How to Remove Fluoride from Water + Fluoride Water Filter Reviews

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Fluoride is in everything from tap water to toothpaste, so it must be safe…right? Unfortunately, like most things in life, too much of anything isn’t healthy. While a tiny amount of fluoride has a positive effect on the development and resilience of enamel on our teeth, there’s a reason toothpaste isn’t meant to be swallowed. Even in small amounts, fluoride is known to be toxic.

The pros and cons of fluoride infused water are fiercely debated, but most of us, children included, already have the daily amount of fluoride covered. All of the extra one ingests from drinking straight tap water can be damaging to bones and joints.

Because of these risks, an increasing number of medical professionals and members of the general population are pushing for non-fluoridated water. Until then, the best option for those who hope to go fluoride-free is to purchase a filtration system that does just that.

Best Fluoride Water Filter Toplist

This is our best fluoride water filter toplist:

Filter	Image	Price	Our Rating	Fluoride Rejection (%)
Home Master TMAFC-ERP Reverse Osmosis System		$$$$	4.9	97.7	Check Price
iSpring RCC7 Reverse Osmosis System		$$	4.7	~ 95	Check Price
Express Water ROALK5D Reverse Osmosis System		$$	4.7	93.9	Check Price
Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher		$	4.6	~ 97	Check Price
Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher		$	4.5	90.06	Check Price
ZeroWater ZP-010 Water Filter Pitcher		$	3.9	99	Check Price
Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter		$$$	4.6	~ 97	Check Price
Home Master Jr. F2 Countertop Water Filter		$	3.8	Up to 93	Check Price
AFW Big Blue Whole House Activated Alumina Water Filter		$$$$$	4.0	~ 70	Check Price
iSpring RCS5T Whole House Reverse Osmosis System		$$$$$$	4.2	~ 95	Check Price
Propur ProMax Shower Filter		$	3.0	48.2	Check Price
Mophorn Pure Water Distiller		$	3.4	No Data Provided	Check Price
Megahome Water Distiller		$$$	4.4	No Data Provided	Check Price
Seychelle Water Filter Bottle		$	3.9	Up to 90	Check Price

The Challenge of Fluoride Removal: Is Filtration Really Enough?

The problem with fluoride is simple; even in fluoridated tap water, the amount added is really very small. Tap water rarely contains more than 1 ppm (part per million). That’s not a very high concentration, but it’s still more than triple the amount usually found in non-fluoridated water which hovers at or below 0.3 ppm. That increased dose is cause for concern, but it’s still such a small amount that many filters and purifiers are unable to effectively remove it.

So, how to remove fluoride from water at home?

What WILL Remove Fluoride

While standard carbon filtration methods are insufficient, there ARE ways to effectively remove fluoride from water and restore your peace of mind:

1. Distillation- Water distillers aren’t quite the same as other filtration methods. Instead of removing impurities, water is boiled and the steam is collected and saved for use while any contaminants and impurities remain in the boiler – fluoride included!
2. Reverse Osmosis- Reverse osmosis is frequently applied to remove fluoride, and for good reason. The process uses a semipermeable membrane to remove close to 100% of contaminants. Most aquarium stores use ro water in the homes of the most fragile and sensitive fish. If it’s pure enough for them, it’s definitely pure enough to use in our homes!
3. Activated Alumina- Filters that use activated alumina can get rid of excessive fluoride through adsorption. Flow rate and water pH are important. Too little contact time or a pH above 6.5 lead to reduced effectiveness, although it does not mean than the media won’t work.
4. Strong Base Anion Exchange- While it does remove fluoride, this is one method you probably don’t need to worry about. For now, the technology behind this filtration method is hard to come by and is unavailable for home use. Instead, opt for one of the three above methods that are much more accessible and user-friendly.

What WON’T Remove Fluoride

• We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your favorite Brita pitcher probably doesn’t K/O fluoride. Common faucet-mounted filters, like those made by Brita and PUR, are excellent at removing chlorine and improving flavor, but they don’t do much to remove fluoride either. And we have yet to find a refrigerator filter that can handle fluoride removal.
• The same goes for the LifeStraw. If you’re on a camping trip and need to knock out waterborne parasites from the nearby stream water, the LifeStraw is a great tool. For getting rid of fluoride in tap water, not so much.
• What about water softeners? They do what they say they do, swapping calcium and magnesium with sodium or potassium. Sadly, they’re just as ineffective at fluoride removal as the LifeStraw.
• Fluoride can’t be boiled out, either. It doesn’t evaporate, so the only way to use boiling to purify water is with a distillation system that separates the pure, evaporated water from the contaminants.

There isn’t really a shortcut to fluoride removal, so unless you plan on sourcing all your drinking water from bottles or jugs, it’s best to spring for a filtration system that’s intended to get the job done right. Our list of favorites below can safely remove both fluoride and chlorine, so read on to find the best fit for your home.

Home Fluoride Water Filter Reviews

Reverse Osmosis Under Sink Systems – Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Fluoride?

It is common knowledge in the water treatment industry that reverse osmosis systems of all sizes are fantastic at removing fluoride from tap water. Even point-of-use reverse osmosis systems installed under the kitchen sink can remove around 95% of dissolved fluoride, and some models even more than that.

There is one thing buyers need to look out for, however. Because reverse osmosis filtration uses a fine membrane to filter out impurities, the quality of the membrane chosen makes a big difference. Of the two types used in most home ro systems, polyamide thin-film composites (TFC) and cellulose-type membranes, TFC membranes are pricier but more effective. They reduce the level of total dissolved solids more than cellulose-type membranes, more effectively removing tiny, unwanted particles like fluoride.

Caring for your ro system regularly is essential to ensure it continues to remove fluoride at peak efficiency. The following are three of the best options available for home fluoride removal:

The Home Master TMAFC-ERP

As far as reverse osmosis systems go, the Home Master is the most effective, filtering out around 97.7% of fluoride. The efficiency does come with a higher price tag, but we’re confident it’s worth shelling out some extra cash for. It’s backed by a 5-year limited warranty, more than most other products can boast, and if fluoride removal is what you’re looking for it does a great job.

iSpring RCC7

On the other end of the price scale, the iSpring RCC7 is about as cheap as it gets. The low price doesn’t mean it’s a bad system, either! It’s WQA certified to remove about 95% fluoride, and replacement filters are equally affordable. It has a 1-year money-back guarantee, but it does have a higher tendency to leak than more expensive models. Is this why the manufacturer includes a leak detector with every purchase? Maybe. All in all, it’s a good bargain.

Express Water ROALK5D

The average fluoride rejection rate of the Express Water ROALK5D is in a similar range as the iSpring RCC7, hovering around 93.9%. The unit has earned an NSF certification for standard 58. It’s a little unique in comparison to other reverse osmosis systems because of its included remineralization stages, adding essential calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium back into the purified water, improving its flavor and optimizing pH.

It’s not perfect, sadly. Wastewater production is a bit higher than average. There also have been taste issues, but all in all, most customers are happy with the performance and features.

Best Fluoride Filter Options for Your Countertop (Incl. Pitchers)

While the most common brands of filter pitchers can’t take on the job of fluoride removal, they aren’t your only option. Clearly Filtered, Aquagear and ZeroWater have models that can handle the task. We also have the Berkey gravity water filter and the Home Master Jr. F2 for your countertop.

The Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher

The Clearly Filtered water filter pitcher reduces fluoride by about 97% to 98%. That’s not as good as the ZeroWater, but overall the Clearly Filtered removes more contaminants than any other pitcher – more than 220 in total. This includes chlorine, chloramine, pathogens, lead, pesticides, VOCs and many others. The pitcher has earned 5 NSF certifications for standards 42, 53, 244, 401 and 473.

It holds 8 cups of water and is easy to assemble and use. The material is 100% BPA-free Tritan. Other pros are the 90-day full satisfaction guarantee and Clearly Filtered’s promise to replace the pitcher for free if it’s broken. Cons are the high price tag of replacement filters and their shortened lifespan when exposed to certain water conditions.

The Aquagear

The independently tested Aquagear pitcher is spectacular at removing chromium 6, TTHMs, lead and arsenic(V) among other contaminants, knocking out over 99% of each. It’s slightly less effective at removing fluoride, ringing in at a ~ 90% rejection rate. Filter cartridges last between 3-6 months. The pitcher holds 8 cups of water, so for a family you may want to purchase more than one.

The ZeroWater 10-Cup Filter

The ZeroWater is a superhero when it comes to fluoride removal. Its average reduction rate is 99%. In addition to the larger jug, the ZeroWater filter pitcher is cheaper than the Aquagear and comes with an easy-dispense spigot to effortlessly fill your glass without taking the pitcher out of the fridge. It also comes with a free TDS meter to help you know when it’s time to change the filter. The downside? It filters well, but it doesn’t filter fast, and the cartridges need to be replaced more often than the Aquagear cartridges do.

Berkey Countertop Fluoride Filter

For larger families, we recommend choosing a filter that can handle the higher demand for purified water. Berkey makes several models of countertop gravity filters, including the 2.25-gallon Big Berkey and the even larger 3.25-gallon Royal Berkey.

Either will work, but make sure to add PF-2 fluoride filter elements. They’re packed with top-of-the-line activated alumina filtration media, getting rid of 97.1 to 98.4% of dissolved fluoride. Browse all the Berkey filters to find one that fits your home’s needs.

Home Master Jr. F2

For countertop filtration models, the Home Master Jr. F2 is a decent option as well. It removes up to 93% of fluoride with a similar activated alumina cartridge, and it connects directly to your kitchen faucet. For this reason, it’s more compact than Berkey filters. For small spaces, this is a great selling point. It’s simple to connect in just a few minutes, but if you go with the Home Master Jr. F2, expect to replace the filter cartridge more often than you would a Berkey filter.

Whole House Fluoride Filters

Finding a filter that will rid your entire water system of fluoride is a tall order. Most whole house systems use activated charcoal to remove contaminants, but carbon is no match for fluoride. To truly combat fluoride, a system must use activated alumina adsorption. The other option is a whole house reverse osmosis system. Both work, but they’re expensive and reverse osmosis purification may take longer than you would like it to.

AFW Big Blue Whole House Fluoride Filter with Activated Alumina

This Big Blue system by AFW is about as good as it gets for whole house fluoride filters without going the reverse osmosis route, but it’s still not great. It removes about 70% of fluoride, unlike the other point-of-use models we’ve mentioned that all remove 90% or higher.

If that’s not a deal breaker, the 20” Big Blue’s activated alumina and bone char carbon filter, plus its additional sediment filter and radial flow carbon filter, keeps unwanted particulates, chlorine, chloramine, arsenic, pesticides, and other similar chemicals out of your drinking water. It’s a fairly low-maintenance system, and most homeowners can figure out how to install it with a little plumbing know-how.

The iSpring RCS5T RO System

If you don’t mind adding on a non-pressurized storage tank and delivery pump, the iSpring RCS5T whole house ro system has some clear advantages. It reduces fluoride by up to 96%, in addition to removing up to 98% of lead, 99% of asbestos and bacteria, and tons of other contaminants. The system is easy to maintain, but the pre-filters do need frequent replacement. With the added storage tank, the iSpring is the best whole-house option for fluoride removal.

Fluoride Shower Filter

Taking a hot shower is supposed to be soothing. Who wants to absorb unhealthy additives and contaminants while rinsing off? Unfortunately, the technology to remove fluoride with a shower head filter isn’t quite there yet. They can, however, reduce fluoride content to some extent. The eye-catching Propur ProMax can trap roughly half the fluoride, which is about the best you can find for now. It’s not cheap, but if you’re willing to spring for it the ProMax is better than nothing.

Best Distillation Systems

Water distillers are a relatively affordable way to remove fluoride effectively. Of the models currently on the market, the Mophorn Pure and the Megahome MH943SBS are two of the best.

With normal use, a distiller can make around 2 gallons of pure water per day unless it’s run through the night. Most models max out at 4 gallons in 24 hours.

The Mophorn Pure

For those looking to save money, check out the Mophorn Pure. It generates roughly one gallon of pure water in each cycle and features a stainless steel interior plus charcoal filter for volatile contaminants, which we love. That said, you get what you pay for. It comes with a plastic carafe that some say adds an unwanted aftertaste, but swapping it out for a glass or stainless steel one is a quick fix.

The Mophorn Pure may not last as long as some of the more expensive models, but to try out distillation purifiers with little risk, it’s not a bad buy at all. You can also upgrade to one of their pricier, stainless steel models that come with a glass carafe.

The Megahome Countertop Distiller

The Megahome MH943SBS works similarly to the Mophorn Pure, but everything the water touches is made from stainless steel or glass to avoid that annoying plastic flavor.

The stellar customer reviews say a lot about its quality, and most rave about the customer service they’ve received. It also comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty and free shipping. No wonder that this is among the best selling products on Amazon in its category.

On-the-Go Fluoride Filtration

Fluoride Filter Water Bottle

The easiest way to enjoy fluoride-free water while you’re on the road or at work is by bringing a bottle from home. If you’re worried about it while camping or on vacation, the Seychelle Outdoor Advanced Bottle lets you safely sip from any freshwater stream, lake, or tap. In addition to removing up to 90% of fluoride, the American-made, BPA-free bottle also removes organic and inorganic contaminants, as well as microorganisms that can make you sick.

It holds an impressive 28 oz., but you do have to squeeze the bottle while drinking. This can cause the lid to pop off occasionally, but overall it’s a good product to have on hand for outdoor adventures and emergencies.