Brita and PUR make the two water filter pitchers most kitchens end up choosing between, and at first glance they look almost the same. Both sell plastic pitchers that fit in a fridge, both sell a basic filter that improves the taste of tap water, and both sell an upgraded filter certified to reduce lead. The real differences are in the filters: how long they last, what they are certified to reduce and which pitchers the certification covers.
Water matters in a kitchen that makes aguas frescas, horchata and coffee every day, so we read both makers’ performance data sheets line by line. This guide compares Brita and PUR on lead, filter life, the rest of the certified list, speed, temperature and cleaning, then says which to buy and names one pitcher from each brand.
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Quick verdict: Brita or PUR?
For most households, a Brita pitcher with the Elite filter is the easier choice. Brita rates the Elite for 120 gallons, three times the 40 gallons of PUR’s filters, so you change it about every six months instead of every two, and its data sheet lists a longer set of certified reductions, including PFOA and PFOS. Choose PUR with the PUR Plus filter if you want the pitcher that came out on top in GearLab’s laboratory tests for contaminant removal and taste and don’t mind changing filters more often. For lead, buy the upgraded filter from either brand, not the basic one.
The table sets out the differences; the sections after it explain each one.
Brita vs PUR water filter, side by side
| Brita | PUR | |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher filters | Standard, BritaPlus, Elite | PUR (basic), PUR Plus |
| Lead-certified pitcher filter | Elite (model OB06) | PUR Plus (model PPF951K) |
| Lead reduction on the data sheet | 99.5% at pH 6.5, 99.6% at pH 8.5 | 99.7% at pH 6.5, 99.4% at pH 8.5 |
| Lead-filter life | 120 gallons, about 6 months | 40 gallons, about 2 months |
| Basic filter life | 40 gallons, about 2 months (BritaPlus listing) | 40 gallons or 2 months (listing) |
| PFOA/PFOS on the data sheet | Yes, Elite, for listed pitchers | Not listed |
| Certified by | WQA, NSF International (lead), IAPMO R&T (PFOA/PFOS) | NSF International and WQA |
| Water temperature | 32 to 85°F (Elite) | 34 to 82°F |
Lead: both brands certify it, but only in the upgraded filter
This is the most important point, and it is the same for both brands. The basic filter is for taste. The filter certified for lead is the upgrade.
Brita’s performance data sheet for the Elite filter, model OB06, lists lead reduction of 99.5% at pH 6.5 and 99.6% at pH 8.5 under NSF/ANSI Standard 53, and marks the lead claims as certified by NSF International. PUR’s data sheet covers both of its pitcher filters on one page: the PUR Plus filter, model PPF951K, reduces lead by 99.7% at pH 6.5 and 99.4% at pH 8.5, while the basic PUR filter, PPF900Z, is marked “Not Certified” for lead.
The listings agree. The BritaPlus filter in our Brita pick is certified for chlorine, copper, mercury, cadmium and zinc, but not lead, and the basic PUR filter in our PUR pick is certified for chlorine, mercury, copper and zinc. If lead is the reason you are buying a pitcher, buy the Elite or the PUR Plus filter, and see our best pitcher water filter for lead removal guide.
Filter life: the clearest difference
Brita says to replace the Elite every 120 gallons, about every six months for the average family. PUR’s data sheet gives 40 gallons for all of its pitcher and dispenser filters, which PUR’s listing puts at about two months. GearLab’s maintenance table shows the same figures for the two lead filters.
Over a year that is two Elite filters against about six PUR Plus filters. That means fewer changes to remember and less plastic to throw away. It is also why we lean toward Brita for most households, though both filters do the same core job. Our best Brita filter guide covers the rest of Brita’s range.
The rest of the certified list
Beyond lead, both lead filters carry long lists under NSF/ANSI 42 (taste and odor, such as chlorine), 53 (health effects) and 401 (trace “emerging compounds”). Both cover mercury, cadmium, benzene and some pesticides. The main difference is PFAS. Brita’s Elite data sheet lists PFOA and PFOS reduction, certified by IAPMO R&T. PUR’s data sheet doesn’t list PFOA or PFOS for either filter.
Read Brita’s small print, though. Several of the Elite’s claims, including PFOA and PFOS, are valid only for the pitcher models listed on its data sheet. The Slim/Metro pitcher is on that list, and so are several others, but if PFAS matters to you, check your pitcher’s model number against the sheet before you rely on it.
Neither brand’s pitcher filters are meant to make unsafe water safe. Both data sheets say the filters are not intended to purify water and should not be used with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality. The substances on the list may not be in your water at all; your utility’s annual water quality report tells you what is.
What independent laboratory results show
GearLab, in Graham Faulknor’s 2026 water filter roundup, sent water through several pitchers for laboratory analysis. It says the PUR PLUS 11-Cup removed the most contaminants of all the pitchers in its tests, with about 100% lead removal and a 97% reduction in total PFAS, and it earned the best taste reviews among the pitchers.
The Brita UltraMax dispenser with an Elite filter came close behind, with about 99% lead removal and a 91% PFAS reduction, and ranked second for taste. GearLab’s Brita Metro, a small pitcher whose filter it doesn’t name, was among the weakest PFAS performers, at 54%. So the result depends on the filter inside: a Brita pitcher is only as good as the filter you buy for it.
These are one reviewer’s results, not certification. But they show that PUR’s lack of a PFAS line on its data sheet isn’t the whole story.
Speed, temperature and the daily routine
Both are gravity filters, so you wait while the water drips through. GearLab notes that pitcher filters, the PUR included, mean a longer wait for filtered water, especially if you let the pitcher run empty, anywhere from 2 to 15 minutes to fill a cup. PUR’s own listing says its basic filter is faster than the PUR Plus. Both makers rate their filters for about 2 gallons a day.
Use cold tap water only. Brita gives a range of 32 to 85°F for the Elite and PUR gives 34 to 82°F. Hot water doesn’t belong in either pitcher. For kitchens that go through more than a pitcher or two a day, our pitcher vs faucet water filter guide explains when a faucet filter makes more sense.
Pitchers, cleaning and fit
Brita says its Elite filter fits all Brita pitchers and dispensers except the Stream line. PUR’s data sheet covers both of its filters in all the pitcher and dispenser models it lists. Each brand’s certifications cover only its own pitcher models, so stay with the brand’s own filters.
For washing, PUR says the components of its 11-cup pitcher are dishwasher safe. Brita doesn’t say so in the listing for our pick, so plan on washing it by hand. Brita backs its pitchers and filters with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and PUR lists a one-year limited warranty on its 11-cup pitcher.
Choose Brita if… / Choose PUR if…
Choose Brita if…
- You want fewer filter changes: the Elite lasts 120 gallons.
- You want PFOA and PFOS on the certified list.
- You already own a Brita pitcher; the Elite fits all but the Stream.
- You want a small pitcher for a compact fridge.
Choose PUR if…
- You want the pitcher that topped GearLab’s laboratory and taste results.
- You want a larger pitcher with dishwasher-safe parts.
- You are happy to change the filter about every two months.
- You already own a PUR pitcher or dispenser.
Our pick on each side of the Brita vs PUR water filter question
One pitcher per brand. Both were in stock and sold by Amazon.com when we checked, and both come with the brand’s taste filter, so add the lead-certified filter if you need it. Both are other listings of pitcher models on our other pages: the Brita is the BritaPlus version of the Metro in our best affordable water filter pitcher and lead guides, chosen because it is the Brita on the Elite data sheet’s full list, and the PUR is the basic-filter version of the 11-cup in our lead guide, chosen because PUR’s data sheet covers it with both filters.
1. Brita Metro Small 6-Cup Pitcher With BritaPlus Filter – Compact, Elite-Ready
The Metro is Brita’s small pitcher, sized for a mini-fridge or a fridge door according to the listing. It holds 6 cups and comes with a BritaPlus filter, which Brita says traps twice as many contaminants as its Standard filter, including chlorine, mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc. The listing says the BritaPlus is certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI standards and lasts 40 gallons, about two months.
The reason to choose this Brita is what it accepts. Brita’s Elite data sheet names the Slim/Metro pitcher among the models for its full list of claims, including PFOA and PFOS, so you can swap in an Elite filter for lead and those extra reductions and change it about every six months. A SmartLight indicator tracks when the filter is due.
Six cups is small. It suits one or two people, or a second pitcher for the fridge door. For a household that drinks a lot of water, a larger Brita or the PUR below makes more sense.
Why we like it
- On the Elite data sheet’s full list (Slim/Metro)
- BritaPlus certified by WQA (listing)
- SmartLight filter reminder
- Fits a mini-fridge
Key specifications
| Model | Metro, Clear (TU_961089) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 cups |
| Filter included | BritaPlus |
| Included filter life | 40 gallons, about 2 months |
| Lead filter that fits | Brita Elite (OB06), 120 gallons |
| Included filter certified for lead | No |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Guarantee | 30-day money-back (Brita) |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household or compact fridge, and anyone who wants a Brita that takes the Elite filter with its full list of claims.
Skip it if you need more than 6 cups at a time; our best water filter pitcher guide has larger Brita pitchers.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes the longer-lasting Elite filter
- Small footprint
- Filter change reminder
Cons
- Only 6 cups
- Included filter is not certified for lead
- Dishwasher care not stated
2. PUR 11-Cup Water Filter Pitcher – Bigger, Dishwasher-Safe, PUR Plus Ready
The PUR 11-Cup is the larger pitcher of the two, with a stay-tight lid so you can filter and pour at the same time, and dishwasher-safe components, according to PUR’s listing. It comes with PUR’s basic filter, which the listing says is IAPMO certified to reduce chlorine, mercury, copper, zinc and other substances, lasts 40 gallons or two months, and filters faster than the PUR Plus.
The basic filter is a taste filter. For lead, use the PUR Plus filter, which PUR’s data sheet lists for the 11-cup pitcher (model CR1100) along with the basic filter. GearLab rated the PUR PLUS 11-Cup, PUR’s 11-cup pitcher sold with the Plus filter, best of its pitchers for contaminant removal and taste.
Plan on a new filter about every two months either way. That is the main trade-off against Brita’s Elite.
Why we like it
- 11 cups, nearly twice the Metro
- Dishwasher-safe components (listing)
- Takes the lead-certified PUR Plus filter (data sheet)
- One-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | CR1100CV1, White |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 11 cups |
| Filter included | PUR basic (2-in-1) |
| Included filter life | 40 gallons or 2 months |
| Lead filter that fits | PUR Plus (PPF951K), 40 gallons |
| Included filter certified for lead | No |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, components (listing) |
| Guarantee | 1-year limited warranty |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that wants a bigger pitcher it can put in the dishwasher, and is happy to buy PUR Plus filters for lead.
Skip it if you want to change filters only twice a year; the Brita Elite route does that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger capacity
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Covered by PUR’s data sheet with both filters
Cons
- Filters last about two months
- Included filter is not certified for lead
- A larger pitcher takes more fridge space
Brita and PUR questions, answered
Is Brita or PUR better for lead?
Both make a pitcher filter certified for lead under NSF/ANSI 53: the Brita Elite and the PUR Plus, each listed at over 99% reduction on its data sheet. Neither brand’s basic filter is certified for lead. The Elite lasts longer; the PUR Plus did slightly better in GearLab’s laboratory results.
Can you use PUR filters in a Brita pitcher?
Not as certified. Each data sheet lists only that brand’s own pitcher models, so the certified results apply only when you use the brand’s own filter in its own pitcher.
Which lasts longer, a Brita or a PUR filter?
The Brita Elite, at 120 gallons or about six months. Brita’s Standard and BritaPlus filters and both PUR filters are rated for 40 gallons, about two months.
Does Brita or PUR remove PFAS?
Brita’s Elite data sheet lists PFOA and PFOS reduction, certified by IAPMO R&T, for the pitcher models it names. PUR’s data sheet doesn’t list them, though GearLab measured a 97% reduction in total PFAS with the PUR PLUS 11-Cup.
Does filtered water make better aguas frescas and coffee?
If your tap water tastes of chlorine, yes: both brands’ filters are certified to reduce chlorine taste and odor, and that taste carries into anything delicate. Our best water filter for espresso machine guide covers coffee in more depth.
The pitcher we would fill for the fridge
For most kitchens, Brita with the Elite filter is the one to choose, mainly because it lasts three times as long and carries the longer certified list. PUR is the right choice if you want a larger, dishwasher-safe pitcher and value GearLab’s strong laboratory and taste results more than fewer filter changes. Either way, buy the upgraded filter if lead is your concern. Our best water filter pitcher guide compares more pitchers from both brands and others. And when you would rather someone else made the horchata, see the menu or call to order.