If you need to Filter water on the go, a filtration pitcher is one of the best tools for the job. Even if you don't enjoy camping, hiking, or backpacking, you may find it to be an affordable filtration option for your home. Even those who can afford an expensive whole-house filtration system might want one of these. After all, it never hurts to have a good backup plan. BOS recommends that you should go for one that is of high quality and effective, preferably one that combines carbon filtration with KDF and ion exchange filter media. This combination is known to get rid of a lot of things while also improving the taste of the water. We will talk about this more in the article.

Another thing you need to look for is durability. You will be using your water filter pitcher on a daily basis. And so you want to make sure that it doesn’t break at any point. If it does then it isn’t worth your money.

Of course, it is very important to select a pitcher that can offer the quality and effectiveness that you need. With that in mind, let's look at four of the most popular water filter pitchers for 2021.

Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher

The Aquagear is a heavy-duty option that seems to remove a lot of water contaminants for a pitcher unit. It meets and exceeds the relevant NSF standards, which is very encouraging(see buyer's guide below). It has also been tested in Flint, Michigan, which is notorious for its abysmal water quality. However, it's a little expensive for a plastic pitcher, and the replacement filters aren't that cheap, either.

Pros:

• Removes a very large number of contaminants
• Meets and exceeds NSF requirements
• Tested in Flint, Michigan
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Most expensive filter on our list
• Made of plastic
• Replacement filters are a little expensive

Zero Water ZBD-040-1

The Zero Water ZBD-040-1 water filter pitcher is made mostly from Glass and metal, making it very sanitary and tough. Even the glass is reasonably thick. It is also a very heavy-duty filter that is fully certified and verified. It has five stages of filtration, which is more than most pitchers have. The convenient dispenser on the front is a nice-to-have. Of course, the weight and fragility make it a terrible choice for travelers. We also don't like the fact that the inner filter is still made of plastic.

Pros:

• Removes a very large number of contaminants
• Meets and exceeds NSF requirements
• Tested in Flint, Michigan
• Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

• Risk of glass breakage
• A little on the heavy side
• Water still contacts plastic

LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher

This is a large glass model that is well-suited for any home. It protects against a large number of water contaminants due to it using a carbon filtration stage. Carbon removes a huge array of pollutants and also improves water taste. The LifeStraw also works against microbes and micro-plastics, which are not easy to remove. We wished they would make an all-glass model, as this would be more sanitary. Also, the water sometimes wants to wash back through the filter when you raise it to pour.

Pros:

• Good value for its price
• Large capacity
• Incorporates carbon
• Works against microbes and micro-plastics

Cons:

• Would be better to make an all-glass model
• Water sometimes tries to "back-filter"

Camelbak Relay Pitcher

This is a very small filtration pitcher that is a great choice for travelers. As the name implies, it was designed with the long-distance runner in mind. Camelbak makes some of the best hydration bladders, so their reputation is solid, no doubt. Our only real issue with the Camelbak Relay is the fact that it is very much a niche product. It's good for traveling light but not much else.

Pros:

• Light and compact
• Can be carried on a belt
• Thick plastic
• Respected manufacturer

Cons:

• Niche product: Only good for one thing

Buyer's Guide

These are just four water filter pitchers out of many possible products. These examples were chosen because of their relative popularity, but you shouldn't limit yourself to them. You might find something else that suits your needs more efficiently. With that in mind, there are certain features for which you should look when shopping. Most importantly:

Water Storage Capacity

On the one hand, you probably don't want a filter pitcher that is too large and too heavy. On the other hand, too small requires frequent refill which is just not as convenient.

As a general rule, smaller pitchers are better for travel use especially if you are traveling on foot, because they take up less room in your backpack. When you are only going to be filtering in small amounts anyway, a large pitcher would be a cumbersome waste.

By the same token, it would be silly to get one of the smaller models for use in your home. Filtering all your drinking water with such a device would take a lot longer and involve more effort. Thus, you should scale the pitcher according to your needs.

NSF Rating

NSF ratings should be checked when buying any type of water filter. The NSF is an organization which establishes standards to measure the effectiveness of water filters, and their standards are respected throughout the industry.

Before buying any filtration product, you should go to the NSF page linked here and do a search. Look for the product itself, and also the manufacturer. Are there any certifications? If you cannot find one, at least make sure that a certain pitcher model has been independently tested for contamination reduction.

Glass or Plastic?

Both glass and plastic pitchers are available, and both have their pros and cons. Glass is generally a "cleaner" material, as its surface has fewer pores to hold dirt and residues. That is why glass is used for many sanitary applications. However, glass is also heavier and involves the risk of breakage. In general, we would recommend plastic for travel and glass for the home.

In A Nutshell

No matter which water filter pitcher you choose, it’s important that you do your due diligence. As a product designed to safeguard your health (and possibly the health of others), you must apply high standards when selecting a water pitcher. A poor choice could cause you to drink contaminated water, and all sorts of problems can result from that.