A filter pitcher is one of the simplest ways to change how tap water tastes at home. The useful question is not "which filter is best?" but "what do I want it to do, and what will it cost me over a year?"
Two common styles exist: standard pitcher filters that fit a wide range of pitchers, and gravity-fed filters with several stages. They suit different people, and neither replaces checking the manufacturer's own information.
What matters with a replacement filter
The key question is compatibility: does the filter fit your pitcher or dispenser? Original replacements usually state the compatible models on the product page; third-party ones are often vaguer.
- Explicitly stated compatibility with your pitcher
- How long a filter lasts (weeks or litres), and what that works out to per month
- How many filters come in the pack
Standard filters versus multi-stage filters
Multi-stage filters list the stages they use and often come with a small meter. They can cost more to run, so work out the cost per month rather than the price of one filter.