With so many water filters available in the market, choosing the one best is very challenging. It’s because the functions and the features of almost all the water filters are the same. The only difference is the cost so people often consider this an important parameter to choose a water filter.
According to us, you shouldn’t choose water filter solely on the cost even if the functions and features are common. Keeping aside everything, your priority should be an NSF water filter. It means you should choose a water filter that is NSF certified.
The cost of NSF-certified water filters might be more than non-certified water filters. But, with the increased price, you will get added benefits. The NSF water filter will be safer for you and your family members compared to other water filters.
Why so?
Established in 1944, NSF is an independent non-for-profit consumer protection organization. The objective of the organization is to standardize food safety and sanitation. It tests and certifies consumer products, including a water filter, to check and verify that they meet safety and public health standards. If the product meets the NSF standards, the manufacturer of the product is allowed to put an NSF mark on it.
The NSF seal on the water filter guarantees that its quality and performance are accepted by the consumers. The best thing about NSF certification is that it is not done only once. The manufacturers require annual recertification, meaning all the batches of the product are safe for consumers.
Another thing that ensures safety with certification is that NSF doesn’t compare products. It doesn’t compare the quality and performance of two products and certifies one that is best between the two. But, NSF gives certificates to both the products if they meet the standards or rejects them both if they don’t meet the standards.
This is why we recommend buying an NSF water filter.
How will you know that the water filter or the manufacturer is NSF certified?
The NSF seal on the product or the website of the manufacturer. Many people think that the NSF seal is enough to accept that the product is certified. But, the fact is any manufacturer can stick a fake NSF seal. And for such manufacturers, mentioning on their websites that they are NSF certified is not a big deal.
To really know that the water filter is NSF certified, you should visit the website of the laboratory that is responsible for the actual testing and certification. Every lab has a list of all the water filters that they have tested and certified. You will find the link to NSF accredited laboratory’s website on NSF’s official site.
What should you look for in the NSF certification?
The NSF standards to check and understand are:
- NSF 61- Drinking water components- mechanics & structure
- NSF 42- Drinking water treatment units- aesthetic effects
- NSF 53- Drinking water treatment units- health effects
- NSF 401- Emerging compounds/incidental contaminants
- NSF 58- Reverse osmosis drinking water treatment systems
An NSF water filter assures safety for you and your family members. So, no matter how costly it is, you should buy it.
