All filters are replaceable and tested to the highest industry standards. Our American-made filters are tested against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, P473, and P231 for contaminant reduction (see Nano Filter Test Results. for more). With each filter capable of purifying 150 gallons (568 litres) of water, the Epic Nano Pitcher is also a great economical choice saving your pocket book and the earth from single use plastic water bottles. To be clear, the water filter pitchers we test are intended to be used with potable water—that is, water that’s safe to drink—to improve taste and remove unpleasant odors. Some manufacturers also claim that their pitchers meet accepted standards for removing specific contaminants, such as chlorine and lead. (CR verifies those claims in our tests.) All the pitchers in our tests are certified to remove chlorine but less than half are certified to remove lead.
Below, in alphabetical order, we’ve listed five of the best pitchers from our water filter pitcher ratings (along with two more to avoid). For more on filtration, see our water filter buying guide, and for even more options, check CR’s complete water filter ratings. NSF International works with many food, health and safety agencies worldwide as a private certification agency. Water treatment makes sure most of us in the United States have access to clean water. Some people have a private well that they need to monitor themselves, but the vast majority of us rely on a local water authority. Many of those offices will mail a consumer confidence report directly to you, or you can find it through the Environmental Protection Agency database.
Remove the top reservoir and lid from the pitcher and place all sections in the water. Washing the pitcher is recommended to remove any debris that it may have picked up during manufacturing. If you notice that the water is getting close to the top, stop pouring and wait for some of the water to filter through before adding more. I also find that filling the pitcher directly from the faucet can be tricky because the water comes out pretty fast. To compensate for this, I fill it about 2/3 of the way and then reduce the flow to a trickle.
If you’re going to be diligent about replacing filters, the ZeroWater system is better at letting you know what’s going on. You can check periodically with the included tester and see when the total dissolved solids climbs up from zero to 6 ppm, and replace the filter before it stops working altogether. When the filter media is saturated with metal ions, it actually starts to release some back into the water, and you’ll immediately notice a sour or fishy taste.
Remove the new filter from its packaging and hold it under running water for up to 15 seconds. In this how to use Brita pitcher guide, we’ll be sharing the step-by-step process for using a Brita pitcher for the first time, and on a daily basis. The Max Fill line of all Brita pitchers is inside the reservoir.
If you haven’t experienced clogging issues with your Pur or Brita filters, we think you’ll be happier with the design of their dispensers. The chief advantages to using pitcher-type filters are their low cost and their ease of use. Most models cost less than $40 up-front, and they can usually be maintained for $6 to $14 per replacement filter every two months. The LifeStraw Home Dispenser filtered gallons of rust-laden water and kept on working—and it’s been reliably tested against dozens of contaminants. The nano dispenser gives us access to good quality water to drink that room temperature. I love how there are multiple ways to fill up, making it easy to use.
If for any reason you are not in love with your new Clearly Filtered product, you can return it for a refund. Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer brita filter pitcher and will be deducted from your refund. Daniel is a Canadian farm boy who grew up to be a nerd with a literature degree and too many hobbies to count.
The company added internal vents to both the Lead Reduction and the Pur Pitcher filters to help the bubbles escape. We began our search with pitchers in the popular 10- to 11-cup range. Most companies also offer smaller pitchers for folks who don’t need a full-size model.