I knew I needed to get something for filtering my water. After all, I scrub the the toilet three times a week and still can't get rid of the ever-persistent ring. So that tells you how bad the water actually is here. But I knew I didn't want to get something that attached to the sink, so I decided to look at water pitchers with filters.
I've always been a bit skeptical about the water filter pitchers. After all, half of the pitcher is taken up by the filter itself so you can't really fit that much water in them. But this one claimed to hold a 9 cup capacity, which is not fantastic, but still a lot better than some of the others out there. And it came in a bunch of pretty colors, which for me is usually the easiest selling point a product can make. (And shiny, shiny helps too). So I got the bold Ruby Red pitcher, which since this pitcher comes in a whole variety of colors, probably isn't that special of a feature, unless you actually care what color your water is stored in.
The pitcher was easy to assemble and the filter extremely easy to install. It required two pitchers worth of water to be ran through first to set up the filter, but after that it was ready to go. Even better, there is a digital display attached to the top of the lid that shows how long your pitcher has left. It is marked in percents and rather going by time elapsed, the company claims it goes by how hard the water is and how hard the pitcher is working. I can believe that because I'm somewhat sporadic in my usage and the percentage has gone by that rather than by a specific timeline. And the filter lasts awhile too, it's just me and the animals and while I do drink a lot of water, so far this filter has lasted me over a month and is currently at 75%. Once again that usage is sporadic, but I do like that I'm getting my monies worth, and on average I probably use 2-3 pitchers worth of water a week. Refills aren't that expensive either compared to the other brands and you can order them in multiples to save on cost.
The actual design of the pitcher is sleek and easy to take apart and clean. There is no clouding of the plastic and it seems to be pretty bang and scratch resistant, as I am not the most careful person in the world. The lid has a great design in which you can actually fill the pitcher with the lid on and it opens a flap with the force of the water. The water fills until the upper container is full and then it filters down into the main vessel of the pitcher. The pitcher can hold about 1 1/2x the amount of the upper vessel, so it does take some watching. And be careful when moving when that upper vessel is full as the water can leak out of the handle where the areas are connected. Most people will fill this in their sink and not move it so it shouldn't be a problem, but sometimes I get a little impatient and rush things and this is probably why I experienced this issue. The lower compartment does hold 9 cups, but I do wish that I could actually fill up the entire pitcher, but that's probably just the obsessive characteristic of my personality wanting that. Actual pouring is easy as it comes out of the spout that is combined with the upper compartment and lid. The lid does lift up if need be though.
The water itself is very drinkable and the filter removes all the minerals, etc. that cause all the issues I have in this apartment. The cat bowl no longer looks like a limestone cave since I'm using the filter and I can't taste the overload of chemicals and minerals that I can just drinking from the tap. It's definitely increased how much I actually drink water as opposed to choosing another drink. The water tastes like water (nothing) and while I'm sure its removing good minerals as well as bad, its worth it to me to enjoy the taste and drink more water as opposed to avoiding it.
A pretty pitcher and reasonably cost effective. I would definitely go with this brand again if I were to get another water filter.
Review by M. Reynard 2012
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It's good. Couple of minor issues.
6 weeks in:PROS:Water tastes much better. That's the only measure I have. Visual clue: There is no white film building up on inside (yet), it is beginning around the, uh, "input hole". Our water etches glass and builds up on ceramic and must be sanded off with waterproof sandpaper. I have been diligent about drying off the outside of pitcher after filling, but never thought to wipe off the hole. You can't do it immediately, there is water in there!The meter has indicated it is at about 50% for the last week so am ordering new filters today. Looks like it may last a bit longer than the "two months" but the 100% reading displayed much longer than the 75% does, so not sure exactly what it's measuring.I fill it one to two times a day and only fill it the single time, use that water, then refill. I see people are putting in more water, which would be nice. I'm not sure the filter should sit submerged in water. LET ME KNOW if I should go re-read my manual!Stylish, it sits out on counter. I got red. It's not a bright red, more towards maroon, but that's how it looks in the picture.Hey, maybe it DOES cost more than bottled water here in Hawaii, but it is infinitely better than carrying water up 16 stairs every single day since I have serious degenerative arthritis! I am thinking of putting one in the earthquake/tsunami, hurricane/incoming missile emergency supplies. (In lieu of the kind I could theoretically take camping. I have purification drops/tabs for that contingency.CONS:The cover to the pour spout was off when received. I tried putting it back on but it wouldn't stay. I thought I had it but it was missing one day. Three weeks later I found it in the bottom of my water kettle, where it had come off and been boiled daily. Since it was all shriveled up, I chucked it. Hopefully it did not shorten my days by putting too many chemicals in my tea in this unexpected manner. I don't like having that bit uncovered but decided to live with it because weary of going through the exchange process with amazon.Am unclear on if the percentage indicator device is supposed to be always on. At beginning it was off until I pushed the little button. Won't a battery wear out? In my (newly shortened) lifetime? Dunno. LET ME INOW if I should go re-read my manual.Tipping it backwards even a bit after removing it from being filled at sink causes it to leak out the back. Messy.Decided to live with it as-is.OVER ALL I AM HAPPY WITH THIS PURCHASE.I do wish it could be folded and packed in my suitcase for traveling to Honolulu where what comes out of the tap is almost as gross as what comes out of the community well, through the pipes and out my tap on the Island of Hawaii. KIDDING.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012
Top reviews from other countries
TorontoniAnn
Looks nice, quality build, but some design flaws/annoyances
Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2015
TorontoniAnn
Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2015
My gripes include the digital timer on the top doesn't seem to work. Also, while I absolutely love the easy-in pour flap (you never have to remove the lid), if you fill the pitcher up too much (the flap starts to close), then water leaks down through the handle. Not a great design. Also, the spout lid cover keeps falling off. I snap it back in place and it holds for a while but then it winds up in the glass. So there is much room for improvement, even though it's better quality than any Brita I've owned.
Also, this 9 cup one is quite large - I bought it because it was cheaper than the smaller one. It gets rather heavy when full so maybe not the best choice if upper body strength or mobility is a factor. I also haven't owned this long enough to need the filter replaced - not sure if cost there will be a factor.
UPDATE: I've now owned this for over 2 years and still love it. Wanted to share a couple of things (1) I learned that Brita owns Mavea - it's a branding thing, like Toyota and Lexus. Doesn't change the fact that this product is better. You may see the word "Brita" on your replacement filter purchase. (2) The filters do last a long time and the water still tastes great. You can buy replacement filters on Amazon for $6 each (in a pack, on sale) and that filter lasts months. (3) Wanted to add photos of the jug's size (my hands are on the small size for a woman so this jug is difficult to lift when it's totally full) and its annoying spout (flimsy lock-in but can fall out). It works just as well leaving out the spout.
Hope this was helpful! Please ask me any questions you might have - am happy to share!
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Anne
This water pitcher is practical and easy to use
Reviewed in Canada on December 31, 2015