Best Water Filter Pitchers of 2024
We found that most water filter pitchers will purge your tap water of bad tastes and odors, but the worst ones we tested were slow and prone to clogging
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Water filter pitchers aren’t the best way to clean your tap water, but they can strip out unappetizing flavors and funky odors. So if you want better-tasting water, they’re a practical, inexpensive choice compared with other water filter options that may require professional installation and costly filter replacements. They’re also a better economical and environmental option than plastic water bottles that stuff your recycling bin.
“Water filter pitchers are convenient because there’s no under-sink installation,” says Joan Muratore, a CR test engineer who oversees water filter testing. “With most, you just fill it up with tap water, place it in the refrigerator, and wait.”
But that wait is one drawback of filtering water with a pitcher. Most pitchers hold up to 10 cups of water, filtering it bit by bit. You might also find yourself refilling the pitcher often, depending on your drinking habits or how many housemates are pouring from the pitcher. In CR’s lab, we run each pitcher through a battery of flow-rate tests and time just how long it takes to filter a quart of water at various stages of the filter cartridge’s life span. The best pitchers get the job done in a little over a minute, while others take up to 43 minutes.
Read on for general information on water filters and details about how we test them. Below, in alphabetical order, we’ve listed four of the best pitchers from our water filter pitcher ratings, along with two that land at the bottom. For more on filtration, see our water filter buying guide, and for faucet-mounted, under-sink, and countertop options, check CR’s ratings for all types of water filters.
Best Water Filter Pitchers
The Brita Tahoe sounds more like an SUV, but it’s one of the highest-rated water filter pitchers in our ratings. We found it to have a solid flow rate and it resists clogging, meaning it won’t slam the brakes on your water flow over time. It also did a very good job of improving flavor and reducing odors in our tests. Though its $41 initial retail price is comparable to competitor Kirkland, its replacement filter cartridge is more than double the cost (more than $50). Just like the Kirkland, it’s certified by NSF to remove chlorine but not lead or PFAS.
The Kirkland Signature Water Filtration System is a mouthful, but in our tests, it’s simply a solid performer. It scores a very good rating for removing bad tastes and odors and top-notch scores for flow rate and resistance to clogging. It’s certified to remove chlorine, a substance that will affect taste. Available at Amazon and Costco, it’s a bit pricey at $40, but its annual filter replacement cost is just $21, the lowest in our pitcher ratings.
The Pur Basic PPT700W is the least expensive water filter pitcher in our ratings. It usually sells for $15, and its yearly filter replacement cost is $30. The Pur Basic delivers on improving flavor, odor, and chlorine reduction. But its flow rate and clogging scores are just so-so, so you may need to wait a little longer than expected for that glass of water.
The ZeroWater Ready-Pour ZD-010RP is a capable water filter pitcher, and it’s the only one we tested that’s certified for removing lead, chlorine, and PFAS. It’s also very good at improving water flavor and reducing odor, and got high scores for flow rate and resistance to clogging. But you’ll pay for that effectiveness, with a pricey filter replacement cost of $78 per year—triple the replacement cost of competitors like Kirkland.
Worst Water Filter Pitchers
The Clear2O GRP200 filter pitcher fared very well in our tests for removal of bad tastes and odors, but it tanked when it came to flow rate and clogging. Altogether, it gets an unfavorable Overall Score. It’s not certified to reduce any of the contaminants we check for (PFAS, lead and chlorine), either.
The Soma Water Filter Pitcher did a below-average job at removing odor and improving taste in our tests, something that even its solid scores for flow rate and clogging resistance don’t make up for. Nor is it certified to remove any of the contaminants we checked for, including PFAS, lead, and chlorine. Sealing the deal are two additional negatives: filters that max out at just 40 gallons and no indicator to tell you they need replacing.
How to Choose a Water Filter Pitcher
Considering why you need a water filter will help you choose the right one. Do you need a pitcher that will simply improve the taste and reduce odors? Or one that removes lead and chlorine from your drinking water? Our comprehensive ratings can help you determine which fits the bill.
Capacity is also key. You don’t want to spend your days and nights refilling a too-small water filter pitcher. Depending on your household’s collective thirst, a small family can get by with a 2-liter water filter pitcher, while a big family should invest in a larger 4-liter size. Some consumers prefer a pitcher that can fit on the door side of the refrigerator. Water filter pitcher designs are also improving by the day. There are even glass and stainless steel pitchers if you prefer no plastic.
Regarding price, consider not just the water filter pitcher’s original purchase price but also the annual cost of replacement cartridges, which can add up to more than the pitcher itself. Filter replacement costs are included in our water filter pitcher ratings.
Do Water Filter Pitchers Work?
To be clear, the water filter pitchers we test are intended to be used with potable water—that is, water that’s safe to drink—to improve taste and remove unpleasant odors.
A common complaint about tap water is that it smells or tastes bad. And this is where water filter pitchers tend to excel. Five of the eight pitchers CR tested do a very good job of improving flavor and reducing odor.
If you’re concerned about contaminants in your water, get a Consumer Confidence Report from your water supplier. If you’re on well water, have your water tested. Then choose a filter that’s certified to remove whatever concerning substances those tests reveal.
Some manufacturers claim that their pitchers remove specific contaminants, such as chlorine and lead. The only way to be sure is to check that the filter is certified for removal of those substances by an accredited lab, such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Water Quality Association (WQA), or International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Certified products will bear a seal from the testing organization.
Of the pitchers in our tests, only one—the ZeroWater Ready-Pour ZD-010RP—is certified to NSF standards to reduce lead, chlorine, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as "forever" chemicals). Several are certified to reduce chlorine; the lowest-ranking pitchers bear no certifications.
