Water Filtration Comparison Chart
A side-by-side homeowner guide to sediment, carbon, softening, reverse osmosis, UV, and specialty water treatment technologies for Tennessee homes.
There is no one-size-fits-all water filter. The right technology depends on your water source, test results, contaminant of concern, and whether you want to treat one tap or the whole house. Use this guide to prepare for a free water test, compare your observations with your local utility report, or decide when to use a certified lab.
Point-of-Use vs. Whole-Home
Point-of-Use
- Best for drinking, cooking, ice, coffee, and one faucet.
- Often installed under the kitchen sink or at a single tap.
Whole-Home / Point-of-Entry
- Water from every tap - bathing, laundry, fixtures, appliances, and drinking water.
- CDC notes that removing disinfectant from all water may allow more germs to grow in plumbing, so design and maintenance matter.
Technology Comparison
Sand, silt, rust, visible particles, prefiltering.
Does not remove dissolved chemicals or germs by itself.
Chlorine taste/odor, some VOCs, some organic chemicals depending on certification.
Performance depends on media, flow rate, contact time, and maintenance.
Hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Not a drinking water filter for health contaminants; primarily addresses scale and water feel.
Many dissolved solids and some chemicals; often used for drinking water.
Creates wastewater; check certification and performance sheet.
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and protozoa when properly designed.
Does not remove chemicals or metals; water must usually be clear/pretreated.
Iron, manganese, sulfur odor, pH correction, PFAS, arsenic, or other targeted issues.
Must be selected based on actual water chemistry and certified claims.
Certification Matters
Look for third-party certification and a performance data sheet showing the specific contaminants the product is certified to reduce.
Sources and Tennessee Accuracy Notes
CDC - About Choosing Home Water Filters and Other Treatment Systems.
EPA WaterSense - Guide to Selecting Water Treatment.
EPA - Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead and Other Contaminants.
EPA - Contact Information for Certification Programs and Certified Laboratories for Drinking Water.
NSF International - NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 58, and 55.
Important Disclaimer
This guide is educational. For health-based drinking water decisions, use your local utility report, your local/state health department, or a state-certified laboratory. A free in-home screening can help identify common issues and guide the next step, but it is not the same as a certified lab analysis for every regulated parameter.
Ready to understand your water? Schedule a free in-home water test with Pure H2O.
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