Understanding What Water Filter Does Huberman Recommend for Optimal Health

October 1, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the EPA, over 200 million Americans are exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals in their tap water. This concern over municipal water quality is why many people ask, what water filter does Huberman recommend? His approach offers tiered solutions for different budgets, helping everyone access cleaner drinking water.

Quick Summary

Based on a tiered budget approach, Andrew Huberman recommends water filter options ranging from affordable pitchers like Clearly Filtered to comprehensive whole-house systems. He suggests gravity-fed Berkey systems for mid-range budgets and also endorses specific countertop units like Rorra. All recommendations focus on removing contaminants to improve health.

Key Points

Tiered Recommendations: Andrew Huberman offers water filter recommendations based on different budget levels, from affordable pitchers to expensive whole-house systems.
Entry-Level Pick: For budget-conscious individuals, the Clearly Filtered water pitcher is a strong contender due to its ability to remove fluoride, lead, and other contaminants, unlike basic carbon filters.
Mid-Range Option: Berkey gravity-fed filter systems are a popular choice for more thorough filtration and larger volumes, with an add-on required for fluoride removal.
High-Performance Endorsement: Huberman also endorses the Rorra Countertop System for its robust removal of PFAS, lead, and microplastics while preserving healthy minerals.
Comprehensive Filtration: For the highest level of purification, reverse osmosis (RO) or whole-house systems are the most effective, though RO requires re-mineralization and uses more water.
Prioritize Filter Certification: Regardless of the system, Huberman stresses the importance of choosing a filter certified to remove your specific contaminants of concern and replacing filters regularly.

Why Dr. Huberman Emphasizes Water Quality

Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and host of the popular Huberman Lab podcast, has repeatedly highlighted the importance of clean, quality water for optimal cellular function and overall health. He notes that tap water, even in developed countries, often contains contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals (like lead and arsenic), endocrine disruptors (like BPA), and fluoride. While municipal water treatment makes water microbiologically safe, it doesn't always remove these persistent compounds, which can have long-term negative effects on thyroid function and other biological processes.

Huberman's guidance is not a one-size-fits-all endorsement of a single product but rather a strategic, budget-dependent approach. He encourages individuals to first check their local water quality reports online to understand specific contaminants in their area before investing in a filter. He also stresses the importance of regular filter replacement, as a saturated filter can become a source of contamination.

Budget-Friendly Filtration: Pitcher Filters

For those on a tight budget, Huberman suggests starting with a high-quality pitcher filter. These are the most accessible and cost-effective entry point into water filtration. They typically use activated carbon and other filtration media to remove common contaminants.

Clearly Filtered Pitcher: Huberman mentions this brand as a standout, budget-friendly option. Unlike standard carbon pitchers, the Clearly Filtered model uses affinity filtration, claiming to remove a wide range of contaminants, including fluoride, lead, and BPA. This makes it a more comprehensive solution than a basic Brita-style filter, which generally lacks the capacity to remove fluoride.
Benefits: Low initial cost, easy to use, and requires no installation. It significantly improves the taste and odor of tap water by removing chlorine.
Limitations: Slower filtration, smaller capacity, and requires frequent filter changes. Not as comprehensive as more advanced systems.

Mid-Range Filtration: Gravity-Fed and Countertop Systems

For those who can invest more for higher capacity and more thorough filtration, gravity-fed and countertop units are the next step up. These systems offer a balance of performance and convenience without the high cost and permanence of a whole-house system.

Berkey Filter Systems: A prominent example Huberman discusses is the Berkey, a countertop gravity-fed filter. Its Black Berkey purification elements utilize microfiltration, absorption, and adsorption to remove a vast array of contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and more. An optional add-on filter is required to remove fluoride effectively.
Rorra Countertop System: Huberman has also endorsed the Rorra system, highlighting its rigorous third-party testing and proprietary electrokinetic nanofiber technology. This system is specifically effective at removing PFAS, lead, and microplastics while retaining beneficial minerals. It operates without plumbing installation, making it user-friendly.

High-End Filtration: Reverse Osmosis and Whole-House Systems

At the top tier, offering the highest level of purification, are reverse osmosis (RO) and whole-house systems. These are for individuals who want to treat all the water in their home or require the most comprehensive filtration available.

Reverse Osmosis (RO): This technology uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove up to 99% of dissolved solids, including heavy metals, fluoride, and salt. Huberman notes that RO is highly effective for removing microplastics and toxins. However, the process also removes beneficial minerals, so re-mineralization is necessary. RO systems also produce a significant amount of wastewater.
Whole-House System: This option filters all water entering the home, ensuring clean water from every tap, shower, and appliance. While the most expensive and inconvenient to install, it provides the most comprehensive solution for water purity. Brands like Aquasana and AquaOx offer various whole-house options.

Comparing Water Filter Options


Feature	Clearly Filtered Pitcher	Berkey System	Reverse Osmosis (RO)	Whole-House Filter
Cost	Low (Pitcher + Filters)	Mid-range (System + Filters)	High (System + Re-mineralization)	High (System + Installation)
Removal	Chlorine, heavy metals, fluoride, BPA, some contaminants	Bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, optional fluoride	Up to 99% dissolved solids, fluoride, microplastics	Wide range of contaminants at all taps
Convenience	Highly portable, countertop use	Countertop gravity-fed, no plumbing	Typically under-sink, requires installation	Provides filtered water to the entire home
Installation	None	None	Professional installation recommended	Professional installation required
Waste	Low	Low	Significant wastewater production	None during operation
Minerals	Retains beneficial minerals	Retains beneficial minerals	Removes all minerals, requires re-mineralization	Can be configured to retain minerals

Making an Informed Decision

Choosing the right water filter is a personal decision based on budget, water quality concerns, and household needs. Huberman's recommendations provide a roadmap, from entry-level options for those needing basic contaminant removal to advanced systems for complete peace of mind. He emphasizes the importance of verifying that a filter is certified to remove the specific contaminants you are concerned about, such as fluoride. A good starting point is always to test your local water quality and match a filter to your specific needs. For more details on the science behind water and hydration, Huberman's podcast episode on the topic is an excellent resource, available through his official channels.

Podcast Notes: How To Optimize Your Water Quality & Intake For Health

Frequently Asked Questions

For those with a limited budget, Andrew Huberman suggests the Clearly Filtered water pitcher, as it is capable of removing a wide range of contaminants, including lead, BPA, and fluoride, which are often missed by cheaper alternatives.

Huberman highlights that Berkey systems offer a more thorough, gravity-fed filtration at a mid-range price point compared to pitchers, filtering higher volumes of water and removing contaminants like chlorine and heavy metals. For fluoride removal, a special add-on filter is needed.

Yes, Andrew Huberman suggests reverse osmosis systems as an effective option for high-level water purification, particularly for removing microplastics and toxins. However, he notes that RO also strips beneficial minerals, so re-mineralization is necessary.

Based on the Huberman Lab podcast, Andrew Huberman is concerned about a range of contaminants in tap water, including fluoride (linked to thyroid issues), heavy metals, endocrine disruptors (like BPA), and disinfection byproducts.

Andrew Huberman recommends checking your local water quality report by searching online for your municipal area or zip code plus 'water analysis'. For more specific testing, he suggests using commercially available water testing kits.

Yes, Andrew Huberman has endorsed and uses the Rorra Countertop System, praising its transparent third-party testing and advanced filtration technology that targets PFAS, lead, and microplastics while preserving beneficial minerals.

For maximum purification and convenience throughout the entire house, Andrew Huberman points to whole-house filtration systems, though he notes they come with high upfront costs and require professional installation.