4 Types of Water Filter Pitchers Explained by a Water Expert

Wondering what types of water filter pitchers you can choose from today?

In this guide, we’ve outlined all the different types of water filter pitchers you’re likely to come across. 

⚗️ 4 Common Types Of Water Filter Pitchers

Let’s take a look at the 4 types of water filter pitchers you’ll find when shopping for this filter type: 

Conventional Water Filter Pitchers

Conventional water filter pitchers make up the majority of pitcher filters sold today. 

These filtration systems are typically made from durable, BPA-free plastic and use a filter that removes common drinking water contaminants, like chlorine, lead, and pesticides. 

The filter quality and the contaminants that it removes depend on the filter’s design. 

Some conventional water filter pitchers can only remove a handful of the most common contaminants, while the best conventional pitcher filters can remove hundreds of different impurities.

There are different filter types found in conventional water filter pitchers. Some pitchers might use a filter made from a single media, like activated carbon, while others might blend multiple filter media, like activated carbon, ion exchange, ceramic filter media, and nanofilter media. 

Alkaline Water Filter Pitchers

Alkaline water filter pitchers are similar to conventional pitchers, but as well as removing contaminants, they also increase water’s pH, usually by releasing minerals into the water. 

To achieve this outcome, an alkaline water pitcher has a filter that combines several media, including the materials commonly used to reduce contaminants, as well as a special remineralizing media. 

The purpose of an alkaline water filter pitcher is to provide cleaner, better-tasting drinking water. While a conventional water filter pitcher can improve water’s taste by removing certain contaminants that affect taste (like chlorine), an alkaline water filter goes one step further by adding healthy minerals, which give water a pleasant alkaline taste. 

Alkaline water filter pitchers are identical in design to conventional pitchers. The only difference is their treatment process. 

Well Water Filter Pitchers

Well water filter pitchers are filtration devices designed to filter well water. 

Well water has specific contaminants that aren’t usually present in municipal water supplies. This is partly due to the fact that well water is derived from a groundwater (underground) source, and partly because well water isn’t treated before it’s delivered to your home. 

Well water filter pitchers address many of the common well water contaminants, including organic chemicals, nitrate, nitrite, heavy metals, and radionuclides. 

Some pitchers for well water use nanofiltration, meaning they can filter out tiny contaminants, like bacteria. 

Again, well water filters have a similar design to conventional water filter pitchers. The only difference is the filter media used and the types of contaminants removed. 

Glass Water Filter Pitchers

Glass water filter pitchers are just like conventional water filter pitchers, except they’re made from glass, not plastic. 

Glass pitchers have a few benefits. They’re plastic-free, which means there’s no risk of contaminating your water with microplastics, and glass has a sleeker, more attractive design than plastic. 

You can find glass pitcher filters with all sorts of filter materials and contaminant removal abilities. Some glass filter jugs use alkaline filters, while others use conventional filters that are solely designed to remove contaminants. 

🤔 Which Water Filter Pitcher Type Is Best?

There is no best water filter pitcher type – but there might be a particular filter type that’s best suited to you. 

Keep in mind that quality varies across products within each of these four filter pitcher types. Some of the best water filter pitchers can remove hundreds of contaminants and have long-lasting filters, while poorer-quality pitchers have issues with filter lifespan, durability, and flow rate. 

Do your research and make sure you’re aware of which pitchers are highly recommended by experts and customers. Avoid products that have lots of bad reviews and poor feedback online. 

🫵 How To Choose The Right Type Of Water Filter Pitcher

To choose the right type of water filter pitcher, consider the following things: 

Your Budget

Some types of water filter pitchers are more expensive than others. Expect to pay slightly more upfront for an alkaline water filter pitcher or a glass pitcher. 

If your budget is tight, stick to conventional water filter pitchers and focus on putting all your money towards a filter’s contaminant removal abilities.   

Your Filtration Preferences 

Different water filter pitchers remove different contaminants, and some add minerals back into water. 

Your own filtration preferences will determine the best pitcher filter type for you. If you just want to remove contaminants from a city water supply, a conventional pitcher is fine. Or, if you want to greatly improve your water’s taste and health properties, consider alkaline pitchers.

Your Water Source 

Your water source will also determine which type of water filter pitcher is suitable for you. 

If you get your water from a city supplier, you can consider most types of water filter jugs. If you have well water, you need to look specifically at well water filter pitchers. Don’t buy a conventional pitcher, since the contaminants in your well may damage the filter media.

Your Preferred Filter Material

Finally, consider what materials you prefer to be used in a water filter pitcher. 

If you want to avoid plastics entirely, even high-quality BPA-free plastics found in most pitcher filters, go for a glass pitcher. Or, if you prefer a more budget-friendly material, go for a plastic pitcher. 

📑 Final Word

There are a few different types of water filter pitchers available, so consider your options carefully when deciding on the best filter pitcher for you. 

Above all else, prioritize buying a water filter pitcher from a reputable manufacturer with plenty of positive feedback from customers and filtration experts.