Are You looking for the Best Brita Alternative ?
Brita Maxtra cartridges are perfect filters, but there are good Brita alternatives also. We searched and tested best Brita alternatives; BWT, AmazonBasics and Waterdrop to find most superior jug filters.
If you are looking for Brita Water Filter Pitcher alternatives, check this comprehensive review: The Best Water Filter Pitchers in 2026
Written by Metin KARAL – Review Editor
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Brita Filter Alternatives
We all need clean and good-tasting water in daily life. Water filter jugs are cheap and easy way of getting cleaner water. For this reason, choosing the right filter can make noticeable difference. While Brita is the pioneer in water filtration area, newer Brita competitors like BWT and Waterdrop are gaining success with innovative filtration abilities and added health benefits. We will look at these brands side by side and We will discuss their unique features, and which one might be the best for your lifestyle.
- Brita: Known for its reliability and certification. Brita filters are designed to reduce a wide range of contaminants such as chlorine, lead, and limescale. They also retain healthy minerals, and their filters typically last longer than many competitors. In addition, Brita recently replaced their well-known Maxtra Plus filters with Maxtra PRO filters. Maxtra PRO has improved filtration quality and filtration capacity extensively. In addition, to some extend it removes pesticides. I think, Brita made a good job with Maxtra PRO. 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon]
- BWT: This European brand takes a unique approach by enriching filtered water with magnesium. Magnesium not only improves taste but also supports health, making BWT a strong choice for those who want more than just contaminant reduction. It’s particularly attractive for people who want mineral balance in their drinking water. After many years of use, I can clearly conclude that BWT water filter is a robust alternative to Brita filter.
- Waterdrop: A modern alternative. Waterdrop emphasizes speed and affordability. Waterdrop filters are known for their quick filtration speeds and stylish pitcher designs. While it may not reduce as many contaminants as Brita, Waterdrop stands out for convenience and cost-effectiveness. Their filters are usually very competitive and has lower price. Affordable alternative to Brita filter.
Quick Compare
Choosing between these options depends on your priorities:
- Brita Maxtra PRO filters for trusted contaminant reduction and long filter life.
- BWT Magnesium mineralizer filters for added health benefits and improved taste through mineral enrichment – Robust Brita competitor!
- Waterdrop filters for affordability, design, and quick filtration.
Best Brita Water Filter Alternatives Comparison
| Features / Reduce | Brita Pro | BWT | Waterdrop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce Chloride | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduce Limescale | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduce Lead | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reduce Arsenic | No | No | Yes |
| Reduce Fluoride | No | No | Yes |
| Reduce PFAS | Yes | No | Yes |
| Reduce Pesticides | Yes | No | No |
| Reduce Copper | No | Yes | No |
| Mineralized | No | Yes | No |
| Capacity | 150L | 120L | 227L |
| Certificate | NSF/ANSI 42,43 | NSF/ANSI 42 | TÜV SÜD/ NSF 42,372 |
| Made In | Germany | Austria | China |
| Best Overall | Best Taste | Best Budget | |
 | | |
Brita Maxtra PRO Filters (Best Overall)
Brita Maxtra PRO Filters
Verdict
Brita Maxtra PRO delivers reliable water quality with solid contaminant removal and a respectable 150L lifespan. Its compatibility is flawless, fitting seamlessly into all Brita systems and alternatives. While not the cheapest option, it balances performance and convenience well. Overall, it’s a dependable choice for households seeking trusted filtration.
Pros
- Genuine Brita Quality
- Compatible with all Brita jugs
- 150L Filtration capacity
- Good filtration capabilities
- 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon]
Cons
- No Mineralization
- A bit pricey
Brita is one of the oldest companies in the water filtration area. Established in 1966 and has great knowledge about water filtration technology. Brita name is synonymous with water filtration! Reason is simple: They are pioneer in the market and do the water filtration job very well! That’s why other companies’ filter jugs use Brita compatible filters! Similarly, I heard Brita name first.
Brita Maxtra Pro filter is improved version of Brita Maxtra+ cartridges. Brita added one more layer to its filter for extra purification, like PFAs and some pesticides. They are made up of Micro Carbon Pearls, that are produced from carbon of coconut shells. Micro carbon pearls actively adsorb Chloride from water and lock it to its pores. Result is good taste and odor. Besides chloride, Brita cartridges effectively reduce limescale, lead, PFAS and some pesticides.
Brita Maxtra PRO Filter Product Info
| Filtration Capacity | 150 L |
| Certification | NSF/ANSI 42,43 |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Recyclable Material | Yes |
| Made in | Germany |
| Reduce Chloride | Yes |
| Reduce Limescale | Yes |
| Reduce Lead | Yes |
| Reduce PFAS | Yes |
| Reduce Pesticides | Yes |
| Reduce Arsenic | No |
| Reduce Fluoride | No |
| Reduce Copper | No |
|
Brita cartridges are dominant on the market. Actually, they do the job very well! They have many superb features to get quality water. At the end you get “near” bottled water quality, which is fairly good.
Here, I must notice an important difference of Brita filters. They preserve some minerality while getting rid of many impurities in the tap water. In contrast to Brita Maxtra Pro filters, ZeroWater jugs (and filters) eliminates most of the minerals and you get near pure water quality drinking water. Maxtra Pro sustain a balance between minerality and cleanness. I think, this a big plus. Who wants to drink non-mineralized pure water?
>> Read Real Amazon User Reviews for Brita Pro Filters
Bad thing with Brita Maxtra water filter cartridges is its price. But search for Brita maxtra cartridges discounts. Amazon sometimes sells cheap Brita maxtra filters. If you find a good discount, buy and store it! They last for years, if stored away from sun and heat.
Another drawback of Brita cartridges is water taste. If your tap water taste is not too bad, you may go with Brita. It is really good cartridge. But if your tap water taste is really bad (like mine) Brita makes clear improvement but that might not satisfy you. In this case, try other compatible filters like BWT water filter.
Key Insights
- Advanced Filtration Technology
- Maxtra Pro uses natural activated carbon and ion-exchange pearls in a 4‑stage system.
- It effectively reduces chlorine, heavy metals, and impurities while protecting against limescale residues.
- Taste & Aroma Enhancement
- Improves the flavor of water, tea, and coffee by removing substances that affect taste.
- You get noticeably fresher, cleaner water with better aroma in hot drinks.
- Convenience & Compatibility
- It is mainly designed for Brita jugs, dispensers, and kettles, making it versatile for everyday kitchen use. In addition, I used it with BWT and Aquaphor jugs also.
- Easy to install and replace.
- Health & Safety Benefits
- Provides cleaner water for drinking and cooking, it reduce unwanted particles.
- Helps extend the life of appliances by minimizing limescale residues.
Bottom Line: The Brita Maxtra Pro filters deliver excellent water quality, taste improvement, and appliance protection. Maxtra Pro filters are good in terms of quality and compatibility. They fit all Brita water filter pitchers and capable of reducing chloride, limescale, PFAS, lead and pesticides from regular tap water.
BWT Magnesium Mineralised Review: Cleaner Water with Added Magnesium
BWT Magnesium Mineralised Filters
Verdict
BWT Magnesium Mineralised stands out with its unique magnesium enrichment, offering both improved taste and added health value. While its 120L lifespan is shorter than rivals, it remains easy to install and compatible with common systems. Pricing is mid-range, reflecting its premium mineralization feature. A solid choice for those prioritizing taste and added minerals over longevity.
Pros
- Better taste
- Compatible with most Brita jugs
- Good filtration capabilities
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Relatively small filtration capacity
Best Water Technology (BWT) is a leading company, making water filter products in Europe. BWT produce quality and value-added water filter cartridges. BWT water filter is one of the best Brita filter alternative. It can also be used as replacement cartridge for most of the water filter pitchers on the market.
BWT Water Filter Product Info
| Filtration Capacity | 120 L |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Recyclable Material | Yes |
| Made in | Austria |
| Reduce Chloride | Yes |
| Reduce Limescale | Yes |
| Reduce Lead | Yes |
| Reduce Arsenic | No |
| Reduce Fluoride | No |
| Reduce Copper | Yes |
| Magnesium Mineralized | Yes |
| Certification | NSF/ANSI 42 |
|
We tested BWT Mg2+ cartridges after 6 months of Brita Maxtra plus use. Brita maxtra filters are really good filters but they did not change flavor of my tap water. If your tap water taste is bad, BWT Mg2+ cartridges might be remarkable maxtra+ alternative for you.
BWT filter has three level filtration mechanism. Pre-Filter mesh prevents big particles to diffuse. Activated Carbon granules attract chlorine and other organic materials. Ion Exchange attract limescale, lead and copper. Unlike AmazonBasics and Brita maxtra filters, BWT Longlife filters are mineralized with Magnesium, which improves aroma and flavor of filtered water. In addition, it has 120 liters filtration capacity which is smaller than its competitors.
>> Read Real Amazon user reviews for BWT Magnesium Cartridges
BWT filter cartridges are one of the best alternatives to Brita filters, offering better flavor and enhanced filtration capabilities. On the other hand, BWT Magnesium filters have (usually) expensive than its competitors.
In short: If your tap water taste is bad, BWT Mg2+ cartridges might be remarkable Brita Maxtra Pro alternative with better flavor and filtration features.
Waterdrop Filter Review: Premium Performance, Everyday Value
Waterdrop Water Filters
Verdict
Waterdrop excels with its 227L lifespan, delivering the longest filter life among competitors. Its multi-stage filtration ensures excellent water quality, and installation is simple across various systems. While performance is premium, the real standout is its fair pricing, which makes it one of the best-value options. Combining durability, quality, and affordability, Waterdrop is a top-tier choice.
Pros
- Long filter life
- Compatible with most Brita jugs
- Good filtration capabilities
- Affordable Price
- 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon]
Cons
- No mineralisation
Waterdrop Filter Cartridges are quality and affordable Brita filter alternative. They have TÜV SÜD and NSF certification for chlorine, lead, fluoride, PFAS and some other heavy metals. In contrast to many other filters, Waterdrop filters reduce fluoride, and it is certified. This a big plus.
Waterdrop Filter Product Info – Affordable Brita Alternative
| Filtration Capacity | 227 L |
| Reduce Chloride | Yes |
| Reduce Limescale | Yes |
| Reduce Lead | Yes |
| Reduce Arsenic | Yes |
| Reduce PFAS | Yes |
| Reduce Fluoride | Yes |
| Reduce Copper | No |
| Certification | TÜV SÜD,NSF/ANSI 42,372 |
| Made in | China |
|
Similar to the others, Waterdrop uses ion-exchange resin and granular activated carbon technology to reduce impurities in water. After purification, you get quality and fresh water. Since, it filters many heavy metals, it is much better than regular water. You should replace your cartridge for every 4 weeks for best quality.
Waterdrop replacement cartridge is compatible with most of the Brita jugs. Some of the compatible jugs are Brita Marella, Style, Elemaris, AmazonBasics, Bosch Tassimo. It is a good and cheap Brita water filters. If you have tight budget, and want a budget Brita alternative, Waterdrop filters are good option.
Feature Ritch Brita Alternative
AmazonBasics Filter Review: Water Quality, Longevity & Value Compared
AmazonBasics Water Filters
Verdict
AmazonBasics filters are a cost-effective alternative for households seeking simple chlorine reduction and better-tasting water. With a 150L lifespan, they match Brita’s performance but at a fraction of the price. Compatibility is seamless, and installation is effortless. While filtration is basic compared to premium rivals, their affordability and convenience make AmazonBasics a strong everyday option.
Pros
- Very affordable — among the cheapest options available
- Widely compatible with Brita-style pitchers
- Easy installation with simple cartridge swaps
- Decent 150L lifespan, equal to Brita standard filters
- Convenient multi-pack purchase options
- 👉 [Check today’s price on Amazon]
Cons
- Basic filtration — mainly chlorine and taste, limited against heavy metals or microplastics
- No added mineralization or advanced features
- Brand reputation less established in water filtration compared to Brita or BWT
AmazonBasics Cartridges are good and cheap Brita filter refill alternative. They are compatible with Brita water filter jug and produces purified water. Good for drink, cooking, tea and coffee. AmazonBasics filers are Certified by TÜV SÜD Made in Germany.
AmazonBasics Replacement Cartridges Features
| Filtration Capacity | 150 L |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Certified by TÜV SÜD | Yes |
| Recyclable Material | Yes |
| Made in | Germany |
| Reduce Chloride | Yes |
| Reduce Limescale | Yes |
| Reduce Lead | No |
| Reduce Arsenic | No |
| Reduce Fluoride | No |
| Reduce Copper | No |
|
AmazonBasics products are usually good alternatives for original products with affordable prices. AmazonBasics Water Filter Cartridge is one of them. They are compatible with AmazonBasics Jugs. In addition, it is a remarkable Brita maxtra alternative. It is compatible with most of the Brita water filter pitchers (not compatible with Brita Style). For this reason, it can be used as replacement cartridge for most of the water filter pitchers on the market.
Similar to Maxtra Cartridges, AmazonBasics Cartridges reduce chloride, limescale and some other water impurities. BUT there is no clear statement about lead and copper reduction, which is available at Brita Maxtra cartridges. In addition, AmazonBasics cartridges are made of coconut shells and environment friendly.
Good quality with affordable price.
Compare Best Brita Water Filter Alternatives
Compare Waterdrop vs Brita
In contrast to Brita, Waterdrop filters can reduce Arsenic and Fluoride. Fluoride reduction is definitely a big plus for such a low cost filter of Waterdrop. Taste of the water is near to original Brita filters but not the same.
Brita have 150L and Waterdrop replacement cartridges has 227L filtration capacity.
In addition, Waterdrop filter has NSF/ANSI 372 certification for lead-free material.
Biggest difference between Waterdrop vs Brita filters are their prices. Despite Waterdrop’s superior features, price of Waterdrop replacement filter is around 3/4 of Brita maxtra cartridges, usually. For this reason, Waterdrop filters are good and cheap Brita compatible filters.
Actually, winner of Waterdrop vs Brita is clearly Waterdrop, in terms of price and filtration capacity and price.
Their water tastes are similar also.
Worth trying!
Compare BWT vs Brita Maxtra Plus Filter
BWT has a superior feature over Brita maxtra plus filter: BWT filter enriches the water with Magnesium ions and that improves taste of water.
If you don’t like taste of your tap water, BWT Mg2+ filters can make clear difference for you.
But if you don’t have taste problem with your tap water, Brita Maxtra PRO filters are also perfect.
Unlike Brita, BWT filters have 120L of filtration capacity.
Both BWT and Brita replacement filters have similar filtration features, like, Chloride, Limescale, Lead and Copper.
Usually BWT is made in Austria, whereas Brita made in Germany.
Winner of Brita vs BWT is BWT, in terms of taste but it is Brita, in terms of filtration capacity and filtrated impurities.
BWT is usually expensive, but absolutely worth it, I think. For this reason, it is a good idea to try BWT, like I did.
| BWT | Brita PRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Better | Good |
| Capacity | 120L | 150L |
| Made In | Austria | Germany |
Difference Between Maxtra and Maxtra Plus Filters
Maxtra plus is successor of Maxtra cartridges. Maxtra plus has better filtration capabilities over Maxtra. Maxtra plus filtrate more water than Maxtra. For this reason, you need to change it less frequent than Maxtra filters. In addition to these differences between maxtra vs maxtra plus, top of the filter (where you hold it while replacing) is different at Maxtra plus.
Although there are some difference between Brita Maxtra and Maxtra plus, they are compatible with each other. You can use Maxtra plus cartridges instead of Maxtra cartridges (and vice versa). But it is almost impossible to find a Maxtra filter (not plus) on the marked. Brita encourages Maxtra+ filters. Actually, Maxtra PRO filters are released currently, with much better filtartion capabilities, and Brita encourages Maxtra PRO filters for better consumer satisfaction.
Brita Water Filter Alternatives Review SUMMARY
Brita Maxtra PRO filter is really good, in terms of quality and compatibility. They fit all Brita water filter pitchers. They are capable of reducing chloride, limescale, lead and copper from regular tap water. But no arsenic and fluoride reduction like some of the other replacement cartridges. On the other hand, taste of filtered water might be a problem. If taste of your tap water is not bad already, you may go with Brita Maxtra PRO filter. They are really perfect filters.
If you did not like taste of Brita Maxtra, there are superior Brita maxtra alternatives on the market. I have tried BWT Magnesium mineralized Cartridges after Brita. Similar to Brita Maxtra cartridges, BWT Magnesium mineralized cartridges reduce chloride, limescale, lead and copper from regular tap water. BWT cartridges are mineralized with magnesium that improves aroma and flavor of water. Actually, taste of BWT mineralized water is much better than Brita Maxtra plus. In addition, benefits of Magnesium for our body are really important.
In short, BWT filter is a superior alternative to Brita filter. For this reason, our favorite water filter is BWT Mineralized Magnesium Cartridges. Only bad thing with BWT is its price. Usually, it is a bit pricey, but not much. Definitely worth for a few more bucks!
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Filters
How Often Brita MAXTRA PRO Water filters Must be Replaced?
Most of the Brita maxtra pro and compatible filters are produced from carbon of coconut shells. Micro carbon pearls actively adsorb impurities in the water and locks it to its pores. After a while, that pores are filled with those impurities. For this reason, water filters must be replaced regularly which is 4-weeks, usually.
Regular Brita Maxtra Pro filter has 150L Filtration Capacity. This capacity may change from one brand to another.
Here are the filtration capacities of most widely used maxtra pro and compatible filters:
| Brita PRO | 150 L |
| AmazonBasics | 150 L |
| BWT Longlife Mg2 | 120 L |
| Waterdrop | 227 L |
Are Water Filter Pitchers Worth Buying?
Some water filter pitchers are designed to reduce contaminants such as arsenic, lead, chlorine, and fluoride, which can improve both safety and taste. Others add minerals like calcium or magnesium back into the water, which can make it taste fresher. Many also help with odor and clarity, so the water looks and feels cleaner.
Water filter pitchers have become more common in recent years. Compared with larger filtration systems, they’re simple, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. You don’t need any installation, and replacing the filter is usually the only maintenance required.
They’re also very easy to use: just fill the pitcher, wait a couple of minutes, and pour yourself a glass.
Does Brita Filters remove Bacteria and Virus?
Brita filters (and similar Brita water filter alternatives) are not designed to adsorb and remove bacteria or virus from tap water. Bacterial filtration is completely different area which can be done via reverse osmosis systems. Simplest way of bacterial elimination is to use chlorine or UV radiation. So, the answer of this question is NO! Brita filters (and similar filters) do not remove bacteria and viruses from municipal tap water. On the contrary, you must regularly change your water filter. Otherwise, some bacteria may accumulate in the pores of filter!
Does Brita Filters Sea Water?
Quick answer is NO. Brita filters (and similar Brita water filter alternatives) are made of activated carbon filters. In sea/ocean, salt is dissolved in water as inorganic form. Activated carbon filters are not good at adsorbing inorganic sodium (salt) ions. For this reason,Brita filters cannot remove salt from sea water.
Can I use Brita Filters for Lake or River Waters?
Brita filters are designed to purify water which are pre-filtered somehow (like municipal tap water). In this pre filtration process, some sort of chemical and biological purification is done. Brita filters extend that filtration to higher degree. On the other hand, lake or river water is something “unknown“. In other words, there might be many chemical and biological contaminants in that water. For this reason, completely relying on Brita filters might be dangerous and is not advised.
Is My Tap Water Safe to Drink
Before starting to find best Water Filter Pitcher and cartridges, it is a good idea to analyze your tap water. Tap water quality vary from one location to another. In some places tap water may contain heavy metals, bacteria, limescale and many more substances. If you know your tap water composition, you can find most suitable jugs and filters for you. By that way you avoid paying more money for unnecessary features.
Easiest and common way of testing tap water quality is to use water quality test kits. They are very easy and fast tests. Usually, they have strips and when you expose that strips to tap water, color of the strip changes. By that way, you understand composition of you tap water according to color. For example, this Drinking Water Test Kit can analyze Total Hardness, Free Chlorine, Bromine, Total Chlorine, Cyanuric Acid, Total Alkalinity and pH levels in your water. BUT accuracy and reliability of that easy tests is usually not too much but gives you a general idea about composition. (Better than nothing!). If you have ability to test your water in a certified test laboratory, they will give you much more accurate and reliable results.
Written by Metin Karal
Metin Karal is a Computer Engineer with a passion for testing and reviewing tech products he personally uses. He combines his technical background with hands‑on experience to deliver honest, practical insights for readers. Beyond product reviews, he enjoys programming in C# and is currently developing PairMem, a challenging memory game available for free on the Microsoft Store.
