Brita 42201 On Tap Filtration System, White
by Brita
|
List Price: Our Price: $26.99 You Save: $3.00 (10%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $24.70 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Brita 42201 On Tap Filtration System, White
Customer Review: Poor quality control - great customer service
Summary: 3 Stars
The pitcher was not suitable for me, too slow and small fridge with no room. This turned out to be the answer for removing that awful chlorine/aquarium smell/taste of our municipal water. It worked great for about 5 weeks. Then the light started blinking red. No way it needed a cartridge so soon but I dutifully complied (bought 4 replacement cartridges) felt it was still cheaper, more environmentally friendly than lugging bottled water. Two weeks after the filter change the light was dead. As in doornail. I had thrown out my receipt so decided to vent my frustration with "contact us" on the website. I got an email reply that a replacement base unit would be in the mail soon. Received in a week. Hey, great.
But, the replacement did not work properly - though I had a green light, when I tried to get just faucet water, a steady stream kept up through the filter side too. Not good, since hot water when washing dishes would be going through filter. I put the dead light/battery one back on as CS has said there was no danger from a dead battery.
Once again vented frustration by using the "contact us" on website. This time I was emailed with a phone number and case number to talk to someone about the "leak" (what leak, the darn diverter wasn't working!). I was prepared for a long wait but reached a person pretty quickly. He was very knowledgable and likeable and said most of their calls were about dead lights but the diverter thing was rare. He said he would send out a new one and sure enough, I got an entire new unit, filter and base. Haven't tried it out yet. Am still using the dead light one since it works fine except for the light (put a post it on fridge with the date). Will keep as a spare.
My advice, don't bother spending money on this unit with light and sprayer, the light dies way too young and is unreliable in counting. And the sprayer is virtually useless you want to get soaked. Go with the economy unit. Keep your receipt. And don't be afraid to gripe when it breaks down. Their customer service is good even if the mfring quality control stinks.
Customer Review: Not what it used to be!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
We bought this Brita filtration system around 10 years ago and have been happy with it -- the filters are easy to replace, give a helpful reminder at replacement time, and the 3-position stream selector is a very nice feature. After more than 10 years of good service, it was time to replace the entire system because the middle "stream" position wasn't shutting off when selecting the "filtered water" position.
I ignored all the bad reviews here because we were familiar with the product, happy with how well it worked, and how long it lasted. BIG MISTAKE.
The new replacement looked identical to our old model. However, as others experienced, I could not get the thing on our faucet! I could take the old one on and off with no problems, but this new model wouldn't stay on.
In addition to not staying on the faucet, the "funnel" underneath the unfiltered part popped off! There was no force involved, and it didn't break... it just came off like it was supposed to be removable, yet couldn't be re-attached. Without this piece, the middle position sprayed water all over the place. I checked the old unit and that same part is impossible to remove.
I spent about 45 minutes trying to get this new Brita to stay on the faucet and work properly, until I gave up and put the old one back on. I don't know why this newer model isn't like the old one -- they look identical. I wonder if Brita changed manufacturing plants, and something got changed in the transition?
I recommend looking for another product over this one, even if you have used the Brita in the past and have been happy with it. After reading similar warnings on the Pur system, I decided to go with the Culligan FM-15A Faucet Filter. It doesn't have the nice 3-way streams or filter replacement reminder that this Brita has, but it's cheaper, the water tastes just as good (maybe better?) and it took about 30 seconds to put on our faucet.
Customer Review: Bought as a replacement and it turned out to be much improved.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ours kept falling off the faucet because I messed up the installation, and for some reason we decided to replace the whole thing when it really wouldn't stay on anymore rather than simply ordering a new faucet adapter. Glad we did.
Feature-wise, this is no different from our previous one, but it's soooooo much more well made. The switch from straight tap to filter moves easily whereas the old one was kind of stiff so we had to hold onto the whole unit to keep it from moving.
We filter a lot of water, probably more than most people, and we only need to replace filters about once a month. I suppose normal users can go at least three months before needing to replace a filter.
TIPS:
When installing, do not use plumbers tape on the threads. You don't need it; the whole unit installs as is, out of the box, without addition.
Buy your replacement filters on Amazon where you can get two for about $20 instead of in your local store where they will likely cost you $20 each.
Don't wait to see a red indicator light to replace the filter if it's only giving you a dribble. If it's dribbling, it's time to replace the filter.
Every few months, take it off the faucet and clean the screen because it's likely clogged up with particles--this is the same type of screen that is there regardless of whether you have a filtration system or not.
BOTTOM LINE: Like the commercial says, buying bottled water is a waste. The Brita pitcher isn't really useful though because it's too slow, but this filtration system is great for making full pots of coffee every day in addition to filtering any other water you consume--such as for cooking.
The water in New York City is exceptionally clean, but when you run it through the Brita filter it's clearer than crystal and you can taste the difference.
Forget bottled water, the Brita pitcher, and all other handy filtration systems--this is the best.
Customer Review: Worst Impulse Buy EVER
Summary: 2 Stars
I was at J&R for the purpose of buying a year's worth of filters for my Brita pitcher and saw that not only was "Brita on Tap" very reasonably priced but that there was a coupon rebate offer for a total of $10 if I bought some replacement filters as well (which I have yet to purchase). Since it seemed that this system would ultimately be cheaper than the pitcher and that I'd also have the convenience of...well, Brita on tap, I jumped on it.
I should've looked before I leaped.
My tap is an "innie," so I had to use one of the included plastic adapters in order to mount the unit. I installed the correct one and added the unit. All was well until I literally TAPPED it while filling a pot: first it sprayed me, then it fell off. I ran to Amazon and noticed that other users had been having similar problems, so I took their advice and called Brita. They promptly shipped me some metal adapters. I assumed my problems were solved.
Unfortunately, I've since had occasion to tap the unit and while things have improved--it starts leaking but neither sprays me nor falls off--this is still unsatisfactory because it necessitates removing the unit and reinstalling it. Why? Because even though the metal adapter is an improvement, the receiving end is still a crummy, shallow piece of plastic. I realize that this might be satisfactory for some taps, but it's not for mine. A near-total waste of money and an exercise in futility.
To its credit, Brita on Tap does a good job of filtering water and I like the fact that the non-filtered flow can be set to "spray." But the filtered water flow is VERY slow, so while I thought this would be a good option for filling pots with cooking water, it's not, especially when the likelihood of bumping the unit in the process is factored in.
Much as I like Brita and find them a good company to deal with, I can't recommend this unit. Caveat emptor, especially if your home has older spigots.
Customer Review: I will NEVER buy another Brita product
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought a Brita filter about a year ago. There is a small handle that you move to change the water stream to filtered/unfiltered. It would not move. I called to get a replacement. On the new filter, the same handle also would not move! I called again. They sent me a different model, and the handle moved. Great. But after about 3 months, the green indicator light, which lights to tell you the water is being filtered properly, no longer appeared. Instead, the light was orange, which means it is time to change the filter. (I tried changing to a brand new filter, and the light still shined orange, not green). I called again. I was told, in a very offhand manner, that the battery had clearly run out (an internal battery the consumer cannot replace)and that I should continue to use the filter, but just write on my calendar to change the filter every 6 weeks to 2 months, and treat it as if there is no indicator light. I was becoming more and more irritated at this point, because even after several tries, I could not get a product that would work for a year or two. I complained again and in their defense, they did send me another new filter. By this time I had been given--hmm---3 new filters in place of the original defective one. Well, guess what? This fourth filter, after another 3 months, has also lost its indicator light. I know this is not simply a proper indication that the filter is used up, because as with the third filter system, I replaced the old filter with a brand new one and the indicator light continues to light with orange, which means "replace." Okay--I give up. Four tries and I have yet to be given a filter system that will, plain and simple, work properly for a few years. Whatever happened to the Good Company Brita? This is the worst experience I have ever had with a consumer product. I will never ever ever touch anything Brita with a ten foot pole and am warning others. Too bad.