Aquasana AQ-5300+.55 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter with Brushed Nickel Faucet

I read a few reviews about leaks and various issues so I was a little nervous, but over all the reviews were good so I bit the bullet and ordered one. It was relatively easy to install, I mean, it was under the sink which requires bending into a pretzel to work under there which, for a 64-year-old woman is always a challenge, but I followed the instructions, attached it to the side wall of the sink cabinet, installed the spigot in the hole in the granite cut for a built-in soap dispenser (that was replaced with a pretty glass pump dispenser that works better than the built in one anyway) and then installed the filters. There were no leaks - YAY!!! It's been working great for about 4 months now.

Todo funcionó correcto hasta el momento que tuve que cambiar filtros por primera vez. Después del simple cambio tuve una fuga grande y no hay forma de arreglar mas que con reemplazo de parte. Pero al contactar a soporte de Aquasana (que tardan hasta 4 dias en responder) la respuesta final es que no envian fuera de EUA. Si no dan soporte fuera de ese país, ¿para que lo venden fuera de EUA?

I got a plumber to install the unit who ran twice to the hardware store to get parts. Though I paid for the service, I am glad and happy with the end result. I trust aquasana because I had been a customer for at least 10 to 20 years with the counter top unit. I upgraded to under counter because it leaked. Only wish is that it should be made in USA.

This was easy to install. The tee valve could have been a better quality as there were metal shavings in it. Cleaned it out and no other burrs observed so used it. The tee valve does not have a shutoff. You need to read the installation steps to find what size drill bit to use to make the hole in the counter. It would have been nice to have a legend to tell you what specific tools and sizes to use as a quick reference or for those that may be a little less technically inclined. Otherwise, its easy to install. Flavour of water is great. I always liked my jug water filter from a major brand but this is way better. Ran 20 minutes after install before use per instructions. No weird aftertaste and no odours. Added a tee to connect my fridge water and ice maker. Same great taste from fridge as well and I don’t need to use the fridge filter. Has the most certifications that I saw for an under counter filter system. Highly recommended!

The kit came with zero instructions, these are not hard to find online. Some of the parts looked a little dirty, as if this may be a refurbished unit. I'm taking 1 star off for those items. Otherwise it was fairly easy to install, tastes good, and has decent flow rate. I was worried about leaks seeing reviews of what happens when folks go to exchange the filters. Luckily no leaks upon install. We probably use an average of a gallon a day, so hoping these filters last a while. I originally wanted a whole-home filter, but after doing the research and seeing how much replacement filters/parts are and the intervals to exchange them, we couldn't afford the ongoing costs. These filters seem to be pretty reasonable in price, and a good compromise over a whole-home system. I did have to buy a 1.25" diamond blade hole saw and auger to create the additional hole required through our granite countertop. This was also fairly straight forward, but a lot of cost for the tools for a 1-time job and it was very nerve racking lining up the hole as near-perfect as I could get it and trying to keep the bit from skipping around when first starting it. I probably saved a hundred dollars or more vs hiring a pro to come drill it. The faucet is nice, but a lighter colored oil rubbed bronze than most plumbing parts. It does sit a little less than plumb, and I wished there were instructions on how to take the little handle off so you can adjust where the on/off starts. As others have said, the water tube attaches to the bottom and could easily be pulled out, so be careful messing around under your sink after it's hooked up. It makes no noise when turning on/using, I do hear a tiny clunk when I turn it off. The tubes that go into the base unit have to be pushed all the way in. I thought I had the larger one in and decided to double check it and I pushed pretty hard and twisted a little and it went in about another inch. I'm glad I checked it. The smaller outgoing tube was easier to push in. I think a lot of people might be having issues with leakage not having these tubes pushed in all the way, especially the larger intake tube. Leave a little extra tubing when you install, so you can take the base unit off the wall if needed to change the reminder button-cell battery without worrying about a tube coming off. I have not done any water tests, I trust the tests others have done and posted in their reviews. I know this doesn't remove fluoride and a few other things, but it's got to be better than a ceramic berky-like filter. Aquasana should include instructions, and a shut off valve just for the tube going into the filter (so you can keep the cold water active and turn off the filter for maintenance). **Update Feb 2024-water flow completely stopped after 6 months. Emailed customer support, no response. I took a chance and ordered a replacement filter set direct from manufacturer. Kit arrived in a week and I replaced all 3 filters. Two filters were pretty dark colored. Kit also came with a new battery. Turns out the original kit had the battery installed backwards, so it never beeped when it was time to replace. New filter change, new battery installed the correct way, and I get a few beeps and turn back on the water. Checking for leaks for a couple weeks. All is good, water pressure is back to normal. I hear about the cartridges leaking after opening and changing the filters, O-ring problems, etc. I was very slow and deliberate taking everything apart and putting it back together to make sure I never cross threaded anything or damage the o-rings. When you insert the filter, there is a little play/movement possible while you try to screw the housing in around it. Hold it upside down so gravity helps keep the filter tight to the lid while you screw the cover back on. And by the way, it's been 3 months since I emailed customer support, no response besides the obligatory "thank you for emailing support, someone will be with you...", no follow up emails from support. **Update Jan 2026-Unit has been working great, no leaks. Haven't had any issues since 2024. I've changed the filters about every 6 months or whenever it starts beeping. If you set up auto-shipment direct from the manufacturer for filters, note that they charge your credit card, then ship the filters about 2 weeks later and it takes about a week to get to you.