What the “right system” means for your home
Choosing the right system isn’t about finding the most advanced option, it’s about finding the one that fits your home and your goals. Every household uses water differently, and the best choice depends on how and where you want that water filtered. Start by thinking through three key decision points that will help narrow your options.
1. Where do you want filtered water?
First, consider where filtration matters most in your daily routine. If you want filtered water from every tap, shower, and appliance, a whole house system is designed to treat water at the point it enters your home. If your focus is on specific areas like your kitchen sink or shower, a point-of-use system such as an under sink, countertop, or shower filter may be a better fit.
2. What do you want to reduce?
Next, think about what contaminants you want to reduce in your water. Whole house and shower filters are often chosen to target chlorine across larger volumes of water, while under sink and countertop systems are designed to reduce a broader range of contaminants such as lead, PFAS, and microplastics. If hard water is your primary concern, a water softener or conditioner is the more appropriate solution.
3. What are your personal preferences?
Finally, your personal preferences play an important role in choosing the right system. Consider how often you’re comfortable replacing filters, whether maintaining a higher flow rate is a priority, and if installation flexibility matters to you. Details like portability, maintenance complexity, or whole home coverage can help guide you toward the option that feels right for your space and lifestyle.
Choosing between Aquasana system types
Use the comparison table below to identify the system category that best aligns with your goals, so you can narrow your options before selecting a specific model.
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Aquasana Whole House Filters
Here’s how our whole house systems compare at a glance:
Rhino® Whole House Filter
The Rhino® Whole House Filter is our base whole house filtration system, rated for up to 1,000,000 gallons or 10 years with a 7.0 GPM flow rate designed for everyday household use. It focuses on chlorine reduction, reducing up to 97% of chlorine at the point where water enters your home.
Rhino® Max Flow
Rhino® Max Flow is the high-flow version of the Rhino system, rated at 14.0 GPM to better support larger or busier households. It maintains the same 1,000,000 gallon or up to 10-year capacity, delivering long-life filtration while prioritizing higher peak water demand.
OptimH2O® Whole House
OptimH2O® is designed for shoppers seeking maximum contaminant reduction throughout the home. The system is IAPMO tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 (includes P473) for the reduction of 99% of lead and cysts, 98% of PFOA/PFOS, and 90% of chlorine and chloramines.
Rhino® Well Water with UV
Rhino® Well Water with UV is our whole house filtration system built specifically for private well water. It pairs filtration with UV technology that sterilizes 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, along with 99% of cysts and is rated for 500,000 gallons or up to 5 years.
Aquasana Under Sink Filters
Below is a side-by-side comparison of our under sink systems to help you find the right fit for your needs:
Claryum® 2-Stage
Claryum® 2-Stage is the base under sink system, rated at 0.5 GPM with a 500 gallon capacity or up to 6 months of filter life. It reduces 78 contaminants, including chlorine, lead, PFAS, and microplastics, and is WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401.
Claryum® 3-Stage
Claryum® 3-Stage offers higher capacity at 600 gallons or up to 6 months of filter life, with a 0.5 GPM rated flow rate and an added pre-filter to address sediment and rust. It offers the same contaminant reduction and certifications as the Claryum® 2-Stage, but with a higher capacity and sediment pre-filter that helps prolong the system’s life.
Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow
Claryum® 3-Stage Max Flow is an upgraded version of the Claryum® 3-Stage that offers a higher flow rate (0.72 GPM) and a larger 800 gallon capacity.
Claryum® Direct Connect
Claryum® Direct Connect connects directly to your existing cold water line with no dedicated faucet required and delivers a 1.5 GPM rated flow rate with 784 gallons or up to 6 months of filter life. It’s ideal for renters, or homeowners who don’t want to deal with adding a separate faucet for filtered water.
SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis
SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis is our most powerful water filter, rated at 0.8 GPM and certified to reduce up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants, including fluoride. It’s WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473), 58, 401, and CSA B483.1. In addition to comprehensive protection against contaminants, it also features a remineralizer to help restore healthy minerals that are often lost during the reverse osmosis process.
Aquasana Countertop Filters
Here’s an overview of our countertop filters to help you decide if it’s right for your needs:
Clean Water Machine
Clean Water Machine is our easiest system to setup and use. Simply plug it in, flush the filter, and you’re ready to dispense filtered water with the touch of a button — no plumbing required. It uses Claryum® filtration to reduce 78 contaminants, delivers a 0.5 GPM rated flow rate, and filters up to 300 gallons before replacement, or approximately every 6 months.
Aquasana Shower Filters
Use this comparison to choose the Aquasana shower filter that matches your preferences:
Shower Filter with Included Shower Head
Shower Filter with Included Shower Head is an all-in-one upgrade that replaces your existing shower head and installs easily with standard connections. It’s independently tested to NSF/ANSI 177 for chlorine reduction, rated at 2.5 GPM, and filters up to 10,000 gallons or approximately 6 months before replacement.
Shower Filter without Shower Head
Shower Filter without Shower Head is designed for households that want to keep their current shower head and add filtration behind it. It offers the same filtration as the Shower Filter with Included Shower Head, but allows you to keep your current shower head or choose a different option.
Shower Filter with Handheld Wand
Shower Filter with Handheld Wand offers the same filtration as our other shower filters, but features a handheld wand to enhance your shower experience.
Aquasana Water Softeners and Conditioner
Compare our water softeners and conditioner to determine which system is best for addressing your home’s hardness and scale concerns.
Salt-Free Water Conditioner
Our Salt-Free Water Conditioner is an alternative to softeners, which doesn’t require salt to address hard water. It’s rated for 1,000,000 gallons or up to 10 years with a 7.0 GPM rated flow rate and ideal for homes with slightly hard water.
SimplySoft™ 40,000 Grain Softener
SimplySoft™ 40,000 Grain Softener is designed for homes that have moderate to very hard water, as the system offers greater performance than a conditioner by utilizing salt through ion exchange. It offers a 40,000 grain capacity and is IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 44 for hardness reduction and CSA B483.1.
SimplySoft™ 60,000 Grain Softener
SimplySoft™ 60,000 Grain Softener is the higher-capacity SimplySoft™ option for larger households that need more softening volume between regeneration cycles. It features a 60,000 grain capacity to prolong periods between regeneration cycles, reducing the time you have to wait for softened water or use hard water in your home.
Shop all Aquasana Systems
Choosing the right water filtration system doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for whole-home coverage, targeted kitchen filtration, a simple shower upgrade, or hard water treatment, we offer solutions designed to fit your space, water source, and priorities.
Shop all Aquasana systems to compare features and certifications in more detail, or contact our Water Experts for personalized guidance. We’re here to help you find the perfect system for your home.
