Don’t let contaminated water ruin your RV trip! From diarrhea and vomiting to stomach pain, using tainted water for cooking, drinking, or brushing your teeth can quickly turn a dream vacation into a nightmare.
Finding the best RV water filter for clean water can be challenging due to the overwhelming number of options with similar designs and filtration methods. Also, false claims and marketing hype add to the confusion, making it difficult for regular folks to make an informed decision.
Don’t worry, though. I’ve cut through the noise by extensively reviewing and researching RV filters, helping you find the perfect one for your adventures.
Let’s dive into it.
1. Waterdrop RV Water Filter: 9.60/10
- Best filtering ability
- $17.99
The Waterdrop RV water filter is hands down the best and most economical product out there. It boasts the most efficient filtering ability and flow rate, making it ideal for serious RV enthusiasts and casual campers.
Pros
Waterdrop Filters is an US brand with a vast and effective product line. The RV filter in my list is an in-line type that is good enough for RV camping, pet washing, and gardening.
It has granular activated-carbon media, which takes care of sediment, chlorine, odor, and taste. During my testing, the filter held up pretty good against heavy sediment, and there was no clogging. The flow rate is 1.5 gpm, which is great, one of the highest on my list.
A single Waterdrop RV filter can easily last an entire camping season, about three months. Like most in-line filters, the installation is no hassle. It takes about five minutes, and the flexible hose is sturdy and doesn’t leak.
Most in-line filters look the same on the outside, and that’s why I always look for certified products. The Waterdrop RV filter is independently certified by NSF, which reinforces its high quality. Also, the body is pressure tested, so you don’t need a pressure regulator for safety, though having one is always good.
The Waterdrop RV filter actively collaborates with Climate Partner and strives to reduce its carbon footprint, supporting Climate Partner’s mission to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability.
As I said, it’s economical. At $35.99, you get a pack of two in-line filters with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Plus, the shipping is completely free.
Cons
The filter media is rated for 20 microns, which may not be suitable for areas with severely polluted water. But most camping grounds have treated water, and a Waterdrop RV filter will work just fine.
If you plan to camp in a remote area without a potable water supply, go for a lower-micron filter. You can also try Waterdrop’s gravity-fed filter, which is designed for heavy-duty filtration, here.
Overall
The Waterdrop RV filter is made from NSF-certified materials that effectively remove sediment and chlorine contamination, making it safe for drinking. It’s got a high flow rate and can last for a complete camping season.
The Waterdrop RV filter is my first pick for clear and safe drinking water. If you want the cleanest road-trip water for your next RV adventure, get the Waterdrop filter here.
2. Frizzlife MV99 RV Water Filter: 8.35/10
- Best for heavy contamination but expensive
- $79.99
The Frizzlife MV99 is highly effective at cleaning heavily contaminated water, producing filtered water that is safe for drinking and other cleaning purposes. Additionally, it features a sturdy design, though it falls on the more expensive side.
Pros
The Frizzlife MV99 is a cartridge-style filter used to treat heavy contamination. Unlike in-line ones, these are quite bulky and may take up considerable space. Powered by activated carbon-block filtration, this cartridge has two main layers, each with a micron rating of 5 and 0.5, which is pretty effective. It can easily remove sediment, chlorine, lead, heavy metal, and bacteria.
My test showed great improvement in water quality, and despite the lower micron rating, the flow rate is above average, around 1 gpm. It also has a built-in pressure regulator for safety.
The installation is easy but requires a little bit of time to set up. You can also mount it on the RV side wall.
The Frzzlife MV99 is NSF certified, so there’s no need to worry about the quality.
A typical Frizzlife replacement filter can last for about three to six months.
Cons
The Frizzlife MV99 costs $79.99, and replacement filters cost $20 each, which can be expensive if you only need the filter for a single camping season or a recreational RV trip. Since the filter may deteriorate faster if left unused for extended periods, I recommend this filter primarily for those who plan on boondocking in remote locations.
Overall
The Frizzlife MV99 is highly effective against untreated water, providing excellent filtration. Though not as portable as in-line filters, its cartridge design remains efficient. The filter is certified and backed by a one-year warranty. To learn more about Frizzlife water filters, visit the website.
3. Clear2O RV And Marine Inline Water Filter: 7.60/10
- Good overall filtration
- $36.99
Clear2O RV filters are making waves in the RV community these days thanks to their efficient and effective filtering capability. It has good overall filtration and rightly deserves the third spot on my list.
Pros
Clear2O’s in-line filter may have an ordinary design, but its interior makes all the difference. Equipped with a 1-micron carbon-block filter media, it surpasses granular activated-carbon particles in filtration. This filter effectively removes sulfur, chlorine odor, taste, lead, and VOCs from the water.
Most campgrounds have treated water, and a 20-micron filter works just fine, but a single-digit micron-rated filter is a much safer choice. Typically, Clear2O filters last for three months, but in case of heavy sediment, expect to change the filter earlier. The installation process was easy, and there were no leakages during my testing.
Clear2O costs $36.99, which is a bit pricey compared to other in-line filters. The brand offers a 90-day warranty on all products.
Cons
Clear2O filters are not NSF (or any other) certified, which is why I ranked them lower on the list. Another thing that bothered me was the low flow rate of 0.5 gpm, likely due to the lower micron rating, but it’s still annoying, especially with the low water pressure in campgrounds.
You’ll also need to buy a prefilter; otherwise, it’ll clog almost immediately. Clear2O recommends its own prefilter called “Dirtguard,” priced at $40. So, you’ll end up spending $76.99 for a single camping season. The Waterdrop RV in-line filter can also act as a prefilter and is a much cheaper alternative to Dirtguard.
Overall
Clear2O’s carbon-block filter media works really well against contaminants. It’s excellent for camping grounds where water quality is really subpar. Its performance can be made more effective by adding a prefilter. To learn more about this product, click here.
4. Camco EVO Water Filter
Camco is a popular filter brand with many outstanding filters in its RV and camping product line. The Camco Evo is a cartridge-type outdoor filter equipped with a spun polypropylene filter that effectively removes sediments. It’s followed by a bed of KDF and GAC particles, which take care of chlorine taste and odor.
It can filter particles up to 5 microns and maintains a 0.5 gpm flow rate. While my tests show promising results, that flow rate could be better.
Camco Evo filter can be mounted on an RV, or you can buy a stand for it to sit near the water spigot. The plastic housing leaks sometimes because the threads are not durable. So you may end up using much more plumber’s tape than usual.
Thankfully, Camco’s customer support is efficient, and it will replace plastic fittings promptly if they ever get damaged. Other than that, the product quality is pretty good, and it’s NSF certified. The replacements last for three months easily.
The Camco Evo filter costs $62.35, with replacement filters priced at $22.68. The default hose is quite short, so I recommend purchasing a flexible hose extension for $16.23 as well. If you’re looking for something budget friendly for your next RV trip, the Waterdrop RV filter is a better option.
5. Culligan RV-800 RV Filter
The Culligan RV-800 is an in-line filter featuring GAC particles and a micron rating of 20. The filter does its job of removing sediment and chlorine from water effectively. The 1 gpm flow rate is reasonable but not impressive. The good thing is that I didn’t notice any clogging. It can last three months easily.
The installation was easy. However, you need to flush it more than the recommended amount for clear water. Also, the connectors didn’t fit properly, so I had to use extra plumber’s tape to seal them properly.
Even though Culligan RV-800 is NSF certified, the body isn’t sturdy and may require a pressure regulator.
It’s priced at $26 and comes with a month’s warranty. Though this filter is effective, the subpar flow rate and leaky connectors made me rank it lower.
6. Camco TastePure Water Filter
Another one by Camco, the TastePure water filter, is an in-line type similar to the Waterdrop and Clear2O models. The filter media is a typical GAC with a 20-micron rating. Good enough for keeping sediment, chlorine taste, and smell out.
The flexible hose attachment comes in handy but leaks sometimes. It also needs a pressure regulator. Otherwise, it’ll burst open under high water pressure.
Camco Tastepure can last three months and has a flow rate of about 0.5 gpm to 1 gpm depending on the water pressure, which is low for 20-micron RV filters. The filter is NSF certified, so you don’t need to worry about the quality of the product. It’s priced at $24 and has a standard 30-day warranty.
7. Aqua Crest RV Inline Water Filter
Aqua Crest Inline RV water filter is another budget-friendly filter on my list but not as effective as the Waterdrop and Camco filters. It features a coconut-shell GAC filter, but during my testing, it gave out before the claimed three-month lifespan.
The flow rate varies somewhere between 0.5 and 0.8 gpm. The water flow diminishes as the filter clogs up due to heavy sediment buildup, affecting its overall performance.
Waterdrop and Aqua Crest filters share a similar design. However, Aqua Crest is more prone to leakage. Make sure to flush it thoroughly before use. Despite its diminishing water flow and tendency to clog up with heavy sediments, Aqua Crest offers the reassurance of being NSF certified, ensuring high-quality materials.
As I said, it’s economical and costs only $11.84 apiece. It’s best to buy two or three of them at a time because they don’t last more than two months.
8. Travel Berkey Water Filter
Travel Berkey is a heavy-duty gravity-fed water filter for drinking water outdoors. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Berkey produces the cleanest water among all the filters. However, it can only be used for drinking and cooking purposes, so this wouldn’t be a good option if you want a filter for the whole RV water supply.
It can filter 2.75 gallons per hour, which is enough for one to three people. Berkey uses a special patented carbon filter that can remove trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pesticides, VOCs, rust, silt, and sediment.
The body is made from stainless steel and is a bit bulky. It’s certified by a third party but not NSF, unlike the top recommendation on my list.
Berkey seems to not produce many of its products at once, since most of the time it’s unavailable on the website — a huge letdown.
It’s not economical either. The complete unit costs $344 and comes with a two-year warranty. Travel Berkey may not suit most recreational RV goers and campers due to its limited use and availability.
9. Clearsource Premier RV Water Filter
The Clearsource Premier is one of those filters that look so good on paper, but when it comes to performance, are just meh. It’s a cartridge-type filter similar to the Frizzlife, but despite being so expensive, it doesn’t clean water efficiently.
It has two filters, a sediment filter and a carbon filter, with micron ratings of 5 and 0.2, respectively. Clearsource Premier mainly targets sediment, chlorine taste and odor, chloramines, bacteria, and E. coli. However, my test showed average results at best. Apart from that, the flow rate is impressive, close to 5 gpm.
The build quality is solid, and the installation is easy. But I’ve got a major concern about the certification. Not only does it have none, but the brand was caught using the NSF label illegally back in 2021.
The Clearsource RV filter costs $399, and replacements are priced at $60, which is quite expensive. When it comes to cartridge types, my second recommendation is a much better option.
The Bottom Line
Reviewing and sorting the best RV filters was really tough, especially when most RV water filters have similar designs and filter media. But after thorough research I found the Waterdrop RV filter to be the best filter for outdoor camping. Waterdrop RV filters are high quality and NSF certified.
It’s inexpensive yet powerful enough to treat chlorinated and sediment-riddled campground water. The GAC filter media is high quality and can easily last an entire camping season. It can also act as a prefilter to RV water filtration systems.
Waterdrop’s in-line filter also has the highest flow rate, around 1.5 gpm, of all the other RV in-line filters. The outer body is robust and can work fine without a pressure regulator.
The brand also focuses on reducing its carbon footprint and introducing sustainable production practices.
Overall, it’s everything you want on a recreational RV trip for clean and safe water for drinking and all your other needs. Outfit your RV with the best water filter by visiting here.
Research Methodology
Wondering how I ranked the best RV water filter? Here is a sneak peek into the research methodology that helped me sort the best water filters for RV trips and camping.
Step 1: A list of RV filters
Fed up with the persistent issue of poor water conditions during camping trips, I embarked on a quest to find the perfect RV filter. My journey involved thorough online research, sifting through myriad market options. I also visited local stores and noted 12 RV water filters, each claiming to be the best water purifier.
Step 2: Product analysis
Claims are one thing, but to find the real deal, I needed some sort of criteria to initially sort my options. Having always valued the importance of clean water, I scrutinized features, read user reviews, and meticulously compared products. Afterward, I categorized the RV filters based on the following characteristics:
- Targeted contaminants
- NSF/ANSI or WQA certification
- Water quality
- Filter life and flow rate
- Ease of installation
- Costs of water filtration system
- Warranty
Step 3: Online reviews
While analyzing product specifications is crucial, experiencing it firsthand is a different tale. I delved into hundreds of verified reviews from reputable platforms like Trustpilot, Google, Amazon, Angie’s List, and TestFreaks to gain deeper insights.
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
Using social media platforms, I connected with the vibrant RV community, seeking individuals willing to share their experiences with me. As I explored online reviews for RV filters, I realized some might be misleading. So, to get genuine insights, I reached out to real customers and had candid chats.
Shockingly, some products with great online reviews had complaints from actual users. Incorporating these valuable insights, I was able to sort the RV filters more effectively.
Step 5: Interviews with brands
To ensure fairness, I personally reached out to the brands, seeking insights into common complaints about their products. Common issues revolved around installation, leakage, and inadequate filtration in RV filters.
Brands like Clear2O and Waterdrop Filter showed excellent customer service, while some remained unresponsive. This invaluable information significantly influenced my brand rankings, allowing me to provide you with more accurate recommendations.
Step 6: Test drives
Once I gathered all the data about RV filters, I conducted my own testing. I set up a simple testing rig and collected purified water samples regularly for lab testing. My main focus was monitoring flow rates and ensuring the consistent performance of RV filters.
In the initial stages of testing, I began with 12 RV filters to thoroughly evaluate their performance. However, after rigorous testing, only nine filters met my strict criteria and made it to the final cut.
After a week of completing the testing cycle, I received the lab results. Now armed with all the information, I could evaluate and rank the best product for my fellow RV enthusiasts.
Step 7: Ratings
The final step proved to be straightforward. Inputting all the details into a spreadsheet, I began ranking the products. Here are the key factors in my scoring system:
- Authentic certifications
- Targeted contaminants
- Filter life
- Customer reviews
- My own testing
- Cost of rv water filtration system
- Warranties and guarantees
RV water filters that scored higher in these criteria earned higher positions on my list. Though the process was exhausting, the effort was entirely worthwhile.
Best RV Water Filter For Clean Water
After thorough research, the Waterdrop RV inline filter claimed the top spot with the highest score in filtration quality. Here’s a summary of its standout features:
- Independently NSF certified
- Effectively targets chlorine and sediment
- High flow rate
- Easy installation
- Robust design
- Sustainable brand
- Budget-friendly
For those seeking a high-quality RV water filter system that ensures clean drinking water and can last throughout the entire camping season, the Waterdrop RV filter is the perfect choice.
Place your order today and enjoy refreshing, safe water on your adventures.
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge about various types of water filters, here are a few extra sources that can offer you comprehensive information:
