The 8 Best Water Filters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Jun 23, 2023

Say goodbye to cloudy, chlorine-scented water with these top water filter pitchers

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People / Dera Burreson

Water filters can provide cleaner, crisper water than what comes from the tap — plus, fridge-friendly pitcher filters make it easy to have access to extra-chilled water at all times.

“The purpose of a water filter is to improve water quality by removing impurities and contaminants,” explains Brian Campbell, water treatment expert and founder of WaterFilterGuru.com. “Water filters are a good investment for anyone who values clean and safe drinking water and are particularly helpful to folks who live in areas with known water quality issues, people who have specific health concerns, or those looking for a more eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for clean drinking water.” To that last point, investing in a portable water filter is a great step towards a more sustainable lifestyle, as it helps to reduce the amount of plastic waste caused by drinking bottled water.

To help you find the best water filter for your needs, we tested 16 pitcher-style filters from the top brands on the market. Over a 2-week period, we evaluated the differences in taste, odor, and appearance in our filtered water, as well the efficiency and ease-of-use of the filters. We also kept in mind overall value when narrowing down this list.

Here, we’ve rounded up the best pitcher-style water filters for your home, from those that filter instantly as you pour to sleek options with high-tech additions that help you remember to hydrate.

When purchasing a pitcher that’s designed to store water after it’s been filtered, or to filter while it’s being poured, consider the size in relation to your fridge or countertop. All of the options on this list were chosen for their relatively discrete profiles, which are designed to fit between shelves in the average fridge. Capacity is crucial to consider as well — are you looking for a pitcher that will provide filtered water just for personal use, or will it be used by your entire family? Lower capacities will require you to refill the filter more often, which would be impractical for larger households.

Consider the recommended replacement window when buying water filters, as the frequency may make or break your decision if you’re someone who may forget to keep up with the maintenance. There’s no use in buying a water filter if you’re not prepared to change it as recommended. “It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep up with regular filter changes in order to prevent bacterial growth, avoid recontamination, and maintain filter effectiveness and flow rate,” explains Campbell.

Most pitcher-style filters require a filter replacement every 2 months, with advanced filters lasting about 6 months. While it’s more of an upfront investment, opting for the 6-month filters will save you more money (and require less upkeep) in the long run.

Pitcher-style filters are a much more affordable option than most under-sink or fridge-built-ins, making them a more attractive upfront cost. But it’s important to consider the cost of annual filter replacements, which more often than not may still be a better value than these more costly filter types. We’ve noted the filter replacement cost for our picks here.

Amazon

Filters instantly with every pour, so there’s no need to wait around

Noticeably reduces taste and odor of chlorine in water

Setup is quick and easy

Only filters when you’re pouring, so it requires two hands if you want to fill it up

The flow rate isn’t as fast as we would have preferred

Forget about standing by the sink and waiting for your water to filter — the Brita stream filter is designed to remove the taste and odor of chlorine with every pour, filtering as you go in order to minimize wait time (there is a filter right underneath the spout that a filled pitcher can flow through as you pour). When comparing the taste and smell of the water to a control glass of tap water, we were surprised at how clean and crisp the filtered watered tasted, whereas the control water had a noticeable chlorine taste and and aftertaste. The filtered water also appeared to have better clarity and color (read: no color at all).

While the flow rate of this pitcher isn’t the fastest, we found it performed well compared to several of the other options we tried, plus it allowed us to serve ourselves a cup of filtered water immediately. The intuitive and instant set-up was another plus: all it requires is to run one cycle of water through the filter before dumping it out.

Although we needed two hands to hold and pour the pitcher while full as it can be a bit heavy it wasn’t particularly cumbersome; the pitcher itself weighs just 1.35 pounds, so it’s incredibly easy to maneuver even when at its maximum capacity of 10 cups of water. We love that it can be easily stored in the fridge or under a cabinet thanks to its standard size, and that it drastically improved the taste and smell of our water. It also only took us a matter of minutes to set it up — all it requires is one run through a single cycle before discharging the water. Additional features we appreciated were the locking lid and the electronic indicator which notified us whenever we needed to replace the filter. Brita recommends changing the filter every 2 months; while the frequency of that may be a deal-breaker for some, we think that the budget-friendly cost of the replacement filters ($18 for 3 filters on Amazon) makes it worthwhile.

Price at time of publish: $46

Filter replacement frequency: 2 months | Capacity: 10 cups | Dishwasher safe: No | Annual filter replacement cost: $26

People / Dera Burreson

Walmart

Dishwasher safe and easy to fill

Slim handle is easy to grip

Locking the filter into place isn’t intuitive

The lid pops off if the pitcher is overfilled

For those who are looking for many of the same features offered by the Brita Stream Rapids Pitcher but at a lower price, the Pur Classic 11 Cup Water Filter is a clear winner. It operates similarly by rapidly filtering water as you poor, and is certified to reduce 15 contaminants as well as certain pesticides, mercury, chlorine, and industrial pollutants. What stands out about the Pur filter — beyond its wallet-friendly price tag — is the fact that it’s dishwasher safe, allowing for quick and easy cleaning. A slim, easy-grip handle makes this easy to hold and pour with one hand when half-full, although we found it a bit heavy to pour one-handed when filled to capacity. Just be careful not to overfill it, as the lid’s lock is somewhat flimsy and will pop off if the water level is too high.

Price at time of publish: $28

Filter replacement frequency: 2 months | Capacity: 11 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Annual filter replacement cost: $35

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

This had one of the highest fill capacities of all the pitchers we tested

Dishwasher safe

Pull-down spout for easy pouring

Less portable and takes up more space than most pitchers we tested

Difficult to fill in smaller sinks

It takes a long time to filter (30 minutes to just full up halfway)

This Pur dispenser is ideal for those who prefer the convenience of refilling straight from the fridge, without the need for hefting a full pitcher of water each time you want to pour out a glass. We loved how the pull-down spout made it easy to filter water into cups, water bottles, and more with more precision than a pitcher. Convenient carrying handles make this easy to tote to the sink when it requires refilling — but with a 30-cup capacity, you don’t have to worry about ferrying it back and forth daily.

Our biggest gripe was the amount of time it took to filter (the dispenser filled up halfway in 30 minutes), but given that it doesn’t need to be refilled as often because of its capacity, we didn’t find this to be a deal-breaker. Plus, we were hooked once we tasted the results: the filtered water was noticeably more clean and crisp, with no unpleasant aftertaste.

Price at time of publish: $33

Filter replacement frequency: 2 months | Capacity: 30 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Annual filter replacement cost: $45

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

Fits easily in the sink for refills

Higher handle makes it easy to direct water flow

Affordable, bi-annual filter refills

You can fill the pitcher without needing to take the lid off

Lights up yellow to let you know that it's time to order another filter and red when it's time to replace

Limited capacity requires frequent refills

We were impressed by how well the Brita Tahoe pitcher filtered our tap water — our tester even said that they planned to go out and buy this pitcher after the lab test. The filter is designed to reduce contaminants including lead, mercury, copper, zinc, cadmium and more — we found that it completely eliminated any nasty odors and aftertaste, and that our water tasted noticeably cleaner and fresher.

We love that there’s an option to install a long lasting Elite filter, which keeps your water fresh for six months instead of the standard two. There’s even a handy SmartLight Indicator, which lets you know when it’s time to replace your filter when the light turns red (it also turns yellow to let you know it's time to order more filters). This is a great pick for those who have smaller fridges or sinks and don’t mind the frequent refills a 6-cup capacity will require. However, don't let the smaller capacity deter you, especially if you're turned off by the prospect of lifting and pouring a heavy pitcher — our tester said that they could easily lift the pitcher with one hand which was helpful considering they had broken their wrist a few years prior. They noted that the water flow was steady and did not drip or splash, and the pitcher can even be filled without taking off the lid thanks to a pressure-dip opening — an easy process all around.

Price at time of publish: $35 (orig. $40)

Filter replacement frequency: 2-6 months | Capacity: 6 cups | Dishwasher safe: No | Annual filter replacement cost: $35

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

Filters faster than many of the options we tried

The glass body is more sustainable than plastic pitchers

Sleek, modern design looks great on tables and countertops

Small size means more frequent refills

While the glass material is a plus for sustainability, it is inherently more fragile

You may need to run water through the filter a few times to get rid of any "metallic" taste

Easily the chicest option on this list, this filter from Hydros is perfect for those who don’t like the look of more classic, boxy plastic pitchers. Its slightly tapered shape is elegant rather than an eyesore, and looks right at home on countertops and dinner tables — plus, it takes up minimal room thanks to its slim design and low profile.

We found it easy to use and appreciated that it filtered instantly, removing the need to wait around. While the capacity is fairly small, this also meant we didn’t need to go through the motions of filling it up twice. The glass design feels durable and lightweight, but is inherently more fragile than plastic — this wouldn’t be a great option for those with young children.

One important note: You have to follow the manufacturer's instructions of discarding, at the very least, the first fill of the pitcher (they actually recommend that you discard the first two fills). Our tester found that the water had a bit of a metallic taste to it after running water through the filter for the first time. They noted that this is likely due to the fact that the filter is made of coconut carbon, which is different from most typical carbon water filters, but that when they ran water through the filter a second time, it tasted much better.

Price at time of publish: $35

Filter replacement frequency: 2 months | Capacity: 5 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Annual filter replacement cost: $30

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

Filters last more than three times as long as most others we tested

You only need to fill up the pitcher once to fill it up to its max capacity

90-day LED countdown timer for filter change

Filter is very slow and requires long wait time in order to filter out maximum chemicals

Filter replacement is costly

Designed especially for those living with well water or in a hurricane zone, this filter is made to remove chlorine, virus, lead, microplastics, giardia, and more. We found that it distinctly improved the taste and look of our water during testing: It removed small bubbles and all hints of metallic taste and unpleasant aftertaste.

Our biggest frustration was how slowly it filtered — about 12 minutes to fill the pitcher — but we found that the superior taste of the filter water was worth the wait. There’s a handy 90-day LED countdown light that alerts you when it’s almost time to change the filter, which has a longer lifespan on this model than many of those that we tested; it should be swapped out every 2-6 months for optimal freshness (as one of the most costly filter replacements we found, we’d likely stick closer to 6). We found the pitcher easy to fill (you only need to fill the pitcher up one time for it to reach its max capacity) and is lightweight enough to carry back and forth to the fridge, as well as to pour directly into a glass. Our tester with arthritis even found the comfort level of this pitcher to be noteworthy. She notes, "I was somewhat surprised with the complete ease of use. Filling [a] glass was easy — no spillage, leaking... quality product!"

Price at time of publish: $70

Filter replacement frequency: 2-6 months | Capacity: 10 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Annual filter replacement cost: $88

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

Filters full pitcher of water within 10 minutes

Can be filled one-handed thanks to depression flap in lid

LARQ app offers hydration and carbon footprint insights

The filter replacements are an additional high cost

The high-tech components require a smartphone connection

This elegant, modern pitcher is as functional as it is fashionable and futuristic. Designed with an advanced, plant-based filter to remove chlorine, lead, benzene, mercury and more, we found it highly effective in terms of filter speed and the resulting taste. It took less than four minutes for water to run through the filter to fill up the reservoir (about half the pitcher) during our tests, which was notably faster than many of the other models we tried.

We were impressed with the convenient pressure-dip lid, which enables you to fill it up without having to remove the lid entirely — perfect for kids or busy parents who want one-handed convenience. High-tech extras like bacteria-neutralizing technology and the Pure Vis Wand, which operates on a rechargeable lithium battery in order to track the filter’s flow rate and let you know when you need a new one, helped mitigate the price tag. While the pitcher is significantly more expensive than any of the other models we tried, we found the connected LARQ app — which tracks your water intake and how much plastic you’re saving by opting for a filter — genuinely motivated us to drink more water, which made the splurge feel more reasonable for those wanting to spend the money.

Price at time of publish: $139

Filter replacement frequency: 3 months | Capacity: 8 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes, after removing the PureVis Wand | Annual filter replacement cost: $80

People / Dera Burreson

Amazon

No need to remove the lid in order to fill

Dual filters allow for even cleanlier water than a standard single filter

The brand logo is very prominently displayed

Filter replacement cost is very high

Dual filters means this 8-cup pitcher is able to get rid of similar contaminants to its single-filter competitors, plus it’s able to add back in mineral content that’s said to improve digestion. It targets everything from lead to mercury, aluminum, asbestos, pesticides, odors, cloudiness, and more. Beyond removing these contaminants, the alkaline filter also elevates the water’s pH up to 9.5, which is marketed as a health benefit (though more research needs to be done to definitively say whether or not this is beneficial).

The setup of the two filters was fast and easy — it only required a 3-minute rinse of each, which can be done manually or by fastening them to a faucet with the included equipment. We appreciated how lightweight the filter is, making it easy to carry and to pour from. Above all, we loved how convenient the fill-top lid is, which allowed us to fill up the filter reservoir through the spout without removing the lid.

Price at time of publish: $80

Filter replacement frequency: 2 months | Capacity: 8 cups | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Annual filter replacement cost: $110

People / Dera Burreson

We tested 16 water filters from top-rated brands in order to narrow down a list of those we ranked most efficient, easy-to-use, and which most greatly impacted the taste, smell, and clarity of the water. Our lab team received expert guidance from Daniel L. McCurry, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, in planning out our rigorous testing steps.

In order to test each filter, our testers evaluated a glass of control water (or just plain tap water) and a glass of filtered water. First, each filter was set up in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions prior to use, and we took careful note of how clear the instructions were and how intuitive and fast the setup was. After prepping the filters, we then used stopwatches to time how long it took to filter one full cycle of water through the pitcher, noticing how efficient the pour spout or dispenser was and if it was easy to lift and maneuver the pitcher.

After pouring our filtered test glass, we examined the water for cloudiness, odors, small bubbles or particles, and any distinguishable immediate taste or aftertaste. We tasted the control and the filtered water back-to-back and observed if there were any differences between the two. We then repeated this process with a blindfolded taste test.

We tested these water filters daily over the course of two weeks, taking note of any changes in efficacy or water quality. After our testing period, we rated each filter on a scale of one to five, with five performing the highest. The eight devices with the top average scores made this list and earned the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval.

People / Dera Burreson

A reverse osmosis system, in conjunction with a carbon filter, is the most effective filtering method for removing maximum contaminants, according to the Environmental Working Group. These are designed with several filter stages instead of just one, including a filter for sediment, carbon, and a unique semipermeable membrane that blocks heavy metals, chlorine, pesticides, fluoride, and more from passing through. These types of filters are most typically for under-sink or countertop.

The most efficient kind of filter for getting rid of the high levels of calcium and magnesium in hard water are Ion Exchange Units with Activated Alumina, according to the CDC. These also work to greatly reduce fluoride content in water. Primarily, these are larger-scale filters, as pitcher-style options are targeted more at chlorine, lead, heavy metals, and other impurities.

“The only way to know exactly what your water contains, and in turn what issues need to be addressed, is to test a sample using a certified laboratory,” says Campbell. “Lab testing is always the first step I recommend to folks who are looking to purchase a water treatment device,” he adds, explaining that it will offer data and insight into your needs that can best guide your purchase decision.

Sophie Dodd is a commerce contributor who has been writing for PEOPLE since 2018. She covers travel and lifestyle, with a keen focus on home goods. For this story, Sophie did a deep dive into the results of our water filter lab testing and used her expertise as a commerce and lifestyle writer to research the products that scored the highest in order to narrow down this list. She also received advice from Brian Campbell, water treatment expert and founder of WaterFilterGuru.com, on what to look for when shopping for water filters.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Price at time of publish: $46Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $28Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $33Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $35 (orig. $40)Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $35Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $70Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $139Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost: Price at time of publish: $80Filter replacement frequency: Capacity: Dishwasher safe: Annual filter replacement cost:

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