Last year, I moved to a new area and noticed that I wasn’t staying as hydrated as I did when I lived in my previous home. After some research, I discovered our water supply was hard – meaning it has a high mineral content. I didn’t enjoy the taste, I was drinking less, and I was adding lemon slices or squash to every glass; something needed to change! However, I was concerned about the plastic waste produced by water bottles and conventional filters. I began to research eco-friendly water filter alternatives and eventually found Phox Water.
(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on the links and make a purchase. All opinions are my own. Thank you for your support! )
Why I decided to try Phox Water:
- Gives water a clean, fresh taste.
- Strong commitment to sustainability.
- Longer filter lifespan than competing brands.
- Plastic-free filter refills.
- Made in the UK.
- Produces 75% less CO2 than traditional filters.
- Softens water (Clean and Softener filter packs only).
Phox Water Review
I’ve been using the Phox Water filter for more than half a year now, and I am very happy with it overall. There are many benefits to using this particular filter, but there are also a few drawbacks, which I will discuss in this post. I hope this post will help you decide if the Phox Water filter is right for you.
What impurities can the Phox Water filter absorb?
| Component | What does it do? | Which filter packs can it be found in? |
| Coconut shell carbon | Phox Water filters contain coconut shell carbon to absorb lead, copper, pesticides and chlorine. It also absorbs Geosmin to help reduce bad tastes/ smells. | Clean, Softener, and Alkaline filter packs. |
| Ion exchange beads | Phox Water’s Ion exchange beads help soften water, minimising hardness and limescale. | Clean and Softener filter packs. |
| Added Minerals | The Alkaline pack contains added calcium and magnesium to restore healthy minerals to water after filtration. | Alkaline filter packs. |
Which water filter set did I choose, and why?
I was mostly concerned with ensuring that my water was soft, tasted nice, and had minimal impurities. For this reason, I chose to go with Phox’s Clean filter packs. The Clean pack is tailored to tackle hard water, which was the root of my issues. If you live in the UK, you can find out whether your water is hard or soft using Phox Water’s water map.
I’d consider purchasing the alkaline filter pack to get the benefit of added minerals if I lived in an area with soft water. However, I’m pleased with my choice in filter type as I can notice a distinct difference in the water’s taste – it’s now flavourless and easy to drink.
How easy is it to change the water filter?
Setting up and changing the water filter is an easy process. There are a couple of extra steps involved when compared to a traditional water filter cartridge, but I think it’s worth it for a high-quality result. You need to place a carbon felt disk in the lid of the cartridge before adding the granules to the main body of the cartridge. I appreciate the fact that you get to see everything your water will pass through! The process takes only a minute or two of active work, but you’ll need to soak the new cartridge for 6 minutes and allow two reservoirs to fill before drinking. I’ve got a full tutorial on how to change your Phox Water filter on my blog.
When first adding the granules my water filter, I was a little concerned as there seemed to be some unfiltered water leaking from the side of the cartridge. However, I soon realized I had not secured the cartridge into the jug properly. If you experience the same situation, make sure it is fully secure.
Phox Wave vs Phox V2 Glass Jug
Phox Water currently offers two jug options: the Phox Wave, and the Phox V2 glass jug.
As someone who lives in a small space, I needed a compact solution that wouldn’t take up too much room on the kitchen counters. I also wanted a jug that could fit snugly within my fridge door. I opted for the Phox Wave 2.8L jug, which was the perfect size for me.
The model I bought is made from plastic. It is BPA and Phthalate free, and very lightweight. I like to move my water filter throughout the day (from the kitchen to my desk, for example), and I find it easy to transport because of its shape and lightness. However, I understand that some people prefer glass for health and sustainability reasons. If you’re after an eco-friendly glass water filter, I recommend opting for the Phox V2 2.2L Glass Water Filter.
Phox Water vs Brita Maxtra
When I was shopping for a water filter, I spent a long time deciding whether to choose a model from Phox Water (Clean filters) or opt for Brita’s Maxtra model. Here’s a comparison of the eco-friendliness, functionality, and affordability of both products.
| Feature | Phox Water (Clean) | Brita Maxtra |
| Cost Per Litre | Based on this product listing. COST PER LITRE: £0.035* | Based on this product listing. COST PER LITRE: £0.042* |
| Plastic reduction | Refillable cartridge which can be used over and over again with refills (limits unnecessary plastic waste). | Cartridge isn’t refillable, but is made with 50% bio-based plastics. |
| Cartridge lifespan | Needs replacing every 45 days (6.4 weeks) | Needs replacing every 4 weeks |
| Softens water | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces limescale in appliances | Yes | Yes |
| Reduces Chlorine, lead, and copper | Yes | Yes |
Although this list is not exhaustive, these factors ultimately convinced me to purchase Phox Water’s Wave jug with Clean filters. It is worth noting, however, that Brita provides additional information about the contaminants that their Maxtra filter can remove from water, such as “certain herbicides, pesticides and pharmaceuticals“. I could not find similar claims on Phox Water’s website.
Is it packaged sustainably?
The water filter arrived quickly to my home after I placed an order through Phox Water’s Amazon store. As far as I could tell, the packaging was fully paper and cardboard. There was very little waste, and the instructions for setting up the water filter had been printed directly onto the box rather than on additional leaflets/ business cards. Despite the minimal use of packing materials, my new water jug and filters reached my home in perfect condition, as you can see!
It was easy to follow the instructions provided on the packaging for getting set up, and it didn’t take long for me to have fresh, filtered water.
Would I buy it again?
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase from Phox Water. I am also pleased with jug and filter models I opted for: the Phox Wave 2.8L jug and Clean refill packs. I think Phox Water is a fantastic option for people who want to drink filtered water, but also want to reduce their plastic waste and support a UK-based business. I would happily buy from Phox Water again in future.
*I reached this number with the following calculations: 2 Phox Clean filters for £14.00, 1 Filter lasts 200 litres, £14.00/ 2 = £7, £7/ 200 = £0.035. 6 brita filters for £37.49, 1 Filter lasts 150 litres., 37.49/ 6 = £6.32, £6.32 / 150 = 0.042.
