AQUA CREST Multiple-Stage Water Filters, Compatible with ZeroWater® Pitcher and Dispenser, Reduces Chlorine, PFOA/PFOS, Taste and Odor, TDS and More, 2 Pack

BACKGROUND: I've purchased and used over 30 of these filters now. In the town I previously lived, my water could have a TDS anywhere between 250 and 450ppm. These filters generally lasted me about 10 days. However, I compared this price verse just buying gallon jugs at the store and this was slightly cheaper but far more convenient. Now I have moved to a new location where my water supply has a TDS of only around 25ppm. I've had one of these filters going about 1.5 months at this point. I've only decided today to swap it just because... I'm so used to swapping every 10 days I feel like it has to be going and I'm just insane. EQUIPMENT I have two TDS measurement devices I use to test water purity. EVALUATION The reason people are saying these filters fail quickly, is because these filters are prone to developing air bubbles inside of them. This creates a vacuum (just like when you put your finger on the top of a straw while water is inside of it), and this vacuum prevents water from filtering through. You do not have to remove the filter and shake it with your hand as some users have suggested. There are two easy solutions. My preferred solution is, I place the water filter and container under the sink and just have the water slowly go into the filter, so the top of my tank never fills up. So this helps eliminate a situation where air bubbles become trapped as it is always open to the atmosphere and no layer of water forms fully above the filter. The second solution is, to simply take the back of a heavy object, I typically just use the back of a heavy utensil and just tab on the top of the filter itself. When there is a level of water in the filter, you will notice as you tap on the filter, a bunch of air comes up, that's the air that was stopping your water from filtering. You'll notice within a minute how quickly the water filters through now. The other thing to mention is simply that, as I mentioned above, if you have a REALLY high TDS in your home, you'll be replacing a filter more often to get actually filtered water. At this point, a filter brand isn't going to matter as much as just the size of the filter and its capacity to remove contaminants. There are different types of filters out there, and if you have really high TDS (over 500) it may make sense to buy a different filter type. However, understand this means you may need to spend $500+ on a filter that is right for your situation. I chose this filter because it fit my Zero Water filter tank, and the filters were cheaper but providing the same functionality. I wouldn't be surprised if they are exactly the same filters just branded differently. Hope this helps anyone on the fence!

These filters worked for 1 month+ under 05 ppm, the same as the current ZeroWater filters- my water is 125 ppm from the faucet. *The last filter of the set I bought in May (now late-January) is still at 02 ppm and still tastes great. I do not get the strong bitter-lemon taste when they do go over 05 ppm like my last few Zerowater filters, they seem to conk out overnight. I am not sure how such a strong bitterness comes from water that is still very clean, under 10 ppm. I am not a water scientist but I have been using Zerowater for several years and these are as good or better than the current Zerowater filters. The original Zerowater filters that were not tapered on the bottom, but a straight cylinder, did last for 2+ months, but those have not been made in quite some time. When Zerowater changed the design, I tested a set of original filters against the new ones and the original design lasted for many weeks longer. It does suggest the possibility that that Zerowater made an effort to redesign the filters to be less effective, so they would have to be replaced more often. Planned obsolescence is a part of the deal with replaceable filters, but to redesign your product to be less effective after they are on the market for some time is noticeable and lame, if that was the intention. I am pleased these Aquacrest filters are on the market because the Zerowater filters have been steadily increasing in price and degrading in quality. I will continue to buy them as long as the quality and price is competitive. I would still give Zerowater system 5 stars because it is still the best system for me, it gives me the cleanest water without installing an undersink RO system. I wish their recycling program was worth the effort and/or that Aquacuest would come up with a recycling program that is worth one's time ( I don't like throwing out such large amounts of plastic and I have a huge box of filters that I need to figure out how to recycle). *I did not receive free product or compensation for this review, I am only reviewing because my experience was wildly different than the majority of reviewers. *I noticed complaints that the water filtered too slowly, but filtering down to 01-05 ppm, especially with dirty water, is going to take more time than filters that really don't filter much. When water is flowing very quickly through the filter, it means most of the filtering material is broken down and the filter needs to be changed soon. This happens with the Zerowater and Aquacrest filters. I filter my water directly into glass containers (I use Anchor refrigerator bottles) and balance the reservoir and attached filter right on top of the bottle- it fits pretty securely with these bottles. Without the resistance of water underneath the filter, the water flows slowly but steadily and does not pool in the reservoir like it sometimes does in the pitcher. I would not recommend aggressive "percussive therapy"- knocking or smashing the filters breaks up the material inside and lessens the life of the filter,I usually just set it down roughly to gt rid of bubble and I believe elevating the filter prevents pooling and may extend the life of the filter- my water is still at 03ppm after 4 weeks.

These filters are fantastic. I almost want to say they work better? than the name brand? These filter SO MUCH FASTER than the name brand, and they don't seem to do the weird stop-filtering thing that the name brand does, where you literally have to dump all the water, remove the filter, and screw it back in place before it will continue to filter. (If your ZW filters have never done this, you're very lucky bc mine would almost always do it at least once during the life of the filter.) It filtered so fast, that I honestly didn't believe it was working -- so I used the TDS water meter, and it's always 000 just like the name brand -- at half the price, works twice as fast, lasts just as long, and without the hassle. Also - they don't have the screw-on lid that comes on the ZW filters that just gets thrown away - so less plastic in our environment. I hope these are always available -- I've bought several sets, and can't imagine going back to ZW.

Good water filters but they seem to not be lasting as long as in the past. It could be due to the water quality in our area.

Fab. Fitted my zerowater jug perfectly. Will be buying again in the near future.

Ok

Fidèle à la description.

Perfect fit and function

Excellent product and this was very good value