The Complete Guide to Brita vs PUR Faucet Filter and Which is the Best One For You

Brita vs PUR Faucet Filter. It’s a question that has been debated for years, Brita or PUR?

There are many factors to consider when choosing between the two water filters, so I have created this guide to help you decide which filter is best for your needs.

This post will compare these two popular brands of water filters and help identify their benefits and drawbacks in order to make an informed decision about which brand will work best for you!

Introduction: What is a Faucet Filter and How Does it Work?

A faucet filter is a device that attaches to the end of a faucet and can filter out impurities from water.

Some people use them to make their drinking water taste better or because they live in areas with poor quality tap water. Other people use them because they are concerned about contaminants like lead, arsenic, or mercury, which can be found in some tap waters.

Introduction to the PUR company

The PUR company is one of a collection of companies owned by Helen of Troy. PUR has been working for over 30 years on affordable, innovative ways of water filtration.

Besides faucet mounted filters, PUR also manufactures water filter pitchers and filtered water dispensers. They remain focused on this small list of products so they can provide the highest quality to the consumer.

PUR Faucet Filters are certified to reduce up to 70+ contaminants, including 99% of lead.

Introduction to the Brita company

Brita was founded in 1966 by Heinz Hankammer. Originally, the company was named AquaDeMat. Hankammer later named the company after his daughter.

The company secured the first patent for domestic water filter use in the 1970s.

Brita has expanded their product line from the original water filter jug (pitcher). Their products include:

• Faucet water filters
• Water filter pitcher
• Water filter bottles
• Filtered water dispensers

How Do Brita Filters Work?

The Brita Faucet Filters use Advanced Brita® Carbon-block technology to filter out contaminants that may be in municipal water supplies. This filter is built in to a BPA-free housing. The Brita faucet filter filters out contaminants while leaving beneficial healthy minerals in the water. The list of contaminants reduced include

• chlorine (taste and odor)
• lead,
• benzene
• asbestos
• select pharmaceuticals
• pesticides/herbicides
• TTHMs and atrazine.*

Brita vs. PUR Faucet Filters

Product	PUR PLUS Faucet Filtration System	Brita Complete Water Filter Faucet System
Price	$31.99	$19.99
Available Colors	Chrome, Metallic Grey, Sea Glass, Silver Matte	White, Chrome
Filter Life	100 gallons or 3 months	100 gallons or 4 months
Electronic Filter Indicator	Yes	Yes
Size LxWxH	5.2″ x 6.8″ x 2.9″	6.3″ x 2.53″ x 9.75″
Easy to Install	Yes	Yes
NSF Certified	42, 53	42, 53, 401
Removes Chlorine, Tastes and Odors	Yes	Yes
Removes Lead	Yes	Yes
Removes Microbes	No	No
Number of Spray Choices	2	3
Filter Orientation	Horizontal	Vertical
Filtered Water Bypass	Yes	Yes
Filter Replacement Cost	$69 for 5	$20 for 2
Product Warranty	2 Years	1 Year

Price

There is a price difference between PUR and Brita faucet filters. Although the difference is not significant, it is still a consideration. Even if the difference is only $12.

Available Colors

PUR has the advantage on this with six different colors where Brita only comes on chrome or white.

Filter Life

Both are comparable in terms of gallons filtered (100), but the life of a Brita is one month longer. You must change the filter at the proper time interval or you could create an unsafe condition. This is important because microbes can build up on the filter and may possibly breakthrough.

Electronic Filter Indicator

The indicator light tells you when it’s time to change the filter. PUR and Brita both have this feature.

Size

The Brita is taller at nearly 10 inches. The PUR is wider at nearly 7 inches. This could make a difference if aesthetics are important to you.

Ease of Installation

Both filters screw on to the end of a standard faucet. You simply remove the aerator and screw on the filter housing. With proper installation, you shouldn’t have any leaks with either filter.

NOTE: Neither of these filters will fit on a pull down faucet head.

NSF Certified

The Brita filter is NSF certified to standards 42, 53 and 401. PUR is certified to NSF standards 42 and 53.

See table below to understand what these standards mean to you:

NSF Standards for Drinking Water Filters

NSF Standard 42: Aesthetic Effects	Reduces non-health related contaminants such as chlorine, taste and odor and particulates
NSF Standard 53: Health Effects	Reduces specific health-related contaminants such as lead, cryptosporidium, giardia, heavy metals and VOCs
NSF Standard 401: Emerging Contaminants	Reduces up to 15 specific contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides and other chemical compounds.

Removes Chlorine, Tastes and Odors

NSF standard 42 covers the removal of chlorine, tastes and odors and both filters remove chlorine, tastes and odors. Since the water tastes and smells better, you and your family will drink more of it.

Removes Lead

Lead removal is covered under NSF standard 53 and both filters remove up to 99% of lead. Lead causes many health conditions, especially in children. The ability to remove lead is crucial to your health.

Removes PFAS

Both filters remove PFAS. This falls under NSF standard 53. PFAS chemicals cause health problems including:

• liver damage
• thyroid disease
• decreased fertility
• high cholesterol
• obesity
• hormone suppression
• cancer

Removes Microbes

Neither filter removes microbes.

Number of Spray Choices

The PUR faucet filter has only two flow choices. Filtered water and unfiltered water. The Brita faucet filter has three flow choices. Filtered water, unfiltered water, and filtered water spray.

Filter Orientation

The PUR faucet filter is configured to be horizontal, which is why it is nearly 7 inches shorter than the Brita. The Brita filter is configured to be vertical.

Filtered Water Bypass

Both companies equipped their faucet filters with a water bypass valve. This helps you extend the life of the filter by using unfiltered water to wash dishes, wash hands or other non-consumption uses.

Filter Replacement Cost

The cost to replace a Brita filter is $10 a piece when purchasing a two pack, but the cost to replace PUR water filters is $14 a piece when purchasing a six-pack.

You may find cheaper filter replacements for both the PUR and the Brita faucet filters, they may not perform like the ones from the respective companies.

Product Warranty

Brita offers a one-year warranty while PUR offers a two-year warranty.

Brita vs. PUR Faucet Filter Verdict ・ Which One Should You Choose?

Both filters are similar in price and performance. I do like the horizontal look of the PUR faucet filter.

But, the Brita being able to meet NSF 401 outweighs any visual aesthetics for me. The ability to filter out contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides and other chemical compounds is a game-changer for me.

Plus, the ongoing cost of the Brita is much cheaper than the PUR.

All things considered, I would purchase the Brita filter. If you choose the PUR, you really won’t go wrong either.