Compare Water Filters
ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the Brita Standard Pitcher 4.3/10 and the ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher 8.0/10 on the same water filters scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher comes out ahead, led by its safety score (8.0/10 vs 4.3/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on Brita Standard Pitcher vs ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher.
Unlock the full Brita Standard Pitcher vs ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want cleaner-tasting, chlorine-free water and have no PFAS or lead concerns in your area.
Budget is the top priority — $23 is the lowest entry price in the category.
You're buying for taste improvement only and your tap water is known-safe.
You want certified PFAS and lead reduction from an EPA-recognized body in a pitcher under $33.
You live in a low-to-moderate mineral content water area where filters last 30–40 gallons.
You value real-time water quality monitoring — the included TDS meter is the best in this category.
Budget matters and you want maximum certified protection per dollar spent.
The main thing to know
Brita Standard does not remove PFAS or lead. EWG's independent test found only 66% PFAS reduction, explicitly flagged as insufficient. If health protection is your goal, this is not the right filter.
A ConsumerLab study found ZeroWater's filter releases plastic particles into filtered water. If microplastics are a top concern, this is a meaningful flag — consider AquaTru instead.
Skip this if you...
You need PFAS protection — EWG's test found 66% removal, explicitly labeled insufficient.
Your water supply has lead — the standard Brita filter is not certified for lead reduction.
Monthly filter replacements are inconvenient — 40-gallon lifespan is the shortest in this category.
Microplastics are a top concern — independent testing found ZeroWater adds plastic particles to water.
You live in a high-mineral-content area where annual filter costs can exceed $600.
Slow fill time is a dealbreaker — expect around 13 minutes per full pitcher.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Water Filters options at every price pointEvery Water Filters in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Brita and ZeroWater across 3 independent criteria: Safety (91%), Efficacy (6%), Usability (3%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with ZeroWater ZeroWater 5-Stage Pitcher - it scored 8.0/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Water Filters across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
