Review: Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine (*Updated 2024)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Feb 1, 2024
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The Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine is designed to make tap water healthier for drinking through filtration.
There are some really cool features here, but also some drawbacks.
Let’s have a look!
Contents
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Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated Carbon, Catalytic Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin, Submicron Filtration |
| Filter Life: | 300 Gallons |
| Flow Rate: | 0.5 Gallons Per Minute |
| Annual Cost: | ~$60-120 |
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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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Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine – All Specs
- Model: AQ-CWM2-B
- Last Price: $199.99
- Annual Maintenance Cost: ~$60-120
- Filter Media/Process: Activated Carbon, Catalytic Carbon, Ion Exchange Resin, Submicron Filtration
- Flow Rate: 0.5 gpm
- Filtering Capacity: 300 gal
- Tank Capacity: 8 Cups
- WxHxD: 7.96″x11.61″x9.69″
- Weight: 6.2 lb.
- Water Temperature: 40-90 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-70 psi
- NSF Certifications: Standard 42, 53, 401
- Warranty: 1 Year
Aquasana – Discount Code
You can use our code “AQBOS50“ to get up to 50% discount on any purchase you make on aquasana.com.
Aquasana AQ-CWM2-B – Key Features
The Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine (model number AQ-CWM2-B) is designed to enhance the quality and taste of tap water.
It uses “Claryum” filtration that combines catalytic carbon, ion exchange resin, and activated carbon. These media are compressed into a dense block to achieve submicron filtration. The Aquasana Clean Water Machine has a pump that forces water through said filter block to speed up filtration. In all, it removes up to 99% of 78 contaminants (heavy metals, chlorine, organic chemicals, and more).Water flow is 0.5 gallons per minute (or roughly 1 cup of water every 8 seconds).
Filter life is 300 gallons or around 6 months. Filter replacements cost $60 to $120 yearly, depending on how much water you use.
Gallery
Aquasana Clean Water Machine Pros
The Aquasana AQ-CWM2-B has a number of features we like. First, it’s easy to set up and requires no installation – you simply assemble the system and plug it in. It’s portable, so you can place it on your countertop.
It’s fairly priced, so you won’t break the bank getting one either.
Also, beneficial minerals are preserved in the water during filtration. And filtration is fast.
Filter replacements are easy and only take a couple of seconds. Then there’s the filter life lights that let you know when it’s time to replace your filters – no more guessing games here. Here’s what each filter light means:
- Solid red when dispensing – change filter now
- Blinking red while in standby – change filter now
- Alternating blue and red light while dispensing water – change filter soon.
Finally, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine is made with 100% BPA-free food-grade plastic and backed by a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
What Contaminants Are Being Removed?
The Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine is WQA-tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401 and achieves the following contaminant reduction rates:
- Chlorine taste and odor (97.3%)
- Chloramine (97.6%)
- Lead (99.6-99.7%)
- Mercury (96.2-96.6%)
- MTBE (83.5%)
- PFOA/PFOS (95.2%)
- Microplastics (99.6%)
- Various pesticides and pharmaceuticals (up to 98%)
- Asbestos 99%
- Cyst (99.997%)
- Dozens of VOCs (up to 99%)
The Aquasana AQ-CWM2-B – learn more on Aquasana.com
Installation
As mentioned before, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine requires no installation. Here’s all you need to do:
Please consider these instructions as a general guideline. Always make sure to check and follow your user manual before getting started.
- First, you hand-wash the tank. This comes during your first use or after long periods of no use. Hand-wash the water tank lid and water tank using dish soap, then rinse well.
- Add cold tap water to the water tank until it’s full.
- Set the water tank on the dispenser dock and check that it’s securely fixed to the base.
- Next, open the filter chamber. To do this, lift the lid of the filter housing unit and loosen the filter chamber cap.
- Take out the plastic from the filter cartridge. Then, while the top of the filter is up, firmly press the filter down onto the filter chamber cap.
- Fit the filter, complete with the filter chamber cap, into the chamber, ensuring that the grooves of the cap are correctly aligned. Then, turn the filter chamber to the right until it clicks into place. (Note: Ensure the arrow on the filter chamber cap faces the dispenser end). Snap the lid back onto the filter housing.
- Next, you flush the system. To do this, connect your system to a power source. Position a container (holding at least 64 oz.) beneath the dispenser while the flushing cycle is in progress.
- To begin the flush cycle, quickly push down the dock 3 times. A red light will come up for 5 seconds. While the red light is on, push and hold the dock button for a second. The light will flash red. As the system flushes, the light will switch from red to blue. At the end of the flush, the light will stay blue for 5 seconds.
After setting up and flushing your system, here’s how to use it:
- To begin with, top up the water tank and set it back onto the dispenser dock.
- Set your vessel under the dispenser. The blue light will be on as you dispense water. Once you’re satisfied with the amount of water dispensed, release the dock button.
- If you’re filling a larger container, you can use the Quick Press function. Initiate the fill process by pressing the dock button once. Stop dispensing by quickly pressing the dock button again once the desired amount has been reached. The system is programmed to dispense water for a maximum of 60 seconds in a single cycle, and then it’ll shut off automatically.
The Package (Parts)
- Filtration dock
- Water tank
- Water tank lid
- Claryum filter
- Filter chamber cap
- Filter housing unit lid
Maintenance
The Aquasana Clean Water Machine has a filter life of 6 months or 300 gallons. Depending on your use, it costs around $60 to $120 in annual maintenance which is affordable. Filter replacements are straightforward and can be done in a few seconds.
When to replace filters? You’ll need to pay attention to the filter life lights – solid red when dispensing or blinking red while in standby means it’s time to change. Alternating blue and red lights while dispensing water means you’ll need to change filters soon. Whatever the case, here’s how to change your filters:
- Rotate the filter chamber cap counterclockwise and extract the used filter from the cap. Dispose of the used filter.
- Insert the new filter in the filter chamber cap (ensure it fits securely), then place it into the housing unit and turn right to close.
- Add water to the tank and position it on the dispenser dock.
- Quickly push the dock button down 3 times. The red light will light up for 5 seconds.
- While the red light is on, push the dock button for a second. The light will blink red. As the system flushes, the light will switch from red to blue and remain blue for 5 seconds when the flush is over.
Manual
Here is a link to the official manual:
NSF and Other Certifications
The Aquasana AQ-CWM2-B is WQA-tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53 (includes P473), and 401.
- NSF 42 means the filter is certified to remove aesthetic chlorine, aesthetic chloramine, and nominal particulate class I.
- NSF 53 clears the filter for reduction of lead, asbestos, cyst, mercury, turbidity, Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), VOCs (as chloroform), Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE), and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA).
- Finally, NSF 401 certifies the filter for reduction of Atenolol, Bisphenol A, Carbamazepine, DEET, Estrone, Ibuprofen, Linuron, Meprobamate, Metolachlor, Microplastics, Naproxen, Nonyl Phenol, Phenytoin, TCEP, TCPP, Trimethoprim.
Earlier Product Versions
The Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine is the successor of the Aquasana Clean Water Machine. Most importantly, the overall design has changed with the new version. To our knowledge, the filtration process is more or less the same.
Aquasana Clean Water Machine Cons
First, this filter is not ideal for well water, as it’s very likely to clog.
Also, its 0.5 gpm flow rate is a bit slow, and there’s no direct faucet connection, so you have to refill the water tank manually.
On top of that, there have been complaints from past users about the machine becoming leaky after a while. Others complained about the cap on the filter being too hard to turn, making it almost impossible to change the filter.
Aquasana AQ-CWM2-B Review: Our Verdict + Best for
All in all, Aquasana’s Next Gen Clean Water Machine features a mix of powerful filter media backed by NSF-certified contaminant reduction, so you can trust its filtration effectiveness. The system will take out most common tap water contaminants. Pricing seems fair. Taking into account a few issues with leaks and malfunctioning, it’s worth 4 stars from us.
Our Rating in Detail:
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Capacity (Life): 3.5/5.0
- Purchase Price: 4.5/5.0
- Annual Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Get Up to 50% Off! Use Code: AQBOS50
Comparison to Other Water Filters
Let’s compare the Clean Water Machine by Aquasana to the Clearly Filtered Pitcher and the AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis System.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher |
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| Price: | $ |
| Filter Process: | Carbon + Composite Shell |
| Filter Capacity: | 100 gal |
| Flow Rate: | – |
| 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.
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AquaTru |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Filter Process: | Sediment/Carbon Pre-Filter, RO, Carbon Post-Filter |
| Filter Capacity: | 600-1,200 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 1 gal in 10-15 Minutes |
| Annually: | ~$100-120 |
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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 15% Off! Use Code: |
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Aquasana Clean Water Machine |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Filter Process: | Activated + Catalytic Carbon, Ion Exchange, Submicron Filtration |
| Filter Capacity: | 300 gal |
| Flow Rate: | 0.5 gpm |
| Annually: | ~$60-120 |
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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.
Get Up to 50% Off! Use Code: |
|
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher (fully reviewed here) is an impressive A-grade model. It’s been third-party tested for NSF Standards 42, 53, and 401. Results show that it reduces more than 360 water contaminants – even better than the Aquasana. It has the most painstaking testing we’ve ever seen in a water pitcher, and the results are remarkable.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher removes/reduces contaminants like semi-volatile compounds, chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, disinfection byproducts, pharmaceuticals, lead, arsenic, chromium-6, radiologicals, PFAS, fluoride, and VOCs.
The pitcher uses multiple proprietary filter media, granular activated carbon being one of them.
The Clearly Filtered Pitcher has a filter life of 4 months, or 100 gallons, a total storage of 17 cups, and a 10-cup filtered volume. It’s made in the USA with BPA-free materials and designed with a removable lid that smoothens the refilling process. Clearly Filtered offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty.
In all, the CF pitcher has impressive features, but the major downside is its high cost.
The AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis System needs no installation, just like the Aquasana Clean Water Machine. It filters water using a combination of sediment and activated carbon pre-filter, RO membrane, and carbon post-filter.
It holds certifications for NSF standards 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473, and reduces more than 80 water contaminants. Contaminants removed include chromium-6 (97.2%), lead (99.1%), PFOA and PFOS (97.5%), cysts (99.99%), and fluoride (93.5%).
The AquaTru also features an internal pump that minimizes wastewater and speeds up filtration ( a gallon of filtered RO water in 10-15 minutes).
The system is easy to use, and its filters are affordable and easy to change. On the downside, there’ve been occasional issues with leaks and the price is rather high.
Bottom line: The Clearly Filtered Pitcher and the AquaTru are better than the Aquasana Clean Water Machine in terms of filtration results. However, they’re quite pricey. The Aquasana provides decent filtration, and if you only want to filter tap water it can be a good choice as long as you don’t run into problems like leaking.
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This completes our review of the Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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