Quick Take
Score: 7.6/10 | ZeroWater filters deliver impressive TDS reduction to 000, but short filter life (15-40 gallons) means frequent replacement. Buying in 8-packs is essential to manage annual costs.
Safety Analysis (40% weight) - Score: 8.0/10
NSF 42 and 53 Certified
Standard certifications for chlorine and lead. Removes 99.6% of lead.
5-Stage Ion Exchange
The multi-stage process removes virtually all dissolved solids, achieving the 000 TDS reading ZeroWater is known for.
PFAS Partial Removal
Independent testing shows 73-90% PFAS reduction, but ZeroWater does NOT hold NSF P473 certification.
Efficacy Analysis (35% weight) - Score: 7.5/10
Variable Capacity: 15-40 Gallons
Filter life depends heavily on source water TDS:
- Low TDS (under 200): ~40 gallons
- Medium TDS (200-400): ~25-30 gallons
- High TDS (400+): ~15-20 gallons
000 TDS Achievement
The included TDS meter shows filtration working. Replace when reading exceeds 006.
More Frequent Changes
Compared to Brita Longlast+ (120 gallons), ZeroWater requires 3-8x more filter changes annually.
Value Analysis (15% weight) - Score: 7.0/10
8-Pack Price: $79.99
Approximately $10 per filter - best value for ZeroWater.
Annual Cost Reality
Medium TDS water example (30 gallons per filter):
- Family using 3 gallons/day = 1,095 gallons/year
- 1,095 / 30 = 36 filters annually
- At $10/filter = $360/year
Compare to Brita Longlast+ at $30/year.
Bulk Buying Essential
Single filters cost $15. 8-packs bring per-filter cost to $10. Always buy bulk.
The Bottom Line
ZeroWater ZR-017 filters deliver impressive TDS reduction, but families must budget $200-400 annually for replacements depending on water hardness. Buy in 8-packs to minimize per-filter cost.







