Here is Why You Should NOT Invest In ZeroWater
Here is Why You Should NOT Invest In ZeroWater
This article was originally a glowing review of this product but has since been updated to reflect that I no longer recommend ZeroWater.
Having personally used ZeroWater for over 1 year (and changed the cartridge as instructed), I encountered the following problems:
The cartridge and therefore water eventually starts to smell like mould. My family members who also purchased this (based upon my recommendation) also had the same problem so I know I didn’t just get a faulty device.
The water tastes weird over time as a result too.
Although the water has zero TDS (total dissolved solids), it might still have other ‘non-solid’ contaminants. For instance, I noticed that it didn’t do anything to fight limescale and my brand new kettle is full of white scales.
It is for this reason that I started using AquaTru, which solved all of these problems and I’ll talk more about this later in the article.
But first thing’s first,
this Article is a REAL Review From Personal Experience.
I purchased ZeroWater (ZeroWater 7 Cup ZP-007RP 1.7 Litre Blue Water Filter Jug) from Amazon on 19 February 2019.
I used it for approximately 18 months before having to re-consider whether or not it was worth continuing. I initially had a very good experience with it so recommended it to family members to purchase and in the end 2 people in my family also purchased it.
This article reflects my direct experience using this product along with feedback from the family members who also purchased ZeroWater filter based on my original recommendation.
What is ZeroWater?
The ZeroWater filter pitcher is sold as the only water filter that removes more than 99% of dissolved solids from your water with a 5-stage filtration system. The products’ recommended daily usage of 2 gallons of water filtration per day
The amount of solids dissolved in tap water varies throughout the United Kingdom. However, each Zero filter removes 18,000 milligrams of dissolved solids, which in theory makes the water purer.
ZeroWater’s Biggest Selling Point
The biggest selling point of the Zero Water filter jug is its many layers of filtration. This means that it is able to remove a lot more than other filter jugs like Brita.
ZeroWater’s first filtration state is a layer of oxidation-reduction alloy and activated carbon filtration that removes the taste of chlorine that comes with tap water.
The ion exchange stage removes almost all dissolved contaminants and heavy metals. Especially those that might still appear after public water system treatments. This includes traces of lead, nitrate, aluminum, zinc and lead.
There are three extra stages that remove other bacteria. These stages are to make sure that your water is fully treated so that it produces a “000” reading on your water test kit (i.e. the (TDS meter reads).
There are third party tests and certifications to prove that it can reduce things like chloride, fluoride, chlorine as well as other inorganic compounds. Also, the makers claim that it is the only filter to reach the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requirement to have a TDS content of 000 to 01 ppm.
Q: What Does ZeroWater Remove?
A: Everything you want it to!
This is sold and promoted as the only water filter jug that can remove almost all dissolved solids from your water. It has an impressive 5-stage water filtration that is certified to reduce both chrome and lead.
The filters are also capable of removing total dissolved solids (TDS). This refers to the amount of salt minerals, metals. For instance, Zero is able to remove TDS’s like fluoride and lead.
You should consider this to be important because dissolved solids enter the water supply through old pipelines. These can be full of heavy metals, hormones, hard minerals (like calcium and magnesium, fertilizers and pesticides.
ZeroWater is equivalent to purified bottled water because it can filter TDS by 99%. TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and refers to the total level of contaminants in your water.
It has a certificate for the reduction of lead and chromium by up to 99%
Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 abd certified BPA-free by LG Chem (2016).
ZeroWater Tests and Certifications
ZeroWater is certified to reduce lead. This is to standards set by UK water service providers. According to other independent tests, ZeroWater filters are capable of reducing the level of pharmaceutical products that’s in your tap water.
- An EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) certified Fluoride Reduction Lab tested Zero filters to show that it reduces fluoride by 99%.
- They are NSF certified to reduce Chromium 6 by 99.7%.
- Tested for arsenic reduction. An independent EPA-certified laboratory says they are able to do this with a total reduction rate of 99%.
How Long Does A Zero Water Filter Last?
They last on average for around 3-5 months.
A small feature of ZeroWater is that the acidity of the water changes slightly when the filter is about to expire. This is to alert you that it is time to replace the filter.
You should replace the water filters immediately when your water test meter (included for FREE) reads above “006”.
Especially if the water has a sour taste, a fishy odor, or your water quality meter displays more than “006”. This is all necessary to continue to enjoy the positive health benefits of ZeroWater.
ZeroWater VS. Brita
Brita is cheaper but ZeroWater eliminates far more than Brita.
There is almost no comparison between the filtration capacity in the case of ZeroWater VS. Brita:
- ZeroWater eliminates 99.6% of the total dissolved solids compared to Brita, removing only 49.6%. The table below gives a clear indication of how much more Zero is able to remove when compared to Brita.
| ZeroWater 5-Stage Filter | Brita Maxtra Filter |
 | |
| TDS Removed: 99% | TDS Removed: 50% |
| Fluoride: 99% | Fluoride: 14% |
| Chloride: 99% | Chloride: 29% |
| Lead: 99% | Lead: 66% |
| Chromium: 99% | Chromium: 32% |
| Asbestos: 99% | Asbestos: 55% |
| Nitrates: 99% | Nitrates: 1% |
| $$ | $$ |
 | |
 |
*Based on unfiltered tap water with a TDS level of 220.
** Compared to Brita Maxtra Filter.
Is ZeroWater WORTH It?
No!
My original answer was “yes” but is now a definitive “no”.
The bottom line is that the water starts to smell and taste bad after a while. The smell is similar to mould. I followed all the instructions and changed the filter cartridge when it was time to do so.
Family members that also bought ZeroWater (based on my recommendation) also had the same issue so I know I didn’t get a one-off faulty device.
This is such a shame because ZeroWater is very affordable and the free TDS meter (that comes with the jug) is a nice touch. Seeing the TDS meeter read 000 after replacing the filter was very reassuring but I have since learned that TDS-free does not mean contaminant-free.
Also, it does nothing for limescale so your kettle will still be full of white crystals.
I later moved on to AquaTru, which I am very happy with. It is much more expensive but a powerful machine that treats everything missed by ZeroWater and the water never tastes weird even when the cartridges need to be replaced.
AquaTru Turns CocaCola Into Clean Drinking Water
The BEST ZeroWater Alternative? AquaTru.
This water filtration system has a multi-cup dispenser that delivers filtered water at the touch of a button.
This countertop decanter is a powerful filter that treats extremely toxic substances like lead and chlorine: chlorine 96.6%, fluoride by 91.8%, benzene 99.9%, lead 97.5% etc.
It is easy to set up and install straight out of the box.
While its filter cartridges are also very easy to remove and replace.
It is so powerful that it can filter things like milk and coke. This is how it gained its notoriety and popularity on social media.
AquaTru Water Filter | Berkey Water Filter |
 |  |
| - Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99% | - Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8% |
| Available in 1-size only. | Available in various sizes. |
| Plastic materials. | Metal & plastic materials. |
| Number of filters: 3 | Number of filters: 2 - 4 |
| Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters. | Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters |
| 4-stage filter process. | 2-stage filter process. |
| Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts. | 2.25 Gallons |
| 45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm | 19" High x 8.5" Diameter |
| System: 1 year limited warranty. | Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year. |
| Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru). | Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results |
| SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK  | SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale |
| |
| |
I got a ZeroWater pitcher, it’s only been in use for a couple of weeks and the water tastes very very bitter all of a sudden…trying to see if there’s any answers as to why this is. Guess I’ll keep looking around if there’s anything specific on bitterness but would suck if I had to look for a different brand.
Hi Alex,
I experienced strange moldy smells within a few weeks of replacing my Zero filter cartridge and this seems to be a common experience of most people.
Please circle back and let me know if you find out what was causing the bitter taste and how you get on with a different brand (if you eventually find a better alternative).
Stay hydrated,
Luke
Hi Alex,
Allow me to explain the bitter taste. Tap or bottled water that we normally drink has minerals in it that gives it a pleasant/inoffensive taste. The pH of this water is generally above 7 and is considered alkaline. Water that is filtered of absolutely all contaminants and minerals through very good filters like the ZeroWater pitcher’s, taste bitter because the pH of that water goes below 7 (acidic). It’s still perfectly safe to drink – your stomach maintains a very acidic environment of around 2 pH – but acidic water does not taste pleasant. You can test this by buying distilled water from your local grocery store and tasting it. Distilled water will taste similar. Basically the bitter taste is an indicator that the ZeroWater filter is working well for you.
The moldy smells that Luke mentioned in the earlier reply is likely due to contaminants in the unfiltered water tank that just sat and multiplied enough to be noticed. Sometimes that can be due to hands not being clean during swapping filters or contaminants from the last filter not being cleaned during the filter swap. Mold/bacteria grow pretty fast and it doesn’t take more than a drop of water from the unfiltered tank to the filtered tank to contaminate your filtered water. I recommend cleaning your pitcher thoroughly with soap every time you replace your filter. This is more easily noticed with ZeroWater’s filters because those filters perform better than most.
Thanks for asking your question.
Shashank
Mr Water Geek
When the filter is working and the reading is zero I experience no taste, just pure water, which was weird to start with. The only time it tastes is when the filter needs changing and this is identified in the article. I like that it does that so I don’t have to worry about continuing to use a filter that isn’t working for me. I have tried a few filters and zerowater is what I’m sticking with. Never had a problem and once you realise what the taste is then changing the filter solves it
The article answers this and is an indication that your filter needs changing. If you do the tds reading I’ll guarantee it’s above 0 when you get that taste.
The article suggested it lasts for months! Not sure how little water he uses but I use it for my dogs, cooking, etc and need to change it about every 3 weeks as my tap water is particularly bad.
I’ve never experienced the moldy taste it talks of. Maybe it is the same as the taste I’m talking about and changing the filter fixes that!
I’ve had mine for 3 years and won’t use anything else.
I don’t need the gimmick of filtering milk or coke. In the year 2024 with forever chemicals in all water i choose the one that performs the best on water. I put RO water through filter. I’ve been using my Zero Filter for over 3 years and nothing even comes close. Washing the pitcher periodically is just good hygiene and keeping it in the fridge is important to prevent any growth you don’t want to flourish. That’s just my opinion.
Here is my comment from the original post which said Britta was the winner because of speed and filter cost, minus the glaring fact that Zero Filter was the only one successful at removing lead. The tradeoff for a couple seconds of filtering time was lead?
Zero filter is the handsdown winner. The logic of the article is insane. If you’d like to filter a couple seconds faster and you’re cool with the inability to filter lead then Britta is the one for you. I prefer my zero water filter which you are only supposed to change out when the TDS hits a 6; so it completely depends on what kind of water you filter. I’ve tested my tap water in Phoenix AZ and the TDS is upwards of 650… if i poured that sludge through my filter it would last about a month. I filter RO water i get from a water machine outside a circle k which tests anywhere from 7-28 TDS, which means my filter lasts a very long time. I do regularly disassemble the filter and pitcher to wash thoroughly to prevent any bacteria or other contaminants from attaching to my pitcher. Hope that helps.
Hi Matt
That is so interesting.
I replaced my Zero with a basic WaterDrop jug and it worked perfectly without having to regularly wash and maintain it. No weird mouldy smells despite several years of use.
I eventually replaced that with AquaTru, which treats more serious things like lead.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
I’ve used Zero Water Filter for years, and I’ve never had any issues with the water smelling moldy or anything, and I’ve left the water in the pitcher for months without drinking it. I use it in my fridge for drinking water only, and I’ve never used the water in a kettle, so I don’t know anything about the scale. I use a 2nd one on my boat for the ice machine and drinking. It makes nasty fishy, hose tasting dock water great. The ice cubes are crystal clear. My only concern with Zero Water is that it takes out the good minerals as well as all the bad.
Hi Ken,
You’re absolutely right that your Zero Water filter takes out the good minerals as well. The only thing this impacts is taste. We get insignificant amounts of minerals from water. Most of our mineral needs are met through our diet. Meat is one of the more dense sources of minerals but they’re plentiful in almost any diet one could follow: fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, fish, etc.
Thanks for your comment.
Shashank
Mr Water Geek
What do you make of my experience with 5-stage Zero Water filter – it lowered my heart rate, and blood pressure. Since I take hypertension meds, I took less meds when I didn’t know why it was lower. It was scary for a couple days as to what was going on. I had not noticed my heart rate was lower for weeks. It was the night time heart rate that brought this new situation to my attention. It was mostly in 50s, rather than 60s during sleep. A few high 40s showed up. Then I realized most of my daytime heart rate was in 60s. I am NOT an athlete. I wear a watch that tracks heart rate, as it can go high at times, up near 200. Very surprised to see lowered rates than higher rates. After a few days of drinking tap water, heart rate and bp went back to my normal. What might be in the filter chemistry to cause this? Is it just a sensitivity in me to the chemistry, or does anyone else experience this?
Unfortunately, unless you have an expensive hard lined water purifier.
Your choices are well , pretty limited.
Chances are , your never going to
Get purified water , unless the city
Invests in building state of the art facilities.
Your also having to deal with an aging
Infrastructure. Absorbing everything
From toxic industries, run off from farms
Land fills and the list goes on . I’d bought
Zero water product. Used for 10 years
As opposed to well water . Never once
Did I ever have an issue. It was far superior
To Brita and that other one that mounts to your kitchen faucet. I’m f you want to keep things simple. Just buy bottled water from a reputable source. Aquifina or Dasani .
It’s just unfortunate both companies are part of a larger problem. That is consuming half of the worlds drinking water. What’s left over , is so contaminated it’s futile to use it .
cAN THE USED FILTERS BE TRCYCLED?
Hi Barbara
The majority of household waste and recycling centres recycle used filters, just be sure to check with them first.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
No. They don’t recycle the filters. They are dirty plastic mixed with carbon. If you have written evidence from a waste company recycling them, it should be pisyed. Fact remains that most household plastic waste is not recycled.
My zero water looks gray black and leaves a scum on bottom of jug even after putting in a new filter and having thoroughly washed the jug before. I use the zero water to make coffee and the water reservoir of the Keurig has same charcoal as film on bottom. What causes this to happen?
It could be charcoal from the activated carbon filter. If it’s that, then that’s normal.
Best Tasting water ever. Better than Fiji or other bottled water and better than any spring. And if it takes good, you drink more – which is the whole point. A+
I have tried Zero Water twice and I do not like it. The water it filters taste funny. Pur faucet filters produces much better tasting water!
That is because you are getting pure water, with Zero. With the Pur system on the faucet, after filtration the water is passed over a mineral stone…kind of like what happens in a river when the water passes over rocks in the bed. So you get a more normal tasting, cleaned & mineralized water from the Pur.
It is not pure water…..pure water has good things in it like the ocean….it is water without bad chemicals and it needs to be boiled to be drinkable as it does not take out microbes….so one should put back trace minerals in some form….Himalayan salt is a good form
FIRST, if you have been using a water system for over a year and you MUST CHANGE the filter – or YOU WILL have problem!! I find the biggest issue with the water jugs that have filters on them is people tend to not change the filters when needed, let alone clean the jug itself! Take the time to clean the pitcher with soap and water, and change the water filter needed. These two actions would mitigate a lot of water issues regarding taste and smell. As, for the zero water I have found that it the best water filter on the market and greatly improved my water quality. With reg. filter changes I have “zero water” issues. I think this article was written to write off the competition. That said, the AquaTru is also an excellent product…but if you want to see a test that’s not just coke cola being filtered, check out Project Farm and make up your mind.
Hello, I have a mystery, but first of all I agree with what you say about changing the filter etc. I am English and use filtered water purely for making tea, which I take without milk. I used Maxtra + for several years, but each filter would last about 10 days, very heavy TDS area about 326, which Zero Water filter takes down to 000,the Maxtra + using the same test down to 226, but a superb cup of tea, which lasts for about 9 days, before a brown scum mark appears on the cup. I thought I had found Eldorado with the Zero Water filter TDS 000, and yet after about 4 weeks the tea does not taste nice and fresh and clean. After using 4 Zero filters, changing at readings of about 336, but no sign of brown scum on my teacup, but not tasting nice. Just made a Maxtra+ cup of tea (500ml mug) and delcious. The Zero tea looks OK, but is not pleasant after 1 or 2 Litres.
I have been a Zero Water user since it came out. They have zero design skills, btw. Their pitchers pour messily and aggressively, crack easily, handles are put on haphazardly and not on a balance-point, absolutely zero ergonomics. But the filters? They rock.
I only use them because I have to. NYC water is some of the best in the urbanized world, but it’s still not that good with almost 150 year old iron mains. TDS off the tap in my highrise is 380 average and mostly metals from the last WQT we paid for.
I don’t know about most Londoners other than EastEnders fictitious Walford, but here in Manhattan we have tiny, tiny apartments; 2 adults 2 cats in <650sq ft with all our possessions. Back in the day, I had a full under-sink contraption, 4-stage filter, diotom earth, RO membrane, 10 gallon reserve and 2 gallon pressure tank. It took the ENTIRE space under the sink and cost $500+usd. But filter sets other than the carbon prefilters lasted a 9 mo to a year. And my water was pure pure bordering on distilled. It was always TDS 0.000 (with a real TDS meter not the $1 chinese conductivity testers.)
But again, apartment life. Zero is easy to have good water with no storage other than two 4-packs of replacement filters in the closet.
It's not perfect, but for the apartment life, it's pretty ideal. The waste is insane but at least you don't have to wear mask and gloves to handle them. Well, 3rd COVID year that's kind of moot, everyone has masks and gloves on-hand these days don't they? Oy.
Thanks for tipping me off to the AquaTru, Luke aka MrWG, I plan on geeking out on that as well, but I'm guessing the runtime costs will be roughly the same. (Oh to have a house and a big tank bolted to the garage wall; a 100Gal RO/salts softener setup. Another life, perhaps.)
Note to anyone that has any weirdnesses with their Zero filters – they have started making them differently, thinner plastic, and they need "burping" from trapped air bubbles. I'm sure it's some consultant who came in to lower production costs and improve profit. Such is capitalism. Glad to know there's competition besides Brita (which isn't, really) when they finally jump the shark and we stop buying them. But their customer service is fantastic and they'll send you a replacement set of filters for the asking, as long as you don't abuse it. Buying filters direct helps, too, both the subscription discounts, and when they see how many hundreds you've spent on something that costs pennies to make, they're more than happy to keep YOU happy. Outstanding company, really. Capitalism being what it is. Not everyone is evil.
Here's to a clean water 2022 where we can worry about regular things.
Does the zero water filter out virus and other bugs? I couldn’t find that info in the article or on it’s website. thanks.
Hi David
Unfortunately, Zero water doesn’t claim to be able to treat viruses or bugs, it only claims to remove TDS (total dissolved solids).
TDS just means inorganic and organic substances present in your water, which will make your water ’empty’ but not necessarily free of every possible bacteria or virus.
If you have specific contaminants that you’re worried about, you should perhaps find a jug that is certified to treat that specific contaminant?
Stay hydrated,
Luke
After three weeks water started tasting like lemons Do I have any recourse?
Hi Roger
If the place you purchased from doesn’t help then conctact Zero directly to see if they can repair under warranty: help@2tech.co.uk
Stay hydrated,
Luke
The customer service here in the US is awful….it is Oct 2023….simply awful….
Back in 1960 when I was ten years old my dad had a water filter system put in the house. The salesman touted the advantages of soft water. About that time I developed a kidney infection, perhaps coincidentally but the doctor told dad that the soft water would be hard on my kidneys so dad took it out. My son has a propensity for kidney stones. I would appreciate any comments on those two issues.
From the mayo clinic’s site : “Kidney stones often have no definite, single cause, although several factors may increase your risk.
Kidney stones form when your urine contains more crystal-forming substances — such as calcium, oxalate and uric acid — than the fluid in your urine can dilute. At the same time, your urine may lack substances that prevent crystals from sticking together, creating an ideal environment for kidney stones to form”
have your water checked by a lab and see what the calcium levels are. The test will run about $150-200 depending on where you are… could be more if you get more tests done.
I tried zero water, and i might be over cousious but after the filter i also distill my water.. And i am really happy i did because on the bodem of my distill divice i see blue water… I never had this with just tap water so i am really happy i distill this collour out aswell!! But this means that i would NEVER EVER drink only zero water again!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Luke –
thanks for posting thorough reviews! I am pondering a question nobody seems to have a clear answer to and was wondering what your thoughts on this subject are.
I do have a Zero water filtering system and have been drinking the water. However, if all dissolved solids are removed, the water should be equal to distilled water in terms of purity. I know that the way of purification is different (I’m a chemist 🙂 but the end result is the same – water w/o any dissolved minerals. There are health concerns about drinking such demineralized water – it is supposed to slowly remove important minerals such as Ca and Mg from our body. Have you read anything inn your research to show this to be true?
Should we NOT be drinking Zero (or distilled) water?
Thanks for your input!
Hi Sabine
Thanks for the question. It’s one that I’ve also struggled with because there is contradictory information out there.
I personally believe that a lot of the confusion is because both things are true. Yes, 100% pure water is good for you BUT yes you are missing out on some healthy minerals too.
I also use Zero at home because I like drinking totally contaminant free water and other filter jugs (like Brita) in the same price range are rubbish. However, I also have a good healthy diet so I’m confident that any minerals that I might miss from my water will be compensated for with the nutrient and mineral-rich foods I eat.
Stay hydrated,
Luke
Hey Luke,
Have you done any kind of review of “Propur Shower Filter ProMax Chrome Plus with Massage Head and 48″ Stainless Steel Flex Hose”? 75% of the reviews on Amazon are 5 Stars. I currently use the Aquasana shower filter but they say it or any of their other products except for Reverse Osmosis doesn’t remove fluoride which I’m really trying to avoid. I use to use the Aquasana Powered Water Filter system but switched to Zero Water because it claims to reduce fluoride by 99%. Plus, I like the little meter reader so you can check to see when the filter should be changed. But again, any knowledge about the shower filter listed above or have you done analysis of other shower filters that claim to remove fluoride?
Thanks
Hey Todd
No, I don’t think I’ve done a “Propur Shower Filter ProMax Chrome Plus” review and don’t have any personal experience with it. But you are right, it states that it can remove fluoride and there are lots of happy 5 star reviews.
Your best bet is to buy it and get a fluoride water test kit. If it doesn’t effectively filter fluoride then simply return it. Amazon do an excellent jobs with hassle free returns.
Please let me know how you get on with this.
Best wishes,
Luke
Hey Luke,
Thanks for the reply and your suggestions. I ordered the Pro Pur shower filter:
https://amzn.to/2O8sPLk
I got it this morning, got it hooked up and it’s working great…no leaks anywhere. I’ll take my first shower with it tomorrow. I saw on the manufacturer’s website you can order water tests, although I haven’t noticed one for fluoride. I’ll call them tomorrow and if they don’t have one for that I’ll get the one you suggested in your reply above. Also, did you get the book I suggested to you a few months ago and was recommended by Dr. Mercola:
https://amzn.to/2Lztd3Y
If you haven’t yet it debunks a lot of long-time previously recommended ways to stay hydrated such as…”drink eight 8-oz glasses a day”, and…”divide your weight in half and that equals the number of ounces you should drink ever day”. It recommends we get most of our water intake from food the way Nomadic tribes — who live on the desert — stay hydrated.
That’s awesome Todd, thanks for the update(s)!
I would like to buy a water filtration pitcher for my classroom. Is the PUR or the Aquasana better for my classroom. I understand the Aquasana makes a little bit of noise bit I think the students will get used to it.
I also plan to follow up with a hands on activity so the students can make a water filter and possibly take it home.
Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Michelle
I personally think the kids will love the Aquasana, it is so interactive, fun and they’ll be able to see the water filtered in front of their eyes.
All the excitement will probably encourage them to drink more water too!
Best wishes,
Luke