We tested the AquaTru Carafeâs ability to filter our treated well water in Colorado. In this review, weâre sharing our subjective and objective data based on our hands-on testing experience with this countertop water filter. This involved assessing its contaminant removal abilities, ease of setup and maintenance, design quality and durability, and more, to determine whether we think this system is worth the money.
What We Like
What We Donât Like
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 |
Table of Contents
đ Scoring Data
We wanted to get a good understanding of the AquaTru Carafeâs overall value for money, and for this, we needed to evaluate the filter across a spectrum of performance capabilities and features. We used 6 key performance categories to analyze the system, compiling our testing data into one overall averaged performance score. The table below highlights the key scoring data that we gathered for this AquaTru model.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 9.57 |
Health Related Contaminants | 99 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 99 |
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 |
đ° Contaminant Reduction
Score: 9.91When it comes to contaminant reduction, we had high expectations for a reverse osmosis system like the AquaTru Carafe.
To assess the system in this category, we tested our water before and after running it through the system to see which contaminants were removed. We also compared the manufacturerâs contaminant reduction claims with their official performance certifications.
Our Performance Testing
Score: 9.90
We used a lab testing service called SimpleLab Tap Score to test our water for this review.
Tap Score offers comprehensive, interactive test results and goes into more detail than a DIY test. We wanted our results to be as comprehensive as possible so we had accurate and detailed data to share here.
Health-Related Contaminants
Score: 9.90
10 contaminants with possible health effects were detected by the Tap Score test in our water – a pretty shocking discovery.
Of these contaminants, we were the most concerned about uranium, chloroform, copper, and fluoride, which were all present in concentrations above the labâs HGL.
Some of the health effects associated with these impurities include developmental, kidney, immune, liver, gastrointestinal, and carcinogenic effects.
Weâve highlighted the contaminants detected in our water, and their concentrations, in the next table.
Contaminant | Measurement | Pre-Filtration | Post-Filtration | % Change |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total THMs | Îźg/L | 2.08 | 0 | -100.00% |
Chloroform | Îźg/L | 2.08 | 0 | -100.00% |
Chloride | mg/L | 28.5 | 0 | -100.00% |
Sulfate | mg/L | 8 | 0 | -100.00% |
Nitrate (as N) | mg/L | 4.2 | 0 | -100.00% |
Fluoride | mg/L | 0.9 | 0 | -100.00% |
Molybdenum | mg/L | 0.0019 | 0 | -100.00% |
Copper | mg/L | 0.31 | 0 | -100.00% |
Barium | mg/L | 0.0228 | 0.0024 | -89.47% |
Strontium | mg/L | 0.135 | 0.011 | -91.85% |
Uranium | mg/L | 0.0096 | 0 | -100.00% |
Manganese | mg/L | 0 | 0.0037 | #DIV/0! |
Carbonate | mg/L | 0.08 | 0.00899 | -88.76% |
Sodium | mg/L | 11.2 | 1.91 | -82.95% |
Bicarbonate | mg/L | 82.75 | 19.490023 | -76.45% |
Magnesium | mg/L | 7.32 | 0.47 | -93.58% |
Calcium | mg/L | 30.5 | 1.8 | -94.10% |
Total Dissolved Solids | mg/L | 164 | 14 | -91.46% |
Hardness (Total) | mg/L | 106.96 | 6.45 | -93.97% |
Thankfully, our filtered water test results showed that 8 out of these 10 contaminants had been eliminated 100% by the AquaTru Carafe, which was exactly the outcome we were hoping for.
The two contaminants that werenât completely eliminated – barium and strontium – were still greatly reduced; barium by 89% and strontium by 91%.
Aesthetic Contaminants
Score: 9.90
Chlorine was the only aesthetic contaminant our water contained, detected by a chlorine test strip* that was included with our sample-taking kit.
We repeated the test with the purified water collected from the AquaTru Carafe, and chlorine was no longer detectable at all. The system uses activated carbon filtration media, which is a highly effective chlorine adsorbant, so weâd expected this outcome.
Minerals & Salts
Since the AquaTru Carafe uses reverse osmosis, we wanted to know how it affected the minerals and salts concentrations in our water.
Without Remineralization
Weâve so far only tested the Carafe with the standard VOC filter – so without the remineralization media.
That meant we were expecting the system to remove minerals and salts from our water along with the unhealthy and possibly dangerous impurities.
No surprises here: our filtered water test results showed that:
- Calcium had been reduced by 94% (from 30.5 to 1.8 PPM)
- Magnesium by 93% (7.32 to 0.47 PPM)
- And sodium by 82% (11.2 to 1.91 PPM)
These ions arenât essential in our tap water as we get the majority of them from the foods in our diet. Milk, cheese, and dairy foods are high in calcium, while magnesium is found abundantly in nuts, seeds, greens, and beans. Most of us (nine in 10 Americans) consume too much sodium in our diets anyway.
But minerals in water help to enhance its taste and give it more of a depth of flavor, while RO water can taste a bit âflatâ.
If you want to improve the taste and health properties of your purified water, we recommend upgrading to the VOC remineralization filter. You can do this regardless of the system you purchased upfront as itâs the same size as the standard VOC filter.
With Remineralization
We mentioned that we havenât used this particular AquaTru model with a remineralization filter, but we have used the AquaTru full-size countertop system with this filter (which is exactly the same but slightly bigger).
In this test, the pH of our water increased from 7.3 to 10.7 – a fantastic outcome, especially since we know many folks spend a fortune on alkaline bottled water and could save a lot of money (not to mention plastic waste) by using the AquaTru instead.
We also saw:
- A 17,775% increase in carbonate
- A 92% increase in bicarbonate
These are two naturally occurring compounds made of carbon and oxygen (and hydrogen, for bicarbonate only). Bicarbonate is the main component of alkalinity, and both compounds enter water as minerals are dissolved into it, proving to us that the alkaline remineralization filter does its job well.
Performance Certifications
Score: 10.00
Ideally, weâd be able to test a water filtration system for every single contaminant that the manufacturer claims to reduce. But the reality is that our water only contains a fraction of these contaminants.
The best way for us to get a bigger-picture understanding of a water filterâs contaminant reduction capabilities is to look for official performance certifications from the likes of the NSF, WQA, and IAPMO.
In our experience, only a few water filter brands invest in obtaining performance certifications, and even fewer obtain more than one.
And thatâs what makes the AquaTru Carafe so impressive: it has IAPMO certifications to five separate NSF Standards for reducing 83 contaminants, including arsenic, barium, copper, chromium, fluoride, lead, nitrate/nitrite, radium 226/228, TDS, selenium, cysts, PFOA/PFOS, BPA, and more.
Itâs also one of the only water filtration systems weâve ever tested that uses technology certified for the reduction of 100% of all contaminants that the manufacturer claims it can reduce.
You can view the AquaTru Carafeâs specific certifications here:
Reverse osmosis is one of the most thorough water purification methods, and itâs highly probable that this AquaTru model reduces additional contaminants beyond those it is certified to reduce.
But we do appreciate the fact that AquaTru only claims performance capabilities that can be supported by actual certification data.
Contaminant | Reduction |
---|---|
Alachor | >98% |
Atrazine | >97% |
Benzene | >99% |
Carbofuran | >99.5% |
Carbon Tetrachloride | 98% |
Chlorbenzene | >99% |
Chlorpicrin | 99% |
2,4-d | 98% |
Dibromochloropropane (Dbcp) | >99% |
O-Dichlorobenzene | >99% |
P-Dichlorobenzene | >98% |
1,2-Dichloroethane | 95% |
1,1-Dichloroethylene | >99% |
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99% |
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99% |
1,2-Dichloropropane | >99% |
Cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene | >99% |
Dinoseb | 99% |
Endrin | 99% |
Ethylbenzene | >99% |
Ethylene Dibromide (Edb) | >99% |
Bromochloroacetonitrile | 98% |
Dibromoacetonitrile | 98% |
Dichloroacetonitrile | 98% |
Trichloracetonitrile | 98% |
1,1-Dichloro-2-propane | 99% |
1,1,1-Trichloro-2-propane | 96% |
Heptachlor | >99% |
Heptachlor Epoxide | 98% |
Hexachlorobutadiene | >98% |
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | >99% |
Lindane | >99% |
Methoxychlor | >99% |
Pentachlorophenol | >99% |
Simazine | >97% |
Styrene | >99% |
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | >99% |
Tetrachloroethylene | >99% |
Toluene | >99% |
2,4,5-tp (Silvex) | 99% |
Tribromoacetic Acid | >98% |
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | >99% |
1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 95% |
1,1,2-Trichloroethane | >99% |
Trichloroethylene | >99% |
Chloroform (Surrogate Chemical) | 95% |
Bromoform | 95% |
Bromodichloromethane | 95% |
Chlorodibromomethane | 95% |
Xylenes (Total) | >99% |
Barium | 96.4% |
Hexavalent Chromium | 97.2% |
Trivalent Chromium | 98.0% |
TDS | 87.1% |
Copper | 95.2% |
Cyst | 99.99% |
Fluoride | 93.5% |
Lead | 99.1% |
Radium 226/228 | 96.4% |
Selenium | 98.1% |
Chlorine Reduction, Free Available | 97% |
Meprobamate | 92.9% |
Phenytoin | 95.7% |
Atenolol | 95.7% |
Carbamazepine | 93.3% |
TCEP | 91.4% |
TCPP | 90.5% |
DEET | 93.3% |
Metolachlor | 93.1% |
Trimethoprim | 93.1% |
Ibuprofen | 95.1% |
Naproxen | 96.6% |
Estrone | 96.6% |
Bisphenol A | 99.0% |
Linuron | 86.7% |
Nonyl phenol | 96.7% |
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 97.5% |
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | 97.5% |
đŚFiltration Rate
Score: 7.0Compared to other pressurized systems, the AquaTru Carafeâs filtration rate is pretty average.
In our testing, it filtered 8 cups of water in 16 minutes and 28 seconds, and we worked this out to be around 0.48 cups per minute, or 0.03 GPM (gallons per minute).
Itâs not the best weâve seen in this category, but it was fine for our needs. What worked well for us was to fill the machine first thing in the morning and switch it on, so we had purified water ready to drink as soon as we wanted it.
Efficiency Ratio
Efficiency ratio, otherwise known as recovery rate, is something we specifically analyze and compare for reverse osmosis systems.
It tells you the volume of water thatâs wasted compared to the volume of water thatâs purified, as a ratio.
All reverse osmosis systems waste water – itâs how the contaminants are drained out of the unit after being rejected by the RO membrane.
The AquaTru Carafe is one of the most efficient reverse osmosis filter systems weâve ever tested, with a 4:1 performance efficiency (meaning that only 1 gallon of water is lost for every 4 gallons purified). For some perspective, conventional reverse osmosis filters have a recovery rate as poor as 1:4 – the exact opposite of the AquaTruâs.
Because not a lot of water was being wasted, we didnât have to empty out the wastewater tank as often as we would with a less efficient system, and we could also save money in the long run by avoiding the costs associated with higher water usage.
đ Design
Score: 10.00The AquaTru Carafe uses the same technology as AquaTruâs Countertop RO System, but in a different design format.
The unit has a smaller footprint than AquaTruâs full-scale system, measuring 13 inches tall, 14 inches deep, and 7.5 inches wide.
While the full-scale AquaTru Countertop RO System has a larger purified water-holding capacity of 0.75 gallons and a push-button water dispenser, the AquaTru Carafe has a more compact 2.5-quart water-holding capacity and collects water in a glass carafe that can be stored in your fridge or another location for convenience.
Weâve tested both AquaTru RO systems, and we noted that the AquaTru Carafe is much better for smaller countertops with limited space because itâs much slimmer.
But size aside, the concept of the systemâs design is the same: thereâs a tap water tank at the back, and water gets filtered through the three filter cartridges. The only difference is that it collects automatically in the glass carafe rather than collecting in a storage tank that can be dispensed by pressing a button, as is the case with the full-size system.
Component Quality
Score: 10.00
The AquaTru Carafe got one of the highest scores weâve ever awarded a water filtration system for its component quality.
This model actually got a slightly better score than the full-size AquaTru countertop system because the purified water collects in a glass carafe, rather than a plastic container, which is a big benefit in our opinion.
Even with BPA-free plastics, thereâs the risk of recontaminating the water with other bisphenols or microplastics, especially with purified RO water, which is âhungryâ due to its lack of impurities and is more likely to leach contaminants from the container itâs stored in.
Storing the water in a glass carafe eliminates this risk as glass doesnât contain any harmful substances that could affect the quality and safety of the purified water.
The system isnât entirely plastic-free, though – the main unit that contains the filters is made from Tritan plastic, which (according to AquaTru) is BPA- and BPS-free.
Design Setbacks
Although we were generally really pleased with the AquaTru Carafe in terms of its design quality and durability, there were still a couple of design setbacks that we think you should be aware of.
First, we had to manually fill the tap water tank and empty the wastewater to keep the system running, and this is because itâs a standalone countertop unit that isnât hooked up to your water line. The systemâs water-holding capacity is smaller, too, which meant it needed refilling more often (around 3-4 times a day) than the full-size system.
Another design setback is that the glass carafe only holds around 0.5 gallons of water, so if you have a big family, youâll have to send multiple batches of water through the system and keep refilling the carafe to get enough purified water to meet your demands.
We were a bit concerned about overflows before we installed the unit, but it has a sensor that shuts off the pump when the purified water holding vessel gets full, even if thereâs still water in the unfiltered water tank. As you use water from the purified tank, it automatically starts filtering and filling back up what’s been used, which is really convenient.
Certification
Score: 10.00
Whether or not a water filter has a design certification also affects its score in this category.
As with a filterâs performance, there are some elements of design quality and safety that we canât be certain of from our own experience using a product, and a design certification provides reassurance in these areas.
The AquaTru Carafe has been certified for materials safety and structural integrity as a component of its IAMPO certifications to NSF Standards 42, 53, and 401. It also holds an NSF 372 certification for lead-free design.
That means the systemâs materials have been tested and verified for their safety, which is as good as we could ask for here.
Filter Materials & Media
There are three filters in the AquaTru Carafe:
- The mechanical pre-filter: This removes sediment that could damage later filter stages. We couldnât find what this filter is made from.
- The VOC activated carbon filter: AC filters are usually made from natural media, like coconut shells or coal.
- The RO membrane: These are typically either cellulose acetate blends or polyamide composites.
These filter media are exactly the same as those used in AquaTruâs full-sized countertop RO system.
And, like with this system, the Carafe can be purchased in an upgraded configuration. The base-level model contains a conventional VOC filter, while the upgraded model (costing an extra $20) contains an Alkaline Mineral Boost VOC filter.
âď¸ Setup
Score: 10.00We had a great experience setting up the AquaTru Carafe. Itâs a plug-and-play system, which means it arrived pre-assembled and we just had to add the filters and plug it in (the system runs off a standard 120-volt power supply).
Before we could get usable purified water, we had to prime the filters by running four batches of water through the system, which was time-consuming but easy. Weâve tested water filters that have to be manually primed using dedicated tools, so the fact that the AquaTru essentially primes the filters for you is a big bonus.
We also washed the carafe before we used it to collect water. This is easily done because it has a removable lid and fits comfortably in a sink.
đ§ Maintenance
Score: 9.75Beyond setup, maintenance is equally important to consider.
Weâve had experiences with water filters that were super simple to install but had complex maintenance requirements that became frustrating in the long term.
But the AquaTru Carafe did well in this category, obtaining high scores for its servicing requirements and maintenance costs.
Servicing Requirements
9.50
On the surface, the AquaTruâs servicing requirements might seem a little annoying.
It has three separate filters to replace, which obviously takes a bit more effort than if youâre servicing a system with just one filter.
Each filter has a different lifespan, ranging from 6 to 24 months, so the frequency of filter changes also varies.
But AquaTru has made servicing as simple as it can be with a control panel on the top of the unit, which features filter indicator lights to let you know when each of the filters needs replacing. We appreciated not having to make our own calendar reminders – we could look at the unit and know at a glance when a filter needed to be replaced.
Itâs worth considering whether the additional maintenance requirements of a multi-stage RO system are personally worth it for you based on the outcomes you want to achieve.
Aside from replacing the filters, we also had the following maintenance tasks to do:
- Wash the unfiltered water tank and glass carafe around once a week
- Clean the outside of the unit with a damp cloth (only when necessary)
AquaTru also recommends flushing the unit with pure water once a week to clean the filters. This isnât mandatory (full disclosure: we didnât do it), but itâll help keep the filters clean and potentially extend their lifespan.
Costs
Score: 10.00
In terms of ongoing maintenance costs, we calculated the AquaTru systemâs cost per gallon to determine its long-term value for money.
The overall cost per gallon for the filters is $0.19/ gallon. The system costs $0.08/gallon more to maintain than the full-size AquaTru Countertop RO system because its pre-filter and VOC filter have shorter lifespans (due to being physically smaller).
Hereâs a breakdown of the cost per gallon for each of the filter stages:
- Classic Pre/Carbon Filter: $0.06/gallon
- Classic VOC Carbon Filter: $0.09/gallon
- Classic Reverse Osmosis Filter: $0.04/gallon
Although itâs more expensive than the full-size model, the AquaTru Carafe is still one of the most affordable-to-maintain systems weâve tested.
Something that weâve learned is that the cheapest systems upfront are rarely the cheapest to maintain, and vice versa. While this AquaTru model costs more to buy than, say, a water filter pitcher, its ongoing maintenance spend is around half the spend of most water filter pitchers weâve reviewed.
đ˘ Company
Score: 8.80
All water filters are an investment, regardless of their price. But since the AquaTru Carafe costs a few hundred dollars, we were particularly keen to find out how it honors its customersâ purchases, and its reliability as a company on the whole.
Warranty
Score: 8.5
AquaTruâs systems are backed by a 1-year limited warranty, which protects against defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months beyond the original purchase date.
The warranty may entitle you to a refund or replacement system, but you will need to cover the shipping and processing fees.
Thereâs an extended 3-year warranty that costs $50. Itâs a shame that this costs extra and isnât the standard warranty for the system given that itâs quite a big investment upfront.
Shipping
Score: 10.00
AquaTruâs shipping offering is excellent: it ships to all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, so it got the highest score from us in this category. Find out more about AquaTruâs shipping here.
Returns
Score: 8.00
All AquaTru customers can take advantage of the companyâs 30-day returns policy, which entitles you to free returns within 30 days of your purchase if you donât like the system for any reason. Note: return shipping fees arenât included and must be paid for by the customer.
Being able to try the system and return it within the trial period takes the risk out of your purchase.
AquaTruâs returns policy can be viewed here.
đ AquaTru Carafe vs AquaTru Classic
We mentioned earlier that weâve had the opportunity to test both the AquaTru Carafe and the full-size AquaTru Countertop RO System.
The units are similar in that they both use the same combination of filters to purify water using reverse osmosis. They also both reduce the same contaminants and both have the same performance and design certifications.
The key differences between these systems are:
- Price: The AquaTru Carafe is around $100 cheaper up front than the comparable AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier. However, the Carafe is costlier to maintain than the full-size system because its filters have shorter lifespans.
- Configurations: The AquaTru Carafe is available in two configurations: the base model and the Alkaline model. The AquaTru Countertop RO system is also available with the alkaline filter but has the choice of two additional configurations: the base model with Wi-Fi connection and the Alkaline model with Wi-Fi connection.
- Size & shape: The AquaTru Carafe is shorter, slimmer, and less bulky than the full-scale Countertop RO system.
- Water-holding capacity: The AquaTru Carafe holds around 0.5 gallons of purified water in the included carafe, while the AquaTru Countertop RO system has a 0.75-gallon purified water capacity.
- Water storage container: The AquaTru Carafe has a glass purified water container, while the AquaTru Countertop systemâs container is made from plastic.
- Water dispensing: The AquaTru Carafe collects purified water in the carafe, which can be stored in your preferred location (either in its slot within the unit or elsewhere; for example, in the fridge). The full-size AquaTru model collects water in a built-in tank which is then dispensed via gravity into your cup or container of choice (this tank can still be removed for storing water in your fridge, but youâll lose the dispensing feature).
The main reason why AquaTru offers the smaller Carafe model is its space-saving design. In terms of performance, youâre pretty much getting the same thing from both systems.
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AWESOME! Thanks for rating and testing the AquaTru Carafe. I purchased on 3 months ago and LOVE it! I’m glad to see that it has a very high rating. This makes me happy! Woohoo! Thanks again Brian.
You’re welcome, thanks for reading! Please share đ