We replaced the Brita pitcher that we have used for several years with this one. One thing that bothers me about the Brita filters is how the carbon particles keep escaping into the top compartment of the pitcher. It doesn't hurt anything, but it looks bad to me. Mavea's filters haven't had that problem so far. However, their claim that you don't have to soak the filter is not quite true: you have to run two pitchers of water through a new filter to activate it. This is even more trouble than soaking.
The self-opening and closing lid works well. You never have to remove the lid or flip it up. The only catch is that you have to stop pouring water in when it first starts to close. If you keep filling until it closes completely, water leaks out the top of the lid down the handle and interior sides of the pitcher.
We wanted a larger capacity pitcher than the 40 ounce Brita slim pitcher we were replacing. The 3.5 liter Elemaris XL size fits the bill. Be forewarned that the fully filled pitcher is quite heavy at 9 pounds. The contoured, rubberized grip makes it easier to deal with. Mavea 1001125 Elemaris XL Water Filtration Pitcher, Black
Like the other commenters I think this filter is great. It feels sturdy, the plastic is hard, but the handle gives it a good grip. It was pretty easy to put together and take apart - so cleaning is a sinch. I also love the fact that you don't need to open anything to fill it, just start pouring in the water. Our other brita pitcher's split cap approach was so dumb compared to this. I am relieved to have received the product as advertised and all seems to be functioning without a problem.
P.S> wife said that the water tastes way better than our previous Brita and that there are no more black carbon pieces floating around everywhere.
I bought it because it is BPA free. Replaced an old, cracking Brita pitcher. It looks great, is easy to use, water tastes great (no taste at all). The pitcher is dishwasher safe which adds convenience to an already useful item. Very happy with the purchase, recommending to other family members.
Pros: BPA free, self-closing water intake, filter-replacement indicator, rubber feet preventing slips, nice modern styling
Cons: non really, except not sure how the filter sensor gets its measurements
Finally fed up w/ purchasing water gallons in my weekly food shopping, reviewed & researched different faucet filters, reading the good & extremely bad experiences of customers. I decided go w/ a filter pitcher & love the Mavea Elemaris XL. It is a bit heavy, but its modern design is attractive enough, that it flatters family casual meals. The top is unique in that you can't over fill it because it automatically bobs close when the filter has reached its limit...very cute. Best part only the most minor assembly, 2 min if that. Definitely recommend for purchase.
UPDATE Sept.19, 2010: The water meter stopped functioning on my pitcher several wks ago and I finally got around to review the material included w/ the purchase; specifically the product number I had registered on the Mavea website back in March. I sent an e-mail to Mavea including pertinent information on a Sunday night and received a response to my inquiry Monday. A new filter was fedexed to me and they graciously included a filter, all which arrived Thursday of the same week. Mavea can definitely teach a number of companies about customer service & appropriate timely responses. I'll continue recommending this pitcher to friends & family and anyone else who wants to drink cleaner water and conservation conscience. It doesn't get any better than this.
I could go into detail but I think the other reviews have done that, this Mavea Pitcher Filtration device is absolutely awesome.
I followed the steps to activate the filter, then put a glass of tap water next to a glass of filtered Mavea water, my family was incredibly impressed, the tap water had a very slight (almost unnoticable discoloration) with particles floating around, the Mavea water was incredibly clean both visually and to the taste.
Filters are not that expensive when bought on Amazon, the manufacturer recommends changing every two months (due to built up crap it removed from all the tap water) but still at just $6 or so a pop that sure beats buying inferior cases of so called distilled water from Wally World or Costco or other filter refills from so called competitors.
IMHO, the Mavea is a superior product compared to the pur water or brita pitchers, my family knows, we have tried them all. Unless something even better than this one comes along we are sold for life on this product.
Edited to add: After using this product we do still think highly of it but the filter sensor to tell you how much filter value your filter has remaining does not work so you have to merely write on a calendar when to change it. Our family uses each filter for 6 weeks then change it.
Having had a Brita filter system for years--replaced that with the Pur system, and finally replaced the Pur with the Mavea pitcher I have to say that this filtered water tastes great.
I live in an area with very very hard water, bad enough that if you make ice cubes with unfiltered water you'll have residue floating in a glass after the ice melts so having a pitcher that removes the limescale was one of the main motivators for my purchase. I believe that I can taste the difference in my coffee after switching to the filtered water from this pitcher, and if I am able to spend less time descaling my machine (it should last longer now) that will be just fine with me.
The pitcher is very easy to pour from, and even easier to fill as there is 'door' on the top of the pitcher that you refill from, it's self closing, and very intuitive. The usage meter on the lid is easy to read and understand. - Water Filter - Water Pitcher - Water Filtration - Bpa-free'
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