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Andrew says
November 25, 2022
Aquasana is rated D+ based on the link provided in the article. Interestingly, the author claims the BBB has rated aquasana as A+ in the same paragraph. Misleading oversight at best.
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2023’s Aquasana Water Filtration and Treatment System Reviews
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Aug 10, 2023
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Aquasana, Inc. focuses on providing water treatment products for residential use. This includes whole house water filters and softeners, a wide range of NSF-certified drinking water systems, shower filters and more.
The company which is headquartered in Austin, TX has been in business for more than 21 years according to the BBB.
In this review series, we are going to check out:
- Different versions of the Aquasana Rhino whole house water filter
- The Aquasana AQ-4100 & AQ-4105 shower filter
- The Aquasana Active Clean Water Machine
- The Aquasana Active Clean Water Bottle
- The Aquasana AQ-4000 Claryum countertop water filter
- Aquasana’s OptimH2O reverse osmosis system
- The Aquasana AQ-5200, AQ-5300 & AQ-5300+ under counter water filter
- And finally the Aquasana SimplySoft salt-free water conditioner
Aquasana Water Filter Overview
| Model | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Best for Whole House: Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 |
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Price: $$$ Type: Whole House System Flow Rate: 7 gpm Filt. Capacity: 1M gal Read Review: Click |
 Best for Showering: Aquasana AQ-4100 |
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Price: $ Type: Shower Filter Flow Rate: 2.5 gpm Filt. Capacity: 10k gal Read Review: Click Alexa’s Video Review: Click |
 Aquasana Active Clean Water Machine |
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Price: $$ Type: Countertop Drinking Water System Flow Rate: 0.5 gpm Filt. Capacity: 320 gal Read Review: Click |
 Best for On the Go: Aquasana Active Clean Water Bottle (Stainless Steel Insulated) |
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Price: $ Type: Filter Bottle Flow Rate: – Filt. Capacity: 80 gal Read Review: Click |
 Best for the Countertop: Aquasana AQ-4000 Claryum Water Filter |
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Price: $ Type: Countertop Drinking Water System Flow Rate: 0.5 gpm Filt. Capacity: 450 gal Read Review: Click |
 Best for Reverse Osmosis Purification: Aquasana OptimH2O RO System |
|
Price: $$ Type: Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System Flow Rate: 0.5 gpm Filt. Capacity: 365 gal Read Review: Click |
 Best for Under the Sink: Aquasana AQ-5300+ Max Flow Water Filter |
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Price: $$ Type: Under Sink Drinking Water Filter Flow Rate: 0.72 gpm Filt. Capacity: 800 gal Read Review: Click |
Aquasana Water Filter Reviews
Review Order
- Aquasana Rhino EQ-600, EQ-1000 & EQ-Well-UV – Best for Whole House
- Aquasana AQ-4100 & AQ-4105 – Best for Shower
- Aquasana Active Clean Water Machine
- Aquasana Active Clean Water Bottle – Best for On the Go
- Aquasana AQ-4000 Claryum – Best for Countertop
- Aquasana OptimH2O – Best for RO Water Purification
- Aquasana AQ-5200, AQ-5300 & AQ-5300+ – Best for Under the Sink (Non-RO)
- Aquasana SimplySoft – Best for Hard Water
1. Best for Whole House: Aquasana Rhino EQ-600, EQ-1000 & EQ-Well-UV
The Aquasana Rhino comes in 3 different versions with varying filtration capacities, all exceptionally high from 500,000 gallons or 5 years up to 1 million gallons or 10 years. So no matter if you are on a municipal water supply or a private well, you will find the right setup.
Also, your flow rate will be a constant 7 gallons per minute, which is enough for up to 4, maybe 5 people living under one roof.
The whole house filter systems are mainly used to rid your water of unpleasant chlorine used for water disinfection. Other impurities that will be removed/reduced are chemicals like herbicides and pesticides, and some heavy metals such as lead. In addition, the filter media is bacteriostatic to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.
What this means is cleaner water & air throughout your entire home, especially in your shower which will reduce your overall exposure to said contaminants to a large extent. Consequently, your hair and skin will look healthier and be more moisturized for sure!
Aquasana’s EQ-Well-UV also eliminates hydrogen sulfide gases responsible for the characteristic rotten-egg smell that well water often has. And it comes with an otherwise optional UV light sterilizer to protect your family against waterborne pathogens and a post-filter.
Each system also features a 5-micron pre-filter to trap sediment, silt and rust increasing the life of the main filter stage and can be upgraded with the SimplySoft descaler (more on that below).
NSF Standard 42 certified for chlorine reduction? Check. Limited lifetime warranty? Check.
|
Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Purpose: | Mainly Improve Taste and Odor |
| Ideal for: | Small to Larger Families & Homes |
| Water Source: | Chlorinated City Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Aquasana Rhino EQ-600 |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Purpose: | Mainly Improve Taste and Odor |
| Ideal for: | Small to Larger Families & Homes |
| Water Source: | Chlorinated City Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Aquasana Rhino EQ-Well-UV |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Purpose: | Mainly Improve Taste and Odor |
| Ideal for: | Small to Larger Families & Homes |
| Water Source: | Well Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Pros
- Different setups to choose from
- Very high filtration capacities
- Optional upgrades
- Clean water and air in your entire home
- Bacteriostatic filter media
- NSF certified against Standard 42
- Low in maintenance
- Quick and easy filter replacements
- Includes limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Plastic connectors may cause problems with installation
- DIY install voids warranty
- Issues with warranty claims
Best for
The Aquasana Rhino EQ-600 and EQ-1000 are best for whole house tap water filtration, and the EQ-Well-UV is best for well water.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana Rhino Review Here
2. Best for Showers: Aquasana AQ-4100 & AQ-4105
The Aquasana AQ-4100 and AQ-4105 shower filters are all about removing free chlorine from your water for healthier hair and skin and easier breathing.
You have four different configurations to choose from:
- Two come with a wand (one plastic, one chrome).
- One comes with only a head.
- And the last is basically only the filter body so that you can use your own shower head.
Wand or head, the provided flow rate is 2.5 gallons per minute which is the standard for shower heads.
The filtration capacity is 10,000 gallons or 6 months, so no frequent replacements necessary saving you time and money.
Furthermore, apart from eliminating more than 90% chlorine, the KDF-55 (copper-zinc blend) and activated carbon filter media also reduce chloramine and other chemicals – mainly VOCs such as pesticides and herbicides, and supposedly lead, mercury, iron and hydrogen sulfide.
However, the AQ-4100/AQ-4105 were only tested and certified for their chlorine removal capabilities. There is no lab evidence to prove any of the other claims.
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Aquasana AQ-4100 |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Purpose: | Mainly Reduce Chlorine Content |
| Prevents: | Dry Hair & Skin |
| Water Source: | Chlorinated Water |
| NSF: | Standard 177 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Alexa’s Video Review
Being an integral member of our team, Alexa has ordered and tested the Aquasana Shower Filter for us, meaning she has installed, primed, and used the filter in her day-to-day life for several weeks to gain some first-hand experience. She shares her findings and personal verdict in the video below:
Pros
- No loss of height for comfortable standing
- Improves lathering of soaps, conditioners and shampoos
- NSF certified against Standard 177
- 100% BPA-free
- Installation is a breeze
- Fast filter replacements without the use of tools
- Including one-year warranty (limited)
Cons
- Pricey replacement filters
- Somewhat prone to clogging
- Plastic hose is stiff and unwieldy (we recommend you opt for chrome wand)
- Issues with leaks
- Nozzle too short to accommodate larger heads
Best for
The Aquasana AQ-4100 and AQ-4105 are best for filtering chlorinated shower water.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana Shower Filter Review Here
3. Aquasana Active Clean Water Machine
Next in our Aquasana water filter reviews is the Aquasana Active Clean Water Machine (short CWM), a countertop filter system that features a very thorough filtration process for healthy, pure and great-tasting drinking water.
Different types of filter media can reduce more than 70 harmful contaminants that might be present in your water. This includes chlorine and chloramine (96.06%), lead (>99%), asbestos (>99%), many waterborne pathogens (>99%), organic substances like pharmaceuticals (>90%) and much dreaded PFOA and PFOS (95.8%).
Meanwhile, all healthy minerals are being preserved. And because the CWM runs on electricity, filtration speed is fast eliminating long waiting times.
By the way, you have the choice between the colors black and white and you can decide between a setup that comes with a dispenser and one that comes with a pitcher. The pitcher is great for cooling your water in the refrigerator. The dispenser on the other hand can hold twice the amount of water (1 gallon).
Whichever your choose, both versions look good, are easy to use, and don’t take up much space on your countertop.
Filtration capacity: 320 gallons or around 3 months.
|
Aquasana Clean Water Machine |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Small to Larger Families |
| Water Source: | Tap Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42, 53, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Pros
- Provides very clean and healthy drinking water
- All minerals preserved
- NSF certified against Standards 42, 53, 401, and Protocol P473
- Fast filtration speed
- Very easy to use
- Setup is a breeze
- Long lasting filters
- 100% BPA-free
- Fast filter replacements without the use of tools
- Customer service offers quick refunds or immediate replacements for broken units
- Including one-year warranty (limited)
Cons
- Filtration is loud
- Leaks can be an issue
- System simply stopped working for some users
Best for
The Clean Water Machine is best for people who like a combination of countertop and pitcher water filter.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana Next Gen Clean Water Machine Review Here
4. Best for On the Go: Aquasana Active Clean Water Bottle
The Aquasana Active Clean Water Bottle filters your water while you are on the go, not only for natural and fresh taste, but also to eliminate 99.4% chlorine, 99.8% lead, 99% bacteria and 99.99% cysts – all this according to NSF Standard 42 and 53 (testing conducted by independent third-party lab).
The main material is stainless steel for durability. The silicone sleeve makes the bottle comfortable to hold, and it’s nice to look at.
The bottle is insulated to keep your water nice and cold for up to 24 hours.
Filters are rated at 80 gallons and 100% BPA-free just like all other materials used, such as plastic spout and carrying loop. Although replacement cartridges are somewhat pricey you are still better off than if you were buying bottled water.
|
Aquasana Clean Water Bottle |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Single Person |
| Water Source: | Lightly Contaminated Tap Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42, 53 |
|
Our Rating
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|
Pros
- Greatly improves the taste of water
- All healthy minerals preserved
- NSF Standard 42 + 53 tested
- Different colors to choose from
- Long lasting filters
- 100% BPA-free
- Insulated
- Lifetime warranty (limited)
Cons
- Slow flow rate
- Might leak when drinking
- Holding capacity is a bit low
- Filter hard to secure so water might bypass
- Filter needs to stay wet or has to re-soak before use
- Costly replacement cartridges
Best for
Aquasana’s Clean Water Bottle is best for filtered water while you are on the move.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana Water Bottle Review Here
5. Best for Countertops: Aquasana AQ-4000 Claryum Countertop Water Filter
If you are searching for a compact solution to make your tap water potable that will not take up a whole lot of space on your kitchen counter, you should take a closer look at the Aquasana AQ-4000.
The countertop filtration system produces great-tasting drinking water on demand without the need to install it to your plumbing system or kitchen faucet on a permanent basis – setup can be completed in under 5 minutes with no tools required. The system also allows you to easily switch between filtered and unfiltered as needed.
What contaminants does the AQ-4000 remove? Since a total of 77 potential contaminants can be tackled, it would take far too long to list all of them here.
The most common and important ones are chlorine and chloramines (>97%), lead (>99.3%), mercury (>95.8%), giardia and cryptosporidium (>99.99%), herbicides, pesticides and VOCs (between 95% and more than 99%), pharmaceuticals (>94%) and PFOA + PFOS (96%) – all according to NSF standardized tests, of course.
By the way, filters are rated at 450 gallons or 6 months so you don’t have to make frequent replacements which can be a real pain in the a**.
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Aquasana AQ-4000 |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Small to Mid-Sized Families |
| Water Source: | (Heavily) Contaminated Tap Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42, 53, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
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Pros
- Very thorough filtration (removes up to 77 potential contaminants)
- Does not filter out healthy minerals
- Earned certifications for NSF Standard 42, 53, 401 and Protocol P473
- Compatible with most standard faucets
- Compact for portability
- Quick and simple setup (no permanent installation required)
- Package includes faucet adapters
- High filter capacity
- 1-year limited warranty
Cons
- Flow rate rather low
- Issues when trying to change filters
- Water leaking from bottom of the unit or hoses/diverter
- Diverter (pin) might get stuck
- Incompatible with pullout sprayers
Best for
The Aquasana AQ-4000 is best for people who want an effective countertop water filter.
→ Aquasana AQ-4000 Countertop Water Filter Fully Reviewed
6. Best for Reverse Osmosis Water Purification: Aquasana OptimH2O
Our sixth Aquasana filters review is all about reverse osmosis. The OptimH2O RO water system features a 3-stage filtration process with an additional remineralization filter as stage 4.
Independent lab testing according to various NSF standards (42, 53, 58, 401, P473) has shown that the different filter media types in combination with the reverse osmosis membrane reduce up to 99% of more than 80 different impurities from water. This includes chlorine and chloramines, fluoride, lead, arsenic, chromium-6, nitrates, nitrites, PFOA, PFOS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and much more.
And thanks to the remineralizer that adds a blend of calcium, magnesium, and potassium back into the water, natural taste and balanced pH are guaranteed.
In other words, if this filter system cannot manage to clean your tap water and make it taste great, none will.
And lastly, everything is included for the install which is relatively easy thanks to detailed and straightforward instructions. By the way, you can choose between 3 faucet finishes to match your kitchen decor. Maintenance is low. Filter replacements are quick and easy.
Taking into account Aquasana’s fantastic customer support and the affordable price tag of the OptimH2O, this is our #1 under sink reverse osmosis system.
|
Aquasana OptimH2O |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Small to Mid-Sized Families |
| Water Source: | (Heavily) Contaminated Water |
| NSF: | Standard 42, 53, 58, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
|
|
Pros
- Removes up to 99% of 88+ different contaminants
- Provides crystal clean and delicious drinking water
- Full system is tested and certified against NSF Standard 42, 53, 58, 401 and Protocol P473
- Remineralizes your water for natural taste and balanced pH
- All parts included for practicable DIY-install
- Comes with detailed and straightforward instructions
- Choose between 3 different faucet designs
- Low in maintenance
- Easy filter replacements
- Backed by 2-year limited warranty and 90-day satisfaction guarantee
- Responsive and helpful customer service
Cons
- Annual maintenance cost is comparatively high due to expensive replacement filter elements
- Flow rate is a bit slow
- Cheap RO faucet
- Some people complained about leaking
Best for
The Aquasana OptimH2O is best for reverse osmosis water purification.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana OptimH2O RO Water Filter System Review Here
7. Best for Under the Sink: Aquasana AQ-5200, AQ-5300 & AQ-5300+ Under Counter Water Filter
The AQ-5200, AQ-5300 and AQ-5300+ Max Flow are Aquasana’s popular under sink filter systems that apply activated and catalytic carbon filtration technology to remove all kinds of contaminants from tap water making it potable.
The AQ-5200 is a 2-stage system. The AQ-5300 and 5300+ feature an additional sediment pre-filter, so 3 stages.
All have varying capacities between 500 and 800 gallons and a .5 to .72 gallons per minute flow rate, which is not super fast but sufficient for an entire family without too frequent filter replacements.
Potential impurities removed include 97.66% chlorine and chloramine, more than 99.3% lead, at least 99% asbestos and dozens of VOCs and pharmaceuticals among other stuff (77 potential contaminants in total).
Thus all three models have earned certifications for NSF Standards 42, 53 and 401 and, above that, Protocol P473. And while the filtration process is top-notch providing almost unmatched purity, all minerals that your water contains will be preserved to benefit your health.
Last but not least, installation is a breeze and so is maintaining each system.
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Aquasana AQ-5300+ |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Larger Families |
| Water Source: | Dirty Water |
| NSF: | 42, 53, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
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Aquasana AQ-5300 |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Larger Families |
| Water Source: | Dirty Water |
| NSF: | 42, 53, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
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Aquasana AQ-5200 |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Purpose: | Making Water Ready for Drinking |
| Ideal for: | Smaller Families |
| Water Source: | Dirty Water |
| NSF: | 42, 53, 401, P473 |
|
Our Rating
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Pros
- Provide great-tasting drinking water of exceptional purity
- Remove 77 contaminants in total
- NSF certified against multiple standards
- Do not filter out minerals
- 100% BPA-free
- Designed to reduce plastic waste
- Come with one-year limited warranty
- Choose between three lead-free metal faucets with different finishes
- Filter replacements in under 5 minutes
- Systems alert you when filter capacity is reached
- All necessary parts for DIY install included with solid instructions
Cons
- Tubing, filter housings, faucet and O-rings have been the cause for leaks
- Lower flow rates than advertised for some users (especially 2-stage system)
- Faucets are flimsy
- Replacement filters seem pricey
Best for
The AQ-5200, AQ-5300 and AQ-5300+ are best for regular under sink water filtration.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana AQ-5300 Review Here
Aquasana Water Softeners
1. Best for Hard Water: Aquasana SimplySoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner
Aquasana’s saltless water softener reduces the scaling effects of hard water by altering the structure of calcium and other minerals that cause the hardness in the first place.
This is achieved by the use of a special type of conditioning media that will neither add nor remove anything from your water – natural softening so to speak. No salt. No harsh chemicals. No wastewater.
As a result, the formation of hard water deposits in your home’s plumbing system and household appliances will be reduced by as much as 99.6%, says Aquasana. And, of course, extending the longevity of your water heater and washing machine etc. leads to fewer repairs and replacements saving you money.
On a side note, your water’s TDS reading will remain static or decrease only slightly which has something to do with the additional sediment pre-filter that’s included in the package.
Another benefit is the 10-year capacity (theoretical) with no need for you to buy and heave heavy salt bags anymore.
And the water is safe for the environment, your garden and your septic system, and it won’t leave a slimy feel on your skin when used for washing and showering.
Before we forget, you can buy the SimplySoft in combination with the Aquasana Rhino whole house water filter reviewed above. It’s a great way to get rid of chlorine and a bunch of other impurities to make your water safe(r) for consumption.
Aquasana SimplySoft |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Purpose: | Reduce Hard Water Scaling |
| Ideal for: | Small to Larger Families |
| Water Source: | Water Up to 20 gpg Hardness |
|
Our Rating
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Pros
- Scaling reduced by up to 99.6%
- Natural softening (conditioning) that does not add anything to your water nor does it remove stuff
- No salt, chemicals or wastewater
- Water safe for the environment and your garden/septic system
- Water won’t feel slimy on your skin
- Does not require electricity
- No initial programming/setting needed
- Low in maintenance
- No need to repeatedly buy and carry salt bags
- Covered by limited warranty for 10 years
Cons
- Some users saw no difference in their water quality/hardness at all
- Replacing the pre-filter can be a messy business
- The system is rated at 7 gpm service flow, so not for larger families
- Maximum water hardness level of 20 gpg is quite low
Best for
The Aquasana SimplySoft is best for treating hard water levels.
→ Read Our Full Aquasana SimplySoft Review Here
More Reviews:
Aquasana Reviews: Why Aquasana?
Why choose Aquasana products for your home water needs and not go for a different brand or company?
- Guaranteed Performance – First of all and most importantly, Aquasana drinking water filters have earned a variety of NSF certifications that guarantee the effective reduction of up to 80+ common water contaminants including chlorine and chloramines, lead, asbestos, VOCs and so on. What certifications? NSF Standard 42 for improved water aesthetics, 53 for the removal of impurities with health effects, 58 especially for the OptimH2O RO system, 401 for emerging contaminants, Protocol P473 for PFOA & PFOS elimination and lastly Standard 372 for drinking water systems made of lead-free components.
- Minimal Waste – Parts of Aquasana’s replacement filters are reusable, such as the outer filter casing. Also, the cartridges are made of recyclable parts and compostable materials.
- Satisfaction Guarantee + Warranty – All Aquasana products are covered by a “Pure Satisfaction” guarantee for 90 days (only when bought directly from the manufacturer). During this trial period you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price no questions asked. In addition, you get 1 or multiple years of warranty (limited) depending on the product.
- DIY – Most Aquasana water treatment systems are not only easy to use, they can also be installed and set up without having to call for a plumbing professional. A great way to make some extra savings. The exception are whole house systems. A self-install will void their warranty.
- No Salt/Regeneration – The SimplySoft salt-free water softener does not require salt or any kind of regeneration. This makes maintaining the system so much easier, and it lowers your operating cost significantly.
- Water for Life Program – If you enroll in Aquasana’s Water for Life program, replacement filters for your system will be shipped to you automatically. This is not only convenient, there are also no shipping fees, plus you get a 15% discount and warranty on your system as long as you are signed up for.
- Reliable Customer Service – The Aquasana customer service is reliable for the most part.
All other product-specific benefits are covered in the according reviews.
Where to Buy Aquasana
The best place to buy Aquasana water filters and softeners is the company’s official website aquasana.com. This way, you are granted a 90-day satisfaction guarantee, no questions asked.
If you have any questions about Aquasana water treatment products, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
And remember to revisit this page from time to time, as we are going to add new Aquasana reviews occasionally.
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.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.