The question isn’t really “pitcher or under-sink.” It’s which product at which price point for which contaminants.
A $90 Clearly Filtered pitcher beats a $20 faucet-mount filter on contaminant coverage. A quality under-sink carbon block destroys a basic pitcher on cost per gallon. Neither touches what a reverse osmosis system can remove. So “which is better” depends entirely on what you’re comparing and what you’re trying to filter.
What They Have in Common
Both categories use activated carbon as the primary filtration media. Both can carry NSF 42 (aesthetic contaminants like chlorine and taste) and NSF 53 (health-effect contaminants like lead and cysts) certifications. And both address drinking and cooking water only.
That’s roughly where the overlap ends.
Where They Actually Differ
Flow rate. Under-sink wins here, and it’s not close. Turn on the tap, get filtered water immediately. Pitchers require filling and waiting. Multi-stage pitchers like Clearly Filtered are notably slower than basic carbon pitchers, which is the trade-off for that level of filtration.
Volume. An under-sink filter handles whole-household demand at the kitchen tap. A pitcher holds 2-3 gallons and needs constant refilling for any family with real daily use.
Installation. Pitcher is zero. Under-sink requires connecting to the cold water supply valve, usually a dedicated faucet hole or saddle valve, and some basic plumbing comfort. For most people it’s a 30-minute job. For renters, it may not be an option at all.
Contaminant coverage. At each price tier, roughly comparable. But the Clearly Filtered pitcher is in its own category for a pitcher, covering PFAS, lead, and fluoride with NSF P473, 53, and 42 certifications. Most basic under-sink carbon block filters at the $80-150 range cover lead, chlorine, and cysts, but not PFAS or fluoride.
Neither category reaches the full contaminant coverage of an NSF 58 reverse osmosis system.
The Cost-Per-Gallon Math
This is where under-sink filters look dramatically different over time.
Clearly Filtered pitcher: roughly $0.25 per gallon (100-gallon filter life, $25 per filter). Brita Longlast+: roughly $0.15-0.20 per gallon. At 2 gallons per day, Clearly Filtered runs about $15-18 per month in filter costs alone.
A Woder under-sink carbon block filter is rated at 10,000 gallons and costs around $90. That’s less than $0.01 per gallon. At 2 gallons per day, that’s under $1 per month in filter costs.
The upfront cost difference, say $150 for a decent under-sink setup vs. $90 for a Clearly Filtered pitcher, pays back in about 5-6 months of daily use. After that, you’re saving money every month.
When a Pitcher Makes More Sense
Renters who can’t modify plumbing. People who move frequently. Anyone with PFAS or fluoride concerns who doesn’t want a full under-sink installation. Situations where refrigerator space is available and refilling isn’t a burden.
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is genuinely the best portable option for broad contaminant coverage. If PFAS is your main concern and you’re renting, it’s the right answer.
When Under-Sink Makes More Sense
Homeowners who want long-term value. High-use households that get tired of constant refilling. Anyone filtering mostly for lead and chlorine protection who doesn’t need PFAS or fluoride coverage.
An under-sink carbon block like the Woder 10K is one of the lower-cost paths to reliable lead and chlorine protection at the kitchen tap, with a 10,000-gallon filter life that drops maintenance to roughly once a year.
If your goal is maximum contaminant removal including PFAS, fluoride, arsenic, and nitrates, skip both categories and get an under-sink reverse osmosis system. An RO handles what neither a pitcher nor a basic carbon block can touch.
Decision Guide
Can’t install anything, renting, or need portability? Pitcher.
Want PFAS, fluoride, and lead covered from a no-install option? Clearly Filtered pitcher.
Homeowner who wants low long-term cost with lead and chlorine protection? Under-sink carbon block.
Need to remove PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, or arsenic? Neither of these categories. Get RO.
Not sure what’s in your water? Check the filter decision guide first. Buying a filter for the wrong problem wastes money regardless of which category you choose.
The Recommendation
For homeowners, the long-term math on under-sink is hard to argue with. Lead and chlorine protection at the kitchen tap for under $1 a month in ongoing filter costs is hard to beat. If you want broader coverage and are willing to pay more, an under-sink RO is the upgrade path.
For renters or anyone who moves, the Clearly Filtered pitcher gives you the strongest contaminant coverage of any no-install option. It’s slower and costs more per gallon, but it’s the only pitcher with documented PFAS and fluoride removal.
See the full reviews at best pitcher water filters and best under-sink water filters.