Does Clearly Filtered Remove Microplastics? Pitcher Verdict (2026)

MicroPlastics Research DeskEditorial team

July 15, 2026

10 min read

Last reviewed: July 15, 2026 by the MicroPlastics Research Desk. Submit a correction or see our editorial standards.

Quick Answer

Yes — and it's the strongest microplastic pitcher you can put in a fridge. Clearly Filtered's three-stage “Affinity” pitcher is independently lab-tested to remove 99.9%+ of microplasticsalong with 365+ other contaminants (PFAS, lead, pharmaceuticals), and it is tested to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401 and 473. Unlike reverse osmosis, it does this without stripping beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, so the water still tastes like water. The trade-offs are pitcher-shaped: slower gravity flow, limited capacity, and pricier replacement filters than a Brita. If you want serious microplastic removal with no counter space or plumbing, this is the pick.

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Does Clearly Filtered remove microplastics — the Affinity pitcher audited against its independent lab testing

Key Takeaways

Clearly Filtered's Affinity three-stage pitcher is independently tested to remove 99.9%+ of microplastics plus PFAS, lead and pharmaceuticals.
It is tested to NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 and 473 — including 401, the emerging-contaminants standard most relevant to microplastics.
Unlike reverse osmosis, it keeps beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium), so the water isn't “flat” and needs no remineralizing.
It's a fridge pitcher: no plumbing, no power, no counter space, the easiest serious-filter format to live with.
Trade-offs: slower gravity flow, smaller capacity, and higher filter cost than a basic Brita, in exchange for far better removal.
Want faster throughput or fluoride-free water for the whole household? Compare with AquaTru reverse osmosis.

Clearly Filtered & microplastics — the facts

microplastic removal (independent lab): 99.9%+; third-party tested, not just manufacturer-claimed; Clearly Filtered lab testing
standards tested to: NSF 42/53/401/473; 401 covers emerging contaminants; 473 covers PFOA/PFOS; Clearly Filtered performance data
unlike reverse osmosis: Keeps minerals; calcium and magnesium stay in — no flat taste, no remineralizing; Affinity filtration design
no plumbing or power: Pitcher; lives in the fridge; the easiest serious filter to adopt; Clearly Filtered product design

Does Clearly Filtered remove microplastics?

Yes — and it is one of the few pitchers that can back the claim with independent testing. Clearly Filtered uses a proprietary three-stage “Affinity” filtration media rather than the single carbon block in a basic pitcher. The company publishes third-party laboratory results showing greater than 99.9% removal of microplastics, part of a tested list of 365+ contaminants that also includes PFAS, lead, and pharmaceutical residues.

Crucially, that testing is done to recognised NSF/ANSI protocols — 42 (aesthetics), 53 (health effects), 401 (emerging contaminants), and 473 (PFOA/PFOS). NSF/ANSI 401 is the standard most associated with the class of tiny, incidental contaminants that microplastics fall into. So while no filter carries an NSF stamp that literally reads “microplastics,” Clearly Filtered's combination of independent testing and NSF-protocol coverage puts it well ahead of the pitchers most people already own.

Why keeping minerals matters

The big functional difference between Clearly Filtered and a reverse-osmosis system like AquaTru is what stays in the water. RO strips almost everything, including beneficial minerals, which is why RO water can taste flat and why many owners remineralize. Clearly Filtered's media is designed to pull out contaminants while leaving calcium and magnesium behind. For a lot of people that is the deciding factor: comparable microplastic removal, better-tasting water, and nothing to add back.

The trade-offs

Clearly Filtered is a pitcher, and pitchers have limits. The dense media that makes it effective also makes it slower to filter — gravity takes its time. Capacity is a pitcher's worth, so a large household refills often. And the replacement filters cost more than a Brita's, though they last longer and do far more. None of that changes the microplastic verdict — it is about whether a fridge pitcher fits your volume needs.

Clearly Filtered vs the alternatives

Clearly Filtered vs other microplastic filters
Filter	Format	Evidence of removal	Keeps minerals?	Best for
Clearly Filtered	Fridge pitcher	Independent lab, NSF 42/53/401/473	Yes	No-install, keeps minerals
AquaTru	Countertop RO	IAPMO-certified NSF 42/53/58/401/P473	No (remineralize)	Highest certified removal
Berkey	Gravity system	Manufacturer data only (uncertified)	Yes	Off-grid / emergency
Brita Standard	Pitcher	NSF 42/53 (not 401)	Yes	Taste only, weak on microplastics

For the full breakdown see Berkey vs Brita vs AquaTru vs Clearly Filtered and the best water filters for microplastics guide. Curious how the gravity option holds up? Read the Berkey verdict.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clearly Filtered NSF certified for microplastics?

Clearly Filtered is independently lab-tested to NSF/ANSI standards 42, 53, 401 and 473, and reports 99.9%+ microplastic removal. No filter carries an NSF certification named specifically for microplastics; NSF/ANSI 401 (emerging contaminants) plus independent testing is the strongest evidence available for a pitcher.

Does Clearly Filtered remove minerals from water?

No. Unlike reverse osmosis, Clearly Filtered's Affinity media is designed to remove contaminants while leaving beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water, so it tastes normal and needs no remineralizing.

Is Clearly Filtered better than Brita for microplastics?

Yes, by a wide margin. A standard Brita is certified to NSF 42/53 (taste and some health contaminants) but not to 401, and is not tested for high microplastic removal. Clearly Filtered is independently tested to remove 99.9%+ of microplastics.

Clearly Filtered or AquaTru for microplastics?

Both remove microplastics effectively. AquaTru (reverse osmosis) has the highest certified removal and also strips fluoride, but removes minerals and needs counter space. Clearly Filtered is a simpler fridge pitcher that keeps minerals. Choose by format and whether fluoride removal matters to you.

Sources

NSF International (2024). NSF/ANSI 401: Emerging contaminants / incidental compounds. NSF.
Qian N, et al. (2024). Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. PNAS.
World Health Organization (2022). Dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles. WHO.

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