Brita Water Filter Replacement | Which Filter You Actually Need and What It Misses 

Brita is America’s most recognizable water filter replacement brand. Walk into any Target or Walmart and it is the first filter you see. Most people buy it without thinking twice. That is not necessarily wrong, but it is worth understanding what you are actually getting before you assume the blue pitcher on the counter is doing the job you think it is.

Brita makes four different replacement filters. They are not all the same. The standard filter that comes with most pitchers is NSF 42 certified only, meaning it removes chlorine taste and odor, and that is about it. If you bought a Brita thinking it removes lead, you need to check which filter is inside.

Brita Water Filter Replacement Types 

Most people do not know Brita makes four different replacement cartridges. Here is what each one actually does:

The Brita Elite and Longlast confusion

If you have seen both ‘Brita Elite’ and ‘Brita Longlast+’ listed online and wondered if they are different, they are not. Brita renamed the Longlast+ to Elite in 2022. Same filter, new name. If your pitcher used Longlast+ before, the Elite is your current replacement. Same slot, same performance.

If lead or mercury is a concern in your home, only the Elite (formerly Longlast+) covers it. The Standard filter does not. Most people use the Standard without knowing this.

Brita Water Filter Replacement 

Brita filter replacement takes about 30 seconds. There is no tool, no twist mechanism, no eject button. Here is all you need to know:

• •      Remove the pitcher lid and take out the old filter cartridge.It just pulls straight up
• •      Rinse the new filter under cold water for 15 seconds
• •      Press it firmly into the filter slot until it seats, you will feel it click
• •      Fill the pitcher and discard the first two full pitchers of water, this flushes the carbon
• •      Reset the filter indicator if your pitcher has one, usually a button on the lid held for 3-5 seconds

Replace every 40 gallons or 2 months for Standard, Plus, and Stream filters. The Elite lasts 120 gallons or 6 months. The Elite is significantly better value per gallon filtered.

Brita’s filter indicator counts lid openings rather than actual gallons filtered. Heavy users will reach 40 gallons before the indicator triggers. Track replacement by calendar date as a backup.

Brita vs Your Fridge Water Filter | Which One Actually Wins?

If you own a Samsung, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag refrigerator with a water dispenser, you already have a filtration system that outperforms even the best Brita filter. Here is the honest comparison:

The fridge filter wins on contaminant coverage, especially the NSF 401 certification for pharmaceuticals and BPA that Brita does not carry. Brita wins on price per year and does not require a fridge with a dispenser.

Where Brita genuinely makes sense is renters without a fridge dispenser, people who want filtered water at multiple locations in the home, or households that want a backup option. Where it does not make sense is spending $30/year on a Brita when you have a perfectly good fridge filter you are not maintaining.

What Brita Water Filters Do Not Remove

This is the section Brita’s own marketing does not highlight. Here is what the best Brita filter the Elite, does not remove:

• PFAS and forever chemicals, no Brita filter is certified for PFAS removal
• Fluoride, Brita filters retain fluoride, which some households want removed
• Nitrates, Relevant for well water households
• Bacteria and viruses, Brita is a chemical filter, not a purifier
• Total dissolved solids,  minerals, salts, and other dissolved compounds stay in the water

If PFAS is a concern in your area, you need a reverse osmosis system or a certified NSF P473 filter, not a Brita. Check the EWG Tap Water Database at ewg.org/tapwater to see what has been detected in your local supply before deciding.

Where to Buy Brita Replacement Filters for the Best Price

Brita filters are available everywhere, but pricing varies significantly:

• Best price for Singles: Walmart typically has the lowest shelf price on Standard filters around $6-$8 each.
• Best price for Elite: Amazon Subscribe & Save on a 3-pack brings Elite filters to around $13-$15 each, the best per-filter value.
• Worst value: Brita’s own website often charges full retail. Check Amazon or Walmart before buying direct.
• Generic alternatives: Brita-compatible generic filters exist,  EcoAqua and Waterdrop both make compatible cartridges at lower prices. Check NSF certification before buying any generic.

If you are spending $60-$80 per year on Brita Elite filters and also own a fridge with a water dispenser, you are paying for filtration twice. The fridge filter covers your drinking water. Use Brita for the sink or other locations where you want filtered water without a dedicated tap.

If your fridge has a built-in water dispenser,  the fridge filter is your primary filtration system, not your Brita pitcher. Samsung filters (DA97-17376B, DA29-00020B) and EveryDrop OEM filters cover more certified contaminants than any Brita replacement at a comparable annual cost.

FAQS

Which Brita water filter replacement do I need?

Check your pitcher model, Standard filters fit most pitchers. The Elite (formerly Longlast+) fits Elite-compatible pitchers and lasts 3x longer per filter.

Is the Brita Elite the same as the Longlast+?

Yes, Brita renamed the Longlast+ to Elite in 2022. Same filter, same slot, same performance.

Does Brita remove lead?

Only the Elite filter is NSF 53 certified for lead removal, the Standard filter does not remove lead.

How often should I replace a Brita water filter?

Standard, Plus, and Stream filters every 40 gallons or 2 months. Elite filters every 120 gallons or 6 months.

Does Brita remove PFAS?

No, no current Brita filter is certified for PFAS removal. A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473 certified filter is needed for PFAS.