Brita Replacement filters
- Pitcher
- Point of use
- City water
- Well water
- Replacement element
- Listed
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Our verdict on the Brita Replacement filters
Brita Original/Standard OB03 and Elite OB06 are replaceable cartridges for the compatible Brita pitcher and dispenser models listed here: replace Original at 40 gallons or about 2 months and Elite at 120 gallons or about 6 months. Neither cartridge fits a Brita Stream pitcher.[1][2][3]
Best for
- Pitcher users filtering water between 32°F and 85°F
- Users processing no more than 2 gallons per day who can follow the variant's 40- or 120-gallon replacement schedule
Not for
- Brita Stream owners, because Stream uses a different filter
- Untreated well water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand officialManufacturer datasheet
Which models the Brita Replacement filters fits
The Brita Replacement filters fits the 21 models listed below, verified 2026-08-30.[1][2]
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| OB01 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB11 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB21 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB24 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB32 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB36 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB41 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB43 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB44 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB46 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB47 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB48 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB50 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB51 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB53 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB60 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB62 | OB03 and OB06 are listed in the current Brita performance sheets. |
| OB54 | OB03 is listed in the current Original performance sheet. |
| OB58 | OB03 is listed in the current Original performance sheet. |
| OB61 | OB03 is listed in the current Original performance sheet. |
| OB63 | OB06 is listed in the current Elite performance sheet. |
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet
Certification check: Brita Replacement filters
Listed by NSF 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
- 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 Replacement filters
| Contaminant | Status | Third-party listing | What the brand says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Benzene (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Cadmium (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Cadmium (Original/Standard OB03) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Chlorine taste and odor (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Chlorine taste and odor (Original/Standard OB03) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Class I particulates (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Copper (Original/Standard OB03) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Lead (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Mercury (Elite OB06) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Mercury (Original/Standard OB03) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| 2,4-D (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Aesthetic Chlorine (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Aesthetic Chlorine (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Asbestos (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Atenolol (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Atrazine (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Benzene (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Bisphenol A (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Cadmium (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Cadmium (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Carbamazepine (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Carbon Tetrachloride (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Copper (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| DEET (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Endrin (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Estrone (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Ethylbenzene (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Ibuprofen (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Lead (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Lead (Elite OB06 in Tidal OB63 and Pacifica OB41 systems) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Linuron (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Meprobamate (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Mercury (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Mercury (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Metolachlor (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Microplastics (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Naproxen (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nominal Particulate Class I (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nonyl Phenol (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| p-Dichlorobenzene (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Phenytoin (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Simazine (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Taste and Odor (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Taste and Odor (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| TCEP (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| TCPP (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Tetrachloroethylene (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Trimethoprim (Elite OB06 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Zinc (Original/Standard OB03 in Amalfi OB32) | Certified only |
| No entry |
How long the Brita Replacement filters lasts, and what it costs a year
Replacing it on that schedule costs $87.92 a year, verified 2026-08-30.
Cost per year
| Element | Replace | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Original/Standard OB03 | every 2 months, or every 40 gallons | $47.94 |
| Elite OB06 | every 6 months, or every 120 gallons | $39.98 |
| Total per year | $87.92 | |
EstimatedVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
What the Brita Replacement filters does not do
Brita states that these filters are not intended to purify water and must not be used with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. The Brita Replacement filters's recorded operating limits are Original/Standard OB03 service life up to 40 gallons, Elite OB06 service life up to 120 gallons, Maximum daily water processed up to 2 gallons per day, verified 2026-08-30.
Brita states that these filters are not intended to purify water and must not be used with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system.[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet
Original/Standard and Elite pitcher filters do not fit Brita Stream pitchers, which use a unique Stream filter.[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand officialManufacturer datasheet
Operating limits
| Parameter | Limit | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Original/Standard OB03 service life | up to 40 gallons[1] | Brita also describes this as about 2 months under typical use. Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet |
| Elite OB06 service life | up to 120 gallons[1] | Brita also describes this as about 6 months under typical use. Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet |
| Maximum daily water processed | up to 2 gallons per day[1][2] | The current Original and Elite performance sheets each state a maximum of 2 gallons (7.5 L) per day. Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Manufacturer datasheet |
Fit and sizing: Brita Replacement filters
The Brita Replacement filters is a pitcher unit installed at the point of use, for city water and well water.
What the Brita Replacement filters really costs
Replacement schedule
| Element | Replace | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Original/Standard OB03 | every 2 months, or every 40 gallons | $47.94 |
| Elite OB06 | every 6 months, or every 120 gallons | $39.98 |
EstimatedVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Ten-year cost of ownership
| Replacement elements, 10 × $87.92/year | $879.20 |
|---|---|
| Sum of the lines above (as of 2026-08-30) | $879.20 |
Installing the Brita Replacement filters
Installing the Brita Replacement filters is an easy job. DIY install, verified 2026-08-30.
Ongoing maintenance
- Replace Original/Standard OB03 after 40 gallons or about every 2 months. — every 2 months
- Replace Elite OB06 after 120 gallons or about every 6 months. — every 6 months
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Brand official
Track record: Brita Replacement filters
Amazon — Original/Standard 3-pack shows 4.8 out of 5 from 227,184 reviews as of 2026-08-30; Amazon — Elite 1-pack shows 4.6 out of 5 from 55,847 reviews as of 2026-08-30.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon — Original/Standard 3-pack | 4.8 out of 5 | 227,184 | 2026-08-30 |
| Amazon — Elite 1-pack | 4.6 out of 5 | 55,847 | 2026-08-30 |
What owners praise
The Amazon review summary for the Original/Standard three-pack says customers commonly praise filter quality, function, taste improvement, ease of insertion and removal, and clean-tasting water.[1]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Amazon review
What owners complain about
The Amazon review summary for the Original/Standard three-pack reports mixed customer feedback about fit, lifespan and filtration performance.[1]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-08-30Amazon review
Recalls and litigation
LitigationA 2023 putative class action challenged Brita water-filter labeling; the Ninth Circuit affirmed dismissal without leave to amend on 2026-04-16. (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 Replacement filters against its family and its rivals
The Brita Replacement filters has 2 siblings in its family: Standard, Elite.
The rest of the family
| Model | What differs |
|---|---|
| Standard | Original/Standard model OB03 is rated for 40 gallons or about 2 months and requires a 15-second rinse before installation. |
| Elite | Elite model OB06 is rated for 120 gallons or about 6 months and installs without a pre-rinse. |
The Brita Replacement filters and cartridges sold as compatible
Current WQA listings identify Brita OEM OB03 and OB06 replacement elements in named Brita pitcher and dispenser systems, while the current NSF listing identifies OB06 in Tidal OB63 and Pacifica OB41 systems. These listings support only the OEM elements and named system combinations shown; this record makes no certification claim for third-party cartridges marketed as compatible.[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-08-30WQA listingNSF listing
Brita Replacement filters questions, answered
How often should Brita filters be replaced?
Replace Original/Standard OB03 every 40 gallons or about 2 months and Elite OB06 every 120 gallons or about 6 months. Brita says actual timing can vary with water use and condition.
Sources: [1]
What is the lawsuit against Brita water filters?
The lawsuit was a 2023 putative class action challenging Brita water-filter labeling; the Ninth Circuit affirmed its dismissal without leave to amend on April 16, 2026. The cited appellate opinion gives the current disposition.
Sources: [1]
Can Brita filters be replaced?
Yes. Original/Standard OB03 and Elite OB06 are replaceable cartridges for the compatible Brita pitcher and dispenser models listed on this page; Brita Stream uses a different filter.
Sources: [1]
Do I need to soak a new Brita filter?
Usually no: rinse a current Original/Standard filter under cold water for 15 seconds, while Elite installs without a pre-rinse. Brita recommends a 15-minute soak only for an older sealed Original filter that has been stored for years.
Sources: [1]
How often should Brita water filters be replaced?
Replace Original/Standard OB03 every 40 gallons or about 2 months and Elite OB06 every 120 gallons or about 6 months. Use the filter indicator when the host pitcher or dispenser provides one.
Sources: [1]
Do Brita filters really need to be replaced?
How often should a Brita pitcher water filter be replaced?
Replace Original/Standard OB03 every 40 gallons or about 2 months and Elite OB06 every 120 gallons or about 6 months. These schedules apply to compatible Brita pitcher and dispenser systems, not Stream filters.
Sources: [1]
Sources and data report: Brita Replacement filters
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.asin | The family record covers two separately verified Amazon products, B00004SU18 for Original/Standard and B01N30IDMJ for Elite; the schema allows only one family-level ASIN, so neither was collapsed into this field. |
| identity.upc | Brita's product pages and current performance sheets did not publish one UPC for this two-variant family, and no carton identifier was carried over from retailer metadata. |
| identity.capacity | The current Brita sheets establish different capacities—40 gallons for OB03 and 120 gallons for OB06—so a single family-level capacity would misstate one variant. |
| identity.lifespan | The current Brita sheets establish different service lives—about 2 months for OB03 and about 6 months for OB06—so a single family-level lifespan was not assigned. |
| certified.certIndexKey | The repository certification index has no single manufacturer/model key that faithfully represents this combined OB03-and-OB06 element-family record; live directory checks and listing URLs are recorded instead. |
| mechanism.treatmentMethods | Brita describes Original as coconut-based activated carbon plus ion-exchange resin and Elite as proprietary pleated media, but the schema cannot express two alternative variant trains in one field without blending them; no common train was inferred. |
| fit.bathroomsServed | Bathroom count does not apply to a countertop pitcher/dispenser cartridge, and Brita's product pages and performance sheets publish no bathroom sizing range. |
| fit.householdSize | Brita's product pages, FAQ and current performance sheets publish no household-size range for OB03 or OB06. |
| fit.serviceFlowGpm | The current pour-through listings show flow as not applicable and Brita does not publish a continuous gpm service-flow rating for these cartridges. |
| fit.roOutputGpd | These are pour-through pitcher and dispenser cartridges rather than reverse-osmosis membranes; the reviewed Brita literature publishes no RO output rating. |
| fit.roTankCapacity | These cartridges have no RO storage tank, and the reviewed Brita literature publishes no tank capacity. |
| fit.dimensions | Brita publishes different physical dimensions for Original and Elite, while the schema permits one family-level dimensions object; the two were not blended. |
| fit.pressureRange | Brita's current product pages, FAQ and pour-through performance sheets publish no inlet-pressure operating range for these gravity cartridges. |
| fit.connectionSize | The cartridges press into proprietary Brita reservoirs rather than a published plumbing connection, and no connection size appears in the reviewed OEM literature. |
| fit.requiresElectricity | Brita's installation steps show hand insertion but do not explicitly publish an electricity requirement; a false value was not inferred from the absence of an electrical step. |
| fit.requiresDrain | Brita's installation steps show pitcher and dispenser use but do not explicitly publish a drain requirement; a false value was not inferred from the absence of a drain step. |
| cost.msrp | Brita shows current direct prices by variant and pack count but does not label one family-wide figure as MSRP; no retailer list price was promoted into an MSRP claim. |
| cost.streetPrice | Verified Amazon prices differed by variant and pack count on 2026-08-30, while the schema allows one street-price field; variant-specific destinations remain in commerce and no misleading family price was chosen. |
| cost.tenYearTotalUsd | There is no single purchase path for this two-variant record: Original and Elite have different unit prices and schedules. Variant-only ten-year cartridge arithmetic is documented in the research report instead of selecting one as the family total. |
| cost.wasteRatio | A drain-waste ratio does not apply to pour-through pitcher cartridges, and no such ratio is published in the reviewed Brita literature. |
| cost.warranty | The product pages and current performance sheets publish a 30-day money-back guarantee but no term warranty in years or lifetime form that satisfies the schema's warranty shape. |
| install.estimatedHours | Brita publishes step-by-step hand installation instructions but gives no time estimate; no duration was inferred from the short procedure. |
| install.manual | Brita publishes a variant-specific Elite user guide and separate Original and Elite performance sheets, but no single current manual covers this combined family; linking only the Elite guide would misrepresent Original. |
| install.video | Live SERPs surfaced third-party and social replacement videos, but no single opened OEM video was verified to cover both current OB03 and OB06 procedures. |
| seo.verification | The independent verification loop has not run; this field is reserved for its verification stamp. |
Every source behind this page
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.brita.com/products/brita-original-replacement-filters/
- Brita actively offers the Original/Standard OB03 replacement filter on its current product page.
- Original OB03 preparation and insertion are consumer-performed steps.
- Original single-filter price of $7.99 and replacement interval of 40 gallons or about 2 months, used to calculate $47.94 per year.
- Original OB03 instructions require a 15-second rinse, hand insertion and initial water discard.
- Brita's Original OB03 replacement steps require no tools.
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.brita.com/products/brita-elite-replacement-filters/
- Brita actively offers the Elite OB06 replacement filter on its current product page.
- Elite OB06 preparation and insertion are consumer-performed steps.
- Elite single-filter price of $19.99 and replacement interval of 120 gallons or about 6 months, used to calculate $39.98 per year.
- Elite OB06 instructions require direct hand insertion and initial water discard without a pre-rinse.
- Brita's Elite OB06 replacement steps require no tools.
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-08-30https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/5joaMltFHv8CSYCb83DF5z/9b88384adc604f0913516907b8a1d630/8e1d9029be93c2ecd46234b943d9d4d5.pdf
- Current Brita Original performance sheet host-model list for replacement element OB03.
- Original OB03 rated life and warning for microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water.
- Original OB03 unsafe-water limitation and purification disclaimer.
- Original OB03 rated 40-gallon service life and about-two-month replacement interval.
- Original OB03 maximum processing rate of 2 gallons per day.
- Original OB03 requirement for adequate disinfection of microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water.
- Original OB03 operating water temperature range of 32–85°F.
- Original performance sheet states the 30-day unconditional filter money-back guarantee.
- Original OB03 rated service cycle.
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-08-30https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/5JK8pJvAg8UaTe0U6jsWnd/8b1d4448916af1778de2d6cd92533368/Elite_PT_Performance_Data_Sheet_Jan2026.pdf
- Current Brita Elite performance sheet host-model list for replacement element OB06.
- Elite OB06 rated life and warning for microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water.
- Elite OB06 unsafe-water limitation and purification disclaimer.
- Elite OB06 rated 120-gallon service life and about-six-month replacement interval.
- Elite OB06 maximum processing rate of 2 gallons per day.
- Elite OB06 requirement for adequate disinfection of microbiologically unsafe or unknown-quality water.
- Elite OB06 operating water temperature range of 32–85°F.
- Elite performance sheet states the 30-day unconditional filter money-back guarantee.
- Elite OB06 rated service cycle.
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.brita.com/support/faq/replacement-filters/
- Original/Standard and Elite replacement intervals, compatibility with Brita pitcher and dispenser systems, and Stream incompatibility.
- Brita FAQ states that Stream pitchers use a unique Stream filter rather than Original or Elite.
- Brita's current Original/Standard and Elite change schedules.
- Current replacement intervals for Original/Standard and Elite filters.
- Brita pitcher and dispenser replacement-filter compatibility and Stream exclusion.
- Original 15-second rinse, Elite no-rinse preparation, and special soaking guidance for older sealed Original filters.
- Current Original/Standard and Elite replacement schedules and filter-indicator guidance.
- Current replacement schedules and Stream compatibility boundary.
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-08-30https://assets.ctfassets.net/bugnyha6so6z/41BDQ1BOw718avTUUNi1da/806f5896d701fe6c211d12b31e7e7a47/Denali_Smart_Filter_Light_-_Elite.pdf
- Elite user guide excludes Stream from compatible Brita pitcher and dispenser systems.
- Amazon reviewaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SU18?tag=waterfilte0f3-20
- Amazon's current aggregated customer-review summary for the Original/Standard three-pack.
- Amazon's current aggregated review summary notes mixed feedback on fit, lifespan and filtration performance.
- Government agencyaccessed: 2026-08-30https://www.cpsc.gov/search?search_api_fulltext=Brita%20OB03%20OB06
- CPSC site search returned no results for Brita OB03 or OB06 on 2026-08-30.
- Unverifiedaccessed: 2026-08-30https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/24-6678/24-6678-2026-04-16.html
- Ninth Circuit opinion date and disposition in Brown v. The Brita Products Company.
- Brown case subject, appellate disposition and 2026-04-16 opinion date.
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/brita_lp/sid/3
- WQA's current system-and-replacement-element scope for Brita OB03 and OB06 under NSF/ANSI 53.
- NSF listingaccessed: 2026-08-30https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?CompanyName=brita&submit1=Search+by+Manufacturer&Program=DWTU
- NSF's current OB06 listing scope for Tidal OB63 and Pacifica OB41 systems.
Cite this page
TapWaterData Editorial. "Brita Filter Replacement: Standard vs Elite Cert Check." TapWaterData, verified 2026-08-30. https://www.tapwaterdata.com/filters/brand/brita/replacement-filters
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