ZeroWater · Dispenser
ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters): what it removes and what it costs
Model: Culligan ZeroWater 52 Cup Ready-Read 5-Stage Dispenser ZD-052-RR, uses two 5-stage filters, includes TDS meter
The ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) is certified (NSF/ANSI 53 and NSF/ANSI 42) to reduce PFAS (PFOA), lead, chlorine, chromium 6 and mercury. ZeroWater also claims TDS from lab tests that are not certification. For 2 people drinking and cooking with it, replacement filters cost about $272 a year.
5
certified reductions we track
133¢
filters per gallon at rated life
Price checked 2026-10-23. We may earn a commission.
What the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) removes
"Certified" means a certifier (NSF, WQA, IAPMO or CSA) lists this exact product for that reduction claim; the listing is linked. "Brand test only" means ZeroWater cites a lab report but no certifier lists the claim. See certified vs. tested.
| Contaminant | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS | Certified | IAPMO R&T listing, NSF/ANSI 53 ("PFOA") |
| Lead | Certified | IAPMO R&T listing, NSF/ANSI 53 ("Lead") |
| Chlorine | Certified | IAPMO R&T listing, NSF/ANSI 42 ("Chlorine") |
| Chromium 6 | Certified | IAPMO R&T listing, NSF/ANSI 53 ("Hexavalent Chromium") |
| Mercury | Certified | IAPMO R&T listing, NSF/ANSI 53 ("Mercury") |
| TDS | Brand test only | Zero Technologies (brand claim; lab not named): "TDS (total dissolved solids) 99.6% removal" |
Not verified, either way (no certification or brand claim): Chloramine, Fluoride, Arsenic, Nitrate, Microplastics, Cysts, VOCs, Bacteria and viruses, Iron, Copper, Uranium, 1,4-dioxane.
What it costs to run
Yearly cost = replacements per year × filter price, for each filter it uses; a filter is replaced at its gallon rating or its month limit, whichever comes first. Water use: drinking and cooking water (0.28 gallons per person a day, EPA's average adult intake).
| Household | Gallons a year | Filters a year | Total a year | Per gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 102 | $136 | $136 | 133¢ |
| 2 people | 204 | $272 | $272 | 133¢ |
| 4 people | 409 | $545 | $545 | 133¢ |
Replacement filters
| Filter | Rated life (gallons) | Rated life (months) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZeroWater 5-Stage Replacement Filter (ZR-001 / ZF-201) (set of 2, used together) | 30 est. Source note2 filters filter in parallel, each rated 15 gal; the set is treated as 2x that. Rated 15 gal per IAPMO-certified PDS and listing; brand says real life depends on tap-water TDS. cdn.shopify.com | — Source noteBrand gives no month figure; life depends on TDS. | $39.98 Source note2 x single-filter price. 1-pack list price 2026-10-23; 2-pack $36.99, 4-pack $61.99, 12-pack $163.99. zerowater.com |
Specs
- Type
- Dispenser
- Price
- $65
Source note
Brand store price seen 2026-10-23 (item ZD-052-RR); no compare-at/sale price; in stock. zerowater.com
- Installation
- None
- Capacity
- 3.25 gal
Source note
52 cups converted at 16 cups/gal zerowater.com
- Needs power
- No
Where it ranks
Compare the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters)
Updates about the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters)
- October 23, 2026 · Only 2 of 15 current pitchers we track are certified for PFAS
Common questions
What does the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) remove?
The ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) is certified (NSF/ANSI 53 and NSF/ANSI 42) to reduce PFAS (PFOA), lead, chlorine, chromium 6 and mercury. ZeroWater also claims TDS from lab tests that are not certification. For 2 people drinking and cooking with it, replacement filters cost about $272 a year.
Does the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) remove PFAS?
Yes. It is certified for PFOA reduction under NSF/ANSI 53 (IAPMO R&T listing).
How much does the ZeroWater 52-cup Ready-Read dispenser (2 filters) cost to run?
About $272 a year for 2 people ($136 for 1, $545 for 4), counting replacement filters, for drinking and cooking water (0.28 gallons per person a day, EPA's average adult intake).
Data checked 2026-10-23. 102 filters tracked.