The 6 Best Water Filter Pitchers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
A water filter pitcher makes it easier to have great-tasting water on hand, sans heavy metals and contaminants—and can even help you cut back on plastic bottles. Staying hydrated is essential to your well-being, so having the right water filter pitcher can help you hit your daily water goals in a cinch.
“I really do encourage people not to use bottled water because there are so many more regulations in place to protect water that comes out of people’s taps vs. what goes into bottled water,” says Newsha Ajami, PhD, hydrologist and director of Urban Water Policy at Stanford University. “So while there’s this sense of, ‘Oh, the water that’s coming out of the bottles is clean and perfect,’ it’s not necessarily always true. Using these filtration systems can be a very helpful thing to do, and if people are worried [about their water], this can help them.”
To help you find the best water filter pitcher for your needs, we tested 18 options in our Lab and evaluated them based on their ability to improve the taste and smell of our tap water, their ease of use, and their overall value. We also consulted Ajami for expert advice on how to shop for water filter pitchers.
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It filters as you pour, so you don't have to wait for the basin to fill up, and it improved the taste of our water.
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It only removes chlorine and no other contaminants.
The Brita 10-Cup Rapids Stream Water Pitcher is our top pick because of its ease of use and performance in our testing. Setting up the pitcher was very straightforward—you just run it under cold water, clean the plastic container, and fill it up. Unlike its competitors, this pitcher filters water while you pour so you don’t have to wait ages for it to fill up. The filter began working instantly as we poured, and in no time we had a pitcher full of fresh water. It wasn't cumbersome to fill up or pour, and it fit under our sink without any hassle.
We were also impressed at this pitcher's ability to improve the taste of our water. The control water had a chlorine aftertaste, while the filtered water tasted clean and crisp thanks to Brita's activated-carbon stream filter. We also noticed that the filtered water had a slightly clearer appearance than that of the control. However, if water quality is a major concern for you, know that this filter mostly removes chlorine and isn't equipped to filter other contaminants like heavy metals and bacteria.
During our testing, we didn't find any drawbacks to this pitcher. Its compact size can easily fit in your refrigerator, and it's lightweight and easy to pour. It also comes with an electronic indicator on top, so you know when it's time to change the filter (around every two months).
Capacity: 10 cups | Dimensions: 11.02 by 5.43 by 16.38 inches | Filter Replacement Frequency: Every 40 gallons (about 2 months) | Dishwasher Safe: No
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![The Brita Rapids Stream Water Pitcher on a kitchen table]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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![A closeup of the Brita Rapids Stream Water Pitcher top and filter indicator]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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![A person pours water into a glass from the Brita Rapids Stream Water Pitcher]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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![A person pours water into a glass from the Brita Rapids Stream Water Pitcher]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Dera Burreson
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