bluedot Water Filter Review
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Over a year ago (January 2020), I frantically placed an order for a bluedot Water Filter, so I could be one of the select few to get the pre-order deal. It was on sale for $199 instead of $289. I first heard about bluedot from my beloved BKR water bottle company, as they partnered with them to include a 500ml BKR bottle with every water filter purchased. The filter was originally supposed to arrive around May 2020, but thanks to COVID-19, the California based factory was temporarily shut down. Early September 2020 we finally received our bluedot Water Filter and let me tell you - it was worth the wait!
Keep reading to find out what bluedot filters, why you should filter, and my thoughts on the product! Use this link for $10 off your bluedot purchase!
Bluedot water filter (navy is exclusive to Bluedot’s website)
Nick and I have always rented apartments and those fridges don’t tend to have water systems, so it has been a lifetime of Brita Filters for us. I have no issue with the product, but I drink copious amounts of water and taking the filter out of the fridge, refilling it, putting it back in the fridge, replacing filters quickly, etc was just not a good use of my time. First world problems, I know. It also wasn’t conducive for when we had guests, as there sometimes wasn’t enough water for everyone. I first looked into Berkey Water Filters, because I’ve heard such great things about them and they have larger options than our 4 liter Brita Filter. There were a couple issues. Yes it was larger than our Brita Filter, but it still needed to be refilled which is kind of annoying. A big issue quite literally, is that it was designed to sit on a counter or table and our tiny LA apartment barely has enough kitchen space for Nick and I to not bump into one another. The main issue though is that Berkey does not ship to California. I could send it to my sister or my parents and manually take it back with me I suppose, but that’s a lot for a water filter that is going to take up a bunch of space.
Bluedot water filter (navy is exclusive to Bluedot’s website) | BKR 500ml bottle (included in kit, but linked it here if you want it separately)
WHAT MAKES BLUEDOT DIFFERENT?
I had pretty much thought we would have to be Brita people forever, but when I heard about bluedot, the future looked brighter and my water appeared clearer! Bluedot is a water filter that connects under your sink. Not only is it out of site and doesn’t take up (much) space, but it makes using water in the kitchen (or wherever you put it) so much easier! Additionally, it doesn’t have any crazy installation process and you can use it if you are renting / take it with you when you leave! You also only have to change the filter once or twice a year. We are opting for every 6 months.
The filtration system contains the highest-grade 100% activated carbon filtration system. It is actually composed from coconut shells and avocado pits instead of coal! After production, the carbon is triple-lab-tested for purity prior to being placed inside the bluedot filter. This may not sound like a big deal, but there is only one other company who pays the premium this filter costs and they make huge commercial tank fillers.
If you want to see a big comparison, here is a fact sheet from the bluedot website! Image c/o blue dot.
WHAT IS BLUEDOT’S STORY?
Blue Dot was founded by Stephanie McGarrin in 2017. Her husband was battling cancer for the second time and his doctors suggested filtering their water to help him stay healthy during chemotherapy. She researched the water in her area and found that the water delivery system in her city was constantly breaking down. This seemed to be the contributing factor to the brown water in her neighborhood and surrounding areas, not to mention the other issues like heavy metals lurking around.
She looked into pitchers and such, but in addition to having to be constantly refilled, the filters themselves were not that capable of removing unwanted particles from the water. Theoretically, filters should be replaced about once a month, which I know I didn’t do / most people don’t. Single-use water bottles are an option, but more often than not, they are contaminated with microplastics and more bacteria levels than even unfiltered tap water has! Additionally, plastic bottles are often trashed instead of recycled. They were renting a small apartment in NYC and couldn’t install a good filter without damaging the space. She couldn’t find what she needed, so she spent the next 2ish years developing what we now know and love as Blue Dot! It is currently the only American made, fully sustainable, hook-up anywhere water filter out there!
Bluedot water filter (navy is exclusive to Bluedot’s website) | BKR 500ml bottle (included in kit, but linked it here if you want it separately)
WHAT DOES BLUEDOT FILTER OUT?
bluedot removes lots of "acceptable" contaminants from tap water, including soluble and insoluble lead, chlorine, chloramine, various pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, microplastics, Giardia, sediment, silt, dirt, rust, and more.
Lead is often the most sought after particle to remove from water. It’s what Flint, Michigan was found to have 100 parts per billion (ppb) of. For reference, the legal limit is 15 ppb. Bluedot was tested against 135ppb and was able to filter out at least 90% of the lead and had an average remove of 95.9%! For more of these nerdy details, check out bluedot’s FAQ page.
While it does not add anything to the water, it does keep in / doesn’t filter out naturally occurring minerals and salts (electrolytes). Often receiving a bad rap, hard water (the minerals and salts I just mentioned) is beneficial to our health. In fact, a lot of bottled water companies add them to their waters, because they actually taste good and keeps water from being corrosive.
Here’s their performance data, as listed on their webiste. Image c/o blue dot.
WHY FILTER YOUR WATER?
Know that I’m not a water snob. I grew up drinking tap water and have no issues with it; however, the lead (yes lead) pipes that most plumbing systems are built on are corroding and seeping into our water symstem. Fun fact, the word plumbing actually stems from the latin word “plumbum” which translates to… LEAD. Even the Romans used lead pipes for plumbing (which they invented), but look how far that got their empire! You may ask why haven’t we fixed it? Because the initial switchover would be a lot of work and money. It’s not a good answer, but it is the only answer I have been able to find. Orange County has actually already made this switch and while the initial investment was high, it was a worthy one. They literally pay cents on the dollar per person a day for some of the most pristine water in the world. I learned a lot from this Goop Podcast episode early 2020. Would encourage you to give it a listen if you want to learn more!
Superficial reasons to filter your water is that is smells better and tastes better, but it can also remove harmful things like chlorine, chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals and bacterial contaminants. Filtering water can protect your body from disease and promotes good health and great energy.
Bluedot water filter (navy is exclusive to Bluedot’s website) | Branch Basics | Aunt Fannie’s Glass and Window Cleaner | Aunt Fannie’s All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar
MY THOUGHTS ON BLUEDOT
We have been using or blue dot water filter for almost 6 months now. I honestly can’t remember life before it! Here are some of my favorite things about it:
Easy installation. It fit our sink perfectly as is. In the small chance that you need an adapter, bluedot sells those which will allow you to still install it in your sink. I think Nick placed it in under 15 minutes, including reading the instructions and watching the video.
Removable. It is not a permanent feature and you can bring it with you when you move. This also plays into the easy installation part, as you don’t have to have a complicated installation. It is perfect for renters and home owners alike!
Space saver. Since it installs under your sink, it doesn’t take up any counter space! It does take up a small amount of space under the sink, but honestly it is minute and totally worth it.
Taste. It tastes so clean and amazing!! Brita filtered water does not taste as good too me anymore.
Cost. The initial payment is definitely more than a pitcher filter, but it will end up costing less overtime. The filter replacements are $79, but you only need 1 or 2 a year. We were easily spending that on the amount of Brita filters we were buying a year, so it wasn’t a huge difference. If the initial payment of $289 is too much for you, considering using Klarna! Bluedot offers its use and you can make 4 payments of $72.25 instead of a lump sum of $289.
Gives back. Bluedot currently partners with Newark Water Coalition to bring clean water / bluedots to families in underserved areas. The have plans to help communities in Flint and Pittsburg next. Every bluedot purchased goes toward helping said community!
Recycle. In addition to helping communities, bluedot also directly donates to ocean clean up teams! A lot of waste that could be recycled sadly ends up in our waters. On top of that, they also have a recycling program for their filters. When you order a new filter, they include a return label for your used filter and properly take are of it for you! Right now this is only offered in the United States, but they are hoping to offer it for international users soon.
The only downside is that the bluedot filter connects to the cold water valve only. It’s not a deal breaker for me, because I don’t use hot water in the sink that often, but just wanted to note this. The only way I’ve heard of people getting filtered hot water is by having a huge installation, which I obviously can’t do in our rented apartment. Most people don’t even pay for the hot water filter installation in their own home because of the cost associated though. Clean drinking water is the first priority, so no complaints here.
Overall we love our bluedot and are saving to put one in our upstairs bathroom! Let me know if you have any any questions or concerns you want me to address. I’m happy to do so. Here’s to better drinking water for us all, because we all deserve it! Use this link for $10 off your bluedot purchase!
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