Choosing between a water dispenser vs filter pitcher for clean, tasty water at home can be tough. This guide compares both, examining pros, cons, and other details to help you choose wisely. It all comes down to weighing what’s most important to you.
Both water dispensers and filter pitchers provide filtered water, but they differ in cost, convenience, and aesthetics. Understanding these key differences makes your decision much easier.
Table of Contents:
- Water Dispensers: A Closer Look
- Water Filter Pitchers: Simple and Effective
- Cost Comparison: Water Dispenser vs Filter Pitcher
- The Best Option for Your Needs
- FAQs about water dispenser vs filter pitcher
- Conclusion
Water Dispensers: A Closer Look
Water dispensers provide instant chilled, hot, or room temperature water. They are great for larger families or office spaces. These dispensers use carbon filters and other filtration systems to remove common water impurities, giving you safe and refreshing water.
Types of Water Dispensers
- Top-Loading: These dispensers hold large water bottles upside down, which can be heavy to replace. They are budget-friendly and suitable for most homes.
- Bottom-Loading: These dispensers load water bottles from the bottom, eliminating heavy lifting and offering a sleeker look. They typically have a higher upfront cost.
- Bottleless: These dispensers connect directly to your water supply, eliminating the need for plastic water jugs and water delivery. However, they require ongoing maintenance and filter replacement for their advanced filtration.
Benefits
Besides offering different water temperatures, dispensers encourage better hydration. They can even become social hubs in offices.
Imagine easy access to drinks for your family or coworkers. Water dispensers reduce plastic waste from bottled water brands. They offer a convenient water option that everyone can appreciate. Choosing the best water option for you might depend on several factors, but a water dispenser is usually a popular option.
Drawbacks
Water dispensers need dedicated space, and bottleless models require regular maintenance. The bigger unit can be inconvenient for some spaces.
Learn about proper water dispenser maintenance before purchasing one.
Water Filter Pitchers: Simple and Effective
A water filter pitcher is a good choice if you prefer something compact. These pitchers use activated carbon filters. This process improves your tap water by reducing the chlorine taste and removing heavy metals.
Benefits of Using a Filter Pitcher
Filter pitchers provide small amounts of filtered water, ideal for individuals or small families. They fit easily in refrigerators, offering continuous access to cool water.
Pitchers are portable, convenient, and inexpensive. They remove many common impurities. Reverse osmosis systems offer more comprehensive filtration if needed. The benefit of filtration pitchers is improving water quality with lower costs and less maintenance.
Pitcher Drawbacks
While affordable and available in many shapes and sizes, pitchers have some downsides. They offer basic filtration, removing impurities and heavy metals, but maybe not all contaminants. The type of contaminant found will change depending on your water supply.
You also have to refill them frequently due to their smaller capacity. However, filtration pitchers remain an excellent option for small-scale, personal use.
Cost Comparison: Water Dispenser vs Filter Pitcher
Filter pitchers are cheaper upfront and their replacement filters are also less expensive. Compared to buying bottled water, using a filter pitcher saves you hundreds of dollars annually.
Bottled water gets expensive quickly. A dispenser’s higher upfront cost offsets the long-term cost of bottled water. This makes having readily available cold and hot water more accessible.
The yearly cost of bottled water delivery adds up. A Brita filter pitcher costs around $70 annually for filtering water, while bottled water costs about $252 per year on average. Using filter pitchers versus constantly buying water brands makes financial sense.
The Best Option for Your Needs
Consider an office water cooler if you need quick and easy access in a workplace setting. Dispensers are also ideal if your house filtration is a major concern.
Tankless instant hot water dispensers are increasingly popular in office settings and homes, providing on-demand hot water for coffee and tea. Dispensers provide a wide range of uses such as preparing drinks or food that need a higher water temperature.
If you have limited space, a filter pitcher is a great choice. Both pitchers and dispensers help reduce plastic waste. They also offer healthier drinking water through water filtration, minimizing health risks related to water contaminants.
FAQs about water dispenser vs filter pitcher
Which is better, a water dispenser or a water filter?
The best choice depends on your needs. A dispenser offers instant hot or cold water and is suitable for larger households or office spaces. A filter pitcher is better for smaller households or limited spaces due to its portability, affordability, and space-saving design.
Should I get a water filter pitcher or bottled water?
A filter pitcher is a more environmentally friendly and financially sound choice than bottled water. Plastic water bottles contribute to landfills, while filter pitchers offer significant cost savings. Plus, they improve the taste of your tap water.
Are water filter pitchers worth it?
Yes, water filter pitchers offer a cost-effective way to access cleaner, healthier drinking water at home. The average home uses approximately 300 gallons of water every day, emphasizing the importance of water filtration and purification.
It’s estimated that 75% of Americans are dehydrated. Filter pitchers offer convenient access to good water, encouraging better hydration habits. They effectively remove water impurities, improving the overall quality of your drinking water.
Water is crucial for our health, making up about 60% of our bodies and 73% of our brains. Filtered water can contribute significantly to good health.
Are faucet filters better than pitchers?
Faucet filters typically remove more impurities than pitcher filters due to having larger surface areas and sometimes employing multiple filter stages like sediment, carbon, and ion exchange. They are generally harder to install and maintain, as they must be attached to your existing faucet or sink requiring additional installation and possibly plumbing modifications. Their filter replacements may also be slightly more involved compared to filter pitchers where you just need to lift out the filter to remove impurities.
While not as thorough in filtration as faucet models, pitchers offer easier filter replacement. Simply lift the old filter out of the top compartment and replace it. Faucet filters often require accessing the underside of the sink for filter changes.
Conclusion
Choosing between a water dispenser and a filter pitcher depends on your individual lifestyle. Both options provide you with fresh, clean water and many benefits.
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or work in an office, both water dispensers and filter pitchers make it easy to access clean, filtered water. They eliminate the need for constant water bottle deliveries, reducing plastic waste. Upgrading to a dispenser or pitcher immediately improves your daily water intake, making hydration convenient and enjoyable.