First, the Samsung brand is labeled as having NSF 42 and 53 capabilities. 42 means "Filters are certified to reduce aesthetic impurities such as chlorine and taste/odor." 53 means "Filters are certified to reduce a contaminant with a health effect. Health effects are set in this standard as regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Health Canada. Both standards 42 and 53 cover adsorption/filtration which is a process that occurs when liquid, gas or dissolved/suspended matter adheres to the surface of, or in the pores of, an adsorbent media. Carbon filters are an example of this type of product."
The AmazonBasics Standard model has NSF 42 and 372 capabilities. NSF 372 isn’t a standard, but simply means that the product works to reduce lead levels if lead is present in your water in the first place. The Samsung brand indicates that it too decreases lead levels, so my guess is that the AmazonBasics Standard model has somewhat less filtration than the Samsung. If you have high quality water to begin with, the Standard is likely just fine. If you’re using well water, on the other hand, you may want a higher level of security here.
The AmazonBasics Premium model is labeled as NSF 42, 53, and 401. NSF 401 is "NSF/ANSI 401: Emerging Contaminants/Incidental Compounds is an American national standard that verifies the ability of a water treatment device to reduce up to 15 of the emerging contaminants shown below [see the NSF web site for the full list]. This list includes some prescription/OTC drugs, new types of herbicides and pesticides and chemicals used as flame retardants and detergents that have been found at trace levels in drinking water." This is definitely the most capable model, and while I didn’t open up the Standard and Premium models, the Premium indeed weighs half an ounce more than the standard, so there’s a little more guts to this model.
Water flow rate, water taste, and so forth, are all the same for me with each one of these filters, but obviously your experience may differ depending upon what’s in your water to start with. The premium model is definitely more expensive than the standard, so this is all worth at least a little thought before your purchase.
