Health information, not medical advice. Test your own water and speak to your local health authority about what it contains. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links; it never affects our scores.
The short answer
What does Brita filter out? It depends on the filter. Every Brita filter reduces chlorine taste and odor. The blue Elite filter is also certified for lead, mercury, cadmium, asbestos, some VOCs, and microplastics, by WQA, IAPMO R&T, and NSF International depending on the claim and pitcher (Brita). The standard white filter isn’t certified for lead. No Brita filter is certified for fluoride, PFAS, nitrate, arsenic, or bacteria. To compare Brita with other certified pitchers, see the best water filter pitchers.
What does each Brita filter remove?
| Filter | Life | Certified by | Certified for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite (blue, OB06) | 120 gal | WQA; IAPMO R&T and NSF International for lead | Lead, chlorine, mercury, cadmium, asbestos, benzene and other VOCs, microplastics, 15 NSF/ANSI 401 compounds |
| Standard (white, OB03) | 40 gal | WQA | Chlorine, zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury |
| Stream (OB05) | 40 gal | WQA | Chlorine, particulates, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene |
| Faucet (FR-200) | 100 gal | WQA | Lead, chlorine, asbestos, VOCs, microplastics |
| Hub (CT01) | 120 gal | WQA; IAPMO R&T for VOCs | Lead, mercury, chlorine, chloramine, VOCs, NSF/ANSI 401 compounds |
From Brita’s performance data sheets (Elite, Standard, Faucet, Hub) and the NSF International listing, checked October 2026. Brita lists eight filters on its performance data page.
Does a Brita filter remove lead?
The Elite filter does: Brita’s data sheet shows 99.5% lead reduction, and the claim is certified by IAPMO R&T, WQA, and NSF International, with NSF listing it in the Pacifica and Tidal pitchers (NSF). Some Elite claims apply only in listed pitchers, so check yours is on the data sheet. The faucet filter (99.9%) and Hub (99.8%) are certified for lead by WQA. The standard white filter has no lead claim. See our Brita Elite review.
Does Brita remove fluoride?
No. No Brita data sheet lists fluoride, and Brita says its filters keep a healthy level of fluoride. To reduce fluoride, you need a filter certified for it, usually reverse osmosis. See the best water filters for fluoride.
Does Brita remove PFAS?
Not with a certified claim. Brita’s current Elite data sheet doesn’t list PFOA, PFOS, or other PFAS, and the Elite product page doesn’t claim them (Brita). We found no PFAS listing for the Elite from NSF International, IAPMO R&T, or WQA. Pitchers that are certified for PFAS include the PUR PLUS and Culligan ZeroWater, both certified by IAPMO R&T for Total PFAS. See the best filters for PFAS.
Does Brita filter bacteria?
No. Every Brita data sheet says the filters aren’t intended to purify water and shouldn’t be used with water that’s microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without disinfection. The CDC notes most pitcher and fridge filters aren’t built to remove germs (CDC). During a boil water notice, boil the water; see boil water advisories and filters.
What doesn’t a Brita filter remove?
- Fluoride, nitrate, and arsenic: no Brita filter has these claims.
- Total dissolved solids and hardness: Brita filters aren’t designed to lower TDS, so a TDS meter won’t show much change.
- PFAS: no certified claim.
- Bacteria and viruses: not intended to purify water.
Is a Brita filter enough for your water?
If your only concerns are chlorine taste and lead, an Elite filter in a listed pitcher covers them cheaply, at about $0.14 a gallon. If your water report shows fluoride, PFAS, arsenic, or nitrate, step up to a filter certified for those.
| # | Filter | Score | Certified by | Lead | PFAS | Fluoride | Running cost | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Brita EliteBrita for lead and chlorinePitcher | 4.1 | IAPMO, WQA, NSF | Certified | Claim | No | $0.14/gal | See priceon Amazon › |
| 02 | PUR PLUS PitcherPitcher with Total PFASPitcher | 4.0 | IAPMO, WQA, NSF | Certified | Certified | No | About $0.25/gal | $28.12on Amazon › |
| 03 | Culligan ZeroWaterPitcher with fluoride and Total PFASPitcher | 4.2 | IAPMO R&T | Certified | Certified | Certified | $0.68 to $0.93/gal | See priceat Culligan › |
| 04 | AquaTru CarafeCountertop RO, most claimsCountertop RO | 4.6 | IAPMO R&T | Certified | Certified | Certified | $0.33/gal | $335.75on 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.
Common questions
Does Brita remove fluoride?
No. No Brita filter has a fluoride claim, and Brita says its filters keep a healthy level of fluoride.
Does a Brita filter remove lead?
The Elite, faucet, and Hub filters are certified for lead. The standard white filter isn’t. To compare every lead-certified option, see the best water filters for lead.
Does Brita filter bacteria?
No. Brita says its filters aren’t intended to purify water or for use with microbiologically unsafe water.
Does Brita remove PFAS?
Not with a certified claim. Brita’s current Elite data sheet has no PFAS claim, and we found no certifier listing for one.
What’s the difference between the white and blue Brita filters?
The white standard filter lasts 40 gallons and is certified for chlorine, zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury. The blue Elite lasts 120 gallons and adds lead, asbestos, VOCs, and microplastics.
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.