Soma · Faucet Water Filters
Soma Replacement Water Filter 201-10-02-1
Lower-concern filter type, but Soma makes no PFAS disclosure, verify specifics before buying.
Soma's replacement filter (model 201-10-02-1) uses activated carbon, a material with lower PFAS risk compared to Teflon-family coating-coated options. Soma does not publicly claim PFAS-free status or hold third-party certifications for PFAS. No published lab testing or government recalls are available for this SKU.
Shop Soma on Amazon →Material
Activated carbon filter media
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
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
The Soma 201-10-02-1 uses activated carbon as its primary filter media, a well-established material for chlorine, taste, and odor reduction in drinking water. Activated carbon does not leach hazardous compounds into water under normal use; the carbon itself is inert once activated. The cartridge housing materials are not publicly detailed by Soma, so leaching from the casing cannot be assessed without specification sheets. Replacement frequency matters because exhausted carbon loses effectiveness and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if left in service too long.
The brand's record and disclosure
Soma publishes no published independent testing results, NSF/WQA certification data, or specific removal claims for contaminants like PFAS, nitrates, or microbial cysts on this model. The brand markets lifestyle aesthetics (reusable pitcher design, reduced plastic) but does not provide third-party validation of filtration performance. No recalls or safety incidents specific to this cartridge model are documented in public records. Without published performance data or certifications, claims about what this filter removes rely entirely on manufacturer statements.
How it compares in its category
Faucet-mounted carbon filters are a minimal-cost entry point; they typically remove chlorine and improve taste but have limited effectiveness on heavy metals, fluoride, or emerging contaminants like PFAS compared to pitcher filters or under-sink systems. The Soma cartridge is priced in the mid-range for replacement filters. Competitor products (Brita, PUR, Aquagear) often carry NSF certifications specifying what contaminants they reduce by what percentage; Soma does not prominently advertise equivalent third-party credentials for this model. Activated carbon is a reliable technology, but performance variation among brands is significant.
If you buy it
Replace cartridges every 2-3 months or per Soma's guidance to prevent bacterial regrowth and maintain carbon saturation. Do not use hot water above 60°C (140°F) with this filter, as heat can damage the cartridge housing and reduce carbon effectiveness. Store replacement cartridges in a cool, dry place; activated carbon can absorb ambient odors and moisture. If your water contains sediment or cloudiness, pre-filter or let tap water settle before use, as clogging will occur faster and reduce lifespan.
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 regrowth in filter media
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if cartridge is not replaced regularly or if water sits in the filter between uses. Risk increases in warm environments or with infrequent use.
Filter housing leachables (unspecified materials)
Soma does not publicly disclose the composition of the cartridge casing or housing materials. No test data or complaints are on record, but lack of specification prevents assessment.
Ineffective removal of heavy metals and emerging contaminants
Activated carbon alone has variable and limited effectiveness on lead, arsenic, and PFAS depending on carbon type and contact time. Soma makes no specific claims about these contaminants, and the cartridge is not NSF-certified for heavy metal or PFAS reduction.
Filter saturation without user awareness
Activated carbon becomes exhausted invisibly; water may look and taste normal while contaminant removal drops sharply. Soma does not provide electronic saturation indicators, relying on manual replacement schedules.
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.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Faucet Water Filters
Aquasana
Under Sink Water Filter 2-Stage Filtration Reduces up to 99.99% of Pfas
Activated carbon, ion exchange resin cartridges
Lower-concern filter type, but claim lacks third-party lab proof, verify independently before relying on it.
✓Brand claims PFAS-free (unverified)
Waterdrop
Sink Filter
activated carbon filter media, stainless steel housing
Lower-concern filter type, but brand makes no PFAS transparency claim, verify cartridge materials directly before purchase.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Waterdrop
Filtered Water Faucet
stainless steel faucet body; activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Lower-concern choice; water filter design avoids high-risk PFAS applications, but brand transparency on materials could be stronger.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
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.