(checked 2026-10-10)Listing for the 10-cup Elite-filter pitcher (4,657 ratings). Brita sells many similar pitchers under separate listings.
The pick Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping and CNN Underscored agree on: a cheap, easy pitcher whose Elite filter has broad certifications and lasts six months. Its weak spots are clogging, a filter that must be pushed firmly into place, and reports of pitchers or indicator lights failing.
Top complaints
- Elite filter clogs and slows down
Wirecutter says many, many owners complain of clogging, and its own Elite filter began to slow long before reaching its 120-gallon rating. Sediment in tap water (often from rusty pipes) makes it worse.
Source: Wirecutter - Filter is easy to seat wrong or knock loose
Wirecutter says the filter needs an extra shove to seat fully, or unfiltered water can leak around it. Good Housekeeping found the filter comes out if you tip the pitcher too far when pouring.
Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping - Indicator light or pitcher fails
Amazon's review summary says reliability and durability are mixed: the indicator light stops working, and some owners say the pitcher broke after about 6 months. Good Housekeeping notes it is hand-wash only.
What owners love
- Most broadly certified pitcher filter
Wirecutter says the Elite filter is ANSI/NSF-certified for more than 30 contaminants, including lead, mercury, microplastics, asbestos, PFOA and PFOS. CNN Underscored and Good Housekeeping list NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401.
- Fast for a pitcher
Wirecutter timed 5 to 7 minutes per refill with a new Elite filter. Good Housekeeping measured 38 seconds per cup, one of the fastest it tested.
Source: Wirecutter, Good Housekeeping - Easy to fill and clean
Wirecutter says it is Brita's easiest pitcher to take apart and clean, with no nooks and crannies, a one-handed thumb-flip cap, and a SmartLight that measures water used.
Source: Wirecutter
- Your tap water has a lot of sediment (clogging)
- You want a dishwasher-safe pitcher
- You only need better-tasting water (the cheaper Standard filter will do)
- Most households on a budget
- Broad certified filtration (lead, PFOA/PFOS, microplastics)
- Fewer filter changes (6-month Elite filter)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick (Elite filter) and favorite Brita pitcher: the most certified gravity filter it has tested, with a 6-month life; it is prone to clogging and the filter must be seated firmly.
- Good Housekeeping: Best value: low upfront and yearly cost and one of the fastest filters tested; the filter can fall out when tipped and the pitcher is hand-wash only.
- CNN Underscored: Best budget pick: no other filter met its contaminant baseline so cheaply (under 13 cents per gallon), though the taste improvement was modest.