Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Jan 31, 2024
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Top Pick: What’s the Best Fluoride Water Filter?
The best fluoride water filter in 2024 is the Clearly Filtered Pitcher, because it is NSF-tested to remove 99.5% fluoride among hundreds of other contaminants for 100 gallons of water. Also, it is easy to set up and use, affordable to maintain, and backed by a lifetime warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
There are numerous water filters available that specifically target the removal of fluoride. With so many options to choose from, finding the right system for your needs can be challenging. So to aid you in making an informed purchase decision, we have reviewed and compared well over 40 of the top fluoride water filters on the market.
We’ve dedicated countless hours to researching, reviewing, testing, and ranking these products. Rest assured that this guide, which was first published in July 2020, has been continuously updated and improved to provide you with the most accurate and reliable information. We hope you find it useful…
In our opinion, by far the best fluoride water filter in the pitcher category in 2024 is the Clearly Filtered. It removes more water contaminants than any other water filter pitcher and is thus for people who have clean drinking water at the top of their priority list. Fluoride reduction: 99.5% – simply outstanding. 5 stars!
Alexa, our inhouse video content producer, has ordered and tested the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with her own hands. In other words, she has assembled and used the pitcher at home for several weeks to gain invaluable first-hand experience and insights. Alexa has documented the entire process and shares her opinion in the video below:
After setting up the pitcher and using it for a while we really liked this pitcher (…). It tastes really good, it pours easily, it was easy to set up, and I like how it looks on the counter. So it gets 5 stars in my book.
Water filter pitcher tested against 4 NSF standards (42, 53, 401, P473) with outstanding results. Targets far more than 300 water contaminants including fluoride, chlorine (99.5%) and chloramine (99.7%), lead (99.3%), arsenic (98.3%), chromium-6 (97.8%), dozens of pharmaceutical drugs (up to 99.9%), a bunch of herbicides (up to 99.9%), pesticides (up to 99.8%), PFAS (up to 99.5%), and more than 100 VOCs (most to 99.9%).
Healthy minerals are kept in the drinking water adding to your daily nutritional intake.
Uses Affinity Filtration Technology, a combination of granular activated carbon and several other proprietary filter materials.
Pitcher is super easy to assemble – barely takes 2 minutes – and use (we tested this ourselves).
Holds up to 10 cups of filtered water which is enough for a whole family if you remember to refill on a regular basis.
Pitcher + filters are made in the USA from medical-grade Tritan plastic. 100% BPA-free.
One cartridge has a filter life of 100 gallons of water or 4 months on average. Keeps maintenance at a bare minimum. Cost per piece: ~$50 (cheaper if you buy in bulk and subscribe).
Full refund thanks to 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Limited Lifetime guarantee on pitcher and A+ customer support.
Cons
The Clearly Filtered water filter pitcher is more costly to purchase and maintain than most of the competition.
A few people have reported that their filters don’t last as long as advertised and that the filtration speed is rather slow. Personally we haven’t had any issues.
A long contact time between water and filter media can be a good thing. It allows for a more thorough filtration.
Clearly Filtered replaces defective water filters free of charge.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered is best for people who want a fluoride water filter pitcher that’s easy to use, extremely effective, and affordable.
2. Best for Reverse Osmosis Fluoride Removal: AquaTru
A study conducted by the University of Nebraska in 2008 showed that even small point-of-use reverse osmosis systems are very well capable of removing fluoride from tap water – some systems are certified to take out more than 90%.
In our opinion, the number one reverse osmosis fluoride water filtration system in 2024 is the AquaTru. Certifications according to NSF standards 42, 53, 58, and 401, and NSF protocol P473 guarantee the removal of dozens of hazardous contaminants that you don’t want in your drinking water (fluoride reduction rate: 93.5%).
The highlight, however, is that the AquaTru countertop RO system doesn’t require a permanent installation. You just place it on your countertop, plug in the power cable, and you’re good to go – it’s super convenient and ideal for renters. The cherry on top is that maintenance couldn’t be easier and the system is affordable, as well. 4.5 stars!
Deal Includes Free Replacement Filter Set + 15% Discount Code
Alexa’s Video Review
Alexa, our inhouse video content producer, has ordered and tested the AquaTru Reverse Osmosis System. In other words, she set up the AquaTru with her own hands and used it in her home for several weeks to gain invaluable first-hand experience and insights. Alexa has documented the entire process and shares her opinion on the water filter in the video below:
The 3-part filtration system is quite impressive. It really removes everything out of the water. As far as water filtration systems go this will be a very high quality option for you. (…) Overall my review of this system is going to be a 4.5 out of 5.
Sara has also tested the AquaTru. And here review even includes lab testing, so a comparison of the unfiltered vs. filtered water:
The AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Countertop System has a very effective filtration process backed by NSF certifications, it has very little wastewater, it is an installation-free system and it is very easy to use, and the maintenance is pretty affordable.
The AquaTru countertop reverse osmosis system has earned 5 NSF certifications which guarantees clean, healthy, and great-tasting water for drinking and cooking with more than 80 contaminants removed, including fluoride (93.5%), lead (99.1%), chromium-6 (97.2%), PFAS (97.5%), pesticides, drug residues, organic compounds, chlorine, and cyst (99.99%).
Uses 4-stage filtration process to achieve these results.
Stage one and two is a combination of sediment and activated carbon pre-filter. Apart from chemicals and bad taste and odor, it filters larger particulates to protect the rest of the system from clogging.
The reverse osmosis membrane rejects the contaminants listed above + others.
Stage four uses a carbon filter block for final polishing.
Fast filtration purifies one gallon of water in 10-15 minutes thanks to built-in water pressure pump.
High water pressure also reduces wastewater production. The recovery rate is 80%, meaning only 20% of the input water goes down the drain (reverse osmosis water systems that don’t feature pumps waste around 3-5 gallons for every gallon of filtered water).
System setup doesn’t involve drilling or plumbing and barely takes 10 minutes.
Design is space-saving.
Operation is intuitive: Fill water into the removable tank and install it back into system. The RO water collects in the front storage tank (can be removed for cooling). Reject water collects in second tank ready to be discarded.
Easy push button dispensing.
Plastic material is BPA and BPS-free.
The different filters will last between 6 months and 2 years. Annual/biannual replacement only takes a few minutes with no need for tools. Lights on the front panel will tell you whenever it’s time for a new filter.
Cost: We estimate between $100 and $120 a year which is really affordably.
Manufacturer warranty is one year.
Cons
A few people had issues with leaks. For others, the filtration system stopped working entirely.
The AquaTru.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The AquaTru is best for people who want a reverse osmosis system for fluoride removal, one that is compact, installation-free, super effective, and fast.
3. Best for Under Your Sink: Clearly Filtered 3-Stage System
Our go-to under sink fluoride water filter in 2024 is the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage system. Apart from removing 90.7% sodium fluoride, it takes care of 230+ other water contaminants. And this is not just a claim. It has been tested by independent EPA-approved laboratories according to NSF standards.
Simply put, you won’t find an under sink water filtration system that outperforms the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage in terms of overall contaminant removal. 5 stars!
As part of the BOS team, Alexa has installed and tested the Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink Water Filter System in her own home and with her own hands. She has used the system for several weeks to gather genuine first-hand experience. And most importantly, Alexa has documented the entire process, including her findings and personal opinion, in the video below:
I’m going to give this a 5-star because I think that this it is the nicest product you can get for under-the-sink filter. I can’t believe how much different it made my tap water taste coming out of the faucet. (…) on top of that it was super easy to install and I could do it myself.
The under sink water filtration system is NSF standard 42, 53 and 401 tested to capture chlorine (98.6%), chloramines (95.3%), arsenic (94.3%), hexavalent chromium (99.4%), lead (98.9%), PFAS (up to 99.8%), more than a hundred VOCs and SVOCs (up to 99.9%), and many other types of contaminants found in water. The result is healthy and clean drinking water.
Maintains all healthy minerals.
Uses 3 filter stages. Stage 1 is coconut shell granular activated carbon. Stage 2 and 3 are proprietary media blends (Affinity Filtration Technology).
DIY installation doesn’t take more than 15 minutes and is non-permanent. Great for renters and to save money.
Mounting the system under kitchen sink is optional. All hardware is included.
Filters last a full year on average and can be replaced in seconds – tools-free and without the need to shut off the feed water supply.
Made in USA.
Uses stainless steel hoses for durability.
Whole under sink system is covered by lifetime warranty (limited).
You have a 30-day window after purchase to return the product if you’re not satisfied and receive a full refund.
Cons
System reduces water pressure by about 25-35%.
Considerably more pricey than competitor water filters. This also applies to the replacement filters.
Worth the investment if you ask us.
Subscribe to receive filters automatically on schedule and save 10% + get free shipping.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered 3-Stage is best for people who want an under sink fluoride filter that’s compact, easy to install and use, and very effective.
4. Best for Whole House: Crystal Quest Fluoride Filter
For whole house applications, the best fluoride water filter in 2024 is the Crystal Quest. Fluoride reduction: 90-95% when used as intended. The high quality system comes in 2 different sizes. The smaller version is for homes with up to 3 bathrooms. The larger system is for 4+ bathrooms.
Both come with a programmable head valve which allows for automatic backwashing to increase the life of the fluoride filter media to as much as 1 million gallons! In other words, you don’t have to worry about replacing the media for several years. The long filter life is also what makes the Crystal Quest fluoride whole home water system a worthwhile investment. The initial price tag seems high but it’s all the more affordable in the long run, especially compared to cartridge-based systems. 4.5 stars.
Uses mineral tank filled with granular activated charcoal-based fluoride filter media (bone char).
Mixture of adsorption and chemical reaction to remove as much fluoride as possible.
Also effectively removes lead, mercury, and arsenic.
Copper-zinc alloy additive prevents bacteria growth inside the mineral tank.
5-micron sediment pre-filter (20”) traps silt, sand, dirt, and other large particles so they don’t get stuck in the mineral tank.
5-micron coconut-shell carbon block post-filter (20”) removes any chemicals and other contaminants to improve drinking water taste.
1.5 cubic feet filter media (small version) lasts 750,000 gallons at 9-11 gallons of water per minute flow rate. 2.0 cubic feet media (large version) lasts 1,000,000 gallons at 10-13 gpm flow rate.
Maintenance-free for up to 10 years.
System designed for municipal water containing inorganic fluoride.
Can be used over a wide water pH range.
Choose between fiberglass or steel casing for durability.
Easy installation and programming thanks to solid instructions.
Sediment pre-filter life: Up to 2 years. Carbon post-filter lasts 12-18 months. We estimate 8-10 years for a family of 4 before the bone char needs to be replaced.
Total average annual cost: $115-140, depending on system size.
Covered by manufacturer warranty for one year.
Cons
Expensive at purchase.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The Crystal Quest is best for people who want a highly effective POE filter system for fluoride removal.
For smaller homes with 1 or 2 bathrooms, the Crystal Quest Big Blue system might provide a high-enough flow rate to meet your water demand even at times of peak consumption.
The max water flow rate is 4-6 gallons per minute. So you can’t really use more than 2, maybe 3 water outlets at the same time without experiencing a drop in water pressure or unfiltered water leaching through.
As for the filtration itself, the filtering media is identical to what the larger Crystal Quest water filtration system uses: Bone char + bacteriostatic copper-zinc additive. Fluoride reduction: 90-95%.
The Crystal Quest Big Blue is a lot more affordable upfront, but it’s more costly to maintain on a yearly basis. You’ll probably have to replace the filter cartridge at least once a year. As of 31th January, 2024, one cartridge costs $276.00 which is about twice as much as you’d have to spend for the other Crystal Quest system.
6. Best for Showering: ProOne ProMax
Is there even such a thing as a shower (head) water filter which removes fluoride? Unfortunately, there isn’t – at least not really. Yes, there are companies that list fluoride-reducing shower water filters, but they’re just not very effective. The best unit we could find is the ProOne ProMax. Reduction rate: Around 48.2%.
Well, better than nothing but we recommend installing a whole house fluoride water filter instead, if you have the budget. A point-of-entry system will treat all the water entering your home which, of course, also includes your shower water. Simply put, the filtration is much more thorough. For example, the Crystal Quest water filter reviewed above eliminates 90-95% fluoride.
In case you want to stick with the ProOne ProMax, here’s our review:
Tested against NSF standards 42 and 53 as well as protocols P231 and P473 to reduce 200+ contaminants protecting your body from their unhealthy effects. The most thorough testing we’ve seen so far performed on a shower head filter.
Chloramine (71.0%), chlorine (57.1%), sodium fluoride (48.2%), VOCs (most around 90%), arsenic (28.0%), chromium (28.8%), lead (61.1%), mercury (79.2%), pesticides (approx. 50 to 60%), semivolatile compounds (70-80%), nitrites (82.8%), nitrates (23.6%) etc.
Results are not perfect but better compared to most other shower filters.
2 gallons per minute water flow rate provides for enough pressure.
Includes massaging head with 5 spray settings.
Choose from 3 different finishes: Chrome, antique bronze, brushed nickel.
Brushed nickel and chrome versions are also available with a handheld wand.
Installation and maintenance is straightforward and doesn’t take much time.
Fits standard ½” pipe threads.
Filters last 6 months. Cost: ~$42 a cartridge which is acceptable.
Made from BPA-free plastic.
30-day money back guarantee + 1 year limited warranty.
Cons
Relatively expensive.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 3.5/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The ProOne ProMax is best for people looking for a fluoride shower filter that’s easy to install and maintain, long-lasting, and quite effective.
In our opinion, the top fluoride filter bottle in 2024 is sold by Clearly Filtered. In fact, the company sells 3. There’s an insulated stainless steel filtered water bottle, a filter bottle made from Tritan plastic, and one made from glass.
Different materials yes, but all apply the same filter cartridge to remove more or less the same contaminants the Clearly Filtered pitcher removes (reviewed above). Thus, you can expect very thorough drinking water filtration – the most thorough in the realm of filter bottles as far as we know. Fluoride reduction rate: 99.5%. People couldn’t be happier about their purchase and would buy again. 5 stars!
Being an integral member of our team, Alexa has tested 2 Clearly Filtered Water Bottles for us. Which means Alexa has ordered, primed, and used both bottles in her day-to-day life for several weeks to gain some first-hand experience. She shares her findings and personal verdict in the video below:
In my opinion, the best part about this water bottle is that it does remove the most contaminants out of any water bottle on the market. (…) So I give it a 5-star for what the product is; I’m only giving it a 4-star for my personal use of it.
Model: Insulated Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle
Last Price: $65
Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$50
Filter Media: Proprietary Blend
Storage Capacity: 20 oz
Filter Life: 25 gal
WxHxD: 3″x3″x11″
Weight (Empty): 0.8 lb
Key Features & Pros
Bottles provide clean, safe, and great-tasting drinking water.
Very high quality overall.
Clearly Filtered Affinity filtration filters 220+ contaminants. 99.5% fluoride, 99.5% chlorine, up to 99.9% herbicides, 99.3% lead, up to 99.0% pharmaceuticals, up to 99.9% of pesticides, VOCs, and semi-volatile compounds.
Tested by an independent EPA-accredited laboratory to NSF standards 42, 53, and 401.
Filters last 25 gallons or 6 months.
Equals 160 fill-ups for the steel and glass filtered water bottles and a little more than 130 fill-ups for the plastic version.
Easy to use. Fill bottle with water and suck it out through the mouthpiece connected to the filter straw.
Stainless steel water bottle is double-wall insulated for up to 24 hours of cooling.
Available in different colors.
All materials are BPA, BPS, and phthalate-free so nothing leaches into the drinking water.
Built in USA.
Covered by lifetime warranty and 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
Requires quite strong suction to get enough water (similar to drinking a thick milkshake).
Filters become less restrictive over time.
If bottle leaks check that the silicone ring inside the lid is in the right position.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 4.5/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered bottle is best for people who want a portable fluoride water filter for on the go.
8. Best for Countertop + Portable Gravity Fluoride Filtration: Big Berkey
Berkey systems are popular gravity water filters, especially in the SHTF community. As portable countertop units, they’re easy to install, easy to use, low in maintenance, and very effective at removing a whole arsenal of contaminants to provide high-quality water. Long-term fluoride reduction: 97% when used with optional PF-2 fluoride water filters.
By the way, there’s no difference between the various Berkey models except for their size which determines filtration speed and water holding capacity. Other than that, they work with the same filter elements and thus achieve the same level of water purity. Our personal favorite is the Big Berkey system. It’s perfect for small families with up 4 people but is not too bulky for most kitchens and to be moved around. 4.5 stars!
Primary Filter Media: Ion Exchange + Activated Alumina
Flow Rate: Up to 7 gph
Storage Capacity: ~2.25 Gallons
Filter Life: 3,000 gal
PF-2 Filter Life: 500 gal
WxHxD: 8.5″x21″x8.5″
Key Features & Pros
Berkey gravity filter systems produce great-tasting drinking water.
Tested by accredited laboratories to remove fluoride, viruses, bacteria, cysts, heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and chromium, VOCs, chlorine, chloramine, THMs, Bisphenol A, Ibuprofen, pesticides and VOCs, sediment, turbidity, taste and odors, and much more contaminants. Testing standards: NSF 53 + 42.
To maintain fluoride reduction efficiency for up to 1,000 gallons of water use optional PF-2 filters (also available on bigberkeywaterfilters.com).
All minerals are preserved in drinking water.
Work based on gravity. No electricity and external water pressure required. Ideal for emergency situations or power outages.
You can use almost any water as your feed source.
Filters are long-lasting which saves time and money.
304 food-grade steel tanks are durable and look good.
Gasket protects countertop from scratches.
System assembly takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes.
Cons
The fluoride elements are relatively expensive.
The filtration does not stop when the lower storage tank is full. Be careful not to overfill.
You have to lift the top chamber to check how much purified water is left in the system.
For some people the plastic spigot started to leak.
Frequent filter re-priming is required.
Pure water flow from spigot may be slow due to negative pressure.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 4.5/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The Big Berkey is best for people who want a gravity system capable of filtering fluoride that’s highly effective and ideal for regular use and prepping.
9. Best for Inline & Refrigerator Fluoride Water Treatment: Universal
In our opinion, the number one inline/fridge water filter that removes fluoride in 2024 is the Clearly Filtered Universal. It’s the only unit we could find that’s actually tested for fluoride. And it’s very effective, too, and works flawlessly. Average sodium fluoride reduction: 90.7%!
Prop tip: As an inline water filter, the Clearly Filtered Universal is compatible with all appliances including refrigerators. When you install it, you’ll no longer need to use the filter that comes with your fridge. Depending on your fridge model, you might be able to bypass it or take it out.
Clearly Filtered Inline and Refrigerator Water Filter
Features slim 2×12 inches design. Can be fitted in tightest corner or behind your refrigerator.
Works with all models as long as there’s a ¼” water line.
Easy installation only takes a few minutes – think push fittings. Simply connect existing water line to filter’s inlet/outlet.
Comes with one extra braided stainless steel line if that’s your water line type (choose during checkout process).
Package includes mounting bracket with screw.
Affinity Filtration Technology removes 232+ tap water contaminants (NSF testing standards 42, 53, and 401).
Uses activated carbon filter media to adsorb bad tastes and odors, chlorine (98.6%), chloramine (95.3%), herbicides (99.9%), pesticides (99.9%), and organic compounds.
Uses proprietary filter media to reduce radiation, microplastics, pharmaceuticals (most to 99%), sodium fluoride (99.5%), perfluorinated chemicals (99.6-99.8%), arsenic (94.3%), aluminum (95.2%), cadmium (96.7%), chromium (99.4%), lead (98.9%), mercury (91.8%), and VOCs + SVOCs (up to 99.9%).
Filtration capacity is 365 gallons of clean drinking water so you don’t have to replace too often.
Made in USA.
Backed by 30-day trial period and lifetime guarantee for peace of mind.
Cons
$150 price tag is more than what the competition charges.
Our Rating
Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
Purchase Price: 4.5/5.0
Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Clearly Filtered Universal is best for people who want a refrigerator water filter capable of filtering fluoride that’s universally-compatible, easy to hook up, and highly effective.
10. Best for Water Distillation Removing Fluoride: Megahome
There’re different versions of the Megahome Water Distiller but they’re identical in the inside: All material the water touches is either 304 stainless steel or glass. This prevents harmful chemicals and other substances from recontaminating the pure water. Many people say it’s a great purchase, everything works exactly as advertised, and the drinking water tastes very pure. 5 stars!
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Fluoride Water Filter That’s Best for You
The following are key features worth considering when shopping for a fluoride water filter. They will help you choose the right on for your needs and budget.
NSF/ANSI International Certifications
Reverse osmosis systems can be tested and certified according to NSF Standard 58 for fluoride reduction. NSF International is a not-for-profit organization which develops industry standards. So when comparing different RO systems make sure to check their performance data sheets.
You might also find reduction rates for non-RO water filters which is great. Just know that any performed testing cannot be standardized because there currently doesn’t exist a standard.
The Different Types of Fluoride Water Filters
5 methods of water purification have proven to be effective at fluoride removal: Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, distillation, and treatment with activated alumina or bone char media.
So, removing fluoride from the water we use isn’t as much about the type of filter, for example under sink vs. countertop, than it is about the specific purification process applied.
Still, there’re certain filter types that appear to be more popular and effective than others when it comes to fluoride filtration. They are:
The same goes for shower filters. The most promising model is the ProOne ProMax which hardly removes half of the fluoride in your water as testing has shown.
Testing for Other Contaminants in Your Water Supply
You should know your water source and the contaminants it contains. Remember: Fluoride is only one part of the equation. What if you’re also dealing with poisonous lead or carcinogenic PFOA?
Bottom line: Check your free water quality report or have your water thoroughly tested so that you can choose your ideal filtration system accordingly. Simple test kits are widely available, however, in our opinion it’s always best to go with a professional lab. These guys can test one or more direct samples of your water for hundreds of different chemicals, organics, heavy metals, etc.
Installation
Bottle, gravity, countertop, and pitcher filters as well as water distillers are installation-free which saves you quite some time and possibly money.
Under sink and whole house water filters do require proper installation. If you’re not a DIY type of guy you should calculate with a few hundred extra dollars for the install.
Filter Lifespan and Maintenance Cost
A filtration system’s initial price tag is one thing. To this you have to add recurring expenses for filter replacements.
Thus, you want to double-check how long a filter element lasts and how much a new one costs. This saves you from unpleasant surprises down the road.
Water Fluoridation – How Fluoride Gets into Our Water Supply
Fluoride or rather a fluoridated compound is deliberately added to municipal water supplies in the United States in order to reduce tooth decay – think cavity prevention. And there’s nothing wrong with that per se. After all, tap water fluoridation can reduce cavities in children.
However, efficacy in adults is less clear. This is probably why most European countries, which have experienced substantial declines in tooth decay themselves, find no benefit to water fluoridation compared with topical use in toothpaste.
This is backed by recent studies suggesting that tap water fluoridation in industrialized nations may be unnecessary due to the widely adopted use of topical fluorides.
Health Risks – How Does Fluoride Affect the Human Body?
The problem with water fluoridation is that, once added to a water supply, there’s no way of controlling who ingests how much fluoride – not a good starting point when you consider that the majority of children already exceed the daily recommended fluoride intake by nutrition alone.
What’s more, drinking water is not the only fluoride source. Fluoridated toothpaste, salt and milk, cookware, medications, and processed food also add to our daily intake. An oversupply could lead to serious health problems.
By the way, only half of the fluoride your body absorbs is stored. The rest is flushed out via urine.
Dental Fluorosis and Skeletal Fluorosis
99% of the fluoride stored in our body ends up in our teeth and bones. This is why high fluoride consumption over a whole lifetime can lead to joint stiffness and joint paint (skeletal fluorosis) as well as dental fluorosis.
Neurological Problems
The remaining 1% ends up in soft tissue such us our brain and pineal gland. Calcification of the pineal gland as a consequence of long-term fluoride oversupply can result in sleep disorders, fatigue, and depressions. (Source)
Thyroid Problems
Fluoride interferes with the functioning of the thyroid gland. It decreases the concentration of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones while increasing TSH levels. Thus, one possible result of prolonged exposure to fluoride is hypothyroidism where the entire function of the thyroid gland is suppressed.
Fluoride Intoxication
Fluoride intoxication usually only occurs under sustained consumption of large amounts of soluble fluoride salts. Historically, most cases have followed accidental ingestion of sodium fluoride based pesticides. Today, most cases of fluoride toxicity are due to the ingestion of dental fluoride products.
The lethal dose for adults is estimated at 32 to 64 mg elemental fluoride per kilogram body weight.
Best Practices to Reduce Fluoride Exposure
What can you do to reduce your overall fluoride exposure?
Eat less processed and more organic foods – Many pesticides and insecticides used in conventional agriculture contain fluoride. Furthermore, every processing step adds the likelihood of increased fluoride concentrations in food, due to the potential use of fluoridated water and salt or fluoride being used as a preservative.
Regulate your fluoridated salt use.
Drink less green and black tea as well as coffee – Almost all brands of green and black tea are high in fluoride. The same goes for some species of coffee.
Try to avoid medications containing fluoride – Maybe your doctor can find you a suitable alternative.
How to Remove Fluoride from Water at Home
The level of fluoride dissolved in tap water as currently recommended by the American Dental Association for optimal dental health is 0.7 ppm. The ADA further says that, even at higher concentrations, the effectively measured fluoride amount in a US water supply doesn’t exceed 1 ppm. In comparison, non-fluoridated water usually contains less than 0.3 ppm, although concentrations in groundwater can be higher.
Taking this into consideration, it’s seems fair to ask if any water filtration system is actually capable of removing or reducing such a small amount of fluoride, or if the salt simply slips through the grid of even the most rigorous filtration processes to later end up in our water glasses anyway.
To answer the question, the Water Quality Association lists four treatment methods as suited for the removal of fluoride from tap water:
Reverse osmosis – It’s the most commonly used method of water purification and utilizes a semipermeable membrane to filter out up to 99% of all contaminants.
Strong base anion exchange – Filtration systems based on this technology are rare. As far as we can tell, they’re only available for industrial use but not your home.
Activated alumina adsorption media – The most popular water filters that apply activated alumina are Big Berkey systems which we’ve reviewed further above.
Distillation – Your last option are water distillers that, strictly speaking, don’t belong to the group of water filters. However, they provide an effective way of removing fluoride from drinking water, which is why we don’t want you to miss out on them.
Although not on the list, bone char is another water filter media with high fluoride adsorptive capacities. Produced by charring mainly cattle and pig bones, the porous, granular material consists of tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, and carbon. Tricalcium phosphate is what removes the fluoride.
What Is a Fluoride Water Filter and How Does It Work?
Fluoride water filters use reverse osmosis, strong base anion exchange, activated alumina adsorption, bone char, or distillation for effective fluoride removal.
The filter can be in the form of a reverse osmosis system, a water filter pitcher, a whole house water filter, an under sink or countertop filtration system, a water filter bottle, a shower filter, an inline water filter, or a water distiller.
What Are the Different Types of Fluoride Water Filtration Systems?
RO Filter Systems
RO filter systems apply a multi-stage filtration process to remove more than 90% fluoride from drinking water. They key filter element is the semipermeable reverse osmosis membrane at the heart of each system. It does the bulk of the contaminant removal.
Water Filter Pitchers
A water filter pitcher is ideal for drinking water filtration. Sophisticated models use a combination of different filter media to remove many different impurities including fluoride.
Whole House Water Filters
Whole house fluoride water filters are rare. That’s because effective fluoride filtration at scale is extremely difficult. The Crystal Quest which is our favorite system uses a large mineral tank filled with bone char to achieve 90-95% reduction.
Under Sink Systems
Just like reverse osmosis systems, regular under sink water filters use multiple filter stages to reduce fluoride in your drinking water.
Water Filter Bottles
Believe it or not, we found one water filter bottle based on Affinity filtration technology that removes 99.0-99.9% fluoride. The water gets filtered as you suck it through the straw.
Gravity and Countertop Water Filters
Gravity and countertop water filters are the pendant to under sink fluoride filter systems. They use one or more stages of filtration in order to provide healthy and clean drinking water.
Shower Filters
We are still waiting for shower water filters that remove fluoride effectively. So far only the ProOne ProMax looks relatively promising, achieving around 50 percent reduction.
Inline and Refrigerator Water Filters
Regular refrigerator water filters don’t remove fluoride. However, there is one inline water filter that does. It uses a single filter cartridge based on ion exchange.
Water Distillers
As mentioned earlier, water distillation provides a very effective way of removing fluoride from the water we use. Basically, they heat the water in a boiling chamber until everything has evaporated. All contaminants are left being.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Water Filter to Remove Fluoride
Advantages
Fluoride-Free Water
A fluoride filter will help you get access to fluoride-free drinking water.
Other Contaminants Will Be Removed
A filtration system will not only filter fluoride, it’s probably also effective against many other types of water impurities. As a result, your water will likely be a lot healthier.
Improved Drinking Water Taste
Filtered water also tastes much better.
Cost-efficient
Unless you are thinking about getting a whole house filtration system, fluoride filter costs are manageable.
Convenient
Most fluoride filters are easy to install, use, and service.
Disadvantages
Insufficient Removal
Most water filters are not NSF tested or certified for fluoride removal. That’s why it’s so important to check for specific fluoride reduction rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most trusted fluoride water filter brands?
We’re not sure if there even is a water filter brand most trusted for fluoride filtration. Our favorite products are listed above. They’re the most effective currently on the market.
How to make a fluoride filtration system?
We wouldn’t recommend trying to create your own fluoride water filter system. A) It’s likely that you won’t succeed and B) it’s simply not worth the effort. Just buy one!
Does my system filter fluoride?
You should check its performance data sheet. Testing according to NSF Standard 58 usually includes fluoride removal capabilities for reverse osmosis systems. For non-RO fluoride filters, any reduction rates were determined in non-standardized testing (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).
Brita, PUR, ZeroWater, LifeStraw – Do they reduce fluoride?
Some of the most popular water filtration systems, PUR and Brita pitcher filtration systems among them, will not filter fluoride out of your water – the reason being that both PUR and Brita (pitcher) filters use carbon to trap impurities which doesn’t have any effect on fluoride. As for LifeStraw, it only filters bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The ZeroWater water filter pitcher achieves an average fluoride reduction of 99%.
Do water softeners remove fluoride?
The sole purpose of a water softener is to soften water. It has no effect on fluoride. That’s just not what the softening resin was designed to do.
Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Since 2020, she has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Alex has been using water filters and similar products for years which has gained her lots of hands-on experience.
Learn more about Alex and the rest of the BOS Team.
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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Leave a Comment:
Jason says
May 10, 2019
I’m curious as to how the Berkey compares to under the counter RO systems a d which youd recommend?
Also, how do each do for filtering pesticides(atrazine in particular) and pharmaceuticals( progesterone).
Hi Jason,
The page that lists the Berkey test results is not accessible right now so I can’t give you details on atrazine and progesterone reduction in particular. However, I know that for Berkey the tested pesticides were removed below detectable limits, whereas the reduction rate for pharmaceuticals was >99.9%. You can expect similar results from an RO system. I think both are good and which one is right for you depends on your preferences. An under counter system requires proper installation, obviously. Berkey is more portable, but also less convenient as they require manual refilling. Also, RO systems provide mineral depleted water and not everyone likes the taste. As for the annual filter replacement cost, you are better off with a Berkey.
For more information on Berkey, check out our review which you can find in the top menu under “brands”.
Hope that helps!
Gene
Our city water is very alkaline and I am concerned about the level of fluoride in it. I had a very bad reaction to a dental fluoride treatment, mouth sores, upset stomach, headache and diarrhea. We have a reverse osmosis system for the drinking water. I want shower filters that remove the fluoride, are there any good ones like PWF shower filters? Are water is not considered hard water, it is from Lake Michigan.
