Choosing the right under-sink water filter in Europe is not always straightforward. Water quality varies between countries, and many products are designed for the US market rather than European plumbing, regulations, and contaminant profiles.
This expert guide reviews the best under-sink water filters for EU households in 2025, with a focus on:
- PFAS reduction
- chlorine & odor removal
- microplastics
- mineral retention
- material quality (stainless steel vs plastic)
- EU plumbing compatibility
- long-term cost & maintenance
Whether you live in Portugal, Spain, Germany, France, Italy or the Nordic region, this guide will help you choose the right system.
Why Under-Sink Water Filters Are Growing in Europe
1. PFAS Concerns and New EU Regulations
“Forever chemicals” (PFAS) have become a major concern across Europe. The European Environment Agency highlights increasing PFAS contamination in groundwater and drinking water across multiple EU regions.
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)
2. Chlorine Taste and Odor
Chlorine is widely used across Europe to disinfect municipal water. Countries such as Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy often have noticeable chlorine levels.
WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Chlorination
3. Microplastics in Tap Water
Studies show that microplastics are detectable in tap water throughout Europe. Filtration is increasingly used to reduce exposure.
Frontiers in Environmental Science: Microplastics in European Tap Water
4. Mineral-Rich Water Preference
Unlike the US, European consumers generally prefer water that retains essential minerals such as magnesium and calcium. Non-RO multi-stage filtration systems are therefore becoming more popular.
What to Look for in an Under-Sink Water Filter (EU Edition)
1. Contaminant Removal
The most important filtration targets for EU homes:
- PFAS
- chlorine
- microplastics
- pharmaceutical residues
- heavy metals (lead, mercury)
2. Material Safety
Stainless steel housings provide superior hygiene, durability, and taste neutrality compared to plastic cartridge housings.
3. No Wastewater or Electricity
European households prefer low-maintenance systems that function without electricity or wastewater production (unlike RO systems).
4. Mineral Retention
RO systems remove essential minerals by design. Most consumers in Europe prefer filters that clean water while maintaining its natural mineral balance.
5. EU Plumbing Compatibility
Under-sink systems should fit standard EU ⅜” or ½” connections without needing special adapters.
Best Under-Sink Water Filters in Europe (2025)
⭐ 1. PJURE Stainless Steel 5+1 Stage Under-Sink Filter (EU)
Best for: Mineral-rich water, PFAS reduction, plastic-free construction
PJURE is designed specifically for European households and water profiles. The stainless-steel housing eliminates plastic contact, and the 5+1 stage filter targets chlorine, PFAS, microplastics, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, odors, and sediment—while retaining essential minerals.
- Stainless steel housing
- EU plumbing compatible (⅜” & ½”)
- No wastewater, no electricity
- Keeps calcium, magnesium, potassium
- High flow rate suitable for families
- Low yearly maintenance cost
⭐ 2. Waterdrop 10UA / 15UA
Best for: Budget-friendly filtration
Waterdrop is widely known globally and available in Europe. It offers solid chlorine and microplastics performance, but features a plastic housing and moderate PFAS reduction.
- Affordable
- Fast installation
- Moderate contaminant removal
- Plastic housing
⭐ 3. Aquasana Claryum
Best for: Multi-stage carbon filtration
Aquasana is popular in the US and available in the EU. Strong chlorine and heavy metals reduction, but bulky installation and plastic-heavy design.
- Effective at heavy metal reduction
- Good taste improvement
- Bulky system
- Higher replacement cost
⭐ 4. TAPP Water (Under-sink System)
Best for: Renters and small households
TAPP Water is known for faucet-mounted filters, and their under-sink model offers basic improvement in taste and chlorine removal.
- Affordable
- Easy installation
- Limited PFAS/heavy contaminant reduction
- Plastic housing
Comparison Table
| Feature | PJURE | Waterdrop | Aquasana | TAPP Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS Reduction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Microplastics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Mineral Retention | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
| Housing Material | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| EU Plumbing Support | Yes | Yes | Mixed | Yes |
| Annual Cost | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
Which Filter Is Best by Country?
Different regions have different water challenges.
| Country | Main Issue | Recommended Filter |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Chlorine, old pipes | PJURE |
| Spain | Microplastics, taste | PJURE |
| France | PFAS clusters | PJURE |
| Germany | Pharmaceutical residues | PJURE / Aquasana |
| Italy | Hard water | PJURE (add softener optional) |
| Netherlands | Soft water taste | PJURE |
Why You Should Avoid Reverse Osmosis (RO) for Daily Drinking
Reverse osmosis removes minerals by design, wastes water, and often produces flat-tasting drinking water. For most EU households, RO is not necessary unless there is extreme contamination.
WHO: Health Effects of Demineralized Water
Conclusion
The best all-around under-sink water filter for European households in 2025 is the PJURE Stainless Steel 5+1 Stage Filter. It offers powerful multi-stage filtration, retains minerals, works with EU plumbing standards, and avoids the drawbacks of plastic and RO systems.
For clean, mineral-rich, great-tasting water with a low environmental footprint, PJURE offers a complete solution designed specifically for European homes.
