Best Home Water Filters for Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

What are the best home water filters for toxic PFAS “forever chemical” filtration? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAS “forever chemicals”) have been detected all over the United States in water systems in advisory levels. What do you do if your local well or water district has detectable levels of PFAS? You should get a water filter as soon as possible, but which ones are the most effective? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest cookware without PFAS and nanomaterials, safest period underwear without PFAS, safest ketchup brands without detectable PFAS, and safest parchment paper without PFAS, now join us for the best water filters for home use that filter out toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” based on consumer studies.

Disclosure: This post has been medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN.  This post contains affiliate links. 

Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found in Over 2,800 Locations & All 50 States in the U.S.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAS “forever chemicals”) include several thousand chemicals that have been used for over 50 years for a variety of things like stain and water repellency in jackets & furniture, lubrication of manufacturing equipment, wiring in electronics, non-stick coatings in pans, grease resistance in food packaging, and grease fire fighting foams at military bases and airports. As a result, these chemicals have been detected in our air, water, groundwater, soil, and household dust.

According to a recent study by the Environmental Working Group, as of August 2021, 2,854 locations in 50 states and two territories are known to be contaminated with PFAS “forever chemicals.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has known about the health hazards of PFAS for decades but has failed to limit PFAS discharges into the air and water or set cleanup standards until just this week.

Mamavation joined a press conference on Monday, October 18th with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discover there was some forward progress being planned to address these issues, but in our opinion, they are VERY late getting to the table on this. We are thankful they have finally decided to make plans of action, however, for the purposes of your family, this may be too late. Based on the prevalence of the contamination already present in the United States, you may need to take immediate action to protect your family.

Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Have Been Linked to Numerous Human Health Concerns

PFAS “forever chemicals” are pretty much everywhere, which is why they are referred to as being ubiquitous. To underscore that point, researchers have found that 98% of people in the United States have some of these chemicals (PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and PFNA) inside their bodies. Coupled with the fact that close to 100% of samples of breastmilk show traces of PFAS, it’s apparent how ubiquitous they really are.

These chemicals are also persistent, which means they build up in your body over time and do not go anywhere for several years. Therefore it’s very important to minimize the amount of PFAS chemicals you are exposed to, even if those levels are very small. Unless you avoid PFAS, your exposure level would only increase over time, which can lead to disease.

Here is the list of health problems (PFAS) perfluorinated chemicals are linked with.

• reduction in immunity
• metabolic diseases like obesity & diabetes
• reduced vaccination response
• cardiovascular disease
• affect the growth, learning, and behavior of infants and older children
• increased risk of allergies & asthma in young children
• lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant
• increase the chances of miscarriage 
• low birth weight
• increase cholesterol levels
• low sperm count
• smaller penis size
• increase the risk of cancer like testicular & kidney cancers
• thyroid disease

If you’d like to talk to your doctor about your own exposure to PFAS, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a division of Community Health Investigations has created this fact sheet to use.

How Prevalent are Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals” & What To Do If You Find Them Locally

Due to the widespread nature of PFAS chemicals and increased scrutiny, long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) have been phased out of production and replaced with short-chain “current use” PFAAs and per- and polyfluoroalkyl ether acids (PFEAs), such as GenX, ADONA, and F-53B, and these chemicals are becoming very prevalent in our environment. It’s important to also remember that even though chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been phased out, they are persistent so they are still being found in drinking water, soil, and ambient air.

However, it’s surmised by researchers that the main exposure pathway for PFAS “forever chemicals” is through ingestion of contaminated drinking water. But despite all the increased awareness, PFAS are repeatedly detected at elevated levels in treated drinking water because they are not always removed in full-scale water treatment plants. These water treatment plants would need to use expensive technology combining the following methods to be successful and not all have these technologies:

• Granular activated carbon (GAC) absorption
• Anion exchange
• High-pressure membrane filtration, such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis filters

First, check the water database from the Environmental Working Group to see if your local tap water has any PFAS contamination issues. If you find anything, you’ll want to purchase and maintain an at-home water filtration system that is particularly powerful at removing PFAS if these chemicals have been found in their area. This investigation will go over which types of residential water filters are effective at removing the following chemicals via a consumer study in 2020: GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA,  & PFDA.

Next, choose from several types of water treatment systems like pitcher-style filters, sink reverse osmosis filter, whole house filtration with whole-house systems, ion exchange, carbon treatments, etc. We prefer NSF International certification, but you can find others independently tested (like in this post) to filter PFAS compounds. Not all systems will be able to handle different types of PFAS or high levels of PFAS, so do your research before buying.

Then finally, do your best to avoid PFAS in other areas of your home.

Consumer Study on Water Filters Compared Labs of Over 80 Units for PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

In 2020 researchers, including Heather Stapleton from Duke University, published a study in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology Letters called Assessing the Effectiveness of Point-of-Use Residential Drinking Water Filters for Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs). This study looked at 89 water filters inside homes that had contaminated drinking water in North Carolina with PFAS pollution.

In order to assess each filter, the Wilcoxon-Rank sum test was conducted on the pre- and post-filter of each water system on the following PFAS chemicals: GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA,  & PFDA. (Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all the PFAS compounds out there, but ones under a regulatory health advisory.)

Here were some main findings:

• On average PFAAs with greater chain lengths were more efficiently removed by activated carbon filters, however short-chain “current use” PFAS chemicals are reliably filtered by these same filters with the exception of dual-stage filters.
• All reverse osmosis and dual-stage use filters showed significant removal (p < 0.05) for PFCAs and PFSAs, reducing levels over 90% efficiency.
• All reverse osmosis and dual-stage filters showed removal of PFEAs at 97% efficiency.
• 74% of reverse osmosis and dual-stage systems were able to reduce GenX to a non-detect level.
• Activated carbon POU filters (including countertop, faucet, pitcher, fridge, and single-stage under sink filters) demonstrated greater variability in removing PFSas and PFCAs.
• Single-stage under the sink filters removed a majority of PFSAs at 84% but removed only half of PFCAs.

Mamavation’s Recommended Product: Aqua Tru Countertop Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis

After we categorized all the water filters, pitchers, and refrigerator filters, it was clear that there was an affordable option! Mamavation is recommending you get a countertop AquaTru system.

• AquaTru is the first and only countertop reverse osmosis water purifier.
• Certified to NSF standards to remove 85 contaminants, including lead, Chromium-6, Chlorine, Fluoride, PFAs, and more.
• Was the only countertop brand independently tested to have non-detect levels of all PFAS chemicals in the independent study: GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA
• Two different locations in the study had Aqua Tru machines and both had similar results–all the PFAS was at non-detectable levels.

Mamavation reached out to AquaTru and this link will get you $150 off a unit deducted automatically at checkout. 

• AquaTru Countertop Water Purifier Connect (with Wifi connectivity built-in meters & tracking) — $499.00 ($349 with automatic Mamavation discount)
• AquaTru Countertop Water Purifier Classic — $449 ($299 with automatic Mamavation discount)
• AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier — $299
• AquaTru Under Sink Alkaline Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier (with added minerals) — $319

Mamavation’s Investigation of Water Filter Systems for Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

Mamavation is reporting on the results from the consumer study in 2020 and dividing the systems into clear winners and ones that are “not our favorite” in terms of removing toxic PFAS “forever chemicals.” These units will remove PFAS levels in the water supply at various rates so pay attention to details.

• For the “best” category, we pulled systems that were tested against eight or more of the PFAS chemicals and had non-detect levels after filtration.
• For the “better” category, we pulled systems that were tested against less than 8 PFAS chemicals and had non-detect levels after filtration. This category does not mean they are “worse” per se, but just that there was no independent proof they worked against all the other additional chemicals.
• For the “not our favorite” category, we pulled brands that filtered PFAS, but not all of them.

We believe this arrangement will help consumers get their water to the safest levels.

Not Our Favorite Water Filter Systems for Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

For the “not our favorite” category, we pulled brands that filtered PFAS, but did not bring all the PFAS chemicals to non-detectable levels. These water filters didn’t filter some of these PFAS chemicals: GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA.

• Amana Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• AquaSauna EQ- Whole House -GAC (Didn’t filter all PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, & PFDA)
• AquaSauna Under Sink OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis Claryum (Didn’t filter all PFHxA or PFHpA)
• Berkey Pitcher (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, & PFHxA)
• Big Berkey with 2 Black Filters (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFPA, & PFHxA)
• Bosch Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all PFBS, PFBA, & PFHpA)
• Brita Pitcher (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, & PFOA)
• Brita Soho Pitcher (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• Clear Choice Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA, & PFOA)
• Culligan Under Sink Single Stage (Didn’t filter all PFBA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFNA)
• Every Drop Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, & PFOA)
• Filtrete: 3US-PF01 Under Sink single Stage (Didn’t filter all PFBA & PFPA)
• GE Refrigerator (unknown model) (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• GE Smart Water Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, & PFOA)
• GE Smart WaterPlus Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all PFBA & PFHxA)
• HydroViv Under-Sink Single Stage (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Jenn-Air Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• PUR Faucet (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• PUR Pitcher (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• Primo Reverse Osmosis (Didn’t filter all PFOS)
• Puronics Clarius-WIGEN Whole House-GAC/CIX (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Puronics Clarius-W Whole House-GAC/CIX (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Puronics Defender IGEN Whole House-GAC/CIX (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Samsung Refrigerator Filter (unknown model) (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, & PFOA)
• Whirlpool Refrigerator Filter (unknown model) (Didn’t filter all PFBA, PFPA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Whirlpool WHEM B40 Dual-Stage (Didn’t filter all PFBA & PFOS)
• Whirlpool HDX FMW-5 Refrigerator Filter (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• Whirlpool WHCF-DUF Under-Sink Single Stage (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• Whirlpool Under Sink Single Stage (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFHxA, & PFHpA)
• Zero Water Pitcher (Didn’t filter all GenX, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA & PDFA)

Better Water Filter Systems for Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

For the “better” category, we pulled systems that were tested against less than 8 PFAS chemicals and had non-detect levels after filtration. This category does not mean they are “worse” per se, but just that there was no independent proof they worked against all PFAS chemicals within the study.

• Custom Formulations KDF/GAC Under Sink Single Stage (5 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• EcoAquaEFF Refrigerator (5 chemicals absent: PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• eSpring 100189 (UV lamp off) Under-sink Single Stage (6 chemicals absent: PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• Puronics Micromax 7000 Reverse Osmosis (10 chemicals absent: PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, & PFDA)
• Titan Water Pro NW- RO50-NP35 (5 chemicals absent: PFBS, PFHxS, PFNA, & PFDA)

Best Water Filter Systems for Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemical” Filtration

These brands had PFAS at Minimum Detection Levels (MDL) meaning it was not detected when the filter was running. The following PFAS chemicals were accounted for: GenX, PFBS, PFHxS, PFBA, PFOS, PFPA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, & PFDA. These water filters were tested against at least 8 of these chemicals and passed. There was some variance on what chemicals were present in the water at each home and if any were not present, we called that out for you as an FYI.

• APEC Water: RO-45 Reverse Osmosis & Zero Water Reverse Osmosis running in a series (1 absent chemical: PFBS)
• APEC RO-45 Reverse Osmosis (3 absent chemicals: PFOA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• AQUA TRU Countertop Water Filtration Reverse Osmosis (No absent chemicals) (This link will deduct $150 off a unit for you automatically at checkout.)
• Culligan Reverse Osmosis (3 absent chemicals: PFPA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• Culligan Aqua-Cleer Reverse Osmosis (3 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• EcoWater Reverse Osmosis (1 absent chemical: PFBS)
• GE: FXSVC Dual-Stage (3 absent chemicals: PFPA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• GE Refrigerator (unknown model) (1 absent chemical: PFBS) (We are looking further into which one, so please hold off from buying for now)
• Hydroviv Tailored Tapwater & HDX Whirlpool 3 Dual-Stage (3 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• Hydroviv Tailored Tapwater Under-sink Single Stage (3 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• Kenmore Dual-stage (3 absent chemicals: PFPA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• Kinetico K-5 Reverse Osmosis (3 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFNA, & PFDA)
• LG Refrigerator (3 absent chemicals: PFPA, PFNA, & PFDA)
• PUR Refrigerator Filter (No absent chemicals)
• Samsung Refrigerator (Unknown model)(3 absent chemicals: PFBS, PFNA, & PFDA) (We are looking further into which one, so please hold off on buying for now)
• Whirlpool: WHEEDF Dual-Stage (2 absent chemicals: PFNA & PFDA)