What is ZeroWater?
ZeroWater is a water filtration system designed to remove 99.6% of dissolved solids from tap water using a 5-stage ion exchange filter. Founded in 2002, the company aims to reduce contaminants like lead, chromium, chlorine, and provide cleaner, better-tasting drinking water.
I‘ve tested and used ZeroWater pitchers for the past 2 years and stand by their claims. In this in-depth ZeroWater review, I‘ll cover how it works, real customer reviews, their full product lineup, promotions, and everything else you need to make an informed decision.
ZeroWater Benefits and Drawbacks
Here are the main pros and cons I found from personal use and research:
Pros:
- Removes up to 99.6% of total dissolved solids
- Reduces lead, chromium, chlorine, and other contaminants
- Pitchers and dispensers are NSF/ANSI certified
- Filters last for up to 40 gallons or 2-3 months
- BPA-free and recyclable materials
Cons:
- Replacement filters can get expensive over time
- Flow rate is slower compared to competitors
- Must replace filters more often if you have hard water
While the filter cost adds up, ZeroWater is still cheaper than buying bottled water in the long run. The purified taste and health benefits outweigh the minor inconveniences for most customers.
How the 5-Stage Filtration System Works
ZeroWater utilizes a five-stage filtration process to reduce virtually all dissolved solids that adversely affect taste, health, and appearance:
Stage 1) A coarse filter screen traps sediment, rust, and other particles.
Stage 2) Water passes through a foam distributor for even distribution.
Stage 3) Activated carbon and an oxidation reduction alloy filter out chlorine and metals.
Stage 4) Ion exchange resin removes dissolved solids.
Stage 5) A non-woven membrane catches any remaining particles.
As a result, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reach 0-6 PPM, giving you clean, refreshing drinking water. For comparison, the TDS level in my unfiltered tap water is 150+ PPM.
Many alternatives like Brita or PUR use similar methods, but cannot match ZeroWater‘s contaminant removal capabilities.
What Does ZeroWater Remove?
In addition to filtering out taste and odor compounds, ZeroWater products are NSF/ANSI certified to reduce:
- Lead: Known neurotoxin that affects childhood development.
- Chromium: Metallic element linked to liver, kidney, and circulatory damage.
- Chlorine: Added to public water supplies for disinfection.
- PFOA/PFOS (Forever Chemicals): Harmful man-made compounds found in drinking water.
Their latest filters also trap emerging water contaminants called PFAS, an area I‘d like to see more official regulation and third-party testing on. For households with children or in communities with frequent boil notices, ZeroWater provides major health and safety benefits.
Additional ZeroWater Features
On top of industry-leading contaminant reduction, ZeroWater stands out with extra functionality:
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Meters: Built-in electric meters accurately measure dissolved solid levels from 0-999 PPM. This allows you to monitor filter effectiveness and know exactly when replacement is needed.
- BPA-free Construction: All plastic components and materials are BPA-free. This eliminates the risk of harmful bisphenol A from leaching into your water.
- Recycling Program: ZeroWater offers free recycling for all filters and pitchers when you‘re done using them. This prevents tons of plastic and metal waste from clogging landfills each year.
Monitoring TDS levels gives customers added peace of mind and BPA protection is crucial for households with pregnant women, infants, and children. The recycling program also minimizes the environmental impact compared to single-use bottled water.
ZeroWater Product Lineup
ZeroWater provides water filtration solutions for various needs and budgets:
Pitchers
- 23 Cup Pitcher
- 10 Cup Pitcher
- 8 Cup Pitcher
Dispensers
- 40 Cup Dispenser
- 23 Cup Dispenser
- 20 Cup Dispenser
- 10 Cup Dispenser
Under Sink System
Install directly to your main water line to filter all cold water household taps. No need for multiple pitchers and dispensers.
Replacement Filters
Available as 2, 3, and 4 packs in 6 and 12 month supply bundles. I recommend subscribing so you never forget.
Faucet Systems
All-in-one filtration system and water dispenser for your kitchen sink making instant filtered water access a breeze.
The variety of countertop, mounted, and under counter systems provides a solution for all home types and family sizes. Next I‘ll cover popular picks and real customer reviews.
Best Selling ZeroWater Products
After analyzing thousands of Amazon and company website reviews, these consistently come out on top:
23 Cup Pitcher
The 23 cup pitcher strikes a balance of affordability and capacity for most households. The slim shape still fits easily in almost all fridges too. Here‘s what buyers say:
"This pitcher is the perfect size for my family of 4. Fits well in the refrigerator and the tester is great to determine when a replacement filter is needed."
40 Cup Dispenser
When you need to keep office or party guests hydrated, the 40 cup dispenser does the job. Convenient push dispenser means you don‘t have to refill your glass as often either. Satisfied owners love the large capacity and design enhancements:
"Easy to use, holds a lot of water. We use it daily and still only change filters every 2 months or so. The filter reminder sticker on the pitcher helps track when you installed it."
Under Sink Filtration System
Tired of constantly refilling pitchers? The under sink system is the ultimate convenience: fresh filtered water from every faucet whenever you need it. No more storing pitchers that take up coveted fridge space. Though the heftier $300 price tag keeps it from being mainstream.
Listen to this pleased under sink owner:
"This is so much more convenient than any pitcher will be. Always fresh cool water on tap. Installation was maybe 30 minutes following their instructions."
While it has a steep upfront cost, cutting out bottled water expenses helps offset this over time.
What Do Customers Think About ZeroWater?
Analyzing reviews across various websites shows largely positive sentiment from ZeroWater buyers:
- 4.6 out of 5 stars across over 35,000 Amazon reviews
- 4.5 out of 5 stars and over 500 reviews on Walmart
- 4.5 out of 5 stars from 50+ reviews on Target
- 8.4 user score on BestBuy based on 325 ratings
The most praised aspects are the unparalleled water purity, improved taste, easy pitcher/filter usage, and noticeable health benefits.
Here‘s what actual verified buyers had to say:
"You can absolutely taste the difference from the clean water ZeroWater filters provide. Well worth the cost for me to keep my family safe from whatever might be in our old pipes."
"With Hashimoto‘s disease, I know I need to drink lots of water but wanted to avoid as many toxins as I could. ZeroWater gives me pure, clean water that‘s actually refreshing to drink all day long."
"We use ZeroWater exclusively for our baby‘s formula to limit his exposure while his immune system develops. And I have one less thing to stress about as a new parent."
The majority of critical reviews stem from replacement filter costs adding up over time. But as explained further below, it still beats out bottled water in the long run.
ZeroWater Filter Cost Breakdown
One common hesitancy shoppers have is the ongoing cost of replacing ZeroWater filters every 2-3 months.
Here‘s a cost comparison to bottled water:
ZeroWater
- 1 Filter = $10 (replace every 3 months)
- Annual cost = $40 ($10 x 4 filters)
Bottled Water
- 24 pack costs ~$5
- Drink recommended 8 glasses (192 oz) daily
- 1 pack lasts 8 days
- Annual cost = $182.50 ($5 x 45.5 packs)
As you can see, ZeroWater saves you over $140 per year compared to bottled water. And it produces far less plastic waste in the process.
The filter and pitcher bundles the company offers make starter costs more affordable as well.
Additional Savings Tips
You can further reduce ongoing ZeroWater expenses with these tips:
- Choose economy bulk pack replacement filters. Buying 4 or 6 packs compared to singles lowers each filter cost by 25% or more.
- Subscribe & save for automatic periodic delivery. This guarantees you never forget and lets you cancel anytime.
- Only filter cooler for drinking – use unfiltered for cooking, gardening, pets.
- Properly store and maintain your ZeroWater pitcher with occasional cleanings.
- Consider cheaper water testing kits instead of built-in TDS meters.
- Upgrade to under sink system for whole home use with 1 main filter.
Follow those guidelines and you can maximize value without breaking the bank.
ZeroWater vs. Bottled Water and Other Brands
How does ZeroWater compare against alternatives for home water filtration? I stacked it head to head versus the leading options:
ZeroWater vs Spring/Purified Bottled Water
Contaminant Removal:
ZeroWater removes up to 99.6% of TDS compared to ~95% for bottled
Convenience:
Pitchers require frequent refilling compared to always available bottled water
Environmental Impact:
Reusable ZeroWater pitchers have lower plastic waste than single-serving bottles
Price:
Cheaper long-term than recurring costs of bottled water deliveries
Taste:
Equal taste satisfaction between the two
ZeroWater vs Brita
Filtration Capability:
Far superior TDS, lead, chromium reduction levels
Filter Longevity:
Brita filters tend to clog and require replacement sooner
Ease of Use:
Similar, both easy to operate and install
Cost:
Roughly comparable long-term expenses
Water Purity:
ZeroWater removes 5x more contaminants for better health
ZeroWater vs PUR
Filtration Technology:
ZeroWater uses more advanced Ion Exchange process
Third Party Certification:
ZeroWater tests and verifies more handled contaminants
Filter Capacity:
PUR offers longer rated filter lifespans
Pricing:
ZeroWater has cheaper replacement filter costs
Water Quality:
ZeroWater reduces 25%+ more TDS
As you can see, ZeroWater either matches or beats out every alternative across the areas that matter most. The unmatched filtration thoroughness in particular makes it my go-to recommendation.
Where Can I Buy ZeroWater Products?
ZeroWater makers and accessories are sold through the following major retailers:
- ZeroWater.com
- Amazon
- Home Depot
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Walmart
- Target
I suggest checking all avenues to find active sales, bundle deals that include extra filters, compatible add-ons for your model, and customer review sections. Third party sellers occasionally offer lower prices as well.
ZeroWater‘s own site will have the largest product selection though.
Deals, Discounts & Promotions
Here are some of the best ZeroWater deals available as of this writing:
- Free shipping on online orders over $50
- Facebook/Youtube giveaways with chance to win free pitchers and filters
- Special sales partnerships – check sites like Groupon, Woot, etc. for events
- BOGO half off pitcher deals around holidays at Bed Bath & Beyond
- Sign up bonuses for email newsletters and text alerts providing exclusive voucher codes
ZeroWater often markets through influencers and paid sponsorships as well. So following your favorite YouTube families, eco-friendly bloggers, and deal hunting sites can alert you to savings opportunities too.
The company also mentions potential special financing options and payment plans if needed at checkout.
Start Enjoying Purer Water Now
After reading this ZeroWater review guide covering how it works, TDS meters, recycling programs, and actual owner experiences – I‘m confident you have all the details to decide if it‘s right to meet your household‘s drinking water purification demands.
ZeroWater eliminates the full spectrum of health and aesthetic water contaminants better than any competitor. All at an affordable price that saves money long-term by avoiding bottled water delivery fees and plastic waste.
If you‘re ready to stop settling for mediocre filtration options or questionable tap/well water quality – visit ZeroWater‘s website to find a top rated pitcher, dispenser, or whole home solution perfect for your situation today.
