Ultimate Guide to Home Water Filters

Exploring water filtration options, including the pros and cons, to help you decide on the best choices for your home

Access to clean and healthy drinking water has become essential for every home, however determining the best option can feel overwhelming. Even in a country with a history of drinkable water and clean water sources, new concerns about contaminants such as PFOAs, chlorine and fluoride are causing a growing number of  Australians to consider water filtration options. What was once a simple choice has now become a decision requiring careful consideration of health benefits, environmental impacts and budget.

Tap water quality varies widely depending on where you live and even within the same city. Here is a list of the more common contaminants that may prompt you to explore home water filtration options. 

Chlorine

• Purpose: Disinfects water to kill bacteria and viruses.
• Potential Health Risks: Byproducts, such as trihalomethanes (THMs), have been linked to cancer risks. Chlorine can also irritate the skin and respiratory system in sensitive individuals.

Fluoride

• Purpose: Added to prevent tooth decay.
• Potential Health Risks: Excessive intake can lead to dental or skeletal fluorosis and, in higher concentrations, may impact thyroid function or neurodevelopment.

PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

• Source: Industrial chemicals that enter water systems via manufacturing processes.
• Potential Health Risks: PFAS compounds are linked to hormone disruption, immune system issues, and higher risks of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancers.

Heavy Metals

• Source: Can leach into water supplies from old pipes, industrial runoff, or natural deposits in soil. Common examples include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.
• Potential Health Risks: Long-term exposure to heavy metals is associated with serious health concerns, including neurological damage, kidney problems, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Lead, in particular, is highly toxic even at low levels and can cause developmental delays in children.

When searching for the best water filter in Australia, understanding the range of various options and their strengths is essential. Each filter type can cater to different water quality concerns, household needs, and budgets.

1. Activated Carbon Filters

• How It Works: Uses activated carbon to absorb contaminants like chlorine, organic chemicals, and pesticides.
• Best For: Improving taste and reducing odours.
• Pros: Affordable and widely available.
• Cons: Ineffective for removing heavy metals or dissolved salts.
• Typical Cost in Australia:  $30-$60 for pitchers $100 - $400 for basic counter top models with under-sink versions $200-$600.

2. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

• How It Works: Removes all content down to .00001 microns via a semi-permeable membrane, including heavy metals, fluoride removal and most bacteria.
• Best For: Stripping water bare and for those not concerned with significant amounts of waste water.
• Pros: Provides thorough purification.
• Cons: Produces wastewater, removes beneficial minerals and requires a separate carbon filter for removing chlorine.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $300-$1,500, plus replacement filter cartridges.

3. Ultraviolet (UV) Filters

• How It Works: Kills microorganisms like bacteria and viruses using UV light.
• Best For: Homes with microbiological contamination.
• Pros: Does not alter taste or add chemicals.
• Cons: Ineffective for chemical contaminants or sediment.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $150-$500.

4. Ceramic Filters

• How It Works: Filters bacteria, sediment, and protozoa using a ceramic material.
• Best For: Rural or off-grid locations.
• Pros: Durable, reusable, and portable.
• Cons: Slow flow rate; ineffective for chemical contaminants.
• Typical Cost in Australia: A more affordable price at $50-$200.

5. Alkaline Water Ionizers

• How It Works: Raises pH and retains beneficial minerals in the filtered water.
• Best For: Those seeking pH-balanced water with a spring-like taste.
• Pros: Enhances taste, improves pH, increases -ORP, instantly generates H2 molecular hydrogen and retains beneficial minerals.
• Cons: Electric options can have a higher initial investment cost.
• Typical Cost in Australia:  $300-$5,000.

6. Distillers

• How It Works: Boils water and condenses the steam, leaving impurities behind.
• Best For: Producing pure water free of most contaminants.
• Pros: Effective for water purification.
• Cons: Despite being a water purifier, it removes beneficial minerals,  has a slow filtration process and is energy-intensive.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $150-$700.

7. Gravity-Fed Water Filters

• How It Works: Uses gravity to draw water through filters like ceramic or activated carbon.
• Best For: Emergency or off-grid use.
• Pros: Portable and requires no power.
• Cons: Slow filtration process.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $150-$500.

8. Whole-House Water Filters

• How It Works: Filters water at the main line, providing clean water to all taps in the house.
• Best For: Comprehensive filtration for every tap in the home.
• Pros: Addresses multiple contaminants throughout the whole home.
• Cons: Expensive upfront cost.
• Typical Cost in Australia:  $800-$2,500.

9. Reverse Osmosis and Alkaline Water from Vending Machines

• How It Works: Offers reverse osmosis and alkaline water on-demand from vending machines.
• Best For: Trialling water filtration options without full system installation.
• Pros: Affordable (AUD $0.50–$1 per litre), flexible and BPA-free bottles reduce single-use plastic waste.
• Cons: Still involves reusable plastic bottles, requiring regular trips to vending machines.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $0.50-$1 per litre.

10. Tap Water Filters

• How It Works: Compact filters attach directly to your tap or faucet to filter water as it flows. They typically use activated carbon or multi-stage filtration to remove common contaminants like chlorine, sediment, and some chemicals.
• Best For: Households seeking an affordable and simple way to improve tap water quality.
• Pros: Easy to install, space-saving, and relatively affordable. Can improve taste and reduce common contaminants like chlorine and sediment.
• Cons: Limited filtration capabilities compared to more robust systems, may not effectively remove heavy metals or PFAS. Filters require frequent replacement.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $30-$150, with replacement filters costing $20-$50.

11. Shower Filters

• How It Works: Installed between the shower head and the water supply, these filters typically use activated carbon, KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion), or Vitamin C filtration to remove chlorine, sediment, and other impurities, including some heavy metals.
• Best For: People with sensitive skin, allergies, or hair concerns who want to reduce exposure to chlorine and other irritants during showers.
• Pros: Improves water quality for skin and hair, reduces chlorine exposure, removes some heavy metals, and is easy to install. Some models also help minimise scale buildup.
• Cons: Limited to filtering shower water, not drinking water. Filters require regular replacement.
• Typical Cost in Australia:  $50-$150, with replacement cartridges costing  $30-$50.

12. Store-Bought Spring Water (Bottled Water)

• How It Works: Bottled water containing natural, untreated water sourced from underground spring reservoirs.
• Best For: Convenience and naturally mineral-rich water.
• Pros: Contains beneficial, healthy minerals like magnesium and calcium.
• Cons: Plastic waste from single-use bottles, ongoing expense, variability in quality across suppliers and may contain large amounts of nano plastics. Not all spring water brands are transparent about their source or mineral content, making it essential to research reputable options.
• Typical Cost in Australia: $2-$20 per bottle.