By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Best water filter jugs 2025, tried and tested
The best water filter jugs should improve the taste of tap water by reducing chlorine, microplastics and heavy metals. They're also designed to be easy to use and pour smoothly, whether you're filling a kettle, prepping a coffee or topping up your water bottle.
We've put 10 of the most popular plastic and glass water filter jugs to the test and found significant variations in water softening performance, taste and ergonomic design.
Looking at bestselling models from Brita, Asda, ZeroWater and more, we found two standout Best Buys that really made a splash, including a Great Value pick priced under £10.
How our tests find you the best
Water softness
We use hardness strips to compare tap and the filtered water from each jug. If the colours barely change, the jug’s filter isn’t really doing much.
Ease of use
No one wants a jug that spills water every time you pour, especially if it’s hard to handle too. We rate how easy each jug was to fill, lift, and pour.
Taste test
Think filtered water all tastes the same? It definitely doesn’t. Our tasting panel reveals the jugs that stand out for all the wrong reasons.
We also test...
Build quality and sturdiness, how fast each jug filters water and how simple it is to clean, replace filters and assemble.
The best water filter jugs
Only logged-in Which? members can view the water filter jug test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Water filter jugs | Price | Score | Water softening | Taste test | Ease of use | Filter costs per year* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableAlready a member? Log in | 78% | |||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 73% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 69% | ||||||
| 66% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 62% | ||||||
| 54% | ||||||
| 51% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableAlready a member? Log in
Date tested: April 2025. Page last checked: June 2025. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*Filter costs per year: We calculated yearly filter cost by dividing the average filter price by its lifespan, then multiplied up to the amount you'd pay to cover a year.
The water filter jugs we tested
All of the water filter jugs we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best water filter jugs from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Aarke Purifier Water Filter Glass Pitcher 1.18L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.18L, 2.36L
Need to know 27.5 × 17.1 × 12cm (H×W×D); refillable stainless steel ReFilter with Pure or Enriched granules; claims to reduce chlorine, heavy metals (lead, copper), and limescale, optionally adds magnesium; glass carafe with stainless steel and silicone bumper; may not fit in standard UK fridge door; dishwasher-safe; made from glass, stainless steel, BPA-free thermoplastic, and silicone; recyclable filter via Aarke programme; manual filter change dial.
Aqua Optima Oria Water Filter Jug
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.4L, 2.8L
Need to know 26 × 25 × 11cm (H×W×D); Evolve+ filter with 5-stage filtration system; claims to reduce chlorine, limescale, lead, microplastics, pesticides and herbicides; slim design fits most fridge doors; dishwasher-safe; BPA-free plastic; compatible with Aqua Optima app for filter change reminders.
Aquaphor Water Filter Jug 2.4L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.6L, 2.6L
Need to know 26 × 25 × 11cm (H×W×D); Maxfor+ filter with activated carbon and ion exchange resins; claims to reduce chlorine, limescale, heavy metals, microplastics and pesticides; slim design fits most fridge doors; dishwasher-safe (excluding lid); BPA-free plastic; participates in Aquaphor's free recycling programme in the UK.
Brita Marella Water Filter Jug Blue 2.4L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.4L, 2.4L
Need to know 27.5 x 26.5 x 11cm (HxWxD); Maxtra+ filter with activated carbon and ion-exchange resin; claims to reduce chlorine, lead, copper, limescale and organic impurities; slim design fits most fridge door; dishwasher-safe (excluding lid); made with ISCC Plus-certified bio-based plastic; used filters recyclable via Brita's scheme; Brita Memo reminder for filter replacement.
George Home Water Filter Jug
Total capacity 2.3L
Need to know 26 x 25 x 11cm (HxWxD); George Home filters and compatible with Maxtra+ filter with activated carbon and ion-exchange resin; claims to reduce chlorine, lead, copper, limescale and other taste-impairing impurities; slim design fits most fridge doors; dishwasher-safe (excluding lid); made with BPA-free plastic.
Prefer sparkling to still? See our reviews of the best SodaStreams and sparkling water makers
Klar Fluoride Water filter Pitcher 3.5L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 2.7L, 3.5L
Need to know 27 × 13.5 × 26cm (H×W×D); hybrid filter with 5-stage filtration system; claims to filter fluoride, PFOA, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and reduce microplastics; does not fit most UK fridge doors; dishwasher-safe; BPA and phthalate-free plastic; recyclable filter via Klar’s programme; digital filter life indicator.
LARQ Pitcher PureVis Plastic Filtered Water Jug
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.3L, 1.9L
Need to know 24.5 x 23.8 x 9.8cm (HxWxD); plant-based carbon filter with Nano Zero technology; claims to reduce chlorine, mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, PFAS and VOCs; slim design fits most fridge door; dishwasher-safe (excluding PureVis Wand); made with BPA-free premium-grade plastic; plant-based filter; PureVis UV-C LED technology; self-cleaning mode activates every six hours; intelligent filter life tracking; rechargeable via magnetic USB charger; app connectivity for filter replacement reminders.
LifeStraw Water Filter Pitcher, 7-Cup
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.2L, 1.65L
Need to know 28.5 × 14.7 × 14.7cm (H×W×D); membrane microfilter and activated carbon and ion exchange filter; claims to remove bacteria and parasites, and reduce lead, mercury, PFAS/PFOA, microplastics, pesticides, and herbicides; may not fit most standard UK fridge doors; handwash only; available in BPA-free plastic or borosilicate glass; no recycling scheme for used filters.
Phox V2 Water Filter Jug 2.2L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.8L, 2.2L
Need to know 12 × 12 × 30cm (H×W×D); clean/alkaline/softener pack refillable cartridge with coconut shell activated carbon and ion exchange beads; claims to reduce chlorine, lead and chlorine; made from glass and BPA-free plastic; may not fit in standard UK fridge door; dishwasher-safe; recyclable filter via Phox's programme; compatible with Phox app for filter change reminders.
ZeroWater Ready Pour Water Filter Jug 1.7L
Filtered capacity and total capacity 1.4L, 1.7L
Need to know 26.7 x 12.4 x 24.1cm (HxWxD); 5-stage dual-ion exchange filters; claims to reduce chlorine, lead, mercury, PFAS/PFOA, chromium and other dissolved solids; may not fit in standard UK fridge door; dishwasher-safe (excluding lid); made with BPA-free plastic; recyclable via ZeroWater's recycling programme; includes free TDS meter; IAPMO certified.
Eat well, live better and stay healthy. Sign up for our free monthly Food & Health newsletter
How we test water filter jugs
To find the best water filter jugs, we pick the most-searched-for and bestselling brands across different retailers and buy them all ourselves. We enlist a panel of testers to assess each one, so our reviews reflect real-world use.
We regularly revisit the water filter jugs on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing; when we find them, we do.
Each water filter jug is assessed on the following factors:
Water softening
We use colour-changing hardness test strips to measure the levels of minerals in both hard tap water and the filtered water. We measure how effectively the jug reduces the minerals that cause water hardness and limescale. The best water filters removed nearly all the hardness-causing minerals, while the worst showed little improvement over our tap water.
Filtration speed
We record the time taken for each jug to filter one litre of water. Our tests found that filtration speed can vary widely between jugs, ranging from just over one minute to more than eleven minutes.
Ease of use
Our panel test focuses on practical everyday tasks, including how easy it is to fill the jug to one litre from the tap, how comfortable the grip and handling are when the jug is full, and how smoothly the lid opens and closes. Testers also provide feedback on any strain or discomfort they experience. Additionally, we assess cleaning and maintenance based on the manufacturer’s instructions to see how straightforward these tasks are.
Other factors we take into account include:
- Ease of setup and assembly
- We assess how quickly and easily you can get the jug ready straight out of the box. This includes timing how long it takes to assemble, clean and replace the filter.
- We also measure the amount of force needed to remove and insert the filter cartridge.
- Additionally, our panel testers provide feedback on how clear and helpful the instruction manual is.
- Cambridge Glove test
- We simulate limited hand movement to assess how easy the filter jugs are to handle, fill and operate for people with reduced hand mobility.
- Jugs made from lightweight materials, such as our Best Buy and Great Value jugs, prove easier to manage and require less effort when filling.
Taste
We conduct blind taste tests to assess not only the flavour but also the smell, texture and aftertaste of the filtered water compared to unfiltered tap water. This helps us determine if the filter makes a noticeable improvement to your drinking experience. The best-tasting water came out noticeably fresher, cleaner and smoother, while the worst had a metallic aftertaste and showed little improvement over regular tap water.
Design and build-quality
Our panel assesses the jug's robustness during use to give a full picture of its durability and practicality.
- We evaluate the materials, construction and overall design of each jug, looking for sturdy build quality and ergonomic handles that make handling easier.
- The security of the lid or closure is also tested to ensure it stays firmly in place during use.
- Size and shape are important too, so we check how well each jug fits on a kitchen countertop or inside a fridge door.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
Are water filter jugs worth it?
Although water filter jugs themselves can be affordable to buy, the cost of replacement filters can add up over time. Before you invest, it's worth knowing that UK tap water is already stringently regulated.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) publishes an annual report assessing public tap water quality across England and Wales. The latest 2023 report confirms that 99.9% of water samples met or exceeded the safety standards designed to protect public health.
These standards limit concentrations of potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides and microbes to undetectable levels. For example, out of more than 50,000 samples tested for aluminium, only 18 slightly exceeded the safety threshold, while pesticide failures were zero.
This means that most contaminants targeted by filter jugs are already at safe levels. So while these jugs may not offer major health benefits, they can still be worthwhile if you prefer the taste, want softer water for your kettle, or simply like the convenience. Our testing showed all jugs softened water to some extent, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
How does a water filter jug work?
Water filter jugs aim to improve the taste, smell and overall water quality by removing or reducing unwanted substances. There are several types of filtration technologies available, each designed to target certain impurities.
- Activated carbon filtration This is the most common type found in standard filter jugs. It uses a cartridge filled with activated carbon, which has a large surface area and countless tiny pores. As water passes through it adsorbs and traps organic compounds such as hydrogen sulphide, chlorine and heavy metals. These substances often cause unpleasant tastes and odours.
- Reverse osmosis filtration A more advanced form of filtration typically found in built-in systems. It uses pressure to force tap water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane can block most dissolved solids such as salts, metals and some bacteria. These systems are usually more eco-friendly and require less frequent filter replacement.
- Ion exchange filters These filters contain special resin beads that soften hard water by exchanging minerals like magnesium and calcium for sodium and hydrogen ions. This process helps reduce limescale, protecting kettles and other appliances from mineral build-up.
- Ultrafiltration/nanofiltration Designed to target microscopic contaminants, these systems use ultra-fine membranes to physically block particles such as bacteria and microplastics. The tiny pores can filter out these biological contaminants and still allow clean water molecules through.