Filters

10 Best Water Filters That Remove Sodium — Compared and Ranked

Excess sodium in drinking water is a real concern, especially if you have a water softener. We tested 9 pitcher filters and systems that actually reduce.

Best water filters that remove sodium reviewed and rated

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Quick Answer

The best water filter that removes sodium is the PUR Pitcher Filter with Lead Reduction

The PUR pitcher uses an electro-adhesive paper filter under the main resin to target 23 contaminants, including sodium and lead. It's ANSI-certified, well-built, and genuinely improves water quality right out of the box.

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Most water filters don’t remove sodium. That’s a problem if you’re on a low-sodium diet or your water runs through a softener that adds salt to every glass you drink.

The trick is finding a filter that specifically targets dissolved sodium — and not all of them do. Standard carbon filters won’t touch it. You need something with ion-exchange resin, reverse osmosis, or specialized filtration media.

Here are 9 pitcher filters and systems that actually get sodium levels down.

Quick Comparison Chart

# Water Filter Our Rating
1 PUR Pitcher Filter with Lead Reduction PUR Pitcher Filter ★★★★★ 9.8 Check Price
2 Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher Waterdrop Chubby ★★★★★ 9.5 Check Price
3 Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter Seychelle Pitcher ★★★★ 9.2 Check Price
4 Reshape Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher Reshape Alkaline ★★★★ 9.0 Check Price
5 Brita Grand Water Filter Pitcher Brita Grand ★★★★ 8.8 Check Price
6 Dragon Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher Dragon Alkaline ★★★★ 8.6 Check Price
7 Brita 36092 Metro Filter Pitcher Brita Metro ★★★★ 8.5 Check Price
8 PUR LED 11-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher PUR LED 11-Cup ★★★★ 8.3 Check Price
9 Lake Industries Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher Lake Industries ★★★★ 8.1 Check Price

With that said, let’s go ahead and get started with our list of the best water filters that are known to remove sodium.

1. PUR Pitcher Filter — Best Overall

PUR Pitcher Filter with Lead Reduction
#1 Pick Best Overall

PUR Pitcher Filter with Lead Reduction

★★★★★ 9.8/10

This ANSI-certified pitcher filter removes 23 contaminants including sodium and lead. It uses an electro-adhesive paper filter beneath the main resin for dissolving metals.

23 Contaminants Lead Reduction ANSI Certified Easy Install
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Pros

  • Provides water free of all kinds of contaminants
  • Easy to install and use with alignment pins
  • Removes lead contamination effectively
  • ANSI certified for 23 contaminants

Cons

  • Slow filtration at 11-12 minutes per fill
  • Filter life of only 40 gallons between replacements
  • Not ideal for filtering large quantities quickly

If you’re looking for a one-stop solution for obtaining clean water free of all kinds of impurities, then this filter from PUR is just what you need. The PUR Pitcher Filter is certified from ANSI for 23 contaminants, more than most other similar filters.

One of the advantages this filter provides is the ability to remove lead from water. Lead can be especially dangerous and is something many filters don’t remove.

To do this, this filter packs an electro-adhesive paper filter below the main resin filter. It uses an opposite electric charge to filter out dissolved metals that passed through the resin filter.

PUR water filters that remove sodium also boast an elegant design, and this one is no exception. Installing this filter is super easy with a pair of pins that help in lining up the filter properly.

It’s rated to go for two months or 40 gallons of water between replacements, which is pretty standard for filters of this kind. It does have one drawback though.

It’s slow.

It usually averages around 11 to 12 minutes to refill a standard 11-cup pitcher. Depending on your needs, you might not care much about this specific problem.

All in all, the PUR Pitcher Filter with Lead Reduction is one of the best out there. With a long list of ANSI certifications, you can good news — the water you’re getting is of supreme quality.

Easy to use and well-built, this filter will fulfill all your needs for water purification that you might have. If you’re looking to filter large quantities of water quickly though, you might want to look somewhere else.


2. Waterdrop Chubby — Best Budget

Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher
#2 Pick Best Budget

Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher

★★★★★ 9.5/10

This affordable pitcher features 7-stage filtration that removes fluoride, lead, chlorine, and sodium. The spout lid allows pouring without removing the cover.

7-Stage Filtration 200 Gallon Life LED Indicator Slim Body
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Pros

  • Provides high-quality filtration at an affordable price
  • Smart spout lid design for easy pouring
  • Long filter life of 200 gallons before replacement
  • LED indicator shows filter status

Cons

  • Doesn't remove all dissolved solids from water
  • May not meet needs for ultra-pure water
  • Slim design limits total pitcher capacity

The Waterdrop Chubby Water Filter Pitcher provides the best of both worlds of price and quality. This filter is relatively cheap and comes with a 7-stage filtration mechanism.

It removes all kinds of mostly present contaminants in water like fluoride, lead, and chlorine, among others. Do note, however, that this filter won’t be removing dissolved solids from water.

So, if you’re someone who can’t compromise in quality at all, a countertop reverse osmosis filter may be a better option for your needs.

The pitcher has a handy design with a spout lid that allows pouring water without removing it. It also has a slim body and can be placed in the refrigerator easily.

The filter provides a very long life of 200 gallons of water, before requiring replacement. This can be of importance if you’re someone who doesn’t like having to replace filters too often.

It also comes with an indicator LED light, which provides information about the status of the filter. If it’s blue, everything is dandy.

Otherwise, a blinking red means the filter will soon need to be replaced.

And lastly, if the light is red and on all the time, it means you should immediately replace the filter since it has expired and is no longer fit for purifying water.


3. Seychelle Pitcher — Best Dual Filter

Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter
#3 Pick Best Dual Filter

Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter

★★★★☆ 9.2/10

This pitcher uses two filter cartridges instead of one for higher filtration rates. It removes chlorine, copper, lead, fluoride, and other contaminants effectively.

Dual Cartridges 200 Gallon Life BPA-Free Fast Filtration
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Pros

  • Dual filters provide a very high filtration rate
  • Very long filter life of 200 gallons per set
  • BPA-free construction for safe long-term use
  • Perfect for large households with high water consumption

Cons

  • Not efficient at removing all salts from water
  • Lower pitcher capacity of 0.5 gallons
  • Requires purchasing filter pairs for replacement

What sets the Seychelle Pitcher Water Filter apart from other water filter pitchers is that it uses two filter cartridges instead of the more usual single filter. This water filter that removes sodium provides much higher rates of filtration and is, thus, perfect for large households that might have high rates of water consumption.

Speed isn’t the only good thing about it though, as the filtered water is also of very high quality. It removes almost all the contaminants such as chlorine, copper, lead, fluoride, and copper, among many others.

But it’s not efficient at removing salts from the water. This means that it won’t be able to provide adequate filtering needs for well water.

But if the water is already coming from a disinfectant water supply, which is the case for many households, then it will be more than enough to provide exceptional quality drinking water.

The filters have a long life of around 200 gallons of water before a replacement is due. You’ll only need to replace the filters 3 to 4 times a year and will get around 3 to 4 months of use time for each pair of filters.

The plastic used in the design is BPA-free. This makes sure no matter how long you use this filter, the plastic won’t degrade and leak into your water.

The pitcher capacity, though, is on the lower end with around 0.5 gallons of water. It will require refilling more than usual pitchers but the provided speed more than makes up for it.


4. Reshape Alkaline — Best Alkaline

Reshape Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
#4 Pick Best Alkaline

Reshape Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher

★★★★☆ 9.0/10

This pitcher not only filters water but also alkalizes it by adding beneficial minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It uses a 4-stage filtration cartridge.

4-Stage Filtration Alkalizing Antioxidant BPA-Free ABS
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Pros

  • Mineralizes water with beneficial potassium and calcium
  • Negative charge on water helps act as an antioxidant
  • ABS and BPA-free plastic for durable long-term use
  • Good filtration speed under 15 minutes per fill

Cons

  • Filter life averages only 79 gallons
  • Pitcher capacity of 0.65 gallons is on the lower end
  • Added minerals may not be suitable for all diets

The Reshape Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher not only filters water but also alkalizes it at the same time. This neutralizes the pH level of water, and the added minerals also have health benefits.

These minerals include potassium, sodium, calcium, and more. This gives the water a similar structure to that of bottled mineral water and is a very cost-effective way of doing so.

The Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher has an extremely well-built mechanism of filtering water consisting of four distinct filters in the cartridge. The first of these filters the water passes through is the ion-exchange filter which primarily functions to soften the water but also removes a few floating contaminants.

Then the water goes through the activated carbon filter which removes heavy metals and other chemicals like pesticides. The third filter is the FIR balls filter which negatively charges the water passing through it.

Last, but not least, the filter is filled with negative potential particles that give off some potential to the water after which makes it work as an antioxidant inside the body.

High-quality ABS plastic gives the filter a sturdy built, and the BPA-free plastic used in the pitcher allows it to be safely used for as long as you like.

The filter life averages around 79 gallons, after which it requires replacing. It’s not something very exceptional but is good enough for most purposes.

The pitcher capacity is around 0.65 gallons, which is again not too great but suitable for general use. Plus, the filtration speed is quite good with the whole pitcher filling in under 15 minutes, so the problem of less capacity is somewhat remedied.


5. Brita Grand — Best Brand

Brita Grand Water Filter Pitcher
#5 Pick Best Brand

Brita Grand Water Filter Pitcher

★★★★☆ 8.8/10

This Brita pitcher uses multi-layer filtration with mesh screens, ion-exchange beads, and activated carbon to remove heavy metals, chlorine, cadmium, and sodium.

Multi-Layer Ion-Exchange Light Sensor Trusted Brand
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Pros

  • Top-notch quality filtering from a trusted brand
  • Replacement light sensor helps with timely filter changes
  • High-quality BPA-free design fits in refrigerators
  • Multi-layer filtration removes wide range of contaminants

Cons

  • Filter life of only 40 gallons requires frequent changes
  • Pitcher capacity of 0.6 gallons isn't very impressive
  • Quality comes at a trade-off with shorter filter life

Brita is a big name with water filters that remove sodium and that’s not without a reason. With state-of-the-art filters and efficient designs, you can’t go much wrong with a water filter from Brita.

If water quality is the most important thing for you then the Brita Grand Water Filter Pitcher is just the right choice with its top-notch filtering.

The filter cartridge has many layers, each with separate functionality. First, the water passes through two mesh screens, of which the first removes large contaminants and the other removes the smaller ones.

Next, the water goes through ion-exchange beads which function to make the water softer and remove some of the contaminants. Finally, an activated carbon filter removes all other remaining contaminants like heavy metals, chlorine, cadmium, and more.

The downside of high quality is though that the filter life isn’t that long. It requires changing after filtering 40 gallons of water.

So, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to replace filters too often, then you might have to look for something else.

But keep in mind that it’s almost always a trade-off between filter life and filter quality.

The filter is made with BPA-free plastic with an extremely handy design that allows easy use and can also fit in a refrigerator comfortably. The pitcher capacity is approximately 0.6 gallons of water.

This isn’t very impressive but is enough for general use.

The Brita Grand Water Filter Pitcher also comes with a light sensor to keep track of when the filter requires replacement. It turns yellow to indicate that the filter will soon need changing, and red when the filter should finally be replaced.


6. Dragon Alkaline — Best Capacity

Dragon Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
#6 Pick Best Capacity

Dragon Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher

★★★★☆ 8.6/10

This alkaline pitcher uses ion-exchange resin, tourmaline, mineral balls, and activated carbon for multi-layer filtration. It holds 1 gallon and enriches water with minerals.

1 Gallon Multi-Layer Mineral Enrichment 120 Gallon Life
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Pros

  • High-quality filtering with added remineralization
  • Capacious 1-gallon pitcher for practical household use
  • Decently long filter life of about 120 gallons
  • BPA-free construction with attractive design

Cons

  • Alkaline water may not be suitable for everyone
  • Multi-layer cartridge is more expensive to replace
  • Larger size takes up more refrigerator space

The Dragon Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher uses a highly complex filter cartridge to provide top-grade filtration. It not only removes contaminants from the water but also treats it with infrared all the while softening it with increasing the pH levels.

To achieve this, the cartridge uses multiple layers. The first layer functions to soften the water with an ion-exchange resin.

Afterward, the water goes through a tourmaline filter which makes it even softer.

The third layer has a filter of mineral balls. Here, firstly, the water has a lot of its contaminants removed and, secondly, is enriched with many minerals.

Finally, the activated carbon filter works to remove the rest of the contaminants.

The adding of minerals means the filtered water is healthy and provides naturally occurring minerals that are beneficial. These minerals include calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The filter has quite a long life of around 120 gallons. It’s towards the higher end of the spectrum and you won’t require replacements too often.

The pitcher is also very capacious, providing a maximum capacity of 1 gallon. This means that you won’t have to go through the hassle of having to refill the pitcher again and again.

The pitcher has a very nice-looking design and is made of BPA-free plastic, making it safe to use.

If you’re looking for something that provides the best of everything, then this is as close as you can get. High-quality filtering, mineralizing, long filter life, good design, and a pitcher with high capacity — it has it all.


7. Brita Metro — Best Compact

Brita 36092 Metro Filter Pitcher
#7 Pick Best Compact

Brita 36092 Metro Filter Pitcher

★★★★☆ 8.5/10

This slim and compact Brita pitcher holds 2 liters of water and fits easily anywhere including refrigerator doors. It provides high-quality Brita filtration in a small profile.

2-Liter Capacity Slim Design LED Indicator 4-Month Life
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Pros

  • Slim design allows placement almost anywhere
  • Can be used at home or while traveling
  • Good filter life only needs replacing every 4 months
  • LED indicator helps replace filter on time

Cons

  • Lower capacity may not suit larger households
  • Not suitable for heavily polluted water sources
  • Basic filtration compared to premium models

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller, then the Brita 36092 Metro Filter Pitcher might be just what you need. It provides the high-end quality that’s distinctive of water filters from Brita.

It’s generally very suitable for single person use.

The filtering quality is decent enough for general use but might not be suitable for filtering water if it’s very polluted. The best use case is when the water is already filtered enough by the municipality, where it works to remove the remaining contaminants.

This makes sure that the water you’re using is fit enough for drinking.

As mentioned before, the capacity is low but that’s a feature and not a drawback. It can hold around 2 liters of water which is the amount of water an adult should be consuming daily.

The small capacity makes its design elegant and slim allowing it to be easily fit anywhere. You can place it in your refrigerator easily, even in the fridge door.

The filter life is also long enough and generally needs replacing only once every four months. This means that you won’t have to face the inconvenience of changing filters frequently.

The filter also has an indicator LED to let the user when the filter is no longer suitable for use. It stays green when the filter is functioning properly and turns yellow when it’s about to expire.

Finally, it turns red to indicate that the filter should now be replaced with a new one.


8. PUR LED 11-Cup — Best Filtration

PUR LED 11-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher
#8 Pick Best Filtration

PUR LED 11-Cup Water Filtration Pitcher

★★★★ 8.3/10

This PUR pitcher uses a 3-step filtration process with tight mesh, coconut shell activated carbon, and ion-exchange for supreme quality water purification.

3-Step Filtration Coconut Carbon Ion-Exchange LED Indicator
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Pros

  • Very high-quality filtering you won't find elsewhere
  • Easy to handle with an elegant sturdy build
  • BPA-free construction with LED filter indicator
  • Coconut shell carbon provides effective adsorption

Cons

  • Filter life of only 40 gallons requires frequent changes
  • Pitcher capacity of 0.68 gallons may not be enough
  • Need to buy replacement filters in bulk for convenience

Supreme quality filtering is something PUR products don’t compromise on, and this product is evidence enough. The PUR Water Filtration Pitcher removes a lot more contaminants from water than the usual ones like debris, and chlorine.

The filter cartridge uses a highly effective 3-step technology of filtration for doing so. In the first step, the water passed goes through a tight mesh.

Here, the larger contaminants from water are filtered away.

Then, the water goes through an activated carbon filter. It’s made up of, strangely enough, coconut shells with a surface of pores.

Through adsorption, the contaminants get attracted to the carbon and are, therefore, removed from the water.

In the final step, the water goes through an ion-exchange filter where certain minerals get removed like magnesium and calcium.

As said before, high-quality comes with a compromise of lower filter life. This can be seen here as well as the filter has a filtering capacity of only around 40 gallons.

You’ll have to change filters with new ones quite a bit and so buying them in good quantity at once would be helpful. Otherwise, it might become too much of a hassle.

The pitcher capacity is around 0.68 gallons, which is suitable for general use but might not be enough for greater than average consumption. The build is quite sturdy and uses BPA-free plastic and is very easy to handle.

It also comes with an LED indicator for filter replacement information.


9. Lake Industries — Best Mineral Enrichment

Lake Industries Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher
#9 Pick Best Mineral Enrichment

Lake Industries Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher

★★★★ 8.1/10

This alkaline pitcher uses a 4-stage filtration process including a mineral stone filter that neutralizes sodium ions and enriches water with potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

4-Stage Filtration Mineral Stones Sodium Neutralizing 2.5 Gallon
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Pros

  • High-quality filtering with mineral enrichment
  • Mineral stone filter neutralizes sodium ions directly
  • Cheap and easy-to-replace filter cartridges
  • Standard 2.5-gallon capacity suits most households

Cons

  • Filter life of only 40 gallons is on the shorter end
  • Marketed as 7-stage but effectively 4-stage process
  • Mineralized water taste may not appeal to everyone

Another good water filter that also serves to alkalize is the Alkaline Water Filter Pitcher from Lake Industries. It’s marketed to use a very efficient 7-stage filtration technology, but it’s the same as the usual 4-stage process used by many other water filters. But that doesn’t take anything away from its high-quality.

The first filter used is a net. It removes all kinds of larger impurities from the past water.

Then comes the activated carbon filter which removes several of the contaminants.

In the third step, the water goes through an ion-exchange filter which removes most of the mineral impurities. Lastly, there’s a mineral stone filter that neutralizes sodium ions previously in the water and also adds certain minerals to enrich the water.

The result is supreme quality water, free of impurities and with added minerals. These minerals include a mix of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and others.

It serves the same purpose as bottled mineral water.

As with previously discussed filters, this quality comes at a compromise of low filter life. So, filter life here is only 40 gallons of water.

But the filters are relatively very cheap and easy to replace, so it’s not that much of an issue.

The pitcher has a capacity of 2.5 gallons which is quite standard and is suitable for most household needs. It also has a simplistic and neat design, and the pitcher can be placed easily in a refrigerator.


Factors to Consider When Buying a Water Filter That Removes Sodium

When choosing a water filter that removes sodium, there are several important factors to keep in mind. Not all filters are created equal, and the right choice depends on your specific situation.

Filtration Technology: Look for filters that use ion-exchange resin, reverse osmosis, or activated carbon combined with other media. These technologies are the most effective at reducing sodium levels in drinking water.

Filter Life: Consider how often you’ll need to replace the filter cartridge. Filters range from 40 gallons to 200 gallons of capacity.

Longer life means less hassle and potentially lower long-term costs.

Pitcher Capacity: If you’ve a large household, a bigger pitcher like the Dragon Alkaline with its 1-gallon capacity will be more practical. Smaller pitchers work well for individuals or couples.

Certifications: Look for ANSI, NSF, or WQA certifications that verify the filter actually removes the contaminants it claims. Certified filters give you confidence in the quality of your drinking water.

Additional Benefits: Some filters also alkalize or mineralize the water, adding beneficial minerals while removing harmful contaminants. Consider whether these extra features align with your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard carbon filters won't cut it for sodium — the molecules are too small to catch. You'll need something with ion-exchange resin, reverse osmosis, or specialized media that's designed to target dissolved salts.

Small amounts are fine for most healthy adults. But if you've got high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney issues, even the sodium from softened water can add up. The EPA suggests staying under 20 mg/L if you're on a very low sodium diet.

They do opposite things. A softener adds sodium to swap out the calcium and magnesium that cause hard water. A sodium-removing filter does the reverse — it pulls dissolved sodium out of your drinking water. Many people use both: a softener for the whole house and a sodium filter at the kitchen tap.

It depends on the model and how much water you go through. Most pitcher filters last somewhere between 40 and 200 gallons. When the indicator light comes on or the water starts tasting different, it's time for a swap.

Final Thoughts

Sodium removal isn't something every water filter does, so you need to be intentional about choosing one that actually targets it. Ion-exchange resin and specialized media are your best bets in a pitcher format.

The PUR Pitcher with Lead Reduction is our top pick for combining sodium removal with broad contaminant protection. If budget is your priority, the Waterdrop Chubby delivers solid filtration at a lower price point.

Whatever you choose, check your water first so you know what sodium levels you're actually dealing with. That way you can pick the right filter and monitor whether it's making a real difference.

Tim Rhodes
Tim Rhodes
Founder & Water Quality Researcher

I've spent over six years researching residential water treatment systems, from whole-house filtration setups to point-of-use filters and tankless heaters. I built The Water Nerd to give homeowners the same level of product analysis that professionals rely on, without the jargon or sales pressure.

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