Which Water Filter Pitcher Removes the Most Contaminants?
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023
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The main purpose of water filter pitchers should be to improve the taste of drinking water while removing as many contaminants as possible from it. Unfortunately, most pitchers only meet the first half of this premise: They neutralize bad tastes and odors quite well, but they don’t do much to protect your and your family from the vast majority of potentially harmful heavy metals and chemicals etc. that might be present in your water supply.
In this brief guide, we’re going to compare a few of the most popular water filter pitchers to what we consider the most effective model. Hint: As you’re about to learn soon, the latter clearly stands out from the others in regards to the total number of contaminants it has shown to remove, making it our favorite unit by far. So without further ado…
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Key Takeaways
- The water filter pitcher that removes the most contaminants is the Clearly Filtered.
- It has been tested against NSF standards 42, 53, 401, and P473, and removes approximately 365 water contaminants.
- For example, it is highly effective in removing lead, arsenic, BPA, chloramine, chromium 6, fluoride, glyphosate, and PFAS.
Which Water Filter Pitcher Removes the Most Contaminants? Popular Models Compared
So, which water filter pitcher removes the most contaminants?
Well, the following table compares the key figures of 3 popular pitcher water filters (Brita, PUR, ZeroWater) with one lesser-known brand: Clearly Filtered.
(Mobile Hint: Swipe to Scroll)
| Clearly Filtered | Brita Elite | PUR PLUS | ZeroWater | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSF Standards Tested/Certified | 42, 53, 401, P473 | 42, 53, 401 | 42, 53, 401 | 42, 53 |
| Filter Capacity | 100 Gallons | 120 Gallons | 40 Gallons | 20 Gallons |
| Total # of Contaminants Tested | 365+ | 33 | 16 | 23 |
| Chlorine | 99.5% | 97.4% | 97.5% | 97.5% |
| Chloramine | 99.7% | – | – | – |
| Lead | 99.3% | 99.5-99.6% | – | 95.9-99.7% |
| Arsenic | 98.3% | – | – | 94.0-98.0% |
| BPA | 99.9% | 95.5% | 99.0% | – |
| Chromium-6 | 97.8% | – | – | 99.6% |
| Fluoride | 99.5% | – | – | 93.0-99.0% |
| Glyphosate | 99.9% | – | – | – |
| PFAS | up to 99.5% | up to 98.1% | – | up to 95.1% |
“-” means not tested
As you can see, the Clearly Filtered water filter pitcher is tested according to various NSF standards to remove a total number of approx. 365 water contaminants, whereas the Brita Elite reduces no more than 33, the PUR PLUS pitcher filter removes 16, and even the hyped ZeroWater pitcher filter only removes 23.
The listed contaminants with their specific reduction rates are only an excerpt of all testing data and shall give you an idea of the removal capacities of each pitcher and, in case of Brita, PUR, and ZeroWater, what they’re missing. We’ve tried to keep the list short and concise, only including some of the most common and most harmful pollutants that can be found in our water supplies today.
For transparency, we also wanted to mention that while the Clearly Filtered pitcher has been tested by an independent and accredited laboratory in a controlled environment according to NSF (EPA) standards, it’s not officially NSF-certified against all 365+ contaminants. Right now, it’s certified against NSF standards 42 and 53 for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor, PFOS, and PFOA. According to Clearly Filtered, additional NSF certifications are following soon.
Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher: Full List of Contaminants
Which water filter pitcher removes the most contaminants? It’s the Clearly Filtered!
Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitcher |
|
| Filtration Capacity: | 100 Gallons |
| NSF Standards: | 42, 53, 401, P473 |
| Annual Cost: | $$$ |
| Warranty: | Limited Lifetime |
|
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Here’s the complete list of contaminants which the pitcher is capable of removing thanks to its Affinity Filtration Technology, a combination of granular activated carbon and several other proprietary filter media.
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| Contaminant | Average Reduction Rate |
|---|---|
| Fluoride | 96.9% – 98.2% |
| Perfluorinated Chemicals | |
| EPFB | >95.0% |
| GenX | >99.4% |
| NFBS | >95.0% |
| PFHA | >95.0% |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | >95.0% |
| Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) | >95.0% |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | >95.0% |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | >99.5% |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | >99.0% |
| Herbicides | |
| 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin) | >98.0% |
| 2,4,5-T | >99.9% |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | >99.9% |
| 2,4-D | >99.9% |
| 2,4-DB | >99.9% |
| 3,5-Dichlorobenzoic Acid | >99.9% |
| Acetochlor | >98.1% |
| Acifluorfen | >99.9% |
| Bentazon | 99.90% |
| Chloramben | >99.9% |
| DCPA | >99.9% |
| Dacthal | >97.9% |
| Dalapon | >99.9% |
| Desenthylatrazine | >98.3% |
| Desisopropylatrazine | >98.7% |
| Dicamba | >99.9% |
| Diclorprop | 99.90% |
| Dinoseb | >99.9% |
| Diquat | >98.7% |
| Endothall | >98.7% |
| Glyphosate | >99.9% |
| Hexachloropentadiene | >99.9% |
| Paraquat | >98.7% |
| Pentachlorophenol | >99.9% |
| Picloram | >99.9% |
| Quinclorac | >99.9% |
| Tetrachloroterephthalic Acid | >98.7% |
| Thiobencarb | >97.9% |
| Heavy Metals | |
| Aluminum | 88.40% |
| Antimony | >98.0% |
| Arsenic | 98.30% |
| Barium | 99.90% |
| Beryllium | >98.0% |
| Cadmium | 97.00% |
| Chromium (hexavalent) | 97.80% |
| Cobalt | >97.1% |
| Copper | 99.90% |
| Germanium | >97.9% |
| Iron | 99.90% |
| Lead | >99.3% |
| Lithium | >99.3% |
| Manganese | >99.9% |
| Mercury (Inorganic) | >98.4% |
| Molybdenum | >98.1% |
| Nickel | >99.1% |
| Selenium | >99.1% |
| Silver | 98.80% |
| Strontium | >98.8% |
| Thallium | >98.0% |
| Uranium | >96.7% |
| Vanadium | >96.8% |
| Zinc | 99.90% |
| Radiological Elements | |
| Gross Alpha (Thorium 230) | >98.0% |
| Gross Beta (Cesium 137) | >98.0% |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | |
| 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane | >99.9% |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | >99.7% |
| 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | >99.8% |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | >99.9% |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane | >99.6% |
| 1,1-Dichloroethene | >99.8% |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | >99.9% |
| 1,1-Dichloropropene | >99.6% |
| 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene | >99.8% |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane | >99.9% |
| 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene (hemellitol) | >97.9% |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | >99.8% |
| 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene | >99.8% |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) | >99.9% |
| 1,2-Dibromoethane | >99.9% |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | >99.8% |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | >99.8% |
| 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene | >99.8% |
| 1,3-Butadiene | >99.9% |
| 1,3-Dichloropropane | >99.8% |
| 1,4-Dioxane | >99.8% |
| 2,2-Dichloropropane | >99.6% |
| 2-Hexanone | >99.9% |
| 2-Methylbutane | >99.9% |
| 2-Nitropropane | >99.9% |
| Acetone | >99.9% |
| Acetonitrile | >99.9% |
| Acrylonitrile | >99.9% |
| Benzaldehyde | >99.9% |
| Benzene | >99.8% |
| Bromobenzene | >99.8% |
| Bromochloromethane | >99.8% |
| Bromodichloromethane | >99.8% |
| Bromoform | >99.9% |
| Bromomethane | >99.9% |
| Carbon Disulfide | >99.9% |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | >99.6% |
| Chlorodibromomethane | >99.9% |
| Chloroethane | >99.8% |
| Chloroform | >99.8% |
| Chloromethane | >99.9% |
| Chlorotrifluoromethane | >99.9% |
| Cis-1,2-Dichloroethene | >99.8% |
| Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99.9% |
| Cis-1,3-Dichloropropene | >99.8% |
| Cyclohexane | >97.9% |
| Dibromomethane | >99.9% |
| Dichlorodifluoromethane | >99.9% |
| Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) | >99.9% |
| Ethylbenzene | >99.8% |
| Ethylene Dibromide | >99.9% |
| Fluorotrichloromethane | >99.8% |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | >99.7% |
| Hexane(s) | >99.9% |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | >99.9% |
| Isopropylbenzene | >99.8% |
| m-Dichlorobenzene | >99.8% |
| m-Xylene | >99.8% |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | >99.9% |
| Methyl isobutyl ketone | >99.9% |
| Methylcyclohexane | >97.9% |
| Methylcyclopentane | >97.9% |
| Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene) | >99.8% |
| MTBE | >99.8% |
| n-Butylbenzene | >99.8% |
| n-Propylbenzene | >99.8% |
| Naphthalene | >99.8% |
| o-Chlorotoluene | >99.8% |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | >99.8% |
| o-Xylene | >99.8% |
| p-Chlorotoluene | >99.8% |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | >99.8% |
| p-Isopropyltoluene | >99.9% |
| p-Xylene | >99.8% |
| Pentane | >97.9% |
| Sec-Butylbenzene | >99.8% |
| Styrene | >99.8% |
| Tert-Butyl Alcohol | >99.9% |
| Tert-Butylbenzene | >99.8% |
| Tetrachloroethene | >99.7% |
| Tetrahydrofuran | >99.9% |
| Toluene | >99.8% |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | >99.8% |
| Trans-1,2-Dichloroethene | >99.7% |
| Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99.9% |
| Trans-1,3-Dichloropropene | >99.8% |
| Trichloroethene | >99.8% |
| Trichlorofluoromethane | >99.9% |
| Trichlorotrifluoroethane | >99.9% |
| Vinyl Chloride | >99.8% |
| Xylenes (total) | >99.8% |
| Chemical Disinfectants | |
| Ammonia | >99.9% |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | >99.5% |
| Chloramine | >99.7% |
| Chloride | >99.9% |
| Chlorine | >99.5% |
| Formaldehyde | >99.0% |
| Iodine | >99.5% |
| Nitrate | >99.9% |
| Nitrate and nitrite | >99.7% |
| Nitrite | >99.7% |
| Perchlorate | >96.0% |
| Sulfate | 99.80% |
| Sulfide | >99.0% |
| Microplastics | |
| Microplastics | 99.9% |
| Pharmaceutical Drugs | |
| 17-beta-Estradiol | >99.9% |
| 4-Androstene-3,17-dione | >97.8% |
| 4-para-Nonylphenol | >99.9% |
| 4-tert-Octylphenol | >99.9% |
| Acetaminophen | >99.9% |
| Atenolol | >99.9% |
| Bisphenol A | >99.9% |
| Caffeine | >99.9% |
| Carbamazepine | >99.9% |
| Ciprofloxacin | >99.9% |
| DEET | >99.9% |
| Diclofenac Sodium | >99.9% |
| Erythromycin | >99.5% |
| Estradiol | >99.9% |
| Estriol | >97.9% |
| Estrone | >99.9% |
| Ethinyl estradiol | >99.9% |
| Fluoxetine | >99.9% |
| Gemfibrozil | >99.9% |
| Ibuprofen | >99.9% |
| Linuron | >99.9% |
| Meprobamate | >99.9% |
| Naproxen | >99.9% |
| Nonylphenol | >99.9% |
| Phenytoin | >99.9% |
| Primidone | >99.9% |
| Progesterone | >99.9% |
| Sulfamethoxazole | >99.9% |
| TCCP | >99.9% |
| TCEP | >99.9% |
| TCPP | >99.9% |
| Testosterone | >99.9% |
| Triclosan | >99.9% |
| Trimethoprim | >99.9% |
| Semi-Volatile Compounds | |
| 1-Chloropropane | >99.9% |
| 2,2-Dimethylphenol | >99.9% |
| 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol | >99.9% |
| 2,4-Dichlorophenol | >99.9% |
| 2,4-Dinitrotoluene | >99.8% |
| 2,6-Dinitrotoluene | >99.8% |
| 2-Chloronaphthalene | >99.9% |
| 2-Chlorophenol | >99.9% |
| 2-Nitrophenol | >99.9% |
| 4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether | >99.9% |
| 4-Chloro-3-methylphenol | >99.9% |
| 4-Chlorophenyl phenyl ether | >99.9% |
| 4-Nitrotoluene | >99.9% |
| Acenaphthylene | >99.8% |
| Anthracene | >99.8% |
| Atraton | >99.8% |
| Benzo[a]anthracene | >99.8% |
| Benzo[a]pyrene | >99.8% |
| Benzo[b]fluoranthene | >99.8% |
| Benzo[g,h,i]perylene | >99.8% |
| Benzo[k]fluoranthene | >99.8% |
| BHT | >99.8% |
| Bis (2-chloroethoxy) Methane | >99.9% |
| Bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate | >99.8% |
| Chrysene | >99.8% |
| Cycloate | >99.8% |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | >98.7% |
| Dibenz[a,h]anthracene | >99.8% |
| Dinitro-o-cresol | >99.9% |
| Diphenylamine | >99.9% |
| EPTC | >99.8% |
| Etridiazole | >99.8% |
| Fluoranthene | >99.8% |
| Fluorene | >99.8% |
| Hexachloroethane | >99.9% |
| Hexazinone | >99.8% |
| Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene | >99.8% |
| Isophorone | >99.8% |
| MGK 264 – Isomer a | >99.8% |
| N-Nitrosodi-n-propylamine | >99.9% |
| Napropamide | >99.8% |
| Nitrobenzene | >99.9% |
| Nitrofen | >99.8% |
| Norflurazon | >99.8% |
| Oxyfluorfen | >99.8% |
| p-Cresol | >98.0% |
| Pebulate | >99.8% |
| Phenanthrene | >99.8% |
| Phenols | >99.8% |
| Prometon | >99.8% |
| Prometryn | >99.8% |
| Propyzamide | >99.8% |
| Pyrene | >99.8% |
| Simetryn | >99.8% |
| Tebuconazole | >99.8% |
| Tebuthiuron | >99.8% |
| Terbacil | >99.8% |
| Terbutryn | >99.8% |
| Triadimefon | >99.8% |
| Trifluralin | >99.8% |
| Vinclozolin | >99.8% |
| Pesticides | |
| 2-Furancarboxaldehyde | >98.7% |
| 3-Hydroxycarbofuran | 99.00% |
| Acenaphthene | >98.0% |
| Alachlor (Lasso) | >99.8% |
| Aldicarb Sulfone | >97.9% |
| Aldicarb Sulfoxide | >98.7 |
| Aldrin | >99.8 |
| Alpha – BHC | >99.8% |
| Alpha-Chlordane | >98.7% |
| Alpha-Lindane | >94.3% |
| Atrazine | >99.8% |
| Beta – BHC | >99.8% |
| Bis(2-Chloroethyl) ether | >98.0% |
| Bromacil | >99.8% |
| Butachlor | >99.8% |
| Butylate | >99.8% |
| Carbaryl | >98.1% |
| Carbofuran | >99.9% |
| Chlordane | >98.7% |
| Chlorneb | >99.8% |
| Chloroacetonitrile | >98.3% |
| Chlorothalonil | >99.8% |
| Chlorpropham | >99.8% |
| Chlorprophane | >99.8% |
| Chlorpyrifos | >99.8% |
| Cis – Chlordane | >99.8% |
| Cyanazine (Bladex) | >99.8% |
| Delta – BHC | >99.8% |
| Diazinon (Spectracide) | >97.9% |
| Dichlorvos | >99.8% |
| Dieldrin | >99.8% |
| Dimethoate | >97.9% |
| Diphenamid | >99.8% |
| Disulfoton | >99.8% |
| Endosulfan I | >99.8% |
| Endosulfan II | >99.8% |
| Endosulfan Sulfate | >99.8% |
| Endrin | >99.8% |
| Endrin Aldehyde | >99.8% |
| Endrin Ketone | >99.8% |
| Ethoprop | >99.8% |
| Fenamiphos | >99.8% |
| Fenarimol | >99.7% |
| Fluridone | >99.8% |
| Heptachlor | >99.8% |
| Heptachlor Epoxide | >99.8% |
| Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) | >99.7% |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | >99.8% |
| Hexadecanoic Acid | >97.8% |
| Iodomethane | >99.0% |
| Lindane | >99.8% |
| Methomyl | <98.0% |
| Methoxychlor | >99.8% |
| Metolachlor | >99.8% |
| Metolachlor Oxanilic Acid | >98.7% |
| Metribuzin | >99.8% |
| Molinate | >99.8% |
| N-Nitroso-di-N-butylamine | >98.4% |
| N-Nitrosodimethylamine | >96.7% |
| Nano-Chlordane | >99.8% |
| Octadecanoic Acid | >96.0% |
| Oxamyl (Vydate) | >98.7% |
| p,p’ – DDD | >99.8% |
| p,p’ – DDE | >99.8% |
| p.p’ – DDT | >99.8% |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | >99.1% |
| Propachlor | >99.8% |
| Propazine | >99.8% |
| Simazine | >99.8% |
| Tetradecanoic Acid | >97.9% |
| Toxaphene | >99.8% |
| Trans – Chlordane (Nonachlor) | >99.6% |
| Vernolate | >99.8% |
| Fluoride | |
| Fluoride | >99.5% |
| Fluosilicate | >99.5% |
| Fluosilicic Acid | >99.5% |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | |
| Bromochloroacetic Acid | >99.9% |
| Bromodichloroacetic acid | >91.5% |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | >99.9% |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | >99.9% |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 99.80% |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | >99.9% |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | >99.9% |
| Phthalates | |
| Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | >99.8% |
| Butyl benzylphthalate | >99.8% |
| Di-n-Butyl phthalate | >98.8% |
| Di-n-octyl phthalate | >99.8% |
| Diethyl phthalate | >99.8% |
| Diisobutyl phthalate | >98.0% |
| Dimethyl phthalate | >99.8% |
| Phthalates | >99.8% |
Source (2023-09-07): https://www.clearlyfiltered.com/pages/performance-data-for-the-clearly-filtered-water-pitcher-and-filter
Further Pros & Cons of the Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Apart from removing more contaminants that any other water filter pitcher on the market today, what other benefits (and drawbacks) does the Clearly Filtered have?
Pros
- It’s built in the USA.
- The pitcher is super easy to put together. It only takes a few minutes.
- It can hold up to 10 cups of filtered water, enough for family use.
- The removable lid allows for easy refilling.
- Healthy minerals are kept in the water and will add to your daily nutritional intake.
- One filter cartridge provides 100 gallons of filtered water on average (around 4 months) – much more than what you get with most of the competition. Thus, you don’t have to worry about frequent filter replacements.
- The pitcher material is medical-grade Tritan plastic. 100% BPA-free.
- There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee. It allows you to try the pitcher risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, simply send it back and you’ll receive a full refund.
- Lastly, the Clearly Filtered pitcher is warranted for lifetime (limited).
Cons
- Replacement filters are quite expensive: ~$50 per cartridge. Although, you can save up to $9.5 if you buy in bulk and subscribe to get filters automatically delivered on schedule.
- Some people said their filters don’t last as long as advertised and complained about slow flow. We never had any issues with this.
Further Reading:
In Conclusion
Bottom line, if you want the water filter pitcher that removes the most contaminants, get the Clearly Filtered. From a water quality perspective, it’s hands down the best product on the market right now.
Questions? Ask away! Or check out our water filter pitcher reviews guide.
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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