ZeroWater4-Pack Replacement Filter Cartridges ZR-004, Basic pack

Very Pricey compared to other filters but so worth it. The water is pure and perfect. Hope the price comes down a few dollars in the future.

4 filters came individually wrapped (which is good) but instead of a box of 4 as pictured, they came in a plastic bag. Makes me wonder if they had been used, that is, were returned because the original product box was damaged. The packaging of the filters within the cardboard shipping box had no packing inside, so they may be impact cracked/damaged as the product (filter) cannot be viewed without removing opaque white filter wrapping.NOTE: I AM A MATERIALS ENGINEER TRAINED IN CHEMISTRY ASSOCIATED WITH MUNICIPAL WATER TREATMENT.MANY CUSTOMER REVIEWS HERE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT AMBER AND BLACK PARTICLES COMING OUT OF THE FILTERS DURING USE, SHOWING UP IN THE PITCHER CHAMBER ON THE TOP. THESE ARE NOT DEFECTIVE FILTER CONTENTS. THESE FILTERS WORK BY (1) ACTIVATED CARBON WHICH ABSORBS UNWANTED GASES AFFECTING FLAVOR AND (2) AMBER ZEOLITE PELLETS WHICH CAPTURE DISSOLVED MINERALS, MAINLY CALCIUM AND SODIUM COMMONLY PRESENT IN NATURAL DRINKING WATER. These carbon bits (black) and zeolite beads (amber) accumulate and remain in the upper part of the filter pitcher, so their presence means that small amounts are back flowing from the filter module with usage. These particles are harmless and do not need to be cleaned out at every fill. ALSO, THESE ZEOLITE BEADS AND ACTIVATED CARBON FILTERS LAST MUCH LONGER IF YOU USE THEM DOWN STREAM OF A STANDARD WATER SOFTENER WHICH REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF DISSOLVED SOLIDS WHICH MUST BE REMOVED LATER BY THE ZERO FILTERS. Read the reviews here that discuss how to sequence partially used and new Zero filters among multiple filter pitchers to make them last 2 to 4 times longer. I tried it and the approach is logical and works. FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER KIDNEY STONES (AS DO I), THESE ZERO FILTERS ARE A MUST! I USE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (NOT SODIUM CHLORIDE SALT) IN MY WATER SOFTENER TO AVOID BOTH CALCIUM AND SODIUM WHICH PROMOTE KIDNEY STONES. I HAVE STOPPED HAVING KIDNEY STONES BY USING POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN THE WATER SOFTENER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ZERO FILTERS FOR WATER THAT GOES INTO MY BODY. IN FACT, KIDNEY STONES SHOWN ON X-RAYS HAVE DISAPPEARED (DISSOLVED??) SINCE USING THE ZERO FILTERS AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN THE WATER SOFTENER. THE WATER HEATER WILL ALSO LAST LONGER USING POTASSIUM CHLORIDE RATHER THAN SODIUM SALT.

I usually get the 1-2 or two packs and 1 will last me a good month or so before gold and black beans I'm assuming are from activated carbon and filter bc that's where it comes from. This month I got the 4 pack so I don't need to worry about not having one and having plastic particles in my water, but each filter has lasted no more than 2 weeks now and I'm on my last one in a fraction of the time. I'm suspecting the 4 packs are different since this is the first time I've had a filter not last even 2 weeks and im on the 3rd filter of the set of 4 where I would normally still be on 1 filter if I had bought it without the 4 pack.

Unless you are single, you'll spend hundreds annually on replacement filters. Each will last maybe 2 weeks, then the water begins tasting bitter until you find yourself going through all 4 replacement filters in 5-6 weeks like we did. It's the same concept of selling the unit inexpensively as with printers, where the money is made in the toner (or replacement filters in this case). While the water does taste great with a new filter, it's simply not a good longterm water solution (no pun intended) for households. Better to save up for either a reverse-osmosis system or one from CuZn instead.

Great filter! My water has never been so refreshing and tastes amazing. I've used multiple different portable filtering systems and this one by far is the best. Many have complained that ZeroWater can taste and smell rancid making for too often filter changes. One reviewer wrote a simple solution that I religiously follow: take ZeroWater filtered water and pour in another container then air dry your ZeroWater pitcher and filter. I do this a few times a day (I drink a lot of water and use it in cooking). My filter lasts me 3 months! These filters are pricey, but the differences are huge. Also, if your pitcher is slow to fill it's either because you need a filter change or there is a clog of sorts (or air bubble) give it a little shake and you will see the water flow.