✅ Worth it? Yes, if contaminant reduction matters more to you than fast filtration. In this Clearly Filtered pitcher review, we compared the filtered sample with our June 2022 unfiltered city-water test. Total THMs measured 31.83 ppb in the baseline and were non-detect after filtration.
Full scoring basis
- Filtration Performance (40%): Total THMs, barium, and copper were non-detect in our post-filter sample
- Certifications & Transparency (20%): WQA certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 372; broader reduction claims rely on published third-party testing
- Taste & Odor (15%): Our tap water lost its chemical taste and smelled cleaner after filtration
- Operating Cost (10%): About $0.55 per gallon at the current $55 single-filter price and full 100-gallon rated life
- Flow/Capacity (5%), Setup/Maintenance (5%), Build Quality (5%)
We’ve used the Clearly Filtered water pitcher since 2022. It works best when we refill it early instead of waiting until the lower chamber runs dry.
What we like most:
- Total THMs were non-detect in our filtered sample
- Each filter is rated for up to 100 gallons
- The water dam keeps unfiltered water out of the pour
- The body, handle, and lid have held up since 2022
Keep in mind:
- Reaching the full capacity takes two reservoir fills
- New filters must be primed by hand with the included bag
- There’s no filter-life meter
- Replacement filters cost more than basic pitcher filters
- The spout flap sometimes needs a nudge
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Best for: Renters and small households that want published contaminant testing without changing the plumbing.
What Our Clearly Filtered Pitcher Lab Test Found
We filled the pitcher from our basement utility sink, which receives straight municipal water without another filter in front of it. The finished pitcher water went into the Tap Score lab bottle for the August 2025 post-filter report.
We used our June 2022 unfiltered city-water test as the baseline. It’s the reference point for filters tested on the same municipal supply. The source and filtered samples were collected on different dates, which are shown with the reports.
| Analyte | Source baseline | Post-filter | What the lab reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total THMs | 31.83 ppb | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
| Chloroform | 21.57 ppb | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
| Bromodichloromethane | 7.93 ppb | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
| Dibromochloromethane | 2.33 ppb | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
| Barium | 0.010 ppm | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
| Copper | 0.020 ppm | ND | Reduced to non-detect |
Lab reports and testing context
ND means the analyte wasn’t detected above the lab’s reporting limit. It doesn’t mean the concentration was proven to be absolute zero.
View our unfiltered source-water baseline (PDF)
View our Clearly Filtered post-filter report (PDF)
What the test proves, and what it doesn’t
All three individual THM compounds detected in the baseline were non-detect in the post-filter sample. The same was true for barium and copper, which were present at low levels in the baseline.
Lead and fluoride were already non-detect in our source baseline. That means our test can’t calculate a removal percentage for either one. Clearly Filtered publishes third-party reduction data for those contaminants, but we didn’t measure a change in this water.
This also isn’t a zero-TDS pitcher. The post-filter report measured 303 ppm TDS versus 187.2 ppm in the older baseline. Since the samples were collected years apart, we don’t use that difference to claim the pitcher added or removed dissolved solids. Buyers who specifically want near-zero TDS should look at our ZeroWater pitcher review.
Living With the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
Lab results tell us what was in the bottle. Daily use tells us whether the pitcher is practical enough to keep refilling. The notes below come from repeated use, not just an unboxing and a first glass.
Our timed filtration test
One upper-reservoir load filtered in 11 minutes 52 seconds. That isn’t the same as filling the entire pitcher. The reservoir holds about half of the final 10-cup capacity, so we had to fill it a second time. The complete process took nearly 22 minutes.
⏱️ Timelapse from our timed reservoir test.
Filling and pouring
The slow fill is easier to live with if you refill before the lower chamber runs dry. A built-in water dam separates the upper reservoir from the filtered water below, so we can pour a glass while filtration is still underway.
The spout flap is the one small annoyance we notice during a pour. It doesn’t always swing open cleanly, so we occasionally nudge it with a thumb. The lid stays in place, and the handle feels secure even when the lower chamber is full.
Setup and filter changes
New filters need to be primed with the included bag before installation. The first attempt can be a little messy, but the process only takes a few minutes once you understand how the bag seals around the cartridge.
How Long Does a Clearly Filtered Pitcher Filter Last?
Clearly Filtered rates each cartridge for up to 100 gallons. Because the upper reservoir holds about half a gallon, that works out to roughly 200 reservoir fills if the filter reaches its full rating.
Actual life depends on water quality and use. The manufacturer estimates a two-person household may replace it every three to four months. There’s no electronic meter, so we track the installation date and watch for a meaningful slowdown. A phone or calendar reminder is the simplest fix.
At the current $55 single-filter price, the best-case operating cost is about $0.55 per gallon. It will be higher if difficult water shortens cartridge life. That’s more expensive than a basic Brita-style filter, and it should be part of the buying decision.
Is the Clearly Filtered Pitcher NSF Certified?
The current pitcher is listed by WQA to NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372. Standard 42 covers the certified aesthetic claims and product requirements in the listing. Standard 372 addresses lead content in product materials. It isn’t a certification that the pitcher removes lead from water.
Clearly Filtered also publishes third-party testing for a much broader list of contaminants, including lead, fluoride, PFAS, and arsenic. Keep those two evidence buckets separate: WQA certification supports the claims named in its listing, while the 365-plus figure comes from the manufacturer’s independent test data.
Our own Tap Score report adds a third evidence layer. It doesn’t confirm every manufacturer claim, but it does show what happened to the contaminants actually present in our water sample.
Where the Clearly Filtered Pitcher Fits
Clearly Filtered fits a renter or small household that doesn’t want to install a countertop or under-sink system. If faster filtration, lower cartridge cost, or aggressive TDS reduction matters more, another pitcher may suit you better.
For product rankings and side-by-side category comparisons, see our guide to the best water filter pitchers we’ve tested.
Who Should Buy the Clearly Filtered Pitcher?
Buy it if:
- You rent or can’t change the plumbing
- You want published testing that goes beyond chlorine taste
- You can refill ahead of time instead of waiting for water on demand
- You prefer a 10-cup pitcher over a larger countertop appliance
Skip it if:
- You need fast back-to-back fills for a large household
- You want a built-in filter-life indicator
- Your main goal is near-zero TDS
- You’d rather pay for an installed system with water on demand
Our Verdict
Our lab report gives this pitcher a stronger case than a long contaminant list by itself. The plastic body has also held up through several years of regular use.
It isn’t fast or cheap to run. We still recommend it when contaminant testing matters more than fill speed or low filter cost.