Brita filters remove chlorine taste and odor, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, and several other chemical contaminants from tap water. They do not remove bacteria, viruses, fluoride, or most “forever chemicals” (PFAS). What exactly gets filtered depends on which Brita filter you’re using, since the Standard and Elite models rely on different technology and carry different certifications.
How the Two Main Filters Compare
Brita sells two primary replacement filters for its pitchers: the Standard (white) and the Elite (blue, formerly called LongLast+). Both use activated carbon granules and ion-exchange resin, but the Elite adds finer filtration media that catches a wider range of contaminants.
The Standard filter is certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. It reduces chlorine taste and odor, mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc. The activated carbon acts like a sponge that traps chlorine and mercury, while the ion-exchange resin captures copper, zinc, and cadmium. It lasts about 40 gallons, or roughly two months of typical use.
The Elite filter carries the same NSF certifications plus additional ones. It reduces 99% of lead, along with chlorine taste and odor, cadmium, mercury, asbestos, benzene, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and Class I particulates. It also has a WQA certification confirming it reduces at least 85% of microplastics. Its lifespan is about 120 gallons, or roughly six months.
Microplastics
The Elite is the only Brita pitcher filter with an official microplastics reduction certification. It’s been tested under NSF/ANSI Standard 401 conditions and confirmed to reduce at least 85% of microplastics throughout its rated lifespan. The Standard filter does not carry this certification, so if microplastics are a concern, the Elite is the one to use.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)
This is where Brita filters fall short. Neither the Standard nor the Elite filter is certified for PFAS removal, and independent testing reflects that gap. A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry tested pitcher filters against 75 different PFAS compounds. The Brita Elite managed a volume-weighted average removal rate of just 20% for the full range of PFAS tested. The Standard filter performed slightly better on PFOA and PFOS specifically (around 42%) but still captured only about 38% of total PFAS on average.
Both filters showed declining performance as more water passed through them. The Elite dropped from 36% removal after 20 liters to just 8% after 160 liters. If PFAS contamination is your primary concern, filters from brands like ZeroWater and ClearlyFiltered hold actual NSF 53 or WQA certifications for PFOA and PFOS reduction and perform significantly better in testing.
What Brita Does Not Filter Out
Bacteria and Viruses
Brita filters are not designed or certified to remove biological contaminants. They will not filter out bacteria like E. coli, parasites like Giardia, or any viruses. If your water source could be contaminated with microorganisms (from a well, a boil-water advisory, or travel), a Brita pitcher is not a safe solution. You’d need a filter specifically rated for microbial reduction, or you’d need to boil the water.
Fluoride
Fluoride passes through Brita’s activated carbon and ion-exchange systems essentially unchanged. Your filtered water will contain the same fluoride levels as your tap water. This matters in both directions: if you want to keep the fluoride that’s added to most municipal supplies for dental health, Brita won’t strip it out. If you want to remove fluoride, you’ll need a reverse osmosis system or a filter with activated alumina media designed for that purpose.
Dissolved Minerals and Total Dissolved Solids
Brita filters do not significantly change your water’s total dissolved solids (TDS). Minerals like calcium and magnesium, which contribute to water hardness, pass through. Arsenic and nitrates also remain in the water. If your concern is mineral content or specific contaminants like arsenic, a reverse osmosis system is a more appropriate choice.
How the Filtration Actually Works
Two mechanisms do the heavy lifting inside a Brita filter. Activated carbon granules have a huge surface area riddled with tiny pores. As water flows through, organic chemicals like chlorine, benzene, and pesticides stick to the carbon’s surface through a process called adsorption. This is why Brita filters improve taste and odor so effectively: chlorine binds readily to carbon.
The ion-exchange resin handles dissolved metals. It works by swapping harmless ions (like sodium or hydrogen) for problematic metal ions like copper, zinc, and cadmium as water passes through. In the Elite filter, this resin is tuned to also capture lead and mercury at higher efficiency. Over time, both the carbon and the resin become saturated, which is why replacement schedules exist. A filter used past its rated capacity will gradually stop reducing contaminants, even if water still flows through it.
When to Replace Your Filter
Brita’s official guidance is every 40 gallons (about two months) for the Standard filter and every 120 gallons (about six months) for the Elite. These timelines assume typical household use. If your tap water has unusually high levels of sediment or contaminants, the filter media will saturate faster. Most Brita pitchers and dispensers have an electronic indicator or sticker system to help track replacement timing. Sticking to the schedule matters: a worn-out filter can actually release trapped contaminants back into your water as the carbon becomes fully loaded.