Do Brita filters make water taste better? This is a question that many people ask, especially with all of the news about water quality lately.
Brita filters make water taste better, especially tap water. They improve its taste and odor by filtering out chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide and chlorine. Brita filters also remove dissolved solids and minerals that may give your water a metallic or salty taste.
In this blog post, we will take a look at the science behind Brita filters and how they make water taste better. We also cover the various types of Brita water filters you can use and the benefits each one offers.
Table of Contents
How Many Types of Brita Water Filters Are There?
Brita has many types of water filters, including pitchers, dispensers, bottles, and faucet filters. There are also Brita Pro filters that treat all of the water that flows into your house. These Brita filters are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Despite the differences, they all use the same treatment technologies to purify your drinking water.
Generally, you may separate Brita filters into several categories based on how they function or their general design.
1 – Pitchers
The Brita pitcher filters are a simple and convenient way to purify your water. They come with their own unique pitcher with a special filter that fits inside. You simply pour the water into the reservoir on top, and the water flows through the filtration media.
The filters are small and easy to replace when they become spent. The filters are also easy to purchase from Brita’s website.
2 – Dispensers
The Brita dispenser filter is a great way to get clean water on demand. These filters are similar to the pitcher filters, except they are larger and are designed to sit on your counter. They use the same filters that the pitchers use.
The Brita dispenser is more expensive than their pitcher counterparts, but they are much faster and easier to use. Some also come with an electronic filter replacement indicator. If your filter needs a change, your dispenser will let you know. This eliminates the hassle of having to track your filter use.
3 – Bottles
Brita’s bottles are great for on-the-go water consumption. With a convenient bottle size and an easy-to carry design, you won’t have any trouble keeping your hydration levels high with these bad boys!
Bottle-based filters are similar to pitches and dispensers but in an easy to fill and carry bottle. These bottles are available in 20- to 36-ounce sizes.
Some bottles have a built-in straw, while more expensive ones come with a double steel wall to keep water cold. The individual Brita filters are replaceable as well.
4 – Faucet Filters
Faucet filters are a mount-on, plug-and-play type filter system. You mount it on the faucet of your choice. When you turn on the faucet, the water passes through the filter and comes out cleaner and better.
These filters are easily installed, and some come with a flow adjuster.
If you want a gentler, wider spray, or a concentrated, forceful flow, you can adjust it with these faucet filters. There are also filter indicators, which means you can immediately know if your filter needs to be replaced.
5 – Brita Pro Tanks
If other Brita filter systems control only one or two outlets, Brita Pro systems are focused on filtering the entire water system to your home. This is done by installing larger tanks where water enters your house.
These Brita Pro tanks may come with a specific use. Some focus on removing FPAS, neutralizing pH, and removing metals or chlorine.
The nice thing about Brita Pro tanks is that with one filter, you treat the water for the whole house. It means you do not just drink Brita-filtered water, but you will shower, wash your food, and cook with it.
Do Brita Water Filters Make Water Taste Better?
Brita water filters do make water taste better. It does this by removing chemicals, metals, particles, or any dissolved solids. These elements may cause your water to look, smell and taste off.
Here is the thing: pure water tastes quite good, or at least neutral. The additional nasties that found their way into the water cause your water to taste bad.
Read my article on what contaminants Brita filters remove.
However, Brita water filters improve the taste of your water by removing it. It does this by using three water purification technologies:
- Ion Exchange
- Activated Carbon
- Micro Mesh
1 – Removes Chlorine
Chlorine is not just used in swimming pool water, but it is widely used to disinfect water in most public supply systems. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows the use of chlorine to treat water before sending it to consumers. Read my article on how well Brita filters remove chlorine.
However, chlorine may cause your water to smell and taste a little odd. It may alter the pH level of your water, too. If your drinking water reminds you of a swimming pool, chances are your water has high chlorine content.
With Brita filters, chlorine and other bad-tasting chemicals removed via the activated carbon filters. These filters are usually made of coconut shell activated carbon. This filtration media can remove a large amount of chlorine from your water. The net result is tastier water that doesn’t smell like a swimming pool.
2 – Removes Heavy Metals
If your water tastes metallic, it may be an indication that is has elevated levels of metals.
Common metals that could be found in both municipal and well water include manganese, zinc, lead, arsenic, chromium, and copper. These metals may come from water pipes and storage tanks or may naturally be in the water from subsurface sediments it is in contact with.
While some of these metals are important for body function, some can be toxic or harmful. For example, lead, chromium, mercury, and arsenic can harm your health, even if ingested in small amounts.
Brita’s filters may remove these metallic contents using activated carbon as well as ion exchange technology. The activated carbon acts in a way similar to a magnet, attracting organic molecules to its surface. This process, knowns as adsorption, very effectively removes many organic compounds as well as chlorine.
The ion exchange resin removes dissolved solids and metals by attracting dissolved ions to the media surface. This technology very effectively removes metals and dissolved minerals.
Brita uses both of these treatment methods to remove metals, organic compounds, and bitter taste from your water.
Read my article on how well Brita filters remove lead.
3 – Removes particulates and suspended solids
Brita filters use micro mesh (a non-woven fabric) to remove turbidity, suspended solids, rust, and other debris from your water. Their filtration technology is very effective at removing these contaminants that make your water cloudy, murky, and dirty-tasting.
In addition to improving the taste and appearance of your tap water, this filter process also provides a potential health benefit. By removing particulates and suspended solids, you are also reducing your exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses that may be present in these contaminants.
How to Further Enhance the Taste of Water
If you still want to improve the taste of Brita filtered water, consider adding a slice of lemon to your drink. You can also introduce berries, cucumber, or leaves such as mint or cilantro to your water. Lastly, making it fizzy may also improve the taste of the water.
At times, plain water, no matter how well filtered, still tastes flat or boring. There is nothing wrong with thinking this way, as we all have different preferences in taste.
If you are someone who dislikes plain water, consider the following additions to make your water taste a little better:
- Lemon Slices: If you are a fan of the citrusy taste, consider adding a few slices of lemon to your water pitcher. The lemon juice may introduce a fresh taste to your water without overpowering it. The key is not to squeeze the lemon but let the water slowly draw the lemon juice out.
- Cucumber Slices: If you prefer a milder, less citrusy flavor, add a few cucumber slices to your water pitcher. The cucumber juice helps to introduce a refreshing taste into your water without the tart flavor of lemon. Japanese cucumbers work best with this method.
- Leaves: If you like your drinks with some herbs, consider adding mint or coriander leaves. These herbs contribute a unique flavor and aroma to your drink. Not only do these flavorings taste great, but they’re also virtually calorie-free.
- Berries: If you like the sweeter smell and taste of berries in your water, consider adding blueberries, raspberries, or strawberry slices to your water. Berries add a faint sweetness to your water that makes it much more pleasant.
- Fizzy Drinks: If you don’t want your water to taste bland, try carbonating it. Fizzy water may have more appeal since it is considered ‘livelier’ to your taste buds. You can easily purchase a water carbonator to do this yourself at home.
Final Take
Brita filters use a combination of ion exchange resin, activated carbon, and particle filtration to improve the taste and overall quality of your water. These treatment technologies remove dissolved minerals and metals, chlorine, sediment and rust, and organic compounds that are unhealthy and bad tasting.
If your tap water tastes bad, a Brita filter may help to improve the taste. However, if you still don’t like the taste of Brita filtered water, consider adding lemon slices, cucumber slices, leaves, berries, or carbonating the water to further enhance the taste. There are many ways to make Brita filtered water more palatable if you don’t like the taste of plain water.
Do you have a Brita filter at home? Do you think it makes your water taste better? Let us know in the comments below.