Aquasana Claryum vs iSpring CKC1
Both hang off your faucet and take no counter space to speak of. The $30-to-$100 question is paperwork.
| Aquasana AQ-4000 | iSpring CKC1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Aquasana (replacements $73.49/set) | $69.99 (lead variant $97.81) |
| Certification | WQA certified to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 (incl. P473) and 401 | 'Tested to meet' NSF/ANSI standards - no standard named for the base model |
| Certified claims | Lead, PFAS, VOCs, cysts, chlorine, mercury | Chlorine/chloramine and taste (manufacturer); lead variant is SGS-tested |
| Flow | 0.4 gpm | Varies with pressure |
| Filter cost | About $147/yr | About $22-44/yr (lead cartridge $61.59/yr) |
Verdict
If a contaminant with a health standard (lead, PFAS) is your concern, the Aquasana's certification is the product. If your tap water is safe but tastes like a swimming pool, the iSpring fixes the actual problem for less than a nice dinner.