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Culligan FM-25 Faucet vs Brita Basic Faucet Side-by-Side Comparison

Wondering which is the better faucet-mount water filter to choose between the Culligan FM-25 and the Brita Basic? Here’s our detailed guide!

By , , and ·Updated

Culligan FM-25 Faucet

Brita Basic Faucet

Two faucet-mount water faucets, the Culligan FM-25 Faucet and Brita Basic Faucet, held side-by-side by a reviewer for comparison purposes.

Overall Verdict

Ranking by
OverallScore Performance50% Design20% Usability30% ScoreOverall 50%Performance 20%Design 30%Usability Culligan FM-25 FaucetBrita Basic Faucet8.17.08.39.87.87.66.78.9
Showing: 2/2 Items

The Brita Basic faucet filter lives up to its name … basic.

Although the overall design is good-looking, we found numerous manufacturing issues during our test. The most glaring one was that the filter cartridge fit so loosely to the filter compartment without us having to push the filter release button to the side. In fact, during one test, the filter cartridge even shot out of the compartment after we turned the tap on.

Performance is passable, with a good chlorine filtration rate, but its filtering flow rate is only mediocre at 0.7 GPM.

On the other hand, the Culligan FM-25 has a sturdier build quality while still having style with a glossy, chrome-plated housing. Performance-wise, the FM-25 also did well with a perfect chlorine filtration score. But it did even worse in the filtering flow rate department than the Brita Basic at 0.5 GPM.

All in all, both models have their drawbacks, but as far as value goes, the Culligan FM-25’s offer is far more compelling. Especially considering how the two models are in the same price range.

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent chlorine filtering ability with a near-100% filtration rate.
  • Good build quality, premium materials.
  • The locking collar fixes the filter solidly to the tap, preventing it from wiggling around.
  • The push/pull routing valve is easy to use. Automatically reset after the tap is shut off.
  • Replacement filters are cheap, easy to find.
  • Relatively affordable.
  • Excellent chlorine filtration ability (nearly 100%).
  • Looks premium with its chrome-plated housing.
  • The routing valve’s handle is intuitive to use.
  • Comes with a filter change indicator.
  • Very low flow rate in filtration mode (0.5 GPM).
  • The filter of our unit leaked during testing.
  • The filter could be tugged out of the housing without depressing the filter release button.
  • Leaks during filtration, necessitating the use of plumbing tape.

Key Specs

Dimensions
L3 x W4.5 x H3.5 inches
0.7 GPM
Weight
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
100 gals
Capacity
200 gals
NSF/ANSI Standard 42, 53, 401
Qualifications
NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and 53
L5 x W2.2 x H5.2 inches
Filtering flow rate
0.5 GPM
0.8 pounds
Warranty
2 years
1-year

Where to Buy

Price at publication
$40.27
$26.60

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Analysis and Test Results

Performance

Overall Performance Scoring
7.0
7.6

Chlorine Test

10
10
The Culligan FM-25 filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
Two testing kits overlaid on the color pad showing the test results. One from the control sample (left) and one from the filtered water sample (right).
The Culligan FM-25 filter mounted on a tap. To its left is the testing result pad with two activated test strips.
Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter Chlorine Test 3
Two water testing strips are placed on a color chart and held next to the Brita Basic filter.
Two activated test strips on a color chart. The control strip, showing the result for the chlorinated water, is to the left. The strip displaying the result of the water filtered by the Brita Basic is to the right.
Two water testing strips are placed on a color chart and held next to the Brita Basic filter.
Brita Basic Faucet Water Filtration System Chlorine Test 2
Before
10+ mg/l
10+ mg/l
After
~0 mg/l
~0 mg/l

Flow Rate Test

5.0
6.0
Duration
20 secs
20 secs
Amount
0.172 gallons
0.233 gallons
Flow Rate
0.5 GPM
0.7 GPM

Design

Overall Design Scoring
8.3
6.7

In the Box

The glossy housing of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to its shipping box, adapters, and paperwork.
The glossy housing of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to its shipping box, adapters, and paperwork.
Two faucet adapters made from white plastic with black rubber seals at the top
The full content of the Brita Basic’s shipping box, including the filter, six pieces of accessories, and a manual.
The full content of the Brita Basic’s shipping box, including the filter, six pieces of accessories, and a manual.
Three grey, plastic faucet adapters are arranged in two rows with three rubber seals.

Dimensions

Culligan FM-25 Faucet Mount Filter Dimensions
The dimensions of the Brita Basic are marked to the side. The length is 5 inches, width 2.2 inches, and height 5.2 inches.
Length
3.0" (7.6 cm)
5.0" (12.7 cm)
Width
4.5" (11.4 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Height
3.5" (8.9 cm)
5.2" (13.2 cm)
Weight
1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
0.8 lbs (0.4 kg)

Build Quality

8.3
6.2
The Culligan FM-25 filter’s side profile, showing its large filter compartment, slip-on collar, and routing valve’s knob.
The Culligan FM-25 filter’s side profile, showing its large filter compartment, slip-on collar, and routing valve’s knob.
The main filter nozzle of the Culligan FM-25, with the “Remove Before Installing” sticker removed.
The Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system’s housing, once the filter has been fully assembled.
The silvery, chrome-plated housing of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter when fully assembled.
The Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system’s housing, once the filter has been fully assembled.
A side view of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter, revealing the small, black, plastic filter release button.

Filter Piece

8.0
7.0
The filter piece of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter, with white plastic casing and chrome-plated end piece.
The filter piece that comes with the Culligan FM-25.
The chrome-plated filter piece of the Brita Basic on the table.
The filter piece of the Brita Basic
The chrome-plated filter piece of the Brita Basic on the table.
A top-down view of the filter housing and the filter piece.
Filter Model
Culligan FM-25R and FM-25RA
Brita CXB-016 Filter
Filtration Process
Activated Carbon and Ionization Filtration
Activated Carbon
Certifications
ANSI Standard 42 and 53
ANSI Standard 42, 53, and 401
Filter Capacity
200 gallons
100 gallons

Routing Valve

10
7.0
A close-up view of the push-pull routing valve on the side of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter.
A close-up view of the push-pull routing valve on the side of the Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter.
A top-down view of the mounting collar of the Culligan FM-25 along with the push-pull routing valve.
A close-up view of the routing valve’s handle of the Brita Basic and the mode-indicating symbols on the side of the filter.
The handle of the routing valve to the side of the Brita Basic. Note the white notch and the symbols on the housing denoting the switching modes.
Type of Valve
Push/pull
Rotating

Usability

Overall Usability Scoring
9.8
8.9

Installation

10
8.0
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water faucet with a faucet adapter attached to the filter’s mounting port.
The filter with a faucet adapter attached to the mounting port.
A close-up view of the thin metal mesh screen in the center of the Brita Basic filter’s mounting port.
The metal mesh screen at the center of the filter’s mounting port.
A close-up view of the thin metal mesh screen in the center of the Brita Basic filter’s mounting port.
The silvery Brita Basic faucet-mount water filter with a grey, plastic faucet adapter.

Ease of Use

10
10

Leak

10
9.0

Maintenance

8.0
8.0
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to the Culligan FM-25R filter piece.
The Culligan FM-25 faucet-mount water filter next to the Culligan FM-25R filter piece.
An upside down FM-25R filter piece, with chrome-plated end piece and housing made from white plastic.
The removed filter piece of the Brita Basic is to the left, while the filter housing is to the right.
The removed filter piece of the Brita Basic is to the left, while the filter housing is to the right.
A close-up shot of the indicator light at the top of the Brita Basic faucet-mount water filtration system.
Filter Indicator
N/A
Yes
Replacement
2 months
4 months

Behind the Comparison

Headshot of Matthew Lee
Matthew LeeReviewer

Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.

Headshot of Lap Vo
Lap VoTest Lead

Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.

Headshot of Nguyen Ntk
Nguyen NtkVisual Specialist

Nguyen Ntk is a graphic designer, photographer, and videographer whose philosophy centers around respecting and celebrating the beauty of reality. Through his lenses, Nguyen strives to capture the true essence of objects and events, showcasing and highlighting authentic features without distortion or exaggeration.

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