In this comparison, Aquasana 2 stage vs 3 stage, you will discover all of the differences that you need to know about them to make the best decision for a home filtration system. These products are very similar, but there are some things in general about these filtration systems that you may not know about. And the differences between the two will certainly influence your purchase decision.
Aquasana 2 stage – Click here to check price
Aquasana 3 stage – Click here to check price
Aquasana 2 Stage vs 3 Stage: Which Water Filtration System is Right for you...?
Construction and Design
A similar, dedicated faucet is included with both the filters. This faucet is all-metal and 100% lead-free. The water faucet is similar in size and dimensions to the standard drinking faucets at 7 inches height and the spout reach of 4.75 inches. You need a ½-inch hole in the sink for this faucet. At a slight variation in price, it is available in three different colors – Brushed Nickel, Chrome and Oil-rubbed Bronze.
Taste and Odor of the Filtered Water
Being an inline system, both these Aquasana models filter water as you keep using it rather than storing it. Moreover, with the aid of selective filtration, these filters remove the unwanted chemicals and contaminants from the water while at the same time, leaving the natural, essential elements like calcium and magnesium. These elements are considered to be responsible for keeping the taste of water as it is. If you remove all elements the water will have an unnatural, off-putting taste. Thus, these two Aquasana filters do not compromise the taste of the water while ensuring that it is clean.
Ease of Installation & Replacement
Possibly one of the biggest pluses of these filters, you will not be needing a plumber to install them like some of the other filters available in the market. They are easy to install and with the help of a drill and screwdriver, you will have access to clean, drinking water within little time. Step-by-step instructions and the parts necessary for installment are included with the filters.
Moreover, customers have had nothing except good things to say about the easy-to-change filters. In both the models, replacing filters is stress-free with a simple twist. There is no requirement of any tools or help.
Aquasana recommends replacing filters every 6 months or once you have crossed the 500 gallons mark with Aquasana 2-stage filter. The filters of Aquasana 3-stage model can be replaced after 6 months or after use of 600 gallons of water.
Like all most water filters, you must consider the cost of replacement filters. According to the official site, naturally, the 3-stage filter is slightly more expensive than the 2-stage offering.
However, considering the 3-stage filters have the capacity to provide with 600 gallons of water as compared to 500 from stage-2, the cost per gallon filtered is actually lower for the 3-stage filter.
Click here to get more details on the Aquasana 2 stage
Click here to get more details on the Aquasana 3 stage
Filtration Effectiveness
Aquasana systems are the only systems on the market presently that operate on the Claryum Filtration technology. These filters helps in up to 99 Percent reduction of more than 60 contaminants. This is considerably more than most of the presently available filters in the market.
The first and second stages are identical in both systems. Activated carbon, a common filtration medium is used in the first stage to filter out unwanted chemicals. The second stage consists of an ion-exchange filter where the micro-pollutants that evaded the activated carbon are taken care of.
Aquasana 3-stage, as the name suggests has an extra stage in the filtration possess, where the water finally passes through a sub-micron filter. Capable of filtering out particles as tiny as 0.35 microns, also captures asbestos and chlorine resistant cysts in the water, making it even safer to drink.
Filtration Capacity
Each set of filters in Aquasana 2-stage claims to give 500 gallons of healthy water, whereas each set of the filters of Aquasana 3-stage model claims to give 600 gallons of water. The additional filter in Aqausana 3-stage is responsible for the increased capacity of the system.
Certification
Both the Aquasana 2-stage and 3-stage filters are certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) systems as one of the most efficient contaminant removal systems.
Operating Condition
The flow rate for both the filters is identical at 0.5 gallons per minute, and the operating pressure is in the ideal range of 20 to 80 psi. This safeguards your pipes and avoids leaks. The operating temperature for both filters ranges from 40 to 90 degrees, which is similar to that of almost all the other products.
Additional Features
Moreover, these filters are designed keeping the environment in mind and their design is eco-friendly with minimum disposable plastic parts.
As their replacement items consist of over 95% biodegradable carbon, you can recycle them yourself by recycling the numbered plastic parts and putting the carbon in a compost pile or garden soil.
Overall Performance
Most of the customer feedback largely applauds the performance of these filters. Ease-of-installation and replacement are the biggest pros for these Aquasana filters. The flow rate is sufficient for household use and the design is so compact that it does not take up a lot of space and is barely noticeable.
However, the need to replace the filters every six months is considered the biggest drawback as compared to some of the other filters on the market, most of which need to be replaced only after 12 months.
Click here to see reviews and ratings for the Aquasana 2 stage
Click here to see reviews and ratings for the Aquasana 3 stage
Warranty
A 1-year warranty is offered on both the filters. They also come with a 90-day guarantee from the time of purchase.
Summary
When it comes to the Aquasana 2 stage vs 3 stage water filtration system comparison, it’s a personal choice. But the better filtration system is definitely the 3 stage filter. For some that extra layer of protection will give them the peace-of-mind that are drinking the safest water that they can. But the 2 stage filter is fine as well, it’s all based on what makes you most comfortable.