The best benchtop water filters in Australia
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Benchtop water filters for renters and tank households: gravity ceramic filters, filtered dispensers and a countertop reverse osmosis unit that needs no plumbing.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Product | Capacity | Power or plumbing | Price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Stefani 10L glazed ceramic gravity water filter | 10 L | None, gravity fed | $99 |
| Best value | Stefani Pure Flow 8.5L filtered water dispenser | 8.5 L | None | $69.98 |
| Biggest | Devanti 14L benchtop gravity water filter | 14 L | None | $59.95 |
| Best for fluoride, no plumbing | Waterdrop C1S countertop reverse osmosis, no plumbing | — | — | $424.15 |
Benchtop filters are for people who cannot or do not want to plumb anything in: renters, share houses, holiday houses and anyone on tank water who wants a final polish before drinking.
Gravity filters
A gravity filter has an upper chamber, a filter element and a lower chamber. Water drips through under its own weight. The Stefani ceramic filter uses a ceramic candle with a carbon core: the ceramic stops sediment and, because its pores are fine, cysts and many bacteria; the carbon inside handles chlorine and taste. When the surface clogs you scrub it under the tap, and a candle lasts about six months. The glazed ceramic body is heavy, keeps water pleasantly cool, and looks like a piece of furniture rather than an appliance. The Devanti unit is the plastic budget version with more capacity.
Filtered dispensers
The Stefani Pure Flow is a large jug with a tap. It uses a standard carbon cartridge, so it is really a big jug you do not have to lift. It is the right buy for an office or a family that empties a jug twice a day.
Countertop reverse osmosis
The newest category. A unit like the Waterdrop C1S sits on the bench, you fill a tank, and a pump pushes water through an RO membrane into a clean reservoir. It needs a power point and bench space, but no plumber, and it is the only way for a renter to remove fluoride and dissolved solids. Read the reverse osmosis guide for what RO does and does not do.
The picks
The Stefani 10 L ceramic is our pick because it is the cheapest filter to run of anything on this site and it handles more than a jug does. The Pure Flow is the value buy if you just want chlorine gone and a tap on the front. Buy the Devanti for capacity, and the Waterdrop C1S if fluoride removal without plumbing is the goal.
The picks in detail
Stefani 10L glazed ceramic gravity water filter
$99 at bunnings.com.au · checked 12 Sep 2026
Ceramic candle with carbon, no power, no plumbing, and the glazed body keeps water cool.
- Capacity: 10 L
- Filter: Ceramic candle with activated carbon
- Power or plumbing: None, gravity fed
- Candle life: About 6 months (manufacturer)
Pros
- No plumbing, no power, no cartridges to click in
- Ceramic candle is cheap to replace
- Keeps water cool in the glazed body
Cons
- Slow: fills over hours, not minutes
- Takes bench space
- Candle needs scrubbing every few weeks
Stefani Pure Flow 8.5L filtered water dispenser
$69.98 at bunnings.com.au · checked 12 Sep 2026
A tap instead of a jug lift, 8.5 litres, under seventy dollars.
- Capacity: 8.5 L
- Filter: Stefani cartridge
- Power or plumbing: None
- Tap: Yes, dispensing tap
Pros
- Big enough for a family or office
- Tap is easier than lifting a jug
- Cheaper than the ceramic model
Cons
- Plastic body
- Basic carbon filtration
Devanti 14L benchtop gravity water filter
$59.95 at amazon.com.au · checked 12 Sep 2026
14 litres for a large household or as a final polish on tank water.
- Capacity: 14 L
- Filter: Multi-stage gravity cartridge
- Power or plumbing: None
Pros
- Largest capacity for the money
- Good for rainwater or tank households as a final polish
Cons
- Budget build quality
- Replacement cartridges only online
Waterdrop C1S countertop reverse osmosis, no plumbing
$424.15 at amazon.com.au · checked 12 Sep 2026
Reverse osmosis on the bench for renters who cannot plumb anything in.
- Install: None, fill the tank and plug in
- Stages: 6-stage RO
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 372 lead-free (listing)
- Waste ratio: About 3:1 pure to drain (listing)
Pros
- Reverse osmosis for renters, no plumber
- Low water waste for an RO unit
Cons
- You refill a tank by hand
- Needs power and bench space
Frequently asked questions
Are gravity water filters any good?
For taste, chlorine and sediment, yes, and they are the lowest-running-cost filters you can buy. They are slow, filling over hours rather than minutes, and a ceramic candle needs scrubbing every few weeks as the surface clogs.
Can I use a benchtop gravity filter on rainwater?
As a taste and sediment filter, yes. As the only safety step, no. Ceramic candles are fine enough to reduce cysts and some bacteria, but for drinking untreated tank water most guidance recommends a certified absolute filter plus UV or boiling.
Is Berkey sold in Australia?
Berkey systems are not officially distributed in Australia and grey imports carry no local warranty. The Stefani ceramic and Devanti gravity filters do the same job with local support.