Ultimately, any of the water filters we tested will easily improve the taste by removing chlorine. Brita’s Longlast filter is by far the most cost effective, lasting three times more water than most of the other brands and removing more heavy metals than the basic Brita. The AquaTru water filter dispenser removes over 80 contaminants, one of the highest among the water filters we tested, which earned it one of the top spots in our tests.
Instead, you can simply check on the TDS meter and replace the filter when the reading hits 006. Some of them, such as magnesium, are beneficial for your health and for the taste of your water. There’s some controversy around the practice of drinking mineral-free water, and one study recommends monitoring your mineral levels and taking supplements if you’re not getting calcium, magnesium and sodium in your water. If you’re looking for a reliable improvement in the taste of chlorinated water or an efficient way to prevent potential lead exposure, Brita makes a good pitcher with a great filter.
After using the 10-cup ZeroWater pitcher for a year, we had to admit that it’s a bit bigger than we’d like. The spigot at the base of the 10-cup pitcher was a neat idea, but in practice it was so slow to drain, and we rarely used it. Even the Brita Longlast filter, which removes slightly more minerals in a carefully engineered system to take out lead, won’t do much to change mineral-heavy well water. If you only want to remove odors or set your mind at ease about lead and pesticides this kind of filter might be perfect, but it won’t stop hard-water scale from taking over the insides of your favorite Keurig. When we checked our water with a chlorine reagent test, we were surprised to find out that chlorine reduction was identical between a used-up Brita filter and a new one. The biggest taste improvement for most tap water is clearly the easiest job, unless you prefer the mineral-free non-flavor of ZeroWater.
To address these concerns, some people buy bottled water, while others choose to install under-sink water filtration systems. When we tested with brand-new and well-used water-pitcher filters, we found that carbon filters are very effective at removing chlorine for long past their rated life. Even the most harmless particles can add undesirable flavors, so whether you’re drinking water by itself, making coffee or brewing tea a filter pitcher will help. The water filters we tested all rely on capturing particles or attracting them to an activated medium, and that means they have a limited life.
Our recommended Brita pitcher and dispenser lack a PID and instead simply use a timer to roughly estimate when the filters have reached their 120-gallon lifespan. That said, the Longlast+ will fit in them, and the ANSI/NSF certification testing is so rigorous that we don’t think you run much risk of overtaxing yours before the replacement light comes on. If you want a Brita pitcher or dispenser that does have a PID, the models are listed on the top of page 3 in the PDF linked above. Brita also said the Longlast+ filters a tankful faster than its predecessor.
When trying to pour out the last cupful of water, we repeatedly had problems with the filter and fill housing falling out and onto our hands, the glass, or the counter. The Brita Grand pitcher fits both the Longlast+ and the Pitcher and Dispenser filters (like the Everyday does). The Grand has a thumb-flip lid for one-handed filling, which is brita filter pitcher a feature we like on the Pur Classic (and one the Everyday lacks). But the Grand also has a molded-in “pipe” inside the fill hole; this shape creates tight crannies that are harder to clean than the Everyday’s simple design. And the Grand has the same concave handle as the Everyday handle, which is harder to grasp than the Pur Classic’s.
The Brita Longlast+ has 30 ANSI/NSF certifications and is rated to last six months—three times longer than most filters. When it came to pouring, the water pitchers with proportional handles performed best. Using a pitcher can require lifting it out of the refrigerator, placing it in the sink for a refill, brita filter pitcher or even toting it across the room to serve someone. During testing, it quickly became apparent which pitchers had handles worthy of such tasks. Our winner, the Brita Longlast Everyday Water Filter Pitcher, had a rounded, moderately thick handle that nicely balanced the weight of the rest of the pitcher.
Clogging has been an issue with Pur’s filters, due to fine bubbles, and potentially sediment, which may get stuck in the filter media and prevent water from passing through. The company added internal vents to both the Lead Reduction and the Pur Pitcher filters to help the bubbles escape. Unfortunately, there’s no universal answer to whether you need a water filter.
For more on filtration, see our water filter buying guide, and for even more options, check CR’s complete water filter ratings. We’ve been testing water filters since we started this website, and we’ve spent brita water dispenser more than 60 hours researching the concerns and preferences of consumers who love to stay hydrated. Ultimately, we think there are simply better options to choose from, with or without slow filtration times.
Check out our guides to the best water bottles and the best smart water bottles. Brita surpasses Pur in overall water taste, filter lifespan, filter replacement cost, and pitcher options. 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.