12 Best Water Filter Pitchers, Tested and Reviewed

Brita is one of the most well-known water filter brands, so it’s no surprise the brand's Elite water filter did a stellar job in our testing and filtered over 30 contaminants.

We found that it removes chlorine to improve the taste as well as other chemicals such as heavy metals, carcinogens, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and more according to our review of third-party lab test data. Not only did it impress as our best overall pick, but it also doubles as our best value pick thanks to low upfront and low yearly filter replacement costs.

It was one of the fastest filters in our tests, coming in at 38 seconds per cup of water and, according to Brita, the filter lasts about six months before you need to change it. One of our at-home testers said, “With five thirsty mouths in our house, I like that the filter lasts longer so I’m not constantly changing it, and I enjoy the taste of the water.”

The pitcher can hold 10 cups of water, and the Elite filters have been upgraded from the standard filters. Not only do these filters last longer, but they also filter out lead and don’t leave behind any black carbon particle specks in the water, a common complaint with the standard Brita filters.

Take note: We found that if you tip the pitcher too much, the filter comes out, so you’ll have to take care when pouring. You can also upgrade to the Tahoe pitcher, which uses the same filter — but it stays in place when you pour — and comes with a smart light indicator that alerts you when it's time to change the pitcher.

If you have a larger household or drink a lot of water, a water filter pitcher may not hold enough water to meet your needs. This dispenser holds 32 cups of water, and our pros appreciate the narrow design so it's not taking up too much room in your fridge. If that's still not quite enough water for your needs it also comes in a 52-cup size.

It comes with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter, which indicates the level of dissolved salts and minerals in the water such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate and more. In our Lab tests, the TDS number came up instantly after putting it in water. Our pros measured a cup of tap water and a cup from the ZeroWater pitcher and the meter showed it had removed TDS from the water.

Plus, it filters out five chemical contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals and endocrine distruptors such as PFOA and PFOS, according to our verified review of third-party test data.

We appreciate the TDS meter storage on the dispenser and the large opening that makes filling easy. One downside: It filters very slowly, but that enhances the efficacy, according to the brand.

Most water filter pitchers remove chlorine to improve the taste of the water, which could also lead to a rise in bacteria in the filtered water. Larq solves this by using UV light to inhibit E. coli and Salmonella from building up in the water due to chlorine removal. It filters over 45 contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors PFOA and PFOS, pharmaceuticals and more, which we verified through a review of third-party test data.

It has a rechargeable removable wand that powers the UV light, which is visible as the water filters through.

During our Lab testing, the Larq app was easy to install, and it kept track of when you need to change the filter. One thing to note, we found the app at times disconnected or uninstalled itself, so the tracking may not be entirely accurate.

We love the modern look and the easy-pour spout that doesn't splash water everywhere. Our pros thought that it was intuitive to set up and is one of the few pitchers in our tests that’s dishwasher safe.

The wand needs to be hand washed, but we found this easy due to its compact size. The downside: The yearly cost to replace the filters is higher than some of the others we tested.

It can be a hassle to wait for water to drip through a filter if you need it immediately, which is why we love this Brita Hub. It dispenses water at the push of a button and gives you freshly filtered water.

It offers the option to dispense a steady stream of water or to dispense 12 or 20 ounces of water at a time. It filters out over 7o contaminants such as lead, PFOA, PFOS, VOCs, some pharmaceutical drugs and many more.

When we tested this water filter dispenser, we found it easy to setup and use. The water tank has a large opening for refilling water and a handle making it easy to take to the sink. One of our staff members has used this for more than a year and loves the convenience, especially being able to fill a 12- or 20-ounce bottle of water by pushing one button so they can walk away while it fills.

If you're looking to save some space in the main part of the fridge but still want a dispenser for cold water, then you'll love this machine from Waterdrop. It's designed to fit in the door of most refrigerators with a 4.6-inch width. The attached handle makes it easy to carry to and from the fridge, and it can also be stored on the countertop.

It instantly dispenses water at the push of a button, and when we tested it, we found that it was easy to use. Our pros liked that it works with a rechargeable battery so you're not confined to placing it by an electrical outlet.

It helps reduce over 30 contaminants, including some heavy metals, BPA and more. The filter was easy to install but we found it hard to remove. The tank is also hand wash.

Many reverse osmosis systems are installed under the sink, but this water filter system from Aqua Tru gives you reverse osmosis water on your countertop. It removes over 80 contaminants, one of the highest among the water filters we tested.

We verified that it removes contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals like lead, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and more. In addition, it removes over 90% of fluoride, which some may prefer removed while others may not.

The AquaTru carafe comes with three different filters: pre/carbon, reverse osmosis and VOC (a type of carbon filter to remove VOCs). If you prefer some minerals, there's also an option to separately purchase a Mineral Boost Alkaline VOC Filter or Filter Mineral Boost Alkaline Combo Pack . The mineral boost filter adds minerals like calcium and magnesium and is supposed to mimic the mineral-rich taste of Evian or Arrowhead.

The water filter system dispenses water into a carafe, which our experts found handy because you can store it on the counter or put it in the fridge. Be sure to empty the water tank after every cycle because, like all reverse osmosis filters, wastewater with contaminants is left behind.

One thing to note, the dispenser has a pricey upfront cost of nearly $360, but the filters last longer than most, making the yearly cost of replacing filters comparable to some pitchers that filter fewer contaminants.

The Hydros Glass Slim Pitcher will improve the taste and clarity of your water by removing chlorine and sediment. It's great for someone who wants a basic pitcher, plus it will save some space in your fridge with its small 4-inch-diameter footprint. Our experts found that it's lightweight when filled, weighing a little under 4 pounds, though it can feel bottom-heavy when you grab it by the pitcher's neck to pour.

We loved that the filter didn't require any pre-soaking and was ready to use with only a 15-second flush under running water.

Our pros were pleasantly surprised that it filtered water nearly instantaneously, but take note that it only filters out contaminants for taste and clarity. Another downside: The opening is small, so water tends to spill over the lid while filling. The water pours out smoothly. It's also available in a plastic version.

This attractive water filter pitcher improves the taste and clarity of water, plus takes out over 30 contaminants, including chlorine, microplastics, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and E.coli bacteria and cysts, which we verified by reviewing the brand’s third-party lab test data. Most brands offer only plastic pitchers, but LifeStraw has a glass and a plastic option.

In our tests, we liked that it was light and easy to hold and pour, weighing in at a mere 6 pounds when filled. The trade-off is that you need to refill it more often since it does not hold a large volume of water (it holds only 2.5 cups of tap water).

LifeStraw states that it takes a few refills of the pitcher to get the water flowing, but we noted that even after a few refills it was still filtering slowly. Another caveat: Be sure to read the instructions and remove the filter in the plastic housing before washing; otherwise, you will get soap in the filter.

Berkey came out on top for removing more contaminants than other water filters we tested: It filters more than 200 contaminants, including common chemical contaminants most pitchers remove like chlorine, cadmium and lead, and we verified that it also removes viruses, parasitic pathogens, bacteria, VOCs, some pharmaceutical drugs and petroleum contaminants such as gasoline and crude oil. If you prefer to have fluoride removed from your water, it’s one of the few that can remove it, but you need to buy the fluoride filters separately.

In our Lab tests, we noticed that this countertop dispenser required more work to set up than others, and the instructions were not as clear as we would like. But once it’s set up, it’s fairly easy to use — though we didn’t love that you can’t set down the tank (the screws get in the way, so you either have to hold it while filling or go back and forth with pitchers of water to pour into the tank). On the other hand, it has a large capacity tank, so you don't have to take as many trips to fill it up.

We also saw in our Lab tests that it filters slowly. However, our home testers did not have this problem.

The Berkey comes in multiple sizes with the smallest one starting at $345, but according to Berkey, the filters can be cleaned up to 100 times with a 3M Scotch-Brite pad. Over time, this may save money compared to pitchers that need to have their filters changed every few months.

Many water filter pitchers are not dishwasher-safe, so you need to wash them by hand, which is one of the reasons our experts liked this Pur water filter pitcher. All the parts (except for the filter) can go in the dishwasher, so no hand washing is required. When we tested this at home, we found it was easy to fill and pour from, thanks to a flip top that stays in place when pouring water. The standard filter helps remove chlorine and some heavy metals, which we verified through third-party lab test data.

We also appreciate the slim design of this 7-cup pitcher, which saves space in the fridge, but the trade-off is that you may have to refill it somewhat frequently.

An added bonus for this slim pitcher: It comes in fun colors including lime (shown), blush and blue. There's also an 11-cup capacity pitcher to save some trips to the sink.

What sets Aarke apart from the rest is the unique stainless steel water filter. Instead of utilizing a disposable plastic cartridge like most water filter pitchers, the Aarke filter pitcher allows you to simply change the granules inside the stainless steel filter. The granules are a mix of activated carbon and ion exchange resin, and they help reduce chlorine, copper, lead and limescale.

The water pitcher holds 10 cups of water, and we found it easy to fill with the removable lid.

The pitcher looks sleek and is made with glass and stainless steel to give it a more modern look than plastic pitchers. Unfortunately, it also comes with a higher price tag than most 10-cup plastic pitchers.

One drawback of water filter dispensers is that they can take up a lot of room on the counter or in the fridge, but this slim-profile pick from Pur is only a little over 5 inches wide.

It has a 30-cup capacity total, with a 12-cup capacity in the water reservoir and an 18-cup capacity in the filter water section. The Pur Plus filter helps remove over 20 contaminants such as lead, mercury, chlorine and more.

In our Lab tests, it was easy to set up, and we liked the large dispenser handle that makes it easy to grab and lift. The built-in filter-change light lets you know when it's time to replace the filter.

We like that it's dishwasher safe (though the spigot needs to be removed) so it's easy to clean. Unfortunately, you have to take the entire lid off to fill it with water, and it filters very slowly, but this is somewhat common with dispensers.