Review: Brita Soho Water Filter Pitcher
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 27, 2023
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Are you thinking about getting the Brita Soho Water Filter Pitcher? It’s small, easy on the eyes, and comes in three colors. But before you go on to buy one, check out our review on the Brita Soho pitcher. Our review spills all the necessary details you need to know before making a purchase. So read on to find out if this pitcher is worth your while!
Contents
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Brita Soho Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 40 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 5 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$40-50 |
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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 Soho Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: Soho
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$40-50
- Filter Media/Process: Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange
- Filtering Capacity: 40 gal or 2 Months
- Storage Volume: 5 Cups
- WxHxD: 4.45”x9.37”x9.8”
- Weight: 1.39 lb.
- Water Temperature: 32-85 °F
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53
- Warranty: 90 Days
Brita Soho – Key Features
The Brita Soho Water Filter Pitcher was designed to fit into really small spaces – this is its main feature and the reason why it cannot hold more than 5 cups. And indeed, the pitcher fits in most refrigerator doors and other tight corners.
The pitcher comes in three colors (black, red, and white) and is made with BPA-free materials.
It comes with the Brita Standard filter cartridge which has three filter stages:
- A mesh screen: Catches larger particles floating in the water.
- Coconut-based activated carbon granules: Removes contaminants like mercury (96%) and chlorine taste and odor (95%).
- Ion exchange resin: This absorbs zinc (64%), copper (86-94%), and cadmium (93-96%).
Combined with the Standard filter element, the Brita Soho has earned 2 NSF certifications from both the WQA and the NSF. This pretty much confirms the contaminant reduction claims as listed above.
Side note: You can also use the Brita Soho with the Brita Elite filter which lasts longer and is more powerful compared to the Brita Standard.
Brita Soho Pros
Here is more of what we like:
- First, the Brita Soho pitcher is affordable to purchase and maintain.
- We like that it’s designed to fit into really cramped spaces – this can be a huge plus if you’re pressed for space.
- It also comes in different colorful designs so you can choose what works for your home best.
- It has an easy-fill locking lid, and a filter life indicator that ensures you never miss the next filter replacement date.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The contaminants removed include:
- Mercury (96%)
- Copper (86-94%)
- Chlorine taste and odor (95%)
- Zinc (64%)
- Cadmium (93-96%)
The Brita Soho – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
This pitcher is easy to assemble, wash, and prime. Just follow these steps:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Hand wash the pitcher, reservoir, and lid, and rinse well.
- Then, place the filter element under cold running water for 15 seconds.
- Carefully insert the filter in the reservoir by lining the groove in the filter with the ridge in the reservoir, then press for a tight seal.
- To set the filter life status indicator, hold down the STATUS button for 2 seconds and release it when the green light blinks three times.
- Finally, fill with cold water. Throw out the first three pitchers (or use them on your plants). Note: Carbon dust may appear in your first fillings, and that’s normal.
By the way, to see your filter status, press and release the STATUS button. If the light blinks red, replace your filter and reset the indicator. Do this about every two months (for the average household).
The Package (Parts)
- Brita Pacifica Water Filter Pitcher
- Brita Standard Filter Cartridge
Maintenance
Maintaining this water filter pitcher couldn’t be easier. Plus, its’s affordable at around $40 to $50 a year.
The Brita Standard filter needs to be replaced every 2 months or every 40 gallons. The filter life indicator reminds you when it’s due for replacement, so you can’t miss it.
Here’s how to change the filter:
- Rinse the new cartridge under cold water for 15 seconds.
- Take out the old filter, then fit the new filter into the reservoir by lining the groove in the filter with the ridge in the reservoir. Press down.
- Fill the pitcher with cold water, then discard the first three pitchers of filtered water.
- Reset the filter indicator.
- Your pitcher is ready to use.
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find the official manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
Together with the Brita Standard Cartridge, the Brita Soho is tested and certified by the WQA against NSF/ANSI Standards 42 (for aesthetic chlorine, taste and odor, and zinc) and Standards 53 (for cadmium, mercury, and copper).
There are also the same 2 certifications by the NSF.
Earlier Product Versions
Brita has many different filter pitchers, most of which use the same filter cartridges.
Brita Soho Filter Cons
There are a few downsides to this pitcher. First, its 90-day limited warranty is too short — some brands offer lifetime warranties. Then, despite two NSF certifications, only 5 contaminant reduction rates are provided. Mind you, these are not the most important/harmful water contaminants to look out for either. Also, the reduction rates are not very high (like zinc’s 64%, for instance).
Simply put, there are other water filter pitchers that can handle many more contaminants, and while the Brita Soho might work for improving water’s taste and odor, it won’t do a lot of heavy lifting if your water is highly contaminated. Sure, you can switch to the Brita Elite filter if you want, but even this is not as effective as many of the other pitcher water filters on the market.
We also checked online and there were a few complaints about the top lid being inconvenient and the pitcher arriving already damaged.
Brita Soho Review: Our Verdict + Best for
Here’s what we think: The Brita Soho pitcher is affordably priced, which is great. It has two NSF certifications which is good, too. And it is small enough to be used in cramped spaces. If that’s what you are looking for – awesome!
But we only have 5 contaminant reduction rates, which A) are not for the most important/harmful contaminants, and B) are not very high. All in all, the Brita Soho might work for improving water taste and odor, but you can’t count on it for serious contamination issues. More effective water pitchers have been certified for many more contaminants. These are just a bit larger and can often store around 10 cups of filtered water which might or might not work for you.
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 compare the Brita Soho to the Clearly Filtered Pitcher 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 Soho |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 40 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 5 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$40-50 |
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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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The Clearly Filtered Pitcher (here is the full review) is one of the best in the market. It’s been third-party tested against standards 42, 53, and 401 and can remove more than 350 different water contaminants — it’s much more powerful than the Brita Soho. It removes stuff like fluoride, chlorine, radiologicals, pharmaceuticals, chloramine, PFAS, DBPs, lead, VOCs, chromium-6, pesticides, and arsenic.
The CF pitcher has a total storage volume of 17 cups, and its filtered volume is 10 cups (this is larger than the Brita Soho obviously). Filter lifespan is around 4 months or 100 gallons (longer than Brita Soho).
We also like the removable lid that makes refilling easier. The pitcher is built in the USA with 100% BPA-free material. And there’s the limited lifetime warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
On the flip side, the Clearly Filtered is more expensive to buy and maintain than the Brita Soho.
Next is the Epic Pure (read the full review here) — it’s cheaper than the Clearly Filtered Pitcher but more expensive than the Brita.
The Epic Pure targets over 200 contaminants (it’s also been NSF-tested against Standards 42, 53, and 401) — again more effective than the Brita Soho.
It has a long filter life of 150 gallons, surpassing even the Clearly Filtered. The built-in filter life countdown also alerts you of filter replacement dates. Total storage is 14.8 cups so again much larger than the Brita.
All customers of Epic can benefit from their recycling program, where you send back four used filters in exchange for a new replacement filter. Every Epic purchase is backed by a lifetime warranty and seamless return policy. Epic also has discounts for seniors, students, medical staff, teachers, first responders, military personnel, and owners and employees of non-profit organizations.
Final verdict: The Clearly Filtered Pitcher holds our number one spot. It’s the best in terms of overall filtration. A close second is the Epic Pure, which is a great alternative to the CF pitcher if you’re on a slightly smaller budget. We only recommend the Brita Soho if you’re after a small pitcher or only want something simple and affordable to improve your water aesthetics.
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This completes our review of the Brita Soho 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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