I bet you’re wondering, Chad… why are you reviewing a water filter?
It’s a fair question. Water filters are a dime a dozen; there are no less than 20 trillion reviews of the various offerings from Brita and their ilk. So why am I bothering to review the Soma water filter? What’s so special about this one?
The answer to that is really quite simple: I was absolutely obsessed with buying shit on Kickstarter.
Yep, it’s a filter alright…
When I first discovered Kickstarter, I was completely hooked. I finally had a chance to shape the outcome of new and aspiring businesses and products that I was actually interested in. Great, right? Well, in my excitement, I ended up pre-ordering (I know, I know… backing, but let’s be honest here, people treat them as pre-orders) no less than a dozen gismos and gadgets, including one Soma water filter with a fancy schmancy German made glass carafe.
As with every single product ever listed on Kickstarter, it took a while for the various things to arrive. As of a few days ago, the Soma showed up at my door, and, well… here I am reviewing it.
Here I am pouring some water into the filter chamber. No big deal, right?
Wrong mother fucker! As you can see here, the little opening port actually closes automatically when the water reaches a certain level. This means you won’t overfill the container, which is very important for a wide range of reasons that I’m not allowed to talk about here.
After the water has been filtered, you can then pour it out into a glass or water bottle like I have here. Truly revolutionary!
Don’t bullshit me…
You’re right, I’m talking a lot of shit. To be fair, this is a bloody water filter, not a brand new sophisticated gadget. Despite my levity, I really do like the Soma water filter, and here’s why…
The Soma does a great job filtering water. The water here in Montreal usually tastes like runoff from a robot’s rusty anus, and after filtering it, the water tastes pure and clean. Maybe I just have low expectations, but I noticed the difference immediately. I’m guessing it’s the burnt coconut shells mixed with diamond dust (or whatever it is they use) that makes the difference.
They deliver the filters for free. Know how you’re supposed to buy new filters for your ugly Brita filter and totally do when you’re supposed to? Yeah, you don’t have to do that with Soma, because they actually mail you a new filter every two months. You pay for the filter, but shipping is free, and they end up costing less than the competition anyway.
The Soma isn’t ugly. In fact, it’s actually rather pleasant looking, or about as pleasant as a glass water serving device can look. It’s made out of space age German diamond glass using lasers and the intense heat of a fusion reactor (or something like that), so you know it’s good. I haven’t tried dropping it yet, but I’m guessing it wouldn’t break into quite as many pieces as inferior regular glass.
Yes, I’m about as excited as I can possibly be about a water filter. A few other noteworthy features are the beveled edges on the pour spout, which means that the water comes out without splashing all over the damn place, and a rubber seal that gently holds the filter in so that you can pour without it falling out and smashing your glass to pieces. Very handy.
If you’re interested in picking up a Soma, then head over to Amazon where you can buy one for $49 USD.
Really cool water filter and I’d buy one BUT, it’s too reminiscent of the specimen pot that medics hand you when that want a p*ss sample! 🙁
Isn’t it possible to write a review without using words like “shit” “bullshit” “mother fucker” etc? Or is that the only way you can think of yourself as a cool dude and a “relevant” writer? And then telling your readers not to be rude (or else their comments might be deleted) – isn’t that a bit absurd?
I have heard that it’s possible, yes. I’m sure you’ll even find a few reviews like that on other sites.
Totally agree. Makes the author seem like a stupid kid.
I’m 66 years old. I laughed reading your review. What a nice way to start the weekend? I am going to order the Soma system, I have the other system that is made of plastic. Plastic, even if “they” say it is BPA free, I don’t believe it! Made in China, forget it, I don’t think that Country knows the meaning of BPA free! I actually don’t use any plastic at all anymore. (car!! I lied, some plastic) It doesn’t fit in with my lifestyle of staying as Organic as possible! However, had surgery not too long ago, all that plastic didn’t bother me at all!! Chad, I will be sending your review to my kids!!
Thanks Andrea, I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
So, it would be nice if you could tell us what chemicals and metals it’s capable of filtering out of tap water…
They said it was tested, but they fail to post the test results. That’s a red flag right there. Anything this hipster-ish is usually trendoid toys.
Childish vulgarity comes first; info about which chemicals and metals are removed comes last
Unfortunately, the filter doesn’t remove childish vulgarity.
Therre is no mention in Soma’s literature about the results of the testing. does it remove Chlorine and harmful chemicals? I don’t think so. If it did, they would be screaming about it.
I bought Soma in April, 2014. I have well water, but didn’t care for the taste. It wasn’t real bad, but different from my last housw which was only 1 1/2 miles away. I bought my Soma with the 24 month free deliver of filters. I went on their website a few minutes ago. They have a message board where you can answer a question and they will get back to you. Sometimes in only a few minutes. I wanted to know if they sent my filter, since it is just 2 months now. It really doesn’t matter to get it right away because there are only two of us using the Soma. There price on their website says $59.00 for the Carafe and 2 filters. It has gone up the $10.00 since March!!! To me the best info about the filter is that it does not filter through plastic. On their website is a 2 minute or so talk about the construction of the filter. Apparently, Starbucks and Peet coffee and some tea companies use Brita. I belive I asked the Soma people about the filter and what it removes. I don’t recall anything other than chlorine. I have asked again and will report back to you. I actually have planned to have a water test done on my well water, it is long overdue. I don’t have a problem with chlorine, but may end up getting a under the counter system that costs about $800.00 on sale that is rated the best of all water systems out there. It is online. Also about brita. I read on here I believe, that this carafe can be dropped from 8 feet and not break. That may be true if dropped on a carpet. It is very heavy and thick glass. Like the old pryex measuring glass that was made in this country. Forget about anything made in China. (another reason I like Soma, made in USA) So, it may well stand up to 8′. I have dropped my pryex from 5′ and didn’t leave a mark. I have arthritis in my hands, not too bad, but find this carafe to be too heavy to hold when filled with water. I also am petite and my hand barely fits around the center, which is the narrowest part. For this reason I don’t use the carafe at all. My husband didn’t care for the carafe either. He has large hands. The filter holder is a perfect match for my glass containter (made for liguids to be poured from). I bought the pitchers at Bed, Bath and Beyond for about $5.00. They are made in Italy. They also fit in the fridge door. Soma filter just goes in the first 2 inches of my pitcher and I fill it just like the carafe. I do have to take the filter part off after the water filters. I also read that the Soma carafe can be easily held by a four year old child. Well, that child must be a decendant of Superman. No child I have ever known could hold this carafe, even without water!!!! No KIDDing.
I have a feeling not much is removed from this system. For me though, no plastic in filter is a real plus. We have to get as much plastic out of our kitchen as we can. BPA free or not.
Hi Chad, i’m looking at buying a Soma myself, but they don’t ship outside of US. How did you get it ? And are the filter delivered to you in Montreal ? I’m also in MTL.
Thanks for the review
That’s very strange, perhaps they’ve stopped shipping outside the US? I got mine through the initial Kickstarter run.
LOL.. wat a review.. Keep it up!! we need such reviewers..
This product is NOT for anyone who actually needs/wants chlorine, fluoride, metals, lime, salts removed/minimized in drinking water. It is ‘water freshener’ – it removes ‘aesthetic chlorine’; apparently an addendum element to the periodic table in the hipster section. Once again marketing drives structure: a $5 wholesale product sold for considerably more made legit using the ‘Charitable Donation’ marketing niche. Snake oil, anyone?
Granny Pix has it right. This “filter” is only NSF 42 certified, which means it only provides you with improved Taste and Odor. Clever design, but looks like a beaker to me and not a place where I want to get my water. 40 gallons does not equal 2 months in most people’s consumption, so replacement cost is huge. And don’t forget to look at their huge certification disappointment on the FAQ. Good Luck Soma… Anyway…BTB (Better Than Brita).
Having tried both a Berkey water filter and a Soma water filter extensively, I’ll say that the Berkey tastes much, much better. I actually wrote a review of it as well: http://www.unfinishedman.com/travel-berkey-water-filter-review-water-filtration-even-preppers-trust/
Another bullshit review on Soma filter. Instead of writing a non-sense review, I’d give some useful information about the product.
They are not claiming to actually reduce any measurable amount of chlorine (or anything else)
from your drinking water, only the smell and taste. What about Mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium, chromium 6, copper, arsenic, viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxic chemical fertilizers like glyphosate and atrazine?
I’m sorry you’re unhappy with my review. I simply wrote about my experience with it.
Just because your water doesn’t taste like “rusty ass” anymore doesn’t mean the filter is doing a good enough job. It’s an aesthetic filter, deodorizer, if you will. It doesn’t filter out anything harmful, it simply makes your tap more paletable. The company uses some really shady marketing tactics as well, and still haven’t released their water study reports.