Hydros vs LifeStraw Glass Water Filter Pitchers

If you are concerned about plastic consumption in general or don’t want to store your filtered water in a plastic pitcher for hygienic reasons, then a glass water pitcher may be a good option for you. Here’s a comparison of Hydros and LifeStraw glass water filter pitchers to help you make an informed choice.  

 

pitcher filter

 

Intro

Water filter pitchers are convenient, effective, and affordable methods of filtering your tap water to create crisp, clean drinking water. They are readily available and come in a variety of sizes and colors. The filters are easy to install and can remove the most common contaminants from tap water to give you great-tasting drinking water. Pitcher filters are found in 1 in 5 American homes so you probably know someone who uses one. 

 

However, glass pitchers are not very common and most brands only offer plastic pitchers. 

 

Advantages of plastic water pitchers

Most water filter pitchers use plastic for the holding vessel. Plastic does have its benefits:

  • it’s lightweight
  • it doesn’t break easily
  • it’s cheap

 

Disadvantages of plastic water pitchers

The downsides to plastic are:

  • plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our environment
  • plastic can retain odors (like those funky smells in your refrigerator)
  • It scratches easily which can cause it to retain bacteria

 

Advantages of glass water pitchers

Glass water pitchers are a common alternative to plastic and have many advantages: 

  • it is readily recyclable
  • it’s easy to clean without scratching
  • it doesn’t absorb odors

 

Disadvantages of glass pitchers pitchers

Of course, glass has its own disadvantages:

  • it is heavier than plastic
  • it’s more likely to break
  • It’s more expensive

 

If you are looking to buy a glass water filter pitcher, there are a few on the market, but they aren’t as easy to find as plastic pitchers.  Most brands don’t offer a glass option. Two popular brands that make glass pitchers are Hydros and LifeStraw. Let’s compare them side by side.

 

A few things to consider before buying are

  • Capacity – How large is the pitcher. This will determine how many cups of water it will hold and it will also affect the weight. 
  • What does the filter remove – Determine first what you need to be removed (chlorine, lead, etc ) from the tap water and then find a filter to suit your needs. This varies widely between brands.
  • Filter lifespan – how often will you need to replace the filter. This will affect the overall cost.
  • Filter speed – how long does it take for the water in the reservoir to become available to drink. This can vary greatly between filter brands.
  • Warranty – How long is the filter pitcher expected to last and will the manufacturer guarantee quality?

 

Consider which of these things is most important to you and then take a look at these two popular brands to find out which will best fit your home and family’s needs.

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Initial cost

About $35

About $41

Cost of replacement filters

About $7

  • About $14 for carbon filters
  • About $20 for membrane filters

Annual cost of filters

About $42

About $104

Capacity

5 cups (40 oz)

7 cups (56 oz)

Material

borosilicate glass

borosilicate glass with silicone base

Giving back

Donates 1% of profits to organizations dedicated to keeping waterways clean

Filter type

Hydros Multi Filter with Fast Flo Tech filtration

2 filters:

  • Lifestraw Membrane Microfilter
  • Lifestraw Activated Carbon + Ion Exchange Filter

Filter features

  • Fills pitcher fast (in about 40 seconds)
  • Made of 100% coconut shell carbon
  • Recyclable
  • BPA-free filter casing
  • Filters are all one size for all Hydros pitchers and bottles
  • Filters come in a variety of colors 
  • Improves taste and odor
  • The microfilter has a pore size of 0.2 microns 
  • The carbon filter removes heavy metals 
  • Improves taste and odor

Filter lifespan

40 gallons or 2 months

  • Microfilter - 264 gallons or up to 1 year
  • Carbon filter - 40 gallons or 2 months

Filter standards

NSF 42 standard for reduction of chlorine, sediment at particulate class 1

  • NSF 53 standard for reduction of certain heavy metals including lead and mercury
  • NSF standards for reduction of certain chemicals
  • NSF P473 standards for reduction of PFAS
  • US EPA and NSF P231 for reduction of bacteria and parasites
  • NSF 42 standard for reduction of chlorine

Warranty

1-year

3-year limited warranty (except carbon filters have 60-day limited warranty)

In short, both models use borosilicate glass for the pitcher and both brands donate a portion of their profits to social causes. The Hydros is cheaper in initial cost and in annual filter replacements. It filters water super fast and the filters are recyclable. However, it mainly filters chlorine. The Lifestraw filters more contaminants but is also more expensive.

 

Conclusion

If you are looking for a glass water filter pitcher, your choices are limited. Hydros and Lifestraw are two of the top-selling options with glass pitchers, but their filters are very different in features and what contaminants can be filtered. Consider what your family’s needs are before making your choice.