Aquasana Rhino Review

If you’re willing to invest a little bit more upfront, Aquasana’s Rhino filter system has an impressive lifespan with minimal hassle.

Brian Adee, Senior Writer

David Lewis, Chief Editor

Last Updated:

Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter System
$2,418.00

Aquasana’s Rhino whole house water filter system has an extra long filter life that makes it a good investment over time. It’s one of the most effective long-lasting filter systems on the market today.



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What We Like
  • Good value over time
  • Minimal hassle after initial installation
  • Independently certified for filtering effectiveness
What We Don’t Like
  • Large upfront cost
  • Plastic fittings could be upgraded
  • Frequent pre filter changes

Whole house water filters ensure that every drop of water you use is as clean and pure as possible. But they’re also more difficult to install than other types of filters — so it’s natural that you would want a system that you can set and forget.

Aquasana’s Rhino whole house water filter does exactly that, with a 6 or 10 year lifespan depending on which option you choose. This makes it a relatively affordable filter solution over time, and its filtering power is top notch too. In this review, we’ll compare and contrast those advantages to other whole house filters and give you the inside scoop on how to find the right filter system for your household.

How it works

Aquasana’s Rhino filter systems range from relatively simple to impressively complex. A standard setup uses a prefilter in combination with Aquasana’s proprietary Rhino filters to deliver fresh water. 

If your water quality is very poor, there is an option to include these add-on components atop the base model system:

  • A salt-free water conditioner to prevent scale buildup
  • A post-filter as a final line of defense against sediment and organic particles
  • A UV filter for sterilizing bacteria and viruses

Taken altogether, the variable Rhino systems offer a customizable solution to creating the clean, tasty water that you’re looking for.

Performance 

Even with a standard setup, Aquasana’s Rhino systems are fully certified by the NSF and ANSI. They meet Certification 42, meaning that the filter is guaranteed to remove aesthetic impurities like off smells, tastes, and sediment.

But Aquasana has also taken the additional step of having their systems independently certified for removing up to 97% of chlorine throughout the life of the system. They also reduce lead, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

Overall, this means that the Rhino systems are as well equipped to filter your water as any other whole house water filter. And in comparison to the systems that do not have NSF certification, they are a step ahead.

Water Pressure and Flow Rate

No matter what whole house water filter system you install, it will affect your overall water pressure. If you already have low water pressure, a pitcher filter or under sink filter with a separate faucet will likely be a better choice for you.

But among whole house filters, Aquasana’s Rhino system has only a small effect on reducing your water pressure. The systems are rated for seven gallons per minute — more than enough to provide uninterrupted water for a family of four. This relies on replacing the pre-filter every two months, though; more on that in the next section.

Filter replacement

The base unit for the Rhino filter system comes in two sizes. That includes a 1,000,000 gallon capacity or a 600,000 gallon capacity. 

This translates to roughly 10 years of use for the larger system, or 6 years for the smaller system. Those tank replacements are pricey, but occur infrequently enough that they’re not expensive in an overall sense.

To keep the system flowing smoothly though, you’ll need to replace the sediment pre-filter every two months. Thankfully these are quite affordable at about $10 a piece. And they’re very easy to remove and replace, too.

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Cost

The biggest roadblock that the Rhino systems present is their upfront cost. Even though the systems last for 6 or 10 years, the initial investment for even the most basic system can scare potential owners away. 

A standard setup for the 600,000 gallon system starts at $1498 from Aquasana’s website. And a standard setup for the 1,000,000 gallon system starts at $1898 from the same source. With add-ons, both systems can ring up at around $4500 total.

Sediment pre-filters come out to about $60 per year for each system. So you can expect a total cost per year of anywhere from about $250 to $500 for the life of the system.

Product Variations

As mentioned previously, Aquasana’s Rhino systems are available in two sizes. That includes a 600,000 gallon model and a 1,000,000 gallon model. They can also come with a variety of additional stages and hardware, including:

  • A salt-free water conditioner
  • A UV filter
  • A pro-grade install kit

Whether you need these or not will depend on your budget and the quality of your water. If you haven’t already, be sure to request a reading of what’s in your water from the EPA’s consumer confidence report database.

Warranty

In support of the large initial investment you have to make for these systems, Aquasana offers an excellent warranty. Their Rhino systems are covered for 10 years against any manufacturer defects, so you’ll be safe if anything unexpectedly goes wrong. Their customer service is responsive and helpful too.

Installation

Whole house water filter systems are among the most difficult filter solutions to install. You’ll need a fair degree of plumbing know-how to install any whole house filter without a hitch. 

If you’re not up to the job, you’ll need to pay for professional installation for a system like this. Depending on where you live, that price can vary widely —  anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour or more.

Recap

Aquasana is one of the most trusted names in water filters for good reason: They provide quality products that are made for the long haul, with long warranties and excellent certifications. The upfront costs of the Aquasana Rhino may be intimidating, but if you invest more in the first place you’ll get a good price over the life of the system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Claryum filtration technology? 

Claryum is the trade name for Aquasana’s proprietary filter style. They’re easy to install and provide a high rate of flow with good filtering certifications.

How long does an Aquasana filter last?

The Aquasana Rhino’s filters last from 600,000 to 1,000,000 gallons

Does Aquasana remove heavy metals?

Only some of Aquasana’s filters will remove heavy metals; check the details for each individual system to confirm their abilities.