Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) vs Culligan US-EZ-4
Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
The short answer
Culligan US-EZ-4 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-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, other contaminant coverage, flow & daily convenience and health, materials & sustainability. Culligan US-EZ-4 is stronger on value, installation & cabinet fit and reliability & support. At current verified prices, the Culligan US-EZ-4 costs about $112.02 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 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-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 8.5WQA P473 certification; Wirecutter; no independent lab figure. | 8.0IAPMO NSF 53 PFOA/PFOS certification, on the WA DOH list; no independent lab test. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.542/53/401 plus sediment stage. | 6.542/53/401 claims incl. lead and chloramine; single-stage carbon. |
| Value | 6.5About double the AQ-5200; about $184 a year. | 9.5About $98 upfront and about $108 a year in cartridges. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 7.0Three canisters; dedicated faucet; no power. | 7.5One canister, no power or drain; dedicated faucet may need a hole. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 6.50.5 gpm rated; 800-gallon cartridges mean fewer changes. | 6.00.5 gpm; twist-off cartridge every 500 gal/6 months. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 8.0No wastewater; BPA-free per Aquasana. | 7.5No wastewater or power; minerals kept; no BPA disclosure found. |
| Reliability & support | 6.0Third-party seller, filter stock gaps, secondhand leak reports. | 7.52-year limited warranty; install errors cause leaks. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Carbon block (Claryum) + sediment pre-filter, 3-stage | Carbon block, 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 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 | 3 | 1 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 800 gal | 500 gal |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 0.5 gpm | 0.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | 184 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-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 →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.