Aquasana Brand Profile

Company Overview

Aquasana is an American water filtration company headquartered in Austin, Texas, that designs and sells whole-house water filters, salt-free water conditioners, reverse osmosis systems, under-sink filters, and shower filters. Founded in 2004 as an independent brand, Aquasana grew to become one of the most recognized names in residential water treatment before being acquired by A.O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) in March 2021 for approximately $107 million.

A.O. Smith is a Fortune 1000 company with over a century of experience in water heating and treatment technologies. The acquisition brought Aquasana under one of the world's largest water technology portfolios, alongside brands such as A.O. Smith Water Heaters, Lochinvar, and Hague Quality Water. Post-acquisition, Aquasana continues to operate as a distinct consumer-facing brand while leveraging A.O. Smith's engineering resources and distribution network.

Aquasana sells primarily through a direct-to-consumer model via its e-commerce platform, supplemented by retail partnerships with major home improvement chains and online marketplaces. The brand targets middle-to-upper-market homeowners who want comprehensive water treatment solutions with documented performance credentials.

Quick Facts

Product Line Overview

Aquasana organizes its catalog into five core product categories, with the Rhino whole-house series serving as the brand's flagship line. All systems are designed around a modular philosophy that allows homeowners to combine filtration, UV treatment, and water conditioning in a single integrated setup.

Complete Product Line Table

Rhino Whole-House Systems

The Rhino EQ-1000 is Aquasana's most popular product and serves as the foundation of the brand's whole-house offerings. It uses a two-stage filtration process combining activated carbon with KDF-55 media to reduce chlorine, sediment, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants across the entire home. The system is rated for up to 1,000,000 gallons or 10 years of use, whichever comes first.

For well water applications, the EQ-Well-UV adds ultraviolet (UV) sterilization to address bacteria, viruses, and other microbiological contaminants that carbon alone cannot remove. The EQ-Max represents the upgraded configuration with enhanced filtration media and higher capacity options. For a detailed analysis, see our Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 review.

SimplySoft Salt-Free Conditioner

The SimplySoft system uses template-assisted crystallization (TAC) technology to convert hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) into microscopic crystals that remain suspended in water rather than forming scale on pipes and appliances. Unlike traditional ion-exchange water softeners, TAC systems do not use salt, do not require electricity, produce no wastewater, and do not remove beneficial minerals from the water. For a full assessment, read our Aquasana SimplySoft review.

Claryum Under-Sink Systems

Claryum is Aquasana's proprietary filtration technology used in its under-sink and countertop drinking water systems. The 3-stage process combines activated carbon, catalytic carbon, and ion-exchange media to target a broad spectrum of contaminants. Select Claryum models are independently certified to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53 for chlorine taste and odor reduction, as well as the reduction of heavy metals including lead and mercury, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Key Technologies

Modular Add-On System

One of Aquasana's defining characteristics is its modular system architecture. The base Rhino whole-house filter can be expanded with add-on components that work together as an integrated platform:

• UV Filter Module: Adds ultraviolet sterilization for well water or microbiological concerns
• SimplySoft Conditioner: Adds salt-free scale prevention downstream of filtration
• Pre-Filter: 20-inch sediment pre-filter protects the main carbon/KDF tank from large particles

This modularity allows homeowners to start with a basic system and upgrade over time as needs or budgets change, rather than replacing the entire unit. The components are designed to connect seamlessly without requiring additional plumbing adapters or custom installations.

Claryum Selective Filtration

Claryum technology uses a multi-stage approach that selectively targets harmful contaminants while preserving naturally occurring beneficial minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. This distinguishes it from reverse osmosis systems, which strip virtually all dissolved solids from water—including those that contribute to taste and health benefits. The result is filtered water that is clean yet not "flat" or demineralized.

Carbon + KDF Media Blends

Aquasana's whole-house systems use a proprietary blend of activated carbon and KDF-55 (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) media. The activated carbon adsorbs chlorine, volatile organic compounds, and other chemical contaminants, while the KDF-55 media uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) process to target heavy metals and inhibit bacterial growth within the filter tank. This dual-media approach extends filter life and improves contaminant reduction compared to carbon-only systems.

Warranty & Satisfaction Guarantee

Aquasana backs its Rhino whole-house systems with an industry-leading 10-year warranty on the filter tank and housing, provided the system is installed according to manufacturer specifications and receives regular filter changes. This is among the longest warranties available in the residential whole-house filtration market and reflects confidence in the system's durability.

Drinking water systems typically carry shorter warranties—generally 1 to 2 years depending on the model. All products are covered by Aquasana's 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which allows customers to return products within 90 days of purchase for a full refund, even if the system has been installed and used. This trial period is longer than the industry average of 30 days and reduces the financial risk of purchasing a high-ticket filtration system.

Installation Model & Costs

Aquasana whole-house systems require professional installation for warranty validation and proper function. The systems must be plumbed into the main water line entering the home, which involves cutting pipes, installing bypass valves, and potentially adding electrical connections for UV modules.

Installation costs typically range from $300 to $600, depending on geographic location, the complexity of the plumbing configuration, and whether additional fittings or modifications are needed. Aquasana offers optional professional installation as an add-on at checkout through its network of licensed plumbers. Alternatively, customers can hire their own licensed plumber.

Under-sink and countertop systems are designed for DIY installation and do not require a plumber in most cases. The Claryum under-sink system connects to the cold water line under the kitchen sink using included fittings, while the Clean Water Machine simply plugs into a standard electrical outlet.

Ongoing Maintenance

Maintenance requirements vary by product:

• Pre-filter: Changed every 2–3 months (20-inch sediment filter)
• Main carbon/KDF tank: Every 5–10 years, depending on model and water usage
• Post-filter: Changed every 6–12 months
• UV lamp: Changed annually
• SimplySoft media: Maintenance-free for rated lifespan (typically 6 years)
• Claryum filters: Changed every 6 months or 365 gallons

Pricing Overview

Aquasana positions itself in the premium segment of the residential water filtration market. Prices are higher than entry-level competitors but generally lower than top-tier professional-grade systems. The brand frequently offers bundled system discounts when combining a whole-house filter with a conditioner or UV module.

Note: Prices are approximate and may vary based on promotions, bundles, and retailer. Always check current pricing on the official Aquasana website.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Aquasana vs. Competitors

Aquasana vs. SpringWell

SpringWell is Aquasana's closest competitor in the premium whole-house filtration space. SpringWell systems typically offer higher flow rates (9–12 GPM vs. Aquasana's 7 GPM) and use a 4-stage filtration process compared to Aquasana's 2-stage carbon/KDF design. SpringWell also offers a lifetime warranty on tanks versus Aquasana's 10-year warranty. However, Aquasana holds the advantage in NSF certifications—SpringWell products are not currently NSF certified—and Aquasana's modular system offers more flexibility for adding UV or conditioning components over time. SpringWell systems are also designed for DIY installation, while Aquasana recommends professional installation. For a broader comparison of whole-house options, see our guide to the best whole-house water filters.

Aquasana vs. Pelican Water Systems

Pelican Water Systems, now part of Pentair, competes directly with Aquasana in both whole-house filtration and salt-free conditioning. Both brands use carbon/KDF media and offer salt-free conditioner add-ons. Pelican's PC600 and PC1000 systems are comparable to Aquasana's Rhino line in capacity and pricing. A key difference is that Pelican systems carry a limited lifetime warranty on tanks (vs. Aquasana's 10 years) and are marketed more heavily toward DIY installation. Aquasana's advantage lies in its NSF certifications and the 90-day satisfaction guarantee, which exceeds Pelican's return window. Both brands are suitable for municipal water sources; well water users should consider the UV add-on from either manufacturer.

Comparison Summary Table

For homeowners specifically interested in water softening solutions, our guide to the best water softeners covers both salt-based and salt-free options from these and other brands.

Frequently Asked Questions