PUR Plus Horizontal Faucet Mount Filtration System with 3-in-1 Lead Reducing Filter, Water Filter for Sink, Lasts 100 Gallons, Compatible with Sinks with External Aerators, Metallic Grey

Why I switched to a faucet-mounted filter

I’ve used pitchers, under-sink filters, and a fair number of “quick fix” gadgets over the years. The PUR faucet filter hit a sweet spot I didn’t expect: true on-demand filtration without changing my plumbing or babysitting a slow pitcher. After several weeks with the horizontal, metallic-grey Plus model on my kitchen tap, I’ve come away impressed by its convenience and certified performance—and aware of a few caveats worth noting before you buy.

Design and build

The PUR Plus faucet filter is a horizontal unit that hangs off your faucet’s aerator and uses a simple lever to switch between filtered and unfiltered water. The housing feels sturdier than many clip-on competitors I’ve tried. The metallic grey finish blends well with stainless fixtures and doesn’t scream “appliance” on the end of the spout.

A few small touches stand out:

• The on/off lever has firm detents, so it doesn’t drift out of position mid-fill.
• The filter-change light is easy to see at a glance.
• The form factor is compact, though the horizontal body can partially block your line of sight to the faucet’s regular stream when the filter isn’t engaged. Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable.

It includes a selection of adapters and washers for different threaded aerators. The fittings and O-rings are better quality than I typically see in this category.

Installation and compatibility

Installation took me under 10 minutes without tools. I unscrewed my existing aerator, matched the adapter thread, seated the washer, and hand-tightened the PUR to my faucet. The connection sealed on the first try—no plumber’s tape required.

Important compatibility notes:

• It’s designed for faucets with visible, removable aerators (external threads). If you have a pull-out or pull-down sprayer, or a faucet with a hidden/internal aerator, this likely won’t fit.
• If your threads are nonstandard or you’re outside North America, you may need a separate adapter.
• Don’t overtighten. If you see a drip at the connection, re-check the washer orientation and adapter choice first.

After installing the cartridge, you need to flush the filter. Expect some harmless carbon fines on first use; running the filtered side for a few minutes cleared it in my case. This is normal for carbon-based filters and worth doing thoroughly.

Filtration performance

Performance is where this unit earns its keep. The cartridge is a 3-in-1 design with activated carbon and ion exchange media, plus a “mineral core” that subtly adjusts taste. It’s certified by NSF/WQA to reduce 70 chemical and physical substances, including lead and microplastics, along with the usual suspects like chlorine taste/odor and particulates.

In day-to-day use:

• Chlorine taste and odor dropped dramatically. That “pool” note I sometimes get from my municipal tap disappeared.
• The water’s texture shifted from slightly flat to clean and neutral. The Plus cartridge’s mineral stage doesn’t add a pronounced flavor, but it avoids the hollow taste some carbon filters produce.
• Sediment and visible specks were eliminated.

A few limitations to keep in mind:

• This is not a microbiological purifier. It doesn’t make unsafe water safe, and it’s not meant for well water with microbial concerns or boil advisories. It’s for improving municipal water quality or already microbiologically safe sources.
• Never run hot water through the filtered side. Heat can damage the media and release trapped contaminants. Use cold water only and heat it in a kettle if needed.

If you’re deciding between PUR’s basic and Plus cartridges, both fit this unit. The basic option focuses on contaminant reduction without the mineral stage; the Plus adds the taste tweak. I slightly prefer the Plus for drinking water, but the basic version is a perfectly good, lower-cost alternative.

Everyday use and flow

The bypass lever is the star here. I can switch to unfiltered water for rinsing dishes or filling pots without wasting cartridge life, then flip back to filtered for drinking. Flow through the filtered outlet is controlled and steady—slower than the raw tap (as expected) but fast enough to fill a glass in a few seconds. The unit emits a gentle hiss during filtration, which is normal for these systems and not loud.

The filter doesn’t chill water; you’ll get room-temperature output from the tap. If you want it cold, fill a bottle or pitcher and refrigerate it. I like the instant, unlimited access too much to return to a slow pitcher that needs constant refills and cleaning.

Filter life and cost

PUR rates the cartridge for up to 100 gallons or three months, depending on usage and water quality. In my two-person household, the change light triggered a bit shy of three months. Your mileage may vary if you’re cooking with filtered water or filling larger containers regularly.

A few practical notes:

• The filter-change light is handy, but its internal battery isn’t user-replaceable. When it eventually dies (years down the line), you’ll have to track changes by time or taste.
• If the indicator doesn’t wake up after a cartridge swap, briefly press the small reset tab inside the housing and reseat the filter.
• Cost per gallon works out to a reasonable range for faucet systems. Depending on what you pay for replacements, you’re usually in the neighborhood of 10–20 cents per gallon—far below bottled water and roughly on par with quality pitchers, minus the refilling chore.

Reliability and maintenance

So far, I’ve had no seam leaks or drips. If you experience a drip at the faucet connection, it’s almost always a washer/adaptor mismatch rather than a bad seal on the housing itself. Keep the included spare washers and adapters; they’re easy to misplace and useful if you switch faucets later.

Maintenance is simple:

• Wipe down the exterior to prevent water spots and scale.
• Don’t knock the housing against the sink; the latch can take normal use, but rough handling shortens the life of any clip-on filter.
• If you notice an odd taste or reduced flow before the light changes, replace the cartridge earlier—filter life ratings assume average municipal water.

What I like

• Legitimate certifications for broad contaminant reduction, including lead and microplastics
• True on-demand filtration with a positive-feel bypass lever
• Easier and cleaner than filling a pitcher, with no mold-prone reservoirs to maintain
• Solid build quality and a compact, unobtrusive look
• Filter-change light that removes guesswork
• Compatibility with both PUR basic and Plus cartridges

What I’d change

• The horizontal body slightly blocks the view of the unfiltered stream
• No hot-water filtration (a limitation of almost all carbon faucet filters, but still a constraint)
• The indicator battery isn’t user-replaceable
• Faucet compatibility can trip up buyers with hidden aerators or pull-down sprayers; clearer guidance at purchase would help

The bottom line

The PUR faucet filter delivers the right blend of certified filtration performance and everyday convenience. Installation is quick, the lever-based operation is intuitive, and the taste improvement is immediate and repeatable. It won’t fix microbiological issues and it’s not designed for nonstandard faucets without adapters, but if your goal is better-tasting, cleaner water from a municipal source—with credible reductions in lead and other contaminants—it’s a strong choice.

Recommendation: I recommend the PUR faucet filter to anyone with a standard threaded kitchen faucet who wants reliable, on-demand filtration without the upkeep of a pitcher or the complexity of an under-sink system. It’s cost-effective over time, pleasant to use, and built better than most clip-on competitors I’ve tried. If you need filtration for hot water, have a non-compatible faucet, or require microbiological purification, look elsewhere. For everyday drinking and cooking water, though, this hits the mark.