Best Water Filter Pitchers Reviews for 2020
Many of the pitchers currently on the market look similar to one another, but there are subtle differences between them that change the value of each. We will review a number of them in depth to see which one can be right for your home. Before we do, we need to take stock of what the elements are to be on the lookout for when comparing one pitcher to another.
Our Top Pick for 2020
Dragonn Alkaline Water Filter System
The filters on the Dragonn are used to both get rid of contaminants and at the same time soften the water by added to the pH of that water. It is also a large pitcher than most because it holds up to 1 gallon within, so you don't have to keep going back to the faucet to get it refilled.
1) How Does It Handle Contaminants? - NSF/ANSI standards are the ones to compare all water filters against one another. This is the way to see if they are matching up to what the government considers to be reliable for eliminating certain contaminants in the water.
While checking on the contaminant protection, also make sure to see if the maker of the filter is a member of the Water Quality Association. This is an industry group that does much as the name suggests. They compare water filters to check to see how well they do their job. They also work hard to keep brands honest and make them stick to any and all claims that they make in their advertising. Always be certain to check on these additional factors because most water filter systems are designed only to look pleasing to the eye.
2) Lifespan Of A Water Filter - The water filter you choose for your pitcher should be one that has some longevity to it. Comparing one filter to another based on its lifespan just makes for a smart idea from a pure dollars and cents perspective.
The absolute raw length of time that a filter lasts is not the only thing to consider. Instead, a filter should last between two to six months. Some manufacturers claim that their filters will last longer than six months, but it can be a bad deal to get involved with it. Mold and bacteria is likely to grow within that filter when it is in use for longer than six months. The best option is to try to get a filter that indicates when it is in need of replacement.
3) Materials - Which materials is the filter made out of? That is one of the first questions to ask yourself regarding this purchase. Plastics of a lesser quality can be a significant health risk, and it is best to avoid them. It is possible for cheap plastics to leach materials into the water itself. Do that, and you are defeating the whole purpose of owning a water filter system in the first place. The plastics in your water filter should be at least of a food-grade quality.
4) Size Does Matter - The size of the water jug that you purchase does matter. Assuming that you are not the only one who is drinking from the water jug, the size on it will matter. You don't want to keep looking at the container and see that it is constantly empty. Many people drinking from the same jug will empty it out quickly. A decent sized jug should keep everyone happy and allow all to enjoy fresh water whenever they want it.
5) Easy To Use/Clean - The entire product should fit together nicely and be a snug fit, but you want to make sure that it is made of sturdy materials as well. This will keep it working for a long time and prevent you from going back to the store for yet another water jug.
Look to see how easy it is to clean the water jug as well. You will need to clean it on a regular basis to have the best tasting and cleanest water available. Experts recommend cleaning it at least once per week to reduce the chances of the growth of bacteria and algae in the container. A simple design without some of the fancy features that others have can be the way to go in terms of cleaning.
Now, we are prepared to go through a breakdown of individual water filter systems to outline the pluses and minuses of each of these systems. The ones that we want to look at here at those that we recommend for those in the market for this device. It is important to look at every one of these to make an informed decision about which filter to go with.
Best Water Filter Pitchers Reviews
1. Dragonn Alkaline Water Filter System
How cool is it to have a water filter system made by a company named after a fierce mythical creature? It may not seem like that big of a deal to you, but this is one thing that some people say makes this system stand out.
The filters on this thing are among the most complex in the industry, and they are made that way because the company wants people to know that their system is doing more to keep contaminants out of their water than any other maker out there. They want people to think of them when they think of water filters, and they have done a great job of this.
The filters on the Dragonn are used to both get rid of contaminants and at the same time soften the water by added to the pH of that water. It is also a large pitcher than most because it holds up to 1 gallon within, so you don't have to keep going back to the faucet to get it refilled.
Your water can actually get healthier with this system because it has a higher pH level because it was run through the very special filters on this thing. There is nothing wrong with wanting water that both tastes good and provides extra benefits to your body and well-being.
Make sure to stock up on filters for this pitcher as they are not known to last all that long. You can expect to have to replace them fairly often, but that is all part of the purchase value of getting a system that increases the pH of your water for the benefit of your health.
2. Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher
This is the top water filter choice of 2020. It was an easy pick as the best choice for a lot of reasons. It has a filter that beats the NSF standards 42 and 53. The filter itself has a 150 gallon capacity, so you know that it is going to last for a long time. That is a significant amount of water that can move through the filter before it is no good.
Pricing wise, this jug is on the higher end. The reason for the higher price tag is because it has so many of the features that you want to have in your water jug. You are paying for what you get here.
The jug has a US-made filter that has the proper certifications from the ISO 17025-accredited labs that are independent from the makers of the water filter maker. The independent labs confirm that the filters remove known contaminants such as fluoride, chromium, and mercury. Of course, those are just a handful of the things that the water is tested for.
An amazing fact about the filters used on this particular system is that they were tested against the contaminated waters of Flint, Michigan in 2016. Those were some of the most dangerous waters in the country and indeed the world. The filters used on the Aquagear system were able to bring dangerous levels of lead and other contaminants down to levels where they could not be detected at all. That was a wildly impressive result from a water filter available to the mass market. However, the recommendation from experts is still not to rely exclusively on a water filter like this to get rid of contaminants at that level.
There is not a filter-life detection system on this jug unfortunately, but it is known as a filter that can run through 150-gallons before it needs to be replaced. The owner will have to do some basic calculations for themselves to figure out what the remaining life is in their filter.
The math on this one comes out pretty great. If every person in a household of three drank two liters of water per day from the jug, it should serve the family for three months. That is not bad given that many people don't actually consume that much water. Even at those high levels, the filter would only have to be replaced four times per year. Assuming that people in the house don't actually drink that much water (as they get a lot of hydration from other beverages), the filter is more likely to last five to six months. Thus, the filter would only need to be switched out about twice a year.
No matter the rate of consumption of the water, the filter should be replaced at least every six months no matter what. These things are not meant to last longer than that, and it is a great idea to stay on top of this if you want to keep contaminants out of the water.
This jug is BPA-free and is made into a simple design. It is also made from simple plastics that are lightweight and easy to manage. Finally, this pitcher is completely recyclable. Also, the manufacturer says that it is 100% vegan as well. That may not matter that much in the world of plastic jugs, but it is one more thing to note when looking at comparing the jugs.
3. Reshape Water Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
This pitcher has one of the most unique designs of any on the list. It is almost like something from outer space. It has a certain "U" shape and comes in a dark black color that looks sleek and appealing. It has two filter cartridges that allow it to fill faster than some other models.
What is special about the Reshape model is that it alkalizes the water at the same time that it filters it. Thus, it can get the water to just the perfect pH level for human consumption.
Some people are very much into the idea of their water having that perfect taste, and that is what this system is known for doing. It can help you get the minerals that you do want in your water back in there while keeping the ones that are harmful out.
The filter system on this one lasts between two to three months depending on the intensity of usage for the household. Some households drink a lot more water than others, and that is a cause of some people having to replace their filters a bit sooner than others.
Some users say that the filters can be a little difficult to change on this one given their shape and the shape of the system itself. It is understandable to see where they are coming from, but the complaint is usually overwhelmed by a tidal wave of positive comments about the system.
4. ZeroWater ZP-010
Here is another water jug worth taking a look at. It also has NSF-53 certification and is somewhat larger than the Aquagear jug. This is the one of the best jugs for a family between two to four people.
The design behind this water jug is a bit more complex than many of the others on this list. It has a five-stage filter that can get rid of anything from dust and algae to pesticides, herbicides, and even mercury. These are all things that are major contaminants that can leach into the water. ZeroWater ZP-010 is the filter to reduce and catch all of it.
The ZeroWater ZP-010 has a special feature on it that most other water filter systems do not. It contains a meter that measures the total dissolved solids (TDS) that it has captured in the filter. This is the best and easiest way to measure what the water had in it before and after. That is a simple way to see how effective the filter really is. Therefore, you can always see just how hard it is working for you. Most people want that kind of mathematical proof that they are getting real value out of their filter, and this one proves it.
This meter is a much better way to measure the life expectancy of the filter rather than using a calendar or trying to measure out exactly how much water has filtered through the thing. Those two ways of working the system just don't make a lot of sense. It is a lot harder to get an accurate count, and there is a lot of value to seeing what the meter is showing. You can at the very least compare what you are getting from the filter compared to what you expect from it.
There is a negative to this water jug as well. The biggest downside is that it will take out a lot of the natural organic and inorganic contaminants that exist in the water. This can take the flavor that one expects from their water out of it. Thus, there may be a certain "sour" taste to the water that you drink from this jug. Some people are able to get past this and it doesn't really bother them at all. However, there are some who say that not having that certain taste that they are used to makes the whole experience not so great for them.
On the plus side, this is a BPA-free pitcher with a nice plain design. It is easy to clean and can hold up to 10 cups of water at a time. It actually takes a number of rounds of refilling before you get the entire jug full.
This pitcher is on the more affordable side for what you get from it. A lot of people are somewhat price sensitive, and that means that they want a water filter that doesn't break the bank. They get that with this particular brand. Check it out and see how you can have crisp, clean water without spending too much.
5. Brita 42629 Slim Water Filter Pitcher
Brita is the queen of water filters. It is the name most commonly associated with in-home water filtration systems for most people. It was one of the first companies to get in on the water filtration scene, and it has remained a dominant player this entire time. This is because they produce some of the most incredible water filter jugs that the market has seen. They continue to do so with the Brita 42629 Slim Water Filter Pitcher.
A major advantage of this pitcher is that it is smaller than some of the others on the list. This makes it the perfect purchase for someone like a college student or someone who lives alone.
That person may have limited refrigerator space, and a larger pitcher just wouldn't fit comfortably in there. This one fits like a glove.
The capacity of this pitcher is just five cups, so it is only half the size of the previous pitcher, but as just mentioned that can be great for those who live in smaller spaces. In fact, this one is known to fit in the inside doors of many refrigerator models. That is not something that will work with the other pitchers on this list. This is a major advantage as it leaves extra space in the body of the refrigerator itself for the remainder of one's groceries.
People love to give this one as a gift for people as it is not terribly expensive compared to the average water filtration jug. It makes for the idea holiday or birthday present. The price is able to stay so low because this one does away with some of the bells and whistles that come with some other jugs. This one is stripped down to the basics for those who want a water pitcher but don't want to spend a fortune on it.
6. Seychelle’s Filter Water Filter Pitcher
An innovation of this pitcher is that it uses two filters rather than the standard one. It might seem like a gimmick at first, but that is not the case. The purpose of the two filters is not just to make you spend money twice as much on filters. Rather, it is designed that way to provide you with filtered water whenever you want it. There is never a worry here that you might not have water available in your refrigerator right when you want it. This is a common enough complaint from users of other filtration systems that Seychelle decided to tackle it firsthand.
Everything that this pitcher is made out of is considered food-grade material. That means that regulatory bodies have determined that the materials are clean and safe enough to come in contact with human food without doing any harm to that food. That is a pretty large endorsement to come from any regulatory body, and that makes owners of Seychelle products all the happier to own them.
This pitcher fills a lot faster than other models because it has the two filters. You don't have to wait around for a long time to enjoy crisp and clean water from your pitcher. It is all there for you whenever you need it.
On the downside, some users have said that the filters on this one have a tendency to clog more easily. This may be given the fact that there are two filters trying to catch a lot of contaminants all the time. Users may use this pitcher a lot more often than other pitchers as well since it fills so quickly. That could be another contributing factor to the constant clogging.
All of that being said, this pitcher is a reasonable choice for practically any household. It certainly belongs on a list of potential water filter pitchers to consider for in-home use.
7. PUR 18-Cup Dispenser With Filter
Thirsty? This is the water jug for you and your family. People with large families tend to love the PUR 18-Cup dispenser due to its size. As the name suggests, it holds up to 18 cups of water, which makes it the largest water jug on this list.
It has the NSF certification that proves that it takes care of the contaminants that could otherwise get into the water. It is particularly powerful at removing some of the heaviest metals that are sometimes found in tap water. 99% removal of lead, 96% of mercury, and 92% of certain pesticides prove that this one is a workhorse.
The cartridge on this one is not the best of breed. It will have to be replaced often. It can only handle about 40 gallons of water going through it before it requires replacement. Thus, a family that drinks a lot of water can expect to need to change out the cartridge about every month or two. This may seem like a major annoyance, but it means that the family is getting a lot of water in their systems which is always good, and it means that the cartridge is working hard to keep contaminants out of that water.
The blue reservoir is something that immediately catches the attention of many buyers as this is different from the more plain designs seen on other water pitchers. It is clear that PUR wanted to make something that grabbed the customer's attention and refused to let it go. The reservoir is also expansive in terms of how much water it can hold at one time. You will not have to refill it all that often because it already holds so much water in a single fill. That takes some of the annoyance out of the equation, and a lot more people are happier if they don't constantly have to refill their water jugs.
This jug does not have a handle or a spout like all of the other systems mentioned on this list. It would not be easy to pour water out of a container this large, and it could easily spill all over the place if that was the system in place. Instead, this jug has a tap near the bottom of it that allows you to pour from it easily and into whatever kind of drinking vessel you choose.
The only negatives mentioned by users of this jug is that it has a tendency to leak on occasion. Some have noted this, and it may be due to the fact that the container is so large and holding so much water in the first place. That is something worth noting before making the purchase, but many don't find it bothersome enough to not purchase this container. Instead, they note it and move on. A little leaked water in the refrigerator is not that big of a deal to the vast majority of customers.
8. Invigorated Water Alkaline Water Pitcher
This thing has a filter that can handle up to 96 gallons of water passing through its filter within its lifetime. This makes it ideal for a household that has between three and five people in it.
There are multiple filter choices available with this pitcher to meet all of your preferences. You can go with the standard PH001 or the improved PH002 that can be purchased separately.
The PH001 has activated coconut carbon charcoal that can work really well to get contaminants out of the water. The most visible and heaviest of metals are taken out by the charcoal elements of the filter.
Interestingly, there are also stone and ceramic pellets in the filter stack that reintroduce certain things that you do want in the water even as the harmful contaminants are removed. It is in this way that this filter is one of the smartest and most powerful of all of them that have been mentioned up to this point.
You can imagine that having a filter this powerful is going to come with extra cost, and it does. This water pitcher is among the most expensive on our list here. It has to be in order to have all of the fancy features that it does. You don't just get something like this without paying up at least a little bit.
Those who really want to dive in strong on their water filtration will opt for the PH002 filter on this system. It is an even better option simply because it can filter out things you don't want with even more effectiveness. It has pores that are the size of 0.01 microns. The human eye can only see an object that is at least 40 microns in size, so this tells you that the pores on this system are so small that they can't even be seen with the naked eye. Imagine how contaminants are going to get through that. The simple answer is that they aren't going to get through it.
Every one of the filtration elements on this are NSF-certified, so you know that this is keeping up to the standards that we have all come to expect from a pricey water pitcher.
BPA-free plastic makes up the lid, and it has a flexible flap that will open under the pressure of the water when you pour it in. That is ideal for a lot of people as they want a lid that is responsive to water being poured through it. That just makes it easier to handle, and most people prefer that immensely.
We have discussed a number of water pitchers and the filtration systems that keep them operating in this article. Each one of those systems has been broken down bit by bit to show you both the strengths and weaknesses of each choice.
This gives you all of the information that you require to make an informed decision about which water pitcher to purchase for your family. Even more important than that though is that you keep your eyes held firmly forward on why water filtration and drinking water is so important in the first place.
The cartridge on this one is not the best of breed. It will have to be replaced often. It can only handle about 40 gallons of water going through it before it requires replacement. Thus, a family that drinks a lot of water can expect to need to change out the cartridge about every month or two. This may seem like a major annoyance, but it means that the family is getting a lot of water in their systems which is always good, and it means that the cartridge is working hard to keep contaminants out of that water.
The blue reservoir is something that immediately catches the attention of many buyers as this is different from the more plain designs seen on other water pitchers. It is clear that PUR wanted to make something that grabbed the customer's attention and refused to let it go. The reservoir is also expansive in terms of how much water it can hold at one time. You will not have to refill it all that often because it already holds so much water in a single fill. That takes some of the annoyance out of the equation, and a lot more people are happier if they don't constantly have to refill their water jugs.
This jug does not have a handle or a spout like all of the other systems mentioned on this list. It would not be easy to pour water out of a container this large, and it could easily spill all over the place if that was the system in place. Instead, this jug has a tap near the bottom of it that allows you to pour from it easily and into whatever kind of drinking vessel you choose.
The only negatives mentioned by users of this jug is that it has a tendency to leak on occasion. Some have noted this, and it may be due to the fact that the container is so large and holding so much water in the first place. That is something worth noting before making the purchase, but many don't find it bothersome enough to not purchase this container. Instead, they note it and move on. A little leaked water in the refrigerator is not that big of a deal to the vast majority of customers.