<p>Biochar is an adsorptive material to treat metal-contaminated water. In the present study, a total of 9 different biochars were investigated for aqueous lead (Pb²⁺) removal: avocado seed (AB), aspen bedding (BE), and palm tree frond (PT) at three pyrolysis temperatures (400, 600 and 800&#xa0;°C). Biochar characterization and batch adsorption tests using the nine biochars plus a commercial activated carbon (AC) were performed to evaluate the initial pH effects (pH 2–14) on the Pb²⁺ removal. A series of column experiments using biochar-pumice filter (2.2-cm in diameter and 5-cm in height) were also conducted to evaluate Pb²⁺ breakthrough under saturated flowing conditions and the measured breakthrough curves were fitted with Thomas dynamic adsorption kinetics model. All biochars and AC showed a rapid Pb²⁺ removal (initial Pb²⁺ at 50&#xa0;mg L⁻¹) in pH 2–6 and the PT biochars showed consistent Pb²⁺ removal in a wide range of pH (4–12). The column data showed that PT biochar-pumice filter performed better in treating Pb²⁺ solution (50&#xa0;mg L⁻¹) than AB and BE biochars, and was comparable to AC. The Pb²⁺ sorption capacity of the filter estimated at relative Pb²⁺ concentration (effluent/influent) = 0.90 was the highest with the PT biochar produced at 400&#xa0;°C (13.23&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g⁻¹) followed by AC (13.06&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g⁻¹) and PT biochar at 800&#xa0;°C (10.49&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g⁻¹). The presence of oxygen-containing functional groups in the PT biochars particularly at 400&#xa0;°C was likely responsible for the enhanced Pb²⁺ removal via surface complexation or electrostatic attraction.</p>