How often should you change a water filter?
By the brands' own ratings: pitcher filters about every 2 months, faucet-mount filters about every 3 months, under-sink filters about every 12 months, reverse osmosis filter stages about every 12 months, whole-house filters about every 6 months (medians across the filters we track). Change a filter at its gallon rating or month limit, whichever comes first; a busy household reaches the gallon limit sooner.
Rated filter life, by filter
| Filter | Type | Cartridge | Gallons | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita Denali 6-cup pitcher (Elite filter) | Pitcher | Brita Elite Filter OB06 | 120 | 6 |
| Brita Denali 6-cup pitcher (Original filter) | Pitcher | Brita Original (Standard) Filter OB03 | 40 | 2 |
| Brita Tahoe pitcher (Elite filter) | Pitcher | Brita Elite Filter OB06 | 120 | 6 |
| Brita Tahoe pitcher (Standard filter) | Pitcher | Brita Original (Standard) Filter OB03 | 40 | 2 |
| Clearly Filtered pitcher | Pitcher | Clearly Filtered Pitcher Replacement Filter (P-RF / CF-PRF) | 100 | — |
| Epic Water Filters Pure XP pitcher | Pitcher | Epic Pure XP Filter (EW-RPFT-PXP-01; cased filter or inner cartridge) | 100 | 3 |
| Hydros 64 oz glass pitcher | Pitcher | Hydros Fast Flo coconut-carbon filter | 40 | 2 |
| LARQ Pitcher 2 | Pitcher | LARQ Advanced Pitcher Filter (PAFR190B) | 60 | 2 |
| LARQ Pitcher PureVis | Pitcher | LARQ Advanced Pitcher Filter (PAFR190B) | 60 | 2 |
| LifeStraw Home 7-cup pitcher | Pitcher | LifeStraw Home Replacement Carbon + Ion Exchange Filter (single) | 40 | 2 |
| LifeStraw Home 7-cup pitcher | Pitcher | LifeStraw Home Replacement Membrane Microfilter | 264 | 12 |
| PUR 7-cup pitcher (basic filter) | Pitcher | PUR Pitcher Filter PPF900Z | 40 | 2 |
| PUR PLUS 11-cup pitcher | Pitcher | PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher Filter PPF951K | 40 | 2 |
| Waterdrop Elfin pitcher PT-05 | Pitcher | Waterdrop WD-PF-01A Plus replacement filter | 200 | 3 |
| Waterdrop Lucid 10-cup pitcher | Pitcher | Waterdrop WD-PF-01A Plus replacement filter (3-pack) | 200 | 3 |
| ZeroWater 10-cup pitcher | Pitcher | ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement Filter (ZR-001 / ZF-201), 1 pack | 15 | — |
| Brita UltraMax dispenser (Elite filter) | Dispenser | Brita Elite Filter OB06 | 120 | 6 |
| Brita UltraMax dispenser (Original filter) | Dispenser | Brita Original (Standard) Filter OB03 | 40 | 2 |
| Epic Water Filters Pure XP dispenser | Dispenser | Epic Pure XP Filter (EW-RPFT-PXP-01; cased filter or inner cartridge) | 100 | 3 |
| PUR 44-cup dispenser (2 filters) | Dispenser | PUR Pitcher Filter PPF900Z (set of 2, used together) | 80 | 2 |
| PUR PLUS 30-cup dispenser | Dispenser | PUR PLUS Lead Reducing Pitcher Filter PPF951K | 40 | 2 |
| ZeroWater 32-cup Ready-Read dispenser | Dispenser | ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement Filter (ZR-001 / ZF-201) | 15 | — |
| ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) | Dispenser | ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement Filter (ZR-001 / ZF-201) (set of 2, used together) | 30 | — |
| Brita Elite faucet filter | Faucet-mount | Brita Faucet Filter FR-200 | 100 | 4 |
| PUR Faucet filter (basic, horizontal) | Faucet-mount | PUR Faucet Filter RF-3375 | 100 | 3 |
| PUR PLUS faucet filter | Faucet-mount | PUR PLUS Mineral Core Faucet Filter RF-9999 | 100 | 3 |
| Alexapure Pro gravity filter (Gen 2) | Countertop filter | Alexapure Pro Gen2 gravity filter | 200 | — |
| Aquasana Clean Water Machine | Countertop filter | Aquasana Clean Water Machine filter AQ-CWM2-R | 300 | 6 |
| Berkey Big Berkey | Countertop filter | Black Berkey Elements BB9-2 (pair, ships standard) | — | — |
| Berkey Big Berkey | Countertop filter | Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition elements PGF9-2 (pair, optional replacement) | 5,500 | — |
| Berkey Travel Berkey | Countertop filter | Black Berkey Elements BB9-2 (pair) | 6,000 | — |
| Brita Hub countertop filter | Countertop filter | Brita Hub filter CT01 | 120 | 6 |
| Culligan Scout gravity system (2.25 gal) | Countertop filter | Culligan MaxClear MCF701 gravity filter | 50 | 6 |
| Culligan Venture gravity system (3 gal) | Countertop filter | Culligan MaxClear MCF701 gravity filter | 50 | 6 |
| Ninja HydraSense | Countertop filter | Ninja HydraSense Filter Replacement XSKWATFILSUS (1-pack; 2-pack XSKWATFIL2PK) | 120 | 6 |
| Waterdrop Countertop faucet filter CTF-01 | Countertop filter | Waterdrop WD-CFF-01 | 8,000 | 12 |
| Waterdrop King Tank gravity filter (2.25 gal) | Countertop filter | Waterdrop WD-BB9 black filter (pair) | 6,000 | — |
| AquaTru Carafe | Countertop reverse osmosis | 10AT100SF01 Pre/Carbon filter | 300 | 6 |
| AquaTru Carafe | Countertop reverse osmosis | 10AT100RF01 Reverse Osmosis filter | 600 | 24 |
| AquaTru Carafe | Countertop reverse osmosis | 10AT100VF01 VOC filter | 300 | 12 |
| AquaTru Classic | Countertop reverse osmosis | AT2001 Pre/Carbon filter | 600 | 6 |
| AquaTru Classic | Countertop reverse osmosis | AT2002 Reverse Osmosis filter | 1,200 | 24 |
| AquaTru Classic | Countertop reverse osmosis | AT2003 VOC carbon filter | 600 | 12 |
| AquaTru Classic | Countertop reverse osmosis | AT2004 VOC + pH Mineral Boost (optional alternative) | 600 | 12 |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Countertop reverse osmosis | PP sediment filter | — | 12 |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Countertop reverse osmosis | CTO carbon filter | — | 12 |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Countertop reverse osmosis | RO filter | — | 24 |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Countertop reverse osmosis | PCF post-carbon filter | — | 12 |
| Bluevua RO100ROPOT | Countertop reverse osmosis | Remineralization filter | — | — |
| Bluevua ROPOT-Lite | Countertop reverse osmosis | 5-in-1 composite filter (PP, CTO, PP, RO, post carbon) | — | 12 |
| Bluevua ROPOT-Lite | Countertop reverse osmosis | Remineralization filters, dual pack (2 filters) | — | 12 |
| iSpring RCD100 | Countertop reverse osmosis | FPC100 PP + CTO composite | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCD100 | Countertop reverse osmosis | MCD100 RO membrane | — | 24 |
| iSpring RCD100 | Countertop reverse osmosis | FCB100 post carbon | — | 12 |
| SimPure Y7P-BW | Countertop reverse osmosis | Y7 CF composite filter | — | 6 |
| SimPure Y7P-BW | Countertop reverse osmosis | Y7 RO filter | — | 6 |
| Waterdrop K19-H | Countertop reverse osmosis | WD-K19RF (6-in-1 composite incl. RO) | 1,100 | 12 |
| A. O. Smith AO-US-200 2-Stage Under Sink | Under-sink filter | AO-US-200-R 2-stage replacement filter | 500 | 6 |
| Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage | Under-sink filter | Claryum 2-Stage Filter Replacements (AQ-C2-R) | 500 | 6 |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage | Under-sink filter | Claryum 3-Stage Filter Replacements (AQ-C3-R: 2 Claryum filters + 5 micron pre-filter) | 600 | 6 |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow | Under-sink filter | Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Filter Replacements (2 filters + 5 micron pre-filter) | 800 | 6 |
| Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect | Under-sink filter | Claryum Direct Connect Replacement Cartridge (AQ-MF-1-R) | 784 | 6 |
| Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink | Under-sink filter | 3-Stage Under the Sink Replacement Filters (UTS-RF, set of 3) | 2,000 | 12 |
| Frizzlife MK99 | Under-sink filter | FZ-2 replacement cartridge | 800 | 6 |
| Frizzlife SK99 | Under-sink filter | M3001 sediment (stage 1) | — | 6 |
| Frizzlife SK99 | Under-sink filter | M3002 carbon C1 (stage 2) | — | 12 |
| Frizzlife SK99 | Under-sink filter | M3003 carbon C2 (stage 3) | 945 | 18 |
| Frizzlife SK99 | Under-sink filter | M3005 full set (4-pack, 1-year) | — | 12 |
| Multipure Aqualuxe | Under-sink filter | Aqualuxe Filter CBLX | 500 | — |
| Multipure Aquaperform | Under-sink filter | Aquaperform Filter CB11As | 600 | — |
| Multipure Aquapremier | Under-sink filter | Aquapremier Filter CBXT | 340 | — |
| Multipure Aquaversa | Under-sink filter | Aquaversa Filter CB6 | 750 | 12 |
| Pentair Everpure H-1200 | Under-sink filter | H-1200 replacement cartridge set EV928201 (2 cartridges) | 1,000 | 12 |
| Pentair Everpure H-300-NXT | Under-sink filter | H-300-NXT replacement cartridge EV927441 | 300 | 12 |
| Waterdrop 10UA | Under-sink filter | WD-RF10 replacement | 11,000 | 12 |
| Waterdrop 15UC | Under-sink filter | WD-RF15 replacement | 19,000 | 24 |
| A. O. Smith Direct Flow RO AOS-DFRO800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AOS-DFRO-CPP stage 1 & 3 composite | 365 | 6 |
| A. O. Smith Direct Flow RO AOS-DFRO800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AOS-DFRO-ROM RO membrane | 730 | 12 |
| A. O. Smith RO with Microbial Boost AO-US-RO-MB-4000 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AO-US-RO-MB-R Claryum, carbon and microbial remineralizer set | 365 | 6 |
| A. O. Smith RO with Microbial Boost AO-US-RO-MB-4000 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AO-US-RO-MEM RO membrane | 730 | 12 |
| APEC RO-PERM | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Ultimate pre-filter set (stages 1-3: sediment + 2 carbon blocks) | — | 12 |
| APEC RO-PERM | Under-sink reverse osmosis | 90 GPD high-rejection RO membrane (stage 4) | — | 36 |
| APEC RO-PERM | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Ultimate inline coconut carbon post-filter (stage 5) | — | 36 |
| APEC ROES-50 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Stages 1-3 pre-filter set (sediment + 2 carbon) | — | 6 |
| APEC ROES-50 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | MEM-ES-50 RO membrane (stage 4) | — | 24 |
| APEC ROES-50 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Stage 5 inline carbon | — | 24 |
| APEC ROES-PH75 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Stages 1-3 + 6 pre-filter set | — | 6 |
| APEC ROES-PH75 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | MEM-ES-75 RO membrane | — | 24 |
| APEC ROES-PH75 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FI-PHPLUS-QC calcium remineralization (stage 6) | — | 6 |
| APEC ROES-PH75 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Stage 5 carbon | — | 24 |
| APEC ROES-UV75-SS | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FILTER-SET-ESUV-SSV2 pre-filter set (stages 1-3 plus UV item per title 'Stages 1-3 and 5') | — | 6 |
| APEC ROES-UV75-SS | Under-sink reverse osmosis | 75 GPD Essence RO membrane (stage 4) | — | 24 |
| APEC ROES-UV75-SS | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Stage 6 coconut carbon FI-ES-TCR-QC | — | 24 |
| APEC ROTL-A1000 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FI-ROA1000-ACF sediment + carbon block (stage 1) | — | 6 |
| APEC ROTL-A1000 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FI-ROA1000 RO membrane (stage 2) | — | 24 |
| APEC ROTL-A1000 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FI-ROA1000-GAC post carbon (stage 3) | — | 12 |
| Aquasana SmartFlow RO | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AQ-SFRO-S1S3 carbon block + advanced carbon block (stages 1 & 3) | 250 | 6 |
| Aquasana SmartFlow RO | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AQ-SFRO-S2 SmartFlow RO membrane | — | 12 |
| Aquasana SmartFlow RO | Under-sink reverse osmosis | AQ-SFRO-REMIN remineralizer | — | 6 |
| Brondell Circle RC100 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | RF-20 set: sediment, pre-carbon plus, post carbon block | 475 | 6 |
| Brondell Circle RC100 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | RF-40 RO membrane | — | 24 |
| Express Water RO5DX | Under-sink reverse osmosis | Pre-filter set: SED FLTSED0501, GAC FLTGAC0501, ACB FLTCAR0501 (+ inline PAC) | — | 6 |
| Express Water RO5DX | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FLTMEME50 50 GPD RO membrane | — | — |
| Frizzlife PD600-TAM3 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | ASR211 PP+carbon block 2-in-1 (stage 1) | 900 | 12 |
| Frizzlife PD600-TAM3 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | ASR212-600G RO membrane (stage 2) | 1,800 | 24 |
| Frizzlife PD600-TAM3 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FZ-4 TAM3 alkaline remineralization core (stage 3) | — | — |
| Frizzlife PD800-TAM4 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | ASR211 PP + carbon block 2-in-1 (stage 1) | 900 | 12 |
| Frizzlife PD800-TAM4 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | ASR212-800G RO membrane (stage 2) | 1,800 | 24 |
| Frizzlife PD800-TAM4 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FZ-4 cartridge for TAM4 alkaline remineralization filter (stage 3) | 900 | 12 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FP15 sediment (stage 1) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FG15 GAC (stage 2) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FC15 CTO carbon block (stage 3) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | MC7 75 GPD RO membrane (stage 4) | — | 24 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FT15 post carbon (stage 5) | — | 12 |
| iSpring RCC7AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FA15 alkaline remineralization (stage 6) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FP15 sediment (stage 1) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FG15 GAC (stage 2) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FC15 CTO carbon block (stage 3) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | MC7 75 GPD RO membrane (stage 4) | — | 24 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FT15 post carbon (stage 5) | — | 12 |
| iSpring RCC7P-AK | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FA15 alkaline remineralization (stage 6) | — | 6 |
| iSpring RO500AK-BN | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FCF500 sediment+carbon composite | — | 6 |
| iSpring RO500AK-BN | Under-sink reverse osmosis | MRO500 RO membrane | — | 24 |
| iSpring RO500AK-BN | Under-sink reverse osmosis | FCA500 carbon alkaline | — | 12 |
| SimPure T1-400 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | PP sediment | — | 6 |
| SimPure T1-400 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | CTO carbon block | — | 6 |
| SimPure T1-400 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | T33 composite carbon post filter | — | 6 |
| SimPure T1-400 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | RO membrane | — | 12 |
| Waterdrop D6 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-D6RF 5-in-1 composite (PP, carbon block, PP, RO, post carbon) | 1,000 | 12 |
| Waterdrop D6 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | External remineralization filter (model not named on brand page) | — | — |
| Waterdrop G2P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G2CF sediment + carbon block composite | 1,100 | 12 |
| Waterdrop G2P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G2P6MRO RO membrane composite (PP, carbon block, RO, post carbon) | 3,300 | 24 |
| Waterdrop G3P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3-N1CF (CF sediment/carbon composite) | 550 | 6 |
| Waterdrop G3P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3-N3CB (CB carbon block) | 1,100 | 12 |
| Waterdrop G3P600 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3P600-RO (RO membrane) | 2,200 | 24 |
| Waterdrop G3P800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3-N1CF (CF sediment/carbon composite) | 550 | 6 |
| Waterdrop G3P800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3-N3CB (CB carbon block) | 1,100 | 12 |
| Waterdrop G3P800 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-G3P800-N2RO (RO membrane) | 2,900 | 24 |
| Waterdrop X16 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-F1A (pre-filter) | 1,200 | 12 |
| Waterdrop X16 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | WD-F2 (post carbon) | 1,500 | 6 |
| Waterdrop X16 | Under-sink reverse osmosis | X16-F3 (RO membrane) | 2,900 | 24 |
| 3M Aqua-Pure (Solventum) AP903 whole-house | Whole-house | AP917HD replacement cartridge | 100,000 | — |
| Aquasana HealthShield whole-house | Whole-house | HealthShield Replacement Tank WH-HS-R | 165,000 | 24 |
| Aquasana HealthShield whole-house | Whole-house | 20in Pre-Filter Replacement (3-pack) | — | 2 |
| Aquasana HealthShield whole-house | Whole-house | Post-Filter Replacement | — | 6 |
| Aquasana Rhino + Salt-Free Water Conditioner | Whole-house | Rhino Replacement Tank WH-1000R | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| Aquasana Rhino + Salt-Free Water Conditioner | Whole-house | Salt-Free Water Conditioner Replacement Tank WH-SFWC-SR | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| Aquasana Rhino + Salt-Free Water Conditioner | Whole-house | 20in Pre-Filter Replacement (3-pack) | — | 2 |
| Aquasana Rhino + Salt-Free Water Conditioner | Whole-house | Post-Filter Replacement | — | 6 |
| Aquasana Rhino Chloramines whole-house | Whole-house | Rhino Chloramines Replacement Tank WH-1011R | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| Aquasana Rhino Chloramines whole-house | Whole-house | 20in Pre-Filter Replacement (3-pack) | — | 2 |
| Aquasana Rhino Chloramines whole-house | Whole-house | Post-Filter Replacement | — | 6 |
| Aquasana Rhino Max Flow whole-house | Whole-house | Rhino Max Flow Replacement Tank WH-1010R | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| Aquasana Rhino Max Flow whole-house | Whole-house | 20in Pre-Filter Replacement (3-pack) | — | 2 |
| Aquasana Rhino Max Flow whole-house | Whole-house | Post-Filter Replacement | — | 6 |
| Aquasana Rhino whole-house (1M gal) | Whole-house | Rhino Replacement Tank WH-1000R | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| Aquasana Rhino whole-house (1M gal) | Whole-house | 20in Pre-Filter Replacement (3-pack) | — | 2 |
| Aquasana Rhino whole-house (1M gal) | Whole-house | Post-Filter Replacement | — | 6 |
| Express Water WH300SCKS 3-stage heavy-metal whole-house | Whole-house | Whole House Filter Set - Heavy Metals (FLTWH2045CKS1) | 100,000 | 12 |
| iSpring WGB21B 2-stage whole-house | Whole-house | F2WGB21B replacement set (FP15B + FC15B) | 50,000 | 6 |
| iSpring WGB21B-PF PFAS whole-house | Whole-house | F2WGB21BPF replacement set | 50,000 | 6 |
| iSpring WGB32B whole-house | Whole-house | F3WGB32B replacement pack (FP25B sediment + 2x FC25B carbon block) | 100,000 | 12 |
| iSpring WGB32B whole-house | Whole-house | FP25B 5-micron sediment cartridge (single) | 100,000 | 12 |
| iSpring WGB32B whole-house | Whole-house | FC25B CTO carbon block cartridge (single) | 100,000 | — |
| SpringWell CF1 whole-house | Whole-house | Catalytic carbon + KDF media (main tank) | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| SpringWell CF1 whole-house | Whole-house | Replacement Sediment Filter 10in, 5 micron (2-pack) | — | 6 |
| SpringWell CSF1 filter + FutureSoft salt-free | Whole-house | Carbon media (CF1 tank) | 1,000,000 | 120 |
| SpringWell CSF1 filter + FutureSoft salt-free | Whole-house | Replacement Sediment Filter 10in, 5 micron (2-pack) | — | 6 |
| SpringWell CSF1 filter + FutureSoft salt-free | Whole-house | FutureSoft conditioner media | — | — |
| SpringWell Lead & Cyst Removal System | Whole-house | Replacement Filter - Lead & Cyst System LCR-1R (PIONEER Pb carbon block) | 100,000 | 12 |
| SpringWell PFAS Water Filter System | Whole-house | PFAS media / cartridge | 350,000 | — |
| US Water Systems Matrixx catalytic carbon backwashing | Whole-house | Carb-Cat catalytic GAC media, 1 cu ft | — | 60 |
| Waterdrop WHF21-FG iron & manganese whole-house | Whole-house | WD-WF10-FG replacement (iron/manganese PP + GAC) | — | 6 |
| Waterdrop WHF3T-PG whole-house | Whole-house | WD-WF20PG replacement set (WF20P + WF20K + WF20C) | 100,000 | 12 |