Renters have a real filtration problem. Under-sink RO systems are the most complete option for drinking water, but they require drilling into a countertop, connecting to a supply line, and running a drain tube. Most leases don’t allow it.
AquaTru solves that. It’s a countertop reverse osmosis system that plugs into a standard outlet and connects to your faucet with a rubber adapter. No drilling. No plumbing. NSF-certified PFAS removal in a unit that sits on your counter and moves with you when you leave.
This review is based on NSF certification data, manufacturer documentation, and published independent lab results.
What AquaTru Actually Is
AquaTru is a countertop RO unit. Water flows from your faucet through a rubber adapter into the machine’s reservoir, gets pushed through a 4-stage filtration process, and collects in a pitcher or carafe. The whole unit is about the size of a large coffee maker.
It requires a standard 120V outlet. No under-sink access needed. Setup takes about 15 minutes.
The core technology is the same as any RO system: a semipermeable membrane that filters water at the molecular level, removing dissolved contaminants that carbon and sediment filters can’t touch. What makes AquaTru different from a whole under-sink system is form factor and price.
NSF Certifications
AquaTru holds:
- NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis systems)
- NSF P473 (PFOA and PFOS removal)
NSF P473 is the specific certification for PFAS compounds. It means an independent certifying body verified the removal rate, not just that AquaTru ran their own lab test. You can look up AquaTru in the NSF product database at info.nsf.org to confirm.
This is the most important thing to verify when buying any filter for PFAS removal. NSF P473 certification is the standard. Filters without it may claim PFAS removal but have no independent verification.
What It Removes (Documented Rates)
Based on NSF certification data and manufacturer documentation:
- PFAS (PFOA and PFOS): greater than 98% reduction (NSF P473 certified)
- Fluoride: 93 to 96% reduction
- Arsenic: greater than 95% reduction
- Lead: greater than 95% reduction
- Nitrates: greater than 93% reduction
- Chromium-6: greater than 95% reduction
- Chloramine: significantly reduced via carbon pre-filtration
- Chlorine: removed by carbon stages
- Dissolved minerals (general TDS): significantly reduced via RO membrane
Reverse osmosis removes contaminants by physical size exclusion at the membrane level. Most dissolved contaminants smaller than the membrane pore size are removed. That covers a wide range of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other compounds that activated carbon alone doesn’t address.
The Models
AquaTru Classic
The original and most affordable model. Plastic pitcher for filtered water collection. 4-stage filtration. Produces about 1 liter of filtered water per cycle. Priced around $130 to $150 on sale, $180 at full retail.
This is the model most people should start with.
Check current pricing (affiliate link, see disclosure above)
AquaTru Carafe
Same filtration system as the Classic. The only difference is a borosilicate glass carafe instead of plastic. Priced around $170 to $200. If you prefer glass for taste or aesthetics, the upgrade is worth it. The water quality is identical.
Check current pricing (affiliate link, see disclosure above)
AquaTru Alkaline
Same 4-stage RO system plus an added 5th stage: an alkaline remineralization filter. This adds calcium and magnesium back into the filtered water after the RO membrane removes them, raising pH to approximately 8 to 9.
Some people prefer the taste of remineralized water. That’s a reasonable preference. But there’s no peer-reviewed clinical evidence that alkaline water provides health benefits beyond hydration. The FTC has been active on health claims in the alkaline water category. Buy the Alkaline for taste if you want it, not for health reasons. Priced around $180 to $220.
Check current pricing (affiliate link, see disclosure above)
AquaTru Connect
Same water quality as the Classic with Wi-Fi-enabled filter life tracking. The app sends notifications when filters need replacement. More expensive, no filtration difference. Worth it if you want the reminder system and don’t want to track schedules manually.
Flow Rate Reality
RO systems are slow compared to pitcher filters. Producing a full liter from AquaTru takes 10 to 15 minutes.
In practice, this isn’t a problem if you build the habit of refilling the carafe after each use or filling it overnight. If you want a glass immediately, you’ll find yourself waiting or making sure the pitcher is already full.
The 1-gallon pitcher capacity is adequate for a single person or couple. A household using filtered water for drinking, coffee, and cooking may find the volume limiting during peak use.
Water Waste
All RO systems produce wastewater. AquaTru’s ratio is approximately 3:1: for every 1 gallon of filtered water produced, about 3 gallons go down the drain. This is standard for countertop RO systems.
If water conservation is a priority, some under-sink RO systems with permeate pumps achieve 1:1 or 2:1 ratios. AquaTru’s countertop format doesn’t support that kind of efficiency. It’s a tradeoff for the no-installation convenience.
Filter Replacement Schedule and Costs
| Stage | Replaces Every | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 pre-filter | 2 months | Sediment removal |
| Stage 2 carbon pre-filter | 6 months | Chlorine, organics |
| Stage 3 RO membrane | 24 months | PFAS, fluoride, arsenic, nitrates |
| Stage 4 post-carbon | 12 months | Final taste polish |
Annual filter cost: approximately $60 to $80. AquaTru sells annual replacement bundles. The RO membrane is the most expensive single filter but lasts two years, keeping the annual average reasonable.
How AquaTru Compares to Pitcher Filters
Clearly Filtered is the strongest pitcher filter for health contaminants. It removes PFAS and fluoride with NSF certification. But it’s a gravity pitcher, which means you pour water through it and wait. AquaTru produces filtered water under pressure (a small pump), so the output is ready to dispense from the carafe without waiting for gravity.
For households that want PFAS protection without the investment of an under-sink RO system, AquaTru sits between a premium pitcher and a full installation. More capable than Clearly Filtered. Less complicated than under-sink.
Who AquaTru Is Right For
Renters who can’t modify plumbing are the clearest fit. AquaTru installs in 15 minutes and leaves no trace when you move out.
Small kitchens without under-sink space are another good fit. The unit sits on the counter, requires no cabinet access, and the footprint is manageable.
Anyone who wants NSF-certified PFAS removal and isn’t ready to install under-sink. The certification is real, the removal rates are independently verified, and the unit is straightforward to use.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
High-volume households may find the 1-gallon capacity limiting. If you’re running filtered water for a family of four for drinking, cooking, and refrigerator ice, a full under-sink RO system gives you on-demand filtered water at the tap without a fill-and-wait cycle.
People who want zero water waste should look at tank-based under-sink systems with permeate pumps. AquaTru’s 3:1 waste ratio is standard but not optimized.
The Recommendation
AquaTru Classic is the best countertop RO option for renters and small kitchens. NSF P473 certification for PFAS is the key differentiator. Very few countertop filters carry it.
If you’re trying to decide between a premium pitcher and AquaTru, the question is volume. AquaTru produces filtered water faster (pump vs. gravity), handles higher daily demand, and removes a longer contaminant list than any pitcher filter. The upfront cost is higher. For a household taking PFAS seriously, that investment makes sense.