Water Filter Comparison
An honest, data-driven comparison of two popular UK water filters — what they remove, what they cost to run, and which one belongs in your kitchen.
Our verdict
Key difference: Waterdrop's tap filter clips directly onto your kitchen tap and filters water on demand — no jug to fill, no waiting. BRITA is a traditional pour-through jug that needs refilling. Different form factors for different habits.
Waterdrop suits renters and households who want filtered water straight from the tap without permanent plumbing changes. BRITA suits those who prefer a portable jug they can carry to the table or fridge. On contaminant removal, Waterdrop's NSF 42 certification covers chlorine and basic filtration; BRITA is comparable. For budget-conscious buyers, BRITA's lower upfront cost and widely available replacement filters make it the pragmatic pick.
BRITA is best for
Portable, fridge-friendly filtration at the lowest entry price
Waterdrop is best for
On-demand filtered water straight from the tap without plumbing
Filter 1
BRITA
Marella XL + MAXTRA PRO
Filter 2
Waterdrop
WD-FC-06 Tap Filter
Price
£25
£30
Annual filter cost
~£52/yr
~£48/yr
Rating
4.5/5
4.3/5
Type
jug
countertop
Filter life
4 weeks per cartridge
3 months
Flow rate
—
2.0 L/min
Certifications
TUV SUD
NSF/ANSI 42
What it removes
Form factor
BRITA
Pour-through jug — fill, wait, pour into glass or pot
Waterdrop
Tap-mounted — filtered water on demand, switch between filtered and unfiltered
Upfront cost
BRITA winsBRITA
£25 — affordable entry point, widely stocked
Waterdrop
£30 — slightly higher but no jug to store
Running cost
Waterdrop winsBRITA
~£52/year — MAXTRA PRO cartridges available everywhere
Waterdrop
~£48/year — 3-month filter life keeps annual cost low
Contaminant removal
BRITA
Chlorine, lead, copper, mercury, cadmium
Waterdrop
Chlorine, lead, fluoride — NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Compatibility
BRITA winsBRITA
Works anywhere — no tap attachment needed
Waterdrop
Not compatible with pull-out, spray, or non-standard taps
Portable, fridge-friendly filtration at the lowest entry price
BRITA Marella XL + MAXTRA PRO
Jug Filter · TUV SUD
Typical price
£25approx.
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On-demand filtered water straight from the tap without plumbing
Waterdrop WD-FC-06 Tap Filter
Countertop · NSF/ANSI 42
Typical price
£30approx.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
For most purposes, yes. The Waterdrop FC-06 clips onto a standard UK tap and filters water on demand, so you never need to pre-fill a jug. It covers the same basic chlorine and lead reduction as BRITA. The limitation is tap compatibility — if you have a pull-out or spray tap, it will not fit.
The Waterdrop FC-06 comes with adapters for most standard UK taps. It does not work on pull-out taps, spray taps, or non-standard fittings. Check the tap thread before buying — Waterdrop sells a universal adapter separately for less common fittings.
It depends on your habits. BRITA is simple — fill it, put it in the fridge, pour from it. Waterdrop is more convenient for cooking since filtered water comes straight from the tap at full pressure. If you frequently fill pots or kettles, Waterdrop wins on convenience. If you mostly want a cold glass of water from the fridge, BRITA is just as easy.
Enter your postcode to get a detailed water quality report for your area — so you know exactly which contaminants you need to target.