Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher Review

The Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher sets itself apart from other pitcher-style filters with exceptional contaminant removal performance. Its 5-stage filtration system tackles a wide range of contaminants, from lead and arsenic to heavy metals like nickel and iron, delivering some of the cleanest tap water you can get from a pitcher. 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.

PFAS Forever Chemical Removal

The Culligan performed OK but below average in our PFAS lab testing. While PFNA isn't fully eliminated, it's reduced to safe levels in our tests. “It did remove PFNA to safe levels — and if there were already safe levels present, it would likely remove them further,” noted one tester. On the other hand, based on these lab test results, we would not recommend the Culligan to a friend who considers PFAS removal a top priority.

Critical Contaminant Removal

The 5-stage filtration system is the star here, removing 100% of most critical contaminants, including lead, uranium, and mercury.

This makes the pitcher an good choice for households concerned about metals in their tap water. It performs well above the average pitcher-style filter overall.

If you're specifically looking for a pitcher-style filter and need more serious filtration than what most models offer, the Culligan with Zerowater 8-Cup Pitcher is a strong contender, but the Pur Plus 11-Cup Pitcher performed even better.

Heavy Metal and Trace Element Removal

This Culligan system does a solid job on metals like copper, zinc, iron, and barium. Some trace leaching of copper or zinc was observed in our lab testing, but levels remained far below EPA health guidelines.

The overall results speak for themselves, though — this pitcher performed with the best of the best for secondary contaminant filtering.

Taste

The water from this pitcher is consistently clean and refreshing, with most users reporting a significant improvement over unfiltered tap water. The 5-stage filtration system removes chlorine and other common off-flavors, making the water taste noticeably crisper. In our internal taste testing, the water from this filter consistently ranked high.

One user from Nashville in an Amazon review said their tap water was nearly undrinkable before using this pitcher, but after filtering, it was clean enough to enjoy straight from the tap.

Taste is, of course, very subjective, and a handful of customers reported a slightly flat or acidic flavor if the filter has 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 — our tester called it “the biggest bait and switch.” Researching customers' reviews online, it seems like most users are replacing their filter every two weeks, even with low usage. There was even an instance of a single-person household with relatively clean water replacing their filter in just three weeks.

This might be OK 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.

So while this is one of the top-notch pitchers when it comes to filter performance, it's a tough sell. Our tester wrote, “I would not recommend this for most people unless they hate RO systems and need the absolutely cleanest water a gravity filter can give.”

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

If you want the absolute cleanest water possible from a pitcher, this is tough to beat. It's perfect for anyone who prioritizes contaminant removal — lead, PFNA, uranium, and more are all handled impressively. 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 improving tap water taste.

And 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.