PUR Faucet Filters [Review]


Reviewed by: Water Purification Guide

OVERVIEW


Category Water Filter


Make PUR


Type Faucet Filter


Models Basic, PLUS, PLUS with Bluetooth and Vertical.



An increasing number of people are installing faucet filters in their homes to ensure that they are getting clean, refreshing water directly from their faucets on demand. If you are considering having one installed, you may have heard of PUR Faucet Filters, which many are calling the best faucet filters in the market today. 

PUR faucet systems are certified to filter more than 70 contaminants from your water, which is much higher than most faucet filters available today. They are easy to install, durable despite heavy use and offer many sleek designs and finishes that fit most faucets quite easily. Additionally, the PUR PLUS system comes with a mineral component that leaves a natural spring-like taste in your water.

Even tap water that looks clean may consider harmful contaminants like lead, mercury, pesticides or industrial chemicals. It may thus be a good idea to invest in a good faucet filter for your health. 

In this review of the PUR faucet filter, we talk about its features, costs, available models, pros, cons and also provide insight on how you can install, replace and clean a PUR faucet filter. 

Is the PUR Faucet Filter for you?

If your household goes through a lot of drinking water every day, or if you simply wish to make sure that the water you drink or cook with is free of any possible contaminants, then the PUR faucet filter is a great choice for you. 

The filter can be particularly useful if you have reasons to be concerned about potential contamination with lead or mercury in your water. This may be the case if you have old supply-pipes and in-home plumbing, as the lead from the pipes can slowly leach into your water and contaminate it.

Even without any big risk of contamination, however, many families may choose to install one just to be extra cautious. 

Another important reason to opt for using a faucet filter is to save costs as it is much cheaper than bottled water. Of course, there is an added environmental benefit since you are not using any plastic bottles with a PUR faucet filter either.

You should be aware, nonetheless, that the PUR faucet filter can not be used with pull-out sprayers, and the filter can be easily damaged if you run hot water through it.

You should also note that the PUR faucet filter is not designed to filter out bacteria, so if bacterial contamination is your primary concern, this may not be the best choice for your family.

Models and Costs

Currently, four major models of the PUR faucet filter systems are available: 

PUR PLUS with Bluetooth (PUR website)

The first three attach to your faucet horizontally, whereas the Classic model attaches vertically.

Regardless of the design, all of them have the same basic filter and are therefore identical as far as filtering the water is concerned.

All four models also come with an indicator light that tells you when the filter needs to be replaced.

The PUR PLUS models have a ‘MineralClear’ layer as well, which adds healthy minerals (namely calcium carbonate) to your filtered water, giving it a fresh, spring-like taste. 

The PUR Basic model is available in Black and White finishes and will cost you $22.00.

The PUR PLUS is available in four finishes: chrome, metallic Grey, sea glass and silver matte, and will cost you $34.99.

The PUR PLUS with an added bluetooth option (which can notify you of the filter’s usage status on your smartphone) will cost you $44.99.

The PUR Classic vertical filter, also available in black or white, is the cheapest at $28.00.

Features

Filter information

The PUR faucet-mounted filter is certified by the American National Standards Institute and NSF International for over 70 contaminants, including mercury, lead, pesticides and industrial chemicals.

The filters are also capable of removing 12 substances labelled “emerging compounds” (which include BPA and estrone, among others) that are increasingly found in US drinking-water supplies.

These numbers are much higher than that offered by the leading Brita Faucet Filters, which only have the certification for 56 contaminants. 

The PUR system offers this fantastic filtering capacity through its own ‘MAXION’ technology that it uses to build its filtration cartridge.

The filtration occurs in two major stages.

In the first, the PUR faucet filter removes larger particles like sand, dust and dirt.

In the second, the filter utilizes activated carbon particles to filter out finer elements like lead, mercury and other chemicals. 

This basic filtering mechanism is used in all of the models.

Additionally, the ‘PLUS’ variants have a third stage where minute quantities of calcium carbonate (also known as limestone) are added to the water, which is supposed to emulate the taste of natural minerals.

Adding a mineral component for sake of taste is becoming increasingly popular in most water filters these days, though whether it makes a difference or not seems to depend on each user. 

Capacity and Lifespan

The PUR faucet filters are meant to filter up to 100 gallons of water, which should normally last an average family for about three months.

Each model comes with its own flowmeter so you will know when the filter is going to reach its 100-gallon limit well in advance.

For this, the filter housing consists of an in-built LED that is green normally, turns yellow when the filter’s capacity is about to run out, and red when it is time to replace it.

In addition to the LED indicator, the bluetooth-augmented model offers a smart notification and monitoring system in your smartphone as well.

It needs to be noted, however, that the 3 month timeline suggested by the company may not hold true if the level of contamination of the water in your house is higher.

Replacement filters cost about $10 for the Basic and  $11 for the MineralClear apiece. 

Size and Aesthetics

Aesthetically speaking, the PUR faucet filter outperforms its closest competitor, the Brita Faucet filter, by a clear margin.

The PUR filters are sleek, metallic, easy to handle and fit into most faucets perfectly.

They are available in a number of options, including black, white, chrome, metallic grey, sea-glass (which is a form of light blue and a crowd favorite), and silver matte.

There is therefore a greater chance that one of these filters will fit your kitchen aesthetics better than the Brita faucet filter, which is visually bulkier and has far less color options. 

Water flow and Toggle function

Using the PUR faucet filter is fairly easy. There is a toggle feature in the housing which you can use to direct the water either through the filtering mechanism or through a separate dispenser if you simply want regular, unfiltered water to come out the faucet.

All models of the PUR faucet filters offer this function, whereas Brita includes the toggle option only in its ‘Complete’ version – something you might want to consider when making a purchase.

This feature can be particularly useful in the following situations:

  1. Using hot water: Faucet filters in general get damaged when exposed to hot water, especially when it is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in case of the PUR filter. The toggle function allows you to divert hot water away from the filter and keep it safe. 
  1. Faster Flow: As one would expect, it takes longer for the water to fill in when the filter function is being used. The rate of water flow when passing through the filter is 0.52 gallon per minute, almost four times less than the normal faucet flow, which is around 2 gallons per minute. If you simply need a lot of water for purposes other than drinking or cooking, this feature can save you quite a bit of time.

It needs to be noted, however, that this rate of filtration is still higher than that of most pitcher filters since water passes through the filter layers with greater pressure in a faucet than in a traditional pitcher. 

Pro’s and Cons of PUR Faucet Filter

Pros

Filters a wide range of Contaminants

Removing contaminants is the reason you installed a faucet filter in the first place – and no other faucet filter comes close to the PUR faucet filter in this regard.

The ANSI/NSF have certified it for more than 70 compounds including lead, mercury, various pesticides and BPA. With a PUR faucet filter, you can rest assured that the water you are drinking is safe. 

Long Warranty Periods

The filter offers up to 2 years of warranty- not bad for a $20-40 purchase!

Sleek Designs and Finishes

The PUR faucet filter looks sleek, small, and comes with a range of colors and finishes for you to choose from.

The likelihood of one of these designs fitting your kitchen’s aesthetics is higher than that with other filters that offer a limited range of options.

“PLUS” feature

The filtered water doesn’t have to taste sterile and lifeless, thanks to the ‘PLUS’ feature available in two of the four models.

The Bluetooth Feature

The Bluetooth Plus version can inform you when it is time to replace it on your smartphone.

Easy Installation

There is no need to bend into awkward positions or to fiddle around with strange equipment. The PUR faucet filter can be installed very easily; it simply clicks into your faucet and it’s good to go!  

Low Maintenance

Other than regular replacement of the filter, there is almost no maintenance you need to perform at all. The entire experience is simple and you almost never require any professional help.

Upgradeable Filters

All filters go into all housings. So even if you originally purchased the basic version, you can later use a MineralClear filter without having to spend any extra penny.

Affordable for those on a tight budget

The filter systems offer a wide range of models ranging from $19.99 to $44.99 in price, meaning you are quite likely to find something that fits your budget. 

Cons

Not Suitable for Highly Contaminated Water

Although the filter suggests it may be usable for 3 months, some users have complained that they needed to replace the filter within 6 weeks of use.

You will need to replace the filter much more frequently than expected if your water is particularly contaminated.

Not suitable for Use with pull-out sprayers

If you have a pull-out sprayer in your sink, then the filter will simply not fit the faucet. This is an issue with faucet-mounted filters in general, however, and not just the PUR faucet filter.

Issues with Size

The filter can be difficult to use if the sink is on the smaller side as the filter can take up quite a lot of the space under the faucet.

This means you may not be able to add a glass or a cup to your sink, for example, if some plates are already in there.

Some have taken it as an incentive to keep the dishes from piling up, though, so depends how you look at it!

Lack of a spray option

Unlike the Brita faucet systems, the PUR faucet filters do not have a spray option.

No microbe filtering function

The filter is only designed to filter out chemical contaminants, not bacteria. If you are concerned that your water is contaminated with microbes, this is not the right filter for you.

Leakage

Many users have complained that the filter becomes leaky after a few weeks of use.

Though the problem can be potentially avoided by following the installation instructions properly, this is still something you might want to consider before making a purchase.

Installation

Installing the PUR faucet filter is fairly simple. Follow the following steps:

  1. Install the filter:  After unboxing the filter, you will notice that there is a back cover on top of your filter housing. Gently remove this cover, insert the filter (which should fit loosely), then replace the cover.
  1. Remove the Aerator: Gently remove the aerator from your faucet along with its washer. You may use a rubber jar opener if it is difficult to remove.
  2. Install the System:
  • First, try attaching the device by itself to your faucet.
  • In case the device doesn’t attach well, you may need an adapter. You will have up to 3 adapters available on the box. Try applying each one to the faucet and hand-tighten it. If none fits, you may contact the manufacturer for a free adapter that fits your faucet properly. After this, attach your PUR filter device. You will hear an audible click when the fit is right.

4. Run the filter: In the beginning, you will have to run cold water from the filter for about 5 minutes, after which your PUR faucet filter is good to go.

Filter Replacement Frequency

You need to replace your PUR faucet filter when the indicator LED light on the filter housing turns red.

The device can filter up to 100 gallons of water, which usually translates to about 3 months for most families.

However, this can vary significantly on how often you use your filter and what the level of contamination is.

It is therefore recommended that you check the LED indicator frequently, and stay vigilant for any change in the water flow or taste. 

Replacing the Filter

Once your filter has gone through 100 gallons of water (or after 3 months of use, whichever comes first), you will need to replace it.

It is important that you use PUR replacement filters for optimal functioning of your device, although other filters may also fit the device. 

  1. Remove the PUR faucet system from the faucet by turning the threaded mounting nut clockwise.
  2. Twist the back cover to open and remove the used filter cartridge.
  3. Make sure the new filter cartridge is oriented correctly and insert it into the device.
  4. Re-install the system into your faucet in the same way you had initially installed it.

Cleaning

  1. Disconnect the PUR filter system from your faucet.
  2. Assess the faucet mount for any debris, tear or signs of damage.
  3. Disassemble the faucet filter system.
  4. Rinse the parts with clean water and remove any stains.
  5. Soak the parts in a disinfectant solution for at least five minutes. You may prepare your own disinfectant solution by mixing white vinegar and warm water in a 1:3 ratio.
  6. Rinse and dry all disassembled parts.
  7. Reassemble the parts and re-install the system into your faucet.

Latest Price: PUR PLUS Faucet Filter

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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