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Quick answer
A Brita water filter primarily improves the taste of tap water by reducing chlorine and limescale; according to Brita, the newer Maxtra Pro also reduces some PFAS. A filter jug is affordable and simple, but you constantly refill it, and a cartridge only lasts about four weeks. If you want to remove 100+ contaminants from your tap and retain minerals, an under-sink filter like the PureFilter Mineral+ is a stronger alternative.
Table of Contents
- What is a Brita water filter?
- What does Brita remove from the water?
- Is a Brita water filter good? The advantages
- Points of attention and disadvantages
- How long does a Brita filter last and what does it cost?
- Brita models and prices at a glance
- Comparison: Brita jug, Brita tap filter, and under-sink
- Buying guide: which water filter suits you?
- Frequently asked questions about Brita water filters
- Conclusion
What is a Brita water filter?
Brita is the most well-known consumer brand for water filters in the Netherlands, with an estimated 5,400 monthly searches for "brita waterfilter". The brand gained significant popularity with the water filter jug: a jug with a replaceable cartridge that filters your tap water as it passes through the funnel. Additionally, Brita offers a tap attachment (On Tap) and an under-sink system (mypure).
In short
A Brita water filter is a filter jug or tap accessory with an activated carbon cartridge and an ion exchanger. It primarily reduces chlorine and limescale to improve taste. You must replace the cartridge regularly, and with a jug, manually refill the water each time.
Most Brita users buy the brand for tastier tea and coffee and less limescale in the kettle. Important to know: a filter jug is different from a full-fledged purification system. In this review, we will honestly look at what Brita does and does not do, what it costs, and when another type of filter is more logical.
What does Brita remove from the water?
According to Brita, the cartridges contain activated carbon and an ion exchanger that reduce taste and odor-causing substances like chlorine and lower carbonate hardness (limescale). The newer Maxtra Pro All-in-1 cartridge also reduces copper, lead, and some modern contaminants such as PFAS and pesticide residues, according to the manufacturer.
Where a Brita jug is less suitable:
- Complete removal of heavy metals: a jug filter partially reduces certain metals, but not with the certified certainty of an under-sink system. If you live in a house built before 1960, there may still be lead pipes; according to Milieu Centraal, these release lead into your tap water.
- Softening: Brita is explicitly not a water softener. It reduces the effect of limescale on taste and appliances, but does not structurally remove calcium and magnesium from the water.
- Bacteria: a jug filter is not disinfection. In fact, stagnant water in a jug can promote bacterial growth if not cleaned regularly.
If you specifically want to know how to filter limescale from your tap water or deal with lead in tap water, those articles will explain exactly which method provides certainty.
Is a Brita water filter good? The advantages
For what it is, Brita does its job well. A filter jug is a good first step if you primarily want to improve the taste. The main advantages:
- Low entry price: a Brita Marella XL costs around 23 euros and an Aluna Cool even from about 15.99 euros. No installation, ready to use immediately.
- Better taste: less chlorine means better-tasting water, tea, and coffee. This is the main reason many people filter.
- Less limescale: softer water results in less limescale in your kettle and coffee machine.
- Widely available: you can buy Brita at Kruidvat, Blokker, Action, Holland & Barrett, and online.
At PureFilter, we see that many customers initially started with a Brita jug and only later switched to a fixed filter, usually because they grew tired of refilling or wanted more certainty about what exactly was being removed from the water.
Points of attention and disadvantages
A Brita jug also has clear limitations. These points are most frequently raised:
- Constant refilling: a jug filters only a limited amount at a time and takes up space on your counter or in the refrigerator.
- Frequent cartridge replacement: Brita recommends replacing the Maxtra cartridge approximately every four weeks. That's thirteen cartridges per year.
- Limited purification: a jug filter primarily focuses on taste, chlorine, and limescale, not on broad, certified removal of, for example, PFAS, medication residues, and heavy metals at the source.
- Hygiene: a filter jug that stands for too long can promote bacterial growth. Regular cleaning is necessary.
The Dutch tap water itself is, by the way, of high quality: according to Vewin, it must meet hundreds of requirements, and drinking water companies perform more than 400,000 measurements annually. Filtering is therefore not done out of fear, but for extra certainty and taste, for example, regarding filtering PFAS from tap water. The RIVM advises tightening the PFAS standard in drinking water to 4.4 nanograms per liter (expressed as PFOA equivalent), which makes reliable filtering even more relevant for some households.
How long does a Brita filter last and what does it cost?
A Brita Maxtra cartridge lasts about four weeks. If you calculate that, the brand costs more in the long run than you might initially think. A set of Maxtra Pro cartridges costs around 28 euros for three, or about 9 to 10 euros per cartridge. With thirteen cartridges per year, you're looking at about 110 to 130 euros per year for filters, in addition to the purchase of the jug. See the cheaper and better alternatives to Brita filter cartridges here.
For comparison: an under-sink replacement filter from the PureFilter Mineral+ costs 49.90 euros and lasts up to twelve months, which amounts to about 0.14 euros per day. You don't refill anything and filter directly at the tap. If you want to understand how to best weigh those costs, also read our guide on a tap filter on the faucet versus a fixed system.
Brita models and prices at a glance
| Brita product | Type | Price (indicative) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marella XL | Filter jug | ± 23 euros | Larger jug, daily use |
| Aluna Cool | Filter jug | from ± 15.99 euros | Affordable entry-level jug |
| On Tap | Tap attachment | ± 81.50 euros | Filtering directly at the tap |
| mypure P1 | Under-sink | ± 143.71 euros | Fixed system, higher capacity |
| Maxtra Pro cartridges | Replacement filter (jug) | ± 28 euros (3-pack) | Replacement cartridge for the jugs |
Prices are indicative and vary by store and promotion. For a comparison of Brita alongside our own system, we have a separate page where you can see PureFilter and Brita side-by-side.
Comparison: Brita jug, Brita tap filter, and under-sink
| Feature | Brita filter jug | Brita On Tap | PureFilter Mineral+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Jug with cartridge | Tap attachment | Under-sink, inline |
| Refilling required | Yes, every time | No | No, directly from the tap |
| Focus | Taste, chlorine, limescale | Taste, chlorine, limescale | Purify 100+ substances and mineralize |
| Certification | Manufacturer claims | Manufacturer claims | NSF 42, 53, 61 & 372 |
| Retain minerals | Partially | Partially | Yes, Swedish Mineral Rock™ |
| Cartridge replacement | ± every 4 weeks | Periodically | Up to 12 months |
| Filter costs per year | ± 110 to 130 euros | Varying | 49.90 euros (± 0.14/day) |
The core of the difference: a Brita jug improves taste, while an under-sink filter like the PureFilter Mineral+ broadly purifies at the source and simultaneously returns minerals. The brand is placed at the front of the cold water line, so your water comes directly from your existing tap.
Tired of refilling?
The PureFilter Mineral+ purifies 100+ contaminants and mineralizes, directly from your own tap. NSF-certified, installed in 5 to 10 minutes without a plumber.
View PureFilter Mineral+Buying guide: which water filter suits you?
A Brita jug is an excellent choice if you want a small investment, primarily want to improve taste, and don't mind refilling and changing a cartridge every month. For a student room or temporary situation, that is often enough.
If you want convenience (never refill again), broad and certified purification, and want to retain minerals, an under-sink system is more logical. Feel free to compare the broader range of water filters for home before choosing. If you are still unsure between types of filters, our explanation about the best under-sink water filter will help you further.
For those who want to be sure of a risk-free choice: the PureFilter Mineral+ has a 40-day free return policy and a 5-year warranty. If you're not satisfied, you'll get your money back.
Frequently asked questions about Brita water filters
Is a Brita water filter good?
For improving taste and reducing chlorine and limescale, a Brita jug is a good, affordable solution. The limitation is that you constantly have to refill, replace the cartridge approximately every four weeks, and the purification is less broad and less certified than with an under-sink system.
What does Brita remove from the water?
According to Brita, the cartridges primarily reduce chlorine (taste and odor) and limescale. The Maxtra Pro also reduces copper, lead, and some modern substances such as PFAS and pesticide residues, according to the manufacturer. However, a jug filter is neither a water softener nor a disinfectant.
Is Brita water healthy?
Yes, filtered Brita water is safe to drink and retains its naturally occurring minerals. Dutch tap water is already of high quality; a filter is primarily for taste and extra certainty. It is important to replace the cartridge on time and keep the jug clean to prevent bacterial growth.
How long does a Brita water filter last?
Brita recommends replacing a Maxtra cartridge approximately every four weeks. That amounts to about thirteen cartridges per year. An under-sink replacement filter like those from PureFilter lasts up to twelve months.
What are the disadvantages of filtered water?
Filtered water itself has hardly any disadvantages, provided you maintain the filter properly. The points of attention lie in the system: a contaminated or overused cartridge works less well and can lead to bacterial growth. Therefore, choose a filter that is easy to maintain and replace the cartridge in time.
Is it better to drink tap water or Brita water?
Both are safe. Brita water tastes fresher to many people because chlorine and limescale are reduced. If, in addition to taste, you also want a broad, certified removal of substances such as PFAS and heavy metals, an under-sink filter offers more certainty than a pitcher.
Conclusion
Brita is the best-known filter brand for a reason: the pitchers are inexpensive, widely available, and noticeably improve the taste of your tap water. If taste and limescale are your only concerns, a Brita pitcher is a great start. The downside is the endless refilling, a cartridge that only lasts four weeks, and a purification that focuses primarily on taste.
If you're looking for convenience, broad and NSF-certified purification, and mineral-rich water without refilling, then the PureFilter Mineral+ is the logical upgrade. Water as it's meant to be, without hassle, directly from your own tap.
Pure and mineral-rich water from your own tap
Switch from refilling to a fixed filter. 40 days free return, 5-year warranty, and approximately 0.14 euros per day for a replacement filter.
View PureFilter Mineral+