As you search around for your new countertop water filter, you are more than likely to come across and take a look at the Home Master Jr F2.
That’s because it’s one of the more popular countertop water filters that are made.
The question is, is it the right one for you?
Hopefully, after reading my Home Master Jr F2 review, you will be better able to answer that question.
Here I am prepared to use my many years of swimming pool water filtration experience to analyze how I think this unit’s filter media performs, some traits I do and don’t like about it, and also give you some opinions of those that have purchased and used it.
I am pretty sure that you will come to find that this is a water filtration product that is worth considering as you continue your quest to find the best countertop water filter.
Table of Contents
Overview of Home Master Jr F2
Home Master is a Phoenix, Arizona company that was established back in 2002 and concentrates solely on the manufacturing of water filtration devices.
That includes everything from line-fed countertop water filters such as this one to advanced whole-house water filtration systems.
You can tell they are very experienced at what they do by the many design features that go into even their smaller water filtration devices such as the Home Master Jr F2.
It may not look like much but it actually has some real quality aspects as to the way that it purifies tap water. This countertop water filter is also compact and very simple to operate once it has been installed.
Since its line-fed there is no waiting for more drinkable tap water and there is not a significant drop-off in water flow when it’s switched on.
It looks pretty good too with its white solid plastic body accented by a high-arching chrome spigot and other chrome plumbing pieces. If you don’t like the white finish, you can always purchase it in black too.
Pros:
- Efficient 3-stage filtration
- Space-saving design
- Inexpensive replacement filters
- Excellent warranty
- Line-fed water filter
- Decent 1 GPM flow rate
- High arching spigot
- No waiting for enhanced drinking water
Cons:
- Short filter life (3-months)
- It’s not compatible with all kitchen faucets
- Water feed line can get in the way
- Not for use with water over 100°
- No 3rd party certifications
- Costly replacement filter
What to Consider Before Buying a Countertop Filter
When you are looking for a new countertop water filter, there are a lot more important aspects of them than you might expect. Given that, these are some of the main countertop water filter traits to be concerned with when shopping for one:
- What are various types of contaminants in tap water that it removes?
- How much does a countertop water filter cost and what does it cost to replace its filters?
- Ease of setup and maintenance
- The water flow rate through it
- Is it gravity or line-fed?
- Storage capacity in gallons
- The unit’s dimensions (counter space it takes up)
- How long does its filter media last?
- Does it have any 3rd party certifications (ANSI, WQA, NSF)
By considering these countertop water filter factors, it gives you the best chance of purchasing one that you will be extremely satisfied with.
Main Features and Benefits of the Home Master Jr F2
Here is what I like best about this particular countertop water filter model:
Efficient 6-Stage Filtration
This countertop water filter has not 1 but 4 proven types of filtration media inside of it. That includes its main coconut carbon media, a catalytic carbon media layer, an embedded KDF85 filter, and a layer of activated alumina.
These are supported by two 5-micron sediment filtering compression disks that also help to enhance water flow through the device.
The coconut carbon filtration media will remove up to 93% of chlorine and also remove or reduce VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals.
Its catalytic carbon media further reduces chlorine and also allows it to remove or reduce such tap water impurities as hydrogen sulfide, chloramines, iron, herbicides, pesticides, THMs, and pharmaceuticals.
The Home Master Jr F2’s KDF85 filter takes care of significant amounts of lead, iron, manganese, aluminum, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, and copper and is also impactful against chloramines and chlorine.
It is also one of the few countertop water filters that are made to reduce fluoride. That is the sole purpose of its activated alumina filtration media.
Space-Saving Design
One advantage that line-fed countertop water filters have over gravity-fed countertop filters is that they don’t have to be filled by hand and they don’t need storage tanks.
That also makes them able to be designed on a smaller scale and the Home Master Jr F2 is a good example of that.
It is only approximately 6” in diameter and just over 12” in height. This water filtration device does not take up much counter space and it can even be used as a portable water filter.
High Arching Spigot
One of my biggest beefs with several different countertop water filtration devices is that they have spigots that are too low. That makes it hard to fill pitchers and tall glasses with drinking water.
Home Master has sought to avoid that dilemma here by designing a high arching spigot into this unit. This spigot’s chrome finish even enhances the Home Master Jr F2’s looks.
Setup & Maintenance
Most people who have a little bit of mechanical ability and a basic toolbox will not have any problem installing this product. This will probably not be the same for those who aren’t used to working around plumbing or working with their hands.
That’s because hooking up the water feed line’s faucet adapter can get tricky if you do not know what you are doing. Keep in mind that it’s not compatible with all types of kitchen sink faucets (see below)
Filter cartridge replacement with this countertop water filter is fairly easy. It just involves twisting the body loose from its base, sliding out the old filter, and then inserting the new one.
One nice aspect of this model water filter is that the replacement filter cartridges for the Home Master Jr F2 are very reasonably priced. They can be purchased for less than $20 which is much better than some other brands sell their replacement filters for.
Social Proof & Review consensus
As you would expect from any countertop water filter that makes our list of the best ones, it has many more positive reviews associated with it than negative ones.
On the good side, a majority of users really like the quality and taste of the water it produces. Other positives mentioned in reviews include its good water flow and its ease of use once it has been hooked up.
As for drawbacks, more than one user mentioned the faucet attachment is cheaply made and that it can be difficult to open when changing out its filter cartridge.
My Final Thoughts on the Home Master Jr F2
Don’t be fooled by the fact that my list of cons for this product is almost as long as my list of pros. The good features of it far outweigh the bad.
It all starts with its ability to filter out many more contaminants than most countertop water filters can. Don’t forget, it’s also a rare countertop water filter that removes 93% of fluoride.
The Home Master Jr F2 also looks good and comes in a small enough package that it can be even be used as a portable water filter for campers and RV’s.
Although I don’t like the fact that the manufacturer did not seek out any 3rd party certifications and it has one of the shortest filter useful lives I have seen associated with these devices, I won’t discourage anyone from buying it.It truly is a nicely designed countertop water filter model.
