Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
ZeroWater 12 cup
Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher
Looking for the best water filter pitcher to remove PFAS from your tap water?
We’ve researched the reviewed the most popular water filter pitchers that can reduce PFAS, and shared the best products for different uses below.
Why trust us? Our dedicated WaterFilterGuru team has been extensively researching and reviewing water filters for over a decade, so we know exactly which features are essential in the best water filter pitcher for PFAS.
We’ve dedicated hours of our time to researching the filters in this guide, comparing the best-selling products to produce this list based on features, pros and cons, and customer feedback.
Table of Contents
🥇 Best Water Filters For PFAS
- Best Overall: Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Budget Choice: ZeroWater 12 cup
- Also Great: Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher
- Longest Filter Life: Brita Tahoe Elite
📊 Comparison Chart of Best Water Filters For PFAS Removal
| Product | Clearly Filtered | ZeroWater 12 cup | Epic Pure |  Brita Tahoe Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$ | $ | $$ | $$ |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
| Ratings | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| PFAS Reduction | 99.5% | 94.9% | 99.8% | Not yet tested |
| Contaminants Removed | 365+ | 99.6% of TDS | 200+ | 30+ |
| Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53, 401 & 473 | NSF 42 & 53 | NSF 42, 53, 401 & P473 | NSF 41, 42 & 53 |
| Holding Capacity | 10 cups | 12 cups | 8 liters | 10 cups |
| Filter Life | 100 gallons | 40 gallons | 150 gallons | 120 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$150 | ~$160 | ~$150 | ~$40 |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 90-day warranty | Lifetime | 2 years |
⭐ Reviews – Best Water Filters For PFAS Removal 2023
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
In our opinion, the best overall water filter pitcher for PFAS is the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher.
Why is this filter our top pick for PFAS removal? It offers superior filtration technology that removes up to 99.5% of 9 different types of PFAS (more than any of the other PFAS water filters on this list), with testing to NSF Standards, and it reduces a total of 365 contaminants, making it more capable than any other pitcher available today.
Key Features:
- Reduces 99.5% PFAS – The Clearly Filtered pitcher can reduce up to 99.5% of 9 types of PFAS, and has independent test data to prove it.
- Removes more contaminants than other water filtration pitchers – Even if PFAS is the main contaminant you’re concerned about in your water, you probably don’t want to drink traces of any other contaminants, either. You’ll be happy to know that the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces more than 365 impurities from drinking water thanks to its proprietary filter media and granular activated carbon blend.
- Retains healthy minerals – Not only does this water pitcher remove hundreds of unwanted contaminants; it does so while retaining healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Best For:
Folks looking for the very best PFAS water pitcher, which offers the reassurance of almost 100% PFAS removal and reduces hundreds of other drinking water contaminants, producing cleaner, safer drinking water.
Pros:
- The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is one of the few pitchers to have obtained third-party testing to NSF/ANSI P473 for the reduction of PFAS. If you want assurance from a trusted organization that your water filter pitcher performs as advertised, you’ll find it here.
- This water pitcher has also been tested and proven to remove more types of PFAS than any other pitcher. It can reduce genX, EPFB, NFBS, PFBS, PFBA, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHA.
- We’re impressed with the Clearly Filtered pitcher’s all-round contaminant reduction abilities. Aside from PFAS, the pitcher also reduces chlorine and chloramine, (99.9%), pharmaceuticals (99.9%), VOCs (99.9%), and lead (99.5%). It’s also tested to NSF Standards 42, 53, and 401.
- It’s great to see that the Clearly Filtered pitcher has a lifetime guarantee, especially since it’s a little more expensive than other pitchers (and rightly so).
Cons:
- You pay more for better filtration technology. If you want a cheap $25 pitcher, this Clearly Filtered device isn’t the solution for you.
- Priming the filter is a bit of a hassle.
Read the full review: Clearly Filtered water pitcher
ZeroWater 12 Cup
If you want an affordable pitcher that targets both PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, we think you can’t go wrong with the ZeroWater 12 Cup Pitcher.
This ready-pour filter combines five stages of filtration, including activated carbon and oxidation reduction alloy, and ion exchange resin, and has an official NSF certification for reducing PFOA/PFOS.
Key Features:
- Officially NSF certified for PFOA and PFOS Removal – The ZeroWater 12 Cup Pitcher has an official NSF/ANSI certification to remove 94.9% PFAS from municipal water supplies.
- Effective contaminant removal – While it doesn’t remove as many other contaminants as the Clearly Filtered water filter, this ZeroWater pitcher does remove many common contaminants, including lead and chromium (which it’s also NSF certified to remove), as well as chlorine, chloramine, arsenic, aluminum, and up to 99.6% of all other dissolved solids. That means cleaner, better-tasting water.
- Easy setup – There are just a few simple steps to setting up this pitcher: attach the filter to the top reservoir, then place it inside the pitcher and fill with water from your tap.
Best For:
Anyone who wants an affordable, NSF-certified solution for removing PFAS chemicals from a well-known water pitcher manufacturer.
Pros:
- The Zero Water 12-Cup Pitcher is actually NSF certified for PFOS and PFOA removal – perfect if you want a pitcher that’s officially listed in the NSF catalog for its performance claims.
- We appreciate the filter’s pour-through filter technology, which means you filter water as you pour from the jug – no need to wait for a batch of water to filter first.
- The pitcher is over half the price of Clearly Filtered’s offering, so it’s a good option if you want a budget-friendly solution for reducing PFAS.
Cons:
- We have an issue with the marketing that Zero Water uses. The Zero Water pitcher is advertised to remove 99.6% total dissolved solids, when the main focus of filtration shouldn’t be to remove TDS, since some dissolved solids (like minerals and salts) are healthy.
- The Zero Water filter pitcher doesn’t guarantee the removal of any other PFAS aside from PFOA and PFOS, so it’s not quite as capable as Clearly Filtred’s pitcher in this respect.
Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher
Based on our research, the Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher is another great water pitcher for removing PFAS from tap water.
This pitcher is NSF tested to Standards 42, 53, 401 & P473372 for the removal of 200+ contaminants, and has dedicated independent testing that proves its ability to remove up to 99.8% of PFAS. Price-wise, it sits in the middle of the Clearly Filtered and Zero Water pitchers, which is about right when you compare the filters’ contaminant removal abilities.
Key Features:
- Reduces up to 99.8% of PFAS – The Epic Pure pitcher removes up to 99.8% of the two most common types of PFAS found in drinking water: PFOS and PFOA.
- Also tested to remove 200+ contaminants – You can enjoy much cleaner, better-tasting tap water with this pitcher filter. The solid carbon block filter reduces up to 99.99% of more than 200 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, microplastics, VOCs, and chromium-6.
- Tested to NSF/ANSI Standards – You don’t have to take Epic’s word for it – the Pure pitcher has been independently tested to NSF 42, 53, 401 & P473372 for its ability to remove or reduce the contaminants listed above.
Best For:
Anyone looking for a pitcher with a longer filter life of 150 gallons and the ability to reduce two of the most common PFAS chemicals at an affordable ongoing cost.
Pros:
- We love how upfront and informative Epic is about the Pure pitcher’s performance abilities. Not only can you view the overall test results for this pitcher online; you can also view the results from dedicated testing for PFAS removal.
- According to Epic’s testing, the Pure filter reduces 99.6% of PFOA and 99.8% of PFOS when tested to NSF Standards for at least the first 100 gallons of filtration.
- If you want to limit your maintenance costs, you’ll appreciate that filters in the Epic Pure pitcher have a 150-gallon lifespan – that’s 50 gallons more than the Clearly Filtered pitcher’s filter life.
- What else do we appreciate about this pitcher? The lifetime warranty is just about as reassuring as it gets, and the LED 90-day filter countdown timer is a useful way to keep up with filter changes.
Cons:
- Again, the Epic Pure pitcher hasn’t been tested to remove as many PFAS chemicals as the Clearly Filtered pitcher can remove.
- Customers have complained that filtration is very slow in this pitcher.
Read the full review: Epic Water Filter Pitchers Review
Brita Tahoe Elite
Our top choice for the best long-lasting water filter pitcher that removes PFAS chemicals is the Brita Tahoe Elite.
This pitcher uses Brita’s upgraded Elite (formerly LongLast filter), which has a 6-month lifespan – more than any other pitcher filter available today. Plus, it’s made from activated carbon and ion exchange, two materials that are effective in reducing PFAS.
Key Features:
- Reduces chlorine, lead, mercury, and more – The Brita Tahoe uses the Elite filter, which is more capable of removing a range of contaminants, including chlorine, lead, mercury, cadmium, benzene, asbestos, ibuprofen, and more. Check the data sheet for the full list of contaminants removed.
- Also reduces PFAS – The Elite filter is made from activated carbon and ion exchange resin. Granular activated carbon media has been proven to be up to 100% effective at removing PFAS, and Brita’s testing data shows 98.1% reduction of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most common PFAs chemicals.
- 6-month filter life – You get up to 6 months of use out of the Elite filter before it needs replacing. That’s up to twice as long as the average pitcher filter with a 3-month lifespan.
Best For:
Folks who want the lowest-maintenance water filter pitcher that removes a handful of common drinking water contaminants.
Pros:
- The Elite filter’s 6-month lifespan is the big selling point of the Tahoe pitcher. You only need to buy replacement cartridges twice a year, reducing your yearly filter replacement cost and eliminating the hassle of regular maintenance.
- Brita is a reliable manufacturer with a loyal customer base. If you’d rather not take a risk and buy from a lesser-known brand, you know you won’t go wrong if you stick with Brita products.
- We also love the pitcher’s flip-top lid, which makes filling the jug quick and easy, and the SmartLight filter change indicator helps you to keep track of filter life, so there’s no need to guess when a filter replacement is due.
Cons:
- The Elite filter lacks in performance compared to the other filters on this list, and is tested to remove a smaller selection of contaminants.
🛒 Buyer’s Guide: Water Filter Pitchers For PFAS
In this buyer’s guide, we’ve shared everything you should know when buying a water filter pitcher for PFAS removal.
What Is A Water Filter Pitcher?
A water filter pitcher looks and behaves like a water jug, but with a built-in filter that removes certain contaminants from your water before you drink it.
The filter typically sits between the top compartment and the main holding chamber in the jug. When you add water to the top compartment, it filters through the filter and fills the holding chamber, ready for drinking.
Some water filter pitchers have pour-through filters that filter water as you pour from the spout.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of synthetic chemicals that have been used widely in manufacturing numerous products, including firefighting foams, cookware, and cosmetics, since the 1940s.
There are tens of PFAS that exist today, and PFOS and PFOA are two of the most widespread chemicals in our water supplies. PFAS are often referred to as “referred chemicals” because they linger in the environment for decades due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), more than 200 million Americans are at risk of drinking excess PFAS in their water.
Are PFAS Regulated?
PFAS in drinking water in the US aren’t currently regulated, but the Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of regulating these chemicals.
In early 2023, the EPA announced that it would be implementing national drinking water standard to limit six types of PFAS under its PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
The PFAS that will be regulated are:
- Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)
- Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
- Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)
- Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, or GenX Chemicals)
- Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
At the time of writing this review, the new regulation is yet to be officially implemented.
How To Know If A Water Filter Pitcher Removes PFAS
There are a few ways to determine whether or not a water filter pitcher can remove PFAS:
Look For Testing & Certifications
First, look for evidence of testing and certifications for the filter.
If the manufacturer has paid to get their filter tested by a third-party for PFAS removal, or certified to NSF Standards, they should share the test results on the product page online.
These test results might give you a yes or no answer as to whether the filter removes PFAS (if it doesn’t, PFAS won’t be listed), and they might also give you a specific percentage of PFAS that the filter has been tested to remove.
Remember that there are common types of PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, so these specific contaminants might be listed rather than more generally listing PFAS.
Contact The Manufacturer
If you can’t find test results online and the manufacturer hasn’t listed all the contaminants removed by the filter on the product page, contact customer service and ask to see test results via email.
If the manufacturer is unable to provide test results, you have to wonder why. The most important selling point of any water filter is its ability to remove certain contaminants, so a manufacturer should be able to prove that their filter can perform as advertised with some form of testing.
Test Your Water Before & After
Once you’ve bought a water filter pitcher for PFAS, you can confirm its PFAS removal abilities by testing your water at home.
Conduct two PFAS water tests: one on your normal tap water, and one on filtered water from your pitcher.
If the pitcher is working as advertised, the PFAS levels in the filtered water supply should be significantly lower than in your faucet water.
Pros And Cons Of Water Filter Pitchers For PFAS Removal
Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of using a water filter pitcher to reduce or remove PFAS in your drinking water supply.
Pros
Affordable Solution
The biggest advantage of water filter pitchers for PFAS is their affordability.
A water filter pitcher costs less than $100 upfront and is affordable to maintain, too, costing around $50-$80 per year for filter changes.
If you want an affordable, easy way to protect your family from drinking water PFAS, a water filter pitcher is the makes-sense solution.
No-Install
Another advantage of water filter pitchers for PFAS removal is that they don’t require a difficult installation.
Whether you’re renting a property and can’t make any permanent changes, you hate DIY, or you just prefer a no-installation solution to your water problems, a water filter pitcher is ideal for you.
Water filter pitchers are quick and easy to assemble. You simply slot or click the filter into the top chamber, attach this to the pitcher jug, put on the lid, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prime the filter ready for use.
Portable Filtration
A water filter pitcher is one of the few water filtration solutions that gives you filtered water wherever you may need it.
You can take your filtration pitcher to any room in your home, or further afield – to your office, a vacation home, or anywhere else with a city water supply.
It’s not tethered to your water line, so you can take your pitcher jug with you if you plan to move, without having to worry about a messy de-installation process.
Cons
Slow Filtration
If you want instant access to PFAS-free drinking water, a water filter pitcher might not be right for you.
You’ll need to wait a few minutes after filling the pitcher for water to filter into the bottom chamber. We recommend filling your jug as soon as you wake up, so you can enjoy filtered water when you’re ready for it later in the day.
Only Filters Tap Water
A water filter pitcher isn’t the best solution for folks who want to remove PFAS from the water used all around their home, including in their fixtures, appliances, and faucets.
You can only use a pitcher to filter water after it leaves your faucet, then use that batch of water for your preferred purpose (drinking, cooking, etc.).
🔍 6 Considerations When Choosing The Best Water Filter Pitcher For PFAS
When you’re shopping for a capable water filter pitcher to remove PFAS, consider the following 6 things:
% PFAS Removal
First, find out what percentage of PFAS your chosen water filter pitcher can remove.
If PFAS removal is one of your top priorities, you need a water filter pitcher that can reduce PFAS as thoroughly as possible.
Some of the best PFAS water filter pitchers on this list can reduce more than 99% of PFAS from a tap water supply.
The more PFAS a filter can remove, the better protected you’ll be from these chemicals.
Not sure how much PFAS a filter can reduce? Check online for test data for the filter or reach out to the manufacturer and ask for the test results to be emailed to you.
Other Contaminants Removed
Removing PFAS from your water might be your main goal, but the best water filter pitchers can remove tens – even hundreds – more common drinking water contaminants.
If you haven’t already, make a list of all the contaminants you want to remove from your drinking water. You can test your water with an at-home test kit or check your Water Quality Report if you want to know which trace contaminants are present in your drinking water supply.
Some of the other contaminants that a water filter pitcher may be able to remove are:
- Chlorine
- Lead
- Fluoride
- Arsenic
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- BPA
- Disinfection byproducts
- Chromium
Of course, not all water filter pitchers can remove all contaminants. Check for testing data available online to see exactly what contaminants a pitcher can remove.
Keep in mind that you’ll generally have to pay more for a water filter pitcher that can remove hundreds of contaminants, compared to a pitcher that can only remove a handful.
If your budget is on the smaller end, focus on filter pitchers that can reduce PFAS and other specific contaminants, rather than filters that remove as many contaminants as possible.
Testing/Certifications
If you want the reassurance of knowing that a water filter pitcher is capable of reducing PFAS and other contaminants, look for independent testing to NSF Standards, or has an official NSF certification for its performance.
As we mentioned earlier, the NSF Standard for PFAS removal is P473. If a water filter pitcher is tested or certified to NSF P473, it means it has been third-party approved for its ability to reduce or remove PFAS.
An official NSF certification is the best evidence of PFAS removal to look for, but third-party testing by a certified organization, like the WQA or IAPMO, is also a reliable indicator of a water filter pitcher’s performance.
Filter Lifespan & Maintenance
Most water filter pitchers have a filter lifespan of 2-3 months.
The longer the filter lifespan, the less frequently you’ll need to replace the filters, so you can spend less per year on maintenance.
With that said, many water filter pitcher manufacturers sell multipacks of their replacement filters at a lower cost per filter, so you should only be spending $50-$100 per year on maintenance anyway.
Pitcher Size & Capacity
The right pitcher size and capacity for you depends on a few things, including your family size, your storage or display preferences, and whether or not you have any mobility restrictions.
You can find pitchers that hold between 6 and 12 cups of water. The bigger the pitcher, the more filtered water it holds, and the less frequently you’ll need to top up the water. For that reason, we recommend larger pitcher jugs for big families that get through filtered water at a faster rate.
On the other hand, if you have a small family and limited side space for a big pitcher, or you have trouble lifting heavy items, you’ll be better off with a smaller pitcher that holds a smaller volume of water.
Flow Rate
If you’re specifically looking at water filter pitchers for PFAS removal, you’ll need to accept that these filters have a slower rate of filtration than filters connected to your water line.
Water filter pitchers use gravity filtration, which means they slowly and gradually filter water. It takes around 10-20 minutes to filter a full batch of water in a pitcher, depending on the jug size and the filter age.
Prefer to get filtered water on demand? You’ll need to look at under-sink or whole-home water filters that can remove PFAS.
👨🔧 Related: Keep Your Water Safe from PFAs “Forever Chemicals” with These 6 Filters
❔ FAQs
Which pitcher filter removes PFAS?
There are a few water filter pitchers that remove PFAS, including the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher, the ZeroWater Pitcher, and the Epic Pure pitcher.
What water filter media removes PFAS?
The best water filter media for removing PFAS is a blend of catalytic and activated carbon with ion exchange resin, which can remove up to 99% of forever chemicals – sometimes even more. Granular activated carbon filter media alone can remove PFAS, but is less effective, removing up to 75% on average.
Do any Brita filters remove PFAS?
Yes, Brita Elite filters (the upgraded, longer-lasting version of the Standard filters) can remove PFAS from water. However, Brita Standard water filter pitchers only remove a handful of contaminants, including chlorine, mercury, copper, zinc, and some particulates. The filtration media in the Brita filter jug isn’t complex enough to remove PFAS.
Do ZeroWater pitchers remove PFAS?
Yes, ZeroWater pitchers remove 86% and 94.9% of PFOA and PFOS – two common types of PFAS – from drinking water. We recommend these pitchers for people looking to remove PFAS chemicals from their tap water.
