ConsFirst / Water filter pitchers

LifeStraw

LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher: the downsides first

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#6 of 8
$$PitcherScore 2.9/5
24%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Listing for the 10-cup plastic pitcher (3,551 ratings). Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping tested the 7-cup versions, which have separate listings.

Serious Eats' top pitcher, with a two-stage filter that also targets bacteria and parasites. It is slow to filter, tall and awkward to pour for some, and has one of the highest 1-2 star shares here.

Top complaints

  • Very slow filtering

    Serious Eats found it among the slowest, though it sped up with use. Good Housekeeping says it still filtered slowly after multiple refills. Amazon owners say it can take over an hour to fill.

    Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Tall and awkward

    CNN Underscored found the 10-cup nearly 13 inches tall and needing two hands to pour smoothly when full. Serious Eats says it may be a tight fit in the fridge and hard to fill in a shallow sink.

    Source: CNN Underscored, Serious Eats
  • Cracks and quality complaints

    Amazon's review summary says owners report the bottom cracking within two months, mixed quality, and trouble with the filter housing cap.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

What owners love

  • Clean, neutral taste

    Serious Eats says it produces clean, neutral-tasting water; Good Housekeeping calls the taste very clean. Taste is the top positive on Amazon.

    Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Two-stage filter including microbes

    A carbon filter plus a membrane microfilter for bacteria and parasites. Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping list NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, 473 and P231.

    Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping
  • Trapdoor lid fills easily

    Serious Eats says the trapdoor opens when water hits it, and the narrow spout pours a thin stream that's easy to aim.

    Source: Serious Eats
Good for
  • Neutral, clean-tasting water
  • Bacteria and parasite reduction (P231)
  • Glass option (7-cup glass version)

Scores (tap for why)

  • Filtration (certified)4.5
    Why 4.5?NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, 473 and P231 per Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping, including bacteria and parasites; Wirecutter says some of these are 'tested to' rather than certified (see notes).
    Source: Serious Eats, CNN Underscored, Wirecutter
  • Filter speed1.5
    Why 1.5?Among the slowest in Serious Eats' test and still slow after refills (Good Housekeeping); Amazon owners report over an hour per pitcher.
    Source: Serious Eats, Good Housekeeping, Amazon.com product page
  • Filter cost & life3.0
    Why 3.0?Carbon filter every 40 gallons (about 2 months) plus a membrane every 264 gallons (about a year); about $76 a year (Good Housekeeping) or about 30 cents per gallon (CNN).
    Source: Good Housekeeping, CNN Underscored
  • Easy to use & clean3.0
    Why 3.0?Self-opening fill door and easy pour (Serious Eats), but tall and two-handed when full (CNN); the filter must be removed before washing (Good Housekeeping).
    Source: Serious Eats, CNN Underscored, Good Housekeeping
  • Leaks & durability2.5
    Why 2.5?Amazon owners report bottom cracks within two months and leakage; 24% 1-2 star share.
    Source: Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Serious Eats: Best water filter pitcher (and its glass version is best glass pitcher): great taste, easy fill and pour; tall and slow.
  • Good Housekeeping: Best small (7-cup glass): light and easy to pour with clean taste, but slow to filter even after several refills.
  • CNN Underscored: Keeps pace on contaminant removal, but the 10-cup is too tall to pour comfortably and you must track two filters with no reminder.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked water filter pitchers whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in water filter pitchersBrita Standard Everyday 10-Cup Pitcher with Elite Filter

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.

Its catch: elite filter clogs and slows down#2 in water filter pitchersBrita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser

The dispenser Wirecutter and Serious Eats recommend: slim, fridge-friendly and easy for kids to use, and it takes the same filters as Brita pitchers. It is heavy when full, and some Amazon owners report cracks and leaks.

Its catch: cracks and leaks#3 in water filter pitchersLARQ Pitcher PureVis with Advanced Filter

A premium, dishwasher-safe pitcher with an app, a UV-C light and an Advanced filter that covers PFOA/PFOS. It costs several times more than a Brita, its filters cost about $120 a year, and the app and charger can be finicky.

Its catch: expensive pitcher and filters

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