In the analysis of water samples, the type of filtration membrane material can influence the recovery ofLegionellaspecies, although this issue has been poorly investigated. Filtration membranes (0.45 µm) from different materials and manufacturers (numbered as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) were compared: mixed cellulose esters (MCEs), nitrocellulose (NC), and polyethersulfone (PES). After membrane filtration of samples, filters were placed directly onto GVPC agar and incubated at 36 ± 2 °C. The highest mean counts of colony-forming units and colony sizes forLegionella pneumophilaandLegionella anisawere obtained with PES filters (p< 0.001). All membranes placed on GVPC agar totally inhibitedEscherichia coliandEnterococcus faecalisATCC 19443 and ATCC 29212, whereas only the PES filter from manufacturer 3 (3-PES) totally inhibitedPseudomonas aeruginosa. PES membrane performance also differed according to the manufacturer, with 3-PES providing the best productivity and selectivity. In real water samples, 3-PES also produced a higherLegionellarecovery and better inhibition of interfering microorganisms. These results support the use of PES membranes in methods where the filter is placed directly on the culture media and not only in procedures where membrane filtration is followed by a washing step (according to ISO 11731:2017).