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Brita Basic Faucet vs PUR PLUS (PFM350V) Side-by-Side Comparison

By , , and ·Updated

Brita Basic Faucet

$32.49 from Amazon(+1 more)

PUR PLUS Faucet Filter (PFM350V)

$28.44 from Amazon(+1 more)
Two faucet-mount water faucets, the Brita Basic Faucet and PUR PLUS (PFM350V), held side-by-side by a reviewer for comparison purposes.

Overall Verdict

The Brita Basic is the entry-level product in Brita’s faucet-mount water filter catalog. While it’s not the cheapest model in our database, it is the most affordable model currently offered by Brita.

For the price, you get an activated-carbon filter cartridge that should be able to take out major classes of harmful chemicals that could be found in your tap water. In our chlorine test, in which we pumped highly-chlorinated water through the filter, the Brita Basic was able to cleanse all traces of the chemical from the water.

The Brita did decently well in our filtering flow rate test. Mounted to a high-pressure faucet (2.2 GPM), in filtering mode, the Brita scored 0.7 GPM. While it’s still quite slow, this number should still make the Brita Basic a viable model for those looking for a fast-flowing faucet filter.

The PUR Plus PFM350V, on the other hand, is also as good as the Brita Basic when it comes to filtering performance. In our chlorine test, it was able to filter out all traces of the chemical.

Its result in the flow rate test was a disappointment, however. At 0.44 GPM, not only it’s one of the slowest-working filters in our database, but it’s also one of the few that failed the flow rate test (which has a minimum threshold of 0.5 GPM to pass.)

As for the design, while the Brita Basic has a chrome-plated housing, the PUR Plus PFM350V is fully plastic. So, besides the flow rate issue, you may also want to take the aesthetic of your kitchen and your personal sense of style into the equation.

Ranking by
Showing: 2/2 Items

Pros & Cons

  • Relatively affordable.
  • Excellent chlorine filtration ability (nearly 100%).
  • Looks premium with its chrome-plated housing.
  • The routing valve’s handle is intuitive to use.
  • Comes with a filter change indicator.
  • Excellent chlorine filtering ability
  • Sleek and compact design with a very modern aesthetic
  • Has a filter indicator light
  • Easy to install and use
  • The filter could be tugged out of the housing without depressing the filter release button.
  • Leaks during filtration, necessitating the use of plumbing tape.
  • Filter has a low capacity (100 gallons)
  • Housing is built entirely from plastic, which can be a durability issue in the long-term

Key Specs

Filtering flow rate
0.7 GPM
0.44 GPM
Capacity
100 gals
100 gallons
Qualifications
NSF/ANSI Standard 42, 53, 401
ANSI Standard 42, 53, 401
Dimensions
L5 x W2.2 x H5.2 inches
L6.5 x W5.25 x H2.8 inches
Weight
0.8 pounds
1.1 pounds
Warranty
1-year
2 years

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$26.60
$30.90
$32.49 at AmazonCheck Price on Walmart
$28.44 at AmazonCheck Price on Walmart

*You help support Shouldit's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.6
6.8

Chlorine Test

10
10
Two water testing strips are placed on a color chart and held next to the Brita Basic filter.
Two activated test strips on a color chart. The control strip, showing the result for the chlorinated water, is to the left. The strip displaying the result of the water filtered by the Brita Basic is to the right.
Two water testing strips are placed on a color chart and held next to the Brita Basic filter.
Brita Basic Faucet Water Filtration System Chlorine Test 2
The PUR Plus PFM350V filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
Two activated test strips are laid on the color chart. The strip to the left is from the control sample, showing a high chlorine level. The strip to the right is from the filtered water produced by the PFM350V, showing no trace of chlorine.
The PUR Plus PFM350V filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
PUR PLUS Faucet Filter Chlorine Test
Before
10+ mg/l
10+ mg/l
After
~0 mg/l
~0 mg/l

Flow Rate Test

6.0
4.7
Duration
20 secs
20 secs
Amount
0.233 gallons
0.148 gallons
Flow Rate
0.7 GPM
0.44 GPM

Design

Overall Design Scoring
6.7
8.4

In the Box

The full content of the Brita Basic’s shipping box, including the filter, six pieces of accessories, and a manual.
The full content of the Brita Basic’s shipping box, including the filter, six pieces of accessories, and a manual.
Three grey, plastic faucet adapters are arranged in two rows with three rubber seals.
The grey PUR PFM350V filter is in the middle, surrounded by its accessories, manuals, and the shipping box.

Weight & Dimensions

The dimensions of the Brita Basic are marked to the side. The length is 5 inches, width 2.2 inches, and height 5.2 inches.
The dimensions of the PUR Plus PFM350V. The length is 6.5 inches, the width is 5.25 inches, and the height is 2.8 inches.
Length
5.0" (12.7 cm)
6.5" (16.5 cm)
Width
2.2" (5.6 cm)
5.3" (13.3 cm)
Height
5.2" (13.2 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Weight
0.8 lbs (0.4 kg)
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)

Build Quality

6.2
7.8
The Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system’s housing, once the filter has been fully assembled.
The silvery, chrome-plated housing of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter when fully assembled.
The Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system’s housing, once the filter has been fully assembled.
A side view of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter, revealing the small, black, plastic filter release button.
The front of the grey, plastic PUR Plus PFM350V filter, which is sitting on a white stone table.

Filter Piece

7.0
8.5
The chrome-plated filter piece of the Brita Basic on the table.
The filter piece of the Brita Basic
The chrome-plated filter piece of the Brita Basic on the table.
A top-down view of the filter housing and the filter piece.
The blue plastic-shelled PUR Plus filter cartridge that comes with the PUR Plus PFM350V standing upright on a white table.
Filter Model
Brita CXB-016 Filter
PUR Plus MineralCore™
Filtration Process
Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin & MineralCore™
Certifications
ANSI Standard 42, 53, and 401
ANSI Standard 42, 53, 401
Filter Capacity
100 gallons
100 gallon

Routing Valve

7.0
10
A close-up view of the routing valve’s handle of the Brita Basic and the mode-indicating symbols on the side of the filter.
The handle of the routing valve to the side of the Brita Basic. Note the white notch and the symbols on the housing denoting the switching modes.
A close-up shot on the black rotating handle of the PUR Plus PFM350V faucet-mount water filter.
Type of Valve
Rotating
Rotating

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
8.9
9.8

Installation

8.0
10
A close-up view of the thin metal mesh screen in the center of the Brita Basic filter’s mounting port.
The metal mesh screen at the center of the filter’s mounting port.
A close-up view of the thin metal mesh screen in the center of the Brita Basic filter’s mounting port.
The silvery Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter with a grey, plastic faucet adapter.
The mounting port of the PUR Plus PFM350V, with the black plastic ring and the metal threading on the inside.
The mounting port of the PUR Plus PFM350V, with the black plastic ring and the metal threading on the inside.
The mounting port of the PUR Plus PFM350V attached with a metal faucet adapter.

Ease of Use

10
10

Leak

9.0
10

Maintenance

8.0
8.0
The removed filter piece of the Brita Basic is to the left, while the filter housing is to the right.
The removed filter piece of the Brita Basic is to the left, while the filter housing is to the right.
A close-up shot of the indicator light at the top of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system.
The bar of filter change indicator light on the PUR Plus PFM350V faucet-mount filter.
The bar of filter change indicator light on the PUR Plus PFM350V faucet-mount filter.
The blue, plastic-shelled filter cartridge of the PUR Plus PFM350V surrounded by detached plastic parts of the filter.
Filter Indicator
Yes
Yes
Replacement
4 months
1-2 months