Home & Living
The 10 Best Water Filter Jugs UK
· Top 10 comparison · Amazon.co.uk prices checked at publication
As an Amazon Associate, Buy Wise Hub earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How we choose: Buy Wise Hub hasn't tested these products in person. Our rankings are based on published specifications, Amazon ratings and buyer reviews, and this guide was researched and written with the help of AI tools, then checked by our team. Prices and ratings were correct at the time of writing and may change.
A water filter jug is one of the simplest kitchen upgrades. It reduces the chlorine taste in tap water, cuts limescale in your kettle and coffee machine (a big deal in the hard-water south and east of England), and means fewer bottles of water in the shopping trolley. The real cost over time is the cartridges, so this guide covers both: five jugs and five cartridge packs.
To find the best water filter jugs in the UK, we used Amazon.co.uk's Water Filter Cartridges best-seller chart and Amazon.co.uk search results for filter jugs. We chose popular, well-reviewed products from BRITA, Waterdrop, AQUAPHOR, Aqua Optima and Amazon Basics, then read each live product page for price, rating, review count and listed specs. Filtration claims (what each filter reduces) are the manufacturers' own, and we haven't tested water quality ourselves.
Prices, ratings and review counts were checked on Amazon.co.uk on 27 October 2026 and change often. Always check the live price before you buy.
Quick Picks
- Best jug overall: BRITA MAXTRA Marella Jug + 3 Pure Performance Cartridges, £24.59, 4.7★ (12,014 reviews)
- Best budget jug: Waterdrop PT-05 Elfin Water Filter Jug (2.5L), £11.99, 4.6★ (16,025 reviews)
- Best family-size jug: AQUAPHOR Onyx 4.2L Water Filter Jug + 3 Maxfor+ Cartridges, £26.99, 4.6★ (5,214 reviews)
- Best cartridges: BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance Cartridges (6 Pack), £24.69, 4.7★ (24,995 reviews)
- Best value cartridges: Amazon Basics BRITA-Compatible Cartridges (3 Pack), £10.79, 4.5★ (17,589 reviews)
Comparison at a Glance
- BRITA MAXTRA Marella Jug + 3 Pure Performance Cartridges: 4.7★ (12,014 reviews) · £24.59 · Best for: most households · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Waterdrop PT-05 Elfin Water Filter Jug (2.5L): 4.6★ (16,025 reviews) · £11.99 · Best for: budget and longer filter life · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon Basics 2.3L Water Filter Jug: 4.5★ (17,047 reviews) · £13.50 · Best for: BRITA-compatible on a budget · View on Amazon.co.uk
- AQUAPHOR Onyx 4.2L Water Filter Jug + 3 Maxfor+ Cartridges: 4.6★ (5,214 reviews) · £26.99 · Best for: families · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Aqua Optima Liscia 2.5L Jug + 3 Evolve+ Filters: 4.6★ (2,739 reviews) · £12.00 · Best for: slim fridges · View on Amazon.co.uk
- BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance Cartridges (6 Pack): 4.7★ (24,995 reviews) · £24.69 · Best for: BRITA jug owners · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Waterdrop BRITA Maxtra+ Compatible Cartridges (12 Pack): 4.1★ (62,752 reviews) · £19.99 · Best for: bulk savings · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Amazon Basics BRITA-Compatible Cartridges (3 Pack): 4.5★ (17,589 reviews) · £10.79 · Best for: value refills · View on Amazon.co.uk
- Aqua Optima Evolve+ Filters (6 Pack): 4.6★ (8,597 reviews) · £15.50 · Best for: hard water · View on Amazon.co.uk
- AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ Cartridges (3 Pack): 4.6★ (5,094 reviews) · £12.99 · Best for: long-life refills · View on Amazon.co.uk
The 10 Best Water Filter Jugs & Cartridges Reviewed
#1 BRITA MAXTRA Marella Jug + 3 Pure Performance Cartridges: Best for most households
Amazon.co.uk: 4.7★ from 12,014 reviews · £24.59
BRITA's Marella is the UK's default filter jug, and this bundle with 3 MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance cartridges has 4.7 stars from 12,014 reviews. It holds 2.4 litres according to the product details. It has a digital lifetime indicator that reminds you when to change the cartridge, one-hand filling through the lid flap, and a spout cover to keep dust out. It's designed to fit standard fridge doors. BRITA says each cartridge filters up to 150 litres over 4 weeks and reduces chlorine, fine particles (≥30 µm), PFAS, metals and certain herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals (manufacturer claims). At £24.59 including three cartridges, you've got around three months of filtering before you need refills. Choose it for the widest choice of compatible cartridges.
Specs (from the listing): 2.4 L · digital lifetime indicator · fridge-door fit · 3 × MAXTRA PRO cartridges (150 L / 4 weeks each)
Pros
- Big-brand reliability
- Digital change reminder
- Huge cartridge compatibility
Cons
- 4-week cartridge life
- Smaller capacity than the AQUAPHOR
#2 Waterdrop PT-05 Elfin Water Filter Jug (2.5L): Best for budget and longer filter life
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 16,025 reviews · £11.99
The Waterdrop Elfin is the cheapest jug here at £11.99, and it has 4.6 stars from 16,025 reviews. Its big selling point is filter life. Waterdrop says each cartridge lasts 3 months or 757 litres, depending on your water, against 4 weeks for BRITA's standard cartridges. The listing says the filter is certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI 372 and 42 (materials safety and aesthetic effects such as chlorine taste). The jug holds 2.5 litres and is made from food-grade, BPA-free plastic with an ergonomic handle. It isn't compatible with BRITA cartridges, so you're tied to Waterdrop refills, but those 3-month filters keep running costs low. A great first jug.
Specs (from the listing): 2.5 L · 3-month / 757 L filter (claimed) · NSF/ANSI 372 & 42 (per listing) · BPA-free
Pros
- Cheapest jug
- Long filter life
- Third-party certification listed
Cons
- Waterdrop cartridges only
- No digital indicator mentioned
#3 Amazon Basics 2.3L Water Filter Jug: Best for BRITA-compatible on a budget
Amazon.co.uk: 4.5★ from 17,047 reviews · £13.50
Amazon Basics' 2.3-litre jug has 4.5 stars from 17,047 reviews at £13.50, with one 30-day cartridge included. The listing is honest that the filtered-water capacity is 1.4 litres, a useful detail many rivals don't give. It's made from BPA-free plastic, with a flip-top lid for easy refilling, an ergonomic handle and a drip-proof spout. The jug is dishwasher-safe up to 50 °C with the lid removed. It's designed to fit most UK fridge doors and is aimed at reducing chlorine and limescale, which makes it good for hard water areas. Its own-brand cartridges (also in this list) are BRITA-compatible, so you can switch between cheap and branded refills.
Specs (from the listing): 2.3 L (1.4 L filtered) · flip-top lid · dishwasher-safe ≤50 °C (lid off) · 1 × 30-day cartridge
Pros
- Cheap with flexible refills
- Dishwasher-safe jug
- Honest capacity figure
Cons
- Only 1.4 L filtered
- One cartridge included
#4 AQUAPHOR Onyx 4.2L Water Filter Jug + 3 Maxfor+ Cartridges: Best for families
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 5,214 reviews · £26.99
If you're filling a kettle several times a day, the AQUAPHOR Onyx's 4.2-litre capacity is the biggest of our jugs. It has 4.6 stars from 5,214 reviews and costs £26.99 including three Maxfor+ cartridges. It has a flip-top lid and a battery-free filter life counter. The details say each cartridge lasts 60 days, about twice as long as standard BRITA cartridges. AQUAPHOR says the Maxfor+ reduces chlorine and limescale for better-tasting hot and cold drinks. It measures 24 × 16 × 27 cm and weighs 1.25 kg empty, so check your fridge shelf height before buying. Oddly, the details field lists the power source as "Battery Powered", which contradicts the "battery-free" counter in the bullets. We read it as battery-free (listing contradiction).
Specs (from the listing): 4.2 L · battery-free filter counter · 3 × Maxfor+ (60 days each) · 24 × 16 × 27 cm, 1.25 kg
Pros
- Largest capacity
- 60-day cartridges
- 3 cartridges included
Cons
- Bulky for fridge doors
- Listing contradicts itself on batteries
#5 Aqua Optima Liscia 2.5L Jug + 3 Evolve+ Filters: Best for slim fridges
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 2,739 reviews · £12.00
Aqua Optima's Liscia is a slim, fridge-friendly jug. The listing gives its size as H240 × W260 × D100 mm, and it holds 2.5 litres. It comes with 3 Evolve+ filters, which Aqua Optima describes as 5-stage filtration that reduces chlorine, limescale and other impurities. Each filter lasts 30 days according to the details. It's the second-cheapest jug here at £12.00, with 4.6 stars from 2,739 reviews. The Evolve+ cartridges are multi-fit and work with many other jugs, including BRITA-style ones according to Aqua Optima's cartridge listing, so you're not locked in. A good budget alternative to the BRITA Marella for people with narrow fridge doors.
Specs (from the listing): 2.5 L · slim 100 mm depth · 3 × Evolve+ (30 days each) · multi-fit cartridges
Pros
- Slim design
- Three filters included
- Cheap
Cons
- 30-day filter life
- Smaller review base
#6 BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance Cartridges (6 Pack): Best for BRITA jug owners
Amazon.co.uk: 4.7★ from 24,995 reviews · £24.69
The top seller in Amazon.co.uk's Water Filter Cartridges chart, with 4.7 stars from 24,995 reviews. This 6-pack of genuine BRITA MAXTRA PRO Pure Performance cartridges gives you around six months of filtering at £24.69, about £4.12 per cartridge. Each filters up to 150 litres over 4 weeks, according to BRITA. BRITA says they're designed to reduce chlorine, fine particles (≥30 µm), micro-impurities including PFAS and metals, and certain herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. If limescale is your main problem, BRITA suggests its MAXTRA PRO Limescale Expert variant, which it says reduces limescale 50% more effectively. Genuine cartridges cost more than compatibles, but you know they'll fit and perform as described.
Specs (from the listing): 6 cartridges · 150 L / 4 weeks each · fits BRITA MAXTRA jugs
Pros
- Genuine BRITA fit
- Top seller
- Broad contaminant claims
Cons
- Pricier than compatibles
- 4-week life
#7 Waterdrop BRITA Maxtra+ Compatible Cartridges (12 Pack): Best for bulk savings
Amazon.co.uk: 4.1★ from 62,752 reviews · £19.99
Waterdrop's 12-pack of BRITA Maxtra+-compatible cartridges has the biggest review base in this guide: 62,752 reviews. Its 4.1-star average is the lowest here, though, and suggests fit or performance is less consistent than genuine BRITA. At £19.99 for twelve (about £1.67 each), it's the cheapest way to keep a BRITA jug running for a year. Waterdrop says they're made with coconut-shell activated carbon to reduce chlorine, odours and bad taste. They're compatible with Marella, Style, Elemaris XL, Aluna and other BRITA jugs. Read the instructions: the pack includes a small blue valve you shouldn't throw away, and the filters should be soaked for 10 minutes before first use to remove air bubbles.
Specs (from the listing): 12 cartridges · BRITA Maxtra+ compatible · coconut-shell carbon · soak 10 min before use
Pros
- Cheapest per cartridge
- Wide BRITA compatibility
- Huge review base
Cons
- Lowest rating here (4.1★)
- Fiddly blue valve
#8 Amazon Basics BRITA-Compatible Cartridges (3 Pack): Best for value refills
Amazon.co.uk: 4.5★ from 17,589 reviews · £10.79
Amazon Basics' 3-pack has 4.5 stars from 17,589 reviews at £10.79, about £3.60 per cartridge. They fit Amazon Basics jugs and, according to the listing, all BRITA systems including MAXTRA, MAXTRA+ and PerfectFit. They use activated carbon and ion-exchange resin to reduce chlorine, limescale and other impurities. The listing also mentions a fine mesh that stops black bits escaping into your water, a common complaint with cheap filters. The cartridges are TÜV certified and BPA-free, per the listing. The details give Germany as the country of origin. A sensible middle ground between genuine BRITA and the cheapest compatibles.
Specs (from the listing): 3 cartridges · BRITA MAXTRA/MAXTRA+ compatible · carbon + ion-exchange · TÜV certified (per listing)
Pros
- Better rated than cheaper compatibles
- Mesh stops black bits
- TÜV certified
Cons
- Only 3 in the pack
- Cartridge life not stated on the listing
#9 Aqua Optima Evolve+ Filters (6 Pack): Best for hard water
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 8,597 reviews · £15.50
Aqua Optima's Evolve+ 6-pack has 4.6 stars from 8,597 reviews at £15.50, about £2.58 per filter. Aqua Optima stresses limescale reduction, which it describes as vital in UK hard-water areas, plus a 5-stage filtration process for chlorine and other impurities. The cartridges are multi-fit. The listing claims compatibility with over 90% of water filter jugs, including Aqua Optima, BRITA-style and others, so they're a flexible choice if you own a mix of jugs or aren't sure what you have. Each lasts 30 days, according to the Liscia jug's listing. A strong-value alternative to genuine BRITA cartridges with a better rating than the cheapest compatibles.
Specs (from the listing): 6 filters · 5-stage · limescale focus · multi-fit (90%+ of jugs, per listing)
Pros
- Good price per filter
- Strong limescale focus
- Wide compatibility
Cons
- Compatibility claim is the seller's own
- 30-day life
#10 AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ Cartridges (3 Pack): Best for long-life refills
Amazon.co.uk: 4.6★ from 5,094 reviews · £12.99
If you own an AQUAPHOR jug, or another oval-cartridge jug, the Maxfor+ 3-pack is the long-life option. AQUAPHOR says each cartridge lasts up to 200 litres or 60 days of typical use, up to twice as long as a standard cartridge. It has 4.6 stars from 5,094 reviews at £12.99, so three cartridges cover around six months. The listing says it fits all AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ jugs and most other oval-shaped filter jugs without an adapter. It reduces chlorine and limescale for better-tasting hot and cold drinks. The title mentions "up to 250L" while the bullets say 200 litres. We've used the more conservative figure (listing inconsistency).
Specs (from the listing): 3 cartridges · up to 200 L / 60 days each · fits AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ and most oval jugs
Pros
- Long cartridge life
- Low cost per month
- No adapter needed
Cons
- Not for BRITA MAXTRA jugs
- 200 L vs 250 L inconsistency
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Water Filter Jug or Cartridge
Jug size and fridge fit
Most jugs hold 2.3–2.5 litres in total, but the filtered amount is smaller: Amazon Basics states 1.4 litres. Families who drink a lot of tea should consider the 4.2-litre AQUAPHOR Onyx. Check the height and depth against your fridge door. The Aqua Optima Liscia is only 100 mm deep.
Cartridge cost is the real price
A jug is a one-off cost, but cartridges are ongoing. Genuine BRITA MAXTRA PRO costs around £4 per 4-week cartridge in a 6-pack. Compatible brands are cheaper (Waterdrop about £1.67, Amazon Basics about £3.60, Aqua Optima about £2.58), and long-life AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ and Waterdrop jug filters last 2–3 months each.
BRITA-compatible or genuine?
Genuine BRITA cartridges guarantee fit and BRITA's stated performance. Compatible cartridges can save a lot, but ratings vary. Waterdrop's 4.1★ suggests more fit and quality complaints than Amazon Basics (4.5★) or Aqua Optima (4.6★). Look for certification claims (TÜV, NSF) on the listing.
Hard water and limescale
If your kettle furs up quickly, choose a cartridge that emphasises limescale reduction: Aqua Optima Evolve+, AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ or BRITA's Limescale Expert variant. Filtered water also helps protect coffee machines and irons.
Change reminders and hygiene
Digital or mechanical indicators (BRITA's digital lifetime indicator, AQUAPHOR's battery-free counter) remind you when to swap the cartridge. Wash the jug regularly by hand, or in the dishwasher if the listing allows it (Amazon Basics: up to 50 °C, lid off), and keep filtered water in the fridge.
How we chose
We started with the Amazon.co.uk best-seller chart for Water Filter Cartridges on 27 October 2026, plus Amazon.co.uk search results for water filter jugs. We shortlisted the best-reviewed, in-stock products and read each live product page for price, rating, review count and specs. We haven't tested these products in person. Rankings reflect the listed specs, buyer ratings, review volume and value. Where a listing is unclear or contradicts itself, we say so.
FAQ
What is the best water filter jug in the UK?
For most households, the BRITA MAXTRA Marella with 3 Pure Performance cartridges. It has 4.7 stars from more than 12,000 reviews, a 2.4-litre capacity, a digital change reminder and a fridge-door fit, for £24.59. On a tight budget, the Waterdrop Elfin is £11.99 with 3-month filters.
Are non-BRITA cartridges any good?
Many are, but quality varies. Amazon Basics (4.5★, TÜV certified per the listing) and Aqua Optima Evolve+ (4.6★) score well. Waterdrop's 12-pack is the cheapest per cartridge but has a lower 4.1★ rating, so read recent reviews before buying.
How often should I change a water filter cartridge?
Follow the manufacturer's guidance. BRITA MAXTRA PRO cartridges are rated for 150 litres or about 4 weeks, AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ for up to 200 litres or 60 days, and Waterdrop's jug filter for up to 3 months. Hard water may shorten this.
Do water filter jugs reduce limescale?
Most UK jug filters use ion-exchange resin to reduce limescale. Aqua Optima Evolve+, AQUAPHOR Maxfor+ and BRITA's Limescale Expert cartridges put particular emphasis on it, which is useful in hard-water areas.
Can I put a water filter jug in the dishwasher?
Check the listing. Amazon Basics says its jug is dishwasher-safe up to 50 °C with the lid removed. Never put the cartridge or any electronic lid indicator in the dishwasher.
More kitchen and home guides: Best Vacuum Storage Bags UK · Best Carbon Monoxide Alarms UK · Best Head Torches UK
More Top 10 guides
Pick a category and keep researching before you buy — every guide compares ten products side by side.