This is a review of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter.
I found it to be at least as good as many faucet-attached water filtration devices in its class.
It’s not perfect in design but as you will see when you are reading, the good things about this water filter far outweigh the bad.
I am especially a big fan of faucet-style water filters like this one that use activated carbon block filtration. This is after seeing how well they perform during my many years working with swimming pool and hot tub filtration systems.
In my review of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter, I will talk more about the good and bad qualities of this faucet water filter, discuss some of the reviews that have been left on it, and give you other relevant information that will help you when deciding whether or not to purchase it.
Table of Contents
Overview of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter
You will be purchasing a product with a strong name if you buy this faucet filter. Culligan is a company that has been making water purification devices since 1936.
That means there is a lot of experience that goes into their products. This is also probably why the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter holds up well when compared to other faucets in its class.
Some of the positive features of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter include its generous 200-gallon filter life and its 2-year limited warranty.
Not to be overlooked also is its activated carbon block filtration, as was mentioned above, and the subsequent NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 certifications that go along with that.
This faucet filter’s flow rate of 0.5 GPM at 60 psi is also among the highest you will find in its class. Its 30 -100 psi working range is also more than acceptable.
The Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter is reasonably priced at less than $30 and replacement cartridges run around $15 a piece.
I am neutral as far as the looks of this faucet filter are concerned. That’s because it’s a little bulky but at the same time, it mostly hides behind the faucet. It does come in a choice of white or chrome colors too.
On the downside, there is no indicator of any type to tell you when the filter needs to be replaced.
Culligan also recommends that it be replaced every two months regardless of the amount of use. That is a little shorter time than one would expect for a 200-gallon useful life-rated water filter.
Its hard plastic body is not as durable as a metal-skinned faucet filter and because of that it’s not recommended to have water run through it that’s over 100°F.
Pros
- 200-gallon filter life
- Activated carbon block filtration
- Made by an experienced manufacturer
- NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified
- Excellent 0.5 GPM water flow
- Easy Installation
Cons
- The activation switch is small
- Hard plastic body
- No filter change indicator
- Hot water use above 100°F not recommended
- Manufacturer recommends filter replacement every 2 months
What to Consider Before Buying a Faucet Attached Water Filter
I must first warn you against using a faucet filter to try and purify water in your home that is not already fairly decent in quality. That is not what these types of filters are designed for.
Faucet filters are made to do such things as eliminate odor in tap water and make it taste better. They will also usually remove sediment, turbidity, and some larger size impurities.
You must note that these are not designed to remove total dissolved solids from your tap water.
If you have very poor quality tap water in your home, then you will want to consider installing a better water purification setup such as a reverse osmosis filtration system.
Here is a list of the main traits of faucet attached water filters to consider when shopping for them:
- What type of contaminants does it remove?
- Is there a filter change indicator and what’s the recommended number of gallons that can pass through the faucet filter before the cartridge needs to be replaced?
- What level of mechanical aptitude does the person installing it need to have to make the installation process go smoothly?
- The listed flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM)
- How much do the faucet water filter and its associated replacement filter cartridges cost?
- Are there any certifications that a particular faucet attached water filter has obtained from independent testing agencies?
- What’s the unit’s body made out of and how well will that material stand up to basic wear and tear?
- Does the color and finish look good and does it have a streamlined or big and bulky design?
Main Features and Benefits of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter
Here are the key characteristics of the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter:
200-Gallon Filter Life
This faucet filter is on the high side as far as the number of gallons that can pass through it before it needs to be changed. That’s some 200-gallons.
Some faucet-style water filters need to have their filter cartridges changed when as little as 100-gallons have flowed through them.
The replacement filters are inexpensive (less than $15) and very simple to replace.
High Flow Rate
I have reviewed many faucet-attached water filters and I don’t recall too many that have a flow rate any higher than this model.
You won’t have to wait very long for a glass of water or even a pitcher to fill up with its generous 0.5 GPM flow rate.
Activated Carbon Block Filtration
The Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter uses activated carbon block filtration. It’s the most often recommended type of filtration for faucet attached water filters.
That’s because it has a very good absorption rate of the medium- and large-size contaminants that pass through it.
Some of the types of impurities in tap water that the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter can remove or reduce include:
- Aesthetic impurities (includes chlorine taste & odor)
- Sediment
- Cryptosporidium
- Lead
- Giardia Cysts
- Turbidity
- Lindane
- Atrazine
- Nominal Particulate Class I
NSF/ANSI Certified
This is a faucet attached water filter that has been certified by an independent testing body to meet important NSF/ANSI certification requirements.
These include NSF/ANSI 42 which is the reduction in aesthetic impurities (such as chlorine) that impact water taste and smell. There is also an NSF/ANSI 53 certification which has to do with the absorption of contaminants that pose a health risk.
Installation & Maintenance
The Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter installation process is very straightforward and just about anybody can accomplish this in under 10 minutes. Installation requires no tools and there are two included adapters in the package.
Those that purchase this model faucet attached water filter may want to watch this YouTube video tutorial before attempting to install it.
Social Proof & Review consensus
Take a look at some of the reviews that were left by those that have purchased the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter:
This user pointed out several good features of this faucet-style water filter such as its ease of installation, good tasting water, and leak-free operation. It must also be noted that this user had very realistic expectations as to what to expect from this type of water filter.
Here is another review that highlighted the easy installation and that it even did a nice job catching some floating particles that a water line-installed sediment filter did not.
This reviewer liked the improved taste over her refrigerator installed water filter and they also mentioned how easy this faucet water filter is to use.
Summing Up My Thoughts on the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter
In my opinion, the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter holds up well against comparable faucet filters in its class. Its filter cartridges can produce over 200-gallons of enhanced water and you can expect improved tap water taste, looks, and smell when using it.
Its enhanced carbon block filtration is the best type for this style of water filter. That fact is backed up by the NSF/ANSI certifications that are attached to this faucet-style water filter.
On the flip side, I don’t like that it has no filter change indicator and you have to be careful with plastic-bodied faucet water filters and not run straight hot water through them.
Despite its drawbacks, I would have no problem recommending the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter to you if you are only looking to enhance the taste and smell of your tap water along with reducing a few other contaminants.
Check out some more details on the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter
