You would be surprised to know that above 40 million people in the US go RV camping regularly. The RV industry has an economic impact of 50 Billion USD and it has been growing leaps and bounds in the last 8 years and is expected to grow more. According to a report published by The Wandering RV, the average RV owner is 48 years old. It means that most of them travel with their families or loved ones. When you are travelling with your family or even alone, you need to take care of a few things. One of the most important of these things is the quality of drinking water.
The Problem
As we already know that travelling in an RV is famous across the country. The problem arises when you consider the quality of drinking water on your trip. You cannot take enough water bottles to last for the whole trip. You cannot rely on water pitchers or gravity water filters as they have a limited capacity and are very slow in filtering water. You cannot trust the quality of public water sources as they can be contaminated with harmful pollutants. Poor water quality can impact your health and destroy the whole experience. Instead of spending some quality time, you would be looking for doctors to help you out. We don’t want any of this to happen to you.
The Solution
The best way to get rid of all the above-mentioned problems is by getting an RV water filter. Buying a water filter for your RV is not a difficult thing to do. There are hundreds of filters available for you to buy. However, the problem arises when you don’t know about a water filter and are unable to find honest reviews about them. We have done considerable research on RV water filters and other water filters as well. We have prepared a list of water filters containing inline, external, under the sink, and reverse osmosis water filters. This review will discuss the best RV water filters, a buying guide, and some of the frequently asked questions about RV water filters.
We have picked the best inline, external, under the sink, and RO filtration systems that you can install in your RV.
Best RV Water Filters Reviews
Top 10 RV Water Filters (Comparison) | ||
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Editor's ChoiceCamco 40043 TastePure RV/Marine Water Filter
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AQUA CREST RV Inline Water Filter
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Camco EVO Premium RV & Marine Water Filter
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Waterdrop RV Inline Water Filter
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Culligan RVF-10 (RV) External Water Filter
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Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter System
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Culligan RV-800 Exterior Pre-Tank Water Filter
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PureDrop CUW4 Aquacube Tankless Water Filter System
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Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter-Quick Change
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iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Superb Taste Under Sink Water Filter
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Best Inline RV Water Filters
1. Camco 40043 TastePure RV/Marine Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector | Protects Against Bacteria | Reduces Bad Taste, Odors, Chlorine and Sediment in Drinking Water
Filtration Capabilities: If you are looking for a quality inline water filtration system with the best results for your RV, Camco has got you covered. Camco is a famous name when it comes to producing water filters for RVs, boats, campers, pets’ drinking water, and a variety of other activities. It offers you a granular activated carbon filter, which reduces the bad taste and odors from the water. It also acts against bacteria and chlorine smell in the water and is great for filtering your RV’s entire water supply. The filter can also remove aluminum, cadmium, hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), mercury, iron, and lead.
Filter Lifespan: The filter has a life of around 3 months with heavy usage. After 3 months, the flow rate starts to reduce, and you need to replace the filtration media. It has a 20-micron fine barrier. It means that anything larger than 20 microns will not pass from the filter. The filter has a strong defence mechanism when it is not in use or stored away. The KDF media prevents the growth of bacteria, fungus, and mould inside the filter. The filter is certified against NSF/ANSI 362 standards for low lead content in structure.
Installation: Installing the system is easy, and everything needed comes with the initial purchase. You do not need to assemble the filter before installation, all you have to do is just make the connections, and you are good to go. It can be attached to any standard water hose to get safe drinking water in just 15-20 minutes.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
Camco 40043 is an excellent option to have when you are looking for a quality water filtration solution for your RV without any hassles. Its installation, effectiveness, flow rate are all excellent and up to mark.
2. AQUA CREST RV Inline Water Filter, Reduces Lead, Fluoride, Chlorine, Bad Taste, Odor, Sediment and More, Ideal for Marines, Gardening and Planting(Pack of 2)
Filtration Capabilities: Aqua Crest has introduced a powerful filter for your RVs. With unmatched filtration powers to remove fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals, suspended particles, and other contaminants larger than the size of 20 microns, it provides healthy drinking water for your RV. The GAC and KDF filter work together to deliver ultimate filtration and keep your filter safe from bacteria, viruses, and mold when it not in use.
Filter Lifespan: The filter can last for around 3-4 months. With Aqua Crest, you are good to go for an entire season of camping without any worries of filter replacement. The stated capacity of the filter is around 3 months. Please keep in mind that the filter life depends upon the quality of water being filtered. If the quality is poor, you may need a replacement earlier than 3 months.
Materials and Certifications: All the materials used in the making are certified and BPA free. It ensures that no contaminants will be leaked back in your water.
Installation: You do not need help from any professional for installing this filter. You would need to get a hose protector and connector separately for installing this filter.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
This filter is able to remove fluoride, which is a big plus. Fluoride may disturb your digestive system and cause problems during your trip. It does not come with a connector and hose protector; you would have to get them yourself. Overall, it is an excellent water filter for your RV.
3. Camco EVO Premium RV & Marine Water Filter, Greatly Reduces Bad Taste, Odor, Sediment, Bacteria, Chlorine and Much More (40631)
Filtration Capabilities: Camco offers stronger filtration media in this model. It has a rating of 5 microns. It means that it only allows particles larger than 5 microns to pass through it. The GAC reduces chlorine smell and taste, bacteria, sediments, heavy metals, mercury, lead, iron, hydrogen sulfide, and many other water contaminants. The KDF media makes sure that your filter is safe when it is not in use or stored.
Filter Replacement: You would need a filter replacement after 3-4 months. Inline water filters usually last for 3-4 months. They are best to be used for 1 camping season. Make sure you replace the water filter once you start to see a decreased flow rate.
Installation: Installing Camco’s filters are easy, and there is nothing to worry about it. You get everything you need to install the system. Once you make the connections, you just need to turn on the supply. You get 1 filter housing, an extension hose, and 1 replaceable premium spun polypropylene filter cartridge, Teflon tape, and a wrench for installation.
Certifications: The filter has been certified by NSF/ANSI for low lead content, and it also complies with California’s AB1953 and Vermont Act 193 Low Lead Laws.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
Camco’s products are excellent. This filter has an added advantage of a 5-micron filter. For people traveling to remote areas where water quality is not up to the mark, it is one of the best filters they can have for their RVs.
4. Waterdrop RV Inline Water Filter, NSF Certified, Reduces Lead, Fluoride, Cl, Bad Taste, Dedicated for RVs, 1 Pack Water Filter with Hose Protector
Filtration Capabilities: Waterdrop’s RV filter also has a KDF and GAC filter to provide you with better drinking water. The filter can remove tastes and odors from your water along with bacteria, heavy metals, fluoride, and other contaminants in the water. You can also use this filter for gardening and other activities. The filter size is 20 microns, which is effective against the majority of the contaminants you may encounter during your RV trips.
Filter Replacement: Just like the other filters mentioned above, this filter also has a life of 3 months or one camping season. We recommend that you do not overwork your water filter.
Installation: It comes with an anti-kink flexible hose protector, which keeps the hose intact. All the things needed to install are included in the box. Please keep in mind that if your water hoses are not ¾ GHT, you may need connectors to install this filter.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is quite a reasonable filter for RVs. All the people who have bought it are satisfied with its performance. It is an economical buy and is easy to maintain.
Best External RV Water Filters
Let’s look at the best external water filters for RVs
5. Culligan RVF-10 Recreational Vehicle (RV) External Water Filter
Filtration Capabilities: The external filter by Culligan is able to remove chlorine taste and odor from water. It is also effective against chloramines. The filter can remove several contaminants such as mercury, lead, cysts, VOCs, turbidity, and cloudiness from water. These are not just tall claims and are backed by certifications from IAMPO and NSG standard 53.
Filter Replacement: You need to replace your filter after every 250 gallons or 3 months, depending upon the water’s quality being filtered from it.
Installation: The installation is easy, and it will just take 30 minutes. All you have to do is make the connection. You get everything needed to install the filter in the RV. The hose couplings are ¾ inches.
Warranty: It comes with a 5-year limited warranty on any defects in material or workmanship. The replaceable filter cartridges are not included in the warranty.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is a strong and sturdy water filter which can handle a large amount of pressure from external water sources. If you like to fill up your RV’s water tank from external sources during camping, it is one of the best filters to have.
6. Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter System, Leak-Free Brass Fittings, Mounting Bracket and Two Filters Included, Sturdy Construction is Built to Last
Filtration Capabilities: It is the best filter for all the campers who like to have strong protection against contaminants. It comes with 2 filters with a size of 5 microns and 0.5 microns. If anything is left unfiltered from water by the first filter, the second 0.5-micron filter will make sure that it is removed. The filter removes chlorine taste and smell, microorganisms, heavy metals, VOCs, and anything larger than 0.5 microns. It is so fine that only water molecules will be allowed to pass. The filter leaves behind the healthy minerals in your water.
Filter Replacement: Beech Lane leaves the other competitors behind by offering a filter replacement life of 6 months. Since there is no exact amount of gallons mentioned by the manufacturers, you should keep a lookout on the flow rate of water. The filter must be changed once the flow rate starts to go down.
Installation: One unique point of these filters is the brass fittings. Brass fittings are leak-proof and last for a long time as compared to plastic fittings. This filter is easy to install and fits with ¾ inch standard hose. This filter can be installed on a mounting bracket as well. Please keep in mind that the mounting bracket is not included in the filter. You get a wrench and 2 filters for installation.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
Apart from brass fixtures, another distinction is the lifetime warranty. The filters also have an extended life and will go a long way with you. This filter is best for people who travel a lot on their RVs and want quality and long-lasting water filter.
7. Culligan RV-800 Exterior Pre-Tank Recreational Vehicle Water Filter with Hose
Filtration Capabilities: The RV-800 can remove bacteria, bad taste and odor, chlorine, sediments, and other harmful contaminants from the water. It is also excellent against turbidity, cloudiness, heavy metals, and VOCs found in the water. It comes with bacteriostatic filter media, which stops bacteria growth.
Filter Replacement: This filter has a life of around 2000 gallons. The actual life is also influenced by the quality of water entering your RV. 2000 gallons of water is an excellent filtration capacity. You wouldn’t need to replace the filter cartridge for at least 6 months.
Installation: Installing the system is an easy task. It comes with a pre-attached hose to make the connections easy to your RV.
Warranty: Culligan is offering a 5-year warranty on this filter. Warranty covers increase the value of your money.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It offers an extensive filtration capacity. If you are looking for a durable and sturdy external water filter, then Culligan RV-800 is best for you.
Best Under Sink RV Water Filters
8. PureDrop CUW4 Aquacube Tankless Drinking Water Filter System Compact Ultra-Filtration for Sink, RV, and More, White
Filtration Capabilities: When it comes to filtration capabilities, it is one of the best filters available for you to buy. It is also very costly as compared to other filters. It has 4-stage filtration, which helps in providing pure and healthy drinking water. The 1st filter is a PP sediment filter that removes dust, sand, dirt, and other suspended particles from the water. The 2nd filter, a pre-carbon filter removes chlorine taste and smells cloudiness from water. 3rd filter is the post-carbon filter, and it deals with chloramines, VOCs, chemicals, and many more contaminants. The 4th and the last filter is a 0.01-micron filter, which removes heavy metals such as lead, iron, nickel, chromium. The result is pure water, fit for drinking.
Filter Replacement: When you buy a filter with more than 2 filters, please keep in mind that the cost of replacement is high as compared to other filters with 1 or 2 cartridges. There is no specific life of filters. The system comes with a LED light to indicate filter life. When the system needs a filter replacement, it starts to blink. A slow flow rate is also an indication of filter replacement.
Installation: The unit comes with a tap. Make sure you have ample space to install the faucet; otherwise, you will have to remove the current faucet and install the new one. It has a compact design that allows you to save space in the cabinet. Everything needed for installation is included in the box.
Flow Rate: With Aqua Cube, you get to enjoy a reasonable flow rate of 0.3-0.5 GPM. We think that this flow rate is enough for RV use.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
If you are looking for a quality filter to provide you with safe drinking water while you are traveling in your RV, Aqua Cube is the best option for you. Though it is costly, its filtration capabilities are only matched by another top of the line filtration system.
9. Frizzlife Under Sink Water Filter-Quick Change Under Counter Drinking Water Filtration System-0.5 Micron High Precise Removes 99.99% Lead, Chlorine, Bad Taste & Odor-With Dedicated Faucet
Filtration Capabilities: Frizzlife brings a 2-stage filtration mechanism to remove heavy metals, chlorine taste, and smell, VOCs, turbidity, and cloudiness from your water. It comes with a 0.5-micron filter rating to remove a large range of contaminants from the water.
Filter Replacement: The core cartridge needs to be replaced after usage of 1600 gallons or 2 years. The actual life of the filter depends upon the quality of water you filter. A decrease in the flow rate indicates the best way to judge the time of filter replacement. We suggest that you replace the cartridge after 6-8 months or 2 camping seasons. The filter replacement is aided with an automatic water supply shut-off valve.
Flow Rate: It has an excellent flow rate of 1.5 GPM at normal pressure. Its flow rate is pretty fast as compared to the other RV filters.
Installation: It comes with all the parts needed for installation. You get a stainless steel faucet along with the connectors and pipes to complete the installation. The 3/8 inches adapter helps in making the connections easier and less time-consuming. The twist-in installation design helps you in changing the filter in less than a couple of minutes.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It is an excellent water filter for families who travel in an RV because of a fast flow rate. You can also install it as a countertop filter in your RVs.
Best Reverse Osmosis Water Filter for RV
10. iSpring RCC7AK 6-Stage Superb Taste High Capacity Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System with Alkaline Remineralization-Natural pH, White
Filtration Capabilities: It is one of the most powerful water filtration systems currently available in the market. It has 6 stages of water filtration. The first 3 filters are pre-filters that remove sediment, VOCs, chlorine taste and smell, chloramines, and other harmful chemicals. These 3 filters make your water better and save the RO membrane from getting damaged. The next stage is the RO membrane, which comes with a 0.0001-micron rating and only allows water molecules to pass through. It also removes the healthy minerals from water, which are re-added in the next stage of re-mineralization. When the water leaves the filter, it is healthy, all the minerals have been restored, and there is no smell and taste in water.
Filter Replacement: The system uses 6 stages of filters, and hence you need to replace 6 filters. Each filter has a different lifespan. The first three filters work well for 6-12 months. RO membrane needs to be replaced after a couple of years, and the re-mineralization filters last for 18 months. The replacement time is greatly impacted by the amount of water filtered and the quality of water. Please keep in mind that maintaining large systems is costly.
Installation and Technical Details: The major concern while buying a RO system for your RV is the installation space. It needs a lot of space under the sink, and you must make sure that you have enough space to install it safely. You can also go for a countertop installation with some modifications. Everything needed to install the system comes with it. You may need professional help for installation in case you are not aware of the plumbing connections. It can handle a feed pressure of 45 PSI – 70 PSI and temperature between 40 – 100 °F. It can handle a maximum TDS of 750 PPM.
Tank Capacity: The pressurized tank capacity has a capacity of 3.2 gallons, and it can hold 2.5 gallons of water at one time.
Our Opinion and Verdict:
It comes with a 1-year warranty and a lifetime customer support by iSpring. It is an excellent water filter for large RVs and frequent campers. No matter what is the source of supply water, iSpring will ensure that you get pure and healthy drinking water.
Buying Guide
Buying guides helps you in making the best purchase and get the most out of it. If you are not aware of all the features you need in your RV water filter, you are most likely to end up with the wrong product. We know that you have vague ideas about your products. We have just jolted all the features at one place to advise you in selecting the best water filter for your RV.
Type of the Filter
The type of filter is based on a couple of factors. One factor is the point of installation, and it depends upon the source of water filtration. Second is the quality of water you are filtering. Let’s look t the types now
Inline Water Filter – An inline water filter system fits directly to the entry point of your RV. It filters all the water supply entering your RV’s water tank. It is capable of removing a variety of contaminants like suspended particles, chemicals, bacteria, and other pollutants from the water.
External Water Filter – An external water filter processes the water outside of your RV. The primary difference between the installation of an inline or external water filter is the installation location. External water filters remove suspended particles, chemicals, and other harmful contaminants from your water. They help maintain a cleaner tank and keep the stored water fresh.
Under Sink Water Filtration – An under sink water filtration system is installed inside the cabinet under your sink in the RV. They have different filtration capabilities depending upon the type of filtration media installed in them. One disadvantage of using such types of filters is that they occupy a lot of space under the sink and may reduce your under-sink storage space. They are, however, better in terms of filtering the water.
Reverse Osmosis RV Filters – If you have large space inside your RV kitchen cabinet, you can also go for a reverse osmosis water filtration system. They occupy more space than simple under sink water filters but produce better water in terms of purity. They are also costly, and only a few people prefer to install them. Depending upon the specifications of the particular model you are buying, you would need to supply a small amount of electricity to them as well.
Amount of Water to be filtered
Another important factor to consider is the amount of water you will be filtering from your water. Calculate your estimated travel and the volume of water you and your family consume on the trips and then get a water filter. If you have to change water filters on your trip or face slow flow rate and clogged filters, what’s the point of having a filter in the first place? Your filter should last for a long time and accommodate a large number of trips without any replacements.
Supply Source
Another factor to keep in mind while buying an RV water filter is the source of water. If you are using external sources of filling the fresh water tank, then an inline water filter or under sink or RO system will work best for you because the quality of water can be compromised, and we don’t want you to compromise on your health.
Cost
It is always better to estimate the cost you are going to incur on the RV water filtration. Despite the initial cost, you would have to pay for the replacement filters and maintenance. Single filter systems are easy to maintain as compared to RO filtration systems. RO systems do provide a better quality of water. Make sure you purchase a filter that is in your budget, and you can afford it in the long run as well.
Installation and Space
A good filter is easy to install. Do not end up buying a filter that needs professional help for installation or may leak during your trip. Inline filters have an increased risk of leakage during trips. Make sure the filter you are selecting is easy to install, user friendly, and does not have any working issues. You also need to make sure that your RV has enough storage space for the filter. This is more relevant when you are opting for an under the sink or RO filtration system.
Benefits of RV Water Filters
RV water filters bring along the following benefits
- Hygienic drinking water
- Convenience (easy to use, install and replace filters)
- Enhanced taste and smell of water
- Most of them are compact and lightweight
- Saves money by avoiding clogging in water pipes and buying costly bottled water
Why should I get a water filter for RV?
If you own an RV, you must get a water filter for your own and your family’s health. While traveling, you cannot trust the water source, and hence you need on the go water filtration. You cannot buy water bottles as they would be expensive and difficult to store. Hence, a specific water filter is the best solution for you.
Which is the best RV water filter?
We cannot pinpoint one filter because the selection depends upon your usage. We have listed the best filters available in the market. You can select any one of them and enjoy better drinking water on your trips.
Should I go for only drinking water filtration or whole RV filtration?
If you install an inline or external water filtration system, you are filtering the entire water tank of your RV. If you opt for under sink or RO filtration system, you are going for drinking water purification. An ideal setup should be an inline filter and designated drinking water filter, but it would be too costly to install and maintain. Therefore, we recommend you get one filter. Anyone of the filters listed in our selection would do the needful for you in a pretty decent way.
How do you replace RV water filters?
Each RV filter is different and thus has a different filter replacement mechanism. The best way to know about filter replacement is to study the user’s manual of your filter.
What is the average life of an RV water filter?
Each filter is different. Most RV filters last for around 8-12 months. Most inline filters last for 3 -6 months. What’s important here is that you need to ensure that you are not overworking your filter.
Can RV filter leak?
Yes, RV filters can leak sometimes. Leakage can happen due to faulty installation, over usage, and damaged O-rings. In case of any leak, you would have to rectify the error and replace the filter as well.
Can RV filters be used for hot water?
No. you can filter hot water from your RV water filter. Hot water will not give up the contaminants inside it and may also damage the filtration media.
Conclusion
We have explained everything in detail related to RV water filters. You don’t need to go anywhere else after reading our guide. Select the filter that suits your needs the best, install it, pack your luggage, and hit the road with peace of mind about drinking water.
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