Are you looking for a simple but effective way to filter your drinking water? Do you need it for city water, well water, camping, or emergency preparedness? Whatever your situation, Epic Water has you covered.
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Epic Water Filters started out making filtered water bottles in 2015. Since then, their line of products has expanded to include several other types of water filtration systems.
In this review, we'll take an in-depth look at the two Epic Water filter pitchers - the Epic Pure and Epic Nano.
Although they look alike on the outside, they have different filters on the inside that are designed to eliminate specific contaminants. So that means you can get a filter best suited to your needs.
By the time you're done reading, you'll understand why the Epic Pure is an excellent choice for filtering city water and the Epic Nano is perfect for well water, camping, and emergencies.
In a hurry? You can do a quick price check and read the reviews at Amazon on the Epic Pure and Epic Nano.
Or check the price of both at Epic Water filters (Get 20% off with coupon code safehealthyhome20 when you order through this link.)
Features of the Epic Pure & Epic Nano Water Filter Pitchers
The basic design is the same for both pitcher models. Where the difference lies is in the filtration media. We'll go into more detail about that in a bit.
Features Shared by Both Models
Epic Pure vs Epic Nano: What's the Difference?
Different Filters Offer Different Protection
The main difference between the Epic Pure and Epic Nano is the filter element itself. It's an important difference that you need to pay attention to when choosing the best one to meet your needs.
They contain different filtration media that differ in the type and amount of contaminants they can remove or reduce.
Epic Pure uses a proprietary blend of filtration media within three activated carbon filters. It's best used with city tap water because it does not remove microbiological contaminants. (It does remove fluoride, by the way, if that's of concern to you.)
Epic Nano has a nanoalumina* active layer sandwiched between two layers of spunbond polyester. That active layer contains powdered activated carbon (PAC) and antimicrobial silver. Because it removes microbiologicals like bacteria and viruses, it's ideal for well water, camping, or for when there's a boil advisory.
In the Contaminant Reduction section below, you can see more specifics about how the two filter types compare in this regard.
Here's a Tip: The filters are interchangeable. So say, for example, you're on city water and normally use the Epic Pure filter. You could keep an extra Nano filter on hand and switch it out if there's a boil advisory, or for whatever other reason you might want protection from microorganisms.
Epic Pure filter
Epic Nano filter
*Nanoalumina water filtration is a somewhat new technology that I'm just beginning to learn about. And don't worry - alumina is aluminum oxide - not the same thing as aluminum. There's plenty of information on the Internet about nanoalumina if you'd like to research it yourself. Like here, for instance: Quick and not-so-dirty: A rapid nano-filter for clean water (Phys.org).
Different Color Choice
The Epic Pure pitcher comes in white or navy, and the Epic Nano comes in black or navy. At least those are the choices at this time. That may change in the future.
Contaminant Reduction
Now let's dive a little deeper into the performance of these water filters.
Epic Water Filters publishes third party lab test results on their website for all the world to see. Kudos to them for their transparency!
Although they're not officially NSF certified, the filters are tested against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53 and 401 for aesthetic effects (taste and smell), health effects, and emerging/incidental contaminants.
The Epic Pure removes up to 99.99% of over 200 tap water contaminants, including lead and fluoride, but doesn't remove microbiological contaminants. That's why you should only use it with treated tap water.
The Epic Nano removes the same contaminants, although not all to the same degree. In addition, the Nano removes 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and cysts.
This table shows how the two compare in the reduction of a sampling of common contaminants:
As you can see, they're the same or almost the same for nitrate, iron, lead PFOA, PFOS, glyphosate, BPA, MTBE, and microplastics.
But the Epic Pure is a little better for chlorine and way better for fluoride. The Nano, on the other hand, is much better at reducing sulfate and aluminum, and, of course, the microbiologicals.
Both filters are great at removing VOCs, semi-volatiles, pesticides, herbicides, THMs, pharmaceuticals, and more.
What about the healthy minerals in water? Are they also removed?
No, they're not removed. Like most water filters, the Epic Pure and Epic Nano allow beneficial minerals to pass through.
Want to learn more? Click here to see the Epic Pure performance data and here to see the Epic Nano performance data.
Suggested Reading: What Causes Cysts in Your Home Drinking Water? (article by Larry L. Taylor, Ezine)
Filter Life
Now, you're probably wondering how long the filter will last before you have to replace it - an important consideration when you're deciding on a water purifier.
These filters have a decent life span. They're supposed to last for 150 gallons, which is about 3 to 4 months on average.
Of course, that depends on how much you use it and on the quality of the water you put in it. The worse your water is, the harder the filter has to work and the quicker it will come to the end of its life.
The timer on the pitcher lid is set for 90 days to remind you to replace the filter. But it's possible that you'll need to do it sooner. Or, you might be able to wait a little longer.
Filter life timer
Signs that it's time for a replacement are the water starting to taste bad or a significant slowdown in filtration.
If you're not going to use the pitcher for an extended period of time, you can turn off the timer and restart it when you go back to using it.
So, where can you buy replacement filters?
They're available at Epic Water Filters.
You can buy them as needed, or you can join their Clean Water Club subscription service and save 20%. They'll automatically ship them to you on the schedule you choose. Sign up when you purchase a pitcher, or sign up later - your choice.
What's in the Box
When you buy either the Epic Pure or Epic Nano, you'll get the pitcher with lid, a water filter element (already attached), and user instructions.
How to Set Up an Epic Water Filtration Jug
Setting up a new system is super simple.
The system is already put together for you. To prepare the filter for first use, you just fill the reservoir and let the water run through. Discard the water (or use it to water your plants) and repeat. Then you can use the water on the third run.
See? I told you it was easy!
Test Run
After preparing the new filters, I filled the upper reservoir in each pitcher and timed how long it took for the water to filter through.
The Epic Pure took 11 minutes and the Epic Nano took 17.5 minutes to filter 1.5L (about 3 pints) of water.
Even after repeating a number of times, the results were the same. I thought it might go faster after the filter was broken in a bit, but that wasn't the case.
My guess is that the Nano takes longer because the pores in the filter are smaller in order to block microorganisms. It also has only one entry hole, while the Pure has three.
So, it's going to take a little bit longer to fill the entire 2L (half gallon) bottom reservoir. This is typical for this kind of water filtration system.
You don't have to wait for the entire upper reservoir to empty before you can have a drink, though. The pitcher is designed so that you can pour filtered water out while there's still some in the reservoir.
Now, I did have an issue with pouring water out of the Nano pitcher. When I first started pouring, it was fine. But then when it was getting close to being empty, the whole top reservoir fell out and landed in the sink. I pressed down on the top to make sure it was in tight and tried it again, but it kept falling out.
I don't think it had anything to do with the filter itself, but was probably some kind of flaw in the pitcher or lid. It didn't happen at all with the Epic Pure pitcher. I was able to pour out all the water with no problems.
I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker because I could keep it from falling by holding it in place with the other hand. But if I had purchased the Nano pitcher myself, I would've asked for a replacement because this really shouldn't happen.
Otherwise, I liked everything about the pitchers. They're attractive and feel sturdy. And, most importantly, they make great tasting pure water.
Country of Origin
Epic Water Filters is an American company based in Boulder, Colorado.
Where Epic Water Filters are made isn't clear, however. There's nothing on the packaging or the enclosures that says where they're manufactured. The only information I could find on the company's website was this:
"Our bottle filters are proudly made in the USA! Our other filters are made overseas in FDA compliant factories."
I include this information because I know that it's an important deciding factor for some people.
Pros & Cons of Epic Water Filter Pitchers
Here's a quick overview of the pros and cons, based on my own experience and reading online customer reviews.
Epic Water Filter Pitcher Pros and Cons
What People Like
Don't Like So Much
Where to Buy
The Epic Pure and Epic Nano pitchers and replacement filters are always available at the Epic Water Filters website. Plus you can get 20% off your order at this link with coupon code safehealthyhome20.
You also might find them at Amazon. Last time I checked, both pitchers and the Pure replacement filter were available, but the Epic Nano replacement filter was not. That can change, though, so it's always a good idea to look for yourself.
Click here to check the price and availability of the Epic Pure at Amazon.
Click here to check the price and availability of the Epic Nano at Amazon.
Verdict: Epic Water Filter Pitchers Get a Big Thumbs Up!
The excellent filtration performance of both the Epic Pure and Epic Nano pitchers earn them a high rating.
Combine that with the attractive design, ease of use, and lifetime warranty, and you have products definitely worth considering.
Remember - for filtering treated municipal water, you should choose the Epic Pure. Buy at Amazon or buy at Epic Water Filters (use coupon code safehealthyhome20 for 20% off your order).
And if you need to filter well water, water from a stream or lake, or when you have a boil advisory, choose the Epic Nano. Buy at Amazon or buy at Epic Water Filters (use coupon code safehealthyhome20 for 20% off your order).
Want to check out some other water filtration pitchers? Please see my review of this year's best water filter pitchers.
Disclaimer: I was provided with free Epic Pure and Epic Nano water filter pitchers in return for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the manufacturer and/or its affiliates, in any way.
Last Updated on April 4, 2022
