Review: LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher (7-Cup & 10-Cup)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Oct 20, 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 LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher enjoys a lot of popularity on the market.
Let’s find out what all the hype is about, and whether the marketing behind this water filter pitcher reflects its true quality.
Contents
show
LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Microfiltration, Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 40 to 264 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 7 to 10 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$90-150 |
|
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.
|
|
LifeStraw 7-Cup and 10-Cup Home Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: Home 7-Cup, Home 10-Cup
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$90-150
- Filter Media/Process: Microfiltration Membrane, Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange
- Filtering Capacity: 40-264 gal
- Storage Volume: 7-10 Cups
- WxHxD: 5.8-6.3”x11.25-12.6”x5.8-6.3”
- Weight: 1.4-1.8 lb.
- NSF Testing/Certification: 42, 53, 401, P231, P473
- Warranty: 60 Days to 3 Years
LifeStraw Home Pitcher – Key Features
You can buy the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher in two sizes, 7 and 10 cups. You can additionally customize your purchase by picking a color from seven different options. The company also sells an optional silicone base which can help provide more stability.
The pitcher relies on a two-stage filtration process:
- A membrane microfilter with 0.2-micron pores, which are small enough to capture 99.999999% of bacteria, including E. Coli, as well as 99.999% of parasites like cysts, and 99.999% of microplastics, asbestos, dirt, sand, and other debris.
- The second stage uses a combination of activated carbon and an ion exchange resin, which reduces lead, mercury, PFOA and PFOS, cadmium, chlorine, and few other contaminants, as well as improves the taste and smell of water as a whole. This stage is also effective at getting rid of pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Needless to say, the LifeStraw Home was primarily designed for elimination of waterborne pathogens, and it does so very effectively.
The membrane microfilter lasts 264 gallons or 1 year, the activated carbon + ion exchange filter 40 gallons or 2 months. Annual cost? We estimate around $90-150.
There is a 3-year limited warranty on the pitcher and 60 days on the carbon filters.
Last but not least, the company behind this pitcher, LifeStraw, is very transparent towards its customers. You can find lots of detailed documentation regarding contamination reduction rates in a dossier uploaded to the company’s official website. The dossier is basically a collection of lab reports.
Also, with your purchase you contribute to a program for providing water to children in need. You can even take things one step further and buy a tote bag which results in an even larger donation.
LifeStraw Pitcher Pros
Most importantly, we have lots of testing and even some certification against NSF standards for guaranteed filter performance. In other words, contaminant reduction rates have been verified in a lab.
What’s more, LifeStraw Home water pitchers are very easy to set up and use.
We have an intuitive lid design for easy refilling.
The filter housing can be removed for simplified cleaning.
And there is no BPA used in construction.
Plus, the filtration process retains essential minerals like magnesium and potassium that are good for your health.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
As mentioned before, LifeStraw provides all lab test reports with contaminant reduction rates in a dossier. Here is a summary.
The LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher meets NSF standard 42 for the reduction of 97% chlorine.
It also meets NSF standard 53 for the reduction of:
- 96.1% Atrazine
- 95% Lindane
- 99.94% Glyphosate
- PFOA + PFOS
- 98.9% Lead
- 83.3% Mercury
- 99.7% Cadmium
- And more
It further meets NSF standard 401 for emerging chemical contaminants:
- 94.27% Atenolol
- 98.29% Carbamazepine
- 96.41% DEET
- 99.29% Metolachlor
- 93.93% Ibuprofen
- 91.1% BPA
- 88.85% Naproxen
It meets US EPA & NSF drinking water standard P231 for the removal of bacteria and parasites. The following bacteria are removed to 99.999999%:
- Brucella melitensis
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Francisella tularensis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Shigella
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Vibrio cholerae (Cholera)
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus
- Yersinia enterocolitica
- Yersinia pestis
- Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Legionella pneumophila
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Burkholderia pseudomallei
- Salmonella enterica
- Salmonella typhi (Typhoid)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Streptococcus pyogenes
- Leptospira
99.999% of these parasites are removed:
- Ascaris lumbricoides
- Cryptosporidium spp.
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Giardia intestinalis
- Naegleria gruberi
- Schistosoma mansoni
- Taenia saginata
And finally, the LifeStraw Home is tested for 99.999% removal of asbestos and microplastics.
Please note that not all of these reduction rates are NSF-certified, just some. But all the testing was conducted to NSF Standards.
Overall, this is not the perfect filter for removing contaminants like heavy metals or organic chemicals. But when it comes to microorganisms, the LifeStraw Home is hands down one of the best products on the market we’ve tested so far.
The LifeStraw Home Pitcher – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
Preparing the LifeStraw pitcher is pretty easy and we noticed that the company has put some thought into streamlining the process.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Remove filter housing and rinse it thoroughly.
- Wash the pitcher.
- Take the cap off the filter housing and install the activated carbon + ion exchange filter.
- Place the housing back into the pitcher, paying attention to the alignment of the spouts.
- Fill the pitcher completely, wait for the water to filter through, then discard it.
- You’re done!
There’s one extra step involved compared to most other pitchers, since this one uses a two-stage filter, but in our opinion, this doesn’t negatively impact the overall convenience of the unit.
Video
The Package (Parts)
- Pitcher
- Easy fill lid
- Filter housing
- Filter housing cap
- Membrane microfilter
- Activated carbon + ion exchange filter
- User manual
Maintenance
Maintaining the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher comes down to two points: replacing the two filter cartridges according to their schedules, and occasionally cleaning the jug.
Filter replacement costs amount to around $90-150 per year, which is a bit pricy compared to other models on the market. You can also subscribe to a filter replacement subscription service, which will send you a new carbon filter every 60 days. This is about in line with the replacement schedule of that filter, which is 2 months or 40 gallons. Meanwhile, the microfilter needs to be replaced every 264 gallons or roughly once per year.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind about those processes.
Replacing the Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Filter
- Take the filter housing out of the pitcher.
- Remove the current filter from the end of the cap.
- Install the new filter.
- Place the cap back on the filter housing.
- Reinstall the filter housing in the pitcher – pay attention to the spouts and make sure they align.
- Fill the pitcher with water completely, and let it filter.
- Discard the first batch of filtered water.
Replacing the Membrane Microfilter
- Take the filter housing out of the pitcher.
- Remove the carbon filter from the end of the cap.
- Take off the lid and push the old membrane microfilter out of the housing.
- Install new membrane microfilter.
- Put the carbon filter back on.
- Reassemble the whole housing body.
- Reinstall the filter housing in the pitcher – pay attention to the spouts and make sure they align.
- Fill the pitcher with water completely, and let it filter.
- Discard the first batch of filtered water.
Cleaning Your Pitcher
- Take the filter housing out of the pitcher.
- Clean the pitcher with warm, soapy water, scrubbing thoroughly.
- Clean the filter housing – don’t use soap in your water.
- Let all parts dry.
- Reassemble the pitcher.
- Fill the pitcher completely, let the water filter through, and discard that batch.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The LifeStraw Home pitcher comes with lots of NSF testing, meaning testing against many different water contaminants, but only few official NSF certifications. The certifications are:
- NSF 42, which concerns reduction of chlorine, improvement of taste and odor, as well as nominal particulate reduction.
- NSF 53, for reduction of lead, mercury, as well as nominal particulate.
- NSF 401, which specifically concerns microplastics reduction.
Earlier Product Versions
This is the first entry in this product line – and so far the only one too, unless you also count the glass version.
LifeStraw Water Pitcher Cons
Based on user complaints, the most common issues are:
- Plastic may start cracking after only a couple of months of use.
- Leaks from unexpected spots.
- Possibly very slow filtration compared to other pitchers – that’s due to the 0.2-micron membrane. Also, 7 cups is really not a lot and can be a bit annoying to use because you have to keep refilling. That’s a bad combination. So it’s probably better to go with the 10 cup version.
Plus, the pitcher is relatively expensive in terms of filter replacements and does not remove viruses. Heavy metals, organic chemicals, and other water contaminants (all except bacteria and cyst) are removed but not as effectively as we would have liked. There are better pitcher filters out there in that regard.
LifeStraw Home Pitcher Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The LifeStraw Home 7-Cup and LifeStraw Home 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher really excel at removing bacteria and certain other parasites. Pricing is okay. However, there are more effective options for removing heavy metals, organics, and so on. So whether or not to buy the LifeStraw Home should mainly depend on your use case. If you need a filter for water that may potentially be unsafe due to microorganisms, the LifeStraw Home can be great.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 4.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.5/5.0
- Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
What are some good alternative to the LifeStraw Home water filter pitchers? The Clearly Filtered and the Epic Nano are among the most popular choices on the market right now. They both have their advantages and disadvantages – both compared to each other, as well as against the LifeStraw.
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 Nano |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange, Submicron Filtration |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 20% Off! Use Code: |
|
|
LifeStraw Home |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Microfiltration, Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 40-264 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 7-10 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$90-150 |
|
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.
|
|
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher (full review) has the same set of NSF standards – 42, 53, 401 – and it’s been thoroughly tested against a list of over 350 contaminants. Even though it doesn’t deal with microorganisms as well as the LifeStraw Home does, it’s a much better choice when it comes to other contaminants like chlorine, chloramine, lead, chromium-6, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, fluoride, and others.
You can also expect a longer lifespan out of the Clearly Filtered, with each filter cartridge lasting for up to 100 gallons or 4 months. The pitcher has a larger capacity than the LifeStraw Home as well, with 17 cups total water storage volume.
In general, the only shortcoming of the Clearly Filtered Pitcher is the price – Clearly Filtered is a premium brand and you will have to pay a bit more for its products, which by the way are made in USA and backed by a limited lifetime warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
The Epic Nano (detailed review) is a good option that sits somewhere between the Clearly Filtered Pitcher and the LifeStraw Home in terms of price, and it’s also good at removing microorganisms from water. Unlike LifeStraw Home, Epic Nano can also deal with at least one virus (MS2 Phage) on top of other types of microorganisms. In addition, the Epic Nano can deal with more than 200 water contaminants including chlorine, chloramine, fluoride, arsenic, chromium 6, lead, VOCs, trace pharmaceuticals, and PFAS. It has NSF standard (42, 53, 401, P231) testing. In general though, this pitcher doesn’t really measure up to the LifeStraw Home in terms of removing bacteria and pathogens.
The Epic Nano is a great pitcher in terms of filter life, lasting for up to 150 gallons, which is even more than what Clearly Filtered has to offer. You even get an integrated countdown timer which alerts you when it’s time to replace your filter. And on that note, you can send four expired filters to the company and receive a brand new one for free!
Epic is also known for offering special discounts for various social groups, including military personnel, first responders, medical staff, teachers, students, seniors, as well as people involved with non-profit organizations.
On top of that, Epic filters are Made in USA and backed by lifetime warranty and a hassle-free return policy.
Bottom line: It depends on what you need. If you need microorganisms removed from your water, by all means, go with the LifeStraw. But if not, we definitely favor the Clearly Filtered.
More Reviews:
More LifeStraw Reviews:
This completes our review of the LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher. 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.