There are literally hundreds of home water filters. And the manufacturers say it's unfair to scare the public like this, because these products do a lot of good. The federal government doesn't regulate these products. It has no ties to either the government or industry. Products must meet certain standards to win approval.
Different filters remove different problems.
So, you need to know which contaminants you want to get rid of before you buy. They can make water taste, smell, and sometimes look better. They may also filter out harmful byproducts of chlorine, and reduce metals like lead and copper. About 15 to 30 bucks. An added benefit to these is removal of parasites, like crypto sporidium, which can cause severe illness.