We compared two popular kitchen water filter jugs at different prices: the large BRITA Marella XL and the slim Aqua Optima Liscia, each with one cartridge included.
What we looked at
Jug size, stated cartridge life, filtration stages, what each filter is stated to reduce, extras such as filter-change reminders, and price.
The verdict
If you get through a lot of water and want a 3.5L jug with a stated 150-litre cartridge, a Memo reminder and one-hand flip-lid filling, the Brita Marella XL is the high-volume pick, at about twice the price. If you want a slim, fridge-fitting jug at under £10 with a 100-litre Evolve+ cartridge, the Aqua Optima Liscia is the value option.
A 3.5L jug with a stated 150-litre cartridge and a change reminder, but it costs about twice as much.
A slim, fridge-fitting jug at under £10 with a 100-litre cartridge, but no filter-change indicator or filtered-volume figure listed.
BRITA Marella XL Water Filter Jug, 3.5L, Blue (1x MAXTRA PRO cartridge) — Best for Big Households
Intended for: Marketed as a large-volume water filter jug with a full capacity of 3.5L for 2.0L of filtered water, one MAXTRA PRO cartridge stated to last 150 litres, a flip-lid, and a Memo reminder for filter changes.
What we liked
- 150 litres of filtered water from one cartridge, stated for high-volume use
- 3.5L jug that gives 2.0L of filtered water
- MAXTRA PRO 4-stage filtration with activated carbon and ion-exchanger pearls
- Reduces chlorine, limescale and metals like lead and copper, and microparticles of 30 microns or more
- Flip-lid for one-hand filling, plus a Memo reminder to change the filter
- BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, except the digital indicator
Worth knowing
- Costs about twice as much as the Aqua Optima Liscia on these listings
- The digital indicator is not dishwasher-safe
Best for
- Households that get through a lot of filtered water
- Anyone who wants a filter-change reminder built in
- Buyers who want a stated 150-litre cartridge life
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Anyone who specifically wants the slim fridge-fitting profile of the Liscia
Aqua Optima Liscia Water Filter Jug 2.5L, White (1x Evolve+ cartridge) — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a sleek, space-saving 2.5L water filter jug with a slim fridge-fitting profile, one Evolve+ 5-stage cartridge stated to last 100 litres, and limescale protection for appliances.
What we liked
- About half the price of the Brita Marella XL on these listings
- Slim fridge-fitting profile, stated as H240 x W260 x D100mm
- Evolve+ 5-stage filtration stated to reduce microplastics and chlorine
- Each 100-litre cartridge is stated to cut single-use plastic waste
- Stated to help combat limescale build-up, useful in hard water areas
Worth knowing
- Cartridge is stated to last 100 litres, against 150 litres for the Brita
- The listing does not state a filtered-water volume
Best for
- Anyone who wants a slim jug that fits in a fridge door or shelf
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Hard-water households who want limescale protection for their kettle
Not ideal for
- Larger households who want the longest cartridge life
- Anyone who wants a built-in filter-change indicator
