Philip wearing a black jacket holding two RV water filters. The filter on the left is brand new, white, and clean. The filter on the right is a used filter that's a dirty, light orange color. Behind Philip is a black pickup truck and a motorhome. The text at the top of the image says "Choosing the Best RV Water Filter System"

Choosing the Best RV Water Filter System – A Roadmap to Clean Drinking Water


When you’re traveling in an RV, whether it’s for weekends or longer stretches, you encounter different water sources at each stop. Knowing the water quality or whether chemicals are present can be uncertain. That’s why having the best RV water filter system is crucial for safe drinking water on the go! Below we’ll explore several different RV water filter systems commonly used by RV owners.

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RV Water Hose

Before we get into RV water filters, let’s chat about the critical first step in filtering drinking water for your RV: using the right RV water hose.

A regular garden hose just won’t cut it here! Ordinary garden hoses lack the safety standards needed for drinking water, potentially containing lead or materials that can leach chemicals into your water—definitely not what you want for your drinking supply!

When shopping for an RV water hose, ensure it’s explicitly designed for drinking or potable water. We’ve tested both the Camco Premium Drinking Water Hose and the Teknor Apex Zero-G RV hose, and while both work well, we prefer the Zero-G for its lightweight design and easy storage.

Pro Tip: It’s wise to add a water pressure regulator to your setup. This handy device helps maintain consistent water flow and protects your RV from potential damage caused by excessive water pressure. It’s a simple, yet effective addition to your water system that can make a world of difference in the long run.

Inline RV Water Filter

An inline RV water filter is a compact and convenient filtration system that connects directly to your water hose, effectively purifying water before it enters your RV. This ensures that you have clean and safe water for various uses inside your vehicle.

Blue RV water hose is hooked up to a water spigot with a Camco TastePure water filter connected to the hose and water spigot.

Camco TastePURE

One of the most common water filters you’ll find around the campground is the Camco TastePURE Inline RV Water Filter. This filter is designed to be connected directly to the water hose, ensuring that all water entering your RV is filtered.

The Camco TastePure uses a 20-micron sediment filter, effectively removing particles larger than 20 microns, including sediment, rust, and debris. While it may not address more complex contaminants like chemicals or microorganisms, it provides a good level of basic filtration suitable for many camping scenarios.

The filter has a large capacity and can last between 3 to 6 months depending on usage and water quality. Its simple design and affordable price make it appealing to weekend campers and full-time RVers alike.

Sale
Camco TastePURE RV Water Filter w/ Flexible Hose Protector
  • 6-Step Water Filtration System: Filter hose washer, pre-filtration layer for debris, premium activated carbon filter, superior KDF formulation protecting against bacteria, a post-filtration layer, and spun polypropylene for 20-micron particle removal.
  • Superior Filtration Standard: Boost your water’s purity with Granular Activated Carbon and Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF). More than just odor and taste; our water filters are bacteriostatic and remove sediment, ensuring cleaner water for consumption.
  • Versatile and Essential: An indispensable tool for camping and a must-have among boat accessories. Ensure clean water wherever you go, making it a top choice for your camping accessories and a vital component in your list of travel must haves.

Two Stage RV Water Filter

The two stage RV water filter system is designed to remove a wide range of impurities from your water source. With dual-stage filtration, it effectively filters large particles like sediment and dirt as well as smaller contaminants such as chlorine and other chemicals, providing you with clean and great-tasting water directly from your RV faucet.

New water filter in a blue canister. Old, already used filters are laying on the ground in the background of the photo.

Beech Lane Dual Water Filter

We personally use and recommend the Beech Lane External RV Water Filter System for its exceptional dual filtration capabilities. This system uses both 5-micron and 0.5-micron filters, effectively removing large particles like sand and dirt as well as smaller contaminants like chlorine. The Beech Lane system, complete with brass fittings, a mounting bracket, and two filters, offers a comprehensive solution at an affordable price point.

One of the advantages of this system is its compatibility with universal filters of the same size, allowing for easy replacements when needed. This setup ensures that you have access to clean, filtered water during your RV adventures without breaking the bank or compromising on quality.

Beech Lane RV Dual Water Filter System, Leak-Free Brass Fittings, Mounting Bracket and Two Filters Included
  • Heavy Duty Construction Designed Specifically For RV Use | Lifetime Manufacturer Warranty | The housing, fixtures, and bracket are manufactured by Beech Lane specifically for outdoor RV use and the rough exposure that comes with it. Thick walled water canisters, tight seals, and internal components are designed to last on the road. The filter includes a wrench to make removing the housing easy
  • Lead-Free Brass Fixtures Prevent Leaks | The use of 3/4″ lead-free brass fixture provides a strong connection to the inlet and outlet hose with increased leak resistance when compared to plastic fixtures on competition.
  • Includes 5 Micron and 0.5 Micron Filters To Maximize Water Quality | Using both a 5 micron sediment and 0.5 micron carbon block filter for double filtration works to filter both large particles such as sand and dirt along with smaller particles such as chlorine. The water filters can be replaced by Beech Lane Water Filter replacement filters or any brand of the same specifications

Reverse Osmosis Water Filter

While reverse osmosis (RO) is a highly effective water filtration method popular in many households, its suitability for RV use requires consideration. RO systems can remove up to 95-99% of total dissolved solids, chlorine, and fluoride, ensuring exceptionally clean water.

The trade-off is a slower water flow rate due to the intricate filtration process, often necessitating storage tanks for filtered water. This can pose challenges in an RV due to limited space, and the system typically needs to be installed under the kitchen sink. Additionally, RO systems remove beneficial minerals such as magnesium and calcium along with contaminants, which may not be ideal for everyone.

RVers should weigh the pros and cons carefully before opting for an RO system in their camper.

Sale
Waterdrop G2P600 Reverse Osmosis System, Under Sink 7 Stage Tankless RO Water Filter 
  • 𝐍𝐒𝐅/𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈 𝟑𝟕𝟐 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 & 𝟕-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐏𝐃 & 𝟐:𝟏 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨 & 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 & 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧;Two filters are included in the package. Search “WD-G2P600-W” for replacement filters.
  • 𝟕-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:The G2P600 system is certified by 𝐍𝐒𝐅/𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈 𝟑𝟕𝟐 for lead-free materials.The G2P600 reverse osmosis system adopts a composite filter technology, can reduce most contaminants. The CF filter can reduce rust and organic matter. The MRO filter uses 0.0001-micron reverse osmosis membrane to intercept TDS, PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, fluoride, and heavy metals, radioactive substances such as radium. Our RO system can reduce such as vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol, according to the reverse osmosis membrane technical manual.
  • 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐏𝐃 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰: As an upgraded reverse osmosis system, the G2P600 tankless reverse osmosis system produces 600 gallons of filtered water per day. With a fast and stable water flow rate, this RO system fills a 200ml cup with water in 8 seconds, which is ideal for drinking, washing vegetables and fruit. The G2P600 RO water filtration system also meets the water needs of big families and companies.

Berkey Water Filter

The Berkey Water Filter system is a popular choice among RVers seeking reliable water filtration without complex installations. This stainless steel gravity-fed system sits conveniently on countertops, providing easy access to freshly filtered water via built-in spigot.

The Berkey filters are renowned for their longevity, capable of purifying thousands of gallons of water before replacement is necessary. One of the notable advantages of Berkey filters is their ability to maintain essential minerals in the water while removing harmful substances. However, RV owners should consider the countertop space required for the Berkey system and factor in its portability during travel days.

Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter with 2 Black Berkey Elements–Enjoy Potable Water While Camping, RVing, Off-Grid, Emergencies, Every Day at Home
  • POTABLE WATER IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS- Black Berkey Elements remove or dramatically reduce over 200+ typical contaminants that could be present in lakes, rivers, ponds, streams and other freshwater sources—no electricity, tools, or plumbing are required. The Travel Berkey Water Filter System provides clean, refreshing potable water while camping, fishing, RVing, off-grid living and in emergencies, disaster preparedness and recovery scenarios.
  • ENJOY GREAT-TASTING TAP WATER EVERY DAY- The Travel Berkey System can be used at the campground, RV park, off-grid shelter to transform questionable water into clean drinking water that’s also ideal for hydrating freeze-dried food, making your favorite beverages, cooking and personal hygiene. Equipped with Black Berkey Elements, the Travel Berkey System addresses over 200+ typical contaminants that could be present in tap water.
  • ECONOMICAL, LONG-LASTING- Black Berkey Elements average just pennies per gallon of water. Each pair of Black Berkey Elements lasts for up to 6,000 gallons before replacement is recommended. Elements may require replacement sooner based upon the quality of influent water. Each additional pair of Black Berkey Elements (sold separately) adds an additional 6,000 gallons of contaminant reduction.

RV Water Filter Systems Video

Choosing the best RV water filter system will depend on your needs, space availability, and budget. Ensuring you have clean water while on the road is essential for your health. If you have insights or other water filtration suggestions, drop them in the comments below!

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