Review: Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher (*New 2024)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024
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The Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher is a relatively pricey one with an unconditional lifetime warranty.
These might be markers of good quality, but let’s analyze the Aquagear pitcher and its features in more detail to see if it’s worth your money.
Contents
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Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Life: | 120 Gallons |
| Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annual Cost: | ~$150 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher – All Specs
- Model: Aquagear
- Last Price: $69.95
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$150
- Filter Media/Process: Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin
- Filtering Capacity: 120 gal
- Storage Volume: 10 Cups
- WxHxD: 11”x11”x6”
- Weight: 2.34 lb.
- NSF Testing: 42, 53, 401
- Warranty: Lifetime
Aquagear Pitcher – Key Features
First of all, the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher filters water using ion exchange media and a blend of activated carbon. This effective approach has been tested against official NSF standards and shown to remove the following contaminants among others:
- 99.96% chlorine
- 99.35-99.41% lead
- 93.33-95.00% mercury
- ~96.6% cadmium
- 99.97% asbestos,
- 99.97% VOCs
- More than 99.9% of PFOA/PFOS
- 99.99% of several pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, industrial pollutants
- 99.99% microplastics
Really solid results!
What’s more, filter life is 120 gallons which isn’t bad either. And we have a standard 10-cup storage volume.
The filter media is made in the USA (but the pitcher itself probably isn’t).
Last but not least, Aquagear provides a lifetime warranty. According to the company, they’ll replace your pitcher at no cost if it ever breaks.
Gallery
Aquagear Water Filter Pros
As mentioned before, the Aquagear pitcher has a pretty powerful filtration process, and we like that it retains healthy minerals after filtration.
The 120-gallon filter life means that maintenance requirements are at a bare minimum. And if you subscribe, you’re entitled to a 20% discount on all replacement filter shipments.
Plus, you can recycle Aquagear filters for free through the Aquagear Filter recycling program.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher has been third-party tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401 to remove:
- 99.96% chlorine
- 99.35-99.41% lead
- 93.33-95.00% mercury
- About 96.6% cadmium
- 99.97% asbestos
- 99.97% tested VOCs
- PFOA/PFOS more than 99.9%
- Up to 99.99% of pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial pollutants.
- 99.99% microplastics
The Aquagear – learn more on Drinkaquagear.com
Assembly and Filter Priming
Installing and priming this water filter pitcher only takes a few minutes.
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
Here’s what to do:
- First, you’d need to flush the system. To do this, hold the flushing assembly to your tap and run cold water through it for at least 2 minutes. Ensure to keep the water pressure low.
- Insert the filter cartridge into the reservoir.
- Fix the reservoir in the carafe and secure the lid on top of the pitcher.
- Fill your pitcher and enjoy filtered water!
Video
The Package (Parts)
- Flushing assembly
- Reservoir
- Lid
- Carafe
- Filter cartridge
Maintenance
Maintaining the Aquagear water filter costs around $150 annually, which is pricier than with a lot of other pitchers. Good news is, you can save 20% if you subscribe to having replacement filters delivered on schedule. As mentioned before, filter life is 120 gallons.
In order to recycle old filters, simply fill out the form on the Aquagear website to receive a postage-paid label.
You also need to clean the pitcher by hand washing with mild detergent or soap. Keep the pitcher away from sunlight, and if possible, store it in a fridge. Never wash your filters with soap.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The Aquagear has no official NSF certifications, but it’s been third-party tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401.
Earlier Product Versions
There have been earlier versions of this product. We don’t know the exact details, but they must have changed the filter process because contaminant reduction rates have changed over time.
Aquagear Water Pitcher Cons
Our first issue with this pitcher is that it’s pretty expensive. It also costs around $150 to maintain yearly, which is more than you’d pay for other pitchers which we consider more powerful. We also saw complaints that the filters don’t always last up to 150 gallons, which means you might spend even more on replacement filters.
Another issue we have is the lack of official NSF certifications. Although the Aquagear has been third-party tested, we prefer official NSF certifications. We also don’t think its test results are comprehensive enough; the reports show that a lot of organic chemicals have been tested, but there isn’t a lot of testing for heavy metals etc.
Other complaints we noted include:
- The pitcher taking too long to filter water (over two and a half hours).
- Replacement filters not lasting as long as the original ones.
- The pitcher design making it hard to pour a glass without spilling water.
Aquagear Pitcher Review: Our Verdict + Best for
The Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher is powerful, no doubt. It has undergone NSF testing with solid results, but unfortunately, it has no official NSF certifications. It’s a costly pitcher, and the replacement filters aren’t cheap either. We think there are better pitcher options out there for less or the same price. We rate the Aquagear 4 stars.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 5.0/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.0/5.0
- Annual Cost: 4.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Comparison to Other Water Filter Pitchers
Now, we’ll compare the Aquagear pitcher to the Clearly Filtered and Epic/Nano pitchers.
Clearly Filtered |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon + Composite Shell |
| Filter Capacity: | 100 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 17 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$150 |
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Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 10% Off! Use Code: |
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Epic Pure |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon Block, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 150 gal |
| Total Storage Volume: | 14.8 Cups |
| Annually: | $90-135 |
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Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
Get 20% Off! Use Code: |
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Aquagear |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon, Ion Exchange |
| Filter Capacity: | 120 gal |
| Storage Volume: | 10 Cups |
| Annually: | ~$150 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRating based on filtration performance, filter life, price and yearly cost, NSF testing/certification, customer support, product warranty, our testing/experience, user feedback, and other factors.
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The Clearly Filtered is a first-class model. It removes more than 300 contaminants in water, as shown by third-party tests against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401. It has the most exhaustive testing we’ve seen in a pitcher, and we have to say, the results are exceptional.
It filters water using a bunch of proprietary filter media and granular activated carbon. This combination is responsible for targeting many different contaminants in water: VOCs, DBPs, PFAS, chlorine, chromium-6, arsenic, pesticides, radiologicals, semi-volatile compounds, fluoride, lead, and pharmaceuticals, etc.
Clearly Filtered filters last about four months, or 100 gallons — a bit shorter than Aquagear. On the other hand, it has a total storage of 17 cups, and 10 cups filtered volume, which is larger than Aquagear.
It’s built in the USA with BPA-free materials and designed with a removable lid that simplifies the refilling process.
Clearly Filtered offers a limited lifetime warranty on their pitchers— Aquagear is better here, but Clearly Filtered gives a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and Aquagear doesn’t.
The biggest downer with the Clearly Filtered pitcher is its high purchase price. Maintenance cost is comparable to Aquagear.
The Epic Pure/Nano pitcher is another powerful option. It’s also a bit more on the budget-friendly side (relative to Clearly Filtered). We have activated carbon and several proprietary filter media to remove over 200 contaminants in water – NSF-tested against standards 42,53, and 401 (Epic Nano is also tested against P231 for microorganisms).
Epic’s Pure (fully reviewed here) is effective against tap water with fluoride and heavy metals. The Epic Nano (review here) is designed to handle well water with bacteria, cysts, and viruses. The Epic and Nano pitchers are interchangeable, so you can switch them up in the future.
Epic pitchers have a long filter life of 150 gallons, more than Aquagear and Clearly Filtered. The built-in filter life countdown timer reminds you of filter replacement dates. The Epic recycling program allows you to mail back four used filters for a new replacement filter.
Epic Pitchers are made from BPA-free plastic, and the filters are manufactured in the USA.
Besides, every purchase is covered by a lifetime warranty and fast return policy. Epic gives discounts to seniors, teachers, owners and employees of non-profit organizations, military personnel, first responders, medical staff, and students.
Our final verdict: The Clearly Filtered pitcher is on the top of our list— it’s our number one pitcher. Epic pitchers have a slightly lower price and still perform well, so we’d prefer them over the Aquagear which comes in third.
More Reviews:
This completes our review of the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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