Eight water filters certified to reduce PFAS, one per type, each labeled PFOA/PFOS, Total PFAS or named PFAS as its listing reads. Prices checked October 2026.
The short answer: The best water filter for PFAS for most homes is the AquaTru Classic (~$475), a countertop reverse osmosis unit with no plumbing. IAPMO certifies it to reduce PFOA and PFOS. Under the sink, the Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage (~$165) is WQA-certified for PFOA and PFOS. On a budget, the PUR PLUS faucet filter (~$33) is certified for Total PFAS. For every tap in the house, choose the Aquasana HealthShield (~$2,099), certified for five named PFAS.
Before you buy: PFAS are a large family of man-made "forever chemicals" that build up in the body and the environment. A filter's PFAS certification names what it covers, so check the listing. Some filters are certified for PFOA and PFOS, the two best-known PFAS. Others hold a broader Total PFAS claim, and a few name each compound. If PFAS is your concern, a lab test of your water tells you which ones you have. For ways to cut exposure beyond water, see our guide to avoiding forever chemicals.
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| Type | Our pick | PFAS certification | Price | Filter cost per 100 gal | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop RO (best overall) | AquaTru Classic | PFOA, PFOS (IAPMO) | ~$475 (~$428 on Amazon) | ~$17 | Amazon |
| Under-sink carbon | Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage | PFOA, PFOS (WQA) | ~$165 | ~$14 | Aquasana |
| Under-sink RO | Waterdrop G3P600 | PFOA/PFOS (IAPMO) | ~$539 | ~$13 | Waterdrop |
| Powered countertop | Aquasana Clean Water Machine | PFOA, PFOS (WQA) | ~$185 | ~$12 | Aquasana |
| Faucet (budget) | PUR PLUS PFM350V | Total PFAS (IAPMO) | ~$33 | ~$14 | Amazon |
| Dispenser | Culligan ZeroWater 40-cup | Total PFAS (IAPMO) | ~$72 | ~$92 | Amazon |
| Gravity | ProOne Big+ | Total PFAS (IAPMO) | ~$184 | ~$126 | Amazon |
| Whole house | Aquasana HealthShield | PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA (WQA) | ~$2,099 | about $1,000 a year (whole house) | Aquasana |
Prices were checked on the maker's site or the linked seller on October 5, 2026, and change often. Filter cost is the replacement filter price divided by each filter's certified or maker-rated gallons.
What a PFAS Certification Covers
Every PFAS claim in our search sits under NSF/ANSI 53, the health-effects standard, including on reverse osmosis units. NSF, IAPMO and WQA all certify to it. There are three kinds of claim:
- PFOA/PFOS: the filter is certified to reduce PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS whose 4.0 ppt federal limits EPA has proposed to keep.
- Total PFAS: a broader claim NSF added in 2022. It covers PFOA and PFOS plus PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA and PFBS, with a combined limit lowered from 70 to 20 parts per trillion (NSF).
- Named PFAS: some listings name each compound. For example, the HealthShield lists five.
One caution: EPA says the current PFAS certification standards "do not yet indicate that a filter will remove PFAS down to the levels EPA has now set" (EPA). A certified filter is still your best evidence, but it is not a guarantee of 4 parts per trillion.
How We Chose These Filters
Our methodology rests on evidence anyone can check:
- Certification first. Each of the eight picks holds a current PFAS listing at IAPMO or WQA, and we label it exactly as the listing reads.
- One pick per type. In each format we picked one certified unit with a current price and a working seller link, then compared running cost.
- Running cost. We divided each replacement filter's price by its certified or maker-rated gallons.
These are research-based picks. We did not test them ourselves. 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.
Replacement filter price divided by certified or maker-rated gallons, October 2026. The whole-house HealthShield is priced per year in its card.
Five of the seven point-of-use picks cost $12 to $17 per 100 gallons. ZeroWater and ProOne cost far more because their certified filters last only 20 and 50 gallons.
The 8 Best Water Filters for PFAS
1. AquaTru Classic: Best Overall
The AquaTru Classic is a four-stage countertop reverse osmosis (RO) unit: it pushes water through a membrane that holds back most dissolved contaminants. IAPMO certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA and PFOS (IAPMO listing). It is also certified for lead, fluoride, nitrate and microplastics. AquaTru's data sheet lists a minimum PFOA and PFOS reduction of 97.5% (AquaTru data sheet).
- Price: ~$475 at AquaTru (~$428 on Amazon)
- Filters: about $17 per 100 gallons
- Needs: a power outlet; no plumbing
Pros: RO also handles short-chain PFAS that carbon handles less well, according to EPA; certified under five NSF/ANSI standards (42, 53, 58, 372 and 401).
Cons: sends some water to waste; removes minerals; takes counter space.
Is it for you? Choose it for certified PFAS reduction with no install. See our best countertop water filters guide.
2. Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage: Best Under-Sink Filter
The Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage (model AQ-6300) is a carbon filter with its own faucet. WQA certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA and PFOS, plus lead, mercury and cysts (WQA listing). It sends no water to waste.
- Price: ~$165
- Filters: every 600 gallons or 6 months, $83.99, about $14 per 100 gallons
- Install: a dedicated faucet through a 1/2-inch hole
Also consider: the Claryum Direct Connect (~$125) holds an IAPMO PFOA/PFOS certification and uses your existing faucet, with no drilling (Aquasana Direct Connect).
Is it for you? Choose it for a permanent, certified filter that keeps minerals. See our best under-sink water filters guide.
3. Waterdrop G3P600: Best Under-Sink RO
The Waterdrop G3P600 is a tankless RO system. IAPMO certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS (IAPMO listing) and to NSF/ANSI 58 for lead, fluoride and dissolved solids.
- Price: ~$539
- Filters: about $13 per 100 gallons
- Needs: a drain line and a power outlet under the sink
Other RO choices: the G3P800 (~$999) holds the same certifications with more output (Waterdrop G3P800). The Aquasana SmartFlow (~$240) is a tank system certified for PFOA and PFOS that also covers nitrate and arsenic (V) (Aquasana SmartFlow).
Is it for you? Choose it for fast, tankless RO at one tap. See our best reverse osmosis systems guide.
4. Aquasana Clean Water Machine: Best Powered Countertop
The Aquasana Clean Water Machine is a plug-in countertop carbon filter. WQA certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA and PFOS, plus lead and cysts (WQA listing). On Aquasana's data sheet, PFOA and PFOS fell 99.7% (Aquasana data sheet).
- Price: ~$185
- Filters: every 300 gallons or 6 months, about $12 per 100 gallons, the lowest on our chart
- Needs: a power outlet; no wastewater
Is it for you? Choose it if you want certified PFOA/PFOS reduction on the counter without RO's wastewater.
5. PUR PLUS Faucet Filter: Best Budget Pick
The PUR PLUS PFM350V mounts on your kitchen faucet. IAPMO certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for Total PFAS, lead and mercury (IAPMO listing).
- Price: ~$33 on Amazon
- Filters: 100 gallons each; a 2-pack costs $27.85 on Amazon, about $14 per 100 gallons
Is it for you? Choose it for the lowest up-front price of our eight picks, with no plumbing.
6. Culligan ZeroWater 40-Cup: Best Dispenser
The Culligan ZeroWater 40-cup is a glass dispenser. IAPMO certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for Total PFAS, plus lead, fluoride and nitrate (IAPMO listing).
- Price: ~$72 on Amazon; $89.99 at Culligan
- Filters: 20 gallons each; a 2-pack costs $36.99, about $92 per 100 gallons
Cons: the short filter life makes it costly to run.
Is it for you? Choose it if you also want fluoride and nitrate reduction without RO.
7. ProOne Big+: Best Gravity Filter
The ProOne Big+ is a stainless steel gravity filter that needs no power or plumbing. IAPMO certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for Total PFAS and lead (IAPMO listing).
- Price: ~$184 with one element
- Filters: $63.16 per element, certified for 50 gallons each, about $126 per 100 gallons
Cons: the highest filter cost on our chart; not certified for bacteria or viruses, so it is not for untreated water.
Is it for you? Choose it if you want certified PFAS reduction with no power. See our best gravity water filters guide.
8. Aquasana HealthShield: Best Whole-House PFAS Filter
The Aquasana HealthShield is a whole-house carbon tank. WQA certifies it to NSF/ANSI 53 for five named PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and PFHpA (WQA listing).
- Price: ~$2,099
- Capacity: 165,000 gallons or about two years, at a rated 5.7 gallons per minute
- Upkeep: a $1,749 tank about every two years plus pre- and post-filters, about $1,000 a year to run
Is it for you? Choose it if your utility reports PFAS and you want certified reduction at every tap. For most homes, a certified filter at the kitchen tap costs far less, and EPA calls point-of-use filters a relatively inexpensive option. See our best whole house water filters guide.
Lab-Tested or Maker-Claimed, Not Certified
These products advertise PFAS reduction, but no certifier lists a PFAS claim for them. "Tested" means the maker paid a lab and published or summarized the results:
- Clearly Filtered pitcher (~$110): its November 2025 report from an ISO 17025 lab shows PFOA down 99.64% (Clearly Filtered lab data). Its only certifications are for chlorine taste and odor (NSF/ANSI 42) and lead-free materials (NSF/ANSI 372) (Clearly Filtered).
- Epic Pure XP dispenser (~$99): Epic says it was independently tested; NSF lists its filter for material safety only (Epic).
- SpringWell PFAS Filter (~$2,910): SpringWell claims non-detect PFAS for the whole house but publishes no test report. Test your water after install if you choose it (SpringWell).
- Waterdrop X8 and iSpring WGB32B-PFKS: both makers cite SGS lab tests for PFOA and PFOS. IAPMO lists the X8 for dissolved solids and chlorine taste and odor, with no PFAS claim, and the iSpring holds no listing.
PFAS Limits and How Filters Remove Them
PFAS are common: a 2023 USGS study estimated that at least 45% of U.S. tap water has one or more types (USGS). In April 2024, EPA set limits of 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS, plus limits for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX) and a Hazard Index for PFAS mixtures. On May 18, 2026, EPA proposed keeping the PFOA and PFOS limits, and water systems could request two more years, to 2031. It also proposed rescinding the other four (EPA).
EPA names three treatment types: activated carbon, ion exchange and high-pressure membranes, such as reverse osmosis. Carbon works well on longer-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS, while membranes also handle shorter-chain PFAS (EPA). For more, see does reverse osmosis remove PFAS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Brita filters remove PFAS?
Brita pitchers are not certified for PFAS. The Elite filter is certified for lead, but not for PFAS. Brita's under-sink BUSS01 system does hold an IAPMO PFOA/PFOS listing. For a certified pitcher-style option, the ZeroWater dispenser above is certified for Total PFAS.
Does LifeStraw remove PFAS?
LifeStraw claims it does, but its WQA listing for the Home pitcher covers lead, cysts and microplastics, with no PFAS claim. Treat the PFAS claim as LifeStraw's own.
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. Boiling does not reduce PFAS and will concentrate them as water evaporates (Rhode Island Department of Health). Water softeners and iron filters do not remove PFAS either.
Is PFAS worse than microplastics?
They are different problems. PFOA and PFOS have enforceable federal limits, while microplastics have none. Filters are certified for PFAS under NSF/ANSI 53 and for microplastics under NSF/ANSI 401.
What filter removes both PFAS and microplastics?
Several picks are certified for both: the AquaTru Classic, Claryum 3-Stage, Clean Water Machine, PUR PLUS and ProOne Big+. See our guide to water filters for microplastics.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: AquaTru Classic (~$475), certified for PFOA and PFOS with no install.
- Best under-sink: Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage (~$165), certified for PFOA and PFOS.
- Best budget: PUR PLUS faucet filter (~$33), certified for Total PFAS.
- Whole house: Aquasana HealthShield (~$2,099), certified for five named PFAS.
- Read the claim type: PFOA/PFOS, Total PFAS or named PFAS, all under NSF/ANSI 53.
- Lab-tested is not certified, and boiling concentrates PFAS.
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