There are many reasons we love the DuPont WFFM350XBN faucet water filter but two stand out the most: the filter’s relatively high capacity and the electronic water flow meter.
It has a capacity of 200 gallons, which is twice the capacity of other filters in the same price range. Most families can go 4-6 months before replacing the cartridge.
The electronic meter makes it much easier to know when to replace the cartridge, a major issue with almost all faucet filters.
By taking the guesswork out of filter replacement you won’t replace it too soon, thus wasting money, or too late, which is unsafe for your family.
Read on our full review of the DuPont faucet filter.
If it doesn’t quite meet your needs, take a look at our best faucet water filter reviews for other excellent recommendations.
Pros
Cons
Product Specifications
Specifications
Filtering Performance
As far as faucet filters go, the DuPont metered filter performs great. It’s not at the level of an under sink water filter or an RO system, but it’s good enough for what it’s meant to do.
And that involves improving the tastes, appearance and odor of the water.
The biggest change it makes is to remove chlorine, which gives city water an unpleasant smell and taste (Unfortunately, it does not remove chloramines).
It also removes VOCs and other chemicals that might be giving your water a funny taste.
The filter is WQA-certified (Water Quality Association) to reduce mercury, lead, asbestos, microbial cysts and sediment.
Your water not only tastes and smells better, it looks clearer as well. Most importantly, it’s safer for your family.
What It Doesn’t Remove (and Why You Shouldn’t Use it With Well Water)
This faucet filter should only be used to filter chlorinated city water. That’s because the water has already been treated and is unlikely to contain harmful microorganisms.
Like any other filter that uses activated carbon, the DuPont filter does not remove waterborne bacteria and germs. So if you use untreated well water, it will not protect your family.
It will also not remove dissolved solids like magnesium, calcium and iron that are abundant in well water.
That means it will not prevent scale or the reddish staining caused by dissolved iron.
If you receive well water, either from your own well or a shared community well, I highly recommend a reverse osmosis filter.
It will purify the water, ridding it of germs. It will also remove the dissolved minerals that can at times be a nuisance around the house.
The Super Convenient Electronic Meter
The cartridges in most faucet filters have a lifespan of 2-6 months. Over time, they become clogged with all the impurities they capture and their filtration performance goes down.
But exactly when should you replace the cartridge? 2 months? 3? 5?
The manufacturer may have provided an estimate period such as 3 months.
But that’s not very helpful since filter life depends on how much filtered water you use and each family’s consumption is different.
It also varies with the level of contaminants in water.
I love PUR faucet filters because they have a small indicator light that turns yellow when the filter’s time is almost up and red to warn you it’s time to replace it.
The DuPont faucet filter has a better way to let you know when to get a new filter.
It counts the number of gallons of filtered water you have used.
This makes a lot of sense because manufacturers indicate filter capacity in gallons. For the DuPont it is 200 gallons.
You just need to keep checking the small LCD display that shows the current gallon count. Once it gets close to 200, you know you should buy a new replacement cartridge.
This ensures you get the most out of a single cartridge instead of replacing it while it still has some life left.
It is a super convenient feature I wish more faucet filters would adopt.
Installation and Maintenance
Faucet water filters are generally easy to install. This one is no different.
In fact, you don’t need any tools. Perhaps just a pair of pliers if the aerator if you are unable to remove the aerator on your faucet with your hands.
Once you have removed the aerator and any washers in the faucet, you are ready to attach the filter.
Check that you have all the filter parts necessary. The package should contain the main filter itself with the meter and the mounting nut, a filter cartridge that goes inside the filter and a filter cover.
You should also see a couple of washers, two adapters and plumbing tape.
The batteries for the electronic meter are already installed and should last a lifetime. So don’t worry about replacing those.
Start by selecting the right adapter and washer that fits your faucet. Insert the washer into the adapter, apply plumbing tape on the adapter threads on both sides and then screw the adapter onto the faucet.
Use a coin to tighten the adapter.
Finish by tightening the filter into the faucet, using the mounting nut, and inserting the cartridge into the filter.
Put the filter cover on and turn on the water.
Flip the flow selector to the vertical position to allow the water to pass through the filter.
Note: Only use the filter with cold water.
Let the cold water run until the code on the display changes from ‘flh’ (flushing mode) to ‘000’ (gallon counter).
The meter will start counting the gallons of filtered water used.
Maintenance
Keep checking the filter for leaks. If you notice any, uninstall the filter and adapter and apply plumbing tape anew.
If it is the filter itself leaking call customer support for advice. You may need a new unit.
Other than that you only need to monitor the gallon counter and replace the cartridge when it gets close to 200 gallons.
To replace the cartridge, you only need to remove the top cover to access the old cartridge.
When you put in the new one, the display will immediately change to flushing mode. Let cold water run through the filter until the screen shows ‘000’.
What We Like Most About The DuPont Metered Faucet Water Filter
The electronic meter is obviously our most favorite feature as it is for most customers.
Users no longer have to guess whether it’s time to replace the cartridge or wait until the water starts tasting bad again to get a replacement.
We also like that the filter lasts 2-3 months longer than the 100-gallon filters in the same price range.
Other features we like include the flow selector that lets you easily switch between filtered and unfiltered water, the 4-year warranty (extraordinarily long for a faucet water filter) and easy 10-minute installation.
In terms of aesthetics, it’s great that you can choose among three finishes to match your faucet. There’s chrome, white and brushed nickel.
What We Don't Like About This Water Filter
The filter has a couple of major limitations.
One, you cannot use it to filter well water. It does not remove dissolved minerals and salt as well as waterborne microorganisms.
It works best for chlorinated city water. And even then, only water that has been treated with chlorine.
If your city disinfects their water using chloramine, which is more potent than chlorine, this filter won’t be as effective. You may still notice an unpleasant taste in your water.
The second limitation is that you cannot filter hot water. The max temperature rating is 100F.
If your faucet is connected to both hot and cold water lines, it’s essential that you turn the flow selector to the horizontal (bypass) position before using hot water.
The Water Filter Is Perfect For You If...
Avoid Buying This One If...
Our Bottom Line
The electronic meter sets the DuPont WFFM350XBN apart from other faucet water filters. It might seem like a minor feature but as many customers admit, the added convenience makes a big difference.
For homes that receive chlorinated municipal water, this is one of the best faucet water filters. You get a nifty gallon counter and higher capacity for the same price as other basic faucet filters.
