Boroux vs. Rorra vs. Culligan: Water Filters, Tested Head to Head
WIRED compares three stainless-steel, gravity-fed countertop water filters—Boroux Legacy, Culligan MaxClear and Rorra—focusing on their filtration performance, plastic exposure, ease of use and supporting certifications. The comparison reflects growing consumer concern about microplastics, particularly among people seeking alternatives to plastic water pitchers and bottled water.
Boroux is recommended as the best option for most people, while Culligan is judged the strongest overall for certified filtration performance despite slow flow rates and costly replacement filters. Rorra is presented as the most convenient, with water- and filter-level sensors, but carries the highest price; the article also notes that Boroux emerged after former Berkey distributors were affected by Berkey’s regulatory disputes.
In short
- Culligan performed best on certified filtration, but filters slowly.
- Boroux offers the strongest balance for most households.
- Rorra prioritises convenience through built-in monitoring sensors.
Explained simply
Gravity-fed water filters sit on a kitchen counter and use gravity to pass water through replaceable filter elements, rather than relying on a mains connection. Stainless-steel models appeal to people looking to reduce contact with plastic in everyday water storage, amid wider concern about microplastics and bottled water.
Boroux, Culligan and Rorra are brands selling this type of filter. Their products can differ in what they are certified to remove, how quickly they filter water, how easy they are to maintain and how much the units and replacement filters cost. Certifications are independent checks against specific performance standards, so they help show what a filter has been tested to do.