Head-to-head

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

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under-Sink

9.2 $349.99

Aquasana countertop water filter connected to a kitchen faucet

Aquasana Countertop Filter

9.0 $100

PUR PLUS faucet mount water filter installed on a kitchen faucet

PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Filter

9.4 $35

Verdict

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

9.2

Aquasana C

9.0

PUR PLUS F

9.4

ease

Aquasana C

8.2

Aquasana C

8.5

PUR PLUS F

9.2

value

Aquasana C

8.1

Aquasana C

8.2

PUR PLUS F

9.1

quality

Aquasana C

9.4

Aquasana C

9.1

PUR PLUS F

9.2

Specs

flow

Full flow from dedicated faucet

~0.5 GPM rated

—

type

3-stage under-sink filter (dedicated faucet)

Countertop diverter filter (no plumbing)

Faucet-mount filter (standard faucets)

price

~$249

~$100

~$35

install

Plumbing connection; DIY ~30-45 min

No-drill; diverter at the aerator; retains minerals

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

reduces

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

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

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

minerals

Retains beneficial minerals (not reverse osmosis)

—

filter life

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

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

~100 gallons / ~2-3 months

certifications

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

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

compatibility

—

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

—

media

—

Mineral Core (carbon + ion exchange + minerals)

indicator

—

Filter-change light

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Under-Sink	Aquasana Countertop Filter	PUR PLUS Faucet Mount Filter
Score	9.2	9.0	9.4
Price	$349.99	$100	$35
Verdict	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 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 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	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.	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.	Most households on city water who want certified lead and chlorine reduction at the tap without plumbing or a pitcher to refill.
Avoid if	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.	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 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	9.2	9.0	9.4
ease	8.2	8.5	9.2
value	8.1	8.2	9.1
quality	9.4	9.1	9.2
Specs
flow	Full flow from dedicated faucet	~0.5 GPM rated	—
type	3-stage under-sink filter (dedicated faucet)	Countertop diverter filter (no plumbing)	Faucet-mount filter (standard faucets)
price	~$249	~$100	~$35
install	Plumbing connection; DIY ~30-45 min	No-drill; diverter at the aerator; retains minerals	Tool-free; on/off diverter; not for pull-out/touchless
reduces	~78: 99% lead, ~99.7% PFAS, 99.99% cysts, 97%+ chlorine, mercury, asbestos	Up to 77: 97%+ chlorine, 99% lead, 96% PFOA/PFOS, cysts, mercury, asbestos	~70 substances: lead, mercury, chlorine, microplastics, some pesticides
minerals	Retains beneficial minerals (not reverse osmosis)	—	—
filter life	~600 gallons / ~6 months; twist-off swap	~450 gallons / ~6 months (AQ-4035)	~100 gallons / ~2-3 months
certifications	NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl P473), 401	NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl P473), 401	NSF/ANSI 42 (taste) + 53 (lead); horizontal adds 401
compatibility	—	Standard/many touchless faucets; NOT pull-out/pull-down sprayers	—
media	—	—	Mineral Core (carbon + ion exchange + minerals)
indicator	—	—	Filter-change light
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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