The Brita Large 10-Cup Pitcher is a simple, straightforward design that fits easily in most fridge doors, and it uses standard Brita filters, which is handy if you're already invested in that ecosystem. While the pitcher's design is straightforward and reliable, its filtration is basic at best. It's fine for everyday tap water, but not a substitute for more robust systems if you draw water from a well or live near an industrial site.
The pitcher does a decent job with everyday contaminants like chlorine and uranium. It also reduces some lead, but doesn't remove the metal completely. It did not put a dent in fluoride levels and was only able to remove about 50% of nitrates. Overall, it scored below average for the most critical contaminants some people find in their water, so if you have health concerns, draw your water from a well, or live near an industrial site, it might not be robust enough.
The Brita 10-cup is not equipped to handle PFAS very well. Only 50.78% of PFNA (a type of PFAS chemical) was removed from our contaminated solutions; therefore, this isn't an option if you have safety concerns about your water supply. This filter will improve the taste a bit, but it isn't a game-changer in terms of water safety.
Of the heavy metals detected in water samples we sent to a lab for third-party testing, the Brita Large wasn't able to fully remove any of them. “It has respectable lead removal, but it wasn't good enough to bring the super toxic solution to safe levels,” wrote one tester. Only 9% of arsenic was removed.
Lastly, we found some inconsistencies in quality between this and the Brita Metro. The Metro did better in some tests, despite using the same type of filter. The only conclusion we can make is that there is some variation in filter production, which may produce different removal results.
Overall, this Brita pitcher removes a decent amount of common trace elements, though it doesn't remove them completely. For many city water scenarios, it's fine. However, if your goal is to lower toxic levels of these elements and minerals in your drinking water, the Brita may not provide a significant enough reduction. We recommend testing your tap water to see exactly what you are dealing with and what contaminants you should keep an eye on.
Users consistently report cleaner, fresher-tasting water. Chlorine taste is reduced, and most people enjoy the water for drinking and cooking, though some note a slightly flat mouthfeel or occasional plastic aftertaste.
Taste is a tough metric to nail down, but the reports across the board trended positive.
Like most pitcher-style filters, maintenance is as simple as it gets — just wash the pitcher occasionally and swap the filter every couple of months. Pretty low effort. Standard Brita Filters last around 40 gallons (1-2 months), or you can opt for the brand's Elite filters that reportedly last 120 gallons (roughly 3 months). Elite filters also do a better job of removing lead. Whichever you choose, the filters are easy to replace.
Filter packs fall in the middle of the pack for price, so if you're not going through them extremely fast, you won't go broke while using this pitcher every day filtered water. Our tester estimates an annual cost of about $60 a year. But if you are a big water drinker or have multiple people in your household, you'll have to replace filters much more often, and costs can begin to outpace under-the-sink models.
The Brita Large 10-Cup Pitcher is a solid choice for anyone who wants high-capacity filtered water without fuss. It's best for individuals or small households with generally safe tap water who want better taste and fewer refills than similar, smaller pitchers. However, it's not the right pick for those concerned about serious contaminants or heavy metals—its filtering is fine for everyday city water, but it shouldn't be relied on for health-critical purification.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $37 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | High-capacity, easy-to-use pitcher that improves convenience but offers limited contaminant removal |
| Pros | Quick filter change, flip-up lid for filling, fits in fridge doors or shelves |
| Cons | No cover over the spout, less effective at removing lead and other contaminants, limited PFNA removal, some aluminum added to test water, doesn't filter acidic compounds well |
| Rating Categories | Brita Large 10-Cup P... |
| Critical Contaminant Removal (35%) | |
| Secondary Contaminant Removal (25%) | |
| Taste (20%) | |
| Maintenance and Setup (10%) | |
| Operating Cost (10%) | |
| Specifications | Brita Large 10-Cup P... |
| Type | Pitcher |
| Estimated cost per year (40 gal/month) | $60 |
| Certifications | WQA certified against NSF Standards 42 and 53 |
| Estimated cost per year (160 gal/month) | $240 |
| Wastewater Generated | No |
| Replacement Schedule | 40 gallons (approx 2 months) |
| Replacement Cost | 1 pack - $8 6 pack - $30 |
