Testing Philosophy
A useful test should help a real household answer three questions: does the water taste better, is the cartridge easy to live with, and what will it cost to keep replacing it?
Our testing framework is designed for repeatability across UK filter jugs and US filter pitchers. It is also designed to keep manufacturer claims separate from our own observations.
Core Test Matrix
| Metric | Why It Matters | How It Is Recorded |
|---|---|---|
| TDS before and after | Useful for ZeroWater-style dissolved-solid reduction, but not a complete safety measure. | Digital TDS meter, recorded before filtration and after first full filtered reservoir. |
| Chlorine taste and strips | Chlorine is a major reason households buy jugs and pitchers. | Taste notes plus chlorine strip reading where available. |
| Hardness strip | Important for UK limescale and kettle users. | Hardness strip before and after filtration. |
| Filtration time | Slow filters are often abandoned even if performance is strong. | Minutes to filter one full upper reservoir. |
| Cartridge fit | Poor fit causes leaks, bypass, or frustration. | Fit notes, seating effort, and visible bypass check. |
| Replacement cost | The real cost is the recurring cartridge. | Cost per cartridge, estimated monthly cost, and multipack value. |
Scoring
Scores should be based on taste improvement, speed, ease of use, cartridge availability, replacement cost, fit, and clarity of reduction claims. FilterJugs.com does not present casual home testing as a substitute for certified laboratory testing.