Brita and PUR are two of the most popular filter manufactures in the U.S. They both make products that are extremely well made and easy to use. Their water filters and faucet filters are both well-known, and they’re both most famous for their faucet filters and water filter pitchers.
This PUR vs Brita guide compares PUR and Brita’s most popular water filters to help you learn the key differences and similarities between them.
TL;DR PUR vs Brita – Which is the Best?
While both Brita and PUR offer a wide variety of filter types (pitchers, faucets, pitchers & faucets), PUR remove more contaminants than Brita. Although the original Brita filters were made from plastic, these have now been replaced with materials such as activated carbon and ion exchange resins.
PUR is best for removing large amounts of contaminants from your drinking water. What? No! Brita is just OK.
PUR vs Brita Comparison Chart
Brita Grand
- Filter: Standard
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Contaminants removed: 5+
- Filter lifespan: 40 gallons or 2 months
- Warranty: 90 days
PUR Basic
- Filter: Standard
- Capacity: 11 cups
- Contaminants removed: 24+
- Filter lifespan: 40 gallons or 2 months
- Warranty: 90 days
Filter Comparison
PUR filters
PUR makes two types of water filter pitchers. They come in either a standard pitcher or a pitcher with LED lights. For those of you who like a fresh taste, the Pur Pitcher filters out lead, pesticides, chlorine and other contaminants that can be harmful to your health.
This filter will give your coffee the most wonderful aroma you’ve ever experienced. It will also be easier to filter out any impurities, keeping the flavor and clarity of your favorite coffee just as you like it.
This trap contaminants on the surface area, allowing the smaller water particles to pass through. PUR offers a Standard replacement filter as well as a Lead Reduction filter that removes even more contaminants.
Brita filters
Brita water filters are placed inside a pitcher, like PUR water filters. When water is added to the Brita, the Brita slowly filters out pollutants and improves the water. The Standard Filter reduces mercury, chlorine, copper, cadmium, and more.
The Brita filter traps contaminants and sediment, but it doesn’t remove all particles. It also uses non-woven material to remove sediment. The Long-Last filter is made from the same materials, but is designed to last up to 3 times longer than a Standard Filter.
What Contaminants Do They Remove?
They’re not exactly as effective as reverse osmosis in removing contaminants, but they can be worth considering for a few different reasons.
Both Brita and PUR are leaders in the water filter pitcher market. They’re both equipped with powerful filters that remove a broader range of contaminants than the average water pitcher filter can.
| Contaminant | Brita Standard Filter | Brita Longlast Filter | PUR Basic Filter | PUR Plus Lead Reduction Filter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,4-D | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Asbestos | ✓ | |||
| Atelol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Atrazine | ✓ | |||
| Benzene | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Cadmium | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Carbamazepine | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Carbon Tetrachloride | ✓ | |||
| Chlorine – Taste and Odor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copper | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Estrone | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Herbicides | ||||
| Ibuprofen | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Industrial Pollutants | ||||
| Lead | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Linuron | ✓ | |||
| Mercury | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microbial Cysts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Naproxen | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Nonyl Phenol | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Particulate Class I | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Particulate Class VI | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Pharmaceuticals | ||||
| Sediments | ||||
| Simazine | ✓ | |||
| TCEP | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Tetrachloroethylene | ✓ | |||
| Trimethoprim | ✓ | |||
| Zinc | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Brita filters reduce the chlorine taste and odor, lead, asbestos, copper, mercury, sediment, and other common contaminants from water.
PUR filters are just as capable, removing chlorine and removing lead and mercury by 99.9% percent, plus other pesticides by 92%. They’re advertised to remove two times more contaminants than Brita, which is a big selling point for targeting customers who are looking for the most effective contaminant removal.
Performance Comparison
The performance of a filter measures three primary things things:
- How long it lasts
- How effectively it does its job
- The speed of filtration
PUR
Water filter PUR is designed to filter up to 40 gallons of water, or approximately 2 months’ worth, before the filter needs changing.
I have nothing negative to say about this pitcher, and it makes a good, economical choice for a water filter pitcher. It takes 6 minutes for a full 11-cup classic PUR pitcher to purify water, which is a really good thing.
Some reviewers mention that it actually takes 10 to 11 minutes to filter water, which is still a good thing considering other pitchers can take more than an hour to get the job done. This filter will slow down considerably when it reaches the end of its life; customers report that it takes up to half an hour to fill a half-full pitcher of water.
Brita
If your goal is to filter out chlorine or rust, then it can take up to 30 minutes. However, if you are only looking for bacteria and other contaminants, then you can expect to filter for up to 10 minutes.
You should use the Standard Filter every 2 months, just like PUR filters do. But for this PUR vs Brita battle, Brita wins with its 6-month-lasting Long Last filter.
The price may seem a little high, but once you’ve tried a Brita pitcher, you’ll wonder why you ever bought anything else. It produces the clearest, best tasting water, so much so that you may even stop using other bottled water in favour of a Brita pitcher!
There aren’t many bad reviews about the speed or efficiency of water filtration for Brita, and many people who purchase Brita filters when the brand was first established are still loyal fans now, for the simple reason that Brita is, for the most part, a reliable filter. If you have hard water, you might need to change your filter more often than the recommended 2 months of 6 months, filter depending – the same applies for PUR filter pitchers.
Brita has NSF certification that backs up its claims for filtration performance and efficiency. Their Long-Last filter boasts NSF certification for the removal of 12 contaminants, including lead. Having a good system is a major benefit to the company, and the proof is in the pudding.
Models & Upfront Cost
PUR Models
PUR sells a variety of different pitchers, but different types cost different amounts. The PUR Classic Basic 7-cup water filter is the most popular water filter in the USA. It costs around $17, and it’s a great value, especially when compared to buying a faucet filter or a countertop filtration system.
You can buy the PUR Classic at Amazon in an 11-cup size. It’s slightly more expensive because it’s got a LED feature. Another option with PUR is to pay a little more for a 7- or 11-cup filter that removes lead.
The 18-cup Ultimate Dispenser is a great dispenser that removes any type of lead from your system. PUR also offers a number of PUR faucet filter solutions. This makes them the best value on the market.
There’s no one “best” PUR faucet filter. If you want something that costs less than $15, get the Original PUR Filter (the only faucet filter available at Walmart). There are different faucet filter options, including the Classic PUR Faucet Filter, the Bluetooth Ultimate Filtration System, and the Basic Faucet Filter.
Brita Models
Whether you’re looking for an ice tea maker or you’ve already got one but want to do something else with it, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. There are many different types of Brita filters. They each cost a different amount, but the Grand Filter is the most popular option. It has 10 cups.
There are so many different types of water filters out there, that choosing one can be difficult. You can choose from so many different models and varieties, that it can be hard to know what’s best for you. The difference in pricing between the Pur and Brita filters is pretty small, making it a little tougher to decide which brand is the better bet.
There are no filter systems in PUR that come in all the sizes or specifications that you’d need. Most PUR filters are only available in a couple of sizes, so you may have to spend a bit more for that feature. At Brita, you’ll get a filter that works just as well as a high-end system at a price that’s right on par with the higher end systems.
In addition to its water pitchers, Brita also offers its own range of Brita faucet water filters.
This Complete Faucet Mount System system with just one filter runs around $30.
If you want the best water filter for your PUR faucet, the PUR Brita faucet is probably the best choice. You get all the Brita faucet benefits (no added chemicals, no added fluoride) without a PUR faucet and with the convenience of a Bluetooth connection, too.
Filter Lifespan & Replacement Costs
PUR Filters
You can get replacement pitchers for both the standard PUR water filter and the PUR lead-free filter from the manufacturer online. They come in packs of 3 and 4. Water filters are inexpensive, and the price ranges from $6-$12. You’ll use 2 to 3 months of the PUR water filter before needing to replace it.
PUR replacement filters are a decent value for money because you only need to purchase them once a year or two. A pack of 2 mineral clear faucet water filters costs a little more at around $30.
Brita Filters
The Brita Water Long-Last pitcher filter, lasting for 6 months, costs only $16 for a pack of 1, or $32 for a 2-pack. You can spend $3,000-4,000 on PUR filters but you’re better off spending $100-$500 for this product.
PUR is more expensive but better in terms of its ability to keep its filters clean. There’s also a Brita water pitcher available with a filter built in. It costs about $12 for a single unit and $35 for a 3 pack. It’s not the best option for home use. However, it’s a great alternative for camping.
A 2-to-3-month PUR faucet filter is cheaper than two 1-month Brita faucet filters and will last just as long or longer.
Customer Reviews & Complaints
PUR
PUR is well-received by customers. A majority of its products have high ratings on Amazon, and are rated with a score of 4-stars or above. The PUR pitcher replacement filter has more than 9,400 reviews and a score of 4.5 out of 5-stars. The filter is designed to remove chlorine taste and odor and metal taste from your water.
People who tried the PUR pitcher-style filter found that it’s one of the slowest filters on the market. They also had problems with the taste of the water, as well as issues with the water leaving a film over the top of the water that was difficult to remove.
It’s easy to tell which filter is working better if you test them out side by side for yourself. So one customer explained how she drained a filter with poor flow, dried it out and left it in a cup of water for 30 minutes to give it a second life.
It may not be clear which faucet is the best faucet on the market, but at least you know that PUR’s MineralClear filters are the best of the best, with a 5-star rating based on more than 5,300 reviews. The customer found the filter easy to install and found the LED display simple to read.
Some users found the PUR filter problematic. They reported receiving knock-offs instead of the real product. Customers complained that they received two sets of 3-packs when the website stated a 6-pack was available. The product boxes also did not have any lot numbers stamped on the bottom of them.
They also mentioned their filter housing was different from the official PUR filter housing. PUR has redesigned their filter cartridges for their faucets. That’s probably why some of the PUR faucet filter cartridge that are on the market aren’t branded. Your order will be processed by a team of highly experienced PUR specialists who will carefully inspect every order and ensure that it meets our quality standards.
Brita
The popularity of Brita products is increasing world-wide, so it’s no surprise that people are raving about their experience with them.
On Amazon, Like PUR, all of Brita’s filtration systems and filter replacements have 4 star-or-above ratings on Amazon, based on thousands of reviews. Brita’s standard pitcher filter replacements have a rating of 4.7 stars from a total of over 7,000 reviews.
The majority of consumers have praised Brita for their ability to remove tap water contaminants, and have lauded the company for their ability to create a more eco-friendly plastic-free lifestyle. They asked questions about their pitcher filters’ authenticity. I’ll provide a few examples to help you differentiate which one sounds better.
Buying directly from Amazon or a third-party Amazon website is easy to do. There are many benefits to buying from Amazon. But, when doing so, you’ll want to be aware of the dangers. Neither Brita nor PUR would allow for non-genuine products to be sold under their brands in Walmart’s name, so you should have no trouble finding both of these items in your local store.
When you want to know what to do next, contact Brita directly. They will be able to answer your questions. This is the Brita water filter for faucets with a 4.7 star rating out of over 3,000 reviews. Some customers said it was easy to set up and replace the filter, and they found that the LED light is useful in indicating when the filter needs to be changed.
Customers really liked the fact that it comes with its own bypass feature and its easy to see how much water has passed through the filter. We received feedback from a few users who had a small leak, and others who said that the Brita filter slows down the water slightly, but it may be due to the fact that the tap water is naturally high in contaminants.
Pros and Cons of PUR vs Brita
PUR – What I Liked
Removes more contaminants than Brita
The pitcher that comes with PUR is pretty incredible. It removes more contaminants from your water than the Brita pitcher. When it comes to purifying your water, Brita’s system is a clear winner. Its system removes up to 60 contaminants, while PUR’s system removes more than 70.
The taste of the water you buy from the tap isn’t likely to change much, but if you want a cheaper option than buying bottled water, PUR filters are worth considering. You’ll be paying less than you would for a Brita filter.
Affordable cost
PUR’s water filters are great value for money, and the initial cost of a pitcher is something you’ll appreciate later on. You can save money when buying multi-packs of water filter replacements.
No-frills filtration
If you’re looking for a water filter that will get the job done, PUR’s filtration solutions should be the best choice. They’re simple to set up, and everything from initial set up to daily use and maintenance is designed to be straightforward. There’s no such thing as a scary water filter, so don’t be intimidated by any of PUR’s products.
Brita – What I Liked
Very affordable
You can find a good Brita faucet filter for about $5, or a decent Brita water pitcher for around $25. Despite the fact that Brita hasn’t increased its prices much over the years, it has managed to build up a solid fan base.
NSF certified
With NSF certification from Brita, you know your water filter works as advertised. The best performing Brita filter is the Long Last, which is certified to National Sanitation Foundation standards for removing 12 contaminants.
Good range of designs
It’s a close fight between PUR and Brita. Brita is the clear winner. Brita makes beautiful and practical water filters that are a pleasure to use. The best pitchers available today include options for filtering tap water, bottled water, and even wine. Brita faucet filters are a bit basic, and you’ll only have a limited selection of designs to choose from.
PUR – What I Didn’t Like
Lead filter costs extra
PUR’s separate lead filtration offering is an attempt by the company to make a little extra money, but it’s misleading and slightly annoying that you have to pay extra money for the lead filter when Brita’s basic filters remove lead for a lower cost.
I’m sure PUR will start including lead removal in their filters. It would help so many people who are trying to find a safe and affordable way to remove lead from their tap water.
Fairly simplistic designs
The best water filters for PUR are simple pitchers in different sizes. There are no special or novel things about PUR’s products. They are not attractive, but not unattractive, either.
Brita – What I Didn’t Like
Faucet filters are a slight letdown
Brita offers a wide variety of filters for its faucet systems. Although most are positive, some are less than ideal. If you’re looking for a better faucet filter, there are plenty of options to choose from. Its main focus is on making water filter pitchers.
Doesn’t remove living organisms from water
If you’re looking for a water treatment system that removes viruses and bacteria, you won’t get it from a Brita. Most filtering systems don’t actually remove living organisms from water, and Brita isn’t one of them. Don’t use your Brita pitcher to filter well, lake, or river water, as it won’t work.
Should I Buy PUR or Brita?
Brita pitcher filters are clearly better than PUR pitcher filters, hands-down. Pur pitchers are just ok; most people get by fine without them. But if you’re looking for a really good pitcher filter, Brita’s a clear winner.
PUR makes great water filters, but Brita’s stylistic options, Long-Last filter system and lead removal at no extra cost give the company the edge. If you’re looking to remove a wider range of contaminants from your water, PUR filters are your best bet. For some reason, Brita and Pur have been battling it out for faucet filtration systems for some time now.
Despite the fact that Brita has great reviews for its faucet filter products, PUR does too, and PUR’s filters look a little prettier and offer that little bit more with an optional Bluetooth feature. Ultimately, though, Brita’s offerings are still just as appealing, and they’re marked at a similar price to PUR’s, so there’s really no reason to spend any more money than you have to on the faucets from the bigger name brand.
It doesn’t really matter which brand of water filter you pick, since both brands are known for their high-quality products. However, with the PUR line, you get to buy from a much larger company that includes many other popular consumer brands, like Brita, Durafilter, and Silex.