BRITA fill and serve Water Filter Carafe, White

Product Information

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.

Brita is one of the most well-known water filter brands, so it’s no surprise the brand's Elite water filter did a stellar job in our testing and filtered over 30 contaminants. Once finished, we measured the TDS again and noted the percentage change. This process was repeated for higher and lower TDS concentrations, and our findings indicate that each of the units we tested is very consistent at removing the same percentage of overall TDS from any water passed through it. Testing for chlorine 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. 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. Zero Water’s innovative two-in-one pitcher allows you to pour out of the spout or to dispense water while sits on on the counter with the push-button spigot at the bottom of the pitcher. The Zero Water 5-Stage system comes with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter, which indicates the level of dissolved salts and minerals in the water such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate and more. In our Lab tests, the meter read instantaneously. Plus, it filters out five chemical contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals and endocrine distruptors such as PFOA and PFOS, according to our verified review of third-party test data. No matter which water filter you opt for, it’s no good if you don’t change the filter as recommended. Birnur Aral, Ph.D., says, “The performance of the water filter depends on the quality of the water source and whether or not the filters are replaced regularly.” Some models come with indicators, but if a model doesn’t include one, a slower flow rate or different-colored water are signs that you need to change the filter.Access to safe drinking water is an issue across the globe, and it affects communities in the United States. If you’re not sure about your water quality, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just updated its Tap Water Database in 2021. It’s free and easy to search, and it has information for all states. Enter your zip code or search your state to find details on your drinking water quality based on EWG standards (which are stricter than those of the government). If your tap water does exceed EWG health guidelines, it may be a good idea to consider buying a water filter.

This small but mighty water filter pitcher improves the taste and clarity of water, plus takes out over 30 contaminants, including chlorine, microplastics, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and E.coli bacteria and cysts, which we verified by reviewing the brand’s third-party lab test data. Most brands offer only plastic pitchers, but LifeStraw has a glass and a plastic option.It was one of the fastest filters in our tests, coming in at 38 seconds per cup of water and, according to Brita, the filter lasts about six months before you need to change it. Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman has this water filter pitcher at home and says, “With five thirsty mouths in our house, I like that the filter lasts longer so I’m not constantly changing it, and I enjoy the taste of the water.” Before you choose a model, consider how many water drinkers your filter pitcher will be used by. If it's just you or you and one other person, a small or medium pitcher will likely suffice. If your space is occupied by three or four water drinkers, consider a large pitcher or dispenser jug instead. Materials Brita is a name everybody is familiar with for a reason, and their filters will serve you well if that's the direction you choose to go. While not as effective as the ZeroWater, they are affordable, effective and have a respectable service life before requiring replacement.

According to our data review, all three filters remove what they claim. The pre/carbon filter removes particles like sediment and rust, as well as chlorine, which also improves taste. The reverse osmosis filter removes impurities down to 1/10,000 of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper and more. The carbon VOC filter is designed to enhance the taste of the water. It also filters out radon, a radioactive material that most filters do not remove and also removes over 90% of fluoride (which some may prefer be removed though others may not).

MAXTRA+ MicroFlow Technology reduces:

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Most water filter pitchers remove chlorine to improve the taste of the water, which could also lead to a rise in bacteria in the filtered water. Larq solves this by using UV light to inhibit E. coli and Salmonellafrom building up in the water due to chlorine removal. It filters over 45 contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors PFOA and PFOS, pharmaceuticals and more, which we verified through a review of third-party test data. It has a rechargeable removable wand that powers the UV light, which is visible as the water filters through. For our testing, we decided to ramp things up a notch and test water prepared at a concentration similar to that of a swimming pool -- 10 ppm chlorine. This gave us a clear indication of the changes after filtration. Once again, each filter was tested with 1 liter of solution and compared to results from the water prefiltration and once again, filters such as the ZeroWater substantially outperformed the others. Testing pH changes