Aquatru Carafe Review (Objective, Hands-On Testing)

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📊 Scoring Data

We wanted to get a good understanding of the AquaTru Carafe’s 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.

CriteriaResults
Overall Score9.57
Health Related Contaminants99
Aesthetic Related Contaminants99
Performance CertificationCertified for 100% of reduction claims
Filtration Rate0.3 GPM
Component QualityExceptional
Component CertificationCertified
SetupExceptional
Servicing RequirementsOutstanding
Costs$0.19/ gallon
Warranty Length1 year
ShippingFree shipping
Returns30 days

🚰 Contaminant Reduction

Score: 9.91

When 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 manufacturer’s 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. 

Good to Know: Tap Score lets you evaluate your test results based on different water quality standards. We measured our testing data against Tap Score’s own HGL (Health Guideline Level), a benchmark that prioritizes human health and is much stricter than the federal MCL.
water testing with tap score

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 lab’s HGL. 

Some of the health effects associated with these impurities include developmental, kidney, immune, liver, gastrointestinal, and carcinogenic effects. 

We’ve highlighted the contaminants detected in our water, and their concentrations, in the next table. 

ContaminantMeasurementPre-FiltrationPost-Filtration% Change
Total THMsÎźg/L2.080-100.00%
ChloroformÎźg/L2.080-100.00%
Chloridemg/L28.50-100.00%
Sulfatemg/L80-100.00%
Nitrate (as N)mg/L4.20-100.00%
Fluoridemg/L0.90-100.00%
Molybdenummg/L0.00190-100.00%
Coppermg/L0.310-100.00%
Bariummg/L0.02280.0024-89.47%
Strontiummg/L0.1350.011-91.85%
Uraniummg/L0.00960-100.00%
Manganesemg/L00.0037#DIV/0!
Carbonatemg/L0.080.00899-88.76%
Sodiummg/L11.21.91-82.95%
Bicarbonatemg/L82.7519.490023-76.45%
Magnesiummg/L7.320.47-93.58%
Calciummg/L30.51.8-94.10%
Total Dissolved Solidsmg/L16414-91.46%
Hardness (Total)mg/L106.966.45-93.97%

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 weren’t 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 we’d expected this outcome. 

Chlorine is a highly volatile contaminant that dissipates quickly, so the testing lab would be unable to get an accurate detection of it in our water. That’s why we tested for this contaminant using a DIY test strip at home, as soon as we’d taken a sample, to get the most accurate results.

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 

We’ve 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 aren’t 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 “flat”. 

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 it’s the same size as the standard VOC filter. 

With Remineralization 

We mentioned that we haven’t 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, we’d 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 filter’s 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 that’s 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.

It’s also one of the only water filtration systems we’ve 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 Carafe’s specific certifications here: 

Reverse osmosis is one of the most thorough water purification methods, and it’s 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. 

ContaminantReduction
Alachor>98%
Atrazine>97%
Benzene>99%
Carbofuran>99.5%
Carbon Tetrachloride98%
Chlorbenzene>99%
Chlorpicrin99%
2,4-d98%
Dibromochloropropane (Dbcp)>99%
O-Dichlorobenzene>99%
P-Dichlorobenzene>98%
1,2-Dichloroethane95%
1,1-Dichloroethylene>99%
Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene>99%
Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene>99%
1,2-Dichloropropane>99%
Cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene>99%
Dinoseb99%
Endrin99%
Ethylbenzene>99%
Ethylene Dibromide (Edb)>99%
Bromochloroacetonitrile98%
Dibromoacetonitrile98%
Dichloroacetonitrile98%
Trichloracetonitrile98%
1,1-Dichloro-2-propane99%
1,1,1-Trichloro-2-propane96%
Heptachlor>99%
Heptachlor Epoxide98%
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-Trichloroethane95%
1,1,2-Trichloroethane>99%
Trichloroethylene>99%
Chloroform (Surrogate Chemical)95%
Bromoform95%
Bromodichloromethane95%
Chlorodibromomethane95%
Xylenes (Total)>99%
Barium96.4%
Hexavalent Chromium97.2%
Trivalent Chromium98.0%
TDS87.1%
Copper95.2%
Cyst99.99%
Fluoride93.5%
Lead99.1%
Radium 226/22896.4%
Selenium98.1%
Chlorine Reduction, Free Available97%
Meprobamate92.9%
Phenytoin95.7%
Atenolol95.7%
Carbamazepine93.3%
TCEP91.4%
TCPP90.5%
DEET93.3%
Metolachlor93.1%
Trimethoprim93.1%
Ibuprofen95.1%
Naproxen96.6%
Estrone96.6%
Bisphenol A99.0%
Linuron86.7%
Nonyl phenol96.7%
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)97.5%
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)97.5%

🚦Filtration Rate

Score: 7.0

Compared to other pressurized systems, the AquaTru Carafe’s 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)

It’s not the best we’ve 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 that’s wasted compared to the volume of water that’s purified, as a ratio.

All reverse osmosis systems waste water – it’s 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 we’ve 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 AquaTru’s.

Because not a lot of water was being wasted, we didn’t 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.

📐 Design

Score: 10.00

The AquaTru Carafe uses the same technology as AquaTru’s Countertop RO System, but in a different design format. 

The unit has a smaller footprint than AquaTru’s 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. 

We’ve tested both AquaTru RO systems, and we noted that the AquaTru Carafe is much better for smaller countertops with limited space because it’s much slimmer. 

But size aside, the concept of the system’s design is the same: there’s 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.

Aquatru carafe clean and dirty water tanks labels

Component Quality

Score: 10.00

The AquaTru Carafe got one of the highest scores we’ve 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, there’s the risk of recontaminating the water with other bisphenols or microplastics, especially with purified RO water, which is “hungry” due to its lack of impurities and is more likely to leach contaminants from the container it’s stored in. 

Storing the water in a glass carafe eliminates this risk as glass doesn’t contain any harmful substances that could affect the quality and safety of the purified water. 

The system isn’t 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 it’s a standalone countertop unit that isn’t hooked up to your water line. The system’s 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, you’ll 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 there’s 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 filter’s performance, there are some elements of design quality and safety that we can’t 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 system’s materials have been tested and verified for their safety, which is as good as we could ask for here.

Aquatru Carafe 3 filter stages

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 couldn’t 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 AquaTru’s 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.

⚙️ Setup

Score: 10.00

We had a great experience setting up the AquaTru Carafe. It’s 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. We’ve 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.

🔧 Maintenance

Score: 9.75

Beyond setup, maintenance is equally important to consider. 

We’ve 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 AquaTru’s servicing requirements might seem a little annoying. 

It has three separate filters to replace, which obviously takes a bit more effort than if you’re 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. 

It’s 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 isn’t mandatory (full disclosure: we didn’t do it), but it’ll help keep the filters clean and potentially extend their lifespan. 

Costs

Score: 10.00

In terms of ongoing maintenance costs, we calculated the AquaTru system’s 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). 

Here’s 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 it’s more expensive than the full-size model, the AquaTru Carafe is still one of the most affordable-to-maintain systems we’ve tested. 

Something that we’ve 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 we’ve reviewed.

🏢 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 customers’ purchases, and its reliability as a company on the whole. 

Warranty

Score: 8.5

AquaTru’s 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.

There’s an extended 3-year warranty that costs $50. It’s a shame that this costs extra and isn’t the standard warranty for the system given that it’s quite a big investment upfront. 

Shipping 

Score: 10.00

AquaTru’s 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 AquaTru’s shipping here. 

Returns

Score: 8.00

All AquaTru customers can take advantage of the company’s 30-day returns policy, which entitles you to free returns within 30 days of your purchase if you don’t like the system for any reason. Note: return shipping fees aren’t 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. 

AquaTru’s returns policy can be viewed here

🆚 AquaTru Carafe vs AquaTru Classic

We mentioned earlier that we’ve 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 system’s 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 you’ll lose the dispensing feature).

The main reason why AquaTru offers the smaller Carafe model is its space-saving design. In terms of performance, you’re pretty much getting the same thing from both systems.

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  • brian headshot
    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.

2 thoughts on “Aquatru Carafe Review (Objective, Hands-On Testing)”

  1. Avatar for Brian Campbell

    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.

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