Review: AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System

Full Analysis of the AquaTru Carafe

Filtration: 4.49/5.00

In our analysis, the AquaTru Carafe achieved a very high filtration score of 4.49/5.00. How? It did really well in our lab testing, it has all the important NSF certifications, and the filtered water the system provided tasted and smelled perfectly clean.

1. Lab Results: 4.49/5.00

In our lab test comparing an unfiltered and a filtered tap water sample, the AquaTru Carafe could remove almost all undesirable impurities and contaminants to below the minimum detection level (so essentially to 100%), with a few exceptions:

• Boron was reduced by 60% so not bad but also not perfect.
• Strontium was reduced by 98% so an almost perfect score.
• Fluoride was reduced by 67%. But the AquaTru Carafe is NSF standard 58-certified for fluoride reduction with an average reduction rate of 96.4% according to the official performance data sheet – in other words: Highly effective.
• Iron and zinc weren’t reduced at all but these are harmless impurities that can only have an aesthetic effect on drinking water if present at concentrations much higher than usual for tap water.

What’s more, 93% TDS reduction clearly shows that the RO membrane works as intended.

And finally, it might have been that the AquaTru Carafe has leached a tiny amount of aluminum – the lab measured 0.01 ppm in the unfiltered and 0.04 ppm in the filtered water. Of course this isn’t ideal, but 0.04 ppm aluminum is well below even the strictest health guideline on aluminum we could find which is set to 0.6 ppm.

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 AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier is certified for contaminant reduction by the IAPMO against NSF standards 42, 53, 58, and 401. All the important contaminants are covered – we counted 82 in total. Reduction rates as listed in the performance data sheet include dozens of VOCs (up to 99%), arsenic 5 (98.8%), chromium 6 (97.5%), fluoride (96.4%), lead (99.2%), nitrate (98.3%), chloramine (96.6%), emerging contaminants (around 90-99%), PFOA & PFOS (99%), and microplastics (98.96%).

This makes the AquaTru Carafe clearly stand out from the competition and only a few countertop water filters can even remotely compete with that.

3. Filtration Process

The AquaTru Carafe uses the go-to filtration process for RO systems:

• The mechanical/carbon pre-filter traps sediment, rust, and other dirt, and also takes care of chlorine, disinfection byproducts, bad tastes and odors, and more.
• Next, the pre-conditioned water is treated by the reverse osmosis membrane. RO is a highly effective water purification method removing heavy metals such as lead and chromium-6, but also salts including fluoride and nitrate, overall TDS, and more.
• Lastly, an activated carbon polishing block filter reduces leftover organic compounds such as perfluorinated chemicals, herbicides, and trace pharmaceuticals. It also provides for a pristine water taste.

4. Taste and Odor Test

In our test, the freshly filtered water from by the AquaTru Carafe tasted and smelled perfectly clean.

Usability: 5.00/5.00

The AquaTru Carafe achieved a usability score of 5.00/5.00 because it’s very easy and straightforward to assemble, prime, use, and maintain. Filtration speed is also good.

1. Initial Setup

Setting up the AquaTru Carafe before first use is extremely simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a quick rundown of the process:

1. Wash both feed water tank and glass carafe with soapy water.
2. Remove the blue filter plug.
3. To install the filters, lift the filter lock, and slide in the cartridges one after the other. Make sure to push the filters all the way in.
4. Push down on the filter lock to secure the filters in place.
5. Fill the feed water tank and install it on its base.
6. Insert the glass carafe.
7. Plug the unit in.
8. Wait for the first filtration cycle to complete.
9. Empty and rinse both feed water tank and glass carafe.
10. Filter 3 more feed water tanks emptying and rinsing both feed water tank and glass carafe between each filtration cycle.

2. Everyday Use

Once set up, the AquaTru Carafe is very easy to use: Simply fill the removable 0.66-gallon feed water tank and install it on its base. As soon as you insert the glass carafe the filtration will start automatically and take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete when processing a full tank. Based on our testing, this provides roughly 0.46 gallons of RO water which should be plenty. The rest – around 0.20 gallons – ends up in the feed water tank as wastewater and needs to be discarded before the next filtration cycle.

What’s great is that you don’t need to stand next to the unit and wait for it to filter. Also, the 0.5-gallon carafe has a good size for everyday use and because it’s removable you can store it in your fridge. Plus, the feed water tank has a carrying handle for easy refilling.

3. Filtration/Dispensing Speed Test

In our speed test, the AquaTru Carafe could filter 12 ounces of water within 2:18 minutes.

4. Maintenance (Filter Replacements)

Filter replacements are quick and easy.

Filter stage 1/2 lasts 300 gallons or 6 months. The reverse osmosis membrane lasts 600 gallons or 2 years. And the carbon post-filter (stage 4) is good for 300 gallons or 12 months. Thus, you only need to replace every 6 months or 300 gallons on average. Based on time passed and gallons filtered, 1 of 3 filter lights (one for each filter cartridge) will remain lit indicating that a filter is due for replacement.

Here is a quick rundown of the process:

1. Remove the tap water tank.
2. Push up on the filter lock to release the cartridge.
3. Use the filter removal tool to pull out the old filter.
4. Install the new filter pushing it all the way in.
5. Push down on the filter lock.
6. Press the filter reset button on the control panel and hold for 5 seconds.
7. Filter and discard 2 full feed water tanks.

Costs: 4.08/5.00

1. Upfront Price

As of Jan 20, 2025, the AquaTru Carafe is available for $359. But using our special deal you can purchase the system for just $259 which is surprisingly cheap.

2. Long-Term Expenses for Filter Replacements

Based on average filter life, we currently (Aug 28, 2024) estimate $150 in annual filter replacement cost which seems reasonable.

Additional Ranking Factors

1. Pure-to-Drain Ratio Test

In our wastewater test, the AquaTru Carafe wasted 0.44 gallons per 1 gallon of filtered water that you can use which is very little.

2. Materials

Most importantly, the carafe that the AquaTru Carafe uses to collect and store the filtered water in is made from borosilicate glass. As such, you don’t need to worry about microplastics leaching into your drinking water after purification.

3. Frequent Customer Complaints

We read about malfunctioning systems that stopped working prematurely. But this only happened to a small proportion of users and there’s the 1-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Also, we didn’t have any problems up to this point.

Bottom Line: Our #1 Countertop RO for Lower Budgets

The AquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier scores an overall rating of 4.51 out of 5.00.

As mentioned before, right now it’s our top countertop RO system for people on a budget thanks to its highly competitive upfront price, effective filtration process, extensive NSF certification, and pristine taste and odor of the filtered water. What’s more, filtration is fast with very little wastewater, and the system is easy to set up, use, and maintain. On top of that, we have a glass container for filtered water storage.

On the downside, some third-party users complained about malfunctioning units. We also detected potential aluminum leaching, though the levels were extremely minimal overall.