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A water filter pitcher is a useful tool to have around the house or office that allows you to filter water for better taste and to make sure that any particles that should not be there are removed before people drink the water.
The two leading water filter pitcher manufacturers are two companies called Pur which is based Minneapolis in the United States and Brita who are based in Germany.
In this comparison article, we are going to be evaluating the differences between Brita vs Pur and giving you the information to decide which water filter pitcher is the right one for you.
Pur vs Brita Water Filter Pitcher Design Differences
Both of the water pitchers from Pur and Brita have a similar design that includes a transparent water tank, a handle to hold the water tank which is a lot of the modern version is also at least partly transparent, a sturdy lid that is designed to open up when you push down on a button usually placed somewhere on the handle, the pouring hole and finally inside you have the inbuilt filtration system that allows you to replace the filters with ease when needed.
However there are a few differences when you compare the water pitchers of Pur vs Brita, they are very similar in size with the Pur water pitchers generally being bigger in height while the alternatives from Brita are on average larger in length and width allowing them to store a lot more cups of water overall and in the filtration system section.
Water Filter Pitcher Cost
The average water pitcher from both of these companies is usually priced between $20 and $40 depending on the model with the more expensive models coming with a higher capacity for holding unfiltered and filtered water.
Additionally, you will find that with the more expensive models that they come with a filter while with the cheapest models you will likely have to go out and buy one yourself.
There is no major difference in price between the product lines from Brita and Pur so the water pitcher price cannot be a deciding factor.
Taste
Various studies from third parties show that the people who have tried both the Pur and Brita water pitchers prefer the taste of water that has been filtered through Brita products however the percentage difference is very slim and there is virtually no difference between the popularity of the product lines of the two companies.
Reviewers commonly favored the Brita system because they felt that it tasted a bit cleaner and more refreshing than the filtered water from the Pur system.
It is also important to note that the taste will also vary between the different filters of both product lines. For example, there could be a noticeable difference in the taste between the Standard and Longlast filters in the Brita line.
Filtration Quality
The filtration quality is not down to the model of the water pitcher that you have but instead with the type of filter that you insert inside your water pitcher appliance.
Both Pur and Brita currently have two types of filters available for sale each, the Pur filters are called ‘Basic’ and ‘Lead Reduction’ and then you have Brita who has two filters called ‘Standard’ and ‘Longlast’.
The difference between each of the two variations in filters from both companies is the level of filtration with the Lead Reduction filter from Pur and the Longlast from Brita being the more advanced options.
However, you need to keep in mind that the level of filtration can also affect the taste of the water.
Research shows that the Pur filters have a higher filtration quality by a small margin however there is still little difference when comparing Pur vs Brita products and the filters from both companies are able to do a great job.
Filter Lifespan
Both of the standard filters from Pur and Brita have a filtration lifespan of two months or 40 gallons of water which is equivalent to 766 cups of water which allows you to use the filters for much longer than the two-month lifespan if there is no heavy use of the filter.
As for the higher quality filters, the Brita Longlast comes out on top with a much longer lifespan of 6 months or 120 gallons of water compared to the Lead Reduction filter from Pur which has a lifespan of 2 months or 30 gallons.
Based on the filter lifespan the Brita advanced filter is much better value for money however the Lead Reduction filter from Pur has a higher filter quality so if this is something that you care about then the Pur Lead Reduction is the one for you.
Filter Cost
For the two standard filters from both companies, the filter from Pur is the more expensive option costing individually $6 while the standard filter from Brita costs $4.17 per filter.
Although the difference in prices is not big, in the long term if you end up replacing your filters over many years you will save a lot more if you have a Brita water pitcher and use Standard Brita filter.
As for the advanced filters, the Longast from Brita costs $16.50 per filter to replace while the Lead Reduction from Pur costs just $8.33.
Although at face level the Pur Lead Reduction filter may look like the cheaper option you also need to consider the lifespan of both of these filters, the Longlast from Brita lasts 3 times longer or 4 months longer meaning that you will have to replace it less and therefore the advanced Longlast filter from Brita is the better option.
Selection of Products
The water pitchers from Pur are all very similar, they have a thinner and taller design and they also do not come in a large number of colors.
The only difference currently between them is the amount of water they can hold in the filtered and unfiltered sections.
On the other hand with Brita you are a given by far a much larger selection of models such as the Brita Everyday, the Brita Stream and Brita Ultramax with the majority of the models being available in different colors and styles as well as sizes to suit your needs and requirements.
Full guide here on best water filter pitcher which include other brands.
Pros and cons
PUR filters
Pros
- It can get rid of bacteria cysts that Brita can’t
- Its three-stage method provides excellent pollutant removal
- It features an appealing design that users have loved
- PUR faucet filters are simple to install
- The filtered water has a superior flavor due to the inclusion of trace minerals
- All PUR versions have LED indications that indicate when a filter is broken and needs to be replaced
Cons
- Filters for PUR faucets can be costly
- These filters necessitate cartridge changes regularly, which raises maintenance expenses
- It takes some time for it to supply pure water due to its sophisticated purification procedure
Brita Filters
Pros
- It features a quick two-stage procedure that speeds up filtration
- Pitcher filters take up less area and can be put in tight spaces (like corners or on refrigerators)
- Its filter cartridges last longer, requiring fewer changes
- Brita faucet filters are less expensive than PUR
Cons
- When it comes to eliminating pollutants, it’s a little less effective
- It’s not appropriate for microbially contaminated water since it cannot eliminate harmful cysts that might cause illnesses
FAQ:
How Do the Water Filter Pitchers Clean the Water?
The way it works is that inside the filters that you insert inside a water pitch you have a variety of layers who are all designed to filter different types of materials that you may find in your water.
Each of the layers in the filters is laid out in a way that the first filter that the water gets in contact with is designed to catch the larger particles with every subsequent filter afterward catching smaller particles and eventually chemicals if your water filter comes that kind of filtration capabilities.
As water passes through the filtration layers will start to wear out and eventually will stop filtering properly therefore it is recommended to replace your filters based on how regularly you use them.
Can I Use Third-Party Branded Filters With the Water Pitcher?
No, you cannot use third party-branded filters with your water pitcher as every manufacture designs their water filter and the placeholder in their water pitcher in a way that only their products will be able to work together.
Therefore you will not be able to for example insert a Brita water filter into a Pur water pitcher as they will not be able to fit together.
There are some sellers of cheaper knockoff filters online, however, they should be avoided as you do not know the effectiveness of those products in filtering the water with also a risk that they may be manufactured using materials that pose a danger to your health.
What Type of Water Can Be Filtered?
These types of filters are created to process water from taps which ensure that the water that you drink will be safe, Brita and Pur recommend against filtering water from other sources such as from open bodies of water and rivers as there is no guarantee that anything that may be in that water will be properly filtered and that it will be safe for you and others to consume.
Do the Pitchers Come With Replacement Filters?
The majority of pitchers will come with one filter that you can fit into your appliance and instantly start using it, however, the majority of them do not include an additional filter to replace the first one that you used.
To be sure you can check the details of the product that you are ordering and see what is included with the water pitcher, generally the more expensive it is the more extra features will be included.
Can You Put the Pur and Brita Water Pitchers in the Dishwasher?
Both Pur and Brita recommend on their official websites that you do not wash your water pitchers from them in your dishwasher. This is because dishwashers use hot water to clean dishes and cutlers which risks melting the plastic material that water pitchers are made from.
Damage from putting your water pitchers in the dishwasher are not covered by any of the warranties offered by the two firms.
Should I Buy the Pur or Brita Water Filter Pitcher?
Pur and Brita are both leaders in the manufacturing of water pitchers with their products coming with the highest quality features, made from durable materials and customer service.
Deciding which brand is the best choice for you is based on your needs, the Brita water filter pitcher offers better value for money, a larger selection of products and also a longer filter lifespan for its advanced Longlast filter.
As for the Pur water pitchers, they are more expensive however the advanced Lead Reduction filter from the company is much more effective at removing tough to filter chemicals and particles from the water.
Finally, while Brita’s water filtration solutions are well-known globally, PUR’s products are just as enticing, with lower prices and better contaminant removal than Brita. Since both companies have highly rated products and thousands of long-term loyal consumers, there’s no clear winner in this Brita VS PUR match.
Why Should You Go With Brita?
Brita has the advantage of being both affordable and long-lasting. Its water filtration systems (pitchers and faucets) are all less expensive than PUR equivalents. PUR’s spare filters are considerably more expensive than replacement filters.
Brita’s products are more widely available on the market. They may be found at any brick-and-mortar hardware store and also online with a few keystrokes. So, while it may not have as good a filtering performance as PUR, it’s still a good option. It proves to be the better option if you’re buying on a budget and want a long-lasting investment.
Why Should You Go With PUR?
Filtering performance is PUR’s forte. Even its most basic filter (the PUR Basic) can remove more pollutants and particles than Brita’s top-of-the-line filters. As a result, if you looking for an effective water filtration system, PUR should be considered.
However, this higher performance comes at a price. Filtering systems using PUR are more costly, as are the replacement filters. Moreover, it doesn’t help that PUR filters don’t last as long as Brita filters.
PUR replacement filters and systems are notoriously hard to come by. You might have to conduct some internet research to get the precise model or replacement components you want.
The bottom line is that if performance is more important to you than anything else, and you’re prepared to put in the time and money to achieve it, PUR is the way to go. In any case, it’s important to maintain and clean your filters regularly for enhanced durability.
Wayne is a water quality expert – The founder of Water Filter Data. He has a degree in microbiology and his field of expertise is drinking water. His goal is to allow for clean and healthy water for as many people as possible.
