Tap water often includes additives, such as chlorine and other chemicals, or impurities that you may not want to drink. Filtering your water with a water filter pitcher or water filtration system can remove many chemicals, metals and pollutants, which can improve both the quality and flavor of your water.

You can also choose to drink spring water or other specialized water, such as alkaline water, when you invest in a water cooler and dispenser that pairs with a multi-gallon water jug of your choice. A water dispenser opens up other possibilities as well. For instance, if you want to make hot drinks quickly, you will benefit from a water dispenser with a hot water knob.

When you have healthy and delicious water readily available in your home or office with a water cooler, you can encourage your family members or coworkers to drink more fluids and stay better hydrated. You can also help to eliminate waste by making it easy to refill reusable water bottles.

If you are looking into how to choose the best water filter for your home, the first big decision is whether you want to build a filtration system into your plumbing or whether you want to use a pitcher or counter filter. The first option is perfect if you own your own home and are ready to make a long-term investment. The pitcher or counter filter, however, is much easier to start using since it requires no installation.

The other major question is: what do you want to filter out of the water? Filters handle most small, lightweight particles, but if you are concerned about heavy metals, like lead, you’ll need a lead water filter pitcher or lead water filtration system.

In terms of water coolers, you may choose a water dispenser that pulls from a multi-gallon bottle of water or a water cooler dispenser that’s connected directly to a water line, much like an ice maker. And in terms of features, consider whether you want your dispenser to heat or cool the water. This gives you plenty of options to customize your water dispenser to your preferences and lifestyle.