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This guide helps home users choose the right replacement cartridge for a water filter jug. We compare Aquaphor A5, A5 Mg, Maxfor+, Maxfor+ H and compatible oval-fit cartridges, with practical advice for drinking water, tea, coffee, cooking and hard-water areas.
Which filter jug cartridge should you choose for your home?
If you already have a water filter jug, the most important choice is not the jug itself but the replacement cartridge. The right cartridge improves the taste and smell of tap water, helps reduce common impurities and can also help with limescale or magnesium enrichment, depending on the model.
| Your jug type / home need | Recommended cartridge | Best for |
| Aquaphor round-fit jugs such as Provence, Prestige, Atlant, Smile and compatible models | Aquaphor A5 | Everyday home drinking water, tea, coffee and cooking |
| Round-fit Aquaphor jugs where magnesium enrichment is preferred | Aquaphor A5 Mg | Better-tasting water with magnesium enrichment |
| Oval Maxtra-style jugs, including many Aquaphor, Brita Maxtra-style and compatible pitchers | Aquaphor Maxfor+ | Universal oval-fit replacement for many home filter pitchers |
| Homes with medium-hard or hard tap water | Aquaphor Maxfor+ H | Reducing limescale taste and protecting kettles and coffee machines |
Tip: if your old cartridge was Aquaphor B5, choose the newer Aquaphor A5 or Aquaphor A5 Mg for compatible round-fit jugs.
In previous articles, we discussed why drinking water from the tap is often filtered at home and what characteristics to consider when choosing a water filter jug. Now we will focus on the part that does the real work: the replacement cartridge.
A water filter jug is a convenient container, but the quality of the filtered water depends mainly on the cartridge. The cartridge contains the filtering media that reduce unpleasant taste, smell, chlorine, mechanical particles and other common impurities. That is why choosing a reliable replacement cartridge is important for everyday drinking water, cooking, tea, coffee and household comfort.
Types of water filter jug cartridges
Most home water filter jugs use one of two popular cartridge formats: oval-fit cartridges and round-fit cartridges. Before buying replacements, always check the shape of the cartridge socket in your jug.
Oval-fit cartridges: Maxfor+, Maxtra-style and compatible jugs
Oval-type cartridges are popular in Europe and are used in many filter pitchers from Aquaphor and other manufacturers. Aquaphor cartridges in this format are known as B25 Maxfor and the newer Maxfor+. They are designed for Aquaphor oval-fit jugs and many Maxtra-style compatible filter pitchers.
The advantage of this format is wide compatibility and easy availability. It is a practical choice for homes that already use oval-fit pitchers and need regular cartridge replacement without changing the jug.
Typical filter life is about 200 liters, depending on tap water quality and household consumption. For many families, this means replacing the cartridge approximately every 1-2 months.
Round-fit cartridges: Aquaphor A5 and A5 Mg
Aquaphor A5 cartridge for round-fit filter jugs
Round-fit Aquaphor cartridges are used in many popular Aquaphor home filter jugs, including Provence, Prestige, Atlant, Smile and other compatible models with a round cartridge seat. The recommended current choice for this format is Aquaphor A5 or Aquaphor A5 Mg.
Aquaphor A5 is designed for everyday home tap water filtration and has a larger filtering capacity than many compact cartridges. It is especially useful where tap water may contain rust, turbidity, sand, silt or other mechanical particles.
Aquaphor A5 Mg offers the same round-fit compatibility with the added benefit of magnesium enrichment, which can improve the taste profile of filtered water for drinking, tea and coffee.
What is inside a good filter cartridge?
Most water filter jug cartridges use activated carbon as one of the main filtering materials. Activated carbon helps improve water taste and smell by reducing chlorine and many organic compounds that may affect drinking water quality.
High-quality cartridges also use additional filtering components and a stable internal structure. This is important because water should pass evenly through the filter media. If the cartridge is poorly made, water can create channels inside the cartridge and pass through too quickly, reducing filtration efficiency.
Aqualen water filtration technology for filtering jugs
Aquaphor cartridges combine activated carbon with Aqualen fiber. This structure helps distribute water through the filter media and supports more consistent filtration. It also helps reduce common impurities such as chlorine, rust, sand, silt and unpleasant taste or odor.
Some cartridges also include additional ingredients for specific home needs:
- Magnesium enrichment for improved taste and mineral balance.
- Hard-water filtration to help reduce limescale taste and protect kettles and coffee machines.
- Mechanical filtration for water with visible particles, rust or turbidity.
Aquaphor Maxfor+ cartridge overview
Aquaphor Maxfor+ is a universal oval-fit replacement cartridge for many water filter jugs. It is suitable for Aquaphor oval-fit pitchers and many Maxtra-style compatible jugs from other brands.
This cartridge is a practical choice for home users who want cleaner, better-tasting tap water without installing an under-sink filtration system. It helps reduce common impurities, improves taste and odor, and is convenient for everyday drinking water, tea, coffee and cooking.
Recommended replacement is usually every 1-2 months, depending on tap water quality and the amount of water filtered at home.
Buy Maxfor+ 3-pack Buy Maxfor+ 6-pack
Aquaphor Maxfor+ Mg: oval-fit cartridge with magnesium
Aquaphor Maxfor+ Mg is a good choice for homes that use oval-fit water filter pitchers and prefer magnesium-enriched filtered water. It is especially suitable for people who use filtered water not only for drinking but also for tea, coffee and cooking.
The cartridge helps improve the taste and smell of tap water while adding magnesium enrichment. For regular home use, the 3-piece economy pack is usually more convenient and economical than buying single cartridges one by one.
Aquaphor Maxfor+ H: for homes with hard water
Aquaphor Maxfor+ H: cartridge for hard water
Aquaphor Maxfor+ H is designed for homes with medium-hard or hard tap water. Hard water can affect the taste of drinks and contribute to limescale buildup in kettles, coffee machines and other small kitchen appliances.
This cartridge helps reduce limescale-related taste and improves everyday drinking water quality. It is a practical option for households where tea or coffee loses its natural taste because of hard tap water.
Each cartridge filters up to about 200 liters, depending on water quality and household consumption. For regular home users, a 3-piece pack gives several months of planned replacement.
Aquaphor A5: recommended replacement for round-fit Aquaphor jugs
Aquaphor A5 cartridge for compatible round-fit jugs
Aquaphor A5 is the recommended cartridge for Aquaphor filter jugs with a round cartridge socket, including popular home models such as Provence, Prestige, Atlant, Smile and compatible jugs. It is the practical replacement choice for users who previously used older B5-family cartridges.
The A5 cartridge is designed for everyday tap water filtration at home. It helps improve taste and odor, reduces common impurities and is especially useful where water may contain rust, sand, silt or other mechanical particles.
Its increased sorbent volume gives it a longer filter life of up to 350 liters, depending on water quality and household consumption. For many families, this means convenient replacement approximately once every few months.
Buy Aquaphor A5 cartridge Buy A5 4-pack
Aquaphor A5 Mg: round-fit cartridge with magnesium enrichment
Aquaphor A5 Mg with magnesium enrichment
Aquaphor A5 Mg is a good choice for homes where drinking water taste matters, especially for tea, coffee and everyday table water. It keeps the same round-fit compatibility as A5 and adds magnesium enrichment.
Choose A5 Mg if you want the advantages of the A5 cartridge plus magnesium-enriched filtered water. It is suitable for compatible round-fit Aquaphor jugs and is a practical option for families that regularly use filtered water throughout the day.
For regular use, multi-pack options are usually more economical than buying single cartridges one by one.
Buy Aquaphor A5 Mg Buy A5 Mg 2-pack
How often should you replace a water filter jug cartridge?
Replacement time depends on the cartridge model, tap water quality and the amount of water filtered at home. As a general rule:
- Maxfor+ and Maxfor+ Mg: up to about 200 liters, often 1-2 months of home use.
- Maxfor+ H: up to about 200 liters, depending on hard-water level and usage.
- Aquaphor A5 and A5 Mg: up to about 350 liters, depending on water quality and consumption.
If filtered water starts to taste different, filtration becomes slower, or the cartridge has been used longer than recommended, it is time to replace it. For families, it is convenient to keep spare cartridges at home so the jug is always ready to use.
How to save money when buying filter jug cartridges
Water filter jug cartridges are not expensive, but regular replacement means the cost adds up during the year. The easiest way to save money is to buy multi-packs instead of single cartridges.
For example, a home that replaces an oval-fit cartridge every 1-2 months may need several cartridges per year. A 3-pack or 6-pack usually reduces the cost per cartridge and helps avoid last-minute purchases.
Recommended economy packs:
- Aquaphor Maxfor+ 3-pack
- Aquaphor Maxfor+ 6-pack
- Aquaphor Maxfor+ Mg 3-pack
- Aquaphor Maxfor+ H 3-pack
- Aquaphor A5 4-pack
- Aquaphor A5 Mg 2-pack
Ready to replace your filter cartridge?
For the best result at home, choose the cartridge that matches your jug type and your water problem: A5 for round-fit Aquaphor jugs, A5 Mg for magnesium-enriched water, Maxfor+ for oval Maxtra-style pitchers, and Maxfor+ H for harder water.
Tip for families: buying a 2-pack, 3-pack or 4-pack usually reduces the cost per cartridge and helps avoid running out of filters at home.
Filter cartridges as a useful home gift
Filter cartridges are also a practical gift for someone who already owns a water filter jug. They are useful for housewarming, holidays, birthdays or as an addition to a new filter pitcher. Unlike many small household gifts, replacement cartridges are consumed regularly and do not stay unused in a drawer.
This is especially useful for people who enjoy cooking, tea, coffee or simply want better-tasting drinking water at home.
FAQ: water filter jug cartridges
Which cartridge should I choose for an Aquaphor round-fit filter jug?
For Aquaphor round-fit filter jugs such as Provence, Prestige, Atlant and Smile, choose Aquaphor A5 for everyday filtration or Aquaphor A5 Mg if you prefer magnesium-enriched filtered water.
What replaced Aquaphor B5 cartridges?
For compatible round-fit Aquaphor jugs, Aquaphor A5 and Aquaphor A5 Mg are the recommended current replacement choices instead of the older B5 family.
Which cartridge fits oval Maxtra-style filter pitchers?
Aquaphor Maxfor+ is designed for many oval-fit Maxtra-style filter pitchers and is suitable for regular home drinking water filtration.
Which filter jug cartridge is better for hard water?
For homes with medium-hard or hard tap water, choose a hard-water cartridge such as Aquaphor Maxfor+ H, if it is compatible with your jug.
Is it better to buy single cartridges or multi-packs?
For regular home use, multi-packs are usually more convenient and more economical. They reduce the cost per cartridge and help make sure you always have a replacement ready.
Conclusions
The quality of filtered water depends mainly on the cartridge, not only on the jug. For everyday home drinking water, choose a cartridge that fits your jug and matches your water needs.
If you have a round-fit Aquaphor jug, choose Aquaphor A5 or Aquaphor A5 Mg. If you have an oval Maxtra-style pitcher, choose Maxfor+ or Maxfor+ Mg. If you live in a hard-water area, consider Maxfor+ H.
Buying cartridges in advance, especially in economy packs, helps save money and makes home water filtration more convenient throughout the year.
Shop replacement water filter cartridges
If you have a related business, such as a household goods store, home appliance shop, pharmacy or plumbing business, ProMarket can also offer wholesale supply options. For wholesale discounts and sales representative deals, please contact ProMarket.
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