“The water you and your family drink should be safe,” said Kim Rose, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Florida. “Most municipal water standards haven’t been updated in over 20 years. A water filter pitcher removes anything that the city water treatment plant might have missed, and also removes what they added in, such as chlorine, and monochloramine.” To help determine which are the best water filter pitchers, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each water filter pitcher’s size, water capacity, filter lifespan, and price point. We also consulted Rose for additional insight. Overall, the best water filter pitcher is the ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher, which features a lightweight jug and an effective carbon filter insert. It also pours easily and filters considerably faster than other water filter pitchers on the market. Here are the best water filter pitchers. Keep in Mind: It doesn’t come with any replacement filters, so you’ll have to purchase them separately. The pitcher is constructed with a 5-stage ion exchange filter that, according to the brand, removes 99.6% of dissolved solids and odors. The pitcher itself is small enough to fit in a standard refrigerator without taking up too much space and can hold up to 12 cups of water at a time. Plus, the pitcher is made of BPA-free plastic, so you don’t have to worry about other contaminants sneaking into your already-clean water. What we might like most about the ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher is that it was designed to allow clean water to pour while the rest of the water inside is still filtering. This means you don’t have to wait a long time for the entire pitcher to filter before you can pour yourself a clean glass of water. The ZeroWater Ready Pour Pitcher typically provides 25 gallons of fresh, clean water per filter. The pitcher does come with a water quality meter that indicates when it’s time to change the filter, so there’s never any second-guessing. Price at time of publish: $40 Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 1.07 pounds Keep in Mind: If the filter isn’t secured properly the pitcher may leak. The pitcher is made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic and holds up to 12 cups of water at a time, making it a great addition to any household refrigerator. The sleek design—all clear, except for the crisp white lid—also makes this pitcher look great on countertops. Keep in mind that some customers found the filter and lid a bit challenging to snap in and out of place. You’ll want to make sure all parts are securely in place after filter changes and washes in order to avoid leaks. Price at time of publish: $19 Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 1.94 pounds Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options and larger, so you’ll need the space to store it. While this pitcher requires two filters, you’ll get about 6,000 gallons of great-tasting filtered water before you’ll need to replace them, which is longer than many other water pitcher filters. When set up, the Big Berkey measures just over 19 inches high and 8 inches wide. It’s a bit large for inside the refrigerator, so keep in mind you’ll need some space on the kitchen counter. It features a pouring spout, however, so serving yourself a glass is easy for even the youngest members of your family. Price at time of publish: $405 Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: Stainless steel | Weight (empty): 7.35 pounds Keep in Mind: This pitcher holds just seven cups of water at a time, so it may require frequent refilling. This Lifestraw pitcher features a filter that uses activated carbon and ion exchange to filter out bacteria, parasites, lead, mercury, microplastics, and other chemicals from your water. It also retains essential materials like potassium and magnesium, which can be beneficial for overall health. Part of what makes this option one of the best water filter pitchers is the design. The all-glass carafe features rounded edges that are accented by the crisp white filter insert. Just keep in mind that the pricier pick only holds 7 cups at a time, so you may have to refill it more frequently than some other picks. The filter also needs to be replaced every two months, so you’ll have to ensure that you have enough replacements. Price at time of publish: $50 Capacity: 7 cups | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: Glass carafe, plastic filter insert | Weight (empty): 0.85 pounds Keep in Mind: It has a capacity of only 5 cups, which is less than other options. Its slim design makes it easy to tuck into any corner of your kitchen countertop – or better yet, on your refrigerator door shelf. It’s also super lightweight, making it easy to handle even when it’s filled with water. Like other options on our list, the filter uses activated carbon ion exchange to remove impurities like copper, mercury, and cadmium. It also helps reduce chlorine taste and odor to deliver great-tasting water. Plus, the pitcher features a sticker indicator to notify you when it’s time to replace the filter. Because of its space-saving design, you’ll only get 5 cups of filtered water at a time with this pitcher, which is less than other options. The filter is also designed to last about 40 gallons, which means you should expect to replace it every two months or so. Price at time of publish: $39 Capacity: 5 cups | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 0.06 pounds Keep in Mind: This pitcher is over two pounds when empty, which is heavier than some other styles. Part of what makes this pitcher one of the best water filter pitchers is its fast absorption speed, which means you don’t have to wait around for the water to filter. Plus, it has a generous 3.8-liter capacity so you won’t have to constantly refill. There’s also an easy grip handle and sturdy lid, which only releases when it’s angled in a position to pour to minimize spills. Keep in mind that this pitcher doesn’t offer the option to pour clean water while the contents inside the reservoir are still being filtered, so you’ll have to wait for the entire pitcher to filter before you can pour yourself a glass. It’s also just over two pounds when empty, so it may be heavy for some. Price at time of publish: $42 Capacity: 3.8 liters | Filter Lifespan: Six to eight weeks | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): 2.27 pounds Keep in Mind: It is plastic, so you will want to avoid leaving it in hot spaces like inside your car. Part of what makes this pick one of the best water filter pitchers is that it’s leak-proof, cup holder friendly, and designed with an easy open lid built-in carrying loop for added convenience. It’s also dishwasher safe (top rack) and comes in several vibrant color options. To get the best-tasting water you’ll want to replace the filter on this water bottle every two months or 40 gallons. You’ll also want to make sure you follow instructions–like rinsing each new filter under running water for 15 seconds–in order to make sure your filter works properly. Price at time of publish: $22 Capacity: 26 ounces | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): 0.5 pounds Keep in Mind: The pitcher is more expensive than some other options. This large water filter pitcher can hold up to 10 cups at a time and is easy to pour and refill thanks to an ergonomic handle. There’s also a pour dam that keeps clean water separate from the water that is still filtering, so you’ll be able to pour while you filter. The filter is made from solid carbon block rigorously tested to meet NSF standards, removing chlorine, fluoride, and most recently haloacetic acids. This filter also maintains healthy trace minerals, like calcium and magnesium in your water, as well. Price at time of publish: $60 Capacity: 10 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): Not listed Keep in Mind: With multiple components, this pitcher is not the most portable on the list. This uniquely designed water filtration set includes a one-liter glass reservoir (also known as the waterfall), a plastic filtration component, and two one-liter glass carafes. Use one carafe for everyday drinking water and the other to create different combinations of infused water using fruits, vegetables, or herbs. The filter lasts up to 4 months, so you’ll be able to get tons of use. Price at time of publish: $69 Capacity: 2 liters | Filter Lifespan: Four months | Material: Glass, plastic | Weight (empty): 7.2 pounds
What to Know About Water Filter Pitchers Before Shopping
Capacity
The average water filter pitcher will hold anywhere from 7 to 12 cups of water at a time while higher capacity options can hold about 30 cups. Deciding what size is right for you will depend on your personal drinking habits, how many household members will be using the pitcher, and how much available space you have in your kitchen. While a smaller pitcher might be more affordable and space-saving, you might end up refilling it more often. Keep in mind that while some water filter pitchers are designed with dual reservoirs – one for clean water and one for water that is still filtering – some models will require you to wait until the entire contents of the pitcher filters before any water is available to drink. This means, depending on the specific pitcher, you could be waiting a while for a glass of water.
Filter Lifespan
Regardless of the size of your water filter pitcher, most of them come with a standard activated carbon filter that lasts for 40 gallons, or approximately two months depending on how often you are refilling it. A typical replacement filter will cost you around $40. Higher-end filters like the ones used in the Big Berkey, for example, can last up to a year but are often more expensive. An average replacement will cost about $170.
Material
Water filter pitchers are typically available in three materials: plastic, glass, and stainless steel. Glass and stainless steel are both durable, easy to clean, and environmentally friendly. Stainless steel is also lightweight, making it a better option than glass if you are looking for a water filter pitcher that is easy to transport. Plastic water pitchers are also lightweight and overall less expensive than glass or stainless steel. However, they are susceptible to scratches and cracks over time. If opting for plastic, you’ll also want to make sure you purchase food-grade, BPA-free as other types of plastics can contain harmful chemicals that can seep into your water, especially after being exposed to heat in the dishwasher.
Your Questions, Answered
How often should you change the filter in a water filter pitcher?
When it comes to changing the filter in a water pitcher, it really depends on the style and what’s recommended. While some may need to be changed every few months others may be able to last for a year or so.
How effective are water filter pitchers at cleaning water?
According to Rose, with carbon material and certain technologies, water filter pitchers are exceptionally effective at cleaning water. “We think that any kind of filtering is better than nothing, however, some of the top-end water filter pitchers are so effective at filtering that they are classified as air purifiers, meaning they can even remove microscopic viruses,” Rose says.
Who We Are
This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To make this list she researched a variety of water filter pitches, keeping in mind each pick’s capacity, filter lifespan, material, and weight. She also interviewed Kim Rose, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, a registered dietitian nutritionist, for additional insight.
