Do you always want a jug full of clean drinking water ready wherever you are? Then, a water filter pitcher is the perfect water treatment solution for you.
But are all water pitchers on the market capable of providing safe water?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. Only a handful of water pitchers successfully remove or reduce the most hazardous pollutants like lead, arsenic, mercury, volatile organic compounds, and PFAS/PFOA.
To provide a premium selection of reliable products, we researched, tested, and analyzed many models in this category and picked 5 favorites.
Among those, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher emerged as the uncontested best. However, our list also includes the best high-tech, radiological, and budget-friendly options.
Read on to find out more.
- 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
- Price: $90
- 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
- Price: $70
- Filtration technology: Claryum technology
- The number of reduced contaminants: 77+
- Filter life: 300 gallons (5-6 months)
- Water capacity: 8 cups (64oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & P473
- Warranty: One year
- Price: $199.99
- Filtration technology: Undisclosed by the manufacturer
- The number of reduced contaminants: 35+
- Filter life: 150 gallons (3-4 months)
- Water capacity: 8 cups (64oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53
- Warranty: 90 days
- Price: $89.95
- Filtration technology: Undisclosed by the manufacturer
- The number of reduced contaminants: 25+
- Filter life: 40 gallons (One month)
- Water capacity: 11 cups (88oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401
- Warranty: 90 days
- Price: $31.99
Reviews of the Best Water Filter Pitchers
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
- Price: $90
- Reduces more than 365 contaminants
- Affinity Filtration ensures a thorough process
- Holds all the relevant NSF certifications
- 100-gallon filter capacity
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- Expensive for a traditional water pitcher
- Expensive replacement filters
Clearly Filtered is the go-to brand for Americans, including us here at WaterDefense, be it for an under-the-sink filtration unit or a universal inline filter.
Yet, 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.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces an unprecedented number of contaminants thanks to its 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 that 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, it ensures a prolonged and more thorough filtration process than any other technique.
- Contaminant magnet: Often, ionic contaminants, such as heavy metals, pass through even the smallest microscopic pores and most twisted paths. Affinity Filtration utilizes cartridge walls that attract such molecules to trap them.
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 & 473, guaranteeing it reduces VOCs, PFAS/PFOA, lead, arsenic, fluoride, and chlorine, among other hazardous elements.
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.
As the cherry on top, the pitcher comes with a lifetime warranty and a stamp that says “Made in USA.”
Lastly, we should note that this item is expensive for a regular water pitcher, as are its replacement filters.
Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher – The Runner-Up 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
- Price: $70
- 200+ removed contaminants is only second to Clearly Filtered
- Removes lead, PFOA/PFAS, microplastics, and benzene with excellent efficiency
- 150-gallon filter life is great for an average family
- NSF-certified
- Eco-friendly
- More affordable than Clearly Filtered
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- Arsenic and mercury removal rates are inferior to Clearly Filtered
- Only 68 oz water capacity
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.
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, & 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.
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.
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.
The product comes with a lifetime warranty and is 100% made in the United States.
That said, Epic Pure’s arsenic and mercury removal rates (94% and 91% respectively) are inferior to those of Clearly Filtered (at least 98.4% for both). It also has a weaker water capacity of 68oz (8 to 9 cups).
Aquasana Clean Water Machine – The Best High-Tech Water Filter Pitcher
- Filtration technology: Claryum technology
- The number of reduced contaminants: 77+
- Filter life: 300 gallons (5-6 months)
- Water capacity: 8 cups (64oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401 & P473
- Warranty: One year
- Price: $199.99
- Its two-tank design allows it to provide filtered water fast
- Removes 77+ contaminants, including aesthetic impurities, lead, mercury, PFAS, and cysts
- High-tech design
- 300-gallon filter life is the best on our list
- NSF-certified
- 8-cup water capacity is on the lower end
- Not effective against most heavy metals
- Only one-year warranty
- Expensive
Traditional water pitcher systems like Clearly Filtered and Epic Pure work slowly to thoroughly treat the unfiltered water. But if patience is not your strong suit, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine is a high-tech option that keeps filtered and unfiltered water in separate jugs.
Its technology provides a cup of clean water in under eight seconds with only a push of a button — without you needing to wait for all the water to be treated. This feature makes Aquasana’s product the quickest water pitcher on the market.
Its speed is just the beginning, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine also removes more than 77 common drinking water contaminants. The pitcher owes its success to its Claryum technology that brings together four different filtration techniques.
It’s also NSF-certified with NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 and comes with a performance data sheet detailing the specifications of its contaminant removal capabilities.
By now, you might have already deduced that the Aquasana Clean Water Machine isn’t a traditional water pitcher. Its filtration capacity of 300 gallons of clean water also reflects this. For a family of four with average drinking water needs, it equals five to six months of use, making it the most long-lasting unit on our list.
On a more negative note, it’s also the bulkiest product on our list due to its two-tank design, and its filtered water capacity is among the lowest at 64oz (8 cups).
Another important thing to consider is that the test results show that the Aquasana Clean Water Machine isn’t as effective as Clearly Filtered or Epic Pure when removing dangerous heavy metals. There’s no mention of arsenic, cadmium, barium, or radium on its performance data sheet.
Lastly, Aquasana offers only one year of warranty on its clean water machine. That number is inferior to the lifetime warranties of the Epic and Clearly Filtered models.
Seychelle 64oz Radiological Water Pitcher – The Best Water Filter Pitcher for Removing Radiological Contaminants
- Filtration technology: Undisclosed by the manufacturer
- The number of reduced contaminants: 35+
- Filter life: 150 gallons (3-4 months)
- Water capacity: 8 cups (64oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53
- Warranty: 90 days
- Price: $89.95
- The best water pitcher for removing radiological contaminants
- Removes lead, arsenic, VOCs, and PFAS, too
- Tested and certified both nationally and internationally
- 150-gallon filter lifespan is decent
- Made in USA
- Its filtration technology is undisclosed
- 64 oz capacity
- Only 90 days of warranty
- Expensive for a traditional pitcher
Is your water supply contaminated or likely to be contaminated with radiologicals, and you want to eliminate them from your drinking water? Then, the Seychelle Radiological Water Pitcher is what you’re looking for as it’s specifically designed for this purpose and boasts a 99% reduction rate of almost all radiological threats found in water.
Radiological contaminants, uranium, cesium, alpha radium, plutonium, radon, and so on, are naturally found in soil, rocks, and water. Although most municipal authorities do their best to treat tap water before it’s distributed to local households, such pollutants still present a health hazard for the public, be it in municipal or well water. Luckily, the Seychelle is here to put your worries to rest.
In addition, this pitcher removes more than just radiologicals. It’s also efficient against aesthetic impurities (odor, taste, color, and chlorine) and the most prominent health hazards (lead, arsenic, mercury, asbestos, VOCs, PFAS).
In the same line with all the other products we recommend, independent labs all across the globe have tested it. As a result, it comes with various in-depth performance data sheets and relevant NSF certifications, namely NSF Standards 42 and 53.
It also sports a decent filter life of 150 gallons for a traditional pitcher. Like Epic Pure, it’ll serve an average family of four for three to four months.
Just as Clearly Filtered and Epic, Seychelle manufactures its products in the United States, so you’ll be contributing to a domestic business by purchasing this item.
While that’s all great, the Seychelle unit has certain disadvantages, too.
For one, its 64 oz capacity shares the lowest spot in the category with Aquasana’s product. But if you have a small family, this might not be a dealbreaker for you.
What might be, though, is the manufacturer’s warranty option. Seychelle Radiological comes with only a 90-day warranty, even poorer than Aquasana’s pitcher.
On a final note, the product is as expensive as the Clearly Filtered one, but the number of contaminants it reduces is nowhere near it.
PUR 11-Cup Water Pitcher – The Best Budget-Friendly Water Filter Pitcher
- Filtration technology: Undisclosed by the manufacturer
- The number of reduced contaminants: 25+
- Filter life: 40 gallons (One month)
- Water capacity: 11 cups (88oz)
- NSF certifications: NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401
- Warranty: 90 days
- Price: $31.99
- Affordable
- Removes most prominent drinking water problems (chlorine, lead, and so on)
- NSF-certified
- Its 11-cup water capacity is the best on our list
- Humblest item on our list in the number of reduced contaminants
- 40-gallon filter life is poor
- 90-day warranty
If your water supply isn’t particularly contaminated, you may do with a water pitcher that’s only effective against the most common drinking water problems (aesthetic impurities, lead, and sediment). Our recommendation is the budget-friendly PUR 11-Cup model.
Municipal water suppliers already treat water extensively against naturally-found contaminants, but they also disinfect it with chlorine or chloramines, which changes the color, odor, and taste of your drinking water.
Additionally, piping systems installed before the 1980s are likely to leach lead into the water supplies of citizens. So, aesthetic impurities and lead are the most prominent water pollutants in municipal systems.
The PUR 11-Cup Water Pitcher is equipped to deal with these problems. It removes chlorine by at least 97.6% and lead by 98.5%, ensuring your water tastes good and is safe for consumption.
In addition to aesthetic impurities and common health hazards, the PUR pitcher removes emerging compounds like bisphenol A. Its efficiency in those categories is tested by independent labs, certified by the NSF against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401, and laid out on a performance data sheet.
Besides its filtration capabilities, the PUR model has the highest water capacity on our list, with 88oz (11 cups).
However, when it comes to its lifespan, it’s by far the worst. Its filter is able to clean only 40 gallons of water before you need to replace it. So, an average family would be replacing it once a month, only adding to the long-term costs of the item.
Lastly, the manufacturer’s warranty option is as poor as the Seychelle’s. The PUR 11-Cup model also features a 90-day warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we answer the most frequently asked questions regarding water pitchers.
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 filter of the pitcher 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.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces the highest number of contaminants in drinking water, with more than 365. Even more impressively, 365+ reduced contaminants is the highest number not only in the category of water pitchers but also in the whole water treatment industry.
It’s also certified by the NSF and has an impressive performance data sheet listing all the contaminants it reduces with their reduction rates.
Ultimately, it depends on how frequently you put your pitcher in use and how many people are using it, but the most popular pitchers on the market, such as Brita, require monthly replacements.
However, the average replacement frequency of the products on our list is better, with the exception of the PUR 11-Cup Water Pitcher. While options like Clearly Filtered, Epic Pure, or Seychelle require replacements in two or three months, that number goes up to five or six months with the Aquasana Clean Water Machine.
Depending on your needs and the product’s effectiveness, a water pitcher may cost between $20 to $200. The most affordable product on our list is the PUR at $31.99, and the most expensive one is the Aquasana Clean Water Machine at $199.99.
But, the price tag 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 filtration capacity of the PUR item may become costlier than the 300-gallon filtration capacity of the Aquasana Clean Water Machine, overriding the affordability of the device itself.
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. In that sense, 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). You may visit our related guide to learn more about these dangerous chemicals.
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.
Conclusion
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, with 200+ contaminants removed and eco-friendly features.
Are you looking for a high-tech product with a long-lasting filter? Then, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine, with its filter that has a 300-gallon filtration capacity, is the ultimate answer for you.
Is your water contaminated with radiological contaminants? The Seychelle 64oz Radiological Water Pitcher is up for the job.
Lastly, at only $31.99, the PUR 11-Cup Water Pitcher presents a budget-friendly alternative for those without particularly contaminated water.
