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Our Verdict (Best For)
The Seychelle RAD achieved solid results in our 2025 lab test, with improved water taste and no odor. But it has no NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction, and while Seychelle mentions 3rd-party testing, the reports seem to be for a different model. The pitcher is large enough to fill a 40-oz bottle in 1 refill, fits in the fridge, and filters fast (1 cup in under 45 seconds). We like its comfortable handle, easy refilling, and easy filter replacement, but initial setup was tricky – the flushing assembly didn’t fit our faucet. Also, the pour spout cover often stuck and caused spraying, the pour-through tab would get stuck open, and the lid was hard to remove and realign, and would sometimes pop off while pouring. We estimate slightly below-average annual filter cost, but the upfront price is well above-average. Warranty? Only 90 days. Bottom line: there are better pitchers.
The Seychelle RAD pitcher is designed for use as a drinking water filter and can purify both tap water and properly disinfected well water.
As usual, we’ve tested the pitcher with our own hands:
- Hands-on experience: We assembled, primed, used, and maintained it.
- Filtration effectiveness: We sent unfiltered and filtered tap water samples to professional laboratories for analysis to determine real-world contaminant reduction. We also reviewed NSF/ANSI certifications and other available test data.
- More testing: We conducted taste and odor evaluations as well as filtration speed tests.
- All other product aspects: We considered initial and long-term costs, warranties, additional features, frequent customer complaints, and more.
To learn more about our testing procedure check our editorial guidelines.
Contents
Final Rating: /5.00
FiltrationFiltration score combines our lab results and taste testing with NSF/ANSI certifications and 3rd-party contaminant reduction data.: /5.00
Usability: /5.00
CostsCost scores reflect overall value for money rather than price alone.: /5.00
| Type: | Water Filter Pitcher |
| PriceNo short-term sales. (Sep 16, 2025): | $89.95 |
| Yearly CostEstimate is based on rated/claimed filter life and 300 gallons annual water consumption. No short-term sales. (Sep 16, 2025): | ~$100 (Save 10% With Filter Subscription) |
Final Rating: /5.00
What We Like Most
- Achieved solid results in our 2025 lab testing.
- Filtered water had a much better taste and no odor.
- BPA-free.
- Large enough to fill a 40-oz bottle in one refill while still fitting in fridge shelves and door.
- Fast filtration speed (1 cup in under 45 seconds).
- Comfortable plastic handle with finger indentations.
- Easy to refill + larger feed and filtered capacity mean fewer refills required.
- Easy filter replacements.
- Filters claimed to be made in the USA.
- We estimate slightly below-average annual filter replacement cost.
What We Don’t Like
- No NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction.
- Product description mentions third-party testing for contaminant reduction but the lab reports on Seychelle’s website seem to be for a different pitcher model.
- No detailed information given on the filtration media or process.
- Setup can be inconvenient if the flushing assembly doesn’t fit your faucet (it didn’t fit ours).
- Pour spout cover often gets stuck/pops out, causing spraying.
- Lid problems (hard to remove, doesn’t align easily, may pop off when pouring).
- Pour-through tab often gets stuck open.
- No filter life indicator.
- Well above-average upfront price.
- Short 90-day warranty.
How the Seychelle RAD Compares to…
13 Other Water Filter Pitchers
In this video, Sara explains why the Seychelle RAD did not become one of our top picks among the 14 water filter pitchers we tested.
Please note: Our full guide on the best water filter pitchers is available here.
Video Chapters + Comparison Sheet
- Link to Comparison Sheet
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:33 – What’s New
- 01:10 – Our 14 Pitchers
- 03:00 – Top Pick: Clearly Filtered
- 12:21 – Runner-Up: Culligan (and ZeroWater)
- 23:20 – For Usability: Epic Pure
- 26:22 – Budget Pick: Brita Everyday Elite
- 28:07 – Hard Water: Waterdrop Chubby
- 28:57 – Bacteria & Parasites: LifeStraw
- 30:16 – Seychelle RAD & Aquagear
- 32:03 – LARQ Pitcher PureVis
- 33:35 – PUR Plus 11-Cup
- 35:09 – Summary
Full Analysis of the Seychelle RAD
Filtration: /5.00
In our filtration category, the Seychelle RAD achieved a score of 3.28/5.00. It delivered solid results in our lab testing, with improved water taste and no odor. However, it has no NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction and information about third-party testing is unclear.
1. Lab Results: /5.00
Remember that our before vs after lab comparison is not an exact science. It’s informational and subject to variability, inaccuracies, and interferences caused by natural fluctuations in water quality, accidental contamination, human error, instrumentation issues, and more. Furthermore, our lab-testing is limited to those contaminants present in our water supplies and at their respective concentrations. As such, it can only give us a general idea for how effective a certain water treatment product might be.
In our lab test comparing an unfiltered and a filtered tap water sample, the Seychelle RAD could remove most undesirable impurities and contaminants to below the minimum detection level (so essentially to 100%): chlorine, bromodichloromethane*, dibromochloromethane*, chloroform*, copper, iron, manganese, and barium.
4 substances remained in our water:
- Boron was reduced by 22%, so rather poor.
- Strontium was reduced by 70%, which is quite solid.
- Same for nitrate which was reduced by 72%.
- Fluoride was reduced by 30%, which again is rather poor.
Finally, limescale/hardness increased by 27%. We assume this increase comes from the pitcher releasing ions from an ion exchange resin and should subside quickly. Still, if you’re looking to protect your kettle and/or coffee maker from limescale buildup, this pitcher is probably not the best choice.
*We artificially spiked our tap water with fluoride and nitrate because our water supply contains neither. The nitrate solution, however, unintentionally contained chloroform, resulting in a test concentration of 1,670 ppm – far above realistic tap water levels (100 ppm is already considered high). Despite this extremely elevated concentration, the Seychelle RAD removed all chloroform and other disinfection byproducts. This result is noteworthy on its own and is also why we did not re-test VOC reduction, unlike other pitchers that failed to fully remove VOCs (including chloroform) in our ultra-high chloroform test.
Lab Results Charts
| Potentially Harmful | Aesthetic Issues | Feed Water Level | Filtered Water Level | Reduction Rate | |
| Water Disinfectants | |||||
| Chlorine (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | ~2 | 0 | 100% |
| Disinfection Byproducts (Ultra-High Chloroform) | |||||
| Bromodichloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 19.9 | 0 | 100% | |
| Dibromochloromethane (µg/L) | ✖ | 5.81 | 0 | 100% | |
| Chloroform (µg/L) | ✖ | 1,670 | 0 | 100% | |
| Metals | |||||
| Copper (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0136 | 0 | 100% |
| Iron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0763 | 0 | 100% | |
| Manganese (mg/L) | ✖ | ✖ | 0.0036 | 0 | 100% |
| Barium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0407 | 0 | 100% | |
| Boron (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.0153 | 0.012 | 22% | |
| Strontium (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.112 | 0.0337 | 70% | |
| Salts | |||||
| Nitrate (N) (mg/L) | ✖ | 2.74 | 0.754 | 72% | |
| Fluoride (mg/L) | ✖ | 0.925 | 0.649 | 30% | |
| Aesthetic Parameters | |||||
| Hardness (mg/L) | ✖ | 59.89 | 76.3 | 27% Increase | |
| Other Parameters | |||||
| pH | 7.8 | 7.7 | |||
| Impurities NOT Detected in Unfiltered Tap Water Sample | |||||
| Lab Reports (Ultra-High Chloroform): Filtered Water Report, Unfiltered Water Report | |||||
| Chlorine Self Test Photos: Filtered Water, Unfiltered Water | |||||
| Explanation: | |||||
| Full Removal | |||||
| Considerable Reduction | |||||
| Concentration More Than Double of Unfiltered Water Sample | |||||
| Potential Leaching Reached or Exceeded the Strictest Public Health Guideline We Could Find | |||||
2. NSF/ANSI Certifications and Other Test Data
The Seychelle RAD has no NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction. The product description mentions third-party NSF/ANSI testing; however, the lab reports available on Seychelle’s website appear to correspond to another model, not the RAD.
3. Filtration Process
Unfortunately, the manufacturer doesn’t provide details on how the filtration process works.
4. Taste and Odor Tests
In our test, the filtered water from the Seychelle RAD had a much better taste than our tap water and no odor.
Usability: /5.00
The Seychelle RAD achieved a usability score of 3.45/5.00, based on its performance in the following categories:
- Initial system assembly including filter priming (0.80/1.00)
- Day-to-day use (2.05/3.10)
- Filter replacements (0.60/0.90)
1. Initial Setup: /1.00
Assembling the Seychelle RAD was not as straightforward as some of the other pitchers. While a basic instruction sheet with brief directions and photos explains the process clearly enough, the overall feel of the documentation is low effort. Additionally, our faucet was too big for the flushing assembly to fit around; we had to push it up against the faucet forcefully. Not only was this inconvenient, but we suspect it could prove difficult for someone older or with limited mobility.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the setup process:
- Remove water pitcher from box.
- Remove lid and reservoir from pitcher carafe.
- Remove filter pack from inside the reservoir.
- Thread the red flushing disk tightly onto the filter pack (if not already assembled).
- Press the flushing bulb onto a water faucet and run water for 4 to 5 minutes at low pressure.
- Remove the red flushing disk and re-thread water filter to reservoir.
- Insert reservoir back into carafe. Fill water pitcher with water from faucet.
- Your water filtration pitcher is now ready to use!
2. Day-to-Day Use: /3.10
2.1 Speed & Water Capacity: /1.20
The Seychelle RAD pitcher is a decent choice for daily use but there are better options if day-to-day practicality is your primary concern. On a positive note, its reservoirs are large and well-balanced (7-cup feed, 10-cup filtered capacity), so it can store enough water and requires fewer daily refills to keep your family hydrated – we estimate 4-5 refills for the average-sized US and US family households, respectively. This means you will not have to make repeated trips to the faucet, unlike with models that have smaller feed (or feed + filtered) reservoirs.
In addition, the Seychelle RAD filters fast enough to meet the daily water needs of the average-sized US households, and it can handle thirst bursts. It even filters on-demand, providing 1 cup in under 45 seconds. In our 2025 filtration speed test, the pitcher could filter 4 cups in a quick 2:34 min.
Finally, the pitcher fits both on the shelves and in the door of a standard fridge (dimensions: 5.5″x10.5″x11.25″), and thanks to the generous feed and filtered capacities, you can fill a large 40-oz bottle with a single refill.
2.2 Handling & Pouring: /1.15
The Seychelle RAD’s plastic handle is particularly comfortable with its interior indentations for finger placement. However, the pour spout cover often gets stuck or pops out of place, causing water to spray in all directions – occasionally it needs to be pushed back into position. Additionally, the lid can be hard to remove, doesn’t align easily with the pitcher, and sometimes pops off when pouring. These factors unfortunately make the Seychelle RAD one of our least favorite pitchers when it comes to pouring.
It is relatively light compared to the other pitchers we have tested, with a weight including the wet filter cartridge of 1 lb 14.79 oz. While handling is made easier with a lighter pitcher, less weight may indicate flimsier construction (e.g., thinner plastic) and/or less filter media (not ideal for optimal filtration performance).
2.3 Refilling: /0.75
The Seychelle RAD is easy to refill owing to its oval pour-through tab. However, the tab often gets stuck open and doesn’t readily fall back into place.
3. Filter Replacements: /0.90
Filter replacements are very easy though there is no filter change indicator to alert you to do so.
Rated filter life is 150 gallons. Assuming 300 gallons of yearly water consumption for the average household, we estimate that you will have to change the filter 2x annually. However, the manufacturer notes that hard water or water contaminated with heavy minerals will shorten the life of the filter. You may notice a change in the taste of the water and/or restricted flow when it’s time to change the filter. They also recommend that you re-flush the filter if necessary.
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Costs: /5.00
Based on value for money, the Seychelle RAD pitcher achieved a cost score of 4.09 out of 5.00, indicating it is priced about average for what it offers compared to competing pitchers (a score of 4.00 represents average value). Notably, while its upfront price is well above average compared to the other water filter pitchers we tested, its annual filter replacement cost is slightly below average.
1. Upfront Price
As of September 16, 2025, the Seychelle RAD is priced at $89.95, which is well above the $58.53 average across all the water filter pitchers we tested.
2. Long-Term Expenses for Filter Replacements
Based on 300 gallons consumption and a 150-gallon filter life, we estimate $100 in annual filter replacement costs, which is slightly below the $120.13 average across all the water filter pitchers we tested. In addition, you can save an extra 10% with a filter subscription.
3. Product Warranty
The system is covered by a short 90-day warranty.
4. Other Cost Factors
- The Seychelle RAD filters are claimed to be made in the USA.
Additional
1. BPA-Free
This pitcher is made from BPA-free materials.
2. Frequent Customer Complaints
No 3rd-party reviews were found online, except Seychelle.com only shows positive feedback.
Bottom Line: No Match for More User-Friendly Filter Pitchers (/5.00)
Filtration weighted at 60%, and usability and cost at 20% each, the Seychelle RAD scored a final rating of 3.48 out of 5.00.
The Seychelle RAD achieved solid results in our 2025 lab test, fully removing 8 contaminants and producing water with better taste and no odor. However, it has no NSF/ANSI certifications for contaminant reduction, and while the manufacturer’s website mentions third-party NSF/ANSI testing, it seems to be for a different model.
In addition, the user experience is somewhat lacking: it’s a bit tricky to set up with the awkward flushing assembly (didn’t fit our faucet), the spout cover has a tendency to get stuck, making pouring messy, and the lid sometimes pops off. On the plus side, refills are easy (though the pour-through tab also tends to get stuck) and the pitcher is large enough and filters fast enough to suit most household’s daily needs.
We estimate slightly below-average annual filter replacement cost, but the upfront price is well above-average, and the warranty is only 90 days. All in all, we think there are better and more user-friendly pitchers out there.
About the Author(s)
Sara has been a lifelong home-improvement fan (she’s been hooked on This Old House since she was five) and taught herself any project she didn’t already know by watching YouTube tutorials. She is also an award-winning filmmaker. Armed with this skillset, Sara installs, primes, samples, uses, and maintains nearly every point-of-use water treatment systems we test – then brings her results to life on camera for our YouTube channel.
Raoul has a background in mechanical engineering and has been writing about home water treatment since 2015. He designs our product review processes, analyzes the results, and ties everything together. As editor-in-chief, he tries hard to keep the whole operation running smoothly behind the scenes.