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So, you’ve decided to buy a water filter pitcher but don’t know where to start? Do you check out Amazon or go to a local store?
If you are not sure which option works best for you or what makes them different, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll compare the options available to buy water filter pitchers, their pros and cons, and other factors you need to consider when shopping.
So, here is our guide on where to buy a water filter pitcher!
Contents
TL;DR
You have four general options on where to buy water filter pitchers. They are:
- Direct online shopping from a particular brand – If you already know what you want and what your preferences are, this is the best option for you to get the lowest price on your particular brand of choice.
- Online shopping in large e-commerce or retailer sites – Large e-commerce platforms are great to use if you don’t have anything specific in mind yet, as they offer a very wide selection of products at very competitive prices. It can also help give assurance of your purchase decisions since you can browse customer reviews to help you evaluate.
- Shop at a physical store – This is the best option if you don’t like waiting for the delivery of your product.
- Ask help from your local water treatment expert – This option will ensure that you are given an expert opinion on the particular and specific product that is right for your needs, as these experts are already familiar with the water quality in your location.
Where to Buy a Water Filter Pitcher
There are many different options available when it comes to buying a water filter pitcher.
For example, you could buy one online directly from the manufacturer or on an online marketplace. Alternatively, you can go to a local store if you don’t want to wait for the pitcher to arrive. It is also possible to buy water treatment products from professionals who recommend them, which would ensure that you are making a quality purchase.
There are pros and cons to each option. We’ll look at them one by one.
Buying from an Online Retailer
You can start your search on online marketplaces if you don’t already know what brand or product you want. A marketplace like Amazon or Walmart has a large selection of products, great prices, and expedited shipping. Additionally, many of them offer advanced search tools that let you filter the results according to specific criteria. Online marketplaces also offer customer reviews, though they aren’t always reliable.
As a final note, online marketplaces tend to have their own warranty policies, and while they may allow you to return a product, there will usually be a restocking fee.
Pros
- Shipping is fast and reliable, and sometimes free.
- Competitive prices.
- Buyer protection is available on online marketplaces such as Amazon.
- There is a wide variety of choices available to you.
- Customer reviews.
- You can find products with the specific features you’re looking for using search filters.
- Most marketplaces offer a reasonable return policy, with some offering up to 90 days.
Cons
- Warranty options are limited.
- Counterfeit items are a problem in some marketplaces.
- Reviews might be fabricated.
- The products may be of low quality.
- If you return an item, restocking fees may apply.
- Occasionally, you may receive the wrong product.
Buying Online Directly from the Manufacturer
In the case of specialty products, it is often best to purchase them directly from the source. You will receive a high-quality product, lower prices, and expert assistance if you purchase from the manufacturer.
Unlike retail stores, manufacturers need fewer employees, so their prices tend to be lower. Furthermore, they are known for having excellent return policies and warranties. Some manufacturers may also offer special discounts or package deals.
The downside is that you can only check products from one specific brand. Even though many brands feature customer reviews on their websites, you can’t be sure that they are not biased, as it would be easy for a brand to hide reviews that they disagree with.
Pros
- Excellent customer service and buying assistance.
- Warranty claims are easier to file, and communication is generally better.
- The products on these sites are usually of better quality than those found on large marketplaces.
- By purchasing directly from the manufacturer, you will pay a lower price.
- You can get discounts on products.
Cons
- You can choose from only one brand.
- There is a possibility that the reviews on the websites are fake.
Buying from the Local Home Improvement Store
Visiting your local home improvement store is a great idea if you do not want to wait for a product to ship or look for more than just a water filter pitcher. You’ll find a large selection of products, not just water filter pitchers. In addition, stores sell a lot of goods at discount prices.
Going to a store, however, has the disadvantage that the staff might not have a lot of knowledge about the products you need, or they might be too busy to help you.
Pros
- Competitive pricing.
Cons
- Some of the newest models may not be in stock.
- Warranty options are limited.
- There is a chance that their products aren’t of the highest quality.
- Customer service is unlikely to be familiar with all the products.
Buying from a Local Expert
If you can find a water treatment expert in your area, you can be sure their products are top of the line. They know which products work best for you based on their knowledge of local water conditions.
Nevertheless, this expertise comes at a price. Products tend to be more expensive, and selection may be very limited. Additionally, warranty terms and return policies aren’t always the best.
Pros
- You can get more specialized support.
- Expert assistance from a professional with an understanding of the water situation in a particular region.
Cons
- The price of products tends to be higher.
- Only a limited number of products are
What to Consider When Buying a Water Filter Pitcher
It is important to consider a few things in addition to the price before buying a water filter pitcher. Different brands serve the same general purpose but have varying levels of contaminant reduction, filtering capacity, etc.
Before purchasing a water filter pitcher, make sure it meets your filtering needs by considering the following:
NSF Standards
When shopping for filter pitchers, NSF/ANSI certifications and tests can serve as a badge of approval. Certified water filter pitchers are guaranteed to reduce the number of contaminants in the water, at least to a degree.
- Using a water filter pitcher certified to NSF Standard 42[1] ensures that the chlorine level in your water is reduced, leading to better smell and taste.
- Standard 53 certification means a pitcher will remove pollutants like heavy metals and chemicals with health effects.
- Meanwhile, PFAS[2] removal is tested using Protocol P473, while herbicides, pesticides, prescription drugs, and other chemicals are tested using Standard 401.
Contamination
If all you want is better-tasting water or basic filtration, you don’t need a fancy pitcher. Many water filter pitchers out there use activated carbon to remove impurities, including chlorine, to improve the water’s taste and smell.
Nevertheless, if you are concerned about harmful contaminants, you’ll want a brand with a more comprehensive contaminant removal system.
To determine what kind of pitcher you need, you should have your water tested for contaminants.
Speed
While some filters work faster than others, it shouldn’t be your primary concern. Water filtration isn’t something you want to rush, and you shouldn’t settle for half-measures.
On the other hand, you don’t want a filter that takes forever either. Check out customer reviews as well to get a sense of whether a unit filters fast.
Storage Capacity
The water volume of filter pitchers is measured in cups. Typically, you’ll find units ranging from 7 to 11 cups or 0.44 to 0.69 gallons.
Before purchasing a pitcher, determine how much water your household uses on a daily basis. Filter pitchers with a small jug size require more frequent refills. This isn’t necessarily a big problem unless you live among a lot of people.
Filter Life & Price
Since filter replacements will be your primary maintenance cost when using a pitcher, the usable life of the filter cartridges is critically important.
In general, you should be able to get 30 to 120 gallons of filtered water from a filter pitcher cartridge before you need to replace it, or approximately one to six months.
You might find one brand to be more affordable upfront, but if you have to replace the filters too often, it could be a moot point.
Warranty
Needless to say, buying a product with a long-term warranty or a trial period is best.
Materials
Water filter pitchers should be made of BPA-free materials, especially the jug. Polymers such as plastics contain Bisphenol A, which can leach into water over time. Make sure your filter is BPA-free or made of glass.
Conclusion
Water filter pitchers can be purchased online from marketplaces or manufacturers, or offline from retailers or water quality experts.
Generally, when you buy from a manufacturer or a water expert, you are assured of a quality product, but you will have fewer options.
On the other hand, online marketplaces and retailers have a better selection, but their warranty policies might not be as good.
With that in mind, the place where you buy your water filter pitcher is only one factor to consider. Think about your filtering needs and your budget before you start shopping around.
Further Reading
- Read Our Guide on the Best Water Filtration Pitchers
- How to Choose a Water Filter Pitcher
- Learn How to Change a Water Filter Pitcher
Resources
- [1] https://blog.ansi.org/nsf-ansi-42-2021-drinking-water-treatment-aesthetic/
- [2] https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-explainedrl
His credo: Not a single American should have to drink unhealthy water at home.
