Quick Answer: No. Standard Brita filters are NOT certified to remove PFAS. They use basic activated carbon that reduces chlorine taste but can't handle forever chemicals. You need a filter certified to NSF Standard 53 or 401.
Disclosure: HardWaterHQ earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →
Quick Answer Standard Brita filters use basic activated carbon and are NOT certified to remove PFAS. For PFAS removal, you need a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 401 with specific PFAS testing — such as the Clearly Filtered pitcher (99.5% PFAS removal, NSF 42/53/401 certified).

Brita is the best-selling water filter brand in the United States, and millions of households trust it to improve their drinking water. But "improve" is a key word — Brita is designed to make tap water taste better, not to remove dangerous chemical contaminants like PFAS.

With more than 176 million Americans exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water according to the Environmental Working Group, this distinction matters enormously. Here's the full picture.

What Does Brita Actually Remove?

Brita's standard pitcher filters (the most common product) are certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53. Here's what that actually covers:

What Brita Standard Filters Remove (NSF 42 & 53 Certified)

Chlorine taste & odor✅ Yes (NSF 42)
Zinc✅ Yes
Copper✅ Yes
Mercury✅ Yes
Cadmium✅ Yes
Benzene✅ Yes

What Brita Does NOT Remove

Contaminants Brita Doesn't Filter

PFAS / PFOA / PFOS❌ Not certified
Lead (standard filter)❌ Not in standard — Longlast+ only
Bacteria & viruses❌ No
Nitrates❌ No
Arsenic❌ No
Chromium-6❌ Standard filter only
Pharmaceuticals❌ No
Microplastics❌ No
What about Brita Longlast+? Brita's Longlast+ filter adds lead reduction and a few other contaminants. However, it is still not NSF/ANSI certified for PFAS removal. If PFAS is your concern, Longlast+ does not solve the problem.

Why This Matters: PFAS in Your Water

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam since the 1940s. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down — in the environment or in your body.

Long-term PFAS exposure has been linked by scientific studies to:

The EPA established legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water in 2026, and launched the PFAS OUT initiative in April 2026 to proactively work with affected water systems ahead of compliance deadlines.

If your municipal water system has PFAS contamination — and the EWG estimates over 3,000 systems are affected — a standard Brita filter is providing no protection against those chemicals.

What Should You Use Instead?

For PFAS removal, you need a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 401 specifically for PFAS. The two best options at different price points:

Clearly Filtered Pitcher — Best PFAS Pitcher

PFAS Removal99.5% (3rd-party tested)
CertificationsNSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401
Contaminants365+
Price~$90 pitcher / ~$50 filters

AquaTru Countertop RO — Best Premium Option

PFAS Removal99%+ (RO process)
CertificationsNSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401
Price~$449

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Brita (Standard) Clearly Filtered AquaTru RO
PFAS Removal ❌ Not certified ✅ 99.5% (3rd-party) ✅ 99%+ (RO process)
NSF 42 (taste/odor) ✅ ✅ ✅
NSF 53 (health) ✅ (partial) ✅ ✅
NSF 401 (PFAS) ❌ ✅ ✅
Lead Removal ⚠️ Longlast+ only ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Contaminants filtered ~5 365+ 80+
Price (pitcher) ~$35 ~$90 ~$449
Best for Taste improvement only PFAS + comprehensive Maximum filtration
Ready to actually protect your water?
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is NSF/ANSI 42, 53 & 401 certified and removes 99.5% of PFAS — replacing a Brita costs about $50-55 more upfront but provides real PFAS protection.

Switch to Clearly Filtered →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Brita's Longlast+ filter remove PFAS?
No. Brita's Longlast+ filter adds lead reduction and some other improvements, but it is not NSF/ANSI certified for PFAS removal. If PFAS is your primary concern, the Longlast+ does not solve the problem.
Is Brita good for anything?
Yes — Brita is very effective at improving taste and odor from chlorination, and removes some heavy metals like copper and mercury. If your water is safe (no PFAS, low lead) and you just want it to taste better, Brita does a fine job at a low cost. The issue is using Brita as your primary protection against chemical contamination like PFAS.
How do I know if my water has PFAS?
The fastest free option is the EWG Tap Water Database (ewg.org/tapwater). For a definitive answer, get a lab water test — Tap Score offers PFAS testing around $200. See our complete water testing guide.

Related Guides