The Best Non-Toxic Water Filters of 2026
433 of the 434 water filters PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, 99.8% of the category, as of October 2026, and 1 scores below it. The highest graded is Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification at 100 out of 100.
Looking for a filter that removes PFAS?
That is a different question from the grades below, which are about what each filter is made of. NSF’s public register lists 49 models certified to reduce total PFAS and 63 certified for PFOA and PFOS, read September 29, 2026. We also checked 15 filter brands one by one, including the ones certified by IAPMO rather than NSF, which NSF’s register does not list at all.
See every filter certified to reduce PFAS →Every grade below is built from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and brand disclosures, scored on one public rubric and ranked best-graded first. Each score links to the full breakdown of what earned it, and the numbers across the whole dataset are published too.
Are water filters non-toxic?
433 of the 434 water filters we graded clear our screen and 1 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on water filters in this category are VOCs and off-gassing, heavy metals, microplastics, BPA and bisphenols, lead. The highest graded here is Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification at 100 out of 100.
Quick picks
Best overall
Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons PurificationHighest PFAS grade in the category
100 Excellent
A second brand to consider
Big Berkey Empty Housing with NO Filters IncludedThe best grade here from a brand other than the winner
100 Excellent
Why Aquamira Water Storage Treatment wins, and what it beats
Every grade on this page is one sum. A category starts from a baseline, each disclosed material or coating adds risk points, and each thing the brand or a third party has published takes them away. Below is that sum for the winner, then for 3 products it beats, so you can see exactly where the 40 points between the top and the bottom of this water filters ranking come from.
The winner
Made of glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical.
- +15No PFAS disclosure. No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
- -20Bare uncoated material. Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
What the grade does not fix. It still carries one risk factor, No PFAS disclosure, and our graders recorded 5 other hazards on it. See the full breakdown.
What it beats, and why
What puts it behind. The winner earns -20 points for Bare uncoated material. We found nothing comparable published for this product.
- +15No PFAS disclosure
- -10Base material not linked to PFAS. The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
5risk points, a grade of 95
What puts it behind. Vague safety claims only, +15 points. Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement. The winner carries no such factor.
- +15Vague safety claims only
- -10Base material not linked to PFAS. The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
5risk points, a grade of 95
What puts it behind. Unknown / proprietary coating, +25 points. A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry. The winner carries no such factor.
Made of Nanofiber filter media (composition unspecified).
- +25Unknown / proprietary coating
- +15No PFAS disclosure
40risk points, a grade of 60
No product on this page was physically tested by us. Every number above comes from published materials, ingredient and coating disclosures, certifications and brand statements, scored on one public rubric. Formulations change without notice, so check the current product listing before buying.
What to watch for in water filters
Beyond the PFAS grade, these are the things our graders recorded on the 434 water filters in this category. We assess from materials, brand statements and published research. We do not lab-test.
- VOCs and off-gassing
Volatile compounds that evaporate out of a material at room temperature, which is what a new product smell is.
Found on 2 of these water filters. Plausible but unconfirmed on 26 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- Heavy metals
Metals such as antimony, nickel and chromium migrating from a material into what touches it.
Found on 2 of these water filters. Plausible but unconfirmed on 13 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. ATSDR
- Microplastics
Plastic fragments small enough to shed from a product into food, water or air without anyone seeing it.
Found on 1 of these water filters. Plausible but unconfirmed on 92 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- BPA and bisphenols
Chemicals that harden plastic and line metal cans, and the replacements sold as BPA-free.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 24 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. NIEHS
Our grade says what a filter is made of, not how much PFAS it removes. For that, NSF, IAPMO and WQA keep public registers of units certified to reduce PFAS, and we reproduce them in full on the list of water filters certified to reduce PFAS. Check a model against both.
The safest water filters we graded, lowest PFAS risk first
- 1
Highest grade here
- glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Chemical overdose or misuse
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 2
- Stainless steel housing and spigot
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth and biofilm if filters not replaced
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 3
- Borosilicate glass pitcher, replaceable activated-carbon filter cartridge
- Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if unmaintained
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 4
- Activated carbon and resin filter elements, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth / biofilm in filter housing
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 5
- Stainless steel housing, activated carbon and mineral filters
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in lower chamber
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 6
- Stainless steel housing; activated carbon and mineral-based filter media
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in filter media if maintenance neglected
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 7
- Stainless steel bottle with activated carbon filter cartridge
- Bacterial/microorganism growth in filter cartridge
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 8
- RO membrane, carbon filter media, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in storage tank
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What the evidence says about PFAS in water filters
The US EPA set its first enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS in 2024, including 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS, and in May 2026 proposed giving water systems until 2031 to meet those two while rescinding the limits for four other PFAS. For home filters, EPA tells shoppers to look for NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification for PFAS reduction, while cautioning that those certifications did not yet match its new limits. In one 2020 study, under-sink reverse osmosis and two-stage filters removed nearly all of the PFAS tested for, while carbon filters in pitchers and similar styles performed inconsistently.
- Regulatory filingIn 2024 the US EPA set legally enforceable drinking water limits for six PFAS, with individual limits for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA and a combined Hazard Index limit for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFBS. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingEPA’s 2024 limits for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water are 4.0 parts per trillion each, and EPA says its proposal to extend the compliance deadline does not change them. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingOn May 18, 2026 EPA proposed letting drinking water systems request two more years, to 2031, to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits, and separately proposed rescinding the limits for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and the Hazard Index mixture that also covers PFBS. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingEPA tells shoppers to look on product labels for certification under NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 for PFAS reduction. US EPA ↗
- Regulatory filingEPA cautions that, as of April 2024, PFAS filter certifications did not yet show a filter will remove PFAS down to its new drinking water limits, and says it is working with standard-setting bodies to update them. US EPA ↗
- Independent testIn a 2020 study, Duke University and NC State researchers found that under-sink reverse osmosis and two-stage filters removed nearly all of the PFAS they tested for, while activated carbon filters in pitcher, countertop, refrigerator and faucet styles were inconsistent and unpredictable. Duke University via EurekAlert! ↗
- Independent testConsumer Reports says three of the pitchers in its tests, the Brita Denali with Elite filter, the Culligan Zero Water ZD-012-RP and the ZeroWater Ready-Pour ZD-010RP, are certified to NSF standards to reduce lead, chlorine and PFAS. Consumer Reports ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
Questions people ask about water filters
- What Is PFAS?
- What Is GenX?
- How Do I Test My Water for PFAS?
- How Can I Reduce My Exposure to PFAS?
- What Is PFOS?
- Is There Microplastic in Bottled Water?
- Is There PFAS in Bottled Water?
- Is Tap Water Safe to Drink?
- Why Is There Chlorine in Tap Water?
- Is There Lead in Your Tap Water?
- Does Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS?
- What Is TDS in Water?
- What Should You Do During a Boil Water Advisory?
- What Is Legionella, and How Do People Get Legionnaires’ Disease?
- Is Hard Water Bad for You?
- What Is a Lead Service Line?
- Is Well Water Safe to Drink?
- Why Is Fluoride in Drinking Water?
- Are Nitrates in Drinking Water Harmful?
- What Water Filter Removes Lead?
- What Does NSF Certified Mean?
- Is Rain Water Safe to Drink?
- What Is Polybutylene Pipe?
- Is PEX Pipe Safe for Drinking Water?
- What Is Chloramine in Water?
- What Is a Water Softener?
- What Is Hydrogen Sulfide?
- What Is a Harmful Algal Bloom?
- What Is Chloroform?
- What Is Sodium Hypochlorite?
- What Is Calcium Hypochlorite?
- What Do Coliform Bacteria in Water Mean?
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
All the water filters that pass, side by side
Sorted by score. A higher score means lower PFAS risk.
| # | Water Filters | Score | Rating | Made of | Key concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification | 100 | Excellent | glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical | Chemical overdose or misuse |
| 2 | Big Berkey Empty Housing with NO Filters Included | 100 | Excellent | Stainless steel housing and spigot | Bacterial growth and biofilm if filters not replaced |
| 3 | LifeStraw Home Glass Water Filter Pitcher | 100 | Excellent | Borosilicate glass pitcher, replaceable activated-carbon filter cartridge | Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if unmaintained |
| 4 | Big Berkey Berkey Big Water Filter System | 100 | Excellent | Activated carbon and resin filter elements, stainless steel housing | Bacterial growth / biofilm in filter housing |
| 5 | Big Berkey Water Filter System | 100 | Excellent | Stainless steel housing, activated carbon and mineral filters | Bacterial growth in lower chamber |
| 6 | Big Berkey Royal Berkey Water Filter System | 100 | Excellent | Stainless steel housing; activated carbon and mineral-based filter media | Bacterial growth in filter media if maintenance neglected |
| 7 | Brita 20 oz Carbon Stainless Steel Filtered Water Bottle | 100 | Excellent | Stainless steel bottle with activated carbon filter cartridge | Bacterial/microorganism growth in filter cartridge |
| 8 | Brondell Circle Reverse Osmosis Under Counter Water Filtration System RC100-BN | 100 | Excellent | RO membrane, carbon filter media, stainless steel housing | Bacterial growth in storage tank |
The verdict on water filters
Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification grades 100 out of 100, the highest here. It is glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical. We found no PFAS statement from the brand, so the grade rests on materials alone.
Choose Big Berkey Empty Housing with NO Filters Included instead if you want a second option at 100 out of 100, stainless steel housing and spigot.
We hold no price data, so nothing here is a budget recommendation. Grades are model-based assessments from published materials and disclosures, not laboratory tests.
The water filters we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first, with the reason.
- 60Good
- 95Berkey Gravity FilterExcellent
Bacterial growth if unmaintained
- 95Brita Standard FilterExcellent
Bacterial growth in filter media and housing
What we check on water filters
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The water filters brands we found no PFAS statement from
We found no PFAS statement from 55 of the brands here. That is our research, not proof a brand has never said anything, and it is not evidence of harm. It is why none of them score well on disclosure.
3M, APEC Water Systems, Aarke, Apex, Aqua Crest, Aqua Optima, AquaBliss, AquaTru, Aquafeel, Aquagear, Aquamira, Aquara.
The brands that have published something, and what each of them actually said, are in our record of what every brand has said about PFAS.
Common questions about PFAS in water filters
Are water filters PFAS free?
433 of the 434 water filters PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, 99.8% of the category, as of October 2026, and 1 scores below it. The highest graded is Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification at 100 out of 100. The lowest graded is Filtered Water Bottle with Nanofiber Fast Flow Filter Media at 60 out of 100.
Are water filters non-toxic?
433 of the 434 water filters we graded clear our screen and 1 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on water filters in this category are VOCs and off-gassing, heavy metals, microplastics, BPA and bisphenols, lead. The highest graded here is Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification at 100 out of 100.
Which are the safest water filters to buy?
On our grades, Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification at 100 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. Then Big Berkey Empty Housing with NO Filters Included at 100. These are model-based assessments from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and disclosures, not laboratory tests, so treat them as the lowest risk we can evidence rather than a safety guarantee.
Which water filters grade best for PFAS?
Aquamira Water Storage Treatment 2 oz Glass Bottles 60 gallons Purification, at 100 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is glass bottles, sodium dichloroisocyanurate treatment chemical. The runner up is Big Berkey Empty Housing with NO Filters Included at 100.
Which water filters should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Filtered Water Bottle with Nanofiber Fast Flow Filter Media at 60, Berkey Gravity Filter at 95, Brita Standard Filter at 95. The problem with the first is that skip until the brand discloses nanofiber makeup, PFAS risk remains unclear.
Which water filters brands have not published a PFAS statement?
We found no PFAS statement from 55 of the brands we scored in this category, including 3M, APEC Water Systems, Aarke, Apex, Aqua Crest, Aqua Optima. That is what our research turned up, not proof a brand has never said anything, and a missing statement is not evidence of harm. It is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test water filters?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
More food and water categories we have graded
Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to water filters.
- Best non-toxic smart rings256 graded
- Best non-toxic food packaging186 graded
- Best non-toxic lunch boxes175 graded
- Best non-toxic waterproof camera cases150 graded
- Best non-toxic coffee cups15 graded
- Best non-toxic countertop filters15 graded
- Best non-toxic fast food wrappers15 graded
- Best non-toxic food storage containers15 graded
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The products we score each week, and the best-graded alternative in every category.
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Does a particular brand of water filters have PFAS?
Brands we grade across the catalogue
Everything we have scored from these brands, not just water filters.
We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Water Filters, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 434 water filters.