Water Filters · Head-to-head
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) vs Culligan US-EZ-4
Best Overall
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
7.8/10
$112.49 at Amazon
Check price at Amazon
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) and Culligan US-EZ-4 finish almost level in our scoring (7.8 vs 7.8 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, other contaminant coverage and health, materials & sustainability. Culligan US-EZ-4 is stronger on value and reliability & support.
- 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 Culligan US-EZ-4 if: Budget buyers who want a PFAS-certified filter with its own faucet for under $100 and cheap yearly cartridges.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 8.5WQA NSF 53/P473 PFOA/PFOS certification, corroborated by Wirecutter and CR; no independent lab PFAS number. | 8.0IAPMO NSF 53 PFOA/PFOS certification, on the WA DOH list; no independent lab test. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.042/53/401 covers chlorine, lead, VOCs and pharmaceuticals; no TDS or fluoride reduction. | 6.542/53/401 claims incl. lead and chloramine; single-stage carbon. |
| Value | 8.5$112.49 upfront and about $148 a year in filters. | 9.5About $98 upfront and about $108 a year in cartridges. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 7.5Compact, no power or drain; the dedicated faucet may need a hole. | 7.5One canister, no power or drain; dedicated faucet may need a hole. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 6.0Rated 0.5 gpm; 500 gal/6-month changes; no reminder. | 6.00.5 gpm; twist-off cartridge every 500 gal/6 months. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 8.0No wastewater; Aquasana says BPA-free; minerals kept. | 7.5No wastewater or power; minerals kept; no BPA disclosure found. |
| Reliability & support | 7.0Leaks are mostly blamed on over-tightening; filters widely sold; successor model exists. | 7.52-year limited warranty; install errors cause leaks. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-5200.56 (Claryum 2-Stage, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Carbon block (Claryum), 2-stage | Carbon block, single cartridge |
| PFAS certification (as stated by maker) | WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473 PFOA/PFOS) and 401 | IAPMO R&T to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS (>95.8%), plus 42 and 401 (Culligan spec sheet; Culligan store confirms IAPMO and PFOA/PFOS) |
| Third-party certified for PFAS | Yes | Yes |
| Filtration stages | 2 | 1 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 500 gal | 500 gal |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 0.5 gpm | 0.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | 148 USD | 108 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 →Culligan US-EZ-4
Pros
- IAPMO-certified for PFOA/PFOS, plus NSF/ANSI 42 and 401
- Lowest annual cartridge cost of the certified picks
- 2-year warranty
- On the Washington State DOH PFAS filter list
Cons
- Single stage with 0.5 gpm flow
- Install errors can cause leaks
- Amazon price is from a third-party seller
- Check the box for the PFOA/PFOS claim, as some documents omit it
The best value for a certified carbon filter, driven by low running costs rather than a big upfront discount.
Full Culligan US-EZ-4 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.