Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher In-depth Review

With 30 years of experience under their belt, Aquagear has only a single product in the water pitcher category—the Aquagear. This pitcher can allegedly remove 20 times more contaminants than other filters. It’s backed by a lifetime guarantee, a recycling program, and a price to match the capacity.

Of course, it’s one of the first we bought to test. And here’s how the plain-looking Aquagear filter pitcher performed. Hint: It earned a spot in our Best Water Filter Pitcher compilation.

Key Specs

Where to Buy Price at publication $52.67

*You help support HealthyKitchen101's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners.

Compared to Other Water Filter Pitchers

9.4 Performance

The Aquagear water filter pitcher was among the top group in our performance test. It significantly reduced the chlorine concentration while offering an excellent flow rate. 

This filter pitcher won’t lower your water TDS level to a remarkable point, but whether that is a pro or a con depends solely on your personal preference. The filtered water tasted like pure bliss to our testers.

9.0 Chlorine

The Aquagear was quick to filter so we did not expect great results in the chlorine test. Surprisingly, it was able to remove most of the chlorine from a high concentration (10 ppm) to a safe level at 0.5 ppm. Considering the typically low chlorine levels found in regular tap water, this level of effectiveness should be more than sufficient.

10 Flow Rate

The Aquagear has an excellent flow rate. It completed filtering a full reservoir in only 3 minutes 30 seconds. 

It’s still better if you refill the pitcher in advance, but if you’re in a hurry, it takes less than 30 seconds to give you a standard glass of clean water (220 ml).

9.3 Taste & Smell

The Aquagear produced fresh and crisp water. Our three testers were all happy with how the tap water tasted after filtration. 

While removing most of the chlorine, the Aquagear was easy on other dissolved solids. The filtered water TDS value was higher than any other pitcher we tested, with the exception of the PUR plus, which was only 1 ppm higher. 

With this, the water can retain its natural sweet taste.

7.0 Design

The Aquagear pitcher would benefit from improvements to its design. It loses a lot of points for the finicky and unstable handle, while the lack of a replacement indicator may put some people off. However, all of its parts are strong, sturdy, and free of BPA. The filter appears to be well-built and well worth its price.

In the Box

• The Aquagear water filter pitcher
• 1 x filter 
• 1 x user guide
• The Aquagear comes with its user guide in a purple cardboard box that looks simple and pretty like no other. One filter is included in the package, though not pre-assembled.

Dimensions

6.0 Build Quality

If there’s one thing to change about the Aquagear, it’s definitely the handle. While looking substantial in size, it’s made hollow inside, probably for a lighter weight. It is not fixed to the pitcher properly, so everytime we pick the pitcher up, it wiggles a bit and makes a squeaky sound, which is worse when there’s more water inside. Its smaller end is open and not attached to the pitcher, which doesn’t help either.

Other than that, the Aquagear water filter pitcher is made of decent material and while the finishing on its plastic cover could be improved, it has an interesting design that stands out. Unfortunately, the uniqueness of its design proved to be gimmicky.

5.0 Conveniences

Being one of the older models of water filter pitchers on the market, the Aquagear doesn’t have a filter replacement light or a spigot. Its spout works just fine, however, and we like that it has a spout cover which may prevent dust or insects from getting into the pitcher. 

The Aquagear can fit in a cooler compartment in your fridge, and it may even fit in the door if your fridge is large. However, you may need to remove the door compartment above it to clear the way.

8.5 Filter

The filter of the Aquagear pitcher comes in a strong case, which you turn to screw onto the reservoir. The installation is slightly more complicated than with your typical Brita but doesn’t require a high IQ or any tools. 

Despite the great flow rate, our chlorine test showed that water runs through the filter thoroughly processed. Upon close inspection, we detected some material leaking into the filter tray; however, the amount was almost negligible.

7.2 Usability

The Aquagear water filter pitcher is easy to use and maintain. Its convenient features make putting it together and disassembling a little challenging, but they do help make refilling and pouring easier. This is also one of the few filter pitchers that can withstand the dishwasher.

4.3 Assembling

While it looks simple from the outside, the Aquagear is not the easiest to put together. Its filter requires screwing, and although admittedly without tools, that’s more complicated than most. We had some frustration figuring out how to place the anti-splash lid—each of the three testers struggled a couple times before we figured it out. The cover itself also feels awkward and difficult to put on—the stabbing guides and spout cover make the process unnecessarily complicated.

8.7 Refilling

Refilling is a bliss with the Aquagear. It has a trap door on its lid that allows tap water to run through, so you can refill the reservoir single-handedly. The reservoir is opaque so you can’t see inside, but the trap door does close up as there’s more water, so overfilling shouldn’t be a problem. It certainly wasn’t for us.

7.2 Dispensing

We’ve read reviews of customers having problems with the unfiltered water from the reservoir getting mixed with water from the pitcher as they pour, but that wasn’t the case for us, as long as the reservoir is less than one third full. The anti-splash lid, as difficult as it is to put on, stays firm and does its job to keep the reservoir shut during pouring.

The flow was smooth, unaffected by the spout cover. Just make sure you don’t tilt the pitcher too much at once!

8.5 Cleaning

The Aquagear is easy to clean, though you don’t want water to get into the holes on its handle or mold may develop. We also recommend paying more attention to the threads connecting the filter and the reservoir during cleaning, as germs and mold may get into the small nooks there. The pitcher takes only 3 - 4 minutes to wash by hand, but it’s nice to know that all parts except the filter can be tossed into the dishwasher without issues.