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Waterdrop WD-FC-01 vs Culligan FM-25 Faucet Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Waterdrop WD-FC-01

$19.88

Culligan FM-25 Faucet

$40.27
Two faucet-mount water faucets, the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 and Culligan FM-25 Faucet, held side-by-side by a reviewer for comparison purposes.

Overall Verdict

Both the Culligan FM-25 and the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 can filter out nearly all traces of chlorine in water, per our test.

However, the Waterdrop model got the drop on the Culligan FM-25 with its significantly better performance in our filtering flow rate test at 1.29 GPM than the Culligan’s modest 0.5 GPM. So, if you have a high-pressure faucet at home, the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 should be a far more compelling option than the Culligan.

At half the price of the Culligan, the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 is the more affordable option.

But that doesn’t mean the Culligan FM-25 is a wholly bad purchase. It has better build quality and a better valve design than the Waterdrop, which smartly reverts to plain water mode when you shut down the tap to improve the lifespan of the filter cartridge.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent chlorine filtration efficiency.
  • High filtering flow rate.
  • Unique design and installation system.
  • Replacement filter is readily available.
  • Excellent chlorine filtering ability with a near-100% filtration rate.
  • Good build quality, premium materials.
  • The locking collar fixes the filter solidly to the tap, preventing it from wiggling around.
  • The push/pull routing valve is easy to use. Automatically reset after the tap is shut off.
  • Replacement filters are cheap, easy to find.
  • While unique, the installation system of the filter is hard to figure out.
  • Plastic construction makes long-term durability a concern.
  • Very low flow rate in filtration mode (0.5 GPM).
  • The filter of our unit leaked during testing.

Key Specs

Filtering flow rate
1.29 GPM
L3 x W4.5 x H3.5 inches
Capacity
320 gals
1.1 lbs
Qualifications
NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and NSF/ANSI Standard 372
200 gals
Dimensions
L6 x W2.5 x H4.3 inches
NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and 53
Weight
0.7 pounds
0.5 GPM
Warranty
1-year
2 years

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$19.88
$40.27
View on AmazonView on WaterdropView on Walmart
View on Amazon

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
9.6
9.0

Lead Test

10
10
Waterdrop WD FC 01 Faucet Water Filter Lead Test
Culligan FM 25 Faucet Mount Filter Lead Test
Before
200 mg/l
200 mg/l
After
~0 mg/l
~0 mg/l

Chlorine Test

9.5
10
The color chart with two used test strips stuck to it is held to the right of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01.
Two test strips showing the control to the left (measuring the chlorinated water we pumped through the filter) and, to the right, is the result of the filtered water produced by the WD-FC-01.
The color chart with two used test strips stuck to it is held to the right of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01.
Waterdrop WD-FC-01 Faucet Water Filter Chlorine Test 2
The Culligan FM-25 filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
Two testing kits overlaid on the color pad showing the test results. One from the control sample (left) and one from the filtered water sample (right).
The Culligan FM-25 filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter Chlorine Test 3
Before
10+ mg/l
10+ mg/l
After
~0.1-0.5 mg/l
~0 mg/l

Flow Rate Test

9.0
5.0
Duration
20 secs
20 secs
Amount
0.43 gallons
0.172 gallons
Flow Rate
1.29 GPM
0.5 GPM

Design

Overall Design Scoring
9.1
8.3

In the Box

The content of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01’s shipping box laid out on a white table.
The glossy housing of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to its shipping box, adapters, and paperwork.
The glossy housing of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to its shipping box, adapters, and paperwork.
Two faucet adapters made from white plastic with black rubber seals at the top

Dimensions

The dimensions of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 are marked to the side, length (5 inches), width (2.2 inches), height (5.2 inches).
Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter Dimensions
Length
6.0" (15.2 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Width
2.5" (6.4 cm)
4.5" (11.4 cm)
Height
4.3" (10.9 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Weight
0.7 lbs (0.3 kg)
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)

Build Quality

8.3
8.3
The disassembled parts of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 faucet-mount water filter. The connection port on both parts is visible.
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01’s modular design allows it to be disassembled into two compact pieces via a port.
The disassembled parts of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01 faucet-mount water filter. The connection port on both parts is visible.
The fully-assembled Waterdrop WD-FC-01 water filter, with the filter compartment locked onto the main housing.
The Culligan FM-25 filter’s side profile, showing its large filter compartment, slip-on collar, and routing valve’s knob.
The Culligan FM-25 filter’s side profile, showing its large filter compartment, slip-on collar, and routing valve’s knob.
The main filter nozzle of the Culligan FM-25, with the “Remove Before Installing” sticker removed.

Filter Piece

10
8.0
The filter piece of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01. The exterior is made from grey polyester material, which is soaked with water.
The filter piece of the Waterdrop WD-FC-01. The grey polyester membrane on the outside is soaked after being flushed.
The filter piece of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter, with white plastic casing and chrome-plated end piece.
The filter piece that comes with the Culligan FM-25.
Filter Model
Waterdrop WD-FF-01A replacement filter
Culligan FM-25R and FM-25RA
Filtration Process
Activated carbon with polyester membrane; mineral core
Activated Carbon and Ionization Filtration
Certifications
NSF/ANSI 42
ANSI Standard 42 and 53
Filter Capacity
320 gallons
200 gallons

Routing Valve

8.2
10
The silver handle of the routing valve. Printed on the handle are “Pure” and “Tap” with arrows, denoting turning directions.
The silver handle of the routing valve. Printed on the handle are “Pure” and “Tap” with arrows, denoting turning directions.
The silver plastic twist ring at the top of the WD-FC-01 filter.
A close-up view of the push-pull routing valve on the side of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter.
A close-up view of the push-pull routing valve on the side of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter.
A top-down view of the mounting collar of the Culligan FM-25 along with the push-pull routing valve.
Type of Valve
Rotating
Push/pull

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
10
9.8

Installation

10
10
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01 with a yellow faucet adapter attached to its mounting port through the silver plastic twist ring.
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01 with a yellow faucet adapter attached to it via the plastic twist ring.
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water faucet with a faucet adapter attached to the filter’s mounting port.
The filter with a faucet adapter attached to the mounting port.

Ease of Use

10
10

Leak

10
10

Maintenance

10
8.0
The Waterdrop WD-FC-01’s filter in the center, with the housing and pieces of the filter compartment surrounding it.
The filter will last roughly 3 months under normal usage.
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to the Culligan FM-25R filter piece.
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to the Culligan FM-25R filter piece.
An upside down FM-25R filter piece, with chrome-plated end piece and housing made from white plastic.
Filter Indicator
No
N/A
Replacement
3 months
2 months