Review: Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Dec 4, 2023
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The Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher is a 10-cup capacity pitcher that filters water using the Maxtra+ filter cartridge. It has a 26-gallon filter life and comes affordably priced. Sounds good? Could this pitcher serve your needs? Find out in this review!
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Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 26 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$70-80 |
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Overall Rating: 3.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: Elemaris XL
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$70-80
- Filter Media/Process: Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin
- Filtering Capacity: 26 gal or 4 Weeks
- Total Storage Volume: 14.8 Cups
- Filtered Water Capacity: 10 Cups
- WxHxD: 5.28”x10.08”x10.16”
- Weight: 2.38 lb.
Brita Elemaris XL – Key Features
The Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher comes in two colors: black and white. It holds 10 cups of filtered water and is dishwasher safe (except for the lid). It has an electronic filter life indicator and operates with the Maxtra+ filter cartridge.
The Maxtra+ filter cartridge has three stages, and here’s how it works:
- Stage 1: The first stage is a fine mesh that removes large particles.
- Stage 2: The second stage consists of micro carbon pearls that reduce chlorine and organic impurities that affect water taste and odor.
- Stage 3: This contains ion exchange pearls that protect household appliances by reducing limescale and metals like lead and copper.
Filter life is 26 gallons (or one month).We estimate $70-80 in annual replacement cost.
Brita Elemaris XL Pitcher Pros
First of all, the Brita Elemaris XL is quite affordable. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee takes the anxiety off the purchase (you can always return it for a full refund if you’re not happy with it).
Its 10-cup capacity isn’t the most we’ve seen, but it’s not bad either – definitely enough for family use.
What’s more, the Brita Elemaris XL was built with ease in mind. It has a pour-through lid that enables easy refills, a non-slip base, and an easy grip handle.
Its electronic filter life indicator alerts you when it’s time to change the filters, and we love that.
And last but certainly not least, the pitcher uses the right types of filter media: Activated carbon and ion exchange resin. This potentially enables it to make your tap water much safer to drink with improved taste and odor (more on this below).
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Brita Elemaris XL can reduce chlorine and organic contaminants that affect water taste and odor. It also targets limescale and metals like copper and lead, we just don’t know to what percentage.
The Brita Elemaris XL – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
The water filter pitcher is easy to set up, prime, and use. There are no complex procedures required here.
Here’s how to assemble your unit:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- First, remember to clean the unit before using it for the first time (or whenever replacing filter cartridges). Tip: Clean with mild detergent and non-abrasive cleaners. You can clean the funnel and jug in the dishwasher, but DO NOT put the lid and filter life indicator in the dishwasher – hand wash instead.
- Fill the jug with cold water, submerge the cartridge, and gently shake it to remove any excess air.
- Discard the water.
- Place the funnel into the jug and firmly place the cartridge into the funnel.
- Discard the first two funnels of water.
- Take out the protective foil from the filter life indicator.
- Press and hold the “START” button until four bars appear on the display and flash twice.
The Package (Parts)
- Brita Elemaris XL jug
- Lid
- MAXTRA+ water filter
- Funnel
Maintenance
Brita Elemaris XL filters last 26 gallons or one month and cost around $70-80 in annual maintenance. To replace an old filter follow these easy steps:
- Remove the old cartridge from the pitcher.
- Clean the unit.
- Fit the new cartridge in the pitcher.
- Discard the first two funnels of water.
- Your pitcher is ready for use!
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find the official manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
To our knowledge, this product has no NSF certifications.
Earlier Product Versions
Older versions of this product used the regular Maxtra filter cartridge. The new Maxtra+ is much more powerful.
Cons
Unfortunately, there are no NSF certifications for the Brita Elemaris XL, not even independent testing against NSF standards. There are also no contaminant rates provided. And although we have the right filter media, there’s no way to tell if the filtration is powerful or not. Honestly, we assume it’s not. If your water has a lot of contaminants, you’ll need to look beyond this filter.
Another thing we don’t like is the maintenance cost. Annual maintenance costs around $70-80, which isn’t exactly affordable when you consider what you’re getting from this pitcher. Then its 90-day warranty is pretty short. There were also complaints of the plastic being too brittle and parts coming in damaged or breaking easily.
Brita Elemaris XL Review: Our Verdict + Best for
From all indications, the Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher uses the right filter media. However, we wished there was more specific information (especially reduction rates). The pitcher isn’t expensive upfront but to maintain, and with all the vital information missing, we’d say only get this pitcher if you’d like to improve your water taste and odor (to be precise, only get this pitcher if you have very light contamination and want to improve water aesthetics). If you’re after serious water filtration, look elsewhere.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 3.0/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: 5.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 3.0/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
Time for some comparison!
Clearly Filtered |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon + Composite Shell |
| Filter Capacity: | 100 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 17 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$150 |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Epic Pure |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Brita Elemaris XL |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 26 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$70-80 |
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Overall Rating: 3.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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The Clearly Filtered water filter pitcher stands out as a first-class model. Rigorously third-party tested against NSF standards (42, 53, and 401), it excels in removing and reducing over 350 water contaminants. This in-depth testing has raised the bar for other water filter pitchers. The CF Pitcher effectively reduces contaminants like chlorine, chromium-6, chloramine, arsenic, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, DBPs, lead, fluoride, semi-volatile compounds, PFAS, and a whole lot more. It clearly surpasses the Brita Elemaris XL.
Filter life is around four months or 100 gallons, also much more than the Brita offers.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher has a removable lid that simplifies the refilling process. It’s 100% BPA-free and manufactured in the USA. It also has a limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Unfortunately, it’s pretty expensive to buy and maintain.
Our next pitcher, the Epic Pure, is a more budget-friendly model (cheaper than the CF pitcher but more expensive than Brita). It uses a potent blend of activated carbon and proprietary filter media that reduces over 200 contaminants (filters are NSF-tested against standards 42, 53, 401). Again, this pitcher surpasses the Brita Elemaris XL.
Epic has a contaminant removal list that includes pollutants like nitrate, chlorine, fluoride, sulfate, mercury, hexavalent chromium, pharmaceuticals, arsenic, PFOA, cadmium, PFOS, and more. It boasts an impressive 150-gallon filter life – that outlasts both CF and Brita – and it keeps you in the know with a built-in filter countdown timer that ensures timely replacements.
Epic isn’t just in the business of purifying water either. It’s also eco-conscious. Their recycling program lets you trade four used filters for a new replacement filter. With its generous 14.8-cup storage, BPA-free production, and made-in-USA filters, Epic delivers top quality. Epic buyers enjoy a lifetime warranty and a hassle-free return policy. Epic Pure also extends exclusive discounts to first responders, military personnel, students, medical staff, teachers, seniors, and non-profit organizations (owners and employees).
Verdict: The Clearly Filtered holds our top spot. It’s the best in terms of filtration and removes more contaminants than any other pitchers. The Epic Pure is a close second. It’s a great alternative to the Clearly Filtered if you’re on a tighter budget, but make no mistake, it’s also widely powerful. We only recommend the Brita Elemaris XL if you want to improve water aesthetics.
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This completes our review of the Brita Elemaris XL Water Filter Pitcher. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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