If you are hesitant to get a countertop water filter because you fear the installation and maintenance it requires, do not. It is an easy thing to do. Most countertop water filters simply attach to the kitchen faucet by a small hose that screws on with ease (only a few seconds), and the maintenance is the simple replacement of the filter, which may only be as little as once a year.
The only tools you will need to install a countertop water filter is a wrench to tighten the valve so that it will not leak. Other than that, it is a matter of buying it, bringing it home, and taking in out of the box. Once attached and sitting on the counter, it is simply a matter of flipping the tap and filling your glass with water. Some models include a second tap for switching to tap water (for use in cleaning or watering plants), but that too is a very simple step to use. We found that the best filter was simply the one that we would use on a daily basis.