I get the appeal of keeping things tucked away, but I’ve seen more under-sink disasters than I can count—leaks folks didn’t notice for weeks, warped cabinets, you name it. Countertop filters might be a bit ugly, but at least you see when something’s off. Guess it depends how much you trust your pipes... and your tenants.
Yeah, I’ve had my fair share of under-sink surprises too—one slow drip and suddenly you’re dealing with a whole mess. I get why folks like the cleaner look, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a clunky countertop filter than risk cabinet damage. Plus, if you’re renting out, tenants aren’t always as quick to notice or report leaks. At least with a countertop one, you spot problems right away. Not the prettiest, but it’s less stress in the long run, at least for me.
I get where you’re coming from—leaks under the sink are a nightmare, especially if you don’t catch them right away. But I keep wondering if countertop filters are really that much easier to live with day-to-day. Doesn’t the hose and the extra clutter get annoying after a while? I like the idea of less risk, but I’m not sure I’d want to give up the space. Has anyone found a countertop model that doesn’t feel like it’s always in the way?
Doesn’t the hose and the extra clutter get annoying after a while? I like the idea of less risk, but I’m not sure I’d want to give up the space.
Honestly, you’re not wrong about countertop filters taking up space. Some models are pretty bulky, and the hoses can be a pain if you’ve got a small kitchen. I’ve installed a few that were compact—like the Berkey Go or Aquasana Clean Water Machine—and they’re less intrusive, but you’ll still notice them. If you’re tight on counter space, even the “slim” ones can feel like they’re always in the way. On the plus side, you don’t have to crawl under the sink for maintenance or worry about hidden leaks. It’s a trade-off: convenience up top vs. more room below.
I hear you on the clutter. I’ve had tenants complain about countertop filters getting knocked over or hoses popping off mid-use—water everywhere. Under-sink ones are a pain to install, but once they’re in, folks forget about them. Less mess, less fuss... unless there’s a leak, then it’s a whole different headache.
