“Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink.”
This old sailor’s adage feels particularly apt in today's world.
After almost 200 years of indoor plumbing, we’re surrounded by water flowing through the pipes in our walls.
And yet, like the sailor whose thirst cannot be quenched by the seawater which surrounds him, we often find that we can’t drink the water pumped through our homes.
Why not, you ask?
Did you know that over 70 million Americans live in homes where their tap water fails to meet the safety standards of clean drinking water? (1)
Did you know that lead and pesticides are contaminating our water in every state, and that fluoride is controversially added to our drinking water? (2)
Families across the country feel lost and sea when it comes to clean drinking water. But fear not, because there’s a lifeboat at hand.
A water filter pitcher takes water right out the tap and, through fancy filtering technology, removes all those pesky contaminants. These pitchers fit into your fridge and turn untrustworthy tap water into a clean and refreshing drink.
Let’s take a look at two of the top models on the market – PUR’s CR1100CV Classic Water Filter Pitcher Filtration System and Brita’s Standard Everyday Water Filter Pitcher.
PUR CR1100CV vs Brita Standard Everyday – The Quick Comparison
Table could not be displayed.Design And Construction – Thoughtful Design From PUR
A water filter pitcher is designed for everyday use and so it needs to be robust.
In a perfect world, your kids will be rushing to the fridge to grab this pitcher when they get in from school (but let’s face it, they’re probably heading straight to the soda).
Nevertheless, you want a water pitcher for life so let’s check out the design and build of these two babies.
Both pitchers are similar in size and should fit comfortably in the interior of your fridge. Side-by-side, PUR’s model is slightly bigger and comes with a marginally greater capacity.
That means you’ll be refilling your Brita more often, but only just.
PUR have designed an elegant system for refilling your pitcher – an adjustable opening on the lid allows you to refill without taking the whole top off.
When you’re refilling your Brita, you have to completely remove the lid. It doesn’t take long, but over the years that time adds up. It’s a nice piece of attention to detail that makes PUR’s pitcher stand out.
Both of these products have used BPA-free plastic. Bisphenol-A is a common pollutant in plastics and can seep into your water – it would be counterintuitive if they were simultaneously contaminating your water supply!
BPA-free is the standard in water bottles and pitchers, and both of these products are up to scratch.
One final feature included in both models is the electronic indicator that tells you when to replace the filter. Filters should purify around 40 gallons of water before they need to be replaced
Both Brita and PUR’s water filter pitcher feature a handy warning light on the top lid of the pitcher. When this lights up, it’s time to switch out your filter.
If you’re forgetful like me you might fear leaving an old filter in too long. The warning system on each of these pitchers makes life easy. Simply filter and forget – until the warning light reminds you it’s time for a change.
Ultimately, there’s not much in it between these two pitchers – after all, how hard is it to make a plastic water jug? PUR’s design shows slightly more thought, but you won’t be let down by Brita’s pitcher in terms of design.
Filter Technology – PUR Makes Big Claims
In any water filter system, it’s the filters themselves that are doing the heavy-lifting.
Both PUR and Brita are capable of producing a standard plastic water pitcher, but who has the edge when it comes to filters?
Brita uses a 4 stage filter, whereas PUR have gone all-in on their trademarked MAXION filter technology. What’s actually going on inside these different filters?
Although Brita are boasting about their 4 stage filter, it’s the middle two layers that are doing the work. Between a top and bottom mesh, designed to remove any residual solids in your water, you’ll find a carbon filter and an ion-exchange resin layer.
The activated carbon granules capture pesticides, bacteria and other organic compounds that may have contaminated your water.
The ion-exchange layer acts as a magnet to draw out inorganic compounds such as heavy metals.
PUR’s water filter utilizes the same technology – a filtering mesh combined with a layer of activated carbon and an ion-exchange resin layer.
Although PUR haven’t revolutionized the filter, they do make a bold claim.
In fact, they go right after Brita, and state that their filter can remove twice as many contaminants as Brita’s filter.
Of course, you have to read the small print. PUR’s assertion is backed up by NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) testing, but was it a fair fight?
For one thing, PUR are comparing their specific Lead Reducing Filter to Brita’s original filter.
However, PUR doesn't include this filter as standard. And Brita also offers a lead fighting filter as an upgrade.
To compare apples with apples, we’ll take a look at PUR and Brita’s standard filter to see who comes out on top.
Filter Performance – PUR Takes The Lead
With similar technology contained in each filter, you’d expect a significant overlap in filtering ability.
And you’d be right – both Brita and PUR’s standard filter will dramatically reduce chlorine and heavy metals like mercury and copper from your water supply.
For many people, that will put their minds at rest about contaminants in your drinking water, but it doesn’t cover the full gamut of pollutants out there.
For example, there are many obscure industrial chemicals and pesticides that can be found seeping into our water supply.
Brita are eerily quiet when it comes to these pollutants. It’s not clear if their filter will remove herbicides such as atrazine and industrial chemicals such as BPA from your water supply.
PUR specifically states that a range of these chemicals can be removed with a PUR filter. That added security sure is a load off your mind.
Brita’s upgraded filter – marketed as the “LongLast” is more effective when it comes to removing certain industrial chemicals such as benzene – but PUR offers this with the standard filter.
And if you’re worried about lead in your water, you’ll need to upgrade either standard filter – Brita’s “LongLife” filter and PUR’s Lead Reduction filter can both do the job.
When all is said and done, PUR’s standard filter goes further. For maximum security in your water supply, you need a PUR water filter pitcher in your fridge.
Taste Test – Brita For The Win
The majority of pollutants, from heavy metals to pesticides, have no impact on how your water tastes – they’re sleeper agents hiding in your water supply.
That’s why you need a filter that you can trust.
But one of the upshots of drinking filtered water is that it’s crystal clear and refreshingly pure – a good filter shouldn’t just remove dangerous and harmful contaminants from your water, it should elevate your typical tap water into a flavorful refreshment!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you found yourself craving a cool glass of purified water, rather than just drinking it for the sake of utilitarian hydration?
Thanks to the mesh layers in these filters, both Brita and PUR are removing anything that could impart a chemical aftertaste on your tap water.
Objectively, these filters remove the tiny particles that leave an unpleasant taste in your water.
On a subjective level, however, users of both the Brita and the PUR water filter pitcher have reported enjoying Brita’s output more – it beats PUR on flavor, and tastes exceptionally pure.
There’s purified water and then there’s a pure water experience. For the latter, Brita stands out in testing.
Cost & Filter Durability – Save With PUR
Both of these water filter pitchers are affordable and you can pick one up without breaking the bank. In fact, across many stores, these products will be identically priced.
But don’t be fooled by these low prices – each pitcher comes with just one filter, meaning you’ve got a limited lifespan before you’re pulling your wallet out again.
When it comes to cost, you need to look at how long these filters will last, and what it costs to keep the filtered water flowing.
Fortunately, it’s an easy comparison. Each brand recommends changing the filter after it has purified around 40 gallons of water.
But if you’re a slow drinker, you should change the filter after two months, regardless of how much water has gone through your filter.
Filters come cheap for both brands – and you can even buy off-brand versions for a further discount.
Another way to save is by buying in bulk. Brita offers three-packs of filters at a slightly reduced rate, but PUR lets you stock up with ten-packs – you can save almost 50% on filter costs by investing now.
With either brand, filters are competitively priced and won’t break the bank. But you can save further with PUR thanks to their amazing multi-buy deals.
Why Choose PUR CR1100CV
PUR makes bold claims about exceptional filtering ability.
They offer you more security about what is and, more importantly, what isn’t in your water.
Whilst Brita hit the most common contaminants, when it comes to herbicides, pesticides and industrial chemicals, PUR’s MAXION Filtering Technology goes the distance.
And with water supply crises making the news all across America, you don't want to take your chances.
From ergonomic design to an electronic filter lifespan indicator, it seems like PUR has thought of everything.
The only thing they haven’t included is the kitchen sink!
There’s one drawback with a PUR pitcher, and it’s a matter of taste. But can you really relax and enjoy a cool glass of water if you aren’t confidently secure it’s free from hidden contaminants?
Although PUR’s water might not win the taste test, it’s still a great product. And complete water supply security is refreshing in itself, after all.
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Why Choose Brita Standard Everyday
Brita are one of the leading brands in water filter systems and their 4 stage filter, with dual mesh layers, provides a solid filtering system.
It removes the majority of high-profile contaminants. The only place it falls down is with obscure chemicals. If these aren’t on your radar there may be nothing to worry about.
What’s more, in taste tests Brita comes up trumps. Thanks to its dual mesh technology it strips more dissolved solids out of the water, leaving a super refreshing and pure-tasting beverage.
If you’re looking for a tap water connoisseur, Brita’s flavor is unparalleled. Ask the kids – does it beat Coca-Cola?
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Final Words…
PUR offers unparalleled purity when it comes to water filtering, but Brita’s water filter pitcher excels in taste tests.
This offers something of a paradox for the discerning buyer – do you want the purest water or the purest tasting water? This paradox reveals the complexity of searching for the ultimate water experience. There are so many flavorless contaminants that can cause you harm, and many harmless contaminants that can impact flavor.
Fortunately, nobody’s saying PUR’s purified water tastes bad. It just doesn’t hit the highest peaks of purity. For complete security in your water supply, a PUR water filter pitcher could be the way to go.
