Looking at the water purifier market today, one is spoiled for choice while choosing a good product. With new entrants flooding the market every couple of months, purifier brands are willing to go that extra mile to ensure that they stay on top. ZeroWater and Mavea are two of the most popular and effective purifier brands currently available in the market. Their products include filter pitchers, portable filters, replacement cartridges, and other accessories. Mavea is a subsidiary through which the more-popular Brita group began supplying its purifiers in the North American market since 2008. On the other hand, Pennsylvania-based ZeroWater, despite being a more recent brand, has already carved a formidable place for itself in the water purifier industry. Let us compare ZeroWater vs. Mavea to decide which is the one to buy.

• It uses a patented five-step filtration process, including an ion exchange array, which guarantees complete purification.
• This device is compact and can be easily kept in the corner of kitchen counters.
• The filter is equipped with a handy dispenser at the bottom, which enables the easy extraction of water without requiring removal from the refrigerator.
• ZeroWater filters come with a battery-operated TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter, which measures the amount of dissolved solids present in water, and helps users decide when it's time to replace the filter cartridge.
• It removes almost 99% of all dissolved impurities, chlorine, and chlorine byproducts, heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium, and radioactive impurities.
• It cannot remove microbial contaminants like cysts.
• Since the purer the water is the lesser its taste, water purified by ZeroWater filters may be tasteless, or have a strange flavor, especially as the filter approaches the end of its life.
• Because of its complex filtration process, this filter takes a longer time to purify water.
• ZeroWater purifiers are available in three sizes - 6, 8 and 10-cup pitchers, along with a 23-cup dispenser. Their cost ranges from $25 to $40.
• Its filters need replacement after every 25 gallons, or when the TDS meter shows a reading of 006 or higher.
• Filter cartridges are relatively expensive, at about $15 per filter.
• A major problem with ZeroWater purifiers is that, in areas with hard water, their filters may need to be replaced sooner, as their ion-exchange membranes bind with almost all impurities, and get clogged faster.

• It boasts of a sleek design and German engineering.
• Its models are available in a variety of colors, like ruby red, white, black, eggplant, and tangerine.
• Filling and pouring water is easy, as the filter has a pour-through top, which closes automatically after a task. This also reduces the time of filtration.
• Its filters use Maxtra technology, that utilizes carbon filters along with ion-exchange beads.
• Its filters are silver-treated, which prevents microbial growth, and prolongs the life of the filter.
• Filters comes with a micro-screen, which prevents the release of carbon particles into purified water.
• It comes with a filter meter, which indicates when it is time to replace the filter. It works using three parameters - the time since filter-installation, amount of water filtered, and the quality of water.
• The filter is equipped with rubber supports, which reduces the chances of slipping on or scratching kitchen tables or countertops.
• The purifier's handle is provided with soft, rubber grips, which make it easy and comfortable to use.
• It removes most of the dissolved impurities and heavy metals from water, but not beneficial minerals like magnesium, calcium, and strontium.
• This filter can remove herbicides like atrazine and simazine, and chemicals like benzene, MTBE, and tetrachloroethylene (which ZeroWater cannot).
• Since it retains all beneficial minerals, users have reported that the purified water has a desirable taste.
• The filter cannot be filled to 100% capacity, as its pour-through top closes when it is filled to about ⅔ of its capacity.
• Its spout has been criticized for being too wide, and may lead to spills while filling glasses, so filling over a sink is advisable.
• It prevents limescale deposition in cooking devices, which may damage coffee makers or espresso machines, if present.
• New filters can be used directly without any need for pre-soaking.
• The design of the purifier ensures that water is passed evenly through the filter, rather than creating channels through it. This extends the life of the filter, making replacements less frequent.
• Mavea pitchers are available in three models - Elemaris (5 to 9 cups), Marella (5 to 8 cups), and Classic Fit (8 cups). Their cost ranges from $25 to $32.
• Filters need to be replaced every 4 weeks, or after 40 gallons have been purified.
• Replacement cartridges for Mavea cost around $8 to $9 per filter, and Classic Fit cartridges, which can be used with all leading purifier brands, cost around $5 per filter.

Performance ZeroWater filters are way ahead of Mavea in this regard, and are, in fact, one of the most efficient purifiers currently available. Their ability to remove more than 99% of all dissolved solids (while Mavea removes 40 - 50%), heavy metals like lead and aluminum (some of which Mavea can't), and chemicals is unmatched. Despite this, Mavea can surpass ZeroWater in filtering certain chemicals and herbicides, as mentioned above. Taste Mavea filters produce water with a much better flavor than ZeroWater, since they retain all beneficial minerals which impart such a desirable flavor. Coffee brewed using this water also has a better flavor versus that produced from water filtered by ZeroWater. ZeroWater filters have been criticized for producing 'rotten-flesh' or 'fish-like' odors, and 'metallic-lemony' flavors as their filters approach their end of life. Cost Though there is not much difference between the cost of the two purifiers, Mavea purifiers are comparatively more affordable. Since ZeroWater filters tend to get clogged more frequently because they work harder, this can drive up the cost of using the filter, especially considering that their cartridges are much costlier than those of Mavea. One disadvantage of Mavea is that, some users complain that its cartridges are not easily available. Usability Mavea filters can be refilled and used quite easily because of their pour-through lids and user-friendly handles. They also filter water faster than ZeroWater, as the latter is slowed down by its longer filtration process. However, ZeroWater's TDS meter allows users to test for themselves how pure the water actually is, and if the filter is working. Environment-friendly Both ZeroWater and Mavea, help you protect the environment, as their filters are recyclable. They prevent the accumulation of plastic bottles in landfills which contributes to pollution. While ZeroWater offers a $10-off coupon for every two discarded filters one sends them, Mavea arranges UPS shipping labels for those who desire to do so, thus ensuring that the process is completely free for users. While ZeroWater has the edge in some aspects, Mavea is the leader is others. However, deciding which brand is better depends on the perspective. While ZeroWater's high cost and operating time may seem to be justified considering its excellent performance, Mavea's moderate performance may not be an issue, considering its attractive design, desirable taste, and low cost.