Brita vs Pur vs Zerowater: Which is the Best Water Filter?

Brita, Pur, and ZeroWater are three of the most popular water filtration brands on the market. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. Each brand has its own unique features and benefits, making it important to compare and contrast them before making a decision.

Brita is a well-known brand that has been around for over 50 years. They offer a wide variety of water filtration products, including pitchers, dispensers, and faucet filters. Brita filters use activated carbon to remove impurities such as chlorine and sediment from tap water. They are also known for their affordability and ease of use.

Pur is another popular brand that offers a range of water filtration products. Their filters use a combination of activated carbon and ion exchange to remove contaminants from tap water. Pur filters are known for their effectiveness in removing lead and other heavy metals from water. They also offer a variety of pitcher, dispenser, and faucet filter options to fit different lifestyles and budgets.

Overview of Water Filtration Brands

Water filtration brands like Brita, Pur, and Zerowater are popular choices for households looking to improve the taste and quality of their drinking water. Each brand has its own unique features and benefits that make it stand out from the others.

History of Brita

Brita is a German company that was founded in 1966. It was one of the first companies to introduce water filtration systems for home use. Brita’s products are known for their simple and sleek designs, and their filters are made from activated carbon and ion exchange resin. Brita’s filters are designed to remove chlorine, sediment, and other impurities from tap water.

History of Pur

Pur is an American company that was founded in 1986. It was one of the first companies to introduce water filtration systems for home use in the United States. Pur’s products are known for their advanced filtration technology, which includes activated carbon and ion exchange resin. Pur’s filters are designed to remove up to 99% of lead, chlorine, and other contaminants from tap water.

History of Zerowater

Zerowater is an American company that was founded in 2002. It was created with the goal of providing consumers with a water filtration system that could remove all dissolved solids from tap water. Zerowater’s products use a five-stage filtration process that includes activated carbon and ion exchange resin, as well as a unique filter that removes dissolved solids. Zerowater’s filters are designed to remove up to 99.6% of all dissolved solids from tap water.

Comparison of Filtration Technology

Brita Filtration Process

Brita uses activated carbon and ion exchange resin to remove impurities from tap water. The activated carbon filter reduces chlorine taste and odor, while the ion exchange resin reduces heavy metals such as lead and copper. Brita filters are designed to remove impurities that affect the taste and odor of water, but they do not remove all contaminants.

Pur Filtration Process

Pur uses activated carbon and ion exchange resin to remove impurities from tap water. The activated carbon filter reduces chlorine taste and odor, while the ion exchange resin reduces heavy metals such as lead and copper.

Pur filters also have a mineral core that adds back beneficial minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Pur filters are designed to remove impurities that affect the taste and odor of water, but they do not remove all contaminants.

Zerowater Filtration Process

Zerowater uses a five-stage filtration process that includes activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and a reverse osmosis membrane. The activated carbon filter reduces chlorine taste and odor, while the ion exchange resin reduces heavy metals such as lead and copper.

The reverse osmosis membrane removes dissolved solids such as fluoride and arsenic. Zerowater filters are designed to remove all impurities from tap water, including contaminants that affect the taste, odor, and healthfulness of water.

Brand	Filtration Process	Removes
Brita	Activated carbon and ion exchange resin	Chlorine taste and odor, heavy metals
Pur	Activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and mineral core	Chlorine taste and odor, heavy metals, adds back beneficial minerals
Zerowater	Activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and reverse osmosis membrane	All impurities, including contaminants and dissolved solids

Contaminant Removal Capabilities

Brita Contaminants Removed

Brita filters are designed to remove common contaminants found in tap water such as chlorine, mercury, copper, cadmium, and zinc. The filter also reduces the presence of sediment and organic impurities, resulting in clearer and better-tasting water. Brita filters are not designed to remove fluoride, lead, or arsenic.

Pur Contaminants Removed

Pur filters are known to remove a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, lead, mercury, and cadmium. The filter also reduces the presence of microbial cysts, which are a potential health risk. Pur filters are not designed to remove fluoride, arsenic, or nitrate.

Zerowater Contaminants Removed

Zerowater filters are designed to remove a broad range of contaminants, including lead, chromium, mercury, and chlorine. The filter also removes fluoride, which is not removed by Brita or Pur filters. Zerowater filters use a five-stage filtration process, which includes an ion exchange stage, resulting in water that is virtually free of impurities.

Contaminant	Brita	Pur	Zerowater
Chlorine	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lead	No	Yes	Yes
Mercury	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cadmium	Yes	Yes	Yes
Arsenic	No	No	No
Nitrate	No	No	No
Fluoride	No	No	Yes

Filter Lifespan and Cost

When it comes to choosing a water filter, one of the most important factors to consider is the filter lifespan and cost. In this section, we will take a closer look at the filter lifespan and cost of three popular water filter brands: Brita, Pur, and Zerowater.

Brita Filter Lifespan

Brita filters typically last for around 40 gallons or 2 months of use, whichever comes first. The cost of Brita filters varies depending on the type of filter you choose, but on average, a single filter costs around $6. This means that the cost of using a Brita filter for a year can range from $36 to $72, depending on how often you need to replace the filter.

Pur Filter Lifespan

Pur filters also last for around 40 gallons or 2 months of use. The cost of Pur filters is similar to Brita filters, with a single filter costing around $6. However, Pur also offers a longer-lasting filter option that can last for up to 120 gallons or 6 months of use. These filters cost around $20, making them a more cost-effective option for those who use their filter frequently.

Zerowater Filter Lifespan

Zerowater filters have a longer lifespan than both Brita and Pur filters, with each filter lasting for around 25-40 gallons or 1-2 months of use. However, Zerowater filters are also more expensive than Brita and Pur filters, with a single filter costing around $15. This means that the cost of using a Zerowater filter for a year can range from $90 to $180, depending on how often you need to replace the filter.

Taste and Water Quality

Taste Comparison

When it comes to taste, Brita, Pur, and Zerowater all claim to produce better-tasting water than tap water. However, taste is subjective, and what one person likes, another may not. In general, Brita and Pur are known for producing water that tastes similar to tap water, while Zerowater is known for producing water that tastes noticeably different.

In a blind taste test conducted by Consumer Reports, participants found that water filtered by Brita and Pur tasted similar to tap water, while water filtered by Zerowater tasted noticeably different. However, it’s worth noting that taste preferences can vary depending on individual taste buds and the water source being filtered.

Water Quality Assessment

All three brands claim to remove impurities from tap water, but the level of filtration varies. Brita and Pur use activated carbon filters to remove chlorine, sediment, and other impurities, while Zerowater uses a five-stage filtration process that includes an ion exchange resin and a carbon filter.

According to a water quality assessment conducted by the Water Quality Association, all three brands are certified to remove common contaminants such as chlorine, lead, and mercury. However, Zerowater is the only brand certified to remove chromium and fluoride.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Brita Environmental Initiatives

Brita is committed to reducing its environmental impact by promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The company has implemented several initiatives to achieve this goal.

One of Brita’s most notable environmental initiatives is the Brita FilterForGood program. This program encourages consumers to reduce their use of single-use plastic water bottles by providing them with a reusable Brita water bottle. Brita also partners with various organizations to promote sustainable practices such as recycling and reducing plastic waste.

Additionally, Brita filters are recyclable, and the company provides a recycling program for used filters. Brita also uses sustainable materials in its product packaging, such as recycled cardboard and biodegradable plastic.

Pur Environmental Initiatives

Pur is committed to reducing its environmental impact by promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The company has implemented several initiatives to achieve this goal.

One of Pur’s most notable environmental initiatives is its partnership with TerraCycle. This partnership allows consumers to recycle their used Pur water filters, reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

Pur also uses sustainable materials in its product packaging, such as recycled cardboard and biodegradable plastic. The company also promotes the use of reusable water bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Zerowater Environmental Initiatives

Zerowater is committed to reducing its environmental impact by promoting sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The company has implemented several initiatives to achieve this goal.

Zerowater’s filters are recyclable, and the company provides a recycling program for used filters. Additionally, the company promotes the use of reusable water bottles to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Zerowater also uses sustainable materials in its product packaging, such as recycled cardboard and biodegradable plastic. The company is also working towards reducing its carbon footprint by implementing energy-efficient practices in its manufacturing facilities.

Consumer Reviews and Feedback

Brita User Experiences

Brita is a well-known brand in the water filtration industry, and many users have shared their experiences with Brita products. The majority of users find Brita filters easy to use and install, and they appreciate the improved taste and quality of the water. Some users have reported that the filters need to be replaced frequently, but this is a common issue with most water filters. Overall, Brita has received positive feedback from its users.

Pur User Experiences

Pur is another popular brand that offers a variety of water filtration products. Users have reported that Pur filters are effective in removing impurities and improving the taste of the water. However, some users have complained about the filters clogging and needing to be replaced frequently. Additionally, some users have reported that the filters are difficult to install. Despite these issues, Pur has received generally positive feedback from its users.

Zerowater User Experiences

Zerowater is a newer brand in the water filtration industry, but it has gained a following among users who are looking for a more advanced filtration system. Users have reported that Zerowater filters are effective in removing impurities and improving the taste of the water.

However, some users have complained about the filters clogging and needing to be replaced frequently. Additionally, some users have reported that the filters are difficult to install. Despite these issues, Zerowater has received generally positive feedback from its users.

Final Recommendations

After comparing Brita, Pur, and Zerowater, it is clear that each brand has its own strengths and weaknesses. However, based on the evaluation of the key factors, here are some final recommendations for consumers:

For Taste and Odor Improvement

If taste and odor improvement is the primary concern, Brita is the best option. While all three brands claim to improve taste and odor, Brita’s activated carbon filter is the most effective at removing chlorine and other contaminants that affect the taste and smell of water.

For Lead and Heavy Metal Removal

If lead and heavy metal removal is a top priority, Zerowater is the clear winner. Zerowater’s five-stage filtration system is designed to remove a wide range of contaminants, including lead and heavy metals, making it the best choice for those living in areas with high levels of these contaminants.

For Affordability

If affordability is a major concern, Pur is the best option. Pur offers a range of affordable water filtration products that are effective at removing contaminants and improving taste and odor.

For Convenience

If convenience is a top priority, Brita is the best choice. Brita offers a range of easy-to-use water filtration products, including pitchers, dispensers, and faucet filters, making it easy to enjoy clean, filtered water at home or on-the-go.

Overall, consumers should consider their specific needs and priorities when choosing between Brita, Pur, and Zerowater. By doing so, they can select the brand that best meets their individual needs and preferences.

Brand	Strengths	Weaknesses
Brita	Effective at improving taste and odor	Less effective at removing heavy metals
Pur	Affordable	Less effective at removing heavy metals
Zerowater	Effective at removing lead and heavy metals	More expensive than other brands