Clearly Filtered · Water Filters
1 Pack Upgraded Water Pitcher Filter With Clearly Filtered No. 1
No coating of concern recorded, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The brand has published no PFAS statement for this product that we could find.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
activated carbon filter media with non-fluorinated polymer housing
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What 1 Pack Upgraded Water Pitcher Filter is made of, ingredients and materials
This pitcher uses activated carbon filter media, the industry standard for chlorine, taste, and odor reduction, paired with a non-fluorinated polymer (likely polypropylene or similar) housing. Activated carbon itself is inert and food-safe once properly rinsed. The non-fluorinated housing material avoids the fluorinated polymer coatings sometimes used in other water filter housings that can degrade and leach under acidic conditions or repeated hot water exposure.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial colonization if filter not replaced on schedule
Activated carbon filters become a growth medium for bacteria once saturation is reached. Clearly Filtered publishes replacement intervals but does not publish bacterial testing data; risk depends entirely on user compliance with changeout timing.
Activated carbon dust or fines in first use
Loose carbon particles can pass into the first pitcher of water if the filter is not rinsed before initial use. This is cosmetic and not acutely harmful but undesirable; standard industry practice is to discard or rinse the first 1-2 pitchers.
Mold or algae growth in reservoir or housing seams
Pitcher filters with standing water and light exposure can develop mold at seal lines or in the lower chamber. Regular cleaning and storage away from sunlight mitigate this; no design flaw is on record, but user maintenance is critical.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Housing polymer leaching under stress or age
Non-fluorinated polymer (presumed polypropylene) does not show established leaching patterns in neutral pH water at room temperature. No recalls or customer reports document polymer degradation; risk remains theoretical without accelerated aging test data from the brand.
Filter media source and purity unknown
Activated carbon quality depends on raw material and activation method. Clearly Filtered does not disclose supplier or contaminant testing (e.g., for residual metals, ash content); assumption is that food-grade standards apply, but independent verification is unavailable.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Clearly Filtered has published testing data for contaminant reduction but does not publicly disclose materials sourcing, manufacturing certifications (NSF, WQA), or PFAS stance. The brand remains silent on its polymer supplier and filter media sourcing, which limits independent verification of supply-chain controls. No recalls, bacterial contamination incidents, or leachate complaints are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Pitcher filters vary widely in housing durability and filter lifespan. Clearly Filtered pitchers are mid-tier, they use activated carbon without reported housing degradation issues, but lack third-party certification badges (NSF, WQA) that competitors like BRITA or PUR carry. The non-fluorinated housing is a practical advantage over some budget alternatives that use uncertain polymer coatings.
If you buy it
Rinse the new filter before first use to clear loose carbon dust. Replace the filter every 40-60 gallons or per the manufacturer timeline, whichever comes first; unmaintained filters risk bacterial biofilm growth. Store the pitcher in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to prevent algae and mold in the reservoir. Do not expose the housing to boiling water or prolonged heat above 120F, which can stress the polymer joints.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Clearly Filtered has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More water filters grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.