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Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser vs PUR Plus 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on filtration (certified), filter speed, filter cost & life, easy to use & clean, leaks & durability.
The biggest complaint about the Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser is cracks and leaks; for the PUR Plus 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser it's leaky, breakable spigot. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser | PUR Plus 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in water filter pitchers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Dispenser | Dispenser |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | 19% |
| Overall score | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Filtration (certified) | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Filter speed | 3.5 | 2.0 |
| Filter cost & life | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Easy to use & clean | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Leaks & durability | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $40 · $$ $40–90 · $$$ over $90 (pitcher only, before filters). Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
- Cracks and leaks
Amazon's review summary says customers report the dispenser cracking at the bottom, and some mention leakage problems.
- Heavy when full
Wirecutter says the one drawback of dispensers is weight: about 15 pounds when both reservoirs are full.
Source: Wirecutter - Standard-filter version has fewer certifications
Serious Eats tested the version with Brita's standard filter and notes it is certified only to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53. Wirecutter says the standard filter is not certified for lead or industrial compounds, so buy the Elite-filter version if that matters.
Source: Serious Eats, Wirecutter
PUR Plus 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser
- Leaky, breakable spigot
Amazon's review summary says the spigot breaks after a couple of months and the spout drips after being closed. Leakage and durability are its most-mentioned negative topics.
- Very slow, sometimes clogs
Good Housekeeping says it filters very slowly. Amazon owners call the filter speed slow and report water getting stuck in the upper chamber.
- Lid must come off to fill; rounded ends
Good Housekeeping and Serious Eats both note you must remove the entire lid to fill it. Serious Eats says the rounded ends waste fridge space.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Serious Eats
Who should pick which
Pick the Brita UltraMax (XL) 27-Cup Water Filter Dispenser if
Families who drink a lot of water
Kids pouring their own water (spigot)
Narrow fridge shelves
Skip it if: You'd struggle lifting about 15 lb; You want filtered water only in a pitcher you can pour; Your water clogs filters (sediment)
Pick the PUR Plus 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser if
A dishwasher-safe dispenser
Lead reduction on a budget
A built-in filter-change light
Skip it if: You want PFAS certification; You hate waiting for water to filter; You want to fill it without taking the lid off
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