Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) vs Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W
Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) and Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W finish almost level in our scoring (7.4 vs 7.4 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) is stronger on value, installation & cabinet fit and health, materials & sustainability. Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, other contaminant coverage and flow & daily convenience. At current verified prices, the Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) costs about $534.01 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 Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W if: Households with known high PFAS or TDS that want the best-documented broad removal and have an outlet and drain under the sink.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 8.5WQA P473 certification; Wirecutter; no independent lab figure. | 9.0NSF 53 PFOA/PFOS certification plus an independent 14-compound panel, though only one panel. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.542/53/401 plus sediment stage. | 9.0RO plus NSF 58: TDS, fluoride, arsenic and nitrate on top of 42/53. |
| Value | 6.5About double the AQ-5200; about $184 a year. | 5.0$849 upfront; about $145 a year in filters. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 7.0Three canisters; dedicated faucet; no power. | 5.0Needs an outlet, a drain saddle and a faucet hole. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 6.50.5 gpm rated; 800-gallon cartridges mean fewer changes. | 8.0Rated 800 GPD on demand with a filter-life faucet; no measured flow figure. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 8.0No wastewater; BPA-free per Aquasana. | 7.0NSF 372, efficient 3:1, but uses power; pH fell to 6.3 without remineralization. |
| Reliability & support | 6.0Third-party seller, filter stock gaps, secondhand leak reports. | 6.01-year warranty; many bundle ASINs. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) | Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Carbon block (Claryum) + sediment pre-filter, 3-stage | Tankless reverse osmosis (with UV LED) |
| 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; also NSF/ANSI 42, 58, 372 |
| Third-party certified for PFAS | Yes | Yes |
| Filtration stages | 3 | — |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 800 gal | — |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | — |
| Rated flow rate | 0.5 gpm | — |
| Est. annual filter cost | 184 USD | 145 USD |
| Pure-to-drain ratio (RO) | None (no RO) | 3:1 |
| Needs electrical outlet | No | Yes |
| 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 →Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W
Pros
- Certified for PFOA/PFOS and lab-tested across 14 PFAS compounds
- Also certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 58 and 372
- Tankless design
- Broad RO coverage including TDS
Cons
- Premium price; street prices vary widely, so confirm you're buying the base unit
- Needs an outlet, a drain connection and a dedicated faucet
- Without the optional remineralization cartridge, Water Filter Guru measured pH dropping from 7.3 to 6.3
- 1-year warranty
The strongest choice for known high PFAS or high TDS. For everyone else, it is more system than you need.
Full Waterdrop WD-G3P800-W 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.