Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter
by Culligan
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter
Customer Review: Finally, I can drink tap water again!
Summary: 5 Stars
PROS: Low-profile, easy to install, removes all unpleasant odors from my tap water
CONS: A little slow to fill more than about a pint (e.g. coffeepot)
Right now I'm doing something that I haven't done in years--drinking a glass of tap water from the faucet in my kitchen! I bought this filtration system about a month ago from Amazon because the price was low and it looked like it wouldn't be in the way when I didn't need it, which turned out to be the case. It's small with a low profile and it's not a nuisance when washing dishes, etc. It also installed in seconds with no need for an adapter on my faucet.
Of course, the main attraction is that it does a great job filtering the water. The water from my tap has a fairly strong chemical odor (which I can't identify, but it tastes chlorinated and slightly salty), but this filter completely removes it. I have taste-tested it against bottled water and I can't tell any difference.
Perhaps the best feature is the small knob on the side that you simply pull out to start filtering the water that automatically disengages whenever you turn off the faucet. This way the faucet always defaults to unfiltered water, which means you don't wind up filtering water when you don't need to. Some other reviewers have complained about this knob malfunctioning on their units, but so far I've had no problems whatsoever.
About the only con I can pick out is that the filter is a little slow when filling my coffeepot. However, it is just fine for filling a glass of water. In fact, it filters much faster than my Brita pitcher ever did, and without the hassle of having to refill it every time it gets used.
Filter replacements are cheap on Amazon right now, and even moreso if you use the Subscribe and Save option. Since you're supposed to replace the filter every 2 months, it's a good to take advantage of anyway (though I'll probably stretch it into 3-4 months since I get less than a gallon from it a day).
If you're tired of the expense and environmental guilt of bottled water and the hassle of a pitcher, try this Culligan faucet filter. It does just as good a job, if not better, and quite a bit more efficiently and cheaply.
Customer Review: Tried Them All, So Far This One's Best
Summary: 4 Stars
I went through several Pur units and finally gave up on them, after they consistently sprung leaks. I then tried Brita, which initially I liked a lot, but after I accidentally broke the first unit, the replacement unit stopped working after only a few months (the water just didn't go through the filter). So I finally tried Culligan.
First, it costs less than the others, for both the unit and the filters.
Second, the metal mount is obviously superior. I didn't have a problem with the Pur or Brita plastic mounts because my faucet is threaded on the outside and neither ever popped off, but many people have had problems with them. The Culligan is very solid, screws right on, and stays firmly attached without dripping.
Third, the filtration function automatically turns off when you turn off the water, so that the next time you turn it on, the default is nonfiltered water. This saves the life of the filter--it filters only when you want it to. However, on my unit this function stopped within a few weeks; the plunger that is supposed to pop back in when you turn off the tap, and thereby close the filter, stays open, so I have to push it back in when I'm finished or it will automatically filter next time I turn on the faucet.
Fourth, although some have commented that the flow through the filter is slow, in my view it's not so slow as to be a problem, just somewhat slower than the others. I also like the fact that it doesn't come out so forcefully that I have to be cautious when filling ice cube trays; with the Brita, it bounces out of the tray and sprays all over unless you keep the flow very low.
Fifth, the unit is simple and sturdy. The only moving part is the plunger that engages the filter, and there don't appear to be places for it to spring leaks, so it appears that it'll last.
The one issue--and the reason I didn't give it five stars: it has no indicator when the filter is used up. That's the downside of simplicity, I suppose. You have to make a note to replace it every two months, and that may be either sooner or later than you really need to. If they come up with some kind of simple indicator, this will be unbeatable.
Customer Review: Compact, sturdy and functional
Summary: 5 Stars
Before buying this Culligan filter, I had the PUR Flavor Options filter that I purchased based on the appeal of having flavored water. The flavored water turned out to be kind of a gimmick - the flavors didn't taste very good to me, and a lot of flavoring was required to flavor the water, making the flavor cartridges a much more expensive "habit" than I had expected. I had the unit for about 4 months, but had given up on buying the flavor cartridges long before that, and switched back to my old favorite, Crystal Light. So basically I had this HUGE, CLUNKY unit that was just there for the purpose of filtering water, and was unnecessarily bulky. At about the 4 month mark, the connector piece that connects the unit to the faucet (cheap plastic) broke (became stripped), and I later found out that this is a very common complaint with PUR units. So instead of calling for a replacement connector, I decided to see what else was out there. I'm glad I did, because I came across the rave reviews for this Culligan filter system. Now that I wasn't shopping based on the flavor gimmick, I could focus on the design and functionality of the unit itself. I just got it and set it up yesterday (took about 3 minutes). This thing is, in my opinion, about a small of a unit as you could get - it is barely bigger than the filter itself, which is the way it should be. It is metal, as are the faucet connector piece and the toggle switch which changes from regular water to filtered. The unit appears to be much sturdier than the PUR unit I had, and I can see it lasting much longer than my last one. I can't officially speak for the durability since I've only had it for one day, but I have a feeling it will last a good long time. Additionally, the flow of filtered water is much better/faster than with the PUR filter. The water tastes great too! As an added bonus, it "defaults" to unfiltered water until you pull out the little switch to use the filter, and automatically returns to unfiltered when you turn off the flow of water. This will mean no wasted filtered water, and hence a longer filter life. Trust the great reviews and go with the Culligan - you'll be glad you did!Customer Review: Great for now!
Summary: 5 Stars
I used to purchase PUR water filters because I loved the way they made my water taste. Earlier PUR models would last at least a year or two. Then, they cheapened down the device so much (while increasing the cost) that they begin to crack and leak after just a month or two of use. The newest model cost me the most and kept falling off the faucet, since it was only held on by a plastic device that would lose it's shape. To their credit, I contact PUR and they mailed me a new faucet ring immediately. After a week of using the new fixture, it fell off again. I called them and got another ring. It fell off in a matter of days. Altogether, I've gone through 5 Pur filter systems (in different styles) in one year, hoping to find one that would hold up. I've finally run out of refills (I bought them in bulk, so I kept trying to find a PUR that would last so I could use them up--they're expensive!) and decided to try a different brand. The Culligan arrived very quickly from this seller. I was pleased with the cost, too. The refill filters cost as much as a PUR filter refill but lasts twice as long. The actual filter itself is a fraction of the cost of a PUR. The Culligan has a very simple design (without all the bells and whistles), and I was pleased--the simplier the design, the less that can go wrong. It was EXTREMELY easy to put on--I did it myself in 30 seconds. The fixture to the faucet is metal, so I don't expect there to be a warping problem as with the PUR filter. It is VERY light weight, so there is less strain on the faucet itself. It has great water pressure. The water tastes great. It does NOT automatically stop running when the filter is dirty, so you do have to keep track of when to replace it yourself. I just put a date on my replacement filter so I know when to install the new refill. The device is easy to open--the PUR filter, with the round design, was almost impossible to unscrew at times. There are ridges at the base of the Culligan that makes this no problem. So far, we are extremely pleased with the filter. I can't see any design flaws, yet. I will write again if any arise.Customer Review: Culligan filter beats PUR's quality
Summary: 5 Stars
The PUR FM 9400 filter is finally in the trash. We have used PUR filters over a period of 3 years and they have all started to leak after a short period of time (even after changing gaskets and checking sealing surfaces etc).
The quality of the Culligan FM-15A filter housing and fittings are far superior and easier to seal.
The taste of the water is identical from the two filters.
Additional benefits:
Culligan vs PUR
- The Culligan filter is rated for 200 gallons and the PUR only for 100 gallons.
- Easy to replace the Culligan filter cartridge. In contrast it is VERY difficult to unscrew the PUR housing cap for filter replacement.
- Cartridge and holder is lighter and puts less stress on the faucet. The PUR assembly is large and heavy (perhaps this is causing it to leak and crack).
- Easier to switch to filtered water by pulling the knob on the side. The rotating knob on the PUR filter is hard to turn.
- The knob on the side automatically switches back to unfiltered position when the faucet is turned off. You have to physically rotate the "hard to turn" knob on the PUR filter.
- The water outlet (hole and bottom of the filter) is part of the replacement filter. In contrast the PUR filter housing outlet needs cleaned thoroughly for lime and other deposits prior to installation of a new filter.
- The cost of the Culligan filter housing is significantly less than the PUR unit.
- The Culligan filter has no battery. It is not clear if it environmentally safe to dispose of the PUR filter (the battery is not accessible by the customer).
Minor issues
Some faucets may require that you install a fitting that will adapt to the filter holder. These adapters are included from both manufacturers but the Culligan requires a 10 mm hex key and the PUR adapter can be tightened with a coin. It is harder to ensure a tight seal of the adapter using the coin as compared to the hex key (I prefer the hex key myself).