The Best Water Filter Pitchers of 2026

With descriptors like “cleanest,” “no aftertaste,” and “fresh,” it’s not surprising that the Brita Grand 10-cup pitcher with the Standard filter took second place. This pitcher has a covered spout, a filter replacement notification LED, and a flip-top cover on the reservoir. The covered spout is nice, but in our experience, the spout cover may come loose and get lost. Like the Brita Everyday pitcher, this water pitcher easily fits on most refrigerator shelves.

Like the Brita Everyday pitcher, the Brita Grand 10-cup pitcher package includes a Standard filter. Again, our testers preferred the taste of water filtered through the Standard filter over the water from the Brita Longlast filter, even though the Longlast filter lasts three times as long as the Standard filter.

With this pitcher, we observed the total reduction of chlorine, a minimal reduction of TDS, and little to no effect on the pH value of the water. This pitcher was filtered water the fastest; it only took three to four minutes for this pitcher to filter 3.5 cups of water. If you want something a bit more stylish and feature-packed than the Brita Everyday pitcher, be sure to buy the Brita Grand.

Rated to reduce or remove: Standard: chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc; Longlast: chlorine, lead, mercury, cadmium, some industrial chemicals, some particulates, some pharmaceuticals

Certification standards met: Standard: NSF/ANSI 42 and 53; Longlast: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401

Filter life: Standard: 40 gallons / 2 months; Longlast: 120 gallons / 6 months

Cost for replacement filters: Standard: 6 filters for $25 ($4.17/filter); Longlast: 2 filters for $33 ($16.50/filter)

The Pur Classic 11-cup pitcher with Lead Reduction filter is hot on the heels of Brita, its main competitor. During taste testing, this pitcher’s water was described as being “clean and refreshing” and having “no aftertaste.”

The most basic of the Pur pitchers, this model has a flip-top cover for the reservoir and a blinking LED filter replacement notification light. The top comes off easily, which can be both a blessing and a curse: a blessing because of easy access to the reservoir, and a curse because if you try to use the pitcher while there’s water in the reservoir, if feels as though water can spill out from the top.

The pitcher is larger than the Brita pitchers, and it feels very light when all the water has filtered down, but it can feel a bit awkward and top-heavy if you try to move it when the reservoir is filled. Because of its larger capacity, it has a slightly wider profile than that of the Brita pitchers, so you’ll need a bit more shelf space in your fridge. We also found that filtration seems to have stalled at a couple points, but Pur has included helpful tips in the package that will help you get the filter up and running again.

The Pur Classic 11-cup pitcher comes with a Standard filter, rather than a Lead Reduction filter, so if you prefer lead filtration, you’ll need to buy the Lead Reduction filters separately. We also included the Pur Standard filter in our testing, but our taste testers preferred water that had been filtered with the Lead Reduction filter.

In our testing for chlorine, pH, and TDS, the Pur Lead Reduction filter showed almost identical results to those of the Brita Standard filter: total removal of chlorine, minor change in TDS, and little to no effect on the pH of the water. Because the Lead Reduction filter is filtering out more contaminants, it’s no surprise that the filtration time is longer than that of the Brita pitchers—it takes 11 to 13 minutes for this pitcher to cleanse 3.5 cups of water. If lead is a concern for you, you can’t do better than the Pur Classic 11-cup pitcher with Lead Reduction filter.

Rated to reduce or remove: Standard: chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, particulates, some industrial pollutants, microbial cysts, some pesticides and herbicides, some pharmaceuticals, and some industrial chemicals; Lead Reduction: lead, chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, particulates, some industrial pollutants, microbial cysts, some pesticides and herbicides, some pharmaceuticals, and some industrial chemicals

Certification standards met: Standard: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401; Lead Reduction: NSF/ANSI 42 and 53

Filter life: Standard: 40 gallons / 2 months; Lead Reduction: 30 gallons / 2 months

Cost for replacement filters: Standard: 3 filters for $18 ($6.00/filter), Lead Reduction: 3 filters for $25 ($8.33/filter)

The Pur Ultimate 11-cup pitcher with Lead Reduction filter got mostly good marks during our taste test: Testers commented that the water was “the freshest” and “tasted like bottled water.” However, a couple of tasters noticed a minor bitter aftertaste. The Ultimate pitcher is basically the upgraded version of the Pur Classic 11-cup pitcher, but it has a few extra perks.

The Ultimate pitcher is narrower and longer, but it's the same height as the Classic pitcher. The narrower profile makes it easier to fit on crowded refrigerator shelves, but the fact that it’s longer means that if your shelves are already packed at the back, you may have trouble fitting it in the fridge.

The Ultimate pitcher comes with a spout cover, flip-top reservoir cover, and three helpful filter status LEDs: green, yellow, and red. Some of our testers thought that, like the Pur Classic pitcher, when the Ultimate pitcher reservoir is full, it can feel a bit awkward and top-heavy to move, and it feels as though the top of the pitcher may come off if it's used, but overall, they appreciated the slimmer design of the pitcher.

The Lead Reduction filter is included with purchase of the Pur Ultimate 11-cup pitcher. We also tried out the Pur Standard filter with the Ultimate pitcher, but our taste testers overwhelmingly preferred the water that had been filtered with the Lead Reduction filter.

As for our quantitative testing, the Ultimate pitcher with Lead Reduction filter performed similarly to the other Pur and Brita filters: We observed the total removal of chlorine, a minor reduction in TDS, and little to no change to the neutral water pH of 7.

While not as drastic as that of the Brita Longlast filter, we did notice an increase in filtration times from about 10 minutes for 3.5 cups of water prior to casual use of the pitchers to about 12 to 13 minutes afterwards. While filtration times may be longer, the tradeoff is that you’re getting peace of mind that the filter is successfully removing or minimizing many contaminants. The Pur Ultimate 11-cup pitcher with Lead Reduction filter is one of the great dynamic duos of water filtration.

Rated to reduce or remove: Standard: chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, particulates, some industrial pollutants, microbial cysts, some pesticides and herbicides, some pharmaceuticals, and some industrial chemicals; Lead Reduction: lead, chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, particulates, some industrial pollutants, microbial cysts, some pesticides and herbicides, some pharmaceuticals, and some industrial chemicals

Certification standards met: Standard: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401; Lead Reduction: NSF/ANSI 42 and 53

Filter life: Standard: 40 gallons / 2 months; Lead Reduction: 30 gallons / 2 months

Cost for replacement filters: Standard: 3 filters for $18 ($6.00/filter), Lead Reduction: 3 filters for $25 ($8.33/filter)

If you don't have concerns about your water quality, and just want clean-tasting water, then you’ll appreciate the Hydros 64-ounce pitcher. Because it’s not attempting to filter out more dangerous contaminants such as heavy metals, the small Hydros filter both costs less than most water pitcher filters and it takes up less space in the pitcher.

In line with their sustainability goals, the Hydros pitcher filter consists of coconut shell carbon encased in a BPA-free container. This non-traditional filter is up to the task: Our taste testers determined that this water tasted “basic” and “plain” with “no aftertaste,” an opinion that will please those among us who prefer flavorless water.

Clearly, a lot of thought went into this pitcher; the smaller filter means that the water can be filtered nearly instantaneously, to the point where you can place the faucet on a slow, steady flow setting and watch the pitcher filter your water in real time.

Despite the pitcher’s eight-cup capacity, the small filter allows for a much more compact design in the pitcher itself; it takes up a lot less space in the fridge than most of the pitchers we tested with similar capacities. Both the base and the handle of the pitcher are covered with a rubber no-slip material that make it easy to grip and pour, even with wet hands. The top of the pitcher is easy to remove, and the covered spout pours water out quickly, but no fast that you’re constantly dealing with spills.

In the lab, the Hydros water filter pitcher performed similarly to most of the other water filter pitchers we tested. While we didn’t record a noticeable drop in the chlorine of the filtered water, that could be caused by the fact that our lab water already contains very little chlorine. The Hydros filter did not have any observable affect on the water pH or total dissolved solids content. We were able to filter 3.5 cups of water in about 40 seconds, and that filtration rate did not slow over time.

If you want a water pitcher filter that all about efficiency in terms of its water filtration rate, fridge shelf footprint, and eco-friendliness, look no further than the Hydros 64-ounce pitcher.

Rated to reduce or remove: Chlorine, particulates

Certification standards met: NSF/ANSI 42

Filter life: 40 gallons/2 months

Cost for replacement filters: 2 filters for $11 ($5.50/filter)

The Clear²O Advanced Pitcher got good reviews in our taste test, with comments like “has no extra mineral flavor” and “has the cleanest taste.”

While the water may not have a distinctive taste, the Advanced Pitcher is a complete departure from the other pitchers on this list. Rather than filling the pitcher’s reservoir and letting the water drip through the filter, the Advanced pitcher has a plumbing hookup that allows you to pump water from the sink through the pitcher’s small hose, through the pitcher’s filter, and into the pitcher, allowing for near-instantaneous filtration.

The pitcher is also slightly smaller than the other pitchers on this list—its capacity is more in the range of 8 to 9 cups, but its smaller size makes it easier to handle, and the fact that it really doesn’t have a reservoir means that it doesn’t ever feel top-heavy or awkward to hold. It also has a filter indicator with a red/green readout that makes it easy to see when the filter should be replaced. However, the plumbing attachment requires quite a bit of extra hand dexterity and strength.

On the other hand, this pitcher will not work with faucets that have built-in sprayers, but if your faucet has a removable aerator, it should be compatible. Be sure to check the product manual to see if your faucet is compatible. One other note: While this pitcher filters quickly, the filtration process involves a loud shrieking noise that takes some getting used to.

The Clear²O Advanced filter comes standard with purchase of the Clear²O Advanced pitcher.

When it came to testing, we noticed that there were still traces of chlorine in the water, but like other pitchers, TDS and pH were largely unaffected by the filtration process. As mentioned previously, though, it took less than 30 seconds for this pitcher to filter 3.5 cups of water. This filter is a perfect match for a very specific type of person—someone who needs clean water right now, and who has a compatible kitchen sink. If you can, borrow a friend’s pitcher and try it out on your kitchen sink to make sure it attaches securely; otherwise, we recommend looking elsewhere for your next pitcher purchase.

Rated to reduce or remove: chlorine, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and some other heavy metals, some pharmaceuticals, some herbicides and pesticides, some industrial waste and chemical compounds and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Certification standards met: NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401

Filter life: 50 gallons

Cost for replacement filters: 3 filters for $30 ($10/filter)

The ZeroWater pitcher has a completely different aim than that of the other water pitcher filters. The ZeroWater pitcher claims to bring the total dissolved solids content of your tap water down to nearly zero. While that will certainly make your water purer, almost all tap water and regular filtered water contain some amount of dissolved solids; to completely remove those minerals can cause a noticeable change in the flavor of the water.

During the taste test, some tasters found the water to be “smooth and punchy” and “neutral,” while others found it to have an unpleasant taste. The pitcher itself is large and sturdy, has a spigot at the base of the pitcher for water dispensing, and comes with a TDS meter included so that you can take TDS readings whenever you like. However, the pitcher is taller than most of the others we tested, so be sure that your fridge shelves are tall enough to fit it. Also, the filter itself is pretty heavy, so even when the pitcher completely empty, it can be tough to handle for those with limited upper body strength, never mind when it’s full.

One ZeroWater filter comes standard with purchase of the ZeroWater pitcher.

During testing, the ZeroWater pitcher performed exactly as it said it would—it removed nearly all of the TDS in the test water.

The usual TDS content of the water was around 350 to 400 parts per million (ppm); after filtration, the TDS content was 0 to 10 ppm. The pH didn’t change appreciably from its neutral 6.5 to 7.0, and it reduced the chlorine content to the same extent as the other pitchers. Filtration times were a bit longer, though, and it usually took between eight and 12 minutes for the ZeroWater pitcher to work its way through 3.5 cups of water.

One of the volunteers who took this pitcher home also noticed inconsistent filtration times; sometimes it would take a few minutes, and other times it would sit overnight without filtering. If you want to focus on reducing the TDS in your water, ZeroWater is the pitcher for you, but its drawbacks, such as its long filtration times and larger size, may not outweigh its good qualities.

Rated to reduce or remove: Arsenic, Lead, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) content, other contaminants TBD

Certification standards met: NSF/ANSI 42 and 53

Filter life: Depends on water quality; when TDS content reaches above 5 parts per million (a reading of “5” on a TDS meter)

Cost for replacement filters: 2 filters for $30 ($15.00/filter)

While Clear²O is better known for its Advanced pitcher, which uses a special plumbing attachment to force sink water through the pitcher’s filter in mere seconds, the Clear²O Gravity pitcher is just a normal water pitcher filter that lets the water work its way through the filter in its own time.

The Clear²O Gravity pitcher did well in our taste test; volunteers thought that the water tasted “neutral,” “smooth,” and “clean,” but others thought that it had a noticeable flavor, for good or ill.

This pitcher is smaller than most of the others on this list; it’s easy to lift and move around, even when it’s full. It has a flip top for access to the reservoir, a spout cover, and a filter status indicator. However, when people used it in their homes, this pitcher came up short in a lot of ways. While our testers appreciated the spout cover, the spout’s broad shape makes water come out in an unexpected wave, and it was easy to spill the water while trying to pour it out into a glass.

One Clear²O Gravity filter comes standard with purchase of the Clear²O Gravity Pitcher.

This pitcher performed similarly to the others on this list when it came to our lab testing; it removed chlorine from the water, and had little to no effect on the TDS content or the water’s pH.

It filtered water pretty quickly, but we noticed that the filtration had slowed a bit over time; initial tests showed that it was able to filter 3.5 cups of water in four to five minutes, but after casual use, that time had increased to about six minutes. The fact that you’re more likely to spill water from this pitcher than you are to get it into a glass means that this pitcher might be more trouble than it’s worth.

Rated to reduce or remove: arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, zinc and some other heavy metals, some herbicides, some industrial waste and chemical compounds, and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Certification standards met: N/A

Filter life: 60 gallons

Cost for replacement filters: 3 filters for $27 ($9/filter)