Tap vs Bottled vs Filter Jug vs Tap-Mounted Filter: Which Is Best?
For clean, great-tasting water at the lowest cost and least waste, a tap-mounted carbon filter wins. Bottled water tastes clean but is by far the most expensive and creates plastic waste; filter jugs are cheap to buy but slow and fiddly; plain tap water is cheapest but keeps the chlorine taste. Here’s the full comparison.
Cost per litre (the big difference)
- Unfiltered tap: ~0.3c per litre — cheapest, but chlorine taste remains.
- Tap-mounted filter: ~3–5c per litre — filtered on demand, minimal waste.
- Filter jug: ~10–15c per litre — slower, frequent cartridge changes.
- Bottled water: 40c–$1+ per litre — most expensive, lots of plastic.
Taste and contaminant reduction
Tap-mounted carbon filters and good bottled water both deliver clean taste. Filter jugs help with chlorine but vary in what else they reduce. Unfiltered tap leaves chlorine taste, sediment and microplastics in the glass.
Convenience and waste
- Tap filter: Always on, no fridge space, no plastic bottles, installs in minutes.
- Bottled: Heavy to carry, clutters the fridge, huge plastic footprint.
- Jug: Needs refilling and fridge space; you wait for it to drip through.
The verdict
If you want bottled-water taste at a fraction of the cost — with no plastic and nothing to refill — a tap-mounted carbon filter is the clear winner for most Australian households. Compare PureFlow →
Frequently asked questions
Is filtered tap water as good as bottled?
For taste and everyday drinking, a quality carbon filter gives comparable clean taste at a tiny fraction of the cost and without the plastic.
Are filter jugs worth it?
They’re a low-cost entry point, but slow, need frequent cartridge changes and take fridge space. A tap filter is more convenient long-term.