Buying guides
Best Under-Sink and Faucet Water Filters (2026): Certified for Lead and PFAS
An under-sink filter gives you filtered water straight from the tap with no pitcher to refill. A faucet-mount filter does nearly the same job for renters, with no tools. Here are the ones certified for what they claim.
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Key takeaways
- Best overall: Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect. Certified for lead and PFOA/PFOS, and it uses your existing faucet.
- For renters: a PUR Plus or Brita faucet mount. Both are certified for lead, but not for PFAS.
- Want the most reduction? Reverse osmosis is the strongest option for PFAS. Our PFAS buying guide has the picks.
- NSF/ANSI 372 means lead-free parts, not lead removal. Some listings use it to sound like a lead claim.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Type | Lead | PFOA/PFOS | Filter life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect | Under-sink | Yes | Yes | 784 gal / 6 mo |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage | Under-sink | Yes | Yes | 600 gal / 6 mo |
| Multipure Aquaversa | Under-sink | Yes | No | 750 gal |
| PUR Plus faucet mount | Faucet | Yes | No | 100 gal |
| Brita faucet mount | Faucet | Yes | No | 100 gal |
How we picked
Every pick has its lead claim certified under NSF/ANSI 53 by NSF, IAPMO R&T or WQA, and we list a PFAS claim only when it's certified too. We checked NSF's public directory and each maker's performance data sheet.[1] We haven't installed and tested these ourselves. Where a certification comes only from the maker's data sheet, the card says so.
Best overall under-sink filter
Best overall
Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1)
Under-sink carbon filter, uses your existing faucet
Lead and PFAS reduction under the sink with the easiest install: no new faucet, no drilling.
PFAS: PFOA and PFOS reduced 95.2%; lead over 99.3%. Certified by IAPMO R&T (per Aquasana's data sheet). See the evidence.
- Connects to your existing cold-water line and faucet
- Rated for 784 gallons or 6 months
- Cartridge twists off without disconnecting hoses
- Doesn't reduce dissolved solids, nitrate or fluoride like RO does
- Aquasana's marketing pages quote higher numbers than its data sheet; trust the data sheet
Most under-sink filters need a separate faucet, which means drilling your countertop or sink. This one connects to your cold-water line and sends filtered water through the faucet you already have.[2] Its data sheet lists 95.2% PFOA/PFOS reduction and over 99% lead reduction.
Also great: dedicated-faucet carbon
Runner-up
Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage
Under-sink carbon filter
PFAS and lead reduction with no wastewater and simple installation.
PFAS: PFOA and PFOS reduction certified under NSF/ANSI 53. Certified by WQA. See the evidence.
- No water sent to the drain
- Filters last up to 600 gallons or 6 months
- Doesn't reduce dissolved solids, nitrate or fluoride like RO does
Best NSF-listed for lead
Multipure Aquaversa (MP750SB)
Under-sink carbon block filter with its own faucet
Lead, VOCs and microplastics, with a certification you can look up in NSF's own directory.
Lead: Lead reduced over 99.3%. No PFOA/PFOS claim, so pick another filter if PFAS is your concern. Certified by NSF. See the evidence.
- NSF-listed for lead, VOCs, mercury and cysts
- Also comes in countertop and faucet-diverter kits
- Not certified for PFAS
- Needs a separate faucet for the under-sink kit
Multipure's Aquaversa is one of the few under-sink filters whose lead certification shows up directly in NSF's own directory.[3] It isn't certified for PFAS, so choose it if lead, VOCs or microplastics are your concern and your water report shows no PFAS.
Best faucet-mount filters for renters
Best for renters
PUR Plus faucet mount (PFM400H / FM-3700B)
Faucet-mount filter
Renters who want certified lead reduction in two minutes with no tools.
Lead: NSF-listed for lead reduction. No PFOA/PFOS claim. Certified by NSF. See the evidence.
- Clicks onto most standard faucets
- Also certified for microplastics and some pharmaceuticals
- Cartridges last about 100 gallons
- Won't fit pull-down or sprayer faucets
Also great
Brita Complete faucet mount (FF-100, FR-200 filter)
Faucet-mount filter
Strong lead reduction from a faucet filter with a filter-life light.
Lead: Lead reduced 99.9%. No PFOA/PFOS claim. Certified by WQA. See the evidence.
- Installs without tools
- Filter-life indicator light
- Cartridges last about 100 gallons, roughly 4 months
- Won't fit pull-down or sprayer faucets
Both clip onto a standard faucet in a couple of minutes and are certified for lead.[4][5] Neither is certified for PFAS, and neither fits pull-down or sprayer faucets.
Popular filters we didn't pick
- Waterdrop 10UA and 15UA: certified only for chlorine taste and odor (NSF/ANSI 42) and lead-free materials (NSF/ANSI 372). The lead and PFAS claims are marketed as “tested against NSF/ANSI 53,” not certified.[6]
- iSpring RCC7AK (base model): NSF lists the base model as certified only for total dissolved solids. The -BLK and -BN versions add a lead claim, so check the exact model number.[1]
- APEC ROES-50: lead and PFAS appear in a “guaranteed to remove” list on the product page, but we couldn't find a certification for either.[7]
Deciding between carbon and reverse osmosis? Read RO vs carbon filters.
Frequently asked questions
Is an under-sink filter better than a pitcher?
For most households, yes. Water comes straight from the tap, filters last months instead of weeks, and there's nothing to refill. A pitcher is cheaper up front and works for renters who can't change plumbing.
Do faucet-mount filters remove PFAS?
Not the PUR or Brita faucet mounts. Neither is certified for PFOA or PFOS. For PFAS, use a certified under-sink carbon filter or reverse osmosis.
What does NSF/ANSI 372 mean?
It certifies that a product's parts are lead-free. It says nothing about removing lead from your water. Look for a lead claim under NSF/ANSI 53 instead.
Can I install an under-sink filter myself?
Usually. Models that use your existing faucet, like the Claryum Direct Connect, need no drilling. Models with their own faucet may need a hole in the sink or countertop.
Sources
- NSF International, drinking water treatment unit listings. info.nsf.org
- Aquasana, Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1) performance data sheet. aquasana.com
- NSF International, Multipure listings under NSF/ANSI 53. info.nsf.org
- NSF International, PUR listings under NSF/ANSI 53. info.nsf.org
- Brita, faucet filter performance data sheet (FF-100, FR-200). assets.ctfassets.net
- TapWaterData, Waterdrop 10UA certification summary. tapwaterdata.com
- APEC Water, ROES-50 product page. apecwater.com
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Rules and certifications change. We last checked these sources on October 8, 2026. Found an error? Tell us and we will correct it.