Brita Water Bottle Filters – Do They Actually Work?


Brita Water Bottle Filters remove the taste and odor of chlorine and Class VI particulates (sand and sediments). They can be used to filter tap water, and are perfect to replace disposable water bottles at the gym, school, work, or car. However, they do not remove heavy metals, bacteria or pathogens and should not be used to filter freshwater from a river or well.

Before you pick a water bottle filter, it is important to look at what contaminants they can and cannot filter. You may not be able to use the same bottle filter for freshwater, well water and tap water. So, how does Brita’s range of water bottle filters fare?

Let’s take a closer look at what the Brita water bottle line-up can be used for, how to maintain your Brita bottle, and which bottles you can use to filter fresh non-tap water.

What Brita Water Filter Bottles Can Remove

The Brita Water Filter Bottle primarily improves the taste of water by removing the odor and taste of chlorine (Class VI particulates are also removed).

Chlorine is added to public water supplies to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. However, it can make your drinking water smell and taste bad. Brita uses a carbon filtration system to reduce the taste and odor of chlorine. Water is passed through an activated carbon block cartridge, where the chlorine undergoes a chemical reaction called catalytic reduction, effectively reducing chlorine concentration by 99%.

Brita Water Filter Bottles also removes Class VI particular matter.

Class VI particulates refer to sediments and debris that are greater than 50 microns in size. Particulates are removed by physical filtration i.e. passing water through filters with pores that are smaller than the contaminants, much like a coffee filter. This effectively removes sediments, sand, and rust, but it does not filter out bacteria or viruses.

What Brita Water Filter Bottle CAN’T Remove

Brita bottle filters are certified to remove ONLY chlorine (taste and odor) and class VI particulates. This implies that these bottles cannot be used to remove lead, mercury, cadmium, asbestos, copper, zinc, herbicides, or other classes of particulate matter.

What does this mean for you?

Brita Water Filter Bottles are not suitable as the primary water filtration mechanism in your home if your tap water has more contaminants.

There is a perceptible change only in the taste and odor of water – other contaminants potentially present in the water are left untouched, and if your water has particulate matter smaller than 50 microns in size (like most bacteria and viruses), this filter will be ineffective.

Where is a Brita water filter useful?

Brita Water Filter Bottles can be used for clean, tasty water on the go – while going to the gym, school, work, or even in the car. The bottle filters water instantly and is durable – both stainless steel and hard plastic models can survive rough handling and a few falls.

However, Brita Water Filter Bottles are not too useful for hikes or camping trips because the filter cannot remove bacteria or other harmful pathogens. This means that you cannot use it to filter river or spring water. The Brita Water Filter Bottle is an apt replacement for disposable water bottles but cannot be used to purify unclean water.  

Types Of Brita Water Filter Bottles

Brita offers four models of bottle filters, two made of hard plastic and two of stainless steel. The main difference between the stainless steel and hard-sided plastic models is the cleaning method.

The stainless steel bottles are not dishwasher-safe, while the plastic bottles are. I’ve added a section on washing and caring for your Brita bottle at the end of this article.

The stainless steel Brita water bottles also have a double-walled insulation mechanism to keep water cold for 24 hours.

All four types of Brita Water Filter Bottle are sold with a bottle filter included.

Here’s a table with all the relevant information:

Brita Water Filter BottleDishwasher safe
Hard-sided plastic
26oz
Top rack only
Hard-sided plastic
36oz
Top rack only
Stainless steel
20oz
No
Stainless steel
32oz
No

How other brands compare to Brita bottle filters

Brita Water Filter Bottles are best suited for tap water, around the home, office, gym or school. The Brita Water Filter Bottle range improves the taste of water by reducing the amount of chlorine and sediments present. However, they do not remove heavy metals, bacteria, pathogens or pesticides, so are not suitable for purifying untreated water.

Other brands, such as Epic and LifeStraw, produce Water Filter Bottles capable of removing additional contaminants and are mores suitable for filtering untreated raw water.

Here’s a quick rundown of other water bottles in the market and how they compare to Brita, including the contaminants removed, the lifespan of each filter and any additional features. Don’t forget to scroll right to get all the info!

Brand and BottleBacteria and PathogensChlorine (taste and odor)Particulates (sediment)Other contaminants removedFilter lifespanAdditional featuresOptimal For:
Brita Water Bottle40 gallonsBPA-free
Available in attractive colors
Dishwasher Safe
One-handed push button lid
Everyday use
LifeStraw Go Water BottleBacteria
Pesticides
Protozoa
Herbicides
Microplastics
25 gallonsBPA-free
Leak-proof
Silicone mouthpiece
Hikes
Treks
Philips Water GoZero Active Bottle26 gallonsBPA-free
Built-in filter replacement indicator
2 filters (1 for tap water, 1 for freshwater)
Hikes
Treks
Epic Nalgene OG Water BottleLead
Chromium
Cysts
Fluoride
Heavy metals
Herbicides
Pesticides
Pharmaceuticals
75 gallonsBPA-free
Dishwasher Safe
2 filters (1 for tap water and 1 for outdoors)
Hikes
Treks
Everyday use
Water-To-Go Filtered BottleHeavy metals
Microplastics
52 gallonsBPA-freeHikes
Treks

The Lifespan of Brita Bottle Filters

Brita recommends changing the bottle filter every 40 gallons of water, or two months of use. This means that each bottle can filter up to 85oz of water a day for two months before needing a filter change. If you find yourself using more than 85oz of water a day, we recommend changing the filter sooner.

As a rule of thumb, change the filter when you find a difference in the taste/smell of water.

How to change a Brita filter.

  1. Remove the old filter and recycle accordingly.
  2. Rinse the new filter under a steady stream of water for at least 15 seconds. Make sure you rinse all the sides and direct water all around the filter so that any loose carbon particles are washed out.
  3. Insert the filter into the bottle and press until it is flush with the straw.
  4. Align the lid with the straw and twist the lid to lock the filter in place.
  5. You can fill the bottle with water up to the Max Fill line.
  6. Note: Do not pour hot water in your Brita filter bottle. Only cold water or water at room temperature can be filtered effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Brita Water Filter Bottles BPA-free?

All Brita Water Filter Bottles are BPA-free. This means that they are made from reusable plastics that do not contain Bisphenol-A.

Since BPA is linked to brain and gland disorders in fetuses, infants, and children, it is not recommended to use bottles with BPA.

How Do You Drink From A Brita Water Filter Bottle?

All Brita water bottles come with an easy-sip straw. When you press the button with the Brita logo at the base of the lid, the lid will pop off to reveal a straw underneath – it’s that simple!

How Do You Clean And Maintain A Brita Water Filter Bottle?

The stainless steel bottles are not dishwasher-safe. They must be washed by hand only. After the filter is removed, you can use mild dish soap and water to wash the bottle.

The plastic bottles are dishwater-safe but must be placed in the top rack only. The filter must not be placed in the dishwasher – remove the filter, take the lid off, and place all plastic components (bottle and lid separately) in the top rack. You can also opt to wash the plastic bottle by hand.

Do NOT use harsh detergents to wash these bottles.

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Theresa Orr

Theresa Orr is an Earth Scientist who specializes in determining past climates from rocks using geochemistry. Her passion for clean water drives her to breakdown the science to provide easy to understand information that everyone can read.

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