You may have seen ads for high-tech water pitchers from brands like LARQ and wondered if one of these pricier but feature-packed models is right for your home. Smart water pitchers promise the cleanest, purest tasting water by combining filtration with fancy technology like usage tracking apps and UV sterilization lights.
But are these bonus features actually necessary to improve tap water at home? Or do basic water filters still get the job done at a fraction of the cost?
This article will cover:
- How smart water pitchers aim to outperform standard models
- 3 top reasons why they may not be worth buying for most homes
- Overview of more affordable and effective filtration alternatives
We‘ll look at the pros and cons, costs, and contaminant removal abilities to help you decide if buying a smarter water pitcher makes sense or if a simpler solution may fit your needs.
How Smart Water Pitchers Work
Brands like LARQ and Brita have leaning into technology to create "smarter" water pitcher options compared to basic filter pitchers. Two main types of smart pitchers exist on the market currently:
Pitchers with usage monitoring: These connect to a mobile app to track how much water is filtered and provide reminders for replacing filters. For example, Brita‘s Longlast+ pitcher uses a sensor to detect when you fill it, showing filtered water consumption in the Brita app.
Pitchers with UV-C sterilization: Higher-end models like the popular LARQ PureVis utilizes UV-C LED lights claimed to kill up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants. This prevents mold and bacteria that might build up over time in filter pitchers from reaching your glass.
Below is a breakdown of what standard carbon filters can remove versus the UV-C sterilization used in pitchers like LARQ‘s:
| Removed by Standard Filters | Removed by UV-C Sterilization |
|---|---|
| Chlorine | Bacteria |
| Benzene | Viruses |
| Pesticides | Fungi |
| Heavy metals like mercury, lead | Biofilm/algae |
| Radon 222 |
So smart pitchers can tackle more potential contaminants. But are those extras necessary for the typical household tap water? Plus, how do costs compare? We‘ll analyze that next.
Reasons to Potentially Avoid Smart Pitchers
While handy in theory, smart water pitchers also come with some definite downsides to consider before buying one.
1. The Higher Price Tag
For starters, you‘ll pay a significant price premium for the bells and whistles of a smart pitcher compared to a regular filtered model.
| Product | Cost | Replacement Filter Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brita Standard 10 Cup Pitcher | $19.48 | $6.99 (every 2 mo.) |
| Brita Longlast+ Smart Pitcher | $44.99 | $6.99 (every 4 mo.) |
| LARQ PureVis Self-Cleaning Pitcher | $120 | $20 (every 2 mo.) |
*Pricing from official Brita.com online store and LARQ bottle website
Nearly a 100% increase for the smart Brita model and over 500% higher price tag for the LARQ! And that‘s before factoring recurring filter replacement costs.
Given most municipal tap water has already undergone filtration and purification before reaching your home faucets (more on that next), paying extra for app connectivity or UV tech may be overspending for many households not facing specific water quality issues.
2. Your Tap Water Likely Doesn‘t Require Heavy Filtering
Per the EPA, close to 90% of U.S. tap water meets all federal health and safety standards before flowing from treatment facilities to homes. Over 90 contaminants must be monitored and kept below maximum limits, including:
- Microorganisms like Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia
- Inorganic chemicals such as arsenic, asbestos, mercury
- Disinfectant byproducts
- Radionuclides like radium and uranium
Chlorine makes up the primary additive for protecting public drinking water supplies against germs as the water travels from plants through distribution pipes before reaching your faucet.
While some consumers dislike the taste or smell added by chlorine, those disinfecting properties help keep tap water safe according to scientists. A simple activated carbon filter in a regular pitcher removes much of the chlorine for better flavor if desired.
Advanced sterilization like UV-C light technology aims to tackle microorganisms standard filters cannot. But again – if your municipal supply already filters those out, paying extra for this barley provides additional benefit.
3. No Single Filter System is 100% Comprehensive
Whether basic, smart or using advanced methods like reverse osmosis, no water filter removes every possible contaminant. Filters tailored to certain removal abilities also often miss or only partially reduce other substances.
For example, the LARQ PureVis filter set removes many worrying contaminants including mercury, VOCs, chlorine byproducts, and pesticides. However its capabilities fall short for others like chloramine, pharmaceuticals, or dissolved solids.
Even whole house systems or under sink reverse osmosis units, while thorough, cannot catch 100% of potential particle types. This holds true for refrigerator filters as well.
As Consumer Reports concludes from its extensive testing, "The takeaway is that no single water treatment method purifies perfectly. The most effective approach depends on the exact impurities in your local water."
Alternatives to Costly Smart Pitchers
Rather than overspending on expensive smart pitcher options, simpler and more cost-effective filtration solutions likely meet most homes‘ needs. Here are three to consider instead:
Whole House Water Filters
Whole house units filter all incoming water at its main supply line, allowing thoroughly purified water from every faucet. The Aquasana Rhino equips a salt-free filtration method removing 97% of chlorine and chloramines, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and more. Installation cost starts around $700, with filter changes every 3 years for $168.
Pros
✅ Filters entire home‘s water
✅ Long filter lifespan (3 years)
Cons
❌ High upfront install cost
❌ Requires professional installation
Under Sink Reverse Osmosis
Under sink reverse osmosis systems force water through a semi-permeable membrane to isolate contaminants. They attachment easily under the kitchen sink to supply drinking and cooking water. The AquaTru countertop model filters out bacteria, viruses, dissolved solids, asbestos, lead and more for just $170 upfront. Quick and simple DIY installation takes only 30 minutes with included designer faucet.
Pros
✅ Affordable cost
✅ Easy install
Cons
❌ Relatively slow water production
Refrigerator Water Filters
Today‘s fridge filters effectively remove up to 99% of trace pharmaceuticals, microplastics, pesticides and other concerning agents at a simple replacement cost of $50 or less per filter lasting 6 months. For wider compatibility, the Samsung HAF-CIN/EXP fits their fridges manufactured after 2010 plus numerous other brands.
Pros
✅ Built into refrigerator
✅ Low maintenance
Cons
❌ Only filters drinking water from fridge
❌ Require replacing filter every 6 months
Should You Buy a Smart Water Pitcher?
While the hype around high-tech pitchers like LARQ and Brita‘s smart models makes them enticing, the reality is simpler water filtration likely satisfies safety and purity needs for most household tap water. The higher price tag for features like usage tracking and UV sterilization prove tough to justify if your municipal supply already filters and disinfects thoroughly.
However, if you live in an area with verified tap water quality issues or contamination exceeding EPA safety standards, the advanced treatment of smart pitchers may provide useful protection. Testing your unique water chemistry to identify specific impurities is wise to determine if premium filtration is advisable or overkill.
Absent worrisome contaminants however, much cheaper and more effective whole home or under counter reverse osmosis systems can filter as well or better than smart pitchers for around the same yearly cost. Even basic faucet mount filters for drinking water easily beat smart models regarding value.
In the end, evaluating your tap water safety reports, consulting water quality experts if concerned, and only spending extra on filtration where truly beneficial based on YOUR environment makes the smartest decision before upgrading your water pitcher.
