Pur vs Brita: Which is Better in 2022? [Honest Review]

Is Pur Better Than Brita?

PUR and Brita are two of the most well-known producers of water filters on the market. PUR VS Brita has always been the most popular water pitcher filter and faucet water filter comparison of all time.

These products from Brita and PUR have been contending for the title of “Best Sellers” on Amazon. This PUR vs Brita guide will compare the most popular water filters from the two companies to help you understand the key similarities and differences between the two.

The Comparison : Which is Better, Brita or Pur?

Brita and PUR sell two distinct types of water filters: water faucet filters and water filter pitchers. Both companies spent a lot of money producing superior water filters in these two areas in order to make them more affordable and effective.

These two products have an initial cost of less than $50, which is the entry-level price for water filtration.

Water Faucet Filter

Water faucet filters are installed directly on the kitchen faucet or other water outlets throughout the house to offer convenient drinkable water.

Water Filter Pitcher

Water filter pitchers are placed on top of water containers rather than being mounted on the kitchen faucet. When unfiltered water is poured into the inlet, the core filter removes all impurities, allowing clean water to be released into the primary reservoir. Depending on how much water you pour into the pitcher, the filtration process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) is the most commonly utilized filter technology in water pitcher filters. Large debris is trapped by small grains of activated carbon, preventing it from passing through the filter. At the same time, activated carbon will absorb any contaminants that are in contact with it, such as chlorine, mercury, and lead.

Pur vs Brita : Water Faucet Filter

The faucet-mount filter is one of the most compact and simple to install filters on the market.

There is no need for intricate plumbing, canister filters, or drilling to make it work. All you need is a faucet that is suitable!

Important Factors When Choosing a Faucet Filter

Many of the parameters for faucet filters are the same as for filter pitchers, such as pollutants eliminated and results certification.

However, other features, such as the ability to switch between conventional faucet water and filtered water, are required. There’s nothing wrong with using filtered water for everything, but the filter’s wear and tear might end up being quite costly for the average household.

For practical purposes, ease of installation and size should be addressed. There’s a good chance you’ll need to remove the filter from the faucet from time to time, so a complicated installation might be a bad idea. If you have limited space around your sink or are unable to move the faucet, the size of the filter may be an issue.

1. PUR Faucet Filter

PUR faucet filter products are noticeably more inventive than Brita. While Brita has two models with only slight variances, PUR has a larger assortment of models as well as distinct price/feature tiers.

The PUR PFM400H Faucet Filter is one of the most popular PUR faucet filters right now. Though it is not as affordable as some others, its superior filtering performance has persuaded many individuals to purchase it. The majority of positive reviews it has received are also excellent indicators that this faucet filter will live up to expectations.

2. Brita Faucet Filter

The Brita Complete Basic has three spray options: regular stream filtered water, regular stream unfiltered water, and unfiltered spray. The additional unfiltered spray option can be handy for dishwashing.

This Brita Faucet Filter contains an electronic filter-change indicator. When the Brita filter is ready to be replaced, the unit’s LED light will begin to flash.

Now let’s compare the two water faucet filters in 4 aspects.

Contamination Reduction

First, let’s examine the Brita vs PUR water filter cartridges in this aspect.

Brita only has one type of filter cartridge, but PUR offers two types of filter cartridges.

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The comparison above shows that the basic filters from both companies are a near match. What distinguishes it is the MineralClear filter by PUR, which improved the taste of the filtered water.

Both water filters have been certified in accordance with NSF/ANSI standards 53, 42, and 401 for minimizing lead, chlorine, and a variety of other impurities.

We think that PUR claims the title for filtration quality of faucet filter cartridge.

Installation and Use

Both the PUR and Brita have a one-click installation mechanism that requires no tools. This makes installation quick and straightforward, and if you need to remove the filter from the faucet for any reason, it’s simple to click back into place.

The PUR is only compatible with conventional faucets and comes with four different adaptors: two for internal threads and two for external threads. All faucet filters can feel unwieldy at first, but the PUR is less so than others, including the Brita, because it is smaller.

The PUR provides a clear distinction between filtered and unfiltered water with a switch that moves from vertical to horizontal position.

The Brita, like the PUR, comes with adaptors for both internal and external thread faucets, although it is about two inches larger. The greater size does not allow it to filter any faster, therefore it provides no benefit and may be harmful for some. The PUR and the Brita both provide a consistent flow rate from the faucet.

The Brita has three settings: filtered water, unfiltered water, and sprinkle. Customers complained that the prior spinning switch was difficult to move, so the new version features a slide switch.

Both Brita and PUR faucets perform admirably in this comparison.

Design and Models

PUR and Brita only have a few models of faucet filters.

Brita has 3 models that share the same filtration cartridge. Brita faucet filters have the following key features:

  • All models comes with an LED lifespan indicator
  • The Advanced model comes with 3 different choices for water flow

PUR filters, on the other hand, have more extra functions than Brita in this category. Some of the key features of PUR water faucet-mounted filter line.

  • All models have an LED light indicator.
  • A Bluetooth tracker is provided to track water usage in real time.
  • Vertical and horizontal filtration systems are available.
  • All the faucet filters are built with BPA free plastic, except for the chrome model.

In this case, we think the winner goes to PUR filters due to its great and innovative designs.

Lifespan and Cost of Maintenance
The lifespan of the filter will have a direct impact on the system’s annual maintenance cost.

A decent faucet-mount filter will typically yield 100 gallons of filtered water per cartridge. Let’s see the performance of Brita vs PUR.

In this sense, PUR filters are significantly less expensive than Brita filters. You wouldn’t know the operating cost based on the product’s initial pricing unless you calculated it.

Reviews and Complaints

Both faucet filters have received average reviews from Amazon’s previous customers.

Brita has over 500 reviews with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5, whereas PUR has about 1500 reviews with an average rating of 3.4 out of 5.

Similarly, both companies got complaints regarding the body quality issue.This quality issue exists in both companies’ water pitchers, affecting only a small percentage of their consumers.

This problem affects just a small percentage of users, although PUR appears to have more problems than Brita. Therefore, it is clear that Brita is the winner in terms of customer satisfaction.

Our Verdict on Pur versus Brita Faucet Filters

Both the PUR and Brita led our complete faucet filter evaluation, implying that there is little to differentiate these two items. We can confidently state that both products will meet the filtering requirements of the great majority of consumers.

While the PUR can remove a somewhat broader spectrum of impurities, the Brita has the advantage in decreasing the quantity of chlorine in water and also removing cysts. Both filters dramatically minimize the amount of lead in a tap supply. Each filter is also said to be simple to attach and use, though some Pur and Brita users have noticed a lower tap flow rate (an unavoidable side effect)

However, if we had to decide, we’d say that in this PUR vs Brita battle, PUR faucet filter is the clear winner as we believe the standard model offers superior value for money, with its aesthetically pleasing chrome finish that should fit most kitchens. While the Brita is an amazing faucet filter, the basic model is made of plastic and does not have a 360° swivel function. Other, more appealing Brita models are available, although they are more expensive than the PUR.

Pur vs Brita : Water Filter Pitcher

Water filter pitchers are one of the most convenient ways to filter pollutants from tap water.

It is lightweight, portable, and small, and may be stored in the refrigerator or placed on the dining table.

As a result, the water pitcher is another popular water filtration system among renters and college students living in dorms. Let’s take a look at the key characteristics of both pitchers.

Important factors when choosing a Pitcher Filter

Before we get into the comparison of PUR and Brita, let’s go over some of the most crucial variables to think about before you buy.

Sure, you’ll want a pitcher that looks nice and is easy to use, but if it doesn’t deliver on what matters, it’s rather useless.

The two laboratories that give certification are the Water Quality Association and NSF International. Some PUR and Brita products, but not all, are fully certified. Before making a purchase, make sure to look into the certification of the water filter.

The major testing areas that NSF and WQA certify are heavy metals, organic compounds, chlorine, and other pollutants that have a bad taste.

Practicality is also important while selecting a water filter pitcher. If it’s a nuisance to you, odds are it’ll be placed in the back of a cupboard and forgotten about. Water pitchers filter water using gravity rather than pressure. This means that, in addition to being less effective on fewer contaminants than other types of filters, they can also take longer to complete the water filtration.

The level of water filtration given is more than adequate for most people, but if you feel your water source includes more contaminants, you may choose something more effective, such as reverse osmosis.

Similarly, if you live in a household where you will be using a lot of filtered water, a pitcher’s slower production rate may be inconvenient. However, for normal quantities, it is a good and cost-effective option.

1. Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher

The most popular filter Brita pitcher option is the Brita Everyday pitcher (10-cup). The Brita water filter pitcher comes with a complementary Longlast filter. When the first Longlast Brita water filter has run its course, you can replace it with a Standard filter at a lower cost. Standard and Longlast water filters both fit into the same Brita water filter pitcher receptacle.

 

2. PUR Ultimate Filtration Water Filter Pitcher

Like Brita, PUR has launched numerous water-filtering pitcher versions over the years. The PUR Ultimate Filtration Water Filter Pitcher (11-cup) is their best-selling item, according to sales figures. It’s an excellent pitcher to consider if you’re interested in PUR’s hardware because it’s quite inexpensive, has a nice design, and has decent filtering power. In addition to increased volume, this pitcher incorporates a digital LED filter indicator. When the filter’s service life is up, the light will begin to blink. Of course, all of this comes at an additional expense.

Now let’s compare the two water filter pitchers in 4 aspects.

Contaminants Reduced

The filtering cartridges are the core of any water filter system. The filtration system is unaffected by the appearance.

Brita has 3 distinct cartridges, whereas PUR only has 2 that may be used in all of their pitchers.

Let’s take a look at the capabilities of the five filter cartridges that each company claims.

There are three types of filters available for the Brita pitcher: standard, stream and longlast. The chlorine and heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, and copper are mostly removed by the Standard filter.

The Longlast filter is designed to eliminate chlorine, lead and other heavy metals, as well as other developing pollutants such as industrial chemicals and medicines. Brita also provides Stream filters, which are meant to fit in Brita Stream pitchers, which are smaller in size but can still hold 10 cups of water, making them ideal for refrigerators with limited shelf space.

There are two types of filters available for most PUR pitchers: standard and lead reduction. The Standard filter is rated to remove or minimize chlorine, heavy metals, particulates, certain industrial pollutants, microbiological cysts, certain pesticides and herbicides, certain medicines, and certain industrial chemicals.

Chlorine, lead and other heavy metals, particulates, some industrial pollutants, microbiological cysts, some pesticides and herbicides, some medicines, and other industrial chemicals can all be reduced or removed by the Lead Reduction Filter.

While both companies provide a basic filter that removes or decreases chlorine and heavy metals, as well as a more expensive filter that removes lead, the PUR filters tackle a broader range of contaminants than the Brita filters. This puts PUR water filters on top of the list.

Water Taste

Overall, people preferred the taste of tap water filtered with the Standard Brita filter over water filtered with the PUR Standard filter after thorough testing. Participants in the taste test described Brita water as “most clean,” “most pure,” and “most neutral.” However, the Brita water did not win by a wide margin; the PUR water came in a close second, with testers saying that it tasted “clean and pleasant” and had “no aftertaste.”

Another point to consider: while our taste testers appreciated the flavor of the water filtered with the Standard filter from Brita, the water filtered with the Longlast Brita filter did not. While the PUR filtered drinking water did not win the overall taste test, both the PUR Standard and Lead Reduction filter produced water that finished near the top of our taste test rankings.

We think Brita pitcher offers a slight advantage compared to PUR in this sense.

Design and Models

While Brita filters have been on the market longer than PUR filters, they offer far more varieties.

PUR offers four different pitcher versions ranging from 7 to 10 cups. Among the features are:

  • Three of the four models include an LED indicator for filter longevity.
  • The easy-fill lid is equipped on all models.

It also includes two 18-cup dispenser types that are compatible with the pitcher’s filter cartridge.

Brita, on the other hand, has more than 15 pitcher and dispenser models on the market.

As previously stated, you will undoubtedly discover a suitable model in Brita.

Here are some of the characteristics of Brita Filter Pitchers.

  • Water pitchers ranging from 5-12 cups are available in over 15 different models.
  • Filter-On-The-Go functionality on some models
  • The majority of pitchers include an electronic filter indication.
  • Connection to WIFI, an auto-fill lid, and a stainless steel body are available on selected models.

Like the PUR filter, it comes with an 18 cup dispenser that uses the same filter cartridge as the pitcher.

In this case, we think that Brita filters offer a small advantage in terms of design and market availability.

Lifespan and Cost of Maintenance

The filter’s lifespan shows how wonderful and innovative the company is.

A filter with a longer lifespan can minimize the frequency of replacement and hence the system’s maintenance expense.

It is preferable to evaluate how much you will pay for replacement filters each year rather than just the initial investment in the filtration system.

Let’s take a look at the lifespan and maintenance cost of Brita vs PUR filters.

In terms of lifespan and annual operating costs to generate filtered water, Brita filters are definitely less expensive and more sustainable.

Reviews and Complaints

Both water filtration systems have received above-average reviews from Amazon’s existing customers. Brita filters have around 1400 reviews with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5, while PUR filters have around 600 reviews with an average rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Both companies received complaints about the body quality of their water pitcher, but it is just a fraction of it. It is simply a production quality control issue that affects a small percentage of clients.

We can say that Brita is the clear winner in terms of customer satisfaction and product effectiveness.

Our Verdict on Pur vs Brita Water Pitchers

PUR and Brita pitcher filters took the top two rankings in our overall filter evaluation, so it’s no surprise that we love both of them. The truth is that each of these pitchers is well worth your money, and their little discrepancies often balance out when viewed as a whole.

But, if we had to pick just one, it would be Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher. Although it has a little lower capacity than the PUR Ultimate and we found the lack of an LED cartridge life indication to be inconvenient, we believe it offers the highest long-term cost effectiveness of any water pitcher filter without sacrificing filter effectiveness.

However, if we were looking for a water pitcher filter for non-average tap water, we’d probably go with the PUR Ultimate Water Pitcher. If you have specific filtering needs, particularly for cyst removal, use PUR filter pitcher even if it may cost you slightly more in the long run.

Which is better – Pur vs Brita?

Why choose Brita?

Brita filter has the advantage of being both affordable and long-lasting. All of its water filtering systems (pitchers and faucets) are less expensive than PUR alternatives. Replacement filters are also cheaper than spare PUR filters.

Another advantage Brita filter has over PUR is that their products are more widely available. You may find them in any brick-and-mortar hardware store, and you can also find their products online with a few keystrokes.

So, while it may not have the same filtering performance as PUR. If you’re on a tight budget and want a long-lasting buy, Brita filters are the superior option.

Is Pur Water Filter Good?

PUR’s expertise is in filtering performance. Even its basic filter can remove significantly more pollutants and particles than top-tier Brita filters. As a result, if you require a serious water-filtering system, the best option would be a PUR filter.

Higher performance, on the other hand, comes with a tangible cost. PUR filtration systems are more expensive, as are replacement filters. It doesn’t help that the PUR water filter, as previously said, does not last nearly as long as Brita water filter.

It’s also worth noting that PUR replacement filters and systems are notoriously tough to come by. You may need to perform some online research to find the specific model or replacement parts you require.

The long and short of it is that if performance is more important to you than everything else and you are prepared to spend the time and money to obtain it, PUR water filter is the way to go.

Conclusion

We hope this PUR vs Brita comparison has helped to address some of your burning questions about these two brands. Both are respectable manufacturers who produce some of the best filtering systems available. However, each has unique traits that will most likely make one brand better for you than the other.

Keep these peculiarities in mind, and you’ll be able to make an informed selection about the system and filter to install in your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Long Do Brita & Pur Filters Last?

The filter lifespan of  Brita Faucet Filter can lasts about 100 gallons of water which is equivalent to almost 4 months before requiring replacement filter. The water filter manufacturers have made it easy to know when it is due to replace the replacement filter where the faucet filters would gives out a light to signify you.

 

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