Culligan FM-15A Faucet Mount Filter with Advanced Water Filtration, White Finish

Like so many others, I read the recommendation in that very well-known CONSUMER magazine that REPORTS its ratings of various products. I think that the magazine is most useful for things like this water filter, which is very difficult for a consumer such as myself to test.So according to those ratings, this water filter is very effective and quite cheap, both in terms of purchase price and filter price per gallon of clean water. In fact it was nearly the cheapest to operate they tested. There is one other filter, a carafe-type, that performs somewhat better and is slightly cheaper to operate, but it is a carafe type: less convenient and doesn't produce unlimited clean water on demand. If you want to cook with filtered water, then you would need at least two carafes, and you might still run out if you have guests over. Also water in carafes can pick up odors from other food in the fridge, though that may not be an issue for you.So this faucet-mount unit was the one for me. Installation was a snap, no tools required. It screwed right into my faucet without the need for any adapters. It comes with an adapter, but you may need and additional one. A trip to any hardware store will take care of that, but be sure to bring the filter and if possible the spigot end of the faucet. There are many, many different sizes types of threads used for spigot ends, and they can be male or female.This filter seems to work great. The water tastes good and has no muddy red clouds (a product of my building's ancient galvanized iron plumbing). The filter slows down the water flow slightly, but that would be true of any filter, and it isn't severe enough to be an issue.One nice thing is that you can switch between filtered and unfiltered water while the water is running. You do not have to shut off the water to switch to filtered, which my old filter with a less robust valve required. The water pressure holds the switch in filtered position, and when you shut off the water, it returns to the unfiltered position.The filters do not last very long, but that is to be expected from such small filters. My old water filter cartridges lasted a year, but it was a hulking counter-top model like two stacked beer cans. This little guy is about the size of half a beer can. I installed it so the switch is on the left, so I can turn on the filtered water while I am holding a pot or glass in my right hand.The Culligan FM25 is identical, except it has chrome-painted plastic and costs a bit more, while this one is just plain white plastic.

I want to start out by saying after reading all the reviews (negative and positive), I'm not at all surprised by how amazing this Culligan faucet filter is.During a typical day, I drink well more than the recommended 64 ounces of water. I live in Arizona and, while they say our tap water is "safe" to drink, I'm not entirely sure. Even if it is technically "safe", I can't say I'd want to drink it. The straight tap water out of my faucet is usually cloudy, there's stuff that can be seen floating in it and the strong aroma of chlorine is nauseating. Even when brewing very strong coffee with straight tap water, it had an under taste of chlorine. That being said, I've been buying 20+ bottles of water from Walmart every week or so for many years.Recently, I saw a commercial for a PUR faucet filter and decided I should really consider getting one. I checked them out at the store and they start at $40. Not bad if it meant I'd do away with buying (and, conversely, having to carry) several gallons of water regularly. Before making a purchase, I decided to read some reviews online to make sure I got the best brand and model. I figured I'd be buying either a PUR or Brita (name brands). After checking the reviews at Amazon, I was shocked to see how badly they were reviewed. Then I came across this Culligan filter. It had 300+ reviews with an average 4 out of 5 star rating (while PUR and Brita were the exactly opposite).Upon further research, I found that the Culligan filters tap water identically, if not better, as the 'name brands', but the big difference is that a.) the filter is good for 200 gallons, b.) it's built to last and c.) it's less expensive! That's correct... the sturdier, higher quality filter is the least expensive. Awesome.I purchased it figuring that if it didn't live up to my now huge expectations, it's not as if it broke the bank. After it arrived, installation took probably 20 seconds (no kidding... I unscrewed the aerator from my faucet and then screwed on the filter.... done). I let the filter rinse for the recommended 10 minutes and then poured a glass of water. I was hesitant since I've been living off bottled water for so long and have such a bad view of tap water. Before drinking any, I first noticed that the water had absolutely no smell! Not only that, but it was crystal clear. Now the biggest test.... how did it taste. Like nothing! That's right, water should not have a taste and through this filter, it does not! If I poured two glasses of water, 1 from the Culligan filter and 1 from my store bought water bottle, put on a blindfold and tasted each, I would not be able to tell you which was which.For those few who claim the filter does nothing, you've either done something horribly wrong or you had incredibly good water prior to installing the filter. Another "complaint" I've read is that the water flow from the filter itself is very weak. Well what did you expect? Any water filter (faucet, under the sink or from the fridge door) that I've ever used comes out at exactly the same rate, perhaps even slower. Anyone giving the filter a bad rating because of that should seriously reconsider. The flow from the filter is no worse than any other filter on the market. Period.In conclusion, if you're leery of your tap water and don't want to deal with (or pay for) bottled water, pick up the Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter, you won't be disappointed.