ZeroWater’s 40 cup ready-pour filtered water dispenser has an elegant glass and chrome design with a no-drip spigot (which you may want to replace; more on this below). It is certified to NSF Standard 53, demonstrating that it can reduce both lead and chromium, as well as a range of other chemicals. This is rare for a pour-through water dispenser that operates without the pressure of tap water and comes courtesy of the 5-stage filtration system incorporated into the ZeroWater pitcher.
ZeroWater 40 Cup Ready-Pour Glass Dispenser
Highlights: Certified to NSF Standard 53, demonstrating that it can reduce both lead and chromium, as well as a range of other chemicals. ZeroWater uses both activated carbon and ion exchange to reduce contaminants, including removing dust, rust, and other suspended solids. This pitcher removes 99.6% of total dissolved solids (TDS), which includes removing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
ZeroWater 40 Cup Ready Pour Glass Dispenser at a glance:
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Certifications: | NSF Standard 53 |
Table of Contents
Our Review
- NSF Certified
- Great for families
- BPA free, glass dispenser
- Beats the Big Berkey and at a better price
- Strips out essential minerals
- Spigot flakes after use
ZeroWater use both activated carbon and ion exchange to reduce contaminants, including removing dust, rust, and other suspended solids. In fact, this pitcher removes 99.6% of total dissolved solids (TDS), which includes removing essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. So, as this product does not contain a remineralizer element, you will want to ensure you and your family get these vital nutrients elsewhere.
The 40-cup (2.5 gallons) ZeroWater pitcher is a great choice for parties, gatherings, meetings, offices, or for general use at home. If you’re expecting a lot of thirsty guests, though, fill it up in advance as the filter rate is slow at 0.03 gallons per minute, or 15 minutes per half gallon, meaning it will take over an hour for the whole dispenser to fill with filtered water.
This package comes with the dispenser, a TDS meter and two replacement filters. These filters help remove organic contaminants; pesticides, herbicides, mercury, chlorine, and chloramine, as well as inorganic compounds including metals, nonmetals and radiological contaminants. The unit is certified BPA-free and is made of glass, not plastic, so it is easy to clean but quite heavy when filled (around 30 lbs). The dispenser measures around 18″ tall and 9″ in diameter, and the spigot sticks out 2″ from the glass.
Now for the downside with this pitcher: the spigot (which is made of plastic and chrome) seems to flake after a little while, releasing small metallic pieces into the filtered water. As of December 2018, ZeroWater say they have resolved this issue by only coating the spigot on the outside-facing portions. So, check your spigot when it arrives to see if you have an older or newer model. If there is coating on the portion of the spigot that fits inside the glass, contact ZeroWater for a replacement or ditch the plastic altogether and replace the included spigot with an inexpensive stainless steel spigot.
ZeroWater vs. Big Black Berkey vs. Aquasana AQ-4000
The ZeroWater 40-Cup dispenser is an attractive countertop water filter that is NSF certified, BPA-free, easy to use and portable. It easily beats the Big Berkey on performance and eco-credentials, and is more portable and attractive than the Aquasana.
The Aquasana still wins for performance, however, and is your best option if you don’t mind fiddling with a faucet for a few minutes and want some serious filtration action.
For more reading, see our top picks for whole home water filters.
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