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The water purifier market is pretty saturated. I spent hours researching the best options, so you don’t have to (you’re welcome).
The first time I drank filtered water was in college, when my roommate brought a filtered pitcher to our teeny room. I thought we’d reached peak water quality, but—as is true of so many ideas formed in college—it turned out that I was wrong. Now that I have an apartment of my own, I’ve decided to level up from the Brita days.
After reading dozens of articles and listicles, I was finally able to narrow dozens of contenders down to two top-rated brands: Sans and AquaTru. During my research, it quickly became clear to me that reverse osmosis filters are the gold standard of water filtration, and these were the two that impressed me the most.
Editor’s Note: During the Sans Summer Sale, get $100 off the Sans Water Purifier for a limited time (plus free shipping, always).
So what is a reverse osmosis filter? The main differentiator is the size of particles that are allowed to pass through. While the activated carbon filter in my trusty Brita removes sediment and chlorine from my water, a reverse osmosis filter can remove particles up to 0.0001 microns in size—including viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, microplastics, and chemicals.
Now, I’m diving into my final selection process to share what I learned and to (hopefully) save you some time.
Meet the Contenders
AquaTru is home to the world’s first countertop reverse osmosis water purification system, which is definitely impressive. As a company, they are devoted to making clean water widely accessible, a sentiment shared by Sans.
Sans is French for “without,” which is the perfect name for a company specializing in purification (both of water and air). The company was established in the throes of the COVID pandemic. While self-isolating, co-founders John Fanelly and Adam Bedford got to thinking about the optimal wellness environment in the home (and what that would entail). Breathing easy must have come to mind, because their first product was born soon after: the medical-grade Sans Air Purifier. Then, they added another element to the list of improvements… water. With that, came the Sans Water Purifier.
Alright, now that the small talk is out of the way, let’s get into the comparisons.
So, What’s it Gonna Run Me?
My Pick: AquaTru
The elephant in the room—at least, the elephant in my room—is price, so I’ll start there. For comparison’s sake, out of the four (plus) AquaTru options, I decided to focus on the Carafe, seeing as it is most similar in model to the Sans Water Purifier. The AquaTru system costs costs $349, while Sans’ model is $499. Both brands’ filters use a Pre/Carbon Filter, Reverse Osmosis Filter, and a Carbon VOC Filter that need replacing. Comparing the filter replacement plans had my head swimming, so I laid the info out in lists for quick comparison:
Sans:
One year worth of filters – $59.98
One year worth of filters (with subscription) – $63.97
AquaTru:
Filter Bundle (1 Year) – $53.96
Ultimately, AquaTru snagged this category. Not only are the systems themselves slightly cheaper, but the replacements are, too (although just barely). Normally, I’d just go with the cheaper option, but in this case, you really do get what you pay for…
It’s What’s on the Inside That Counts
My Pick: Sans
Both AquaTru and Sans share a reverse osmosis system, but there are some differences to set them apart from one another. AquaTru uses proprietary Ultra Reverse Osmosis® Tech, which, according to their website, has been “tested to rigorous NSF/ANSI standards by IAPMO to remove dangerous contaminants.” The Sans Water Purifier, on the other hand, has been proven to remove up to 99% of contaminants in water. Sans has their own patented features, too—their SmartPure™ display provides TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and overall water quality in real time. Sans also includes a UV-C light as an additional source of filtration, which targets pathogens like viruses and bacteria.
…But the Outside Is Nice, Too
My Pick: Sans
Both the Sans and AquaTru Carafe models are designed to rest on the counter for easy access. In AquaTru, the carafe itself is 64oz, and in Sans it is 57oz. Although in many cases bigger is better, I actually like the idea of a slightly smaller canister. For one, the difference is less than a cup of volume. But beyond that, I value all of my kitchen space, fridge and counters alike, so any way I can conserve surface area is a pro in my eyes.
And okay, from time to time, we all judge books by their covers. So from a strictly aesthetic perspective, the Sans Water Purifier definitely appeals to me more. The design is all straight edges, clear and white plastic for a sleek, nearly invisible look. And I don’t know about you, but the less noticeable my appliances, the better. AquaTru’s Carafe, with its gray line and rounded edges, felt much more clunky and less ergonomic to me.
The Special Features
My Pick: Sans
AquaTru carries a Wi-Fi Connected model, which you can choose as a sort of add-on to your filter. Paying for the wifi addition means your water filter can be controlled via smartphone app. Sans’ approach to special features require no addition… they’re included. One of them is the Instant Hot function, which dispenses hot water instantly. I’m a biiiig drink-from-a-mug person, so that feature really got me. Plus, the Sans Water Purifier auto-fills, so the attached container is always full and ready to go. In my research, I also discovered that the dispense rate of the Sans Water Purifier is 2x that of AquaTru. I mean, come on. I’ve already lost far too much of my life to standing at the fridge, watching water trickle at a snail’s pace from my Brita to my glass.
Another disparity between Sans and AquaTru are their display features. AquaTru has only an indicator light to announce when the filter needs changing, or when other maintenance is necessary. Sans, on the other hand, has a sleek digital display which monitors the quality of your drinking water in real time as well as filter replacement notifications.
Whose Customers Are Happier?
My Pick: Sans
The final consideration for me was overall customer experience; how the brands made me feel, even as a prospective buyer. Both AquaTru and Sans have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which could also be framed as a free trial. Basically, you have 30 days to decide whether or not their water purifiers are right for you. Shipping is always free from Sans, but when I went through the purchase motions, AquaTru was charging me $19.95 for shipping. Additionally, Sans comes with a 3-year full warranty, while AquaTru offers a 3-year extended warranty for purchase at the (not-so-low) price of $49.95.
It’s probably obvious, but I’ll still confirm: Sans won (again). The combination of risk-free trial, free shipping, and included warranty is a customer’s dream come true… I literally couldn’t ask for more.
Why I’m Team Sans
I haven’t said enough about arguably the most important part of this whole process: the taste. Since buying my purifier, every glass of water I’ve poured from it has been incredible. I never, ever would’ve thought that plain water could taste so good. It even makes a difference for my otherwise-flavored drinks, like teas and coffees. It’s incredibly important to examine the functionality of whichever water filter you consider, and that’s why I’m grateful that I ultimately settled on the Sans Water Purifier.
If I learned anything throughout this entire investigation process, it was that water filters are absolutely necessary, but not created equally. Take this terrifying fact: a 2021 Consumer Reports and Guardian US study found that out of 120 locations surveyed across the US, 118 had drinking water containing unsafe levels of PFAS (chemicals linked to health problems including cancer) or arsenic… or lead. The Sans approach to water filtration marries the undeniably effective science of reverse osmosis with a beautiful design, instant hot functionality, and simplicity. And if drinking water is anything, it should be that: simple.
