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Filter out bad tastes, contaminants and more with these water filters that actually work.
It’s no secret that you should drink plenty of water every day. Having a good water filter pitcher can better that habit by improving the taste of your water and removing various water contaminants. While many contaminants and their levels are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you may prefer to take extra precautions by buying water filters that remove specific contaminants. Luckily, there are many different types of water filters to choose from, including an under-the-sink water filter, which saves space in the refrigerator or countertop, and a water filter pitcher, which is a convenient option with no installation required.
Over the decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has reviewed thousands of products for efficacy, safety and sustainability, including water filters and water testing kits. To evaluate water filter pitchers, our Kitchen Appliances Lab and Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab teamed up to test their ease of use, such as ease of setting up the pitcher and filter and ease of cleaning. We also looked at performance factors like how quickly it filtered water. We also spent 35 hours reviewing 196 pages of third-party test data to make sure each pitcher matched the brand's claims of what they can remove. Here are the 8 best water filter pitchers of 2022:
Brita is one of the most well-known water filter brands, so it’s no surprise their Longlast+ water filter pitcher also performed a stellar job in our testing and filters over 30 contaminants
It was one of the fastest filters in our tests, coming in at 38 seconds per cup of water and according to Brita, the filter lasts about six months before you need to change it. Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman has this water filter pitcher at home and says, “With five thirsty mouths in our house, I like that the filter lasts longer so I’m not constantly changing it, and I enjoy the taste of the water.”
The pitcher can hold 10 cups of water, and the Longlast+ filters have been upgraded from the standard filters. “Not only do these filters last longer, but they also filter out lead and don’t leave behind any black carbon particle specks in the water, a common complaint with the standard Brita filters. Take note, if you tip the pitcher too much to get the last drop of water out, we found the filter comes out, so you’ll have to take care when pouring.
• Pitcher material: Plastic • Pitcher capacity: 10 cups • Tank capacity: 6 cups • Speed of filtration: 38 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every six months • Yearly filter replacement cost: $30 • Dishwasher-safe: No
Zero Water’s innovative 2-in-1 pitcher allows you to pour out of the spout or it can dispense water while sitting on the counter with the push-button spigot at the bottom of the pitcher. The Zero Water 5-Stage system comes with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) meter, which tells you the number of dissolved salts and minerals present in the water such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate and more. In our Lab tests, the meter read instantaneously. Plus, it filters out five chemical contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals and PFOA and PFOS disruptors, according to our verified review of third-party test data.
It also makes it easy to gauge when to change your filter. Just stick it in the filtered water and read the meter. Zero advises changing the filter to a TDS reading of 006, though this is a personal preference as some prefer more TDS in their water while others prefer less. It comes in a 10-cup or 12-cup option. One downside, however, is that it offers a higher yearly cost to replace the filters.
• Pitcher material: Plastic • Pitcher capacity: 10 cups or 12 cups • Tank capacity: 5.5 cups • Speed of filtration: 87 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every 20 gallons or every month • Yearly filter replacement cost: $125 • Dishwasher-safe: No
Water filter pitchers can be an eyesore with their clunky exterior, but this sleek pitcher with a wooden handle is beautiful and easy to use. GH's Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantaniou loves the wooden handle and how easy it is to grasp and pour. It’s nearly ready to go out of the box, though you do need to soak the filter (the filter’s packaging doubles as a bag for soaking!).
We found it’s also easy to fill with the drop-down lid: Simply place the pitcher under the faucet, and the top flap drops down under the pressure of the water. It was one of the faster pitchers in our test, filling at 74 seconds per cup of water. While it doesn’t filter out as many contaminants as some of the other water filter pitchers we tested, we verified through our review of third-party lab test data that it removes chlorine to improve the taste of the water, plus four heavy metals.
• Pitcher material: Plastic • Pitcher capacity: 10 cups • Tank capacity: 3.5 cups •Speed of filtration: 74 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every two months • Yearly filter replacement cost: $60 • Dishwasher-safe: No
Most water filter pitchers remove chlorine to improve the taste of the water, which can also lead to a rise in bacteria in the filtered water. Larq solves this by using UV light
During our Lab testing, we found the Larq app easy to install, and it keeps track of when you need to change the filter, so there’s no guessing when it was last replaced. We love the modern look and its easy-pour spout that doesn't splash water everywhere. Our pros thought that it was intuitive to set up and is one of the few pitchers in our tests that’s dishwasher safe. The wand needs to be hand washed, but we found this easy due to its compact size. The downside: The yearly cost to replace the filters is more than others we tested.
• Pitcher material: Plastic • Pitcher capacity: 8 cups • Tank capacity: 4 cups • Speed of filtration: 68 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every three months or 60 gallons • Yearly filter replacement cost: $120 • Dishwasher-safe: Yes (PureVis Wand should be hand washed)
This water dispenser from Aquatru took a top spot in our tests because it is one of the water filters that removes the most contaminants. We verified that it removes over 80 contaminants
The Aqua Tru comes with three different filters: pre/carbon, reverse osmosis and VOC filter. The pre/carbon filter is said to remove particles, like sediment and rust, as well as chlorine, which also improves taste. The reverse osmosis is said to remove impurities down to 1/10000 of a micron, reducing arsenic, lead, parasitic cysts, copper and more. All of these contaminant removal claims were verified with our review of independent lab test data.
The carbon VOC filter is designed to enhance the taste of the water. If you’re particular about the taste of your water, there’s also an option to buy a PH + mineral boost alkaline carbon VOC filter, which is supposed to mimic the mineral-rich taste of Evian or Arrowhead, whereas the regular VOC filter tastes more like Smartwater or Aquafina, according to Aquatru. The built-in handle on the 16-cup tap water reservoir makes it easy to carry to and from the sink or it can be easily filled directly on the machine thanks to the large opening. Above all, it holds a large amount of water, which means you don't have to refill your pitcher as often.
When connected to the Aquatru app, you can see when the water is filtering, the amount of total dissolved solids and how many gallons you’ve filtered. We also loved that it tells you when the filter needs replacing, so there’s no guessing how long you’ve had the filter or keeping track of when to change it. The downside: This dispenser has a pricey upfront cost of nearly $485, but the filters last longer than most, making the yearly cost of replacing filters comparable to some pitchers that filter fewer contaminants.
• Pitcher material: Plastic • Dispenser capacity: 12 cups • Tank capacity: 16 cups • Speed of filtration: 66 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Six months to two years depending on filter type • Yearly filter replacement cost: $70/one-year combo • Dishwasher-safe: No
If you’re looking for a basic pitcher to improve the taste and clarity of your water, this Hydros Slim Pitcher removes two contaminants: Chlorine and sediment. Plus, it will save some space in your fridge with its small 4-inch diameter footprint. It’s also lightweight when filled, weighing a little under 4 pounds The filter doesn’t require any pre-soaking, only a 15-second flush under running water, and you’re ready to go.
During testing, we were pleasantly surprised that it filtered water nearly instantaneously. The downside: The opening is small, so water tends to spill over the lid while filling. The water pours out smoothly, though it feels bottom heavy if grabbing it by the pitcher's neck to pour.
• Pitcher material: Available in glass or plastic • Pitcher capacity: 5-cup • Tank capacity: n/a • Speed of filtration: 29 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every 2 months or 40 gallons • Yearly filter replacement cost: $66 • Dishwasher-safe: No
Unlike most brands that only offer plastic pitchers, Lifestraw has a glass option that’s available in a 7-cup capacity. The Lifestraw filters improve taste and clarity, plus will take out over 30 contaminants, including chlorine, microplastics, sediment, heavy metals, VOCs, endocrine disruptors, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and E.coli bacteria and cysts, which was proven when we verified independent lab test data. In our tests, we liked that it was light, easy to hold and pour, weighing in at a mere 6 pounds when filled. The trade-off is that you need to refill it more often since it does not hold as much water.
According to Lifestraw, it takes a few refills of the pitcher to get the water flowing, but even after a few refills we noticed in our testing that it still filters slowly and because it only holds 2.5 cups of tap water, you may find yourself going back to the sink often to refill. Take note: We found the filters easy to accidentally wash, which leads to soap in the filter, so be sure to read the instructions and remove them from the plastic housing before washing.
• Pitcher material: Available in glass or plastic • Pitcher capacity: 7 cups • Tank capacity: 2.5 cups • Speed of filtration: 112 seconds per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every two months for the regular filter and about once a year (264 gallons) for the membrane microfilter • Yearly filter replacement cost: $60 • Dishwasher-safe: No
Berkey’s filters came out on top for removing more contaminants than other water filters we tested: more than 200 contaminants, including common chemical contaminants most pitchers remove like chlorine, cadmium and lead, and we verified that it also removes viruses, parasitic pathogens, bacteria, VOCs, some pharmaceutical drugs and petroleum contaminants such as gasoline and crude oil. If you prefer to have fluoride removed from your water, it’s one of the few that can remove it, but you need to buy the fluoride filters separately.
In our Lab tests, we noticed that this countertop dispenser required more work to set up than others, and the instructions were not as readable. But once it’s set up, it’s fairly easy to use, though we didn’t love that you can’t set down the tank (the screws get in the way, so you either have to hold it while filling or go back and forth with pitchers of water to pour into the tank). On the other hand, it has a large capacity tank, so you don't have to take as many trips to fill it up. We also saw in our Lab tests that it filters slowly. However, our home testers did not have this problem. The Berkey comes in multiple sizes with the smallest one starting at $345, but according to Berkey, their filters can be cleaned up to 100 times with a 3M Scotch-Brite pad. Over time, this may save money compared to pitchers that need to have their filters changed every few months.
• Dispenser material: Stainless steel • Dispenser Capacity: 1.5 gallons (also available in 2.25, 3.25, 4.5 and 6 gallons) • Tank capacity: 20 cups • Speed of filtration: Over 12 minutes per cup • Filter replacement frequency: Every 3,000 gallons • Yearly filter replacement cost: Initial cost of $154 for 2-pack • Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Yes, water filter pitchers work to remove contaminants such as heavy metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more. Some chemicals like chlorine are also added to city water to disinfect it, but many people prefer filtered water because it tastes better. Keep in mind that not all water filters remove the same contaminants. Some only remove basic contaminants like chlorine while others remove many more.
“The performance of the water filter also depends on the quality of the water source and whether or not the filters are replaced regularly," says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., Executive Director, Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Lab. "Also, these pitchers are not intended to work with well water [which] will cause them to clog much faster.” People with well water systems should consult with professional water filtration services.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts scoured the market for the best water filter pitchers, then narrowed down testing to the most promising products based on our categorical expertise. Our Lab experts spent three months researching and testing these water filter pitchers. We dedicated about 35 hours combing through 196 pages of data to ensure each water filter removed what it claims, such as getting rid of a specific chemical or physical contaminant or killing bacteria.
In addition, we assessed how easy it was to set up the pitcher and filter, how easy it was to pour and how heavy it was once filled. We also looked at the clarity of the instruction manual and whether the pitchers were dishwasher safe. We tested performance factors like how quickly it filtered a cup of water and measured how much water the tap water reservoir can hold. We reviewed how long each filter lasts and the cost to replace filters as well as a yearly calculation of what it costs when replacing filters at the recommended time frame.
To assess claims, we requested third-party data from each water filter pitcher brand which our Executive Director of the GH Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab thoroughly reviewed to verify differing water contaminant removal and purification claims, such as water clarity, health effects, emerging contaminants and more.
✔️ Filtering ability: Not all water filter pitchers remove the same contaminants; if you have specific filtration needs, be sure to check what each product claims to remove. Many water filter brands are starting to share their contaminant removal data on their websites, so if you’re looking for a specific contaminant check the brand's website or try reaching out to the company.
✔️ Style and size: When choosing a style, keep in mind size versus weight. If you need to save space, opt for a smaller pitcher, but it will require more refills. Large-capacity pitchers allow you to refill less, but they can also be cumbersome to carry and pour. If you have the counter or fridge space and like to have a large capacity water dispenser, consider a countertop model as these often hold larger amounts of water.
✔️ Price: The more contaminants a filter removes, generally, the higher the cost, and if your water doesn’t need certain contaminants removed, you may be wasting money. When deciding which pitcher to purchase, consider both the price of the pitcher and the price to replace filters – as some have a higher upfront cost but filters cost less and vice versa.
✔️ Special features: If you have a hard time remembering when to change your water filter, choose a model that makes it easy to keep track or tells you when you need to change the filter. Some water filter pitchers now come with apps to remind you.
✔️ Filtering needs: Not all tap water has the same contaminants, so your contaminant removal needs may differ based on where you live (i.e. your water supply and age of plumbing) and your personal preference. We recommend using the EWG Tap Water Database to see what’s in your tap water, but if you're unsure what your water contains, it may be best to have a filter that covers the removal of a broad range of contaminants. That said, water filter pitchers that remove more contaminants are not necessarily better if your water doesn't have the contaminants the filter is designed to remove. The EPA doesn’t regulate all contaminants, but at the minimum, our pros suggest a filter that at least removes heavy metals.
✔️ NSF and ANSI tests: You’ll see many water pitchers stating they’ve been tested to NSF/ANSI standards, which test removal of various water contaminants, but keep in mind that NSF/ANSI standards are not the same across the board. Some standards only test for water clarity while others test for the removal of certain chemicals and physical contaminants. The NSF website offers a detailed explanation of its standards and what it tests for more information.
This best water filter pitchers guide was written and tested by several Good Housekeeping Institute experts, including Jamie Kim, a freelance writer with a consumer products background, specializing in product testing and reviews. She lends her product knowledge across multiple categories such as apparel, textiles, home, kitchen, beauty and tech. She has over 17 years of product testing experience and has held leading roles in product development at Nike and other textile companies. She regularly contributes her product expertise to Good Housekeeping and holds a degree in both apparel & textile design and mechanical engineering.
Birnur Aral, Ph.D, is the executive director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab with over a decade of R&D experience she garnered in graduate school and industry. She has been at GH for 15 years. Birnur played a lead role in GH's investigative story Is Your Tap Water Safe?, which explored the efficacy of table-top water pitchers and refrigerator filters in taking out emerging contaminants and those not yet regulated by the EPA in the U.S. Recently, she assessed the SafeHome brand DIY water testing kits for the Good Housekeeping Seal. She also helped the brand with the fine-tuning of marketing claims and instruction inserts for the kits, including those for Lead, City Water and Well Water, which now carry the Good Housekeeping Seal and its consumer warranty.
As the Director of the Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab since 2019, Nicole Papantoniou oversees all content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear; she worked in product development for small kitchen appliances and tools since 2014 as well as in several test kitchens where she tested and developed recipes and food content since 2012. She has a Grand Diplome in classic culinary arts from the former French Culinary Institute and a certificate in culinary nutrition from the former Natural Gourmet Institute, now both known as the Institute of Culinary Education.