Jolie · Faucet Water Filters
Brita 35618 Faucet Filter System
Lower-concern choice; carbon filters are conventional and avoid known PFAS-prone coatings, but brand offers no transparency.
Brita faucet filters rely on activated carbon adsorption rather than coated membranes or treated media, which makes them a lower-risk product category. However, Brita/Jolie does not publicly disclose PFAS content or absence in their filter cartridges or housings.
Shop Jolie on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon filter cartridge with plastic housing
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Brita 35618 uses activated carbon as its primary filtration medium, housed in plastic (likely polypropylene or similar thermoplastic). Activated carbon is a well-established, non-leaching filtration material that works through physical adsorption rather than chemical reactions, making it stable during normal use. The plastic housing contacts only filtered water flowing at low pressure, minimizing leaching risk compared to cookware or hot-contact applications. No Teflon-type coating (Teflon) coatings or ceramic glazes are involved, eliminating two common sources of heavy metals and Teflon-family coating off-gassing in water products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brita is owned by Zivena (formerly Helen of Troy) and carries NSF/ANSI 42 certification for chlorine and taste/odor reduction, a third-party standard that includes material safety review. The brand has not faced major product safety recalls for housing leachables or bacterial contamination in recent years. However, Brita has been notably silent on PFAS in drinking water itself, neither promoting nor transparently addressing the issue, which contrasts with competitors who now market PFAS-removal claims. Their certification pathway is conventional rather than precautionary.
How it compares in its category
Faucet filters sit between pitcher filters (lower cost, easier replacement) and under-sink/whole-house systems (higher upfront cost, better flow). Brita's faucet model avoids the housing complexity and stagnation risks of some pitcher-style filters, but requires cartridge swaps every 100-200 gallons depending on water quality. Compared to pitcher filters from the same brand, this form factor reduces the chance of bacterial biofilm growth in standing water. Most competitors in this category (PUR, generic Amazon brands) use similar activated carbon; Brita's advantage is certification credibility, not material innovation.
If you buy it
Replace cartridges on schedule (roughly every 2-3 months for average household use) to prevent carbon saturation and reduced filtration efficacy. Do not assume the filter removes all contaminants, especially bacteria or viruses, without checking the specific NSF certification claims on the packaging. Flush the filter with running water for 5-10 seconds before first use to clear loose carbon particles. Store replacement cartridges in a cool, dry place, and discard any cartridge left unused for over a year, as activated carbon can degrade or absorb ambient humidity.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Bacterial growth in filter housing or stagnant water
Faucet-mounted filters experience lower water flow than under-sink systems, creating potential for biofilm if cartridges are not replaced regularly or if the unit sits unused for extended periods. Brita's design includes antimicrobial additives in some models, but the 35618 specifications do not explicitly confirm this feature.
Plastic housing leachates (BPA, other polymers)
The housing is not heated and contacts only cool filtered water; no recalls or test data indicate leaching from Brita faucet filter housings. However, the manufacturer does not publicly disclose polymer type or migration testing results.
Activated carbon dust or fines ingestion
New or improperly flushed cartridges can shed loose carbon particles into water. This is a minor nuisance rather than a toxicity hazard, but users should flush the system before first use and after cartridge changes.
Reduced filtration efficacy over time
Activated carbon cartridges have a finite lifespan and lose adsorption capacity as they saturate. Brita recommends replacement every 100-200 gallons; using cartridges beyond this point will not remove contaminants effectively, creating a false sense of safety.
Heavy metals or other contaminants in tap water passing through (filter failure)
NSF/ANSI 42 certification covers chlorine and taste/odor; it does not guarantee removal of lead, arsenic, or other heavy metals unless the specific product claims NSF/ANSI 53 (health claims) certification. The 35618 should be verified against local water quality reports before assuming complete contamination removal.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Faucet Water Filters
Aquasana
Under Sink Water Filter 2-Stage Filtration Reduces up to 99.99% of Pfas
Activated carbon, ion exchange resin cartridges
Lower-concern filter type, but claim lacks third-party lab proof, verify independently before relying on it.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Waterdrop
Sink Filter
activated carbon filter media, stainless steel housing
Lower-concern filter type, but brand makes no PFAS transparency claim, verify cartridge materials directly before purchase.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Waterdrop
Filtered Water Faucet
stainless steel faucet body; activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Lower-concern choice; water filter design avoids high-risk PFAS applications, but brand transparency on materials could be stronger.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More faucet water filters grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.