Review: Aquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter

Full Analysis of the Aquasana Clean Water Machine

Filtration: 4.22/5.00

In our analysis, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine achieved a filtration score of 4.22/5.00.

In summary, the Aquasana CWM achieved solid results in our lab testing, the taste and odor of the filtered water provided was flawless, and the system is backed by several NSF certifications for contaminant reduction although they are mostly limited to organic compounds which we consider easier to remove.

1. Lab Results: 4.22/5.00

In our lab test comparing an unfiltered and a filtered tap water sample, the Aquasana CWM could remove most undesirable impurities and contaminants to below the minimum detection level (so essentially to 100%). Exceptions were:

• Boron which was removed by 80%.
• Strontium which was reduced by 93%, so almost perfect.
• Fluoride which wasn’t reduced at all, but this is typical for countertop filters that don’t apply reverse osmosis. (In fact, the fluoride concentration measured in the filtered water was 50% higher than in the feed water. But we highly doubt that the Aquasana CWM leached fluoride. After all, there is no filter media that we know of that contains fluoride. Rather, we think the higher fluoride concentration is just natural fluctuation in the water or it has to do with the applied testing method.)

In addition, there was a tiny amount of aluminum detected in the filtered water which hadn’t been detected in our raw tap water sample. However, this might just be coincidence. And even if the Aquasana Clean Water Machine did leach the aluminum, the detected level of just 0.01 ppm was 60 times below the strictest aluminum health guideline we could find, which is set to 0.6 ppm as mentioned before – so nothing to worry about.

One lab result that concerns us a bit more is the 0.96 ppb of methylene chloride detected in the filtered water. Although still below the strictest health guideline we could find (4 ppb), we’re much closer to reaching that guideline compared to the potential aluminum leaching.

Lab Results Chart

*100% means reduction to below the minimum detection level. To learn more about our testing procedures check our editorial guidelines.

Link to Filtered Water Report
Link to Unfiltered Water Report

2. NSF Certifications and Other Test Data

The Aquasana CWM is certified for contaminant reduction by the WQA against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401. We counted 77 substances covered in total, but with a few exceptions such as chlorine (97.3% reduction), chloramine (97.6%), lead (99.6-99.7%), mercury (96.2-96.6%), and asbestos (99%), they are mostly limited to organic compounds – think emerging contaminants (around 99 to 99%), PFOA & PFOS (95.2%), and VOCs (up to 99%).

We consider these organics easier to remove and so, in our opinion, NSF certification is great to have but less important here. At the same time, we miss certifications for the reduction of arsenic 5, chromium 6, nitrate, nitrite, and a few other important chemicals.

By the way, you can check the official performance data sheet here which contains all the reduction rates as listed above + more.

3. Filtration Process

The Aquasana CWM combines 3 different filter materials + submicron filtration in a single cartridge:

• A mixture of activated carbon and catalytic carbon is used to adsorb chlorine, chloramine, bad taste and odor, organic compounds including disinfection byproducts, pesticides, and trace pharmaceuticals, but also certain metals such as lead among other things.
• Ion exchange resin ionically binds all kinds of metals, salts, etc.
• Submicron filtration is used to trap small floating particles such as asbestos, cyst, and particulate lead.

4. Taste and Odor Test

In our test, the freshly filtered water provided by the Aquasana CWM tasted and smelled perfectly clean.

Usability: 4.50/5.00

The Aquasana CWM achieved a usability score of 4.50/5.00. Completing the initial setup process including filter priming is straightforward. The same goes for filter replacements and everyday use, although we think that the feed water tank is a bit wobbly. Filtration speed? Not super fast but fast enough for regular use.

1. Initial Setup

Setting up the Clean Water Machine is a simple process that doesn’t take very long:

1. Hand-wash the feed water tank and tank lid.
2. Fill the feed water tank and place it on the dispenser dock.
3. Open the filter housing lid and unscrew the filter cap.
4. Press the filter cartridge onto the filter chamber cap.
5. Insert the filter cartridge including cap into the filter chamber and twist clockwise to lock in place.
6. Put the filter housing lid back on.
7. Plug the system in.
8. Place a container underneath the dispenser and start a flush cycle by quickly pressing the dispensing button 3 times in a row. You should see a red light. If so, press and hold the dispensing button for 1 second.
9. Wait.
10. Discard the flushed water.

2. Everyday Use

Once set up, the Aquasana Clean Water Machine is very easy to use: You first fill the feed water tank and place it on the dock. Then you place a container under the dispenser and press + hold the dispensing button to dispense the desired amount of water. You can also use the Quick Press function for filling larger containers. Just press the dispensing button quickly to initiate the fill. Another quick press stops the process. Also, you can’t dispense water for more than 60 consecutive seconds. Based on our speed test, filtration isn’t super fast but still fast enough even to filter water on demand.

Our only issue: The feed water tank misses a handle and it doesn’t sit very tightly and thus seems prone to getting knocked out because it’s relatively high and narrow.

3. Filtration/Dispensing Speed Test

In our speed test, the Aquasana CWM could filter and dispense 12 ounces of water within 15 seconds.

4. Maintenance (Filter Replacements)

Replacing the filter cartridge is easy and self-explanatory:

1. Remove the filter housing lid.
2. Twist the filter cap to the left and take the old filter out.
3. Press the new filter cartridge onto the filter cap.
4. Insert the filter cartridge including cap into the filter chamber and twist clockwise to lock in place.
5. Put the filter housing lid back on.
6. Place a container underneath the dispenser and start a flush cycle by quickly pressing the dispensing button 3 times in a row. You should see a red light. If so, press and hold the dispensing button for 1 second.
7. Wait.
8. Discard the flushed water.

Each filter is rated at 300 gallons or 6 months. But you don’t really need to keep track of this thanks to the filter life indicator light (the light of the dispensing button will turn red during normal operation).

Costs: 4.43/5.00

1. Upfront Price

As of Jan 20, 2025, the regular price tag for the Clean Water Machine is $399.99 and the discounted price is $199.99. But this discount isn’t always available unless you use our exclusive code – don’t forget! Still, at $199.99 the price for the Aquasana CWM is definitely on the high end for this kind of system.

2. Long-Term Expenses for Filter Replacements

On the upside, we estimate $60 in annual filter replacements based on the rated filter life which is highly affordable, and you can save an extra 15% with a filter subscription!

Additional Ranking Factors

1. Looks

We like the looks of the system which isn’t to be neglected – remember: A countertop water filter will sit on your countertop all day, every day.

2. Satisfaction Guarantee

The 1-year limited warranty is nothing special but there’s also a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

3. Frequent Customer Complaints

Checking third-party customer complaints, we read about malfunctioning systems that didn’t last very long, leaking, dripping that continues for a while after dispensing, loud pump noises, taste issues, and difficulties removing the filter or filter chamber cap.

Bottom Line: The Best/Most Effective Regular Countertop Water Filter

The Aquasana Clean Water Machine scores a final rating of 4.32 out of 5.00.

Together with the ZeroWater 32-Cup Ready-Read Dispenser, we consider it the best and most effective regular countertop water filter we’ve tested so far. Most importantly, we saw good filtration results in our lab testing. And we have several NSF certifications for contaminant reduction. Taste and odor of the filtered water was perfect, too. We also like the system in terms of usability, and filtration is fast enough to filter on demand. Finally, we have a nice-looking system with affordable long-term cost and backed by a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

What we don’t like is the tank that misses a handle and doesn’t sit firmly in place. But even more important, the Aquasana CWM might have leached methylene chloride into our water (below the strictest health guideline but still). Also, we have a high count of NSF-certified contaminants but they’re mostly limited to organic compounds which we consider less important because easier to remove. Third-party customers complained about leaking, filter cartridges getting stuck, and other malfunctions. And all in all, the system is quite expensive upfront.

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