Brita Longlast+ Filter
Brita Longlast+ earns its spot for delivering extended lifespan and predictable, low-cost replacement intervals that reduce annual cost compared with typical disposable pitcher filters. For buyers focused on upfront affordability and wide availability rather than true washable reuse, it offers a strong balance of performance and economy, though it cannot match the deep contaminant removal or cleanability of reusable options like the Berkey elements.
Six-month lifespan
Cuts lead taste
Six-month lifespan
Cuts lead taste
Review Summary
"Users report long filter life and noticeable taste improvement with reliable chlorine reduction; occasional complaints mention slower flow rates or fit issues in some pitchers."
Wallet-friendly winner
Long-life cartridge rated up to 120 gallons (about 6 months) under typical use
Wallet-friendly winner
Long-life cartridge rated up to 120 gallons (about 6 months) under typical use
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Brita Longlast+ earns its spot for delivering extended lifespan and predictable, low-cost replacement intervals that reduce annual cost compared with typical disposable pitcher filters. For buyers focused on upfront affordability and wide availability rather than true washable reuse, it offers a strong balance of performance and economy, though it cannot match the deep contaminant removal or cleanability of reusable options like the Berkey elements.
Six-month lifespan
Cuts lead taste
Wallet-friendly winner
Long-life cartridge rated up to 120 gallons (about 6 months) under typical use
Reduces chlorine taste & odor, lead and other common household contaminants
Six-month lifespan
Cuts lead taste
Wallet-friendly winner
Long-life cartridge rated up to 120 gallons (about 6 months) under typical use
Reduces chlorine taste & odor, lead and other common household contaminants
ZeroWater 5-Stage Ion Exchange Filter
ZeroWater’s 5-stage ion exchange filter is positioned as the technical choice for near-zero total dissolved solids (TDS), using a multi-stage media stack and often sold with a TDS meter to prove performance. It outperforms many standard pitcher cartridges on dissolved solids and precise ion removal, but its more aggressive media incurs higher per-filter cost and it is a replaceable (not washable) cartridge, making it a different trade-off than long-lived reusable systems.
Five-stage purity
Zero TDS magic
Five-stage purity
Zero TDS magic
Review Summary
"Reviewers praise the 5-stage ion-exchange for bringing TDS near zero and improving clarity, but many note shorter lifespan, faster clogging, and a flatter taste with higher replacement costs."
Coffee tastes brighter
5-stage ion-exchange filtration engineered to remove virtually all total dissolved solids (TDS)
Coffee tastes brighter
5-stage ion-exchange filtration engineered to remove virtually all total dissolved solids (TDS)
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
ZeroWater’s 5-stage ion exchange filter is positioned as the technical choice for near-zero total dissolved solids (TDS), using a multi-stage media stack and often sold with a TDS meter to prove performance. It outperforms many standard pitcher cartridges on dissolved solids and precise ion removal, but its more aggressive media incurs higher per-filter cost and it is a replaceable (not washable) cartridge, making it a different trade-off than long-lived reusable systems.
Five-stage purity
Zero TDS magic
Coffee tastes brighter
5-stage ion-exchange filtration engineered to remove virtually all total dissolved solids (TDS)
Often supplied or paired with a TDS meter so users can verify performance
Five-stage purity
Zero TDS magic
Coffee tastes brighter
5-stage ion-exchange filtration engineered to remove virtually all total dissolved solids (TDS)
Often supplied or paired with a TDS meter so users can verify performance
Aquasana Clean Water Machine Filter
Aquasana’s Clean Water Machine filter is designed for higher flow and household-scale use, with cartridge designs that extend service life and often employ washable pre-filters to cut maintenance frequency. It occupies a middle ground between low-cost disposable pitchers and fully reusable purification elements: lower long-term waste and better throughput than most pitchers, but still relying on periodic cartridge replacement for peak contaminant control.
High contaminant reduction
Fast flow
High contaminant reduction
Fast flow
Review Summary
"Customers generally appreciate the robust filtration and improved taste from the Aquasana Clean Water Machine, though they often cite high replacement costs and occasional flow or assembly issues."
Countertop convenience
Multi-stage filtration that targets chlorine, lead and select pharmaceutical residues
Countertop convenience
Multi-stage filtration that targets chlorine, lead and select pharmaceutical residues
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Aquasana’s Clean Water Machine filter is designed for higher flow and household-scale use, with cartridge designs that extend service life and often employ washable pre-filters to cut maintenance frequency. It occupies a middle ground between low-cost disposable pitchers and fully reusable purification elements: lower long-term waste and better throughput than most pitchers, but still relying on periodic cartridge replacement for peak contaminant control.
High contaminant reduction
Fast flow
Countertop convenience
Multi-stage filtration that targets chlorine, lead and select pharmaceutical residues
Long-life cartridge designed to last up to about 6 months depending on household use
High contaminant reduction
Fast flow
Countertop convenience
Multi-stage filtration that targets chlorine, lead and select pharmaceutical residues
Long-life cartridge designed to last up to about 6 months depending on household use
Berkey Black Purification Elements
Berkey Black purification elements are the market leader for reusable, cleanable cartridges—their carbon/ceramic elements can be scrubbed and restored many times, delivering the lowest long-term cost per gallon and the smallest waste footprint. Although their upfront cost is higher than disposable filters, they outperform others on longevity, cleanability, and broad-spectrum contaminant reduction, making them the clear choice for buyers prioritizing true reusable washable filter cartridges.
Gravity-fed power
Ultra-long life
Gravity-fed power
Ultra-long life
Review Summary
"Owners frequently praise Berkey Black elements for excellent contaminant removal, long life, and improved taste, while some buyers raise concerns about the lack of NSF certification and higher upfront cost."
Off-grid friendly
Washable purification elements that can be cleaned and reused for years with periodic maintenance
Off-grid friendly
Washable purification elements that can be cleaned and reused for years with periodic maintenance
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Berkey Black purification elements are the market leader for reusable, cleanable cartridges—their carbon/ceramic elements can be scrubbed and restored many times, delivering the lowest long-term cost per gallon and the smallest waste footprint. Although their upfront cost is higher than disposable filters, they outperform others on longevity, cleanability, and broad-spectrum contaminant reduction, making them the clear choice for buyers prioritizing true reusable washable filter cartridges.
Gravity-fed power
Ultra-long life
Off-grid friendly
Washable purification elements that can be cleaned and reused for years with periodic maintenance
Designed to reduce bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and many chemical contaminants
Gravity-fed power
Ultra-long life
Off-grid friendly
Washable purification elements that can be cleaned and reused for years with periodic maintenance
Designed to reduce bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and many chemical contaminants
Clearly Filtered Pitcher Replacement Filter
Clearly Filtered replacement filters are engineered to target an unusually broad list of specific contaminants (including many heavy metals and synthetic compounds), giving them a technical advantage when specific contaminant removal is the primary goal. They typically cost more per filter and are not washable, so they make sense for users who need targeted contaminant protection rather than the reusable longevity offered by systems like Berkey.
Maximum removal
Smooth sip
Maximum removal
Smooth sip
Review Summary
"Users report strong contaminant removal and consistent taste improvements with Clearly Filtered pitcher filters, with the main negatives being higher price and sometimes limited availability of replacements."
Premium clarity
Engineered to reduce a wide spectrum of contaminants including PFAS, lead and pesticides
Premium clarity
Engineered to reduce a wide spectrum of contaminants including PFAS, lead and pesticides
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Clearly Filtered replacement filters are engineered to target an unusually broad list of specific contaminants (including many heavy metals and synthetic compounds), giving them a technical advantage when specific contaminant removal is the primary goal. They typically cost more per filter and are not washable, so they make sense for users who need targeted contaminant protection rather than the reusable longevity offered by systems like Berkey.
Maximum removal
Smooth sip
Premium clarity
Engineered to reduce a wide spectrum of contaminants including PFAS, lead and pesticides
Claims extensive contaminant reduction supported by third-party testing for many analytes
Maximum removal
Smooth sip
Premium clarity
Engineered to reduce a wide spectrum of contaminants including PFAS, lead and pesticides
Claims extensive contaminant reduction supported by third-party testing for many analytes