PUR Plus Vertical Faucet Mount Water Filtration System, Lead-Reducing Water Filter For Sink Faucet, Easy Install, 100 Gallons, Compatible with Sinks with External Aerators, Grey

A straightforward way to better-tasting tap water

I installed the PUR faucet filter on a standard kitchen faucet with a removable aerator, and the experience was refreshingly simple. After unscrewing the old aerator, one of the included adapters threaded on by hand, and the filter body snapped into place with a reassuring click. No tools, no tape, and no leaks. I flushed the cartridge for five minutes per the manual, and the unit was ready to go.

From the first glass, the difference in taste was obvious: the chlorine edge was gone, leaving water that’s clean, neutral, and easy to drink. Coffee and tea benefit too—less bitterness and more clarity. That immediate improvement is what makes faucet-mounted systems appealing, and this one does exactly what it promises with minimal fuss.

Design, footprint, and ergonomics

This model is the vertical, side-mounted version, which means the filter canister rises alongside the faucet rather than hanging below it. That arrangement keeps the spout close to its original height so you’re not bumping dishes into a low-hanging filter. It also uses a simple toggle to switch between unfiltered tap and filtered water, which is ideal for preserving filter life when you’re rinsing dishes.

Two design traits stood out in day-to-day use:

• The swivel connector. The quick-connect coupler allows the unit to rotate a bit. That’s handy when you need it out of the way, though it also means it can shift if you bump it. Once I got used to where it sat, I didn’t notice this much.
• Bulk and clearance. It’s compact enough for most sinks, but the canister does add height and needs some lateral space. On a tight, shallow sink or with a faucet that angles sharply, plan your orientation ahead of time to avoid splashback.

If your faucet drops straight down for the last couple inches, this design looks tidy. On faucets that angle toward the basin, the filtered stream still works fine but may aim slightly forward. In those setups, dialing back the flow avoids splash.

Filtration performance you can taste, backed by certifications

What you can’t see (or easily measure at home) is doing the heavy lifting. PUR’s Plus filter is WQA-certified to reduce lead and certified by NSF to reduce microplastics, chlorine, and dozens of chemical and physical contaminants. The claim list is long, but the practical result is what matters: taste and odor improve noticeably, and the peace of mind around lead reduction is valuable for older homes.

I can’t test for microplastics at my sink, but it’s reassuring that the core claims are certification-backed rather than just marketing copy. For anyone in a chlorinated municipal system or with concerns about legacy plumbing, this is the right tier of filtration for everyday drinking, cooking, and coffee making.

Flow, noise, and everyday use

Expect two different flow experiences:

• Unfiltered mode: full faucet flow, aerated and fast—great for cleaning and filling pots quickly.
• Filtered mode: a narrower, denser stream. It’s not a trickle, but it’s slower by design to give the media contact time. I found it plenty brisk for filling water bottles and kettles.

There’s a soft “hiss” when filtering at higher faucet openings; it’s just water moving through the media. Keeping the handle at a medium setting optimizes speed without loud airflow.

One small behavioral tip: after the faucet is shut off, the filter can drip for a couple seconds. That’s just gravity clearing the chamber, not a leak. A quick pausing of the stream before shutting off the tap minimizes it.

Maintenance: filter life and the change indicator

The cartridge is rated for up to 100 gallons or about three months of typical use. Real-world lifespan depends on how much filtered water you draw and your water quality. The integrated LED tracks use and changes color—green to yellow to red—to signal when it’s time to replace the filter. Swapping cartridges takes under a minute: twist off the cover, drop in, and twist back on.

A practical note about the indicator: the battery is built in and not user-serviceable. If it ever stops lighting, the filter still works; you’ll just need to track replacement by time or gallons. I’ve never had the light die within a reasonable service life, but it’s worth knowing if you plan to keep the housing for years.

A few usage best practices from the manual:

• Flush a new cartridge for five minutes before first use.
• If the filter sits unused for an hour or more, run filtered water for about 10 seconds before drinking.
• After very long downtime (roughly a day and a half), a longer flush re-wets the media.

Compatibility and installation quirks

This filter is designed for faucets with removable, external aerators. It’s not compatible with pull-out sprayers, handheld wands, or many designer faucets without standard threads. The box includes multiple adapters that cover the majority of kitchen faucets. If you’re using a nonstandard or European-brand faucet, you may need a specialty adapter from the faucet maker.

A couple of fit-related tips:

• If your existing aerator is stuck, a small adjustable wrench and a cloth (to protect the finish) usually do the trick.
• The unit prefers faucets that point straight down near the tip. It will still function on angled faucets, but plan the orientation to maintain a centered stream.

Cost, convenience, and the case against bottled water

Cost per gallon depends on what you pay for cartridges, but as a rule, faucet filters come out to pennies per glass and beat bottled water by a wide margin. The convenience is what sells it: filtered water on demand—no pitchers to refill, no countertop machines, and no waiting beyond a quick toggle.

Because the filter sits at the source, I found myself using it for cooking, rinsing produce, and filling the coffee maker—far more than with a fridge filter or a pitcher. That naturally helps reduce plastic waste. If you’re trying to break a bottled-water habit, this is a practical, low-friction step.

What could be better

No product is perfect, and a few things are worth noting before you buy:

• Bulk on tight sinks. The vertical canister needs some room; measure your space if your faucet sits close to a wall or a deep backsplash.
• Not for all faucets. Pull-out and handheld models are off the table, and some designer faucets will need a specialty adapter you might have to source separately.
• Indicator battery. The non-replaceable indicator is simple and reliable, but if it eventually stops lighting, the housing still works—you’ll just track changes manually.

None of these are deal-breakers for a typical, aerated kitchen faucet. They’re simply the trade-offs that come with an on-faucet design.

Who it’s for

• Renters or anyone who can’t modify plumbing but wants better-tasting, cleaner water.
• Households with chlorinated municipal water or concerns about lead in older plumbing.
• People who want fast, on-demand filtration without refilling pitchers or installing under-sink systems.

If you have a compatible faucet and enough clearance, it’s an easy upgrade.

Recommendation

I recommend the PUR faucet filter. Installation is painless, the taste improvement is immediate, and the certifications cover the right contaminants for everyday peace of mind, including lead and microplastics. The toggle between filtered and unfiltered water keeps the cartridge from being wasted on dish duty, and the change indicator makes maintenance simple. As long as your faucet is compatible and you can accommodate the vertical canister, it’s a practical, cost-effective way to improve your water without committing to a more complex system.