Are Brita Water Filters Universal?

If you buy your Brita water filter new, then it should come with some replacement filters, but at some point, you’ll need to restock if you keep up with changing them on schedule. Then comes the task of finding out which Brita filter you need. That leads to the question: are Brita water filters universal, or do they only match specific models?

Brita water filters are not universal. There are several Brita pitcher models, and each one takes a specific sized filter. Still, Standard and Longlast filters will work on their respective pitchers and vice versa. Brita Stream filters will only work on Brita Stream pitchers.

In the rest of this article, I’ll go over all the different types of Brita pitchers and filters as well as basic Brita care and maintenance so you can keep yours in working order for as long as possible. 

What Are the Different Models of Brita Pitcher Filters?

The three different Brita pitcher filter models are the Brita Standard, the Brita Longlast+, and the Brita Stream. Brita stream filters only fit Brita Stream devices, while you can use the Standard and Longlast+ Filters on most Brita pitchers. 

Brita Standard Filters

The Brita Standard water filters are just that. They’re standard. 

These filters remove most contaminants from the water and fit every Brita pitcher, except the Stream pitchers. 

They’re also the cheapest option and are best if you’re not planning on filtering a ton of water. Standard filters last for around two months on average, and, in that time, they can filter approximately 40 gallons (151.42 L) of water before their effectiveness goes down.

Brita Longlast+ Filters

The Longlast+ filters are similar to the Standard filters in size and fit, but they generally filter more water before they expire. 

Just like the Standard filters, they fit almost every Brita pitcher, which is great if you’re not sure which model pitcher you have. 

These filters also remove up to 99% of lead from drinking water which is excellent if you have older pipes in your home.

The most significant difference between Brita’s Standard and Longlast+ filters is that the Longlast+ filters last 3x longer than the Standard ones. 

On average, you’ll only need to change your filter twice per year with these water filters. 

Stream Filters

The last type of Brita filter that we’ll be discussing today is the Stream filter. The most significant difference between this filter and the other types of filters is that the Brita Stream is designed to filter the water as you’re pouring it into the pitcher. 

So you’ll pour the water directly from your faucet into the filter, and it’ll go through that before emptying into your faucet or container. So as soon as your water hits the container, it’ll be safe to drink.

Like the Standard filters, you should change out your Stream filter every two months or after filtering approximately 40 gallons (151.42 L) of water. Just like all Brita filters, they are 100% recyclable.

How Long Do Brita Filters Last?

Brita filters will last anywhere from 2-6 months, depending on the filter. Brita Stream and Standard water filters last around two months and can filter about 40 gallons (151.42 L) on average before you need to replace them. The Longlast+ can filter 120 gallons (454.25 L) for around six months.

Do Brita Filters Go Bad?

Brita filters don’t go bad as long as you keep them sealed in their packaging in a cool, dry place where they can’t be damaged by temperature or the sun. The one issue you may run into is that they’ll dry out over time, but that just takes a quick soak to correct.

Do All Brita Filters Fit All Brita Devices?

Not all Brita filters fit in all Brita devices. Still, most filters are compatible with all Brita pitchers, but some products will still need specific filters to function correctly.

Brita manufactures much more than just the pitchers that your grandma used to keep in her fridge. They also sell faucet filters and water bottles, amongst other things. 

All of these different devices come in different generations and sizes, so you’ll have to purchase a filter that is custom-tailored to each one. 

In this article, the only filters I discussed were the filters designed for the water pitchers. Even in that small line, the filters aren’t universal because you can only use the Stream filters with Stream pitchers.