Clearly Filtered · Faucet Water Filters
Clearly Filtered Replacement Filter for the Clean Water Pitcher
Lower-concern choice for water filtration, but verify current filter specs before purchase.
Clearly Filtered replacement filters use activated carbon media, a standard, well-understood approach with no confirmed PFAS inputs. The brand has publicly committed to PFAS removal claims, though independent lab verification of PFAS reduction rates is not publicly available.
Brand says: “Clearly Filtered markets filters as PFAS-removing; brand positions products as designed to reduce 'forever chemicals' including PFOS/PFOA from drinking water.”
Shop Clearly Filtered on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon + coconut shell filtration media
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states the product is PFAS-free (self-declared).
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This filter uses activated carbon derived from coconut shell, a well-established water filtration medium that works by adsorption (trapping contaminants on a porous surface). Coconut-shell carbon is preferred in food-contact applications because it is inert and does not leach heavy metals or synthetic binders into water under normal use. The filter media itself poses minimal chemical hazard; its safety depends entirely on proper maintenance and timely replacement before saturation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Clearly Filtered has made explicit PFAS-free claims and focuses marketing on removal of forever chemicals, which aligns with third-party testing showing their filters do not introduce PFAS into water. The brand does not appear in major product recall databases for contamination or leaching. Transparency on certification status (NSF, WQA) should be verified on current product packaging, as standards evolve and marketing claims should be independently confirmed.
How it compares in its category
Pitcher filters with activated carbon are among the safest options for point-of-use filtration because they do not rely on ion exchange resins (which can leach) or synthetic membranes that degrade over time. Clearly Filtered's coconut-shell media is comparable to Aqua PUR, Brita, and other mainstream brands in material safety; the key differentiator is the stated PFAS removal focus rather than a fundamental safety advantage. Most pitcher filters carry similar bacterial growth risk if not replaced on schedule, making usage discipline more important than brand selection.
If you buy it
Replace the filter every 40-60 gallons or 2 months, whichever comes first, to prevent bacteria and mold accumulation in saturated media. Store the pitcher in the refrigerator if possible and empty and rinse it weekly to minimize microbial growth. Do not use filtered water for infant formula without a separate boiling step if water safety in your area is uncertain. Allow the first pour after filter installation to drain unused to remove any residual dust from the activated carbon media.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Bacterial and mold growth in filter media
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacteria and mold if left unmaintained or in warm conditions. This is a general risk for all pitcher filters, including this one, and is controlled by replacement on schedule and regular pitcher cleaning, not by the product design itself.
Leaching from filter housing or gasket materials
No reported cases of Clearly Filtered pitcher housing leaching plastic additives (BPA, phthalates) or metals under normal use. Standard food-contact plastics are assumed unless contrary information emerges; verify material declarations if you have specific sensitivities.
Activated carbon dust or particle release
Loose activated carbon dust can occasionally appear in water during the first few uses after a filter is installed. This is harmless but can be minimized by allowing the first pitcher fill to drain without use.
Incomplete or variable contaminant removal
While activated carbon is effective for chlorine, taste, and odor, its performance on specific contaminants (pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria) depends on water chemistry and contact time. Third-party certifications (NSF) validate claims; unverified claims of 'PFAS removal' should be requested in writing from the manufacturer before purchase if removal performance is critical to your decision.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More faucet water filters grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.