I've been using this filter for many years now and we feel good that PUR filters filter out more unhealthy stuff in the water than other brands do. However, the new design for this replacement filter doesn't come with the red moving reminder (for you to know it's time to change the filter) anymore. I don't know the reason why PUR would give up such good design. Now they tell you to just change the filter after a certain time. I still think the reminder design is more accurate since it goes by how much water that's gone through the filter, not by how many days. PUR 2-Stage Water Pitcher Replacement Filter, 2-Pack
I'm currently a college student living with 5 other guys and we use Brita filter at the apartment. When you cook with Brita filter, you can't taste a thing, but when you just drink the water, it taste like tap/toilet water. It also leaves those black stuff (part of the filter) on the bottom of the container. Personally, that's just weird and nasty, but maybe people like eating those filter-particles.
Back at home, my family use Pur water filter and I have to say, you can definitely taste the difference. I think that the water filtered by Pur taste like Fiji water. It's awesome. Instead of buying those ridiculously-good-looking bottled Fiji water, I bought huge water containers and take water filtered from home to my school apartment and just drink it myself.
The only downside of Pur water filter is that it costs more than Brita filter. Being an Economics major, I calculated the cost of water per gallon (filtered). With each filter (Pur or Brita), it filters 40 gallons of water. Pur cost $24.99 for a 3-pack (Amazon.com), this means that it costs $.208 to filter a gallon of water (excluding the cost of water itself). Brita filter cost $15.99 for a 3-pack (Amazon.com), this means that it costs $.133 to filter a gallon of water (36% cheaper than Pur). Although it costs more, I still think it's worth the money. I rather spend the extra $.075 per gallon of water than to drink toilet water.
Original Review(12/25/06): I ordered 11 boxes of these and confirmed before ordering from PUR200 product manual that it will work. PUR200 came with the filter which has a red indicator that moves as you consume water/filter. I bought this knowing that this filter (CRF-950Z) does *not* have the red indicator. However after putting the filters in, the top water bucket does not seat properly. These filters are about .25 inch taller than the one with red indicator.
This is a major inconvenience and really is the fault of PUR. They should specify the PUR water coolers this filter will work in. It may very well work fine in filters where it will fit properly.
Update 12/27/2006: I called 800-PUR-LINE and just spoke to Procter & Gamble about this issue. They said they are aware of this problem and CRF-950Z will not fit water cooler(and likely any water cooler) made by KAZ(PUR200, PUR300). They also mentioned that they dont know how long it will be before this problem is rectified. In effect, there are no filters available for this unit right now. One has to wonder about the quality control at PG/KAZ. At least these guys should issue a product recall on this.
In my recently deleted review, I praised these PUR filters for their performance and the Automatic Safety Monitor. Removing the Monitor has now made the filter much less reliable.
PUR claims in an email reply that consumers prefer the calendar sticker to the Automatic Safety Monitor:
"Hi there,
As of June/2006, the PUR 2 Stage Pitcher filter no longer has an indicator life monitor; there is now a calendar sticker you put on the pitcher.
I'm sorry you are not enjoying the improved version of our product. Many consumers have contacted us praising the new version and telling us how much better they like it. A lot of testing and research takes place before a new product enters the market or before changes are made to an existing product. We test our products very thoroughly, not only to ensure the safety of our products, but also to determine and prove the benefits of the new or upgraded model.
Change is difficult because there are always loyal consumers who like a product just the way it is. Unfortunately, it's usually not practical to manufacture both the old and new versions of a product. Nevertheless, I will certainly share your comments and experiences with our PUR Brand team.
Have a great day.
PUR Team"
The newest reviews here are a more realistic reflection of how the average and once-loyal PUR customer feels. A calender sticker doesn't know the difference between a single user, a couple like my wife and me, and a thirsty family of six. People who rely on a PUR pitcher or dispenser for health reasons must now be especially careful to monitor the filter life themselves. Throwing out a filter before it needs to be replaced is expensive and wasteful. Using a filter past the end of its life will put impurities back into the water.
The filter's overall performance is on a par with competitors but the Automatic Safety Monitor was PUR's strongest selling point. Sad to say, Procter & Gamble has turned the innovator in water filtration into another also-ran.
This item is actually great. But, beware. Iordered this item thinking it is going to be the CRF-950L like they advertise. But I was sent out the CRZ-950Z instead. They are the same filter, except that the L as a monitor top as it says in the description and the box has the word Ultimate on it. The 950Z has neither feature. Again, they are the same filter (as far as I can tell), but this is not what is advertised nor what I purchased. I am now on my second return with Amazon and will continue to return it untill they send me the correct item.
**EDIT 10-28-06** Well I have returned this item several times and got no where with amazon. The item was supposedly unavailable the last week or so and now has been brought back with a different picture and is now listed as a 950Z. But, beware the description still list it has having a monitor. The 950Z does not have a monitor to let you know when to change the filter. This is not the first time that I have noticed discription problems with Amazon. Though neither were so bad that I could not use the items, they were just not as expected or slightly off as described. - Pur - Pur Filter'
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