Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
If you’re looking for the best water filters for microplastics, it’s not always as simple as it might seem. This is because micro plastics are extremely small (less than 5 mm across) & not all filters can effectively remove them to a reasonable level. Microplastics are also difficult to test for.
However, the good news is that there are a range of water filters that can effectively remove microplastic particles to differing levels & we’ll look at some of the best below.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that end up in the environment.
They generally end up there via the disposal & breakdown of consumer products – everything from personal care, makeup & cleaning products to industrial waste. Since these materials have a low rate of bio degradation, they often remain lying around in the environment where they release microplastics into the ground, air or water supplies.
Microplastics have been detected in oceans, wastewater, fresh water, food, air and drinking water – both bottled & tap.
Why Filter Out Microplastics?
The presence of microplastics in our water supply, in particular, is a growing concern, since research suggests they may be detrimental to the environment, as well as human & animal health.
And whilst there’s still a debate about how harmful these tiny particles actually are at current levels, microplastic pollution is growing fast. Studies on marine life have also shown micro plastics to damage cells, whilst other scientists believe digestive issues or inflammation may also be possible consequences of ingesting microplastics.
So investing in a suitable water filter that tackles microplastics is a practical way to cut down levels of microplastics that may be in your drinking water.
Another thing you can do is avoid single use plastics to try & help slow down the amount of plastic that ends up in waste.
How To Choose The Best Water Filter For Microplastics
Microplastics are less than 5 mm long, so in order to physically remove these particles, a filter must be able to trap or absorb particles of this size and smaller. As a rule of thumb, a filter with a pore size less than 0.1 micrometers (0.0001 mm or 100 nm) is suitable for removing microplastics from water.
Reverse osmosis (RO) is generally considered one of the most effective ways to filter out microplastics, since it pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane, with a pore size of 0.0001 micrometers. RO filter systems, however, can be expensive & generally require installation.
Many traditional carbon based pitcher filters have a pore size of around 1 micron, which may remove some larger plastic particles – but for a more effective removal of smaller plastic particles, consider a more complex multi stage filter. Another alternative, (featured below) is a water distiller.
The Best Water Filters For Microplastics
Here are a range of the best water filters for microplastics to help you choose a filter that suits your needs & budget. Filters range from traditional pitchers & reverse osmosis systems to powerful gravity fed filters & personal water bottle filters for everyday use.
1 – Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher
According to Epic their Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher can remove a range of impurities including microplastics, fluoride, lead & chlorine.
In fact, the pitcher’s multi stage filtration claims to tackle over 200 contaminants & offers a hefty 150 gallon filter life. Made from BPA free plastic.
If you’re after a portable filter, which deals with microplastics, Epic also produce a Water Bottle Filter for ‘on the go’.
2 – Lifestraw Home Water Filter Pitcher
Lifestraw produce the award-winning ‘straw filter‘, a personal water filter for treating unsafe water outdoors. Their glass pitcher uses the same filter technology & protects against bacteria, parasites, microplastics & a variety of chemicals.
The pitcher uses a micofilter, which lasts for 264 gallons (about a year) in tandem with a carbon filter, which lasts about 2 months. Lifetraw also offer larger 10 & 18 cup filters.
3 – DC House Water Distiller
Another option to consider if you want to reduce microplastics from your drinking water is distillation. Distillation is a water purification process that boils water to create steam. The steam is then condensed back into liquid form, leaving impurities such as microplastics or heavy metals behind.
According to Safewater, distillation is an effective way to remove microplastics and you’ll find a range of home distillers available online. This one from DC House is a popular option.
4 – Home Master Reverse Osmosis System
Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters can filter down to 0.001 micron & are one of the most effective ways to remove microplastics. Keep in mind, though, most require installation under your sink & produce a lot of waste water.
This RO system one from Home Master filters down to 0.0001 micron via a 7-stage process that also removes up to 99% of chlorine, fluoride, TDS, pharmaceuticals, chemicals & many more.
5 – British Berkefeld
The British Berkefeld stainless steel gravity filter with Ceramic SuperSterasyl Filters reduces a host of nasties, including bacteria, heavy metals, fluoride & microplastics down to 0.5 microns in size. Whilst that’s not as powerful as RO systems for removing microplastics, gravity fed filters don’t require plumbing or electricity.
The British Berkefed, which can filter up to 30 gallons a day, should also life you a lifetime. It can hold up to 2.1 gallons of filtered water & the self-sterilizing & re-cleanable filters last around 6 months. Ceramic filters are also compostable.
6 – Larq PurVis
If you’re after a water filter for microplastics that’s portable and can purify your water, try the Larq Bottle PureVis purification system.
As well as filtering out chlorine, heavy metals, PFAS & some microplastics, it also eliminates up to 99% of bio – contaminants, such as E-coli. It doesn’t come cheap, but it’s powerful enough to use on outdoor water sources when put on Adventure Mode. It’s also self-cleaning, via a UV-C LED technology, which prevents the replication of bacteria.
According to Larq, their pitcher, with an Advanced Filter, also removes microplastics down to 40 microns in size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Water Filters For Microplastics: Conclusion
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are increasingly ending up in the environment, as well as in human & animal tissue.
Many water filters fail to effectively remove many microplastics, due to their tiny size, leaving them water borne, where we may ingest them.
The best water filters for microplastics tend to be reverse osmosis filters, as these are able to filter out extremely small particles. However, there are also a number of multi stage filter pitchers now available that also claim to remove microplastics to a high level.
