Best RV Water Filters: Stay Hydrated and Refreshed on the Go
Drink clean, fresh water while enjoying the outdoors with these RV water filters
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
When camping, it's important to have access to fresh water. When you’re miles away from civilization, all those water bottles you stocked up on may run out sooner than you'd like. That’s where having the best water filters for RVs come in handy. They keep your water supply fresh and free from harmful bacteria or chemicals that may cut your trip short. Check out our picks for the best RV water filters to bring on your next trip.
Clearcourse Premium RV Water Filter System
Camco TastePURE Water Filter
Culligan RV-800 Water Filter
Benefits of RV Water Filter
- Keep the water clean. Having a water filter inside or outside your RV means you have access to clean filtered water. The drinking water from hookups at campsites or picnic areas may be full of organic compounds, such as sediment or chemicals, so RV water filters help flush out anything unwanted that may be in the line of the water filtration system.
- Prevent clogs. A good, high-quality water filter will help prevent backups in water lines that lower the amount of water pressure you get. The filtration system works to block sediment and impurities from pouring into your drinking water. Without an RV water filter, the liquid may end up blocking the line and even damaging it.
- Saves money. In the long run, having a recreational vehicle water filter kit may, in fact, save you money. As mentioned above, clogs could damage pipes and valves, but having a filter helps alleviate any unwanted things passing through the water line. That means they won’t get damaged, and you won’t have to spend cash to fix any repairs. You also don’t have to stock up on water bottles with a good water filter.
Types of RV Water Filter
Inline Filter
This fits directly to the motorhome’s water entry point to filter all the water supply entering the vehicle into a freshwater tank. An inline filter works to clean out sediment, chemicals, or harmful bacteria, making the water supply you drink taste better. It also gets rid of any unwanted odor that may come from water supply lines and hook-ups.
Compact Canister
A canister RV water filter fits onto the RV water hose outside or directly inside the RV’s water system. Another bonus is that they can be custom-fit to attach to faucets as well. Canisters vary in sizes and even come as a bundle of two or three for specifically designed filtration.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is the process by which water filtration units help to purify the water flowing to the RV. However, this does remove the minerals in the water; while it is not harmful to you, minerals are essential to our body’s metabolism.
Top Brands
Culligan
Culligan was founded in 1936 in Northbrook, Ill., by Emmett Culligan. Now headquartered in Rosemont, Ill., it handles more than 1,000 dealerships and business offices in 85 countries. It makes the Culligan RV-800 Water Filter.
Clearsource
The company focuses on creating water filters to make sure customers get clean, safe-tasting water wherever they are. Clearsource is based out of Southern California and specifically designs filtration systems for RVs. One of its best products is the Clearcourse Premium RV Water Filter System.
RV Water Filter Pricing
- $20-$35: RV water filters in this range will be smaller, giving you less filtration power, meaning it will take longer to filter out unwanted sediment and chemicals. These will more often be a compact canister design.
- $35 and up: These are larger and more powerful filtration systems. They are more heavy-duty and come with more canisters to filter through the water supply.
Key Features
Filter Size
The size and weight of the container and filter cartridge will make a difference in the amount of water it’s able to filter from one hose to the other. While larger RV water filters may be better suited to filtrate the water supply, they are bulky and take up space. Making sure you have a place to stow it while traveling is a must. Also, keep in mind the number of canisters the filtration system has. The more canisters, the quicker the water is filtered to your RV.
Supply Source
Keep in mind how you’re getting your water supply. If you have to hook it up through an outside source at a campground, then having an inline water filter is best. However, if you just want to filter out the faucets and water supply inside the RV, using compact canisters is the way to go. They are lighter and much more compact, as the name suggests.
Other Considerations
- Frequency of Use: If you’re planning a long trip or live out of an RV, making sure to stock up on filters or cleaning them often is something to keep in mind. The more people you have in the vehicle, the more it will be used. Having multiple filters or a backup replacement filter can help make sure you don’t run out of clean drinking water when you need it most.
Best RV Water Filter Reviews & Recommendations 2021
This heavy-duty RV water filtration unit not only looks sleek but is also a go-to unit for many recreational vehicle owners. It’s simple to use and attaches to any RV hose quickly for tasty clean water. Plus, the powder-coated chassis makes it long lasting and able to take bumps and scratches.
The Clearsource premium water filter comes with a two-stage filtration system to give you better tasting water that is odor-free. The 5-micron sediment filter works to clean out any impurities, while the 0.2-micron filter minimizes bacteria like Legionella and E. Coli. The flow of the water is quick and seamless, so you get clean drinking water in no time at all.
However, some things to note are the size, weight, and the price of this RV water filter. It is on the heavier size, coming in at 17 pounds, and it is more expensive than other water filters. A replacement cartridge may end up costing more as well, but altogether it’s one of the best water filters to make sure your RV’s drinking water is safe to drink.
Camco says this inline water filter is built to last an entire camping season, giving you months of fresh water to drink while you enjoy the outdoors. A feature that helps filter out water from campground hook-ups is the simple design of the container. While it isn’t large, the small but wide body allows the water to flow through quickly and effortlessly to your RV.
The 20-micron granular-activated carbon filter removes bacteria, sediment, chlorine, and other chemicals from entering the water supply. KDF technology prevents fungus from growing in the container. This goes a long way towards cleaning the filter as well. The filter can also be attached to any standard water or garden hose, so it can be used at home as well.
While this is a great water filter, there have been reports of the hose leaking. It’s also recommended to run the water for 30 seconds to a minute each time before filling any drinking glasses. There have been mentions of a bad taste and odor coming from the water after having just turned it on.
This water filtration unit produces clean water for drinking, cooking, etc. It lasts one season so you spend more time camping and less time worrying about cleaning the filter. The filter is easy to connect to RVs, boats, and camper units and provides a smooth flow of water pressure.
What we like about this product is the built-in, specially designed filter that reduces bacteria, bad taste, odor, chlorine, and sediments from building up on the line and your drinking water.
However, the water flow rate isn’t as fast as others and the connector hose is on the shorter side, so you will have to purchase an extension hose or park closer to the water source. A flexible hose protector will help prevent leaks and will improve the flow of water.
If you're looking for an efficient RV water filter, this is a great option. This particular model removes chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride, sediments, rust, and other contaminants. You can enjoy fresh and tasty water no matter where you are.
Along with being designed to filter water efficiently, the device is also built to last. The water filter features plastic housing that is resistant to bursting. You can attach it to any standard water hose and have fresh-tasting water during your camping adventure. If you use this filter with a flexible hose it will minimizes kinking to ensure smooth water flow at all times.
The water filter is well made, but the hose attachment is rather flimsy. It gets damaged easily and might cause leaks. Some users complain about the accessory not being included in the package. You have to either handle the attachment very carefully or buy a new one separately.
The Waterdrop water filter is designed to provide fresh and clean water during an entire camping season. It's an efficient device that uses Kinetic Degradation Fluxion and Advanced Granular Activated Carbon technologies to eliminate contaminants in water and reduce bad odor and taste. It eliminates the need to buy gallons and gallons of water so you can enjoy the outdoors much more.
The main reason why people opt for this water filter is its durable construction. The item is built to last and provides a constant flow of fresh water. It's also easy to install thanks to its compatibility with 3/4GHT standard water hoses. The anti-kink flexible hose protector is also included in the package for more stability and durability. All in all, this water filter works perfectly in RVs and boats and is good for all kinds of other outdoor applications.
Although rather useful and efficient, the filter might change the water flow. The slower rate is not that noticeable, but it might bother those who need the superior water flow for their applications. We also noticed that the hose attachment is prone to damage and might break after some time. The good thing is that you can attach the water filter directly to the hose.
Camco offers a water filter kit to keep you supplied with fresh and tasty water at all times. The package includes a water filter, an extension hose, and a replaceable polypropylene filter cartridge. You can mount the item in a few simple steps and filter water for safe consumption.
The filter features a five-micron barrier and granulated active carbon to reduce bad taste and odors in water. It also works to eliminate bacteria, sediments, and more. The result of such an effective filter is clean and fresh water that always has a good taste. Another great thing about this particular water filter is its simple and durable design. You can attach it to all regular water hoses and enjoy its reliable performance for quite a while.
The thing you might want to keep in mind is the overall weight of the filter. It's quite heavy, and you might need to place it on the stand for extra security. Otherwise, the filter might fall over and pull out the connectors, causing leaks. Another minor inconvenience is that the included hose is too short and can't always make it to the ground level.
The Culligan water filter is specially designed for recreational vehicles and outdoor use. It's ideal for keeping water fresh and clear when far away from your home. The filter reduces bad taste and odor, eliminating contaminants for safe water consumption. You'll find it rather efficient and reliable.
The Culligan RVF-10 filtration system is versatile and works with most standard hoses. It also comes with an adapter and mounts within minutes. Thanks to quality design, the item is powerful enough to filter 250 gallons of water. Durable plastic housing and a quality filtration cartridge also prolong the lifespan of the filter. You'll definitely be able to use the system for a while and enjoy tasty water while on your adventures.
You might have to buy a connector hose, though. The one included is too short and you probably won't be able to use it. We also recommend double-checking the fittings once you mount the water filter. They might come loose and cause leaks, so it’s crucial to tighten them properly to avoid issues.
The Boogie Brew water filter is incredibly popular among RVers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The reasons for this are various, starting with a quality design and excellent performance. The water filter eliminates chlorine and chloramine almost completely. It also reduces the levels of toxins and other harmful particles found in water.
With the ability to filter up to 45,000 gallons of water, this model proves to be one of the best options on the market. It will not only last for an entire camping season, but will also be useful for home applications afterward. On top of that, the water filter is easy to install, so you get to use it from your RV to your garden, pool, pond, and more. No matter where you mount it, the filter will provide clear water safe for consumption.
When it comes to drawbacks, the main one is the price. You'll have to add some extra cash to get the filter. If you're looking for an inexpensive alternative, you might want to check out some other options on our list. Another possible issue regards the quality of the connectors. They are fragile and tend to break easily. To prevent leaks, tighten the connectors carefully because they might break under high pressure.
The Hydro Life water filter is specially designed for trailers, RVs, and boats. It works on exterior water lines to reduce contaminants in water and make it safe and tasty. With it, you'll get a season of clean water wherever the road takes you.
The item is made to filter out contaminants as well as odors and bacteria. It's rather convenient for outdoor use and mounts easily on standard hoses. Thanks to the simple and compact design, the water filter stays securely attached to the hose. It doesn't fall over or disconnect from the fittings, so you won't have any issues with spills and leaks.
The one thing to keep in mind with this water filter is that it doesn't last for very long. If you're only planning to use it for a season on your RV, it will get the job done. For longer use and more versatility, you'll probably have to look for alternatives. The Hydro Life water filter also requires frequent cleaning because it gets clogged every once in a while.
Here we have another simple and effective water filter you can use while traveling with your RV. Because it features KDF technology, fluoride remover, and granular activated carbon, the filter cleans water efficiently and effortlessly. It also provides a steady flow and keeps water tasty and fresh at all times.
The filter is tested for accuracy and proves to remove rust, sediment, fluoride, heavy metals, and all kinds of other sediments and contaminants. As a result, the filtered water is pure and safe for consumption. All you need to do is to attach the water filter to the hose, and that's about it. The only extra thing you can do is to mount an included anti-kink hose protector to prevent strain on the connectors.
You'll still have to be extra careful when handling and storing the anti-kink hose protector. The metal end is thin and might break easily. Additionally, you might want to consider your application before the purchase. This water filter is only meant to be used for three months, so it's not ideal for long-term applications.
Tips
- Don’t get a water filter confused with a water purification system. While a filter will help make sure the water you drink is clean, a purification system works to make unsafe water safe to drink.
- Be sure to clean the filter when advised. Running water through it after it’s recommended to change it can damage the hose or container.
- If you have more people joining you during your camping trip, consider bringing more canisters or filters.
- To get the best water possible, run the filtration system a few minutes before using it as drinking water. Dump out the dirty water until it looks clear.
FAQs
Q: How often should I change my RV water filter?
A: Many models have an indicator, whether a light or noise, that alerts you to change the filter. However, if the taste or odor of the water changes, it may be time to swap out the filter.
Q: Can I use a water filter for hot water?
A: No, it is highly recommended that you do not run hot water through the filter. They are designed to handle cold water, and hotter water can reverse the process of chemical absorption.
Q: How long does a filter last?
A: This is a difficult question to answer. It all depends on how often you use the water filter and how large the container is. Generally, an RV water filter will last three months, however, many can last up to six months.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a long-lasting and heavy-duty RV water filter, then check out the Clearcourse Premium RV Water Filter System.
You can save some cash and still get a great filter to provide you with clean drinking water with the Camco TastePURE Water Filter.
Why Trust Us
Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.
Learn more