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: Sturdy, has lasted so far...
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this as a replacement after becoming frustrated with the PUR faucet mount filter unit, which sprang several leaks in mysterious ways after just 4 months of use.
I have owned this Culligan unit for 2 months now, and I am very pleased. My first impressions of the Culligan FM-15A are good. The unit is made of sturdy and dense plastic, and can handle the interior water pressure generated as water moves through the filter. I like the metal faucet mount as it is sturdy and maintains an aerated water flow of the un-filtered water for washing dishes. Unlike other users, I haven't yet had a problem with the valve switch sticking in the on position - it continually returns to the off position once the water is turned off.
The unit is also has a smooth plastic exterior, which is nice for easy cleaning should the exterior become dirty with normal use from food, dirty water, or dirty hands.
The FM-15A improves the water quality noticeably for me in both taste and clarity. However, the water doesn't taste as fresh as it did from my former PUR filter. I'm not sure, but I believe this difference is simply a matter of water aeration and not a reflection of the quality of the filtered water--the water exiting the Culligan FM-15A has a smooth laminar flow, as opposed to the PUR filter which had an additional aerator/sprayer for the filtered water.
I'll update this review in a few months as to whether it outlasts my former PUR filter unit. I'm hoping it does!
Customer Review: Small form factor, solid unit, great price, and good taste
Summary: 5 Stars
I have only owned this product a week, but I bought it as a replacement to the PUR faucet-mount filter that I owned. Although I liked the PUR 3-stage filters, the PUR system started leaking within 6-months of purchasing, although not nearly as bad as the newer horizontal mount units that are getting some bad reviews on Amazon.
PROS:
This unit, although not necessarily designed with style in mind, does seem be be a fairly good quality product. I like the pull-out tab that disengages when the faucet is turned off. I like the small form factor. I like how the water tastes, which is very close to what PUR 3-stage filters produced. The water flows through the filter unit at a decent rate, although it is nothing to brag about.
CONS:
After mounting the unit, I've noticed that the unfiltered water output pressure is probably half what it was before I put it on. I don't know exactly what is doing this, but I have noticed that the unfiltered water seems to be aerated quite heavily, which could be the source of the lower pressure. The filters last only two months, with no indicator of filter life left. However, my opinion of those filter indicators for most of these faucet-mount systems is that they are unreliable. Just view the complaints about the Brita faucet-mount systems that indicate that they've gone bad 4 times sooner than they should. All I do is enter the change date in my gmail calendar, with an email notification of when it needs to be changed.
Customer Review: Better than the Pur filter!
Summary: 4 Stars
Some people would consider me a water snob, but I can't drink tap water. First, I tried buying a cooler and some water bottles and refilling them at my local Rite Aid, but that got really annoying really soon. Then, I had water delivered to my house, but then I was paying more than $50 a month! So, I opted for the water filter. I bought a Pur water filter. It worked great (great!) for the first few months, but after I replaced the cartridge, the filter started leaking. I'm not the only one, read the reviews.
So, I looked and looked, and all faucet filters (Pur, Brita) had leaking problems. So, I tried the Culligan (cheap, recognizable brand name). It didn't disappoint. Water tastes great, and it has a cheap replacement cartridge. Best of all, no leaks!!!!
Only drawback: Pur and Brita let you know when you need to replace the cartridge by flashing a red light. Culligan's cartridge "has" to be replaced every two months, and you don't know if it actually needs to be replaced sooner or later. Other than that, fantastic filter.
Edit (June 12, 2009):
Unfortunately, my Culligan has started dying on me. The filter has a clever mechanism to switch from regular water to filtered water. I don't know if it's because the water is too hard, but that mechanism gets stuck now. It's no big deal; you just have to remember to make sure you switch to regular water after each use. Otherwise, you could turn on the hot water and ruin the filter.
Customer Review: Superior to PUR
Summary: 5 Stars
This is what a faucet mount filter should be. I went through 3 PUR horizontal filters, and each quickly developed drips and leaks. The gimmicky indicator lights never warned until the filter would just shut off inexplicably, and I would have to unscrew the slippery design and reset the filter. P&G customer support was good, sending a coupon for a new filter, but enough was enough and I discovered that Culligan made this.
The design is rock solid, much smaller, and I used some of the adaptors just fine. The auto shut-off is great! And it shuts off just fine even using the adaptors, despite what one of the negative reviews here says. Fitting this on your faucet is not rocket science, and is much easier than the slippery PUR. I don't know if maybe some of the reviewers who claimed it didn't fit failed to check the box for the numerous adaptors, or were just smoking crack.
A single filter for the Culligan lasts 200 gal and costs less than a 100 gal PUR filter... do the math... Also, less waste from tossed filters!
Now, the taste. It is different than the PUR, and to be honest the PUR tasted better-- but I had been using it for 2+ years and was used to it. The water from the Culligan tastes "softer" but quickly grew on me. Maybe I miss the nasty mildew on the end of the PUR... the Culligan has a great design in that the spout is integrated and is repaced with the filter.
This is the faucet filter to get. Buy one now.
Customer Review: This is a Good Product
Summary: 5 Stars
First, the water tastes reallygood. Or I should say it doesn't taste, so I rate the product as excellent. Second, to respond to the other reviews which characterize the auto switch button as not working: WHO CARES? For the price and quality, It is NO hardship to push the button back. Mine never worked. But I'm coming from years of Brita whose non-auto-switch-back lever never ceased to annoy me. Third, this filter's lack of "indicator light" when it's time to change filters: I never trusted those things anyway. I solved that problem by doing the following: I fill a 1-gallon bottle of water each time and write a simple slash marking on a piece of paper which I hang on the fridge. Since this is my first time with this product, I'll only have to do this process once to get an idea of how long it takes me to use 200 gallons. Interestingly enough this solved the other complaint of others that the flow was too slow. I just pour from the gallon jug for whatever needs I have and thus control the "flow rate." I also disagree that the flow rate from the filter is slow. But if your impatience quotient is high, it's easier to put the gallon jug under the faucet and do some other tasks while it is filling, than stand around waiting for a glass to fill. But even then, gimme a break. That's NO hardship. Regarding where to buy the filters, duh, how about Amazon and buy a bunch at at time? For the price, quality and the fact that it doesn't come flying off the faucet, this is a 5-star