Est. 2026 · Independent Water Intelligence
Independent
water answers.
Tested, not sponsored.
Every filter we recommend has been installed in a real home and verified by independent Tap Score lab analysis. No manufacturer samples. No sponsored placements. Just results.
- 30+
- Products tested
- 16
- Contaminants covered
- 90
- Day min. test
- 100%
- Independent
Start here
What's your situation?
01
City Water
Your utility treats for bacteria and sediment — not PFAS, not lead from your service line, not chloramine byproducts. This guide covers all three for city water.
See recommendations02
Private Well
No utility, no regulation, no oversight. Well water quality depends entirely on your geology and your testing cadence. Bacteria, arsenic, nitrates, and iron are the four problems to rule out first.
See recommendations03
Renters
No drilling, no landlord permission needed. NSF-certified pitchers, countertop RO, and faucet filters give you verified lead and PFAS removal without touching a pipe.
See recommendationsTop-tested filters right now
pitcher
Tap Score Essential City Water Test
$179
- EPA-certified lab
- Tests 111 contaminants
pitcher
Tap Score Well Water Test
$239
- EPA-certified lab
- Tests 130 contaminants specific to well water
pitcher
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
$90+ $140/yr
- NSF P473 certified — removes 99.9% of PFAS
- Removes fluoride (unusual for a pitcher)
Know your water
What's actually in your water?
Your Consumer Confidence Report shows what your utility measured at the treatment plant — not at your tap. Lead leaches from service lines after treatment. PFAS isn't tested by most utilities. Chlorine reacts with organic matter in your pipes to form carcinogenic byproducts. The gap between what your report says and what comes out of your faucet is real, and it's measurable.
We buy it. We install it. We test it.
Every filter on our recommended list has been used in a real Cincinnati household for a minimum of 30 days. At the midpoint of its rated filter life, we collect samples and submit them to Tap Score — an EPA-accredited lab service — for independent analysis. Our 6-category scoring framework weights contaminant removal at 35% and never adjusts for who has an affiliate program.
Read our full methodologyOur process
- 01
Every product purchased at retail price — no manufacturer samples
- 02
Minimum 30-day in-home installation before scoring
- 03
Tap Score lab analysis on influent and effluent water
- 04
Six-factor scoring: contaminant removal, heavy metals, taste, cost, flow rate, certifications
Stay informed
Water quality news, new tests, lab results.
New filter reviews, EPA contamination alerts, and seasonal water testing reminders — delivered when it matters, not on a filler schedule. About twice a month.
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