Brita Ultramax Dispenser with Elite Filter Review

This large-capacity, fridge-friendly dispenser stands out for its more convenient form factor. It holds 27 cups of water and comes with the Brita Elite Filter, which lasts up to 120 gallons. This is roughly 3 months for a two-person household, and about three times longer than standard Brita filters. All this means fewer daily refills and fewer filter replacements. It isn't the best filter out there, but it performs OK with both critical and secondary contaminants. But we appreciate its compact, fridge-friendly design, convenient spigot pour, and crisp taste, making it a practical choice for families or anyone wanting high-volume, mid-tier contaminant filtration with minimal hassle.

Critical Contaminant Removal

The Brita Ultramax is only somewhat reliable when it comes to the most critical contaminants you might find in your water. It works best for removing lead, but doesn't impress with any other contaminants in the water samples we sent to an independent testing facility. It isn't designed to tackle arsenic, fluoride, or nitrate, and it's not suitable for high-risk water sources. For everyday tap water, it provides peace of mind, but if you need to filter out a specific contaminant other than lead, this isn't a serious enough filter for you.

PFAS Forever Chemicals

The Ultramax handles some PFAS chemicals, removing 89% of PFNA and 100% of PFBA. But many other filters passed the 90% mark, and a few even achieved 100% removal for both PFAS subtypes, putting the Ultramax below average in the group.

Heavy Metals

The Elite filter does a solid job with lead, reducing it by 99% in our tests. But again, many other filters got that last 1% and were able to achieve complete removal. It did not filter any arsenic, and only removed 30% of uranium in filtered tap water samples.

Secondary Contaminant Removal

The dispenser effectively removes barium, copper, and iron, although its performance on other metals can be inconsistent. One concern is that aluminum was introduced during some tests. Minor leaching is fairly common with new filters, which is why you should always thoroughly flush your filter after replacing it. Still, it's not ideal for those specifically worried about leaching or high-risk contaminants. There was not enough leaching of any contaminant to make tap water samples unsafe, but it's still not an issue you want to see.

Taste

Users consistently report crisp, smooth water. The Elite filter improves overall taste, making drinking water more enjoyable, though a small number of users notice minor cloudiness or simply no difference at all. Some reviewers and testers reported an aftertaste, but descriptions of the negative tastes were fairly rare. We'd say it's a solid performer for improving flavor and removing common tap-water odors.

Maintenance & Setup

Setting up the dispenser is straightforward, and the Elite filter lasts 2–3 times longer than standard Brita filters, meaning fewer changes and minimal hassle. The electronic filter indicator helps you know exactly when it's time to replace the filter. Each time you drop in a new filter, you need to flush it for 15 seconds under running water, and Brita instructs you to discard the first three pitchers.

Your experience with this dispenser will depend on how well it fits into your kitchen space. Be sure to check the manufacturer's size specs to make sure it comfortably fits in your fridge, and cleaning it won't be a pain in your sink. It's not massive, but it certainly isn't handheld.

Operating Cost

With a longer-than-average 120-gallon lifespan per filter, but replacement packs are priced above average as well, costing $20–$33. Our tester estimates you'll spend about $66 on filter replacements annually. Of course, this depends on the quality of your water. That said, if you have a larger family that goes through a few gallons of water every day, then an under-sink filtration system is usually the most cost-effective option in the long term, despite its higher up-front cost.

Should You Buy the Brita Ultramax Dispenser with Elite Filter?

All we can say is that some filtration is better than no filtration, but other than that, the Brita Ultramax Dispenser is not the most robust filter system we have used. This dispenser will work for households with generally safe tap water who want a large-capacity, low-maintenance option that improves taste and reduces common contaminants such as lead. Its fridge-friendly design and easy-fill spigot make it convenient for families, especially ones that might be too busy to remember to fill smaller pitcher-style filters. It's not recommended for high-risk water sources or areas with severe heavy metal contamination, but if your priority is everyday convenience, crisp water, and fewer filter changes, this is a practical and cost-conscious choice. Any household needing robust contaminant removal should look for a more serious filtration system.

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