Review: Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug (3.5 l)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 27, 2023
This page may contain affiliate links. If you buy a product or service through such a link we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug purifies water using Maxtra+ filter cartridges (with MicroFlow technology). This tech greatly improves drinking water taste and smell.
But does it also work for removing harmful contaminants? And what are the pros and cons of the Brita Marella XL?
Let’s take a closer look at the pitcher and see the stuff it’s made of. Keep reading to learn all about it!
Contents
show
Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug (3.5 l) |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 26 Gallons |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$70-80 |
|
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.
|
|
Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug – All Specs
- Model: Marella 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: 9.3 Cups
- WxHxD: 5.79”x10.08”x10.16”
- Weight: 2.1 lb.
Brita Marella XL – Key Features
The Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug filters water using Maxtra+ filter cartridges with MicroFlow technology. The Maxtra+ works by reducing contaminants like chlorine, limescale, and other impurities that alter the taste and smell of water. It also tackles certain heavy metals like copper and lead.
How? Maxtra+ filters contain microcarbon pearls that reduce chlorine and organic impurities which also improves water aesthetics, and ion exchange pearls that absorb said metals and reduce limescale.
Other key features: The Brita Marella XL has a filter life of 4 weeks (or 26 gallons) and an annual maintenance cost of $70-80. It has a total storage of around 15 cups – suited for family use – and comes with an electronic memo cartridge replacement reminder that keeps you up-to-date with filter replacements. It’s made with BPA-free materials and comes in different colors.
Brita Marella XL Jug Pros
Here’s what we like: Most importantly, this filter pitcher can provide water that’s healthier to drink. And it makes it easier to achieve your hydration goals by making your drinking water more enjoyable.
There also is a 30-day money-back guarantee on every Brita Marella XL pitcher.
In addition to that, the pitcher has a pour-through lid that encourages easy refills, an easy-grip handle, and a non-slip base – all adding to the ease of use.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug is claimed to remove chlorine, limescale, and basic heavy metals like copper and lead. It also removes unpleasant tastes and smells from water.
The Brita Marella XL – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
Setting up the Brita Marella XL is super easy. Here’s how:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Clean the funnel and jug (dishwasher-safe). Only clean the lid including the filter life indicator with a soft damp cloth. Only clean with mild detergents and non-abrasive agents.
- Next, prepare the Maxtra+ filter. To do this, pour cold water into the clean jug. Dip the MAXTRA+ in the cold water and shake gently to remove air bubbles. Take out the MAXTRA+ water filter and dispose of the used water.
- Securely position the MAXTRA+ filter element in the funnel by pushing it down until it’s firmly in place.
- Fill the jug with water and discard the first two fillings (or use the water on your plants).
- Press and hold the “START” button until the display shows 4 bars that flash twice.
- Your pitcher is now ready for use!
The Package (Parts)
- Brita Marella XL jug
- Cartridge exchange indicator
- Lid
- MAXTRA+ water filter
- Funnel
Maintenance
The filter life indicator in the jug’s lid will notify you when it’s time to replace the MAXTRA+ filter. BRITA suggests changing every 4 weeks or 26 gallons for optimal filtration performance. Don’t worry, it’s simple: Just remove the old cartridge and follow the above instructions to prime and insert a new one.
Annual filter maintenance adds up to $70-80, which is more than we would have expected for a filter like this – more on this below.
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find the official manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
There are no NSF certifications or contaminant reduction rates provided.
Earlier Product Versions
There’s an older Maxtra filter cartridge — the regular Maxtra. According to Brita, the newer Maxtra+ is more powerful in comparison.
Cons
Unfortunately, not a whole lot of information about the Brita Marella XL is provided online. There’s also no mention of NSF testing/certifications or specific contaminant reduction rates. Plus, the water filter pitcher doesn’t seem to be the most powerful. It may be good for removing bad tastes and odors, but for more stubborn and potentially harmful contamination, we would go with another model.
What’s more, we find the annual filter replacement cost of $70-80 a bit high for the filtration power you actually get, and the 90-day warranty is too short.
We also checked user feedback, and there were a few complaints of the product arriving broken or breaking down after a few weeks.
Brita Marella XL Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug uses the right filter media, but there’s not a lot of specific information on it, especially on contamination reduction rates. So, we can only recommend this pitcher for improving the taste and odor of your drinking water. If you’re looking to remove harmful substances, we recommend you try some other pitcher (see below).
Also taking into account the pricing which is okay, we’re going to award 3 stars.
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 XL to two competitors: the Clearly Filtered Pitcher and the Epic Pure Pitcher.
Clearly Filtered |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon + Composite Shell |
| Filter Capacity: | 100 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 17 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$150 |
|
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.
Get 10% Off! Use Code: |
|
Epic Pure |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 20% Off! Use Code: |
|
|
Brita Marella XL |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 26 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$70-80 |
|
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.
|
|
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher is a class of its own (review here). It has the most in-depth testing we’ve ever seen with a water filter pitcher. Third-party tested against several NSF standards (42, 53, 401), the CF has demonstrated its ability to remove/reduce way more than 300 pollutants (like pharmaceuticals, VOCs, chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, DBPs, fluoride, PFAS, chromium-6, lead, and semi-volatile compounds) easily beating the Brita Marella XL.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher also has a longer filter life than the Marella (100 gallons). Its total storage and filtered water volume also surpass the Brita’s (17 and 10 cups).
Plus, the pitcher is built in the USA and designed with a removable lead that eases refilling. It’s also made of 100% BPA-free material and has a limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. The only downside to this pitcher is that it’s more expensive to buy and maintain than the Brita.
The next pitcher on our comparison table is the Epic Pure. It’s a more budget-friendly option than the Clearly Filtered but still pricier than the Brita.
The Epic Pure targets over 200 tap water contaminants using a blend of activated carbon and proprietary filter media. It’s been NSF-tested against standards 42, 53, and 401. This places it above the Brita pitcher removing lead, nitrate, chlorine, mercury, hexavalent chromium, chloramine, arsenic, disinfection byproducts, VOCs, pesticides, sulfate, cadmium, PFOS, PFOA, and a whole lot more.
The Epic Pure has a long 150-gallon filter life exceeding both Clearly Filtered and Brita. It also has a filter countdown timer that tells you when it’s time for your old filters to go.
It has a 14.8 cup total storage, is BPA-free, with filters made in the USA. Epic Pure Pitchers are covered by a lifetime warranty and seamless return policy.
Our verdict: We prefer the Clearly Filtered Pitcher. It’s the best in terms of filtration capabilities. A close second is the Epic Pure, which is great if you’re on a tighter budget. We only recommend the Brita Marella XL if you just want to improve your water’s aesthetics.
More Reviews:
More Brita Reviews:
This completes our review of the Brita Marella XL Water Filter Jug. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.