PUR
PLUS 7-Cup Pitcher
Trade-offSmall batch size for multi-person homes; confirm which contaminants the current cartridge claims.
Skip it ifyou need a named fluoride or PFAS claim this cartridge does not list.
Product Reviews · Budget shortlist
Best Water Filters Under $100 Before Tax
Five filters that usually land under a hundred dollars before tax — Everyday Elite, PUR and ZeroWater pitchers, plus two faucet mounts — chosen for reversibility and honest claim scope, not for pretending they are RO.
5 ranked picks · Claims marked certified vs claims-only · Updated October 2026
Compare side by side
Same specs, same columns
Pick two to four of the shortlist and compare type, installation and the NSF/ANSI claims each maker lists, plus any capacity or annual running cost the listing states.
| Spec | PUR PLUS 7-Cup Pitcher | Brita Everyday Elite Water Filter Pitcher |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Activated carbon | Activated carbon |
| Installation | pitcher | pitcher |
| Capacity | — | 120 gal |
| Annual cost | $50 / yr | $40 / yr |
| Certifications | NSF 42 certifiedNSF 53 certifiedNSF 58 — not statedNSF 401 — not stated | NSF 42 certifiedNSF 53 certifiedNSF 58 — not statedNSF 401 — not stated |
Specs are normalized from manufacturer listings; blanks mean the listing did not state the figure. We do not claim our own independent laboratory results.
Ranked shortlist
Our picks, in order
Brita
Everyday Elite Water Filter Pitcher
Trade-offStill a pitcher — frequent refills; Elite claims are not a substitute for RO on dissolved ions.
Skip it ifyou need RO-class reduction of dissolved solids.
ZeroWater
10-Cup Pitcher with TDS Meter
Trade-offIon-exchange cartridges cost more per gallon and are replaced on a reading.
Skip it ifyou want the cheapest running cost for chlorine-only water.
PUR
PLUS Horizontal Faucet Mount System
Trade-offNeeds a threaded aerator; pull-out sprayers often incompatible.
Skip it ifthe spout is not threaded or clearance is tight.
Culligan
CULFMWHRF Faucet Mount Filter
Trade-offProprietary cartridges; confirm replacements stay stocked.
Skip it ifyou prefer a cartridge family with broad third-party availability.
FAQ
Choosing between these picks
+How do I know the removal claim is real?
Match the exact model in an NSF, WQA, or IAPMO directory. We label standards certified when that match exists; marketing-only language stays claims-only. Check 42 for taste/odor, 53 for health claims such as lead, 58 for RO, and 401 for named emerging compounds.
+How long does a filter last?
Follow the manufacturer’s rated interval for the cartridge you buy. Breakthrough usually happens before taste changes, so do not stretch a cartridge past its rating just because the water still tastes fine.
+Why do some of these pages show blanks?
A blank means the manufacturer’s own listing did not state the figure. We publish only what the source states rather than estimating a number — an empty cell is more honest than an invented one.
Methodology
Why trust this list
Every row traces to a dated source. We normalize fields and keep blanks honest. We never invent a removal percentage. NSF/ANSI standards are labeled certified when we matched the exact model in a third-party directory; otherwise they stay claims-only.
How these picks were chosen
- Street price typically under $100 before tax on the Amazon listing used here
- No drilling required
- Clear distinction between taste (42) claims and health (53/58) claims