Here’s the sneaky part: the filter cartridges. The pitcher might be cheap upfront, but those replacement filters? They cost $5 to $10 each every month or two. After a year, you’ve spent more on refills than on the pitcher itself. It’s like buying a printer only to get fleeced on ink.
Faucet filters need new cartridges every three to six months, running $10 to $25 a pop. Over a year, that’s $40 to $100—the price of a nice dinner out. Whole-house filters? Their big cartridges can cost $30 to $150 each and need swapping every six to twelve months. Suddenly, that $1,500 system feels like a subscription service.
What About Installation and Hidden Fees?
Pitchers and faucet filters are DIY-friendly. You can set them up in two minutes, no tools. No extra cost. Whole-house systems? Unless you’re a plumber, you’ll probably pay $100 to $300 for installation. That’s like paying someone to assemble your IKEA furniture—worth it if you don’t want leaky pipes.
Different Types of Water Filters in Singapore - Aqua Kent Singapore
Also, consider your water quality. If you have gnarly well water or heavy sediment, you might need a reverse osmosis system under your sink. Those start around $150 and can hit $600. They’re the superheroes of filtration, removing almost everything. But they’re also slow and waste water. Every perk has a price.
