Best Water Filter Pitchers 2026: Lab Analysis & Hands-On Testing

Water Filter Pitcher Reviews

1. Best Overall Pitcher (Most Effective Filtration + Best All-Rounder): Clearly Filtered

(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off!)

Final Rating: 4.22/5.00

For us, the Clearly Filtered is the best water filter pitcher. It provides very effective filtration, removing most impurities in our lab tests, and is bolstered by extensive third-party testing to 200% filter life. In taste testing, results ranged from greatly improved compared to tap water to perfect. Usability is solid, and while upfront and long-term costs are above average, they’re reasonable.

Filtration: 4.50/5.00

1. Lab Results: 4.97/5.00 (2025) & 4.16/5.00 (2024)

• The Clearly Filtered could remove almost all contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 4 disinfection byproducts, copper, barium, lithium, strontium, iron, manganese, and uranium).
• Not removed to 100% were boron, nitrate, and fluoride.
• We detected potential leaching of silver, titanium, and cobalt, but all at levels below the strictest available health guidelines.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

We have WQA certification for only 2 contaminants (chlorine and taste/odor) under NSF/ANSI Standard 42. However, extensive third-party testing shows reduction of 355 contaminants through 200% of the rated filter life, covering NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, and additional non-NSF/ANSI standards – more than any other pitcher we tested.

Reported reduction rates include chlorine (>99.52%), chloramine (>99.68%), fluoride (>99.54%), heavy metals like aluminum (>99.13%), antimony (>98.00%), arsenic (98.00%), chromium 6 (99.68%), lead (99.34%), and uranium (96.67%), many herbicides (98.09-99.99%+), microplastics (>99.99%), 9 PFAS (95.00-99.50%+), dozens of pesticides (98.19-99.98%+), trace pharmaceuticals (98.40-99.99%+), radiological elements (98.00-98.04%+), semi-volatiles (98.51-99.99%+), and nearly 100 VOCs (98.49-99.99%+)

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from much better than tap water to perfectly clean, with odor completely eliminated.

Usability: 4.10/5.00

The Clearly Filtered pitcher is easy to set up, use, and maintain. The included priming bag cuts down on filter priming time; its 100-gallon rated filter life means easy, infrequent replacements, though it lacks a filter replacement indicator.

Its ample feed/filtered capacities store plenty of water, requiring fewer refills while still fitting in the fridge. Refills are easy thanks to the flip-top lid and clear upper reservoir to monitor the filtering process. It also filters fast enough to meet your daily needs, though on-demand filtering takes patience. The large plastic handle is comfortable, but this pitcher is on the heavy side and splashing may occur if pouring too quickly.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 3.50/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the Clearly Filtered is priced at $100. Applying our 10% discount code reduces the upfront cost to $90, and choosing a filter subscription would provide you another 10% off. We estimate $155 in annual filter replacement costs (you can save 10% with a filter subscription). Both upfront and long-term cost are higher than average.

Read Our Full Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Review

(Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off!)

2. Runner-Up Pitcher for Most Effective Filtration: Culligan 10 Cup

Final Rating: 3.98/5.00

The Culligan takes our #2 spot for the pitcher with the most effective filtration as it completely removed most contaminants in our lab test, has a higher count of NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction, and its filtered water tasted much better than our tap water. Usability is adequate and upfront price is low. However, long-term costs are well above average.

Filtration: 4.50/5.00

1. Lab Results: 4.84/5.00

• The Culligan could remove almost all contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 2 disinfection byproducts, iron, barium, boron, strontium, nitrate, and fluoride).
• Not removed to 100% were chloroform, copper, and manganese.
• There was no evidence of potential leaching of any contaminant.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

We have IAPMO certification for 28 contaminants against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401. Reported reduction rates include lead (98.80-98.90%), mercury (94.20-96.60%), chromium 6 (99.40-99.50%), fluoride (99.70%), total PFAS (99.70%), and emerging compounds (96.60-99.40%).

Despite these important certifications, some key impurities are not covered (e.g. nitrate and VOCs). There is no additional third-party testing beyond these certifications.

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our test, the filtered water had a much better taste than our tap water and no odor.

Usability: 3.50/5.00

The Culligan pitcher is sturdy, attractive, and easy to set up, use, and maintain, and it fits easily in the fridge. However, it is slightly impractical for daily use, largely due to its small feed and unbalanced feed-to-filtered capacities, which require frequent refills. The refill opening is also somewhat small, which may cause issues with wide-spray faucets.

While filtration is fast enough for most households, on-demand filtering requires patience. The large plastic handle is comfortable and makes for smooth pouring, but the pitcher is on the heavy side. Its short 20-gallon rated filter life means frequent replacements, and while it lacks a filter-replacement indicator, it does include a TDS meter.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 2.90/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the Culligan is priced at $34.99. We estimate $205 in annual filter replacement costs. While upfront price is lower than average, long-term costs are well above average.

Read Our Full Culligan 10 Cup Review

3. #1 Pitcher for Usability: Epic Pure

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Final Rating: 4.10/5.00

The Epic Pure is our top choice water filter pitcher if usability is your focus. It achieved adequate results in our 2024/2025 lab tests and is pretty much fully covered by third-party testing to 100% filter life. It improved the taste of our water, ranging from a little taste remaining to much improved, eliminated odor, and offers great usability at affordable upfront and ongoing costs.

Filtration: 3.73/5.00

1. Lab Results: 3.85/5.00 (2025) & 3.60/5.00 (2024)

• The Epic Pure could remove most contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 4 disinfection byproducts, copper, iron, nitrate, and uranium).
• Not removed to 100% were barium, boron, lithium, strontium, manganese, and fluoride. Strontium increased post-filtration but remained below the strictest health guideline. The same was true for manganese which stayed below the California OEHHA notification level.
• In addition, we detected potential leaching of aluminum and methylene chloride, but both at levels below their strictest health guidelines.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

The Epic Pure has no NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction. However, it is pretty much fully covered by extensive third-party testing to 100% filter life against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401, and other non-NSF/ANSI standards covering 212 different impurities.

Reported reduction rates include VOCs (92.60-99.70%+), semi-volatiles (87.00-99.80%+), pesticides (99.00-99.90%+), herbicides (98.90-99.90%+), trace pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants (90.00-99.20%+), microplastics (99.62%), a bunch of radiological elements (>99.73%), PFOA (>99.60%), PFOS (>99.80%), lead (99.94%), mercury (91.80%), chromium 6 (99.20%), arsenic (94.00%), beryllium (98.00%), and aluminum (76.70%).

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from a little remaining taste to much improved from our tap water but not perfect. Odor was completely eliminated both years.

Usability: 4.60/5.00

The Epic Pure pitcher is very easy to setup, use, and maintain.

Its ample feed/filtered capacities store plenty of water, requiring fewer refills while still fitting in the fridge. It also filters fast enough to meet your daily needs, though on-demand filtering takes patience. One-handed refills are easy thanks to the flip-top lid, and the clear upper reservoir allows you to monitor the filtering process. The comfortable wood handle allows for smooth pouring. Filter replacements are easy and infrequent thanks to the long 150-gallon rated filter life and built-in 90 day timer.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 4.73/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the Epic Pure is priced at $79. Applying our 20% off discount code reduces the upfront cost to $63.20; alternatively, choosing a filter subscription would provide you 15% off. We estimate $106 in annual filter replacement costs, and you can save 15% with a filter subscription. Upfront price is around average and long-term cost is slightly below average.

Read Our Full Epic Pure Review

(Use Code BOSEpic for 20% Off!)

4. Best Budget Pick: Brita Everyday Elite

Final Rating: 3.81/5.00

In our opinion, the Brita Everyday Elite is the best budget water filter pitcher. It achieved mediocre to solid results in our 2024/2025 lab tests and has the highest count of NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction of the pitchers we tested so far, though mostly limited to easier-to-remove organics. In taste testing, results ranged from some remaining taste compared to our tap water to much improved. Usability is solid, and upfront and long-term costs are well below average.

Filtration: 3.33/5.00

1. Lab Results: 4.11/5.00 (2025) & 3.38/5.00 (2024)

• The Brita Everyday Elite could remove 7 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 4 disinfection byproducts, iron, and manganese).
• Not removed to 100% were copper, barium, boron, lithium, strontium, nitrate, fluoride, and uranium.
• In addition, we detected potential leaching of aluminum, silver, and titanium, but all at levels below the strictest available health guidelines.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

It is certified for the reduction of 33 contaminants by the WQA against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401 and by the IAPMO against NSF/ANSI standard 53. These certifications include reduction of chlorine (97.40%), taste and odor, many “easier-to-remove” organics and a few heavy metals. Reported reduction rates include lead (99.50-99.60%), mercury (95.50-95.90%), a number of emerging compounds (93.00-99.00%+), PFOA/PFOS (98.10%) and several VOCs (91.20-99.00%).

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from some remaining taste to much improved compared to our tap water (but not perfect). Both years, odor was completely eliminated.

Usability: 4.05/5.00

The Brita Everyday Elite is easy to set up, use, and maintain, and it fits in the fridge. Its large filtered reservoir is paired with a smaller feed, requiring more frequent refills, though filtration is fast enough for most U.S. households and can even be done on demand (1 cup in under 45 seconds).

The pitcher has a comfortable handle and pours smoothly without spills. However, we had to allow our pitcher to fully process all the water, or else unfiltered water leaked through a gap and mixed with filtered water while pouring. The flip-top lid makes one-handed refills easy, though we have concerns about its longevity. Filter changes are easy and infrequent, thanks to its long 120-gallon rated life and filter replacement indicator that tracks your refills.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 5.00/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the Brita is priced at $40.99, and we estimate $40-45 in annual filter replacement costs – both well below average.

Read Our Full Brita Everyday Elite Review

5. Ideal Pitcher to Protect Your Coffee Maker & Kettle From Limescale: Waterdrop Chubby

Final Rating: 3.31/5.00

In our opinion, the Waterdrop Chubby is ideal to protect your kettle or coffee maker from limescale buildup. In our 2024/2025 lab tests it achieved adequate to mediocre results overall but reduced water hardness by 75%-77%; it only has 2 NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction and no third party testing. In taste testing, results ranged from much improved compared to our tap water to clean. Usability is solid, and upfront and long-term costs are well below average.

Filtration: 2.42/5.00

1. Lab Results: 3.43/5.00 (2025) & 3.52/5.00 (2024)

• The Waterdrop Chubby could remove only 3 contaminants to 100% (chlorine and 2 disinfection byproducts).
• Not removed to 100% were bromodichloromethane, chloroform, copper, iron, manganese, barium, boron, lithium, strontium, nitrate, fluoride, and uranium. Iron increased post-filtration in 2024 but remained below the EPA secondary standard.
• Hardness/limescale reduced by 77% in 2024 and by 75% in 2025.
• In addition, we detected potential leaching of aluminum but at a level below the strictest available health guidelines.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

It only has 2 NSF certifications for contaminant reduction against NSF/ANSI standard 42 for chlorine and taste/odor and has no additional third-party testing.

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from much improved compared to our tap water to clean. Both years, odor was completely eliminated.

Usability: 4.30/5.00

The Waterdrop Chubby is simple to set up, use, and maintain, and it fits in the fridge. It requires an average number of daily refills, made easy with the pour-through tab. Filtration is fast enough for most U.S. households and can even be done on demand (1 cup in under 30 seconds). The pitcher has a comfortable wood handle and pours smoothly without spills. However, we had to allow our pitcher to fully process all the water, or else unfiltered water escaped from the pour-through tab when tilted too steeply.

Filter replacements are also very easy – we estimate 4 annually for most households – and there’s a 90-day timer to remind you.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 5.00/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the Waterdrop Chubby is priced at $27.49. We estimate $56 in annual filter replacement costs and you can save 5% with a filter subscription. Both upfront and long-term costs are well below average.

Read Our Full Water Chubby Pitcher Review

6. Pitcher for Emergency-Only Germ Reduction: LifeStraw Home 10-Cup

Final Rating: 3.78/5.00

We recommend the LifeStraw as a last-resort for germ removal in non-potable water, ideally combined with true disinfection methods. It performed solidly in our lab tests and over half of its third-party testing against 53 contaminants covers pathogenic bacteria and parasites – it has a few NSF/ANSI certifications for chemical removal as well. The pitcher improved water taste – ranging from noticeably better to clean – eliminated odor, and has average overall costs. Usability is mediocre.

Filtration: 3.94/5.00

1. Lab Results: 4.33/5.00 (2025) & 4.11/5.00 (2024)

• The LifeStraw could remove 9 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 4 disinfection byproducts, manganese, strontium, lithium, and barium).
• Not removed to 100% were copper, iron, boron, nitrate, fluoride, and uranium. Iron increased post-filtration (2024) but remained below the level set by the EPA secondary standard.
• In addition, we detected potential leaching of aluminum and methylene chloride, but both at levels below their strictest health guidelines.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

It is certified for the reduction of 6 contaminants by the NSF against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401, including chlorine (>97.00%), lead (>98.90%), and microplastics (>99.999%).

It also has third-party testing for the reduction of 53 contaminants to 200% filter life against NSF/ANSI standards 53, 401, NSF P231 and other non-NSF standards. Included are pesticides/herbicides (95.00-99.94%+), PFOA/PFOS, various emerging contaminants (88.85-99.45%+), 4 heavy metals including chromium 3 (>84.70%) and barium (>99.21%), as well as several pathogenic bacteria (>99.999999%) and parasites (>99.999%).

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from much improved from our tap water to clean. Odor was completely eliminated both years.

Usability: 3.10/5.00

The LifeStraw pitcher is easy to setup and maintain though slightly impractical for daily use. Its small feed relative to filtered capacity necessitates more frequent refills, though it stores plenty of water and filters fast enough for most US households. It’s too tall to fit in most standard fridges without moving shelves around.

Bottom-heavy with a high, small handle, the LifeStraw feels somewhat awkward and unbalanced, though it pours smoothly without spills. Care must be taken not to tilt too steeply while there’s still unfiltered water left, or it may escape from the pour-through tab.

Refilling is fairly easy but subject to faucet size and adjustments may be needed to avoid splashing. The two-part filter assembly is simple to replace with the carbon filter requiring more frequent changes (7.5x annually). There is no filter indicator to remind you.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 3.98/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the LifeStraw is priced at $49.95, and we estimate $130-135 in annual filter replacement costs. Upfront price is slightly below average and long-term cost is slightly above average.

Read Our Full LifeStraw Home 10-Cup Review

7. Admirable Filtration but No Match for Better-Priced Pitchers: ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour

Final Rating: 3.75/5.00

We were impressed by the ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour, as it achieved solid (2024) and excellent (2025) results in our lab tests. Plus, it has a few important NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction and third-party testing to 100% filter life for 24 impurities – primarily for metal/salt removal. In taste tests, the filtered water ranged from better than our tap water but with a faint plastic flavor added to a clean taste. Usability is adequate and the upfront price is low, though ongoing costs are substantially higher than average.

Filtration: 4.50/5.00

1. Lab Results: 5.00/5.00 (2025) & 4.47/5.00 (2024)

• The ZeroWater could remove 9 contaminants to 100% (chlorine, 2 disinfection byproducts, barium, lithium, strontium, manganese, nitrate, and uranium).
• Not removed to 100% were bromodichloromethane, chloroform, copper (even increased by 1,100% in 2024 but was still below the strictest health guideline), boron, and fluoride.
• In addition, we detected potential leaching of aluminum, iron, and zinc, but all at levels below the strictest available health guidelines or EPA secondary standards, as applicable.

Lab Results Charts

2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data

The pitcher is certified for the reduction of 7 contaminants by the IAPMO against NSF/ANSI standards 42 and 53. These certifications include chlorine (97.50%), lead (95.90-99.70%), PFOA/PFOS (94.90%), and hexavalent chromium (99.60%).

It also has third-party testing for the removal of 24 substances against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53 and other non-NSF/ANSI standards, primarily covering metals and salts (most organics are not covered) to 100% filter life. Listed reduction rates include: antimony (99.00%), arsenic 5 (98.00%), beryllium (99.90%), cyanide (99.90%), nitrate (98.00%), and fluoride (99.00%).

3. Taste and Odor Tests

In our 2024 and 2025 tests, taste ranged from better than our tap water with a faint plastic flavor added to clean. Both years, odor was completely eliminated.

Usability: 3.50/5.00

The ZeroWater is easy to set up, use, and maintain, and it fits in the fridge. It requires an average number of daily refills – easy to do but you have to remove the lid. Filtration is fast enough for most U.S. households but on-demand filtering takes patience.

The ZeroWater feels good in hand, though plan to use both when pouring from the top of the pitcher – we felt the need to support it in front. It pours smoothly but the lid may fall off if you pour too fast or tilt it too steeply to get the remaining bit of water out. The sturdy pour spout on the bottom allows for smooth dispensing without lifting the pitcher.

Filter replacements are also very easy – if following its 15-gallon rated filter life, we estimate every 2-3 weeks for most households. There’s no filter replacement indicator but a TDS meter.

CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: 1.74/5.00

As of September 16, 2025, the ZeroWater is priced at $37.99, and we estimate $285 in annual filter replacement costs. While upfront price is well below average, long-term costs are substantially higher than average.

Read Our Full ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour Review