Aquasana Review
Aquasana, owned by A.O. Smith since 2016, sells whole-house and point-of-use filters. Of the four we review, only the AQ-5300+ under-sink has a listing on file.
Aquasana: The Under-Sink Category Leader for City Water
Aquasana has earned its reputation by doing something most water filter brands don't: pursuing multi-standard certification on its flagship under-sink filter and backing it with genuine filtration technology rather than single-stage carbon blocks. The AQ-5300+ under-sink system is our most-recommended filter for city water households — it hits NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 simultaneously at a $149 price point that's impossible to beat at the same certification level.
The company's Achilles heel is their whole-house lineup. The Rhino systems are legitimate, but the 600,000-gallon capacity marketing on some models requires careful scrutiny — that number assumes optimal water quality conditions. Households with above-average sediment or higher contaminant loads should expect shorter filter lives and plan accordingly.
Aquasana Overall Brand Score: 8.4/10
The average of the category scores below.
WQA lists the AQ-5300+ under NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (lead, PFOA/PFOS) and 401. No reduction listing found for Rhino systems.
WQA lists lead and PFOA/PFOS reduction under NSF/ANSI 53. We have no lab figures of our own.
CLARYUM® triple-media is a genuine differentiator vs single-stage carbon
$149 AQ-5300+ is the best under-sink value per certification dollar
$60/year for filter replacements — average for category
Under-sink requires 30-60 min; dedicated faucet included but requires countertop hole
WQA lists PFOA/PFOS reduction under NSF/ANSI 53 (800 gallons). The listing names PFOA and PFOS only.
US-based support, 2-year warranty, clear troubleshooting documentation
Aquasana Products We've Reviewed
AQ-5300+ Under-Sink Filter
Best in classThe AQ-5300+ is the gold standard for under-sink carbon filtration under $200. Triple NSF certification, dual-stage CLARYUM media, and a WQA listing for lead and PFOA/PFOS under NSF/ANSI 53 make it our top pick for city water. The 0.5 GPM flow rate is slightly slower than some competitors but adequate for household use.
Rhino 600K Whole House Filter
Recommended with caveatsThe Rhino handles general city water treatment effectively. The 600,000-gallon capacity is achievable in typical municipal water but will run shorter with hard or high-sediment water. Not a replacement for an under-sink filter for drinking water. Use the Rhino for whole-house chlorine/sediment removal, then add an AQ-5300+ at the kitchen tap for health contaminants.
AQ-4100NSF Countertop Filter
Good for rentersThe countertop version of Aquasana's CLARYUM technology. For renters or households who can't install under-sink: strong option. We found no certification listing for the AQ-4100 at NSF, IAPMO or WQA (checked September 2026).
Who Should Buy Aquasana — And Who Shouldn't
✓ Good fit for:
- City water households concerned about lead, chloramine, and DBPs
- Homeowners who want NSF triple-certification at under $200
- Households that want a listed PFOA/PFOS reduction claim under NSF/ANSI 53
- Those wanting US-made, established brand with warranty support
✗ Look elsewhere if:
- EPA-confirmed PFAS above 4 ppt from compounds other than PFOA and PFOS. The AQ-5300+ PFAS listing names PFOA and PFOS only.
- Well water with nitrates, arsenic, or bacteria — need RO + UV
- Need fluoride removal — Aquasana doesn't remove fluoride
- Highest PFAS protection priority. Consider RO such as the Waterdrop G3P800, which IAPMO lists under NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS and under NSF/ANSI 58.
Bottom Line
Related Reading
Lead in Drinking Water
What the AQ-5300+ NSF/ANSI 53 lead listing covers and who needs it
PFAS in Drinking Water
What the AQ-5300+ NSF/ANSI 53 PFOA/PFOS listing covers and when that matters
Chloramine in Tap Water
How Aquasana's catalytic carbon addresses chloramine that standard carbon misses
Disinfection Byproducts
THMs and HAAs that CLARYUM® triple-media removes from treated city water
Waterdrop Review
RO alternative for PFAS above 4 ppt. IAPMO lists the G3P800 under NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS reduction.
Best Under-Sink Filters
How the AQ-5300+ ranks against the full under-sink category by certification level
Aquasana Product Line
Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000
aquasana
$1,198+ $40/yr
- ✓10-year/1M gallon capacity
- ✓Professional install included (with bundle)
Aquasana AQ-5300+ Under-Sink
aquasana
$149+ $60/yr
- ✓Best mid-range under-sink (non-RO)
- ✓800-gallon rated filter life (WQA listing)
Aquasana Rhino Well Water System
aquasana
$1,549+ $100/yr
- ✓Designed specifically for well water
- ✓UV upgrade available for bacteria/virus kill
Tap Score Essential City Water Test
aquasana
$179
- ✓EPA-certified lab
- ✓Tests 111 contaminants
Tap Score Well Water Test
aquasana
$239
- ✓EPA-certified lab
- ✓Tests 130 contaminants specific to well water
Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter
aquasana
$79+ $40/yr
- ✓Works with any showerhead
- ✓10,000-gallon filter life (6 months)