With Brita being the big name in water pitcher filters and other types, it makes sense that you would be asking “Are Brita filters effective? Are they worth it?”
The answer is yes, but also no. Confused yet? Don’t be.
What that means is Brita does do a good job at filtering some things but not others. To find out if Brita is worth it for you then read on. You may be surprised at what Brita filters remove and what they don’t.
Though Brita is a good brand and does a decent job, there are better pitcher filters out there. (This one by Epic Pure is a great example!)
Table of Contents
What Do Brita Filters Remove?
Before you do anything, make sure you are testing your water to see what types of contaminants are lurking there so you know what you need to filter. Here is a popular water test kit that covers a lot of common contaminants.
Once you know what’s in your water then you can see if Brita is going to work.
Since there are different types of filters that Brita offers from water pitchers to faucet filters, let’s take a look at each one and identify what they filter.
| Contaminant | Longlasting Pitcher | Stream Pitcher Filters | Bottle Filters | Faucet Filters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (Taste & Odor) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chloramine | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lead | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Copper | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Particulates (Sand, Sediment) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmaceuticals | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Pesticides | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Mercury | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Cadmium | Yes | No | No | No |
| Benzene | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Asbestos | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Zinc | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1, 2, 4 - Trichlorobenzene | No | No | No | Yes |
| TTHMs, Giardia, Atrazine, Lindane, TCE | No | No | No | Yes |
What Does a Brita Filter NOT Remove?
As you can see from the chart above, there are quite a few things Brita doesn’t filter out. Here is a list of the things Brita doesn’t remove:
Coliform Bacteria
If you have well water, then there is a good chance that you are dealing with coliform. Most of the time it’s benign, but if you live near a farm, then you may have e-coli or other fecal coliform bacteria that can make you sick.
And how much does it cost to shock a well to get rid of coliform? Usually about $100 if you call a professional to do it for you.
But remember, Brita doesn’t filter coliform bacteria so you’ll need a different kind of filter for that. Take a look at how to filter coliform here.
Arsenic
Again, if you are on well water then the risk of having low levels of arsenic in your water is on the high side. Since Brita doesn’t filter arsenic you’ll need to find a different filter. Zero Water is the only water filter pitcher that does remove arsenic. You can also try different types of arsenic filters so click to see what your options are.
Chloramine
Brita does a good job at removing chlorine, but Brita doesn’t filter chloramine which is a type of chlorine disinfectant. The filter doesn’t let the water stay on the filter media long enough to remove it. If you have chloramine your water will still taste like chlorine and leave your skin and hair dry unless you use one of these filters to remove it.
Hard Water
There is no shower head filter or water pitcher filter that can soften water and Brita is no exception. Brita might be able to remove some scale, but you will still have hard water. Which is fine to drink anyway, but for your shower and appliances you need a whole house filter for hard water. This electric one from iSpring is going to get the job done.
How do Brita filters compare with the competition? Check out this comparison article between Brita and Zero Water!
Best Brita Filter Alternative
There are a few filters I would choose over Brita but that isn’t to say Brita is a bad filter.
Let’s go over a few different types of filters that I think beat Brita by category.
Water Pitcher Filter
There are a lot of water pitcher filters and not many of them work great. There is one that hands down beats Brita, though.
Brita vs Epic Filters
There are two different types of filter media found in most water pitcher filters. One is a solid carbon block and the other is granulated carbon.
Though they are both charcoal filters, they are not created equal. Granulated carbon allows water to pass through quickly which is good for speedy filtration, but not so good for filtering out a lot of contaminants.
Carbon block, like that found in the Epic Pure Filter, is far superior as a filter media because it can filter out things like giardia, lead, heavy metals and chloramine. The flow rate slows down because it is solid, but that is a good thing and is the reason it is able to filter things that a granulated carbon filter doesn’t.
The problem with a granulated carbon filter is that there is not enough time where the water is in contact with the media so lots of contaminants don’t get filtered out.
- Filtered water pitcher for refrigerator: This large water filtration...
- Forver Chemical water filters: Proprietary formulated carbon block water...
- Tap water filter: Proprietary solid carbon block filter removes 2000% more...
- The Pure Pitcher also comes with a LED timer, which counts down from 90...
- Water purifier pitcher with filter: Each premium quality gravity water...
- This BPA-free Everyday water pitcher is easy to fill, fits in most fridges...
- This space efficient Brita pitcher fits perfectly on refrigerator shelves,...
- Get great tasting water without the waste*; by switching to Brita...
- Reduce 99% lead, Chlorine (taste and odor), Cadmium, Mercury, Benzene,...
- Longlast+ filters are compatible with all Brita pitchers and dispensers...
Check It Out!
Can charcoal water filters make you sick? Check out my article about charcoal water filter side effects to see if activated charcoal filters are right for you.
Faucet Filter
Brita vs PUR
This is a push as they both pretty much remove all the same things from tap water with one exception. PUR faucet filters remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) where Brita doesn’t. That means that many bacteria are removed.
It really comes down to price and convenience. The PUR beats Brita as far as convenience goes since they have filters that work across more systems than Brita. With Brita there is pretty much a different filter refill for every type of filter out there.
They are very similar but PUR edges out Brita for a couple of reasons.
- 3-IN-1 POWERFUL WATER FILTRATION. PUR is the only faucet filter brand...
- INCLUDES 1 GENUINE PUR PLUS FAUCET MOUNT WATER FILTER THAT IS CERTIFIED to...
- QUICK, 1-CLICK, TOOL-FREE INSTALLATION with on/off lever for easy, on...
- FILTER CHANGE LIGHT to notify you when it is time to change your filter....
- COMPATIBLE WITH MOST STANDARD FAUCETS -- so you can enjoy cleaner, mineral...
- This complete Brita faucet water filter attaches to your standard faucet...
- Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can...
- The space efficient design attaches directly to your faucet to give you a...
- Reduce 99% of lead, chlorine (taste and odor), asbestos, particulates,...
- Replace your faucet mount water filter every 100 gallons or approximately...
Countertop Dispensers
Countertop dispensers can mean a couple of things. In its simplest form it is simply a large pitcher filter style that either sits on your countertop or goes in your fridge, but is only different in size.
Others are more complicated and can range from gravity filters that pass through a series of levels of filters to a reverse osmosis and everything in between.
It’s almost not fair to compare them because they have wildly different prices and do different things.
If you are going to take up space on your countertop, however, to me it’s better to go for one that filters tap water the best.
Brita vs Aquasana
- Powered Active Filtration - obsessively engineered to force unfiltered...
- Reduces 96% of 77 harmful contaminants including lead, mercury, asbestos,...
- Full system NSF Certified to standards 42, 53, and 401 +P473 and BPA free -...
- Hydration on demand - instant access to healthy water available at the...
- Longest lasting filter - 8x the capacity of the leading gravity based...
- The UltraMax water dispenser is made without BPA and can hold 27 cups of...
- Get great tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can...
- This space efficient filtered water dispenser is fridge friendly, features...
- Brita is the #1 water filter§ reducing chlorine (taste and odor), Mercury,...
- Compatible with Elite and Standard filters; replace your Elite filter after...
Still not sure what to get? Check out this detailed comparison between Aquasana and Berkey filters to see which countertop filter works best for your needs!
Water Filter Bottles
When you are on the go, a filtered water bottle is a great alternative to plastic bottles and still gives you tasty, purified water.
But, they aren’t all created equal. Let’s take a look at the competition for Brita in this category.
Brita vs Epic Filters
- The Filtering Bottle holds 26 oz of water, and is designed with a Brita...
FAQ about Brita Filters
The short answer is that they are not any more dangerous than other filters. The problem with any water pitcher filter is that they can trap bacteria which will then grow inside. You have to be careful that you always replace a filter when it is ready to be replaced. If you see mold anywhere on your pitcher, make sure to wash it well.
You can’t put the filters in with your plastic recycling but they can be recycled with a little effort. Brita will do it for you so sign up for an account on their website. Then, collect your filters and when you have five pounds worth you can pack it up and send it to Brita to be recycled. Shipping is free with a Brita account.
No, your water can only be softened by a water conditioner or reverse osmosis filter. Brita filters can remove some sediment and particulate which can include limescale, but your water is not softened as a result.
As of right now there is no water pitcher or tap filter that removes plastic particles. The particles are so small that you need a reverse osmosis filter or a carbon block TAPP 2 filter.
Are Brita Filters Worth It?
I will reiterate that it depends on what you need the filter to do. They are worth it to remove chlorine and give you better tasting water if your tap water tastes funny.
Are Brita water filters effective? After reading this article, I hope that you understand what filters really are for and that a Brita is only good for removing certain things.
If you need an actual filter to get rid of bacteria and other contaminants, then you need a serious whole house filter instead.
Nick Lopresti is the founder of YourH2Home and a home improvement expert. He has years of experience writing about various home improvement topics, mostly as it pertains to water systems.