AquaTru vs Brita: the AquaTru Carafe is certified by IAPMO R&T for fluoride, lead, arsenic, nitrate, and PFOA/PFOS, while the Brita Elite pitcher is certified for lead, mercury, and cadmium but not fluoride or PFAS. Upgrade if your water report shows something Brita isn’t certified for.
The catch: It costs several times as much as a Brita and needs an outlet and counter space.
Health information, not medical advice. Guidance differs for infants, pregnancy, and existing conditions. Test your own water and speak to a doctor or your local health authority. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links; it never affects our scores.
How Do AquaTru and Brita Compare?
A countertop reverse osmosis system against the best-known pitcher. Both are certified for lead; the difference is everything else. How we score
| # | Filter | Score | Lead | PFAS | Fluoride | Filter life | Cost per gallon | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | AquaTru CarafeBest of the two | 4.6 | Certified | Certified | Certified | 300 to 600 gal | $0.33 | $335.75on Amazon › |
| 02 | Brita EliteBest value for lead | 4.1 | Certified | Claim | No | 120 gal | $0.14 | See priceon Amazon › |
Certified: Certified by an independent body (named in each pick). Lab test: Tested by a named independent lab, not certified. Claim: The maker's claim, not certified. No: No claim. PFAS means PFOA/PFOS, or Total PFAS where the pick says so.
What Is Each One Certified to Remove?
| Contaminant | AquaTru Carafe | Brita Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Certified (IAPMO R&T, NSF/ANSI 58) | Certified (IAPMO R&T, WQA, NSF International; NSF/ANSI 53) |
| Fluoride | Certified (NSF/ANSI 58) | No claim |
| PFOA/PFOS | Certified (NSF/ANSI 53) | Brita’s claim, not certified |
| Arsenic, nitrate, chromium-6 | Certified (NSF/ANSI 58) | No claim |
| Mercury, cadmium | No claim | Certified (WQA, NSF/ANSI 53) |
| Microplastics | Certified (NSF/ANSI 401) | Certified (WQA, NSF/ANSI 401) in most Brita pitchers |
| Chlorine | Certified, plus chloramine (NSF/ANSI 42) | Certified (WQA, NSF/ANSI 42) |
AquaTru: IAPMO R&T listings for models AT100 to AT140. Brita Elite filter (OB06): IAPMO R&T file W-13905 for lead in 11 Brita pitchers; WQA for lead, mercury, cadmium, asbestos, benzene, and chlorine; NSF International for lead in the Pacifica and Tidal. None of the three lists Brita’s PFOA/PFOS claim.
Is Upgrading From Brita to AquaTru Worth It?
Only if your water needs it. If your utility’s water quality report or a lab test shows fluoride, PFAS, arsenic, or nitrate, the AquaTru Carafe is certified for all four and the Brita isn’t. If your concerns are lead and chlorine taste, the Brita Elite is certified for both and costs far less to buy.
On running cost, the Brita Elite is cheaper per gallon: about $0.14 against about $0.33 for the AquaTru Carafe at each maker’s filter prices.
The Two in Detail
AquaTru Carafe
One of the broadest certified claim lists we've seen, including fluoride and arsenic, with no plumbing. It needs an outlet and makes half a gallon at a time, and its filters work out to about $0.33 a gallon at AquaTru's prices.
Brita Elite
Certified lead reduction in most Brita pitchers and a 120-gallon filter, at about $0.14 a gallon. No fluoride, TDS or certified PFAS claim.
AquaTru or Brita: Which Should You Buy?
Pick the AquaTru Carafe if
Your water report shows fluoride, PFAS, arsenic, or nitrate, and you have counter space and an outlet.
Pick the Brita Elite if
You want certified lead and chlorine reduction for the least money, and nothing else on your report needs treating.
Consider the Culligan ZeroWater if
You want certified fluoride reduction but prefer a pitcher. Our Culligan ZeroWater review.
Consider the PUR PLUS if
You want certified Total PFAS reduction in a pitcher. Our PUR PLUS review.
Common questions
Is AquaTru better than Brita?
For certified contaminant reduction, yes: the AquaTru Carafe is certified by IAPMO R&T for fluoride, lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFOA/PFOS, and microplastics. The Brita Elite is certified for lead, mercury, cadmium, and chlorine, and in most Brita pitchers for microplastics, and is the better value if that’s all you need.
Does Brita remove PFAS?
Brita says its Elite filter reduces PFOA and PFOS, but none of IAPMO R&T, WQA, or NSF International lists that claim, so it isn’t certified. The AquaTru Carafe is certified for PFOA/PFOS. See our PFAS guide.
Does Brita remove fluoride?
No. No Brita pitcher filter is certified for fluoride. The AquaTru Carafe is, under NSF/ANSI 58. See our fluoride guide.
Is the standard Brita filter certified for lead?
No. Only the Elite filter (OB06) is certified for lead, and only in the pitchers its listings name. See our Brita Elite review.
Which is cheaper to run?
The Brita Elite, at about $0.14 a gallon with 120-gallon filters, against about $0.33 a gallon for the AquaTru Carafe.
Sources
Prices as of November 1, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.