Since 1945, water supplies in the US have been fluoridated under the banner of better oral hygiene. But as time passed and medical research improved, experts discovered not only that mass fluoridation may not be necessary, but also that sodium fluoride may actually cause more harm than good. Excessive fluoride can adversely affect healthy brain development, cognitive performance, and kidney and thyroid function.
An effective water filter is the best way to avoid excessive fluoride ingestion. However, with so many brands of water filters claiming to remove fluoride, it’s hard to find the best one.
To save you the trouble, I have spent six months testing and reviewing popular filtration products that target fluoride in water. Here’s what I found.
1. SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System (9.85/10)
- The best fluoride water filter
- $442
The SpringWell Reverse Osmosis (RO) under-sink system takes the first place on my list because it has the highest fluoride removal rate and the longest filter life.
Pros
SpringWell, a US-based company, makes highly efficient filtration systems for both polluted city water and private well water. This reverse osmosis system uses four-stage reverse osmosis technology to target fluoride and heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, as well as other harmful contaminants.
This filtration system is made from 100% NSF-certified components, and the quality is phenomenal. This SpringWell filter system can deliver a whopping 75 gallons of clean water daily, which is unprecedented, at least in the under-sink category.
How does it filter all that water so efficiently? The SpringWell filter comprises four filters, including a sediment filter and dual carbon filters, that completely eliminate harmful elements from your drinking water. In addition to fluoride and hard metals, this filter also removes chlorine, pesticides, and bacterial contaminants.
Another feature that sets this under-sink fluoride water filter apart from the rest of the filters on my list is its extraordinary capacity, again 75 gallons of water everyday. That’s more than enough for medium to large families, even in hot summers. The water comes out crystal clear and delicious. You can use it for cooking your favorite foods and mixing your favorite beverages.
Like any other under-sink filter, it needs a regular filter change to keep things running smoothly. Each of the four filters has a filter life of 12 to 24 months, significantly longer than the average filter.
SpringWell’s reverse osmosis filter is the most economical on the market at only $442. The filter replacement will set you back $174, which is not a big deal considering you’ll have to replace them only once every two years.
On top of this high quality you also get high expectations—SpringWell provides a six-month money-back guarantee on all its products. So you don’t have to worry about being stuck with a subpar product.
Your SpringWell reverse osmosis system comes with a dedicated faucet for dispensing filtered water separate from your regular tap water. This way, you can use unfiltered tap water for cleaning and other unimportant activities while saving your filtered water for drinking and cooking.
Cons
The only thing that bothered me a little was the installation process. I got stuck during the fitting process. This may be particularly tricky for those without home improvement skills, especially drilling the new hole for your reverse osmosis faucet, but you can always hire someone, or ask a handy friend for help.
In case you need to reach out to the company during the installation process, you don’t need to worry. SpringWell’s customer service was really resourceful and guided me properly. I had a functioning water filtration system within an hour.
Overall
The SpringWell reverse osmosis system is the best fluoride water filter on the market right now. Apart from fluoride, their website lists at least 30 other contaminants that this RO filter removes, making the water super safe and healthy to consume.
I’ve seen many products claiming to use reverse osmosis, but I’ve found SpringWell’s process to be the most thorough. The results were far superior to other RO systems on the market, so much so that it kept the fluoride levels below minimum detection levels.
You might need a little assistance from customer service for proper installation but if you’re handy, you can easily install it yourself.
If you’re worried about fluoride’s effect on your family and you want the market’s best fluoride water filter, order the SpringWell under-sink reverse osmosis system here.
2. Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum (8.9/10)
- Effective but pricey
- $449
The Aquasana OptimH2O isn’t too far behind my number one choice. It’s an efficient fluoride removal filter for healthy drinking water, but the maintenance of this system is quite expensive.
Pros
Aquasana’s OptimH2O filter is a good-quality under-sink water filter for the whole family. The brand claims to utilize its patented “claryum” technology comprising three-stage filtration and an RO filtration system. All Aquasana products are NSF tested and certified.
On its website, Aquasana has listed at least 88 contaminants that this filter removes from your water. I was initially skeptical of this, but after doing a total dissolved solids (TDS) test, the results showed a significant reduction in contaminants like sediment, chlorine, arsenic, lead, and—yes— fluoride.
In fact, the system is so efficient that it even removes the essential minerals needed for the human body. That’s why there is a “remineralization” process afterward that adds all the essential elements back to your water. As long as I get healthy minerals in my diet without unnecessary additives, I am okay with this over-the-top filtration.
Water filtered with this fluoride filter also tastes good and is suitable for cooking and drinking. You can expect to get approximately 13 gallons of filtered water daily, which is fine for an average household, but isn’t quite the 75 gallons you get with the SpringWell system.
The Aquasana filter has a modern design and fits easily under the sink. The system costs $449 and requires a filter change every 6 to 12 months, depending on the usage. The company also offers free shipping and a one-year warranty, which is promising.
Cons
Aquasana’s OptimH2O replacement filters cost $164 in total, which adds up over time, especially considering the filters may last only 6–12 months. If you have highly contaminated water, you might end up changing filters twice a year. You might be tempted to push it past 6–12 months, but you’ll notice slower filtration and less-pure water.
At this high price, only 13 gallons a day seems pretty paltry. It may be fine for a small family, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the SpringWell.
Overall
The Aquasana RO filtration system is a good choice if you want fluoride removed from your daily life and healthy minerals added back in, and you’re willing to pay for it. It’s certified, efficient, and easy to install under the kitchen sink.
The filtration is so efficient that it removes all the hard metals, sediments, and bacterial contaminants that may threaten your health.
While the filters need changing frequently and cost more than SpringWell’s, it’s still a reliable alternative.
To learn more about this product, visit the website.
3. SimPure Countertop Dispenser (7.8/10)
- Easy to carry
- $369
SimPure’s Y7P-BW water filter is #3 because it effectively removes fluoride, as well as dangerous microbial contaminants, sediment, and heavy metals. What’s more, you can carry it anywhere.
Pros
If you’re looking for a fluoride filter with no fussy installation and easier maintenance than my first two recommendations, the SimPure is for you. It has a futuristic design and can sit nicely on the kitchen counter or even on your bedside table if that’s your fancy. It filters water quietly and blends in the background quite well.
SimPure’s RO plus UV filter dispenser is an SGS and NSF certified countertop fluoride-filtering system that is efficient and durable. Frankly, I’m impressed by the brand’s efforts to certify its products with various safety standards.
Simpure claims to remove 1,000 contaminants from tap water. I’m not sure about this humongous claim, but it filtered the most dangerous ones during my testing, and the water tastes good and fresh.
Since it’s a countertop filtration system, you have to refill the 1.3-gallon plastic tank several times a day. It has another 0.45-gallon internal pure water tank that stores filtered water. Once empty, it takes about 60 seconds to replenish.
A convenient touch screen displays info about filter replacement, capacity, and drainage. It has a 4:1 pure-to-waste water ratio, which is the most efficient among popular countertop water filters.
The Simpure stands out from the SpringWell and the Aquasana in its affordability. You can purchase this fluoride filter at $369 with a one-year warranty and free shipping. It has two filters that need replacement every six months and cost about $65.
Cons
As I mentioned, the Simpure countertop filter has a 1.3-gallon refillable tank, making it inherently impractical for medium to large families. Continuously filling the water tank every day would no doubt grow tedious pretty quickly.
The filters need frequent replacing and that cost, while not exorbitant, will build up quickly.
The unit itself is also a bit expensive, considering you can get a heavy-duty under-sink type water filter for almost the same price. Yes, it’s slightly cheaper than the SpringWell under-sink reverse osmosis system, but so is a coffee filter rigged up over a drinking glass, and you don’t filter fluoride out with that either.
Overall
Considering all aspects, SimPure’s countertop UV+ RO filter is a practical fluoride removal solution for small families. It’s portable, so you can take it with you anywhere, and it needs no installation. If you are interested in more details, click here.
4. Waterdrop 3-Stage Under Counter Direct Connect Filtration System
The Waterdrop 3-stage filter lands in the fifth spot on my list for its appreciable fluoride removing capabilities. It has a three-stage filtration cycle that cleans the most harmful elements from the water.
However, it won’t reduce the TDS score much, and the brand is quite transparent about that. It mainly targets fluoride, chlorine, lead, arsenic, and bacterial contamination. Waterdrop products are NSF certified, but upon further digging, I discovered that it’s only tested for a reduction in chlorine and bleach smell.
During my testing, the Waterdrop filter system managed to clear ordinary tap water but struggled to filter sediment and debris.
This system costs $124, and the replacement filter is $74. The filters have a decent life-span of 12 to 18 months. Waterdrop is a good option if you are short on budget.
5. Crystal Quest Fluoride Removal + SMART Single Under Sink Water Filter System
In the sixth spot is Crystal Quest’s Fluoride Removal + SMART Single Under Sink Water Filter System, which uses an activated charcoal membrane to remove fluoride, herbicides, pesticides, chlorine, and lead from water.
The brand takes pride in its revolutionizing patented carbon-filter technology, but the results show nothing out of the ordinary. Also, I didn’t find any NSF/ANSI certifications for their products, which is alarming.
However, it reduced TDS and fluoride levels to some extent. It can filter half a gallon per minute, which is normal for such systems.
Crystal Quest is a tad expensive as it costs $233 initially, and you’ll have to spend $150 on replacements every 12 to 18 months. It doesn’t offer free shipping under $250, which is kind of a turnoff.
My top three recommendations can easily beat this filter when it comes to performance.
6. Royal Berkey Water Filter
Last on my list is the Royal Berkey countertop filter. The brand claims to be the most popular filter out there, but I beg to differ.
Performance-wise, it was okayish. My water tests showed traces of fluoride and hard metals, which it failed to remove. I expected more because Royal Berkey has four-stage filtration, and two of them directly target fluoride.
Sadly, the Royal Berkey is not certified by NSF/WQA—a major red flag. It has a big storage tank of 3.25 gallons, making it stand apart from other low-capacity countertop filters. But what’s the point of space if the filtration is subpar?
Royal Berkey is also not light on the pocket, as it’s priced at $408. It requires a filter change every one to two years, which costs $245 in total.
You can purchase SpringWell’s under-sink system in this price range, which has far superior performance than this overrated filter.
7. AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier
The AquaTru Classic is a high-performing countertop filter with authentic certification. The brand is pretty transparent about its product and has a complete performance sheet uploaded on its website. It matched my own testing results, so I believe it’s genuine.
This fluoride filter has a stylish design with a touch display, and it also lets you control the system via Wi-Fi, which is pretty cool. AquaTru claims to have developed (patented) “ultra-reverse osmosis” technology that uses a specialized RO membrane and carbon filters to produce purified water.
It can store one gallon of water at a time, and the filter life ranges from 300 to 1200 gallons.
Moving on to the price, this system costs $499. The replacement filters are priced at $99.85 and can last up to 6 to 12 months. The brand also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and one-year warranty on all its products.
However, this is too expensive compared to the top recommendation on my list. For $57 less, you can actually purchase an under-sink filter instead of this low-capacity dispenser.
Other Fluoride Filters I Tested
Apart from these seven fluoride filters, I tested a few other well-known models that claim to remove fluoride but just don’t make the cut of the best fluoride water filters. Here they are in no particular order:
Waterdrop Dispenser
I’ve ranked an under-sink filter from the same brand, but sadly the countertop model from Waterdrop isn’t effective enough. It has only 20-cup capacity, which means it needs to be constantly refilled. The filter also needs a change every three months, which is a hassle.
Megahome Distiller
Megahome countertop filters use distillation to filter water. But the problem with distillation is that it removes everything, even the healthy minerals. Moreover, it takes over five hours to filter one gallon. Ain’t nobody got time for that, especially if you have a big family.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
People like water filter pitchers because they’re cheap, but they’re heavy to lug about and the filters themselves don’t last long. The Clearly Filtered fluoride water filter pitcher makes use of a specialized membrane and gravity to clean water. This fluoride water filter pitcher removes most contaminants but takes a lot of time to filter. Also, the capacity is too low, which is why I suggest avoiding this portable fluoride water filter pitcher.
The Bottom Line
SpringWell’s RO system is hands down the best fluoride-removing filter with certified components, a high flow rate, little maintenance, and a sleek design.
It has the right balance of price, capacity, and filtration. This reverse osmosis fluoride removal system has a four-stage filtering process that also removes sediment, hard metals, salts, chlorine, coliform, and other disease-causing elements. It also reduces the overall water hardness.
The water is tasty and maintains your food’s rich flavor during cooking. It has an extraordinary filtering capability of 75 gallons a day which is more than enough for a large family.
What’s amazing about this filter is that it requires barely any maintenance, so much so that its filters can last up to two years. That’s not the case with other systems that I tested.
If you want fluoride-free water for a fair price and little fuss, then the SpringWell RO filter is the best you can get. Purchase it here.
Methodology
I’ve ranked each fluoride water filter system based on my seven-step methodology that involves various stages of scrutiny, testing, and fluoride water filter reviews.
Here are the key steps I took to find the best fluoride filter for you and your loved ones.
Step 1: A list of popular fluoride water filters
Water filters targeting fluoride are tricky to find because most companies develop a general filtration system that removes numerous contaminants. But could they filter fluoride?
I started my journey sorting through online e-commerce stores. After that, I visited local supermarkets and selected the top brands available. I also wanted to know what brands people preferred, so I interviewed locals.
I live in South Florida, whose water supply has one of the highest percentages of fluoridated water in the country. So, naturally, people are always looking to get rid of contaminated water.
By compiling this list of the most popular water filters, I was able to identify which ones to research, and from that list, narrow it down further.
Step 2: Online reviews
Now that I had the starting point, it was time to review hundreds of verified customer comments. Many brands try to put up bogus reviews on their website, so I mostly resorted to e-commerce stores like Amazon and eBay.
I tried to stick with long reviews that provided a lot of detail, whether positive or negative. This feedback directed me where to look next. And I realized I needed to talk to some customers first hand.
Step 3. Interviews with real customers
As much as the e-commerce stores claim to have verified comments by real customers, I still doubt their authenticity. I contacted the customers and convinced them to share their experiences in real time.
I found out some people had a troubling experience even though the product had great online reviews. The most common complaints were regarding installation process, leakage, and poor filtration. I adjusted the score in my list based on newfound information.
Step 4. Interviews with water filter companies
To keep things fair, I contacted different brands and noted their responses to frequent complaints I heard about their products. I also inquired about the certification process of the products.
Some brands were quite open about their products and policies, and I had a lovely chat with them. Others were not so helpful and transparent and were downright rude. I included this factor in my overall ranking.
Step 5. Product analysis
Once I got my preliminary ranking of filters that remove fluoride, I started specifying the criteria necessary for sorting the best-performing water filtration system.
- Certifications by NSF/ANSI/WQA
- Filter type
- Ease of installation
- Filter capacity
- Filter speed
- Life of filter element
- Warranty
- Customer service
Step 6. Test drives
Once I collected the data, it was time to test all the water filters and see what they were really made of.
I tested all the filters for six months and ran them on tap water daily. My water supply has a high percentage of fluoride, so it was perfect for testing. I regularly had the sample water tested for TDS, hard metals, and bacterial contaminants.
Step 7: Ratings
The testing phase lasted six months, revealing many positives and negatives about the product. Here are a few highlights of the testing phase.
- Filters that managed to keep the fluoride levels below the minimum detection levels ranked higher.
- Several popular models suffered leakages and malfunctions.
- Total dissolved solid (TDS) results varied widely between brands, with uncertified models performing the most poorly.
- I noted the quality of the water filters based on water color, taste, and odor, as well as TDS.
I awarded final scores based on certifications, maintenance cost, filter capacity, reviews, and my test results.
Best Water Filter for Removing Fluoride
After going through rigorous information gathering and real-life testing, I found the SpringWell Reverse Osmosis Undersink Filter to be the best at removing fluoride from my tap water. During the testing phase, it most efficiently kept the fluoride levels to a desired minimum.
SpringWell’s reverse osmosis technology removed most of the harmful elements while keeping the essential elements in the water.
Other filters, like Aquasana OptimH2O and Simpure’s Y7P, came pretty close, but they were no match for SpringWell’s superior capacity, efficiency, and value for the price.
SpringWell boasted the following characteristics:
- NSF-certified components
- 75 gallons per day of filtration
- Compact design
- Little maintenance
- Excellent customer service
- One-year warranty
- Cost effectiveness
Under-sink filters are a little tricky to install, especially if you’re not handy with tools. But you can find a detailed installation guide on SpringWell’s website and the company representatives are quick to respond to any queries.
Overall, the filter is efficient, low maintenance, and economical. Healthy water is no trifling matter. If you want the best at fluoride removal and general water filtration, get the SpringWell here.
If you’re looking to enhance your understanding of different water filters, we offer a diverse selection of articles that delve into various options and their functionalities. Here are a few articles you can explore to expand your knowledge:
- The Best Whole-House Water Filter Systems
- The Best Showerhead Filters
- The Best Lead Filters
- The Best Sulfur Filters For Well Water
- The Best Under-Sink Water Filters
- The Best Whole-House Sediment Filters For Clean Water
- The Best Shower Filters For Hard Water
- The Best Whole-House Water Filter Cartridges
- The Best RV Water Filters
- The Best Backpacking Water Filters
