Head-to-head

Aquasana Countertop Filter vs Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under-Sink vs PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Filter

Aquasana countertop water filter connected to a kitchen faucet

Aquasana Countertop Filter

9.0 $100

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under-Sink

9.2 $349.99

PUR PLUS faucet mount water filter installed on a kitchen faucet

PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Filter

9.4 $35

Verdict

Aquasana Counterto

The no-plumbing, most-certified pick. Claryum cartridges are certified to NSF 42/53/401 for up to 77 contaminants including 99% lead and PFAS, with no drilling and 6-month filters. Key caveat: it does NOT fit pull-out or pull-down sprayers, only standard and touchless faucets.

Aquasana Claryum 3

The homeowner's step up. It mounts under the sink with its own fast tap, and three stages are NSF 42/53/401 certified to cut up to 78 contaminants, including 99% lead and PFAS. It needs plumbing and won't remove fluoride, but for full-flow certified filtering, it's the pick.

PUR PLUS Faucet Mo

The safe all-rounder. Most clip-ons only handle taste, but the PUR PLUS is also certified for lead under NSF 53 and clips on tool-free. Cartridges last only 2-3 months and it won't fit pull-down faucets, but for certified taste-and-lead at the tap, it's the default.

Best for

Aquasana Counterto

Renters and small-kitchen buyers who want a dedicated filtered-water spout without drilling — it sits on the counter and connects to the faucet via a diverter.

Aquasana Claryum 3

Homeowners with high daily water use who've outgrown clip-on filters and want the broadest certified reduction with full flow and long cartridge life.

PUR PLUS Faucet Mo

Most households on city water who want certified lead and chlorine reduction at the tap without plumbing or a pitcher to refill.

Avoid if

Aquasana Counterto

your faucet is a pull-out or pull-down sprayer (the diverter attaches at the aerator and won't fit those, only standard and many touchless faucets) — go under-sink instead — or counter space is tight and you want the filter hidden.

Aquasana Claryum 3

You rent or want a five-minute clip-on install — this needs under-sink mounting and a dedicated faucet hole, so the PUR or Brita fit better.

PUR PLUS Faucet Mo

You have a pull-down, pull-out, or non-standard faucet — clip-on filters won't fit, and an under-sink system is the better path.

Score breakdown

fit

Aquasana C

9.0

Aquasana C

9.2

PUR PLUS F

9.4

ease

Aquasana C

8.5

Aquasana C

8.2

PUR PLUS F

9.2

value

Aquasana C

8.2

Aquasana C

8.1

PUR PLUS F

9.1

quality

Aquasana C

9.1

Aquasana C

9.4

PUR PLUS F

9.2

Specs

flow

~0.5 GPM rated

Full flow from dedicated faucet

—

type

Countertop diverter filter (no plumbing)

3-stage under-sink filter (dedicated faucet)

Faucet-mount filter (standard faucets)

price

~$100

~$249

~$35

install

No-drill; diverter at the aerator; retains minerals

Plumbing connection; DIY ~30-45 min

Tool-free; on/off diverter; not for pull-out/touchless

reduces

Up to 77: 97%+ chlorine, 99% lead, 96% PFOA/PFOS, cysts, mercury, asbestos

~78: 99% lead, ~99.7% PFAS, 99.99% cysts, 97%+ chlorine, mercury, asbestos

~70 substances: lead, mercury, chlorine, microplastics, some pesticides

filter life

~450 gallons / ~6 months (AQ-4035)

~600 gallons / ~6 months; twist-off swap

~100 gallons / ~2-3 months

compatibility

Standard/many touchless faucets; NOT pull-out/pull-down sprayers

—

certifications

NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl P473), 401

NSF/ANSI 42 (taste) + 53 (lead); horizontal adds 401

minerals

—

Retains beneficial minerals (not reverse osmosis)

—

media

—

Mineral Core (carbon + ion exchange + minerals)

indicator

—

Filter-change light

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Aquasana Countertop Filter	Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under-Sink	PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Filter
Score	9.0	9.2	9.4
Price	$100	$349.99	$35
Verdict	The no-plumbing, most-certified pick. Claryum cartridges are certified to NSF 42/53/401 for up to 77 contaminants including 99% lead and PFAS, with no drilling and 6-month filters. Key caveat: it does NOT fit pull-out or pull-down sprayers, only standard and touchless faucets.	The homeowner's step up. It mounts under the sink with its own fast tap, and three stages are NSF 42/53/401 certified to cut up to 78 contaminants, including 99% lead and PFAS. It needs plumbing and won't remove fluoride, but for full-flow certified filtering, it's the pick.	The safe all-rounder. Most clip-ons only handle taste, but the PUR PLUS is also certified for lead under NSF 53 and clips on tool-free. Cartridges last only 2-3 months and it won't fit pull-down faucets, but for certified taste-and-lead at the tap, it's the default.
Best for	Renters and small-kitchen buyers who want a dedicated filtered-water spout without drilling — it sits on the counter and connects to the faucet via a diverter.	Homeowners with high daily water use who've outgrown clip-on filters and want the broadest certified reduction with full flow and long cartridge life.	Most households on city water who want certified lead and chlorine reduction at the tap without plumbing or a pitcher to refill.
Avoid if	your faucet is a pull-out or pull-down sprayer (the diverter attaches at the aerator and won't fit those, only standard and many touchless faucets) — go under-sink instead — or counter space is tight and you want the filter hidden.	You rent or want a five-minute clip-on install — this needs under-sink mounting and a dedicated faucet hole, so the PUR or Brita fit better.	You have a pull-down, pull-out, or non-standard faucet — clip-on filters won't fit, and an under-sink system is the better path.
Score breakdown
fit	9.0	9.2	9.4
ease	8.5	8.2	9.2
value	8.2	8.1	9.1
quality	9.1	9.4	9.2
Specs
flow	~0.5 GPM rated	Full flow from dedicated faucet	—
type	Countertop diverter filter (no plumbing)	3-stage under-sink filter (dedicated faucet)	Faucet-mount filter (standard faucets)
price	~$100	~$249	~$35
install	No-drill; diverter at the aerator; retains minerals	Plumbing connection; DIY ~30-45 min	Tool-free; on/off diverter; not for pull-out/touchless
reduces	Up to 77: 97%+ chlorine, 99% lead, 96% PFOA/PFOS, cysts, mercury, asbestos	~78: 99% lead, ~99.7% PFAS, 99.99% cysts, 97%+ chlorine, mercury, asbestos	~70 substances: lead, mercury, chlorine, microplastics, some pesticides
filter life	~450 gallons / ~6 months (AQ-4035)	~600 gallons / ~6 months; twist-off swap	~100 gallons / ~2-3 months
compatibility	Standard/many touchless faucets; NOT pull-out/pull-down sprayers	—	—
certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl P473), 401	NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl P473), 401	NSF/ANSI 42 (taste) + 53 (lead); horizontal adds 401
minerals	—	Retains beneficial minerals (not reverse osmosis)	—
media	—	—	Mineral Core (carbon + ion exchange + minerals)
indicator	—	—	Filter-change light
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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