PUR Plus Pitcher vs Brita Elite Pitcher
Bottom line
In our scoring the Brita Elite Pitcher wins clearly at 8.4/10 (Strong) against the PUR Plus at 5.9/10 (Limited), a 2.5-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 roughly halves the per-gallon cost. The PUR Plus has one genuine edge we credit: it is $16 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 $0.374 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 $24.99 versus $40.99 for the Brita.
| 7 certified / 7 marketed | Certified vs marketed contaminants | 10 certified / 9 marketed |
| 6.0 | Verified Contaminant Reduction35% | 9.0 |
| 3.5 | 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) 5.9/10. In our scoring the Brita Elite Pitcher wins clearly at 8.4/10 (Strong) against the PUR Plus at 5.9/10 (Limited), a 2.5-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 roughly halves the per-gallon cost. The PUR Plus has one genuine edge we credit: it is $16 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 $16?
- In our view, yes for most buyers. It costs $40.99 versus $24.99 but its 120-gallon cartridge drops the cost to about $0.167 per gallon against $0.374 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, which is why total cost of ownership is the PUR's weakest area in our scoring at 3.5/10.