Key Points
- Smart water pitchers are growing in popularity, but they come with a higher price tag compared to regular filtered water pitchers.
- Most drinking water in the U.S. has already been treated and filtered, so a regular water pitcher with a charcoal filter is sufficient for most people.
- Not all smart water pitchers can remove every type of contaminant, so it’s important to check the packaging for certification.
- Alternatives to smart water pitchers include whole-house water filtration systems, under-sink water filters, and refrigerator water filters.
Smart water pitchers are one of the latest smart appliance trends. However, are they worth it? They’re growing in popularity but they have drawbacks like any other technology. While a filtered water pitcher can remove harmful contaminants, does your water pitcher need to be smart to provide the cleanest drinking water? Let’s explore reasons to avoid a new smart water pitcher and take a look at a few great alternatives.
Some Background on the Smart Water Pitcher
There are whole-house smart filters like the GE Smart Home Water Filter System, and then there are individual smart water pitchers like Brita’s SmartLight Filter Change and the LARQ Pitcher PureVis.
Smart water pitchers came about to provide an easy way to filter your water — and it is easy. Just fill the pitcher, let it filter, refrigerate to chill, and enjoy. Some smart water pitchers like Brita’s Water Filter Pitcher with SmartLight have an intelligent indicator light to inform you when it is time to change the filter. For example, the LED light stays green when your drinking water is the cleanest, but then it turns yellow when it’s closing in on time to change filters. Finally, it turns red when you should stop using the pitcher to change filters.
Other smart water pitchers like LARQ’s PureVis system use smart sensors. These sensors can track filtered water amounts, plus assess your pitcher’s flow rate. They let you know precisely the proper time to replace the smart filter. You can track your filter usage and water intake on an accompanying phone app, too. PureVis also uses UV technology to neutralize contaminants and remove heterotrophic bacteria that naturally build up within regular water filter pitchers.
While smart pitchers have their good points, all of this technology comes with a much higher price tag. So if you’re looking for another way to enjoy fresh drinking water and avoid a smart water pitcher, we’ve got you covered.
Reasons to Avoid a Smart Water Pitcher
Here are three of the primary reasons to avoid a smart water pitcher.
Smart Water Pitchers and Replacement Filters Are Expensive
You can purchase a water filter pitcher for $20-30 if you want a no-frills option, however, you can expect to pay double for Brita’s SmartLight Filter system. It is virtually the same water pitcher filtration system you could pay less for, but the added SmartLight raises the price.
Smart water pitchers with advanced sensors, like LARQ’s PureVis smart water pitcher, cost about five times as much as a regular filtered water pitcher. The current MSRP for the PureVis smart water pitcher is $168 at the time of writing. So you would need to weigh your initial investment against the results to see if the benefits are worth it.
Filters are also expensive. Brita Elite filters clean approximately 120 gallons of water. So depending on how much water your family drinks, you must change the filter at least twice a year. One of the filter’s main ingredients is activated carbon or charcoal, which traps distasteful odors and flavors. however, it can only absorb so many contaminants and bacteria before clogging and failing.
Brita’s SmartLight Filter system uses about two filters annually for about $35 per year. However, LARQ’s PureVis smart water pitcher needs a filter change every two months at $32.50 per filter. So you’ll pay an additional $195 annually for the LARQ.
It Will Not Be Useful for Most People
Most drinking water in the U.S. has already been through a series of water treatment steps to make the water safe to drink. After the water has been filtered, water treatment plants may add additional disinfectants to kill any persistent contaminants. They then add low levels of disinfectant to the water so the residual effects will kill germs in the pipes as the water travels to your home. An activated charcoal filter in a regular water pitcher can remove remaining pollutants.
So unless you are concerned about having a UV light to kill bacteria growth over time, regularly changing the filter on a regular filtered water pitcher will be plenty of protection for most people. Some reviewers have also indicated that the UV light can be troublesome, and there is little to no difference in taste between the water in the expensive LARQ pitcher and a regular pitcher with a newly replaced filter.
©Anicka S/Shutterstock.com
No One Filter Removes Everything
There are times when a whole-house filtration system is called for. However, it depends on the contaminants in your water. Not all pitchers remove every type of contaminant. For example, a pitcher that removes chlorine or hydrogen sulfide may not be able to remove lead.
So a smart water pitcher might not have the capability to remove everything you need it to. Packaging should specify certification for the pitcher’s ability to remove these items.
- Lead and other heavy metals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Hormones
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
You may also have to pay extra for the advanced filters that remove more contaminants. For example, the LARQ PurVis Essential filter has an MSRP of $24.95 every two months, and it removes mercury, chlorine, and VOCs. However, it does not claim to remove lead, particulates, or pharmaceuticals. For that, you would need to purchase the Advanced filter at an MSRP of $32.50 every two months.
Alternatives to a Smart Water Pitcher
If you want to avoid a new smart water pitcher, here are some excellent alternatives.
Whole-House Water Filtration System
- Whole-home water filtration system
- Wi-Fi enabled system monitors water flow, water usage, freeze alerts, and more
- Easy to install with push-to-connect fittings
- Remote shutoff
There are easy-install methods of whole-house water filtration that protect your family at your water source’s point of entry. The GE Smart Home Water Filter System can be quickly installed in your garage or basement with push-to-connect fittings. No tools are needed for installation or filter changes.
This Wi-Fi-enabled water filter and system monitor can send you water flow alerts, track your usage, notify you of filter changes, and let you remotely shut off the water.
Under-Sink Water Filter
- WQA certified to deliver the cleanest, highest-quality drinking water
- Removes up to 99% of all impurities
- 50-gallon capacity
- Long-lasting filters
Under-sink water filters make an excellent alternative to smart water pitchers, and here’s why. Since they use water pressure instead of gravity, like pitchers, under-sink filters are denser than those in smart water pitchers. That means they can remove more contaminants and pollutants. You also won’t need to replace the cartridge as often, which helps you save money, too.
The APEC Water Systems ROES-50 reverse osmosis water filtration system has a 50-gallon capacity. The WQA Gold Seal-certified system reduces 99% of impurities, including chlorine, VOCs, fluoride, arsenic, lead, nitrates, and more. Pre-filters only need replacing every 6-12 months, while the membrane and carbon filter only need to be replaced every 2-3 years.
Refrigerator Water Filter
- Compatible with Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, and Jenn Air
- Certified to reduce 99% of lead
- Filter 4 reduces 31 contaminants including pesticides, waterborne parasites, and pharmaceuticals
- Lasts for 6 months
Most of today’s refrigerators with water dispensers have a water and ice filtration system. It’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions about how often you should change the filter. Skipping the change means that you could introduce pollutants or contaminants into the dispensing system. While drinking water through a dirty filter might not make you sick, it’s also not ideal.
This refrigerator filter is compatible with Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, and Jenn Air refrigerators. The EveryDrop by Whirlpool Filter 4 is also certified to reduce 99% of lead and 31 other contaminants. Since the filters last for about six months, you’ll usually change filters twice a year. It’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind you’ll get knowing your family is drinking clean water.
Wrapping Up
Now you know why you should avoid a new smart water pitcher and you can make an informed purchase. You’ll want to consider the alternatives and choose one to ensure your family’s drinking water is clean and safe. Options include whole-house filtration systems, under-sink filters, and refrigerator filters.
Summary of Alternatives to a Smart Water Pitcher
| The GE Smart Home Water Filter System |
| The APEC Water Systems ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System |
| The EveryDrop by Whirlpool Ice and Water Refrigerator Filter |
- GE Smart Home Water Filter System
- Whole-home water filtration system
- Wi-Fi enabled system monitors water flow, water usage, freeze alerts, and more
- Easy to install with push-to-connect fittings
- Remote shutoff
- APEC Water Systems Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System
- WQA certified to deliver the cleanest, highest-quality drinking water
- Removes up to 99% of all impurities
- 50-gallon capacity
- Long-lasting filters
- everydrop by Whirlpool Ice and Water Refrigerator Filter 4, EDR4RXD1, Single-Pack
- Compatible with Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, KitchenAid, and Jenn Air
- Certified to reduce 99% of lead
- Filter 4 reduces 31 contaminants including pesticides, waterborne parasites, and pharmaceuticals
- Lasts for 6 months
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
