Best Water Filter Pitcher in 2025? We’ve (Lab-)Tested 11 Models!

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Authors: Mike and Raoul | Last Updated: 2025/08/11

Mike in His Kitchen With a Bunch of Water Filter Pitchers in Front of Him

About This Guide

We’ve tested and compared 11 water filter pitchers to find out which are best! For each pitcher, here’s what we did:

  1. Hands-on experience: We set up, used, and maintained it.
  2. Filtration effectiveness: We sent an unfiltered and a filtered tap water sample to a professional lab for analysis in order to determine real-life contaminant reduction capabilities. Plus, we checked for NSF certifications and other test data.
  3. More testing: We performed a taste & odor test and a filtration speed test.
  4. All other product aspects: We considered initial + long-term costs, warranties, additional features, frequent customer complaints, etc.

Don’t Feel Like Reading a Guide?

Please note: We now host the Google Sheet mentioned in the video on this website (see below).

Video Chapters

  • 00:00 – Intro
  • 00:58 – Our 11 Pitchers
  • 02:00 – How We Tested & Ranked
  • 04:29 – Pitcher Assembly & Filter Priming
  • 05:21 – Sampling Process
  • 06:18 – Taste & Odor Test
  • 06:58 – Speed Test
  • 08:28 – Best Overall (Clearly Filtered)
  • 12:27 – Best for Usability + Affordability (Waterdrop)
  • 15:45 – Best for Bacteria & Cyst (LifeStraw)
  • 18:30 – Best for Nitrate (ZeroWater)
  • 23:00 – Best for Fluoride
  • 23:39 – Summary

Our Top 5 Water Filter Pitcher Picks At a Glance

Model Image Rating Buy Here
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher trophy top pick

3.95/5.00

Check Current Price
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
Verdict (Best For): #1 All-Rounder + Possibly the Most Effective for Fluoride
Filtration: 4.16/5.00
Usability: 4.00/5.00
Costs: 3.27/5.00
Buy Here: clearlyfiltered.com (Use Code BOS10 for 10% Off!)
Detailed Review: Coming Soon
Waterdrop Chubby Waterdrop Chubby trophy great

3.37/5.00

Check Current Price
Waterdrop Chubby
Verdict (Best For): #1 If Usability + Looks + Low Price Are Your Priority
Filtration: 2.52/5.00
Usability: 5.00/5.00
Costs: 4.28/5.00
Buy Here: waterdropfilter.com (Use Code RCPT for 21% Off!)
Detailed Review: Coming Soon
LifeStraw Home 10-Cup LifeStraw Home 10-Cup trophy good

3.71/5.00

Check Current Price
LifeStraw Home 10-Cup
Verdict (Best For): Possibly the Most Effective for Bacteria & Cyst
Filtration: 3.61/5.00
Usability: 4.00/5.00
Costs: 3.72/5.00
Buy Here: Amazon
Detailed Review: Coming Soon
ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour trophy good

3.64/5.00

Check Current Price
ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour
Verdict (Best For): #1 for Nitrate + Possibly the Most Effective for Fluoride
Comment: Not Recommended for Higher Levels of Disinfection Byproducts
Filtration: 4.22/5.00
Usability: 4.00/5.00
Costs: 1.56/5.00
Buy Here: Amazon
Detailed Review: Coming Soon
Kirkland Signature (Costco) Pitcher trophy good

4.08/5.00

Check Current Price
Verdict (Best For): Highest Score in Our Lab Testing But Some Taste Remained in Filtered Water
Filtration: 3.80/5.00
Usability: 4.00/5.00
Costs: 5.00/5.00
Buy Here: costco.com
Detailed Review: Coming Soon

Our Full Analysis of All 11 Water Filter Pitchers

Start Full Screen Mode enlarge icon

Water Filter Pitcher Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Waterdrop Chubby LifeStraw Home 10-Cup ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour Kirkland Signature (Costco) Filtered Water Pitcher up & up (Target) Water Filtration Pitcher Navy 7 Cup Brita Large 10-Cup (Everyday) Pitcher w/ Elite Filter Aquagear PUR PLUS 11-Cup Epic Pure ProOne
(With Old G2.0 M Filter)
Purchase Links & Codes
clearlyfiltered.com waterdropfilter.com Amazon Amazon costco.com target.com Amazon drinkaquagear.com Amazon epicwaterfilters.com Currently Not Available
BOS10 – 10% Off! RCPT – 21% Off! BOSEpic – 20% Off!
Image Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup LifeStraw Home 10-Cup ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour Brita Large 10-Cup (Everyday) Pitcher w/ Elite Filter Aquagear PUR PLUS 11-Cup Epic Pure
FINAL RATING
trophy top pick trophy great trophy good trophy good trophy good
Final Rating 3.95/5.00 3.37/5.00 3.71/5.00 3.64/5.00 4.08/5.00 3.78/5.00 3.65/5.00 3.50/5.00 3.85/5.00 3.91/5.00 1.40/5.00
Verdict (Best For) #1 All-Rounder + Possibly the Most Effective for Fluoride #1 If Usability + Looks + Low Price Are Your Priority Possibly the Most Effective for Bacteria & Cyst #1 for Nitrate + Possibly the Most Effective for Fluoride Highest Score in Our Lab Testing But Some Taste Remained in Filtered Water
Comment Not Recommended for Higher Levels of Disinfection Byproducts
Buy Here clearlyfiltered.com waterdropfilter.com Amazon Amazon costco.com target.com Amazon drinkaquagear.com Amazon epicwaterfilters.com Currently Not Available
Discount Code BOS10 – 10% Off! RCPT – 21% Off! BOSEpic – 20% Off!
Score Overview
Filtration (Lab Results, NSF Certifications + Other Test Data, Taste & Odor Test) 4.16/5.00 2.52/5.00 3.61/5.00 4.22/5.00 3.80/5.00 2.97/5.00 3.03/5.00 3.17/5.00 3.73/5.00 3.51/5.00 0.67/5.00
Usability 4.00/5.00 5.00/5.00 4.00/5.00 4.00/5.00 4.00/5.00 5.00/5.00 4.50/5.00 4.00/5.00 4.00/5.00 4.50/5.00 2.00/5.00
Costs 3.27/5.00 4.28/5.00 3.72/5.00 1.56/5.00 5.00/5.00 5.00/5.00 4.68/5.00 4.00/5.00 4.06/5.00 4.50/5.00 2.99/5.00
Full Analysis
Price (Jan 20, 2025, w/o Short-Term Sales) $100 (Save 10% With Filter Subscription) $27.49 $49.95 $47.99 $29.99 $17.99 $49.27 $69.95 $34.98 $74 (Save 15% With Filter Subscription) $73.95
Lab Results 4.16/5.00 3.52/5.00 4.11/5.00 4.47/5.00 4.55/5.00 4.22/5.00 3.28/5.00 3.42/5.00 3.98/5.00 3.76/5.00 0.67/5.00
Taste Test No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste Some Taste Some Taste Some Taste Some Taste Some Taste Little Taste No Taste
Odor Test No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor No Odor
Filtration Speed Test (4 Cups) 29:30 Minutes 1:42 Minutes 13:30 Minutes 5:47 Minutes 3:30 Minutes 2:55 Minutes 2:30 Minutes 3:45 Minutes 6:20 Minutes 9:30 Minutes ~90% Filtered at 12 Hours
Setup Process Incl. Filter Priming -Issues With Filter Priming Disc Popping Off the Priming Bag -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward
Everyday Use -Straightforward
-Lid Must Be Removed for Refilling
-Slow Filtration
-Flap Doesn’t Open Easily When Pouring
-Easy and Straightforward
-Pour-Through Tab Works Great
-Pours Nicely Even When Fast
-Straightforward
-Pour-Through Tab
-Bottom-Heavy With High Handle (Feels a Little Awkward to Pour)
-Pours Slowly and May Drip
-Straightforward
-Lid Must Be Removed for Refilling Which Isn’t That Easy
-Pours Nicely But If You Pour Too Fast the Lid Will Fall Off
-Push-Button Dispensing
-Easy and Straightforward
-Lightweight
-Flip Top for Easy Refilling But Doesn’t Close All the Way
-Pours Nicely
-Easy and Straightforward
-Lightweight
-Flip Top for Easy Refilling
-Pours Nicely Even When Fast
-Easy and Straightforward
-Lightweight
-Flip Top for Easy Refilling
-Pours Nicely Even When Fast
-Straightforward
-Design Feels Weird (“Backwards”)
-Pour-Through Tab Doesn’t Move Freely and Won’t Close All the Way
-Pours Nicely Even When Fast
-Easy and Straightforward
-Flip Top for Easy Refilling
-Flap Doesn’t Move Easily When Pouring and Drips
-Straightforward
-Flip Top Lid Feels a Little Clunky
-Lid Must Be Removed for Refilling
-Extremely Slow Filtration
-Pours Nicely But Lid and Water Reservoir Will Fall Out When Pouring the Last Amount of Water
-You Cannot Pour If There Is Still Unfiltered Water in the Reservoir (Lid and Water Reservoir Will Fall Out)
Filter Replacements -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward -Straightforward
Storage Size (Filtered Water) 10 Cups 10 Cups 10 Cups 10 Cups 10 Cups 7 Cups 10 Cups 10 Cups 11 Cups 8.5 Cups 6.75 Cups
Filter Media/Process Particle Filtration + Granular Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin + Proprietary Filter Media, Formed into a Dense Shell Activated Carbon + Other Microfiltration Membrane
 
Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin
Activated Carbon + KDF + Ion Exchange Resin + Particle Filtration Activated Carbon (Presumably) Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin Activated Carbon + Absorbents in Fibrous Matrix, Lined with Silver Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin Granular Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Resin + Particle Filtration Activated Carbon Block + Ion Exchange Resin Ceramic Shell + Carbon-Based Core
NSF/ANSI Certifications for Filtration Effectiveness (# of Impurities Certified) 42, 53 (4) 42 (2) 42, 53, 401 (6) 42, 53, 42, 53 (7) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, 401 (14) 42, 53, 53, 53, 401 (32) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, 401, 42, 53, 401 (28) – Performance Data Sheet
NSF/ANSI + Other Testing for Filtration Effectiveness (# of Impurities Tested)
Note: Not Always Performed Throughout Entire Filter Life
42, 53, 401, Other (354) – Performance Data Sheet 53, 401, P231, P473, Other (58) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, Other (24) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, 401, Other (80) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, 401, Other (213) – Performance Data Sheet 42, 53, 401, P231, P473, Other (272) – Performance Data Sheet
Rated/Claimed Filter Life 100 gal 200 gal or 3 Months Microfiltration Membrane: 264 gal
 
Carbon Filter: 40 gal
15-17 gal (Used to Be 20 gal) 40 gal 40 gal 120 gal 120 gal 40 gal 150 gal 225 gal
Yearly Cost Based on Filter Life (Mar 19, 2024, w/o Short-Term Sales) ~$150 (Save 10% With Filter Subscription) ~$45 (Save 5% With Filter Subscription) Microfiltration Membrane: ~$45
 
Carbon Filter: ~$105
~$235-295 or More (Used to Be ~$200-250) ~$30 ~$30-40 ~$55-60 ~$125 (Save 20% With Filter Subscription) ~$100 ~$90-135 (Save 15% With Filter Subscription) ~$55-85
Filter Change Indicator? N Y N N (TDS Meter) Y Y Y (Best) N Y Y N
Product Warranty Limited Lifetime (2 Years) 3 Months 3 Years (Limited) 90 Days ? ? 90 Days Lifetime 90 Days Lifetime + Satisfaction Guarantee 120 Days
(More) Features/Pros -Aesthetically Pleasing Thanks to Wooden Handle -Includes Free TDS Meter -1 Extra Filter Cartridge Included -1 Extra Filter Cartridge Included
-Compatible With Brita Filters
-Only Filter Life Indicator That Tracks Water Use (Refills) -Filter Recycling Program (Receive 1 Free Filter in Exchange for 5 Used Ones)
-Discounts for Special Interest Groups
-Fruit/Vegetable Infusion Tube
-Cleanable/Reusable Filters
(More) Cons -Most Thoroughly Tested Against NSF and Other Standards But Only Few Actual NSF Certifications -Only 1 NSF Certification (Chlorine + Taste/Odor Reduction)
-Only 1 Reduction Rate Provided (96.7% Chlorine)
-We Lack Information on Filter Process
-Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) Detected in Filtered Water -“0 TDS Approach” Can Be Misleading: In Our 2 Rounds of Testing the ZeroWater Filter Element Using 2 Different Cartridges (1 Installed in the 10-Cup Ready-Pour Pitcher, 1 Installed in the 32-Cup Ready-Read Dispenser), Almost All the Unimportant Dissolved Solids Like Sodium and Chloride Were Removed Whereas a Few Undesirable Impurities Remained + TDS Completely Ignores Undissolved (Floating) Substances
Testing the ZeroWater Filter Element in the 32-Cup Dispenser Showed Potential Problems Filtering Chloroform or Disinfection Byproducts/Organic Compounds in General (Lackluster Filtration of DBPs Was Also Found By Third-Party Testing: EWG Lab Testing; Modern Castle Before/After Lab Reports)
-Limited in Types of Contaminants Tested/Certified for Removal
-Higher Level of Copper Detected in Filtered Water (Not Found in Second Test of Filter Element; KDF Filter Media Leaching?)
-NSF Certifications Mostly Cover “Easier-to-Remove” Organics
-No Contaminant Reduction Rates Provided
-We Lack Information on Filter Process
-(Almost) No NSF Certifications/Testing for Contaminant Reduction (We Couldn’t Find 1 Mentioned NSF Certification Online)
-No Contaminant Reduction Rates Provided
-Highest Count of NSF-Certified Contaminants But Limited in Regards to Contaminant Types Mostly Covering “Easier-to-Remove” Organics -No NSF Certifications
-NSF Testing Is Mostly Limited to “Easier-to-Remove” Organics
-High Count of NSF-Certified Contaminants But Limited in Regards to Contaminant Types Mostly Covering “Easier-to-Remove” Organics
-Higher Level of Barium Detected in Filtered Water
In Our Second Round of Testing the PUR PLUS Filter Element Model (Installed in the PUR PLUS 30-Cup Dispenser Using a Fresh Cartridge) Barium and Boron Were Detected in the Filtered Water, This Time Above Health Guidelines
-Thorough NSF Testing But No Actual NSF Certifications
-Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) Detected in Filtered Water
-Benzene and Radon Detected in Filtered Water At or Above Strictest Health Guideline
Test of G2.0 5″ Filter Element in ProOne Traveler+ Also Resulted in Benzene Being Found in Filtered Water Above Strictest Health Guideline
-Thorough NSF Testing But No Actual NSF Certifications for Contaminant Reduction
-At Least Some Contaminant Reduction Testing Wasn’t Performed to Full Claimed Filter Life
Repeated Complaints From 3rd Party Customer Reviews -Clogged Filters
-Lid May Fall Off When Pouring
-May Spill Water When Pouring -Slow Filtration
-Leaking
-Plastic May Crack
-Slow Filtration
-Clogged Filters
-Leaking Filters
-Taste Issues
-Plastic May Crack
-Taste Issues
-May Leak Filter Media
-May Leak Filter Media -Clogged Filters
-Plastic May Crack
-May Spill Water When Pouring Due to Lid Design
-Slow Filtration
-Clogged Filters
-May Spill Water When Pouring
-Clogged Filters
-Lid May Fall Off When Pouring
-Slow Filtration
-Lid May Fall Off When Pouring
-Flip Top Lid May Get Stuck
-Clogged Filters
-Leaking Filters

Start Full Screen Mode enlarge icon

Water Filter Pitcher Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Waterdrop Chubby LifeStraw Home 10-Cup ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour Kirkland Signature (Costco) Filtered Water Pitcher up & up (Target) Water Filtration Pitcher Navy 7 Cup Brita Large 10-Cup (Everyday) Pitcher w/ Elite Filter Aquagear PUR PLUS 11-Cup Epic Pure ProOne
(With Old G2.0 M Filter)
Purchase Links & Codes
clearlyfiltered.com waterdropfilter.com Amazon Amazon costco.com target.com Amazon drinkaquagear.com Amazon epicwaterfilters.com Currently Not Available
BOS10 – 10% Off! RCPT – 21% Off! BOSEpic – 20% Off!
Image Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup LifeStraw Home 10-Cup ZeroWater 10-Cup Ready-Pour Brita Large 10-Cup (Everyday) Pitcher w/ Elite Filter Aquagear PUR PLUS 11-Cup Epic Pure
Lab Reports (Please ignore results for bacteria as we didn’t sample in a sterile environment.) Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report for 1st Round of Testing (Priming Issue) Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report Filtered Water Report
Filtered Water Report #1, Filtered Water Report #2, Unfiltered Water Report for 2nd Round of Testing Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report Unfiltered Water Report
Reduction Rates for Undesirable Impurities & Contaminants
Potentially Harmful Aesthetic Issues
Water Disinfectants
Chlorine 100% (Avg of 3) 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Disinfection Byproducts
Bromodichloromethane 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Bromoform 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Dibromochloromethane 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Metals
Copper 100% (Avg of 3) 100% 100% 1,100% Increase 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Barium 100% (Avg of 3) 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 1,200% Increase 0% 200% Increase
Boron 14% (Avg of 3) 25% 50% 75% 50% 50% 25% 0% 50% 75% 75%
Lithium 100% (Avg of 3) 0% 100% 100% 0% 0% 0% 100% Increase 100% 100% Increase 0%
Strontium 100% (Avg of 3) 78% 100% 100% 89% 89% 56% 17% 94% 72% Increase 56%
Salts
Nitrate (N) 6% (Avg of 3) 32% Anywhere Between 70% and 99% 100% 100% Anywhere Between 70% and 99% 21% 100% Anywhere Between 70% and 99% 100% 13%
Fluoride (Flawed? More Info Below!) 184% Increase (Avg of 3) 0% 7% Anywhere Between 78% and 99% 4% Increase 2% 15% Increase 28% Increase 20% Increase 59% 76%
Other
Uranium 100% (Avg of 3) 71% 86% 100% 100% 86% 57% 29% 100% 100% 100%
Aesthetic Parameters
Hardness 95% (Avg of 3) 77% 97% 100% 87% 88% 24% 114% Increase 99% 17% Increase 13%
Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample
Aluminum (mg/L) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.08
Iron (mg/L) 0.05 0.04 0.01 0.01
Silver (mg/L) 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.05 0.01 0.05 0.01 0.07
Methylene Chloride (µg/l) 1.4 0.71
Benzene (µg/l) 0.59
Vanadium (mg/L) 0.01
Radon (pCi/L) 471
Zinc (mg/L) 0.03 0.01 0.07
Titanium (mg/L) ? ? 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.09
Explanation:
Full Removal
Considerable Reduction
Concentration More Than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample
Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find
Fluoride-Alkalinity Correlation Study
Fluoride levels were measured using method SM 4500-F-C which has known interferences. One is a positive error from alkalinity, meaning higher water alkalinity can lead to a reported fluoride level that is higher than the actual fluoride level in the water.
This was substantiated by our fluoride-alkalinity correlation study outlined below. Higher water alkalinity levels strongly correlated (R = 0.8613) with higher observed fluoride levels. We also visualized said correlation with a diagram.
 
Put simply: We assume fluoride levels from our lab reports must be taken with a grain of salt – they may be flawed!
Fluoride CF Sample #1 CF Sample #2 CF Sample #3 Waterdrop LifeStraw ZeroWater Brita Aquagear PUR Epic ProOne Kirkland Signature up & up Unfiltered Sample #1 Unfiltered Sample #2
(mg/L) 1.71 1.07 1.67 0.46 0.43 <0.1 0.53 0.59 0.55 0.19 0.11 0.48 0.45 0.46 0.57
Weighted (x200) for Visualization 342 214 334 92 86 20 106 118 110 38 22 96 90 92 114
Alkalinity CF Sample #1 CF Sample #2 CF Sample #3 Waterdrop LifeStraw ZeroWater Brita Aquagear PUR Epic ProOne Kirkland Signature up & up Unfiltered Sample #1 Unfiltered Sample #2
(mg/L) 350 195 252.6 105 170 20 145 170 125 130 150 90 95 140 147.5
Fluoride-Alkalinity Correlation Study Chart
Raw Data
Water Disinfectants
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Chlorine (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.2 | 0
2nd Round: 0.15 | 0 and 0
0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0 0.2 | 0
Disinfection Byproducts
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Bromodichloromethane (µg/l) 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0 0.58 | 0
Bromoform (µg/l) 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0 0.75 | 0
Dibromochloromethane (µg/l) 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0 0.94 | 0
Metals
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Copper (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.01 | 0
2nd Round: 0.02 | 0 and 0
0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0.12 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0
Barium (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.01 | 0
2nd Round: 0.01 | 0 and 0
0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0.13 0.01 | 0.01 0.01 | 0.03
Boron (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.04 | 0.01
2nd Round: 0.03 | 0.03 and 0.04
0.04 | 0.03 0.04 | 0.02 0.04 | 0.01 0.04 | 0.02 0.04 | 0.02 0.04 | 0.03 0.04 | 0.04 0.04 | 0.02 0.04 | 0.01 0.04 | 0.01
Lithium (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.01 | 0
2nd Round: 0.02 | 0 and 0
0.01 | 0.01 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0.01 0.01 | 0.01 0.01 | 0.01 0.01 | 0.02 0.01 | 0 0.01 | 0.02 0.01 | 0.01
Strontium (mg/L) 1st Round: 0.18 | 0
2nd Round: 0.2 | 0 and 0
0.18 | 0.04 0.18 | 0 0.18 | 0 0.18 | 0.02 0.18 | 0.02 0.18 | 0.08 0.18 | 0.15 0.18 | 0.01 0.18 | 0.31 0.18 | 0.08
Salts
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Nitrate (N) (mg/L) 1st Round: 1.65 | <0.5
2nd Round: 1.42 | 1.89 and 1.69
1.65 | 1.12 1.65 | <0.5 1.65 | 0 1.65 | 0 1.65 | <0.5 1.65 | 1.31 1.65 | 0 1.65 | <0.5 1.65 | 0 1.65 | 1.43
Fluoride (mg/L) (Flawed? More Info Above!) 1st Round: 0.46 | 1.71
2nd Round: 0.57 | 1.07 and 1.67
0.46 | 0.46 0.46 | 0.43 0.46 | <0.1 0.46 | 0.48 0.46 | 0.45 0.46 | 0.53 0.46 | 0.59 0.46 | 0.55 0.46 | 0.19 0.46 | 0.11
Other
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Uranium (µg/L) 1st Round: 7 | 0
2nd Round: 6 | 0 and 0
7 | 2 7 | 1 7 | 0 7 | 0 7 | 1 7 | 3 7 | 5 7 | 0 7 | 0 7 | 0
Aesthetic Parameters
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
TDS (mg/L) 1st Round: 223.5 | 1680
2nd Round: 216.1 | 334.9 and 519.1
223.5 | 189.1 223.5 | 225.1 223.5 | 0.6 223.5 | 175.9 223.5 | 181.6 223.5 | 214.3 223.5 | 513.1 223.5 | 180.6 223.5 | 282.7 223.5 | 213.4
Hardness (mg/L) 1st Round: 111.9 | 4.6
2nd Round: 113.6 | 7.9 and 2.9
111.9 | 25.6 111.9 | 3 111.9 | 0.3 111.9 | 14.5 111.9 | 13.2 111.9 | 85.4 111.9 | 239.7 111.9 | 1.6 111.9 | 130.4 111.9 | 97.5
Other Parameters
(Unfiltered | Filtered)
Alkalinity 1st Round: 140 | 350
2nd Round: 147.5 | 195 and 252.5
140 | 105 140 | 170 140 | 20 140 | 90 140 | 95 140 | 145 140 | 170 140 | 125 140 | 130 140 | 150

Why Trust Us?

You might be wondering, “Why should I trust these recommendations?” Fair question! Here’s the scoop:

We actually get our hands dirty. Every single pitcher filter in this guide (11 and counting!) has been tested by us in the real world – and yes, that includes lab work. To ensure comparable results, we adhere to standardized testing and rating procedures. As such, we’ve run every filter on the same tap water in Boise, Idaho – and it’s always been the same person, Mike, doing the testing. What’s more, with years of experience and a ton of research under our belts, we’ve honed our methods again and again to achieve the most accurate results possible. Plus, we know how to differentiate between crucial product criteria such as NSF certifications and unnecessary bells and whistles.

Last but not least, we’re 100% open about the fact that we participate in various affiliate programs run by the water treatment companies themselves or large marketplaces like amazon.com. This helps us purchase the products/services we test, fund our expensive lab testing, and pay for video production cost while keeping our content free. That said, our ratings aren’t tied to who pays the highest commission. We follow strict, standardized protocols, never accept payments for positive write-ups, and all opinions are 100% ours. We even publish our complete lab reports so you can dig in and draw your own conclusions.

About the Author(s)

Mike

Mike is a former team member who made his mark by contributing to our first big water filter pitcher comparison video and reviewing a couple POE water treatment systems. Beyond the world of water solutions, Mike is a full-time blogger and YouTuber alongside his wife, Ashley. Together, they’ve transformed their passions into a creative space called Joyfully Growing, where they share DIY tutorials and simple home improvement tips to help others love the homes they’re in.

Raoul

Raoul has a background in mechanical engineering and has been writing about home water treatment since 2015. He designs our product review processes, analyzes the results, and ties everything together. As editor-in-chief, he tries hard to keep the whole operation running smoothly behind the scenes.

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