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Stacy Polk says
February 1, 2023
What’s the difference between the “PUR Ultimate” and the “PUR Plus” pitchers besides price?
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Review: PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Nov 05, 2023
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PUR has been iterating on its previous water filter pitchers, and the PUR PLUS 11-Cup comes with streamlined maintenance and an attractive price tag.
We do have some concerns about the overall filtration quality though, especially compared to other products in the same price range.
Let’s dive in!
Contents
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PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange, Sediment Filtration |
| Filter Life: | 40 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 11 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$65-75 |
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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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PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: PPT110W, PPT110B, PPT110M
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$65-75
- Filter Media/Process: GAC, Ion Exchange, Sediment Filtration
- Filtering Capacity: 40 gal or 2 Months
- Storage Volume: 11 Cups
- WxHxD: 4.9”x10.4”x11.4”
- Weight: 2.68 lb.
- Water Temperature: 34-82 °F
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53, 401
- Warranty: 90 Days
PUR PLUS 11-Cup – Key Features
The PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher is an affordable model with a sleek, streamlined design that simplifies many actions like filling and pouring.
But most importantly, there are three filtration stages:
- Granular activated carbon – for many contaminants like solvents and other industrial chemicals as well as chlorine taste and odor.
- Ion exchange resin – for ionic water contaminants such as mercury, copper, and cadmium.
- Pleated paper – for particles like rust, scale, and dirt.
With this combination, the pitcher can effectively remove and/or reduce over 20 contaminants, many of which are linked with an unpleasant taste or smell of water, and it can even deal with some more obscure ones like nonyl phenol and estrone – more on that below.
The PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher comes with WQA and NSF certifications 42, 53, and 401 – this means that the company has submitted the product to two independent organizations for testing. In the end, the standards cover almost the same contaminants, but it’s still good to know that the pitcher has been tested more than once.
As the name suggests, the PUR PLUS 11-Cup can store 11 cups of water and, as such, is quite slim. In comes in 3 colors (Blue, Smoke, Sage) and has a 2-month filter life (or 40 gallons) at about $65 to $75 in annual replacement cost.
You also get an indicator light which tells you when it’s time to swap out the filter cartridge – always a nice feature to have, especially on a budget model.
PUR 11-Cup Pitcher Pros
- Carries NSF and WQA certifications 42, 53, and 401, independently verified by both organizations. In other words, you can rely on the reduction rates claimed by PUR which are listed below.
- Slim design that can fit in your fridge or on a cluttered countertop.
- You can wash the PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher in your dishwasher – without the filter cartridge, of course.
- Much cheaper than other models, both in terms of initial purchase price and annual maintenance.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher can remove/reduce more than 20 contaminants with verified effectiveness, including:
- Chlorine: 97.5%
- Particulates Class I: 99.8%
- Zinc: 92.7%
- Benzene: 96.8%
- Cadmium: 98.9-99.3%
- Carbon tetrachloride: 96.8%
- Copper: 95.9-99.3%
- Mercury: 96.4%
- Simazine: 98.3%
- BPA: 99%
- Estrone: 96.3%
- Linuron: 94.5%
- Microplastics: 99.8%
- Nonyl phenol: 95.8%
- Trimethoprim: 94.3%
The PUR PLUS 11-Cup – learn more on Amazon.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
Before using the pitcher, you need to assemble it and prime the filter. Don’t worry, it’s a simple process!
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- Soak the filter cartridge in water for about 15 minutes.
- Rinse the cartridge for at least 10 seconds.
- Take out the filter light from the underside of the lid, and wash the lid and the pitcher body.
- Install the filter – twist and lock to align it properly.
- Put the light back in place after the lid has dried off.
- Hold down the “reset” button for 10 seconds until it starts blinking green.
- You’re ready to use your pitcher!
The Package (Parts)
- PUR PLUS 11-Cup
- Pitcher lid
- PUR PLUS filter cartridge
Maintenance
You need to replace PUR PLUS filter cartridges regularly to ensure that the pitcher is working optimally. This should be done after 2 months or after filtering 40 gallons of water – whichever comes first. Conveniently, you have a light indicator that tells you when it’s time for a change, so you don’t have to keep track of that manually. As soon as you see the light blinking red, this means it’s time to swap out that filter. Again, replacements will cost you around $65 – $75 per year, which is really cheap compared to most other models on the market that come with similar filtration capabilities.
When it’s time to replace the filter cartridge, simply follow these steps:
- Take the old cartridge out of the filter.
- Take the filter light out of the lid.
- Wash the filter’s body and lid.
- Prime and install a new cartridge according to the steps we outlined above.
- Done!
If you need to reset the indicator light prematurely for whatever reason, just hold down the “reset” button for 10 seconds. Keep in mind that the battery inside the indicator light will eventually run out and it’s not replaceable – but that still won’t prevent your filter from working!
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://www.pur.com/media/productattach/p/p/ppt710_ppt110_cr1110_series_pitcher_qsg_a008507r0.pdf
NSF and Other Certifications
One notable feature of this pitcher is that it comes with certifications 42, 53, and 401, both from NSF and from WQA. These certifications tend to cover the same list of contaminants for both organizations, but seeing additional independent testing is always nice.
- 42 – NSF | WQA – aesthetic chlorine, nominal particulate class I, taste and odor, zinc.
- 53 – NSF | WQA – benzene, cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene, copper, ethylbenzene, mercury, methoxychlor, simazine, toluene, xylenes.
- 401 – NSF | WQA – atenolol, bisphenol A, carbamazepine, estrone, linuron, microplastics, nonyl phenol, TCEP, trimethoprim.
Earlier Product Versions
PUR is constantly revising its product line, and this is far from the first iteration of their water filter pitchers. However, not all recent changes have been positive it seems.
For example, PUR no longer sells their classic “lead reduction” filter cartridge. Instead, they seem to have renamed the product to the PUR PLUS filter cartridge and have dropped the lead certification, though we’re not sure what exactly has changed in the cartridge design to cause that. We can only assume that with the new cartridge lead reduction rate went down. This is only speculation of course. Fact is, no more NSF certification for lead reduction with this new filter cartridge, which we don’t like at all.
Names and design of the pitchers themselves also seem to change every now and then. What is now the PUR PLUS Water Filter Pitchers used to be the PUR Ultimate.
PUR 11-Cup Cons
- Lid may occasionally fall off when pouring.
- Some users report that brand new cartridges are immediately clogged.
- The LED indicator might not stay in place after being taken out once.
- No lead reduction filter cartridge available anymore – see above.
- Contaminant reduction rates don’t cover the most important contaminants out there – there’s nothing about lead, chromium-6, or PFAS.
- The popularity of the product has led to an influx of knockoff cartridges on the market, requiring extra caution when shopping.
- Warranty only covers the first 90 days.
PUR PLUS 11-Cup Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher immediately stands out with its low price, and while you might expect the pitcher to underdeliver due to how cheap it is, it actually does a decent job. However, it’s not the most advanced model in terms of filtration strength, and we would only recommend getting this pitcher if you’re primarily interested in improving the smell and taste of your water. If you’re dealing with more serious contamination, there are more adequate choices out there.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 3.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: 5.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
- Overall: 3.5/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
Which leads us to our next point – if you’re looking for something in that price range, what alternative options are there? In our opinion, the Clearly Filtered and the Epic Pure water filter pitchers are some of the top choices in this regard.
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: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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PUR PLUS 11-Cup |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | GAC, Ion Exchange, Sediment Filtration |
| Filter Capacity: | 40 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 11 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$65-75 |
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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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Clearly Filtered is a well-known premium brand on the water filtration market, and its flagship product carries NSF standard testing 42, 53, and 401, and is generally capable of dealing with more than 350 contaminants. This is one of the top pitchers available on the market right now, hands down. Its filtration capabilities significantly outshine those of the PUR PLUS 11-Cup. Some of the contaminants the Clearly Filtered can address include:
- Chlorine
- Chloramine
- DBPs
- Lead
- Chromium-6
- Arsenic
- Pharmaceuticals
- Pesticides
- VOCs
- Semi-volatile compounds
- PFAS
- Fluoride
- Radiologicals
The pitcher accomplishes this through the use of a granular activated carbon combined with proprietary filtration media that target most types of water contaminants. You can also get a longer use out of a Clearly Filtered filter cartridge, as it lasts for 100 gallons of water or 4 months – twice as good as what’s offered by the PUR PLUS 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher!
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher also comes with a convenient removable lid, and its whole body is made of 100% BPA-free materials, built in the USA. The company’s warranty plan is better than that of PUR, with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. This all comes at a price though – the Clearly Filtered is a premium model with a correspondingly large price tag.
The Epic Pure is a more budget-friendly option if you need something less expensive but still reliable. Note that this pitcher costs less than the Clearly Filtered, but still more than the PUR PLUS. It’s specifically designed for water with fluoride, although it can deal with many other contaminants as well, thanks to its activated carbon filter combined with proprietary media that covers more than 200 contaminants. Like the Clearly Filtered, this one comes with NSF standards 42, 53, and 401. Some of the contaminants removed or reduced include:
- Chlorine
- Fluoride
- Nitrate
- Chloramine
- Sulfate
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Hexavalent chromium
- Lead
- Mercury
- VOCs
- Pharmaceuticals
- Disinfection byproducts
- Pesticides
- PFOAS
- PFOS
The lifetime of the filter cartridges is where this model really shines, as each one lasts for up to 150 gallons of water – and the pitcher comes with a built-in countdown timer to remind you when it’s time for a replacement. You can also collect four used filters and send them back to the manufacturer for a free replacement.
The pitcher is built quite well as well, holding up to 14.8 cups of water and made of BPA-free materials, entirely in the USA. The Epic Pure also comes with a lifetime warranty and a convenient return policy, once again outdoing PUR. Last but not least, you can get a discount if you belong to certain groups, including:
- Military personnel
- First responders
- Medical staff
- Teachers
- Students
- Seniors
- Non-profit organization owners and employees
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This completes our review of the PUR PLUS 11-Cup 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.