If you’re into frugal and simple living like I am, you’ll know that finding the right water filter can feel like a minefield—especially when you’re trying to avoid fluoride and keep the good minerals.
I recently bought the EcoBud Gentoo Glass water filter jug and wanted to share my first impressions, setup process, and whether I think it’s actually worth the $109 AUD price tag.
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Watch: EcoBud Gentoo Water Filter Jug First Set Up
See the full unboxing and setup in the video below. 👇
EcoBud Gentoo Glass Water Filter First Impressions
Why I Bought the EcoBud Gentoo Glass Filter Jug
For years, I’ve been refilling water containers at a local reverse osmosis (RO) water vending machine to get clean drinking water. It’s affordable and removes a lot of contaminants, but the downside? RO also strips out all the beneficial minerals.
| 🌿 READ: How I Get Cheap RO Water → |
I started researching at-home filtration options that:
- Reduce fluoride
- Retain beneficial minerals
- Are low-maintenance
- And ideally, aren’t bulky or expensive
That’s when I came across the EcoBud Gentoo. They claim it removes up to 98% of fluoride, but I was sceptical, so I dug into reviews and independent tests before buying.
Does It Actually Remove Fluoride?
EcoBud’s marketing says the filter removes 98% of fluoride, but I wanted something a bit more concrete.
I found a detailed review from a UK-based guy with a lab testing background and a chemistry degree, who tested his water with the Gentoo filter:
- 85% fluoride reduction with a brand new filter
- 69% reduction by month 3, which is when the filter is due for replacement
That’s not quite the 98% claim—but for a simple jug filter, those numbers are pretty solid.
Replacement Filter Cost & Lifespan
One key thing to know:
You’ll need to replace the filter every 3 months for it to stay effective—especially when it comes to fluoride reduction.
- Full price: $27.95 AUD (or you can get a 2-pack from Amazon)
- On sale: $23.95 AUD (often discounted)
So that works out to around $100–$112 AUD per year if you replace the filter quarterly. It’s a manageable running cost, especially compared to bigger filtration systems with multiple components.
I’ve been spending a minimum of $234 per year (one 10L container per week) at my local water vending machine, so this will save me at least $100 per year.
Unboxing the EcoBud Gentoo
When the EcoBud Gentoo jug arrived, here’s what stood out to me.
✅ What I Liked:
- Glass storage: After filtering, the water sits in glass (not plastic), which is a huge plus
- Eco-friendly instructions: Printed on the box flaps instead of extra paper
- Filter indicator: A countdown timer on the lid shows you when it’s time to change the filter
- Simple design: No complicated parts or assembly
❌ What I Didn’t Love:
- Plastic components: The top and filter housing are still plastic
- Plastic packaging: Not terrible, but not ideal from an eco perspective (at least it’s not styrofoam)
How to Set It Up – Step-by-Step
Here’s how I prepped the EcoBud filter before using it:
- Soak the filter: Place it in the jug, fill with water to cover it, and let it sit for 15 minutes
- Rinse the filter: Remove and rinse under the tap
- Clean the jug: I washed all parts (excluding the filter) with warm, soapy water – not in the manual, but felt necessary
- Assemble: Push the filter into the housing (no twisting needed), and click it back into the jug
- Flush it: Fill the jug and let it filter three full times, discarding the water each time
The first filtration took 6 minutes, and the third one took about 12 minutes. I’m not sure if I didn’t fill it as much the first time, or if the filter just took longer to “settle in”—but it’s something to be aware of.
Water Capacity & Use
The jug holds 1.5 litres, which isn’t a huge amount. My plan is to use it to fill a 2.5L dispenser that sits in my fridge, so I’ve got cold water ready at all times.
If you’re a big water drinker or have a family, you may want to transfer the filtered water into a larger glass jug or container for easier access.
First Taste Test – Is It Better Than Tap Water?
Yes, the tap water filtered through the EcoBud Gentoo definitely tastes better.
- No chlorine taste (which I usually notice from my tap)
- Smooth and clean
- Of course, you can’t taste things like fluoride, so lab testing would be needed to confirm the actual filtration performance
But based on taste alone, it’s a noticeable improvement over straight tap water.
Why I Chose This Over a Bigger System
I did consider getting one of the stainless steel gravity-fed filters like the Berkey, but:
- They require priming the filters
- Carbon and fluoride filters need replacing at different times
- The whole process sounds a bit tricky
That’s what led me to the EcoBud Gentoo. It’s a compact, countertop solution that’s simple to use and clean.
Spoiler! I did end up getting a Berkey. Check out my setup guide below.
Where to Buy the EcoBud Gentoo Filter Jug
If you’d like to try the EcoBud Gentoo yourself, here are a couple of reliable places to buy it:
Replacement filters are also available on both platforms, often with bundle deals or discounts.
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth Buying?
For a low-maintenance, at-home solution that:
- Reduces fluoride significantly
- Retains minerals
- Doesn’t take up much space
- Doesn’t cost a fortune
… I think the EcoBud Gentoo is a great option—especially for individuals or small households. It’s not perfect, but it fits my frugal and simple lifestyle well.
I’ll keep using it over the next few months to see how it holds up with regular use—and I may do a fluoride test later down the track.
| 🌿 READ: My 6-Month EcoBud Jug Review! → |
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