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When it comes to quenching your thirst, relying on tap water isn’t always the optimal choice, especially if you have reservations about its quality. That’s precisely why investing in one of the top-tier Best Water Filter Pitchers is a game-changer. These exceptional filtration pitchers not only enhance the taste of your drinking water but also ensure it’s healthier for your well-being. Say goodbye to the expense and environmental impact of bottled water by opting for a reliable home filtration system or an outstanding filter pitcher. We’ve crunched the numbers, and the savings you’ll enjoy by using a quality filter pitcher like Brita or other leading brands, instead of purchasing bottled water, are nothing short of remarkable.
Brita may be the most well-known brand of water filter pitcher, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best at getting metals and other unwanted substances out of tap water. In fact, for the past three years, the best water filter pitcher has been made by a different brand. In another round of tests this year, the $50 ZeroWater still came out on top, getting almost all of the dissolved solids out of the water. But there are other models that did a great job, like one very stylish pitcher that might catch your eye more than the cheap, bare-bones plastic models that are the norm in the category.
Best Water Filter Pitchers Comparison Table
| Product Name | Filter Capacity | Filter Life | Filter Type | Removes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZeroWater Pitcher | 10 cups | 15-25 gal | Ion Exchange | Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | $24.99 |
| Brita Standard | 10 cups | 40 gal | Activated Carbon | Chlorine, Copper, Mercury, Zinc | $22.99 |
| SOMA 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher | 10 cups | 40 gal | Coconut Shell Carbon | Chlorine, Mercury, Copper, Zinc | $39.99 |
| AQUA TRU Connect Smart Countertop Water Purifier | 1 gal | 600 gal | Reverse Osmosis | Lead, Chlorine, VOCs, PFOA/PFOS | $449.00 |
| Kirkland Signature (Costco) Water Filtration System | N/A | N/A | Reverse Osmosis | Lead, Chlorine, Mercury, Arsenic | $219.99 |
| Pur Ultimate with Lead Reduction PPT711W | 7 cups | 30 gal | Activated Carbon | Lead, Mercury, Chlorine | $29.99 |
| Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher | 10 cups | 200 gal | Activated Carbon | Chlorine, Fluoride, Lead | $35.99 |
ZeroWater Pitcher
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 cups |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 40 gallons |
| Filtration technology | 5-stage filtration |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
During our tests, the ZeroWater filter worked great. It got rid of all the TDS in the water we ran through it, giving us an average score of 0. ZeroWater is so sure of its filter products that each one comes with a TDS water quality tester so you can see for yourself how well it works. We used our own tester as well as the one that came with the filter, and both of them gave it a perfect TDS score.
This powerful water purifier pitcher is also cheap and durable, and it comes in a few different sizes that all use the same filter. There’s a small round pitcher that holds 10 cups, a 23-cup dispenser with a spigot, and even a huge 5-gallon water jug that can be put on a water cooler.
The Good
- 5-stage filtration to clean thoroughly
- Up to 99.6% of all dissolved solids are taken out.
- Includes a TDS meter to measure the quality of the water.
- 10 cups is a large amount.
The Bad
- Compared to other brands, the cost of replacement filters can be high.
- It takes longer than other pitchers to filter water.
Brita Standard
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 cups |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 40 gallons |
| Filtration technology | Activated carbon filter |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
Brita is probably the most well-known brand of water filter pitcher, and it did well in our tests. Only ZeroWater did a better job of getting rid of dissolved materials overall. About 40% of the TDS was taken out by the Brita. It wasn’t bad, but it was still a lot worse than the winner.
This type is also a few dollars cheaper than a ZeroWater pitcher of the same size, making it one of the most affordable water filter pitchers on the market. Even better, you can get a multipack of new filters for about $6, which makes things even cheaper. Each one is said to be able to filter 40 gallons of water, which is enough for about two months of steady use.
The Good
- It’s cheap and easy to find
- 10 cups is a large amount.
- Taste and smell of chlorine are taken out of water.
- Comes in different colors and designs to match different kitchen styles.
The Bad
- Compared to other brands, the filtering technology is simple.
- Doesn’t get rid of as many impurities as other filters
SOMA 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 cups |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 40 gallons |
| Filtration technology | Coconut shell activated carbon and ion exchange resin |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
Water filter pitchers can be ugly because they are bulky, but this sleek pitcher with a wooden handle is beautiful and easy to use. Nicole Papantaniou is in charge of GH’s Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab. She loves the wooden handle and how easy it is to hold and pour. It’s almost ready to use right out of the box, but you do need to soak the filter (the bag that comes with the filter can also be used to soak the filter).
We also found that the drop-down lid made it easy to fill. Just put the pitcher under the faucet, and the top flap will drop down because of the pressure of the water. At 74 seconds per cup of water, it was one of the faster pitchers we tested. Even though it doesn’t get rid of as many contaminants as some of the other water filter pitchers we tried, we were able to confirm by looking at test results from a third-party lab that it gets rid of chlorine to make the water taste better and four heavy metals.
The Good
- Sleek and modern design
- Materials that are good for the environment and can be reused were used to build it.
- Includes a water filter made from plants
The Bad
- Some customers said that the speed of filtration was slow.
AQUA TRU Connect Smart Countertop Water Purifier
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 gallon |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 2 years |
| Filtration technology | 4-stage reverse osmosis |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
The Aqua Tru has three filters: a pre/carbon filter, a reverse osmosis filter, and a VOC filter. People say that the pre/carbon filter gets rid of grit, rust, and chlorine, which also makes the water taste better. People say that reverse osmosis can get rid of impurities as small as 1/10000 of a micron. This means that it can get rid of arsenic, lead, parasite cysts, copper, and other things. All of these promises about getting rid of contaminants were proven true when we looked at test results from independent labs.
The purpose of the carbon VOC filter is to improve the taste of the water. If you care a lot about how your water tastes, you can also buy a PH + mineral boost alkaline carbon VOC filter. This filter is meant to give your water the mineral-rich taste of Evian or Arrowhead, while the regular VOC filter gives you a taste more like Smartwater or Aquafina.
The Good
- Using advanced filtration technology, the water is thoroughly cleaned.
- Connects to a smartphone to track and order filters in real time
- Up to 99% of contaminants, such as lead and fluoride, are removed.
- Long-lasting filters that can last up to two years
The Bad
- Compared to other pitchers and filters, it’s pricey.
- Compared to pitchers, it takes up more space on the counter.
Kirkland Signature (Costco) Water Filtration System
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 gallons |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 6 months |
| Filtration technology | Reverse osmosis |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
The opinion of CR is that although the name of the Kirkland Signature Water Filtration System is difficult to say, using it makes drinking water much simpler.
Although it is not NSF approved for lead removal, it receives high marks overall and has excellent ratings in terms of flow rate and clogging. If your tap water stinks, tastes awful, or is polluted by increased levels of chlorine, then this pitcher, which can be purchased for $25 at Costco (presuming that you are a member of Costco), is for you.
The Good
- 6 gallons is a large amount.
- Reverse osmosis filtration technology has come a long way.
- It has a faucet that makes it easy to pour.
- Compared to other reverse osmosis systems, this one is cheap.
The Bad
- It can be expensive to buy new filters.
Pur Ultimate with Lead Reduction PPT711W
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 cups |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 30 gallons |
| Filtration technology | Maxion filter technology |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
The verdict from Consumer Reports is that the Pur Ultimate with Lead Reduction PPT711W does an excellent job of enhancing flavor and decreasing odor (scoring highest in our testing), and it is NSF approved for both lead and chlorine reduction. However, patience and a deeper budget are going to be necessities.
This water filter pitcher will not become clogged, but it only has a moderate flow rate, which means that it filters the water slowly; the process can take up to an hour. (Once it is full, you may store it in the refrigerator or set it out on the counter for later use.) Additionally, it is not inexpensive, with an initial selling price of $54 and an annual cartridge replacement cost of $40. Despite this, its overall performance places it quite close to the top of our ratings.
The Good
- Up to 99% of lead and other contaminants are taken out.
- The small size fits in most fridge doors
- Easy-fill lid makes it easy to refill.
- Compared to other filters that reduce lead, this one is cheap.
The Bad
- Compared to other pitchers, this one only holds 7 cups.
Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 10 cups |
| Filter lifespan | Up to 200 gallons |
| Filtration technology | 7-stage filtration |
| Certifications | NSF Certified |
The Chubby Water Filter Pitcher from Waterdrop has a capacity of 10 cups, which is one of the largest you’ll find before you get to dispensers. It is made of plastic, so it doesn’t get too heavy when it’s full, and it has a system that filters out chlorine, arsenic, and fluoride from your water. Each filter cartridge is NSF 372 and NSF 42 approved, which means that it doesn’t contain any lead and can get rid of 97.4% of the chlorine in the water.
This pitcher also has a very fast flow rate. According to the maker, it can filter the tank in just one minute, which makes it a great choice for families or households with more than one person. It can filter up to 200 gallons of water before it needs to be changed, so you won’t have to buy filters very often. If you want to know for sure if you need a new filter, you can look at the light on top of the pitcher.
The Good
- 7 stages of filtering for thorough cleaning
- Long-lasting filter that can handle up to 200 gallons of water.
- 10 cups is a large amount.
- Sleek and modern design
The Bad
- Some customers said that the lid didn’t fit properly.
FAQs
A water filter pitcher is a container with a built-in filter that removes impurities from tap water, such as chlorine, sediment, and heavy metals.
The lifespan of a water filter pitcher depends on several factors, such as the quality of your tap water, how often you use the pitcher, and the type of filter. Most pitchers will last for 2-3 months before needing a filter replacement.
The cost of a water filter pitcher varies depending on the brand and features. However, they are generally an affordable option for people who want to improve the taste and quality of their tap water.