Tabletop water filters are a practical and simple way to filter water for coffee. Generally, and in almost all regions, the tap water is too hard to make good coffee. At the same time, hard water also endangers your coffee machine, as it allows limescale to build up.
With tabletop water filters or other filtration methods, water can be filtered so that it tastes delicious and is also good for coffee and espresso machines.
In this test, tabletop water filters from BWT, Brita, Lotus Vita, LARQ, Aarke, Yucona, and Peak were tested.
Good water values for brewing 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 have written more about perfect water for coffee in our detailed blog post about "Coffee Water." Another test summarizes the results of the most commonly used plug-in filter cartridges for espresso machines and automatic coffee machines. So-called water filter pads can also soften water, but they take time.
To analyze your own water, we recommend using titration drops. In Switzerland, you can get the BWT test kit and in Germany, the Brita test kit from us.
Tabletop water filters compared to water pads and plug-in filters
Plug-in water filters generally provide the best water filtration. They are inserted into the water tank. The suction of the pump in the machine forces the water through the filter with pressure or force. This achieves good filtration performance.
Water filter pads are placed 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 reach the target range.
Tabletop water filters are positioned between plug-in filters and filter pads. Water flows through the filter inserts by gravity and is filtered in a few minutes. Some of the tested filters achieved good target values because they were designed for decalcification. Other filters missed the target values, as the test shows.
We have created two videos about tabletop water filters. First, there is our main video with all the details and additional explanations.
Second, we recorded a second version that briefly and concisely summarizes the results in a few minutes.
How was the test conducted?
The tabletop filters were first prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Subsequently, 1 liter, 5 liters, another 5 liters, and then 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 filters were recommended to us for testing by the coffee community. Both filters are presented for improving water quality in general, not explicitly as filters for preparing water for coffee brewing. Nevertheless, such a test is exciting and reveals characteristics of different water filters. Both filters effectively remove total hardness, i.e., calcium and magnesium, from the water. However, they do not or hardly reduce alkalinity. The hardness of our input water is 13 German hardness total hardness and 10 German hardness alkalinity. While total hardness is reduced, the alkalinity reduction is too low for effective water filtration for coffee preparation.
We recommend both filters for effective pollutant removal. 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
The four table water filters from Brita, BWT, Peak and Aarke are all capable of filtering good coffee water. The filtering 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 precise target values, the BWT filter would require a second filtration with our tap 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, as a flow rate reduction allows for more or less filtering. 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 filtering performance is certainly perfect. Those who only have to contend with 12 dH total hardness will certainly manage with a lower filtering performance. This flexibility allows for individual adaptation to local conditions - very good!
Unfortunately, the build quality of the Peak filter is not good. The pitcher looks cheap and unstable. Here, the Aarke filter clearly scores points. The filter is made of glass, the filter insert of stainless steel. The filter can be refilled itself and, next to a high-quality espresso machine, makes the best impression as a filter.
Summary of Results
The water filters from Peak, Aarke, Brita and, with some reservations, BWT were convincing in the test. The Lotus Vita filter and the LARQ filter are primarily intended 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.
Although the Yucona filter is a decalcifier, its performance is low. Among the filters suitable for coffee, it shows the lowest filtering effect in terms of alkalinity reduction. Multiple filtering of the water is necessary to achieve the target values.
You can find all our articles on the topic of coffee and water here.
