Under Counter Water Filters

Grade A+
Aquasana - AQ-5300 Drinking Water Filter
NSF Certified to reduce 77 contaminants including over >97% of chlorine and chloramines. Long filter life lasts up to 600 gallons. Sediment pre-filter reduces clogging and extends capacity. Little maintenance. Easy installation and replacement.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
11¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401/P473
|
Replacement
$64.99
|
Capacity
600 gal
|
System
$285.70
|
Contaminants
77
|

Grade A-
Aquasana - AQ-5300+ 3-Stage Max Flow Drinking Water Filter
NSF Certified to reduce 77 contaminants including over >97% of chlorine and chloramines. Long filter life of 800 gallons. Sediment pre-filter reduces clogging and extends capacity. Easy installation and replacement. Fast flow rate. Bluetooth enabled.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
10¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401/P473
|
Replacement
$79.99
|
Capacity
800 gal
|
System
$349.98
|
Contaminants
77
|

Grade B+
Everpure - H-1200 Drinking Water Filter
NSF Certified to reduce 59 contaminants including 96.8% of chlorine and chloramines. Long filter life lasts up to 1,000 gallons. Little maintenance required. Very high system and replacement prices.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
34¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$188.00
|
Capacity
1000 gal
|
System
$339.25
|
Contaminants
59
|

Grade C-
Whirlpool - WHAMBS5 UltraEase Water Purifier Filtration System
NSF Certified to reduce 56 contaminants including >97% of chlorine. Short filter life lasts 350 gallons. Low initial system price, but frequent filter replacements drive up ongoing costs.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
22¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/P231
|
Replacement
$77.00
|
Capacity
350 gal
|
System
$197.00
|
Contaminants
56
|

Grade C-
GE - Dual Flow Water Filtration System GXK285JBL
NSF Certified to reduce 14 contaminants including 97.2% of chlorine. Short filter life lasts 300 gallons. Low initial system price, but frequent filter replacements drive up ongoing costs.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
17¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401
|
Replacement
$49.99
|
Capacity
300 Gal
|
System
$129.99
|
Contaminants
14
|

Grade D+
Watts Premier - 531130 UF-3 Filtration System
Not NSF Certified. WQA tested to NSF Standards to reduce 97% of chlorine and over 50 other contaminants. Short filter life lasts 150 gallons. Low initial system price and high, frequent filter replacements drive up ongoing costs.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
59¢
|
Certified
WQA to NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$89.00
|
Capacity
150 gal
|
System
$195.95
|
Contaminants
57
|
Faucet Attach Water Filters

Grade A-
Aquasana - AQ-4000
Full system NSF Certified to Standards 42, 53, 401 and P473. Certified to reduce 77 contaminants including >97% of chlorine and chloramines. Long filter life lasts up to 450 gallons or 6 months. Little maintenance required. Easy installation and replaceme
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
13¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401/P473
|
Replacement
$59.99
|
Capacity
450 gal
|
System
$129.99
|
Contaminants
77
|

Grade C-
PUR - Bluetooth Ultimate Faucet Filtration System (PFM800HX)
Full system NSF Certified to Standards 42, 53, and 401. Certified to reduce over 60 other contaminants. Short filter life lasts 100 gallons. System has the capability to connect to smartphone to track water consumption, filter usage and more.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
19¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401
|
Replacement
$18.99
|
Capacity
100 gal
|
System
$44.99
|
Contaminants
71
|

Grade C-
Brita - Complete Faucet Filter
Full system NSF Certified to Standards 42 and 53 & 401. Certified to reduce 97% of chlorine and over 60 other contaminants. Short filter life lasts 100 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Bulky on faucet design takes up sink space.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
19¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401
|
Replacement
$18.99
|
Capacity
100 gal
|
System
$29.99
|
Contaminants
65
|

Grade C-
PUR - PFM400H - Advanced Faucet Filter
Full system NSF Certified to Standards 42, 53 and 401. Certified to reduce over 60 other contaminants. Short filter life lasts 100 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Bulky on faucet design takes up sink space.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
19¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401
|
Replacement
$18.99
|
Capacity
100 gal
|
System
$34.99
|
Contaminants
71
|
Reverse Osmosis Filters

Grade A+
Aquasana - AQ-RO-3 OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Fluoride Water Filter
NSF certified to five different standards. Reduces 88 contaminants including fluoride, pharmaceuticals and chlorine/chloramines. Includes remineralizer to restore the healthy minerals that reverse osmosis removes. Easy to maintain once installed.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Replacement
$64.99
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/58/401/P473
|
System
$439.99
|
Contaminants
88
|

Grade C+
Whirlpool - WHAROS5 UltraEase Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
Low system and replacement price. NSF certified to reduce chlorine taste, odor and some contaminants but not pharmaceuticals. Does not restore healthy minerals lost in the reverse osmosis process.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Replacement
$39.00
|
Certified
NSF 42/58
|
System
$159.00
|
Contaminants
17
|

Grade C
GE - PXRQ15RBL Profile™ Reverse Osmosis Premium Water Filtration System
Moderate system and replacement price. NSF certified to reduce chlorine taste, odor and some contaminants but not pharmaceuticals or fluoride. Does not restore healthy minerals lost in the reverse osmosis process.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Replacement
$45.99
|
Certified
NSF 42/58
|
System
$279.99
|
Contaminants
15
|

Grade C-
Watts Premier - 500057 WP5-50 Five Stage Reverse Osmosis System
Not NSF Certified. Certified by WQA to reduce 16 contaminants including fluoride but not chlorine taste and odor. Reasonable system price and inexpensive replacement costs. Does not restore the healthy minerals lost in the reverse osmosis process.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Replacement
$15.30
|
Certified
WQA to NSF 58
|
System
$230.95
|
Contaminants
16
|

Grade C-
Pelican Water - PRO-RO 6-Stage RO System
Not certified by NSF. Certified by WQA to reduce only 13 contaminants, not including chlorine taste and odor. Relatively steep initial system price with moderate replacement costs. Adds back healthy minerals lost in the reverse osmosis process.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Replacement
$118.00
|
Certified
WQA to NSF 58
|
System
$599.00
|
Contaminants
13
|
Pitcher Water Filters

Grade A+
Aquasana - Clean Water Machine (AQ-CWM)
Reduces 77 contaminants - 10x more than other pitchers. Long filter life of 320 gallons. Fewer filter replacements; cheaper to maintain over time. Powered system filters water in seconds. Comparable filtration to a pro grade under counter filter.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
9¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53/401/P473
|
Replacement
$29.99
|
Capacity
320 Gal
|
System
$149.99
|
Contaminants
77
|

Grade C+
Culligan - Pitcher Filter (CUL PIT-1)
Only reduces 5 contaminants. Very short filter life only lasts 50 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Very slow drip filtration compared to countertop or under counter systems. Cheapest filter on the market.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
11¢
|
Certified
WQA to NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$5.59
|
Capacity
50 Gal
|
System
$15.51
|
Contaminants
5
|

Grade D+
PUR - 7-Cup Ultimate Pitcher Filtration System with Lead Reduction (PPT711W)
Only reduces 14 contaminants. Very short filter life only lasts 30 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Very slow drip filtration compared to countertop or under counter systems. Best performing pitcher on the market.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
20¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$24.99
|
Capacity
30 Gal
|
System
$24.99
|
Contaminants
14
|

Grade D+
Brita - Infinity Wi-Fi Connected Pitcher (OB54/OB03)
Only reduces 5 contaminants. Short filter life only lasts 40 gallons. Frequent filter changes. Very slow drip filtration compared to countertop or under counter systems. Connects to wi-fi to track usage and order replacements through Amazon Dash.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
20¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$7.99
|
Capacity
40 gal
|
System
$44.99
|
Contaminants
5
|

Grade D+
Brita - Grand 80 oz Water Filter Pitcher
Only reduces 5 contaminants. Very short filter life only lasts 40 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Very slow drip filtration compared to countertop or under counter systems.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
20¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$7.99
|
Capacity
40 Gal
|
System
$32.99
|
Contaminants
5
|

Grade D-
Zero Water - 8-Cup Stainless Steel Pitcher
Removes healthy minerals in water as well as contaminants. Short filter life only lasts 15 gallons. Frequent filter changes drive up ongoing cost. Very slow drip filtration compared to countertop or under counter systems.
Cost | Performance |
---|---|
Gallon
43¢
|
Certified
NSF 42/53
|
Replacement
$14.99
|
Capacity
15 Gal
|
System
$39.99
|
Contaminants
6
|
Please note that VOCs include: 2,4,5-TP (Silvex); 2,4-D; Alachor; Atrazine; Benzene; Bromodichloromethane; Bromoform; Carbofuran; Carbon Tetrachloride; Chlorobenzene; Chlorodibromomethane; Chloroform; Chloropicrin; dibromochloropropane(DBCP); O Dichlorobenzene; P Dichlorobenzene; 1, 2 Dichloroethane; 1,1 Dichloroethylene; cis-1,2 Dichloroethylene; trans 1,2 Dichloroethylene; Dichloropropane; Dichloropropylene; cis-1,2-dichloropropylene; Dinoseb; EDB; Endrin; Ethylbenzene; bromochloroacetonitrile; dibromoacetonitrile; dichloroacetonitrile; trichloroacetonitrile; 1,1 dichloro-2-propanone; 1,1,1 trichloro-2-propanone; Haloacetonitriles; Haloketones; Heptachlor; Heptachlor Epoxide; Hexachlorobutadiene; Hexachlorocyclopentadiene; Lindane; Methoxychlor; Pentachloropheno; Simazine; Styrene; Tetrachlorethylene; Tetrachloroethane; THMs/TTHMs; Toluene; Tribromoacetic acid; Trichlorobenzene; 1,1,1 Trichloroethane; 1,1,2; Trichloroethane; Trichloroethylene; Xylenes.
All performance claims and pricing were taken from publicly available information. If you find information that is inaccurate, please send the correct info with supporting documentation to info@waterfiltercomparisons.com, and we will address any errors. Product grading is based on the following criteria: System Price, Cost per Gallon, Contaminants Removed, System Certification, Capacity, Eco-friendly.
1. Pricing is subject to change and is accurate as of the date this chart was last updated. Cost per gallon is calculated as replacement filter price/capacity.
2. Not all contaminants will be listed in chart
Manufacturer data last updated 03/26/2018.