Six water filters certified to NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastic reduction, from a $22 pitcher to countertop RO, compared by certifier, what else each is certified to reduce and filter cost. Prices checked October 2026.
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Our Choice for Best Filter for Microplastics
AquaTru Carafe
- Certified for microplastics, lead and PFOA/PFOS (IAPMO)
- Glass carafe, no plumbing
The short answer: The best water filter for microplastics for most homes is the AquaTru Carafe (~$375), a countertop reverse osmosis unit. IAPMO certifies it to reduce microplastics, lead and PFOA/PFOS, and it collects purified water in a glass carafe. On a budget, a Brita pitcher with the Elite filter (~$22) is certified for microplastics and lead. For filtered water on tap, choose the Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage (~$165) under the sink. Whatever you buy, check that its listing names microplastics under NSF/ANSI 401.
Before you buy: Microplastics are small plastic particles, often defined as pieces under 5 mm, though WHO notes there is no agreed definition (WHO). NSF/ANSI 401 is the standard that covers microplastics in home filters. Its test uses particles 0.5 to 1 micron across and requires at least 85 percent reduction. NSF, IAPMO and WQA all certify filters to it.
| Filter | Best for | Type | Microplastics certified by | Price | Filter cost per 100 gal | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AquaTru Carafe | Best overall | Countertop RO | IAPMO | ~$375 | ~$33 | Amazon |
| AquaTru Classic | Larger households | Countertop RO | IAPMO | ~$475 | ~$17 | Amazon |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage | Under the sink | Carbon block | WQA | ~$165 | ~$14 | Aquasana |
| ProOne Big+ | No power or plumbing | Gravity | IAPMO | ~$184 | ~$126 | Amazon |
| Brita Elite pitcher | Lowest price | Pitcher | WQA | ~$22 | ~$14 | Amazon |
| LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass | Glass pitcher | Pitcher | WQA | ~$65 | ~$52 | LifeStraw |
Prices were checked on each maker's site (Amazon for the Brita pitcher) on October 5, 2026, and change often. Our Carafe link is the Carafe Alkaline version, about $356 on Amazon that day. Filter cost divides each maker's filter price by its rated gallons; Brita's uses the 2-pack price, and the Carafe figure uses the standard VOC filter.
Which Filters Are Certified for Microplastics?
This table covers the units we reviewed or checked for this guide, as listed by each certifier on October 5, 2026. It is not a full list. Claims vary by model and filter, so check the listing for yours.
| Certifier | Products listed for microplastics (NSF/ANSI 401) |
|---|---|
| IAPMO | AquaTru Carafe, Classic and Under Sink; ProOne Big+ and Traveler+ (G3.0 filter); Culligan MaxClear Venture and Scout; Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect |
| WQA | Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage and 3-Stage, SmartFlow RO and Clean Water Machine; Brita pitchers with the Elite filter, Brita Hub and the Brita faucet filter; LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass |
| NSF | British Berkefeld SS2 Ultra Sterasyl and Ultra Fluoride systems; PUR PPF951K pitcher filters; 3M 3MDW301 under-sink filter |
Sources: IAPMO (AquaTru), IAPMO (ProOne), IAPMO (MaxClear), IAPMO (Direct Connect), WQA (Aquasana), WQA (Brita), WQA (LifeStraw), NSF (British Berkefeld), NSF (PUR) and NSF (3M).
Not listed for microplastics: our October 5, 2026 search of NSF, IAPMO and WQA turned up no microplastics listing for these. Most of their makers advertise microplastics reduction, which is not the same as certification.
- Bluevua countertop RO systems (some models WQA-certified under NSF/ANSI 58; none under 401)
- Waterdrop reverse osmosis systems
- ZeroWater pitchers and dispensers (only the ZeroWater faucet filter is listed)
- Clearly Filtered pitcher and under-sink filter (chlorine taste and odor, and lead-free materials, only)
- Aquasana HealthShield whole-house system
- LifeStraw Home dispenser (only the glass pitcher is listed)
How We Chose These Filters
Our methodology rests on evidence anyone can check:
- Certification first. Every pick has an NSF/ANSI 401 listing that names microplastics. We mark a claim as certified only if it appears on the product's own listing. Maker claims are labeled as such.
- Running cost. We divided each replacement filter's price by its rated gallons. ProOne's figure uses its IAPMO-certified capacity.
- Fit. We covered each common setup: countertop RO, under the sink, gravity and pitcher.
These are research-based picks. We did not test them ourselves, and the page carries no lab scores of our own. We fact-checked every certification, price and link on this page on October 5, 2026. If you spot an error, please contact us. To learn who we are, read more about us.
Running costs do not track sticker prices: of the six picks, the $475 AquaTru Classic costs less to run (about $17 per 100 gallons) than the $65 LifeStraw (about $52). The Brita Elite and the Aquasana Claryum cost about $14 per 100 gallons in filters. ProOne's element is certified for only 50 gallons, so it costs about $126 (IAPMO).
Safety Note: Filters Are Not Disinfection
None of these filters is certified to make untreated water safe to drink. AquaTru, Brita and Doulton all say not to use their systems with water that is microbiologically unsafe without disinfection. If you use a private well, test it first (CDC). Then choose a system for what the test finds. If your water may be unsafe, see how to purify water for drinking.
The 6 Best Water Filters for Microplastics
1. AquaTru Carafe: Best Overall
Reverse osmosis is a filter method that pushes water through a membrane with pores around 0.0001 micron (CDC). The AquaTru Carafe is a plug-in countertop RO unit, so it needs no plumbing. You fill a tank with tap water, and purified water collects in a 64-ounce glass carafe instead of a plastic tank.
IAPMO certifies the Carafe to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401 and 372. Its claims include microplastics, lead, fluoride, arsenic (V) and PFOA/PFOS (IAPMO 401, 58 and 53 listings). AquaTru says it reduces 84 contaminants. On its data sheet, microplastics fell 98.96% and fluoride 96.4% (AquaTru data sheet).
- Price: ~$375 at AquaTru. Our link is the Carafe Alkaline version (~$356 on Amazon), which swaps the VOC carbon filter for a Mineral Boost alkaline VOC filter.
- Filters: pre-filter and VOC filter every 300 gallons, RO membrane every 600 gallons; about $33 per 100 gallons
- Efficiency: 63 percent, so about 0.6 gallon goes down the drain for each gallon you drink (AquaTru data sheet)
Pros: of the six picks, it shares the widest certified claim list with the Classic; glass collection; no install.
Cons: its 0.66-gallon tap tank yields under half a gallon of purified water per fill, so a family refills it several times a day. Its filters cost more per gallon than the Classic's.
Is it for you? Choose it if you want certified RO on the counter and would rather not store purified water in plastic.
2. AquaTru Classic: Best for Larger Households
The AquaTru Classic is the larger countertop RO unit. It holds the same IAPMO certifications as the Carafe, including microplastics, lead and PFOA/PFOS. Its own filters are rated for twice the gallons. On its data sheet, microplastics fell 96.48% and fluoride 93.5% (AquaTru data sheet).
- Price: ~$475 at AquaTru (~$428 on Amazon)
- Filters: pre-filter and VOC filter every 600 gallons, membrane every 1,200; about $17 per 100 gallons
- Efficiency: 75 percent (AquaTru data sheet)
- Tank: a 0.75-gallon purified-water tank made of BPA- and BPS-free Tritan plastic
Pros: lower filter cost per gallon than the Carafe; more output.
Cons: purified water sits in a plastic tank; it takes counter space and an outlet.
Is it for you? Choose it if three or more people drink from it, or if cost per gallon matters more than glass.
3. Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage: Best Under-Sink
A carbon block is a filter made of compressed activated carbon, fine enough to trap tiny particles. The Claryum 3-Stage pairs a sediment pre-filter with two carbon block stages under your sink. It feeds its own faucet.
WQA certifies it (model AQ-5300) to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401. Its claims include microplastics, lead, cysts, mercury and PFOA/PFOS (WQA 401 and 53 listings). Aquasana says it reduces 78 contaminants, including 99.6% of microplastics (Aquasana).
- Price: ~$165
- Filters: a set every 600 gallons or 6 months, $83.99; about $14 per 100 gallons
- Install: under the sink, with a hole for its faucet
Pros: filtered water on tap; low filter cost; certified for lead and PFOA/PFOS too.
Cons: needs under-sink space and a faucet hole; it is not certified for fluoride.
Is it for you? Choose it if you own your home and want certified filtered water without refilling anything.
Other certified Aquasana options: the Claryum Direct Connect (~$125) attaches to your existing faucet line with no drilling, and IAPMO lists it for microplastics. The SmartFlow RO (~$240) adds reverse osmosis for fluoride and arsenic, with WQA certification for microplastics.
4. ProOne Big+: Best Gravity Filter
The ProOne Big+ is a stainless steel gravity filter. Water drips through its G3.0 element from the top chamber to the bottom, with no power or plumbing. IAPMO certifies the element for microplastics (IAPMO 401 listing), plus lead and Total PFAS (IAPMO 53 listing) and chlorine and chloramine.
- Price: ~$184 with one element
- Filters: each element is certified for 50 gallons and costs $63.16; about $126 per 100 gallons
- Install: none
Pros: works in a power outage; stainless steel chambers; certified for lead and Total PFAS as well.
Cons: the highest filter cost of the six picks; slow, like any gravity filter; not certified to make untreated water safe.
Is it for you? Choose it if you want certified filtering that runs with no power. See our best gravity water filters guide for more.
5. Brita Elite Pitcher: Best Budget Pick
The Brita Elite is a long-life pitcher filter that fits most Brita pitchers. Our link is the 6-cup Metro pitcher with one Elite filter. WQA certifies the Elite to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401. Its claims include microplastics, lead, mercury, cadmium, asbestos and benzene (WQA 401 and 53 listings). Brita reports 99.6% microplastics reduction and makes no PFAS claim for the Elite (Brita data sheet).
- Price: ~$22 on Amazon
- Filters: one every 120 gallons or about 6 months; a 2-pack is $32.99, about $14 per 100 gallons
- Install: none
Pros: the lowest upfront price of the six picks; low filter cost; no setup.
Cons: a plastic pitcher; small batches; Brita makes no PFAS, fluoride or cyst claim for it. Brita's standard filter is not certified for microplastics, so buy the Elite.
Is it for you? Choose it if you rent, live alone or want certified microplastics reduction for very little money.
6. LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass: Best Glass Pitcher
The LifeStraw Home 7-Cup Glass is a borosilicate glass pitcher with a silicone base. It uses two filters: a membrane microfilter and a carbon filter. WQA certifies it for microplastics, lead, cysts, mercury, cadmium, copper, chlorine, and taste and odor (WQA 401 and 53 listings). LifeStraw also claims bacteria and PFAS reduction, but those claims are not on the listing.
- Price: ~$65
- Filters: carbon every 40 gallons ($16.95) and membrane every 264 gallons ($24.95); about $52 per 100 gallons
- Install: none
Pros: a glass pitcher body; certified for cysts as well as microplastics and lead.
Cons: the carbon filter needs changing every 40 gallons, about every two months, by LifeStraw's estimate; it costs more to run than the Brita.
Is it for you? Choose it if you want a pitcher and prefer glass to plastic.
Also Considered
- British Berkefeld SS2 Ultra Sterasyl (~$181): a stainless gravity system. NSF certifies its ceramic elements for cysts, turbidity, particulates and microplastics. Doulton's other claims, such as bacteria and lead, are not certified. Doulton says not to use it on untreated raw water. The elements have plastic mounts. Doulton
- Culligan MaxClear (~$175 to $199): a gravity filter that IAPMO certifies for microplastics, lead and Total PFAS. Each filter is certified for 50 gallons.
- PUR PLUS pitchers: pitchers and dispensers with the PPF951K filter are certified for microplastics by NSF and IAPMO, and for lead and Total PFAS by IAPMO.
- 3M 3MDW301: an under-sink filter that NSF certifies for microplastics, lead and cysts, rated for 1,000 gallons.
- Other Brita products: the Brita Hub countertop unit and the Brita faucet filter are also WQA-certified for microplastics.
How Filters Remove Microplastics
Filters remove microplastics mainly by trapping them in a fine barrier, such as an RO membrane, a carbon block or a ceramic element. CDC lists approximate pore sizes: about 0.0001 micron for reverse osmosis, 0.001 for nanofiltration and 0.01 for ultrafiltration (CDC).
Smaller pores do not decide the winner on their own. The 401 test uses particles 0.5 to 1 micron across. On that test, the Brita Elite carbon filter reported 99.6 percent and the AquaTru Classic 96.48 percent, from each maker's data sheet. RO's real advantage is breadth. It also reduces fluoride, arsenic and dissolved solids, which none of the four non-RO picks here is certified for. For more RO options, see our best reverse osmosis systems guide.
Are Microplastics in Drinking Water Harmful?
The evidence is still thin. WHO's 2019 information sheet says chemicals and germs carried on microplastics in drinking water pose a low concern, based on limited evidence (WHO). For the particles themselves, WHO says there is not enough information for firm conclusions, especially for the smallest ones, but no reliable information suggests they are a concern. Early lab and animal studies link microplastics to inflammation and cell stress (review). A certified filter is a reasonable step if you want to cut your exposure, but it is not a medical treatment.
Microplastics come from many sources. WHO lists run-off, wastewater and plastic bottles and caps. Tire wear adds particles that rain washes into rivers (study). Washing synthetic clothes sheds fibers, and treatment plants remove most of them, but large numbers still escape (review).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aquasana remove microplastics?
Yes, for its drinking water filters. WQA or IAPMO certifies the Claryum 2-Stage and 3-Stage, the Claryum Direct Connect, the Clean Water Machine and the SmartFlow RO to NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics. Its HealthShield whole-house system is not certified for microplastics.
Do Brita filters remove microplastics?
The Brita Elite filter is certified for microplastics, and so are the Brita Hub and the Brita faucet filter. Brita's standard pitcher filter is not. Check the filter, not the pitcher, because most Brita pitchers take either filter.
Is ZeroWater better than Brita for microplastics?
No. ZeroWater pitchers carry no microplastics certification, while the Brita Elite does. ZeroWater's strengths are elsewhere: its filters are certified for lead and PFOA/PFOS, and the Culligan ZeroWater filter is also certified for fluoride. Its filters also wear out much sooner.
How do I remove microplastics from my drinking water?
Use a filter whose NSF/ANSI 401 listing names microplastics. Reverse osmosis, carbon block and ceramic filters can all qualify. Replace the filter on schedule, because a clogged or spent filter stops working as tested.
Is reverse osmosis the best filter for microplastics?
Not on microplastics alone. Certified carbon filters report results as high as RO's on the 401 microplastics test, such as 99.6% for the Brita Elite (Brita). Choose RO if you also want to reduce fluoride, arsenic or dissolved solids.
Will a microplastics filter make well water safe?
No. None of these filters is certified to make untreated water safe. Test your well first, then choose a system for what the test finds (how to test your water).
Key Takeaways
- Look for NSF/ANSI 401 with microplastics on the listing. NSF, IAPMO and WQA all certify to it.
- Best overall: AquaTru Carafe (~$375), IAPMO-certified for microplastics, lead and PFOA/PFOS, with a glass carafe.
- Best budget: Brita Elite pitcher (~$22), WQA-certified for microplastics and lead.
- Best under the sink: Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage (~$165), about $14 per 100 gallons in filters.
- No filter here is certified to make untreated water safe. Test well water first.
Comparing other filter types? See our guides to the best under-sink water filters, best activated carbon water filters, best countertop reverse osmosis systems and best water filters for PFAS.
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