Review: Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi (*New 2024)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024
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The Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi is an easy-to-use model featuring a filter life indicator that tells you when to replace old filters, and two NSF certifications that back its contaminant removal claims.
But, there’re also several cons that you should be aware of.
Let’s analyze what we know and see if the Crofton Water Filter Pitcher makes a good choice for you.
Contents
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Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | Presumably Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 42 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | ? |
| Annual Cost: | ? |
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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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Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi – All Specs
- Model: 45707
- Filter Media/Process: Presumably Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange
- Filtering Capacity: 42 gal
- Water Temperature: 33-85 °F
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53
Crofton Pitcher – Key Features
Most importantly, as much as we’d love to talk about the filter process applied by the Crofton Water Filter Pitcher, the brand sadly does not provide any information. However, based on the list of contaminants removed, we assume it uses activated carbon possibly mixed with ion exchange media. In other words, the filter removes basic tap water pollutants, making it suitable for improving water aesthetics.
What’s more, the system has a 42-gallon filter life.
The last thing we know is that there’s a filter life indicator.
Aldi Water Filter Pitcher Pros
The Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi uses a filter life indicator to save you stress of tracking filter replacements. This indicator lets you know when to replace the filter, so you don’t have to track dates manually.
Another pro here is that, according to Aldi, the system is NSF-certified confirming its performance.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Crofton/Aldi Water Filter Pitcher removes chlorine, copper, and cadmium. It has the following reduction rates:
- Chlorine: 98%
- Copper: 85.6-90.8%
- Cadmium: 95.8-97.4%
Assembly and Filter Priming
The pitcher filter is easy to assemble and prime; it takes only minutes. Here’s how:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Pull the filter up on both sides to remove the lid.
- Remove the filter from the reservoir.
- Use a soft cloth and dish soap to wash the pitcher, reservoir, and lid. Then, rinse and air-dry them.
- Return the reservoir to the jug.
- Leave the filter cartridge in cold water for ten minutes.
- Rinse the filter under tap water for ten seconds.
- Fix the filter firmly into the reservoir.
- Fill the pitcher with water.
- Dispose of the first two water batches.
- Press the “start” button on the filter life indicator until the display flashes “70”.
- Press the button one more time to start the counter from 1.
The Package (Parts)
- Pitcher
- Lid
- Filter Cartridge
- Reservoir
Maintenance
The Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi is easy to maintain. You only need to replace filters when due (you have an indicator to alert you) and clean the system when you find dirt or deposits.
That said, the system’s replacement filters are not available online. It seems you can only find them at local Aldi stores, which may be inconvenient for some. Also, we don’t know the exact maintenance cost, although it’s likely cheap since it’s an Aldi product.
In any case, here’s how you replace the filter:
- Take the old filter out of the reservoir
- Dip the replacement filter cartridge in cold water for ten minutes.
- Rinse the new filter under tap water for ten seconds.
- Fix it firmly to the reservoir.
- Add water to the pitcher.
- Dispose of the first two water batches.
- Press down the start button till the display flashes “70”.
- Press the button one more time to restart the counter from 1.
Manual
Sorry, we couldn’t find a manual online.
NSF and Other Certifications
The Crofton filter pitcher is certified by the WQA against NSF standards 42 and 53.
Earlier Product Versions
As far as we know, this product has no earlier versions.
Crofton Filtration Pitcher Cons
One big problem with the Crofton is the lack of information about it online.
Also, we couldn’t find the pitcher nor replacement filters online. It seems both are only sold at local Aldi stores or they’re no longer produced.
You could use Brita and PUR replacement filters – they fit – but it’s still unsafe to use a filter without clarity about where to get replacements. Plus, we found complaints that PUR pitchers didn’t fit well but leaked instead.
In addition, this system only has NSF certifications covering copper, cadmium, and chlorine — very basic contaminants. Talk of common but dangerous contaminants like lead and PFAS, and this filter becomes powerless. That’s not good enough. And we couldn’t even find the NSF certifications online.
We also don’t know how much this filter’s maintenance will cost in the long term. It’s likely cheap since it’s an Aldi product, but we don’t know for sure.
Crofton Pitcher Review: Our Verdict + Best for
In our opinion, the Crofton Water Filter Pitcher by Aldi provides very basic water filtration only, so we’d only recommend it for improving tap water taste and odor. If you need to remove serious and potentially harmful contaminants, you’re better off with some other water filter. We’re also unsure if the brand still produces replacement filters. In short, it’s not the best buy.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: X.X/5.0
- Annual Cost: X.X/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
Let’s see how the Crofton filtration pitcher stacks against the Clearly Filtered and Epic.
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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Crofton |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | Presumably Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 42 gal |
| Storage Volume: | ? |
| Annually: | ? |
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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 (read a detailed review here) is a high-end model with third-party testing against several NSF standards (42, 53, and 401). It has been proven to reduce well over 300 contaminants — the most intricate testing we’ve ever seen with a pitcher, with good results! The Crofton Pitcher pales in comparison.
Clearly Filtered uses granular activated carbon and other proprietary media to remove various water pollutants like chlorine, pesticides, VOCs chromium-6, chloramine, pharmaceuticals, PFAS, arsenic, fluoride, lead, DBPs, semi-volatile compounds, and radiologicals.
It has a filter life of 100 gallons (or four months), more than double Crofton’s filter life. It stores a total of 17 cups and 10 cups of filtered water. This system is 100% BPA-free and USA-built, with a limited lifetime warranty and a 30-day guarantee. The lid is also removable, making it super easy to refill. The only disadvantage is that it is pricey and costs more to maintain.
The second system is the Epic Pure/Nano Pitcher, a less pricey yet powerful pitcher. It can use two interchangeable filter cartridges: the Epic Pure (read a detailed review here) for fluoridated tap water and the Epic Nano (read a detailed review here) for well water that may contain bacteria, viruses, and cysts. You can switch the cartridges later on if you like.
Epic pitchers reduce over 200 water contaminants. They are NSF-tested against standards 42, 53, 401, and for the Nano, P231 for microbes. Some of the pollutants reduced are fluoride, lead, pharmaceuticals, chlorine, mercury, pesticides, chloramine, cadmium, sulfate, hexavalent chromium, VOCs, arsenic, nitrate, disinfection byproducts, PFOA, and PFOS.
Filter life is longer than with the Crofton and Clearly Filtered — a whooping 150-gallons! And you can store up to 14.8 cups of water. We also have other impressive features like a filter life countdown timer, a lifetime warranty, an easy return policy, and US-based filter manufacturing.
Additionally, Epic offers many discount opportunities. You pay less if you’re a military worker, emergency responder, medical staff, student, senior, teacher, or owner (or worker) of a non-profit organization. You also get a free replacement filter through Epic’s recycling program when you collect four used filters and mail them back.
Our verdict? The Clearly Filtered Pitcher and Epic Pitcher are both excellent. We favor Clearly Filtered, while Epic comes in second place. The Crofton Pitcher is not as effective. We recommend it only for improving water taste and odor.
More Reviews:
This completes our review of the Crofton 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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