Do Brita Filters Remove Lead? Yes!

Brita filters can remove lead although it depends on which filter you choose, as they offer six different types.

In this article, we’ll look at the Brita filters that can or can't remove lead, as well as top Brita alternatives that also removes lead.

Which Brita Filters Can Remove Lead and Which Can’t?

As we mentioned, Brita offers six different types of filters: bottle filters, stream filters, standard filters, faucet filters, Elite filters, and Longlast+ filters. However, not all of them are equipped to remove lead.

Here’s a breakdown of which filters can and can’t remove lead from your drinking water:

• Bottle filters: These filters are featured in Brita bottles. They can only remove or reduce aesthetic impurities like chlorine, taste, color, and odor using activated carbon. Since lead is a health hazard and not just an aesthetic issue, these filters won’t help with lead.
• Stream filters: These filters are used in some low-end Brita water pitchers and dispensers. They also rely on activated carbon block technology to reduce the aesthetic impurities present in drinking water. Like bottle filters, they can’t remove lead.
• Standard filters: Many Brita water pitchers and dispensers come with standard filters that use a built-in mesh filter and ion exchange resin. These can handle sediment and some heavy metals like copper and zinc and prevent them from ending up in your drinking water cup. However, they're ineffective against lead.
• Faucet filters: Brita’s faucet water filters feature specially designed non-woven filter media with a microscopic pore size and an activated carbon block. This combination allows them to trap and block contaminants like lead, asbestos, and benzene, making them effective for lead removal.
• Elite filters: These filters are an upgrade on the Brita standard filters for water pitchers and dispensers. They include pleated media and active filtering agents in addition to mesh media and ion exchange properties. As a result, they’re well-equipped to deal with lead.
• Longlast+ filters: These filters are similar to the Elite filters but last longer. When it comes to contaminant removal, they use the same technology, which means that they’re effective at eliminating lead from drinking water.

The EPA regulates lead as a health hazard under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) tests and certifies products for their ability to remove such contaminants under the NSF/ANSI standard 53.

All of Brita’s faucet, Elite, and Longlast+ filters have this particular certification, so you can trust that they effectively remove lead as promised.

Best Brita Alternatives for Removing Lead From Drinking Water

Just because some Brita filters can remove lead doesn’t necessarily make them the best on the market. There are actually many other water filtration systems that removes lead.

Below, we’ll review the three best Brita alternatives so that you’re better equipped to make an easier and well-informed decision.

• Water Pitcher Alternative to Brita: The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
• Whole House Filtration System Alternative to Brita: SpringWell Whole House Lead & Cyst Removal System
• Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Alternative to Brita: AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water System

A Comparison Table of Brita Alternatives for Removing Lead

Conclusion

Brita offers six different filter options, only three of which are capable of removing lead: The faucet, Elite, and Longlast+ filters. However, there may be better options for removing lead from your drinking water.