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ZeroWater vs PUR (2022): Which Water Filter Pitcher Deserves A Spot In Your Kitchen?

If you’re tired of constantly buying bottled water for you and your family to drink at home, you might want to consider investing in a water filter pitcher. This way, you’ll always have a supply of clean drinking water, plus you’re reducing plastic waste as well. Two water filter pitcher brands that are worth looking into are ZeroWater and PUR, both of which are trusted in the industry. To help you choose between the two, here’s an in-depth comparison which covers their design, performance, and features.

ZeroWater vs PUR Comparison Chart

ModelZeroWater PUR
 Amazon productAmazon product
PriceAmazon productAmazon product
TDS MeterYesNo
Filter IndicatorNoYes
Filtration Rate96%99%
Lead RemovalYesYes
Chlorine RemovalYesYes
Filter Lifespan40 gallons100 gallons
Capacity10 cups7 cups
Warranty90 days2 years

Design

The ZeroWater and PUR pitchers are similar in design save for a few small differences.

ZeroWater vs PUR design
The ZeroWater pitcher (left) has a TDS meter while the PUR pitcher (right) has a filter indicator.

Design-wise, there aren’t too many significant differences between the ZeroWater and PUR water filter pitchers. They’re both made out of clear plastic which makes it easy to see how much water is left in them. Also, both of their handles are padded so they’re extra comfortable to grip and you won’t burn your hands if you’re handling hot water.

But if we’re splitting hairs, it’s worth noting that they have different locations for the button that opens their lid. On the PUR pitcher, it’s found up top near the lid while on the ZeroWater pitcher, it’s below the handle. We find the latter button location quite odd because it’s all too easy to accidentally press it when you place your hand too low on the handle.

Another difference you might want to know about is that the PUR pitcher comes with a filter indicator which tells you when it’s time to swap out your filter for a new one. Unfortunately, this feature is missing on the ZeroWater pitcher. It does, however, come with a TDS meter which you’ll find handy if you’re interested in your water’s purity. The PUR pitcher lacks this inclusion.

Performance

The PUR pitcher has a slight edge over the ZeroWater pitcher in terms of filtration rate.

ZeroWater vs PUR performance
The ZeroWater pitcher has a 96% filtration rate while the PUR pitcher has 99%.

If you have a water contamination issue in your area, both the ZeroWater and PUR water filter pitchers have impressive filtration rates and can be trusted to provide you with clean and safe water. However, the PUR pitcher does have a slight upper hand over its competitor. While the ZeroWater pitcher offers a 96% guarantee, the PUR pitcher promises to remove 99% of 22 kinds of water contaminants. So if you want more peace of mind, you’re more likely to get that with the PUR pitcher.

For those whose main concern is chlorine, you’ll be glad to know that both the ZeroWater and PUR pitchers won’t let this contaminant harm you. They’re able to get rid of all traceable signs of chorine found in your water, including taste and scent. However, chlorine is known for being a stubborn substance and chemical filtration is usually needed to remove it a hundred percent. This means that there’s a chance that both pitchers will leave some remnants of chlorine in your water. This is nothing to be scared of though because chlorine needs to be consumed in large quantities for it to be a danger to your health.

As for those who worry about lead, the PUR pitcher gives you the option to use a lead reduction filter. With its advanced filtration capabilities, it removes as much of the heavy metal as possible. With the ZeroWater pitcher, you don’t need any other filter as the regular one works just fine to eliminate the harmful element.

Speed

The ZeroWater pitcher is faster at filtering water than the PUR pitcher.

ZeroWater vs PUR speed
The ZeroWater pitcher takes 1 minute 50 seconds while the PUR pitcher takes 3 minutes 50 seconds.

Filter speed is where the gap between the ZeroWater and PUR pitchers starts to widen. The ZeroWater pitcher has shown that it can do its job in just 1 minute and 50 seconds. As for the PUR pitcher, it needs around double the amount of time, clocking in at 3 minutes and 50 seconds. So for those whose main priority is to save time, you’re likely to enjoy the ZeroWater pitcher more. That said, we can’t really fault the PUR pitcher for being slower because as mentioned, it’s able to remove a higher amount of water contaminants. So while it’s not as fast, it is more effective.

Filter Lifepsan

The PUR pitcher has a much longer filter lifespan than the ZeroWater pitcher.

ZeroWater vs PUR lifespan
The ZeroWater pitcher has a filter lifespan of 40 gallons while the PUR pitcher has 100 gallons.

While the ZeroWater pitcher wins when it comes to speed, the PUR pitcher boasts of a much longer filter lifespan. You can keep using it for around two to three months before you have to replace its filter with a new one. This is equivalent to around a hundred gallons of water. As for the ZeroWater pitcher, you’re going to have to replace its filter much sooner as it can only take around 40 gallons of water before it starts to become ineffective. But because it doesn’t come with a filter indicator, it can be hard to know when the time is right.

Verdict

Get the PUR pitcher if you want a higher filtration rate but go for the ZeroWater pitcher if you want speed.

Amazon product

Given that the ZeroWater and PUR water filter pitchers are both trustworthy products in the same price range, it all really boils down to what’s important to you when choosing between the two. If you live in an area where water contamination is an issue, you might have better peace of mind with the PUR pitcher since it has a higher filtration rate. It’s a bonus too that you don’t have to change out its filter as often. As for those who live in an urban area and have a fast-paced lifestyle, you might appreciate the ZeroWater pitcher more for its ability to get the job done much quicker.

FAQs

๐Ÿ“Œ Which one has a longer filter lifespan, ZeroWater or PUR?

The PUR pitcher has a longer filter lifespan, able to last up to 100 gallons of water. The ZeroWater pitcher’s filter can only take around 40 gallons before it needs to be replaced.

๐Ÿ“Œ Which one has a higher filtration rate, ZeroWater or PUR?

The PUR pitcher has a filtration rate of 99% while the ZeroWater pitcher guarantees 96%. While the former has a higher rate, both are able to remove any traces of lead and chlorine.

๐Ÿ“Œ Which one works faster, ZeroWater or PUR?

The ZeroWater pitcher filters water faster than the PUR pitcher, only needing around 1 minute and 50 seconds to do its job. The PUR pitcher needs about 3 minutes and 50 seconds.

๐Ÿ“Œ Which one should you buy, ZeroWater or PUR?

Get the PUR pitcher if you want a higher filtration rate but go for the ZeroWater pitcher if you want speed.

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Denise Jose

Senior Editor at Compare Before Buying. Researcher and yoga teacher passionate about article writing, photography, wellness, and mindfulness.