Why Better Water Is the Most Underrated Home Upgrade of 2026 – These Three Systems Make it Stylishly Simple

The Waterdrop Filter home systems offer professional-grade filtration in your own kitchen

The Waterdrop Filter A1 filtration system on a side table beside a leather sofa, where a woman sits drinking a coffee.
(Image credit: Waterdrop)

Every January, many of us promise ourselves the same things: Eat better, slow down, and take our health seriously this year. For 2026, however, a quieter resolution is gaining traction in health-conscious households: water quality.

We use water for almost everything we do at home. It’s in our morning tea, family dinners, the baby bottles we prepare half asleep, and the glass we reach for before bed. And yet, it’s often the least thought-out part of a 'healthy home'.

The Truth About Tap Water

UK tap water is usually safe, but safe doesn't always mean it's perfect. Depending on where you live, it can contain limescale, traces of heavy metals from older pipes, fluoride, or PFAS (also known as 'forever chemicals'). It is no surprise that so many of us default to bottled water or simply settle for lower quality.

However, bottled water is becoming increasingly expensive and contributes to already problematic plastic consumption. Not to mention that rows of plastic bottles hardly look good in stylish kitchens.

That’s why more design- and health-conscious households are turning to professional-grade filtration technology that actually changes what’s in your water, not just how it tastes.

This is where brands like Waterdrop Filter come in. Instead of treating filtration as an afterthought, Waterdrop Filter builds systems around how we live now. The result? A range of filtration systems that feel less like appliances and more like lifestyle upgrades.

For the Family: Waterdrop Filter X12

The Waterdrop Filter X12 faucet system

(Image credit: Waterdrop)

Need to keep counters clear? Hate waiting for water filter jugs to do their thing? The Waterdrop Filter X12 (Under-sink Reverse Osmosis [RO] System) is the solution for busy family kitchens, designed to sit neatly under your sink and do all the hard work behind the scenes.

Its slim, tankless design takes up significantly less space than traditional filters, freeing up around 70% of cupboard storage, but doesn't compromise on performance. Its 11-stage filtration process targets a huge range of contaminants, including PFAS, fluoride, lead, arsenic, and limescale. Unlike standard RO systems, it then adds essential minerals like calcium and magnesium back into the water, so you’re not left with flat-tasting results.

There’s even a sleek smart tap that shows real-time water quality and filter life, minimizing fiddly maintenance checks. And thanks to its impressive high-flow rate, there’s no waiting around – one 6oz glass fills in just three seconds.

The X12 is available from Waterdrop Filter from only £1,052.19 now.

For Busy, Modern Homes: Waterdrop Filter A1

The Waterdrop Filter A1 filtration system

(Image credit: Waterdrop)

Not every home is suited to under-sink systems, especially if you rent or move often. That's where the Waterdrop Filter A1 shines. There’s no installation or plumbing work required – just plug it in and go. Think of it as a modern replacement for your kettle, cooler, and filter jug in one, sitting on your counter, and delivers instant, purified water at six different temperatures.

Making baby formula at 3am? There’s a precise temperature for that. Brewing the perfect tea? Sorted. Want cold, filtered water without waiting for a jug to drip through? Done.

The A1 uses a 7-stage RO filtration system and features a clear OLED display so you always know what’s happening inside, keeping manual maintenance to a minimum.

The A1 is available from Waterdrop, where it will be just £489 from January 5th to January 18th, and from Amazon.

For Plastic-Free Style-Forward Households: Waterdrop Filter Glass Water Filter Jug

The Waterdrop Filter Glass Water Filter Jug

(Image credit: Waterdrop)

Filter jugs are the most common filtration systems in households across the UK, but they rarely add anything to your kitchen. Plastic quickly becomes scratched and worn, and it's the last thing you want to be adding to your tablescaping when guests arrive.

If you want to keep your filtration simple but stylish, the Waterdrop Filter Glass Water Jug is the answer. It's ideal for creating a non-toxic home, made from high-quality glass, with a 5-stage filtration system that reduces chlorine, mercury, PFAS, and sediment, backed by serious certifications (NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 372, for those who like to check).

It’s a simple switch, but one that makes a statement: Less plastic, better water, and no compromise on style.

Better yet, you can pair it with the other Waterdrop Filter systems for added convenience. You could install an X12 in the kitchen and keep a glass jug for the table. Or, rely on the A1 for its flexibility and instant temperatures. It’s about matching the solution to how you live.


As home improvements go, upgrading your water systems is far from 'loud'. There’s no dramatic before-and-after photo. However, over time, it quietly improves everything from your morning routine to your environmental footprint.

Sometimes, the most meaningful home upgrades start with what’s in your glass.

Homes & Gardens

As the UK’s first-ever home interest magazine, Homes & Gardens has been shaping British style for 100 years. Our core pillars are inspirational interiors, stylish decorating, beautiful gardens and fascinating stories. With the values of timeless style and considered elegance at our heart, we show an affection for heritage whilst also championing the future, from emerging designers to latest trends.

The Homes & Gardens website brings all our beautiful content online, with a focus on stunning room ideas, expert advice from interior designers, architects and design professionals, and more practical expertise, too, on caring for and improving your home. Our website is updated and added to daily and we're delighted to welcome more than 6 million readers monthly. Of course, we've assembled a cracking team of experts in their fields to deliver all this stunning inspiration to you, and we'd love to introduce them. Their contact details are below, too.