Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher Review

The Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher sets itself apart from other pitcher-style filters with exceptional removal performance when it comes to trace minerals and elements. Beyond performance, the pitcher is thoughtfully designed for ease of use: the drop-in filter simplifies replacements, the pour-through lid minimizes spills, and the compact, lightweight design fits neatly in most fridges while remaining sturdy enough for daily use.

Critical Contaminant Removal

The 5-stage filtration system is the star here, tackling heavy metals like a champ, removing close to 100% of contaminants in that category. However, it fell behind in PFAS removal, which is a growing concern for many households.

PFAS Forever Chemicals

The Culligan performed OK but below average when tested for PFAS removal. We sent filtered samples to a third-party lab for testing, and while PFNA (a PFAS subtype) is reduced to levels that are considered safe according to the EPA, it isn't fully eliminated. “It did remove PFNA to safe levels — and if it was already below limits, it would likely remove PFNA further,” noted one tester. Still, there are other systems that do remove 100% of PFAS, and based on these lab test results, we would not recommend the Culligan to a friend who considers PFAS removal a top priority.

If you're specifically looking for a pitcher-style filter, the Culligan offers more serious filtration than what most models can, but the Pur Plus 11-Cup Pitcher performed even better in PFAS removal.

Heavy Metals

The Culligan/Zerowater filter did a bit better with heavy metals, removing the majority of the most concerning metals that can show up in tap water, including lead, uranium, and arsenic.

This makes the pitcher a good choice for households mainly concerned about the presence of heavy metals in their tap water. It performs well above the average pitcher-style filter.

Secondary Contaminant Removal

The Culligan is the only pitcher-style filter that can compete with RO systems in terms of removing minerals and trace elements. It does a solid job at removing high levels of copper, zinc, iron, and barium from water samples, bringing levels far below EPA health guidelines.

It was also able to remove 100% of fluoride and nitrate from test samples, two compounds that are not typically an issue for most users, but if you have high levels of these contaminants, the Culligan can take care of them. The overall results speak for themselves; this pitcher performed with the best of the best for secondary contaminant filtering.

Taste

The Culligan/Zerowater pitcher got mixed results for taste. The 5-stage filtration system removes chlorine and other common off-flavors, making the water taste noticeably crisper. It does improve the taste of tap water, however, not as much as any of the other filters we include here.

There was a group of users who reported no change in the taste of their tap water after it was filtered, and for a few users, the taste actually got worse. A handful of customers reported a slightly flat or acidic flavor if the filter had been used beyond its intended lifespan. That being said, the built-in TDS meter reinforces that the best taste is achieved when the filter is replaced on schedule, making it easy to avoid off-flavors caused by overused cartridges.

Maintenance and Setup

Setup is straightforward thanks to the drop-in filter design, and the compact form factor makes it fridge-friendly. Pitcher-style filters are the easiest to clean and maintain. The built-in TDS meter makes it easy to know exactly when to change the filter — a helpful feature for anyone who tends to forget about filter replacements.

Operating Cost

The big downside to this otherwise fantastic pitcher-style filter is the long-term cost of keeping it performing well. Researching customers' reviews online, it appears that even with low usage, most users replace their filter every two weeks, based on readings from the TDS meter, which serves as a cue for replacement. There was even an instance of a single-person household with relatively clean water replacing their filter in just three weeks. For reference, many other pitcher-style filters last 1-2 months.

The tradeoff for excellent filtration might be worth the frequent replacements… if filter replacements weren't so expensive. Filter packs can range from $36 for a 2-pack to over $160 for a 12-pack, meaning the yearly cost can approach $800–$1,000 if you are replacing every 2–4 weeks.

While this is one of the top-notch pitchers in terms of filter performance, it's a tough sell. Our tester wrote, “I would not recommend this for most people unless they hate RO systems and really care about removing secondary contaminants.” There are other gravity filters that do better at removing the most critical materials, and cost less both upfront and in the long run.

Should You Buy the Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher?

There are other pitchers that offer higher rates of removal for PFAS, but the Culligan did very well with heavy metals, and if you want to get rid of all the extra minerals and trace elements that are common in most people's tap water, it is one of the best pitchers for that. Just be ready for frequent filter changes, which can get pricey over time, and keep in mind that the flow rate is slower than some other pitchers. If you're okay with those trade-offs, it's a top performer; if you're looking for low-maintenance or budget-friendly filtering, another pitcher might make more sense.

What Other Water Filters Should You Consider?

If frequent filter replacements or cost are a concern, you might want to check out other options like the Amazon Basics 10-Cup Pitcher for an affordable everyday filter or the Pur Plus Vertical Faucet if you want a faucet-mounted option that balances convenience with solid contaminant reduction. These alternatives can offer easier maintenance or lower long-term costs while still enhancing the taste of tap water. If you're looking for the cleanest water possible or need to filter your water for health concerns, you may need to bite the bullet and invest in an under-sink RO system like the iSpring RCC7AK or APEC ROES-50 Essence Series. Initial setup costs are going to be higher, but you're getting premium filtering without feeling like you're getting ripped off on maintenance.