In these days of decreasing water quality, you probably go to great lengths and expenses to ensure that you and your family don't use tap water for drinking. But what about the water that you use in your bathroom shower?
Polluted or even chlorinated water can have a severe negative impact on your health if you bathe in it on a regular basis. You need the best shower filter to ensure that the water in your bathroom is safe for the whole family.
Top Picks For Best Shower Filter
Homspal 10 Stage Water Filter
- This is a water filter that will work for any shower, fixed as well as handheld. It contains a massive 10 stage filtration process that is guaranteed to remove all major contaminants, both chemical and biological.
- The system is easy to install and require no special tools. The ten-stage system includes KDF 55 and activated carbon stages, and you get two extra filters when you buy this product.
Price range: $30 - $35
*at the time of publishing
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
Very few popular shower head filter brands boast of a massive 10-stage filtration system, which is what makes this Homspal product our pick for the best shower filter available online. Its filtration system is one of the largest and strongest in the business.
As with most products in this niche, KDF 55 is the star of the system, along with other layers of stainless steel mesh, PP cotton, calcium sulfite, coconut activated carbon, medical stone, mineralized balls, and magnetic energy ceramic balls.
With this massive combination, this filter can remove physical impurities as well as the stuff that is dissolved in the water. The device can effectively remove chlorine and other heavy metals from your municipal supply water. And if the local supply happens to be of hard water, this filter will also soften it for you.
In the package, you get one filter housing, two cartridges, a Teflon tape, and two silicon seals. It includes everything you need to install the filter in your shower. This shower water filter is designed to work with all kinds of showers. You do not need expert help for its installation at all.
Each sprite shower filter cartridge is good enough for 10,000 gallons of water or roughly six months of regular use. And that is excellent longevity, which can reduce maintenance costs incurred in buying replacement cartridges. The filter body is made from shiny and durable metal alloy.
Reviewers have commented favorably about the positive impact this filter has had on the water in their showers. Many reported instant positive results on their skin and hair after using this filter.
WHAT WE LIKED
- Very easy installation process
- Effective 10-stage filtration process
- Longevity of the refill cartridges
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- The flow of water is slightly affected
AquaBliss High Output Universal Shower Filter
- This shower head filter can remove chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and even restrict the growth of harmful germs. It has a multi-stage filtration system, with KDF 55 included for maximum effect.
- The filter is incredibly easy to install and works on all shower types. The three-stage filter works equally well with hot and cold water.
Price range: $20 - $25
*at the time of publishing
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
This sprite shower filter has around six different layers inside its filtration cartridge system. They are divided into two groups based on the tasks they do. A combination of sand filters, stainless steel mesh and micro-porous PP cotton helps remove all dirt and dust particles, and sediments from the water.
Chlorine, heavy metals and bacteria are neutralized by a combination of calcium sulfite, KDF 55 and activated carbon. This multi stage system is extremely effective and makes this one of the best shower filters in the market.
The shiny metallic object can be installed on your shower within minutes, thanks to a very simple system. It works easily with all types of showers, from fixed to handheld showers. The universal connections on this device require no special tools either.
The cartridges are also very durable, and can work for anywhere from 6-8 months, or for 10,000-12,000 gallons, which is extremely good. And changing the filters is a simple task that you can easily handle on your own.
This chrome colored filter is effective for both hot and cold water showers. That is mainly due to the blend of KDF 55, activated carbon and calcium sulfite.
Some buyers have gone on to call this water softener shower head a "real life changer." According to them, the treated water has improved their skin health, and reduced irritations and rashes that were earlier very prevalent. The filter also seems to have no negative impact on the water pressure, according to some reviews.
WHAT WE LIKED
- Universal connections will fit any kind of shower head
- Three-stage filter system works well against chlorine and other chemicals
- Improves smell, and reduces the hardness of water
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Can get clogged sometimes
- Minor issues with portable showers
AquaHomeGroup Shower Filter
- This product is also adept at purifying tap water, removing chlorine, fluorides, heavy metals, and biological contaminants. It has a five-stage filtration system, with replaceable filter cartridges.
- Its universal compatibility and excellent filtration are what makes this filter stand out from the rest of the pack. The package includes two extra cartridges and a set of shower caps as gifts.
Price range: $25 - $30
*at the time of publishing
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
This is another extremely powerful multi stage shower filter capable of removing water hardness and drastically reducing the concentration of harmful chlorine, fluorine and other heavy metals in your water supply.
It has an eight stage filtering system, with KDF, activated carbon, calcium sulfite, PP cotton and stainless steel mesh being the common ingredients. What makes this filter stand out is a filter that you won't usually find elsewhere, a layer of alkaline ceramic balls. These balls improve the antioxidant content in the water.
Like many other top quality shower filters featured in this list, this one also uses high density plastic housing with a shiny chrome finish. The materials are extremely durable and should last a long time.
The cartridges are removable and replaceable, and you should be looking at buying new ones at least after six months. Depending on the water quality in your area, the cartridges may not last for the full six months. Thankfully, you get two extra cartridges as part of this package.
In order to sweeten the deal, the company also provides a bunch of extremely useful freebies along with this water softener shower head. These include colorful shower caps (five in number), as well as a Teflon tape for improved fitting of the filter onto your shower head.
Reviewers have commented positively on the ease of installation of these shower filters. They also liked the fact that the free cartridges extend the life of the filter by more than a year. Many have also reported a reduction in skin related issues after starting to use this filter.
WHAT WE LIKED
- The eight stage filtration system with antioxidant boosters
- The freebies provided along with the filter
- How easy it is to install and work with
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Some minor leaking issues
- It also does not fit properly on some shower heads
Limia's Care Shower Filter
- This product can purify and soften hard water, removing traces of chlorine, heavy metals, fungi, and bacteria. It uses a comprehensive five-stage system to cleanse and soften tap water.
- Like the best shower filters, this one is also very easy to install or remove. They also supply an extra cartridge when you buy this shower water filter.
Price range: $20 - $25
*at the time of publishing
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
This affordable shower filter has a very adequate five stage filtering system to cleanse your shower water of harmful impurities and contaminants. The filter stages are similar to the ones we find on most other best shower filters.
They include KDF 55 and calcium suilfite for removal of chlorine, heavy metals, and organic stuff, activated carbon for other chemicals and pesticides, and PP cotton and steel mesh for physical impurities like dirt and dust.
This filter also uses a shell made of heavy plastic with a chrome finish mainly for aesthetic purposes. The installation process is extremely basic, and the company provides you with all the necessary accessories and components. These include silicon seals, Teflon string and detailed instructions.
The filters need to be changes once every 5-6 months on average, in a household with four members. This amounts to a capacity to filter 10,000-12,0000 gallons with a single cartridge. The manufacturers have provided a single replacement cartridge along with the filter.
Some reviewers have praised this shower filter's ability to effectively treat well water laden with impurities. Many also state that the chlorine filtering capacity of the filter was readily apparent once they started using it in their showers.
WHAT WE LIKED
- The installation speed and simplicity
- Excellent water purification abilities
- Includes all the tools and excellent instructions
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Less filtering power when compared to some other top brands
- Has a slight negative impact on water pressure
Geysa High Output Universal Shower Filter
- This shower filter sports an 8-stage filtration system, which is one of the biggest in the business. It can handle everything from chlorine to heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, mold, and fungi.
- It uses a twist and screw system for quick and efficient installation. This device is compatible with most standard shower heads and comes with two free filter cartridges.
Price range: $25 - $30
*at the time of publishing
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
The main highlight of this shower filter is the eight stage filtration system. Along with the usual ingredients like KDF 55, activated carbon, calcium sulphite, and PP cotton, this filter also has a special layer of ceramic balls.
These ceramic balls provide further assistance in absorbing harmful heavy metals, and improving the antioxidant level in the water. The filter has decent protective action against chlorine, bacteria, algae, fungi, and other chemicals as well.
The device can be easily installed, using a simple twist and screw method. The universal fitting ensure that this filter will be a great fit on almost all kinds of shower heads used commonly in bathrooms. It is compatible even with handheld and combo showers.
In normal situations, the replaceable filters are good enough for six months of use. In areas with heavy water contamination, this period can be reduced to anywhere from 5 to 2 months, depending on water quality. They do ship two replacement cartridges as part of the package.
Some users have praised the ability of this filter to remove odors, especially that of sulfur. Many also commented on the ease of installation. Numerous reviews highlight the positive effect on skin and hair after installing this filter in their showers.
WHAT WE LIKED
- Extreme ease of installation
- Capable of treating even extremely contaminated water
- Comes with two extra filters
WHAT WE DON'T LIKE
- Some leak problems
- Does not work with all types of showers
Shower Filter Buying Guide
Why do you need a shower filter?
There are several compelling reasons for using a shower filter in your bathroom in this day and age:
- Ever since the Flint water crisis, we have been bombarded with news about the poor and declining water supply quality across the US
- Even if your municipal supply does not have a history of heavy contamination, it does contain chemicals like chlorine and fluorides
- Many harmful bacteria and other organisms have also widely been reported in aging water supply systems, and even bottled water.
- All these can have a severe health impact on your body, not just through drinking, but also through skin contact while showering.
- A lot of contaminants also enter the body through vapors and aerosols that are created during showers.
- Skin and hair are the worst affected when you bath using poor quality water. Chlorine can wreak havoc on your skin and hair.
What are the advantages of using a good quality shower filter?
The most direct positive impact will be felt in the short term on your skin and hair. Using cleaner and purer water will result in less incidence of rashes, acne and other skin and hair disorders.
Heavy metals and other contaminants can lead to serious diseases in the long term. Using a water filter will at least reduce the chances of such ailments occurring in your family.
A large scale water treatment system requires considerable financial investment. The best shower filters are affordable yet highly effective products with a proven track record. They cost just a fraction of the investment you would need for a big water treatment system.
What are some features to look out for in the best shower filters?
Multi-stage filtering process: there are numerous different categories of water contaminants and pollutants out there. So you need the filtering system to be state of the art. The more stages a filter has, the more effective it will be at dealing with different kinds of toxins and heavy metals.
Universal fixtures: Since these devices attach directly to your plumbing, you need one that provides a hermetically sealed fit. Bathroom fitting for home consumers tend to have standardized fittings. As long as a shower filter has compatible universal fixtures, it should be compatible with most different types of shower heads used in homes today.
Easy Refill Cartridges: when a filter removes all that gunk and toxic sludge from your water, it has to go somewhere. So you will have to periodically replace the filter cartridges that are housed inside the device. The system should be easy to remove and replace. And the cartridges should be easily available online as well. Some top brands do provide complimentary free cartridges when you buy their filters.
What are some common filter stages to look for, and what do they do?
- KDF-55 Media: a combination of granulated copper and zinc alloys, helps remove chlorine, heavy metals, and controls bacteria and other microorganisms
- PP Cotton: has a unique structure that helps it filter out sediments, rust, other particles, and some germs
- Activated Carbon: effective against chlorine, heavy metals, impurities, and Volatile Organic Chemicals
- Calcium Sulphite: has a similar effect to activated carbon, but with more efficiency against heavy metals
- Stainless Steel Mesh: Basic protection against larger particles and impurities.
Conclusion
When you come to the top five best shower filter products, you will notice that there is precious little to separate them regarding performance and filtering capacity. The main difference in user experience seems to stem from compatibility with different shower head types, and susceptibility to leaks and similar issues like clogging.
Based on our extensive research and product testing, we found the Homspal 10 stage shower filter to be the pick of the lot for us. It had the biggest multi-stage filtering system, and had all the hallmarks we outlined in the buyers guide section. In an even playing field, this was the filter that caught out attention the most.