Our family has been using a Berkey water filter for a long time, and we really like it. Before the Berkey, we had a basic reverse osmosis filter that removed all the fluoride, which was great. However, I wasn’t a fan of the taste, and it was a hassle to add minerals back into the water since reverse osmosis strips away all the minerals.
The Berkey, especially with the additional fluoride filters, did a fantastic job, but I kept getting questions from folks who wanted an easier, under-counter option. I decided to see if there were any better options out there, but let me be clear—we’re still big fans of the Berkey.
When you drink tap water, you’re potentially consuming over 300 chemicals and pollutants, according to the Environmental Working Group. Among these are various contaminants we want to avoid. While we love our Berkey, I wanted to find the best under-counter filter to recommend to our readers and family. My goal was to find an option that checked all the boxes.
After looking into different filters, I struggled to find one that did everything I was looking for. Then, while browsing my favorite online real-food store, the Radiant Life Catalog, I stumbled upon their 14-Stage Water Filter. I started reading up on it and was surprised to discover that it met all my requirements. I even got the chance to chat with their water expert, who explained how the filter worked and how effective it was at removing contaminants. I was thoroughly impressed.
The Radiant Life Under-Counter 14-Stage filter stands out as it not only filters but also remineralizes the water. It goes through a detailed filtering process that includes:
1. Five Micron Pre-Filter
2. Internal Coconut Shell Carbon Filter
3. Reverse Osmosis Membrane
4. Mixed Bed De-Ionization Purifiers (two stages)
5. Homeopathic Restructuring
6. Holding Tank
7. Ultraviolet Light
8. Reprogramming with Natural Mineral Properties
9. Far-Infrared Reprogramming
10. Coconut Shell Carbon Post-Filtration
11. Alka-Min for Alkalizing and Ionic Remineralization
This system removes a wide range of contaminants including fluoride, lead, and chlorine, among others. I was curious about what made the Radiant Life system different from other reverse osmosis systems. Typically, most reverse osmosis systems use one purifier; however, this system uses three purifiers and has unique pre- and post-filters, along with a UV light for additional protection against bacteria. This means it achieves 99.999% purification, which is much higher than most systems on the market.
One of the reasons we initially moved away from reverse osmosis was that it removed essential minerals from the water. Thankfully, the Radiant Life system addresses this by adding minerals back in the right proportions and revitalizing the water.
Radiant Life seems to be the only provider of such a comprehensive water filter. We installed their 14-stage filter under our kitchen sink recently, and the convenience is incredible. I used to find refilling the Berkey a bit demanding, but now we have clean water available at any time.
Switching to this filter was a significant decision for us, after much thought and saving. We also installed a whole-house filter for the shower, as I’m very sensitive to fluoride and chlorine, especially due to my thyroid condition.
While quality water filters require an upfront investment, the ongoing cost is only about $0.30 to $0.40 a day, which is sustainable. The Radiant Life filter includes a water testing kit to ensure you only replace the filters when necessary, saving money in the long run.
If you want a more affordable option, the Berkey is still a fantastic choice. However, if you’re looking to upgrade or want an under-counter filter that doesn’t take up counter space, the 14-stage filter is now my top recommendation.
I appreciate that Radiant Life is a family-owned company, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the family behind it. They’re genuinely passionate about real food, natural living, and quality in water and air. They also offer consultations to help you find the best water filter for your family.
I’m curious, what water filter do you use? What are your priorities in a water filter?
