The best water filter for lead (and PFAS)
Last reviewed July 2026.
For a filter certified for both lead (NSF/ANSI 53) and PFAS (NSF/ANSI 401), the best value we track is Waterdrop Plus WDP — Samsung DA29-00020B replacement (3-pack) — about $0.04 per certified gallon. Certification is the point: an accredited certifier (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) verified the claim in a public listing, not just on the box. Here are the filters with a certified lead claim, ranked by cost per certified gallon.
Certified for lead (NSF/ANSI 53), by cost per certified gallon
| # | Filter | $ / certified gal | Standards | PFAS? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterdrop WDS-F27 — Samsung DA29-00020B replacement (4-pack) | $0.03/gal | NSF 42/53 | no |
| 2 | Waterdrop Plus WDP — Samsung DA29-00020B replacement (3-pack) | $0.04/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 3 | Waterdrop Plus WDP-UKF8001 — everydrop Filter 4 / EDR4RXD1 replacement | $0.12/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 4 | Brita Elite Replacement Filter (formerly Longlast+) | $0.17/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 5 | LG LT1000P Refrigerator Water Filter | $0.27/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 6 | everydrop (Whirlpool) Refrigerator Water Filter 1 | $0.30/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 7 | PUR PLUS Pitcher & Dispenser Replacement Filter | $0.37/gal | NSF 42/53/401 | Yes (401) |
| 8 | ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement Filter (2-pack) | $1.23/gal | NSF 42/53 | Yes (401) |
What doesn't remove lead
Hollow-fiber backpacking/microfilters (Sawyer, Katadyn, LifeStraw and the like) strain out microbes, not dissolved metals — they hold no NSF/ANSI 53 listing, so no certified lead claim. See backpacking filters and NSF.
Certified vs “tested to”
“Certified to NSF/ANSI 53” means an accredited third party verified the claim and lists it publicly. “Tested to” or “meets” is a manufacturer's own lab claim with no public listing. We rank only certified claims — see what NSF certified means and the full ranking.
FAQ
What is the best water filter for lead?
A filter with a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead claim, cheapest per certified gallon: Waterdrop WDS-F27 — Samsung DA29-00020B replacement (4-pack) (about $0.03/gallon). Backpacking microfilters do not remove dissolved lead.
What is the best water filter for lead and PFAS?
Waterdrop Plus WDP — Samsung DA29-00020B replacement (3-pack) — certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (lead) and 401 (PFAS), about $0.04 per certified gallon.
Do backpacking water filters remove lead?
No. Hollow-fiber microfilters remove microbes, not dissolved metals, and hold no NSF/ANSI 53 listing — so they have no certified lead claim.
We do not test filters — we index what accredited certifiers publish, with attribution, and make no health or treatment claims. A certification covers a specific model against a specific standard; it is not a general seal of quality. We are not affiliated with NSF International.
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