Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) vs Culligan US-EZ-4
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect)
The short answer
Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) and Culligan US-EZ-4 finish almost level in our scoring (7.7 vs 7.8 out of 10), so the right pick depends on what you value most. Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) is stronger on other contaminant coverage, installation & cabinet fit and flow & daily convenience. Culligan US-EZ-4 is stronger on pfas reduction evidence, value and reliability & support. At current verified prices, the Culligan US-EZ-4 costs about $12.02 less.
- 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.
- 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-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS reduction evidence | 7.5Certified per maker data sheet only; certifier inconsistent. | 8.0IAPMO NSF 53 PFOA/PFOS certification, on the WA DOH list; no independent lab test. |
| Other contaminant coverage | 7.042/53/401 coverage. | 6.542/53/401 claims incl. lead and chloramine; single-stage carbon. |
| Value | 8.0$124.99; long-life cartridge. | 9.5About $98 upfront and about $108 a year in cartridges. |
| Installation & cabinet fit | 9.5No drilling, faucet or power. | 7.5One canister, no power or drain; dedicated faucet may need a hole. |
| Flow & daily convenience | 8.01.5 gpm through the main faucet; cold only. | 6.00.5 gpm; twist-off cartridge every 500 gal/6 months. |
| Health, materials & sustainability | 7.5No wastewater; BPA-free claim is brand-level. | 7.5No wastewater or power; minerals kept; no BPA disclosure found. |
| Reliability & support | 6.01-year warranty; third-party Amazon seller. | 7.52-year limited warranty; install errors cause leaks. |
Specifications
| Spec | Aquasana AQ-MF-1 (Claryum Direct Connect) | Culligan US-EZ-4 |
|---|---|---|
| Filter type | Inline carbon block (Claryum), single cartridge | Carbon block, single cartridge |
| PFAS certification (as stated by maker) | IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (includes P473) and 401; 95% PFOA/PFOS reduction | 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 | 1 | 1 |
| Filter capacity (primary cartridge) | 784 gal | 500 gal |
| Rated filter life | 6 months | 6 months |
| Rated flow rate | 1.5 gpm | 0.5 gpm |
| Est. annual filter cost | — | 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) | No | Yes |
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 →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.