All brand scorecards
Water filtration
ZeroWater
Five-stage pitcher that removes most TDS. Good lead and chromium-6 performance; PFAS performance is partial.
B
Good with caveats
Grade B: Good with caveats
Most products are clean. A few items or ingredients worth reading the label for.
What the brand gets right
- Independent testing shows strong lead, chromium-6 and heavy metal reduction
- Comes with a TDS meter so you can see filter exhaustion
- Widely available in supermarkets
What to be aware of
- Filters exhaust faster than Brita style, roughly every 2-4 weeks in hard water
- PFAS reduction is meaningful but not as complete as RO or Clearly Filtered
Better-rated alternatives
Clearly Filtered
ABest-performing pitcher filter available. Independent NSF testing for PFAS, lead and more than 365 contaminants.
Epic Water Filters
APitcher and bottle filters that actually remove PFAS, lead and VOCs. One of the best performers in independent tests.
AquaTru
ACountertop reverse osmosis with four-stage filtration. No plumbing required.