Most basic designs remove only contaminants like chlorine and its derivatives generated when they combine with organic matter while others remove many more. Both the Pur and Brita standard filters have a lifetime of 40 gallons of water filtered or 2 months, whichever comes first depending on the usage. While both brands have a basic filter that removes or reduces chlorine and heavy metals and a more expensive filter that removes lead, the Pur filters combats a wider variety of contaminants than the Brita filters. We also spoke with representatives and executives from the companies whose water filter pitchers we tested in order to learn more about how their filters work, and what differentiates them from one another.
And whereas the Pur has a thumb-flip lid (which leaves your other hand free to run the faucet), the Brita’s entire lid must be removed before you can refill the pitcher (so it’s a two-handed job). Finally, the Brita pitcher’s handle is less comfortable and stable to hold because the concave shape curves away from your fingers, leaving your pinkie and index brita filter pitcher fingers to do all the work. This guide is for people who want a pitcher-type water filter—the kind you fill from the tap and keep in your fridge. The other common methods of filtering tap water are plumbed in, including faucet-mounted, fridge, and under-sink filters. “The PUR pitcher holds an official NSF certification for standards NSF 42, 53 and 401.
The Berkey comes in multiple sizes with the smallest one starting at $345, but according to Berkey, the filters can be cleaned up to 100 times with a 3M Scotch-Brite pad. Over time, this may save money compared to pitchers that need to have their filters changed every few months. We checked that these water filters actually work to remove contaminants and improve taste. You can read more about how we evaluate water filter pitchers in our Labs — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best water filter pitcher — at the end of this guide.
Still, other testers (especially those with reverse-osmosis systems at home) loved the taste. Brita is probably the best-known of the water filter pitcher brands and it performed well in our testing, second only to the ZeroWater in the overall removal of dissolved materials. Pur offers a 7-cup pitcher, which also lacks the Classic’s ergonomic handle and shaves about 2 inches off the footprint’s length and width, compared with the Classic. Saving space sounds nice, but this smaller design means you’ll have to visit the faucet more often.
When reading a consumer confidence report, if you see a listed contaminant that’s too close to the limit for comfort, you can check for that contaminant on filter ratings before you buy. We wanted to see how much difference filter type really makes with brita filter pitcher taste’s biggest enemy, chlorine. So, we called in a Hatch chlorine test kit that can detect a .01 part-per-million (ppm) difference in total chlorine. It’s not exactly a problem, but each pitcher has one ideal pour angle where the stream is controlled.
For the vast majority of us, chlorine reduction is going to be the major concern, and safeguarding against accidental exposure to lead, cadmium and mercury is a peace-of-mind bonus. The ZeroWater pitcher managed to reduce all of the total dissolved solids in my tap water, from an average initial TDS reading of 57 ppm down to zero. Both Brita pitchers with the standard filter tied for second place, with a reduction of TDS from 57 down to 31 (a 45.6% decrease). The stylish (and expensive) Aarke also did well, removing nearly 40% of the TDS from tap water. Obviously, you need this, because no one wants to carry a giant water filter pitcher with them to work.
There have been a lot of improvements made to water filter pitchers since we first began testing them, as evidenced by the Waterdrop pitcher. Even though the Waterdrop’s water had a slightly metallic taste, this pitcher has decided benefits. If the cost of filters is a turn-off, it’s worth noting that ZeroWater has the best recycling program of all the water brita water dispenser filters we tested. This means that customers have an incentive not to fill up landfills with filters, and the ion-exchange media inside can actually be regenerated. In a few instances, we also saw unfiltered water seeping out at the front of the reservoir if we tried to pour the first cup of water out while the top of the pitcher was still full.
We verified that it removes contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals like lead, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and more. In addition, it removes over 90% of fluoride, which some may prefer removed while others may not. The tap water we tested had between 0.7 and 1 ppm of chlorine across our tests over one year. We found that any filter we tried in our pitchers, no matter how long it had been in use, would remove all detectable traces of chlorine. The biggest changes in water taste are the easiest to make, so a budget-class Brita filter replacement from the hardware store isn’t actually a bad buy if that’s all you need. But if you’re worried about lead or other contaminants, or if you want a mineral-free taste profile, you’ll need one of these more expensive options.
Smell and taste generate the biggest tap water complaints; they relate directly to the water source. Eight of 10 water filter pitchers in CR’s tests improve flavor and reduce odor. Considering why you need a water filter will help you choose the right one.