Shopping The 9 Best Water Filter Pitchers of 2023 for Removing Chlorine and Other Impurities Enjoy clean, great-tasting water with the ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher. By Adria Greenhauff Adria Greenhauff Adria Valdes Greenhauff has written for numerous publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Allrecipes. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on September 28, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know About Water Filter Pitchers Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Target Drinking more water is one of the easiest ways to start living a healthier lifestyle. And while we can all agree that ditching single-use plastic water bottles is both cost-effective and better for the environment, getting your daily water intake from the average faucet may also have cause for concern. “The water you and your family drink should be safe,” said Kim Rose, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Florida. “Most municipal water standards haven’t been updated in over 20 years. A water filter pitcher removes anything that the city water treatment plant might have missed, and also removes what they added in, such as chlorine, and monochloramine.” To help determine which are the best water filter pitchers, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each water filter pitcher’s size, water capacity, filter lifespan, and price point. We also consulted Rose for additional insight. Here are the best water filter pitchers. Our Top Picks Best Overall: ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: Nakii Everyday Water Filter Pitcher at Amazon Jump to Review Best Oversized: Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Glass: LifeStraw Glass Water Filter Pitcher at Amazon Jump to Review Best Slim: Brita Slim Water Filter Pitcher at Amazon Jump to Review Best Alkaline: Ehm Ultra Premium Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle - 26 oz at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Extra Filters: Epic Water Filters Epic Pure at Amazon Jump to Review Best Non-Carbon Filter: KOR Water Fall at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher Walmart View On Walmart View On Wayfair View On Dunelm.com Why You Should Get It: It allows you to pour water that’s been filtered without spilling out the water that’s still filtering.Keep in Mind: It doesn’t come with any replacement filters, so you’ll have to purchase them separately. Overall, the best water filter pitcher is this option from ZeroWater. The 12-cup pitcher is effective at removing impurities, resulting in clean, great-tasting water you can drink every day. The pitcher is constructed with a 5-stage ion exchange filter that, according to the brand, removes 99.6% of dissolved solids and odors. The pitcher itself is small enough to fit in a standard refrigerator without taking up too much space and can hold up to 12 cups of water at a time. Plus, the pitcher is made of BPA-free plastic, so you don’t have to worry about other contaminants sneaking into your already-clean water. What we might like most about the ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher is that it was designed to allow clean water to pour while the rest of the water inside is still filtering. This means you don’t have to wait a long time for the entire pitcher to filter before you can pour yourself a clean glass of water. The ZeroWater Ready Pour Pitcher typically provides 25 gallons of fresh, clean water per filter. The pitcher does come with a water quality meter that indicates when it’s time to change the filter, so there’s never any second-guessing. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 1.07 pounds Best Budget Nakii Everyday Water Filter Pitcher Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: The pitcher features a fast-acting, effective filter. There’s also a light indicator that alerts you when the filter should be replaced.Keep in Mind: If the filter isn’t secured properly the pitcher may leak. If you like the idea of a filtered water pitcher but don’t want to invest, the best water filter pitcher is this pick by Nakii. The filter can purify over 1,000 cups of water before it needs to be changed, so you’ll be able to get tons of use. The pitcher is made of food-grade, BPA-free plastic and holds up to 12 cups of water at a time, making it a great addition to any household refrigerator. The sleek design—all clear, except for the crisp white lid—also makes this pitcher look great on countertops. Keep in mind that some customers found the filter and lid a bit challenging to snap in and out of place. You’ll want to make sure all parts are securely in place after filter changes and washes in order to avoid leaks. Price at time of publish: $19 Product Details: Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 1.94 pounds Best Oversized Big Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Berkeyfilters.com Why You Should Get It: This pitcher’s set of filters lasts for up to 6,000 gallons before it needs to be replaced.Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options and larger, so you’ll need the space to store it. When it comes to water purification, it doesn’t get much more powerful than Berkey. The portable Big Berkey, made of high-quality stainless steel, holds up to 2.25 gallons when full. It also features a purification system that not only filters water but addresses over 200-plus contaminants found in tap or raw water as well. While this pitcher requires two filters, you’ll get about 6,000 gallons of great-tasting filtered water before you’ll need to replace them, which is longer than many other water pitcher filters. When set up, the Big Berkey measures just over 19 inches high and 8 inches wide. It’s a bit large for inside the refrigerator, so keep in mind you’ll need some space on the kitchen counter. It features a pouring spout, however, so serving yourself a glass is easy for even the youngest members of your family. Price at time of publish: $405 Product Details: Capacity: 12 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: Stainless steel | Weight (empty): 7.35 pounds The 9 Best Water Filters of 2023 for Clean Water at Home Best Glass LifeStraw Glass Water Filter Pitcher Bed Bath & Beyond View On Amazon Why You Should Get It: The slimmer style won’t take up much space in your refrigerator.Keep in Mind: This pitcher holds just seven cups of water at a time, so it may require frequent refilling. Glass pitchers, like this Lifestraw option, will keep your filtered water fresh and pure without the risk of other chemicals getting into your water. Plus, glass can also be easier to clean than plastic and will retain its clarity even after hundreds of washes, making this pick one of the best water filter pitchers to consider. This Lifestraw pitcher features a filter that uses activated carbon and ion exchange to filter out bacteria, parasites, lead, mercury, microplastics, and other chemicals from your water. It also retains essential materials like potassium and magnesium, which can be beneficial for overall health. Part of what makes this option one of the best water filter pitchers is the design. The all-glass carafe features rounded edges that are accented by the crisp white filter insert. Just keep in mind that the pricier pick only holds 7 cups at a time, so you may have to refill it more frequently than some other picks. The filter also needs to be replaced every two months, so you’ll have to ensure that you have enough replacements. Price at time of publish: $50 Product Details: Capacity: 7 cups | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: Glass carafe, plastic filter insert | Weight (empty): 0.85 pounds Best Slim Brita Slim Water Filter Pitcher Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why You Should Get It: This pitcher provides great-tasting filtered water while taking up minimal space in your refrigerator.Keep in Mind: It has a capacity of only 5 cups, which is less than other options. Some water filter pitchers are bulky, taking up precious countertop or refrigerator space and leaving little room to accommodate other kitchen essentials. If you are short on square footage, the best water filter pitcher is this pick by Brita. Its slim design makes it easy to tuck into any corner of your kitchen countertop – or better yet, on your refrigerator door shelf. It’s also super lightweight, making it easy to handle even when it's filled with water. Like other options on our list, the filter uses activated carbon ion exchange to remove impurities like copper, mercury, and cadmium. It also helps reduce chlorine taste and odor to deliver great-tasting water. Plus, the pitcher features a sticker indicator to notify you when it’s time to replace the filter. Because of its space-saving design, you’ll only get 5 cups of filtered water at a time with this pitcher, which is less than other options. The filter is also designed to last about 40 gallons, which means you should expect to replace it every two months or so. Price at time of publish: $39 Product Details: Capacity: 5 cups | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: BPA-free plastic | Weight (empty): 0.06 pounds The 9 Best Refrigerators to Keep Your Food Fresh Best Alkaline Ehm Ultra Premium Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Why You Should Get It: The easy-grip handle and sturdy lid will minimize spills.Keep in Mind: This pitcher is over two pounds when empty, which is heavier than some other styles. If you’ve been looking to enhance the water you drink at home, the best water filter pitcher is this design by Ehm. The pitcher works similarly to a water ionizer yet is less expensive, so you’ll be able to have alkaline water at home without investing too much. Part of what makes this pitcher one of the best water filter pitchers is its fast absorption speed, which means you don’t have to wait around for the water to filter. Plus, it has a generous 3.8-liter capacity so you won’t have to constantly refill. There’s also an easy grip handle and sturdy lid, which only releases when it’s angled in a position to pour to minimize spills. Keep in mind that this pitcher doesn’t offer the option to pour clean water while the contents inside the reservoir are still being filtered, so you’ll have to wait for the entire pitcher to filter before you can pour yourself a glass. It’s also just over two pounds when empty, so it may be heavy for some. Price at time of publish: $42 Product Details: Capacity: 3.8 liters | Filter Lifespan: Six to eight weeks | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): 2.27 pounds Best Portable Brita Plastic Water Filter Bottle - 26 oz Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It: It’s designed with a carrying loop and it’s dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to keep in good condition.Keep in Mind: It is plastic, so you will want to avoid leaving it in hot spaces like inside your car. This convenient water bottle by Brita is an easy and eco-friendly way to stay hydrated on the go. Like the full-sized Brita water filter pitchers, this 26-ounce water bottle uses a carbon block filter to filter out impurities from tap water and reduces chlorine as you drink. Part of what makes this pick one of the best water filter pitchers is that it’s leak-proof, cup holder friendly, and designed with an easy open lid built-in carrying loop for added convenience. It’s also dishwasher safe (top rack) and comes in several vibrant color options. To get the best-tasting water you’ll want to replace the filter on this water bottle every two months or 40 gallons. You’ll also want to make sure you follow instructions–like rinsing each new filter under running water for 15 seconds–in order to make sure your filter works properly. Price at time of publish: $22 Product Details: Capacity: 26 ounces | Filter Lifespan: Two months | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): 0.5 pounds The 8 Best Dishwashers to Cut Down on After-Dinner Cleanup Best with Extra Filters Epic Water Filters Epic Pure Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Epicwaterfilters.com Why You Should Get It: Each filter lasts 150 gallons, so you won’t have to buy replacements very often.Keep in Mind: The pitcher is more expensive than some other options. There are plenty of conveniences that come with water pitcher filters but having to buy replacement filters is not one of them. Not only does this Epic Pure water pitcher come with three replacement filters, but each filter also lasts up to 150 gallons, making it one of the best water filter pitchers to consider. This large water filter pitcher can hold up to 10 cups at a time and is easy to pour and refill thanks to an ergonomic handle. There’s also a pour dam that keeps clean water separate from the water that is still filtering, so you’ll be able to pour while you filter. The filter is made from solid carbon block rigorously tested to meet NSF standards, removing chlorine, fluoride, and most recently haloacetic acids. This filter also maintains healthy trace minerals, like calcium and magnesium in your water, as well. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Capacity: 10 cups | Filter Lifespan: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Weight (empty): Not listed Best Non-Carbon Filter KOR Water Fall Amazon View On Amazon View On Korwater.com Why You Should Get It: The pitcher is a more decorative style and has long-lasting filters, so you won’t have to replace them often.Keep in Mind: With multiple components, this pitcher is not the most portable on the list. For a non-carbon filter, the best water filter pitcher is this style by KOR. Unlike other water filter pitchers that use carbon to purify water, this pick uses all-natural coconut shells to create clean, great-tasting water. The filter has been tested and certified to NSF standards to remove chlorine, chloramines, bad taste, and odor commonly found in tap water. This uniquely designed water filtration set includes a one-liter glass reservoir (also known as the waterfall), a plastic filtration component, and two one-liter glass carafes. Use one carafe for everyday drinking water and the other to create different combinations of infused water using fruits, vegetables, or herbs. The filter lasts up to 4 months, so you’ll be able to get tons of use. Price at time of publish: $69 Product Details: Capacity: 2 liters | Filter Lifespan: Four months | Material: Glass, plastic | Weight (empty): 7.2 pounds The Bottom Line We chose the ZeroWater 12-Cup Ready Pour Pitcher as our top pick for the best water filter pitcher because it’s effective and easy to use. Each filter is good for up to 25 gallons of water and the pitcher is small enough to fit in a refrigerator, so you’ll be able to store it easily. What to Know About Water Filter Pitchers Before Shopping Capacity The average water filter pitcher will hold anywhere from 7 to 12 cups of water at a time while higher capacity options can hold about 30 cups. Deciding what size is right for you will depend on your personal drinking habits, how many household members will be using the pitcher, and how much available space you have in your kitchen. While a smaller pitcher might be more affordable and space-saving, you might end up refilling it more often. Keep in mind that while some water filter pitchers are designed with dual reservoirs – one for clean water and one for water that is still filtering – some models will require you to wait until the entire contents of the pitcher filters before any water is available to drink. This means, depending on the specific pitcher, you could be waiting a while for a glass of water. Filter Lifespan Regardless of the size of your water filter pitcher, most of them come with a standard activated carbon filter that lasts for 40 gallons, or approximately two months depending on how often you are refilling it. A typical replacement filter will cost you around $40. Higher-end filters like the ones used in the Big Berkey, for example, can last up to a year but are often more expensive. An average replacement will cost about $170. Material Water filter pitchers are typically available in three materials: plastic, glass, and stainless steel. Glass and stainless steel are both durable, easy to clean, and environmentally friendly. Stainless steel is also lightweight, making it a better option than glass if you are looking for a water filter pitcher that is easy to transport. Plastic water pitchers are also lightweight and overall less expensive than glass or stainless steel. However, they are susceptible to scratches and cracks over time. If opting for plastic, you’ll also want to make sure you purchase food-grade, BPA-free as other types of plastics can contain harmful chemicals that can seep into your water, especially after being exposed to heat in the dishwasher. Your Questions, Answered How often should you change the filter in a water filter pitcher? When it comes to changing the filter in a water pitcher, it really depends on the style and what’s recommended. While some may need to be changed every few months others may be able to last for a year or so. How effective are water filter pitchers at cleaning water? According to Rose, with carbon material and certain technologies, water filter pitchers are exceptionally effective at cleaning water. “We think that any kind of filtering is better than nothing, however, some of the top-end water filter pitchers are so effective at filtering that they are classified as air purifiers, meaning they can even remove microscopic viruses,” Rose says. Who We Are This article was written by Adria Greenhauff, who has been writing about food and lifestyle topics for over a decade. To make this list she researched a variety of water filter pitches, keeping in mind each pick’s capacity, filter lifespan, material, and weight. She also interviewed Kim Rose, RDN, CDCES, CNSC, a registered dietitian nutritionist, for additional insight. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit