This is the pitcher zone. Think Brita, Pur, or that generic brand your roommate bought. These run from $15 to $45 for the pitcher itself. It feels like a steal. You slap a filter in, pour some tap water, and boom—crystal clear hydration.
But here’s the kicker: the real cost is the replacements. Those little cartridges cost $5 to $15 each. And you have to swap them every two months or so. Miss a change? Suddenly your water tastes like a wet sock. So that $20 pitcher? Over a year, you’re actually spending $50 to $90. Still cheap, but not “free money” cheap.
