PUR vs Brita: Which Water Faucet Filter is Better?
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
If you want unlimited filtered water at the push of a button in the comfort of your kitchen, then a faucet-mount filter is the cheapest and easiest way to make it happen. But there are two immensely popular faucet filters that you’ll need to choose between: PUR and Brita. With similar styling and operation, it can be difficult to make a decision between the two.
The PUR filters remove more contaminants than the Brita filters do, but Brita filters are easier to find and less expensive. But the Brita systems aren’t as attractive as the PUR filters, and the PUR have more styles to choose from.
The Brita systems are best for people who want a simple and inexpensive solution with easy-to-find replacement filters. PUR faucet filters are better for people who are really concerned with aesthetics, or who are extremely concerned with what’s being removed from their drinking water.
PUR vs Brita – What Are the Differences Between Them?
Though they look and operate nearly the same, there are still some factors that separate these two products. From finish to warranty, let’s explore several differences that set these two similar products apart from each other.
Performance
This category is a close competition between these two candidates. Both of them filter a majority of the harmful contaminants from your water, such as lead, chlorine, and copper. These are all commonly found in most tap water, so it’s important to get rid of them. But in the end, the PUR filters do a slightly more thorough job of removing impurities from your water. While the Brita filters remove 60 contaminants, the PUR filters remove over 70 contaminants.
Aside from this one difference, they perform about the same. Replacement cartridges for each device have a 100-gallon lifespan. The filters operate the same and mount to your sink in the same fashion as well. Since this category comes down to which filter removes more substances, the PUR is going to be our winner.
Price
It seems that all of our categories are going to be close calls today. These are both inexpensive filters that make a great starting point for filtered water. There are base models and premium models available from each company—and their prices are very similar. But in the end, the Brita faucet filters are slightly cheaper than the PUR filters. When it’s time to replace cartridges, the Brita filters are once again a tad bit less pricey. Plus, the Brita filters are available in more places, so you’ll never have a hard time locating them when you need a replacement.
Durability
Since these filters are never going to leave your kitchen sink, durability isn’t a major concern. They mostly need to be able to hold up to daily use for providing water, as well as getting out of the way for normal sink use.
Both of these products seem to last for several years or longer, provided that they’re properly cared for and filters are replaced at the appropriate times. But they both experience problems from time to time. Brita filters seem to have fewer leaks though, and generally last longer. Plus, Brita offers superior customer service that replaces defective or broken units very quickly. PUR doesn’t seem quite as quick to offer a replacement filter when theirs break. Thus, Brita takes the crown for durability.
Design
A faucet mount water filter takes up quite a bit of sink real-estate. You don’t realize how much space you’re giving up until you attach it. For that reason, points go to the product that’s more compact and less in your way. In this case, that happens to be the Brita faucet filter. They’re very similarly sized, but the Brita filter is just a little bit smaller than the PUR models. When you wash your hands or clean some pots and pans, you’ll really notice the small difference in size. The Brita filter is easier to get out of your way when you turn it to the side of the faucet, whereas the PUR filter still tends to stick out a bit farther. That said, the PUR comes in more colors and is a little more pleasing to look at. It’s hard to pick a winner here since the Brita is more space-conscious but the PUR is more attractive. We’ll have to call a draw.
Quick Rundown of Brita Water Filter Faucet:
The Brita Water Filter Faucets are simple systems that attach directly to your sink faucet. When you flip a switch, the water flow will divert through the filter and provide you with an endless stream of filtered water for drinking. Flip the lever back, and the water will bypass the filter altogether and come straight from your sink faucet for normal use.
Brita filters are available in white and chrome, but they have a dated look that doesn’t seem very modern and isn’t the most attractive. Filters are cheap and easy to find, though, and they remove 60 contaminants from your water to give you a pure and refreshing drinking experience.
- Available everywhere
- Inexpensive
- Small form factor
- Not very attractive
- Doesn’t remove as many contaminants as PUR filters
- Basic Brita faucet water filter attaches to your standard faucet making tap water cleaner* and great-tasting; filtration system is easy...
- Get great-tasting water without the waste; by switching to Brita, you can save money and replace 1800 single-use water bottles** per...
- The space efficient design attaches directly to your faucet giving you the choice of filtered or unfiltered water; Available in white...
Quick Rundown of PUR Water Filter Faucet:
The PUR Water Filter Faucets work in the same way that Brita filters do. They attach to your sink and give you the option to bypass the filter or to divert your water through the filter for clean water. These filters are a bit larger and bulkier than the Brita filters. They’re also a little bit more expensive.
On the other hand, they’re also a bit more effective. Compared to the 60 contaminants that Brita filters remove, the PUR steps it a notch and removes over 70. The filters will last for 100 gallons between replacements, just like the Brita filters. We also preferred the look of the PUR filters, and they’re available in more colors to give you more style options.
- More attractive
- More style choices
- Removes over 70 contaminants
- Bulkier than the Brita filters
- Slightly more expensive
- 3 IN 1 POWERFUL WATER FILTRATION TO REDUCE 10X MORE chemical and physical substances THAN BRITA. PUR is the only faucet filter brand...
- INCLUDES 1 GENUINE PUR PLUS FAUCET MOUNT WATER FILTER THAT IS CERTIFIED to provide cleaner, better tasting drinking water in your PUR...
- QUICK, 1 CLICK, TOOL FREE INSTALLATION with on/off lever for easy, on demand, filtered water.
PUR vs Brita – What the Users Say
To get a more conclusive picture of how PUR vs Brita compares, we went digging through reviews and forums to see what other users of both systems thought. We wanted to see if others had similar experiences to our own, so let’s see what they have to say.
Most users seemed pleased with the taste of the water coming from the Brita filter faucet. However, there were a few complaints about the longevity of the device, since some people had experienced broken parts within the first year. But, it seems that Brita offers excellent customer service, replacing the damaged parts quickly.
Many users commented on the size difference between the Brita and PUR filter faucets. The PUR is bulky and takes up more sink space, and a lot of people were pleased with the compact size of the Brita filter. But another comment we saw repeatedly was that the Brita filter is surprisingly loud, so if you have sleeping children next to the kitchen in the afternoons, it may not be the best choice.
The PUR faucet filter had its share of complaints as well, though. For some users, the unit didn’t manage to last through an entire year of use—splitting apart and leaking water from various places. It also appears that PUR’s customer service isn’t quite as good as Brita’s, because people weren’t getting replacements with the same ease that Brita was sending them. Leaks are somewhat common with this device, and many people seemed frustrated when their unit started leaking within just a few weeks of use.
Conclusion
If you’ve been having a hard time deciding which of these filters to trust for your drinking water, you’re not alone. Both are solid units, but the Brita filters are less expensive and easier to find. They also tend to hold up better, breaking, and springing leaks less often than the PUR filters. Plus, Brita is more likely to replace a broken filter than PUR, so the customer service is better. PUR makes the more attractive filter though, and it’s available in more style choices, so if aesthetics is a prime concern, you may choose the PUR. To us, the Brita is a better filter that’s more reliable and takes up less sink space.
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