Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) vs Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) comes out ahead overall with 7.7/10 against 7.4/10 for the Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel). Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, other contaminant coverage and health, materials & sustainability. Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) is stronger on value, installation & cabinet fit and flow & daily convenience. At current verified prices, the Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) costs about $100.00 less.
- 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.
- Choose the Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) if: Renters or crowded cabinets where you don't want a second faucet or a drilled hole.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 8.5WQA P473 certification; Wirecutter; no independent lab figure. | 7.5Certified per maker data sheet only; certifier inconsistent. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.542/53/401 plus sediment stage. | 7.042/53/401 coverage. |
| Value | 6.5About double the AQ-5200; about $184 a year. | 8.0$124.99; long-life cartridge. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 7.0Three canisters; dedicated faucet; no power. | 9.5No drilling, faucet or power. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 6.50.5 gpm rated; 800-gallon cartridges mean fewer changes. | 8.01.5 gpm through the main faucet; cold only. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 8.0No wastewater; BPA-free per Aquasana. | 7.5No wastewater; BPA-free claim is brand-level. |
| Reliability & support | 6.0Third-party seller, filter stock gaps, secondhand leak reports. | 6.01-year warranty; third-party Amazon seller. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Carbon block (Claryum) + sediment pre-filter, 3-stage | Inline carbon block (Claryum), single cartridge |
| PFAS certification (as stated by maker) | WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl. P473) and 401; maker claims 99.7% PFOA/PFOS | IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473) and 401; 95% PFOA/PFOS reduction |
| Third-party certified for PFAS | Yes | Yes |
| Filtration stages | 3 | 1 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 800 gal | 784 gal |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 0.5 gpm | 1.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | 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 | No |
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 →Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
Pros
- No drilling and no second faucet
- Certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (P473) and 401
- 1.5 gpm flow
- 784-gallon cartridge
Cons
- Only cold water is filtered
- Certifier named inconsistently across listings
- No independent review found
- 1-year limited warranty
The right pick when installation limits decide it. Check the certification on the box before you rely on it.
Full Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) 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.