Important Update:
A representative of Aquagear contacted me on July 14, 2021 to inform me of some changes to the Aquagear filter. Those changes have resulted in some additions to the list of contaminants it can reduce, namely PFOA, PFOS, microplastics, trace pharmaceuticals, and some new kinds of herbicides and pesticides.
Unfortunately, the Aquagear no longer removes fluoride, chromium-6, chloramine, arsenic, thallium, nitrate, or nitrite.
More...
I don't have any information about exactly how the filter was altered or why it no longer removes those substances. This is disappointing news, especially for those of us concerned about consuming fluoride in our drinking water.
This isn't to say that it's no good anymore. It's still beneficial for removing many harmful toxins and for making water taste better. You'll just need to pay close attention to which specific contaminants it reduces. If it gets rid of the ones you're most concerned about, then it's worth your consideration.
I've revised the original review below to reflect these changes, and I hope you find it helpful.
Click here to check the price at the Aquagear website. (Use code SAFEHEALTHYHOME at checkout for a 10% discount.)
Prefer to shop at Amazon? Click here to check the price and availability.
If you're crunched for time, you can click on a specific question in the quick navigation below, or scroll down to read the whole review.
What are the key features of the Aquagear water filter pitcher?
Impressive Filtration Power
The Aquagear pitcher uses a single filter composed of activated carbon from coconut shells and ion exchange materials.
It not only makes water taste great, but it also

Aquagear filter element
reduces a huge array of contaminants, including chlorine, VOCs, lead, and microplastics.
Further down you can read more specifics about what it removes from your drinking water.
Ease of Use
There's nothing complicated about this filter system.
First, you flush the filter element with water using the attachment that comes with it. Then you screw the filter onto the bottom of the reservoir, place the reservoir in the pitcher, and fill it up with tap water.
On top of the lid, there's a hole with a flap that allows you to fill the reservoir without taking off the lid. This is a nice feature that saves time and prevents spills.

The water passes through the filter, and within minutes, you've got a pitcher full of clean fresh-tasting water.
It took 4-1/2 minutes to completely filter the full 8 cups when I timed it.
Eco-friendly Design
You don't have to worry about the pitcher itself contaminating your water.
It's made of BPA-free, FDA-approved food grade plastic, and it's 100% recyclable.
You can also send your used filters in to Aquagear to be recycled. There's a return mailing bag included with each new filter, and they'll provide you with a postage-paid return label. You just have to email them to request the label.
What are the pros and cons?
Here's what people like and dislike most about the Aquagear:
Aquagear Pros and Cons
What People Like
Don't Like So Much
Overall, my experience using the Aquagear has been great. I haven't had any problems with it leaking or with the spout flap getting stuck.
I'm pleased with how quickly it filters and with the clean fresh taste of the water.
In fact, I took it along to the beach, where the tap water smells and tastes like a combination of chlorine and swamp water. The Aquagear completely took that away. It was like drinking spring water!
Some online reviewers have said that the filter starts out fast, but then it slows down after a few weeks. That hasn't been my experience, but it does happen to some people for various reasons. If that happened to me, I'd contact customer support. I hear they're responsive and helpful.
What contaminants does Aquagear reduce?
Aquagear does a great job of reducing or eliminating many of the most common (and dangerous) contaminants found in drinking water.
Here's a partial list of what the filter works on:
- Chlorine - 96.5%
- Lead - 99.4%
- Mercury - 95.0%
- Trihalomethanes - 99.9%
- Benzene - 98.9%
- Chloroform - 99.7%
- PFOA - 99.9%
- PFOS - 99.9%
- Microplastics - 99.9%
- Atrazine - 99.9%
This filter has been tested by independent labs for more than 15 years to NSF Standards 42 & 53. That means you can be confident that it performs as advertised.
You can read the complete lab test results at the manufacturer's website.
What does the Aquagear filter NOT remove?
Now, this is important.
Like most pitcher type water filters, Aquagear is intended to be used only with treated water. That means either a public water supply or well water that has been disinfected.
That's because the type of filter it uses does not eliminate microbiological contaminants like bacteria and viruses.
If you want a filter that does remove them, you'll need something else, like a reverse osmosis system, gravity filter, or a distiller.
It also doesn't remove healthy minerals from your water - but that's a good thing!
How long do the filters last?
Each filter is good for 120 gallons, or about 6 months. This can vary based on the quality of your water, though.
The filter absorbs contaminants as the water passes through, and eventually it gets to the point where it can't absorb any more. When the flow slows down to a trickle, you'll know it time to switch out the filter for a new one.
If it seems like the filter is slowing down before it should, you can try flushing the filter again. Sometimes that helps to restore the flow.
How much does it hold?
The box it comes in says that it holds 8 cups (1/2 gallon), but it actually holds a little more than that.
I put 9 cups of water into it, and you can see that the level in the pitcher was still below the maximum fill line, which is the bottom of the reservoir.

Be careful not to overfill it, though, or it might overflow. You also want to wait until it's done filtering before you pour any out, to avoid spilling out unfiltered water.
What comes in the box?
Here's what you get:
- Pitcher with reservoir and lid
- One filter sealed in plastic filter recycling bag
- Filter flushing assembly
- Instructions and information/help guide
How does Aquagear compare to other pitcher filters?
The Aquagear filter is better than most in terms of contaminant reduction, filter life, and overall design.
Please see my review of the best water filter pitchers to see exactly how it matches up with ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, Pur, and other popular brands.
Where can I get a good price on the Aquagear system and replacement filters?
Aquagear products are only sold online at this time. And from what I've seen, they're only available at a few places.
I would recommend buying directly from Aquagear.
Why?
Because when you do, you can also get a 20% discount on replacement filters through their filter subscription service. This is only available at the manufacturer website.
And, last I checked, they have free shipping, and they accept major credit cards plus PayPal.
You can also check the price and availability at Amazon.
What kind of warranty does it have?
Aquagear offers an amazing Lifetime Guarantee on their pitcher. If it breaks or has some sort of defect at any time, they'll exchange either the bad part or the whole thing.
This guarantee is way better than any other pitcher that I've seen!
You can also try it for 30 days risk free, if you buy it directly from Aquagear. You can return it for any reason, and they'll give you a full refund, including return postage.
Summary
Drinking water that's free of contaminants is important for your health. Unfortunately, most tap water these days doesn't fit the bill. The good news is that you can do something about it.
The Aquagear water filter pitcher is a great solution (with the caveat that you should only use treated water in it).
It's highly effective for reducing contaminants, it's durable, and it's affordable. And Aquagear stands behind their product with a lifetime guarantee and no questions asked 30 day return policy. No risk!
You can get one for yourself today. Just click here to go to Aquagear. Be sure to use code SAFEHEALTHYHOME for a 10% discount.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free pitcher filter in return for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the manufacturer and/or its affiliates, in any way.
Last Updated on July 2, 2023
I have an HM Digital water tester. My Aquagear water tests higher than mt tap water…over 550 ppm. I am canceling.
I bought the Aguagear pitcher and the water tasted the same as tap water. I changed the filter and it was no different. Clearly Filtered water pitcher did a better job. I was refunded for my Aguagear pitcher and would never buy it again.
Hi, Maria! I’m sorry you had problems with the Aquagear. Mine has always performed well. I wonder what was wrong with it. Glad you’re happy with the Clearly Filtered.
Hi Marge – thanks for the review. I went to buy this on Amazon via a click on your site and it is no longer available. It looks like it has not been on Amazon since the end of the July. I contacted the company (because I have a Amazon coupon) and they said they are no longer selling on Amazon. Do you have any other recommendations for fluoride removing water pitchers on Amazon?
Clearly Filtered, Alexapure, Propur, and ZeroWater all remove fluoride and were all available at Amazon last time I checked. They’re all included in my review of the best water filter pitchers, which you can read here.
Hi Marge. Thank you for the great overview. The only information I couldn’t seethe test results of the filtered water. Has somebody checked it to be sure it is really working?
Hi, Natalya! There’s a link to the test results in the article, or just click here. You have to scroll down a little bit to see the links to the reports.
Hi Marge,
I cannot find aquagearon the NSF website. Are they certified? http://info.nsf.org/Certified/dwtu/listings.asp?CompanyName=aqua&submit1=Search+by+Manufacturer&Program=DWTU
Hi, Nathalie! As far as I know, Aquagear is not NSF certified. NSF certification is totally voluntary, and it is expensive to have done. But, it has been tested by an independent lab to NSF standards.
I enjoyed your post. Is the discount code still valid? I just tried it but could not get it to work.
Hi, ES! No, unfortunately, Aquagear discontinued their coupon code program in August. I did remove the code from the post, so it must be floating around out there somewhere. But it’s not valid.
do I need to refrigerate my aqua gear with my water in it, I have always just left it on the counter.
Hi, Lori! No, there’s no need to refrigerate it.
The aquagear pitcher doesn’t say anything about Alkaline. Does or does it not?
Hi, Carlos! This is not an alkaline pitcher. It doesn’t add minerals to the water, but it doesn’t remove them, either.
Just a note: 2/22/19 I used the coupon code thesafehealthyhome15, and it worked perfectly. Thanks.
same 🙁
Discount – code promo
thesafehealthyhome15
Unable to find a valid discount matching the code entered
Hmm, I don’t know what to tell you, Miguel. It’s still working for me, and I checked and found that someone else made a purchase and used the code just a little while ago. Maybe you could call Aquagear. The number on their website is 1 (888) 326-0397.
A reader named Caroline was kind enough to send me a private message with a solution to this problem. I’m just going to copy and paste what she said.
So, if you’re having trouble using the code, try this:
And it looks like the coupon code will only work for the pitcher, NOT the filter subscription. That’s because you’re already getting a 20% discount on the filters when you subscribe.
Is the code still valid? It didn’t work for me. Thanks!
Hi Lizzy! Yes it is still valid. I just tested it. Make sure you’re typing it in correctly or just copy and paste: thesafehealthyhome15
Coupon code does not work – “Unable to find a valid discount matching the code entered.”
I just tested the code, and it does work. Make sure you’re entering it exactly, or just copy and paste: thesafehealthyhome15
Oh, ok, sorry. I could have sworn I saw two different types of filters on the aquagear site. To me the bigger one looks exactly like the standard seychelle. Wish I knew for sure, would save me some bucks. I’ll see if anyone from aquagear will answer. Haven’t had best of luck with email support so may try calling. Thanks.
Do you happen to know if the aquagear filters, the little ones, will fit a seychelle pitcher for the same kind? They look exactly alike. cheaper to just get the filters. Wanted to try aquagear and compare to seychelle results.
Are you talking about the single filter as shown in this post? If so, I have seen some discussion that the Aquagear filter is interchangeable with the Seychelle 1-40401-W. I can’t guarantee it, since I haven’t tried it myself. You might want to contact Aquagear and ask them. Sorry I can’t give you a definite answer.
No, I meant the two little ones that Seychelle now offers. I have the Seychelle pitcher already. I guess I’ll have to order Aquagear first to know for sure. Thanks.
The Aquagear uses a single large filter, not two little ones. Maybe you’re thinking of the Alexapure pitcher? That one uses two small filters.