Clearly Filtered · Water Filters
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
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, plastic pitcher housing
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is made of, ingredients and materials
The Clearly Filtered pitcher uses activated carbon as its primary filter media, a well-established material for removing chlorine, taste, odor, and some organic contaminants from tap water. The pitcher housing is plastic, likely polypropylene or similar food-grade polymer. Activated carbon itself is inert and does not leach harmful chemicals into water under normal use; the housing plastic presents a lower concern point, though food-contact plastics are regulated for safety at room temperature.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial growth in filter cartridge if maintenance neglected
Activated carbon, while inert, can harbor bacteria if not replaced on schedule or if the pitcher sits unused for weeks. This is a usage issue, not a material defect, but remains a real risk in the water filter category.
Activated carbon dust or migration into water
New filters may shed loose carbon particles; this is cosmetic and not toxic, but the manufacturer recommends pre-rinsing to minimize dark specks in first few uses.
Over-reliance on pitcher filter for all contaminants
Activated carbon does not remove all dissolved salts, fluoride, or certain microbial pathogens. Users may assume the pitcher provides complete water safety when municipal testing or additional treatment (e.g., boiling) may be needed for specific contaminants or if water quality is compromised.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
BPA & bisphenols
No recalls or complaints specific to Clearly Filtered pitcher housing leaching have been documented. Food-grade plastics used in pitchers are regulated; however, if the plastic is repeatedly exposed to hot water or sunlight, minor leaching becomes theoretically possible, though unlikely at room temperature.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Clearly Filtered has marketed itself as a PFAS-aware brand and has publicly committed to not using PFOA or Teflon-type coating coatings in its filters, which is credible given activated carbon does not require such coatings. The brand does not appear to have major product recalls or safety violations on record related to leaching or contamination. No third-party NSF or WQA certification is widely publicized for this model, though the brand has emphasized lab testing of filter performance.
How it compares in its category
Pitcher filters vary widely; Clearly Filtered sits in the mid-to-premium segment, positioning itself against standard Brita or PUR pitchers by emphasizing PFAS exclusion and broader contaminant removal. Most pitcher housings use similar plastic, so housing leaching risk is comparable across brands. The differentiator is filter media composition and claimed removal rates, where activated carbon alone (versus coconut or ion-exchange resins) has documented trade-offs in what it removes.
If you buy it
Always run water through the filter before first use to remove loose carbon dust. Replace the filter every 2-3 months or 40 gallons as stated on the package; clogged filters reduce effectiveness and risk bacterial biofilm growth inside the cartridge. Store the pitcher in a cool, dark place and do not expose the plastic housing to heat sources or direct sunlight for extended periods. Do not assume the pitcher removes all contaminants; it is a supplemental tool, not a replacement for municipal water safety or boiling for microbiological threats.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 68% 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.