PUR 2 Stage Water Pitcher Replacement Filter, 3-Pack #CRF-950Z

Pur's filters are made with activated carbon to reduce chlorine and sediment, and include an ion-exchange resin that helps eliminate lead and copper. For best results, filters should be changed every 40 gallons. While Pur filters rid water of many chemicals, coloration, and bad flavors, they do not soften water or remove fluoride. This package of filters measures 7.9 by 7.6 by 2.7 inches, and weighs 2 pounds. --Jessica Reuling

So why Pur? I looked at Brita and Pur back in 1998, and found that Pur was filtering more harmful elements than Brita. While Brita may or may not have caught up, it hasn't surpassed Pur in quality, and I've put my trust in Pur before. Going with proven leaders, especially with your water, is smart.

These filters have low-tech indicators that let you know when an allotaed volume of water has passed through the filter. If your water is generally clean, you can go a week or so past the "expiration" date. These filters are more expensive than Brita filters for pitchers, but I believe Pur is still catching more bad stuff.

Finally, there are no "silver oxide pellets" in Brita filters. Don't take my word for it: check their website for proof. In fact, Brita specifically says it does not filter out sodium, the primary "hard" component of hard water.

So make your choice by visiting each website, and seeing the list of harmful impurities and organisms filtered out; also check micron-sizes of filter elements and filter pores; and lastly, see which company has technology across the entire spectrum of filtration needs. You'll probably be shopping for a Pur 10-pack soon enough...


User friendly filters, water tastes terrific   July 7, 2005
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

These filters are easy to use, easy to find in stores and online and despite being pricy, would be my recommendation for you to use with any of the PUR pitchers r dispensers which accept them. And even tho' we had a bad experience with one PUR pitcher (see my review here at Amazon) I still think the water filteres thru these inside it tasted terrific--better even than with their old-style filters and with our new "improved" faucet-mount system from Brita.


Great filter, great dispenser.   January 2, 2005
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I live in Peru, in the Andes where, for `gringos', it is imperative to have filtered water or expensive bottle water. I have tested the water that is piped from the town water supply and it had fecal contamination.

I have used the Pur Dispenser for two years and, knock on plastic, have never be sick from bacterial enteropathogens. We are also careful in food preparation (Duh). Though the filter is slated for 40 gallons I have used it for at least twice that with good results.

I highly recommend, both the dispenser, and filter for those that have (or suspect they have) contaminate water.


very satisfied user of PUR filters   August 3, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I have been using this filteration system for 4 years. One summer, I even took this filter with the pitcher to visit my family in India. I usually come down with a bout or two of stomach upset when I am visiting India. This time I did not have any problem. In the US the filter has performed very well. After the "new filter" taste goes away, the water tastes very good. My children never had any problem either. I don't know how cost effective it is over delivered drinking water, but it is certainly more convenient for some one like me who has back problems and cannot lift heavy 5 gallon water bottles.


Costly, but worth it (Price comparison with Brita)   January 28, 2006
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

I'm currently a college student living with 5 other guys and we use Brita filter at the apartment. When you cook with Brita filter, you can't taste a thing, but when you just drink the water, it taste like tap/toilet water. It also leaves those black stuff (part of the filter) on the bottom of the container. Personally, that's just weird and nasty, but maybe people like eating those filter-particles.

Back at home, my family use Pur water filter and I have to say, you can definitely taste the difference. I think that the water filtered by Pur taste like Fiji water. It's awesome. Instead of buying those ridiculously-good-looking bottled Fiji water, I bought huge water containers and take water filtered from home to my school apartment and just drink it myself.

The only downside of Pur water filter is that it costs more than Brita filter. Being an Economics major, I calculated the cost of water per gallon (filtered). With each filter (Pur or Brita), it filters 40 gallons of water. Pur cost $24.99 for a 3-pack (Amazon.com), this means that it costs $.208 to filter a gallon of water (excluding the cost of water itself). Brita filter cost $15.99 for a 3-pack (Amazon.com), this means that it costs $.133 to filter a gallon of water (36% cheaper than Pur). Although it costs more, I still think it's worth the money. I rather spend the extra $.075 per gallon of water than to drink toilet water.