Best Water Filters Under $50: Budget Picks for 2026

You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to drink cleaner, better-tasting water. We found 10 effective water filtration products under $50 — from a $23.64 pitcher that rivals brand-name performance to survival straws at $7.12 each. Every pick below is NSF or independently certified, because a cheap filter without certification is not a deal — it is a gamble.

Our Budget Picks at a Glance

Here is every product in our catalog priced under $50, ranked by overall value:

1. Best Overall Budget Filter: Amazon Basics 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher — Under $25
2. Best for Families: Brita UltraMax 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser — $25–$50
3. Best Replacement Filter Value: Amazon Basics Enhanced Replacement Water Filters (3-Pack) — Under $25
4. Best Premium Pitcher Filter: Brita Elite Replacement Filters (2-Pack) — $25–$50
5. Best Samsung Fridge Filter: Samsung HAF-QIN/EXP Refrigerator Water Filter (DA97-17376B) — $25–$50
6. Best Budget Survival Filter: Timain 4-Stage Water Filter Straw (2-Pack) — Under $25
7. Best Chemical Purification: MSR Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (30-Pack) — Under $25
8. Best Budget Fridge Filter: AQUACREST UKF8001 Replacement Refrigerator Filter (3-Pack) — Under $25

1. Amazon Basics 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher — Under $25

Best Overall Budget Filter

The Amazon Basics pitcher is proof that great water filtration does not require a premium price tag. At Under $25, it is the cheapest NSF 42/53-certified pitcher we have tested. That dual certification means it is independently verified to reduce chlorine taste, lead, mercury, and other health-related contaminants — the same claims Brita makes at nearly double the price.

The 10-cup capacity fits most refrigerator doors, and the electronic filter change indicator takes the guesswork out of replacement timing. The filter uses activated carbon and ion exchange resin, compatible with Brita Standard replacement filters, giving you flexibility to use the cheapest option at any given time.

Pros: Lowest price for NSF 42/53 certification, compatible with Brita filters, electronic indicator.

Cons: Slower filtering speed (8-10 minutes for full pitcher), basic design, does not remove TDS or PFAS.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

2. Brita UltraMax 27-Cup Dispenser — $25–$50

Best for Families on a Budget

At $25–$50, the Brita UltraMax is the best large-capacity filtered water solution under $50. The 27-cup (6.3-liter) capacity means a family of four can get through most of a day on a single fill. The precision-pour spigot is far more convenient than lifting a heavy pitcher.

With 42,000+ reviews and a 4.6-star rating, this is one of the most battle-tested water filtration products on Amazon. It comes with a Brita Standard filter, but we recommend upgrading to Brita Elite filters — they last 3x longer (120 gallons vs 40) and reduce lead.

Pros: Massive capacity, spigot dispenser, trusted brand, compatible with Standard and Elite filters.

Cons: Large footprint in fridge, heavy when full, included Standard filter is basic.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

3. Amazon Basics Enhanced Replacement Filters (3-Pack) — Under $25

Best Replacement Filter Value

At $3.50 per filter, these are the best-value replacement filters available. What makes them remarkable is the NSF 42/53/401/372 quad certification — more certifications than Brita Standard filters at roughly half the price. Made in Europe, they are compatible with all Brita pitchers and dispensers (except Stream).

Six months of filtered water for $10.49 is hard to argue with. The only caveat is a slightly slower flow rate compared to genuine Brita cartridges.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

4. Brita Elite Replacement Filters (2-Pack) — $25–$50

Best Premium Pitcher Filter Under $50

The Brita Elite (formerly Longlast) is the most capable pitcher filter you can buy. Each cartridge lasts 120 gallons — three times longer than standard filters — and removes 99% of lead, plus asbestos, benzene, and pharmaceuticals. The NSF 42/53/401 triple certification backs it up.

At $14.89 per filter, the upfront cost is higher, but the cost per gallon ($0.12) is actually lower than Brita Standard ($0.15). It is the smartest upgrade for any existing Brita pitcher owner.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

5. Samsung HAF-QIN Refrigerator Filter — $25–$50

Best Samsung Fridge Filter

The most affordable OEM refrigerator filter in our catalog at $25–$50. The quarter-turn installation takes under 30 seconds, and it is compatible across Samsung's French door, side-by-side, and 4-Door Flex lineups. Carbon block filtration handles chlorine taste and sediment effectively.

The limitation is basic NSF 42 certification — it does not cover lead or PFAS. If you need deeper filtration from your Samsung fridge, supplement with an under-sink system for drinking water.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

6. Timain 4-Stage Water Filter Straw (2-Pack) — Under $25

Best Budget Survival Filter

At $7.12 per straw, the Timain is the most affordable personal water filter in existence. The 4-stage filtration system includes a 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane that removes 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of protozoa. Each straw is rated for 1,500 liters.

These belong in every hiking pack, vehicle glove box, and emergency kit. The dual-use design works as either a direct-sip straw or a squeeze filter when paired with a water bottle. At this price, there is zero reason not to have a pair on hand.

Limitation: Does not remove viruses, chemicals, or heavy metals. Not a replacement for home water filtration.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

7. MSR Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (30-Pack) — Under $25

Best Chemical Water Purification

The MSR Aquatabs are the essential companion to any filter straw. While filter straws remove bacteria and protozoa, they cannot kill viruses. Aquatabs use NaDCC (chlorine-based) chemistry to kill 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and Giardia cysts — the things filters miss.

Each tablet treats 2 quarts in 30 minutes. The 30-pack weighs virtually nothing and costs less than 40 cents per treatment. EPA-registered and WHO-recommended. Pair with a Timain straw for the cheapest complete water purification kit possible: $26.22 total.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

8. AQUACREST UKF8001 Replacement Refrigerator Filter (6-Pack) — Under $25

Best Budget Refrigerator Filter

Six refrigerator filters for Under $25 works out to $2.81 per filter — a full year of filter changes for what a single OEM filter costs. The coconut shell carbon block provides reliable chlorine taste and odor reduction, and the NSF 42 certification confirms it.

Compatible with Maytag UKF8001, Whirlpool EDR4RXD1, and many other models. The trade-off is basic filtration only — no lead or PFAS reduction. For homes with clean municipal water where taste improvement is the main goal, this is an outstanding value.

Check Price on Amazon | Read Full Review

Other Budget Options Worth Considering

• Brita Standard 3-Pack (Under $25): The name you know and trust. Not the best per-filter value (the Amazon Basics Enhanced beats it), but universal compatibility and 95,000 reviews provide peace of mind.
• PUR Pitcher Filter 4-Pack (Under $25): Better lead reduction than Brita Standard at a similar price point. The LockFit design prevents unfiltered bypass — a genuine safety advantage.
• Membrane Solutions Sediment Filter 6-Pack ($25–$50): Not a drinking water filter, but essential pre-filtration for well water homes. A year of sediment protection for under $27.
• GE XWFE Refrigerator Filter ($25–$50): Just under the $50 mark. Removes 50+ contaminants including PFOA, PFOS, and microplastics. The best fridge filter for the money if your GE model supports it.

What You Give Up Under $50

Budget filters excel at basic contaminant reduction (chlorine, taste, sediment) and serve most households well. However, there are real limitations at this price point:

• No reverse osmosis: RO systems start at $198.78 (iSpring RCC7AK). Under $50, you cannot get TDS reduction or comprehensive PFAS removal.
• No UV sterilization: UV systems for bacteria/virus inactivation start well above $50.
• Limited PFAS coverage: The Brita Elite is the only sub-$50 option that addresses some emerging contaminants.
• Lower build quality: Budget pitchers use thinner plastic and less refined designs. They work, but they feel less premium.
• Higher long-term filter cost: Cheaper systems often have shorter filter lives, meaning you buy more replacements over time.

If your water testing reveals serious contaminants like high lead, PFAS, or TDS above 300 ppm, consider saving for an under-sink RO system. The filtration quality difference is significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Filtering on Any Budget

Clean water is not a luxury reserved for those who can afford premium systems. Every product on this page is under $50, independently certified, and capable of meaningfully improving your water quality. Start with the Amazon Basics pitcher if you are on a tight budget, or the Brita UltraMax if you need family-size capacity. For our complete filter rankings across all price points, see our How to Choose a Water Filter guide.