More people than ever are paying attention to what’s in their tap water. And one of the biggest concerns? Fluoride. Many wonder whether filtered water still contains fluoride after running it through a pitcher.
The truth is, most standard filters don’t touch it. But ZeroWater is different. From alkaline water filter pitchers to full reverse osmosis systems, there are plenty of options for purifying your water — and ZeroWater has become one of the most popular.
So does it actually remove fluoride? Let’s dig into the details.
The ZeroWater filter removes 99% of fluoride from tap water. This is verified by independent EPA-certified lab testing. Its unique 5-stage filtration process removes virtually all Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from your water.
Quick Specs
- Brand Name: ZeroWater
- Model Types: Pitchers, Dispensers
- Accessories: Replacement water filters, water quality meters
- Volume: Available in 6-cup up to 40-cup models
- Included: Container, 5-stage filter, water quality meter
- Replacement Filters: Packs of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, or 16
- Purpose: Removes TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) from drinking water
- Certifications: NSF certified, BPA-free
After Unpacking
It can occasionally be daunting to purchase products that require self-assembly. Thankfully, ZeroWater pitchers are fairly straightforward.
The number of parts you need to keep track of is limited to three primary items: the pitcher, the filter, and the water quality meter. After unpacking, startup and use are quick and easy.
You only need to take the filter and attach it to the top of the pitcher. Then pour your water into the top as you would any other filtration system.
After your water is filtered, it fills up the pitcher and is ready to be poured. Using the water quality meter is equally simple.
You just dip the sensor into your water for a few seconds and wait for the reading to appear on the display. In terms of complexity, it couldn’t get any easier to use straight out of the box.
Structure
The design of ZeroWater products is pretty sleek, by water pitcher standards at least. The lid is a clean white color, while the body of the pitcher is clear with a slight blue tint.
It gives a feeling of fresh, clean water.
The operation is simple and straightforward. Once the filter has been affixed to the lid, you only need to pour unfiltered tap water into it and wait for the water to be filtered.
Several models include a secondary pouring method. This is a spigot at the base of the handle, which can be used instead of pouring.
The pitcher is relatively compact and has some nice quality-of-life inclusions. All but the 6-cup and 7-cup models have a built-in storage point for your water quality meter.
This keeps it from getting lost in the clutter of your kitchen drawer.
But the most important part of the product is the filter itself. This is where ZeroWater shines.
5 Stages That Help You Get the Purest Water
Stage 1 consists of a screen designed to filter the fine particles and sediments that exist in unfiltered tap water. This is the first step to providing you with clean, clear water.
Stage 2 is a foam distributor. This stage distributes the water evenly across the filter from the first stage.
This provides two advantages for the filter. The first is that the filter can more efficiently and effectively remove contaminants from your water.
The second is that it increases the longevity of the filter itself, preventing it from wearing out too quickly.
With this, you can both be more confident in the purity of your water and worry less about replacing your filter after only a handful of uses.
Stage 3 has two important aspects to it. The first is activated carbon.
This is meant to remove many different kinds of contaminants, primarily organic ones, and is commonly used in most carbon water filters.
The second element in play is an oxidation reduction alloy. The purpose of this is two-fold.
First and foremost, it reduces and removes chlorine in addition to other heavy metals. This is a very important step to getting great-tasting water.
Secondly, it also helps to prevent mold within the filter, which is another key aspect. Learning how to clean a ZeroWater filter properly can also help extend its lifespan.
Stage 4 consists of a dual full ion exchange resin. While this may sound like something you would find in a spacecraft, it’s relatively straightforward in what it does.
This stage is meant to remove the inorganic compounds from the water, which includes such things as metals, nonmetals, and other contaminants. It’s simply another step in providing you with the purest water possible.
Stage 5 is the final stage and consists of both an ultra-fine screen and non-woven membrane layers. During this stage of filtration, any remaining particles to be found will be removed from your water.
In the end, the filter design is extensive and impressive in its ability to tackle purification through several different methods.
Advantages
There are a multitude of reasons to use the ZeroWater filter, especially if you’re concerned about the purity of your drinking water. We’ll run down the many advantages here.
Read on to see why you should choose ZeroWater over other similar products.
Certified by NSF International
The ZeroWater filter has many proponents, and it’s easy to see why. While it has many accolades among its customer base, it has also been verified as a quality product by independent organizations.
NSF International is one such organization whose specialty lies in auditing and certifying consumer products in the field of food and water. By considering the certification of an independent body such as NSF International, you can rest much easier using the product rather than relying solely on word of mouth or online reviews.
Trust the professionals. ZeroWater is the real deal.
Removes 99% of TDS
This may sound like more jargon, but truthfully, something like TDS isn’t so difficult to understand. TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) are compounds, both organic and inorganic, that become dissolved into your water through various processes.
These different compounds include magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium chloride, and sulfides. These aren’t things you want in your water while you’re drinking it.
Through the use of its 5-stage filter, ZeroWater can remove up to 99% of the TDS from your unfiltered tap water. With such a thorough purification method, ZeroWater produces some of the cleanest water possible.
Simple Design
ZeroWater has developed a product that’s incredibly easy to use. Right out of the box with minimal effort, you’ll have clean, pure water whenever you need it.
No need to flip through a thick instruction manual. Just attach the filter, pour in the water, and you’re ready to go.
The wide range of models and styles means you can choose which one best suits your home situation. Whether you live alone or with a large family, you can find a model that fits your needs and desires.
Water Quality Meter
Every model comes with a water quality meter that measures the TDS of the water it’s placed in. Simply place it in the water and wait for the number to appear on the display.
The number shown is the TDS in ppm (parts per million). Ideally, your number will be as low as possible, hopefully even at zero.
This not only helps you see just how pure your water has been made by the ZeroWater filter, but it also helps you know when you need to replace your filter. Make sure to regularly check your water so that you don’t replace your filter too early or too late.
BPA-Free
ZeroWater products are 100% BPA-free. So, what exactly is BPA and why do you not want it in your products?
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, which is a common compound often found in plastics. BPA has been linked to some health concerns, and many companies have started moving away from using it in their products.
Since there are many plastic elements in the ZeroWater filter, including the container and the filter itself, one thing to know: there’s no BPA in their products. While it may not be something you would normally be concerned about, it’s reassuring that ZeroWater has taken steps to make their products as safe and health-friendly as possible.
Disadvantages
A sad fact of life is that no product you buy is ever going to be perfect. The ZeroWater filter is no different, and there are some disadvantages you should know about when thinking about buying one.
Read on to find out what they’re.
Slow Filtration
The downside of having 5 whole stages of filtration is that it takes a long time to filter your water. If you’ve planned ahead, this won’t be a problem.
But if you need filtered water on short notice, you might be out of luck. Larger models take even longer, so make sure you’ve time to spare.
Cost
Looking at the field of water filtration products, you’ll find a wide range of styles and prices. All things considered, ZeroWater isn’t outrageously priced, but among its competitors, it’s certainly not one of the cheaper options out there.
Besides, you’ve to take into account the cost of replacement filters. As for ZeroWater, the filters are also rather expensive.
Depending on your usage, you may be burning through filters rather quickly.
ZeroWater offers replacement filters in packs of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16. You’ve options for your replacement filter needs, but be aware that you may be shelling out quite a bit of cash.
Have your personal needs and habits in mind when considering whether or not you want to choose ZeroWater over its competitors. Plus, you’ll need to be aware of the baseline TDS of your tap water when evaluating how long a ZeroWater filter will last.
Depending on where you live, the TDS levels of your unfiltered tap water will be higher or lower. Those places with higher TDS levels won’t get as much use out of their ZeroWater filters, as the filtration process will take a greater toll on the filter.
ZeroWater has developed a chart to indicate the estimated life expectancy of your filter based on how many gallons of purified water can be produced. Be sure to test your unfiltered tap water first to get an idea of how long your ZeroWater filter should last you.
Design Variability
While the filtration system is the same across all models, some product designs are better than others. There have been reports of design issues in a few models, usually with the dispenser types.
Where exactly is the weak link? It appears that the spout is typically the culprit with customer issues.
Whether it’s a matter of design or the materials in use, some customers have reported problems with pieces breaking after only a short time of use.
These issues aren’t universal and depend on which model you happen to be interested in. Of course, no product will last forever, but it’s something to take into consideration when deciding on a purchase.
Does ZeroWater Remove Fluoride?
After investigating all the information about ZeroWater and its extensive 5-stage filtration process, the big question is: does it remove fluoride from tap water?
In short, the answer is absolutely yes.
Let’s look at the 5-stage filter again. More precisely, the fourth stage is where inorganic compounds are removed from the water.
Among the many contaminants removed during this stage, fluoride is also filtered from your drinking water.
This isn’t merely a hypothetical claim. Much like the NSF International certification, ZeroWater has also gone through testing by an independent EPA-certified lab.
In the course of testing for the reduction of several other contaminants such as arsenic, it has also been found that ZeroWater filters remove 99% of fluoride from tap water. If you’re interested in other options, check out our roundup of fluoride water filters.
There you’ve it then. The filtration process itself has been designed to remove fluoride, and an independent third party has verified that the ZeroWater filter does indeed remove fluoride from your drinking water.
If you’re looking especially for a water filter that can tackle fluoride, you don’t have to look any further than the ZeroWater filter. It has you covered for fluoride and does so many other things as a nice bonus.
What Others Are Saying
ZeroWater customers are quite pleased with the products available. There’s a nice variety to choose from, and the included water quality meter makes it easy for customers to verify their water quality.
ZeroWater also includes a water quality meter with each of their models, so it’s very easy for customers to test for themselves just how clean their water is. For those who prefer a different form factor, countertop water filters offer another approach. In this regard, ZeroWater not only compares favorably to its competitors but even to commercially bottled water.
However, some users mention that with heavy use, it may not be the most economical choice. Buying many replacement filters can become quite costly in a hurry, so you’ll have to weigh your needs against the price of replacement filters.
At the end of the day, customers seem very pleased with ZeroWater products. Even in the case of problems that they might encounter, the company’s customer service has been praised for its helpfulness in resolving issues.
Water Standards
With all of the information concerning the ZeroWater filter and its performance, you may be wondering what exactly all the numbers and stats mean. At the end of the day, just how clean is the water you drink when using a ZeroWater filter?
To put things into perspective, let’s add a few more numbers to the picture. When you drink purified bottled water, certain standards must be met as laid out by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
This federal agency regulates most of the food and medicine you put into your body. According to FDA regulations, purified bottled water must have a TDS level of between 0 and 10 ppm (parts per million). Understanding what filtered water is helps put these standards in perspective.
Effectively, there should be virtually no TDS in your purified bottled water, as we should expect of course.
The ZeroWater filter is capable of achieving the same standard of TDS levels as FDA-regulated purified bottled water. So when you use the ZeroWater filter, you can be confident that your water is equal to the quality of even the purest bottled water brands available on the market.
And you don’t even have to worry about leaving the comfort of your own home.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how dirty your tap water is. The higher the TDS level, the faster the filter wears out. ZeroWater includes a chart that estimates filter life based on your starting TDS reading. The included water quality meter makes it easy to know exactly when it's time for a swap.
They're designed for different things. ZeroWater's 5-stage process removes 99% of TDS including fluoride, while Brita's simpler carbon filtration mainly improves taste by reducing chlorine. ZeroWater gives you purer water, but the trade-off is pricier filters and slower filtering speed.
Absolutely. It's NSF certified and BPA-free, so daily use is perfectly safe. The filtered water actually meets the same TDS standards as FDA-regulated purified bottled water.
That's a sign the filter is done. When the ion exchange resin gets exhausted, it can actually release trapped contaminants back into your water. If you notice any taste change or your TDS meter reads above 006, swap the filter right away.
Final Thoughts
If fluoride removal is a priority for you, ZeroWater delivers. It's one of the few pitcher-style filters that actually tackles fluoride, and it handles just about every other contaminant along the way.
That 5-stage filtration is impressive, but it does come at a cost. Replacement filters aren't cheap, and if your household goes through a lot of water, those expenses add up fast.
For families with moderate water use who want the purest water possible from a pitcher-style filter, it's genuinely hard to beat what ZeroWater offers. The included water quality meter lets you verify the results yourself -- and there's something satisfying about seeing that TDS reading hit zero.
Just be honest about your household's water usage before committing. For heavy users, an under-sink reverse osmosis system might be more cost-effective in the long run.
