Review: Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher (OB55)
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 22, 2023
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At first glance the Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher is just another pitcher-style water filter featuring activated carbon filter media – but there’s more here than meets the eye.
With Brita’s Filter-As-You-Pour technology, this pitcher system allows you to start pouring water as soon as you fill the pitcher with water from your tap. Add to that an attractive price point, low maintenance costs, and an electronic filter replacement indicator, and this filter becomes an attractive option, or doesn’t it? Let’s find out!
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Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon |
| Filter Life: | 40 Gallons |
| Total Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$60 |
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Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘ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 Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: Rapids (OB55)
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$60
- Filter Media/Process: Activated Carbon
- Filtering Capacity: 40 gal or 2 Months
- Storage Volume: 10 Cups
- WxHxD: 5.43”x16.38”x11.02”
- Weight: 1.06 lb.
- Water Temperature: 32-85 °F
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53
- Warranty: 90 Days
Brita Rapids Stream – Key Features
The Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher is designed to alleviate one of the more frustrating aspects of pitcher-style filters: Waiting for the water to filter.
It features Brita’s patented Filter-As-You-Pour technology, allowing you to pour water instantly as soon as you fill up the pitcher. The secret to this is the specialized filter cartridges using nothing but activated carbon to remove contaminants (chlorine taste and odor, particulates, and few organic chemicals) as you pour.
The pitcher has a standard 10-cup capacity and also features an electronic filter indicator to let you know when it’s time to change filter cartridges.
An easy-fill lid makes refilling easy and mess-free. Brita offers the filter in three colors: carbon gray, island green, and lake blue.
A 30-day satisfaction guarantee allows you to return the system for a full refund for any reason.
Warranty: 90 days.
Brita Stream Pitcher Pros
Easily the biggest advantage of this water filter is its ease of use due to the near-instant filtration speed. If you’ve ever used other pitcher-style filters to clean water in your home, you know how frustrating it can be to wait around for the filter to do its thing before using your water.
The filter price point is another attractive benefit – plus the cost of cartridge replacement comes to just $60 annually or so.
Also worth mentioning are the NSF certifications for standards 42 and 53. They back the manufacturer’s claims for contaminant removal.
The entire system also features BPA-free construction.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
As the Brita Rapids Stream only features basic activated carbon filtration, it will only remove chlorine taste and odor (94%), particulates (Class IV, 99.8%), and certain volatile organic compounds including Trichlorobenzene (96.4%).
This should be expected with a pitcher of this type, as the design prioritizes filtration speed over contaminant removal.
The Brita Rapids Stream – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
No pre-soaking is required for the filter cartridges. That said, they do need to be flushed before use. The pitcher also requires washing before use which is pretty standard for water filter pitchers.
To assemble your Brita Stream 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 your hands thoroughly.
- Next, open the filter cartridge bag and set it aside.
- Now, flush the filter cartridge under cold water for 15 seconds and place it to the side.
- Separate the lid from the pitcher by depressing the release button towards the back of the pitcher. Twist the lid to separate it from the filter cage.
- Hand wash the pitcher, lid, lid seals, as well as the filter cage with warm soapy water. Don’t use a dishwasher or coarse cleaner for this step. Repeat this process occasionally during normal use.
- Now, place the cartridge inside the cage with the blue ring positioned upward. Push down until the filter makes a clicking noise. Then, attach the cage to the lid by twisting it until it clicks. Place the lid over the pitcher and push down until it too clicks into place.
- To open the refill lid push down on the button. Fill the reservoir with cold water from the tap. Make sure to toss the first pitcher of water. This water can be used for cleaning or watering plants.
- Consult the manual for instructions on activating the electronic filter indicator.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- Brita Rapids Stream Pitcher
- Lid
- Filter Cartridge
Maintenance
Like other pitcher systems, the Brita Rapids Stream requires very little in terms of maintenance. The only major task required is replacing the filter cartridge after 40 gallons (or every 2 months) as well as occasional cleaning. As mentioned before, yearly filter replacement cost are quite affordable at around $60.
Additionally, the electronic indicator will let you know when it’s time to change filters by blinking yellow and then red. This indicator needs to be reset every time you change filters.
- Normally the electronic indicator will blink green when the filter cartridge is healthy.
- A yellow LED will flash once you have reached 25% of the remaining filter life (approx. 480 pours).
- A red LED will flash once you’ve reached 0% of the remaining filter life (approx. 640 pours).
To replace the filter cartridge follow the steps outlined above under ‘Assembly and Filter Priming’.
To reset the electronic indicator follow these steps:
- To reset the indicator, push down on the button with ‘STATUS’ on it for 8 seconds. All three colors will blink at once. When the light only shows green, release the button.
- Open the lid and fill the pitcher all the way up with tap water. Shut the lid.
- To check the status of your filter cartridge depress the ‘STATUS’ button for one second. Depending on the remaining filter life the LED with either blink red, yellow, or green.
- Every time you pour water from the pitcher, the LED will also flash red, yellow, or green.
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find the official manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
The pitcher is tested and certified according to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of ‘aesthetic effects’ in drinking water. This standard relates to the reduction of chlorine, foul taste and odor, as well as particulates.
The system is also tested and certified according to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the reduction of contaminants with ‘health effects’ in drinking water. In this case, this refers to the reduction of 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, a volatile organic compound.
Earlier Product Versions
To our knowledge, the Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher (OB55) has no earlier product versions.
Brita Stream Filter Cons
When it comes to downsides, the primary issue with this pitcher is its lack of thorough filtration. The design prioritizes speed over effectiveness, and as a result, it is only tested to remove three common contaminants.
Removing these three contaminants – chlorine and particulates in particular – will go a long way to enhance the taste of your water, but won’t do much if you are dealing with more serious contaminants.
Additionally, the pitcher only features a 90-day manufacturing warranty, which is on the short side.
When it comes to customer reviews, while the overwhelming majority were positive, there were a few issues that popped up repeatedly:
First, several users had issues with the pitcher pouring much slower than advertised. This may be related to not flushing the cartridge before use or not tilting the pitcher sufficiently while pouring. Second, some users had issues with the pitcher leaking after several months of use. This may be related to an out-of-position silicone seal, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless.
Brita Rapids Stream Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Overall, the Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher makes a good option if affordability and filtration speed are your top priorities. It will improve the taste and aesthetics of your typical treated municipal water, but that’s about it.
Alternatively, if you’re dealing with any contaminants other than the ones listed above, the system will fall short. Additionally, if your water is supplied by a well, this system is not likely to do much in terms of filtration and we recommend you go with something else.
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: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
Let’s take a look at how the Brita Stream water filter pitcher stacks up against some of the top pitcher filters on the market today – the Clearly Filtered and the 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: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Brita Rapids |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon |
| Filter Capacity: | 40 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$60 |
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Overall Rating: 3.5/5.0 ⓘ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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First, the Clearly Filtered Pitcher is a premium model with thorough third-party NSF testing against more than 350 contaminants including fluoride, chlorine, chloramine, lead, arsenic, PFAS, chromium-6, pesticides, trace pharmaceuticals, VOCs, semi-volatile compounds, and DBPs. It features NSF testing for Standards 42, 53, and 401. All told, the system will remove far more contaminants than the Brita and features some of the most thorough testing of any pitcher filter. Additionally, the Clearly Filtered has a 100-gallon capacity, more than double that of the Brita.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher uses a combination of granular activated carbon and proprietary filter media. It has the same 10-cup storage capacity as the Brita filter, features 100% BPA-free + USA construction, and a superior lifetime warranty. On the flip side, it’s more expensive to purchase and maintain than the Brita Stream.
Next, the Epic Pure is another pitcher-style system designed specifically to target the contaminants commonly found in tap water. It uses a blend of activated carbon plus proprietary filter media to remove over 200 substances including fluoride, chlorine, nitrites, chloramine, arsenic, sulfate, lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, pharmaceuticals, VOCs, pesticides, PFOA/PFOS, disinfection byproducts and many more. NSF testing against standards 53, 42, and 401 is also featured.
The system features an impressive 150-gallon filter life (longer than both the Brita and the Clearly) and 14.8-cup total storage capacity. It also has a built-in countdown timer to indicate when it’s time to replace the filter cartridge. Furthermore, Epic offers an excellent recycling program that will send you a brand-new filter cartridge free of cost when you send in four used ones.
The Epic pitcher is also BPA-free with filter cartridges made in the USA, and is backed by a lifetime warranty and hassle-free return policy. Pricing? More budget-friendly than the Clearly Filtered but more expensive than the Brita.
If you compare the two above pitcher systems with the Brita Stream, it’s clear that both the Clearly and the Epic offer far superior filtration, testing, and filter life. On the other hand, both units cost more than the Brita, and neither features the near-instant filtration speed.
Overall, the Brita Stream would only be our first choice in cases where budget and filter speed are the top priorities.
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This completes our review of the Brita Rapids Stream Water Filter Pitcher. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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