Waterdrop vs Pur (Objective, Data-Driven Analysis & Comparison)

Both brands are affordable, but in our testing, neither blew us away with their contaminant reduction abilities, and both reduced healthy minerals in our water. We were pleased that the PUR Plus has been certified to reduce 100% of the contaminants it’s claimed to reduce, while Waterdrop stood out to us for its faster filtration speed and most affordable ongoing spend. 

📊 Our Testing Data

We compared the Waterdrop Chubby and PUR Plus pitchers’ performance by scoring both systems across 6 different ranking criteria. We’ve shared the scores for both systems in the table below.

Factor	Waterdrop	PUR
Contaminant Reduction	4.24	5.28
Filtration Rate	10.00	10.00
Design	8.80	8.80
Setup	9.50	9.50
Maintenance	9.75	9.75
Company	8.65	7.50

Here are all the different subcategories that we considered when awarding the performance scores to Waterdrop and PUR.

Factor	Waterdrop	PUR	Winner
Overall Score	6.57	7.08	PUR
Health Related Contaminants	3.50	4.50	PUR
Aesthetic Related Contaminants	9.90	9.50	Waterdrop
Performance Certification	NSF 42	NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401	PUR
Filtration Rate	3.52 GPH	2.82 GPH	Waterdrop
Component Quality	Fair	Fair	Tie
Component Certification	Certified	Certified	Tie
Setup	Outstanding	Outstanding	Tie
Servicing Requirements	Outstanding	Outstanding	Tie
Costs	$0.27/ gal	$0.27/ gal	Tie
Warranty Length	1 year	90 days for pitchers, 30 days for filters	Waterdrop
Shipping	Free shipping to lower 48 states	Depends on the distributor	Waterdrop
Returns	30 days	No returns	Waterdrop

🚰 Contaminant Reduction

To award PUR and Waterdrop’s contaminant reduction scores, we combined data from our own at-home water testing with official certifications from the WQA, NSF, or IAMPO. 

Our Lab Test Results

We tested our water before it had been filtered, then tested our filtered water samples from the Waterdrop Chubby and the PUR Plus pitcher. 

Our test kits were provided by SimpleLab Tap Score, and we used SimpleLab’s HGLs (Health Guideline Levels) when analyzing our data. This enabled us to evaluate the safety of the contaminants detected in our water based on their concentrations. 

Below, we’ve shared the % reduction of the contaminants in our water by Waterdrop and PUR.

PUR got the better overall score here. It did a slightly better job at addressing the contaminants in our water, and it’s also certified to reduce more contaminants than Waterdrop. 

Health-Related Contaminants

The PUR Plus pitcher was the best filter of the two when it came to reducing the health contaminants detected in our water. 

Of the 8 health-related contaminants detected (see the table below), fluoride and uranium were our biggest concerns. Both of these were present in concentrations that exceeded the Tap Score HGL.  

The Waterdrop Chubby only addressed one of the two contaminants that exceeded the HGL. It reduced 49% uranium, but it didn’t reduce any fluoride. 

The other 6 contaminants that were detected below the HGL were also addressed with varying effectiveness by the Chubby pitcher. The filter reduced 86% copper, 81% barium, 81% strontium, 25% nitrate, 11% molybdenum, and 2% sulfate. 

The PUR Plus pitcher did a better job of reducing uranium by 80%. Again, it didn’t reduce fluoride at all. 

It also did better than the Waterdrop Chubby at reducing 100% strontium, 98% copper, 42% nitrate, and 23% molybdenum, but it only reduced sulfate and barium by 4%. 

Aesthetic Contaminants

Since we used treated groundwater for this test, the only aesthetic contaminant we were dealing with was chlorine. 

Chlorine gives water a chemical taste and smell, even when present in trace concentrations. Our water contained around 1 PPM of chlorine before it was filtered. 

Both PUR and Waterdrop performed equally here, reducing chlorine down to undetectable levels. We taste-tested both filtered water samples and noted they both tasted cleaner, with no chlorine aftertaste. 

Minerals & Salts

The Waterdrop Chubby and PUR Plus pitchers only reduce a handful of contaminants, so they certainly aren’t purification solutions. 

With that in mind, we’d expect the filters to retain the healthy minerals in our water. Typically, only a water purification process, like reverse osmosis, reduces minerals along with most other dissolved solids. 

So we were initially surprised to learn that Waterdrop and PUR had greatly reduced our water’s mineral concentrations. 

Our unfiltered water test detected traces of calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

The Waterdrop Chubby reduced calcium by 82% and magnesium by 79%. It also reduced sodium slightly and increased potassium from 0 to 57.5 PPM. 

The PUR Plus pitcher reduced calcium by 96% and magnesium by 95% – so an even greater reduction. This time, our water’s sodium concentrations increased, from 9.63 PPM to 47 PPM.

We think both filters use a cation exchange resin, which exchanged calcium and magnesium (alongside certain metals) with sodium or potassium chloride ions. That would explain why potassium increased in our filtered water from the Chubby pitcher, and why sodium was higher in our filtered water from the PLUS pitcher. 

Reducing healthy minerals in your water is nothing to be concerned about if you follow a healthy diet, but we still wanted to mention this outcome because we know some folks will prefer to retain these minerals for their taste and health benefits. 

Performance Certifications

Both PUR and Waterdrop have obtained performance certifications for their water filter pitchers, which is great news. But they didn’t get the same scores here because they’re certified to reduce different numbers of contaminants.

The Waterdrop Chubby is NSF 42 certified to reduce chlorine, tastes, and odors. That means, of the 6 contaminants Waterdrop claims it can reduce, it’s only certified to reduce 1. 

The PUR Plus pitcher is NSF certified to Standards 42, 53, and 401 for reducing 100% of contaminants that PUR claims to remove, so it’s the best overall in this category.

🚦Filtration Rate

We timed the filtration rates for the Waterdrop Chubby and the PUR Plus and converted this to a measurement in gallons per hour (GPH). 

Here’s how both systems matched up.

Product	Filtration Rate Score	Filtration Rate
Waterdrop	10.00	3.52 GPH
PUR	10.00	2.82 GPH

Both filters were pretty quick, but the Chubby filter was the fastest. In our testing, it filtered 0.414 gallons of water in 7 minutes and 4 seconds, giving it a filtration rate of 3.52 GPH. 

The PUR Plus had a filtration rate of 2.82 GPH, based on its ability to filter 0.25 gallons of water in 5 minutes and 19 seconds.

We tested both filters while they were still quite new, and it’s normal to see a decrease in filtration rate over time, particularly in gravity filters. This occurs when contaminants accumulate in the filter media, reducing the available space for water to pass through.  

💲 Upfront Cost

Waterdrop sells a small collection of water filter pitchers (we’ve discussed these later). We went for the Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup Pitcher, which cost $27.49, including the cost of the initial filter cartridge. 

For PUR, we got the PUR Plus 7-cup pitcher. We’d usually choose a larger pitcher, but this was the only size available in our local Walmart. It cost $26.99 including the initial filter (a PUR Basic filter). We wanted to test the PUR Plus filter specifically, so we spent extra on this upfront. 

Both pitchers are very similarly priced, but Waterdrop offers the best value for money because the Chubby pitcher has a larger water-holding capacity. 

We could buy Waterdrop’s pitchers directly from the website, while PUR filters are only sold by third parties. That means you might find PUR’s filter pitchers sold at different prices by different stores. 

Here’s the upfront cost comparison for Waterdrop and PUR. 

Product	Price	Filters Included
Waterdrop Chubby 10-Cup Pitcher	$27.49	Initial filter cartridge
PUR Plus 7-cup pitcher	$26.99	PUR Basic filter

In the design category, we wanted to compare Waterdrop and PUR based on how they looked, felt, and functioned in terms of design quality and durability. We combined our own notes on the two filters with evidence of third-party certifications for materials safety. 

📐 Design

The next table highlights the filters’ individual and overall design scores.

Product	Design Score	Component Quality	Materials Safety
Waterdrop	8.80	Fair	Certified
PUR	8.80	Fair	Certified

We awarded both filters the same score here because they’re both made from similar plastics and both have materials safety certifications. 

Filter Models

Waterdrop sells three pitchers that can be used with its gravity filter: 

• The Waterdrop Chubby pitcher
• The Waterdrop Elfin pitcher
• Waterdrop Lucid pitcher

The Chubby and the Lucid have 10-cup capacities, while the Elfin holds just 5 cups of water. We went for the Chubby because we prefer its design – it has a wooden handle that makes it look more attractive and modern. There are a few different design colors to choose from depending on the pitcher you go for. 

PUR also sells three water pitchers that use the PUR Plus water filter, as well as one dispenser. These are:

• PUR Plus 7-cup pitcher $26.99
• PUR Plus 11-cup pitcher $37.49
• PUR Plus 12-cup pitcher $42.99 (only at Target)
• PUR PLUS 30 Cup Dispenser

Again, the PUR pitchers are available in a few different colors. 

While both manufacturers sell similar offerings, you might prefer one over the other if you have a specific preference. For instance, PUR sells pitchers with the largest water-holding capacities (best for large families), and Waterdrop sells the smallest pitchers (better for individual use or travel).

Component Quality 

The Waterdrop Chubby and PUR Plus pitcher look and feel very similar. In our testing, we noted that they’re both made from plastic (the Chubby has a wooden handle), and both had a lightweight, relatively sturdy feel. 

The Waterdrop Chubby pitcher is made from polypropylene plastic, which is popular due to its durability and high heat resistance. 

The PUR Plus pitcher is made from BPA-free NAS or SAN plastics. Polypropylene is used in the filter housings and lids.

These plastics are commonly used in water filter pitchers and have a few advantages over glass and metal: they’re less likely to smash or crack, and they won’t rust. 

However, neither is the best fit if you want a gravity water filtration system that uses as little plastic as possible. In that case, we’d recommend looking at a glass water filter pitcher or a stainless steel countertop system (like the Waterdrop King Tank).

Filter Materials

Although PUR did a better job reducing contaminants in our water than Waterdrop, both filters are actually very similar design-wise. 

Waterdrop filters are made from activated carbon fiber media that’s laced with silver (which has been proven in studies to display good antibacterial activity). Waterdrop doesn’t mention a cation exchange resin, but we know that this media is used in the filter because calcium and magnesium were reduced and potassium ions increased in our water.

PUR filters are also made from granular activated carbon media, which is combined with a cation exchange media.

Both filters have plastic cartridges. 

Materials Safety Certification

Both Waterdrop and PUR are certified for materials safety as a component of their performance certifications, so they got the top score in this category.

Both manufacturers obtained their materials safety certification from the NSF.

Materials safety certifications aren’t essential, but they reassured us that the PUR Plus and Waterdrop Chubby pitchers have been confirmed safe for use after testing by a trusted third-party organization.

⚙️ Setup

Since we were testing two water filter pitchers, we wanted setup to be as quick and easy as possible. 

We know that for many folks, part of the appeal of water filter pitchers is that they don’t need to be permanently installed at a water line, and they’re good options for the DIY-adverse. 

Here are the setup times and scores for the Waterdrop Chubby and PUR Plus pitchers. 

Product	Setup Score	Setup Time
Waterdrop	9.50	Less than 5 minutes
PUR	9.50	Less than 5 minutes

We were pleased with the speed and ease of assembly and filter prep for both pitchers, so they got the same score from us here. 

The only difference between the two was how the filters needed to be prepared. The Waterdrop Chubby filter took longer to prepare because it had to be soaked in cold water for 10 minutes before we could install it. 

The PUR just had to be held under running water for 30 seconds, so we could start using it almost immediately. 

Otherwise, the setup process for both systems was the same: we washed the pitchers and reservoirs in warm water with soap, then dried them, inserted the filter, and filled the reservoir with cold water. 

Both systems took just minutes to set up, and both were equally easy. We personally preferred PUR because we could start filtering our water almost straight after unboxing.

🔧 Maintenance

We also wanted to know how Waterdrop and PUR compared when it came to maintenance. Which had the better filter lifespan, and how did this affect ongoing costs? And did we find any of the pitchers easier to maintain than the other?

Here are the maintenance scores we assigned to both pitchers. 

Product	Maintenance Score	Servicing Requirements	Costs
Waterdrop	9.75	Outstanding	$0.27/ gal
PUR	9.75	Outstanding	$0.27/ gal

Both filters were easy and affordable to maintain, so once again, they were neck and neck in this category. 

Servicing Requirements 

The Waterdrop Chubby and PUR Plus pitcher only have one filter cartridge to replace, and this was their primary maintenance task. 

Waterdrop’s filter replacement schedule was pretty decent – it has a filter lifespan of up to 3 months, or a 200-gallon capacity, so we only had to replace the filter around four times a year. We had to soak our replacement filters for 10 minutes before installing them, as we’d done with the first filter. 

PUR was similar, although PUR estimates that its 100-gallon filter capacity should enable the filters to last 3 months. We’re not so sure – we anticipate that we’ll have to replace our PUR Plus filters more frequently. Replacement filters just have to be held under running water for 30 seconds, so again, nice and easy. 

The Waterdrop Chubby pitcher and the PUR Plus pitcher both had a filter change indicator light, which we could use for reference on when to replace the filters. This saved us from having to make our own phone reminders to buy new filters. 

Since we were using the pitchers every day, we washed them in warm water and soap (no special cleaners are required). PUR pitchers can be loaded in the dishwasher, but the Waterdrop Chubby should be hand-washed only.

Maintenance Costs

PUR and Waterdrop are both super affordable to maintain, and we calculated that the systems have identical ongoing filter costs: $0.27 per gallon. This was based on their projected filter lifespan information. 

Both filters are on the cheaper end for water filter pitchers, so they’re a good option if you want a budget-friendly pitcher that you can use continuously without breaking the bank. 

🏢 Company

Here, we compared Waterdrop and PUR as manufacturers, analyzing their shipping and returns policies, and the warranties they offer. 

The next table displays the company scores that we awarded for the two brands.

Product	Company Score	Warranty Length	Shipping	Returns
Waterdrop	8.65	1 year	Free shipping to lower 48 states	30 days
PUR	7.50	90 days for pitchers, 30 days for filters	Depends on the distributor	No returns

Waterdrop offers the better warranty and returns policy, so it obtained the best score overall in this category. 

Warranty Length 

Waterdrop warrants its pitchers for 1 year, which is one of the best warranties we’ve seen for filters in this category (of all the other water filter pitcher companies we’ve tested, only Brita matches up here). 

PUR offers a shorter 90-day warranty for its pitchers, and a 30-day warranty for its filters. 

Shipping 

Customers get free economy shipping when buying on the Waterdrop website, regardless of how much they spend. 

PUR doesn’t have a specific shipping policy because its filters are only sold through distributors, like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. The different distributors have their own shipping policies, and there’s typically a minimum order spend to qualify for free shipping. 

Returns

Waterdrop offers a 30-day returns policy, which means customers can return their filters within the 30-day withdrawal period after their purchase date. 

Again, because PUR pitchers are sold by distributors, PUR doesn’t offer a dedicated returns policy.

⛔️ Pitcher Setbacks & Flaws

We don’t think the Waterdrop Chubby or PUR Plus are faultless products. We identified a few setbacks of both systems that we’ve compared here. 

Waterdrop Setbacks

• Not certified to reduce as many contaminants – The Waterdrop Chubby pitcher is only certified to reduce 1 contaminant. 
• Filter needed soaking – We had to soak our filter before we could use it, so setup took longer than with the PUR Plus pitcher. 

PUR Plus Setbacks

• No longer certified for lead reduction – PUR has recently revoked its lead reduction certification for the PUR Plus filter. Instead, it’s now certified for microplastics reduction. 
• No company shipping or returns policy – Because PUR filters are sold by distributors, PUR doesn’t offer a dedicated shipping or returns policy.  

Setbacks of Both Pitchers

• Reduces healthy minerals  – In our testing, both filters greatly reduced healthy minerals in our water.
• Short filter lifespan – Both pitchers have short filter lifespans, especially PUR.

🆚 Waterdrop or PUR: Which Do We Recommend?

PUR and Waterdrop both sell affordable water filter pitchers that reduce a handful of common contaminants, but we think there may be instances where you prefer one filter over the other:

Go For Waterdrop If:

You’ll Prefer the PUR Plus Pitcher If: