ZeroWater 20-Cup
Score: 88/100
Brita UltraMax Elite
Score: 78/100Rankings
The ZeroWater 20-Cup Ready-Pour is a countertop water filtration dispenser featuring 5-stage ion exchange filtration that removes virtually all dissolved solids, achieving 0 TDS water. It includes a TDS meter for quality verification, though users must manually test the water rather than relying on an automatic display. It is best suited for health-conscious consumers and small offices seeking superior tap water taste and purity verification.
The Brita UltraMax with Elite Filter offers high-volume water filtration with significant lead and contaminant reduction, making it ideal for households with safe municipal water. Its 6-month filter life and electronic indicator enhance convenience, though it lacks comprehensive heavy metal coverage like arsenic filtration. It is best suited for families and offices needing large volumes of improved-tasting water without complex installation.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
12 monthsbest | 6 months | |
1.9 gallons per hourbest | — | |
99.6 %best | — | |
1.56 gallons | 6.3 gallonsbest | |
5 stagesbest | 1 stages | |
11.75 inchesbest | 9.67 inches | |
5.5 inches | 13.94 inchesbest | |
10.63 inchesbest | 5.19 inches |
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| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Performance & Filtration(7) | ||
Certifications | NSF 53, IAPMO | null |
Contaminants Reduced | Lead, Chromium, Mercury, PFOA/PFOS | Lead, PFNA, PFBA, Asbestos, Chlorine |
Filtration Technology | Carbon block, Ion exchange | Carbon Block |
Filter Lifespan (months) | 12 months | 6 months |
Flow Rate (gallons per hour) | 1.9 gallons per hour | null gallons per hour |
TDS Reduction (%) | 99.6 % | null % |
Filtration Stages (stages) | 5 stages | 1 stages |
Capacity & Dimensions(5) | ||
Water Capacity (gallons) | 1.56 gallons | 6.3 gallons |
Height (inches) | 11.75 inches | 9.67 inches |
Width (inches) | 5.5 inches | 13.94 inches |
Depth (inches) | 10.63 inches | 5.19 inches |
Product Weight (pounds) | 3.3 pounds | 3.0 pounds |
Design & Installation(2) | ||
Housing Material | BPA-Free Plastic | Plastic |
Filter Type | Ion Exchange | Elite |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers highlight the product's superior filtration effectiveness, noting it removes significantly more dissolved solids than leading competitors. The inclusion of a TDS meter is praised for eliminating guesswork regarding filter life, though some note legacy spout design issues and the inconvenience of manual testing compared to newer integrated display models.
Users appreciate the product's ability to improve tap water taste and quality, making it suitable for health-conscious consumers and those looking to reduce plastic waste. It is valued as a secondary filtration layer even for homes with whole-house filters, though some users may find the manual testing process less convenient than automatic indicators.
Professional reviewers assess the Brita UltraMax as a practical, large-capacity option for households with generally safe tap water, praising its solid lead reduction and cost-effectiveness while cautioning against its limited coverage of arsenic and fluoride.
Everyday consumers generally praise the product for its convenience, large capacity, and noticeable improvement in water taste, though some complain about space requirements and inability to filter arsenic/fluoride.
