Tested 5 Water Filter Pitchers: Smooth Filtration Without Slowdowns

With dozens upon dozens of water filter pitchers on the market, it can become a headache to choose the right one for your family.

With over 3 months of painstaking testing and researching popular brands, we’ve decided on five that we feel will get the job done right the first time with the least amount of headaches imaginable.

Expert Picks

1. Best Overall: Clearly Filtered
2. Runner Up: Epic Water Pitcher
3. Budget-Friendly Option: Aquagear Water Pitcher
4. Best for Large Families: ZeroWater, 23 Cup Pitcher
5. Classic and Reliable: Brita Large 10 Cup Water Pitcher

Each of these top-rated water pitchers offers unique features and benefits tailored to specific needs. Whether you prioritize filtration performance, capacity, or budget-friendly options, there’s a perfect match for you on this list.

With that said, here’s our top 5:

#1. Clearly Filtered – Best Overall

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Best For: If you’re looking for a pitcher with a large holding capacity with the assurance of third party testing – look no further than clearly filtered.

Pros:

• Other pitchers claim to remove lead and fluoride, but this is the only model that eliminates more than 99.5-percent of them according to independent laboratory testing.
• The pitcher is made of durable BPA/BPS and phthalate-free plastic.
• Its 64-ounce or roughly 10-cup capacity is big enough for a small family.
• Clearly filtered comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee.
• We really love that no beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium are not filtered out.
• The life of the filter is 100 gallons — that’s about three months of average use for a family of four.
• We also love that this pitcher filter is tested against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 244, 401 & 473

Cons:

• We don’t like the higher-than-average initial costs when compared to other brands.
• For the price, we were surprised it doesn’t have a filter change indicator.

What others have said:

Jennifer B. 10/12/23: “I am very happy with the Clearly Filtered. The water is clear, pure – simply the best tasting water I’ve ever tried. Better than bottled spring water, better than under-sink filters, cleaner tasting than store bought water. The filter is denser and superior compared to other pitcher filters.

I gave it a 4 stars only because the cover of the pitcher should fit better. Sometimes it’s the simple things that matter most and drinking clear, clean and pure tasking water is an investment in your health that is worth making. I’ve already recommended this product to friends.”

Read our full review: Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Review

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#2. Epic Water Pitcher – Runner up

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Best For: Epic is best for those looking for an all-in-one solution to 99.99% of tap water contaminants and doesn’t mind the added cost for peace of mind.

Not Best For: Those on a budget or who only needs to filter out chlorine, etc.

Pros

• In our testing, we’ve found Epic’s pitcher to be great for a family of 5 and the carbon filtration capability is unmatched.
• We also noticed the sleek design gives us more space in our refrigerator – which is a bonus in our book.
• Filling this pitcher takes a tad over a minute to filter and ready to use.
• Changing out filters is pretty simple and easier than other top brand filters.
• The filter lasts up to 4 months with an LED filter change indicator so you don’t have to worry about when the last time you changed your filter.
• Designed to remove up to 99.99% of all tap water contaminants.
• Built using 100% BPA free plastic and is completely recyclable.
• We noticed an immediate reduction in taste impurities such as chlorine.
• We feel Epic is the best water pitcher for removing the most potentially dangerous contaminants — especially PFOA, PFOS, chromium-6 and lead.
• We love that Epic comes with a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• We really don’t like how the pour spout is smaller than other pitchers and could cause more spillage until you get used to it.
• Until everyone gets used to pouring the last bit of water from the pitcher, be aware that the cover sometimes pops off.
• The annual filter replacement costs can be on the high side depending on how much your family drinks.
• This pitcher isn’t dishwasher safe and must be hand-washed.

Read our Full Review: Epic Filter Pitcher Review

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#3. Aquagear

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Best For: Aquagear is great for those looking to save money and is more than capable of handling the harshest of contaminants.

Not best for: If fluoride is your primary concern, this filter isn’t the best and we would lean towards any of the two above.

Pros:

• We like that Aquagear uses a unique five-stage filtration system that is highly effective at removing arsenic, mercury and chromium-6.
• Testing done on contaminated water from Flint, Michigan water showed it reduced lead to undetectable levels.
• It removes thousands of times more contamination than Brita’s standard filter and removes pathogens down to two microns.
• The pitcher carafe is constructed with recyclable, FDA-approved food grade materials, and it gets good reviews for being sturdy and ergonomic.
• Like Clearly Water’s pitcher, it has a 64-ounce capacity, but filters last 50-percent longer. Aquagear backs this model with a lifetime warranty.
• We love that our water no longer tastes or smells of chlorine.
• The purchase price is a little less than the Clearly Water pitcher, and filters last 50-percent longer — lowering the cost of ownership significantly.
• For a budget-friendly filter, it does a superb job, but if health concerns top your list, the Clearly Water pitcher is a marginally better choice.

Cons

• Removes less fluoride than the Clearly Water pitcher.
• Takes about 10 minutes to fill up with filtered water.
• while its filtering capability easily surpasses competitors like Brita, it doesn’t perform quite as well as Clearly Water’s model. The water it treats tastes just as fresh and crisp, but it removes far less fluoride and slightly less of most other contaminants.

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#4. ZeroWater, 23 Cup Dispenser

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Best for: Those looking for a large dispenser that requires less frequent refilling and easy one-hand pouring.

Not best for: Those on well water as this system is designed for municipal water.

Pros

• This is great for large families as standard pitchers are just to small, so ZeroWater came to the rescue with this 23-cup dispenser that fits in the refrigerator.
• A five-stage filtration system removes more contaminants than carbon filters alone including lead, chromium, mercury and other harmful chemicals.
• ZeroWater reduces the most total dissolved solids for the freshest-tasting water possible.
• The dispensing mechanism was thoughtfully engineered to allow one-handed pouring, and the flip top lid lets you refill the pitcher without removing it from the refrigerator.
• It comes with a free TDS meter and a 90-day warranty.

Cons

• Short 90-day warranty
• Quality-control issues with replacement filters
• This dispenser is a great concept, but it has a few flaws. The lid and spigot are designed for convenience, but they’re not particularly sturdy and prone to break.
• Customers also report quality control issues with replacement filters — multi-pack boxes come with duds.
• The dispenser is NSF-certified for lead and chromium reduction, and the water it produces tastes crisp, but claims regarding the removal of other contaminants are vague.
• ZeroWater markets this unit more for TDS reduction than contaminant removal, so that’s not surprising.
• For a reasonable cost, it’s ideal for city water that tastes off because of mineral content, and it’s a logical choice for large families that can handle it with care.

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#5. Brita Large 10 Cup Pitcher

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Best For: Those looking for a budget friendly pitcher that can handle most common tap water issues.

Not Best For: Those looking for the ultimate contaminant removal as this won’t cut it for you – lean towards Epic or Clearly filtered as better options.

Pros

• A flip top lid makes it a cinch to refill, and it’s the only pitcher on the list that comes equipped with an electronic filter change indicator.
• It’s available in your choice of stylish colors, and its filter replacement cost is among the lowest in the industry.
• Brita’s been around for a while, and their experience shows in the construction and convenience features this pitcher offers.
• The construction is solid, and the handle feels good in your hand. I wouldn’t hesitate to let the kids use it.
• If you’re generally satisfied with your water quality and just want to make it taste better than bottled for a lot less cash, you won’t go wrong with this classic.

Cons

• For contaminant removal, this isn’t the best water pitcher, but what it does, it does well, and that’s to make water taste good again.
• The battery for the filter change indicator isn’t replaceable – it should last five years.
• This filter doesn’t reduce fluoride which is a bummer.

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Compare All 5 Pitchers

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How We Chose

We started with a simple mission – to find the best darn water pitchers out there. Here’s how our journey unfolded:

1. Filtration Efficiency: Like a detective, we sleuthed out which pitchers best banished those pesky impurities for the clearest H2O on the block.
2. Filter Life: Who wants to change filters all the time? Not us! So, we gave a nod to the filters that had some stamina.
3. Pitcher Capacity: From solo sippers to big family guzzlers, we hunted down pitchers of all sizes.
4. Material Quality: Only the mightiest, BPA-free contenders were deemed worthy.
5. Ease of Use: Because who wants a PhD in “Pitcherology”? The simpler, the better!
6. Design: We also have an eye for beauty – a sleek and snug fit for your fridge was a must.
7. Certifications: Because we feel third party testing using NSF/ANSI standards is a must.
8. Cost Effectiveness: We checked not just the price tag but the long run too – ensuring bang for your buck.
9. Customer Reviews: What’s better than real talk? We dug deep into what users had to say. No fluff, just the good stuff.

After all this, we emerged with a list of water pitchers that weren’t just good, they were golden.

Buyer’s Guide

Tired of playing porter with bottled water? Dreaming of a greener, cost-saving solution? Enter the fantastic realm of water pitchers. Your gateway to a thirst-quenching utopia!

Why Use a Water Pitcher?

In today’s world, we’re all detectives when it comes to what we consume. And our pitchers? They’re the caped crusaders ensuring our water is pristine. No fancy installs, no fuss – just pure, clean water. Let’s break down these filtration marvels:

1. Activated Carbon Filters:
   • What They Do: They’re like sponges, soaking up chlorine, VOCs, and other unwanted party crashers.
   • Why Care? Think better-tasting, sniffle-free water. Mmm, refreshing!
2. Ion-Exchange Filters:
   • What They Do: These champs trade bad metals like lead and mercury for good ions.
   • Why Care? Less heavy metal, more health-happy vibes.
3. Gravity Filters:
   • What They Do: With gravity’s pull, these filters trap the bad guys – sediment, bacteria, and their sneaky pals.
   • Why Care? Especially fab for adventurers and those off the grid.
4. Alkaline/Water Ionizers:
   • What They Do: They split water into alkaline and acidic, making your drink a tad more zen.
   • Why Care? Some say alkaline water is like a spa day for your insides.
5. Ceramic Filters:
   • What They Do: Tiny pores play goalie, keeping bacteria out of your cup.
   • Why Care? That’s next-level safety for you and your crew.

Pros & Cons (Because Life’s Like That)

Thumbs Up: Crystal clear taste, eco-warrior approved, kind to your wallet, and ready to roll with you.

Thumbs Down: Might need frequent refills, some play hard to get and filter slowly, and, yeah, you’ll need to swap filters occasionally.

Do You Really Need a Filter Pitcher

Alright, water warriors, let’s tackle the million-dollar question: Is a filter pitcher the magic goblet you’ve been missing in your life? Let’s break it down, sip by sip.

• Taste Test: Does your tap water taste like it’s auditioning for a role in a horror flick? If your water’s flavor profile ranges from ‘swimming pool chic’ to ‘rusty nail surprise’, a water pitcher might just be your culinary savior. Hello, gourmet hydration!
• Clear Conscience, Clearer Water: Ever think about what sneaky little mischief-makers might be dancing the cha-cha in your drink? Unknown contaminants can play hide-and-seek in your water. With a filter pitcher, you’re the undefeated champion of this game.
• Mother Earth’s BFF: Tired of the single-use plastic bottle brigade taking over your home and the planet? A water pitcher is like a tree-hugging hug for our blue planet. Reduce, reuse, and refresh!
• Wallet Watch: Crunching the numbers? Let’s talk cents and sensibility. The cost of constantly buying bottled water adds up faster than you can say “cha-ching!” A one-time pitcher purchase might just have your bank account doing the happy dance.
• Portability Plus: Heading to a picnic, road trip, or just chilling on your balcony? These pitchers are ready to roll. No need to lug around heavy water bottles or search for stores in the middle of nowhere. Just fill, chill, and thrill!

Our Thoughts: While your need for a water pitcher might depend on personal preferences and local water quality, the perks are pretty splashy. If the idea of crisp, clean, planet-loving water tickles your taste buds, it might just be time to dive in and get one. Bottoms up, water wanderers!

Things to Consider Before Buying

1. Test Your Water: Know thy enemy (or contaminants, rather).
2. Pick Your Size: Match your thirst level and household size.
3. Filter Stamina: Less replacement drama = more hydration happiness.
4. Fridge Real Estate: Will it fit snugly next to last night’s pizza?
5. Quality Check: BPA-free and certified? Score!
6. Warranty Hunt: Because it’s always good to have backup.

Conclusion? Water pitchers are more than just containers. They’re your health allies, planet saviors, and wallet protectors. Dive into the world of filtered goodness and toast to a brighter, hydrated future! Cheers!

Pro Tips for Pitcher Maintenance

Alright, you got the pitcher. Now let’s keep it sparkling! As a seasoned pitcher pro, here’s the lowdown:

1. Regular Cleaning: Give your pitcher some TLC with a soapy wash after each use.
2. Filter Care: Follow the maker’s instructions, and remember, vinegar can be your filter’s BFF!
3. Mold Watch: Dry before storing and banish any moldy suspects with vinegar.
4. Filter Swaps: Check the life expectancy. Some filters are sprinters, others are marathon runners.
5. Quality Checks: Test your water occasionally. Let’s keep it top-notch, shall we?

Remember, a well-maintained pitcher is a happy pitcher. Keep up the good work, and here’s to fresh sips and happy lips!

FAQs

There you have it – a sprinkle of knowledge to guide you through your water pitcher journey. Stay hydrated and informed!