Best Countertop Water Dispensers for Fresh Tasting Water

You want the freshest, best-tasting water right from your counter. Our top pick for 2025 is the AquaTru Carafe Countertop Water Purifier. This counter water dispenser uses advanced 4-stage Reverse Osmosis filtration. It removes chlorine and heavy metals that ruin water's natural taste.

Note: You are not alone in seeking better water. A recent survey found that 77% of Americans now use a home water filter.

Key Takeaways

• Choose a countertop water dispenser based on your tap water quality and specific needs.
• Look for certifications like NSF/ANSI 42 to ensure your filter removes bad tastes and odors.
• Change filters regularly and clean your dispenser to keep your water fresh and safe.

Top Dispensers for Fresh Tasting Water

Choosing the right dispenser can transform your tap water. You have many options, each with unique strengths. Here are our top picks that excel in delivering fresh, clean-tasting water.

AquaTru Carafe: Best Overall for Purity

The AquaTru Carafe is our top choice because it delivers exceptional purity. This system uses a powerful 4-stage Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. It is certified by IAPMO to NSF standards to remove 82 different contaminants. This ensures the water you drink is incredibly clean.

Key contaminants removed include:

• Lead and Chromium-6
• Chlorine and Fluoride
• PFAs (forever chemicals)
• Nitrates and Arsenic

Because RO filtration removes nearly everything, including minerals, the water can taste "flat" initially. Some users find a simple trick improves the flavor.

A pinch or 2 of fine Himalayan pink salt in the pitcher after filtering does the trick for me. The water tastes great.

Other users note that the taste improves after a brief break-in period. If you prefer mineral-rich water, you can upgrade to AquaTru's VOC remineralization filter. This filter adds healthy minerals back into your water, enhancing its taste and flavor profile.

Brondell Cypress: Best for Odor-Free Water

If you struggle with unpleasant smells in your tap water, the Brondell Cypress is an excellent solution. This sleek counter water dispenser connects directly to your faucet. It uses a three-stage filtration system designed to eliminate bad tastes and odors effectively. The key is its third filter, a carbon block filter. This stage reduces chlorine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that often cause foul smells.

The system is compact and fits easily in most kitchens.

With its targeted odor removal, the Brondell Cypress gives you consistently fresh and pleasant-tasting water without any chemical scent.

Brita Ultramax with Elite Filter: Best Budget Pick

You don't need to spend a lot for better-tasting water. The Brita Ultramax dispenser is a fantastic budget-friendly option, especially when you pair it with the advanced Brita Elite filter. This extra-large dispenser holds 27 cups of water, making it perfect for families or anyone who drinks a lot of water.

The Elite filter is a major upgrade over the standard version. It is certified to reduce numerous contaminants that affect taste and safety.

• Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium
• Chlorine (taste and odor)
• Benzene and Asbestos
• Particulates and other small particles

The Elite filter is particularly effective at removing chlorine, the main culprit behind "tap water taste."

This improved performance makes the Brita Ultramax with an Elite filter a simple and affordable way to get great-tasting water.

ZeroWater Glass Dispenser: Best for Contaminant Removal

For those who want the absolute maximum removal of dissolved solids, the ZeroWater 40-Cup Glass Dispenser is the top contender. Its primary goal is to reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) to a reading of "000" on its included water quality meter. This is achieved through a unique 5-stage ion exchange filter.

The dispenser itself is made of high-quality glass, so your purified water never touches plastic.

The 5-stage filter is IAPMO certified to reduce lead, chromium, and PFOA/PFOS, among other contaminants. Its performance in removing TDS is impressive.

While other systems like AquaTru also reduce TDS, ZeroWater designs its filters specifically for this purpose. If your goal is to drink water that is as close to pure H₂O as possible, this counter water dispenser is the ideal choice.

Choosing the Right Counter Water Dispenser

Selecting the right dispenser ensures you get the best-tasting water. You should consider your home's water quality, filter types, and maintenance needs. This guide helps you make an informed choice.

Know Your Tap Water

Your journey to better water starts with understanding what is in it. Water quality varies greatly by region. Some areas have hard water with high mineral content, while others face issues with agricultural runoff.

You can get a free water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), from your local water utility. The EPA also provides a CCR locator tool online to help you find yours.

This report tells you about contaminants found in your water. Common issues include:

• Chlorine odor
• Metallic taste from old pipes
• Cloudiness from minerals

Knowing these details helps you choose a filter designed to solve your specific problems.

How Filters Affect Taste

Filters directly improve water's taste and smell. Most use activated carbon, which has a porous surface. This surface traps contaminants through a process called adsorption.

A good filter also helps balance your water's pH. Water with an imbalanced pH can taste acidic or metallic. A balanced pH provides a more neutral and refreshing flavor.

Understand Water Certifications

Certifications verify that a filter does what it claims. Look for products tested by independent organizations like NSF International or the Water Quality Association (WQA).

• NSF/ANSI 42: Certifies a filter reduces aesthetic issues like chlorine taste and odor.
• NSF/ANSI 53: Certifies a filter reduces health-related contaminants like lead and mercury.
• NSF/ANSI 58: Specifically for Reverse Osmosis systems, this certifies the reduction of total dissolved solids (TDS).

These certifications give you confidence in the performance of your counter water dispenser.

Maintain for Maximum Freshness

Proper maintenance is key to keeping your water fresh. You must replace filters regularly. Most pitcher filters need changing every 2 to 6 months. A clogged filter cannot work effectively. Also, clean your dispenser to prevent bacteria growth. Watch for signs like:

• Slime near the nozzle
• A musty or sour smell
• Black flakes in your water

These signs mean it is time to clean your unit. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and filter replacement.

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The AquaTru Carafe is our top choice. Its certified system removes nearly all contaminants for the purest water.

To guarantee better-tasting water, you should always prioritize a counter water dispenser with NSF/ANSI 42 certification for removing chlorine, taste, and odor. This ensures a fresh, clean flavor every time.

FAQ

How often should I change my water filter?

You should replace your filter every 2 to 6 months. Your dispenser's manual provides the exact schedule. Following this schedule ensures your water stays fresh and clean.

Can I use hot water in my dispenser?

No, you should only use cold tap water. Hot water can damage the filter. This damage stops the filter from working correctly and may release trapped contaminants.

What does NSF/ANSI 42 certification mean?

This certification confirms a filter improves water's aesthetics. It is certified to reduce non-health-related contaminants like:

• Chlorine
• Bad tastes
• Unpleasant odors