We’ve tested a selection of the most popular activated carbon water filters on the market to find out which ones actually deliver on their promises. Our testing involved putting each filter through a series of hands-on performance tests, assessing factors like contaminant removal, flow rate, design, and filter lifespan. The top-performing systems in our weighted scoring system are listed in this review.
If you’re looking to reduce chlorine, PFAS, VOCs, disinfection byproducts, pesticides, and/or taste/odor issues, you’ll want to be smart about the activated carbon filter you invest in. The seven systems we’ve featured here stood out for their superior contaminant reduction, build quality and durability for long-term use, and overall value for money.

Clearly Filtered Under Sink

USWS Bodyguard Fluoride Removal Filter

Epic Pure Dispenser
Table of Contents
Our Testing & Selection Process
The 7 Best Activated Carbon Water Filters
Product | ![]() Clearly Filtered Under Sink | ![]() USWS POE Fluoride Fiilter | ![]() Epic Pure Dispenser | Waterdrop King Tank | Clearly Filtered Pitcher | Weddell Duo | USWS POE Cartridge Filter |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Score | 9.18 | 9.14 | 9.05 | 8.95 | 8.78 | 8.71 | 8.58 |
Price | $550.00 | $1,299 | $75.00 | $229+ | $90.00 | $89.99 | $879.00 |
Certifications | NSF 42, 372 | Not Certified | Not Certified | NSF 42, 53 | NSF/ANSI 42 & 53 | NSF 177 | Not Certified |
Filter Capacity | 2,000 gallons | 400,000 gallons | 150 gallons | 3,000 gallons | 100 gallons | 8,000 gallons | 30,000 gallons |
Cost per Gallon | $0.22 | $0.003 | $0.31 | $0.06 | $0.55 | $0.003 | $0.012 |
Warranty | 2 years | Lifetime | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year | Lifetime | Lifetime on housings |
Read Review | Clearly Filtered Under Sink Water Filter Review | US Water Systems Fluoride Removal Filter Review | Epic Pure Review | Waterdrop King Tank Review | Clearly Filtered Review | Weddell Duo Review | US Water Systems POE Cartridge Filter Review |
Clearly Filtered Under Sink System

The Clearly Filtered Under Sink System was the highest-scoring activated carbon water filter we tested, earning its place at the top of this list thanks to its impressive contaminant reduction and excellent build quality. As an under-sink filter, it offers the advantage of filtered water straight from your kitchen faucet—and while it isn’t the most comprehensively certified unit we’ve come across, it does have a WQA certification for chlorine reduction.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $550 |
Contaminants Reduced | 232+ |
Certifications | NSF 42, 53 & 401 |
Process | Carbon + Ion Exchange |
Filter Capacity | 2,000 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$440 |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Why It’s Our Top Pick
Clearly Filtered’s take on a conventional under-sink filtration system earned the highest overall performance score of all the activated carbon systems we tested. It wasn’t the very best-performing filter in terms of contaminant reduction, but its scores in every testing category were generally higher than competitors’ across the board, earning it an overall score of 9.18.
We tested the system with shared, treated well water in Colorado, which contained concentrations of 10 health-related contaminants, including uranium, chloroform, total THMs, copper, fluoride (all of which exceeded the testing lab’s health guideline levels).
The system’s granular activated carbon cartridge effectively removed 100% of the chlorine detected in our water, as well as any associated tastes and odors. The two additional filter cartridges (made from proprietary materials that aren’t disclosed) did the main legwork when it came to reducing the more “challenging” contaminants in our water. Post-filtration, most health-related contaminants in the unfiltered sample had been significantly reduced or removed entirely, with the exception of nitrate, sulfate, and molybdenum, which were reduced slightly.
We also noted that sodium and potassium levels increased post-filtration, while calcium and magnesium levels decreased. This is likely due to the ion exchange resin used in one of the filter stages, which swaps sodium and potassium for other minerals like calcium, magnesium, and uranium.
Certified Performance
Clearly Filtered holds a WQA performance certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 42, for the reduction of chlorine, tastes, and odors. We’d like to see the manufacturer obtain additional certifications for removing health-related contaminants like lead, but the presence of a certification still contributed to its respectable contaminant reduction score of 8.98.
Our Testing Experience
Testing and using the Clearly Filtered Under Sink System was a positive experience. We noted that setup was nice and easy, with a no-fuss two-step installation process that took just under 15 minutes and earned it a 9.50 score in this category.
We measured the system’s flow rate to determine how quickly it could fill a glass. It took 7.47 seconds to fill two cups of water, equating to a flow rate of 1.01 GPM. That means it’ll cut your faucet’s existing flow by around half, but it’ll still give you faster access to water than a gravity filter. This figure was on the higher side of average for an under-sink system, resulting in a score of 9.00.
Maintenance was straightforward and affordable, rounding off the Clearly Filtered system’s high scores with a 9.75 in this category. All three filters have the same lifespan, so you can replace them together without having to track them separately. And with an ongoing cost of around $0.22 per gallon, you’re getting good long-term value for this level of performance.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 9.18 |
Health Related Contaminants | 95 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 99 |
Performance Certification | Certified for <1% of reduction claims |
Filtration Rate | 1.08 GPM |
Component Quality | Outstanding |
Component Certification | Certified |
Setup | Outstanding |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.22/ gallon |
Warranty Length | 2 years |
Shipping | Free shipping, all orders to all states |
Returns | 30 days |
USWS Bodyguard Fluoride Removal Filter

Taking close second spot behind the Clearly Filtered Under Sink system, with a score difference of just 0.4, is the USWS Bodyguard Fluoride Removal Filter. This whole-home tank-based system is predominantly designed to target fluoride, but with its bone char carbon media, it also addresses chlorine, chloramine, and a range of heavy metals. It performed exceptionally well in our testing, with a weighted overall score of 9.14.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $1,299 |
Contaminants Reduced | 12+ |
Certifications | Not Certified |
Process | Bone Char Carbon Filtration |
Filter Capacity | 400,000 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$433 |
Warranty | Lifetime on tank and components; 3 years on filter media |
How It Compared to Clearly Filtered
We tested the Bodyguard Fluoride Filter in a Colorado home on fluoridated city water. Our goal was to see how well this POE system could eliminate fluoride for the whole house, when combined with the USWS Cartridge Filter* (which took the last spot on this list).
In our testing, the filter completely removed fluoride, along with aluminum, copper, molybdenum, potassium, and chloroform and bromodichloromethane (two disinfection byproducts). It also reduced strontium and sulfate by around 50%. Its contaminant reduction score of 9.42 was higher than Clearly Filtered’s, despite the fact that disappointingly, this system isn’t currently certified for contaminant reduction.
If you specifically want to remove fluoride with carbon media, bone char carbon (as used in the Bodyguard Filter) is your best option. Most carbon filters are unable to address fluoride unless they’re combined with additional, separate media, as we saw with Clearly Filtered’s Under Sink model. That’s what makes the Bodyguard Filter unique: it has all the usual properties of a carbon filter with the enhanced ability to greatly reduce or remove fluoride.
Contaminant reduction aside, the Bodyguard Filter is similar to the Clearly Filtered Under-Sink System in that they’re both designed to intercept your waterline. But, as a POE system, the Bodyguard Filter requires a more invasive installation, which pulled its setup score down to 7.00. It took us a couple of hours to install, and if DIY isn’t your strong point, you may want to hire a plumber to install the unit for you.
Performance Notes
The good news is that maintenance for this system is virtually non-existent, contributing to its high score of 9.75 in this category. Replacing the media is only required every 3-5 years, with one of the lowest ongoing maintenance costs we’ve ever calculated at $0.0009 per gallon (that’s around 244 times cheaper than Clearly Filtered!).
Design-wise, we were pleased with the quality of the unit—the fact that it’s tank-based, with a fiberglass gel-coated construction, is always going to be beneficial from a durability standpoint when you compare it to plastic cartridge-based systems. It ticked a lot of boxes in this category, but its lack of a materials safety certification resulted in a design score of 8.40, slightly lower than Clearly Filtered.
Rounding off, there was no room for improvement with the system’s high flow rate, starting at 10 gallons per minute, and it drew with Clearly Filtered here with a top score of 10.00.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 9.14 |
Health Related Contaminants | 9.80 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
Performance Certification | Not Certified |
Filtration Rate | 10 GPM |
Component Quality | Exceptional |
Component Certification | Not Certified |
Setup | Weak |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.003/ gallon |
Warranty Length | Lifetime |
Shipping | Variable |
Returns | 30 days |
Epic Pure Dispenser

The Epic Pure Dispenser edged into fourth place in our scoring system, with an overall weighted score of 9.05. It uses gravity filtration and doesn’t need to be plumbed in. It has a clear plastic design and is suitable for small budgets, costing less than $100 upfront. It’s our top recommended option for folks who want a no-fuss, no-install activated carbon filter that won’t blow your budget.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $75.00 |
Contaminants Reduced | 200+ |
Certifications | Not certified |
Process | Solid Activated Carbon Block |
Filter Capacity | 150 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$150 |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Contaminant Reduction Performance
The Epic Pure Dispenser earned a contaminant reduction score of 9.00, the third-highest we awarded on this list and one of the best results among the gravity-fed systems we’ve tested so far. Our lab testing showed that the filter, which uses “proprietary carbon block technology”. effectively removed chlorine, uranium, copper, and phosphorus. It also greatly reduced other contaminants like molybdenum (57%), barium (41%), fluoride (27%), nitrate (20%), and sulfate (92%).
The Epic Pure dispenser isn’t performance certified, so there’s still room for improvement here—many of the top-performing filters we tested could have scored even higher by offering the reassurance of even just one or two certifications.
Our Hands-On Testing
Setup is one of the biggest benefits of the Epic Pure Dispenser. It achieved a 9.50, one of the highest scores we awarded in this category, taking us less than 10 minutes to assemble and prepare for use. There’s none of the time-consuming filter priming that we experienced with Waterdrop—you just have to filter and discard the first batch of water.
Maintenance is similarly no-nonsense, with replacement filters costing around $0.31 per gallon, helping it achieve a 9.50 score.
The speed of filtration was comparatively lower with this model compared to Waterdrop’s, with a recorded flow rate of 2.23 gallons per hour. That’s still pretty great, especially as Epic uses just a single filter, and it scored a 10.00 in this testing category as a result.
Design was our only pain point with this system. The entire unit is made from plastic, and we noted that it feels less durable than the stainless steel alternatives (and even many of the sturdier plastic models we tested). It’s also not certified for materials safety, contributing to its lower score of 7.50.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 9.05 |
Health Related Contaminants | 9.30 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
Performance Certification | Not Certified |
Filtration Rate | 2.23 GPH |
Component Quality | Good |
Component Certification | Not certified |
Setup | Outstanding |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.31/gallon |
Warranty Length | Lifetime |
Shipping | Free shipping for the Clean Water Club only |
Returns | Lifetime |
Waterdrop King Tank
The Waterdrop King Tank is our top pick for anyone looking for a gravity-fed, countertop filtration system that uses activated carbon filtration. Unlike the Clearly Filtered and USWS models, this Waterdrop offering is a standalone unit, so you can get it assembled and ready to use with absolutely no plumbing required. It ranked third overall, with a weighted score of 9.10 and the highest contaminant reduction score of all the filters on this list.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $229+ |
Contaminants Removed | 10+ |
Certifications | NSF/ANSI 372 |
Process | Carbon + Ion Exchange |
Filter Capacity | 3,000 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$60 |
Warranty | 1 year |
Performance Overview
The Waterdrop King Tank delivered the most impressive contaminant reduction results of all the activated carbon filters on this list, earning it the highest score of 9.51 even with no performance certifications. It addressed most of our water quality issues, removing 100% of lead, chlorine, aluminum, chloroform, manganese, and fluoride (with the optional fluoride filters installed). It also greatly reduced copper, and barium and sulfate were reduced by around 30-40%.
Our filtered water had no lingering chlorine or chemical tastes, likely a direct result of filtration in the main black elements, which consist of coconut shell activated carbon block and PP cotton, as well as the fluoride filters, which contain activated carbon along with an undisclosed resin (likely ion exchange).
Ease of Setup, Use, & Maintenance
As a gravity-fed countertop unit, the Waterdrop King Tank delivers a unique experience when we compare it to plumbed-in units like the USWS and Clearly Filtered systems. Naturally, it has a slower flow rate because it solely relies on gravity to filter water. That said, it clocked in at 4 GPH (gallons per hour), making it one of the faster gravity filters we’ve tested and earning it a perfect score of 10.00.
If you hate DIY, you should find this Waterdrop system easier to set up thanks to its no-install design, but its setup score of 6.50 was actually the lowest we awarded by far for any of the filters in this guide.
This came down to the tedious filter priming process—it took us over an hour to prime all 4 filters, plus 20 minutes to set up the body of the unit. We’ve had a better setup experience with similar stainless steel gravity systems that don’t require filter priming, but the King Tank made this list because it’s the highest-scoring system of this kind that uses activated carbon filtration.
Design-wise, the King Tank redeemed itself with a score of 9.40, one of the highest we awarded on this list. It has a mostly stainless steel construction, including a glass sight spigot, which many of its competitors charge extra for. Plus, its ongoing cost is low at just $0.06/gallon, although the slightly lower 8.50 maintenance score is due to the same tedious priming process that’s required for the replacement filters.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 8.95 |
Health Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
Performance Certification | Not Certified |
Filtration Rate | 4 GPH |
Component Quality | Failing |
Component Certification | Exceptional |
Setup | Failing |
Servicing Requirements | Weak |
Costs | $0.06/ gallon |
Warranty Length | 1 year |
Shipping | Free shipping to lower 48 states |
Returns | 30 days |
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
If you want the convenience of a water filter pitcher combined with better contaminant reduction than most entry-level carbon filters, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Pitcher. The second Clearly Filtered offering to make this list, it’s the best-performing carbon-based water filter pitcher we tested. Plus, it’s performance certified to reduce three contaminants (finally, another certification!), with a respectable overall score of 8.78.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $90.00 |
Contaminants Reduced | 365+ |
Certifications or Testing | NSF 42, 53 |
Holding Capacity | 10 Cups |
Filter Lifespan | 100 gallons |
Approx. Annual Cost | $150 |
Warranty | 2 years |
Why We Like It
Clearly Filtered’s pitcher earned its spot as the best pitcher on our list and the fifth-best activated carbon water filter overall. It’s been independently tested to reduce over 360 contaminants, and in our own testing, it eliminated 100% of fluoride and uranium (both detected above the lab’s health guideline levels), as well as chlorine and copper. It also greatly reduced contaminants including barium, strontium, and molybdenum—which, combined with its WQA certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 and Standard 5, for chlorine and PFOA/PFOS reduction, earned it a contaminant reduction score of 8.24.
Why wasn’t the score higher? The main reason was that trace amounts of cobalt were detected in our filtered water, although we suspect that this was a testing anomaly and not an issue with the filter itself.
Our Firsthand Performance Data
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is one of the best-designed pitchers we’ve tested, with a top design score of 9.70.
Yes, it does use plastic, but it’s about as good as plastic gets, with a BPA-free Tritan construction that feels durable and has WQA certifications for materials safety and lead-free design. Its simple design made setup quick and easy, and while you do have to prime the filter, the included priming bag simplifies the process, and we awarded it a setup score of 9.50.
Our calculated filtration speed of 2.27 GPH is only moderately faster than the Epic dispenser, earning it the same high score of 10.00, and the 100-gallon filter lifespan (more than twice the industry average) is another unique benefit of this system. That said, we did find that replacement filters are a bit more expensive than competitors, and the pitcher’s maintenance cost of around $0.55 per gallon contributed to its slightly lower maintenance score of 8.75.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Health Related Contaminants | 83 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 99 |
Performance Certification | Certified for 0.82% of reduction claims |
Filtration Rate | 2.27 GPH |
Component Quality | Outstanding |
Component Certification | Certified |
Setup | Outstanding |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.55/ gallon |
Warranty Length | 2 years |
Shipping | Free shipping all orders |
Returns | 30 days |
Weddell Duo
We’ve covered a lot of options for drinking water filtration so far, but if you’re exclusively looking to filter the water you wash in, we recommend the Weddell Duo as the best carbon-based shower filter we tested. It’s the only shower filter to remove disinfection byproducts from our water, in addition to eliminating chlorine, with an NSF certification to prove it. It earned a score of 8.73 overall, putting it in sixth place on this list.
Best For
Product Specs
Price | $89.99 |
Contaminants Reduced | 5+ |
Certifications | NSF 177 |
Process | Solid Activated Carbon Block |
Filter Capacity | 8,000 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$25 |
Warranty | Lifetime |
Contaminant Reduction Notes
The Weddell Duo is one of the few shower filters you’ll find that offers contaminant reduction beyond just chlorine removal, and this is primarily because it’s the only shower filter we’ve tested so far that uses a solid carbon block filter rather than granulated activated carbon (GAC). Because carbon block filters are made of solid, compressed carbon, they have a higher surface area and smaller pore size, allowing for better filtration.
In our testing, the Duo removed 100% of chlorine and completely eliminated all four disinfection byproducts detected in the unfiltered water: chloroform, bromidichloromethane, bromochloromethane, and dibromochloromethane. Note that we only assessed its ability to reduce contaminants that could be harmful in shower water, not those that only have known health effects when ingested.
We awarded the Duo a score of 8.43 for contaminant reduction; a result of its impressive contaminant reduction and NSF certification to Standard 177 to support its chlorine reduction claims.
Performance Highlights
As with most shower filters, the Duo is quick and easy to install. We just screwed it onto the shower arm and flushed it for three minutes, a simple process that earned a high setup score of 9.00. The two filters (one on each side of the unit) are easy to change without having to remove your showerhead, contributing to its near-perfect maintenance score of 9.75. Filters last around 6 months, and at just $0.003 per gallon, ongoing costs are nice and low.
Weddell’s shower filter also received a 7.80 design score, one of the highest we awarded to any shower filter we reviewed, thanks to its dual-filter horizontal design that prevented our shower head from being extended too far down (a common issue with similar filters).
Speed of filtration was the only drawback in our tests, with our calculated flow rate of 1.43 GPM on the slower end for a shower filter, likely due to the dual-filter design. That said, it’s still a good measurement, earning the filter a score of 10.00 in this category.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Health Related Contaminants | 84 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 99 |
Performance Certification | Certified for 20% of reduction claims |
Filtration Rate | 1.43 GPM |
Component Quality | Excellent |
Component Certification | Not certified |
Setup | Excellent |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.003/ gallon |
Warranty Length | Lifetime |
Shipping | Free shipping for lower 48 US states |
Returns | 30 days, minus 10% restock fee |
USWS POE Cartridge Filter
The US Water Systems Cartridge Filter rounds off this review as the best cartridge-based whole home system that uses activated carbon media. It received an overall weighted score of 8.58, impressing us particularly with its fast flow rate, ease of maintenance, and comprehensive contaminant reduction (with room for improvement—see our lab testing data for more info).
Product Specs
Price | $879.00 |
Contaminants Reduced | 200+ |
Certifications | – Not Certified |
Process | Activated Carbon (PAC or Catalytic) + Nano Alumina Fibers (Interceptor) |
Filter Capacity | 30,000 gallons |
Annual Cost | ~$150–$400 |
Warranty | Lifetime on housings; filter cartridges not included |
Our Lab Testing
In our research, we were drawn to the USWS Cartridge Filter because it’s not your typical, basic carbon-based whole home filtration system. It combines a radial flow carbon filter with a sediment filter and a third filter containing nano alumina fibers, allowing for the reduction of additional contaminants aside from those addressed by the carbon media, including lead.
Our test results confirmed these additional capabilities: chloroform and bromodichloromethane were reduced by around 40-70%, and chlorine was eliminated. Other contaminants, including fluoride, sulfate, molybdenum, barium, and strontium, were reduced to varying extents. This performance, combined with the filter’s lack of any certifications, resulted in a contaminant reduction score of 8.31.
We were a little disappointed by the carbon filter’s inability to eliminate disinfection byproducts, which led us to reconfigure the initial setup, adding an extra carbon block stage to increase empty bed contact time—essentially giving contaminants more time to interact with the media. We then tested again, comparing the results to the filtered water from test 1, and this time, both disinfection byproducts were removed completely.
Flow Rate, Design, Setup, & Maintenance
High-flow systems are essential for POE installation, and the USWS Cartridge Filter doesn’t disappoint here. It has a recorded flow rate of up to 25 GPM, making it suitable even for larger households and awarding it a top score of 10.00.
Sticking with the positives, maintenance is another high-scoring category for this system—it received a 9.75 score, thanks to its easy-replace cartridge filters and low ongoing spend of $0.12/ gallon. The system’s sturdy polypropylene design also impressed us, although its lack of any materials safety or lead-free design certifications pulled its score down to 8.40 in this category.
Installation was the only real setback with this system. It received a 7.50 setup score, only slightly higher than the Bodyguard Filter, due to the challenging nature of plumbing it into the main water line. That said, the process was as quick and easy as it could have been, with just two connections and no filter flushing or priming required. The process took 45 minutes, which isn’t bad, but you may need to hire a plumber for the job if you’re not a DIY person.
Criteria | Results |
---|---|
Overall Score | 8.58 |
Health Related Contaminants | 8.50 |
Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
Performance Certification | Not Certified |
Filtration Rate | 25 GPM |
Component Quality | Exceptional |
Component Certification | Unsatisfactory |
Setup | Below Average |
Servicing Requirements | Outstanding |
Costs | $0.012/ gallon |
Warranty Length | Lifetime on housings |
Shipping | Variable |
Returns | 60-days |