Not all replacement water filters are built the same. To see exactly what separates premium filtration from low-cost knockoff filters, we decided to tear down an Brtmoun replacement filter side-by-side with the USA-made Epic Pure XP. After comparing the materials, wall thickness, filtration media, certifications, and overall construction, the differences became very clear.

One of the first differences that stood out during our teardown was the overall mass of the filters. The Brtmoun filter came in at 0.064 KG, while the Epic Pure XP weighed 0.082 KG. In the filtration world, extra weight is often a sign of a more substantial build, additional filtration media, and thicker internal construction designed for higher performance and durability.

We also compared the physical thickness of the filter walls after cutting both filters open. The Brtmoun filter measured 7.24mm, while the Epic Pure XP measured an impressive 21.17mm. That means the Pure XP was built with nearly three times the wall thickness. Side-by-side, the difference in construction quality is obvious the moment you handle the filters in person.

However, wall thickness alone does not tell the full story. What truly matters is the quality of the materials, filtration media, and manufacturing standards used inside the filter itself.

The Epic Pure XP is proudly made in the USA inside an NSF-certified manufacturing facility. That matters because NSF-certified factories are required to maintain strict quality standards, material traceability, manufacturing controls, and ongoing auditing processes. Water filters are not just about contaminant reduction they are also about making sure the product itself is safe.

That is why the Epic Pure XP is certified to NSF International NSF/ANSI 42 for material safety. This certification verifies that the materials used in the filter are safe for contact with drinking water and are not leaching harmful contaminants back into your water over time.

The Epic Pure XP uses our trademarked CoreXchange™ Technology, an advanced dual-layer filtration system designed to tackle a broad range of contaminants. The outer nanofiber layers are engineered to help remove microbiological contaminants like bacteria, viruses, giardia, cryptosporidium, and microplastics, while the internal carbon fiber block targets heavy metals, PFAS, chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, VOCs, and more. Unlike older traditional carbon block designs, CoreXchange™ Technology combines multiple filtration approaches into one integrated system for improved performance and consistency. 

Brtmoun filters rely on older carbon block technology that has historically shown inconsistency in manufacturing quality, especially when products are not NSF certified and not produced inside an NSF-certified manufacturing facility with ongoing quality controls and material verification.

Epic uses food-safe polypropylene for our filter housing material because polypropylene is considered one of the gold standards for water filtration products. It is highly stable, durable, and widely used in NSF-certified systems. In our experience, premium water filtration products almost always rely on polypropylene because it is one of the best materials available for drinking water applications.

Brtmoun filters, on the other hand, use ABS plastic construction. ABS is commonly used in lower-cost products because it is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, but it is generally not the preferred material for premium drinking water filtration systems. ABS plastic is also known to leach into water which is why premium brands do not use this plastic. 

Additionally, Epic uses NSF 61 and FDA-compliant filtration media inside our filters. NSF 61 certification is important because it verifies that materials coming into contact with drinking water meet strict safety standards. We believe consumers should know not only what a filter removes from water, but also what materials are being used inside the filter itself.

Brtmoun does not appear to have NSF certification on these filters, and we could not find transparency around whether NSF 61-certified filtration media is being used. Without independent certification and testing, consumers are left to trust marketing claims rather than verified standards.

At Epic Water Filters, we believe independent third-party testing matters. The Epic Pure XP has been tested in multiple accredited laboratories to NSF standards including NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401, P231, and P473 protocols for a wide range of contaminants and performance claims.

These standards cover everything from chlorine reduction and heavy metals to PFAS, emerging contaminants, and microbiological protection. Independent testing helps verify that a filter actually performs as advertised under real-world conditions. In researching Brtmoun replacement filters, we could not find publicly available independent testing to these same standards or evidence of equivalent NSF certification on the finished filter. 

At the end of the day, water filters should not be a guessing game. Make sure your filter works, or your body becomes the filter.