When homeowners start looking for better water, one of the first questions is whether they need a whole home water filter or an under-sink filter.

Both can be useful, but they solve different problems. An under-sink filter treats water at one specific faucet, usually the kitchen sink. A whole home water filter treats the water as it enters the home, so filtered water can be used throughout the house.

The right choice depends on what you are trying to fix. If your main concern is drinking water, an under-sink filter may be enough. If you notice water issues in showers, laundry, appliances, or multiple faucets, a whole home system may make more sense.

What Is an Under-Sink Water Filter?

An under-sink water filter is installed beneath a sink and treats the water from that faucet. Most homeowners use this type of system in the kitchen for drinking, cooking, washing produce, making coffee, and filling water bottles.

This can be a good option if your main concern is taste, odor, or drinking water quality in one area of the home. It is also a practical step up from bottled water, pitcher filters, or refrigerator filters.

An under-sink system may be enough if:

• Your main concern is drinking water.
• The issue is mostly at the kitchen sink.
• You do not notice problems in showers, laundry, or appliances.
• You want a focused solution for one faucet.
• You are not ready for a full whole home system.

What Is a Whole Home Water Filter?

A whole home water filter treats water before it travels through the rest of your plumbing. Instead of improving water at one faucet, it helps improve the water used throughout the home.

That means your showers, laundry, dishwasher, bathroom sinks, kitchen faucet, and other fixtures can all benefit from the system.

A whole home water filter may be a better fit if:

• Your water has a chlorine taste or smell throughout the home.
• You notice sediment, discoloration, or staining.
• Your shower water has an unpleasant smell.
• Your skin or hair feels dry after bathing.
• Your laundry does not feel as clean as it should.
• Your appliances or fixtures show signs of buildup.
• You want better water throughout the house, not just at one faucet.

Whole Home Water Filter vs. Under-Sink Filter

Question	Under-Sink Filter	Whole Home Water Filter
Where is it installed?	Under one sink, usually the kitchen	Where water enters the home
What water does it treat?	One faucet or drinking water line	Water throughout the home
Best for	Drinking water and cooking water	Showers, laundry, appliances, fixtures, and whole-home use
Good option if	Your main issue is taste or drinking water quality	Water issues show up in multiple areas
May not solve	Shower odor, laundry issues, appliance buildup, or whole-home concerns	Highly specific drinking water needs unless paired with the right system
Common add-ons	Reverse osmosis system, dedicated faucet, replacement filters	Water softener, carbon filter, sediment filter, specialty treatment, RO drinking water system

Do You Need Both?

In some homes, the best answer is both.

A whole home water filter can help improve water throughout the house, while an under-sink system can provide an extra level of treatment for drinking and cooking water. This can be a smart setup if you want better water for showers, laundry, and appliances, but also want a dedicated drinking water system in the kitchen.

For example, a homeowner may use a whole home filtration system to address chlorine, sediment, or odor, then add an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water.

Start With the Problem You Want to Solve

Before choosing a water treatment system, think about where the problem is showing up.

Ask yourself:

• Does the water taste bad only at the kitchen sink, or throughout the home?
• Do you notice smells when showering or running hot water?
• Are there stains on sinks, tubs, toilets, or fixtures?
• Does your skin or hair feel dry after bathing?
• Are appliances showing buildup?
• Are you mainly trying to improve drinking water?

If the issue is limited to drinking water, an under-sink filter may be the right fit. If the issue affects several parts of the home, whole home water treatment equipment may be the better choice.

Choosing the Right Water Treatment System

There is no single system that fits every home. Some homeowners only need better drinking water from the kitchen faucet. Others need a whole home solution because water quality issues are showing up in showers, laundry, appliances, and fixtures.

The best place to start is with your water, your concerns, and your goals.

The LeverEdge provides dependable water treatment equipment, systems, and replacement parts, and can help connect you with a trusted local dealer who can recommend the right solution for your home. Whether you need an under-sink filter, a whole home water filter, or a combination of both, choosing the right system from the beginning can help you avoid frustration later.

Find the right water treatment system for your home and get connected with a local dealer who can help.