PUR CR-6000 2-Stage Pitcher

January 2009. PUR pitcher water filters are recommended in more reviews than any other water filter. The two-stage filter is more effective than competing pitchers in removing contaminants, and blind taste tests also give PUR pitchers top marks for the best tasting water. Although the filter isn't designed to treat water for any kind of bacteria, tests show that it does remove some coliform bacteria as well as common pharmaceuticals. Although capacity is limited, you can store the pitcher in the refrigerator for cold drinking water. The main drawback is that filters can clog fast and even under optimal conditions, need to be replaced often -- about every 40 gallons. If you need more water at a time, the 2-gallon PUR 2-Stage Water Dispenser (*est.. $30) uses the same filter.

Both Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping test PUR pitchers based on objective lab tests. Consumer Reports documents their testing process more clearly, but Good Housekeeping tests for more contaminants and seems to weigh filtering effectiveness more heavily. The review at the Canadian site, Shopping Bags, also uses lab tests but bases its recommendations primarily on taste tests. National Geographic's The Green Guide, on the other hand, relies heavily on certification data from the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation). Reviews at Consumer Guide and TheKitchn.com include no lab data at all, instead emphasizing features, convenience and taste. Naturally the owner-written reviews at Amazon.com also focus on these factors.