Does Hydroviv actually remove PFAS?

Its lab reports say yes — 99%+ PFOA/PFOS — but that's tested, not certified. PFAS is Hydroviv's headline claim across the whole line, and the ISO 17025 lab reports at hydroviv.com document 99%+ reduction at controlled challenge levels against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology. That evidence is real; Hydroviv is not a no-testing brand. The gap: it holds no NSF/ANSI 401 listing — the standard where certified PFAS reduction lives — at NSF, IAPMO, or WQA. Under-sink, listed: AquaTru Classic ($475, IAPMO W-10195, NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella ($215-$269, WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 58 + 401 + 372), or Brondell Coral UC300 ($143-$179, WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 + 372 + CSA B483.1). Pitcher, listed: Brita Elite OB06 ($25-$40), NSF-listed for NSF/ANSI 53 PFAS. If you want ZIP customization and trust the lab-report tier, Hydroviv fits. See filters certified for PFAS for the listed alternatives.

How long do Hydroviv filters last (and how often do you change them)?

Service life varies by SKU, and Hydroviv's cartridges cost more per year than most rivals. Undersink — 6 months / 720 gal; $89-$120 each, ~$178-$240/year. Tool-free twist-and-seal swap (~5 min). Shower Filter — 6 months / 10,000 gal; $39-$59. Pitcher — ~3 months / 100 gal; $40-$55 (~$160-$220/year). Refrigerator — 6 months / 720 gal; $69-$89. Hard water and heavy use shorten these; soft water stretches them. The Undersink runs shorter and pricier than peers — Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 is 6 months / 800 gal at $70-$90 (~$140-$180/year), and Brondell Coral UC300 lasts a full 12 months ($80-$100/year). The premium is the ZIP-customization overhead: each replacement is re-tuned to your current utility CCR instead of pulled from stock.

Is Hydroviv better than Clearly Filtered or Aquasana?

On cert evidence, Aquasana wins; vs Clearly Filtered it's closer. vs Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 ($150-$200): Aquasana is WQA-listed under NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 (401 covers PFAS and pharmaceuticals), cheaper, and backed by parent A. O. Smith. Hydroviv ($349-$399) counters with ZIP-customized cartridges and founder-chemist credibility — but only lab-report evidence, no listing. For listed PFAS or lead under-sink, Aquasana is the clear pick. vs Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($80-$100): a near tie — both rely on ISO 17025 lab reports, not a real listing. Clearly Filtered's only listing (NSF/ANSI 42 + 372) covers just chlorine and lead-free material, and it adds zero-install convenience and a lower price. Hydroviv brings ZIP customization and the under-sink form factor. See lead-certified filters and PFAS-certified filters for the listed landscape, or See the full Aquasana comparison below.

What is Hydroviv's ZIP-code-customized cartridge composition?

Hydroviv tunes each cartridge to your address's water before shipping it. Two customers in Philadelphia and Phoenix get structurally different cartridges under the same SKU. How it works: you give your shipping ZIP at checkout, Hydroviv pulls that area's utility CCR (the EPA-mandated annual water-quality report), and the media stack is tuned to that profile — more KDF-55 for chlorine-heavy water, more ion-exchange resin for lead, more catalytic carbon for chloramine. The cartridge is assembled in-house in D.C. / Arlington VA and re-tuned to your current ZIP at every reorder. No other consumer brand (Brita, PUR, Aquasana, Brondell, APEC, iSpring, Waterdrop) does this. Trade-offs: the model is tied to single catalytic-carbon cartridges, so Hydroviv makes no whole-house, RO, or gravity systems. Customization can beat a standardized cartridge when your local water has off-profile contaminants, but it costs more ($89-$120 per Undersink cartridge vs $40-$70 for rivals). It's also why Hydroviv isn't certifier-listed — a listing covers one fixed configuration, and these vary per ZIP, which Roy cites as the reason it isn't listed.

Did Hydroviv appear on Shark Tank, and what happened?

Yes, on Season 10 (aired January 13, 2018) — but no deal closed. Founder Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry, ex-Dartmouth research scientist) sought $400,000 for 8% equity (a $5 million valuation). Mark Cuban countered $400,000 for 25% ($1.6 million); Roy didn't accept on-air, and the deal fell through in due diligence. Hydroviv has run as a privately-held independent brand ever since, without the investment. The appearance still drives brand awareness eight years on, but the real foundation is the lab-report evidence posture, the ZIP-customized cartridges, and the PFAS focus — not the TV moment.

Hydroviv Water Filters

Hydroviv is a DC/Arlington-based under-sink + shower brand with ZIP-code-customized cartridges, founded ~2015 by Dr. Eric Roy. Its PFAS/lead claims rest on ISO 17025 lab reports, not third-party NSF/IAPMO/WQA certification.

Best for

Households on PFAS-impacted water wanting a single-cartridge under-sink filter built around PFAS reduction (lab reports show 99%+ PFOA/PFOS)
Households prioritizing chromium-6 reduction — per-SKU lab reports document 95%+ chromium-6 reduction, alongside PFAS and lead
Buyers attracted to the ZIP-code-customized cartridge differentiator — media stack tuned to the destination ZIP's utility CCR data
Buyers who weight founder-as-technical-voice credibility — Dr. Eric Roy's PhD water chemistry background and active media presence
Households wanting under-sink and shower filtration from one brand — Shower Filter lab-tested against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology

Not recommended for

Buyers searching for 'NSF/IAPMO/WQA certified' — Hydroviv has no third-party certification; cross-shop AquaTru Classic or Brondell Capella
Budget-conscious buyers wanting the lowest entry price into PFAS reduction — the Undersink at $349-$399 sits above certified budget options
Households needing whole-house, RO, faucet-mount, or gravity formats — Hydroviv is single-cartridge under-sink only
Buyers wanting the longest service-life cartridges — the Undersink cartridge is ~6 months / 720 gallons at ~$178-$240/year
Households wanting certified NSF/ANSI 401 evidence for pharmaceuticals/microplastics/BPA — no 401 cert; cross-shop AquaTru or Brondell

Premium tier — typically $500+

Certs:No active certifications
4 SKUs
$89–$399
Parent:None — independent, privately held under founder Dr.

Certification Reality: What's Actually Tested

This table shows the NSF/IAPMO/WQA-listed certifications for each Hydroviv SKU we tracked, alongside the contaminants the brand markets but which do not appear on the third-party listing. Green chips are third-party verified; amber chips are marketing claims without a corresponding listing. Every row links to the live certifier database so you can verify the listed claim set yourself.

SKU / Model	Standards held	Brand claims but NOT certified	NSF listing
Hydroviv Undersink Hydroviv Undersink — ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter; the brand's flagship and most-reviewed product, with cartridge composition tuned to the destination ZIP's utility CCR profile	No active certifications	PFAS / Forever Chemicals Lead Chromium-VI Mercury Volatile Organic Compounds Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor Trihalomethanes Pesticides and Herbicides Arsenic Bacteria / Viruses Why these aren’t certified ↓Hide details ↑ PFAS / Forever Chemicals (PFOA, PFOS) — Hydroviv's headline claim on the Undersink, with per-SKU lab reports documenting 99%+ reduction at controlled challenge concentrations. The lab evidence is real ISO 17025-accredited measurement, but PFOA / PFOS reduction is not independently certified under NSF/ANSI 401 (the standard that covers PFAS). For an independently certified option, cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10195 NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 401), or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 401) Lead — Hydroviv markets 99%+ lead reduction per its lab reports against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology, but the Undersink is not independently certified to NSF/ANSI 53. The lab evidence is real; the certification is absent. For an independently certified option, cross-shop Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53) or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53) Chromium-VI (Hexavalent Chromium) — Hydroviv markets 95%+ chromium-6 reduction per its lab reports against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology (relevant in chromium-6-impacted areas), but the Undersink is not independently certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for chromium-6. For an independently certified option, cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10193 NSF/ANSI 53 covering chromium-6) or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53) Mercury — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — TCE, PCE, Benzene, MTBE, tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 42 methodology per the lab report but not certified Trihalomethanes (THMs) — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified Pesticides and Herbicides — Atrazine, Lindane, 2,4-D, per the lab report but not certified Arsenic — when the ZIP-customized formulation includes arsenic-targeted media for destination ZIPs with documented elevated arsenic in the CCR; tested but not certified Bacteria / Viruses (microbiological reduction) — Hydroviv's catalytic-carbon design is not built for microbiological reduction (no UV stage, no sub-micron pore size); the brand does not claim it in the lab reports, but broader marketing occasionally bundles microbiological language that should not be read as actual capability The Hydroviv Undersink is the brand's flagship and the clearest example of the tested-against-vs-certified gap. It is not independently certified by any of the three ANSI-accredited certifiers (NSF International at info.nsf.org, IAPMO R&T at pld.iapmo.org, WQA Gold Seal at find.wqa.org) under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' as of 2026-05-24. The brand publishes ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets at hydroviv.com documenting reduction performance against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — these are real third-party measurement reports from accredited labs, not made-up marketing claims. But the lab reports stand in for independent certification rather than supplement it. The difference matters. Certification means the certifier has run its own conformance audit, on-site facility inspection, and ongoing surveillance, then issued a public database record carrying the manufacturer's name, model number, and certified contaminant claims. A lab report means a third-party lab measured reduction performance against the standard's testing protocol and issued a report — but no certifier has performed conformance attestation or published a database record. The honest framing for shoppers: Hydroviv's lab evidence is real and is legitimate measurement of reduction performance, but it lacks the added audit, surveillance, and public-database layer that independent certification provides. There is a structural reason Hydroviv hasn't pursued certification, distinct from a simple 'we chose not to': certification typically covers a single fixed product configuration, while Hydroviv's ZIP-customization model produces different cartridge compositions for different destination ZIPs — so each ZIP-specific configuration would technically need its own certification. Buyers who want independently certified evidence in an under-sink filter should cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10195 NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 58 + 401 + 372), Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 + 372), or Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401). Buyers who want the ZIP-customization differentiator and accept lab reports in place of certification should stay with Hydroviv. Read more	View NSF listing
Hydroviv Shower Filter Hydroviv Shower Filter — ZIP-code-customized chlorine + heavy-metal shower filter; wall-mount handheld unit for the chlorine-skin-irritation use case, with cartridge composition customized per shipping ZIP	No active certifications	Chlorine taste-and-odor Chloramine Heavy metals Hydrogen Sulfide Skin-irritation chlorine byproducts Why these aren’t certified ↓Hide details ↑ Chlorine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 177 (Shower Filters) methodology per the brand's datasheet, with reduction documented at or above the NSF/ANSI 177 50% threshold. Not independently certified Chloramine — tested per the lab report but not certified. Chloramine reduction is harder than free chlorine reduction at the shower form factor (chloramine bonds are more chemically stable and need catalytic carbon rather than plain activated carbon) Heavy metals (Lead, Copper) — tested per the lab report but not certified Hydrogen Sulfide (sulfur smell) — tested per the lab report but not certified Skin-irritation chlorine byproducts — a broader marketing claim about reduced skin, hair, and eye irritation; not certified The Hydroviv Shower Filter is positioned as a shower-segment alternative to AquaBliss ($40-$60) at a higher evidence tier — Hydroviv's ISO 17025-accredited lab testing against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology is stronger evidence than AquaBliss's own lab data, which WaterFilterGuru's independent testing documented at ~30% chlorine reduction, below the NSF/ANSI 177 50% threshold. Even so, the Hydroviv Shower Filter is not independently certified by NSF International, IAPMO R&T, or WQA Gold Seal — same tested-but-not-certified situation as the Undersink. For an independently certified shower filter at the NSF/ANSI 177 standard, cross-shop Sprite Slim-Line 2 (IAPMO-certified) or Culligan ISH-200 (NSF International-certified). The evidence ladder for shower filters: (a) independently certified (Sprite, Culligan) beats (b) ISO 17025 lab testing against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology (Hydroviv), which beats (c) brand-published lab data without third-party accreditation (AquaBliss). Hydroviv sits in the middle — clearly stronger than AquaBliss's tier (c), but weaker than independent certification (tier a). Read more	View NSF listing
Hydroviv Pitcher Hydroviv Pitcher — ZIP-code-customized pour-through pitcher; a newer countertop SKU extending the brand's ZIP-customization model into the entry-price tier and smaller pour-through form factor	No active certifications	PFAS / Forever Chemicals Lead Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor Chromium-VI Mercury, Cadmium, Copper Why these aren’t certified ↓Hide details ↑ PFAS / Forever Chemicals (PFOA, PFOS) — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the brand's Pitcher datasheet, with 99%+ reduction documented at controlled challenge concentrations. Not certified. The difference vs Brita Elite OB06 (NSF International-certified for PFAS reduction per The Brita Products Company in NSF's certification database): Brita Elite OB06 is certified for PFAS; the Hydroviv Pitcher is tested against the standard but not certified Lead — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 42 methodology per the lab report but not certified Chromium-VI (Hexavalent Chromium) — tested per the lab report but not certified Mercury, Cadmium, Copper — tested per the lab report but not certified The Hydroviv Pitcher carries Hydroviv's PFAS focus into the entry-price tier as an alternative to Brita Elite OB06 — but the evidence is different. Brita Elite OB06 is NSF International-certified for NSF/ANSI 53 PFAS reduction, listed in NSF's certification database under 'The Brita Products Company' (covering PFOA and PFOS with documented reduction percentages). The Hydroviv Pitcher's PFAS reduction is tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology by ISO 17025-accredited independent labs per the brand's datasheet, but it is not certified. The evidence ladder for pitcher PFAS reduction: (a) independently certified (Brita Elite OB06, NSF International) beats (b) ISO 17025 lab testing against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology (Hydroviv Pitcher), which beats (c) brand-published lab data without third-party accreditation (Clearly Filtered Pitcher's IAPMO New Jersey ISO 17025 lab testing for 365+ contaminants without an NSF/ANSI 53 certification). The Hydroviv Pitcher sits in tier (b) — stronger than Clearly Filtered's unaccredited tier (c), but weaker than Brita Elite OB06's certification (tier a). Buyers who want an independently certified entry-price pitcher should pick Brita Elite OB06 ($25-$40); buyers who want the ZIP-customization differentiator with broader contaminant scope (lead, chromium-6, VOCs alongside PFAS) and accept lab reports in place of certification should pick the Hydroviv Pitcher. The Hydroviv Pitcher costs much more than the Brita Elite ($69-$99 vs $25-$40), reflecting the ZIP-customization overhead. Read more	View NSF listing

Hydroviv Undersink

Hydroviv Undersink — ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter; the brand's flagship and most-reviewed product, with cartridge composition tuned to the destination ZIP's utility CCR profile

Standards held

No active certifications

What’s certified

Brand claims but NOT certified

PFAS / Forever Chemicals
Lead
Chromium-VI
Mercury
Volatile Organic Compounds
Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor
Trihalomethanes
Pesticides and Herbicides
Arsenic
Bacteria / Viruses

Why these aren’t certified ↓

PFAS / Forever Chemicals (PFOA, PFOS) — Hydroviv's headline claim on the Undersink, with per-SKU lab reports documenting 99%+ reduction at controlled challenge concentrations. The lab evidence is real ISO 17025-accredited measurement, but PFOA / PFOS reduction is not independently certified under NSF/ANSI 401 (the standard that covers PFAS). For an independently certified option, cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10195 NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 401), or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 401)
Lead — Hydroviv markets 99%+ lead reduction per its lab reports against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology, but the Undersink is not independently certified to NSF/ANSI 53. The lab evidence is real; the certification is absent. For an independently certified option, cross-shop Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53) or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53)
Chromium-VI (Hexavalent Chromium) — Hydroviv markets 95%+ chromium-6 reduction per its lab reports against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology (relevant in chromium-6-impacted areas), but the Undersink is not independently certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for chromium-6. For an independently certified option, cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10193 NSF/ANSI 53 covering chromium-6) or Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 53)
Mercury — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — TCE, PCE, Benzene, MTBE, tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 42 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Trihalomethanes (THMs) — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Pesticides and Herbicides — Atrazine, Lindane, 2,4-D, per the lab report but not certified
Arsenic — when the ZIP-customized formulation includes arsenic-targeted media for destination ZIPs with documented elevated arsenic in the CCR; tested but not certified
Bacteria / Viruses (microbiological reduction) — Hydroviv's catalytic-carbon design is not built for microbiological reduction (no UV stage, no sub-micron pore size); the brand does not claim it in the lab reports, but broader marketing occasionally bundles microbiological language that should not be read as actual capability

The Hydroviv Undersink is the brand's flagship and the clearest example of the tested-against-vs-certified gap. It is not independently certified by any of the three ANSI-accredited certifiers (NSF International at info.nsf.org, IAPMO R&T at pld.iapmo.org, WQA Gold Seal at find.wqa.org) under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' as of 2026-05-24. The brand publishes ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets at hydroviv.com documenting reduction performance against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — these are real third-party measurement reports from accredited labs, not made-up marketing claims. But the lab reports stand in for independent certification rather than supplement it. The difference matters. Certification means the certifier has run its own conformance audit, on-site facility inspection, and ongoing surveillance, then issued a public database record carrying the manufacturer's name, model number, and certified contaminant claims. A lab report means a third-party lab measured reduction performance against the standard's testing protocol and issued a report — but no certifier has performed conformance attestation or published a database record. The honest framing for shoppers: Hydroviv's lab evidence is real and is legitimate measurement of reduction performance, but it lacks the added audit, surveillance, and public-database layer that independent certification provides. There is a structural reason Hydroviv hasn't pursued certification, distinct from a simple 'we chose not to': certification typically covers a single fixed product configuration, while Hydroviv's ZIP-customization model produces different cartridge compositions for different destination ZIPs — so each ZIP-specific configuration would technically need its own certification. Buyers who want independently certified evidence in an under-sink filter should cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO file W-10195 NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 58 + 401 + 372), Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 + 372), or Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 (WQA Gold Seal NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401). Buyers who want the ZIP-customization differentiator and accept lab reports in place of certification should stay with Hydroviv.

NSF listing

View NSF listing

Hydroviv Shower Filter

Hydroviv Shower Filter — ZIP-code-customized chlorine + heavy-metal shower filter; wall-mount handheld unit for the chlorine-skin-irritation use case, with cartridge composition customized per shipping ZIP

Standards held

No active certifications

What’s certified

Brand claims but NOT certified

Chlorine taste-and-odor
Chloramine
Heavy metals
Hydrogen Sulfide
Skin-irritation chlorine byproducts

Why these aren’t certified ↓

Chlorine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 177 (Shower Filters) methodology per the brand's datasheet, with reduction documented at or above the NSF/ANSI 177 50% threshold. Not independently certified
Chloramine — tested per the lab report but not certified. Chloramine reduction is harder than free chlorine reduction at the shower form factor (chloramine bonds are more chemically stable and need catalytic carbon rather than plain activated carbon)
Heavy metals (Lead, Copper) — tested per the lab report but not certified
Hydrogen Sulfide (sulfur smell) — tested per the lab report but not certified
Skin-irritation chlorine byproducts — a broader marketing claim about reduced skin, hair, and eye irritation; not certified

The Hydroviv Shower Filter is positioned as a shower-segment alternative to AquaBliss ($40-$60) at a higher evidence tier — Hydroviv's ISO 17025-accredited lab testing against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology is stronger evidence than AquaBliss's own lab data, which WaterFilterGuru's independent testing documented at ~30% chlorine reduction, below the NSF/ANSI 177 50% threshold. Even so, the Hydroviv Shower Filter is not independently certified by NSF International, IAPMO R&T, or WQA Gold Seal — same tested-but-not-certified situation as the Undersink. For an independently certified shower filter at the NSF/ANSI 177 standard, cross-shop Sprite Slim-Line 2 (IAPMO-certified) or Culligan ISH-200 (NSF International-certified). The evidence ladder for shower filters: (a) independently certified (Sprite, Culligan) beats (b) ISO 17025 lab testing against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology (Hydroviv), which beats (c) brand-published lab data without third-party accreditation (AquaBliss). Hydroviv sits in the middle — clearly stronger than AquaBliss's tier (c), but weaker than independent certification (tier a).

NSF listing

View NSF listing

Hydroviv Pitcher

Hydroviv Pitcher — ZIP-code-customized pour-through pitcher; a newer countertop SKU extending the brand's ZIP-customization model into the entry-price tier and smaller pour-through form factor

Standards held

No active certifications

What’s certified

Brand claims but NOT certified

PFAS / Forever Chemicals
Lead
Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor
Chromium-VI
Mercury, Cadmium, Copper

Why these aren’t certified ↓

PFAS / Forever Chemicals (PFOA, PFOS) — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the brand's Pitcher datasheet, with 99%+ reduction documented at controlled challenge concentrations. Not certified. The difference vs Brita Elite OB06 (NSF International-certified for PFAS reduction per The Brita Products Company in NSF's certification database): Brita Elite OB06 is certified for PFAS; the Hydroviv Pitcher is tested against the standard but not certified
Lead — tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Chlorine and Chloramine taste-and-odor — tested against NSF/ANSI 42 methodology per the lab report but not certified
Chromium-VI (Hexavalent Chromium) — tested per the lab report but not certified
Mercury, Cadmium, Copper — tested per the lab report but not certified

The Hydroviv Pitcher carries Hydroviv's PFAS focus into the entry-price tier as an alternative to Brita Elite OB06 — but the evidence is different. Brita Elite OB06 is NSF International-certified for NSF/ANSI 53 PFAS reduction, listed in NSF's certification database under 'The Brita Products Company' (covering PFOA and PFOS with documented reduction percentages). The Hydroviv Pitcher's PFAS reduction is tested against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology by ISO 17025-accredited independent labs per the brand's datasheet, but it is not certified. The evidence ladder for pitcher PFAS reduction: (a) independently certified (Brita Elite OB06, NSF International) beats (b) ISO 17025 lab testing against NSF/ANSI 53 methodology (Hydroviv Pitcher), which beats (c) brand-published lab data without third-party accreditation (Clearly Filtered Pitcher's IAPMO New Jersey ISO 17025 lab testing for 365+ contaminants without an NSF/ANSI 53 certification). The Hydroviv Pitcher sits in tier (b) — stronger than Clearly Filtered's unaccredited tier (c), but weaker than Brita Elite OB06's certification (tier a). Buyers who want an independently certified entry-price pitcher should pick Brita Elite OB06 ($25-$40); buyers who want the ZIP-customization differentiator with broader contaminant scope (lead, chromium-6, VOCs alongside PFAS) and accept lab reports in place of certification should pick the Hydroviv Pitcher. The Hydroviv Pitcher costs much more than the Brita Elite ($69-$99 vs $25-$40), reflecting the ZIP-customization overhead.

NSF listing

View NSF listing

Check Certification for a Hydroviv Filter

This widget shows the third-party-listed certifications for Hydroviv SKUs only. Type a model number to filter the list below — every result links to the full breakdown. To search across every brand we track, use the global certification tool.

Certification data for Hydroviv is being researched. Try the global certification tool for cross-brand search.

Listings as of Jun 4, 2026.

About Hydroviv

Hydroviv's filters are not certified by anyone — its PFAS and lead claims rest on independent lab reports, not a third-party listing. It's a Washington D.C. / Arlington VA under-sink and shower brand founded ~2015 by Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry, ex-Dartmouth research scientist), who still fronts the brand on YouTube and in press.

Its hook is ZIP-code-customized cartridges: Hydroviv tunes the media stack (catalytic carbon, KDF-55, ion-exchange resin) to each shipping address using local utility CCR + USGS / EPA data, so a customer in Philadelphia and one in Phoenix get different cartridges under the same SKU. The lineup is the Undersink ($349-$399), Shower Filter ($89-$129), Pitcher ($69-$99), and Refrigerator inline ($169-$229).

The catch: Hydroviv has no third-party listing at NSF, IAPMO, or WQA — all three directories return no matches as of 2026-05-24. Instead it publishes ISO 17025 independent-lab reports tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53, with 99%+ PFOA/PFOS reduction at controlled challenge levels. That testing is real but isn't a listed certification — same posture as Berkey, minus the FIFRA history. The brand also appeared on Shark Tank (Season 10, January 13, 2018): Roy sought $400,000 for 8%, Mark Cuban countered $400,000 for 25%, and the deal didn't close. ~3,500+ reviews at 4.5 stars.

Founded:Approximately 2015 (Hydroviv was founded by Dr. Eric Roy in the Washington D.C. / Arlington VA area; the company is privately held and not publicly traded so no SEC filings document the founding date; the 2015 founding is the widely-cited industry attribution across third-party press coverage including the Shark Tank Season 10 appearance in January 2018, where Roy was identified as the founder pitching his ~3-year-old company at the time of the appearance, plus subsequent Inc. / Forbes / The Washington Post profiles of Roy as a PhD water chemist turned consumer-brand founder). The founder Dr. Eric Roy holds a PhD in water chemistry / environmental geochemistry and is documented as a former Dartmouth College research scientist before founding Hydroviv. The founder-as-brand-face approach remains active across the brand's YouTube channel, blog posts, and interview-circuit press coverage as of 2026-05-24.

Headquarters:Washington D.C. / Arlington, Virginia metropolitan area, USA — Hydroviv operates its corporate footprint in the DC / Arlington VA area per the brand-official About Us page and the brand's consistent identification as a Washington D.C.-area water-chemistry consumer brand across third-party press coverage. The brand-official About Us page does not always disclose a specific street address or ZIP code (typical for privately-held DTC consumer brands whose corporate footprint is operational rather than retail), but the DC / Arlington VA metropolitan area positioning is consistent across the brand's PR placements and press coverage including the Shark Tank Season 10 appearance where Roy was identified as a Washington D.C. area founder. Manufacturing / fulfillment operations are typically located at the same DC / Arlington footprint per the brand's published ship-from disclosure on customer orders.

Parent company:None — independent, privately held under founder Dr.

Ownership history

Approximately 2015
Hydroviv founded by Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry / environmental geochemistry, former Dartmouth College research scientist) in the Washington D.C. / Arlington VA metropolitan area as an independent consumer water-filtration brand. The original mission framed by Roy: bring chemistry-informed, ZIP-code-customized water filtration to consumers as a structural alternative to one-size-fits-all mass-market pitcher / under-sink filtration. The founding product was the Hydroviv Undersink with ZIP-code-customized cartridge composition based on destination ZIP's utility CCR + USGS / EPA datasets.
January 13, 2018
Hydroviv appeared on ABC's Shark Tank Season 10 Episode 17 (broadcast January 13, 2018). Dr. Eric Roy pitched the company seeking $400,000 for 8% equity, valuing the company at $5 million. Mark Cuban initially offered $400,000 for 25% equity (valuing the company at $1.6 million) — Roy did not accept the offer on-air. Per subsequent press coverage, the deal was not consummated post-broadcast (typical Shark Tank outcome rate is ~50% of on-air deals actually closing in due diligence). The Shark Tank appearance remains a load-bearing brand-awareness driver for Hydroviv eight years later, with the episode airing in repeats and the Hydroviv brand featured in Shark Tank retrospective content.
2018-2020
Post-Shark Tank exposure, Hydroviv expands the under-sink product line and adds the Shower Filter as the brand's second product category. The Shower Filter targets the chlorine-skin-irritation shower segment as an alternative to AquaBliss at a higher evidence tier (ISO 17025 lab testing against NSF/ANSI 177 methodology). The brand's media presence intensifies during this period — Dr. Eric Roy actively builds the YouTube channel and blog presence as the technical voice explaining PFAS / lead / chromium-6 reduction methodology.
2020-2023
Hydroviv extends the water-filtration product line beyond Undersink + Shower into newer pitcher and refrigerator-connection inline formats. The Pitcher ($69-$99) and Refrigerator ($169-$229) extensions extend the ZIP-customization model into the entry-price-tier and fridge form factors respectively. During this period the PFAS regulatory environment intensifies — EPA's 2022 Health Advisories for PFOA / PFOS and the 2024 final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS strengthen the PFAS-focused brand positioning that has been Hydroviv's centerpiece marketing claim since founding.
2024-2026
Hydroviv operates as a privately-held independent consumer water-filtration brand, still relying on independent lab reports rather than certification. The brand has NOT secured third-party certification at NSF International, IAPMO R&T, or WQA Gold Seal under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' as of 2026-05-24 — searches of all three certification databases (info.nsf.org, pld.iapmo.org, find.wqa.org) return no matches for the consumer brand name. The brand continues to publish ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology in place of third-party certification. Dr. Eric Roy remains active as the founder-as-technical-voice across the brand's YouTube channel, blog, and interview-circuit press coverage. ~3,500+ aggregate brand-direct + Amazon consumer reviews across the Undersink + Shower + Pitcher + Refrigerator lineup at a 4.5-star aggregate rating.

Hydroviv Undersink (ZIP-Code-Customized Single-Cartridge Under-Sink Filter)

The flagship and most-reviewed Hydroviv. Single cartridge in a wall-mount bracket, tuned per shipping ZIP from local utility CCR + USGS / EPA data.

Certified: none — lab-tested against NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine taste/odor) + 53 (lead, chromium-6, VOCs, mercury, cysts) by ISO 17025 labs, but not third-party listed at NSF, IAPMO, or WQA.
Removes: PFAS is the headline claim — 99%+ PFOA/PFOS in the lab reports at controlled challenge levels — plus lead, chromium-6, VOCs, mercury, and cysts.
Price: $349-$399; cartridges $89-$120 every ~6 months (720 gal); tool-free swap (~5 min).
Cross-shop for listed PFAS: AquaTru Classic ($475, IAPMO file W-10195, NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella ($215-$269, WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 58 + 401 + 372), or Brondell Coral UC300 ($143-$179, WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 + 372).

Hydroviv Shower Filter (ZIP-Code-Customized Chlorine + Heavy-Metal Shower Filter)

Wall-mount handheld shower filter for chlorine skin irritation, ZIP-tuned like the Undersink.

Certified: none — lab-tested against NSF/ANSI 177 by ISO 17025 labs, but not listed. Stronger evidence than AquaBliss ($40-$60), whose own data showed only ~30% chlorine reduction in WaterFilterGuru testing, below the NSF/ANSI 177 50% bar.
Removes: chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals (lead, copper).
Price: $89-$129; cartridges $39-$59 every ~6 months (10,000 gal).
Cross-shop for listed: Sprite Slim-Line 2 (IAPMO, NSF/ANSI 177) or Culligan ISH-200 (NSF, NSF/ANSI 177).

Hydroviv Pitcher (ZIP-Code-Customized Pour-Through Pitcher)

The entry-price pour-through pitcher, ZIP-tuned like the rest of the line.

Certified: none — lab-tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 by ISO 17025 labs, but not listed.
Removes: PFAS / PFOA / PFOS, lead, chlorine, and chromium-6.
Price: $69-$99; cartridges $40-$55 every ~3 months (100 gal).
Cross-shop for listed PFAS: Brita Elite OB06 ($25-$40) is NSF-listed for NSF/ANSI 53 PFAS reduction — much cheaper, though without ZIP customization.

Hydroviv Refrigerator (ZIP-Code-Customized Inline Refrigerator-Connection Filter)

Inline filter for the fridge ice-and-water dispenser, ZIP-tuned like the rest of the line. Installs on the 1/4-inch water line.

Certified: none — lab-tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53, but not listed.
Removes: PFAS / PFOA / PFOS, lead, and chromium-6.
Price: $169-$229; cartridges $69-$89 every ~6 months (720 gal).
Cross-shop for listed: Whirlpool EveryDrop EDR3RXD1 (NSF-listed, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401) or PUR's fridge filters (Helen of Troy, NSF-listed via Kaz USA Inc.).

Designed and assembled in the USA, at the brand's Washington D.C. / Arlington VA base. Because each cartridge is ZIP-tuned to the buyer's local utility CCR, assembly happens after the order is placed — not shipped from generic stock like Brita, PUR, Aquasana, Brondell, or APEC.

Housings, catalytic carbon, KDF-55, and ion-exchange resin are sourced from US water-treatment suppliers. Component-level country of origin isn't disclosed per SKU — US final assembly doesn't require US sub-components.

Which Hydroviv Filter Is Right for You?

We mapped each Hydroviv SKU’s NSF-listed certifications against the 10 contaminants people search for most. Where Hydroviv doesn’t have a certified SKU, we say so.

Lead

Not the right choice if Lead is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Lead. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

PFAS

Not the right choice if PFAS is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for PFAS. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Fluoride

Not the right choice if Fluoride is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Fluoride. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Arsenic

Not the right choice if Arsenic is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Arsenic. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Nitrate

Not the right choice if Nitrate is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Nitrate. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Chromium-6

Not the right choice if Chromium-6 is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Chromium-6. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Mercury

Not the right choice if Mercury is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Mercury. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Atrazine

Not the right choice if Atrazine is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Atrazine. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Chloroform

Not the right choice if Chloroform is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Chloroform. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

Cysts

Not the right choice if Cysts is your priority — no certified Hydroviv SKU for Cysts. Consider an NSF/ANSI 53-listed filter.

How Hydroviv Compares

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA) vs Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

Feature	Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)	Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)
Format	Under-sink single-cartridge filter — installs under the kitchen sink, plumbed to a dedicated countertop faucet; cartridge composition customized per shipping ZIP code based on local utility CCR + USGS / EPA datasets	Countertop pour-through pitcher — no installation; manually refilled from the tap; ~10-cup capacity
Independent certification	None under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' at NSF International / IAPMO R&T / WQA Gold Seal as of 2026-05-24. The brand's evidence is ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — tested against the standards, not certified to them	NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine taste-and-odor reduction) + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (lead-free plumbing material) only, via the 'Clearly Filtered' entry in NSF's certification database. Notably not certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (lead, PFAS, chromium-6), NSF/ANSI 58 (RO scope, fluoride), or NSF/ANSI 401 (emerging contaminants). The 365+ contaminants claim rests on IAPMO New Jersey (formerly QFT) ISO 17025 lab testing — real third-party testing, but not certification
PFAS / PFOA / PFOS reduction	Tested against the standard per the brand's Undersink datasheet, with 99%+ PFOA / PFOS reduction documented at controlled challenge concentrations. Not certified to the NSF/ANSI 401 emerging-compounds standard	Tested per Clearly Filtered's IAPMO New Jersey ISO 17025 lab data in the 365+ contaminants menu. Not certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (no NSF/ANSI 53 certification at all) or NSF/ANSI 401. Both brands rest on lab reports for PFAS reduction — the difference is form factor (under-sink vs pitcher) and ZIP-customization (Hydroviv has it, Clearly Filtered does not)
Retail price (typical)	$349.99-$399.99 MSRP on hydroviv.com (premium tier)	$80-$100 on clearlyfiltered.com (mid-tier pitcher pricing, materially above Brita Standard's $25-$40 but below Hydroviv Pitcher's $69-$99 entry-price tier)
Cartridge service life and annual cost	6 months / 720 gallons per cartridge at $89-$120 replacement cost; ~$178-$240/year annual maintenance cost	4 months / 100 gallons per cartridge at $50-$60 replacement cost; ~$150-$180/year annual maintenance cost
ZIP-code customization	Yes — Hydroviv's signature differentiator; cartridge composition tuned per destination shipping ZIP based on local utility CCR + USGS / EPA datasets. The only consumer water-filter brand here with this feature	No — a single fixed cartridge composition ships to all customers regardless of destination ZIP. The Affinity Filtration cartridge is standardized across all customers
Founder / brand voice	Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry, former Dartmouth College research scientist) is active as the founder-as-technical-voice across the brand's YouTube channel, blog, and interview-circuit press coverage. The Shark Tank Season 10 January 2018 appearance reinforces founder visibility	Founded 2011 by Andy Schlosser; the brand voice is less founder-centric than Hydroviv. The Affinity Filtration trademark is presented as proprietary technology rather than founder credentials
Main point of confusion	Tested against the standards vs certified to them — the same situation as Berkey, but without Berkey's EPA FIFRA enforcement history. Secondary: generalizing a single-contaminant result, and reading a 99%+ lab figure as if certified	Auditing the 99% / 365+ contaminants claim — WaterFilterGuru's independent review quantifies the gap as 'Certified for 0.82% of reduction claims' (1 NSF-certified claim out of ~122 marketed contaminant categories on the pitcher datasheet). Secondary: lab reports treated as certification, and 'reduces' read as 'removes'

Format

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

Under-sink single-cartridge filter — installs under the kitchen sink, plumbed to a dedicated countertop faucet; cartridge composition customized per shipping ZIP code based on local utility CCR + USGS / EPA datasets

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

Countertop pour-through pitcher — no installation; manually refilled from the tap; ~10-cup capacity

Independent certification

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

None under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' at NSF International / IAPMO R&T / WQA Gold Seal as of 2026-05-24. The brand's evidence is ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — tested against the standards, not certified to them

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 (chlorine taste-and-odor reduction) + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (lead-free plumbing material) only, via the 'Clearly Filtered' entry in NSF's certification database. Notably not certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (lead, PFAS, chromium-6), NSF/ANSI 58 (RO scope, fluoride), or NSF/ANSI 401 (emerging contaminants). The 365+ contaminants claim rests on IAPMO New Jersey (formerly QFT) ISO 17025 lab testing — real third-party testing, but not certification

PFAS / PFOA / PFOS reduction

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

Tested against the standard per the brand's Undersink datasheet, with 99%+ PFOA / PFOS reduction documented at controlled challenge concentrations. Not certified to the NSF/ANSI 401 emerging-compounds standard

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

Tested per Clearly Filtered's IAPMO New Jersey ISO 17025 lab data in the 365+ contaminants menu. Not certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (no NSF/ANSI 53 certification at all) or NSF/ANSI 401. Both brands rest on lab reports for PFAS reduction — the difference is form factor (under-sink vs pitcher) and ZIP-customization (Hydroviv has it, Clearly Filtered does not)

Retail price (typical)

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

$349.99-$399.99 MSRP on hydroviv.com (premium tier)

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

$80-$100 on clearlyfiltered.com (mid-tier pitcher pricing, materially above Brita Standard's $25-$40 but below Hydroviv Pitcher's $69-$99 entry-price tier)

Cartridge service life and annual cost

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

6 months / 720 gallons per cartridge at $89-$120 replacement cost; ~$178-$240/year annual maintenance cost

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

4 months / 100 gallons per cartridge at $50-$60 replacement cost; ~$150-$180/year annual maintenance cost

ZIP-code customization

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

Yes — Hydroviv's signature differentiator; cartridge composition tuned per destination shipping ZIP based on local utility CCR + USGS / EPA datasets. The only consumer water-filter brand here with this feature

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

No — a single fixed cartridge composition ships to all customers regardless of destination ZIP. The Affinity Filtration cartridge is standardized across all customers

Founder / brand voice

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry, former Dartmouth College research scientist) is active as the founder-as-technical-voice across the brand's YouTube channel, blog, and interview-circuit press coverage. The Shark Tank Season 10 January 2018 appearance reinforces founder visibility

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

Founded 2011 by Andy Schlosser; the brand voice is less founder-centric than Hydroviv. The Affinity Filtration trademark is presented as proprietary technology rather than founder credentials

Main point of confusion

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified at NSF / IAPMO / WQA)

Tested against the standards vs certified to them — the same situation as Berkey, but without Berkey's EPA FIFRA enforcement history. Secondary: generalizing a single-contaminant result, and reading a 99%+ lab figure as if certified

Clearly Filtered Filtered Water Pitcher (IAPMO New Jersey / formerly QFT ISO 17025 lab-tested for 365+ contaminants — NSF International-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 only)

Auditing the 99% / 365+ contaminants claim — WaterFilterGuru's independent review quantifies the gap as 'Certified for 0.82% of reduction claims' (1 NSF-certified claim out of ~122 marketed contaminant categories on the pitcher datasheet). Secondary: lab reports treated as certification, and 'reduces' read as 'removes'

Bottom line: a near tie on cert evidence — both rely on ISO 17025 lab reports, not a real listing. Clearly Filtered's only listing is narrow (NSF/ANSI 42 + 372: chlorine taste/odor + lead-free material), not the lead / PFAS / chromium-6 buyers want.

Pick Hydroviv Undersink if you want ZIP-customized cartridges, the under-sink form factor, and founder-chemist credibility ($349-$399).
Pick Clearly Filtered Pitcher if you rent or want zero install and a lower price ($80-$100) with a narrow-but-real NSF listing for chlorine.

Neither is listed for PFAS or lead — for that, cross-shop AquaTru Classic (IAPMO W-10195, NSF/ANSI 401), Brondell Capella (WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 58 + 401 + 372), Brondell Coral UC300 (WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 + 372), or Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 (WQA, NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401).

Sources for facts in this comparison

Brand officialaccessed: 2026-05-24
https://www.hydroviv.com/
Hydroviv brand-official homepage documents the ZIP-code-customized cartridge composition differentiator, the PFAS / lead / chromium-6 contaminant positioning, and the reliance on independent lab reports across the Undersink + Pitcher + Shower + Refrigerator lineup
Brand officialaccessed: 2026-05-24
https://www.clearlyfiltered.com/
Clearly Filtered brand-official site documents the 365+ contaminants claim supported by IAPMO New Jersey (formerly QFT) ISO 17025 lab testing — comparison source for the tested-against vs certified contrast
NSF listingaccessed: 2026-05-24
https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?CompanyName=Hydroviv
A search of NSF's certification database returns 'No Matching Products Found' for Hydroviv — confirms the absence of NSF International certification for the Hydroviv lineup
NSF listingaccessed: 2026-05-24
https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?CompanyName=Clearly+Filtered
A search of NSF's certification database returns 1 matching manufacturer / 1 matching product for Clearly Filtered — the Filtered Water Pitcher + Replacement Pitcher Filter certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 (chlorine taste-and-odor reduction + lead-free plumbing material) only. A single certified claim covering chlorine reduction / taste-and-odor

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified) vs Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 ($150-$200, under-sink dual-stage carbon filter, WQA Gold Seal-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 — the parallel premium DTC competitor)

Feature	Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified)	Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 ($150-$200, under-sink dual-stage carbon filter, WQA Gold Seal-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 + 401 — the parallel premium DTC competitor)
Format	Under-sink single-cartridge filter with a wall-mount bracket; ZIP-code-customized cartridge composition tuned per shipping address	Under-sink dual-stage filter with 2 cartridges (Claryum Carbon + Catalytic Carbon + Ion Exchange + Sub-micron Filtration); standardized cartridge composition across all customers
Independent certification	None under the consumer brand name 'Hydroviv' at NSF International / IAPMO R&T / WQA Gold Seal as of 2026-05-24. The evidence is ISO 17025-accredited independent-lab datasheets against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — tested against the standards, not certified to them	WQA Gold Seal-certified to NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects), NSF/ANSI 53 (Health Effects), and NSF/ANSI 401 (Emerging Compounds including PFAS / pharmaceuticals), per the brand's 'Aquasana Certified Products' page stating 'WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42/53/401.' A real WQA Gold Seal certification — equivalent to NSF International or IAPMO R&T certifications under the same standards, indexed at find.wqa.org
PFAS / PFOA / PFOS reduction	Tested against the standard per the brand's Undersink datasheet, with 99%+ PFOA / PFOS reduction documented at controlled challenge concentrations. Not certified to NSF/ANSI 401	WQA Gold Seal-certified to the NSF/ANSI 401 emerging-compounds standard — PFOA / PFOS / pharmaceutical scope. The difference: the Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 is independently certified for PFAS reduction; the Hydroviv Undersink is tested against the standard but not certified
Retail price (typical)	$349.99-$399.99 MSRP on hydroviv.com	$150-$200 on aquasana.com (materially below Hydroviv Undersink)
Cartridge service life and annual cost	6 months / 720 gallons per cartridge at $89-$120 replacement cost; ~$178-$240/year annual maintenance cost	6 months / 800 gallons per dual-cartridge set at $70-$90 replacement cost; ~$140-$180/year annual maintenance cost
ZIP-code customization	YES — Hydroviv's centerpiece differentiator; cartridge composition algorithmically tuned per destination shipping ZIP	NO — single fixed cartridge composition shipped to all customers regardless of destination ZIP
Brand corporate context	Privately-held independent consumer water-filtration brand founded approximately 2015 by Dr. Eric Roy (PhD water chemistry, former Dartmouth College research scientist) in the Washington D.C. / Arlington VA metropolitan area; Shark Tank Season 10 January 2018 appearance	Owned by A. O. Smith Corp (NYSE: AOS) since August 8, 2016 acquisition for $87M cash from L Catterton; Aquasana operates as a consumer water-filtration brand within the broader A. O. Smith residential water-treatment portfolio; HQ Haltom City, TX
Main point of confusion	Tested against the standards vs certified to them — the same situation as Berkey, but without Berkey's EPA FIFRA enforcement history	Tested against vs certified to — Aquasana's own 'Aquasana Certified Products' page uses three different phrasings on one page: 'WQA tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 42/53/401' (a real WQA certification — where the Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 sits), 'IAPMO certified to NSF/ANSI 42/53/401' (a real IAPMO certification — Claryum Direct Connect AQ-MF-1), 'IAPMO tested to NSF/ANSI 53 ...' (an IAPMO testing record, not certification — OptimH2O whole-house EQ-OPTM), and 'Independently tested to NSF/ANSI 42' (brand-published lab data, not certification — Rhino whole-house family). The Claryum 2-Stage AQ-5200 is in the cleanest WQA-certified tier

Format

Hydroviv Undersink ($349-$399 MSRP, ZIP-code-customized single-cartridge under-sink filter, tested against NSF/ANSI 42 + 53 methodology — NOT independently certified)

Under-sink single-cartridge filter with a wall-mount bracket; ZIP-code-customized cartridge composition tuned per shipping address