What is the best water filter jug on the market? What is the most notable alternative to Brita jugs in terms of performance and features? What differences do Brita, Philips, and BWT water filter jugs have compared to other products like the PitcherPro jug from TAPP Water?
Also read the The Telegraph Water Filter Jug test and watch the video of Brita vs Tappwater PitcherPro.
What is included in this comparison?
In this test we compared the water filter jug from Brita and other brands, such as BWT, Philips, and Laica, with the PitcherPro model from TAPP Water. Specifically, the products used for comparison are the Brita Marella, BWT Vida, Laica bi-flux, and Philips AWP2936 models. The comparison is based on the European versions of the products. We may conduct a comparison of the US models later on.
Brita, BWT, Philips, Laica and Tappwater
The comparison focuses on the most important attributes, such as the brand, the material (plastic or glass), the filtration (filtered contaminants), certifications, water flow, taste, capacity, cartridge replacement capacity, and taste.
Brand
In the water filtration sector, it is important to choose a trustworthy brand that aligns with your values in terms of design, quality, and sustainability.
- Brita: The first manufacturer of water filter jugs, headquartered in Germany with production plants worldwide.
- Philips: Philips' water filters are designed, developed, and produced under license by AquaShield Health Technology in China.
- BWT: This Austrian company has been manufacturing water filters for over 20 years.
- Laica: This Italian company has been manufacturing household appliances for over 50 years and has been in the water purifier market for nearly 10 years.
TAPP Water: A company with headquarters in the United Kingdom and Spain, founded in 2016, which aims to provide sustainable, simple, and affordable alternatives for enjoying clean and great-tasting tap water.
Material of the water filter jug:
Not all water filter jugs are the same. Due to the pressure to offer competitive prices, most are made with ABS plastic, which is durable and economical. All plastics release chemical substances, so it is vital to conduct tests to ensure they are not toxic substances.
- Brita, BWT, and Laica: all products are made of durable BPA-free plastic.
- Philips: composition unknown.
- TAPP Water: borosilicate glass jug; BPA-free plastic lid and cartridge.
Note: Brita launched a glass water filter jug in 2024. This has not yet been included in the test.
Filtered contaminants
Historically, most water filters (including Brita's) used granulated activated carbon to filter water and improve its taste, and ion exchange resins to reduce the presence of lime. In the last two years, water filtration technology has advanced significantly thanks to activated carbon fiber, ultrafiltration layers, and new materials capable of further reducing lime presence and improving taste. We know that comparing different filters can be very complicated for a consumer. Here, we have tried to summarize the most important aspects.
| Brita Maxtra | BWT | Laica | Philips |
TAPP Water |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Declared Reduction | Chlorine, lime, and heavy metals | Chlorine, lime, and heavy metals | Chlorine, lime, and heavy metals | Chlorine and lime | 80+ contaminants |
| Taste* | Improved | Improved | Improved | Improved | Excellent |
| Chlorine | > 98 % | Yes | Yes | Yes | >98 % |
| Pesticides and Herbicides | ND** | ND | ND | ND | >98 % |
| Pharmaceutical Products | ND | ND | ND | ND | >98 % |
| Microplastics | ND | ND | ND | 95 % | >98 % |
| Lime | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | >80 % |
| PFAS | ND | ND | ND | Yes |
>98 % |
Regarding taste, it is worth noting that the PitcherPro offers fantastic water for preparing tea and coffee.
Certifications
In water filtration product marketing campaigns, often false or partially true claims are made. That's why having laboratory tests and certifications to support these claims is so important.
- Brita: None specified in Europe. Brita US (Clorox) has NSF 42 certification.
- BWT: None specified in Europe.
- Philips: None specified in Europe.
- Laica: Claims to have conducted independent tests in a laboratory in Germany, but does not share the results.
- TAPP Water: Independent tests conducted by various European laboratories. The tests can be downloaded from our website.
Flow Rate of the Filtration Jug
Imagine you want to drink a glass of water, prepare a coffee or tea, or need water for cooking. How long does it take for the water to be filtered? At present, the flow rate of the filtration jug is important.
In all filtration jugs (except for the PitcherPro by TAPP Water), the water is filtered when you fill the jug, and therefore, you have to wait between 3 and 4 minutes to use the water. In the case of the PitcherPro, it's instantaneous. The reason is its smart design with the glass tube, which allows oxygen to return to the jug.
- Brita: 0.1-0.2 l/min
- BWT: 0.1-0.2 l/min
- Philips: 0.2-0.3 l/min
- TAPP Water: 1 l/min
Obviously, filtering when serving water has its pros and cons. Some prefer to put a large jug in the refrigerator and then serve themselves a glass of water. In these cases, the TAPP Water PitcherPro may seem like a slower option.
Capacity/Volume per Filtration Jug
In the case of traditional filtration jugs, such as Brita and BWT, capacity is a key factor because you usually fill it with water, wait 5 minutes, and then take it to the table. If the capacity is low, there are constant waits to have more filtered water available. With the glass jug of TAPP Water, filtration is instantaneous, and therefore, capacity is not as important.
In the test we conducted on standard models, all had a similar capacity.
- Brita: 1.4 l filtered
- BWT: 1.4 l filtered
- Philips: 1.5 l filtered
- Laica: 1.2 l filtered
- TAPP Water: 1.45 l filtered
Almost all brands have higher capacity models; the problem is they don't fit in standard-sized refrigerators.
Replacement Cartridge Durations
Following the instructions regarding filter replacement intervals is extremely important. If you use a replacement longer than recommended, the filter's efficiency will decrease, and bacteria can proliferate inside, resulting in filtered water worse than unfiltered water.
How long does the cartridge last according to the manufacturer's specifications?
Brita: 100 l/cartridge or 30 days
BWT: 100 l/cartridge or 30 days
Laica: 150 l/cartridge or 30 days
Philips: 300 l/cartridge or up to 3 months
TAPP Water: 400-600 l/cartridge or 3 months
TAPP Water indicates that the recommended usage time may vary depending on water hardness. In the case of very hard water, capacity will be lower.
Reminders to Replace the Filter Cartridge
How can you know when it's time to replace the filter cartridge in the filtration jug?
Brita, BWT, Laica, and Philips jugs include a digital timer, which simply counts down from 30 or 90 days. Even if you don't use the filter for 15 days out of those 30, the jug will indicate that you should install a new replacement when 30 days have passed since the last change.
TAPP Water does not include a timer to be more sustainable and because it's totally unnecessary. Instead, an online service monitors usage and sends notifications via email or through an app when it's time to install a new replacement. We believe this option is better, but you can decide which option suits you best.
Sustainability of Filtration Jugs
En general, all filtration jugs are more sustainable than buying bottled water. But if your goal is to generate no or the minimum necessary waste, you're interested in knowing which filter is more sustainable. The best parameters to find out are carbon footprint and plastic waste generated, but no manufacturer specifies this information, so we have to look at other attributes, such as materials and cartridge disposal.
Brita, BWT, Laica, and Philips: BPA-free plastic that is very difficult to separate for recycling.
TAPP Water: with strong scissors, the plastic can be separated from the rest of the cartridge and recycled and disposed of in different parts.
Summary: Best Water Filtration Jug
What water filtration jug should you buy? We have prepared a summary table to help you choose the best product for you:
Here is the summarized comparison table for the water filtration jugs:
| Brand | Country | Material | Filtration | Certifications | Flow Rate | Capacity | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita | Germany | Plastic | Limited (Chlorine, lime, heavy metals) | None | 0.2 l/min | 1.4 l | Not specified |
| BWT | Austria | Plastic | Limited (Chlorine, lime, heavy metals) | None | 0.2 l/min | 1.4 l | Not specified |
| Laica | Italy | Plastic | Limited (Chlorine, lime, heavy metals) | None | 0.2 l/min | 1.2 l | Not specified |
| Philips | China | Plastic | Limited (Chlorine, lime) | None | 0.2-0.3 l/min | 1.5 l | Not specified |
| TAPP Water | Spain and UK | Glass and Plastic | 80+ contaminants | Independent certifications by various European labs | 1 l/min | 1.5 l | Recyclable |
This comparison has been conducted using the specified products at the beginning. Some brands have multiple products with different specifications.
If you have any questions or comments, or if you disagree with our recommendation, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out to us through the chat or by emailing support@tappwater.co.
About the author Magnus Jern
Computer geek and entrepreneur with a mission to reduce human impact on the pkanet. Spent the last 7 years learning everything about tap water, water filters, bottled water and everything else you can imagine. Believes in radical transparency and writes a lot about myths and surprising facts. Drinks a lot of tap water, usually filtered. Linkedin