Does Aquaphor water filters have PFAS?
We graded 20 Aquaphor water filters products, averaging Excellent (95/100). 20 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 63 water filters brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 95/100, Aquaphor is about typical, scoring above 36% of them.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
What Aquaphor says and does about PFAS
Aquaphor, the water filter maker, says an accredited lab, Measurlabs, tested its RO-101S and RO-102S reverse osmosis system and found all 20 PFAS compounds tested reduced to below the detection limit. That test was of the reverse osmosis system, and we found no equivalent test for its pitcher filters, which it describes as coconut shell activated carbon with AQUALEN fiber. We found no Aquaphor products in NSF’s certified drinking water treatment listings.
- Brand statementAquaphor says its RO-101S/RO-102S reverse osmosis system was independently tested by Measurlabs, with all 20 tested PFAS compounds reduced to below the laboratory detection limit. Aquaphor ↗
- MaterialsAquaphor describes its pitcher filter media as coconut shell activated carbon with AQUALEN microfiber. Aquaphor ↗
- Regulatory filingA search of NSF’s certified drinking water treatment listings for Aquaphor returns no matching products. NSF ↗
Sources checked September 14, 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.
Aquaphor water filters worth buying Good or better, best-graded first
Aquaphor
Prestige A5 Water Filter Jug | Shop Waterlux White
Plastic jug (unspecified polymer), carbon/ion-exchange filter media
Bacterial growth in filter media and housing
Pitcher filters are passive systems with no UV or UV light; if cartridges are not…
Plastic jug leaching (unknown polymer)
The jug material is not specified. Most pitcher jugs are polypropylene (PP) or…
Filter media saturation and contaminant breakthrough
Carbon and ion-exchange cartridges have finite capacity. Overuse or failure to replace on…
Biofilm and mold in jug crevices
Pitcher jugs with complex internal sealing mechanisms and spout assemblies are prone to…
Low-concern filter type, but lack of jug material and filter transparency warrants caution.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Prestige A5 Water Filter Jug | Shop Waterlux Cherry
Plastic jug (likely polypropylene or BPA-free plastic) with activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
Activated carbon and ion-exchange media can accumulate microbes if filters are not…
Inadequate contaminant removal if filter not replaced
Once carbon is saturated (typically 40-60 gallons), filtration performance drops sharply.…
Low PFAS concern for typical filters, but brand silence on materials creates doubt.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Prestige A5 Water Filter Jug | Shop Waterlux Blue
Plastic jug (likely polypropylene) with activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial growth and biofilm colonization
All pitcher filters accumulate bacteria if cartridge replacement is delayed beyond 2-3…
Polypropylene degradation from heat exposure
Prolonged storage near heat sources or direct sunlight can cause the PP jug to leach…
Housing leachables (mold, biofilm)
The plastic housing interior can develop mold, mildew, or algae if not dried thoroughly…
Filter efficacy degradation and contaminant breakthrough
Activated carbon filters lose adsorptive capacity over time and may fail to remove…
Lower PFAS concern, but manufacturer silence on materials limits confidence.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Prestige Water Filter Pitcher - Spacious and Efficient Dark Blue
Plastic pitcher housing, activated carbon and ion-exchange resin filter media
Bacterial growth in filter housing if filter cartridge not replaced on schedule
All pitcher filters accumulate biofilm when saturation is exceeded. Aqua Crest does not…
Degradation of housing clarity and seal integrity over years of use
Polypropylene housings can become opaque and brittle after 3-5 years of daily UV and…
Low PFAS concern for standard pitcher, typical carbon doesn't require Teflon-family coating treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
5 Cup Compact Water Filter Pitcher With 1 x B15 Filter
Plastic pitcher body with activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
Carbon filters can harbor biofilm if not replaced regularly or if pitcher sits unused for…
Filter cartridge housing integrity
Plastic filter cartridge housings can crack or warp over time if dropped or exposed to…
Heavy metals
Commercial activated carbon can occasionally contain trace heavy metals (mercury, lead)…
Lower-concern water pitcher; standard carbon filtration poses minimal PFAS risk, but brand silence on materials limits certainty.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Opal 12 Cup Premium Water Filter Pitcher Black Includes 1 x B15 Filter. Countertop Design
Plastic pitcher with activated carbon/ion-exchange filter
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacteria if cartridges are not replaced on schedule…
Gasket and seal degradation
Rubber gaskets can degrade with age and repeated exposure to mineral buildup or improper…
Incomplete contaminant removal
Activated carbon filters are not certified to remove PFAS, nitrates, heavy metals, or…
Plastic pitcher with activated carbon filter has lower concern based on materials recorded.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Water Filter Pitcher Opal Black 12 Cup with B15 Filter + 2 x City Filter Water Bottle with Purifying Filter (Pi
Plastic pitcher housing, activated carbon and ion-exchange filter media
Bacterial growth in filter media and housing if unmaintained
Activated carbon and ion-exchange resins are porous and can harbor bacteria if cartridges…
Filter cartridge housing materials (plastic caps, seals)
Small plastic components in the B15 cartridge (caps, seals) are not independently tested…
Ion-exchange resin depletion without visual indicator
This pitcher has no flow-rate warning or color-change indicator. Sodium or potassium…
Lower PFAS concern likely, but the brand provides no public disclosure.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
JShmidt 500 Water Filter Pitcher
Plastic pitcher body, activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial colonization in filter cartridge
All pitcher filters are susceptible to biofilm growth if cartridges exceed rated lifespan…
Activated carbon dust or particulate shedding
New carbon cartridges may release fine black particles into the first 1-2 pitchers of…
Plastic degradation from heat or UV exposure
Polypropylene pitcher bodies can become brittle or warp if exposed to direct sunlight…
Water filter pitchers typically use carbon filters, lower concern overall.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Prestige A5 Water Filter Jug
Plastic jug, activated carbon cartridge filter
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacteria if not replaced on schedule or if jug is…
Activated carbon cartridge material composition
Cartridge binder materials and activation methods are not typically disclosed by…
Jug housing microcracking or degradation
Polypropylene can develop stress cracks over time or with repeated thermal cycling…
Lower concern, but brand provides no PFAS transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Opal 12 Cup Premium Water Filter Pitcher
Plastic pitcher housing, activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
Exhausted or infrequently replaced activated carbon cartridges can harbor bacteria and…
Activated carbon filter performance degradation
Activated carbon cartridges lose adsorption capacity over time and volume; by 2-3 months…
Lid seal or housing crack over time
Repeated filling, emptying, and refrigerator door contact can stress polypropylene hinges…
Lower risk. Carbon filters rarely treated with PFAS, but brand disclosure absent.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Ravi Time Filter Jug
Plastic jug with activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge and jug
Activated carbon filters can harbor bacteria if not replaced regularly or if the jug is…
Filter cartridge housing durability and degradation
The plastic cartridge casing itself is not published for material composition. Over…
Plastic jug with activated carbon filter, not a material linked to PFAS on record.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Time Water Filter Pitcher - Convenient and Effective White
Plastic pitcher with activated carbon filter cartridge
Activated carbon cartridge degradation and particle shedding
If a cartridge is used beyond its rated life or is cracked during installation, fragments…
Bacterial growth in filter housing and stagnant water
Pitcher filters can become breeding grounds for bacteria (including Legionella species)…
Lack of third-party certification and transparency
Aquaphor does not advertise NSF certification for this pitcher model and does not…
Water filter pitchers use activated carbon; brand discloses nothing on PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Ideal 7-Cup Water Filter Pitcher
plastic pitcher with activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter media
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria if the cartridge is not replaced on schedule or if…
Filter media particle shedding
Activated carbon granules can break down over time and shed fine particles into filtered…
Housing material degradation
Polypropylene can become brittle or discolor after prolonged exposure to sunlight or…
Lower-concern product; standard filter pitcher with no known PFAS materials.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Ideal Water Filter Pitcher
activated carbon filter cartridge with plastic pitcher housing
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if overused
Activated carbon can harbor bacteria once saturated; no manufacturer guidance on exact…
Activated carbon dust or particle shedding
New or damaged cartridges may release fine carbon particles into water during initial…
Filter performance degradation without clear indicators
Aquaphor does not provide visual saturation indicators or as-clear guidance on…
Plastic housing durability under thermal or UV stress
Exposure to sunlight or warm kitchens may degrade plastic structural integrity over…
Lower-concern water filter; standard carbon media unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Standard Water Filter Pitcher
Activated carbon filter media with plastic pitcher housing
Bacterial growth in filter media if not replaced on schedule
Activated carbon, once saturated, can become a growth substrate for bacteria and mold if…
Heavy metals
Activated carbon alone does not efficiently remove lead, fluoride, or pharmaceutical…
Filter media dust or carbon particles escaping into drinking water
Poor filter seating or cartridge degradation can allow fine carbon particles to pass into…
Degradation of plastic components from UV or heat exposure over time
The pitcher housing can become brittle or crack with age, prolonged sunlight, or exposure…
Lower PFAS concern for typical use, but the brand won't discuss filter or housing composition.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Amethyst Water Filter Jug Maxfor+
Plastic jug body with activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial and mold growth in filter cartridge
If the cartridge is not replaced on manufacturer schedule (typically 2-3 months)…
Filter cartridge housing integrity
Cheap cartridge seals or cracked plastic housings can allow unfiltered water to bypass…
Activated carbon dust or fragments in water
New or damaged cartridges can shed fine black carbon particles into the first few pitcher…
False sense of security from unvalidated claims
Pitcher filters marketed without third-party testing data (NSF, WQA) may not deliver…
Lower concern for PFAS, but filter replacement costs and performance matter more than material specs.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Time Water Filter Pitcher - Convenient and Effective Blue
Plastic pitcher with activated carbon filter cartridge
BPA & bisphenols
Food-grade plastic pitcher housing is unlikely to contain BPA if labeled food-safe, but…
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge
This is the most documented risk in pitcher-filter category. If cartridges are not…
Activated carbon dust or fines in water
If cartridge is damaged, cracked, or improperly seated, fine carbon particles can escape…
PFAS
Activated carbon itself does not inherently contain PFAS, but cartridge plastic casings…
Lower-concern filter type, but only buy if filter cartridges are labeled PFAS-free.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Time MFP + Time Water Filter Jug - Compact and Convenient White
plastic housing, activated carbon and ion-exchange filter media
Bacterial and mold growth in filter cartridge
Any pitcher filter can support bacterial biofilm if cartridges are not replaced on…
Contaminant breakthrough if cartridge not replaced
Activated carbon becomes saturated and ceases to remove organic chemicals and chlorine…
Water filter jugs use lower-concern filter media.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Prestige A5 Water Filter Jug
Plastic jug housing + activated carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Bacterial and microbial growth in filter cartridge
If cartridges are not replaced on schedule or the jug is stored in warm conditions…
Activated carbon and ion-exchange resin shedding (microparticulates)
Poorly manufactured or degraded cartridges may release fine carbon dust or resin…
Seal and lid degradation (mold, mildew growth)
Rubber or plastic seals on pitcher lids are common sites for fungal growth if not dried…
Unverified filtration efficacy (contaminant pass-through)
Without NSF or independent testing data, the Prestige A5's actual removal rates for lead…
Low PFAS risk for typical filter design, but no brand transparency on jug plastics.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Aquaphor
Amethyst Water Filter Pitcher
Plastic pitcher with carbon/ion-exchange filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter and standing water
Pitcher filters are passive systems with no antimicrobial action; if cartridge is not…
Filter media degradation and particle shedding
Carbon filtration media can degrade and shed fine particles if the cartridge is…
Inadequate contaminant removal for specific threats
Pitcher filters are designed for taste and odor improvement, not for removal of heavy…
Low PFAS concern, but brand offers no transparency on materials or testing.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Better water filters from other brands
Graded higher than the Aquaphor average of 95.
Soma
Sustainable Pitcher
borosilicate glass pitcher, activated carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter housing
Limited concern
Activated carbon dust in water
Limited concern
Rubber seal degradation
Limited concern
Lower-concern water filter; glass and carbon unlikely to contain PFAS.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Soma
Full Circle Home 3-Piece Soma Water Pitcher Set
Glass pitcher body; plastic/resin components (unspecified polymer)
Unspecified plastic/resin leachables from filter housing and cartridge
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in filter housing if maintenance is poor
High concern
Filter medium particulate shedding
Limited concern
Low PFAS risk for the glass vessel, but plastic filter parts lack specification.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
LifeStraw
Home Glass Water Filter Pitcher
Borosilicate glass pitcher, replaceable activated-carbon filter cartridge
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if unmaintained
Limited concern
Filter cartridge housing leachables (composition undisclosed)
Limited concern
Borosilicate glass breakage and sharp edges
Moderate concern
Algae and biofilm growth in the pitcher reservoir
Limited concern
Glass pitcher with no coating on record.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
See every Aquaphor product we grade on the Aquaphor brand page, or the full water filters ranking.