Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter AQ-5300+

Water Filters

Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)

Name: Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)
Brand: Aquasana

#5 · Best Higher Capacity

7.4 /10 Our score

Lowest verified price $224.99 Amazon

Our verdict

Worth it for sediment-prone water or heavy use, but not for most households.

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

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Last reviewed October 25, 2026

Review

What to know about Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel)

A three-stage Claryum carbon system with a sediment pre-filter and 800-gallon cartridges. Rated flow is 0.5 gpm, per Aquasana's AQ-5300 page. WQA-certified for PFOA/PFOS under P473. It is Wirecutter's upgrade pick.

Editorial notes

Why it stands out

Why we like it

It matches the AQ-5200's WQA certification to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (P473) and 401, with 99.7% PFOA/PFOS reduction claimed by Aquasana. It adds a sediment pre-filter, which helps if your supply carries grit that would clog carbon. Wirecutter calls it its upgrade pick.

Cartridges last longer, so heavy-use kitchens change them less often.

What to know

Skip it if you expect higher flow. Despite the Max Flow name, it is rated at 0.5 gpm, the same as the 2-stage. Most buyers should save money with the AQ-5200.

Performance

Score breakdown

PFAS reduction evidence

Strength of proof that the system cuts PFAS: a current NSF/ANSI 53/58 PFOA/PFOS or total-PFAS certification (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) and/or independent lab results (TechGearLab/Tap Score, Quality Water Lab). Certified plus lab-verified scores highest; marketing-only claims score lowest.

8.5

WQA P473 certification; Wirecutter; no independent lab figure.

Other contaminant coverage

Certified or lab-verified reduction of lead, chlorine/chloramine, VOCs, pharmaceuticals (NSF 401), microplastics, and for RO, TDS, fluoride, nitrate and arsenic.

7.5

42/53/401 plus sediment stage.

Value

Upfront price plus annual filter cost per gallon, judged against the protection delivered.

6.5

About double the AQ-5200; about $184 a year.

Installation & cabinet fit

DIY difficulty, whether it needs a drilled faucet hole, a drain saddle or an electrical outlet, renter-friendliness, and under-sink footprint (tank vs tankless).

7.0

Three canisters; dedicated faucet; no power.

Flow & daily convenience

Flow rate or production speed, filter-change ease, and filter-life reminders.

6.5

0.5 gpm rated; 800-gallon cartridges mean fewer changes.

Health, materials & sustainability

Lead-free component certification (NSF 372), BPA disclosures, wastewater ratio, energy use, effects on pH and minerals, and any media leaching found in lab tests.

8.0

No wastewater; BPA-free per Aquasana.

Reliability & support

Leak reports, warranty length, availability of replacement parts and filters.

6.0

Third-party seller, filter stock gaps, secondhand leak reports.

Specifications

Aquasana AQ-5300+.56 (Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow, chrome; .55 = brushed nickel) specs

Design

Filter type: Carbon block (Claryum) + sediment pre-filter, 3-stage
Filtration stages: 3

PFAS

PFAS certification (as stated by maker): WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl. P473) and 401; maker claims 99.7% PFOA/PFOS
Third-party certified for PFAS: Yes

Maintenance

Filter capacity (primary cartridge): 800 gal
Rated filter life: 6 months
Est. annual filter cost: 184 USD

Performance

Rated flow rate: 0.5 gpm

Sustainability

Pure-to-drain ratio (RO): None (no RO)

Installation

Needs electrical outlet: No
Uses dedicated faucet (drilling may be needed): Yes

Shopping

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Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial rankings.

Prices and availability may change. The retailer's price and availability at checkout govern the transaction.

Retailer	Price	Availability
AmazonLowest	$224.99 $449.99	In Stock	View deal

Lowest verified price $224.99

30-day low $224.99

90-day average $224.99

90-day low $224.99

Based on 2 retailer price observations captured during the last 90 days.

More coverage

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Head-to-head

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