Review: PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 10, 2023
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PUR’s 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher may be a bit small for some people’s needs, but others may see the slim design as an advantage.
That aside, is the pitcher an adequate choice in terms of water filtration? Let’s see!
Contents
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PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 40 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 7 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$55 |
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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.
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PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: PPT700W, PPT700P, PPT700L
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$55
- Filter Media/Process: GAC, Ion Exchange
- Filtering Capacity: 40 gal or 2 Months
- Storage Volume: 7 Cups
- WxHxD: 4.5”x10.1”x9.6”
- Water Temperature: 34-82 °F
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53, 401
- Warranty: 90 Days
PUR 7-Cup – Key Features
The PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher comes with a sleek, slim design that can easily fit into your fridge – although, unfortunately, this also means that it doesn’t have a very large storage capacity.
Using the standard PUR Pitcher Filter cartridge (not the more effective PUR PLUS which is also compatible), filtration relies on a two-stage process:
- Granular activated carbon, which addresses bad tastes and odors, free chlorine, and mostly organic chemicals such as benzene and trace pharmaceuticals.
- Ion exchange resin, which can primarily remove or reduce dissolved heavy metals including mercury, copper, and cadmium among some other harmful substances.
Filter life is 40 gallons or 2 months.
You also get NSF certifications for 3 different NSF standards: 42, 53, and 401. They were done by two separate organizations each (NSF and WQA).
You can buy the pitcher in three color patterns – “Blue”, “Blush”, and “Lime”. The pitcher can be washed in your dishwasher, without the filter, of course.
PUR 7-Cup Pitcher Pros
- Very low price compared to other water filter pitchers. This also goes for replacement filters.
- Sleek design that can easily fit into your fridge or on a cluttered countertop.
- Independent testing by NSF and WQA.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The contaminant coverage of the PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher is okay but nothing mind-blowing to be honest. As mentioned before, its capabilities have been thoroughly tested by not just one organization but two. Here are the contaminant reduction rates:
- Chlorine: 97.5%
- Particulates (Class IV): 99.6%
- Zinc: 63.3%
- Benzene: 86.4%
- Cadmium: 86.7-90.2%
- Copper: 85.7-90.1%
- Mercury: 88.8-96.5%
- Linuron: 94.5%
- Trimethoprim: 94.3%
The PUR 7-Cup – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
Before using your PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher for the first time, you need to follow these quick and easy steps to prepare it:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Lift tab to unlock the lid, and lift it.
- Remove the filter light from the underside of the lid.
- Wash the pitcher’s body thoroughly with warm water and soap.
- Rinse the filter under cold water for at least 15 seconds.
- Install filter into the pitcher, and twist to lock it into place.
- Hold down the “Reset” button for 10 seconds until it starts blinking green.
- Fill the pitcher with water, and you’re ready to use it!
The Package (Parts)
- PUR 7-Cup
- Pitcher lid
- PUR filter cartridge
Maintenance
The only maintenance you need to do on the PUR 7-Cup is replacing the filter cartridge and washing the body whenever you do that. One filter can last for about 40 gallons of water, which should last the average household for about two months.
Replacements come down to around $55 per year, which is one of the cheapest options we’ve seen on the market so far.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The PUR 7-Cup water pitcher carries NSF certifications 42, 53, and 401, and all three have been tested separately by the NSF and the WQA. This is pretty unique on the market and inspires significant confidence in the manufacturer’s claims by itself. Here is what you need to know about the certifications:
- 42 – NSF | WQA – covers aesthetic chlorine, nominal particulate class IV, taste and odor, as well as zinc.
- 53 – NSF | WQA – covers benzene, cadmium, copper, ethylbenzene, mercury, methoxychlor, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylenes.
- 401 – NSF | WQA – covers linuron and trimethoprim.
Earlier Product Versions
There are lots of earlier versions of this product, as PUR is constantly revising its pitcher line. In our opinion, the company is a bit too aggressive in this regard, leading to some confusion on the market. For example, the PUR 7-Cup appears to be a successor or re-release of the PUR Classic Pitcher. The cartridges have gone through some naming changes as well.
Cons
- The specific contaminants tested are not the most important ones, in our opinion. There’s no testing for chromium-6, PFAS, or other critical pollutants.
- Reduction rates for tested contaminants are not as good as those of many competitors.
- Lots of knock-off cartridges on the market means you have to be extra cautious when shopping for replacements.
- Lid may not fit correctly occasionally.
- Filter may start depositing particles in water after not being used for a while.
PUR 7-Cup Review: Our Verdict + Best for
All in all, the PUR 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher is affordable to buy and really affordable to maintain. However, filtration isn’t the most sophisticated based on the contaminants tested and their reduction rates. We prefer PUR’s PLUS filter pitchers but even they aren’t that good.
We wouldn’t recommend the PUR 7-Cup for anything but to improve taste and odor of drinking water. For serious contamination there are more effective water filer pitchers out there.
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
Need an alternative option or two? The Clearly Filtered pitcher and the Epic Pure are two of the best models available on the market in this regard – let’s take a look at what sets them apart and which one you should go with.
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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PUR 7-Cup |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 40 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 7 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$55 |
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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.
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Clearly Filtered is a prominent brand on the market, and it’s associated with premium quality. Their pitcher has been tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401, and can reduce/remove more than 350 contaminants. A lot of work has gone into testing and verifying this pitcher, and we appreciate the company’s openness in this regard. Some of the contaminants removed/reduced include:
- Chlorine
- Chloramine
- DBPs
- Lead
- Chromium-6
- Arsenic
- Pharmaceuticals
- Pesticides
- VOCs
- Semi-volatile compounds
- PFAS
- Fluoride
- Radiologicals
The pitcher utilizes a combined approach in its filtration, using granular activated carbon alongside proprietary filtration media that can target many different water contaminants. You also get more use out of a single cartridge compared to the PUR 7-Cup, as one can last for up to 100 gallons of water or 4 months, and you can store up to 10 cups of filtered water.
Refilling is a piece of cake thanks to the removable lid, and the pitcher is made completely of BPA-free materials in the USA. It comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, both of which are better than PUR’s offer. However, this model also costs more than the PUR 7-Cup.
The Epic Pure is a bit cheaper, if you need something at a more reasonable price, but still costs more than the PUR 7-Cup. It’s a great filter for tap water with fluoride, using a mixture of activated carbon and proprietary filter media that can target more than 200 contaminants overall. The pitcher has been tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401, making it better than the PUR 7-Cup in terms of thoroughness. The contaminants addressed include:
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Nitrate
- Chloramine
- Sulfate
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Hexavalent Chromium
- Lead
- Mercury
- VOCs
- Pharmaceuticals
- Disinfection byproducts
- Pesticides
- PFOA
- PFOS
Each filter cartridge has a longer life than those of Clearly Filtered and PUR, lasting for up to 150 gallons of purified water – and you get a built-in timer to remind you when it’s time for a replacement. If you gather those expired cartridges and send four of them back, you’ll get a brand new one for free too. The pitcher holds 14.8 cups of water in its BPA-free body. It comes with a lifetime warranty and a simplified return policy, better than the PUR. Also, keep in mind that you can get a discount if you fall into one of those categories:
- Military personnel
- First responders
- Medical staff
- Teachers
- Students
- Seniors
- Owners/employees of non-profit organizations
Bottom line: Clearly Filtered has an amazing product in its flagship pitcher, and it’s hands down the best model on the market in terms of filtration strength. The Epic Pure is also not bad, and comes at a lower price too. We only recommend the PUR 7-Cup pitcher to buyers who can’t afford the other two options.
More PUR Reviews:
This completes our review of the PUR 7-Cup 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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