These 10 Filtered Water Pitchers Earned Spots in Our Fridges

I don’t have a large refrigerator, so I was a little apprehensive when I volunteered to test one of the highest-capacity filtered pitchers on offer. I ended up being pleasantly surprised by how quickly this one earned its keep and its shelf space.

With a 30-cup capacity and a built-in spout, the Pur Plus makes it easy to dispense water without lifting or pouring. Plus, that extra-large capacity makes it convenient for households where several people are grabbing water throughout the day.

While it does take longer to filter a full reservoir simply because of its size, the Pur Plus is surprisingly easy to lift and refill. Thoughtful indents on each end make it easier to pick up, and refilling is as easy as popping off the top lid. It also has a very slim profile for its size — it’s long rather than wide — so it won’t hog too much real estate in your fridge.

My only quibble with this pitcher is that you have to position the spout far enough over the edge of a shelf in order to access it, which may take some maneuvering. But if you’re tired of constantly refilling a pitcher, this may be a tradeoff worth considering. 

Brita’s Ultramax Water Dispenser With Elite Filter has the second-highest capacity of the filtered water pitchers we tested. It impressed us with its fridge-friendly footprint and fuss-free setup.

Health and fitness writer Jessica Migala, who tested this for us, was pleasantly surprised, ”because in the past it’s been such a pain to set up water pitchers. But this couldn’t have been easier.” It’s as simple as unwrapping the pitcher and popping in the filter. Migala was also impressed with how smooth and controlled the spout on the Brita Ultramax felt.

This dispenser holds 27 cups of water, and Migala says it filtered water quickly despite its volume. According to Brita, its elite filter helps reduce the presence of over 30 contaminants, including cadmium and mercury, as well as 99 percent of lead. The filter only needs to be changed about every six months, and the pitcher indicates this with a refill light that you reset whenever you replace the old filter.

Migala did note a mild “filter” taste to her water at first, although this faded with continued use. Taste improvement was more subtle here than with some other models, though Migala says that her tap water was already high-quality. Still, Migala would “use this over bottled water any day.”

If you have a small fridge or crowded shelves, this pitcher is a space-saving and wallet-friendly solution. Writer Sadie Crouch appreciated how easily it slid into tight spaces. “I really like how thin the pitcher is,” she says. “It fits in even the most narrow shelves of my fridge, but still holds plenty of water.” She found that the fill flap worked smoothly, and the pitcher was comfortable to hold and pour.

This pitcher uses activated carbon to reduce chlorine, a common cause of complaints regarding the taste of tap water. Plus, it's NSF-certified to reduce mercury and microplastics, and WQA-certified to reduce lead. It’s dishwasher-safe, making it easier to clean. And Crouch says the lid locks firmly in place, so no need to worry about dumping seven cups of water on your counters when you attempt to fill your glass. To help you keep track of your filter’s age, the Pur comes with a removable sticker that matches the month of installation with the corresponding month it should be replaced.

While Crouch didn’t find that it produced a dramatic change in the flavor of her water, she did detect a difference. “The word that first came to mind was smooth. It just seemed like it was smoother or silkier,” she says. 

Sometimes, you just want to keep it simple. This Brita pitcher is a classic version with the benefits you’d expect from the brand: a BPA-free pitcher, an easy-fill flip lid, and an activated carbon filter that only needs to be replaced twice a year (although this can vary depending on use). The 10-cup capacity makes this the Goldilocks of pitchers: It’s not too big or too small.

Writer Ysolt Usigan appreciated the “crisp, clean” taste this pitcher imparted. She says her water “didn’t have that hint of chlorine-mineral-pipe taste that tap water sometimes gives off.” She liked that it was easy to fill, and felt the pitcher filtered water fairly quickly. That said, the first time she filled the pitcher, it took a bit longer and required two trips to the sink.

The only drawback is a familiar one: When full, this pitcher is quite heavy, which families with children may want to note. “An adult can pour it, but I think my 6-year-old and 9-year-old might struggle with it if they were being independent and getting themselves water,” says Usigan.

This Soma 10-cup pitcher offers a more sophisticated take on the traditional filtered water pitcher. The bamboo handle adds a touch of warmth to the clear, BPA-free pitcher. And the cone-shaped white filter efficiently reduces the presence of elements such as cadmium, chlorine, mercury, copper, and zinc.

According to Soma, the filter is made of 60 percent plant-based and renewable materials, consisting chiefly of activated charcoal and coconut shells for reduced environmental impact. Its filter is also tested and certified against NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 42, industry standards for filtration products.

Health writer Raki Swanson tested the Soma for us. “Honestly, when I first opened this package, I thought: ‘Here is another water pitcher — you have to add water to it, and while it is good water, it's the same thing I had when I was in college. Always in the fridge, never filled. Annoying.’” What changed her mind was the easy-fill top — which she called “one of, if not the best things about this pitcher” — and the way it turned her tap water into something she actually enjoyed drinking. “You know when you add cucumber to water, and it adds a crisp and fresh taste? This is what the water of this pitcher reminds me of.”

Swanson wished the pitcher came with some sort of filter-change indicator. The company indicates that you should change the filter every two months, but let’s be honest: How many of us actually remember to do that? Still, for a good-looking pitcher that produces great-tasting water, it’s something we’re willing to overlook (much like our filter-reminder dates).

For those who want to cut back on plastics (or simply prefer the relative sophistication of glass), the Glacier Fresh Purela P01 7-Cup Glass Water Pitcher is a cool, minimalist alternative.

It filters using a two-part system consisting of an activated carbon filter and a membrane micro-filter to reduce and trap contaminants such as chlorine and lead. The membrane micro-filter adds a physical layer of filtration, helping trap smaller particles that carbon filters alone may not catch. While this seems like added work, the membrane only needs to be replaced once a year, while the carbon filter must be replaced about every two months.

“This has to be the easiest pitcher to fill, ” says editor Nicole Bonaccorso. She also found it effective at filtering her tap water. “The water tastes cleaner compared to my tap water. It's crisper, and I don't notice a chlorine taste, which I notice in our unfiltered tap water.”

She did observe that this pitcher’s height, 12.6 inches (in), could be a drawback. For instance, the pitcher didn't fit easily in her refrigerator. ”I actually had to move the top shelf down to fit this. However, it is on the thin side, so it doesn't take up much room in that direction,” she says.

Overall, though, Bonaccorso enjoyed using this pitcher and intends to continue to do so. “It's a great water filter that has a very cool, minimalist look.”

Hydros has some confident claims about how quickly this pitcher can filter water, and after testing it, I can confirm that they’re true. I’d resigned myself to watching the water trickle through its filtration process. Instead, I was surprised to find that the pitcher filled so quickly that I didn’t even have to turn off my faucet until the pitcher itself was full. Add to that the slim, space-saving design and borosilicate-glass construction, and you have a sleek, minimalist water pitcher.

While it has the smallest capacity of the filtered water pitchers we tested, I’ve found myself reaching for it simply because filling it up isn’t the chore I expected it to be. Even if it needs frequent refills, I’m not sitting around waiting for it to filter. It may not be practical for larger households. But for someone with limited space who cares about aesthetics, it may be a surprise hit. 

Having clean-tasting water is one thing. But being able to actually monitor your water quality? That’s a whole different level.

Culligan’s pitcher with ZeroWater uses a five-step filtration system to reduce the presence of the usual suspects — lead, mercury, and cadmium — along with perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”), pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. This particular pitcher is also certified by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO); it has been independently tested to confirm that the filter removes the substances it claims to remove.

Culligan’s monitor gives you an easy way to compare your water before and after filtering. A level near zero (or “000”) is ideal. When the TDS reading gets high, indicating that the filter is saturated and no longer removing dissolved solids well, an amber light comes on to remind you to replace the filter.

Usigan was impressed by the difference it made in her water’s taste. “It tastes similar to the filtered water that comes out of my fridge. It's virtually tasteless,” she says. She also appreciated this pitcher’s look, calling it “beautifully designed” and “chic compared to other water pitchers.”

The filter is quite large and takes up a good deal of real estate in the pitcher itself. Usigan found it took a bit longer for it to filter (perhaps unsurprisingly). Still, at under $40, this pitcher gives you a lot of information that others don’t.

Larq takes a carbon-activated filter and adds another layer of purification: a built-in UV-C light system that helps limit microbial growth inside the pitcher. The filter itself has also been rigorously tested against NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 401 to reduce a range of chemical contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury, PFAS, chlorine, and more. This two-step process means that your water will taste crisp while also reducing the chance that the pitcher itself will harbor unwanted microbes.

Editorial director Simone Scully tested the Larq PureVis for us and was struck by its quality. “It’s very durable and easy to set up,” she says, “and it’s a great size: large enough so you’re not constantly refilling it, but also slim enough to fit in a fridge door.”

She also appreciated the dual filter and UV-C light. Her house has hard water because it’s well water, ”so I’m always a little unsure about my water quality for both drinking and cleaning. This pitcher gives me more peace of mind.”

That said, it's undeniably expensive, and the UV-C light means added parts that will need to be recharged periodically. But for folks who are serious about good water-pitcher hygiene, the Larq PureVis is an excellent, tech-forward choice.

If you’re especially sensitive to how water tastes, the Seychelle Gen 2 Dual pH2O pitcher is designed to prioritize flavor as much as filtration. Most standard carbon filters focus on removing chlorine and odor; this one adds an alkalinizing filtration step, which can change how your water tastes and feels.

Alkalinizing media works by buffering the acidity in your tap water, which may reduce sharp or metallic notes. The result is water that some might describe as softer, smoother, or more neutral. However, more research is needed to determine whether or not alkaline water has any associated health benefits.

Writer Amy Sowder quickly noticed a difference. “I was so surprised how different the water tasted compared to our tap water,” she says. “The flavor was softer — less metallic, almost.”

She also appreciated how easy the pitcher is to fill, although she did find it a bit bulky and tough to fit into her fridge. If taste is a priority, this one is a winner, though. “I didn't even think our tap water was bad at all, but now this is so much better,” says Sowder.