Gone are the days when water pitcher makers were merely focused on the primary function of storing water. Sometimes they were elaborately designed and used for special occasions. For several centuries, pitchers have come in a variety of materials like clay, hard-paste porcelain, silver, and gold.
Today, those types are hardly practical for everyday living. Tap water is not as clean as people think. In fact, researchers from the University of Illinois found that the bacteria in tap water grows within the plumbing system. That’s on top of all the other contaminants in tap water today. Thankfully, now water pitchers come with filters.
Don’t worry; we’re not talking about complicated and expensive filtration systems here. The filter fits in the pitcher and usually takes a few minutes to set up. With a good water filter pitcher, you don’t have to worry about you or your loved ones getting sick. Let’s look at 10 of the best water filter pitchers on the market.
| Image | Capacity | Stages | U.V. | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 15 GPM | 4 | Brita Extra Large Filtered Water Dispenser Check Price | 9.5 | |
 | 7 GPM | 5 | Ehm Ultra Premium Alkaline Water Pitcher Check Price | 9.4 | |
 | 15 GPM | 4 | AquaBliss 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher Check Price | 9.2 | |
 | 24 GPM | 3 | LEVOIT Water Filter Pitcher LV110WP Check Price | 9.1 | |
 | 15 GPM | 5 | Seychelle pH2O Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher Check Price | 9.0 | |
 | 15 GPM | 3 | Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher Check Price | 9.0 | |
 | 10 GPM | 4 | ZeroWater ZP-010 Check Price | 8.9 | |
 | 12 GPM | 3 | Waterdrop WD-Extream Water Filter Pitcher Check Price | 8.8 | |
 | 7 GPM | 3 | PUR DS1811Z Ultimate Water Dispenser Check Price | 8.5 | |
 | 12 GPM | 2 | Brita Pitchers 36205 Everyday Pitcher Check Price | 8.2 |
- Large capacity
- Easy to assemble
- Reduces plastic waste (Replaces 300, 16 oz plastic bottles)
- Affordable option
- Several health benefits
- Good pH range
- Filters within minutes
- Filter lasts 4 months
- Removes metallic dirt
- Electronic indicator for filter life
- Water inlet for easy filling
- Sturdy build
- Filter made from food grade materials
- Two filters work faster and filter more water
- Efficient – remove 99.9% of water contaminants
- Lifetime warranty
- Fluoride filter
- Long filter life
- The handy dispenser at the bottom
- Good quality filter
- Removes chromium and lead
- High flow rate (0.5 GPM)
- Superior adsorption capability
- Digital indicator
- Large capacity
- Affordable
- Removes chlorine and 22 other contaminants
- Lightweight
- Remove 99% of chlorine
- Sturdy and durable
How To Choose The Best Water Pitcher – Buying Guide
The options for water pitchers on the market are endless. Choosing the right one for you can be an overwhelming task. Choosing the wrong one will lead you on a frustrating path of buying a different one every couple of months.
Considering the affordability of most water pitchers, it might not seem like a lot of money at first until you add up all your wasted purchases. You want to invest in a product that will meet your needs and serve you efficiently over a long-term period.
What is a Water Pitcher?
A water pitcher is a container or jug with a spout and a handle used for storing liquids, especially water. Most water pitchers come with filters that reduce and remove dangerous contaminants found in tap water.
When you pour water into your pitcher, the filter traps the contaminants and gives you clean, filtered water. If you’re not using a water filter pitcher, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. You’re also destroying the environment with plastic water bottles.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Water Pitcher
Contaminants in Your Water
Before you decide on a specific water pitcher, first find out what contaminants are in your tap water. You can test your water with a test kit from your local store or online. Most kits test for lead, bacteria, chlorine, nitrates, pesticides, pH, and hardness. However, they don’t test for all contaminants. You may have to contract the services of an independent lab for thorough tests and accurate results.
The results from the tests will guide you to make an informed decision on which filter pitcher to buy. Some pitchers are capable of eliminating microorganisms and removing 99% of hard metals like lead and mercury. Other filter pitchers only remove chlorine to improve the taste and smell of the water. When you know what problem you’re solving, you’ll buy the right solution (a pitcher) for it.
Who Will Use the Pitcher?
If you have young children or older adults at home, it’s not a good idea to buy a heavy water pitcher. Imagine how much heavier it will get when you fill it with water. It will be difficult for them to hold and could easily slip from their hands. A lightweight jug with a sturdy handle will be easy for them to carry around or in and out of the fridge.
Health-conscious, athletic and fitness people would benefit from the alkaline water filter pitchers. Active people should be well hydrated at all times. Their filtration technology makes the water easily absorbable for the body and provides instant hydration.
Product Design
Product design is great for aesthetics. For example, some pitchers come with curves, oval shapes, some color, patterns, and drawings that may appeal to you. However, the design also plays a crucial role inefficiency.Some jugs are cleverly designed to fit comfortably in your fridge even though they hold a large capacity of water.
They may also have some extra elements like a non-slip rubber part at the bottom to keep it stable in your fridge and on the countertop. A rubber handle gives you a firm,comfortable grip on the jug. Also, some pitchers have a lid on the spout that keeps the water clean and smelling fresh.
Price
Usually, the more a product costs, the better value for money you will get. Water pitchers that cost more than otherstypically come with superior benefits. Sometimes, you might not require all the benefits. But if your water has high lead levels, you can’t just buy a jug that reduces chlorine only. This is your family’s health at stake.In any case, you can’t compare the prices of water filter pitchers to the exorbitant costs of filtration systems.
Size of Your Family
Depending on the size and water consumption rate of your family, you should buy an appropriate size water pitcher. A large family would do well with an 18-cup filtering dispenser. A 10-cup pitcher is a good size for a small family.
If you buy a small size jug, you’ll face the inconvenience of refilling it several times a day. That hassle is not worth it. If you live alone, there’s no point in buying a more expensive, big size pitcher unless you drink that much water.
Manufacturer’s Guarantee
Some pitchers come with a one-year, two-year, and five-year warranty, while others come with a lifetime warranty. The lifetime warranty will ensure that you get replacements for any damaged part of your product no matter how it happened.
Products that have a long-term warranty are usually top-quality products. Look out for them. If they are the right fit for you and your family, go for it. Whichever product you decide to buy, ensure that it’s protected with a warranty.
Ease of Use
Imagine being excited about your new water filter delivery. However, when you unbox it, it takes you hours to figure out how to use it. Frustrating, right? Choose a pitcher that’s not only efficient but easy to set up and use by most members of your household,without overly complicated instructions.
Features to Look for in Water Filter Pitchers
Volume Capacity
You need a water filter pitcher that will hold enough water for your household. You don’t want the hassle of refilling a small size pitcher several times a day. On the other hand, if you live alone, there’s no need to purchase the 18-cup dispenser. Whether you settle for a jug or dispenser, choose the volume capacity that is right for you.
Number of Filters
Some water pitchers have two cartridge filters working at the same time. Therefore, this means that they can efficiently provide you with a large amount of quality filtered water in a short time. Beware of using these types with water that’s not tap water. It will easily clog and lose its efficiency. You will also have to keep replacing the filters after a short time.
Filtration Speed
You want an efficient pitcher that will serve you fresh, clean water in the shortesttime possible. Many pitchers start out with high filtration speed, making buyers excited. Then over time,lose their efficiency. Do your research and find out which pitchers are efficient for the long term. Read about the different products online, especially customer reviews. They have a wealth of helpful information from users.
Durability
Good quality products may cost a little bit more than the rest, but they save you money in the long run. Imagine buying a ‘cheap’ product over and over again as opposed to purchasing a more expensive high-quality product which you’ll keep for years. The ‘cheap’ buyer spends so much more.
Durable pitchers have a sturdy build and are made with top quality materials designed to last many years. Not all ‘affordable’ pitchers are poor quality, but if longevity appeals to you, invest a little more. Look for a reputable company known for producing quality.
Ability to Remove Contaminants
Manufacturers make all these products intending to provide you with safe, clean water. However, not all water filter pitchers are created equal. Some filters can remove 99% of up to 22 water contaminants, while others only remove chlorine and other obvious impurities.
Material
Plastic is terrible because it contains the dangerous chemical bisphenol A(BPA). Look out for pitchers that are BPA-free or manufactured with food-grade material. If you’re going to drink clean, filtered water, at least let it be from a safe container.
Filter Change Reminder
This feature is vital because let’s face it, life gets busy, and you can’t remember everything (even though you wrote it down). A handy indicator that alerts you when there’s a contaminant overload in your filter gives you one less thing to worry about.
Improved Water Quality
Water loses some minerals during the filtration process. Some filters contain minerals which they release into the water. This improves water quality and makes it more nutritious for your body.
How Do Water Filter Pitchers Work?
Water filters trap contaminants in water. You can use a cartridge filter or an activated carbon filter. When water flows into the pitcher, it will first go through the filter, which traps the contaminants. The filtered water will continue flowing slowly into the jug. When you’re pouring yourself a glass of water, a bypass system prevents the water from passing through the filter again.
- Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are known for being highly effective at removing sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chlorine, and bad odor from water. The filter is made from coal, coconut shells, wood, petroleum pitch or lignite.Activated carbon is made using physical activation through carbonization or chemical activation.
An activated carbon filter works through a process called adsorption. Absorption takes place when the molecules from a liquid, gas, or dissolved solids bind themselves to a surface.Activated charcoal is a very porous substance. Therefore, it provides sufficient space for ions of contaminants to enter and get trapped while the water is flowing through the filter. The result of this process is healthy, clean water.
After going through this process several times, the carbon will be filled with ions and various particles. It won’t be able to trap new ions, and the filter will become inefficient. This is the reason you should replace your filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Cartridge Water Filters
A cartridge filter is more sophisticated. It uses an active carbon filter in combination with other advanced technologies to produce clean, great-tasting water. These advanced elements include:
Ion Exchange Resins
These are small micro-beads filled with sodium particles. When calcium and magnesium particles meet a resin bead, they bind themselves to its surface. The calcium and magnesium ions are trapped in the beads, and the sodium gets into the water. The sodium quantity is so small you wouldn’t notice it.
Tourmaline
This is a mineral that can convey a small electric current. In your water filter, it transforms water to mild alkaline and reduces water clustering. It generates far infrared (FIR),which acts as a supercharger and assists the water filter to ionize and alkalize.
Mineral Balls
During filtration, some useful minerals are filtered out making the water less nutritious. The mineral balls add new minerals after filtration. However, this makes the water more nutritious and healthier for your household.
When and How to Change Your Water Filter Pitcher
Your product comes with clear instructions from the manufacturer on when to replace your water filter. This replacement period is not the same for everywater filter pitcher. Depending on where you live, the contamination of your water source varies. If your water source is excessively contaminated, you will need to replace your filters more frequently.
Replacing your water filter will take a maximum of 10 minutes almost every 2 to 3 months. Here is a quick guide on how to replace your water filter pitcher:
- Fill a large bowl or container with cold water
- Immerse your new filter entirely into the water. Leave it to soak for 10 – 15 minutes.
- Remove the filter and drain it
- Put the new filter in the pitcher
- Fill the pitcher thrice, throwing away the water each time
- Start using your new pitcher
Health Reasons to Have a Water Filter Pitcher
1. Chlorine-Free Water
Chlorine makes the water smell and taste bad, but it can also make you sick. If you drink a lot of tap water, imagine how much chlorine you’re consuming.
2. Removes Arsenic
Arsenic has been linked to the development of different types of cancer. Filtered water reduces this risk.
3. Reduces Aluminum
If your water source is contaminated, you may be consuming the metal aluminum. It has been linked to liver disease, learning disabilities in children, Alzheimer’s, skin problems, and hyperactivity. Filtered water reduces the risk of these health issues.
4. Boosts Overall Health
The alkaline water filter pitchers use a technology that reduces water molecules and enhances hydration quickly, thus,promoting your overall health. The mineralizing technique adds minerals to the water, making it healthy and nutritious for your body.
How often should I change the filters?
Usually, you should change your filter every 2 – 3 months. However, the level of contamination of your water source will determine when you need to replace them. If your water source is highly contaminated, you will need a new filter sooner. Some filters can even go up to 5 months.
How do I know when it’s time to change the filters?
Some filters come with an indicator or sensor which shows you when your filter is due for replacement. The digital countdown timer lets you know how many days you’re left with till replacement day. The color indicator will turn yellow from green to let you know it’s almost time. When it turns red, you must change it immediately. Drinking water after this point is harmful to your health.
Some products do not have an indicator or sensor. Simply write down the date and month on which you started using the filter. Make sure it’s visible, like on a wall, so that you remember. Further to this, if you notice that the flow rate is much slower than usual, that should tell you that the filter is clogged and needs to go. The water taste will change or even start to smell bad.
Conclusion
Drinking clean, healthy water has never been easier. Thanks to water filter pitchers, you can drink clean water in the comfort of your home or your office. You can enjoy your favorite beverages like coffee, tea or lemonade with smooth tasting filtered water. It also costs so much less than a fully-fledged water filtration system. We strongly recommend the Seychelle pH2O Water Filter Pitcher for its powerfully-efficient double-cartridge filtration ability. The Waterdrop Extream Long-lasting Water Filter Pitcher’s high flow rate of 0.5 GPM gives you clean water in minutes, and it’s five times more durable than other pitchers, saving you money.