Head-to-head · Best Under-Sink Water Filters

Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+ vs Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+ comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Households that want broad, certified contaminant reduction and great taste from a no-wait under-sink filter, while keeping healthy minerals. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Under-Sink Water Filters

Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+

4.6

$191.24as of Jun 7

The Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+ is the best all-around under-sink carbon filter, pairing NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 certification with a fast-flow three-stage design that keeps healthy minerals in the water. It reduces 99% of 77 contaminants, including lead, chlorine, PFAS and pharmaceuticals, without the water waste of reverse osmosis. The trade-off is a 6-month filter life and a higher per-gallon cost, but for clean, great-tasting water it's the top pick.

Strengths

— Triple-stage Claryum filtration reduces 99% of 77 contaminants including lead, chlorine, PFAS and pharmaceuticals
— NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 certified, covering taste, health contaminants and emerging compounds
— Retains beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium rather than stripping them

Watch-outs

— Filters last about 6 months or 800 gallons, shorter than some rivals
— Per-gallon filter cost is higher than basic single-cartridge systems
— Requires a spare faucet hole or drilling for the dedicated faucet

$191.24 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Under-Sink Water Filters

Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink

4.5

$495

The Clearly Filtered 3-Stage is the broad-spectrum carbon system, independently tested to reduce 232+ contaminants, including fluoride, lead, PFAS and arsenic, while keeping beneficial minerals and wasting no water. Its 2,000-gallon filter life is among the longest here. The catches are price (it's the costliest in this group) and that it carries only one full NSF certification despite extensive third-party testing. For maximum contaminant breadth without RO, it's excellent.

Strengths

— Independently tested to reduce 232+ contaminants including fluoride, lead, PFAS and arsenic
— Long 2,000-gallon filter life, roughly 9 to 15 months between changes
— Retains beneficial minerals, no water waste, no drain line or dedicated faucet needed

Watch-outs

— Holds only one full NSF certification (NSF 42) despite broad third-party testing
— Significantly more expensive upfront than other carbon systems
— Some owners report reduced water pressure over the filter's life

$495 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+

More certified contaminant coverage than the Waterdrop 15UA and Filtrete 3US-PS01, and faster flow than the Frizzlife MP99. Unlike the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage, the AQ-5300+ carries multiple NSF certifications rather than relying on third-party testing alone.

Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink

Broader contaminant testing than the Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+, Waterdrop 15UA and Filtrete 3US-PS01, with longer filter life, but at a much higher price and with fewer formal NSF certifications than the Aquasana. More comprehensive than the budget Frizzlife MP99.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Aquasana Claryum AQ-5300+	Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink
Filtration	3-stage Claryum	3-stage Affinity media
Certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401	NSF/ANSI 42, 372 (broad third-party testing)
Contaminants Reduced	99% of 77 (lead, chlorine, PFAS, pharmaceuticals)	232+ (fluoride, lead, PFAS, arsenic)
Filter Life	6 months / 800 gallons	2,000 gallons / 9-15 months
Mineral Retention	Yes (calcium, magnesium)	Yes
Faucet	Dedicated brushed nickel included	Uses existing faucet (no separate faucet)
Install Time	~30-45 min DIY	—
Flow	Max Flow (no tank)	—
Water Waste	—	None
Reduction Rate	—	90-99% across tested contaminants

← See the full ranking of best under-sink water filters