Watertechadvice.com is supported by readers. If you purchase through referral links on our site, we make a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Home » Water Filtration Systems » 9 Best Fluoride Water Filters Reviewed

9 Best Fluoride Water Filters Reviewed

By: Stephanie Nielsen
Last Updated:
Fluoride Water Filter

We know there is evidence that suggests that the consumption of too much fluoride can lead to several health issues.

The good news is, there are plenty of fluoride water filtration systems ranging from countertop units all way up to whole-house models.

Whatever type of fluoride filter is best for you within your budget, the water filtration systems reviewed below will be able to provide excellent high-quality tap water without harming your family’s bodies by eliminating those noxious chemicals that are now typical in most municipal water supplies.

You can see the best fluoride water filter in our guide below.

Find The Right Section…

Best Fluoride Water Filters Compared

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES  
hd-table__image
#1 Clearly Filtered Under Sink System
  • Capacity: 2,000-gallons
  • Contaminants: 99.5% of fluoride and 99.5% of lead
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICEGet 10% Off! Use Code: Watertechadvice10
hd-table__image
#2 Aquatru Countertop RO System
  • Capacity: 600-1200 gallons
  • Contaminants: 82 plus fluoride and lead
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICE
hd-table__image
#3 Big Berkey Countertop Gravity Filter
  • Capacity: 2.25-gallons
  • Contaminants: Removes up to 99.99% of fluoride and more
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICE
hd-table__image
#4 Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher
  • Capacity: 80-ounce (or 10 cups) water
  • Contaminants: Removes 99.7% of harmful contaminants
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICEGet 10% Off! Use Code: Watertechadvice10
hd-table__image
#5 Pelican Fluoride Whole-House System
  • Capacity: 450-gallon water capacity
  • Contaminants: Removes fluoride down to 1PPM
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICE
hd-table__image
#6 Aquasana OPTIMH20 RO + Claryum Under Sink
  • Capacity: 13-32 gallons per day
  • Contaminants: Removes 95% of fluoride
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICEGet 50% Off + Free Shipping! Use Code: AQWTA
hd-table__image
#7 Waterdrop RO System
  • Capacity: 400 Gallons per day
  • Contaminants: 95% TDS, fluoride, more
  • NSF Certified
CHECK PRICE
hd-table__image
#8 Megahome Countertop Distiller
  • Capacity: makes 1 gallon every 5.5 hours
  • Contaminants: 99% of all
  • NA
CHECK PRICE

What to Consider When Buying a Fluoride Water Filter

fluoride-water-filter-evaluation-criteria

Even though fluoride water filters come in a variety of styles and use several different filtration methods, it’s possible to compare them using the same criteria: the amount of fluoride and other contaminants they remove, the filter capacity, filter life span, the filtration rate, certifications, and price in order to find the best fluoride water filter.

Capability to Remove Fluoride & Other Contaminants

The best water filter is the one that removes fluoride as well as other contaminants in your water supply since no water supply contains only one type of contaminant.

By testing your water, you can find out exactly what harmful chemicals and contaminants it contains. Then, you can find a filter that will remove fluoride from water along with all those additional contaminants. 

The most common water filtration systems that are effective for fluoride removal use reverse osmosis (RO), gravity, or special forms of carbon.

Filter Capacity & Lifespan

A fluoride filtration system with long-lasting filters will require less maintenance and ultimately cost less over the long term. It’s important to note that whereas some manufacturers publish the filter life in years, others show the capacity rating in gallons.

Capacity refers to the number of gallons of water a filter can process. For instance, 100,000 gallons is approximately a lifespan of one year for a whole-house fluoride water filter.

Flow Rate

Flow rate describes the water pressure of filtered tap water, usually in gallons per minute (GPM). It’s important to find a water filter that’s effective at removing contaminants without decreasing flow too much.

Certifications

The two main independent organizations that certify water filtration products in accordance with defined quality standards are the Water Quality Association (WQA) and the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Certification from either of these organizations increases the likelihood that a fluoride filtration system will meet its manufacturer’s claims.

Price

Price is always a key consideration when comparing the best fluoride water filters. We have made sure that each of the models on our list offers great value for money. 

In addition to the price of the filtration system itself, it’s necessary to consider future costs, such as replacement filters for removing fluoride.

Best Fluoride Water Filters Reviewed

Fluoride Water Filter

Review Order

In our search for the best fluoride filter (based on the points above), we’ve narrowed it down to the following options, due to their capability to provide you with fluoride-free water with water filters that remove fluoride and other contaminants.

#1 Clearly Filtered Under Sink Filter System – Best Overall

clearly filtered under sink

This is not just the best under sink fluoride water filter system but the best water filtration system overall.

A three-stage under-sink fluoride filter from Clearly Filtered, removes up to 99.5 percent of fluoride from your water.

The first of the filtration stages is a premium carbon priming filter to remove chlorine, bad tastes and odors, cloudiness, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and various chemicals. Stage two has the heavy metal and VOC filter, which removes metals like lead and chromium in addition to organic contaminants like herbicides and pesticides.

Finally, stage three of the multi-stage filtration process is the fluoride and arsenic filter. During this stage, the filtration system carries out fluoride removal and filters arsenic from your tap water using a proprietary filtration media.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed –This three-stage filter removes 99.5 percent of fluoride and 99 percent of nine perfluorinated chemicals as well as 16 herbicides, 49 pesticides, 54 semi-volatile compounds, 12 heavy metals, two radiological elements, 65 VOCs, 21 pharmaceuticals, chlorine, and chloramine.

The full list of the contaminants this sink fluoride filter removes is available on the Clearly Filtered website.

Filter capacity & lifespan –The capacity of each of the three filters is 2,000 gallons, which is 9 to 12 months, depending on your household’s usage. You should change all three filters at the same time. The filtration system itself comes with a lifetime warranty.

Flow rate –Clearly Filtered hasn’t published the flow rate in GPM of this sink water filter. However, the company has said that the filtration system will reduce outgoing water pressure by about 25 percent.

Certifications –This sink water filter has been NSF certified for standards 42 (which means it improves the taste and odor of water), 53 (which means it reduces harmful substances like lead), 244 (which means it reduces microbial contaminants), 401 (which means it removes emerging contaminants that have negative health effects), and 473 (which means it reduces PFOA and PFOS).

Price –At $500 for the filtration system and $400 for all three filters, this system offers excellent value for money, especially when you consider the range of unwanted contaminants it removes.

Pros

  • Removes 99.5 percent of fluoride and more than 232 additional contaminants 
  • A 2,000-gallon capacity water filtration system
  • Easy, non-permanent installation – great for renters
  • Lifetime warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee
  • NSF-certified for five standards 
  • Replacing filter cartridges is easy

Cons

  • Cold water flow drops by 25 percent
  • Replacement filters are expensive

The Bottom Line

This is one of the best sink water filters on the market – not only for fluoride but also for more than 232 additional contaminants. It’s best for those with a municipal water supply who can afford the yearly filter replacements.

See our complete Clearly Filtered 3 Stage Under Sink Filter Review here.

Get 10% OFF with exclusive code: Watertechadvice10 at checkout

Get 10% Off! Use Code: Watertechadvice10

#2 Aquatru Countertop RO System for Fluoride

Aquatru-countertop-filter

Another great option for removing fluoride from your tap water is using the Aquatru countertop reverse osmosis system.

This RO system removes 82 contaminants including fluoride, lead, chlorine, nitrates, and much more.

Just the fact that this is reverse diffusion filtration means this water filter can remove 99% of total dissolved solids.

Another benefit of this system is that it doesn’t require any installation. You just have to plug it in and fill the storage tank with tap water and it’s ready to go with fluoride-free water.

This RO system contains a 4 step filtration process that all the major bottled water brands use:

  1. Carbon Pre Filter
  2. Reverse Osmosis Pre Filter
  3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane
  4. Carbon Post Filter

Lastly, the filters in this RO unit last longer than normal lasting for 600-1200 gallons of water or around 6 months to 1.5 years.

It’s an awesome fluoride filter if you are looking for a countertop model.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants Removed – Removes 82 contaminants including fluoride, lead, chlorine, and nitrates.

Filter Lifespan & Capacity – Filter life is 600-1200 gallons which is pretty long compared to other RO units.

Flow Rate – Makes 1 gallon of water in 12-15 minutes. The flow rate is not applicable here because it’s a standalone countertop unit.

Certifications – Certified to NSF 53, 58, 42, 401, p473 which is really comprehensive.

Price – $500

Pros

  • Filters out 82+ contaminants and fluoride
  • Easy to install 
  • NSF Certified
  • 4 stage RO filtration

Cons

  • Creates wastewater
  • Needs electricity outlet

The Bottom Line

If you’re searching for the best fluoride water filter that will fit on your countertop and is simple to use, this is the best option.

The filtration quality is excellent and has filters that remove fluoride from your drinking water and improve water quality.


#3 Big Berkey Countertop Gravity Filter + Fluoride

Big-Berkey

This countertop fluoride filter system uses gravity filtration to remove more than 200 contaminants. Unfiltered tap water flows from the upper chamber of the countertop filtration system through a carbon composite and proprietary media blend. The result is pure water in the lower storage container.

The Big Berkey system has a 2.25-gallon storage capacity and is made with BPA-free parts. It is suitable for households made up of two to four people. To remove fluoride, you’ll need to purchase a separate fluoride filter for the standard countertop filter. However, when it has a fluoride filter, the Big Berkey is one of the best countertop water filters for fluoride on the market.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed –This filter removes 97 percent of fluoride in addition to 99.9999 percent of viruses, 99.9 percent of bacteria, 99.8 percent of trihalomethanes, 99.9 percent of chlorines and chloramines, 99.9 percent of 17 pharmaceuticals, 99.9 percent of arsenic, and many VOCs, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants for a total of 204 contaminants.

Check the Berkey website to see the full contaminant removal specifications.

Filter capacity & lifespan –This countertop filter has a 3,000-gallon capacity per filter cartridge. You can purchase the Big Berkey with either two or four filters. If you choose a two-filter system and your household uses four gallons of water per day, the filters will last more than four years.

Flow rate –With two filters, this system can filter 3.5 gallons per hour. With four, it can filter up to 7 gallons per hour.

Certifications – This product has been NSF certified for standards 53 and 42.

Price – The two-filter model with the fluoride filters costs $325, whereas the four-filter model with a fluoride cartridge costs $492. The water filters cost $120 for a set of two regular filters and $65 for a set of two fluoride filters.

Pros

  • Removes 97 percent of fluoride as well as 203 additional contaminants
  • 3,000-gallon filter capacity
  • Perfect size for clean drinking water in small homes and RVs
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • NSF certified
  • Limited two-year warranty and a 30-day guarantee

Cons

  • To turn the Berkey system into a countertop fluoride filter, you need to purchase an additional filter cartridge
  • It’s difficult to determine if the lower chamber is full

The Bottom Line

This is the best countertop water filtration system for removing fluoride. In addition, it’s effective at removing a wide variety of additional contaminants. Berkey is a top brand, meaning you can trust that this system removes all the contaminants the company claims it does.


#4 Clearly Filtered Fluoride Water Filter Pitcher

clearly filtered water pitcher

If you don’t want to install a whole-house filter or an under-sink filter, a fluoride water filter pitcher can be a great alternative for fluoride removal.

This Clearly Filtered pitcher uses three-stage filtration with a mesh screen, a granulated activated carbon stage, and a proprietary blend of seven filtration materials to remove over 232 contaminants, including fluoride. 

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed – The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 96.9 percent of fluoride up to 8 ppm and 98.2 percent of fluoride up to 2 ppm. It is also effective at removing PFOA and PFOS, microorganisms, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, VOCs, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, radiological elements, and semi-volatile compounds.

Check the Clearly Filtered website for the full list of contaminants the water filter pitcher removes.

Filter capacity & lifespan –The filter in this pitcher has a 100-gallon capacity, which means it should last for approximately four months. The fluoride water filter pitcher itself comes with a lifetime warranty.

Flow rate – Clearly Filtered hasn’t published the filtration rate for the pitcher, but some customer reviews report that it uses a slow filtration process – taking more than one hour for the full 10 cups.

Certifications – The Clearly Filtered pitcher has been NSF certified for standards 42, 53, 244, 401, and 473.

Price –The price is $75 for the pitcher. Clearly Filtered sells replacement water filters at $140 for a three-pack. This is one of the most low-cost ways to ensure you receive fluoride-free, healthy drinking water.

Pros

  • Removes up to 98.2 percent of fluoride as well as more than 230 additional contaminants
  • 80-ounce (or 10-cup) water capacity
  • NSF certified for five standards
  • The water filter pitcher has no impact on the flow of tap water
  • Budget-friendly
  • Guarantee and exchange policy

Cons

  • Some fluoride water filter reviews report slow filtration times
  • It’s necessary to remove the lid to add water because there’s no refill hole
  • No indicator for the water filter lifespan

The Bottom Line

This is a great choice for those who want excellent fluoride filtration for their drinking water without needing to install anything to the cold water line. Despite the slow filtration rate, this is one of the best water filter pitchers on the market.

Get 10% Off! Use Code: Watertechadvice10

#5 Pelican Whole House Fluoride Filter

pelican

Winning the silver medal in this whole-house filtration system from Pelican. Since regular block and granulated activated carbon filters cannot remove fluoride, Pelican uses a calcium-based carbon filter called bone char in addition to a sediment pre-filter.

The whole-house water filter features high-quality tanks and valves covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Pelican also prides itself on using a non-electric and zero-water waste design, which is environmentally friendly and doesn’t require much maintenance. 

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed – At 1 ppm concentration or less, this system offers virtually 100-percent fluoride removal. It is also certified to give a refreshing taste to filtered water and improve odor. The sediment pre-filter reduces rust, suspended particles, and other large contaminants.

Filter capacity & lifespan – With a capacity of 450,000 gallons, the filter media should last between three to five years. The water filtration system itself comes with a lifetime warranty and the sediment pre-filter will last for six to 12 months.

Flow rate – Offering 15 GPM, this water filtration system can provide a high enough flow for homes with up to six bathrooms.

Certifications – This product has been NSF certified for standards 61 (meaning the parts meet quality standards) and 42 (meaning it improves taste and provides you with odorless water).

Price – The base price for this house water filter is $1,704, which makes it one of the more expensive houses fluoride water filters on this list. The replacement media costs $624, but the sediment pre-filter costs only $22.88.

Pros

  • Removes 100 percent of fluoride up to 1 ppm
  • 15 GPM flow rate
  • 450,000-gallon filter capacity
  • Easy installation and maintenance
  • 90-day satisfaction guarantee and limited lifetime warranty for parts

Cons

  • No metal fittings – only plastic
  • More expensive than some other house water filters
  • Removes fewer contaminants from your tap drinking water supply than other filters

The Bottom Line

This whole-house filter is a great choice for any home receiving municipal water that contains fluoride, chlorine, and chloramine. It’s a particularly excellent solution if you only need basic filtration, to improve the taste and smell of your water. You can rest assured that all of your water — including your drinking water — is fluoride-free.


#6 Aquasana OPTIMH20 RO + Claryum

Aquasana RO

The OPTIMH20 under-the-sink reverse osmosis fluoride filtration system from Aquasana is a top choice for two reasons. First, it’s affordable. Second, it removes 95 percent of fluoride as well as 87 common contaminants.

This four-stage RO filtration system uses activated carbon, a 1-micron RO membrane, and a Claryum block filter, which combines activated and catalytic carbon along with ion exchange and sub-micron filtration. The remineralization stage returns some of the healthy minerals that the RO filtration system removes from your drinking water and raises the pH of the water.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed –The OPTIMH20 reverse osmosis filters remove 95 percent of fluoride as well as 97 percent of chlorine and arsenic, 99 percent of lead and asbestos, and 95 percent of mercury.

The RO filtration system is also effective at reducing chloramine and four other water treatment chemicals, suspended particles, crypto, and giardia cysts, 35 industrial chemicals, 19 herbicides and pesticides, and eight pharmaceuticals — a total of 88 contaminants.

You can read the full list of contaminants the reverse osmosis fluoride filtration system removes on the Aquasana website.

Filter capacity & lifespan –Although Aquasana hasn’t published the filter capacities in gallons for each stage, the lifespans for the reverse osmosis membrane and the re-mineralizer are both one year, whereas the activated carbon and Claryum filters both last for six months.

Flow rate –The flow rate for this model is 0.5 GPM for the tap water from your kitchen sink, which is slightly lower than some other types of fluoride reduction systems. However, most RO systems offer around the same. The maximum production of pure water the reverse osmosis system can produce is just over 13 gallons per day.

Certifications –This product has been NSF certified for standards 42, 53, 58 (which are specific to reverse osmosis water filter performance), and 401.

Price –The RO filtration system itself costs $500, which is reasonable for a fluoride reverse osmosis system of this quality. The carbon and claryum filters both cost $64.99, whereas the re-mineralizer replacement filters cost $29.99 and the RO waters filters cost $59.99.

Pros

  • Removes 95 percent of fluoride and 88 contaminants in total
  • Three stages of filtration with a remineralization stage
  • 2-year warranty and a 90-day guarantee
  • NSF certified for four standards
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • You’ll need to change the water filters frequently
  • The installation process is complicated and requires a professional

The Bottom Line

This is one of the most effective RO system filters that remove fluoride. It also removes a variety of other water impurities. The system has a variety of NSF certifications, including one specific to RO filters, and it is available at a great price.

Get 50% Off + Free Shipping! Use Code: AQWTA

#7 Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System

waterdrop ro

The Waterdrop G3 Reverse Osmosis System is one of the best under sink fluoride water filters for drinking water.

This unit is NSF 58 and 372 certified, and it removes 95% of total dissolved solids as well as fluoride and many other contaminants from water.

One of the best features of this system is the 400 gallons per day fast water flow that ensures you get purified, filtered water instantly which is a huge plus with an RO system. 

The unit contains a 7-stage filtration process including a pre sediment and carbon filter, a 3-layer dow membrane RO filter, and a post-filter carbon block.

Lastly, this is a sleek tankless design that comes with the best technology possible in a sink water filter system.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants Removed – 95% TDS, chlorine, fluoride, bacteria, viruses, and more.

Filter Capacity and Lifespan – carbon filters last for 6-12 months and RO membrane lasts for 2 years

Flow Rate – 400 GPD super high flow rate

Certifications –NSF 58 and 372 certified

Price –$500

Pros

  • Removes fluoride and 95% TDS
  • 400 GPD flow rate
  • Tankless design

Cons

  • Not cheap
  • Produces wastewater

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a high-tech under sink tankless reverse osmosis filter that removes fluoride and other contaminants and are not concerned about paying for quality this is the model for you.


#8 Megahome Countertop Water Distiller

mega home countertop distiller

The Megahome countertop water distiller is an alternative option to reverse osmosis or standard filter type.

A distiller works by boiling water to 212 degrees and then recondensing the water into pure h2o which removes fluoride and most other bacteria, viruses, and contaminants in the water.

Distillers are usually used for medical applications and other uses that need the purest form of h2o possible without any impurities.

This unit from Megahome contains a distiller and an activated carbon filter to make the drinking water taste better after it’s done being distilled. It completes 1 gallon of distilled water every 5.5 hours and is made out of stainless steel for durability.

While a distiller is not as efficient as a typical water filter for producing drinking water it’s another option to consider if you need to remove fluoride from water for other uses.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants Removed -Removes pretty much all contaminants.

Filter Lifespan & Capacity – A distiller lasts for as long as the system holds up which is much longer than typical filter replacements as long as you take care of the product.

Flow Rate – Produces 1 gallon of distilled water every 5.5 hours

Certifications – NA

Price – $270

Pros

  • Distillation is highly effective for removing fluoride
  • Lasts for a long time 
  • Cheaper than other fluoride filters

Cons

  • Not as efficient as standard filters 
  • Only purifies a small amount of water at one time

The Bottom Line

If you need to remove fluoride for a medical application or are using the distiller for producing a smaller amount of totally pure water then this is a good option.


#9 Pelican Under Sink 6-Stage RO Water Filter

pelican 6 stage

The Pelican Under Sink 6-Stage RO water filter delivers high-quality drinking water by sending unfiltered water through a reverse osmosis membrane and five other stages.

The first four stages are combined into one filter cartridge and include a sediment filter for large particles, an RO pre-filter, a carbon filter, and the reverse osmosis membrane itself.

The last two stages are combined in a second cartridge. Water passes from the tank and through a carbon post-filter and a remineralization stage.

Main Features & Benefits

Contaminants removed – This system removes 93.8 percent of fluoride as well as 99.0 percent of arsenic, 98.3 percent of chromium 6, 99.0 percent of chromium 3, 98.8 percent of barium, 98.4 percent of copper, 98.8 percent of radium 226/228, 97.9 percent of selenium, 98.7 percent of turbidity, 99.9 percent of cysts, 96.8 percent of lead, and 93.10 percent of all the dissolved solids present in water.

Filter capacity & lifespan – Pelican hasn’t published the filter capacities in gallons, but the company does say that the four-stage cartridge lasts for about 18 months, whereas the two-stage cartridge lasts for about six months, depending on your usage. The fluoride reduction system itself comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Flow rate – Although Pelican hasn’t published the flow rate for tap water, this water filter system can produce 50 gallons per day, which should be sufficient for most households.

Certifications –This fluoride reduction system has been WQA certified for NSF/ANSI standard 58.

Price –This is one of the more budget-friendly reverse osmosis systems. It has an upfront price of $286.55 and the filters will cost you $365 every 18 months.

Pros

  • Removes 93.8 percent of fluoride in addition to 11 other contaminants
  • WQA certified 
  • Filters up to 50 gallons per day
  • Great price 
  • Compact design means it will fit under the kitchen sink; alternatively, you can use it as a countertop filtration system
  • Limited one year warranty

Cons

  • No dishwasher or garbage disposal drain adapter
  • Some consumers report issues with leaking faucets

The Bottom Line

This is a great fluoride reduction system for those who want to spread the costs out over time and still receive high-quality water filtration. This RO system uses 50 percent less water than other RO systems, meaning it produces less overall waste, and the faucets come in three finishes to match your kitchen sink.

Get 10% Off! Use Code: WATERTECH

 Top 9 Fluoride Water Filters Feature Comparison

ProductFluoride RemovedFilter LifespanCertificationsPrice
Clearly Filtered Under-Sink System 99.5%9-12 monthsNSF certified for 5 standards$$$
Aquatru Countertop RO99%1-2 yearsNSF Certified for 5 standards$$$
Big Berkey Gravity Filter97%2-5 yearsNSF certified for 2 standards$$
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher98.2%4 monthsNSF certified for 5 standards$
Pelican Whole-House Fluoride Filter100%
(under 1ppm)
3-5 yearsNSF certified for 2 standards$$$$
Aquasana OPTIMH20 RO + Claryum95%6-12 monthsNSF certified for 4 standards$$
Waterdrop G3 RO System95%6-24 monthsNSF Certified for 2 standards$$$
Megahome Countertop Water Distiller99%Distillation deviceNA$$
Pelican 6-Stage RO Under-Sink93.8%18 monthsWQA certified for 1 standard$$

Fluoride Water Filter Buyers Guide

fluoride-water-filter-buyers-guide

What Is Fluoride?

At 0.054 percent, fluorine is the thirteenth most abundant element on Earth, ranking even higher than carbon.

In its elemental state, fluorine is a noxious yellow-green gas, but it’s most commonly found in its ionic form: fluoride.

This form combines with other elements like sodium to create substances such as sodium fluoride.

How Does Fluoride Enter Drinking Water?

Fluoride occurs naturally in the air, soil, plants, and groundwater, although it is most prevalent in saltwater.

Whereas fluoride can certainly be present in your water supply naturally, it is commonly added in trace amounts (less than 1 ppm) to municipal water supplies in a process called fluoridation. This is to help ensure that people receive enough fluoride daily to promote tooth health.

Fluoride Health Effects

Woman pouring filtered water into a glass

Fluoride is slightly controversial because it has been associated with both positive and negative health effects.

For example, there was a 68 percent decrease in the average number of missing or decaying teeth in 12-year-olds after fluoridated water was introduced in the U.S. between the 1960s and the 1990s.

This is because fluoride in small amounts can rebuild weakened tooth enamel, prevent tooth enamel from losing minerals, reduce tooth decay (or even reverse tooth decay that already exists), and prevent harmful oral bacteria growth.

On the flip side, too much fluoride can cause:

Dental and skeletal fluorosis

Mild dental fluorosis just leads to white spots on tooth enamel, but severe dental fluorosis causes pits and other damage to the enamel. Skeletal fluorosis causes joint pain and stiffness and, in the case of prolonged exposure to very high doses of fluoride, can eventually progress to the calcification of ligaments.

Although fluorosis is most commonly caused by swallowing toothpaste (which you can prevent by using fluoride-free toothpaste) or exposure to excessively high amounts of fluoride in the water (over 2 ppm) over a long period of time, many people would rather not take any risks.

Fluoride Poisoning or Excessive Fluoride Intake

Fluoride can be harmful in excessive doses and an extreme amount of fluoride can cause poisoning in very rare cases.

Fluoride may also be found in a variety of over-the-counter and prescription products, including:

  • Mouthwashes and toothpaste
  • Some vitamins
  • Water with added fluoride
  • Liquid and tablet forms of sodium fluoride

The good news is the US regulatory system for fluoride in water provides great protection against toxicity so you don’t need to worry too much about fluoride poisoning from municipal sources.

Types of Water Filters That Remove Fluoride

water-filters

There are several types of filtration systems that remove fluoride from water. These range from five-stage whole house filters that you install on your existing water line to point-of-use filters that you either attach to your kitchen sink faucet or that sit on your countertop.

Fluoride reduction filtration systems fall into four main categories:

  • Under-sink filters
  • Whole-house water filters
  • Countertop water filters
  • Water filter pitchers

When considering the effectiveness of a filter, though, the filtration method is more important than the filter type.

For example, a regular activated carbon filter is ineffective for fluoride reduction. This means that if you compare under-sink water filters that use a regular granulated activated carbon filter and one that uses bone char, the one with bone char will remove the fluoride to a much greater extent.

The main filtration methods that are effective for fluoride reduction are:

  • Reverse osmosis systems
  • Bone char and other ion exchange media
  • Activated alumina

How The Filter Types Work to Remove Fluoride

water

Reverse osmosis systems use pressure to force water across a semipermeable membrane. The reverse osmosis filters have pores that are large enough for water molecules to pass through, but other contaminants – including fluoride – are trapped by the filter. This method of water filtration is common in point-of-use systems like under-sink filters, but it is too inefficient for a whole-house filter.

Bone char acts as an ion-exchange filter medium to remove fluoride from water. It does this by swapping fluoride ions in your drinking water for the calcium ions in the bone char.

Activated alumina removes fluoride by adsorption. The fluoride ions are trapped on the surface of the activated alumina. This method is also effective at removing arsenic and selenium from unfiltered water.

Whereas some manufacturers like Pelican use bone char exclusively to remove fluoride from drinking water, you’ll often see products that use a “proprietary blend” of media.

This means that the manufacturer uses a multifaceted system of water filters that uses a combination of materials the manufacturer has tested and developed. These proprietary blends don’t fall strictly into any one category.

For example, a proprietary blend may incorporate both bone char and activated alumina or it may be a substance that uses ion exchange, adsorption, or another filtration process to remove fluoride from drinking water.

What to Look for When Buying a
Water Filter for Fluoride Reduction

fluoride filter

When assessing water filters, we took five main criteria into account: the amount of fluoride and other contaminants they remove, filter life, flow rate, certifications, and price.

Whereas this gives you a good baseline to compare the quality of different water filters, there are other factors that will help you determine if a particular system is a good fit for your home’s filtered water.

Municipal vs Well Water Supply

If you receive municipal water, the likelihood is your drinking water is fluoridated.

However, fluoride concentrations are much more variable in well water. You’re also likely to have a different subset of contaminants with a well.

Conducting a water test will show you what contaminants are present in your drinking water and in what amounts. This will help you pick a filter that is effective for filtering water both for fluoride and other impurities.

Find a water testing kit that meets your needs by checking our review of the best kits.

Ease of Installation and Use

If you’re looking at filters that require installation, such as whole-house filtration systems or an under-sink fluoride filter, you should check in advance if it is easy to install. If a plumber will need to install the filtration system, this will add an extra expense. Bear in mind that installing a filtration system yourself may void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Similarly, consider how easy it is to maintain the filtration system. Some systems require you to change the filter cartridges as often as every six months. If switching the cartridge is difficult, you may prefer to choose a different system. Keeping a filter cartridge in longer than recommended will diminish your water quality.

Your Home’s Filtering Needs

If you’re living in an apartment or dorm room, your filtering needs are significantly different than those in large households with high water usage. For example, if you’re single and living in a small home, you may find that 100 gallons per day are sufficient. In a larger household, however, you may need a filter with a much higher capacity for filtered water.

There are also major differences between water filter pitchers and large-scale whole-house systems. If you receive well water, whole-house water filters are likely necessary for filtering contaminants other than fluoride. Those with a municipal water supply, however, have more choices.

What you choose will depend on the contaminants in your water besides fluoride and whether you just want to filter your drinking water or you also want purified water to wash clothes, wash the dishes, and have a fluoride shower filter as well.

Fluoride Filter FAQs

question

These are some of the most common questions other customers have had when looking to purchase a fluoride water filter.

Q: How do I know if my water is fluoridated?

A: You can check with your local municipality or water supplier. If you have a well, you’ll need to have your water tested to determine the fluoride levels.

Q: What’s the cheapest way to remove fluoride from my water?

A: If you’re looking for a cheap way to filter fluoride from your water, we recommend getting a water filter pitcher. These typically cost around $30-40 and can filter up to 100 gallons of water before needing the filter replaced.

Q: Do I need a different filter if I have well water?

A: Yes, you’ll need a filter that’s specifically designed to remove fluoride from well water. In addition to fluoride, your water may also contain other contaminants like lead, pesticides, and chlorine. Depending on the levels of these contaminants present in your drinking water, you may need a different filter to remove them.

Q: Can I use a reverse osmosis system to filter fluoride from my water?

A: Yes, reverse osmosis is an effective way to remove fluoride from your water. However, these systems can be expensive and require frequent maintenance.

Q: How do I know a filter removes fluoride?

A: Many manufacturers publish the percentage of fluoride their filter removes based on their own and independent testing. To be completely sure water filters work as advertised, look for systems that have been certified by the NSF, WQA, or other independent organizations.

Q: Are there fluoride shower filters?

A: There is currently not a fluoride shower filter specifically available. Nonetheless, if you purchase a whole-house filtration system, it will reduce fluoride from the filtered water that comes out of your shower.

Q: Is it dangerous to drink fluoride?

A: Fluoride toxicity depends on the levels of fluoride in your drinking water. When fluoride is less than 1 ppm, it is safe to drink water. In fact, fluoride at these levels has positive effects on tooth enamel. However, drinking water with more than 2 ppm of fluoride for an extended period of time can cause fluorosis.

Conclusion

Our pick for the best fluoride filter overall is the Clearly Filtered Under Sink Unit, thanks to its fantastic filtering capabilities and high capacity.

Another good option is the Pelican Whole House Filter, which is also our choice for the best point-of-entry system.

The Aquasana OPTIMH2O system is a more affordable alternative to the Clearly Filtered model.

The Big Berkey is the best countertop gravity filter for fluoride, whereas the Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher is the best-filtered pitcher.

It can be difficult to determine which fluoride water filter is the best for your home, especially since there are many options, including whole-house units, under-sink systems, pitchers, and countertop units.

Once you know your home’s filtration needs, you’ll be able to determine which type of filter will be a good fit.

Photo of author
AUTHOR
Stephanie Nielsen
Stephanie worked as a department supervisor of kitchen, bath, and appliances at Home Depot, and water filters were part of the inventory she was responsible for assisting clients with so she learned the ins and outs of matching the right filtration device to homeowner’s needs. She also worked closely with Culligan water to educate customers about whole-home water treatment and softener systems.

Learn More About The Water Tech Editorial Team