Best Water Purification Systems for Apartments: Clean Water for Renters

If you live in an apartment, chances are you have limited control over the plumbing or the quality of your tap water. While it is the landlord's duty to provide you with safe water, what comes out of the faucet may still contain chlorine, heavy metals, sediments, or microplastics, depending on where you live. 

This is why more renters are looking for the best water purification systems for apartments – practical options without major plumbing changes and permanent installations. 

The good news is you don't need a large under-sink reverse osmosis system to enjoy cleaner and healthier water. 

Many cleaning options are more convenient for renters, like compact countertop units, faucet-mounted filters, and portable purifiers that bring an affordable balance of convenience, cost, and performance. 

In this article, we'll explore the best options, compare the features, and help you find the right water purification system for your apartment.

Why Renters Need Apartment-Friendly Water Purification

Unlike homeowners, renters often face challenges:

• Limited modifications: You can’t drill into walls or re-plumb your kitchen.
  
  

• Uncertain water quality: Apartment pipes may be old, corroded, or contribute to taste and odor issues.
  
  

• Portability: When you move, you want to take your system with you.
  
  

This means the ideal water purification systems for apartments should be:

• Easy to install and remove
  
  

• Compact and space-saving
  
  

• Effective at removing common contaminants
  
  

• Affordable for long-term use
  
  

Top Water Purification Systems for Apartments

Let’s look at the most practical solutions for renters — from simple pitchers to advanced countertop filters.

1. Faucet-Mounted Filters

These attach directly to your kitchen faucet and deliver filtered water instantly.

• Pros:
  
  

• Affordable ($25–$50)
  
  

• Easy to install, no tools needed
  
  

• Removes chlorine, lead, and common contaminants
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• May not fit pull-out faucets
  
  

• Can slow down water flow
  
  

Best for: Renters who want an easy, everyday solution without clutter.

2. Countertop Water Purifiers

These sit on your counter and connect to your faucet with a small hose. Some advanced countertop units even use reverse osmosis.

• Pros:
  
  

• Stronger filtration than faucet units
  
  

• Portable — disconnect and move easily
  
  

• Larger capacity for families
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• Takes up counter space
  
  

• Higher upfront cost ($100–$300)
  
  

Best for: Apartments with higher water usage or renters who want near-RO quality water without under-sink installation.

3. Water Pitcher Filters

A simple and budget-friendly option, pitcher filters use gravity to filter water and can be stored in the fridge.

• Pros:
  
  

• Very affordable ($20–$50)
  
  

• Portable and space-saving
  
  

• Improves taste and odor
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• Limited capacity (6–10 cups)
  
  

• Not as effective against heavy metals or PFAS
  
  

Best for: Individuals or small households looking for chilled, great-tasting water.

4. Countertop Reverse Osmosis Systems

Traditional reverse osmosis requires under-sink installation, but newer countertop RO systems are renter-friendly.

• Pros:
  
  

• Removes up to 99% of contaminants (including PFAS, fluoride, heavy metals)
  
  

• Plug-and-play design — no plumbing needed
  
  

• High-quality drinking water for health-conscious renters
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• Expensive ($300–$600)
  
  

• Requires electricity and counter space
  
  

Best for: Renters who want the gold standard in purification without permanent installation.

5. Portable Water Distillers

Water distillers boil water into steam and condense it back, leaving contaminants behind.

• Pros:
  
  

• Extremely pure water output
  
  

• Portable and easy to use
  
  

• Works on almost any water source
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• Time-consuming (takes hours per batch)
  
  

• Flat taste unless minerals are added back
  
  

Best for: Renters who want lab-level purity and don’t mind slower production.

6. Under-Sink Filters with Easy Disconnects

Some under-sink systems are now designed with quick-connect fittings, making them renter-friendly.

• Pros:
  
  

• Hidden system (no counter clutter)
  
  

• Long-lasting filters (6–12 months)
  
  

• More thorough than faucet or pitcher filters
  
  

• Cons:
  
  

• Still requires basic installation
  
  

• May need landlord approval
  
  

Best for: Long-term renters who want a semi-permanent but removable solution.

Key Factors to Consider Before Choosing

When picking the best water purification systems for apartments, consider:

1. What do you want to remove from the water? 

Will you only care if the water tastes and smells better, or does a purifier that removes contaminants like heavy metals, chemicals, or PFAS matter to you (PFAS chemicals have been known to be harmful and found in tap water)? The removal of these potential dangers from drinking water is always preferable to not doing anything at all.

2. What is your budget?

Water purifiers come in many different price ranges: A basic water filter pitcher can cost less than $50; a solid water purifier, like a countertop reverse osmosis (RO) may run a few hundred dollars. Be sure to establish your cost before making any purchase.

3. How much space do you have?

Many apartments have small kitchens and counter space can be very valuable. Some water purifiers are large and take up quite a bit of space. Be sure to measure where you want to keep the water purifier prior to selecting.

4. Are you going to have to carry it when you relocate?

If you move around the house a lot, a portable, lightweight water filter is the best option. Some are made to be easily movable while others are stationary and harder to relocate.

5. How easy is it to use and maintain?

Every water purifier has a filter that needs to be replaced every so often, some filters need to be changed often while others last even longer. Choose one that matches the amount of effort you have to put into cleaning and maintenance.

Apartment-Friendly Comparison Chart

FAQs on Water Purification Systems for Apartments

1. What’s the easiest water purification system for renters?
A faucet-mounted filter or water pitcher is the easiest, requiring zero plumbing changes.

2. Are countertop RO systems good for apartments?
Yes, they deliver the highest purification quality without needing under-sink installation.

3. How much do apartment water filters cost?
Prices range from $20 for pitchers to $600 for countertop RO systems.

4. Do landlords allow water filter installations?
Most apartment-friendly systems are non-invasive and landlord-approved. Always confirm before drilling for under-sink units.

5. Which is better: pitcher or faucet filter?
Pitchers are portable and fridge-friendly, while faucet filters provide on-demand filtered water instantly.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right water purification system for an apartment is not as complicated as it seems. Renters want something easy to transport, easy to set up, that works well, and does not break the bank. 

If you are looking for something simple and inexpensive, pitch filters or faucet-mount filters are a great place to start since they are a snap to use and do not require any significant setup. 

If you need something with stronger purification in order to drink the cleanest water possible, you can use a countertop RO system or a water distiller. 

For renters planning on long-term tenancy of their apartment, an under-sink quick-connect system is the best option. It provides the advanced filtration services of a high-end filtration system, without making permanent changes to the house. 

Regardless of which water purification system you choose to implement, objectively transitioning from plain tap water to filtered water is a good change for your health and can save money in the future. It also provides peace of mind.