Update — May 2026
On May 1, 2026, the White House Office of Management and Budget cleared two EPA proposed rules that scale back portions of the 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. The MCLs for PFOA and PFOS are unchanged at 4 parts per trillion, but the compliance deadline for utilities has been extended from 2029 to 2031. EPA is also reconsidering the regulatory determinations for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX (HFPO-DA), and the Hazard Index for mixtures. The picks below are unchanged — filtering at home does not depend on the federal timeline. See full breakdown of the 2026 rollback.
The first thing to know: the EPA finalized the first national drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. Most utilities were given until 2029 to comply. That means you cannot assume your tap water is free of PFAS today — and the EWG map shows detections in every US state.
The second thing to know: most pitcher filters do not target PFAS. Standard activated-carbon cartridges are not designed to capture PFAS chemistry. The certification you want is NSF/ANSI P473 — the standard that specifically tests for PFOA and PFOS reduction.
This guide covers four filters that either hold P473 or publish equivalent independent testing.
How we picked
We use these filters in our own kitchen. Health claims come from NSF certification or the manufacturer's published independent lab reports — never from our own opinion. See How we vet for the full methodology.
Pitcher — best entry point
Clearly Filtered is the pitcher we recommend for most households. It is independently tested per NSF/ANSI P473 protocol for PFOA and PFOS reduction, plus dozens of other contaminants. The cartridge lasts ~100 gallons. Slow flow rate is the trade-off — refill it, walk away, come back.
Epic Pure is the budget-leaning sibling with similar testing-backed PFAS reduction. Worth choosing when the price difference matters.
Countertop — best for serious filtration
AquaTru is countertop reverse osmosis with no plumbing. Front tank fills with tap water, four-stage filtering pushes it into the back tank. Tested to reduce PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and 80+ other contaminants. Bigger upfront cost, biggest counter footprint, most thorough filtration in the category that does not require an under-sink install.
Gravity — if you want long filter life
Berkey Travel System uses gravity through Black Berkey elements with a 6,000-gallon paired-element life. Long-haul value if you do not want to think about cartridge replacement. Note: Berkey publishes its own testing rather than carrying NSF P473 certification — we cite the published lab reports rather than the cert.
Which one is right for you
| If you... | Pick | | --- | --- | | Want the simplest entry point | Clearly Filtered pitcher | | Want the cheapest tested PFAS pitcher | Epic Pure | | Want the most thorough no-plumbing filter | AquaTru countertop | | Want long filter life with no electricity | Berkey Travel |
Frequently asked questions
(See structured FAQ at the bottom of this page for full answers.)
