Having clean, pure drinking water is essential for good health. But with all the options for at-home water filtration systems available today, it can be tricky to choose the right one for your needs and budget.
Two popular brands, Clearly Filtered and Hydroviv, offer high-tech filtration systems that aim to reduce contaminants in your water. But how do they compare? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of these two systems to help you decide which is best for your home.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Clearly Filtered | Hydroviv |
| Filtration Stages | 5 stages: sediment filter, GAC filter, reverse osmosis, post filter, UV light | Up to 4 customizable stages: sediment, GAC, reverse osmosis, UV light |
| Filtration Effectiveness | Removes over 200 contaminants | Removes over 55 contaminants, customized based on your water |
| Installation | DIY under sink installation | DIY under sink installation |
| Convenience | Replace filters every 6 months when light indicator notifies | Auto-delivery subscription ships replacement filters to your door |
| Water Taste | Retains some beneficial minerals for pleasant taste | May have more purified, mineral-free taste |
| System Sizes | 3 options from 350 – 1,500+ gallons/month | 5 options from 200 – 1,000+ gallons/month |
| Cost | $397 – $797 for equipment + $40 – $80 for replacement filters every 6 months | $269 – $449 for equipment + $65 – $220 filter subscription each 6 months |
In-depth Comparison of Features of Clearly Filtered And Hydroviv
How They Work
Both Clearly Filtered and Hydroviv use multi-stage filtration processes to remove various types of contaminants from water.
Clearly Filtered
The Clearly Filtered system uses a five-stage filtration process:
- Stage 1: Sediment filter removes particles like dirt, rust, and sand.
- Stage 2: Granular activated carbon (GAC) filter removes organic chemicals, chlorine, and improves taste and odor.
- Stage 3: Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane removes dissolved solids, metals, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics.
- Stage 4: Post filter removes any residual tastes and odors.
- Stage 5: UV light disinfects water of any bacteria or viruses.
Hydroviv
Hydroviv uses a customizable filtration process with up to four stages:
- Stage 1: Sediment filter removes particulates.
- Stage 2: GAC filter removes chlorine and organic chemicals.
- Stage 3: RO membrane removes dissolved solids and contaminants.
- Stage 4: Ultraviolet light sterilizes water.
Hydroviv designs a custom filtration system for your local water source after you enter your ZIP code during order placement. They analyze your municipal water quality report and configure the stages needed to optimize filtration.
Filtration Effectiveness
Both brands use effective filtration methods proven to significantly reduce a wide range of contaminants. However, Hydroviv may have an edge with their customized approach tailored to your water source.
Independent lab results showed Clearly Filtered removes over 200 common water contaminants, including lead, chlorine, chromium-6, arsenic, hormones, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics. It reduces dissolved solids and fluoride while retaining healthy minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
While Clearly Filtered offers excellent broad-spectrum filtration, Hydroviv aims to target the specific toxins in your water by only including the filter stages needed. For example, if your water already has acceptable levels of organic chemicals, Hydroviv may skip the GAC stage. This customized design maximizes filtration where you need it most.
Ease Of Installation
Both brands designed their systems to allow for straightforward DIY installation without needing a plumber.
Clearly Filtered
The Clearly Filtered system connects directly to the cold water line under your sink. Installation involves attaching the provided adapters, tubing, and quick connect fittings, requiring only a wrench. Detailed video tutorials walk you through each step. The entire process takes 1-2 hours.
Hydroviv
For both systems, you must have adequate space under your sink to accommodate the filtration unit and tanks. But otherwise, the installation process is designed for simple DIY.
Hydroviv uses a similar installation process as Clearly Filtered. The system connects under your sink with tubing and adapters. Installation instructions with photos are provided. Total set-up time is also around 1-2 hours.
Convenience Factors
When comparing convenience, Hydroviv gains a slight edge due to its automated filter replacement program.
Clearly Filtered
This system requires replacing filter cartridges approximately every 6 months. It uses LED light indicators on the tank lids to notify you when a filter needs changing. Replacement is quick and straightforward; you simply twist off the old cartridge and twist on the new.
Hydroviv
Hydroviv also has replaceable filter cartridges but offers an auto-delivery subscription. When their monitoring technology determines your filter needs replacing, a new cartridge ships automatically so you always have clean filters on hand. No need to track usage and order replacements.
Both systems produce purified water on demand. But Hydroviv’s auto-delivery service beats having to remember to reorder Clearly Filtered’s replacement cartridges.
Water Taste
Because taste preferences are subjective, it’s hard to declare a clear winner for better tasting water. But some meaningful differences impact the taste of water from these two systems.
Clearly Filtered
This system retains natural minerals like calcium and magnesium that positively impact water’s taste. The addition of a taste polishing filter also helps water taste pure and crisp. Reviews often describe Clearly Filtered water as refreshing and flavorful.
Hydroviv
Since Hydroviv customizes filtration based on your water quality report, they may remove more total dissolved solids than Clearly Filtered, producing water that could taste more purified. But for some, that ultra-filtered taste may seem flat or lack the mineral taste they expect from water.
So Hydroviv may produce more purified tasting water, but Clearly Filtered is more likely to retain a pleasant mineral taste. Your personal preferences will determine which water tastes better to you.
Also Read: Aquasana Vs. LifeSource: How Do These Water Filters Compare?
Filtration Capacity
Both brands offer systems in a range of sizes to meet the needs of households large and small.
Clearly Filtered
This brand offers three sizes:
- Clearly Filtered Essentials: Filters up to 350 gallons per month
- Clearly Filtered Elements: Filters 500-1,000 gallons monthly
- Clearly Filtered Evolve: Filters 1,500+ gallons monthly
The Elements and Evolve systems work well for families of 3-6 people.
Hydroviv
Hydroviv’s systems come in five sizes:
- 200 gallon per month
- 400 gallon
- 600 gallon
- 800 gallon
- 1,000+ gallon
Their mid-tier systems can handle the needs of most families.
Clearly Filtered may work slightly better for larger households thanks to their largest 1,500+ gallon system. But both brands offer systems sized appropriately for 1-6+ person households.
Also Read: Comparison Between Waterboy And LifeSource.
Cost Comparison
These two filtration systems come with upfront equipment costs plus ongoing filter replacement expenses. Here’s how they break down:
Clearly Filtered
- Essentials system: $397 + $40 filter sets
- Elements system: $472 + $60 filter sets
- Evolve system: $797 + $80 filter sets
Replacement filters are needed every 6 months.
Hydroviv
- 200 gallon system: $269 + $65 subscription every 6 months
- 400 gallon system: $325 + $85 subscription
- 600 gallon system: $349 + $130 subscription
- 800 gallon system: $399 + $180 subscription
- 1,000+ gallon system: $449 + $220 subscription
The subscription includes automatic filter replacements shipped to your door.
Over the first five years of use, Clearly Filtered would cost between $1,077-$1,757. Hydroviv would cost between $809-$1,469 for the comparable system sizes over the same period.
Hydroviv appears more affordable in the long run thanks to their filter subscription model and lower upfront equipment costs. But the expense depends on your desired system size.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Independent lab testing verified Hydroviv removes over 55 common water contaminants. Their customized filter configurations effectively eliminate the specific toxins found in your water.
Reverse osmosis filtration is considered the most thorough single method for removing impurities. Both Clearly Filtered and Hydroviv use reverse osmosis in combination with other techniques like carbon filtration and UV light for maximum effectiveness against a wide contaminant range.
While both utilize reverse osmosis filtration, Hydroviv has a potential advantage. By customizing the system to match your water, Hydroviv optimizes the filtration stages to target the contaminants you need removed.
While Clearly Filtered does use effective reverse osmosis filtration, their system retains healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium, only removing harmful dissolved solids. So you get great filtration without stripping beneficial minerals.
Also Read: Aquasana Vs. Pentair: Which Water Filtration System Is Better?
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, while both Clearly Filtered and Hydroviv produce outstanding filtration results, some key differences emerge:
- Customization – Hydroviv configures filtration based on your specific water contaminants.
- Convenience – Hydroviv ships replacement filters automatically.
- Cost – Hydroviv has lower upfront costs and long term expenses.
- Taste – Clearly Filtered may retain more preferred mineral taste.
Choosing the right system depends on your priorities. For customized performance and affordability, Hydroviv is hard to beat. But Clearly Filtered offers superb broad-spectrum filtration while keeping healthy minerals.
Whichever you choose, both provide clean, filtered water exceeding stringent industry standards – a major upgrade over plain tap water.