If you’re like most homeowners, you’re concerned about the quality and safety of your drinking water. You probably know that using a Brita filter is one way to ensure that your water is clean and safe to drink, but did you know that there are other filter options available?

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best Brita filter alternatives on the market. We’ll talk about why you might want to consider switching to a different type of filter, and we’ll provide information on some of the top-rated filters available.

So, if you’re looking for a better way to keep your drinking water clean and safe, read on!

A Look at The Best Brita Filter Alternatives in the Market

Brita is one of the most popular filter manufacturers in the world, offering a wide range of products to suit every purpose. But just because they are the most common doesn’t mean that they are the best. There are several other brands that you can choose from, each aiming to provide a high-quality product.

But with so many options available, how can you find the right filter for you? To make things easier, we compared Brita to its biggest competitors to see how they stack up.

Pitcher Filters

A pitcher filter is simply a jug with an integrated filter. To purify your water, you simply pour it into the reservoir on top of the pitcher. The water flows through the filter into the pitcher below.

Here’s how each of the pitchers compares.

	Brita	Seychelles pH20	Waterdrop
Pitcher Cost	$18	$70	$30
Replacement Filter Cost	$3	$20	$9
Filter Lifespan	40 gallons	200 gallons	200 gallons

 

1 – Brita

There are a few reasons why people opt to use Brita filters. The most common reason people buy Brita filters is they are one of the cheapest pitcher filters on the market. Their pitcher filters start at $18, depending on the size.

However, the replacement filters are only $3 if you are buying them as part of a pack. Over the long run, this will save you a lot of money. Very few other companies can match the affordability of this brand – provided they offer a comparable quality.

Independent testing results found that Brita’s pitcher had an average filtration performance. In particular, it failed to remove any of the fluorides from the water. However, on all the other tests, it did an exceptional job. Considering the price, this is a fairly strong result.

Read my article about which contaminants Brita filters remove.

2 – Seychelles pH20

Sometimes, you might want to add some alkalinity to your water. This will require a special filter, like the Seychelles pH20. Some people claim increasing the alkalinity of your drinking water can slow the aging process and lower your cancer risk. Though the evidence for this remains inconclusive.

The Seychelles pH20 pitcher ensures that the water passes through two filters before you drink it. This process dramatically increases the alkalinity of the water. However, the cost of the replacement filters for the Seychelles unit is significantly more expensive than most other filters on the market.

3 – Waterdrop

Finally, if you are looking for one of the most effective filters on the market, you might want to consider the Waterdrop. Independent testing found that it was most effective at removing a wide range of common contaminants from the water.

Furthermore, there are a few features that help make this model stand out. There is an indicator light that flashes red when it’s time to replace the filter. Plus, the pitcher is built to last, with a solid wooden handle.

One selling point for me is, the filter has a greater treatment capacity than other pitcher filters. The Waterdrop filter can purify 200 gallons of water, compared with Brita’s 40 gallons.  Because of this, it will be cheaper to run over the long term. As a result, it is my pick for the top water pitcher filter on the market.

Faucet Filters

Faucet filters attach to the tap and purify water as it comes out of the faucet. There is a wide selection available in this filter configuration.

Here’s a quick comparison of some most popular options:

	Brita Basic	PUR Advanced	Engdenton Faucet
Flow Rate (Gallons Per Minute)	0.5GPM	0.5GPM	0.5GPM
Replacement Frequency	100 gallons	100 gallons	320 gallons
Cost	$34	$35	$80
What it Removes	56 contaminants	71 contaminants	70 contaminants

 

1 – Brita Basic

Let’s start by looking at the Brita offerings. In this case, there are a few options to choose from. You can either have Brita Basic or the Brita Complete. While more expensive, the Brita Complete comes with more functionality. For example, it comes with a spray function, which is very handy when washing dishes.

There are a few reasons why people are attracted to the Brita Basic. Most notably, it is easy to use. You don’t need any tools to install it, so you’ll be ready to go within a few minutes.

Furthermore, there is an indicator light to tell you when to remove and change the filter. But there are a few potential problems to be aware of. During testing, the New York Times found that the filter quickly became plugged from sediment in the tap water. As a result, it was dripping water into the sink.

One consideration is the bulky shape of the Brita Basic, which some people might find unpleasant.

In addition, there are a few faucet types that you won’t be able to attach this filter to. They include:

• Pull-out
• Spray-style

However, this isn’t a problem specific to Brita. None of the other brands of faucet filters will work with these types of faucets. If you have this type of faucet, you might need to consider an under-the-sink option.

2 – PUR Advanced

Aside from Brita, PUR is the other big name in faucet filters. They have a few products. The PUR basic is best for those who are budget conscious. But we’ll be focusing on the PUR Advanced, which removes a wider array of pollutants.

Impressively, it can remove 71 contaminants, compared to the 56 removed by the Brita system. Furthermore, it can reduce the concentration of mercury in drinking water, which the Brita model can’t.

Like the Brita model, it’s easy to put the PUR Advanced onto the tap so you can start purifying within minutes.

There are a few other differences. It didn’t develop leaks or drips like the Brita filter. You’ll also be able to get an indicator light, so you know when it’s time to replace the filter.

PUR also provides a range of finishes, so you can select the one that’s best for your kitchen. Brita’s filter, on the other hand, only came in one color and style.

Lastly, the price is almost the same as the Brita, even though it removes far more contaminants and has a superior construction. As a result, this is a far better deal than Brita.

3 – Engdenton Faucet

The Engdenton faucet filter is another high-performing system, removing the clear majority of water contaminants. Furthermore, it is made of stainless steel which gives it a sleek appearance.

It is extremely well made, which prevents it from leaking. Plus, it can be rotated 360 degrees, a feature that none of the competition can provide.  You can even turn it upside down and use it as a water fountain.

The downside is that it comes with a premium price tag. It’s priced more than double the Brita and PUR filters. But the filter will last three times as long, so, in terms of cost, it isn’t much more expensive than Brita or PUR.

Dispenser Filters

Dispenser filters are known for their ability to treat a lot of water at once, making them the ideal choice for an office or a large family. Here are some of the most popular models and how they stack up against each other:

	Brita Ultramax	Big Berkley	Zerowater
Pitcher Cost	$35	$384	$52
Capacity	1.6 Gallons	2.25 Gallons	5 Gallons
Replacement Filter Cost	$3	$53	$15
Filter Lifespan	40 Gallons	3,000 Gallons	40 gallons

 

1 – Brita Ultramax

The Brita Ultramax is a 27-cup dispenser, which is more than twice the capacity of a typical pitcher filter. However, the Brita dispenser has less storage capacity than the other dispenser filters in our comparison.

The Brita filter can effectively remove many contaminants from drinking water, particularly copper and mercury. Plus, it comes with a flip-top lid that makes it easy to fill it back up. Though it can take a while to filter the water, so be prepared to wait for 10 to 15 minutes for it to process all of the water.

But the biggest appeal of the Brita brand remains its affordability. At just $35, it is a fraction of the cost of the other dispenser filters on the market, without compromising too much on performance. Plus, you can buy filters as part of a pack, saving significantly on replacements.

2 – Big Berkey

The Big Berkey is one of the most popular dispenser filters on the market. A major benefit of this line of filters is its large capacity. The standard dispenser holds 2.25 gallons of water.

The Big Berkey unit is made of stainless steel, unlike the other models in this section, which are made from plastic. In our opinion, the durability of this product justifies the high cost.

The Big Berkey is highly effective at purifying your water. According to their product datasheet, the Big Berkey can remove more than 200 types of contaminants. Their claim is supported by research from the New York Times, which shows it was able to substantially reduce the amount of lead in water.

The downside is the cost. At $385 it is almost 10 times the cost of the Brita. Even with such strong performance and durability, it can be hard to justify such a high cost.

3 – ZeroWater

If you are looking for a pitcher filter that can supply a whole family or office, you might want to consider ZeroWater. It comes in a range of larger sizes including:

• 10-cup
• 23-cup
• 5-gallon jug

Furthermore, this company is known for its high filtration rate. They guarantee to remove all total dissolved solids (TDS) in your water. The ZeroWater filter can achieve this because of their advanced five-stage filter. But testing showed that it struggled with common contaminants, so it might not be suitable for those in areas with poor-quality tap water.

One significant downside of purchasing the ZeroWater filter – they are more expensive than their competitors. Their small dispenser starts at $25, which is more expensive than Brita. However, the biggest cost is the replacement filter. A two-pack sells for $30, while other companies offer their filters for just $7.

Bottle Filters

Bottle filters have been designed to be portable, allowing you to clean your water on the go. Here’s how some of the most popular options on the market compare:

	Brita	Grayl Geopress	Clearly Filtered
Cost of the bottle	$68	$100	$65
Filter Lifespan	40 gallons	65 gallons	25 gallons
Water Capacity	32 ounces	16 ounces	20 ounces
Weight	521 grams	309 grams	362 grams

 

1 – Brita

There are a few unique features that help set the Brita filtered water bottle apart. First, it is double wall insulated. This ensures that your drinks can stay cool during the summer months. Plus, the filter is in the straw, which makes it relatively easy to fill and replace. Though it’s best to keep it for city water, rather than using it for natural water sources.

2 – Grayl Geopress

If you are looking for a heavy-duty filter, you might want to consider using the Grayl Geopress. This will eliminate most of the harmful bacteria, viruses, and contaminants that you come across in nature. These results have been independently tested by labs to meet the strict NSF/ANSI standards.

Because of this, you will be able to fill the bottle in a mountain stream and have water that is safe to drink. This is a huge plus for hikers and campers. The Brita filter does not remove pathogens, so you can’t fill it from a stream or lake.

Furthermore, this package includes a water bottle that is very durable and won’t break easily. The light weight means that you will easily be able to put it into your bag when hiking. But the downside is the cost. It is a little pricey, but the filters will last longer than Brita. So, it might work out cheaper to own over the long term.

3 – Clearly Filtered

Like the Brita bottle, the Clearly Filtered bottle is insulated and built to last. However, it does have a smaller holding capacity. Additionally, it has a shorter lifespan than other filters, so it will be more expensive to maintain in the long run.

This bottle does an excellent job of filtering out harmful chemicals often found in water. The manufacturer has released independent test results to back up their claims. It was able to remove over 220 contaminants from drinking water. This includes chemicals like lead, fluoride, and pesticides, which Brita was unable to filter out. When you consider the price and quality, this would be a better choice than the Brita.

Conclusion

Brita has earned a reputation for being one of the best filter providers in the world. It’s not hard to see why they are so popular. In each of these categories, Brita was the cheapest. But that doesn’t always mean they have the best product.

Often, other filters did a better job of removing contaminants. So, if you are prepared to pay a slightly higher price, you should be able to find a product that will deliver superior performance and build quality.