If you’re shopping for a water filter pitcher, PUR and Brita are probably two of the first brands you’ll come across. Both are widely available at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon, both are backed by third-party certifications, and both promise cleaner, better-tasting water straight from the tap.
But they’re not identical. Differences in contaminant reduction, filter lifespan, pitcher design, and overall product lineup can make one a better fit for your household than the other. If you’re trying to decide between PUR vs Brita, this guide breaks down how they compare and which option makes the most sense based on your water quality concerns, budget, and daily use.
A Quick Overview of PUR and Brita
PUR has been in the water filtration business since 1986. They were the first to launch a faucet filtration system with an Automatic Safety Monitor in 1994, and during the Flint water crisis, PUR scientists traveled to Flint, Michigan in January 2016 to assist local efforts addressing lead-contaminated drinking water. The company also provided water filtration systems and replacement filters as part of its clean-water initiatives.
Brita has been around for over 50 years. Sustainability is a core part of Brita, from product materials to packaging, and they’ve also partnered with US cities including San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Fort Worth to name a few to bring home filtration to residents who need it most.
Both brands offer pitchers, dispensers, faucet attachments, and replacement filters.
At a Glance: PUR vs. Brita
| PUR | Brita | |
| Founded | 1986 | 1966 |
| Pitchers | Yes, including a slim option for tighter fridge space | Yes |
| Dispensers | Yes | Yes |
| Faucet filter attachments | 2 filter types, available in 15 design/color options | 2 filter types |
| Filtered water bottles | No | Yes |
| Countertop filter system | No | Yes |
| Premium filter lifespan | ~2 months / 40 gallons | Up to 6 months |
| Premium filter certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 |
| Contaminants reduced (premium tier) | 70+ | Lead, mercury, asbestos, certain pesticides and herbicides, industrial pollutants, and pharmaceuticals |
NSF/ANSI Certifications
Both PUR and Brita back up their claims with certifications, so let’s break down what the certifications are and what they mean. NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) is an independent public health and safety organization that sets the industry standard for water treatment products. When a filter earns NSF certification, it’s gone through rigorous third-party testing.
- NSF/ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 42 covers taste, odor, and chlorine reduction.
- NSF/ANSI 53 covers health-based contaminants like lead and mercury.
- NSF/ANSI 401 covers emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals that aren’t yet regulated but are increasingly showing up in water supplies.
- NSF/ANSI 372 certifies that the filter materials themselves are lead-free.
Contaminant Reduction: Standard Filters vs. Premium Filters
Standard Filters
At the entry level, both brands cover the basics.
The PUR Basic pitcher filter is certified under NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 372, reducing chlorine taste and odor, mercury, and copper, while also certifying that filter components are lead-free.
The Brita Standard filter carries NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications, covering chlorine, copper, cadmium, and mercury. Neither standard filter reduces lead at this tier, so that’s an upgrade you’d need to make if lead is a concern in your home.
Premium Filters
This is the important part of the comparison. The PUR PLUS pitcher filter is certified to reduce over 70 contaminants, including lead, mercury, microplastics, certain pesticides and herbicides, industrial pollutants, and pharmaceuticals.
In 2014, PUR was the first brand to earn NSF certification in the “emerging contaminants” category, which covers substances like DEET and prescription drugs that aren’t currently regulated in drinking water but are showing up in water supplies anyway.
The Brita Elite filter holds NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 certifications and is certified to reduce lead, mercury, asbestos, benzene, and emerging contaminants like ibuprofen, BPA, and estrone. It’s a strong filter, and both brands’ premium filters are solid picks for households with older plumbing.
Where PUR pulls ahead is breadth. Its 70-plus contaminant certification covers more ground than Brita Elite, so if you’re dealing with a wider range of water quality concerns, that’s where PUR earns its spot.
Faucet Filters
Filtered water without the pitcher is as easy as a faucet filter attachment. PUR faucet filters are certified by both NSF and the WQA (Water Quality Association) and reduce 70 contaminants, including lead, mercury, microplastics, chlorine, and certain pesticides. PUR faucet filters also earned the WQA Gold Seal certification, which validates both filtration performance and manufacturing standards.
Brita has a faucet filter attachment too, but it reduces around 60 contaminants. Both PUR and Brita faucet filters attach to most standard faucets without tools.
Filter Lifespan and Cost Over Time
Filter lifespan is where Brita makes a stronger case over PUR. The Brita Elite filter lasts up to six months, which is longer than the PUR PLUS pitcher filter. PUR recommends replacing theirs every two months or 40 gallons. A longer-lasting filter means fewer replacements per year, which can offset a higher per-filter cost depending on your household’s water usage.
PUR estimates that using their pitcher filter can save up to $75 a month compared to buying bottled water. Either way, both options will save you money over bottled water and cut down on recycling waste.
Water Taste
Taste is subjective, but it’s often the reason people try a filter in the first place. Both PUR and Brita reduce chlorine taste and odor, which is the main reason behind that flat or chemical taste in tap water. Brita uses activated carbon filtration designed to reduce chlorine taste and odor.
PUR uses a proprietary blend of activated carbon and ion exchange materials. The carbon takes care of pesticides and pharmaceuticals, while the ion exchange materials target heavy metals like lead and mercury. Your actual taste experience will depend on your local water source, but both brands deliver a noticeable improvement over unfiltered tap.
Product Options: Pitchers, Dispensers, and More
Both brands offer a solid range of products. PUR makes pitchers, dispensers, and faucet filtration attachments. Brita offers similar products plus individual filtered water bottles and countertop filters. PUR also has a new slim pitcher that takes up less space in the refrigerator, a nice perk if you’ve got a smaller kitchen, RV, or just a packed refrigerator.
PUR’s pitchers come in 7, 10, 11, and 12 cup sizes, plus that 8 cup slim option. Their dispensers range across four models, from 30 cups up to 44 cups. PUR also offers 15 different faucet filter designs, including a few color options, which is a nice plus to match all kinds of kitchen designs.
Brita’s pitchers run 6, 10, and 27 cups, giving you a wider range between their smallest and largest sizes. Their faucet filters come in three models, rated for either 100 or 200 gallons. Brita also offers individual water bottles in 26 oz and 36 oz, a stainless steel bottle in 20 oz and 32 oz, and a countertop filtration system.
If size and format flexibility matter most to you, PUR has the edge on pitcher and dispenser variety, while Brita stretches further into bottles and countertop setups.
Final Thoughts
Both PUR and Brita are solid, well-certified options that deliver cleaner, better-tasting water. But when it comes to contaminant breadth and lead reduction specifically, PUR takes the edge with its premium filters and faucet attachments. Brita Elite is still a strong performer with a long filter lifespan, but PUR covers slightly more ground.
If your home has older pipes or you’re dealing with specific water quality concerns, PUR’s premium filters are certified to reduce over 70 contaminants and offer a wide range of pitchers, dispensers, and faucet filtration options, giving it an advantage for households with specific water quality concerns.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Choose PUR PLUS if you have older pipes or live in an area with known water quality concerns. The lead-reduction certification and 70-contaminant coverage make it the stronger choice.
- Choose Brita Elite if you want a longer-lasting filter with less frequent replacements and solid lead reduction. It also covers the major contaminants well.
- Choose a PUR faucet filter attachment if you want filtered water on demand without the wait of a pitcher, backed by NSF and WQA certifications.
For taste and odor concerns, both brands’ standard filters will handle those basics.
