Alexapure Pro Review: 6 Data-Driven Tests

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📊 Scoring Data

Our scoring data is based on our own testing and the performance data that we gather in our research. We use 6 factors to rank a water filter’s performance, ease of use, design quality, and overall value for money. The table below highlights the different testing categories and our results for the Alexapure Pro.

CriteriaResults
Health Related Contaminants9.70
Aesthetic Related Contaminants9.9
Performance CertificationNot certified for any reduction claims
Filtration Rate1 GPH
Component QualityExceptional
Component CertificationNot Certified
SetupExcellent
Servicing RequirementsGood
Costs$0.59/ gallon
CompanyGood

🎬 Video Review

🚰 Contaminant Reduction

Score: 9.34

To test contaminant reduction, we objectively tested the Alexapure Pro with SimpleLab’s Tap Score, then compared our data to the manufacturer’s contaminant reduction claims. 

Our Performance Testing

Tap Score sent us a sample-taking kit to use at home. We shipped our samples to the company’s laboratory for professional testing. 

Tap Score’s sample-taking protocol is pretty strict to ensure that results are as accurate as possible. We filled a large, clean bucket with water from our faucet and swirled it around to mix it. First we filled the Alexapure, then took the pre-filtration sample from the bucket when there was less water in it, making it easier to get the samples.

Our Tap Score report highlighted the contaminants detected in our before-and-after water samples within different categories: health-related contaminants, aesthetic contaminants, and plumbing-related contaminants. Since the Alexapure Pro is a point-of-use system, we evaluated the health-related and aesthetic contaminants only.

Note: When analyzing our results, we used Tap Score’s Health Guidance Level (HGL), which is stricter than the EPA’s MCL and prioritizes human health. 

Health-Related Contaminants

The Alexapure Pro is marketed for use with both potable and non-potable water, so we tested its ability to remove contaminants from city water and river water in our Colorado-based testing location. 

We assigned 50% of our scoring based on the city water test results, and the other 50% based on the untreated water test results.

For our city water testing, we looked at all the contaminants with health effects removed by the Alexapure Pro. For our river water testing, our priority was bacteria removal, and this is what we scored the filter on.

City Water Test: 

Score: 9.40

  • Lead, chloroform, THMs, aluminum, copper, & more detected in unfiltered water
  • Alexapure Pro removed 100% of these contaminants
  • The filter also reduced barium & sulfate
  • Fluoride, potassium, & other contaminants increased post-filtration

River Water Test: 

Score: 10

  • Aluminum, E. coli, & two other bacteria detected in unfiltered water
  • Alexapure Pro eliminated all bacteria & greatly reduced aluminum

In our city water test, three health-related contaminants were detected above Tap Score’s Health Guidance Level in our pre-filtered water: lead (0.0006 PPM), and chloroform and total THMs (two common disinfection byproducts, 32.5 PPB for both). The Alexapure Pro removed 100% of these contaminants, and they weren’t detected at all in our filtered water. Our Tap Score report score for health-related contaminants was originally 62 and increased to 94 out of 99, showing a big improvement in the quality of our filtered water.

Alexapure pro city water test contaminants exceeding the hgl detection

A number of contaminants with potential health effects were detected in our unfiltered water at levels below Tap Score’s HGL. These include aluminum (0.52 PPM), barium 0.0127 PPM), copper (0.0434 PPM), manganese (0.001 PPM), strontium (0.062 PPM), and sulfate (10 PPM).

Alexapure pro contaminants fully removed

The Alexapure Pro eliminated aluminum, copper, and manganese, and reduced barium to 0.0072 PPM, and sulfate to 8.4 PPM. Strontium actually increased post-filtration (see below).

Alexapure barium and strontium detection
alexapure sulfate removal

Our post-filtration results showed that a few substances increased, including fluoride by 200% (which has several possible health effects), calcium by 84%, magnesium by 81%, strontium by 41%, and potassium and silver appeared when they were absent in the pre-filter test. 

Contaminants detected post filtration with alexapure part 1
Contaminants detected post filtration with alexapure part 2

We spoke to the lab and concluded that this issue is likely temporary and we don’t suspect an issue with the filters themselves. We aren’t concerned by the increased levels of calcium and magnesium, but we were less impressed to see higher concentrations of strontium and fluoride. We were disappointed that the filters didn’t remove any fluoride from our water given that they’re advertised to do so. We plan to test our water again to see if the fluoride removal results are different, and we’ll update this review when we do. 

In our river water test, the Alexapure Pro eliminated all bacteria present in the pre-filtration test, including E. coli and total coliform – so it got the top score from us in this testing category. We think the filter’s bacteria removal abilities are likely because it uses ceramic media (in this 2019 study of the efficiency of ceramic filters, ceramic filter media was found to remove an average of 87.6% E. coli and 86.3% total coliform). 

Alexapure pro e. coli, enterococcus, and total coliform

Aesthetic Contaminants

City Water Test: 

  • 0.5 PPM of chlorine detected in unfiltered water
  • Alexapure Pro removed 100% of chlorine
  • Improved taste with no chlorine aftertaste/smell

River Water Test: 

  • Iron and other taste-affecting heavy metals detected
  • Reduced slightly but not substantially
  • Activated carbon filter element improved water taste

In our city water test, around 0.5 PPM chlorine was detected in our unfiltered water.

The Alexapure Pro has an activated carbon filter element that can remove chlorine and other aesthetic, taste and odor-affecting contaminants. Activated carbon has been proven to remove chlorine very efficiently in several studies, including this 2022 report, which referenced several studies that proved that AC has been “successfully used for the removal of chlorine from water”.

Tap Score sent us a chlorine test strip to use at home, since chlorine is volatile and dissipates quickly out of water. We tested our water using a test strip before and after filtration, and the post-filtration results showed that 100% of chlorine had been removed by the Alexapure Pro. 

We noticed that our water tasted better post-filtration, with no distinguishable chlorine aftertaste or odor – what we expected given that it had been completely removed. 

In our river water test, no chlorine was detected (this is only used to disinfect public drinking water supplies). However, the Alexapure Pro reduced iron and other taste-affecting heavy metals, and the activated carbon filter element did its job in removing poor tastes and odors from our water, so it tasted cleaner and purer post-filtration. 

View the table below for the full list of contaminants removed from our city and river water samples by the Alexapure Pro. 

ContaminantMeasurementUnfiltered City WaterPost-Filtration% ChangeUnfiltered River WaterPost-Filtration% Change
AluminumPPM0.0520-100%0.030.01-67%
BariumPPM0.01270.0072-43%NDNDND
CalciumPPM8.816.284%NDNDND
ChloridePPM6.96.8-1%NDNDND
ChloroformPPB0.03520-100%NDNDND
CopperPPM0.04340-100%NDNDND
E. coliCFU/100mlNDNDND150-100%
EnterococcusCFU/100mlNDNDND40-100%
FluoridePPM0.10.3200%NDNDND
IronPPMNDNDND0.10.02-80%
LeadPPM0.00060-100%NDNDND
MagnesiumPPM2.193.9781%NDNDND
ManganesePPM0.0010-100%0.020-100%
PhosphorusPPMNDNDND0.010-100%
PotassiumPPM01.27n/aNDNDND
SilverPPM00.0247n/aNDNDND
SodiumPPM10.49.73-6%NDNDND
StrontiumPPM0.0620.08740%NDNDND
SulfatePPM108.4-16%42.2927.1-36%
Total ColiformCFU/100mlNDNDND750-100%
Total THMsPPB0.03520-100%NDNDND

Performance Certifications

The Alexapure Pro has been third-party tested to remove 206 contaminants from drinking water, according to NSF Standards 42 and 53. The performance test results are available to review online, and Alexapure has been transparent in sharing the name and address of the lab that tested the filters. 

But the Alexapure Pro doesn’t have any official performance certifications by the NSF/ANSI, WQA, or IAPMO, so we were unable to compare the manufacturer’s contaminant removal claims to any actual certifications. 

Instead, we’ve compared the Alexapure Pro’s ability to remove select contaminants from our water with the company’s testing claims for these contaminants. 

Alexapure’s third-party lab tests show that the filters can remove at least 96.4% lead, 99.9% chloroform, 99.9% free chlorine, 100% coliform bacteria, 99.9% aluminum, 99.0% copper, 99.9% manganese, 

The Alexapure Pro removed 100% of lead, chloroform, free chlorine, coliform bacteria, aluminum, copper, and manganese, from our water, so the company’s contaminant reduction claims were in line with our own test results.  

Barium and sulfate were only reduced, not removed, from our water, and calcium, magnesium, and strontium all increased post-filtration, but Alexapure doesn’t claim that its filters can remove these contaminants anyway.

The Alexapure Pro has been tested to remove at least 97.6% sodium fluoride, but in our water, fluoride actually increased by 200%. As we mentioned, we’ll be conducting another test soon to see if this was a temporary issue. 

There are dozens of other contaminants that the Alexapure Pro has been tested to remove, but since these weren’t detected in our unfiltered water, we can’t validate these performance claims. 

See the table below for how our own performance testing data compared to Alexapure’s contaminant removal claims.

🚦Filtration Rate

Score: 8.0

The Alexapure Pro is a gravity-based countertop water filter, which means it filters water at a slow and steady rate and it doesn’t have the speed advantage of a pressurized system. We awarded the filter an 8.00 score based on our testing of how long it took to filter our water in gallons per hour (GPH). 

It took around 1 hour for the Alexapure Pro to filter a full 2.25-gallon batch of water from the upper chamber. That’s a pretty average number for countertop gravity water filtration systems – not the best or worst we’ve seen. Gravity filters like the Alexapure unit are slower to filter water because they don’t use an electric pump and they’re not hooked up to a water line. 

📐 Design

Score: 8.4

We assessed the Alexapure Pro’s design based on what we thought about the component quality, and whether or not the system has been certified for its design. 

The Alexapure Pro is a cylindrical, countertop gravity water filter with a minimalist design. There are two chambers – an upper and a lower chamber – and the unit has a filtered water holding capacity of 2.25 gallons. It has a brushed steel finish, so it’s easier to clean and looks more understated than the shiny steel countertop units.  

The idea is that you stack the upper chamber on top of the lower chamber, with up to 3 filters sitting in between. You add unfiltered water to the top chamber, then wait for water to flow through the filters into the bottom chamber, where it can be dispensed from the spigot. 

Alexapure Pro on countertop

Design Flaws & Setbacks

There’s one design flaw that we noted for the Alexapure Pro: there’s a potential for water to overflow from the seal between the top and bottom chambers if you continue to add water to the top chamber while the bottom chamber is full. This is an issue with most stainless steel countertop water filtration systems. 

You’ll need to check the volume of water in the bottom chamber before refilling the top chamber, which is a bit of a hassle. 

Component Quality

We were pleased with the Alexapure Pro’s component quality. It’s made from high-quality stainless steel parts, including a stainless steel spigot. The spigot was a bonus for us because many of Alexapure’s competitors sell their filtration systems with a plastic spigot, and you have to spend extra money on the stainless steel spigot as an upgrade. 

We’ve found that stainless steel is one of the most durable materials for filtration systems, and it doesn’t have the potential for BPA or microplastics leaching as with some plastic systems. It’s also less likely to shatter than glass and can withstand a few knocks and bumps. 

alexapure metal spigot

Design Longevity

According to the British Stainless Steel Association, it takes 135-770 years for 304 stainless steel (which is most likely the type of steel used to make the Alexapure Pro, since it’s used to make competitor products like the Big Berkey) to corrode. Most reports that we read said that 304 stainless steel should last a lifetime, which is the best we could hope for.

The Alexapure Pro also shouldn’t be prone to rusting, and we didn’t notice any rust inside the chambers during our testing period. 

But in our research, we found a few Amazon customer reviews that claimed the unit had started to develop rust-like stains, with pictures as proof. This is an issue that customers have highlighted for most stainless steel countertop water filters we’ve tested, and is something to be aware of when buying a system of this type. That said, there’s no way for us to verify the legitimacy of these claims, given that Amazon’s review system is easily manipulated. We can’t be certain that the reviews haven’t been written by a competitor that wants to tarnish Alexapure’s reputation.

Alexapure Pro unboxing

Certification

In our research, we found that the Alexapure Pro filtration system has been manufactured from materials that are NSF/ANSI Standard 61 and California Prop 65 Compliant certified. 

But we couldn’t find any evidence that the system has been certified for Materials Safety, for example, with an NSF 372 certification for lead-free design, or as a component of other performance certifications, like NSF 42, 53, and 401. 

Filter Materials

The filter cartridges in the Alexapure Pro are made from ceramic media with a coconut shell carbon block inner core. 

Both activated carbon and ceramic water filter media have been studied heavily for material safety and efficiency in water filters. Activated carbon is endorsed by the EPA, which recommends it for removing “taste and odor-causing compounds”, and this 2023 study concluded that ceramic filters are “a good POU solution” because they’re easy to make, affordable, and efficient.

Ceramic and activated carbon media are considered safe for use in water treatment devices and activated carbon is typically made from natural materials, so there’s no risk of chemical leaching from the media itself. 

However, there are a few plastic parts on the filter elements, including the nuts used to screw the filter in place, and the plastic bracket the filter is attached to. So the system isn’t entirely plastic-free, and we couldn’t find information from Alexapure that says these parts are BPA-free (although they most likely are).

Holding an Alexapure Pro water filter element

⚙️ Setup

Score: 9.0

We evaluated how long the assembly process took us for the Alexapure Pro, and how challenging we found it. 

We spent around 15-20 minutes assembling the system. It came with everything we needed for the setup, including the stainless steel upper chamber, lower chamber, spigot assembly, lid, one initial filter cartridge, a non-slip rubber base ring, a knob assembly, and rubber plugs. 

The setup process included:

  • Attaching the slip-resistant ring to the bottom of the lower chamber
  • Inserting the spigot into the lower chamber
  • Connecting the filter to the inside of the upper chamber
  • Attaching the handle to the lid

A huge benefit of setup for us was that our filters were shipped pre-primed in a sterile bag, so we didn’t have to deal with the hassle of priming them. This meant we saved a lot of time on assembly compared to similar countertop filters that typically need priming. We could just attach our filter and start using the unit straight away. 

That said, the assembly process still required some effort, and there were quite a few steps involved in installing the spigot assembly and so on. It wasn’t quite as quick and easy as assembling, say, a water filter pitcher, which is why it didn’t get top marks from us in this category. 

Brian holding the top water tank of Alexapure Pro

🔧 Maintenance

Score: 8.25

We assessed the Alexapure Pro for its servicing requirements and the associated costs. 

Servicing Requirements

We found the filters in the Alexapure Pro were quick and easy to change. We just had to unscrew the old filter and screw the new filter in its place. Our replacement filters came with washers, so we had everything we needed for the job. Like the initial filter, they were pre-primed and ready to use, so we didn’t have to waste time with the priming process. 

Aside from filter changes, we washed the top and bottom chambers around once a week, which was easy to do but a bit fiddly because of how big the chambers were (you’ll find it easier if you have a deep sink).

Brian installing the carbon block filter of Alexapure Pro

Costs

To determine the Alexapure Pro’s long-term value for money, we calculated the cost per gallon of the filters in the system.

The Alexapure’s $0.59/gallon ongoing spend is pretty reasonable when we compare it to other water filters we’ve tested. It’s not the cheapest to maintain (some filters cost less than $0.30 per gallon), but it’s not the most expensive either (some cost $0.85+ per gallon). 

Note: Replacement frequency may vary depending on your water quality. The cost per gallon may be higher for you if you have to replace your filter more frequently. 

🏢 Company

Score: 8.65

In the Company testing category, we looked at data for the system’s warranty, shipping, and returns. 

Warranty 

The Alexapure Pro has a 1-year warranty (view the warranty terms here) for items that are defective or damaged from the purchase date. 

We weren’t blown away in this sub-category, especially given that similar countertop units have longer warranties – Berkey, for instance, offers a lifetime warranty to its customers. 

Shipping 

We gave the Alexapure Pro a 9.5 score for shipping because the company offers free shipping to the lower 48 United States

There’s a shipping fee for customers in Hawaii, Alaska, and the APOs, which is calculated based on the package weight. Alexapure doesn’t currently ship to Canada.

Read up on the company’s shipping policy here

Returns

Alexapure offers a 30-day, no-questions-asked returns policy – but only on items that have been unopened and unused. That means you can’t try the Alexapure Pro and return it if you decide it isn’t for you, as you can with some water filters. 

We gave the Alexapure Pro an 8.0 score for returns because returns are free and there’s no restocking fee, but this isn’t the best or longest returns policy we’ve seen. 

Find more information on refunds and exchanges here.

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  • Brian Campbell
    President & CEO, CWS, CWR

    Brian Campbell, a WQA Certified Water Specialist (CWS) and Certified Water Treatment Representative (CWR) with 5+ years of experience, helps homeowners navigate the world of water treatment. After honing his skills at Hach Company, he founded his business to empower homeowners with the knowledge and tools to achieve safe, healthy water. Brian's tested countless devices, from simple pitchers to complex systems, helping his readers find the perfect fit for their unique needs.

12 thoughts on “Alexapure Pro Review: 6 Data-Driven Tests”

  1. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    Any updates on the fluoride? That’s a concerning increase and wondering if this was an anomaly or whether it would decrease after the filter has been used for a while. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell

      We conducted our lab test after filtering 100 gallons of water through the system, so the filters were not brand new. We’ve not yet retested to see if we get similar results or not.

  2. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    How do you know when to change the filter? You say 200 gallons or possible longer. Has anyone tested the filter past 200 gallons?

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell
      Brian Campbell

      Keep in mind it’s only been tested for chlorine reduction up to 200 gallons. It may or may not stop reducing other contaminants before then. If you fill the system to the top each time you refill it, that’s ~2 gallons. So using this info, you could fill it ~100 times before the filter would need to be replaced, assuming it continues to perform up to 200 gallons. Additionally, when the filtration rate becomes noticeably slower that’s a good sign the filter is reaching its capacity (getting “filled up”)

  3. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    Is there anything I can do to make Alexapure filter longer. When we were using Purr filters the company suggested shaking the filter. Also, I connected a used Alexapure filter to the underside of the top container and backflushed it. I’m thinking that doing so washed some of the contaminants out of the filter then reconnected it correctly and it worked for a while. What do you think about that?

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell
      Brian Campbell

      The most impactful thing would be to pre-filter with another, cheaper filter. Backflushing might help a little bit, but probably not much since contaminants are adsorbed by the media. If the filter is filtering extremely slowly, that indicates its reached capacity and should be replaced.

  4. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    In the setup section it says, “Connecting the filter to the underside of the upper chamber”
    I have been connecting the filter on the inside of the upper chamber because my son told me to.
    Does it matter where the filter is connected?

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell
      Brian Campbell

      You are doing it correct, this was a typo! Thanks for catching it and leaving a comment to bring this to my attention. It’s been fixed.

  5. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    why does the Amazon listing (and others) state the filters are good for 5000 gallons and other sites have the filter life at 200 gallons? Quite a disparity. Incorrect info or different filters?

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell

      Because the filters have only been tested up to 200 gallons – no idea why in some places they claim a 5,000 gallon capacity when they haven’t actually been tested for it

    1. Avatar for Brian Campbell

      It depends on the situation and personal preferences. Alexapure performed better at removing disinfection byproducts than the ProOne did in our testing. We are currently in the process of revamping all of our content to align with this new scoring system.

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