Aquasana Reviews 2023 – Water Filters & Softeners Buying Guide

By G. Simms, Plumber, Contractor

What to look for? | Comparing Products | Review List | Conclusion

By G. Simms

Plumber, Contractor

Time: 2-minute read

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Aquasana is an excellent brand. But which one should you pick?

If you want clean water, filtration is key. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to choose. Fortunately, Aquasana filtration products make it easy to find the right fit for your lifestyle and habits.

Aquasana reviews highlight the best features of each filter type, so it’s tough to single out one product as the absolute best. But the truth is, if you want safer and less metallic-tasting water, there is one all-around best option:

Check out the Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filtration System for softer and tastier water for your entire home.

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HOW WE DID OUR TEST:

15 TESTERS

21 PRODUCTS

157 HOURS

Top Choices in the Market

Image	Product
TOP OVERALL CHOICE Aquasana Rhino Whole House	Aquasana Rhino Whole House TOP OVERALL CHOICE Benefits 500,000 gal capacity No backwashing No need for electricity Specs 20 x 10 x 48 inches 71 pounds	CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA
TOP WHOLE HOUSE Aquasana SimplySoft Descaler System	Aquasana SimplySoft Descaler System TOP WHOLE HOUSE Benefits No Salt Scale Solution Prevents the scale formation 6-Year Warranty Specs 8.5 x 8.5 x 42.01 inches 32 pounds	CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA
UNDER SINK Aquasana 2-Stage Under Sink	Aquasana 2-Stage Under Sink UNDER SINK Benefits Retains the healthy minerals Easy Filter Replacement Removes 99% harmful contaminants Specs 12 x 4.25 x 9 inches 5 pounds	CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA
COUNTERTOP Drinking Water Filter System	Drinking Water Filter System COUNTERTOP Benefits Removes 97% contaminants 90-day guarantee Converts tap water to healthy water Specs 12 x 7 x 4 inches 2.89 pounds	CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA
SHOWER AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System	AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System SHOWER Benefits Healthier skin and shiny hair Enhances your waters PH balance Prevents Clogging Specs 8.5 x 7.25 x 3.2 inches 2.3 pounds	CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA

How to Pick the Right Water for Your Needs

When sifting through Aquasana water filters, it can be tough to figure out what to prioritize. Even if you already have a filter water bottle or own products from Aquasana, narrowing down the options can present a challenge.

The fact is, every consumer’s needs are different. Therefore, you need to consider three things when shopping for an Aquasana water filter:

Purpose
Budget
Product Permanence

For what reason are you buying a filter setup? How much are you willing to spend—both up-front and over the life of the product? And how permanent do you want your filtration system to be?

Ready to start shopping? Read on for the buying advice that will help you select an Aquasana filter that’s perfect for you.

1. Purpose

When it comes to drinking water, Aquasana does an excellent job of filtering out the gunk you don’t want to taste.

But what if you don’t want to drink the water, just bathe in it? This is why it’s crucial to establish why you want a filter.

Is it because you prefer a different flavor in your water—instead of chlorine and minerals that tap water commonly contains? For better flavor, you’ll need a multi-stage filter to catch various particles as the water passes through.

But maybe you want to soften up hard water so that you can wash dishes. For dishes free of water spots, you need to choose a softener product that deals with tough minerals like:

Calcium
Magnesium
Limestone
Chalk
Gypsum
Bicarbonates
Sulfates

HARD WATER FACTS

Hard water can make your hair feel stringy and dirty even after you’ve just washed it. So-called hard water can also taste bad—thanks to the high concentration of minerals—and leave crusty spots on dishes.
You might even notice light blonde hair turning green with hard water. Other common signs of hard water include greenish or rust-looking stains in the bathtub or sink, plus calcium or other deposits on surfaces and faucets.
In fact, the CDC says that as of 2016, 72.8 percent of the US population’s water included fluoride. The goal is to reach 79.6 percent by 2020.
If fluoride is already in your water—and you want to remove it—read the fine print on your filter selection. It’s nearly impossible to remove all fluoride, but many filters do a decent job of it.

2. Budget

Keep in mind both your initial budget and your investment over time. Remember—filters can be expensive, and depending on how much water you go through, you might need to change them more often.

Check the timeframes for your favorite filter to make sure you budget properly for your replacement filters and other equipment.

At the same time, know that the cheapest product might not be the best product.

After all, a product isn’t really cheap if you wind up replacing it three times this year. At some point, the cost per use skyrockets, and it’s worth considering a larger investment up-front to save down the line.

3. Product Permanence

Some filters are easy to install and remove. Others, however, require lots of tools to install. A filter that’s tough to install might be nearly impossible to remove if you need to move or swap equipment.

For this reason, many consumers opt for countertop filtration sets. With a countertop model, you can stop using it anytime. There are no tools required, and it’s easy to move around.

In contrast, some people want a whole-house filtration system for their permanent residence. Whole-house filters can be economical and convenient because you install it once, then forget about it. (Except when it’s time to replace the filters).

If you’re renting, though, it’s a tougher sell for an under-sink system. Plus, your landlord might have rules about what you can and can’t do to your rental.

You can avoid the stress of swapping out faucets and washers and seals by grabbing a countertop filter instead—if that’s what works for your needs.

Quick Navigation

How to Pick the Right Water for Your Needs

Best Aquasana Reviews [Updated Water Filters & Softeners 2023]

Final Verdict

Best Aquasana Reviews [Updated Water Filters & Softeners 2023]

Water Softener

Minimizes 97% of chlorine and other harmful contaminants like heavy metals and herbicides
Dual Tank Unique Upflow design which prevents clogging by its contaminant grabbing media
500,000 gal capacity

1. Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Softener System

9.8

Rating

7 GPM

Flow Rate

Filter Life:
Up to 3-5 years

Filtration System:
Salt-free SCM Technology

CHECK PRICE ON AQUASANA

If you want to ensure clean, delicious, and soft water throughout your entire home, Aquasana’s Rhino system is the perfect investment. The filters last a long time, remove a ton of contaminants and scale from the water, and it’s easy to install and maintain this system.

PROS

When it comes to Aquasana whole house water filter, the top-earning system is the Aquasana Rhino. It can handle 500,000 gallons of water before the filters require replacing.
The system includes the SimplySoft addition to remove scale and iron buildup. In short, this whole-house system makes water from every tap softer, cleaner, and more palatable.
You can expect 97 percent removal of chlorine, low maintenance for the entire system, and better-tasting water at every tap.
Five filtration elements mean exceptionally clean water: There’s a sediment pre-filter. Then, there’s a copper-zinc and mineral stone filter. Plus, water conditioners help with softening and prolong the life of your home’s pipes.

CONS

It’s possible that the Aquasana Rhino will drop your home’s water pressure, which isn’t exactly desirable. However, it is a common side effect of installing a filtration system.
Tracking down replacement filters can also be a bit of a challenge. You must source the filters separately—IE purchase a sub-micron post-filter on its own—and some may require replacing at different times.

No Salt Scale Solution
Removes contaminants without demineralizing the water
SCM prevents the scale formation and safeguard from corrosion
6-Year Warranty

2. Aquasana SimplySoft Descaler Water Softener System

9.6

Rating

7 GPM

Flow Rate

Filter Life:
up to 6 years

Filtration System:
Scale Control Media (SCM) Technology

If you have excess iron or scale in your water, Aquasana’s SimplySoft might be a great, targeted solution. However, it only works for removing certain minerals, and it doesn’t address chlorine or other common drinking water issues.

PROS

Whether you want to add to an existing water filtration system or prefer a standalone solution to limescale, Aquasana’s SimplySoft Descaler System is an excellent solution.
The tank system connects to your whole-house filter or stands alone. The SimplySoft doesn’t use salt like traditional descaler units. Instead, it uses Nucleation Assisted Crystallization (NAC) to condition the water.
No extra electricity, wastewater drainage, or salt. But—it also promises to reduce scale by up to 99.6 percent.

CONS

And yet, Aquasana’s SimplySoft Water Softener System doesn’t demineralize the water. So, if you have other excess minerals, it won’t necessarily eliminate those. It does remove iron and scale, but nothing else.

Under Sink

Here are our top selections for under-sink water filters from Aquasana.

Removes 99% harmful contaminants
Retains the healthy minerals
Easy Filter Replacement
12x more Capacity then leading pitcher filter
1 year Warranty

3. Aquasana 2-Stage Under Sink Water Filter System

9.5

Rating

500 gal

Capacity

Filter Life:
up to 6 Months

Filtration System:
Claryum Selective Technology

Aquasana’s two-stage under-sunk filter is an economical and accessible way to get cleaner water straight from the tap. The set includes a faucet plus your first set of filters, and replacements are about half the cost of the filtration unit.

PROS

Aquasana’s 2-stage filter system is an affordable option that lets you enjoy dual-filtered water through the faucet.
It comes with an oil-rubbed bronze faucet, so you don’t need to worry about whether your existing faucet is compatible.
The two-stage filtration removes up to 99 percent of contaminants—including lead, mercury, asbestos, herbicides, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. It also doesn’t add anything back in—but it does leave flavorful, naturally-occurring elements like calcium, potassium, and magnesium in.
Easy removal; When it’s time to replace the filters, no problem—just unscrew the top and pop in a new filter.

CONS

While the two-stage filtration covers a lot of nasties in your water, Aquasana also offers a three-stage filter system. This leads us to believe that the higher-priced option probably offers a bit more in the way of removing gunk from the water.
But if you have hard water, the fact that this filter lets magnesium and calcium through might be a problem!

Removes contaminants while preserving good minerals
High Flow Rate
Up to Half-Gallon water every minute
Easy Installation
90-Day Guarantee
NSF Certified

4. Aquasana AQ-5300+.55 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter

9.2

Rating

800 gal

Capacity

Filter Life:
up to 6 Months

Filtration System:
Claryum Technology

Aquasana’s AQ-5300+ three-stage filter gives you quick, fresh drinking water that’s free from a range of contaminants. It’s easy to install, simple to replace the cartridges, and is relatively affordable overall.

PROS

This filter includes three-stage filtration that removes 99 percent of contaminants. It has a high flow rate of one half-gallon per minute—super fast to accommodate your hydration needs.
Filter will last six months or 800 gallons, making this an ideal option for busy households.
Swapping filters is as simple with the three-stage filter as it is with the dual model. Just unscrew the filter and replace it with a new one. Your first set of filters—one sediment pre-filter and two Claryum filters—is included. This option comes with a faucet, too, so installation is quick and easy.

CONS

Since there are three different filter cartridges, purchasing replacements can get expensive. That said, the price of the filters isn’t that terrible—it’s just helpful to know you need to plan for that expense every six months or so.

Countertop

Looking for a convenient and quick-setup countertop water filter? Here our favorites.

Immediately converts your tap water into healthy and great-tasting water
11x more capacity than Leading pitcher filters
Removes 97% contaminants like chlorine and chloramines
90-Day Guarantee

5. Aquasana Countertop Drinking Water Filter System

9.1

Rating

450 gal

Capacity

Filter Life:
Up to 6 Months

Filtration System:
Pure Performance Claryum Tech

If you don’t want to invest a lot in buying a solid countertop filtration system, Aquasana’s Countertop model is an excellent bargain. You’ll enjoy cleaner water that doesn’t take a ton of plumbing expertise to achieve.

PROS

Aquasana’s Countertop water filter system is supremely affordable and easy to use. For a budget buy that still delivers clean and safe water, you can’t go wrong with this model.
The Countertop system uses two filters to remove over 97 percent of chlorine plus reduce 76 other contaminants.
It’s not a permanent setup, so it can move with you, making it convenient, too.

CONS

Like other Aquasana filters, the Countertop filter doesn’t remove calcium, potassium, or magnesium. This might be an issue if you experience hard water or buildup—or if you just don’t like the flavor of minerals.
Though it’s easy to install and rests on your countertop, this filter does require plumbing into your sink’s aerator. Some consumers might prefer a standalone unit, so it’s a noteworthy point.
The cost of replacement cartridges is a bit steep, which is another drawback with this system. The filters cost nearly the same as the unit itself, so that’s something worth considering.

Reduce harmful contaminants up to 96%
on-demand, power activated water filtration
on-the-spot hydration with just push of a button
No Installation Needed

6. Aquasana Clean Water Machine

9.0

Rating

320 gal

Capacity

Filter Life:
Up to 3 Months

Filtration System:
Claryum Technology

If you drink a lot of water but don’t want to deal with an under-sink option, Aquasana’s Clean Water Machine is a great buy. This will be the perfect countertop filtration system for you if you don’t have hard water but want better taste and fewer contaminants in your drinking water.

There’s even a Bluetooth App you can use to track gallons filtered—and dollars saved. Pretty neat!

PROS

With a higher capacity and superior flow rate than the smaller countertop model, Aquasana’s Clean Water Machine is a step up from lower-level filtration systems.
The dispenser design forces unfiltered water through an ultra-dense filter block, removing over 96 percent of 77 harmful contaminants.
And it runs at half a gallon per minute—providing way more water than the competition. You’ll need to change the filters about every three months (or 320 gallons), but that’s tolerable since the filters are pretty affordable.

CONS

Aquasana has a thing about filtering out magnesium, calcium, and potassium—but that’s a problem if you have hard water. That complaint aside, this is a solid countertop filtration system with an onboard reservoirthat makes drinking more water easier.
Though the feed is super-fast, some users might not like that this unit requires electricity.
Yes—you must plug it in for it to work. If that doesn’t bother you, though, read on.

Shower Filter

We’ve scoured Aquasana shower filters to recommend the two best shower filters from Aquasana.

Healthier skin and shiny hair from the reduced harmful impurities
Coconut Shell Carbon minimizes contaminants
Enhances your waters PH balance
Prevents Clogging and maintains water pressure with its Unique Upflow Design

7. Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System

9.0

Rating

2.5 GPM

Flow Rate

Filter Life:
Up to 6 Months

Filtration System:
KDF 55 Process Copper & Zinc Media

For healthier skin and hair, you can’t go wrong with Aquasana’s entry-level showerhead filter. It’s economical, easy to install, and removes all the nasty stuff you don’t want in your hair.

PROS

Aquasana’s AQ-4100 shower filter system, which uses a natural coconut shell carbon filter to zap chlorine, lead, iron, and more. It doesadd in zinc and copper via the filtration cycle, however—which can help balance the pH of your water and, therefore, your body.
Each filter lasts about six months or 10,000 gallons. Installation is quick and simple, too.

CONS

Each filter costs about the same as a whole new unit. Hopefully, Aquasana will change this model in the future—it’s a bit frustrating.
Also, we should mention that you don’t get a whole lot of adjustability with this showerhead. It swivels, but that’s it.

Reduces 90% of chlorine and other contaminants
upflow shower design prevents clogging
Easy Installation, Replacement, and Maintenance
90-Day Guarantee
1 Year Warranty

8. Aquasana Shower Water Filter System with Handheld Massaging

8.8

Rating

2.5 GPM

Flow Rate

Filter Life:
Up to 6 Months

Filtration System:
Aquasorb HX Coconut Shell Carbon

For anyone who needs to direct the spray of their shower, Aquasana’s handheld showerhead attachment is a must. The five-foot reach allows you to get everyone—and everything—clean and allows people of differing heights to adjust the showerhead to suit their preferences.

PROS

And Aquasana’s shower filter system offers a removable shower head that lets you direct the spray anywhere in the shower (or even out). The shower wand includes five feet of tubing, and the holder swivels and adjusts, too.
The same coconut shell carbon filter ensures your home’s water is gentler on your hair and body.
This filter lasts around 10,000 gallons or six months—and it’s easy to swap filters.

CONS

Because this is the next step up from Aquasana’s more economical showerhead, the contrast between the replacement filter pricing and the unit itself is a bit more tolerable. However, we hope to see the filters drop in price to make the entire package even more affordable.

Final Verdict

Aquasana Rhino

For whole-home filtration and water softening help, consumers can’t go wrong by investing in Aquasana’s Rhino whole-house system.

Yes, it might be a significant investment for most folks. But—consider the cost-per-use combined with the perks of enjoying flavorful, safer water from every tap in your home.

Of course, you’re also supporting the life of your home’s pipes by preventing scale and buildup. Your skin and hair might benefit, too—another valuable perk of considering a whole-home Aquasana filter and softener for your property.

Alternatives:

About the Author

George Simms is a Salt Lake City based plumber and contractor, with a focus on aiding homes and businesses (particularly farm) solve problems with hard and contaminated water. Walter is here to share his wealth of job experience and a knowledge of both modern and antique plumbing.

Last Updated on January 9, 2023