The Bottom Line
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is the best budget water filter for families who can't justify $475 on an AquaTru but still want meaningful protection against the contaminants that actually matter: PFAS, lead, fluoride, and hundreds of others. It uses a proprietary technology called Affinity Filtration that targets specific contaminants at the molecular level — and it holds NSF certifications to prove it works.
It's not perfect. It's slower than a Brita, the filters need replacing every 3–4 months, and the per-gallon cost is higher than reverse osmosis. But at $60–70 upfront, it puts legitimately safe drinking water within reach for any family.
If you've been putting off buying a real water filter because the good ones are too expensive, this is the one to get. $60–70 is less than a month of bottled water for most families.
What Is It
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is a 10-cup (80 oz) gravity-fed water filter pitcher. You pour tap water into the top reservoir, it passes through the filter using gravity alone — no electricity, no plumbing, no installation. The filtered water collects in the lower reservoir ready to pour.
What makes it different from a Brita or PUR is the filter technology. Standard pitcher filters use basic activated carbon, which improves taste and reduces chlorine but does almost nothing for the contaminants that actually affect health. The Clearly Filtered pitcher uses Affinity Filtration Technology — a multi-stage process designed to target specific contaminants by molecular charge and size. It's the difference between a screen door and a net with 365+ specifically shaped holes.
What It Removes
Clearly Filtered claims 365+ contaminants removed, and they publish their full test data. Here are the ones that matter most for families:
- PFAS/PFOA/PFOS (forever chemicals)
- Lead (up to 99.5%)
- Fluoride
- Chlorine & chloramine
- Arsenic
- Chromium-6
- HAA5 & TTHMs (disinfection byproducts)
- Microplastics, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals
One thing I appreciate: unlike reverse osmosis systems, the Clearly Filtered pitcher does not strip out beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. You get the bad stuff removed and the good stuff left in.
Certifications
Certifications matter because anyone can print "removes 99% of contaminants" on a box. NSF certification means an independent lab actually tested and verified those claims. Here's what the Clearly Filtered pitcher holds:
- NSF 42 — Aesthetic effects (taste, odor, chlorine)
- NSF 53 — Health-related contaminants (lead, cysts, VOCs)
- NSF 401 — Emerging contaminants (pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides)
- NSF 473 — PFAS/PFOA (forever chemicals)
Four NSF certifications for a $60–70 pitcher is exceptional. Most competitor pitchers have one or two at best. Brita's standard pitcher only meets NSF 42 (taste). The main certification the Clearly Filtered pitcher doesn't have is NSF 58 (reverse osmosis) — because it's not an RO system. That's the trade-off for the lower price.
Cost Breakdown
The upfront cost is the whole point. Let's break down the real numbers.
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher (includes 1 filter) | $60–70 | One-time |
| Replacement filter (single) | $42–55 | Every 100 gallons (~3–4 months) |
| Replacement filter (3-pack) | $119 | ~$40 each |
| Annual filter cost | ~$120–165/year | Ongoing |
| Cost per gallon | ~$0.40–0.55 | vs $1.50–$3.00 bottled |
The per-gallon cost is higher than the AquaTru ($0.12/gallon), which is the main long-term trade-off. But the upfront cost is $380+ cheaper. For a family watching their budget, $60–70 now versus $475 now is a real difference — even if the AquaTru saves more over years. And both are dramatically cheaper than bottled water.
What We Like
- $60–70 upfront — the most effective budget water filter available
- 365+ contaminants removed, including PFAS, lead, and fluoride
- Four NSF certifications (42, 53, 401, 473) — rare for a pitcher
- Keeps beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium) unlike RO
- Zero installation, no electricity, no plumbing
- BPA/BPS-free construction
- 10-cup capacity fits in the fridge
- Autoship subscription saves 10% on replacements
What Could Be Better
- Slow filtration — gravity-fed means 15–20 minutes to fill the pitcher
- 100-gallon filter life means replacing every 3–4 months ($40–55 each)
- Higher cost per gallon than AquaTru RO ($0.40–0.55 vs $0.12)
- No NSF 58 (RO) certification — not as thorough as reverse osmosis
- 10-cup capacity may not keep up with large families
- Occasional reports of slow flow rate as filter ages
How It Compares
I've tested or researched every major water filter on the market. Here's how the Clearly Filtered pitcher stacks up.
Clearly Filtered vs Brita
Brita's standard filter meets NSF 42 only — it reduces chlorine taste and odor. It does not remove PFAS, lead, fluoride, or microplastics. The Clearly Filtered pitcher meets NSF 42, 53, 401, and 473, and removes 365+ contaminants versus Brita's handful. The price difference is about $40 — a small premium for dramatically better filtration. If you're currently using a Brita thinking your water is "filtered," it's time to upgrade.
Clearly Filtered vs AquaTru
The AquaTru is the better system — reverse osmosis is more thorough than any pitcher filter, and it holds five NSF certifications including NSF 58 (RO). But it costs $475. The Clearly Filtered pitcher gives you four NSF certifications and 365+ contaminant removal for $60–70. If you can afford the AquaTru, buy it. If not, the Clearly Filtered is not a consolation prize — it's a genuinely effective filter that removes the most dangerous contaminants.
Clearly Filtered vs PUR
PUR is a step up from Brita — it holds NSF 42 and 53 certifications, which means it removes some lead and VOCs in addition to chlorine taste. But PUR does not have NSF 401 or 473, which means no certified PFAS removal and no certified pharmaceutical removal. The Clearly Filtered pitcher covers all four standards. For families concerned about PFAS (and you should be), the Clearly Filtered is the clear winner among pitchers.
Clearly Filtered vs Berkey
Berkey was ordered by the EPA to stop selling in December 2023 due to unsubstantiated filtration claims and lack of NSF certification. Berkey never obtained any NSF certifications. The Clearly Filtered pitcher has four. This comparison is over. Read the full Berkey story here.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Clearly Filtered if...
- You want real contaminant removal but $475 for the AquaTru is too much right now
- You're currently using a Brita or PUR and want actual PFAS and lead protection
- You're renting and need something portable — no installation, no plumbing
- Your water quality report shows PFAS, lead, or fluoride concerns (check at thoughtfulmom.com/tools/water-quality)
- You want filtered water that keeps beneficial minerals
Skip the Clearly Filtered if...
- You can afford the AquaTru ($475) — reverse osmosis is more thorough and cheaper per gallon long-term
- You have a large family (5+) that drinks a lot of water — the 10-cup pitcher and 100-gallon filter life may not keep up
- You own your home and want a permanent solution — an under-sink RO system may be a better investment
My Verdict: 8.4 out of 10
The Clearly Filtered pitcher is the water filter I recommend to anyone who says "I know I should filter my water but I can't afford the AquaTru." At $60–70, it removes the contaminants that actually matter — PFAS, lead, fluoride, arsenic, pharmaceuticals — with four NSF certifications to prove it.
It's not as thorough as reverse osmosis. The filters cost more per gallon. It's slower. But it's $380 cheaper to start, and it's incomparably better than the Brita or PUR that's probably sitting in your fridge right now doing almost nothing.
If you can save up for the AquaTru, do that. If you need protection now and $60–70 is what you have, the Clearly Filtered pitcher is not a compromise — it's a smart decision.
$60–70 and your family stops drinking PFAS. That's not a hard call.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially if you can't afford a $400+ reverse osmosis system. The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, and fluoride — far more than Brita or PUR. At $60–70 upfront, it's the most effective budget water filter available. The trade-off is slower filtration and higher cost per gallon compared to RO systems.
Each Clearly Filtered pitcher filter lasts approximately 100 gallons, which works out to about 3–4 months for an average family. Replacement filters cost $42–55 depending on whether you buy singles or multi-packs. The Autoship subscription saves 10% on replacements.
Yes. Clearly Filtered is one of the few pitchers certified to remove fluoride. Most standard pitchers like Brita and PUR do not remove fluoride at all. Clearly Filtered uses its proprietary Affinity Filtration Technology to target fluoride along with 365+ other contaminants.
The AquaTru is the more thorough system — it uses reverse osmosis technology and is NSF-certified for 84 contaminants with five NSF standards including NSF 58 (RO). However, it costs $475. If your budget allows it, the AquaTru is the better long-term investment. If not, the Clearly Filtered pitcher at $60–70 removes 365+ contaminants and is a genuinely effective solution. Both are significantly better than Brita or PUR.