More and more individuals and businesses are choosing to equip themselves with filtered water fountains. However, not all devices on the market are equal. To help you choose the best fountain and the system most suited to your needs, we compare the different alternatives for you in this article.
If you are looking for a solution that is both effective, economical, and environmentally friendly to improve the quality of your tap water, the LaFontaine product is one of the best options on the market.
Thanks to its innovative and natural UV-A purification technology, the LAVIE filtered fountain offers you pure and healthy water, free from chlorine, bacteria, viruses, and traces of pesticides. All this, without filters to change or recurring costs. The rest in this article!
Comparison of the best filtered water fountains in 2026
There are several types of water fountains intended for individuals or businesses. To help you make the right choice based on your budget and needs, here is a comparison table of the main solutions:
|
Criteria |
Bottle fountain |
Network fountain |
LaFontaine by LAVIE |
| Filtration method | None (bottled water) | Classic filtration (carbon) | UV-A purification |
| Water quality | 💧 | 💧💧 | 💧💧💧 |
| Treated elements | Pre-treated water, but bacteria that spread quickly in the distribution circuit. | Chlorine Sediments, but bacteria that spread quickly in the distribution circuit. |
Chlorine Bacteria Viruses Traces of pesticides Traces of medications |
| Installation | 🟠 Easy, but handling heavy and bulky bottles. | ❌ Complex (direct connection to the water network, requires plumbing work) |
✅ Easy (plugs into a socket) |
| Environmental impact | ❌ High (plastic bottles are not environmentally friendly) |
🟠 Medium (filters need to be replaced regularly, not recyclable) |
✅ Very low (no plastic waste, low electricity consumption) |
| Initial cost | € | €€€ (expensive installation) |
€€ |
| Consumable costs | €€€ (Bottled water) |
€€ (Replacement filters) |
None! |
| View the product |
How to choose a filtered water fountain?
Let us revisit the different types of fountains available on the market. Depending on your needs, you might opt for a plastic bottle fountain, a network filtered fountain, or a UV-A filtered fountain.
Bottle fountain
Mechanically operated, the principle of these fountains is simple: water is stored in a plastic water bottle placed above, and flows by gravity.
The major drawback of these fountains lies in the storage and replacement of bottles. In addition to being heavy to handle and impractical, they are made of plastic, which generates highly polluting waste.
While the purchase cost of these fountains may seem more attractive than other devices, the need to constantly replace the bottles results in a cumulative price that is much higher than other filtering systems.
Finally, there is the question of water quality. The water in the bottle remains stagnant for several days, even weeks, which presents a high risk of bacterial growth.
Network-connected fountain
This range of fountains provides a constant supply of tempered water, and some models can also offer cold water if they are electrically connected. They often have a double tap to choose between cold and tempered water.
Network fountains require a direct connection to a water supply. Their installation will require the assistance of a professional.
Depending on the filtration system used (activated carbon, magnetic filtration, ceramic…), these machines will improve the quality of the water to varying degrees, eliminating certain contaminants (chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides…). However, it will be necessary to regularly change the filters, which generates waste that is not always recyclable, as well as an additional recurring cost. Moreover, bacteria can proliferate rapidly due to the absence of chlorine in the pipes and buffer tanks.
LaFontaine: UV-A Water Fountain
The LaFontaine filtered water fountain from LAVIE offers a completely different filtration solution: UV-A technology.
The principle is simple: LEDs produce UV-A rays that trigger the photolysis of chlorine, a natural reaction that cleans your tap water of chlorine, bacteria, viruses, and even some pesticides and traces of medications.
The advantage? LAVIE fountains require no maintenance and operate entirely without a filter. Thus, there is no risk of bacterial proliferation if the filter is not changed often enough, and no recurring cost for you. Additionally, the glass reservoir is treated with UV-A light during each refill, providing total health safety. Discover our LaFontaine product now and provide pure water for your family or colleagues!
Filtered water fountain: is it the best system?
Compared to other solutions such as filtered carafes, bottled water, or home osmosis systems, the filtered fountain stands out as a practical, economical, and sustainable alternative. Let us compare our LaFontaine product with other common options.
Fountain or filtered carafe?
The filtered carafe is easy to use, inexpensive to purchase, and easy to handle. However, it has several limitations: a reduced capacity, a slow and impractical gravity filtration method, and the need to regularly replace cartridges. The ecological impact of Brita-type carafes is not negligible due to the disposable filters that need to be changed every 3 to 4 weeks, which are not recyclable.
See here our complete review of the filtered carafe.
The LAVIE water fountain offers a capacity of 5L, far superior to that of carafes (1L on average). Its UV-A purification method is also more effective, healthier, and more environmentally friendly.
To deepen your choice and discover more efficient alternatives, you can also consult our selection of high-end filtered carafes. This article will help you better understand the differences between models and choose a more sustainable solution tailored to your daily needs.
Filtered fountain or bottled water?
Rather than investing in a tap water filter, isn’t it simpler and healthier to buy bottled water directly?
The answer is… no! Just like bottle fountains, plastic bottles generate highly polluting waste. Upon consumption, the water contains a high level of microplastics and nanoplastics, which is not recommended for your health (not to mention the recent scandals regarding so-called “mineral and natural” waters)!
Thanks to UV-A filtration, you can achieve a purity level comparable to mineral water, without plastic waste. So, why deprive yourself?
Fountain or water osmosis system?
Reverse osmosis is an advanced filtration method capable of removing almost all undesirable elements from water. However, this efficient system has many drawbacks: it is expensive to purchase and maintain, complex to install, and a large amount of polluted water is discharged during the filtration process (up to 4 liters for 1 liter of purified water!).
The filtered water fountain offers a good compromise: effective purification, no water discharge, no filter to change, and simple installation (you just need to plug the device into a socket). UV-A also preserves the naturally occurring minerals in water that are beneficial for our health, unlike the osmosis system which removes them.
What are the advantages of a filtered water fountain?
This is indeed the first question! If more and more individuals choose to equip themselves with a water fountain for the home, it is of course to enjoy a greater quantity of quality water available than that contained in bottles or carafes (water fountains generally have a capacity of 5 to 12 liters).
But in the realm of water fountains, the filtered fountain holds a special place for the following reasons:
- Water quality: If in France, tap water is drinkable, a filtered water fountain guarantees water free from chlorine, lead, bacteria, and other chemical substances or harmful contaminants. It preserves the essential minerals naturally present in water, such as calcium and potassium
- Improved taste: Eliminate undesirable tastes caused by rust and chemicals for pure-tasting water
- Easy access: A filtered water fountain ensures regular hydration for the whole family. An investment for quality water at your fingertips.
- Economy: Investing in a filtered water fountain is both economical and ecological. Reduce the consumption of plastic bottled water and save money in the medium and long term. We will return to this crucial point.
Environment and filtered water fountain
A filtered water fountain is much more than just a dispenser. It represents the bridge between the need for healthy water consumption and the desire for a sustainable lifestyle.
- For ecological considerations: These fountains are ideal for homes looking to adopt a zero waste lifestyle. By replacing mineral water bottles with filtered water directly from the source, we take one step closer to a sustainable future.
- Security: With the ability to eliminate harmful contaminants, these fountains provide safe drinking water for everyone, from babies to the elderly.
- Versatility: Whether you want to fill a bottle for work, a workout session, or any other outing, filtered water fountains ensure that you take quality water with you.
The Economic Factor
The economic benefits of owning a filtered water fountain are numerous:
Reduction in costs associated with purchasing bottled water
When considering the price of a bottle of water compared to tap water, the difference is significant. In the long run, filtering tap water through a fountain is much less expensive than regularly buying bottled water.
Indeed, at a price of 0.003 euros per liter, tap water costs between 100 and 300 times less than bottled water!
Decrease in expenses related to replacing household appliances
Filtered water is much less likely to damage or scale appliances such as kettles, coffee machines, or irons (maintenance is reduced by approximately a factor of 2).
Less waste
By avoiding the purchase of bottled water, we reduce waste related to unrecycled bottles and the costs associated with waste management. Did you know that in France, 25 million plastic bottles are used every day?! (Source: Tap water, bottled water: the match)
What is the best filtered fountain for purifying water?
While all fountains have their advantages and disadvantages, the product LaFontaine is the most effective, eco-friendly, and economical solution.
Its innovative and natural purification method using UV-A radiation provides you with pure water, without filters needing to be changed regularly.
The benefits of water purified by LAVIE:
💧 The taste and smell of chlorine are eliminated
💧 Pesticide traces are removed
💧 Bacteria are neutralized 100%
💧 Residues of medications are destroyed along with many endocrine disruptors
💧 Trace elements are preserved
Thus, whether you are a private individual concerned about your health and that of your family, or a company looking to ensure the well-being of its employees while saving costs, do not wait any longer to discover the LaFontaine filtered fountain!
