Filter Review · May 21, 2026
Does PUR remove microplastics?
Short answer: not in any certified sense. PUR pitcher and faucet filters are built and certified for lead, chlorine, and a handful of other contaminants — microplastics are not on that list. Here's what a PUR filter genuinely does, and how to find out what yours is doing to the plastic in your water.
What a PUR filter is built to do
PUR's pitcher and faucet-mount filters work by two main mechanisms: activated carbon, which adsorbs chlorine and organic compounds, and ion exchange, which captures dissolved metals like lead. That combination is genuinely effective at what it's certified for — and PUR's faucet filters in particular carry robust NSF/ANSI certifications.
Microplastics are a different problem. They're solid particles, not dissolved chemistry, and removing them reliably is a matter of physical pore size. A carbon block will trap some particles incidentally — but PUR does not certify its standard filters against microplastics, and “incidental” is not a number you can count on.
PUR vs. other filters, for microplastics
| Filter type | Microplastic removal | Certified for |
|---|---|---|
| PUR pitcher / faucet (carbon + ion exchange) | Partial, incidental — not certified for it | Lead, chlorine, mercury, select contaminants (NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 / 401) |
| Reverse osmosis | Near-complete — membrane pore size is far smaller than any microplastic | Broad contaminant removal, including particulates |
| Standard fridge filter | Minimal | Taste and odor (NSF/ANSI 42) |
The honest read: if microplastics are your specific concern, reverse osmosis is the filter class designed around particle size. A PUR pitcher is a fine chlorine-and-lead filter — just don't assume it's doing more than that without checking.
How to test your PUR filter
Filter performance varies by model, by how worn the cartridge is, and by the water going into it — so the only answer that means anything is the one from your own kitchen. Run a before/after: test your unfiltered tap, then test water straight from the PUR filter, and compare the particle counts. If the count barely moves, the filter isn't doing much for microplastics. The at-home microplastics test kit includes two tests for exactly this comparison, and you can see other filters we've tested for context.
Frequently asked
Does a PUR filter remove microplastics?
PUR's pitcher and faucet filters use activated carbon and ion exchange, and PUR does not certify them specifically for microplastics removal. A dense carbon block will physically catch some larger particles, but 'catches some' is not the same as a certified removal claim. The only way to know what your filter does is to test the water before and after it.
What is a PUR filter actually certified for?
PUR filters carry NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminants such as lead, chlorine, mercury, and certain pesticides (commonly NSF/ANSI 42 and 53, and 401 for some 'emerging contaminants' on specific models). Microplastics are not a named contaminant in those standard certifications for most PUR products.
Is PUR better than Brita for microplastics?
They are in the same category: activated-carbon consumer filters not certified specifically for microplastics. Filter geometry and pore structure vary by model, so results can differ — but neither brand's standard pitcher should be assumed to remove microplastics without testing.
How can I tell if my PUR filter removes microplastics?
Run a side-by-side. Test your unfiltered tap water, then test water that has just gone through the PUR filter, and compare the particle counts. The Water Test at-home kit includes two tests for exactly this before/after comparison.
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