

Do water purifiers remove chlorine?

Many water purifiers use activated carbon to reduce chlorine, helping improve the taste and odour of drinking water. Carbon filtration is one of the most common technologies used in domestic drinking water systems.

Can a water purifier reduce PFAS?

Some water purification systems are designed to reduce certain PFAS compounds, but performance varies depending on the filtration technology and the individual product. If PFAS reduction is important to you, choose a system with published performance data for the contaminants you are concerned about.

Do water purifiers remove limescale?

No. Standard water purifiers are designed to improve drinking water quality rather than soften water. If your main concern is hard water or limescale, a dedicated water softener or scale reduction system is usually the more appropriate solution.

How often should I replace my water filter cartridge?

Most replacement cartridges should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The exact interval depends on the type of filter, household water consumption and incoming water quality. Replacing cartridges on time helps maintain filtration performance and water quality.

Can I install a water purifier myself?

Many under-sink water purifiers are suitable for installation by a competent DIY enthusiast, while others may be better installed by a qualified plumber. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and check that you have enough space beneath your sink before purchasing.

Not Sure Which Water Purifier You Need?

Choosing the right water purifier depends on your water supply, the contaminants you want to reduce and whether you want filtered water at a single drinking water tap or more extensive water treatment.

If you're unsure, contact Fountain Filters for free advice. Tell us what you're concerned about in your water and what you'd like to achieve, and we'll help you identify the most suitable filtration system for your needs.

Contact Fountain Filters for expert advice before you buy.