Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher Review: Crystal Clear, Healthy Water
Tap water and bottled water may be inexpensive, but both can contain a long list of contaminants your body simply does not need. Over time, continuous exposure to these contaminants can take a toll on your health in ways most people never see coming.
Each glass of unfiltered tap water may contain VOCs, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, chlorine byproducts, heavy metals like arsenic, and even fluoride, which remains a heavily debated additive. And bottled water is no better. Many of the most common brands are nothing more than filtered or repackaged tap water.
The good news is that you can take control of your water quality right at home. Plenty of filtration options exist today, ranging from countertop systems to under-sink units. Their effectiveness varies, but one thing is true across the board: using any filter is far better than drinking straight from the tap.
Still, researching filtration systems can feel overwhelming, and many people get stuck in analysis mode while continuing to drink unfiltered water. If you’re currently in that boat, a simple water filter pitcher is the perfect entry point. It’s affordable, convenient, and dramatically cleaner than municipal water.
Before diving into the Clearly Filtered Pitcher itself, let’s take a closer look at the real issue behind everyday drinking water and why filtering it matters.
The Problem
Aside from shelter, food, and clothing, clean water is one of the most basic needs of human beings. Unfortunately, there are a lot of contaminants found in public drinking water. Water utility companies around the country have reported findings of over 300 pollutants in tap water.
In regard to those findings, the Environmental Working Group (EWP) has reported that more than half of those chemicals are not subject to any health or safety regulations. To make things worse, there are also no restrictions on the allowable amounts of these chemicals found in drinking water.
What about all the other chemicals that are regulated? Findings show that they’re well within reasonable limits, right?
Wrong.
Of the chemicals that are regulated by the federal government, 49 of them have been found in drinking water above allowable limits. It’s said that well over 50 million Americans drink tap water with chemicals that exceed health guidelines put forth by the federal government. Don’t forget that it only includes those chemicals that are regulated.
Problems have solutions. Oftentimes, there are complicated solutions to problems as well as simple solutions. The easiest and simplest way to immediately switch to cleaner drinking water is by purchasing a water filter. More below.
Clearly Filtered Clean Water Pitcher Review
When it comes to water filter pitchers, there are more than a few great options. This water filter is made of 100% BPA-free materials, so it’s safe and won’t add even more contaminants above and beyond the chemical cocktail you’re already drinking. It also filters out 99.99% of chlorine and 90% of fluoride.
Besides that, this particular filter pitcher blows away the competition with a 200-gallon usage life before the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.
This pitcher has an excellent holding capacity of 64 ounces, too, so you’ll always have a supply of filtered water whenever you need it. One great thing about these filter pitchers is that they’re made for convenience and will easily fit in the fridge.
The Clearly Filtered Clean Water Pitcher has raving reviews on Amazon as well, which is always a good sign. Not only will your switch to a water filter pitcher like this one limit your exposure to chemicals, but it will also give you peace of mind.
The chart at the right shows a few contaminants that the Clearly Filtered pitcher removes, but it’s only a short list. Besides the contaminants listed to the right, it also removes things like pesticides and insecticides.
One very important detail about this particular filter is that it won’t strip out healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Features Recap:
- 100% BPA free
- 64-ounce capacity
- Removes up to 90% of fluoride
- Removes 99.99% of chlorine
- Attractive Design
- Sturdy
Pros:
- Removes contaminants
- Excellent capacity
- Cheaper cost per gallon (see chart)
- Better-tasting filtered water
- Easy carry handle
- Excellent 200-gallon filter life
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Doesn’t remove healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium
Cons:
- Somewhat more expensive than other filter pitchers
- No filter indicator (recommended change every 6 months)
- More expensive filter replacement cartridges (but they have a 200-gallon capacity, 5 times that of other brands)
A note on filter indicators:
While filter indicators are helpful and convenient, most of them simply measure either time or movement. Filter indicators do not measure the amount of water passing through the filter.
One particular Brita filter I had in the past had a filter indicator that would count each time I poured a glass of water. However, the problem with this was that it seemed like every time I nudged or moved the filter (without pouring any water), it would count against my filter life. This led to the indicator notifying me to change the filter prematurely due to an inaccurate means of gathering data.
Premature filter changes aren’t beneficial for anything except for the profits of filter manufacturers. While I’m not saying that’s necessarily the intention behind including these indicators, I am saying that they simply aren’t necessary. I find that it’s oftentimes best to simply ignore the recommendations of filter indicators altogether.
Instead, periodically change your filters on a scheduled basis. Clearly Filtered recommends changing their filter every 6 months; it’s just that simple. I’m very glad they didn’t decide to include a filter indicator on their filter pitcher. That shows that they don’t want to make people pay for a device that has no real and practical benefit.
Competing Filter Pitcher Products
As you probably already know, there are many products available when it comes to filter pitchers. After a brief perusal, you’ll find that these pitchers come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes.
Some have features that others do not, such as different filtering capacities, different filtration methods, various styles, and quality differences. Let’s take a look at two more of the most common water filter pitchers on the market today.
Zero Water ZD-018 Water Dispenser Review
Aside from the Clearly Filtered Clean Water Filter Pitcher, there are a lot of other water filters available on the market today. One of these is the Zero Water ZD-018 Water Dispenser and Filtration System. It has a 5-stage dual ion exchange filter that removes virtually all dissolved solids from the tap water (99.63% TDS removal, to be exact).
You can verify that the TDS (total dissolved solids) are removed with the included TDS meter that comes with the filter system. Total dissolved solids are basically dissolved minerals and salts in your water. This filter does an exceptional job of removing these dissolved solids.
However, there’s an important question that you need to ask yourself before considering this filter:
Should you want to remove all of the dissolved solids from your water?
Total dissolved solids would also include the beneficial minerals that we should want to keep in our water. Do not use filtration systems that strip your water of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. So, while the TDS meter is a pretty nifty idea to show the effectiveness of Zero Water’s 5-stage filter, we don’t want a filter that effective.
Therefore, we don’t recommend the Zero Water filter because mounting evidence suggests that “zero” water is actually less healthy than water containing healthy minerals.
Brita Everyday Pitcher Review
Another very popular water filter brand is the Brita Everyday Water Filter Pitcher. It accommodates up to 10 cups of filtered water and is a very basic and inexpensive filter pitcher overall. It reduces the taste of chlorine and also reduces copper, cadmium, and mercury. It’s BPA-free, too, with an easy-fill lid and comfortable grip handle.
The Brita does have a filter indicator. But as we noted earlier, don’t expect it to measure the life of your filter accurately. The Brita filter requires a filter change after approximately 40 gallons (or two months). Just mark a date in your calendar for the next filter change.
If you’re in a crunch or on a strict budget, then this is a great option for you. However, it requires frequent filter changes and is at the lower end of water filter pitchers. Either way, this is definitely an improvement over basic tap water.
The Clear Winner
Every product has pros and cons, but the Clearly Filtered pitcher stands out for one simple reason: it works. The only real downside is the price, but the long-term value outweighs it. Most pitcher filters on the market top out at around 40 gallons before needing replacement. Clearly Filtered’s cartridge lasts up to 200 gallons and is built far better than cheaper alternatives.
When you spread the cost across its lifespan and consider how many contaminants it actually removes compared to typical carbon filters, it becomes an easy investment. For the level of filtration you’re getting, the Clearly Filtered pitcher is a strong buy.
It may not win any design awards, but when the goal is cleaner water for your family, effectiveness beats style every time. And among water filter pitchers, this one consistently outperforms its competitors.
Wrap-Up
You don’t have to keep drinking water full of questionable chemicals. You also don’t need to spend thousands on a whole-house system just to get safer drinking water. A good filter pitcher is a fast, affordable upgrade, and the Clearly Filtered pitcher delivers results right out of the box.
If you’re still drinking straight from the tap, there’s no reason to keep exposing your body to a daily chemical cocktail. A quality water filter pitcher is a night-and-day difference in both taste and peace of mind.
Once you switch to cleaner, healthier water, you won’t want to go back.
