Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) vs Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) comes out ahead overall with 7.8/10 against 7.4/10 for the Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel). Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on value, installation & cabinet fit and reliability & support. Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on other contaminant coverage and flow & daily convenience. At current verified prices, the Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) costs about $112.50 less.
- Choose the Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) if: Most homeowners on municipal water who want certified PFAS, lead and chlorine reduction without RO wastewater.
- Choose the Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) if: Heavy-use kitchens or sediment-prone supply that want certified carbon filtration with fewer cartridge changes.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 8.5WQA NSF 53/P473 PFOA/PFOS certification, corroborated by Wirecutter and CR; no independent lab PFAS number. | 8.5WQA P473 certification; Wirecutter; no independent lab figure. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.042/53/401 covers chlorine, lead, VOCs and pharmaceuticals; no TDS or fluoride reduction. | 7.542/53/401 plus sediment stage. |
| Value | 8.5$112.49 upfront and about $148 a year in filters. | 6.5About double the AQ-5200; about $184 a year. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 7.5Compact, no power or drain; the dedicated faucet may need a hole. | 7.0Three canisters; dedicated faucet; no power. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 6.0Rated 0.5 gpm; 500 gal/6-month changes; no reminder. | 6.50.5 gpm rated; 800-gallon cartridges mean fewer changes. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 8.0No wastewater; Aquasana says BPA-free; minerals kept. | 8.0No wastewater; BPA-free per Aquasana. |
| Reliability & support | 7.0Leaks are mostly blamed on over-tightening; filters widely sold; successor model exists. | 6.0Third-party seller, filter stock gaps, secondhand leak reports. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Carbon block (Claryum), 2-stage | Carbon block (Claryum) + sediment pre-filter, 3-stage |
| PFAS certification (as stated by maker) | WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473 PFOA/PFOS) and 401 | WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl. P473) and 401; maker claims 99.7% PFOA/PFOS |
| Third-party certified for PFAS | Yes | Yes |
| Filtration stages | 2 | 3 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 500 gal | 800 gal |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 0.5 gpm | 0.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | 148 USD | 184 USD |
| Pure-to-drain ratio (RO) | None (no RO) | None (no RO) |
| Needs electrical outlet | No | No |
| Uses dedicated faucet (drilling may be needed) | Yes | Yes |
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Pros
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (P473) and 401
- Favorite under-sink filter at Wirecutter
- No wastewater and no electricity
- Sold and stocked by Amazon.com
Cons
- Some owners report leaks, mostly from over-tightened O-rings
- Replacement set costs about $148 a year
- No TDS or fluoride reduction
- Aquasana's own store now sells the AQ-6200 successor
The best all-around choice for municipal water. If it sells out, the AQ-6200 successor carries the same certifications.
Full Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) review →Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Pros
- Same certification as the AQ-5200
- Sediment pre-filter
- 800-gallon cartridges
- Wirecutter's upgrade pick
Cons
- Roughly double the AQ-5200 price at the listing we checked
- Amazon seller is a third party
- Replacement set was out of stock at Aquasana
- Some owners report connection leaks after a couple of years
Worth it for sediment-prone water or heavy use, but not for most households.
Full Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Under-Sink Filters for PFAS of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.