What Do PUR Water Filters Remove from Water?

Considering buying a PUR water filter for your home? PUR filters are a popular choice thanks to their effective water filtration – but don’t be so quick to make a purchase.

Before you buy a PUR water filter, it’s helpful to know exactly which contaminants each PUR filter can remove, so you can compare filters and decide on which, if any, is best for your needs.

PUR filters can remove disinfection chemicals, heavy metals, DBPs, particulates, industrial pollutants, pesticides & herbicides, and pharmaceuticals – depending on the filter model.

🧫 Contaminants List: Which PUR Water Filters Can Remove What

Disinfection Chemicals

Chlorine

Chlorine is added to the majority of public drinking water supplies as a disinfectant. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of 4.0 mg/L for chlorine. Chlorine is known to form harmful disinfection byproducts, may irritate the hair and skin, and is toxic in large amounts.

The following PUR products reduce or remove chlorine from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Heavy Metals

Lead

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal that leaches into water supplies from metal pipes. Even tiny amounts of lead in your water could build up in your body over time. Lead consumption is linked to reproductive issues, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular effects. The EPA has set an MCL of 0 for lead.

The following PUR products reduce or remove lead from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Cadmium

Cadmium is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is released into the environment during volcanic activity. Side effects of ingesting this metal include respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular problems, and various cancers. The EPA’s MCL for cadmium is 0.0005 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove cadmium from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Copper

Copper usually leaches into tap water through copper pipes. Drinking elevated copper levels in water supplies may cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and mouth, vomiting, dizziness, and kidney and liver damage. The EPA has set a Maximum Contaminant Level of 1.3 mg/L for copper.

The following PUR products reduce or remove copper from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Worried about copper in water? Check out our Ultimate Copper Testing Guide 👈

Mercury

Mercury is found throughout the environment due to industrial pollution and the release of naturally-occurring mercury in rocks and soil. The metal can affect the nervous system and impair hearing, memory, and vision if consumed in excess. The EPA’s MCL for mercury is 0.002 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove mercury from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Zinc

Zinc gets into water through tanks and pipes that have been coated with this metal to prevent rust. Low levels of zinc have immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. However, too much zinc in tap water may cause vomiting, fatigue, and nausea. The EPA has set an MCL of 5 mg/L for zinc.

The following PUR products reduce or remove zinc from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are chemical compounds that occur when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. These chemicals are associated with various cancers and reproductive and developmental effects. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a MCL of 80 ug/L (micrograms per liter) for TTHMs.

The following PUR products reduce or remove TTHMs from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Particulates

Particulate Class I

Particulate Class I is the smallest class of particulates, ranging from 0.5 to 1 micron in diameter. Most particulate Class I contaminants have aesthetic effects, but some may contain traces of lead. There is no EPA MCL for Particulate Class I because this is a class of numerous contaminants.

The following PUR products reduce or remove Particulate Class I from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Particulate Class VI

Particulate Class VI is a class of large contaminants, generally ranging in size from 1 to 50 microns. Sediment, dirt, dust, and some heavy metals fall into the Particulate Class VI category. Again, the EPA hasn’t set an MCL for Particulate Class VI, but many of the contaminants in this class have their own individual MCLs.

The following PUR products reduce or remove Particulate Class VI from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	❌
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Industrial Pollutants

Benzene

Benzene is an organic chemical compound found in plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers, and causes dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and confusion when consumed in water. The EPA MCL for benzene is 0.005 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove benzene from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Carbon tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride is a manufactured chemical that gets into water through industrial pollution, potentially causing health effects including liver and kidney damage, weakness, tiredness, and dizziness if consumed. The EPA MCL for carbon tetrachloride is 0.005 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove carbon tetrachloride from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Chlorobenzene

Chlorobenzene is an organic halogen compound used as a degreasing agent and solvent, which can potentially cause impaired liver and kidney function and anesthetic effects in public water. The EPA has set an MCL of 0.1 mg/L for chlorobenzene.

The following PUR products reduce or remove chlorobenzene from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

DEET

DEET is a common active ingredient in insect repellents, and doesn’t dissolve easily in water. DEET is currently being monitored by the EPA. In extremely high levels, DEET may be toxic.

The following PUR products reduce or remove DEET from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

o-Dichlorobenzene

o-Dichlorobenzene is an organic compound used for manufacturing paints, dyes, and pigments, and may damage the liver, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system from long-term exposure in water. The EPA MCL for o-dichlorobenzene is 0.6 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove o-Dichlorobenzene from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Xylene

Xylene is an organic compound used as a solvent in rubber, printing, and leather industries. Consuming high levels of xylene in water could cause problems with coordination, balance, and cognitive function. The EPA MCL for xylene is 10 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove Xylene from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Ethylbenzene

Ethylbenzene is a flammable liquid that’s used to manufacture pesticides, paints, and inks, and could cause drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, and respiratory irritation if consumed above the EPA’s MCL of 0.7 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove ethylbenzene from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Styrene

Styrene is a highly volatile liquid used to make rubber and plastics, and may cause tiredness, slowed reaction time, and balance and concentration problems if consumed in high concentrations in water. The current EPA MCL for styrene is 0.1 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove styrene from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene is a chlorocarbon that’s used in water repellants, paint removers, glues, inks, lubricants, and polishes. The EPA MCL for tetrachloroethylene is 0.005 mg/L. Consuming too much of this chlorocarbon in water may lead to respiratory irritation, liver damage, and cancer.

The following PUR products reduce or remove tetrachloroethylene from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Toluene

Toluene is a colorless hydrocarbon that’s used to make paints, glues, and lacquers. Consuming more than the EPA’s MCL of 1 mg/L of toluene in water in the long term can cause nervous system problems, including tremors, vision and hearing loss, and memory problems.

The following PUR products reduce or remove toluene from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Trichloroethylene

Trichloroethylene is a halocarbon and industrial solvent that’s used in refrigerants, cleaning wipes, and paint removers. Trichloroethylene has an EPA MCL of 0.5 mg/L, and is linked to liver, immune, endocrine, and kidney problems when consumed in water.

The following PUR products reduce or remove trichloroethylene from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

TCEP

TCEP is a flame retardant found in plastics, furniture, and baby products, and may increase the risk of cancer in humans if consumed in water. The current EPA MCL for TCEP is 0.5 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove TCEP from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

TCPP

TCPP is a flame retardant commonly used in electronics and home insulation, and may cause cancer, or reproductive or developmental effects if consumed at levels above the EPA’s daily MCL of 0.6 mg/L in water.

The following PUR products reduce or remove TCPP from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of six types of naturally occurring silicate minerals that cause lung damage and cancer if they’re inhaled in steam from warm water. The EPA MCL for asbestos is 7 MFL (million fibers per liter).

The following PUR products reduce or remove asbestos from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Volatile organic chemicals

Volatile organic chemicals are a group of high-pressure compounds that enter water through spillage and runoff and cause nausea, headaches, and nose and throat irritation. Different VOCs have different MCLs established by the EPA.

The following PUR products reduce or remove 32 volatile organic chemicals from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Pesticides and Herbicides

2,4-D

2,4-D is an herbicide used in forests, food crops, woodlots, turf, and terrestrial feed to control broad-leaf weeds. This herbicide gets into water through surface runoff. Consuming high levels of 2,4-D in a water supply may cause vomiting, nausea, hives, breathing problems, and dizziness. The EPA has been monitoring 2,4-D since 2005.

The following PUR products reduce or remove 2,4-D from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Alachlor

Alachlor is the second-most used herbicide in the US, and is used to control broadleaf weeds and annual grasses growing amongst crops. This herbicide is found in low levels in groundwater, and is linked to cancer, and liver, kidney, and spleen damage when consumed in a water supply. The EPA’s MCL for alachlor is 0.002 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove alachlor from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Atrazine

Atrazine is a common weed-killer that enters surface water and groundwater supplies through agricultural runoff. This herbicide is one of the most harmful to humans if consumed in water, causing reproductive issues, several cancers, and fetal development issues. The EPA has set a Maximum Contaminant Level of 3 µg/L for atrazine.

The following PUR products reduce or remove atrazine from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Carbofuran

Carbofuran is a highly toxic insecticide that was used to control rootworms, nematodes, and beetles in crops until it was banned by the EPA in 2009. This insecticide still exists in the environment, and the EPA’s MCL for carbofuran is 0.04 mg/L. Drinking water containing even low levels of carbofuran can cause nausea, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, vomiting, and breathing difficulty.

The following PUR products reduce or remove carbofuran from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Chlordane

Chlordane is a pesticide that was previously used for termite control, until it was banned in 1988. This pesticide is still present in surface and groundwater supplies, and the EPA has set an MCL of 2 ug/L for chlordane. Side effects of drinking excess chlordane in water are tremors, convulsions, and gastrointestinal distress.

The following PUR products reduce or remove chlordane from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Endrin

Endrin is a colorless, odorless pesticide that was used to control rodents, insects, and birds, until it was banned in the US in 1984. This pesticide doesn’t affect water taste but is dangerous to drink, causing symptoms including dizziness, convulsions, headaches, and nausea. The EPA’s MCL for endrin is 0.0002 milligrams per liter.

The following PUR products reduce or remove endrin from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Lindane

Lindane is an agricultural insecticide that’s persistent in soil and water systems and has a high potential to leach into groundwater. Low levels of lindane consumption can cause irritation of the nose, and high levels may damage the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. The EPA MCL for lindane in water is 0.2 ug/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove lindane from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Linuron

Linuron is an herbicide that’s used to control grasses and weeds. This herbicide is transported to public water supplies in runoff water, and can cause cancer, anemia, and mild skin irritation. There is currently no MCL for linuron in tap water.

The following PUR products reduce or remove linuron from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Methoxychlor

Methoxychlor is an organochlorine pesticide that was used to control cockroaches, mosquitos, chiggers, and other insects until it was phased out in the early 2000s. This pesticide is still prevalent in the environment, and may have effects on fertility if consumed in drinking water. The EPA MCL for methoxychlor is 0.04 mg/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove methoxychlor from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Metolachlor

Metolachlor is an herbicide that’s used to control grasses. It commonly enters water through agricultural runoff, and can cause stomach cramps, shortness of breath, eye and skin irritation, and anemia when consumed in high concentrations. There is currently no EPA MCL for metolachlor.

The following PUR products reduce or remove metolachlor from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Simazine

Simazine is an herbicide used to control annual grasses and broad-leaf weeds. The herbicide is known to cause tremors, organ damage, and gene mutations when consumed above the EPA’s MCL of 0.004 mg/L in the long term.

The following PUR products reduce or remove simazine from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Toxaphene

Toxaphene is an insecticide that was primarily used on cotton crops and grains until it was banned in 1990. Toxaphene persists in the environment due to its long half-life, and may cause nervous system damage, cancer, and liver and kidney problems if consumed in drinking water. The EPA MCL for toxaphene is 3 ug/L.

The following PUR products reduce or remove simazine from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Pharmaceuticals

Atenolol

Atenolol is medication for high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and angina. Atenolol is water-soluble and gets into public water from sewage treatment. High doses of atenolol in a water supply can lead to reduced heart rate, fainting, and extreme fatigue. Atenolol isn’t currently regulated by the EPA.

The following PUR products reduce or remove atenolol from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and nerve pain. Carbamazepine is persistent in the environment and may be released into surface water. Health effects of consuming too much carbamazepine in tap water include dizziness, breathing problems, vomiting, and drowsiness. There’s no current EPA MCL for carbamazepine.

The following PUR products reduce or remove carbamazepine from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a well-known anti-inflammatory painkiller that’s commonly used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation. Ibuprofen gets into tap water through wastewater. Overconsumption of ibuprofen in water can lead to nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and seizures. The EPA doesn’t currently regulate ibuprofen.

The following PUR products reduce or remove ibuprofen from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Estrone

Estrone is a medication and steroid hormone used to treat postmenopausal and perimenopausal symptoms. This medication gets into drinking water from wastewater and interferes with the normal function of the endocrine systems, causing hair loss, vomiting, fatigue, and nausea. Estrone isn’t regulated by the EPA.

The following PUR products reduce or remove estrone from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Phenytoin

Phenytoin is an antiepileptic medication with anticonvulsant properties. This medication can cause weakness, dizziness, and vertigo if consumed at high levels in drinking water. The EPA currently has no MCL for phenytoin.

The following PUR products reduce or remove phenytoin from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Naproxen

Naproxen is another commonly used medication that’s used to treat pain and inflammation. Naproxen has been detected in all types of water, including groundwater and drinking water. Consuming high levels of naproxen in water can cause symptoms including fatigue and drowsiness. The EPA doesn’t currently regulate naproxen.

The following PUR products reduce or remove naproxen from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	❌
PLUS Faucet	❌

Meprobamate

Meprobamate is a drug that’s used to manage anxiety symptoms in the short term. This central nervous system depressant is found in water supplies all across the US and is highly addictive, causing dizziness, slurred speech, fainting, and coma. There are no current EPA regulations for meprobamate.

The following PUR products reduce or remove meprobamate from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Trimethoprim

Trimethoprim is an antibiotic that’s used to treat bladder infections. It gets into the environment when it’s disposed of in the toilet or landfills, or when it’s excreted from people into wastewater. Side effects of drinking high levels of trimethoprim in a water supply include vomiting, nausea, and fever.

The following PUR products reduce or remove trimethoprim from water:

Basic	✔️
PLUS	❌
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Industrial Chemicals

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical that’s commonly used to make certain plastics. While BPA is more likely to be found in bottled water, this chemical also leaches into public water supplies due to industrial pollution. Consumption of BPA in water has been linked to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. BPA doesn’t affect water taste or smell, so it’s an invisible contaminant. The EPA currently has a risk management plan for BPA.

The following PUR products reduce or remove BPA from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

Nonylphenol

Nonylphenol occurs in the environment when nonylphenol ethoxylates break down. This industrial chemical is known as an endocrine disrupter and can interfere with the hormonal system, causing reproductive issues and birth defects. The EPA has no official MCL for nonylphenol in public drinking water, but it does have a risk management plan.

The following PUR products reduce or remove nonylphenol from water:

Basic	❌
PLUS	✔️
Faucet	✔️
PLUS Faucet	✔️

🚿 PUR Water Filters: A Closer Look

PUR Faucet Filter

The PUR Faucet Filter is PUR’s standard filter for its faucet filtration systems. This filtered water cartridge is made from coconut shell activated carbon, which adsorbs harmful contaminants like chlorine, as well as “an active agent” that can remove lead.

The PUR Faucet Filter costs about $16 and has a lifespan of up to 100 gallons, or three months.

What Can the PUR Faucet Filter Remove?

The PUR Faucet Filters are NSF certified to reduce 70 substances and contaminants from tap water, including:

• Heavy metals like lead and mercury
• Chlorine taste and odor
• Disinfection byproducts
• Particulate class 1
• Industrial pollutants like benzene, DEET, volatile organic chemicals, asbestos, and tetrachloroethylene
• Pesticides and herbicides like lindane, atrazine, and toxaphene
• Pharmaceuticals like estrone and trimethoprim
• Industrial chemicals like BPA and nonylphenol

PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter

The PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter is the same as the standard PUR Faucet Filter, but with one difference: the filter sends water is a bed of natural minerals to give it a more pleasant alkaline taste. Like PUR’s Faucet Filters, the Mineral Core Faucet Filters are made from activated carbon and an active agent that removes lead.

PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filters cost about $19 and last for up to 100 gallons or three months.

What Can the PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter Remove?

The PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter is NSF certified to reduce the same 70 substances and contaminants from drinking water, including:

• Heavy metals like lead and mercury
• Chlorine taste and odor
• Disinfection byproducts
• Particulate class 1
• Industrial pollutants like benzene, DEET, volatile organic chemicals, asbestos, and tetrachloroethylene
• Pesticides and herbicides like lindane, atrazine, and toxaphene
• Pharmaceuticals like estrone and trimethoprim
• Industrial chemicals like BPA and nonylphenol

Additionally, this filter can add low levels of healthy minerals, like calcium and magnesium, into drinking water to improve its taste.

PUR Faucet Water Filter vs PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter

Wondering which is best: the PUR Faucet Water Filter or the PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter?

These filters both remove the same set of contaminants from your tap water, and both have identical NSF certifications. So, the best filter for you depends on whether or not you want to pay more money for a filter that can add healthy minerals to your water.

PUR Pitcher Filter

The PUR Pitcher Filter is PUR’s basic water filter designed for use in PUR pitcher filter and dispenser models. This filtered water cartridge is made from coconut shell activated carbon and ion exchange resin.

A single PUR Pitcher Filter costs about $12-$14. Each filter lasts for up to 40 gallons, or two months of water filtration.

What Can the PUR Pitcher Filter Remove?

The PUR Pitcher Filter is NSF certified to remove 15 contaminants from tap water:

• Mercury
• Copper
• Zinc
• Cadmium
• Chlorine
• Taste and odor
• Particulate class V1
• Benzene
• Xylene
• Ethylbenzene
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Toluene
• Linuron
• Methoxychlor
• Trimethoprim

Note that the PUR Water Filter Pitcher doesn’t remove lead.

PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter

The PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter is an upgraded version of the standard PUR Pitcher Filter, and is designed for use in any of PUR’s water filter pitchers or dispenser models. This filtered water cartridge removes all the same contaminants as the PUR Pitcher Filter, as well as some extras, like lead.

This drinking water filter currently isn’t available as a single-pack filter, but you can buy three for about $27. The filter has a lifespan of up to 40 gallons, or two months.

What Can the PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter Remove?

The PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter is NSF certified to remove 21 total contaminants from drinking water:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Copper
• Zinc
• Cadmium
• Chlorine
• Taste and odor
• Particulate class I
• Benzene
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Xylene
• Ethylbenzene
• Atrazine
• Simazine
• Toluene
• Linuron
• Methoxychlor
• Trimethoprim
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Phenytoin
• BPA
• Nonylphenol

PUR Pitcher Water Filter vs PUR PLUS Pitcher Water Filter

Wondering how the PUR Pitcher Water Filter and the PUR PLUS Pitcher Water Filter differ in contaminant removal?

• The PUR Pitcher Filter removes trimethoprim, linuron and methoxychlor, tetrachloroethylene, and particulate class VI. The PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter can’t remove these contaminants.
• The PUR PLUS Pitcher Filter removes lead, particulate class I, carbon tetrachloride, atrazine and simazine, BPA and nonlyphenol, and ibuprofen, estrone, phenytoin, and naproxen. The PUR Pitcher Filter can’t remove these contaminants.

Which filter is better: the PUR or the PUR PLUS? It depends on your contaminant removal requirements, but for most people, the PUR PLUS is better because it can remove a greater number of total contaminants, including common pharmaceuticals and lead.

PUR Faucet Filters Vs Pitcher Filters

No PUR Pitcher Filer can match up to the performance of PUR’s faucet water filters.

The PUR Faucet Filters can both remove 70 impurities. Some of the contaminants removed by the PUR Faucet Filters, which aren’t removed by any of the PUR Pitcher Filters, are:

• Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
• Chlorobenzene
• DEET
• o-Dichlorobenzene
• Styrene
• Asbestos
• Volatile Organic Compounds (32 kinds)
• Additional pesticides and herbicides
• Additional pharmaceuticals

So, should you buy a PUR water filtration pitcher or a PUR faucet filtration system? It depends on what you want to remove from your water. If you’re not bothered about removing tens of contaminants, but you do want to remove chlorine, the PUR water filter pitchers will be fine for you.

Read Also: Brita vs PUR: The Ultimate 2024 Comparison

🧠 What do PUR Filters Remove? FAQs

Are PUR filters certified to remove contaminants?

Yes. Some of the NSF Standards that PUR products are certified to are Standard 53, for lead reduction, Standard 42, for chlorine reduction, and Standard 401, for emerging or incidental contaminants (like pharmaceuticals).

Does PUR filter remove lead?

Yes. The majority of PUR’s water filters currently remove lead (these are certified to NSF Standard 53 for lead removal). The PUR Pitcher Filter is the only water filter that doesn’t remove lead, so avoid this one if you’re looking for a PUR lead reduction filter.

Does the PUR water filter filter out fluoride?

No, PUR filters currently don’t remove fluoride. Some websites report that PUR filters can remove this mineral, but they aren’t designed for fluoride removal. If anyone tests their water and notices that their fluoride levels have dropped after using a PUR filter, this would be purely incidental.

Do PUR’s water filters remove arsenic?

No, none of the PUR filter models remove arsenic. Even the PUR Faucet Filters which can remove more contaminants that any other PUR filter, can’t remove this chemical element.

Does PUR filter remove minerals?

No. Despite PUR’s thorough filtration, no PUR filtered water product reduces or removes healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium from your drinking water.

Does PUR filter microbes?

No. According to PUR’s test results comparison charts, no PUR filter model can remove microbiological contaminants. There is misinformation online saying that PUR can remove microbial cysts, but this isn’t confirmed by PUR’s published test data.

Are PUR filters as good as reverse osmosis filters?

No. None of PUR’s filtered water products can remove as many contaminants as a reverse osmosis filter. PUR products only reduce contaminants; they don’t eliminate total dissolved solids.