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Clearly Filtered vs Epic Water Filters — Which Pitcher Removes More?

Two pitchers sit on my counter right now. One is the Clearly Filtered, the other is the Epic Pure. They look almost identical — same 10-cup capacity, same BPA-free Tritan plastic, same promise of removing contaminants that budget pitchers like Brita and PUR don’t touch. But the similarities end the moment you look at the filter technology, the certification details, and the long-term cost of ownership.

The Clearly Filtered vs Epic Water debate has become one of the most common questions I get from readers who’ve outgrown their basic Brita and want real contaminant protection. Both brands position themselves as premium alternatives to mainstream pitchers, and both deliver on that promise — but they do it differently. Clearly Filtered uses its proprietary Affinity Filtration Technology to target 365+ contaminants. Epic Water Filters offers two distinct pitcher models — the Epic Pure (focused on heavy metals, PFAS, and fluoride) and the Epic Nano (which adds bacteria and virus removal). The right choice depends on your water source, your specific contaminant concerns, and how much you’re willing to spend per gallon.

I’ve been tracking both brands for several years now, and the 2026 versions of these pitchers represent meaningful improvements over earlier generations. Let me walk you through exactly where each one excels and where it falls short.

Our Verdict: Top Pick

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher with Affinity Filtration Technology<br />

Why We Picked It Broadest contaminant coverage of any pitcher on the market — 365+ contaminants with published removal rates, including fluoride, lead, PFAS, arsenic, and chromium-6<br />
Best For Households on municipal water who want the most comprehensive single-pitcher protection available<br />
Price $85-$95<br />

Meet the Contenders

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Clearly Filtered is a US-based company that built its reputation on one thing: publishing exhaustive contaminant removal data. Their pitcher uses what they call Affinity Filtration Technology — a proprietary blend of filtration media that selectively binds and removes contaminants while leaving beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water. The pitcher itself is a straightforward 10-cup (80 oz) design made from medical-grade Tritan plastic, free of BPA, BPS, and phthalates.

The current pitcher retails for approximately $90 directly from Clearly Filtered’s website. Replacement filters cost around $50-$60 each (less with subscription pricing) and are rated for 100 gallons — roughly 3-4 months for an average household. The pitcher comes with a limited lifetime warranty on the housing. Clearly Filtered’s test results are independently verified and the system is tested to comply with NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, and 372.

Epic Water Filters — Two Pitcher Options

Epic Water Filters takes a different approach by offering two distinct pitcher models, each targeting different filtration needs:

The Epic Pure is the everyday workhorse. It uses a solid carbon block filter that targets 200+ contaminants including fluoride, PFAS, lead, chlorine, and pharmaceuticals. The pitcher costs approximately $79, and the filter is rated for 150 gallons — notably longer than Clearly Filtered’s 100-gallon rating. The Epic Pure is independently tested to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401, and P473. It includes a built-in LED filter life countdown timer in the lid, which is a genuinely useful feature that Clearly Filtered lacks.

The Epic Nano XP is the heavy-duty option. It uses double-layer nano pleated media designed to remove bacteria, viruses, and cysts in addition to the chemical contaminants the Pure handles. The Nano XP is tested to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401, P231 (microbiological purifiers), and P473. It’s rated for 100 gallons per filter and costs slightly more than the Pure — typically $85-$95 for the pitcher. The Nano is designed for situations where microbiological contamination is a concern: well water, travel, camping, or emergency preparedness.

Head-to-Head Specifications

Option A

Option B

Contaminant Removal: Clearly Filtered’s Strongest Card

This is where Clearly Filtered separates itself from virtually every other pitcher on the market — not just Epic. The 365+ contaminant claim isn’t marketing fluff. Clearly Filtered publishes detailed removal percentages for each contaminant on their website, backed by independent laboratory testing. The list includes heavy hitters like lead (99.5%), arsenic (99.6%), chromium-6 (99.7%), PFAS compounds (99.9%), fluoride (98%+), chlorine (99.9%), and dozens of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

What makes Clearly Filtered’s Affinity Filtration Technology different from standard carbon filtration is the multi-media approach. Rather than relying solely on activated carbon (which excels at chlorine and organic compounds but struggles with dissolved metals and fluoride), the Affinity system uses a blend of filtration media that targets contaminants through multiple mechanisms — adsorption, ion exchange, and mechanical filtration. This is why it can remove fluoride and arsenic effectively, which most carbon-only filters cannot.

Epic Pure’s 200+ contaminant claim is also legitimate and backed by independent lab testing. In third-party Tap Score testing, the Epic Pure reduced lead, chlorine, and trihalomethanes (THMs) to non-detect levels — matching Clearly Filtered’s performance on those specific contaminants. The Epic Pure uses a solid carbon block filter, which provides excellent mechanical filtration due to the density of the carbon matrix. It handles PFAS (99.6% removal), fluoride, heavy metals, and pharmaceuticals effectively.

The gap between 365+ and 200+ contaminants sounds dramatic, but context matters. Many of the additional contaminants on Clearly Filtered’s list are specific pharmaceutical compounds, pesticide variants, and industrial chemicals that overlap in category. For the contaminants that matter most to most households — lead, chlorine, PFAS, fluoride, THMs, and common heavy metals — both pitchers deliver strong, lab-verified performance. Clearly Filtered simply tests and publishes results for a wider range of specific compounds.

The Epic Nano XP takes a different approach entirely. With 70+ targeted contaminants, its list is shorter than either the Pure or Clearly Filtered — but it adds a category neither of them touches: microbiological contaminants. The Nano’s double-layer nano fiber media is designed to physically block bacteria (99.9999% removal) and viruses (99.99% removal), meeting NSF/ANSI P231 standards for microbiological water purifiers. If you’re on well water, traveling internationally, or preparing for emergencies, the Nano fills a gap that no amount of carbon filtration can address.

Certifications and Testing Transparency

Both brands take testing seriously, but they approach certification differently.

Clearly Filtered’s pitcher is tested to comply with NSF/ANSI standards 42 (chlorine taste and odor), 53 (health effects — lead, cysts, VOCs), and 372 (lead-free compliance). Their contaminant removal data comes from independent laboratory testing, and they publish the full results on their website. The distinction worth noting: “tested to comply with NSF/ANSI standards” means the testing followed NSF protocols, but the product may not carry formal NSF certification with ongoing production monitoring. Clearly Filtered’s transparency about their test results is among the best in the pitcher industry.

Epic Water Filters’ Pure pitcher is independently tested to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401 (emerging contaminants — pharmaceuticals, PFAS), and P473 (PFAS specifically). The Epic Pure filter is NSF certified to standard 42, meaning it carries formal NSF certification for chlorine taste and odor reduction. The Nano XP adds P231 (microbiological purifiers) to that list. Epic also publishes lab results and provides downloadable test reports.

The practical difference? Both brands provide credible, independently verified test data. Epic has a slight edge in formal NSF certification (certified to standard 42 vs. tested to comply), while Clearly Filtered has a significant edge in the breadth of contaminants tested and published. For most buyers, the real question isn’t “which certification is better?” but “does this pitcher remove the specific contaminants in my water?” — and both brands give you enough data to answer that question.

Filter Life and Long-Term Cost

This is where Epic Pure pulls ahead decisively. At 150 gallons per filter, the Epic Pure lasts 50% longer than Clearly Filtered’s 100-gallon rating. For a household filtering 2 gallons per day, that translates to roughly 75 days for the Epic Pure versus 50 days for Clearly Filtered. Over a year, you’re replacing the Epic Pure filter about 5 times versus 7-8 times for Clearly Filtered.

Annual Cost Comparison (2 gallons/day = 730 gallons/year)

Clearly Filtered:

Epic Pure:

Epic Nano XP:

The numbers don’t lie: Epic Pure is roughly half the annual operating cost of Clearly Filtered. Over three years, the savings add up to $400-$600 — enough to buy several more pitchers. The Epic Nano XP falls between the two, which makes sense given its specialized microbiological filtration capability.

Clearly Filtered’s higher cost per gallon is the trade-off for its broader contaminant coverage. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on your water quality. If your municipal water report shows elevated levels of arsenic, chromium-6, or specific pharmaceuticals that Clearly Filtered tests for and Epic doesn’t explicitly list, the extra cost buys you documented protection. If your primary concerns are the usual suspects — chlorine, lead, PFAS, fluoride, and THMs — Epic Pure delivers comparable protection at a significantly lower ongoing cost.

Taste and Flow Rate

I’ve used both pitchers side by side, and the taste difference is minimal. Both produce clean, neutral-tasting water that’s noticeably better than unfiltered tap water. Neither strips the water completely flat the way ZeroWater does — both retain beneficial minerals, which gives the water a natural, slightly mineral taste that most people prefer over the “empty” taste of deionized water.

In independent Tap Score testing by Quality Water Lab, both pitchers eliminated chlorine taste and odor completely. The Epic Pure produced water that testers described as “clean and balanced — not flat, just balanced.” Clearly Filtered’s output was described similarly, with testers noting the absence of any chemical bite and smoother coffee brewing.

Flow rate is comparable but not identical. The Clearly Filtered pitcher takes approximately 12 minutes to filter a full 10-cup fill. The Epic Pure is slightly faster at roughly 11 minutes. The Epic Nano XP is the slowest of the three at 13-15 minutes, which is expected given the additional nano fiber filtration layer. None of these are fast by Brita standards (which filters in 2-3 minutes), but that speed difference reflects the depth of filtration happening inside the filter. More thorough filtration requires more contact time with the filter media.

One practical note: the Epic Pure and Nano both feature a flip-top lid that allows one-handed refilling — a small but appreciated design touch. Clearly Filtered’s lid requires removal for refilling, which is slightly less convenient but not a dealbreaker. Epic’s LED filter life countdown timer is a genuine advantage over Clearly Filtered, which has no built-in filter life indicator. With Clearly Filtered, you’ll need to track filter changes manually or set calendar reminders.

Build Quality and Design

Both pitchers use BPA-free Tritan plastic and feel solid in hand. Neither feels cheap or flimsy. The Clearly Filtered pitcher has a slightly more traditional design — clean lines, a comfortable handle, and a secure lid that doesn’t wobble. The Epic pitchers feature a bamboo handle option (on the Pure) that adds a distinctive aesthetic touch, and the overall design feels modern and well-considered.

Both brands offer lifetime warranties on the pitcher housing, which signals confidence in build quality. In long-term use, both pitchers hold up well — no cracking, no discoloration, no degradation of the lid seal. The Epic Pure’s LED timer runs on a small battery that’s integrated into the lid, and users report it lasting well beyond the expected lifespan.

One area where Clearly Filtered has an edge: the pouring experience. The pitcher pours smoothly and consistently, with no dripping or splashing. The Epic Pure has a minor quirk where the flip-top lid flap can pop open when pouring the last bit of water if you don’t steady it with your thumb. It’s a small annoyance, not a design flaw, but it’s worth mentioning for the sake of completeness.

Which Pitcher for Which Situation?

Choose Clearly Filtered If:

Choose Epic Pure If:

Choose Epic Nano XP If:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Clearly Filtered or Epic pitchers with well water?

Both Clearly Filtered and Epic Pure are designed for use with municipally treated (tap) water. They’ll improve well water taste and remove many chemical contaminants, but neither is designed to address bacteria or viruses that may be present in untreated well water. If you’re on well water, the Epic Nano XP is the better choice — it’s the only pitcher in this comparison tested to NSF/ANSI P231 for microbiological purification. Regardless of which pitcher you choose, always test your well water first to identify specific contaminants.

How do I know when to replace the filter?

Epic pitchers include a built-in LED countdown timer in the lid that tracks filter life and alerts you when it’s time to replace. Clearly Filtered does not have a built-in indicator — you’ll need to track usage manually or set calendar reminders. A good rule of thumb: if you fill the pitcher twice daily (about 1.25 gallons), Clearly Filtered’s filter lasts roughly 80 days and Epic Pure’s lasts roughly 120 days. Replace sooner if you notice reduced flow rate or changes in taste.

Do these pitchers remove fluoride?

Yes, both Clearly Filtered and Epic Pure remove fluoride. Clearly Filtered publishes a removal rate of approximately 98% for fluoride. Epic Pure also targets fluoride reduction, though specific published percentages vary by test report. Both are significantly more effective at fluoride removal than standard Brita or PUR filters, which do not meaningfully reduce fluoride. The Epic Nano XP also removes fluoride as part of its broader contaminant reduction profile.

Which pitcher is better for PFAS removal?

Both are excellent for PFAS. Clearly Filtered claims 99.9% removal of PFAS compounds, while Epic reports 99.6% removal. Both figures are independently verified through lab testing. The practical difference between 99.9% and 99.6% is negligible for household use — both reduce PFAS to trace or non-detect levels. Epic Pure’s testing to NSF/ANSI P473 (which specifically covers PFAS) provides an additional layer of standardized verification for PFAS removal claims.

Are replacement filters available on Amazon?

Yes, both brands sell replacement filters on Amazon in addition to their own websites. Clearly Filtered replacement pitcher filters are available on Amazon for approximately $60 per single filter. Epic Pure replacement filters are also available on Amazon. However, both brands offer better pricing through their own subscription programs — Clearly Filtered offers 10% off with subscription, and Epic’s Clean Water Club offers 20% off plus free shipping. Buying direct with a subscription is typically the most cost-effective approach for either brand.

The Bottom Line

Clearly Filtered wins on contaminant coverage breadth — 365+ tested and documented contaminants is unmatched in the pitcher category. If you want the most comprehensive protection available and don’t mind paying ~$0.50 per gallon for it, Clearly Filtered is the pitcher to buy.

Epic Pure wins on value — comparable performance on the contaminants that matter most (lead, chlorine, PFAS, fluoride, THMs) at roughly half the annual operating cost, with a longer 150-gallon filter life and a handy LED timer. For most households on municipal water, the Epic Pure delivers the best balance of protection and affordability.

Epic Nano XP wins on versatility — it’s the only pitcher here that handles both chemical and microbiological contaminants, making it the right choice for well water users, travelers, and anyone who wants pathogen protection in a countertop pitcher.

All three are dramatically better than Brita or PUR. You can’t go wrong with any of them — the question is which trade-offs matter most to your household.

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