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Water filter pitchers are great to have at home, but with so many options on the market, choosing one can be a bit challenging. Should you choose a large or small pitcher? And what kind of contaminants do you need to remove?
Before you can start thinking about brands and models, many questions arise. But don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered!
In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to choose a water filter pitcher that fits your needs.
Contents
TL;DR
- If you haven’t already tested your water quality, you should do so before selecting a water filter pitcher.
- Get the right filter pitcher for your needs based on the findings.
- Advice: Select a water filter pitcher that meets or exceeds NSF requirements (NSF 53 in particular).
How to Choose a Water Filter Pitcher?
Consider your water filtration needs carefully before you start looking for water filter pitchers. For example, if you have a large household, you will need a larger or faster pitcher if you don’t want to run out of clean drinking water soon.
Water Analysis
You should probably test your water quality before buying a water filter pitcher. When choosing a model, it is important to know what you will be using it for. Otherwise, you might wind up spending a lot of money on something designed to filter contaminants you don’t even have instead of focusing on the ones you do have.[1]
A report on the quality of your water supply should be available from your local authorities if it comes straight from the city. Free reports can also be obtained from the EWG and the EPA. Their websites are both excellent places to start.
If you can’t find a report on your water’s quality, you can send a sample to a specialized testing facility. You can find out what kinds of contaminants you are dealing with the help of these labs.
If you are interested in performing a basic check on your water, you can purchase a home-based test kit. They can, for example, alert you to the presence of specific elements like iron and other heavy metals and tell you about water hardness levels. Be aware, however, that these kits are often not very precise and will provide you with a rough idea of your situation at best.
Contamination
There are several types of water filter pitchers designed to handle different contaminants. A basic water filter pitcher will traditionally remove chlorine and other common impurities. You can use one of those if your main concern is improving the taste and smell of your water.
For those with more serious contamination concerns, you might need a more advanced filter designed specifically to remove the contaminants you are facing. There are usually fewer pitcher options here, and they can cost more.
NSF Certifications
NSF standards address the performance of a water filter pitcher with respect to removing specific contaminants. Standard 42 and 53 are of particular importance since they deal with removing chlorine taste and odor, and heavy metals and chemicals that affect your health.
There’s also Standard 40. It pertains to the removal of medications and other organic materials.
Speed
Most water filter pitchers are slow to filter water. In many cases, you will need to wait at least a few minutes before you have enough water to fill one glass. Pay attention to the pitcher’s filtration speed if you anticipate having to refill it often.
However, faster isn’t always better. There is a reason why some of the best models on the market take some time to work. Thorough water filtration always takes more time. Fast operation is not always a bad thing, but you should remember that it might come at the cost of the overall filtration quality.
Storage Volume
Choosing the right water filter pitcher will also depend on your water consumption habits. It is rarely a good idea to go for the largest jug on the market if you live alone or in a small household.
You may find it convenient not to have to refill your pitcher as frequently, but you will also have to deal with water that tastes stale after sitting for hours at a time.
You will also have trouble refilling larger pitchers. They can be hard to fit under your faucet because of their size. Also, if you have small children or elderly family members, a larger jug might be difficult for them to lift.
Materials
Most filter pitchers are made of plastic, although they may also be made of glass or metal. The latter is usually intended for travel.
Although it may seem better to use glass rather than plastic, it also has some disadvantages: Glass pitchers can break more easily and require more care when disassembling and cleaning. Some people, however, claim that they can tell the difference between water sitting in a plastic pitcher and water sitting in a glass pitcher, and they prefer to use glass whenever possible.
Costs
It’s important to keep in mind that the money you spend on the pitcher’s initial purchase isn’t everything. Replacement filters must also be taken into account.
The upfront cost of some models is very low, but they require frequent and costly new filter elements. Thus, it is very much possible to purchase several replacement filters in less than a few months and run through the initial purchase price.
Filtration Capacity
Find out how often you must replace the filter cartridges of the pitcher you’re interested in. It’s not that big of a deal but frequent filter replacements can become annoying after a while.
Warranties
Different manufacturers offer different warranties. There are some companies that offer a year’s warranty and others that offer lifetime warranties.
You would never have to take advantage of the warranty in an ideal world. Nevertheless, if something breaks, you can rest assured that your manufacturer has you covered, and you will not have to pay any extra costs for repairs or replacements when your product does have a warranty.
Conclusion
When choosing a water filter pitcher, you should consider your needs for filtration, your budget, and your household size.
When you live alone, you won’t need a large jug, but if there are a lot of people living with you, a smaller one won’t suffice.
Additionally, if you don’t have a big contaminant problem, a basic pitcher will do the trick, but if that isn’t the case, you will need a more advanced unit.
It’s best to have your water tested before you start looking for units to know what you’re dealing with.
Further Reading
- Water Filter Pitchers Reviewed by Water Masterz
- How Do You Use a Water Filter Pitcher?
- How Do You Change a Pitcher Water Filter?
- Where to Buy Water Filter Pitchers
Resources
His credo: Not a single American should have to drink unhealthy water at home.