Water Filter Pitcher vs. Faucet
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When looking for a water filtration system, particularly the entry level ones, it is obvious that you will land on two choices; either a pitcher or a faucet filtration system. Well, since both of them are almost alike in many ways, you may find yourself asking, which is better, pitcher or faucet filter?
To begin with, both of them are Point of use units, meaning water can be used from one specific location only-like the kitchen.
They are also equipped with ion exchange resin and activated carbon filters to remove impurities from water to improve its taste and make it safe for drinking. On a more general note, the fact that all these units are POU means they are all an economical buy.
So, where does the difference come in?
The first difference is about the delivery speed. Pitchers take about five to ten minutes to draw enough water into the reservoir. The slow speed is because they use gravity to push water through the carbon layer. This might be inconvenient for a huge family; especially when everyone seems to get dehydrated after a few minutes.
Faucet systems, on the other hand, deliver water pretty quickly. They hold a large amount of water than pitchers which means more pressure is exerted on the carbon layers resulting to a faster filtration process.
Faucet systems also give you several options such as cold water, hot water, and unfiltered water settings. This allows you to use any quality of water you want.
With pitcher systems, you have to reserve/sacrifice your refrigerator space to make your water cold. As said above, faucet filters have a cold water switch, and therefore you don’t have to sacrifice your refrigerator space.
When it comes to efficiency, a pitcher filter is likely to trail behind a faucet filter. The latter, especially the advanced models, they spot both ion exchange resin and activated carbon filters which make the water purification extremely thorough. They remove chlorine taste, its odor and other contaminants from water.
Most pitcher filters, on the other hand, are equipped with carbon filters of a slightly lesser quality. This means some contaminants will go unfiltered. Advanced pitchers, however, may contain both filters present in faucet filters.
When it comes to durability, faucet filters last longer than pitcher filters, albeit by a month only. However, it is essential to point out that after a long time of use, both pitcher and faucet filter will definitely need some regular maintenance.
Faucet filters come in three different types.
Faucet filters are also said to be susceptible to leaks. So, you may want to consult customer reviews from reputable platforms before you buy one.
Generally, pitcher filters are easy to use and install. Faucet filters, on the other hand, are more complicated.
Financially, it may be easier to buy a pitcher filter than most average faucet filters. But to be precise, it’s the quality that matters. Some high-end pitcher filters are costlier than advanced faucet filters. For instance, The PUR DS-1800Z is costlier than the 3 stage PUR faucet filter.
In a nutshell, here are the pros and cons of each filter
Pros of faucet filter
- Efficient water purification
- Hot, cold and unfiltered water settings
- Holds large amount of water
- Lasts longer
Cons
- The carbon filter is susceptible to leaking
- The huge system can get into way of doing other duties like washing utensils
- Hard to install the filters
Our favourite
APEX Countertop Drinking Water Filter – Alkaline (White)
Pros of pitcher filters
- Simple to use
- easy to maintain
- efficient water purification
Cons
- uses up refrigerator space
- slow water filtration
- needs to be refilled after short intervals
Our Favourite
Brita Everyday Water Pitcher with Filters
The bottom line
Having a filtration system at your home whether pitcher or faucet is important for you family’s safety. However, when it comes to which one to buy between pitcher and faucet, it all boils down to personal preferences.
If money isn’t a problem, faucet filters can be a worthwhile investment. They are also efficient for those who find consistent refilling of pitchers to be boring.
On the other hand, if you have a small family or don’t have much to spend on filtration systems, a pitcher filtration system will suit your situation.
They are also efficient in removing impurities from water including lead and other metallic contaminants. But if we were to rank these two filters in terms durability, effectiveness, and convenience, faucet filter would take the day.
