Water gives your macromolecules the ability to work efficiently. Impure water, on the other hand, can cause your body to malfunction.
Hence, with most water sources being contaminated by chemicals and materials these days, turning to a water filter to purify the fluid is an absolute necessity.
Today, we will talk about two most effective water filters on their market; Pur and Brita. In fact, we will put two products from each brand against each other in this Pur vs Brita water filter guide.
Let’s get the show on the road.
This unit is easily one of the most cost-efficient systems available on the market. Costing roughly around $20 dollars, this unit can be attached directly to your faucet. The tap water filter system has a very simple design. However, it is not as effective in getting rid of most water contaminants.
Straight out of the box, you will be getting four washers to help you attach it to your faucet, as well as the filter system itself and an instruction manual. The item is approximately 2.4 x 6.1 x8.5 inch in dimension and weighs just under 0.17 Ounces.
Also, on the side of the product, you will find a small slider. This slide when pushed will change the water flow between direct tap water and drinkable water.
Features of Brita Tap Water Filter System
LED Indicat​​or
One of the most important aspects of this product is its light indicator. This small light source will tell you if your filter system is healthy and functioning properly.
Filter
These filters need to be changed once the indicator starts blinking red. These filters are not as expensive as you might think, with three cartridges costing you roughly $14.
Three Modes
The slide located on the side of the product will help you choose between drinkable water and tap water. The unit also has a special feature for you to choose between three choices for water flow.
Compatibility and Price
This product is easily one of the cheapest ones available on the market, as well as one of the most effective as well. Not to mention, with the washers provided, it is possible to attach it to any faucet.
What is good
Cheaper
The price itself makes it a great buy. For the price of the cartridges, it is relatively cheaper than most.
Allows You to Choose Between 3 Different Modes of Water Flow
It comes with a switch and gives you the option to pick between three types of water flow which is amazing. This makes the product versatile and useful.
Super Easy to Install
Compared to most other products, the Brita tap water filter system is much more convenient to install. Simply place the filter onto the system before putting it on your faucet with the washer provided.
Need Attention
Does Not Clear All Pollutants
In some cases, price gives for better quality. As one of the cheapest options available, it does not remove all pollutants on your fluid. With the faucet system, most units register a TDS level of around 142. Whereas without the faucet system, most general water supplies contain a TDS level of 148.
PUR FM-3700 Advanced Faucet Filter
Immediately when you first unbox your unit, you will find four different types of washer, and a filter cartridge to attach to your unit for purification. Not to mention, the filter system itself.
The unit might be chrome but is usually made mostly of plastic making it prone to water stains. It will most likely cause you to clean your unit on a daily basis. You will also find a manual inside your box, which will guide you through the installation process.
Features of PUR FM-3700 Advanced Faucet Filter
LED Indicat​​or
The indicator can usually be located on the front side of the unit. This small light source indicates if the unit needs a filter change. Blinking between the colors green and red, it implicates the health of the filter system.
Mineral Clear Filter
The filter supposedly needs to be changed once every three months of use. These can be easily ordered and replaced.
These particular mineral clear water filters are specifically used to reduce amounts of chlorine and lead, certain chemicals, pesticides as well as other pollutants. This filter is the reason why the taste of water greatly increases giving you a better, richer taste.
Compatibility
The four adapters found inside the box are most often labeled alphabetically. They contain small washers, which give you a perfect snug fit. This makes it possible for the unit to be compatible with most faucets.
Switch
This is easily one of the biggest key aspects of this product. On the right side of the unit, it’s intricately placed in a small plastic lever. This lever gives you the ability to switch between filtered water and tap water.
What is good
Tastes well
This product makes it possible for you to enjoy tap water directly and instantly. Compared to most other products, The PUR FM-3700 Advanced Faucet Filter Chrome is connected directly to your faucet giving you exceptional taste faster and with more efficiency.
Easy to Install
Compared to other water filtration methods, this is by far the easiest to install and use. Straight out of the box, the procedure to place it on your faucet is simple enough. You don't even need any sort of tools to install it as well. To avoid any issues, however, simply follow the instruction manual provided.
Need Attention
Seems Fragile
The plastic material used to make the unit does not do wonders. The unit in itself feels fragile. Even the lever system attached to it seems flimsy.
Unable to Handle Hot Water
Surprisingly enough, any form of hot fluid flowing through the unit can permanently damage it. This may require you to buy a new unit or order a replacement.
Brita Extra Large 18 Cup Filtered Water Dispenser
Easily one of the most compact units on the market, this water dispenser is particularly unique. It consists of mostly two sections. With the upper part containing the purifying system unit, and with the bottom layer storing the purified water.
This water dispenser uses the method of gravity to purify the water. This can be rather effective and efficient in the long run. On the other hand, however, this method can be very time consuming and aggravating.
The beauty of this unit is its simplicity. The product is shaped like a pitcher and comes prebuilt. Within the box, you will find an instruction manual on how to use and maintain the product. The dispenser is also very compact and can easily be placed in your fridge.
Features of Brita Extra Large 18 Cup Filtered Water Dispenser
Durability​
One of the most important aspectual points when buying any product. The Brita water filter is exceptionally sturdy and resilient to most forms of impact. Unlike most other products, however, the Brita water dispenser is portable as well as durable. It is made mostly of high-quality polycarbonate plastic.
Extra Large
Its size is easily one of its biggest selling points. With dimensions of (14.6 by 5.9 by 16.7 inches), you can easily place it in the fridge during its filtration process. With mostly its upper layer consisting of the filter unit.
The weight of this product is not, however, a big issue. Weighing in roughly around 3.76 Pounds, this dispenser can be carried around rather easily. This makes it portable as well as effective.
Spigot
The easy pour spigot is also an amazing addition for this product, with a tap like element attached to the bottom of the unit.
You can simply push it for easy and convenient water dispensing. The spigot is also comprised of hard polycarbonate plastic making the entirety of the product seem well finished and long-lasting.
Effective Filtration
The method of filtration processes involving gravity can be slower.
However, they are much more effective in terminating germs, as well as other contaminants. Simply remove the upper lid before pouring water into the upper chamber of the unit.
The water slowly pours down a chute into the chamber where it gets filtered. Also, the drainage trough isn't attached or molded to the unit itself. However, it is a part of the removable filter which needs to be replaced once every three months.
What is good
Well Made
The product is in no way flimsy. Each and every intricate element made for the unit seems to fit well. Even the detachable lids on the top are made of heavy-duty plastic.
Huge Capacity
The exceptional capacity for this product is amazing. As the name suggests, this specific product is able to hold up to at least 18 cups of water. Which is roughly around 4.25 liters of water.
Inexpensive
Compared to the pur faucet filter, the brit dispenser is much cheaper and more cost-effective.
Need Attention
The Lid Is Difficult to Open
The entire lid in itself is however particularly awkward to open, causing for a very irritable moment. However, you could simply use the hinged filler lid for refilling water as well as for changing the filter cartridge.
PUR 18-Cup Dispenser
This unit serves its purpose rather well. Much like the Brita water dispenser, the pur water dispenser has a capacity of 18 cups. It also, like the Brita water dispenser, uses the method of gravity to filter out contaminants. This process can be slower but more effective.
However, there are a few simple elements that set these two units apart from each other. One of which is the filter itself. The Pur water dispenser uses a longer, and larger filter. This makes the process of water purification longer.
Features of PUR 18-Cup Dispenser
PUR Activated Carbon Filters
The Pur water dispenser uses a larger filter specifically to elongate the purification process. This eliminates more pollutants and contaminants from the fluid. Even some reports are stating that these units take down TDS levels down to 42.
Has a Greater Filter Lifetime
As hard as it may be to believe, but the Pur water filters are capable of filtering at least 40 gallons of water. Using a method of gravity and carbon filters, the water is not only purer but also void of most contaminants.
Larger
The Pur dispenser is roughly around 15.8 x 5.6 x 10.3 inches in dimension, weighing in just under 5 pounds. Not only does this mean greater capacity and volume for you to store water in, but also means that it houses a larger filtration system making the water cleaner for consumption.
However, even though it is larger in size, it is still able to fit well inside your fridge. It is ergonomically shaped in such a way to make it portable as well.
Tap
This product also has a well-built tap connected to the bottom side of the unit for dispensing water. Compared to other products; however, this tap performs better and more smoothly. It does not use any form of buttons, giving you the ability to simply push or pull to dispense the fluids with ease.
What is good
Removes Contaminants and Odors Well
This product is not only very effective in removing contaminants but also odors as well. Compared to other products, the Pur water dispenser is able to not only take down the dissolved solubles in the liquid but the stench too.
Durable
In no way is this product flimsy. This product like many others, use hard polycarbonate plastic. However, the build quality on this is quite impressive giving you a good durable clean-cut look.
Allows You to Lock the Tap
This element is common in most products. However, what sets the Pur apart from the Brita is the ability to lock the tap. You can simply push the tap to an extent so that it locks itself in place, giving you clear running water without holding onto the tap. You can of course close again by simply pulling it back.
Need Attention
Takes a Lot of Time
I hate how much time this thing takes up to filter out the contaminants. In fact, it can consume an entire day to get filled with purified water, which is a huge bummer.
Pur VS Brita Water Filter — Which One to Choose?
Whenever it comes down to choosing between two water filtration systems or more, the first and foremost thing you will want to see is how effective it is. You must keep a keen eye on the back of each product and notice the number of industrial chemicals they can eradicate.
One of the biggest threats to drinking water is lead. Finding a product that can eradicate large amounts of lead from your drinking water is crucial. Such as the ‘Brita tap water filter system’ and the ‘PUR FM 3700’.
These faucet filter systems are great for eradicating lead from fluids. However, the ‘PUR FM 3700’ is much more effective compared to the ‘Brita tap water filter system.’ FM 3700 is capable of eradicating most other contaminants other than lead. They also remove any sort of smell that your running water might possess as well.
However, the ‘Brita tap water filter system’ is cheaper and can be better if you are buying it on a budget. Compared to an entire faucet filter system, the water dispenser is a better and more efficient solution.
Both these water dispensers are usually in the shape and form of pitchers or jugs. They have a filter inside of them that uses the method of gravity to remove any sort of TDS or Industrial pollutants from your water.
For example, the ‘PUR 18-Cup Dispenser’ uses carbon-based filter systems to remove waste and excess harmful elements in your water, leaving you with a refreshing odorless element for consumption. However, ‘Brita 18-Cup Dispenser’ has a faster filtration process.
Where the Pur cup dispenser can be very effective and efficient, the Brita is much faster and more reliable. They both use different methods of dispensing water. With the Pur using a tap for dispensing and the Brita using a spigot.
So, there’s no clean winner here and ultimately the decision comes down to your personal preferences. Thus, it’s up to you to pick between the two.
Conclusion
Purifying the local water has always been a challenging aspect for us. However, with technology and time, this has been heavily simplified. Purification can now start straight from the tap.
These products not only give you the ability to consume water straight from the source but also give you the ability to filter them effectively as well.
With all these products available on the market, the topic and debate between which to choose is extremely important. Pinning two products against each other yields great results. The Pur vs Brita debate is arguably one of the best arguments to have for water filtration.
And I hope after reading our article, you have a clear idea of which one is perfect for you. Let us know about your decision below.