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Brita is many people's first introduction to filtered water. The jug sits in millions of Dutch fridges and does what it promises: better-tasting tap water without installation. But what if you want more: less hassle, broader filtration, or simply water with a soft, fresh taste? In this overview we put Brita next to PureFilter Mineral+ and look honestly at when an upgrade is worth it.
Brita's best-known product is the Maxtra+ or Maxtra Pro filter jug: a transparent jug with a filter cartridge in the lid. You fill the jug with tap water, it seeps through the filter (activated carbon and ion exchanger) and ends up softer and fresher tasting in the lower part.
What a Brita does well:
What a Brita does NOT do:
PureFilter Mineral+ is not a water jug, but an under-sink filter. It connects once to the cold water line under your sink, you can install it yourself in 10 minutes, and it filters the water before it comes out of your existing tap.
All 40 tested chemicals reduced, from 75% to 99.97%. 83% to 85% less PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. Measured by an independent lab. Lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium brought below the detection limit. No chlorine taste, no chlorine smell: 99.97% less chlorine. 99% less nitrate and 94% less fluoride.
Swedish Mineral Rock™ adds calcium, magnesium and potassium in the final filter step and gives your water a soft, fresh taste.
A Brita jug mainly filters chlorine and limescale. For the PureFilter Mineral+ the following was measured: 83% to 85% less PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. Measured by an independent lab. Lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium brought below the detection limit. The carbon block has very small pores. Microplastics that are larger, and most of them are, get caught in it.
Where a water jug makes the water flatter, PureFilter adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium via Swedish Mineral Rock™. The result is richer, softer water — comparable to good bottled mineral water.
You replace a Brita filter 13 times a year. PureFilter only needs one filter per year (for 1-3 people). Less hassle, and from year 2 onwards, it's cheaper per month than with a Brita.
| Reference | Brita Maxtra+ | PureFilter Mineral+ |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Water pitcher with filter cartridge | Under-sink filter |
| Filters chlorine & taste | Yes | Yes |
| Filters PFAS | No | Yes |
| Filters microplastics | Hardly | Yes |
| Filters heavy metals | Partially | Yes |
| Adds minerals | No | Calcium, magnesium, potassium |
| Straight from the tap | No, fill it first | Yes |
| Installation | None | 5–10 min, no plumber |
| Spot in kitchen | In the refrigerator or on the counter | Invisible under-sink |
| Replace filter | Every 4 weeks | Every 12 months |
| Acquisition | Approx. €30 | €149.00 |
| Replacement costs per year | ±€60–€80 | €65.00 (1–3 persons) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 5 years |
One of the least discussed differences between a water pitcher and an under-sink filter is how often you have to deal with it. A Brita filter needs to be replaced every four weeks, which is 13 times a year. Most people forget to do that, and then the water is no longer properly filtered.
PureFilter Mineral+ has a filter cartridge that lasts up to 12 months (1–3 people) or 6 months (4+ people). Replace it once a year, and you're done. A €30 Brita pitcher with €70 worth of replacement filters per year = €100 in year 1. PureFilter is €149.00 in year 1, then €65.00 per replacement filter.
From year 2 onwards, you'll be cheaper per month than with a Brita.
| Option | Per liter |
|---|---|
| Bottled water (1.5L at €0.80) — ±€779/year | ±€0.53 / liter |
| Brita Maxtra + filters — ±€100/year | ±€0.07/litre |
| PureFilter Mineral+ — €149.00 (year 1) | ±€0.01 / litre |
Not every Dutch kitchen needs an under-sink system right away. Below you can see which choice best suits each situation.
For those who are moving beyond the water jug and are serious about filtration and taste, PureFilter Mineral+ is the logical next step. For those who are content with just taste improvement, Brita remains an excellent choice.
For each situation, you can see at a glance which choice makes the most sense.
For those who are moving on from the water pitcher and are serious about filtration and taste, PureFilter Mineral+ is the logical next step. For those who are content with just taste improvement, Brita remains a great choice.
Still not sure? Check out the complete overview of the best home water filters, or read how PureFilter compares to a Berkey or alongside a Quooker.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Brita itself does not claim PFAS filtration in the Maxtra+ or Maxtra Pro filters. For effective removal of PFAS you need a filter with multi-layer activated carbon that has been independently tested on PFAS, such as PureFilter Mineral+. Read more about which water filter removes PFAS from tap water.
Not worse, just different. A Brita is designed to improve taste and reduce limescale at a low price. An under-sink system filters more broadly and adds minerals. Which one suits you depends on what you are looking for and how much you use.
Every four weeks — that's 13 filters per year. If you forget, the water will be filtered less effectively, and bacteria can form. PureFilter, on the other hand, requires one filter per year (1–3 people) or two per year (4+ people).
Yes. That is the main difference from a Brita. In the final filtering step, PureFilter Mineral+ adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium via Swedish Mineral Rock™. This makes the water taste richer and softer — not flatter, as with a jug with an activated carbon filter.
It fits in almost all Dutch kitchens. PureFilter Mineral+ is compact (10 × 2.5 inches, 1 kg) and fits next to standard connections. Installation takes 5 to 10 minutes with a wrench.
That's not necessary — PureFilter already delivers filtered water directly from your tap. But you can of course keep a Brita for specific uses (for example, to take water with you in a bottle). Most people who switch get rid of their Brita.
Yes. For families of 4 or more, PureFilter provides one cartridge that lasts up to 6 months. A Brita jug with 13 filter replacements per year quickly becomes inconvenient and more expensive for large families.
That depends on your situation, budget, and how much water you use. In our overview of the best home water filters, we compare the options fairly. Are you mainly concerned about PFAS? See which water filter removes PFAS from tap water. You can also compare PureFilter with a Berkey or see how it works with a Quooker.
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