When camping in RV, water quality should be one of your main concerns. As we all know, water can contain all sorts of bacteria and other contaminants that can make you sick. That’s why it’s important to have a good RV water filter on hand to ensure that the water you’re drinking, cooking with, and bathing in is clean and safe.
For you, we’ve tried and tested over 40 different RV water filters to find the best 12 RV water filters. On the list, you’ll find products with sediment, carbon and granulated activated carbon filters that are designed to remove a variety of contaminants, including lead, chlorine, and Giardia. We’ve included filters with a micron rating of 5 to filter out larger particulates above that size. There are also 20 microns which are a little bit less effective but will still filter out the vast majority of contaminants.
Other features: KDF, CSA low lead content certified, replaceable filter cartridge, includes 1 filter housing, 1 extension hose and 2 replaceable premium spun polypropylene filter cartridges
The Camco EVO Premium Water Filter in an impressive self-contained water filtration system for your RV. This unit is simple to use, it can be easily attached to your supply line, it delivers fresh and clean tasting water no matter the water quality at the source in the campground. This water filter system combines physical filtration with an activated charcoal media to remove contaminants such as: bacteria, microorganisms, chemicals, chlorine and other particulates from the incoming water supply. This results in water that is healthier and it tastes better for drinking and cooking.
The Camco EVO Premium may be one of the best inline RV water filters available and that’s why we’ve made it our editor’s choice for this list. This water filtration system is specifically designed for campers and RV’s with all the connectivity you need. It’s simple to get up and running quickly thanks to the 12” extension hose and it uses a single polypropylene filter cartridge.
Overall this is a comprehensive filtration system for your RV or camper. The granular activated carbon filter media offers plenty of extra filtration at a fairly modest price point. The water flow is streamlined thanks to the in-line design and it’s quick and easy to install.
Other features: 2-stage filtration, powder-coated chassis, stainless steel fittings, not coated brass, oversize canisters for maximum water flow
This water filter system from CLEARSOURCE is a Premium RV design with a matching price tag. But, if you need a rugged water filter with no compromises this may be the ideal solution to meet your needs. The water filter chassis is manufactured from sturdy powder coated metal and the system is designed for easy installation between your freshwater RV connection and the water source at the campground.
This may be one of the best flow RV water filters but there is no associated compromise on filtration performance. The CLEARSOURCE Premium RV Water Filter System has a 5-micron sediment filter to remove very tiny particles. This is followed by a 2nd stage 0.5-micron carbon filter that can remove many contaminants from the incoming water supply, such as: bacteria, cysts, giardia, chlorine and volatile and organic compounds. This provides the user with high quality water for drinking, cooking and showering.
This is an impressive RV water filtration system that’s designed to stand up to years of use. The construction is solid and sturdy with durable fittings made from stainless steel. A built-in stand makes this system easy to use on any surface for extra peace of mind.
Other features: 3/4″ lead-free brass fixtures, heavy-duty construction, lifetime warranty
The Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter System has many features to ensure that users get a clean supply of water at any campground. The fixtures are made from lead free brass to make a secure connection and ensure that hose leaking cannot occur. This is a heavy duty RV water filter product that is durable and built to last a long time. Beech Lane have even included a handy wrench to make sure that users are ready to go without digging around inside their toolbox.
This water filter has a mountable bracket that makes the setting up process far easier than many other products on the market today. This is a dual stage filtration system with a 5-micron filter to remove larger particulate followed by a 0.5-micron filter to remove smaller particles. This cleans and conditions virtually any water source to a very high standard.
Overall this is a high quality RV water filtration system that offers a great deal for a fairly modest price. The rugged construction and mounting bracket should ensure years of faithful use and the system is easy to set up.
Other features: GAC/KDF cartridge, high flow rate, powder-coated steel, complete kit, durable connections, for exterior use only
The Camco 40639-A RV TastePURE Dual Canister Water Filter is another dual stage water filtration system that can remove contaminants, such as: chlorine, lead, volatile organic compounds, giardia, cysts and other contaminants. This achieved without altering the flow of water to your RV and you even have a higher water flow for a better showering experience.
This water filtration system is one of the most comprehensive options on our list. Every Camco 40639-A RV TastePURE Dual Canister Water Filter includes: a pair of filter canisters, a 4-foot fresh water hose, a built-in stand with rubber feet, a canister wrench, a replaceable premium spun 5-micron sediment filter and a replaceable 0.5-micron carbon block filter cartridge. This kit contains everything you need to get your water filtration system up and running right out of the box.
The Camco 40639-A RV TastePURE Dual Canister Water Filter has durable nickel plated male brass fittings and female swiveling fittings for hassle free setup. The entire system is well made and the stand has a durable powder coated steel construction.
Other features: advanced GAC, KDF and fluoride remover, food-grade plastic housing, a fluoride removal function, multiple uses
This is a slim profile water filtration system that’s easy to setup and use with your RV or camper. A two-piece pack water filter is included and this can be interchanged with the Camco 40045 TastePURE cartridge making this a versatile option. The unit is built with advanced materials to provide clean and fresh water for all your camping needs.
The AQUACREST RV Inline Water Filter has a KDF system to remove most of the contaminants from the incoming water supply. The system is easy to use and it will provide a reliable source of clean water for up to 3 months before a filter replacement it required. This is one of the most affordable RV water filters on our list and yet it still performs well.
Other features: a pack of 2, multiple uses, premium KDF protection, low lead certified
The Camco 40045 TastePURE Inline RV Water Filter is the best value RV water filter on our list. This water filtration system is designed to remove contaminants, such as: sediment, bad tastes, odors, chlorine, heavy metals (iron, mercury, lead), aluminum, cadmium, turbidity and hydrogen sulfide. At this price point this is one of the best RV water filters to remove iron from your incoming water supply.
This water filtration system can connect to any standard water or garden hose connection to remove sediment and a wide variety of contaminants. This makes it useful for watering your garden plants without soaking them in chlorine or to wash the car or RV without leaving unsightly mineral deposits on the paintwork. This is also an ideal system to use to fill a hot tub or pool with high quality water and it has dozens of applications for your home.
The Camco 40045 TastePURE Inline RV Water Filter has a large capacity, each filter will typically last at least 3 months for a total of 6 months of hassle free water filtration. The KDF system ensures that the system will be free from bacteria, mold and fungus growth when the system is not in use.
Other features: a pack of 4, multiple uses, premium KDF protection, low lead certified
According to the manufacturer, this inline water filter is designed to last for an entire camping season without any need to change the filter. The Camco 4 Pack 40042 TastePURE Inline RV Filter has a simple design that isn’t too large and yet small enough to allow enough water to flow through into the RV. This system should give users plenty of clean and fresh water to drink and use for months with little to no attention.
The filter is a 20-micron granular activated carbon (GAC) unit that can remove contaminants, such as: sediment, chemicals and chlorine from the incoming water supply. This system also has kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) technology that prevents mold and fungus from growing inside the filter. This system can also be attached to a standard garden hose to provide high quality water for other uses around the home and garden. This is a fantastic value proposition, a bargain water filter if the user can run the faucet for at least 30 seconds before filling a glass to drink.
Other features: multiple uses, premium KDF protection, low lead certified, a heavy-duty flexible hose protector
This water filtration system is designed to make water safe for drinking, cooking and other tasks in the home, garden or outdoors. The Camco 40019 TastePURE XL RV/Marine Water Filter reduces bad tastes and odors and it can remove contaminants, such as: iron, lead, hydrogen sulfide, cadmium, heavy metals, aluminum and turbidity. This system can connect to any standard and garden hose connector to meet any outdoor water filtration needs.
The Camco 40019 TastePURE XL RV/Marine Water Filter has a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system. This reduces the amount of sediment in the water, removes the contaminants and then conditions the incoming water to a high standard. The filter can remove particles larger than 20 microns and the KDF system can protect the filter against bacteria and mold when the filter is not being used.
Overall this is an excellent water filter system to use with your RV, camper, boat and for other water related tasks. The average lifespan of 6 months for each filter means that it will last for an entire camping season. The heavy duty hose protector helps to reduce strain on connections and this product is made in the USA.
Other features: 3 levels of protection, water flow 5 GPM, NSF 42 and 61 certified media, standard garden water hose connections
This is a 3 stage inline water filter, the incoming water passes through a KDF system, followed by granular activated charcoal (GAC) filter and finally a Quantum Disinfection process. The KDF systems prevents bacterial and mold growth inside the water filter system. The GAC filters remove a number of contaminants, such as: organic compounds, insecticides, chlorine and other chemical impurities. The Quantum Disinfection is a very new technology, this stage acts as a catalyst to add an extra layer of bacterial protection.
This water filtration system will last for a year or for up to 25,000 gallons of water before it needs changing. The system requires no power or chemicals to clean the incoming water making it idea for camping trips. The system uses standard hose connections making it useful for a wide variety of clean water related tasks. The water filter is made in the USA and a 1 year warranty is supplied for extra peace of mind.
Other features: exterior filtration, convenient hose fitting kit, model D-15 replacement cartridge, 5-year limited warranty
Culligan are well known for their water filtration products, there are many of their filters on this list and the Culligan RVF-10 Level 1 External Water Filter many be the best option for many RV owners. This unit is designed to eliminate sediment, bad taste and foul odors from the incoming water supply. The cartridge life can reach up to 250 gallons before changing and it has a durable plastic housing.
This water filtration system can fit a standard or garden hose easily without any need for extra attachments or special tube sections. There is a 1-foot connector hose that allows the user to quickly hook up the filter to any RV, boat or camper. This is a great option for people that need cleaner water for a wide variety of tasks. When it comes to drinking or cooking the Culligan RVF-10 Level 1 External Water Filter delivers fresh tasting clean potable water.
The filter has a slim low profile design that doesn’t impede the flow of water. The filtration media is granular activated carbon (GAC) to ensure that the drinking water is free from sediment and many other contaminants. This water filter is easy to setup making it ideal for camping trips and general clean water use.
Other features: multiple uses, food-grade materials, quick and easy installation
The Waterdrop RV & Marine Inline Water Filter is the latest product from this well respected water filter manufacturer. This water filtration system is designed for mobile filtering and purification at campgrounds, marinas and other locations were clean water is harder to find. This eliminates the need to carry large volumes of bottled water for drinking and cooking when away from home.
The water filter has multi-stage filtration system with a larger capacity than many other products on the market. The Waterdrop RV & Marine Inline Water Filter is easy to install and it offers arsenic and fluoride reduction which is unusual in these types of filtration systems. Both KDF and GAC filter stages remove harmful contaminants, such as; chlorine, heavy metals and chemicals.
This filtration system is constructed with food grade materials to ensure that no harmful contaminants can leach into the water supply. This water filter has multiple uses around the home, such as: home brewing, chlorine free watering, auto washing, filling pools, camping and marine use.
Other features: a pack of 2, higher capacity and flow rate, flexible hose protector
The Firebelly Outfitters RV/Marine Inline Carbon Water Filter is another option that comes as a two-pack. This option offers four filtration layers to ensure the water you drink at your campsite is clean and safe. These layers include pre-sediment, KDF, granular activated carbon, and post-filtration layers. In short, anything above 20 microns, including chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride, and more, will be removed from your campsite water.
Other components of the filtration system included are a kink-resistant hose attachment that makes connecting to regular garden hoses a cinch and a brass water pressure regulator. Notably, this component is fitted with an extra filter to make a total of five filtration levels.
The regulator protects the RV’s plumbing since the fittings are not meant to handle high-pressure water.
Each filter has a use duration of three months. Consequently, since this is a two-pack, you should be set for about half a year if you make the purchase.
If you want to enjoy high quality water when you’re enjoying an RV vacation, then a water filter should be considered essential kit. However, with so many different filters on the market, it can be a little tricky to make a purchase decision. So, here we’ve compiled a buying guide with the things to consider and answers to some common questions to help you find the best model for your requirements.
Having easy access to proper water filtration is important for campers and RV owners that spend time outdoors on a regular basis. For this reason, many people install a water filter to improve the quality of the incoming water supply. Installing an RV water filter delivers a number of benefits that include, clean water for preparing food and bathing, lighter and more compact compared to carrying a water tank and simple to set up in any camping venue.
Here we’ll explore the features to consider to help you narrow down your choices and find the best one for your needs.
One of the key considerations when choosing any type of water filter is the capacity.
There are different types of water filters available and many water filtration systems include multiple filter types. Some filters are more effective at removing sediment, others are good at removing certain times of contaminants and some are excellent at providing a little polish at the end to make the water taste better. When you choose a water filtration system for your RV, it’s a good idea to understand the types of filters available. Some of the common filter types that you will come across, include:
Sediment Filter: This is always the first stage in a multi-stage filtration system and it’s designed to remove larger particulates.
Sediment such as sand, grit and dust, can foul up the internal components in a water filter and introduce turbidity into the water supply. This results in maintenance and water quality issues in your camper or RV.
Carbon Filter: Some carbon filters such as the Camco EVO Premium Water Filter can remove a wide variety of contaminants from the incoming water, including: asbestos, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Most modern filters can also remove chlorine to improve the taste and odor of the water making it cleaner and more palatable. There are three main types of carbon filter used in RV water filters, they are:
Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC): This is an inexpensive and effective way to filter incoming water and it’s based on a tried and tested method that’s been used for millennia. Essentially, the water is passed through a set of tiny carbon grains that have a large surface area in relation to their size. Any contaminants adhere to the surface of the carbon remaining trapped there until the filter cartridge is replaced.
Solid Block Carbon: This carbon filtration media consists of pulverized activated carbon that is formed into solid blocks under high pressure. Compared to GAC a solid block has an even greater surface area for the activated carbon to filter the water effectively. This media prevents the water from forming channels into and through the carbon to maintain contact and filtration efficiency.
Modified Carbon Block: The final type of carbon filtration media is the modified carbon block which is similar to the solid block carbon media. But, modified carbon block filters are designed to improve the flow rate and they last longer than the other two types of carbon filter media shown here. For this reason, a modified carbon block filter is the most expensive option.
Ceramic Filter: This water filter is a ceramic unit with a series of small holes in the casing that allows the filter so screen out contaminants, such as: bacteria, giardia, cysts, protozoa and sediment. This type of filter is not very effective at removing chemicals and it’s often paired with some type of carbon filter to meet this need. This is a good filter type for users that are concerned about biological contaminants in the incoming water supply.
Reverse Osmosis: This type of water filtration is achieved by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane under high pressure. The contaminants are left on the surface of the membrane and flushed away periodically to avoid clogging the system. This system will block any particulates that are larger than a water molecule and the water simply passes through. This technology is becoming common in many people’s homes but the best RV reverse osmosis water filters are still extremely expensive.
When you choose an RV water filter it makes good sense to choose a system that’s easy to install and the cartridge should be easy to replace.
A filter cartridge would typically last for around 3-12 months. depending on the exact model installed
Although a filter should last for 3-12 months before it needs replacing it’s advisable to replace it every 3-6 months anyway. This will help to keep the filter fresh and ready to use after extended periods when the water filter has not been in regular use. There are water filter models that can last for 12 months and these should be changed every 9-12 months to stay on the safe side. It’s a good idea to monitor the water output periodically to see if the taste has changed or the water is darker or sediment is visible. If this occurs, change the filter cartridge immediately and always have a spare on hand for this purpose.
There are sediment filters rated at 5.0 microns to filter out larger particulates above that size. Other RV water filters may be rated at 1.0 or even 0.5 microns for even finer filtration to make the water even cleaner. Some of the cheaper water filters such as the Camco 40045 TastePURE Inline RV Water Filter have a 20-micron sediment filter.
There is a tradeoff to consider, the larger the water filter, the more apertures and the better the water flow will be. So if you choose a smaller filter the flow can be restricted and it will be necessary to purchase larger canisters to compensate. Over time a water filter can also become clogged with sediment or other contaminants to create water flow issues. Replacing the filter should correct this problem and the water flow should improve.
Since you will need to change the filters periodically, it is important that it is light enough so that you can comfortably change it. If you have limited mobility or other health issues, you may prefer to opt for a model that may not offer extended filtration, but the cartridges are easier to change.
This type of filtration system filters all of the water coming into the RV and it can attach directly to the vehicle via the intake hose or it may be installed inside the RV. These types of systems are divided up into one, two or three canisters. The more canisters there are the better the filtration will be, but more canisters take up more space. Some whole RV filters such as the AQUACREST RV Inline Water Filter are “inline” systems. These filters use a single canister, they are an ideal system for occasional use and dedicated RV enthusiasts need to think about more comprehensive systems.
These simple water filters attach to a line that runs under the sink and they only filter the water that is supplied to that single sink. These water filters are available in a number of different sizes just like other filters mentioned in this article. Because these filters are installed under the sink it’s important to think about the size carefully. Space under the sink will be at a premium and certain RV models do not have easy access to these areas. This type of water filter is fine for occasional users that want cleaner water for drinking and cooking.
These types of filters are similar to the under sink filters mentioned above, but as the name would suggest they are installed on the countertop directly to the tap. This saves space under the sink but it does mean that the user will have less countertop space which can create other issues.
The Beech Lane External RV Dual Water Filter offers a dual stage filtration system that is easy to set up and provides clean, fresh tasting water, while the CLEARSOURCE Premium RV Water Filter is easy to hook up and has the potential to offer years of use. However, the stand out as the of the best RV water filters has to be our editor’s choice, the Camco EVO Premium Water Filter.
This impressive system not only offers comprehensive filtration, but is ready to use straight out of the box. The product is specifically designed for RVs and campers with easy to use connectors that can have your filtration system up and running quickly, eliminating bacteria, chemicals, microorganisms, particulates and even chlorine from your water supply.
