When it comes to drinking water, safety is always a top priority. Many homeowners turn to PUR filters as a way to ensure that their family’s water is clean and safe. But are all PUR filters created equal? The answer might surprise you.
All PUR filters use the same underlying technology to purify drinking water. However, they come in several different sizes and configurations, including pitcher, dispenser, and faucet filters. PUR offers various disposable filter elements with models that remove just taste and odors to filters that remove lead, chlorine, and a host of other contaminants.
PUR filters offer a simple, affordable solution to water quality issues. They have proven to give you clean, good-tasting water. The magic is with PUR’s proprietary filters.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the different types of PUR filters available on the market and discuss the pros and cons of each one. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right filter for your needs.
Read my article about what contaminants are removed by PUR filters.
Table of Contents
What Are the Different Types of PUR Filters?
PUR filters come in a variety of shapes and types. The shape and size of a PUR filter depend on its intended use, whether it be for a pitcher, dispenser, or faucet filter. PUR filters also have types, such as PUR Pitcher Filter and PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter. These types may have similar shapes but different performances.
The following table summarizes the different types of PUR filters:
| Filter Variation | Examples |
| Dispensers |
|
| Types |
|
When you take a look at the different filters available on PUR’s website, you can see all of the different types and variations that they offer. You may generally separate them into two major categories: filter housing and filter type.
1 – By Filter Housing
Depending on which type of device you use, PUR filters come in different shapes and sizes. For example, if you have a pitcher filter, you will use one of the filter elements that are designed to fit inside the pitcher. If you have a faucet filter housing, you will need a filter element that is compatible with that type of housing.
You may see specific shapes of PUR filters for their range of products, such as:
- Pitcher filters
- Dispenser filters
- Faucet filters
Each type of housing has its own set of dimensions, so you will need to make sure that you buy the correct size for your filter. More importantly, each type of housing has a different method of attachment, so it is important that you match the filter element with the type of filter housing.
2 – By Filter Type
There are also different types of filters, such as PUR Pitcher Filter and PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter. PUR Pitcher Filters are designed to remove taste and odor from your water, while PUR PLUS Pitcher Filters are designed to remove a wider range of contaminants, including lead and chlorine.
The replacement filter elements offered by PUR are:
- PUR Pitcher Filter
- PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter
- PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter
For certain filter shapes, you may see that there are types of filters available. For example, for PUR’s pitchers, you can choose between their PUR Pitcher Filter or PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter. Technically they both fit into pitchers, but the PUR PLUS filters filter 3x more contaminants than Brita’s leading pitcher filter and reduce lead.
A PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter is made specifically for PUR’s faucet filtration systems. This filter is certified to reduce lead and 10x more contaminants than Brita’s leading pitcher filter. It filters water over natural minerals for great taste and has a filter life of up to 100 gallons or 3 months.
Read my related article – are all Brita filters identical.
How Long PUR Filters Last
The lifespan of PUR filters varies depending on the filter type. It’s important to replace your filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure optimal performance and water quality. Here, we’ll discuss the filter life for each PUR filter type and provide a table summarizing the filter life in months and the number of gallons the filter can process.
PUR Pitcher Filter
For PUR Pitcher Filters, you should replace them every 2 months or 40 gallons of water, whichever comes first. These filters are designed to reduce chlorine for great taste and filter twice as fast compared to Brita’s leading pitcher filter.
PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter
The PUR PLUS Pitcher Filters have the same lifespan as the PUR Pitcher Filters. Replace them every 2 months or 40 gallons of water, whichever comes first. These filters are WQA certified to filter lead and 3x more contaminants than Brita’s leading pitcher filter.
PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter
PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filters have a longer lifespan than the pitcher filters. Replace these filters every 3 months or 100 gallons of water, whichever comes first. They are certified to reduce lead and 10x more contaminants than Brita’s leading pitcher filter while filtering water over natural minerals for great taste.
Here’s a summary of the filter life for each PUR filter type:
| Filter Type | Service Life | Filter Life |
| PUR Pitcher Filter | 2 months | 40 gallons |
| PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter | 2 months | 40 gallons |
| PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter | 3 months | 100 gallons |
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for replacing your PUR filters to ensure the best water quality and performance of your filtration system.
How to Choose the Right PUR Filter
When choosing the right PUR filter for your home, there are a few factors to consider:
- Filter Housing: Determine the type of filter housing you have (pitcher, dispenser, or faucet filter) and select the appropriate filter shape.
- Contaminant Removal: Consider the contaminants you want to remove from your water. If you only need to improve taste and remove odor, the PUR Pitcher Filter may be sufficient. If you’re concerned about lead and other contaminants, opt for the PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter or the PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter.
- Filter Lifespan: Check the filter life for each option. Most PUR filters last for 40 gallons or 2 months, while the PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter lasts for 100 gallons or 3 months. Make sure to replace your filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure optimal performance.
- Compatibility: Make sure the replacement filter you choose is compatible with your PUR filter housing. This is especially important for faucet filters, as not all filters fit in all PUR Faucet Filtration Systems.
- Budget: Factor in the cost of replacement filters when choosing a PUR filter. While the initial investment may be low, remember that you’ll need to replace the filter element regularly, so consider the long-term costs.
Conclusion
Not all PUR filters are the same. While they all utilize the same technology to purify water, they come in various shapes and types, offering different levels of contaminant removal. By understanding the differences between these filters and considering your specific needs and preferences, you can choose the right PUR filter for your home and enjoy clean, safe, and great-tasting water.