Clearly Filtered: The Most NSF-Certified Pitcher Filter for PFAS and Emerging Contaminants
Clearly Filtered (San Diego, California) manufactures the Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($90--$110) with Affinity Filtration Technology -- claiming removal of 365+ contaminants and holding NSF certifications for 232 individual contaminants, including NSF 42, 53, 244, 401, and 473 (PFAS). No other pitcher filter on the US market holds comparable certification breadth. The Clearly Filtered pitcher costs significantly more than Brita or PUR ($90--$110 vs. $25--$50) but provides documented removal of PFAS, PFOA, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics -- categories where Brita and PUR standard filters have no certified removal claims.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher: Certifications at a Glance
| NSF Standard | What It Covers | Clearly Filtered | Brita Longlast+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSF 42 | Chlorine taste/odor | Yes | Yes |
| NSF 53 | Lead, cysts, VOCs | Yes | Yes |
| NSF 244 | PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) | Yes | No |
| NSF 401 | Emerging contaminants, pharmaceuticals | Yes | No (NSF 58 only) |
| NSF 473 | PFAS expanded | Yes | No |
Clearly Filtered Filter Life and Cost
The Clearly Filtered replacement filter (3-pack, $70--$90; single, $30--$40) is rated at 100 gallons per filter -- 2.5x the Standard Brita filter life but at 3--4x the cost per filter. Annual cost per gallon: approximately $0.08--$0.12. The significantly higher cost vs. Brita is the primary barrier for most households -- Clearly Filtered is the premium choice for buyers with specific PFAS or pharmaceutical concerns who cannot afford or install an RO system.