Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter
by Culligan
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List Price: Our Price: $14.99 You Save: $11.00 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter
Customer Review: Have been using sink faucet filters for years, this is my first Culligan. Sofar so good!
Summary: 5 Stars
As I was saying in the title, we have had every brand of water filter on our sink since we moved in, (roughly 7 years). Our city water is pretty good, not nearly as bad as my parents water that comes from a well. Brita are very expensive, and I could never get it to install well enough so that it wouldn't leak all the time. PUR was the same way. Also, those replacement filters were just about as expensive as the whole unit so I often just bought a new unit instead of bothering with a filter hoping it would stop leaking.
I decided to give Culligan a shot. Growing up in South Florida, Culligan water softeners were everywhere. The unit price is very good and the replacement filter cost is awesome. Installing the unit was straight forward. I have a new faucet that had a female connector so I had to use an adapter. Once I put that in it was a snap to install the Culligan. One thing I like alot about the unit is that it swings freely from one side to the other.
Leaks (+)
Doesn't leak at all and moves freely from either side of the faucet without any leaking.
Taste (+)
Like I was saying our water is pretty good but can taste a bit chlorine like at times and this filter cleans it even further.
Features (+)
As other reviews mentioned its great to pull out the knob, let your glass fill and then when you turn it off it goes back to the faucet automatically.
Flow (-)
One thing I am a bit disappointed with is the water flow. It is significantly slower than our last filter (Brita). I can only assume its cleaning better.
Overall (+)
This is a fine filter making water that is almost tasteless. Even if you live where the water is "clean" it cant hurt to filter the water one more time before you drink it.
Tip: Run the water for a couple of minutes after install because the first bit that comes out is black.
Thanks for reading my review.
Customer Review: Shoulda shouted "Hey, Culligan Man!" sooner.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was a loyal PUR user until Procter & Gamble's greed destroyed what was once a great product. P&G's relentless downgrading of PUR's quality is driving customers away while the reviews for Brita's faucet-mount filters are only slightly less scathing. The common problem: planned obsolescence of that connection to the faucet. Unless it's made from high-grade thermoplastic or metal, the faucet connection will become hard and brittle as hot water passes through. Cracks develop, leaks begin to spring and in worst-case situations, the whole thing blows off while filling the sink to do the dishes. Seems both Brita and PUR are guilty of this cost-cutting measure.
Culligan's faucet filter features a metal connection with a removable aerator. Unlike PUR and Brita, the Culligan's replacement cartridge is the entire filtering system, so when you replace the cartridge, you don't have to worry about filtered water passing through an opening that's difficult or impossible to keep clean. You even get a fresh undamaged O-ring on each new filter, so there's even less likelihood of leaks.
The filtered water has the slight tang of spring water, though this might only be because the true taste was masked by the impurities removed. The taste is enhanced by chilling. The unit switches back to plain water automatically, so you're less likely to run hot water through the filter and render it useless.
I was going to withhold a star because the Culligan lacks a filter life monitor like the PUR and some Brita models, but knowing that this one will probably outlast several cartridge replacements, I'm happy to give it all five. I'll just stick the sticker on the calendar and get on with life.
UPDATE: After a year and then some, the Culligan filter is still performing as advertised: no leaks, no squirting, no dribbles. Just glass after glass of great tasting water.
Customer Review: Sturdy, simple, works great
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my third faucet-attached water filter. I think it's finally my last.
I chose the previous two because they were somewhat more attractive. That was a mistake. Despite being shiny, the most important bits were plastic, and failed easily. Having the shiny front facade of my Pur faucet filter repeatedly fall off and into the disposal was no joy.
The faucet-connected bits of this model are 100% metal, and sturdy at that. The filter basin is still plastic, but it's a thicker plastic than the Pur or Brita units, and it sure feels like it's going to last.
San Francisco water is okay, but has a bit of a chlorine taste. This gets rid of that completely, making it taste better than Dasani bottled water - probably on par with Arrowhead for the almost-absent taste, but not as good as Glaceau.
One really cool feature, which I haven't seen in other units, is that the filter automatically switches back to tap mode when you turn off the faucet. There's a little spring-loaded bit you pull to switch to filtered, and that pops back when the water pressure is gone.
The only down side is that this seems to require more water pressure than the other units I've had. This means that water comes out much more slowly - a good 20-30 seconds to fill an 18 ounce cup. It's not dreadful, but it would be nice if water went through the filter a bit more quickly. Maybe that means it's a better filter, but wouldn't it be possible to make the filter a bit larger to let more water through at once to compensate?
Still, on the whole - I couldn't suggest any other model after spending some time with this one.
Update:
I knocked a star off on this. It's still the best I've used, but after about 4 months, the spring stopped turning the unit off automatically. It works perfectly, but it's back to being a manual switch.
Customer Review: Mixed Review
Summary: 4 Stars
We just moved into town, leaving behind our good well water. We have temporarily been using bottled water and just switched to this faucet filter. However this morning as I was washing dishes by hand, I removed it. It was really in my face as I worked at the sink and it has often been in the way as I reached for either the hot or cold faucet. (It doesn't obstruct the faucet handles, it's just in my line of sight and hides them from view.)
It always seemed to be in the way when I went to swivel the faucet to one side or the other. I tried the filter on both the right side and left side of the faucet. It's nice that you have that choice but it didn't make any difference for me.
Obviously this has a lot to do with my sink setup, my height and my druthers. I am keeping the filter because I may be getting a new sink and fixtures and may try it again in the future.
I was dissappointed in the taste of the water but I can only compare it with well water and the bottled water we have been using. I guess I will get a pitcher filter and then I will know if a different filter actually results in a different taste. It definitely removed the chlorine taste.
Flow is slow but adequate. We had decided if it was too slow for us we would fill a jug for quicker delivery when we needed it. For instance, if you were filling a number of water glasses for dinner you would tie up the sink for quite a while.
I am giving it 4 stars because it seems to be doing what it's supposed to. The devil is in the details.
Pros:
Went on easily with included adapter
Doesn't leak
Cons:
Filters not available locally, have to order from amazon
In my face
It says water over 100º will ruin filter and it seems to me that is likely to happen by accident
Customer Review: IT worked for me so far just testing the filter life now
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with the last poster 100% works great what I like is you can adjust it to the left / right or anywhere to 180 degrees of the faucet head and the tap water comes out the same spot . I like mine to the far right so I dont lose any sink room . I was worried about that . The water is pure . I drink bottled water normally this tasted better no plastic ..just wonderful . I needed clean water for a humidifier . I was able to put this on the second bathroom faucet . I love it . I hated rinsing after brushing my teeth with the well water but the filter water is top quality . My only worry is filters wont last long with my well contaninents , rust , pete , calcium ,,However it works great after the instal . I did take chanel locks and give it a quarter turn past finger tight to get it to seal tight . I wouldnt tighten it anymore but my fingers are weak a strong grip could instal it with no tools . Thanks so much for being enthusiastic for you that liked this and getting me to try it . I cant believe I have used those pitchers when this is so easy . Its right there where I need clean drinking water in the bathroom in small quanities yet I can wash my hands and use the sink with the well water when I want to also saving the filter . Its great just pull the plunger when you want drinking or clear water otherwise it gives you the tap water . I cant believe i lived here 16 years without this ;-( . Oh well I used cheap throw away razors for 20 years before i figured out more expensive cost Gillete's mach3's were really cheaper and better per shave . God Bless .
ps you turn counter clockwise to tighten if you looking down from the top its clockwise if you were looking up from the bottom of the sink . Right tight left loose .