Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Glacierfresh vs Water & Wellness
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Glacierfresh |  Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Filter system | Reverse osmosis | Countertop |
| Reference models | GlacierFresh U03 800GPD Undersink Reverse Osmosis System; GlacierFresh U06 Under Sink Ultra Filtration System; GlacierFresh 2.25 Gallon Gravity Water Filter System (PC04); GlacierFresh AUQAGO 3-Stage RV Water Filter System | AquaTru Classic Reverse Osmosis Water System; AquaTru Carafe (AT100) |
| Price from | $39.99Lower | $375 |
| Cartridge price | $49.99 to $59.99 | $29.95 to $59.95Lower |
| Cartridge life (l) | 5,402Higher | 2,271 |
| Filter cost per year | $84.99 to $169.97Lower | $89.87 |
| Certification scope | Filtration components meet NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, and 372 standards, with SGS and CSA testing | Certified NSF Standards; independently tested to remove 83 contaminants including lead, PFA and fluoride |
| Installation required | YesHas it | No |
| Markets | US, CA, DECovers more | US |
| Warranty | 2 years | Not confirmed |
Same on both: PFAS and lead reduction (Yes).
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Key differences
- Glacierfresh scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.1.
- Price from is lower at Glacierfresh: $39.99 vs $375.
- Cartridge price is lower at Water & Wellness: $29.95 to $59.95 vs $49.99 to $59.99.
- Cartridge life (l) is higher at Glacierfresh: 5,402 vs 2,271.
- Filter cost per year is lower at Glacierfresh: $84.99 to $169.97 vs $89.87.
- Installation required: only Glacierfresh.
- Support channels: only Glacierfresh offers Chat.
- Support channels: only Water & Wellness offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at Water & Wellness: 1978 vs 2015.
- Glacierfresh is available in 2 more countries.
Our verdict on each
Glacierfresh
Glacierfresh suits households that want component-certified under-sink reverse osmosis without a plumber-sized bill. The range starts at $39.99, the running filter cost settles at $84.99 to $169.97 a year, and the repeat purchase matters as much as the opening one for anyone comparing over a few years.
Water & Wellness
Water & Wellness suits US households that want certified contaminant removal and no installation work. The AquaTru Classic starts at $375, cartridges last 2,271 litres and the running cost is $89.87 a year. Buyers outside the US should look elsewhere.
Score breakdown
| Area | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherEntry at $39.99 and running filter costs of $84.99 to $169.97 keep the ownership total low for a reverse osmosis system. | 9.2Entry price is $375 and the running filter cost $89.87 a year ranks 18 of 46. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherCartridges at $49.99 to $59.99 and 5,402 litres of life spread the cost, with 2 years warranty behind the unit. | 8.9Cartridge life of 2,271 litres plus certified NSF Standards, and installation is not needed, so setup costs nothing. |
| Trust | 9.3Components meet NSF standards with SGS and CSA testing, and support runs on email, chat and help centre for setup questions. | 9.7HigherCertified NSF Standards testing, support on phone, help centre and email and a firm founded in 1978. |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Water filters | 3 of 80 | 6 of 80 |
Licences and countries
| Country | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United States |
Available in 1 country for both. Additional countries for Glacierfresh: 2.
Also worth a look
FRIZZLIFE has price from at $26.99, against $39.99 for Glacierfresh and $375 for Water & Wellness.
FRIZZLIFE reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| NSF/ANSI standards | 42, 53, 58, 401 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Crisol Technology HONGKONG Limited | Water and Wellness, LLC |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong | United States |
| Founded | 2015 | 1978Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Phone, Help centre, Email |
Air treatment
| Fact | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Not confirmed | Purifier |
| Clean air delivery rate (m³/h) | Not confirmed | 326 |
| Room size (m²) | Not confirmed | 118.36 |
| Filter types | Not confirmed | Hepa h13, Carbon |
| Filter change interval | Not confirmed | 6 months |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $39.99lowest quarter | $375above the median | $147.49 |
| Cartridge price | $49.99 to $59.99below the median | $29.95 to $59.95lowest quarter | $65 |
| Cartridge life (l) | 5,402highest quarter | 2,271below the median | 2,862.5 |
| Filter cost per year | $84.99 to $169.97below the median | $89.87below the median | $99.85 |
| Warranty | 2 yearsat the median | Not confirmed | 2 years |
Median across 47 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Glacierfresh
Pros
- Purchase price of $39.99 puts a reverse osmosis system inside a first filter budget
- Components meet NSF standards 42, 53 and 58, with SGS and CSA testing behind the claim
- Cartridge life of 5,402-litre helps hold the yearly filter cost to $84.99 to $169.97
Cons
- Replacement cartridges at $49.99 to $59.99 make the running bill $84.99 to $169.97 a year, so the low entry price is not the whole cost
- Installation is required, which adds a plumber or a careful fit to the cost of getting started
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, and phone is not among the listed channels
Water & Wellness
Pros
- Certified NSF Standards with independent testing across a wide contaminant set including lead, PFA and fluoride
- PFAS and lead reduction confirmed on the AquaTru range
- Installation is not required, so a countertop system sets up with no plumber
Cons
- Filter cost of $89.87 a year ranks 18 of 46, so the running cost sits above the middle of the field
- Entry price of $375 ranks 37 of 52, higher than most rivals at the starting rung
- Cartridge life of 2,271-litre ranks 15 of 26, below the group median
Who each suits
Glacierfresh
Who it suits
- Homeowners in the US, Canada and Germany who want filtered tap water from a reverse osmosis unit under the sink
- Buyers who read certificates, since the components meet NSF standards 42, 53 and 58 with SGS and CSA testing
- Families that budget for running costs and can plan around $84.99 to $169.97 a year in cartridges
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a countertop unit: IBBL lists countertop systems, while Glacierfresh is reverse osmosis
- Anyone who needs to talk a fault through by phone, since support runs on email, chat and help centre
- Households outside US, CA and DE, where shipping does not reach
Water & Wellness
Who it suits
- US households that want certified contaminant removal including lead, PFA and fluoride
- Renters and busy families who cannot host a plumber, since installation is not required
- Owners who prefer buying filters outright, with cartridges at $29.95 to $59.95
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers in other markets, since the range covers US only
- Shoppers chasing the cheapest running cost, because $89.87 a year ranks 18 of 46
Current offers
Glacierfresh
Current offer
Discount code
10% off your first order: 10% off first order
Email newsletter signup on the brand's own site; no end date stated
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Water & Wellness
Current offer
Discount code
10% off your first order: 10% off first order
Email newsletter signup
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Glacierfresh | Water & Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Glacierfresh
What does a Glacierfresh water filter cost to buy?+
The Glacierfresh range opens at $39.99 for the opening unit. That is a purchase price rather than a plan fee, so a household can budget for the hardware once. The figure to keep in view afterwards is the replacement cartridge, priced at $49.99 to $59.99.
How much do Glacierfresh replacement cartridges cost?+
A replacement filter cartridge runs $49.99 to $59.99 at Glacierfresh. Buyers often look only at the price of the unit, but the cartridge is the repeat cost, and it is the number that decides the real running cost of a system across a few years of use.
Water & Wellness
What does the AquaTru Classic cost to buy?+
The AquaTru Classic range starts at $375. That is the price of the unit at purchase, and the ongoing money is the filter set, priced at $29.95 to $59.95. On top of that, replacements run at $89.87 a year for the AquaTru Classic cartridge pack.
What do replacement filters cost over a year?+
Replacement filters run at $29.95 to $59.95 for the range, and a single AquaTru Classic year pack works out at $89.87 a year. Owners can buy cartridges on their own schedule rather than through any plan.
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