Even though these are SUPER slow, the filter works great at filtering undrinkable city tap water into clean drinking water. And we're talking like 1 drip every 5 - 10 seconds, SLLLOOOOW. But as long as I fill up the top reservoir of our PUR PLUS 30-Cup Water Filter Dispenser every time I walk by it, my family has clean water to drink. I change it out, probably less often than I should, about every other month. Though I do have this on Subscribe through Amazon to make sure when it's time to change, I have an extra ready. I'm comfortable enough with the price to keep in handy. Replacing it is easy, just soak the new one for a bit (fully submerged in cool water) and lock it into place. If the drip all but stops, I take it out and give it a shake and a rinse, and pop it back in. It's well made, fits like it should, and provides clean drinking water (even if it takes a while for it to provide it.) I still give it a 5 star, as it does what it's supposed to; filter ick water into yum water, though it takes a hot minute. Read more
UPDATE: OCTOBER 28, 2024: I am now officially giving up my PUR pitcher, and getting a second Lifestraw glass pitcher instead. Apparently PUR discontinued this higher end 'plus' version of its filter (PUR PLUS PITCHER FILTER PPF951K), which reportedly filters out lead in addition to microplastics (unlike PUR's 'basic' filter - PUR BASIC PITCHER FILTERS PPF900Z - which doesn't filter out either), for a short period of time before bringing it back this summer, to much consumer confusion. But they still have not fixed the problem of the filters clogging prematurely. And with the growing knowledge re: the prevalence and harm of micro and nanoplastics in our water (and everywhere else!), which can shed from plastic bottles and pitchers, there's no compelling reason to keep using these. For others concerned about micro/nanoplastics, Lifestraw pitchers reportedly filter out more nanoplastics than the Pur plus filter, in addition to offering a glass pitcher. But as mentioned below, the Lifestraw glass pitcher still has many plastic components that come into continuous contact with the water it filters/holds, including the filters themselves (2 total), the filter housing, and the lid. Lifestraw has also recently double-downed on its newer offerings of plastic (vs glass) pitchers, with its new larger capacity pitcher only available in plastic, even while touting the pitchers' ability to filter out micro-plastics - not sure if they realize the irony of this. UPDATE: MARCH 29, 2020: Came back to update my review with continued frustration. These filters are absolutely junk. Just opened and installed yet another brand new one, and after one cycle, it's once again taking 1-2 days just to filter one jug of water. With all the consistently negative reviews from multiple credible customers, how can they not fix this?? As of last year, I have migrated most of my drinking/cooking water needs to the fairly new LifeStraw Home Water Filter Pitcher (https://www.amazon.com/LifeStraw-Bacteria-Parasites-Microplastics-Chemicals/dp/B07QQ857JJ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lifestraw+water+pitcher&qid=1585456822&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1-catcorr), which I got two of through their Kickstarter campaign. The LifeStraw is not perfect, and has much smaller capacity than the PUR, but the water flows through in minutes, even after multiple cycles. I also love that the Lifestraw pitcher is glass (even though it's comprised of many plastic parts, including the filter holder inside). Currently I keep the PUR and a Lifestraw in my fridge, and use the Lifestraw most of the time. The PUR is just for backup and/or large quantities of water (as when making rice or pasta). Unless PUR fixes their useless filters, I'm switching out completely once there is a better high-capacity solution. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have to agree with everyone that these filters are horrible - they have been for about the last year. I have been a faithful PUR user for the last decade or so, and starting about a year ago, the filters don't work most of the time. With my most recent purchase (lead version; set of 3) the filter didn't work right out of the box after the prerequisite soaking, etc., which I've been doing for the last decade so know how to do properly. Thinking it was once again stuck, I shook the brand new filter as directed (have never had to do that until recently), and managed to get it to work briefly - for two jugs worth of water, slowly. Then the thing got stuck again. When this happened earlier this year, PUR customer service refused to acknowledge anything had changed about the filters or their manufacture, and made it seem like it was user error. Clearly this isn't true, as I and many other reviewers (who have used PUR for years, previously with no problem) can attest to. Please fix this, PUR. If you were able to produce working filters before, there's no reason you can't anymore. The minute a better option appears, many of us will no doubt defect. Read more
