Our experts have tested dozens of water filters using our battery of 8 objective & data-driven tests. We’ve evaluated the best water filters for microplastics removal using our performance-based scoring factors, which are weighted to determine an overall score. We then used these scores to determine the best water filters for addressing microplastics.
With its superior reverse osmosis performance, certification for microplastics removal, highly efficient performance, and glass carafe for water collection, the AquaTru Carafe is our top choice for removing microplastics from drinking water.
Aquatru Carafe
Aquatru Classic
British Berkefeld
Table of Contents
Our Testing & Selection Process
We tested the microplastics water filters in this guide by evaluating them across a range of performance categories. As well as assessing the filters’ contaminant reduction capabilities, we also scored them for their design quality, filtration rate, and setup and maintenance requirements, among other performance factors.
Our priority was to find the best filters that remove microplastics, so an official certification to NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics reduction was non-negotiable when we were selecting the products to review for this guide. 
Of these filters, we then focused on the systems’ contaminant reduction performance overall, evaluating their ability to address other impurities with potential health effects.
In many of our testing processes, we collected or obtained our own first-hand data. But some categories called for us to use our own subjective assessment, either when we were unable to collect objective data or when it was beneficial for us to do so.
Find out more about our testing and scoring process here.
We selected the best microplastics water filters by reviewing and comparing the performance data of all the eligible water filters – aka. those that had been certified for microplastics reduction – that we have tested so far.
If you’ve read any of our other content, you’ll know that we usually use our own water quality test results to help us rank water filters in a particular category.
All the filters selected for this article hold official performance certifications for microplastics reduction, which involves much more rigorous & thorough testing and evaluation to NSF/ANSI standards than our at-home real-life testing.
So, once we determined that a water filter had a microplastics reduction certification, we analyzed how it performed in our data-driven scoring system. We then selected the top-scoring systems and ranked them accordingly in this guide.
Microplastics reduction can be tricky, and not many manufacturers have obtained certifications for this ability. So, our list of recommended products is still fairly small, and we plan to add to it as we continue to conduct our own testing.
Some products were ruled out by us when making this guide, including:
– Water filters that didn’t have a microplastics removal certification. Even if a manufacturer claimed to reduce microplastics or shared “proof” in third-party testing data, we only considered filters with official certifications to NSF Standard 401.
– Systems that aren’t readily available in the USA, or those with frequent stock availability issues.
– Filters with performance certifications for microplastics that had major flaws (determined by us to be dealbreakers) in other performance areas, affecting their overall quality and value for money.
The 4 Best Water Filters that Remove Microplastics
| Product | AquaTru Carafe | AquaTru Classic |  British Berkefeld |  Brita Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.57 | 9.54 | 8.64 | 6.59 |
| Price | $349.00+ | $449.00+ | $358 | $40.99 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401 & 372 | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401 & 372 | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 & 372 | NSF/ANSI 42, 53 |
| Filter Capacity | 300 – 1,200 gallons | 600 – 1,200 gallons | 800 gallons | 120 gallons |
| Cost per Gallon | $0.19 | $0.11 | $0.09 | $0.17 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year |
| Read Review | Aquatru Carafe review | Aquatru Classic review | British Berkefeld review | Brita Elite review |
Aquatru Carafe
The AquaTru Carafe has been certified to reduce every single contaminant it’s claimed to address, including microplastics. It reduced 100% of all contaminants detected in our water, making it the best countertop reverse osmosis system we’ve ever tested.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $349.00+ |
| Contaminants Reduced | 83+ |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 401, 372 |
| Process | Carbon + Reverse Osmosis |
| Filter Capacity | 300 gal. & 1,200 gal. |
| Annual Cost | ~$60 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why It’s Best
The AquaTru Carafe is the best overall water filter for reducing microplastics because it received the highest overall score in our testing. There are three standout features of this system:
It’s IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics reduction.
It also has certifications to NSF 42, 53, 58, and P473 for every single contaminant it’s claimed to reduce: 86 in total (AquaTru is the only product we’ve ever tested to have done this).
It’s the only filter we’ve used that has eliminated 100% of all contaminants in our water quality testing.
The system is one of two AquaTru countertop reverse osmosis systems we’ve tested. The Carafe model took the top spot overall because its design score was higher—it uses a glass collection container instead of a plastic tank for the purified water. This also makes it the better choice for folks looking to remove microplastics from their water because you know for certain that a glass container won’t reintroduce plastics post-filtration.
The AquaTru Carafe’s NSF 401 Certification
AquaTru has obtained an IAPMO certification to reduce microplastics under NSF/ANSI Standard 401.
The testing process for this NSF/ANSI standard involves evaluating filters for their ability to reduce microplastics, specifically those ranging from 0.5 to 1 micrometer in size, by at least 85%.
Because AquaTru has obtained this certification, it tells us that the Carafe was able to demonstrate a reduction of at least 85% of these microplastics under the specified test protocol.
AquaTru Carafe Performance
Although we have not yet tested specifically for microplastics reduction performance, we still conducted our own water quality testing for other, more easily detectable contaminants.
For its ability to reduce 100% of all health-related contaminants in our water, including fluoride, lead, uranium, barium, and molybdenum, we awarded the AquaTru a 9.90 in this category. It also eliminated 100% chlorine, which earned it another score of 9.90 for addressing aesthetic contaminants.
Conventional reverse osmosis systems waste up to 4 gallons of water per 1 gallon purified, so recovery rates are an important consideration when we’re reviewing reverse osmosis systems. The AquaTru Carafe has a 4:1 efficiency ratio—meaning only 1 gallon is wasted per 4 gallons purified—which makes it one of the most efficient reverse osmosis systems we’ve ever tested
Design-wise, we think the AquaTru Carafe will appeal to a lot of people. It’s smaller than the AquaTru Countertop RO System, and it collects purified water in a glass vessel, so there’s no concern about microplastics leaching. This combined with its certification for materials safety and NSF 372 certification for lead-free design earned it the highest design score of 10.00.
The system’s plug-and-play machine also made setup easy, with no invasive under-sink installation, earning it another 10.00 for installation. Maintenance was equally easy and surprisingly affordable, although slightly more expensive than the full-size AquaTru system due to the shorter filter lifespan. We scored the Carafe a 9.75 for maintenance.
We think the AquaTru Carafe is the ideal solution for anyone who wants a performance-certified filter to eliminate microplastics and all the other impurities in their water, with no risk of reintroducing plastic particles post-filtration.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.57 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 100% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.3 GPM |
| Component Quality | Exceptional |
| Component Certification | Certified |
| Setup | Exceptional |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.19/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping |
| Returns | 30 days |
AquaTru Classic
The AquaTru Classic is AquaTru’s full-size countertop model. It offers all the same performance perks of the AquaTru Carafe, using the exact same filters (they’re just twice the size and capacity) with the same range of certifications, including NSF/ANSI 401 for microplastics reduction.
The only key difference is that the system stores purified water in a BPA-free plastic tank, which can be dispensed at the press of a button.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $449.00+ |
| Contaminants Reduced | 83+ |
| Certifications | NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, and 372 |
| Filter Capacity | 600 – 1,200 gallons |
| Cost per Gallon | $0.11/ gallon |
| Warranty | 1 year |
The AquaTru Classic’s Microplastics Certification
For its full-size countertop system, AquaTru underwent the same IAPMO testing and certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 401 for microplastics removal.
Because IAPMO awarded AquaTru this certification, we know for certain that the AquaTru Classic has demonstrated an ability to reduce at least 85% of microplastics ranging from 0.5 to 1 micrometer in size under the specified test conditions.
Performance Stats
Since the AquaTru Classic uses the same filters as the Carafe, it delivered the same exceptional contaminant reduction performance, eliminating all impurities with health effects detected in our water and earning it an overall contaminant reduction score of 9.91.
It also has the same high-efficiency pure-to-wastewater ratio of 4:1, and the same certifications for materials safety and lead-free design. Its design score was slightly lower than the Carafe’s (9.70) due to its plastic tank, but it has the advantage of a larger purified water holding capacity of 2.7 liters (around 0.7 US gallons) compared to the Carafe’s 1.9 liters (around 0.5 gallons).
The system has the same simple plug-and-play setup and low-cost maintenance, with a slightly lower cost-per-gallon of just $0.11. It received the same scores as the Carafe in these categories: 10.00 for installation and 9.75 for maintenance.
The AquaTru Classic makes sense if you want all of AquaTru’s performance benefits with a system that has a larger water-holding capacity and a longer filter lifespan.
A Word On AquaTru’s Storage Tank
The AquaTru Classic’s purified water storage tank is made from Tritan, a form of plastic that’s BPA- and BPS-free.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.54 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 100% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.04 GPM |
| Component Quality | Outstanding |
| Component Certification | Exceptional |
| Setup | Exceptional |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.11/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping |
| Returns | 30 days |
British Berkefeld (with Ultra Sterasyl Filter)
We’ve tested a handful of stainless steel gravity countertop filters, and the British Berkefeld unit is the only one to have obtained an official certification for reducing microplastics with its Ultra Sterasyl filter. It also has a much easier setup process than many of its competitors because its filters don’t need to be primed, and it greatly reduced many contaminants with health effects in our water.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $358 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 5+ |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 & 372 |
| Process | Ceramic + Activated Carbon |
| Filter Capacity | 800 gallons |
| Cost per gallon | ~$0.09/ gal |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
British Berkefeld’s NSF 401 Certification
The British Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl filter has been tested and certified to three NSF Standards, including Standard 401, for the reduction of microplastics.
This tells us that, according to the requirements of the NSF, the Ultra Sterasyl filter was found to reduce at least 85% of microplastics (0.5 to 1 micrometer in size) when it was tested under specified conditions.
How it Performed
The British Berkefeld’s Ultra Sterasyl filter received an 8.56 score for contaminant reduction. Our test data showed that it had reduced 100% uranium, chlorine, copper, and molybdenum, along with 70% nitrate and trace reductions of strontium and barium.
The filter’s performance score was pulled down by its inability to remove fluoride—but given that British Berkefeld sells separate filters for this purpose, this wasn’t something we’d expected it to do.
We awarded the British Berkefeld unit a score of 10.00 for design, determined by its sturdy 304 stainless steel build and its NSF 372 certification for lead-free design.
It’s another great option if you want to limit your filtered water’s exposure to microplastics, especially when you’re specifically looking for a filter that can reduce these contaminants. It also uses a stainless steel spigot, so (unlike many of its competitors) water doesn’t come into contact with plastic as it’s dispensed out of the tank.
The unit’s setup and maintenance processes are nice and easy, earning it 9.00 and 9.25 scores in these categories respectively.
We recommend the British Berkefeld with the Ultra Sterasyl filter to folks who want a certified, reliable solution for removing microplastics and many other impurities from their water supply, without the cost, water waste, or multiple filter change requirements of a reverse osmosis system.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.64 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 8.50 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 28% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 0.3 GPM |
| Component Quality | Exceptional |
| Component Certification | NSF Certified |
| Setup | Excellent |
| Servicing Requirements | Good |
| Costs | $0.09/ gal |
| Warranty Length | Lifetime |
| Shipping | Free Shipping on orders over $99 to the contiguous US |
| Returns | 30 days |
Brita Elite
The Brita Elite might not be in our top roundup of the best water filter pitchers, but it is the only water filter pitcher we’ve tested that has an official microplastics reduction certification, making it the best water filter pitcher available for this purpose. This upgrade of the Brita Standard filter is the most affordable option on this list and did a good job of reducing or removing many contaminants in our testing.
Best For
Product Specs
| Price | $40.99 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 33 |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 42, 53 |
| Process | Activated carbon |
| Filter Capacity | 120 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$40 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Brita’s Microplastics Reduction Certification
The Brita Elite has a WQA certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 401, confirming its ability to reduce at least 85% of microplastics throughout the duration of testing under the NSF’s specified testing conditions.
Our Notes on Brita’s Performance
The Brita Elite received a relatively low score of 4.29 in our performance testing—but this was primarily because it didn’t effectively address some of the specific contaminants detected in our treated groundwater, including fluoride, uranium, nitrate, molybdenum, strontium, and sulfate.
The Elite filter did do a great job at reducing 100% barium and 97% copper in our water, as well as 100% chlorine, and its performance certifications were a redeeming factor (as well as its WQA certification to Standard 401, it also has IAPMO certifications to reduce VOCs and PFOA/PFOS.
We awarded the filter an 8.80 score for design, based on its sturdy, heavy-duty plastic construction and its certification for material safety as a component of its NSF performance certifications.
It also received great setup and maintenance scores—9.50 and 9.75, respectively—because the filter requires no lengthy priming process and has a long 6-month lifespan, reducing the unit’s ongoing maintenance spend.
What You Should Know About Brita’s Plastic Design
Brita’s pitchers are made from polypropylene plastic and SAN. In my research, I found a study that looked into the leaching of microplastics from different plastics, including polypropylene, and concluded that microplastic particles can disintegrate from the original plastic materials “under suitable conditions”.
What does that tell us? Microplastics can potentially leach from polypropylene plastics into water. However:
- Conditions that promote leaching include UV exposure, water currents, and the presence of biofilm, all of which you should be able to avoid if you store your Brita pitcher away from direct sunlight, keep it clean, and replace the filter as advised by the manufacturer.
- This testing hasn’t been specifically conducted on Brita’s unique pitcher design, so it doesn’t confirm that leaching will occur from the Brita pitcher just because it uses polypropylene.
I wanted to mention this study here so you have the knowledge to make the most informed decision. Ultimately, I can neither confirm or deny whether your water is at risk of microplastics recontamination from any of Brita’s water filter pitchers because I haven’t tested this myself.
Brita used to sell a glass pitcher, but it isn’t currently available to the US market. So, you’ll have to weigh up whether or not you’re comfortable storing your filtered water in a plastic vessel.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 6.59 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 3.50 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | Certified for 45% of reduction claims |
| Filtration Rate | 2.92 GPH |
| Component Quality | Good |
| Component Certification | Certified |
| Setup | Outstanding |
| Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
| Costs | $0.17/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Free shipping on orders over $35 |
| Returns | 30 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which water filter removes microplastics?
A variety of water filters remove microplastics, including under-sink filters, whole home filters, countertop filters, and portable filters that fit the bill. As long as the filter media can target very small contaminants (down to 1-2 microns), it should, in theory, offer some level of microplastics removal.
Do Brita filters remove microplastics?
Yes, but only the Brita Elite filter has been tested to remove microplastics.
Does ZeroWater remove microplastics?
Yes, the ZeroWater faucet filter can reduce microplastics, but the ZeroWater pitcher cannot.
What is the best water filter pitcher for microplastics?
In our opinion, the best water filter pitcher for microplastics is the Brita Elite filter – which is the only one officially certified for microplastics reduction.
Why can’t we filter microplastics?
The reason why it’s a struggle to filter microplastics with a standard water filter is that microplastics are small enough to slip through the pores of these filters. It is possible to filter microplastics, though – you just need a specialized filtration method or a filter with small enough pores to trap microplastics.
How long does it take to filter microplastics out of water?
It takes a couple of minutes to just a couple of seconds to filter microplastics out of water, depending on the filtration method you use. Water filters connected to your water line, like whole home point of entry filters and under-sink filters, provide instant microplastics filtration. Countertop units like water filter pitchers and reverse osmosis systems take 2-15 minutes to filter microplastics on average.
How effective are microplastic filters?
Microplastics filters have the potential to be highly effective – but not all filters offer an equal performance. Some filters, like the reverse osmosis systems remove virtually all microplastics from water, as well as tens of other contaminants, so they’re our top recommended filters for this purpose.
About Our Experts
This guide was produced by Brian Campbell, WaterFilterGuru.com’s Founder and Water Filter Specialist. Brian conducted the research required for his reviews and was able to test all the shortlisted filters in his own home. You can learn more about Brian in the author bio below.
How can I remove nanoplastics that is copiously PRODUCED just be combining oxidative water disinfection by ClO2 and HClO and feeding it through HDPE or other plastic pipes?
For filter materials, this is even more intersting, as fine structures will disintegrate faster and give off nanoplastics.
So can you name a filter that is buffering the 0.2ppm ClO2 and 0.2ppm HClO that our normal municipal water “provides”, by some liquid anti-oxidant eg Vitamin-C, before feeding it through the filter structure?
OR
Can you name a filter that is totally consisting of compatible material :
– PTFE or other “forever” plastics like Viton
– ceramics
– stainless steel (anti-corrosion equipped, so at least “sea water resistant”)
– glass
NO HDPE, PVC, PE, .. is able to withstand ANY inorganic antiseptic used for water purification in the long run, and since no-one wants to measure nano plastic, we should take care that we do not PRODUCE it in excess in the (needed) attemt to filtrate water.
Best would be to use UV-C at the well and in pump stations, and then again in the house’s water filter station.
This woul increase lifetime of municipal and perhaps house installation multifold, from 30yrs to perhaps some hundred 😉
My motivation to filtrate nano plastics out is the realisation that we ingest a zoo of organo-chemistry that is relevant for immune system, cancer driving, hormon-system altering, sterility-evoking and speed-ageing questions.
See p. 14 eg. on this publication that touches longevity of pipes, but not the toxicity of degradation producs.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352220536_Degradation_of_Polymer_Elastomer_Exposed_to_Chlorinated_Water-A_Review/fulltext/60bf730ea6fdcc5128121d53/Degradation-of-Polymer-Elastomer-Exposed-to-Chlorinated-Water-A-Review.pdf?origin=publication_detail
How could a home kit for determining nano participation be devices for small cost?
I find the nano particles by calcification or other processes that have some saturated solution in between very promising also for determining the content, yet they all offer filter capabilities in the nm range we need.
Alll the best!
I have, for years, consumed ionized alkaline water from my Kangen water system. I’m wondering if putting that water into the referenced pitcher filtration system would change the ionization or alkalinity of the water I’m drinking or whether it would enhance my experience by further purifying the water I drink–specifically interested in eliminating microplastics. Your thoughts?
I’m honestly not sure what impact the filter would have on the ionized water from a Kangen system. This would be a great idea for a project to test.
In this report you state:
1. “Does ZeroWater remove microplastics? Yes, ZeroWater filters up to 99.9% of microplastics from drinking water. We think this pitcher is a worthy contender, but it hasn’t made our list of the best microplastics filters because there are other water filter pitchers that are more capable when it comes to removing contaminants in general.”
I’D LIKE TO KNOW: which ZeroWater filter you tested; the pitcher or ??? If you tested the Pitcher which model as they have lots of them
2. “Do Brita filters remove microplastics?
No. While Brita filters might remove a few larger microplastics particles, you can’t rely on a Brita filter to remove all microplastics from your water, and Brita doesn’t advertise its filters as being capable of microplastics removal.
I’D LIKE TO KNOW: if you tested the Brita Elite filter because lots of sources say the new Elite filter does remove Microplastics.
Great questions!
1. We’ve used a few different ZeroWater products, but they all use the same filter cartridge. It’s one filter that fits in all the different sizes of vessels (pitchers, dispensers, etc.)
2. Great catch! You are right, the Brita Elite filter has been tested to reduce 99.6% of microplastic particles 0.5-1 µm. Check their recent performance datasheets here https://www.brita.com/performance-data/
Do ALL Zero Water filter Pitchers remove micorplastics?
According to ZeroWater customer service, their filters have been tested to reduce 99% of microplastics. All ZeroWater vessels (pitchers and dispensers) use the same filter cartridge.