PUR Plus Pitcher vs Brita Elite Pitcher
Bottom line
In our scoring the Brita Elite Pitcher wins at 8.4/10 (Strong) against the PUR Plus at 6.6/10 (Mixed), a 1.8-point gap. We rank it ahead mainly on certified breadth - it adds PFOA, PFOS, asbestos and benzene to the shared list - and on cost per gallon, where its 120-gallon cartridge still runs cheaper per gallon. The PUR Plus has one genuine edge we credit: it is $20 cheaper up front, so for a renter who wants the lowest entry price and only needs lead, mercury and chlorine reduction, it is a defensible pick. But in our view the short 40-gallon filter makes it the weaker long-run value.
The biggest real difference is certified scope and running cost. The Brita Elite Pitcher carries IAPMO certification to reduce PFOA and PFOS - the two named PFAS compounds - which the PUR Plus does not hold, and its 120-gallon cartridge works out to about $0.167 per gallon against the PUR's 40-gallon filter at roughly $0.20 per gallon. Both are pour-through pitchers with verified data and no hard fails, and both are certified for chlorine, lead, mercury and cadmium. The PUR Plus is cheaper up front at $21.74 versus $41.99 for the Brita.
| 7 certified / 7 marketed | Certified vs marketed contaminants | 10 certified / 9 marketed |
| 6.0 | Verified Contaminant Reduction35% | 9.0 |
| 6.0 | Total Cost of Ownership25% | 9.0 |
| 10.0 | Certification Independence15% | 10.0 |
| 5.0 | Capacity & Flow Fit15% | 5.0 |
| 7.0 | Practical Fit10% | 7.0 |
FAQ
- Is the PUR Plus Pitcher (7-Cup) better than the Brita Elite Pitcher (10-Cup)?
- In our scoring the Brita Elite Pitcher (10-Cup) rates 8.4/10 and the PUR Plus Pitcher (7-Cup) 6.6/10. In our scoring the Brita Elite Pitcher wins at 8.4/10 (Strong) against the PUR Plus at 6.6/10 (Mixed), a 1.8-point gap. We rank it ahead mainly on certified breadth - it adds PFOA, PFOS, asbestos and benzene to the shared list - and on cost per gallon, where its 120-gallon cartridge still runs cheaper per gallon. The PUR Plus has one genuine edge we credit: it is $20 cheaper up front, so for a renter who wants the lowest entry price and only needs lead, mercury and chlorine reduction, it is a defensible pick. But in our view the short 40-gallon filter makes it the weaker long-run value.
- Which pitcher is better for reducing PFAS?
- The Brita Elite, in our scoring. It holds IAPMO certification under NSF/ANSI 53 to reduce PFOA and PFOS. For the PUR Plus we found no accredited certification for PFOA or PFOS, so if named-PFAS reduction matters to you the Brita is the one backed by a public listing.
- Is the Brita Elite worth the extra $20?
- In our view, yes for most buyers. It costs $41.99 versus $21.74 but its 120-gallon cartridge drops the cost to about $0.167 per gallon against $0.20 for the PUR, and it adds certified PFOA, PFOS, asbestos and benzene reduction. The savings per gallon tend to outweigh the higher up-front price over time.
- Does the PUR Plus filter last as long as the Brita?
- No. The PUR Plus cartridge is rated for 40 gallons; the Brita Elite cartridge is rated for 120 gallons. That means roughly three PUR swaps for every one Brita swap, though at $8.06 a filter the PUR's per-gallon cost now nearly matches the Brita's.