How to Choose the Best Pitcher
Brita water filters help you drink healthy water and also to protect those small ecosystems that form in water filters. If you’re ready to shop for a Brita water filter pitcher, here’s where to do it and what you’ll pay.
Basically, filtration pitchers are more economical than under-sink water filters.
That means buying a pitcher is a good first step if you don’t want to shell out a whole lot of cash to get rid of those hard to pronounce chemicals and sediments that water companies put in the tap.
But unlike faucet filters, which come in a variety of styles and install easily, the best Brita water filter pitcher is a little different when it comes to selection.
But before we get into pitcher selection, let’s compare pitcher water filters with another sort of filter: whole-house filters.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Brita Ultra Max Filtering Dispenser | Best Overall |  |
| Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle | Budget Pick |  |
| Brita Redi-Twist Under Sink Replacement Filter | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Brita Ultra Max Filtering Dispenser
Pros:
- Very durable for plastic
- Nice and simple design
- Easy to fill and drink from
- Filters very effectively
Cons:
- Rather large size
- Filling hole isn’t very big
Although Brita makes some cheap, average at filtering pitchers, the company does not cut corners in the area of design with the Ultra Max. This pitcher is a little over a foot tall and offers the perfect size compromise between the standard 8-cup model and the massive 32-cup unit.
This particular model also features a large BPA-free, dishwasher-safe jug that is bigger than its predecessor the Ultra 2. It also has a sleek design that is created using BPA-free plastics and a handle that makes it simple to pour even for those with a full load in the pitcher.
As for the best way to use this pitcher, you can either run the unfiltered water through the filter and into a separate glass or directly into the pitcher.
2. Brita Water Pitcher
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Fits in refrigerator door
- Long lasting filters
- Doesn’t take long to filter
- Fairly priced
- Brita is a well-known brand
Cons:
- Doesn’t filter fluoride
- Slimy coating on inside of pitcher
- Longer replacement for average home use
Brita is one of the most popular brands of water filters but what is the best Brita water filter to buy?
The clear Brita pitcher with filter is BPA free and is ideal for reducing chlorine (taste and odor), copper, mercury and cadmium impurities found in tap water. The filter is designed to replace around 40 standard 16.9 ounce water bottles, and as was mentioned, it’s easy to use and easy to install and the filter lasts around three months.
The filter is also easy to fit in the refrigerator door for added convenience. One aspect that surprised me was just how small and light the filter was. This shouldn’t be a problem for those with limited refrigerator/storage space but it did take me by surprise a little. The filter will fit in most refrigerator doors with ease and is surprisingly compact.
3. Brita Water Pitcher
Pros:
- Carbon filter technology reduces the taste and odor of chlorine, sediment, particulates, and more
- Softened water option is great for people with sensitive skin and hair
- 1 filter can filter as many as 150 bottles of water
- Fits easily onto most refrigerator doors
- BPA-free and made in the USA
- Great for travel and everyday use
Cons:
- The bottom ring is difficult to tighten, which leads to leaks
- Filters aren’t dishwasher safe
- Filters need to be replaced far more often than most competitors’
- Upgrading to 1-stage filters is expensive
- Cloudier-than-average water
(BRITA-250)
The Amazon’s Choice award-winning Brita water jug is a bestseller because of its softening feature. The water filtration process removes a variety of impurities including odor and chlorine, making the drinking water taste much better.
Brita filters are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities, including the Sport and On-the-Go, which are meant for camping and for travel, respectively.
4. Brita Standard Replacement Filters
Pros:
- Great price
- Superior water reduction
- High-quality build
- BPA free
- Lasts 2 months
- Brita is an excellent brand
- Filters are made in the US and are NSF certified
- Certified for water quality standards
- Easy to install
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons:
- No installation instructions
- Smaller size
- You might experience leaks at the sink faucet after installation
- Harder to see the water coming through
- The filter holds a lot of water at a time, and if you wait long enough there is a faint yellow tint to the water
Brita is a brand that is well known for making excellent filters and this particular model is no exception. If you read the reviews on this filter, most people speak highly of it, and they’ve had a great experience with it.
This filter is competitively priced, and it’s one of the best filters you can buy. Installing it is very easy – just two drops of hot water will start the dissolving process, and when you’re done, you just screw it on.
5. Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle
Pros:
- Comes with a small filter that you can take anywhere you go
- Filters BPA and other contaminants
- Durable design that can last for many years
- Lessens the risk of getting sick from contaminated tap water
- Long-lasting filter
Cons:
- Manually filling the bottle can be a little bit of a chore at times
- Some in-tank filtering systems are easier to use than having to fill the bottle just to clean the bottle
Summary:
The bottom line is that the Brita filter is among the best water filters available on the market. It comes with an improved filter that reduces contaminants and BPA that you can carry around with you in the form of a handy water bottle. This doesn’t just benefit outdoor lovers, but also office workers and gym rats alike who can easily slip the filter into a backpack or gym bag.
It’s a key feature that the bottle comes with a handy flip top cap that makes it spill-resistant. This also helps reduce the chance of overfilling the bottle, which could lead to a spill if you’re not careful. The Brita premium water bottle also has a leak-proof lock to ensure that it stays where you put it.
6. Brita Redi-Twist Under Sink Replacement Filter
Pros:
- Replacement Filter that is Extra-convenient
- Can Be Replaced When Needed
- Doesn’t Take a Long Time
- Installs in Minutes
- Filter Can Last Up to Three Months or More
- Doesn’t Take Up Too Much Space
- Saves Money by Reducing the Need to Purchase Bottled Water
Cons:
- Installation Might Be Confusing
- Performance Isn’t the Best
- No Filter Change Indicator
Brita Redi-Twist Under Sink Replacement Filter is a good replacement filter from Brita. It is compact and economically printed. It doesn’t take up too much space. The best thing is that you can install it in minutes.
Brita is a reliable and popular brand in the market. It is one of the leading manufacturers of water filtration system. It is designed in a state-of-art facility. It has a compact design.
This filter is suitable for most of the under sink water filters. It is one of the best-selling products that you will find on the market.
7. Brita – 36312 Tap Water Filter
Pros:
- Easy to install, fits most standard faucets – no tools required
- Fits both standard and pour-through water filters
- Included change indicator lets you know when you need to change the filter
- Helps reduce trace amounts of lead, including lead dissolved in water from home water supplies
- Designed to reduce substances that may be found in tap water, including cysts, sediment, dirt, and chlorine
- Easy-to-grip handle
- Fits all Brita standard-size filters – color-coded to fit specific applications
- Reduces chlorine taste and odor, copper, mercury, cadmium, and dissolved solids
- Lasts up to 3 months; recommends changing every 2 months
Cons:
- May leak or drip from bottom
- Filter cannot be used with water that has extremely high mineral content or has a high pH level
- Does not meet NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 (lead release) standards
- Some reviews indicated leaks from the side of the unit or inconvenience with installation
- Cannot be used with combination copper-zinc filters, activated carbon filters, or filters that are not labeled as safe for use with water pitchers
8. Brita Replacement Shower Filter Cartridge
Pros:
- Easily installed
- Great price
- Uses renewable resources
Cons:
- Some customers complain about it leaving a sulfur odor
- Straight out of the box, some units did not fit properly
- May not be compatible with some in-shower hoses
One of the greatest shower filter options out there is the Brita replacement shower filter cartridge. This modest little filter can go a long way toward helping your hair and skin to look and feel better. Here’s why.
Brita’s replacement filter is designed for your standard 10-inch shower head. It fits seamlessly into the existing cartridge that you already have or replace. It’s easy to install, but the instructions on the package are kind of cryptic and somewhat confusing. You really have to just look at the picture for a few minutes to figure it out. The online instructions sometimes conflict with the ones on the box. But, with a little trial and error, you get the hang of how to get it to fit in the end.
This filter uses a coconut shell carbon filter media. This is a renewable resource, so there’s no negative environmental impact in replacing it annually. These filters are also NSF/ANSI certified.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How effective are Brita filters?
As long as you have unfiltered tap water, Brita filters are going to be a huge improvement on the taste of your water, especially if you care about things like the smell and how they feel in your mouth. Brita filters remove many of the contaminants that give tap water a bad taste and can potentially make you sick.
When comparing Brita filters against other filters on the market, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner, at least when it comes to taste. In certain tests, there were noticeable differences with taste preferences, but these weren’t consistent across the board. Brita ranked in the middle of the pack, with many users noticing a slight improvement over tap water and others not being able to taste a difference.
Why does my Brita filtered water taste bad?
Brita water filters can sometimes leave the water taste off for a number of reasons. Sometimes it's the minerals in the water itself, sometimes there's an off-flavor from minerals in the pitcher itself, or it could be the filter.
A quick test is to pour yourself a glass of 17-20oz of filtered water and taste it. Take note of the taste or lack of taste. Wait a few seconds while the water chills and continues to chill in the glass. It's possible that it was the sudden rush of cold water to your mouth that caused you to think it tasted bad. If you still think the water tastes bad, try waiting a few minutes and taste it again. If you still think it's different, try contacting Brita for a replacement filter.
Can Brita filters make you sick?
It is not likely that a Brita filter will make you sick. However, as with any device you use to purify water, there are some precautions you should keep in mind.
First off, there have been reports of contamination occurring after using Brita filters, but the filters weren’t the source of the problem. The problem arose when someone who handled used disposable filter elements was then exposed to mold or bacteria. So, the individual’s problem was due to inadequate hand washing practices, not the filter itself.
What is the best water filter?
Brita is the best selling water filter manufacturer in the United States. They are known for their simple design and easy to replace filters. This all makes looking for a Brita water filter pretty simple. However, when you are looking at all the different types of water filter availability you may be a bit confused by all the different options.
The claim to fame for Brita is their filter work almost as well as bottled water but without the hassle or added costs of buying bottled water. While the bottled water claims of Brita are somewhat exaggerated, they do produce a good quality and inexpensive water filter that works well for the majority of people. We use and endorse Brita primarily because of the high quality filtration cartridge they use in most models of the standard pitcher and faucet attachments.
Conclusion
This article was very helpful. I am interested in a replacement filter. We have been using the pitcher filter for about two or three years now. A friend told me about replacing the filter every two months. So that would be every six months or approximately 48 weeks, which sounds about right. So I bought two replacements. I have no idea if this is good, more or less than I have been using. And it seems to be working fine.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Brita Ultra Max Filtering Dispenser | Best Overall | |
| Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle | Budget Pick | |
| Brita Redi-Twist Under Sink Replacement Filter | Upgrade Pick | |