Choosing the right water filter pitcher for your coffee maker is crucial because water quality significantly affects the taste of your coffee. A great filter pitcher should remove common contaminants like chlorine, sediment, and heavy metals that can alter flavor, while leaving essential minerals like calcium that enhance coffee’s natural taste. Here are the best water filter pitchers specifically suited for use with coffee makers.
1. Brita Everyday Pitcher with Standard Filter
Key Features:
- Filter Type: Standard activated carbon filter.
- Contaminants Removed: Chlorine, copper, cadmium, mercury, and zinc.
- Filter Life: 2 months (or 40 gallons).
- Capacity: 10 cups.
Why It’s Great for Coffee:
The Brita Everyday Pitcher is one of the most widely recognized water filter pitchers. Its activated carbon filter reduces chlorine, which is essential for removing the chemical taste that can interfere with the rich flavors of coffee. While it does a good job at removing heavy metals, it leaves calcium and magnesium, which help enhance the extraction process in brewing.
Pros:
- Affordable: A budget-friendly option for consistent water filtration.
- Available filters: Easy to find replacements in stores and online.
- Reduces chlorine: Provides better-tasting water that improves coffee flavor.
Cons:
- Not as thorough as advanced filters: Only reduces basic contaminants like chlorine and sediment, not heavy metals like lead or fluoride.
- No remineralization: Won’t add beneficial minerals back to the water.
Best For:
- Coffee drinkers looking for an affordable, everyday water filter pitcher that improves the taste of their water without complex filtration needs.
2. ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher
Key Features:
- Filter Type: 5-stage ion exchange and carbon filter.
- Contaminants Removed: Removes 99.6% of total dissolved solids (TDS), including chlorine, lead, mercury, and chromium.
- Filter Life: 20–40 gallons depending on water quality.
- Capacity: 10 cups.
Why It’s Great for Coffee:
The ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher uses a 5-stage filtration system that removes nearly all dissolved solids, including metals and organic compounds, ensuring that your coffee tastes as pure as possible. By removing chlorine and heavy metals, it eliminates any off-flavors, giving you a cleaner cup of coffee. The included TDS meter helps you monitor the filter’s effectiveness.
Pros:
- Removes almost all TDS: Excellent for those who want water free of dissolved solids for pure coffee flavor.
- Thorough filtration: Removes lead and heavy metals, making it one of the best options for homes with older plumbing.
- TDS meter included: Lets you know exactly when to change the filter.
Cons:
- Removes minerals: The filter removes all minerals, which can result in water that’s too “soft” for optimal coffee extraction.
- Filter lifespan: Filters may need to be changed frequently, especially with hard water.
Best For:
- Coffee drinkers who want pure, contaminant-free water for brewing and live in areas with high TDS or heavy metal concerns.
3. Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
Key Features:
- Filter Type: Affinity Filtration technology (activated carbon + proprietary media).
- Contaminants Removed: Removes fluoride, lead, chlorine, PFAS, herbicides, and pesticides—over 365 contaminants.
- Filter Life: 100 gallons (about 4 months).
- Capacity: 10 cups.
Why It’s Great for Coffee:
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher offers some of the most comprehensive filtration on the market, removing contaminants like fluoride and heavy metals while maintaining essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are key for coffee extraction. This gives you clean water that enhances the flavor profile of your coffee without stripping out beneficial minerals.
Pros:
- High filtration capacity: Removes over 365 contaminants, including lead, fluoride, and pesticides.
- Long-lasting filter: Lasts up to 4 months, making it highly convenient for regular use.
- Maintains beneficial minerals: Leaves calcium and magnesium for better-tasting coffee.
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost: More expensive than standard filter pitchers, but worth it for the advanced filtration.
- Slower filtration: Due to its thorough process, it filters water slower than other pitchers.
Best For:
- Serious coffee enthusiasts who want high-quality water filtration that balances contaminant removal with retaining important minerals for optimal coffee flavor.
4. SOMA Water Filter Pitcher
Key Features:
- Filter Type: Plant-based carbon and ion-exchange filter.
- Contaminants Removed: Reduces chlorine, mercury, copper, and zinc.
- Filter Life: 2 months or 40 gallons.
- Capacity: 10 cups.
Why It’s Great for Coffee:
The SOMA Water Filter Pitcher provides clean, crisp water using a plant-based carbon filter, making it an environmentally friendly option for coffee lovers. It reduces chlorine and heavy metals, but maintains minerals like calcium, which are essential for coffee extraction. The minimalistic design also makes it an aesthetically pleasing addition to your kitchen.
Pros:
- Environmentally friendly: Uses a sustainable, plant-based filter.
- Good taste improvement: Reduces chlorine effectively, improving water and coffee flavor.
- Stylish design: Beautiful design for those who appreciate aesthetics in their kitchen.
Cons:
- Limited contaminant removal: Doesn’t filter as many contaminants as some advanced systems like ZeroWater or Clearly Filtered.
- Smaller filter capacity: Filters need to be replaced more frequently.
Best For:
- Environmentally-conscious coffee lovers who want a sustainable, easy-to-use pitcher that improves water taste and quality without extensive filtration needs.
5. PUR Ultimate Filtration Water Pitcher
Key Features:
- Filter Type: Activated carbon and ion-exchange.
- Contaminants Removed: Reduces chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, and other contaminants.
- Filter Life: 2 months or 40 gallons.
- Capacity: 11 cups.
Why It’s Great for Coffee:
The PUR Ultimate Filtration Pitcher uses a powerful carbon filter to effectively reduce chlorine and lead, improving the taste of your water and your coffee. Its Fast Filtering technology ensures you don’t have to wait long for filtered water, making it ideal for those who need quick access to purified water for their morning brew.
Pros:
- Great for chlorine and lead removal: Significantly reduces the contaminants that most affect coffee flavor.
- Fast filtration: Filters water quickly without sacrificing quality.
- Easy to find replacements: PUR filters are widely available and affordable.
Cons:
- Filter lifespan: Filters need to be replaced more frequently compared to higher-end pitchers.
- Basic filtration: Doesn’t filter out as many contaminants as some of the premium models like Clearly Filtered.
Best For:
- Coffee drinkers who need quick filtration and reliable removal of chlorine and lead, especially in areas with older plumbing.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best water filter pitcher for your coffee maker depends on the quality of your tap water and your personal taste preferences. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
- For pure water and clean taste: Go with the ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher for almost total contaminant removal, but keep in mind it removes all minerals, which may slightly affect coffee extraction.
- For balanced mineral retention and excellent coffee flavor: The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher offers comprehensive filtration while maintaining beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- For a budget-friendly, everyday option: The Brita Everyday Pitcher is perfect for reducing chlorine and improving water taste without breaking the bank.
For coffee lovers, having filtered water that’s free of unwanted tastes but rich in essential minerals can make all the difference in brewing the perfect cup!