Drinking Water Filter Reviews UK 2025:
Water2, Brita, TAPP & More Compared
Real customer experiences - not manufacturer claims. We've compiled 12,000+ reviews from Trustpilot, forums and experts to help you choose the right filter.
Important Context: UK Tap Water is Already Safe
Tap water in the UK is among the safest in the world, regulated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
Most filters primarily remove chlorine (used for safety) which affects taste. Some remove additional contaminants.
Not all filters remove the same contaminants. Check what each filter actually removes before buying.
Look for NSF certification (42, 53, 401) for verified contaminant removal claims.
Quick Comparison: All 6 Filters at a Glance
| Brand | Price | Filter Life | Annual Cost | Year 1 Total | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water2 Pod 2.0 Undersink Multi-Stage | £129 | 12 months | £99 | £228 | 4.5 |
| Brita mypure P1 Undersink Carbon | £150-200 | 12 months | £45 | £195-245 | 4.2 |
| TAPP EcoPro Tap-Mounted Activated | £70 | 3 months | £100-150 | £170-220 | 4.0 |
| Doulton Ceramic System Gravity-Fed Ceramic | £235-265 | 6 months | £50-100 | £285-365 | 4.6 |
| Franke Minerva 3-in-1 Boiling Water | £1,200-1,500 | 6 months | £125-160 | £1,325-1,660 | 4.0 |
| Zip HydroTap Commercial-Grade Boiling/Chilled | £2,772+ | 12 months | £200+ | £3,500+ | 4.6 |
Year 1 Total includes: purchase price, installation (if applicable), and filter replacement
Detailed Reviews: What Real Customers Say
Every quote below is verbatim from real customers. We've linked to all sources so you can verify yourself.
Water2 Pod 2.0
£129 + £99/yr filters • 12 months filter life
Annual: £99 • Year 1: £228
4,092+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + Endorsed by Bear Grylls - high profile credibility
- + Removes microplastics 99.99%
- + Easy DIY installation (20-30 mins)
- + 12-month filter life reduces hassle
Cons
- - Some find installation tricky
- - Filters expensive to replace (£99-198)
- - Some report filter life shorter than claimed
- - Salt alarm issues reported
Best Review
"The Water2 filter immediately transformed the quality of our water for the better. I now drink water straight from the tap! I haven't drank tap water in years! Just fantastic."Source: Trustpilot →
Worst Review
"The water filter is incredibly hard to fit; we had to wait three months and eventually got a plumber to do it. Just over six months later, the water tastes of bleach and the alarm is sounding, even though it's meant to last 12 months. These things are VERY expensive to buy, and the filters are VERY, VERY pricey to replace."Source: Trustpilot →
Our Verdict
Great for those wanting peace of mind about microplastics and lead. The Bear Grylls endorsement adds credibility. Installation can be challenging for non-DIYers, and replacement filters are expensive.
Review Sources (click to verify):
Brita mypure P1
£150-200 installed • 12 months filter life
Annual: £45 • Year 1: £195-245
4,257+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + Established trusted brand
- + Very low running costs (£45/year)
- + Excellent customer service reported
- + Easy filter changes
Cons
- - Filters may not last as long as claimed
- - Basic models don't remove lead
- - Some plastic taste complaints
- - Installation can be fiddly
Best Review
"Customer service is some of the best I have experienced in years. Quick, easy product replacement with no documentation required. New item delivered in 4 days at no cost to me!"Source: ConsumerAffairs →
Worst Review
"I don't like Brita Filters anymore. They don't last very long at all. They used to last a lot longer, but not anymore."Source: ConsumerAffairs →
Our Verdict
The safe, budget-friendly choice with an established reputation. Best for those who want basic filtration at low running cost. Upgrade to Elite model if lead removal is important.
Review Sources (click to verify):
TAPP EcoPro
£70 + £100-150/yr • 3 months filter life
Annual: £100-150 • Year 1: £170-220
2,436+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + Removes 100+ contaminants including PFAS
- + No installation required - attaches to tap
- + Sustainable brand with refillable cartridges
- + Works with most taps
Cons
- - Filters only last 3 months
- - Higher annual running cost
- - Good reviews may be incentivised
- - Adapter instructions unclear
Best Review
"I have nothing but good things to say, from the purchase experience to post-sale support. Products arrived quickly, instructions were clear and the quality of the items is unquestionable."Source: Trustpilot →
Worst Review
"The instructions for choosing the adapters aren't very well explained. I only left them a good review because they say they will send you a free bottle if you do so (so beware of all the good reviews)."Source: Trustpilot →
Our Verdict
Best for renters or those who don't want permanent installation. Excellent contaminant removal including PFAS. Higher running costs due to 3-month filter life.
Review Sources (click to verify):
Doulton Ceramic System
£235-265 • 6 months filter life
Annual: £50-100 • Year 1: £285-365
627+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + No plumbing or installation needed
- + NSF certified for contaminant removal
- + 200+ years of filtration expertise
- + Plastic-free option available
Cons
- - Gravity-fed is slower than mains pressure
- - Countertop units take up space
- - Spout/tap leaking issues reported
- - Ceramic filters need careful handling
Best Review
"I recently bought the British Berkefeld Stainless Steel Gravity System with Ultra Sterasyl ceramic filter from Doulton and I can honestly say it's the best water filter I've ever had."Source: Trustpilot →
Worst Review
"The jug & ceramic filters are very good & I love the fact that these are plastic free. However there is a serious & constant problem with the spout/tap, which leaks constantly despite having replacement 'washer'. This is a terrible design fault."Source: Trustpilot →
Our Verdict
Perfect for those who want no-install filtration with proven ceramic technology. Best gravity-fed option with genuine NSF certification. Watch for tap/spout quality issues.
Review Sources (click to verify):
Franke Minerva 3-in-1
£1,200-1,500 • 6 months filter life
Annual: £125-160 • Year 1: £1,325-1,660
1,393+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + Instant boiling water - no kettle needed
- + Premium kitchen upgrade
- + Space saving - replaces kettle
- + Built-in child safety lock
Cons
- - Very high initial cost
- - Boiling water isn't actually 100°C
- - Filters expensive (£80 each)
- - May drip after a few months
Best Review
"The best purchase we have ever made for our kitchen. The tap is well worth the money for all the time saved and for showing off in front of our guests!"Source: Trustpilot →
Worst Review
"I have the Minerva 4 in 1 for 18 months now. The boiling water is not actually boiling, it is just very hot. Just about adequate to make tea. It started dripping a few months ago and the replacement filter is £80 and needs to be changed once a year. For a tap that cost €2200!"Source: Trustpilot →
Our Verdict
Luxury kitchen upgrade for those who want instant boiling water with filtration. High cost and ongoing maintenance. Water temperature may disappoint tea purists.
Review Sources (click to verify):
Zip HydroTap
£2,772+ • 12 months filter life
Annual: £200+ • Year 1: £3,500+
1,773+ reviews (Trustpilot)
What It Removes:
Pros
- + Premium commercial-grade quality
- + NSF certified filtration
- + Instant boiling AND chilled water
- + 20+ year customer relationships reported
Cons
- - Extremely expensive initial cost
- - Annual servicing is pricey
- - Broken parts on delivery reported
- - Long wait times for service
Best Review
"I have been a customer of Zip Water for over 20 yrs, excellent Team to deal with, engineers very friendly and experienced, great communications all the way."Source: Trustpilot →
Worst Review
"Appalling after care service after receiving a brand new tap delivered with a broken front panel. Expensive and the annual servicing is pricey."Source: Trustpilot →
Our Verdict
The ultimate premium option for those who want the best. Commercial-grade quality with exceptional filtration. Only for those with substantial budget for purchase and ongoing servicing.
Review Sources (click to verify):
What Does Each Filter Actually Remove?
Not all filters remove the same contaminants. This comparison shows verified removal capabilities.
| Contaminant | Water2 | Brita | TAPP | Doulton | Franke | Zip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | 95% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lead | 85% | Elite only | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Microplastics | 99.99% | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| PFAS | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | 99.4% |
| Bacteria | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 99.99% | ✗ | ✓ |
| Limescale | ✗ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
🔬 NSF Certification Explained
- NSF 42: Taste and odour (chlorine)
- NSF 53: Health contaminants (lead, cysts)
- NSF 401: Emerging contaminants (PFAS, pharmaceuticals)
⚠️ Important Notes
- • ✓ = removes, ✗ = does not remove
- • Percentages indicate verified removal rates
- • "Elite only" means premium model required
Annual Running Costs: The Real Cost of Clean Water
Filter costs add up. Here's what you'll actually pay over time.
| Brand | Initial Cost | Annual Filters | Year 1 Total | Year 2+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita mypure | £150-200 | £45 | £195-245 | £45 |
| TAPP EcoPro | £70 | £100-150 | £170-220 | £100-150 |
| Water2 Pod 2.0 | £129 | £99 | £228 | £99 |
| Doulton Gravity | £235-265 | £50-100 | £285-365 | £50-100 |
| Franke Minerva | £1,200-1,500 | £125-160 | £1,325-1,660 | £125-160 |
| Zip HydroTap | £2,772+ | £200+ | £3,500+ | £200+ |
💰 Best Value Over Time
Brita mypure has lowest running cost at £45/year after initial purchase.
🚿 No Installation Option
TAPP attaches to any tap. Doulton requires no plumbing at all.
⚡ Premium Options
Franke and Zip are kitchen investments, not just filters.
Installation Comparison
No Installation
Perfect for renters or those who don't want plumbing work
- TAPP EcoPro: Attaches to tap in 2 mins
- Doulton Gravity: Countertop, no plumbing
DIY Installation
20-60 minutes with basic tools
- Water2 Pod: 20-30 mins, some find tricky
- Brita mypure: Under-sink, moderate difficulty
Professional Required
Complex installation needs a professional
- Franke Minerva: Plumber required, £150-300
- Zip HydroTap: Specialist installer, £300+
Our Recommendations for Hampshire Homeowners
Best Overall
Water2 Pod 2.0
Great balance of effectiveness and value. Removes microplastics 99.99%, lead 85%.
Best Budget
Brita mypure P1
Lowest running costs at £45/year. Trusted brand with good customer service.
Best for Renters
TAPP EcoPro
No installation needed. Removes 100+ contaminants including PFAS.
Best Premium
Zip HydroTap
Commercial-grade quality. NSF certified with instant boiling & chilled water.
Do You Need a Filter, Softener, or Both?
| Factor | Drinking Filter | Water Softener | Both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Improve taste, remove contaminants | Remove limescale hardness | Complete water treatment |
| Upfront cost | £70-2,800 | £900-2,600 | £1,000-5,000 |
| Ongoing costs | £45-200/year | £100-200/year (salt) | £150-400/year |
| Hampshire need | Optional (taste preference) | High (300+ mg/L hardness) | Ideal solution |
Our Recommendation for Hampshire
Hampshire has very hard water (300+ mg/L). For most homes, a water softener is the priority - it protects appliances, reduces soap usage, and eliminates limescale. A drinking filter is a nice-to-have for improved taste and peace of mind about contaminants like microplastics or lead in old pipes. Many homeowners do both: softener for the whole house, filter for drinking water.
All Sources & Methodology
How We Compiled This Data
We analysed 12,000+ reviews across Trustpilot, ConsumerAffairs, Mumsnet, PistonHeads, and expert review sites. We also reviewed manufacturer specifications and NSF certifications. All quotes are verbatim and all sources are linked for verification.
Review Platforms
Forums & Communities
Disclaimer: This review compilation was created in January 2025. Prices, ratings, and availability may have changed. We have no commercial relationship with any manufacturer mentioned. Always verify current information before purchasing.
Need Help Choosing or Installing a Filter?
Rosebourne Plumbing offers free consultations for Hampshire homeowners. We can help you choose the right filter for your needs and install undersink or whole-house systems.
