Review: Brita Marella Cool Water Filter Jug (2.4 l)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Dec 4, 2023
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Let’s talk about the Brita Marella Cool Water Filter Jug. It supposedly removes heavy metals like lead, copper, and other water contaminants. It has a total storage volume of 10.1 cups and a filter capacity of 26 gallons (or four weeks). But should you really get behind this filter? Let’s find out!
Contents
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Brita Marella Cool Water Filter Jug |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 26 Gallons |
| Total Storage Volume: | 10.1 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 Marella Cool Water Filter Jug – All Specs
- Model: Marella Cool
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$70-80
- Filter Media/Process: Granular Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin
- Filtering Capacity: 26 gal or 4 Weeks
- Total Storage Volume: 10.1 Cups
- Filtered Water Capacity: 5.9 Cups
- WxHxD: 4.1”x10.2”x10.1”
Brita Marella Cool – Key Features
The Brita Marella Cool Water Filter Jug comes in different colors and filters water using the Maxtra+ filter cartridge with MicroFlow technology. The Maxtra+ reduces contaminants like limescale, chlorine, and other impurities affecting water taste and smell.
The cartridge contains micro carbon pearls and ion exchange pearls. The micro carbon pearls reduce chlorine and organics, mainly improving water taste and odor, while the ion exchange pearls absorb metals including copper and lead, and reduce limescale.
Filter lifespan is four weeks or 26 gallons. The pitcher has an electronic ‘memo’ cartridge replacement reminder and a flip lid for easy filling. Total water storage volume is 10.1 cups or 2.4 liters, and 5.9 cups of filtered water.
Brita offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Brita Marella 2.4 l Pros
A couple of things stand out here.
- First, the pitcher is pretty affordable.
- The filter life indicator tells you when the filters are due for a change, so you never miss a replacement date.
- Then, only BPA-free materials are being used.
- Not to mention, the pitcher comes in different colors, and you’re spoilt for choice.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
We have neither specific contaminant reduction rates nor NSF certifications. In other words, we must rely on Brita’s claims for contaminant reduction:
- Limescale
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Copper
- Organic impurities
By extension, the Brita Marella Cool also removes bad tastes and smells.
As you can see, this is definitely more of a basic water filter pitcher. It won’t remove most of the more harmful and stubborn pollutants.
The Brita Marella Cool – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
The Brita Marella Cool is easy to set up. Follow these steps:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- First, clean the system before first use. Use mild detergent and non-abrasive cleaners. The funnel and jug are dishwasher safe, but the lid and filter life indicator aren’t – you must hand-wash them instead.
- Pour cold water into the jug, immerse the cartridge, and shake gently to remove air bubbles.
- Throw out the water in the jug
- Insert the funnel into the jug and securely place the cartridge within the funnel.
- Refill the jug and discard the first two funnels of water.
- Remove the protective foil from the filter life indicator.
- Press and hold the START button until four bars flash twice on the display.
- Your pitcher is now ready for use.
The Package (Parts)
- Brita Marella Cool jug
- Cartridge exchange indicator
- Lid
- MAXTRA+ water filter
- Funnel
Maintenance
Brita Marella Cool filters last 26 gallons (or four weeks). The indicator will alert you when it’s time to replace. Annual maintenance costs around $70-80 which is more than we would have expected (more on this in a bit).
To replace your old filters, simply take them out and slot in a new one. Then, fill the jug with cold water and discard the first two jugs.
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find the official manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
This product has no NSF certifications.
Earlier Product Versions
The newer Maxtra+ filter element is superior to the regular Maxtra.
Brita Marella Cool Pitcher Cons
We doubt the Brita Marella Cool to be a very powerful water filter pitcher, but we wouldn’t know for sure – there’s not enough information available online. We know of no NSF testing or certifications, and no reduction rates are provided.
What’s more, the 10-cup total storage and around 6-cup filtered water volume aren’t much either.
Our last complain is the $70-80 in annual replacement cost which is more than we would have expected for the filtration capabilities you’re actually getting.
We also sifted through many reviews, and past users complained that the product arrived damaged. There were also complaints of the unit being too hard to clean.
Brita Marella Cool Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The Brita Marella Cool uses the right filter media, but with detailed information on contaminant reduction missing, we can’t exactly vouch for its filtering abilities. Granted, it’s an affordable pitcher upfront, but with critical information missing, we can only recommend this pitcher for improving water taste and odor. If you have serious contaminant problems, we recommend trying other models.
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
Let’s compare the Brita Marella Cool to the Clearly Filtered Pitcher and Epic Pure.
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: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Brita Marella Cool |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 26 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 10.1 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 Pitcher is a top model that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Third-party tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401, it’s a powerhouse that eliminates over 350 water contaminants – far exceeding the Brita Marella’s capacity.
It’s active against contaminants like chlorine, arsenic, pharmaceuticals, DBPs, lead, PFAS, semi-volatile compounds, fluoride, pesticides, and so many others.
It has a filter life of 100 gallons (or approximately four months) and a total storage capacity of around 17 cups with 10 cups of filtered volume – much larger than the Brita. The removable lid adds a touch of convenience to the refilling process.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher is also crafted entirely in the USA, 100% BPA-free, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. On the downside, it’s rather expensive to buy and maintain.
The Epic Pure (fully reviewed over here) is a cost-effective alternative to the Clearly Filtered (but still more expensive than the Brita). It is tailored for tap water and removes over 200 contaminants (confirmed by NSF testing against standards 42, 53, and 401). Contaminants removed include chloramine, pesticides, nitrate, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, arsenic, PFOA, PFOS, sulfate, cadmium, lead, mercury, and disinfection byproducts.
Epic filters have a lifespan of 150 gallons (much longer than Clearly Filtered and Brita). The pitcher comes with a built-in countdown timer that aids timely replacements. Customers of Epic also benefit from Epic’s recycling program – get a free filter every time you send in four used ones!
The Pitcher’s total storage is 14.8 cups. It is 100% BPA-free and made in the USA.
Finally, Epic guarantees a lifetime warranty and hassle-free returns, and they offer exclusive discounts to medical staff, seniors, military personnel, teachers, first responders, students, and owners and employees of non-profit organizations.
Bottom line: The Clearly Filtered Pitcher offers superior filtration. Epic Pure is also a great choice if you’re more budget-conscious. As for the Brita Marella Cool, we can only recommend it if you’re solely after improving your water aesthetics.
More Brita Reviews:
This completes our review of the Brita Marella Cool Water Filter Jug. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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