AquaTru vs Clearly Filtered comes down to certification: the AquaTru Carafe is certified by IAPMO R&T for fluoride, lead, arsenic, and PFOA/PFOS, while the Clearly Filtered Pitcher’s results for those come from lab testing, with only its chlorine claim certified.
The catch: It costs more up front, needs an outlet, and removes minerals along with contaminants.
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How Do AquaTru and Clearly Filtered Compare?
Both target the same buyer: someone who wants fluoride, lead, and PFAS out of their drinking water without plumbing. The AquaTru Carafe does it with countertop reverse osmosis and certified claims; the Clearly Filtered Pitcher does it with a carbon pitcher and published lab results. How we score
| # | Filter | Score | Lead | PFAS | Fluoride | Filter life | Cost per gallon | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | AquaTru CarafeBest of the two | 4.6 | Certified | Certified | Certified | 300 to 600 gal | $0.33 | $356.25on Amazon › |
| 02 | Clearly Filtered PitcherLowest price, keeps minerals | 3.8 | Lab test | Lab test | Lab test | 100 gal | $0.50 to $0.65 | $109.99on Amazon › |
Certified: Certified by an independent body (named in each pick). Lab test: Tested by a named independent lab, not certified. Claim: The maker's claim, not certified. No: No claim. PFAS means PFOA/PFOS, or Total PFAS where the pick says so.
Does Certified vs Lab-Tested Matter?
Yes. A certification means an accredited body such as IAPMO R&T, NSF International, or WQA verifies the claim and keeps checking the product and factory. A lab test is a one-time result that the maker chooses to publish. Both can be honest, but only certification is ongoing, which is why our scoring gives lab-tested claims half the points of certified ones. See our guide to NSF certification.
- AquaTru Carafe: certified by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 58 for fluoride, lead, arsenic, nitrate, and chromium-6; NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS; NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine and chloramine; and NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics.
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher: certified by NSF International and WQA to NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine only. Its fluoride, lead, PFOA/PFOS, and arsenic results come from testing by IAPMO New Jersey, not certification.
The Two in Detail
AquaTru Carafe
One of the broadest certified claim lists we've seen, including fluoride and arsenic, with no plumbing. It needs an outlet and makes half a gallon at a time, and its filters work out to about $0.33 a gallon at AquaTru's prices.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
A long list of published lab results, including fluoride and arsenic, but only chlorine is certified. Slow to fill, and filters cost $0.50 to $0.65 a gallon.
AquaTru or Clearly Filtered: Which Should You Buy?
Pick the AquaTru Carafe if
You want certified fluoride, lead, arsenic, and PFOA/PFOS reduction, and you have counter space and an outlet.
Pick the Clearly Filtered if
You want the lower up-front price and a pitcher that keeps minerals, and you’re comfortable relying on lab results rather than certification.
Consider the Culligan ZeroWater if
You want certified fluoride reduction in a pitcher. It’s certified by IAPMO R&T. Our Culligan ZeroWater review.
Consider the AquaTru Classic if
You want the same certified reverse osmosis with a larger tank. Our AquaTru Classic review.
Common questions
Do AquaTru and Clearly Filtered both remove fluoride?
Both report fluoride reduction, but only the AquaTru Carafe’s is certified, by IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 58. Clearly Filtered’s fluoride figure comes from testing by IAPMO New Jersey. See our fluoride guide.
Which is cheaper to run?
The AquaTru Carafe, at about $0.33 a gallon at AquaTru’s filter prices, against $0.50 to $0.65 a gallon for Clearly Filtered’s 100-gallon filters. The pitcher costs much less to buy.
Does AquaTru remove healthy minerals?
Yes. Reverse osmosis removes calcium and magnesium along with contaminants. Clearly Filtered’s carbon filter keeps them. See how reverse osmosis works.
Do they remove PFAS?
The AquaTru Carafe is certified by IAPMO R&T for PFOA and PFOS under NSF/ANSI 53. Clearly Filtered’s PFAS results are lab-tested, not certified. See our PFAS guide.
Does either need installation?
No. The AquaTru Carafe sits on the counter and plugs into an outlet; the Clearly Filtered is a pitcher you fill at the tap.
Sources
Prices as of October 14, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.