Water filter pitchers are one of the most popular type of water filtration system thanks to their portability, low maintenance and effectiveness at removing contaminants.
Our top recommendation, the Clearly Filtered Pitcher offers over 100 gallons of filter life, and removes over 365+ water contaminants. Other options like the Epic Smart Pitcher and Brita Everyday Pitcher also have similar offerings although they differ in their filtration technology.
In this article, we'll examine 4 water filter pitchers across different use-cases and filtration technology.
Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration- The number of reduced contaminants: 365+
- Filter life: 100 gallons (2-3 months)
- Water capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & 473
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Filtration technology: Proprietary blend of different media
- The number of reduced contaminants: 200+
- Filter life: 150 gallons (3-4 months)
- Water capacity: 8.5 cups (68oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & P473
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Filtration technology: Reverse osmosis
- The number of reduced contaminants: Not provided by the manufacturer
- Filter life: Standard filter – 40 gallons (2 months); Longlast filter – 120 gallons (6 months)
- Water capacity: 10 cups (72oz)
- NSF certifications: Not specified
- Warranty: 1 year
1. Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher – The Best Water Filter Pitcher Overall
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- The number of reduced contaminants: 365+
- Filter life: 100 gallons (2-3 months)
- Water capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & 473
- Warranty: Lifetime
Clearly Filtered is the go-to brand for many Americans, including us here at WaterDefense, be it for an under-the-sink filtration unit or a universal inline filter.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the actual flagship product of the brand, with its innovative technology, unmatched number of contaminants it can reduce (365+), and impressive reduction rates.
Affinity Filtration Technology
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces an unprecedented number of contaminants thanks to the Affinity Filtration technology engineered and patented by the brand.
We can attribute the success of the Affinity Filtration technology to two things:
- Unique physical structure: Technologies like reverse osmosis employ screens or membranes with microscopic pore sizes so contaminants bigger than these pores can’t make their way into the end product. On the other hand, Affinity Filtration uses different filtration media and places them inside the filter cartridge, creating microscopic paths full of twists and turns. Ultimately, this ensures a prolonged and more thorough filtration process than any other technique.
- Contaminant magnet: Ionic contaminants, such as heavy metals, often pass through even the smallest microscopic pores and most twisted paths. Affinity Filtration utilizes cartridge walls that attract such molecules to trap them.
Independently Tested
An independent water-testing lab evaluated the success of the Affinity Filtration and listed their results in an extensive performance data sheet. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) then certified the device with NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and 473, guaranteeing it reduces VOCs, PFAS/PFOA, lead, arsenic, fluoride, and chlorine, among other hazardous elements.
Long-Lasting Filter
Additionally, the most popular water pitchers, like Brita, require filter replacements once every month. In contrast, the Clearly Filtered unit has a 100-gallon filtration capacity. For a family of four, it will last approximately two to three months, assuming that an average American citizen drinks 182 gallons of water per year.
2. Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher
- Filtration technology: Proprietary blend of different media
- The number of reduced contaminants: 200+
- Filter life: 150 gallons (3-4 months)
- Water capacity: 8.5 cups (68oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & P473
- Warranty: Lifetime
If you don’t have particularly contaminated water and don’t want to pay too much for a water pitcher, then the Epic Pure Water model might be for you. It has excellent filter longevity and really good contaminant removal rates, even if they’re not quite as good as those of the Clearly Filtered pitcher.
Contaminant Removal
Eliminating more than 200 contaminants, this pitcher only falls behind the Clearly Filtered. Plus, its removal rates for the most prominent health hazards, such as lead (99.3%), PFAS/PFOA (99.6%), and benzene (99.8%), are nothing short of exemplary.
Like Clearly Filtered, Epic had a third-party laboratory test its product and was certified by the NSF against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and P473. As a result, it comes with a detailed performance data sheet where you can see what it removes, with what success rate, and whether it suits your needs.
This model utilizes a proprietary blend of different filtration technologies, from ion exchange properties to solid carbon blocks. That’s how Epic Pure achieves such remarkable numbers.
Impressive Filter Longevity
The lifespan of the Epic Pure is also an upgrade on the Clearly Filtered unit. While the latter provides only 100 gallons of clean water without requiring replacement, the former purifies 150 gallons of water, indicating a three to four-month lifespan for a family of four.
Eco-Friendliness
Besides its highly efficient water treatment process and longevity, we also rated Epic Pure highly because of its eco-friendly program. The manufacturer runs a recycling program that grants you one free filter for every three used, which makes this product an eco-friendly and economical choice.
Additionally, the manufacturer is a member of the Inland Ocean Coalition, whose objective is to raise consciousness concerning the adverse effects of microplastics in the ocean and other bodies of water.
3. Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher
- Filtration technology: Reverse osmosis
- The number of reduced contaminants: Not provided by the manufacturer
- Filter life: Standard filter – 40 gallons (2 months); Long last filter – 120 gallons (6 months)
- Water capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF certifications: Not specified
- Warranty: 1 year
If you’ve done much research into water filters, you’ve probably heard the name Brita mentioned in a positive light. Well, the Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher is another example of why this brand has such a good reputation.
Considering it’s the cheapest pitcher on our list, you might be surprised to learn that it has the same storage capacity (80oz) as our top-rated filter. Plus, it can filter out plenty of contaminants like chlorine and mercury, and all of its components are BPA-free!
Key Features:
- Filter longevity: The pitcher is compatible with two different types of Brita filters: the Standard filter and the Longlast filter. While the Standard filter only lasts for around 2 months, the Longlast filter has a 120-gallon capacity and lasts about 6 months. So, if you opt for the Longlast filter, the pitcher’s capacity will be even higher than the top-ranked filter on this list. The downside is that Longlast filters are really expensive.
- Storage capacity: Like the Clearly Filtered unit, the Brita Everyday can store up to 10 cups of filtered water. This is ideal for larger households with high water demands. It means you’ll always have a ready supply of pure water on hand.
- Simple maintenance: We love how easy it is to replace Everyday’s filters. All you have to do is remove the old filter, flush the new one with water for 15 seconds, and insert it into the pitcher. That’s it!
- Filtration tech: The Brita Everyday uses reverse osmosis filtration to remove contaminants like mercury, chlorine, and heavy metals. However, it doesn’t appear to be NSF-certified so it’s unlikely that its contaminant removal rates have been independently tested. We’re pretty sure this is why Brita doesn’t supply any information about these rates.
4. ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour
- Filtration technology: Ion exchange
- The number of reduced contaminants: Not provided by the manufacturer
- Filter life: Not specified
- Water capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI standards 42 and 53
- Warranty: 90 days
The ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready Pour is the second-least expensive pitcher on our list but it’s still packed with plenty of great features. It has the same storage capacity as the Clearly Filtered and Brita units, and its ion exchange filter is efficient at reducing contaminants like chlorine.
We really liked how compact this pitcher is and we found that it fit comfortably inside a regular-sized fridge. Combined with its high storage capacity, this meant we always had 10 cups of chilled, purified water ready when we needed it.
Key Features:
- Ion exchange tech: The pitcher’s 5-stage filtration process includes ion exchange technology, which is effective at reducing TDS such as minerals, metals, and salts. In fact, this ZeroWater pitcher can remove up to 99.6% of all TDS.
- IAPMO certified: The pitcher is also IAPMO certified to reduce lead, PFOA/PFOS, mercury, and chromium. Plus, it’s NSF-certified to standards 42 and 53. Clearly, ZeroWater has put effort into getting this product rigorously tested by external bodies.
- TDS meter: We were very impressed by the fact that this pitcher came with a free TDS meter, which we used to measure the TDS levels of the water in the storage tank. This meter tells you when the filter needs to be replaced, which is a really useful feature.
- Sleek and compact design: The pitcher’s dimensions are 11.63″L x 5.93″W x 11″H. This makes it a really compact unit that’s easy to store in your fridge. If your kitchen is short on space, you’ll really appreciate the design of this pitcher.
Popular Questions About Water Filter Pitchers
How does a water filter pitcher work?
A water filter pitcher has two main parts. One is the filtration unit on top of the device, and the other is just a regular jug.
You pour unfiltered water into its filtration unit and the pitcher's filter treats that water when it’s making its way to the jug part of the pitcher. Once all the water you pour is in the jug, it’s good to go.Add image
Which water filter pitcher removes/reduces the highest number of contaminants?
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces the highest number of contaminants in drinking water—more than 365. It is also certified by the NSF and has an impressive performance data sheet listing all the contaminants it reduces with their reduction rates.
How frequently do I need to replace the filter of my water pitcher?
Ultimately, it depends on how frequently you use your pitcher and how many people are using it, but many of the most popular pitchers on the market require monthly replacements.
However, the average replacement frequency of the products on our list is better. The Brita pitcher filter needs to be replaced around once every 2 months. The Clearly Filtered pitcher’s filter lasts for around 2 to 3 months, and the Epic pitcher’s filter lasts for around 3 to 4 months.
How much does a water filter pitcher cost on average?
Depending on your needs and the product’s effectiveness, a water pitcher may cost between $20 and $200. The Brita Everyday is the most affordable product on our list at $28.39, and the Clealy Filtered unit is the most expensive one at $90.
But, the price of a water pitcher isn’t the sole cost. These devices require filter replacements, and the frequency of filter replacements adds to their overall costs.
In that sense, the 40-gallon capacity of the Brita pitcher’s Standard filter may become costlier than the 150-gallon filtration capacity of the Epic Pure, overriding the affordability of the device itself.
What do NSF certifications mean for water pitchers?
The National Sanitation Foundation is an independent and non-profit organization that holds goods, including water treatment products, with health claims up to standards based on independent tests conducted by third-party laboratories. NSF certifications act as scientific proof of the health claims made by manufacturers.
Here’s an explanation of the NSF certifications held by the products on our list:
NSF/ANSI Standard 42: The United States Environmental Protection Agency regulates aesthetic impurities under the National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations (NSDWRs).
These regulations pertain to water’s turbidity, color, odor, taste, and chlorine levels. NSF/ANSI 42 certification establishes the scientific basis of manufacturer claims about contaminants regulated under the NSDWRs.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53: The EPA regulates potential health hazards (heavy metals, chemicals, VOCs) in water under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. NSF/ANSI 53 pertains to those.
NSF/ANSI Standard 401: NSF/ANSI 401 means a water treatment product removes at least fifteen emerging compounds. Emerging compounds are newly found contaminants that pose a potential health risk that the EPA doesn’t yet regulate due to a lack or shortage of research.
NSF/ANSI Standard 473: NSF/ANSI 473, sometimes called P473, certification is particularly given to products that remove or reduce perfluorinated substances (PFAS).
We should note that having an NSF 53 or 401 certification doesn’t necessarily mean a product is effective against all the pollutants in those categories. Products with NSF certifications come with performance data sheets. If you’re wondering whether a water pitcher is effective against a contaminant, you should examine these data sheets before purchasing.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Water pitchers are great devices if you want affordable clean drinking water, but not all of them are reliable. That’s why we shared our top picks with you.
Our research and tests concluded that the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the most remarkable item in its category, with 365+ contaminants reduced and staggering reduction rates.
The Epic Pure model is an excellent option for those seeking a budget-friendly alternative. It removes 200+ contaminants and has eco-friendly features.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher is the perfect choice, as it still has high storage capacity and effective filtration tech, despite its low price.
If space is a priority for you, the ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour is a compact unit that doesn’t compromise on storage space or filtration quality.
