What Is the Best Water Filter for Renters in Australia?

Renters in Australia often want cleaner, better-tasting water but are limited by strict lease conditions that prevent plumbing modifications or permanent installations. The good news is that there are highly effective water filtration systems designed specifically for renters that require no drilling, no plumbing changes and no landlord approval.

This guide explains which water filters are best for Australian renters, why they work and how to choose the right system based on your tap type, water source and lifestyle.

For renters in Australia, the best water filters are systems that do not permanently alter the property and can be removed without damage at the end of a lease.

Based on renter-specific requirements, the most suitable options are:

• Gravity water filters (no tap connection or electricity required)

• Benchtop water filters with diverter valves (temporary tap connection only)

• Plug-and-play reverse osmosis water stations (power point only, no plumbing)

These systems are effective at reducing common Australian tap water contaminants such as chlorine, sediment, heavy metals from ageing pipes, fluoride and emerging chemicals like PFAS, while remaining fully landlord-friendly.

Among these options, benchtop gravity water filters offer the highest compatibility across rental properties. Benchtop tap-connected systems are ideal for households that want filtered water on demand, provided the kitchen tap is compatible.

To identify the most suitable water filters for Australian renters, each system was assessed against five renter-specific criteria:

1. Installation Type – No drilling, plumbing changes or permanent fixtures

2. Lease Safety – Can be removed without damaging the property

3. Filtration Capability – Effectiveness against chlorine, fluoride, bacteria, heavy metals and PFAS

4. Tap Compatibility – Suitability for standard, square or round taps

5. Portability – Easy to relocate between rental properties

Only systems that met all five criteria are included in this guide.

Australia is known for having safe, regulated drinking water. However, “safe to drink” does not always mean free from contaminants that affect taste, odour or long-term exposure risk.

By the time water reaches a rental property, it may have travelled through kilometres of ageing infrastructure. Older Australian homes and apartments often contain brass taps and internal pipework, which can leach small amounts of lead and copper into drinking water over time.

To maintain disinfection, municipal water supplies are treated with chlorine or chloramine, which can cause the familiar “swimming pool” taste and smell. In some regions, fluoride is added for dental health, while emerging contaminants such as PFAS have become an increasing concern nationwide.

For renters, bottled water is not a practical solution. It is expensive, inconvenient and environmentally harmful. A renter-friendly water filter provides a portable, long-term solution that improves water quality without risking your bond.

The table below compares the main types of water filters suitable for renters, based on installation requirements and contaminant reduction capability.

At My Water Filter, we curate filtration systems that work specifically for rental properties. Below are the best options categorised by installation type.

Standalone systems are the most universally compatible option for renters. They do not connect to the kitchen tap and work independently of plumbing.

Product: Filteroo® Superoo Stainless Steel Gravity Water Filter (with or without fluoride reduction)

Stainless steel gravity water filters are widely regarded as the most flexible option for renters because they operate without plumbing or electricity.

The Filteroo® Superoo uses gravity to push water through high-performance carbon block cartridges, reducing chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, bacteria and cysts. An optional fluoride reduction stage removes over 90% of fluoride while retaining healthy minerals.

Why renters choose it:

• No installation or tap connection

• Compatible with all kitchen setups

• Extremely durable 304 stainless steel construction

• Easy to relocate when moving

• Suitable for town water or rainwater

Product: Filteroo® Joey 12L Gravity Ceramic Water Filter

Ceramic gravity filters combine effective filtration with natural temperature regulation.

The Filteroo Joey uses a ceramic filtration candle that physically blocks bacteria and cysts, while reducing chlorine, heavy metals and fluoride. The clay body naturally keeps water cooler than room temperature without refrigeration.

Why renters choose it:

• Zero installation required

• Naturally cool water without electricity

• Compact footprint for small kitchens

• Family heirloom with a 20-year warranty

Product: Philips Aquaporin Reverse Osmosis Water Station

Plug-and-play reverse osmosis systems are ideal for renters in hard water areas such as Adelaide, Perth and parts of regional Australia. They are also fantastic in capital cities, as they will remove the most contaminants of all filtration styles.

This unit removes dissolved salts, limescale, fluoride, heavy metals, bacteria, and viruses, then re-mineralises the water for improved taste.

Why renters choose it:

• No plumbing required

• Ideal for high TDS or hard water

• Instant hot water function

• Compact design for small kitchens

These systems connect temporarily to a standard round kitchen tap using a diverter valve.

Product: ULTRAPURE 10" Triple Benchtop Water Filter

Benchtop systems provide filtered water on demand and are well suited to families or share houses.

This three-stage system targets sediment, fluoride, chlorine, PFAS, heavy metals, bacteria and viruses, while protecting appliances from scale buildup.

Why renters choose it:

• Filtered water on demand for families and share houses

• No permanent installation or plumbing changes

• Targets chlorine, fluoride, PFAS and heavy metals

• Protects appliances from sediment and scale buildup

Important compatibility note:
This unit requires a standard round tap with a removable aerator. It will not fit square taps or pull-out spray hoses.

Product: UltraStream Hydrogen Rich Ioniser Water Filter

Some renters prioritise water for wellness rather than volume. The UltraStream reduces fluoride, chlorine, heavy metals and pesticides, while infusing water with dissolved hydrogen and beneficial minerals to raise alkalinity.

Why renters choose it:

• No electricity required

• No wastewater

• Easy to disconnect when moving

• Designed for daily health use

Product: Aquasana Premium Shower Filter

Water quality matters beyond drinking. This shower filter reduces chlorine, chemical vapours and heavy metals, helping protect skin and hair from dryness and irritation.

Why renters choose it:

• Installs in minutes

• No tools or plumber required

• Compatible with most shower setups

• Fully reversible at end of lease

1. Kitchen Tap Type

• Standard round tap: All benchtop and gravity systems will work

• Square or pull-out spray tap: Choose a standalone gravity or RO system

2. Water Source

• Town water: Focus on chlorine, fluoride and PFAS reduction

• Rainwater: Choose systems with ceramic or bacteria-rated filtration

3. Lifestyle & Lease Length

• Frequent movers benefit from gravity systems

• Large households benefit from benchtop flow-on-demand systems

• Renters should avoid under-sink systems requiring drilling or plumbing changes

• Gravity filters offer the highest compatibility across rental properties

• Benchtop systems provide faster flow but require compatible taps

• Older rentals may benefit from lead and sediment reduction

• Portable systems allow renters to keep their investment when moving

Living in a rental property does not mean compromising on water quality.

Renter-friendly water filters provide a safe, effective and portable solution without risking your bond or violating lease conditions. Whether you choose a standalone gravity system or a high-flow benchtop filter, you can enjoy cleaner, better-tasting water wherever you live.