Under sink filters offer a convenient and effective solution to improve the quality of your tap water. Like any other filtration system, however, they come with a wide range of features, and a wide price range as well.
A single stage under sink filter will cost you between $50 to $200, a two-stage under sink filter will usually cost you $100 to $300, and a three-stage filter might cost you anywhere from $150 to $600. Most under sink filters can be installed on your own, but professional installation can cost from $50 to $200.
In this article, we introduce you to the different types of under sink filters and their different features, plus how much these features might end up costing you. We also cover potential installation costs, so you can decide if under sink filters are worth the price for your home.
The Cost Of An Under Sink Filter
As the name implies, ‘under-sink filter’ is a broad term for any filter that goes under your sink.
This is considered a ‘point-of-use’ filter system, in contrast to reverse osmosis systems, which can also often be fitted near the point where the water enters your home, so can be ‘point-of-entry’ filter systems as well as ‘point-of-use’.
Under-sink filters are also different from tap-mounted or faucet filters, especially in terms of size and filtering effectiveness.
Since under sink filters with different ‘stages’ have different costs, we have broadly classified these filters into single stage filters and multi stage filters. Please note that this list only covers under-sink filters and not reverse osmosis systems.
Single Stage Under Sink Filters
Most single stage under sink filters are available in the $50 to $150 price range.
Single-stage filters are the most basic type of under-sink filtration systems. As the name suggests, they usually have a single filter cartridge (or media) that is designed to remove specific contaminants. This is most often chlorine, bad tastes, odors, or sediment.
Since they’re not very sophisticated, they tend to be the most affordable. For the same reason, however, they are suitable for only basic water treatment and are most useful when your main concern is improving the taste and odor of the water.
There are some examples of under sink filters from both the low-price and high-price end of the market.
| Single Stage Under Sink Filters | |||
| Low-End Option | Cost | High-End Option | Cost |
| Waterdrop Single Stage Under Sink Filtration System | Product: $51.99 Installation: Comes with DIY instructions | Epic Smart Shield Under Sink System | Product: $135 Installation: DIY friendly |
Multi Stage Under Sink Filters
Multi-stage under sink filters usually have two or three different filters, each designed to deal with a different type of contaminant.
The first stage is often designed to remove larger particles like sediment, rust, and other visible particles. The second stage usually involves a more specialized filter that can remove dissolved and particle contaminants such as heavy metals, like arsenic.
We have more information on the best under sink filters for arsenic available here.
The third stage, when present, can deal with an extra layer of contaminants, for example PFAS and pesticides. Some under sink filters also have additional stages that use more unconventional processes, like UV radiation or KDF filtration.
You can read more about what contaminants under sink filters remove here.
This makes multi-stage filters more efficient at filtering your water compared to single stage under sink filters, but this does come at an added cost – both for the initial purchase and for maintenance.
You can expect to get multi stage under sink filters at a very wide price range of $100 to $600. Two-stage filters usually cost $100-$300, while you should be expecting to pay about $150 to $600 for three-stage filters.
Two-stage filters that use KDF or UV can have much higher price tags – closer to $600 or $700.
Here are some examples of the lowest and highest priced multi-stage under sink filters available, we’ve included one with an additional UV stage to give you an idea on just how much they cost too.
| Low-End Options | Cost | High-End Options | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Stage Aquasana Under Sink Water Filter System – AQ-5200.56 | Cost: $124 Replacement filters: $59.99 Installation: DIY friendly | Acuva-ArrowMax 2.0 UV-LED Water Purifier | Cost: $568.8 Replacement filters: $20.00 Installation: DIY friendly |
| 3-stage Waterdrop TSA Under Counter Direct Connect Filtration System | Product: $137.99 Replacement filters: $76.99 Installation: DIY friendly | Clearly Filtered 3 stage under sink water filter | Product: $495 Replacement filters: $396.00 Installation: “100% DIY” |
Installation Costs
Installing an under sink filter can cost anywhere from $0 to $200 or more.
When it comes to water filters, the initial product cost is not the only concern, since you may also need to consider the cost of installing one.
Thankfully, as you may have noticed in the tables above, most under sink filters are designed to be DIY friendly. This includes under-sink filters that are on the lower and higher side of the price range.
Under sink filters often come with DIY instructions and an installation kit containing necessary tools and supplies, like the tubing, nuts, bolts and related materials. This makes installation very easy, even for beginners.
However, if you don’t feel comfortable with basic plumbing and prefer a professional installation instead, you will likely have to divide your costs in the following headings:
- Tools and Supplies: You will receive the necessary tools with the product in most cases. If not, you may need to pay around $50-$100.
- Plumber Costs: Depending on where you live, you should expect to pay anything between $50 to $200 an hour. Thankfully, most installations of under sink filters don’t take more than an hour for a professional.
Advantages of Under Sink Filters
To help you make a more informed decision let’s briefly look at why you might want to purchase an under sink filtration system in the first place.
Improved Water Quality
Under sink filters often use effective filtering mechanisms like carbon adsorption, which allow them to reliably remove several contaminants of concern such as chlorine, sediment, heavy metals, PFAS and harmful microorganisms, resulting in better-tasting and healthier water.
Space-Saving and Clutter Free Aesthetic
Under sink filters are installed under your kitchen sink, which frees up counter space and keeps your kitchen looking clutter-free. This, in fact, is the one of the most common reasons why homeowners invest in an under sink filter. They also take up less space than a reverse osmosis system.
Convenience
Under sink filters deliver clean water directly from your faucet, reducing the need for bottled water and plastic waste, and also making the entire process very convenient. They also don’t slow the flow of your water down in the same way faucet filters can, and also don’t need refilling like a water filter pitcher.
Cost-Efficiency
Over time, under sink filters are generally more cost-effective than buying bottled water or using larger filtration systems like reverse osmosis. This also makes them better for the environment, as bottled water creates large amounts of plastic waste, while reverse osmosis usually makes a huge volume of waste water.
Are Under Sink Filters The Right Choice For You?
Whether or not an under-sink filter is going to be worth the money depends on the quality of the water you receive in your home, how many contaminants you want to remove, and the amount of money you are willing to spend.
If your tap water is relatively clean and doesn’t have too many dissolved solids, then a multistage or even a single stage under sink filter can work really well for you.
They’re also a great option if you’re environment conscious, as under sink filters are often energy efficient.
Of course, the biggest advantage that makes under sink filters worth it for most people is the way it stays hidden, maintaining a clutter-less, clean look in your kitchen.
Things To Consider
However, the under sink filters we talked about do not cover reverse osmosis systems. If the water you receive in your home is too dirty or contaminated for most purposes, then instead of an under sink filter, we would recommend installing a point-of-entry reverse osmosis system for your house. This is because water with large amounts of sediment will clog up the filters of an under sink system quickly, shortening the lifespan of the filter dramatically.
Overall, under sink filters are available in a wide range of prices, but the features offered tend to differ with the price range. They’re usually quite easy to install on your own. They also have a low environmental impact and are easy to maintain. If your home has a relatively clean water supply and you wish to install an additional layer of security in your drinking water, under sink filters are ideal.
