Brita Elite
- Pitcher
- Point of use
- City water
- Well water
- Replacement element
- Listed
$19.99as of 2026-08-30
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
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Our verdict on the Brita Elite
Brita Elite (OB06) is a 120-gallon, approximately six-month replacement filter for compatible Brita point-of-use pitchers and dispensers. It is not for Stream pitchers or for making microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water potable without adequate disinfection.[1][2][3]
Best for
- Households filtering already potable municipal or private-supply water with a point-of-use pitcher
Not for
- Brita Stream pitcher owners
- Anyone relying on a pitcher filter to make microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water potable without adequate disinfection
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheetBrand officialIAPMO listing
Which models the Brita Elite fits
The Brita Elite fits the 18 models listed below, verified 2026-08-30.[1]
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| OB01 | No note |
| OB11 | No note |
| OB21 | No note |
| OB24 | No note |
| OB32 | No note |
| OB36 | No note |
| OB41 | No note |
| OB43 | No note |
| OB44 | No note |
| OB46 | No note |
| OB47 | No note |
| OB48 | No note |
| OB50 | No note |
| OB51 | No note |
| OB53 | No note |
| OB60 | No note |
| OB62 | No note |
| OB63 | No note |
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet
Certification check: Brita Elite
Listed by NSF under NSF/ANSI 53, by IAPMO R&T under NSF/ANSI 53, and by WQA under NSF/ANSI 401, NSF/ANSI 42, and NSF/ANSI 53, checked in the certifier directories as of 2026-08-30.
- NSF
- NSF/ANSI 53
- IAPMO R&T
- NSF/ANSI 53
- WQA
- NSF/ANSI 401NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53
| Directory | Result | Listing |
|---|---|---|
| NSF | Listing found (checked 2026-08-30) | View listing |
| IAPMO R&T | Listing found (checked 2026-08-30) | View listing |
| WQA | Listing found (checked 2026-08-30) | View listing |
Claimed vs. certified: Brita Elite
| Contaminant | Status | Third-party listing | What the brand says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine (taste and odor) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Class I particulates | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Asbestos | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Benzene | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Cadmium | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Lead | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Mercury | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Aesthetic Chlorine | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Bisphenol A | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Estrone | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Ibuprofen | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Microplastics | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Naproxen | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nominal Particulate Class I | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nonyl Phenol | Certified only |
| No entry |
| PFOA/PFOS | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Taste and Odor | Certified only |
| No entry |
How long the Brita Elite lasts, and what it costs a year
The Brita Elite is rated for 120 gallons or 6 months, verified 2026-08-30. Replacing it on that schedule costs $39.98 a year, verified 2026-08-30.
Cost per year
| Element | Replace | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| OB06 | every 6 months, or every 120 gallons | $39.98 |
| Total per year | $39.98 | |
EstimatedVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheetBrand official
What the Brita Elite does not do
Brita Elite is not intended to purify water and must not be used with microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water without adequate disinfection before or after the system. The Brita Elite's recorded operating limits are water temperature at least 32 °F and up to 85 °F, daily processed volume up to 2 gallons per day, verified 2026-08-30.
Brita Elite is not intended to purify water and must not be used with microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water without adequate disinfection before or after the system.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet
The Elite filter does not work in Brita Stream pitchers; Stream products require Stream filters.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Operating limits
| Parameter | Limit | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| water temperature | at least 32 °F and up to 85 °F[1] | Brita says hot water should not be used with the Elite pitcher filter. Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet |
| daily processed volume | up to 2 gallons per day[1] | Brita states this limit for maximum efficiency. Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet |
Fit and sizing: Brita Elite
The Brita Elite is a pitcher unit installed at the point of use, for city water and well water.
What the Brita Elite really costs
The Brita Elite costs $19.99 as of 2026-08-30. Over ten years, including installation and replacement elements, the recorded total is $419.79.
DIY install[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Replacement schedule
| Element | Replace | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| OB06 | every 6 months, or every 120 gallons | $39.98 |
EstimatedVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheetBrand official
Ten-year cost of ownership
| Purchase price (as of 2026-08-30) | $19.99 |
|---|---|
| Replacement elements, 10 × $39.98/year | $399.80 |
| Sum of the lines above (as of 2026-08-30) | $419.79 |
| Recorded ten-year total | $419.79 |
Warranty: Brita states that its products carry a one-year warranty in case the product is damaged. (1 years)[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Money-back guarantee: 30-day unconditional 100% money-back guarantee (30 days)[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet
Installing the Brita Elite
Installing the Brita Elite is an easy job. DIY install, verified 2026-08-30.
Manufacturer documentation
- Install manual: https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/41BDQ1BOw718avTUUNi1da/806f5896d701fe6c211d12b31e7e7a47/Denali_Smart_Filter_Light_-_Elite.pdf (accessed 2026-08-30)
Ongoing maintenance
- Replace the Elite OB06 filter — every 6 months
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Track record: Brita Elite
Amazon shows 4.6 out of 5 from 55,855 reviews as of 2026-08-30.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 4.6 out of 5 | 55,855 | 2026-08-30 |
Recalls and litigation
LitigationThe Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal of a consumer class action alleging that Brita water-filter labeling implied broader “contaminant removal” than the disclosures supported; the opinion discusses the Elite filter but the named purchaser bought a Standard filter. (2026-04-16)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/24-6678/24-6678-2026-04-16.html
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Government agencyUnverified
The Brita Elite against its family and its rivals
The Brita Elite has 2 siblings in its family: Original Filter, Stream Filter.
The rest of the family
| Model | What differs |
|---|---|
| Original Filter | Brita describes Original as its foundational white filter; it is replaced every 40 gallons or about two months, versus Elite at 120 gallons or about six months. |
| Stream Filter | Stream is the Filter-As-You-Pour element required by Brita Stream pitchers; Elite does not work in those pitchers. |
The Brita Elite and cartridges sold as compatible
Brita Elite questions, answered
Is Brita Elite actually better?
Verified health claim
It is better than Brita Original on rated life and the breadth of Brita's stated reduction claims, but whether that matters depends on the contaminant and compatible host you need. Elite is rated for 120 gallons or about six months, while Original is rated for 40 gallons or about two months; current certifier listings should be checked for the exact host and claim.
What is the lawsuit against Brita water filters?
It was a consumer-labeling class action, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed its dismissal on April 16, 2026. The court held that a reasonable consumer would not expect Brita filters to reduce every hazardous contaminant below laboratory-detectable levels when the packaging and performance sheets disclose specific capabilities.
Sources: [1]
What is the difference between Brita Elite and Standard filters?
Does Brita Elite filter microplastics?
Verified health claim
Yes, WQA's current NSF/ANSI 401 directory entry lists “Microplastics” for OB06, with the applicable claim set tied to named Brita host systems. That listing establishes the directory claim, not complete removal of every particle size or plastic type.
Sources: [1]
What is the difference between Brita and Brita Elite?
Is the Elite Brita filter worth it?
It can be worth considering if your compatible Brita pitcher needs Elite's listed contaminant claims and 120-gallon interval. At Brita's $19.99 single-filter price on 2026-08-30, replacing it twice yearly is an estimated $39.98 per year; value depends on the claims you need and actual replacement frequency.
How long do the Brita Elite filters last?
What is the difference between Brita Plus and Brita Elite?
Brita's current U.S. support materials reviewed for this record do not identify a “Brita Plus” pour-through replacement filter, so a reliable Plus-versus-Elite specification comparison could not be established. Those materials identify Elite, Original and Stream as distinct replacement-filter types.
Sources: [1]
Which is better, Brita Elite or Pur?
Verified health claim
There is no source-supported universal winner; the better choice depends on the exact host system and the contaminant claim you need. Brita markets Elite as reducing more contaminants than PUR, while this record relies on current OB06 certifier listings for specific certified claims rather than treating that comparison as universal.
Sources and data report: Brita Elite
Every figure above is taken from the highest-trust source that carries it and re-derived from that source by a separate check. How we verify product data.
What we could not establish, and why
| Field | Why it is blank |
|---|---|
| identity.family | Brita's product page, performance data sheet and replacement-filter support page do not publish a separate family name beyond the Elite model name. |
| mechanism.treatmentMethods | Brita describes a patented pleated filter and proprietary active filtering agents, but the product page, performance sheet and user guide do not map the treatment train unambiguously to the schema's closed method vocabulary. |
| fit.bathroomsServed | A pitcher replacement element is not sized by bathrooms, and Brita's product page, performance data sheet and user guide publish no bathroom range. |
| fit.householdSize | Brita calls six months an average-family estimate but does not define a supported household-size range in the product page, performance sheet or user guide. |
| fit.serviceFlowGpm | The live certifier listings publish host-system flow in gallons per day, but neither Brita's product page nor performance sheet states a continuous service-flow rating in gpm for the OB06 element. |
| fit.roOutputGpd | OB06 is a pour-through pitcher element, not a reverse-osmosis membrane; the reviewed manufacturer materials publish no RO output rating. |
| fit.roTankCapacity | OB06 has no RO tank, and the reviewed manufacturer materials publish no tank-capacity specification. |
| fit.pressureRange | The gravity-fed OB06 performance sheet, product page and user guide publish no operating-pressure range. |
| fit.connectionSize | OB06 presses into a pitcher reservoir and the reviewed product page, performance sheet and user guide publish no plumbing connection size. |
| fit.requiresElectricity | The installation materials show a passive replacement cartridge and an indicator procedure, but Brita does not explicitly publish an electricity-requirement specification for OB06. |
| fit.requiresDrain | The installation materials show pitcher-reservoir insertion, but Brita does not explicitly publish a drain-requirement specification for OB06. |
| cost.msrp | Brita displayed a current direct-sale price and Amazon displayed a current product page, but neither source labeled a figure as MSRP. |
| cost.wasteRatio | OB06 is a pour-through element rather than an RO system, and the performance sheet, product page and user guide publish no waste-water ratio. |
| install.estimatedHours | Brita provides setup steps but no installation-time estimate in the user guide, product page or replacement-filter FAQ. |
| install.video | The official product and support pages linked a PDF user guide but no exact-model installation video that could be opened and verified. |
| seo.verification | The independent verify loop has not run; this research stage must leave the verification stamp null. |
Every source behind this page
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.brita.com/products/brita-elite-replacement-filters/
- Brita currently presents Elite OB06 as an active replacement-filter product with direct pricing
- Brita lists OB06 height 4.83 inches, width 2.30 inches and length 2.30 inches; length is represented as depth
- Brita listed one Elite replacement filter for $19.99 on 2026-08-30
- One replacement element cost $19.99 on 2026-08-30
- Annual replacement cost is estimated as two filters multiplied by $19.99
- Brita's marketed Elite-versus-Original contaminant comparison
- Brita identifies the Elite replacement element as model OB06 and as a pitcher/dispenser filter
- Dated single-filter price and 120-gallon replacement interval
- Brita's own Elite-versus-PUR marketing statement
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-08-30https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/5JK8pJvAg8UaTe0U6jsWnd/8b1d4448916af1778de2d6cd92533368/Elite_PT_Performance_Data_Sheet_Jan2026.pdf
- The Elite OB06 performance data sheet identifies the compatible system model numbers
- Brita specifies replacement every 120 gallons for model OB06
- Brita describes 120 gallons as about six months for the average family
- OB06 has a 120-gallon, approximately six-month replacement interval
- OB06 is a point-of-use pitcher filter for drinking water
- The element is not intended to purify microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water without adequate disinfection
- Brita's safety warning says Elite is not intended to purify water and restricts use on microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water
- The stated operating-water range is 32°F to 85°F and hot water should not be used
- Brita says to process no more than 2 gallons daily for maximum efficiency
- The Elite OB06 water-temperature range is 32°F to 85°F
- The stated replacement interval is 120 gallons or about six months
- Brita publishes a 30-day unconditional 100% money-back guarantee for filters
- 120-gallon, approximately six-month life and two-gallon daily maximum-efficiency condition
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.brita.com/support/faqs/replacement-filters/
- Elite fits Brita pitchers and dispensers except Stream products
- Only the Stream filter works in a Brita Stream pitcher
- Brita states that only the Stream filter works in a Stream pitcher
- Brita publishes a one-year product warranty
- Brita says to replace Elite every 120 gallons or approximately every six months, with more frequent replacement in hard water
- Elite and Original replacement intervals
- Standard was renamed Original and the stated Elite and Original replacement intervals
- Brita distinguishes Elite, Original and Stream replacement filters
- Approximately six-month interval and warning that hard water can require more frequent replacement
- Hard-water replacement warning
- The current U.S. replacement-filter support page describes Elite, Original and Stream types
- IAPMO listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://mirobase.iapmo.org/pld/file_info.asp?file_no=0013905
- The current OB06 listing describes the named point-of-use systems as treating public or private drinking water
- IAPMO R&T file W-13905 lists Elite OB06 only with named Brita gravity-device models
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/41BDQ1BOw718avTUUNi1da/806f5896d701fe6c211d12b31e7e7a47/Denali_Smart_Filter_Light_-_Elite.pdf
- The user guide describes owner installation by aligning and pressing the cartridge into the reservoir
- The published setup is a short owner-performed cartridge insertion and indicator-reset procedure
- The user guide's cartridge installation procedure requires no tools
- Brita Elite cartridge installation and SmartLight setup instructions
- Government agencyaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/recall-data/recalls_recall_listing.csv
- The complete CPSC recall dataset was checked for Brita and OB06; its only exact Brita hit was a 2014 children's bottle recall, not the Elite OB06 element
- Unverifiedaccessed: 2026-08-30https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/24-6678/24-6678-2026-04-16.html
- Brown v. The Brita Products Company was decided on 2026-04-16
- The Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal and the opinion's factual background mentions the Elite filter
- Nature and disposition of Brown v. The Brita Products Company
- NSF listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?TradeName=OB06&Standard=&ProductType=&PlantState=&PlantCountry=&PlantRegion=&submit3=Search
- NSF lists the OB06 replacement component only with named host models and a host-specific lead claim
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/brita_lp/sid/1/keyword/ob06
- WQA's OB06 listing uses footnotes that scope claim sets to identified system models
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/brita_lp/sid/3/keyword/ob06
- Current WQA OB06 health-effects claims and host-specific footnotes
- Specific WQA health-effects claims for OB06 and host-specific footnotes
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/brita_lp/sid/63/keyword/ob06
- WQA lists Microplastics under NSF/ANSI 401 for OB06 and identifies the applicable host systems
Cite this page
TapWaterData Editorial. "Brita Elite Filter Review: Cost & Cert Check." TapWaterData, verified 2026-08-30. https://www.tapwaterdata.com/filters/brand/brita/elite
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