Table water filters are a practical and simple way to filter good coffee water. As a rule, and in almost all areas, the water that comes from the tap is too hard to make good coffee with. At the same time, hard water also endangers your own coffee machine, as it enables limescale formation.
With table water filters or other filtration methods, water can be filtered so that it tastes delicious and is also good for coffee machines and espresso machines.
In this test, table water filters from BWT, Brita, Lotus Vita, LARQ, Aarke, Yucona and Peak were tested.
Good water values for making coffee
Perfect water for filter coffee:
Total hardness: 2 – 3 °dH
Alkalinity: 1 – 2 °dH
Perfect water for espresso:
Total hardness: 3 – 6 °dH
Alkalinity: 2 – 4 °dH
We've written more about the perfect water for coffee in our detailed blog post on "coffee water". Another test summarizes the results of the most commonly used inline filter cartridges for espresso machines and fully automatic machines. So-called water filter pads can also soften water, but require time.
To analyze your own water, we recommend you perform a test with titration drops. In Switzerland, you can get the BWT test kit from us, and in Germany, you can get the Brita test kit from us.
Table water filters compared with water pads and inline filters
Inline water filters generally provide the best water filtration. They are inserted into the water tank. Through the suction of the pump in the machine, the water is drawn through the filter with pressure and force. This achieves good filter performance.
Water filter pads lie in a water tank and there is no water movement. The filter's performance therefore only occurs over many hours. In our test, we tested the filter performance over many hours. Only after well over 20 hours did the water values move into the target range.
Table water filters are positioned between inline filters and filter pads. The water runs through the filter inserts by gravity and is filtered in just a few minutes. Some of the filters tested achieved good target values because they were designed for decarbonization. Other filters missed the target values, as the test shows.
We've created two videos about table water filters. First, there's our main video with all the details and additional explanations.
On the other hand, we recorded a second version that briefly summarizes the results in a few minutes.
How was it tested?
The table filters were first prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then 1 liter, 5 liters, another 5 liters, and finally 10 liters of water were filtered. After each filtration, samples were taken and measured with test drops to determine water hardness as well as a conductivity meter.
LARQ Filter and Lotus Vita Filter
Both the Lotus Vita and LARQ filter were recommended to us for testing by the coffee community. Both filters are presented to improve water quality in general, not explicitly as filters for preparing water for making coffee. Nevertheless, such a test is interesting and shows the characteristics of different water filters. Both filters effectively filter total hardness, i.e., calcium and magnesium from the water. However, they do not or barely reduce alkalinity. The hardness of our input water is 13 German degrees total hardness and 10 German degrees alkalinity. Although the total hardness is reduced, we have too little filtration in the alkalinity to effectively filter water for preparing coffee.
We recommend both filters to effectively remove contaminants. The reduction in total hardness is sufficient to protect the coffee machine. The alkalinity is too high to brew delicious coffee.
Brita and BWT Table Water Filters, Peak and Aarke
All four table water filters from Brita, BWT, Peak, and Aarke are capable of filtering good coffee water. The filter performance of the Brita filter and the Aarke filter was in a good range, while the BWT filter did not filter as effectively. To achieve the exact target values, the BWT filter would need a second filtration with our raw water. The Yucona filter also does not reach the target with a single filtration and must be used a second or third time depending on water hardness.
The Peak filter is the most versatile filter because it allows for flow rate reduction to filter more or less. This is particularly interesting for raw water inputs of 10 to 15 dH total hardness. For waters like ours with about 13 dH total hardness, a setting of 4.5 filter performance is certainly perfect. Anyone struggling with only 12 dH total hardness will certainly also get by with lower filter performance. This flexibility allows individual adaptation to local conditions—very nice!
Unfortunately, the Peak filter's build quality is not good. The pitcher looks cheap and unstable. The Aarke filter scores significantly better here. The filter is made of glass, the filter insert is made of stainless steel. The filter can be refilled by itself and looks the best next to a high-quality espresso machine as a filter.
Summary of Results
The water filters from Peak, Aarke, Brita, and to some extent BWT convinced in the test. The Lotus Vita filter and LARQ filter are primarily designed for filtering foreign particles from water and desalinating it. However, they do not sufficiently reduce alkalinity. The high retained alkalinity buffers the acidity of the coffee, which is important for the balance of a complex and delicious coffee.
The Yucona filter is indeed a decarbonizer, but has only low performance. Among filters suitable for coffee, it shows the lowest filter effect in reducing alkalinity. Multiple filtrations of the water are necessary to achieve target values.
You can find all our articles on the topic of coffee and water here.
