Last updated: February 2026
The Quick Answer
No, Brita does not remove fluoride. Not the Standard filter, not the Elite (formerly Longlast), and not the Stream filter. None of them.
Brita uses activated carbon filtration, which is great for chlorine taste, some heavy metals, and sediment — but fluoride ions pass right through carbon. This isn't a design flaw; it's just how the chemistry works.
Common misconception: Many people assume their Brita or PUR pitcher removes fluoride. It doesn't. If fluoride removal is important to you, you need a specific type of filter — reverse osmosis, bone char, or activated alumina.
If you're looking for what Brita does remove (including lead), check our Brita lead removal guide.
Why Brita Doesn't Remove Fluoride
To understand why, you need to know how different filters work:
Activated carbon (what Brita uses) works through adsorption — contaminants physically stick to the surface of the carbon. This works well for organic compounds, chlorine, and some metals. But fluoride ions are too small and don't bind to standard activated carbon.
Here's what each Brita filter type actually removes:
| Brita Filter | Fluoride | Chlorine | Lead | Mercury | PFAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brita Standard | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Brita Elite (Longlast) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Brita Stream | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Other popular carbon-based filters that also don't remove fluoride:
- PUR (Standard and Lead Reduction)
- Refrigerator water filters
- Most faucet-mount filters
- Brita-style pitchers from any brand
Which Filters Actually Remove Fluoride
Only three filtration technologies effectively remove fluoride:
1. Reverse Osmosis (RO) — Best Overall
Reverse osmosis forces water through a semi-permeable membrane with pores so small that fluoride ions can't pass through. RO systems remove 90–99% of fluoride along with virtually every other contaminant.
- Fluoride removal: 90–99%
- Also removes: Lead, PFAS, arsenic, chlorine, bacteria, nitrates — basically everything
- Cost: $150–$700 for under-sink systems
- Downside: Requires installation under the sink, wastes some water during filtration, removes beneficial minerals (some systems add them back)
2. Bone Char Carbon — Best Natural Option
Bone char is a special type of carbon made from animal bones (typically cattle). Unlike regular activated carbon, bone char has a unique chemical structure that binds fluoride ions through ion exchange.
- Fluoride removal: 90%+ (when fresh)
- Also removes: Some heavy metals, radioactive elements
- Cost: $60–$150 for gravity filter elements
- Downside: Not vegan-friendly, effectiveness decreases over time, less widely available
3. Activated Alumina — Most Targeted
Activated alumina is a form of aluminum oxide specifically designed to adsorb fluoride. It's the technology used in many municipal defluoridation systems worldwide.
- Fluoride removal: 90%+ (pH dependent)
- Also removes: Arsenic, selenium, thallium
- Cost: $50–$120 for cartridge-based systems
- Downside: Effectiveness depends on water pH (works best below pH 8.5), media needs periodic replacement
4. Distillation — Most Complete
Distillation boils water and collects the steam, leaving fluoride and nearly all other contaminants behind. It's extremely effective but slow and energy-intensive.
- Fluoride removal: 99%+
- Cost: $100–$300 for countertop units
- Downside: Very slow (produces ~1 gallon per 4-6 hours), uses electricity, removes all minerals
The Fluoride Debate: Quick Overview
We're not here to tell you whether fluoride is good or bad — reasonable people disagree, and the science is evolving. Here's where things stand:
The Case for Fluoride
- The CDC calls water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century
- Reduces tooth decay by approximately 25% in children and adults
- The U.S. has fluoridated water since 1945
- The recommended level is 0.7 mg/L — most U.S. systems target this
The Case for Concern
- A 2024 National Toxicology Program (NTP) report found an association between fluoride levels above 1.5 mg/L and lower IQ in children
- A 2019 Canadian study (Green et al.) found associations between maternal fluoride exposure and lower IQ in male children
- The EPA's maximum allowable level is 4 mg/L — the NTP report suggests risk may begin well below that
- Many European countries don't fluorinate water and achieve similar dental outcomes through other means
- Dental fluorosis (white spots on teeth) affects approximately 70% of U.S. adolescents, up from 37% in the 1980s
💡 Our position: Whether to filter out fluoride is a personal decision. If you want to remove it, the filters below will do the job. If you're comfortable with the 0.7 mg/L level in most city water, a standard Brita is fine for improving taste and removing other contaminants.
Best Fluoride-Removing Filters
APEC ROES-50 Reverse Osmosis
~$200
5-stage RO system removes 99% of fluoride plus lead, PFAS, arsenic, chlorine, and 1,000+ contaminants. Made in USA. Industry standard for 20+ years. Easy DIY install.
View on Amazon →iSpring RCC7AK
~$250
6-stage RO with alkaline remineralization. Removes fluoride and adds back healthy minerals for better taste. NSF/ANSI 58 certified. 75 GPD capacity.
View on Amazon →Waterdrop G3P800
~$700
Tankless RO with 800 GPD flow rate — no waiting for filtered water. Smart faucet with TDS monitor. NSF 58 certified. Removes 99% of fluoride.
View on Amazon →Gravity & Countertop Options
ProOne Big+ Gravity Filter
~$280
Gravity-fed filtration with fluoride-removing elements. No plumbing required. Also removes bacteria, lead, chlorine, and pesticides. Holds 2.75 gallons.
View on Amazon →Activated Alumina Cartridge
~$50–$80
Inline activated alumina filter for under-sink installation. Specifically targets fluoride removal. Can be added to existing filtration setups. Lasts 6-12 months.
View on Amazon →Megahome Countertop Distiller
~$200
Produces 1 gallon of fluoride-free distilled water in ~5.5 hours. Simple, effective, no installation. Removes virtually everything. Stainless steel construction.
View on Amazon →Filter Comparison Chart
Here's how every major filter type handles fluoride:
| Filter Type | Fluoride Removal | Cost | Install Required | Also Removes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis | 90–99% ✓ | $150–$700 | Yes (under-sink) | Everything |
| Bone Char | 90%+ ✓ | $60–$150 | No (gravity) | Some metals, radium |
| Activated Alumina | 90%+ ✓ | $50–$120 | Varies | Arsenic, selenium |
| Distillation | 99%+ ✓ | $100–$300 | No (countertop) | Everything |
| Brita Standard | 0% ✗ | $7 | No | Chlorine taste |
| Brita Elite | 0% ✗ | $15 | No | Chlorine, lead |
| PUR | 0% ✗ | $8–$18 | No | Chlorine, lead, mercury |
| ZeroWater | ~41–65% | $15 | No | TDS, lead, chromium |
| Refrigerator Filter | 0% ✗ | $20–$60 | Built-in | Chlorine taste |
What About Pitcher Filters?
If you want a pitcher-style filter that reduces fluoride, your options are limited:
- ZeroWater: The 5-stage ion exchange filter removes approximately 41–65% of fluoride. It's not complete removal, but it's the best pitcher option. The trade-off is filters need replacement every 2-3 weeks with hard water (they cost ~$15 each).
- Clearly Filtered: Claims to remove 98%+ of fluoride using their Affinity Filtration Technology. More expensive than ZeroWater but filters last longer (~100 gallons vs. 15-40 gallons).
- Epic Pure: Claims 97.8% fluoride removal. Uses a solid carbon block with proprietary media.
Note on pitcher claims: Unlike RO systems which are widely NSF-certified for fluoride removal, pitcher filter fluoride claims are often based on manufacturer testing rather than independent certification. RO remains the most reliable and verified option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brita remove fluoride from water?
No. Standard Brita filters (Standard, Elite/Longlast, Stream) use activated carbon filtration, which does not remove fluoride. Brita filters remove chlorine taste, some heavy metals (lead with Elite filters), and sediment — but fluoride passes through completely.
What water filter removes fluoride?
Three types effectively remove fluoride: 1) Reverse osmosis systems (90-99% removal — our top recommendation), 2) Bone char carbon filters (90%+), and 3) Activated alumina filters (90%+). Distillation also removes fluoride. Regular carbon filters like Brita, PUR, and refrigerator filters do NOT remove fluoride.
Does ZeroWater remove fluoride?
ZeroWater's 5-stage ion exchange filter removes approximately 41-65% of fluoride — better than Brita (0%) but not as effective as reverse osmosis (90-99%). If fluoride removal is your primary concern, an RO system like the APEC ROES-50 is more reliable.
Is fluoride in water harmful?
This is actively debated in the scientific community. The CDC endorses water fluoridation for dental health at 0.7 mg/L. However, a 2024 NTP report found associations between fluoride above 1.5 mg/L and lower IQ in children. Most U.S. water is fluoridated at 0.7 mg/L — well below the level of concern in the NTP report. Whether to filter it is a personal decision.
What is the cheapest way to remove fluoride from water?
The most affordable option is an activated alumina cartridge ($50–$80). For a complete system, the APEC ROES-50 RO system (~$200) offers the best long-term value, producing fluoride-free water for about $0.02/gallon.
Does boiling water remove fluoride?
No — boiling actually concentrates fluoride. As water evaporates, fluoride stays behind, increasing its concentration. The only heat-based method that removes fluoride is distillation, which collects the steam (leaving fluoride behind) and condenses it back into liquid water.