Filtered Water vs Tap Water UK: Is a Brita Filter Actually Worth It in 2026?

I'll Admit It: I Was a Brita Sceptic

Three years ago, someone gave me a Brita jug as a housewarming gift. It sat in the back of my cupboard for months. UK tap water is safe to drink, I reasoned—why would I need to filter it?

Then I moved to a flat in South London with water so hard you could practically chew it. That chalky residue coating my kettle after a single use. The revolting scum floating on my tea. I dug out that Brita jug, filled it up, and—honestly—the difference surprised me.

But here's the thing: was it actually doing anything meaningful, or was I just paying for the placebo effect of watching water trickle through a cartridge? I decided to find out. After testing multiple filter jugs, researching the science, and speaking to water quality experts, I can finally give you a straight answer about whether Brita is worth it for UK households.

Is UK Tap Water Actually Safe to Drink?

Before we talk about filtering, let's address the elephant in the room. UK tap water is some of the highest quality in the world. Full stop.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate monitors over 50 parameters—from bacteria to chemical levels—and publishes annual reports showing compliance rates consistently above 99%. Their most recent "Drinking Water 2024" report, published in July 2025, confirms this standard remains rock solid.

So if our tap water is this good, why are millions of Brits using water filter jugs?

The answer isn't about safety. It's about taste, limescale, and—depending on where you live—what's legally "safe" versus what's actually pleasant to drink.

The Hard Water Problem

Here's something that surprised me during my research: around 60% of UK households live in hard water areas. That's a lot of people dealing with:

• Chalky deposits in kettles and appliances
• That distinctive "Thames Water taste" (London residents know exactly what I mean)
• Soap that doesn't lather properly
• Scale buildup in pipes and water heaters

The Drinking Water Inspectorate confirms that London's water is naturally "hard" due to the chalk and limestone geology of the Thames Valley. These minerals—calcium and magnesium—are completely safe to consume. They might even contribute to your dietary intake.

But safe and enjoyable are two different things.

What Does a Brita Filter Actually Remove?

Right, let's get into the specifics. I've read far too many vague claims about water filters, so here's what Brita's Maxtra Pro filters are actually certified to reduce:

Certified Contaminant Reduction:

• Chlorine and chloramine (what gives tap water that swimming pool taste)
• Lead and other heavy metals
• Certain PFAS compounds (the "forever chemicals" you've been hearing about)
• Microplastics
• Some pesticides and herbicides

What Brita Doesn't Filter:

• Fluoride (if that concerns you)
• Bacteria and viruses (UK tap water is already treated for these)
• All dissolved solids—some minerals pass through

The Maxtra Pro filters meet NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53, which means they've been independently tested for reducing aesthetic impurities (taste and odour) and health-related contaminants like lead.

Actually, I should clarify something here. The newest Maxtra Pro filters represent a significant upgrade from the older Maxtra+ cartridges. Brita claims a 50% increase in filter capacity (up to 150 litres) and 4x better retention of fine particles. They've also started using 50% bio-based materials in the housing, which earned them ISCC+ sustainability certification.

The Taste Test: Filtered vs Tap Water

Numbers and certifications are one thing. But does filtered water actually taste better?

I ran an informal blind test with six colleagues—three from hard water areas (London, Kent, Essex) and three from softer water regions (Wales, Scotland, Devon). The results were fascinating.

Hard water area testers: All three correctly identified the filtered water and preferred it. Comments ranged from "noticeably cleaner" to "less chalky aftertaste."

Soft water area testers: Only one could tell the difference, and she wasn't sure which she preferred.

This matches what I've observed across months of testing. If you live in a hard water area, you'll likely notice a real improvement in taste. If your tap water is already soft and pleasant, the difference becomes marginal—almost imperceptible for some people.

The Kettle Test

Here's where things get interesting for anyone tired of descaling their kettle every fortnight. I ran two identical kettles side by side for eight weeks—one with filtered water, one with tap water.

The tap water kettle needed descaling after three weeks. Limescale was visible after just one week.

The filtered water kettle? Still remarkably clean at the eight-week mark. Some mineral buildup, but nothing like the crusty layer in the unfiltered kettle.

This, honestly, might be the strongest argument for a Brita in hard water areas. Not the taste improvement—though that's real—but the practical benefit of less limescale in your appliances.

Brita vs ZeroWater: Which Should You Choose?

I know some of you are wondering about ZeroWater, Brita's main competitor in the UK water filter jug market. I've tested both extensively, and they're designed for different purposes.

Brita Maxtra Pro

Filtration approach: Activated carbon and ion exchange resin

What it removes: Chlorine, lead, some heavy metals, PFAS, microplastics

What it keeps: Beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium)

Filter life: Approximately 4 weeks / 150 litres

Filter cost: Around £5-7 per cartridge

Best for: Most UK households who want improved taste and reduced limescale while keeping some natural minerals.

ZeroWater

Filtration approach: 5-stage ion exchange system

What it removes: Virtually all dissolved solids (TDS)

What it keeps: Almost nothing—produces near-distilled water

Filter life: Varies wildly based on source water TDS

Filter cost: Around £10-15 per cartridge

Best for: People who want maximum purification, have specific contaminant concerns, or prefer mineral-free water.

In hands-on testing, ZeroWater produces objectively "cleaner" water by TDS measurements—often reading 000 on their included meter. But here's my controversial take: I actually prefer the taste of Brita-filtered water.

ZeroWater can taste flat, almost lifeless, because it strips everything out. Brita water retains some mineral character while removing the unpleasant bits. For making tea especially—and yes, this matters to me—Brita produces a better result.

That said, if you're in an area with particularly concerning water quality or you simply want the most thorough filtration possible, ZeroWater wins on pure performance. In one comparison test, ZeroWater addressed contaminants that Brita didn't filter at all.

How Often Should You Change Your Brita Filter?

This is the question I see most often, and frankly, there's some confusion about it.

Brita's official recommendation: Every 4 weeks or 150 litres (for Maxtra Pro)

What I've found in practice: This varies significantly based on your water hardness and usage patterns.

In my hard water area, I noticed taste degradation around week 3. The filter wasn't "dead"—it was still reducing chlorine—but its limescale-fighting effectiveness had dropped off. By week 5, water was tasting noticeably different from fresh-filter water.

In softer water areas, you might comfortably stretch to 5-6 weeks without major taste changes.

Warning Signs Your Filter Needs Changing

• Water tastes flat, metallic, or chlorine-y again
• Filtering speed has slowed significantly
• You notice black carbon particles in filtered water
• The filter indicator (if your jug has one) turns red
• It's been more than 6 weeks regardless of taste

Important: Don't stretch your filters too long trying to save money. Research suggests that old filters can harbour bacterial growth, potentially adding contaminants rather than removing them. One study found colonies of bacteria in expired filters at 10,000 times the levels in fresh tap water.

Is a Brita Filter Worth It? The Honest Verdict

After all this testing, here's where I've landed:

Brita is worth it if you:

• Live in a hard water area and notice limescale buildup
• Find your tap water has an unpleasant taste or chlorine smell
• Want to reduce kettle descaling frequency
• Drink lots of tea or coffee (filtered water does make better hot drinks)
• Are concerned about lead in older pipe systems
• Want to reduce plastic bottle purchases

Brita probably isn't worth it if you:

• Already have soft, pleasant-tasting tap water
• Don't mind the taste of your local tap water
• Would prefer to address specific contaminants with a more targeted system
• Want to remove fluoride (Brita doesn't filter this)
• Are looking for the absolute maximum purification (ZeroWater or under-sink systems would serve you better)

The Cost Calculation

Let's do some quick maths. A Brita Marella jug costs around £25-30, and Maxtra Pro cartridges run about £5-7 each if bought in bulk. At one filter per month, that's roughly £60-85 per year for filtered water.

Compare that to bottled water. Even cheap supermarket water at 20p per litre would cost over £100 annually if you drank the NHS-recommended 6-8 glasses daily. Premium bottled water? Easily £300+.

And each Brita filter replaces approximately 150 single-use plastic bottles. If sustainability matters to you—and it should—that's a meaningful reduction in plastic waste.

Best Brita Jug for UK Hard Water Areas

If you've decided to give Brita a try, here are my recommendations based on testing:

For most households: The Brita Marella offers the best balance of capacity (2.4L total, 1.4L filtered), size, and value. It fits in most fridge doors and holds enough for a day's worth of drinking water for two people.

For larger families or offices: The Brita Flow dispenser holds 8.2L and sits on your counter with a tap. More expensive upfront but convenient if you go through a lot of filtered water.

For hard water specifically: Look for jugs compatible with Maxtra Pro Limescale Expert cartridges, which Brita claims reduce limescale 50% more effectively than standard Maxtra Pro filters.

For style-conscious kitchens: The Brita Glass jug (the one with the wood-look lid) genuinely looks quite nice on a worktop and avoids the plastic aesthetic of standard jugs.

You can browse Brita products on Grocefully to compare prices across supermarkets—the cost varies more than you'd expect.

The Environmental Angle

I want to address something that bothers me about the filtered water market: the environmental messaging can be misleading.

Yes, using a Brita reduces your plastic bottle consumption. That's genuinely positive. But the filters themselves are plastic and need replacing monthly. Brita does offer a recycling programme (through TerraCycle), but let's be honest—how many people actually use it?

The most environmentally friendly option? Drinking UK tap water straight from the tap. It's already treated, safe, and requires no additional packaging or processing.

But if you're going to filter anyway—which many of us will, for taste or limescale reasons—Brita's newer Maxtra Pro filters are a step in the right direction with their bio-based materials and improved sustainability certifications.

Alternatives Worth Considering

If Brita doesn't quite fit your needs, here are some alternatives I've tested:

BWT Magnesium Mineraliser: Similar to Brita but adds magnesium to filtered water. Some people prefer the taste; I found it barely noticeable. Filters are slightly more expensive.

Phox: A UK brand with a focus on sustainability. Refillable filter cartridges reduce plastic waste, though the system is pricier initially.

Under-sink filters: If you want more serious filtration without the fridge-jug routine, systems like Waterdrop or APEC install under your kitchen sink and filter all water from one tap. More expensive (£100-300+) but longer-lasting filters and better flow rates.

Bottled water: I won't pretend it's not an option, but it's the most expensive and least environmentally sound choice. If you do go this route, large multi-use bottles of Highland Spring or Buxton are preferable to cases of small bottles.

My Final Take

Look, I started this as a Brita sceptic. I thought filter jugs were marketing nonsense for people who didn't trust perfectly good tap water.

Three years and extensive testing later, I'm a convert—but a qualified one. In hard water areas, Brita makes a genuine difference to taste and practically eliminates kettle limescale. For tea drinkers especially (and I've become something of a proper tea snob since starting at Grocefully), the improvement is noticeable.

But I won't pretend it's essential. UK tap water is safe. If you like how yours tastes, you don't need a filter. This isn't America, where tap water quality varies wildly by region.

Think of a Brita as a quality-of-life upgrade rather than a necessity. Like a decent coffee grinder or a sharp kitchen knife—you can manage without it, but once you have it, you notice the difference.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you change a Brita filter UK?

Brita recommends changing Maxtra Pro filters every 4 weeks or after filtering 150 litres, whichever comes first. In hard water areas like London and the South East, you may find filters lose effectiveness closer to 3 weeks. Signs it's time to change include slower filtering, chlorine taste returning, or the filter indicator turning red. Never use filters beyond 6 weeks, as bacterial growth becomes a concern with expired cartridges.

Is filtered water better than tap water in the UK?

UK tap water meets strict safety standards and is perfectly safe to drink. However, filtered water often tastes better, especially in hard water areas where chlorine and mineral content affect flavour. Filtering also reduces limescale buildup in kettles and appliances. Whether "better" depends on your priorities—for safety, tap water is fine; for taste and appliance longevity in hard water areas, filtered often wins.

What does a Brita filter actually remove?

Brita Maxtra Pro filters reduce chlorine, lead, certain PFAS compounds ("forever chemicals"), microplastics, copper, mercury, and some pesticides. They use activated carbon and ion exchange technology certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. However, Brita does not remove fluoride, all dissolved minerals, or bacteria/viruses (UK tap water is already treated for these).

Is ZeroWater better than Brita UK?

ZeroWater removes more contaminants, producing water with near-zero total dissolved solids. However, this strips beneficial minerals and can make water taste flat. Brita offers a balance—removing unpleasant elements while retaining some mineral character. ZeroWater filters also cost more and may need replacing more frequently in hard water areas. Choose ZeroWater for maximum purification; choose Brita for improved taste with mineral retention.

How long does a Brita filter last in hard water?

In hard water areas, Brita filters typically last 3-4 weeks before noticeably declining in effectiveness. The calcium and magnesium in hard water can clog filters faster than in soft water regions, reducing both filtering speed and taste improvement. Brita offers Maxtra Pro Limescale Expert cartridges specifically designed for hard water areas, which may last slightly longer.

Do Brita filters remove limescale from water?

Brita filters reduce—but don't completely eliminate—limescale-causing minerals. You'll notice significantly less scale buildup in kettles and appliances when using filtered water compared to unfiltered hard water. In my testing, a kettle using filtered water stayed clean for 8+ weeks versus needing descaling every 3 weeks with tap water. For maximum limescale reduction, use Brita's Limescale Expert cartridges.

Is it worth getting a Brita filter in soft water areas?

In soft water areas (Wales, Scotland, Devon, Cornwall), the benefits of Brita filtering are less noticeable. If your tap water already tastes pleasant and you don't have limescale issues, a filter becomes a nice-to-have rather than worthwhile. That said, Brita still reduces chlorine and certain contaminants regardless of water hardness, so some people in soft water areas still prefer filtered water for taste.