Aquasana AQ-5200
- Under-sink
- Point of use
- City water
- Complete system
- Listed
$124.99as of 2026-09-03
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Retailer listing
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Our verdict on the Aquasana AQ-5200
The Aquasana AQ-5200 is the earlier Claryum 2-Stage: two carbon cartridges feeding a dedicated 0.5 gpm tap, rated for 500 gallons or six months, and listed by WQA to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 — nine health-effect claims under NSF/ANSI 53, including lead, PFOA, PFOS, cyst and asbestos, checked in the WQA directory on 2026-09-03. It fits a municipal-water kitchen that already has a spare 1/2-inch sink hole and wants those reductions at one drinking tap; it does not disinfect, does not reduce total dissolved solids, and carries no fluoride, nitrate, arsenic or hardness claim.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Best for
- Municipal-water kitchens that already have a spare hole at least 1/2 inch across in the sink or countertop for the supplied dedicated tap
- Households wanting the nine NSF/ANSI 53 reductions WQA lists for this model — asbestos, cyst, lead, mercury, MTBE, PFOS, PFOA, turbidity and VOC as chloroform — at one drinking tap rather than whole-house
- Owners who accept 0.5 gpm from a separate tap and a $73.99 AQ-C2-R cartridge change every 6 months or 500 gallons
- DIY installers comfortable shutting off the cold supply, fitting the supplied brass tee with a wrench, and drilling pilot holes into the cabinet wall
Not for
- Untreated well water or any supply that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality — the manual requires adequate disinfection before or after the system
- Anyone who needs fluoride, nitrate, arsenic or hardness reduction: none appears on the AQ-5200 Performance Data Sheet, which states that all contaminants reduced by the filter are listed
- Anyone trying to lower total dissolved solids — Aquasana states the system will not reduce TDS
- Supplies above 80 psi or below 20 psi, and hot-water lines: the manual limits the system to 20-80 psi and cold lines at 40-90 °F
- Renters who cannot cut into the cold supply line to fit a brass tee, or drill a new 1/2-inch hole in the sink or countertop
- Whole-house treatment: it feeds only its own dedicated tap, so showers, laundry and the rest of the cold supply are untreated
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03WQA listingManufacturer datasheetRetailer listingBrand official
Certification check: Aquasana AQ-5200
Listed by WQA under NSF/ANSI 372, NSF/ANSI 401, NSF/ANSI 42, and NSF/ANSI 53, checked in the certifier directories as of 2026-09-03.
- WQA
- NSF/ANSI 372NSF/ANSI 401NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53
IAPMO R&T and WQA certify products against the same NSF/ANSI standards as NSF, so a listing from either one is an equivalent third-party certification, not a lesser one.
| Directory | Result | Listing |
|---|---|---|
| NSF | No listing found (checked 2026-09-03) | View listing |
| IAPMO R&T | No listing found (checked 2026-09-03) | View listing |
| WQA | Listing found (checked 2026-09-03) | View listing |
Claimed vs. certified: Aquasana AQ-5200
| Contaminant | Status | Third-party listing | What the brand says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 contaminants (aggregate) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Chloramine | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Chlorine | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Claryum media (aggregate) | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| MTBE | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Particulate Class I | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| PFOA and PFOS | Marketed only | No entry |
|
| Asbestos | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Cyst | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Lead | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Mercury | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Microplastics | Certified and marketed |
|
|
| Aesthetic Chloramine | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Aesthetic Chlorine | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Atenolol | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Bisphenol A | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Carbamazepine | Certified only |
| No entry |
| DEET | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Estrone | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Ibuprofen | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Lead content of wetted components | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Linuron | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Meprobamate | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Metolachlor | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Naproxen | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nominal Particulate Class I | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Nonyl Phenol | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Phenytoin | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Taste and Odor | Certified only |
| No entry |
| TCEP | Certified only |
| No entry |
| TCPP | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Trimethoprim | Certified only |
| No entry |
| Turbidity | Certified only |
| No entry |
| VOC (as chloroform) | Certified only |
| No entry |
What the Aquasana AQ-5200 does not do
It does not reduce total dissolved solids. Aquasana's own listing copy for this model states: "This system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)". The Aquasana AQ-5200's recorded operating limits are Operating pressure at least 20 psi and up to 80 psi, Operating temperature at least 40 F and up to 90 F, Rated capacity before cartridge replacement up to 500 gallons, verified 2026-09-03.
It does not reduce total dissolved solids. Aquasana's own listing copy for this model states: "This system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)".[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Retailer listing
It makes no fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, hardness or sodium claim. None of those appears anywhere on the AQ-5200 Performance Data Sheet, which states "All contaminants reduced by this filter are listed."[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheetWQA listing
Aquasana states plainly on the data sheet that the filter "Does not remove all contaminants that may be present in tap water", and that "Testing was performed under standard laboratory conditions, actual performance may vary."[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
It does not disinfect. The owner's manual states: "Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown water quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system." There is no UV stage and no bacteria or virus claim on the data sheet or the WQA listing.[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
It treats one tap, not the house. The installation tees into the cold supply under a single sink and feeds only the supplied dedicated faucet, so showers, laundry and the remaining cold and hot lines are untreated.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
It is a cold-water-only device. The data sheet states "Filter is only to be used with cold water" and the manual instructs "Install on COLD water lines only (40° - 90°F)."[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Operating limits
| Parameter | Limit | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Operating pressure | at least 20 psi and up to 80 psi[1][2] | Stated identically in the owner's manual specification block and on the Performance Data Sheet (137-551 kPa). Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet |
| Operating temperature | at least 40 F and up to 90 F[1][2] | Cold lines only; 4.44-32.2 °C on the same documents. Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet |
| Rated capacity before cartridge replacement | up to 500 gallons[1][2] | 500 gallons (1,892 litres), or six months, whichever comes first. The same 500-gallon figure appears on WQA's listing. Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheetWQA listing |
Do not buy it for these situations
Water pressureThe manual states: "Do not install this system where the line pressure may exceed 80 psi. The operating pressure range for this filter is between 20-80 psi." A supply above 80 psi needs a pressure-reducing valve first; below 20 psi the system is outside its rated range.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Well waterNot for untreated well water. The manual states: "Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown water quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system", and adds that "Systems certified for cyst reduction may be used on disinfected waters that may contain filterable cysts." A private well therefore needs disinfection and a current bacteriological test before this filter is appropriate, and the filter adds none of that itself.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
RentersThe installation is not tenant-reversible. Step 1 shuts off and disconnects the cold water supply so a brass tee can be fitted to it, and the supplied tap needs "an existing faucet hole at least 1/2” in diameter in the sink or countertop" — an existing sprayer or soap-dispenser hole can be reused, but drilling a new one is a permanent alteration and Aquasana says "If drilling, we strongly recommend using a professional." The manifold also has to be screwed to the cabinet wall through pilot holes.[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Fit and sizing: Aquasana AQ-5200
The Aquasana AQ-5200 is a under-sink unit installed at the point of use, for city water. It is rated for 0.5 gpm of service flow, verified 2026-09-03.
| Form factor | Under-sink |
|---|---|
| Installed at | Point of use (one fixture) |
| Water source | City water |
| Service flow | 0.5 gpm[1][2] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03WQA listingManufacturer datasheet |
| Dimensions | 9 in H × 8.25 in W × 4.25 in D[1][2] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Brand officialRetailer listing |
| Operating pressure | 20–80 psi[1] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet |
| Operating temperature | 40–90 F[1] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet |
| Connection size | 0.25 in[1][2] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheetRetailer listing |
| Needs electricity | No[1][2] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Retailer listingManufacturer datasheet |
| Needs a drain | No[1] Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet |
What the Aquasana AQ-5200 really costs
The Aquasana AQ-5200 costs $124.99 as of 2026-09-03. Over ten years, including installation and replacement elements, the recorded total is $1,604.79.
Replacement schedule
| Element | Replace | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| AQ-C2-R | every 6 months, or every 500 gallons | $147.98 |
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Brand officialWQA listing
Ten-year cost of ownership
| Purchase price (as of 2026-09-03) | $124.99 |
|---|---|
| Replacement elements, 10 × $147.98/year | $1,479.80 |
| Sum of the lines above (as of 2026-09-03) | $1,604.79 |
| Recorded ten-year total | $1,604.79 |
Warranty: One-year limited warranty covering defects in materials or workmanship, running "for 12 months (365 days) from the date of purchase by a consumer". Proof of purchase from an authorised Aquasana retailer is required, and the warranty expressly "does not cover filter cartridges and any systems that were not installed in compliance with the instructions". Warrantor: Aquasana (A. O. Smith Water Treatment (North America), Inc.). (1 years)[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Money-back guarantee: Aquasana's 90-day "Pure Satisfaction" Guarantee: a full refund of the purchase price, no questions asked, requested within a trial period that "begins on the day your order is placed", using a Return Authorization Code that must reach Aquasana within 21 days of being issued. The buyer pays return shipping, and labour costs to install or replace the system or filters are not covered. It applies "only ... for products purchased directly from Aquasana", so an AQ-5200 bought from a retailer falls under that retailer's return policy instead. (90 days)[1]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Brand official
Installing the Aquasana AQ-5200
Installing the Aquasana AQ-5200 is a moderate job. DIY install, verified 2026-09-03.
Tools required
- Variable speed drill with a 1/8" or 7/32" bit
- Adjustable wrench
- Philips head screwdriver
- Level
- Pencil
- Measuring tape
- Bucket
- Hammer
- Safety glasses
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Manufacturer documentation
- Install manual: https://www.aquasana.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-aquasana-Library/default/dw458c8ca7/PDF/AQ-5100-5200-5300_Install.pdf (accessed 2026-09-03)
- Install video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvMe9f6wynY (accessed 2026-09-03)
Ongoing maintenance
- Replace both Claryum cartridges with an AQ-C2-R set — the system beeps and shows a red light while water runs once the filters reach 95% capacity — every 6 months
- Replace the 3V CR2450 coin cell in the filter-life indicator; one is included with each replacement cartridge set — every 6 months
- Flush the system for 10 minutes and check for leaks after fitting new cartridges, and do not drink the flushed water
- Wipe the housing exterior with a damp cloth only — no strong, abrasive or solvent cleaners
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Manufacturer datasheet
Track record: Aquasana AQ-5200
Amazon shows 4.2 out of 5 from 2,509 reviews as of 2026-09-03.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 4.2 out of 5 | 2,509 | 2026-09-03 |
What owners praise
Amazon's own summary of the 2,509 reviews on this listing reports that customers find the system to be of excellent quality, easy to install and replace, and effective at filtering out impurities and improving taste. The attribute tallies behind that summary are Quality 281 mentions, Installation 224, Value for money 163, Taste 142 and Filtration 78.[1]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Amazon review
What owners complain about
The same Amazon summary reports issues with leakage — "particularly with the left side filter leaking at the o-ring" — and durability problems with "the plastic housing cracking after about 5 years of use". Leakage draws 155 mentions and Durability 79.[1]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Amazon review
Flow and value both split opinion. Amazon's summary records mixed feedback on water flow — some owners find it adequate, others report very low flow rates — and on value for money, with some buyers calling it worth it and others not. Water flow draws 106 mentions. The rated figure is 0.5 gpm from a dedicated tap, which is a fraction of a normal kitchen faucet.[1][2]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Amazon reviewWQA listing
Cartridge cost is a recurring owner complaint. An AQ-5200 owner posting to r/WaterTreatment in 2026 under the title "Aquasana under sink 3rd party replacement filters?" weighed genuine Aquasana cartridges at about $74 against third-party sets at $26-$37 and asked whether the cheaper ones were worth using — the same $73.99 Aquasana charges for the AQ-C2-R set.[1][2]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Reddit threadBrand official
Buyers struggle to interpret the certification evidence. In an r/WaterTreatment thread titled "Possibly dumb question about data sheet for AQ-5200", the poster works through the data sheet's lead figure against the NSF/ANSI 53 pass criteria, and the only reply asserts that a WQA test cannot support an NSF/ANSI standard. That reply is wrong — WQA is one of the accredited certifiers to those standards, and its directory states the AQ-5200 was "WQA certified in accordance with" NSF/ANSI 42 — but it shows how easily a WQA-only listing is misread as a weaker one.[1][2]
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03Reddit threadWQA listing
Recalls and litigation
LitigationAttorney investigation, not a filed case. ClassAction.org ran an investigation into whether a defect causes Aquasana Claryum under-sink water filters to crack, leak and damage surrounding property; the page is headed "Investigation Complete" and describes attorneys "looking into whether Aquasana can be sued through a class action lawsuit" rather than a case on file. It covers the Claryum under-sink line rather than the AQ-5200 specifically. Independently, the CPSC recall service returned no recall for Aquasana or AQ-5200 on 2026-09-03. (2026-02-04)
https://www.classaction.org/aquasana-filter-leaks-lawsuits
Secondary sourceVerified 2026-09-03UnverifiedGovernment agency
The Aquasana AQ-5200 against its family and its rivals
The Aquasana AQ-5200 has 3 siblings in its family: AQ-6200, AQ-5300, AQ-5300+.
WQA's AQ-5200 listings carry a footnote reading "AQ-5200.56 = Chrome; AQ-5200.55 = Brushed nickel; AQ-5200.62 = Oil rubbed bronze", so all three faucet finishes sit under the same certified model and the same claim sets under NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401. The listing covers the AQ-5200 only: the AQ-5300, AQ-5300+ and AQ-6200 appear as separate entries with their own claim sets, so nothing here may be read across to them. One further scope note — WQA carries the AQ-5200 twice, once as "Plumbed-In to Separate Tap" (replacement element AQ-C2-R) and once as "Point-of-Use" (replacement element AQ-5200R), and the two entries do not carry identical claims: under NSF/ANSI 401 the Plumbed-In entry lists sixteen substances and the Point-of-Use entry five, while under NSF/ANSI 42 the Point-of-Use entry adds Taste and Odor. The claims recorded on this page are the union of the two entries.[1][2]
Primary sourceVerified 2026-09-03WQA listing
The rest of the family
| Model | What differs |
|---|---|
| AQ-6200 | The current-generation Claryum 2-Stage. Aquasana's under-sink catalogue now lists the AQ-6200 where the AQ-5200 used to be, and the same AQ-C2-R cartridge set is sold as fitting both, at the same 500-gallon rating. |
| AQ-5300 | Three-stage sibling of the same generation, sharing this owner's manual: adds a third cartridge, takes the AQ-C3-R set instead, and is rated 600 gallons instead of 500 at the same 0.5 gpm. |
| AQ-5300+ | Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow of the same generation: rated 800 gallons and 0.72 gpm, against this model's 500 gallons and 0.5 gpm. |
Aquasana AQ-5200 questions, answered
Is there a lawsuit against Aquasana regarding their water filters?
Not a filed one that this check could find. ClassAction.org ran an attorney investigation into whether a defect causes Aquasana Claryum under-sink filter housings to crack and leak; that page is headed "Investigation Complete", was last updated 4 February 2026, and describes attorneys "looking into whether Aquasana can be sued through a class action lawsuit" rather than a case already on file. A direct court-docket search could not be completed — CourtListener returned HTTP 403 to us on 3 September 2026 — so read this as "no filed case found", not "no case exists". Separately, the CPSC recall service returned no recall for Aquasana or for AQ-5200 on the same date, while Amazon's summary of 2,509 reviews on this model does report leakage at the o-ring and housing cracking after about five years as recurring complaints. The underlying failure mode owners describe is real even where the legal action is not.
What are the replacement filters for the Aquasana AQ-5200?
The AQ-C2-R two-cartridge Claryum set, which Aquasana sold for $73.99 on 3 September 2026 and describes as replacing "the filters in the Claryum® 2-Stage under sink water filter (AQ-5200 and AQ-6200)". WQA's directory carries the same system under two entries with two designations — AQ-C2-R against the "Plumbed-In to Separate Tap" entry and AQ-5200R against the "Point-of-Use" entry — so both part numbers refer to this system's cartridges. Rated life is 6 months or 500 gallons, whichever comes first, and a replacement CR2450 battery for the filter-life indicator is included in the set.
How often should Aquasana AQ-5200 filters be replaced?
Every 6 months or 500 gallons, whichever comes first. The manual says the system alerts you "usually every 6 months or after they reach 95% capacity", at which point the indicator light turns red when water is flowing and a beep sounds while the water runs and for 15 seconds after it stops. Aquasana's guidance does not bend for small households: its own FAQ answers a two-person household asking whether they still need six-month changes with "Yes." The CR2450 coin cell behind the alert has to be swapped at the same time, and one comes with each cartridge set.
Sources: [1]
Is WQA certification the same as NSF certification?
Verified health claim
Both are certifications to the same published standards. NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 are consensus standards, and WQA, IAPMO R&T and NSF are each certifiers that test and certify products against them — a WQA Gold Seal listing to NSF/ANSI 53 and an NSF listing to NSF/ANSI 53 attest to the same standard being met. WQA's own directory puts it plainly: the units it lists "have been WQA certified in accordance with" the standard, after testing "at the Water Quality Association laboratory, or any of the other testing laboratories recognized by the Water Quality Association", with annual manufacturing facility audits behind it. This matters for the AQ-5200 in particular because all of its listing evidence is WQA's: NSF's own drinking water treatment unit directory returned "No Matching Products Found" for AQ-5200 on 3 September 2026, and IAPMO R&T's product listing directory returned no AQ-5200 model on the same date. That is a fact about which certifier Aquasana used, not about whether the product is certified.
Does the Aquasana AQ-5200 remove PFAS?
Verified health claim
It is listed for two PFAS compounds, not for PFAS as a class. WQA lists the AQ-5200 under NSF/ANSI 53 for "Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)" and "Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)", checked 3 September 2026, and Aquasana's own Performance Data Sheet reports 99.7% overall reduction for PFOA and PFOS together against a 0.02 µg/L minimum-reduction requirement. No other PFAS compound — no PFHxS, PFNA, GenX or short-chain species — appears on either document, so a blanket "removes PFAS" reading is broader than the evidence supports. Google's AI Overview for this model additionally credits it with NSF P473; that standard does not appear on the WQA listing or on Aquasana's data sheet.
Does the Aquasana AQ-5200 remove fluoride, nitrate or arsenic?
Verified health claim
No. None of fluoride, nitrate, nitrite or arsenic appears anywhere on the AQ-5200 Performance Data Sheet, which states "All contaminants reduced by this filter are listed" and "Does not remove all contaminants that may be present in tap water." None appears on the WQA listing either. Aquasana also states on its own listing for this model that the system "will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)", and the data sheet carries no hardness or sodium claim, so it will not soften water or lower scale. If fluoride, nitrate or arsenic is your reason for filtering, this is the wrong device category — those reductions normally need reverse osmosis or a specific ion-exchange media, and you should confirm the claim on that product's own certifier listing before buying.
Is the Aquasana AQ-5200 discontinued?
It is the earlier generation, but it was still being sold on 2026-09-03. Aquasana's own AQ-5200 product URL now returns an HTTP 301 redirect to the AQ-6200 page, and its under-sink catalogue lists only the Claryum 2-Stage (AQ-6200), 3-Stage, 3-Stage Max Flow and Direct Connect. On that same date the AQ-5200.55 was listed In Stock at $124.99 in Amazon's Aquasana storefront, its WQA listings were current, and Aquasana was still selling the AQ-C2-R cartridge set with the AQ-5200 named as a system it fits. So it is buyable and supported — but the page that ranks first for its own model number now describes the AQ-6200, which is a different unit at a different price.
Sources and data report: Aquasana AQ-5200
Every figure above is taken from the highest-trust source that carries it and re-derived from that source by a separate check. How we verify product data.
What we could not establish, and why
| Field | Why it is blank |
|---|---|
| mechanism.treatmentMethods | Aquasana does not publish a per-stage treatment train for the AQ-5200, and the schema needs an ordered stage list. The manual's only stage-level statement is a micron rating ("Pre-filter (if included): 5 microns" — the 2-stage has none — and "Carbon filters: 0.5 sub-micron mechanical filtration"), and Aquasana's own cartridge page describes the technologies as blended across both cartridges rather than assigned to either: "This set includes two advanced filters that combine activated and catalytic carbon, ion-exchange, and sub-micron filtration." Choosing between activated-carbon, catalytic-carbon and anion-exchange for stage 1 versus stage 2 would be a guess, and the slug is a hard join key for the advice agent. The blended description is recorded as a marketing claim instead. |
| fit.bathroomsServed | Not applicable to a point-of-use device and not published. The AQ-5200 feeds one dedicated drinking tap teed off a single cold supply, so it serves no bathrooms; Aquasana publishes no bathroom rating for it in the manual, the data sheet or the WQA listing. |
| fit.householdSize | Aquasana publishes no household-size rating for the AQ-5200. The nearest statement in the manual is a FAQ telling a two-person household to keep to six-month cartridge changes, which is a maintenance instruction, not a sizing range. Deriving a household count from the 500-gallon capacity would be arithmetic on an assumed per-person consumption figure that no source supplies. |
| fit.roOutputGpd | Not a reverse-osmosis system. The AQ-5200 is a two-cartridge carbon filter with no membrane, no permeate line and no storage tank, so there is no gallons-per-day membrane output to record — the rated figure is a 0.5 gpm service flow, which is held in fit.serviceFlowGpm. |
| fit.roTankCapacity | Not a reverse-osmosis system and has no storage tank. The manual's box contents for the AQ-5200 are the manifold, two filter housings and filters, the dedicated faucet, a brass tee and tubing; no tank appears in the box contents or in any of the eight installation steps. |
| cost.msrp | Aquasana no longer publishes a list price for the AQ-5200: its product page 301-redirects to the AQ-6200, whose $249.99 MSRP belongs to a different model and must not be borrowed. Retailer snippets seen in the SERP showed a $139.99 strike-through beside Walmart's $124.99, but that is a retailer's own compare-at figure rather than a manufacturer MSRP, so it is not recorded as one. The dated street price is in cost.streetPrice. |
| cost.wasteRatio | Not applicable and correctly absent from every source: the AQ-5200 has no membrane and no drain connection, so it produces no reject water and there is no waste-to-product ratio to record. fit.requiresDrain is false for the same reason. |
| install.estimatedHours | Neither the owner's manual nor Aquasana's own AQ-5200 installation video states an expected install time, and no retailer listing gives one. The video's 3:18 running time is edited footage, not a duration, and timing the eight steps from it would be an invented number. |
| seo.verification | Stamped by the verify loop, which has not run against this record yet — this is the initial research pass (job.cycle 0). |
Every source behind this page
- Retailer listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CHYLXLM
- AQ-5200.55 listed In Stock at $124.99 in the Aquasana storefront on 2026-09-03, so the model is still being sold
- Aquasana's own listing copy states the system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Aquasana-authored bullet on the AQ-5200.55 listing: "This system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)"
- Item Dimensions L x W x H 8.25"L x 4.25"W x 9"H, matching the brand drawing
- Aquasana bullet: 'Tee: 3/8”F X 3/8”M X 3/8”M compression, Filter inlet: 1/4” OD, Filter output: 1/4” OD.'
- Product details table: Power Source — Non Electric
- AQ-5200.55 listed at $124.99, In Stock, in the Aquasana storefront on 2026-09-03; the chrome AQ-5200.56 (B00CHYLXYE) was the same price on the same date
- Amazon's summary of 2,509 reviews reports customers find it easy to install and replace (Installation, 224 mentions)
- Amazon's review summary reports customers find it easy to install and replace, which is why this is rated moderate rather than hard
- Amazon "Customers say" summary text and the review-attribute mention counts on the AQ-5200.55 listing, read 2026-09-03
- Amazon "Customers say" summary naming o-ring leakage and housing cracking after about five years, with Leakage 155 and Durability 79 mentions
- Amazon "Customers say" summary on mixed water-flow and value-for-money feedback, Water flow 106 mentions
- Amazon review summary naming o-ring leakage and housing cracking after about five years
- Aquasana's own bullet: "This system will NOT reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)"
- AQ-5200.55 In Stock at $124.99 in the Aquasana storefront on 2026-09-03
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/water-filter-replacements/under-sink-water-filter-replacements/claryum-2-stage-filter-replacements-100236330.html
- Aquasana still sells the AQ-C2-R cartridge set and names AQ-5200 as a system it replaces the filters in, so the model is still supported
- AQ-C2-R cartridge set at $73.99, rated up to 6 months or 500 gallons, replacing the filters in the Claryum 2-Stage (AQ-5200 and AQ-6200)
- Two Claryum 2-Stage generations exist and share one cartridge set
- AQ-C2-R priced $73.99, In Stock, SKU 100236330 on 2026-09-03
- "This filter set replaces the filters in the Claryum® 2-Stage under sink water filter (AQ-5200 and AQ-6200)."
- "provides clean, great-tasting water for up to 6 months or 500 gallons" — two sets a year is $147.98
- AQ-C2-R listed at $73.99 on 2026-09-03
- AQ-C2-R at $73.99 on 2026-09-03; "This filter set replaces the filters in the Claryum® 2-Stage under sink water filter (AQ-5200 and AQ-6200)."; "up to 6 months or 500 gallons"
- AQ-C2-R still sold and described as fitting AQ-5200 and AQ-6200
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/aquasana_inc/sid/3
- WQA lists AQ-5200 under NSF/ANSI 53 for asbestos, cyst, lead, mercury, MTBE, PFOS, PFOA, turbidity and VOC as chloroform — nine health-effect claims
- Rated flow 0.5 gpm and rated capacity 500 gallons on the listing
- The WQA NSF/ANSI 53 reduction-claims cell for AQ-5200 contains no fluoride, nitrate, arsenic or hardness claim
- WQA lists AQ-5200 with Capacity (Gallons) 500
- WQA lists AQ-5200 with Flow Rate (GPM) 0.5
- WQA names AQ-C2-R as the replacement element against the Plumbed-In to Separate Tap entry for AQ-5200, and AQ-5200R against the Point-of-Use entry
- WQA lists the rated flow at 0.5 gpm
- Replacement Element column reads AQ-C2-R for the Plumbed-In to Separate Tap entry and AQ-5200R for the Point-of-Use entry, both at 500 gallons
- AQ-5200 NSF/ANSI 53 reduction claims include Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), and no other PFAS species
- AQ-5200 NSF/ANSI 53 reduction claims contain no fluoride, nitrate or arsenic entry
- AQ-5200 listed under NSF/ANSI 53 on 2026-09-03
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/aquasana_inc/sid/1
- WQA lists AQ-5200 under NSF/ANSI 53 for asbestos, cyst, lead, mercury, MTBE, PFOS, PFOA, turbidity and VOC as chloroform — nine health-effect claims
- WQA lists AQ-5200 under NSF/ANSI 42, supporting the 'listed by WQA to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401' clause
- WQA's directory preamble: units listed "have been WQA certified in accordance with" NSF/ANSI 42, tested at the WQA laboratory or another laboratory recognised by WQA
- NSF/ANSI 42 Point-of-Use entry adds Taste and Odor to the three claims on the Plumbed-In entry
- AQ-5300, AQ-5300+, AQ-5300+.NF and AQ-6200 appear as their own separate rows
- Directory preamble on WQA certification in accordance with NSF/ANSI 42, testing laboratories recognised by WQA, and annual manufacturing facility audits
- AQ-5200 listed under NSF/ANSI 42 on 2026-09-03
- WQA listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://find.wqa.org/find-products/ctl/detail/mid/1054/cid/aquasana_inc/sid/63
- WQA lists AQ-5200 under NSF/ANSI 401, completing the 'listed by WQA to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401' clause
- Footnote 2 mapping the .55/.56/.62 suffixes to faucet finishes under the single AQ-5200 model number
- NSF/ANSI 401 entry lists sixteen substances under Plumbed-In to Separate Tap and five under Point-of-Use
- Replacement Element column reads AQ-C2-R for the Plumbed-In entry and AQ-5200R for the Point-of-Use entry
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-aquasana-Library/default/dw458c8ca7/PDF/AQ-5100-5200-5300_Install.pdf
- AQ-5200 rated capacity 500 gallons, service flow 0.5 gpm, 20-80 psi, 40-90 °F, cold lines only
- The AQ-5200 takes two cartridges (Red and Yellow), described in the manual FAQ as 'Carbon filters: 0.5 sub-micron mechanical filtration', supporting the 'two carbon cartridges' clause
- Requires an existing faucet hole at least 1/2 inch in diameter for the supplied dedicated tap
- Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown water quality without adequate disinfection
- Installation tees into the cold water supply line and feeds one dedicated faucet
- Verbatim Care & Safeguards line about microbiologically unsafe water
- The AQ-5200 box contents and installation steps contain no UV or disinfection stage
- Installation steps 1-8 tee the system off one cold supply line and route its outlet to one supplied dedicated faucet
- Verbatim manual instruction: "Install on COLD water lines only (40° - 90°F)."
- AQ-5200 Operating Pressure Range 20-80 psi (137.89-551.58 kPa)
- AQ-5200 Operating Temp. Range 40-90° F (4.44-32.2° C)
- AQ-5200 Rated Capacity 500 gallons / 1,892 liters; replace about every 6 months or at 95% capacity
- Verbatim Care & Safeguards warning about line pressure exceeding 80 psi and the 20-80 psi operating range
- Verbatim Care & Safeguards lines on microbiologically unsafe water and on cyst-certified systems being usable on disinfected water
- Installation step 1 disconnects the cold water supply; step 2 fits a brass tee to it
- Verbatim note on requiring an existing faucet hole at least 1/2 inch in diameter and on recommending a professional if drilling
- Step 5 marks and drills pilot holes to screw the manifold to the cabinet
- AQ-5200 Service Flow 0.5 gpm (1.9 lpm)
- AQ-5200 Operating Pressure Range 20-80 psi
- AQ-5200 Operating Temp. Range 40-90° F
- Tubing supplied with the 2-Stage system is 1/4" x 36" — one length where the faucet has tubing pre-attached, two where it does not
- The only power in the system is a 3V CR2450 lithium coin cell for the filter-life alarm; no installation step involves a mains outlet
- Installation steps 1-8 connect cold supply to manifold to dedicated faucet with no drain-saddle or waste connection anywhere in the procedure
- Aquasana publishes an owner-facing eight-step installation with a recommended household tool list, so the product is sold as owner-installable
- The one professional recommendation is narrow: "If drilling, we strongly recommend using a professional" — for cutting a NEW faucet hole
- Warranty section headed "1-Year Limited Warranty", 12 months / 365 days from consumer purchase
- "This Warranty does not cover filter cartridges and any systems that were not installed in compliance with the instructions"
- Warrantor named as Aquasana (A. O. Smith Water Treatment (North America), Inc.)
- Eight steps that include shutting off and disconnecting the cold water supply, wrench-tightening a brass tee and compression fittings, drilling 1/8" or 7/32" pilot holes, mounting the manifold and a 10-minute flush
- A faucet hole at least 1/2" is required, and Aquasana recommends a professional if a new one must be drilled
- "Tools Recommended for Installation" list on the Installation Steps page, copied in full
- Aquasana "Under Sink Water Filter Owner's Manual" covering AQ-5200, AQ-5300 and AQ-5300+; document number AQ-6000-OM-20251013
- Box contents, care and safeguards, eight installation steps, filter replacement, troubleshooting, performance and certifications, warranty
- Filter Replacement section: about every 6 months or at 95% capacity, alarm and red indicator light
- "The battery will need to be replaced every time the filters are replaced. A battery is included with the filter replacement cartridges." and CR2450 3V battery type
- Replacement step 8: flush for 10 minutes before drinking; "Do not drink flushed water."
- Use and Care: wipe with a damp cloth, no strong or abrasive cleaning agent or solvent cleaner
- AQ-5200 replacement listed as AQ-C2-R at 500 gallons; a battery is included with the filter replacement cartridges
- Troubleshooting guide: "usually every 6 months or after they reach 95% capacity", red light and 15-second beep
- FAQ answer to the two-person-household question begins "Yes."
- Battery replaced at every cartridge change, one included with the cartridges
- Manufacturer datasheetaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-aquasana-Library/default/PDF/AQ-5200_Performance_Data.pdf
- The Performance Data Sheet lists no fluoride, nitrate, arsenic or hardness claim and states that all contaminants reduced by this filter are listed
- The complete claim tables under NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 contain no fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, hardness or sodium entry
- Verbatim footnote: "All contaminants reduced by this filter are listed."
- Verbatim footnotes: "Does not remove all contaminants that may be present in tap water." and "Testing was performed under standard laboratory conditions, actual performance may vary."
- No bacteria or virus reduction claim appears on the AQ-5200 Performance Data Sheet
- Verbatim data-sheet note: "Filter is only to be used with cold water."
- AQ-5200 Operating Pressure Range 20-80 psi (137-551 kPa)
- AQ-5200 Operating Temp. Range 40-90° F
- "Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) & Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)" row: 0.02 ug/L minimum reduction, 99.7% overall reduction, Pass
- No other PFAS compound appears anywhere on the data sheet, and it states that all contaminants reduced by the filter are listed
- The data sheet names NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 only — NSF P473 does not appear
- Complete NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 401 claim tables contain no fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, arsenic, hardness or sodium entry
- Verbatim: "All contaminants reduced by this filter are listed." and "Does not remove all contaminants that may be present in tap water."
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/under-sink-water-filters/
- Aquasana's current under-sink catalogue lists Claryum 2-Stage (AQ-6200), 3-Stage, 3-Stage Max Flow and Direct Connect, and no longer the AQ-5200 — establishing the AQ-5200 as the earlier generation
- Current under-sink catalogue lists Claryum 2-Stage (AQ-6200), Claryum 3-Stage, Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow and Claryum Direct Connect, and not the AQ-5200
- The legacy AQ-5200 product URL brushed-nickel-100236318.html returns HTTP 301 to brushed-nickel-100391677.html
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-aquasana-master-catalog/default/images/large/AQ-5200_Dims.jpg
- Aquasana's own AQ-5200 dimension drawing labels HEIGHT 9 in, WIDTH 8.25 in, DEPTH 4.25 in
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.aquasana.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-aquasana-Library/default/dwba731534/PDF/guarantee_one.pdf
- 90-day no-questions-asked trial beginning the day the order is placed; RAC required; return received within 21 days; buyer pays return shipping
- "This offer is only applicable for products purchased directly from Aquasana."
- "What is not covered: Labor costs to install or replace the system or filters."
- Brand officialaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvMe9f6wynY
- Aquasana's own channel: "How to Install Aquasana's Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water Filter (Model: AQ-5200)", published 2019, 11,974 views when opened on 2026-09-03
- Reddit threadaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.reddit.com/r/WaterTreatment/comments/1udips3/aquasana_under_sink_3rd_party_replacement_filters/
- r/WaterTreatment, thread titled "Aquasana under sink 3rd party replacement filters?", opened and read in a browser on 2026-09-03: the poster states they own an AQ-5200 2-stage under-sink filter and compares $74 genuine cartridges with $26-$37 third-party options
- Reddit threadaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.reddit.com/r/WaterTreatment/comments/1fsmc6x/possibly_dumb_question_about_data_sheet_for_aq5200/
- r/WaterTreatment, thread titled "Possibly dumb question about data sheet for AQ-5200", opened and read in a browser on 2026-09-03: the post analyses the AQ-5200 data sheet's lead reduction against NSF/ANSI 53, and its single reply claims only NSF can certify to NSF standards
- Unverifiedaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.classaction.org/aquasana-filter-leaks-lawsuits
- Page titled "Lawsuit Investigation into Aquasana Claryum Water Filter Leaks", "Last Updated on February 4, 2026", status heading "Investigation Complete"
- Describes attorneys investigating a suspected filter-housing defect and whether a class action could be filed
- "Investigation Complete" heading, "Last Updated on February 4, 2026", and the description of attorneys weighing whether a class action could be filed
- Government agencyaccessed: 2026-09-03https://www.saferproducts.gov/RestWebServices/Recall?format=json&ProductName=Aquasana
- CPSC Recall REST service returns an empty array for ProductName=Aquasana, for ProductName=AQ-5200, and for RecallTitle/RecallDescription=Aquasana; the control query RecallTitle=water filter returns one record, so the service was answering
- CPSC recall service returns no records for Aquasana or AQ-5200; control query returns a record, so the service was answering
- NSF listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?TradeName=AQ-5200&Standard=&ProductType=&PlantState=&PlantCountry=&PlantRegion=&submit3=Search
- NSF DWTU directory returns "No Matching Products Found" for TradeName AQ-5200 on 2026-09-03
- IAPMO listingaccessed: 2026-09-03https://pld.iapmo.org/
- IAPMO R&T product listing directory returns no result for Listed Model AQ-5200 on 2026-09-03, while Aquasana Inc. appears as a listee with six active files
Cite this page
TapWaterData Editorial. "Aquasana AQ-5200 Review: Specs, True Cost & Cert Check." TapWaterData, verified 2026-09-03. https://www.tapwaterdata.com/filters/brand/aquasana/aq-5200
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