Best Shower Head Filters Reviewed

Shower Head Filters Compared

Benefits of Shower Water Filter Systems

Do shower head filters work? Absolutely. They keep you from breathing in vaporized disease-causing chemicals or absorbing them through your open pores. Also, shower filter systems generally make your skin, hair, and nails look better by reducing chemical damage.

1. Reduces Chlorine & Chloramine

Most public water systems (not well water) use either chlorine or chloramine to kill microorganisms. Unfortunately, these chemicals are also fairly harmful to humans and animals.

Therefore, one of the most common reasons to purchase a shower filter is to remove either chlorine or chloramine. Find out which is in your water supply and choose an appropriate water filter accordingly.

2. Softens Water

3. Stops Bacteria and Viruses

Almost all of the best shower head water filters have some bacteriostatic (halting bacterial growth), anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-algal, and even antiviral properties. Mostly, this has to do with the chemical effects of a medium itself, but the microscopic physical contour might also prevent microorganism colonization.

4. Reduces Harmful Chemicals

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like chlorine and chloramine, vaporize and dissolve easily so that you end up breathing them in and absorbing them through your skin.

Sadly, a lot of water sources contain pesticides, which are often carcinogenic, and heavy metals, which wreak havoc on skin. The best shower water filters take care of all of these.

5. Safe for Children

Considerations When Buying Shower Head Filters

Water Pressure:

Filtration Measures:

Possibly the most important thing to consider when choosing a shower head water filter is precisely what contaminants you are dealing with. Test your water with a test kit, do some research, or contact your local water supplier for information on what is in your water. Your best shower filter system is the one that targets your needs.

Replacement Filters:

Since filters/filter cartridges only last for but so long, it is essential to be able to buy replacements that can go in the filter housing. Ideally, these replacements are easy to find and fit your budget. 

Thankfully, you can find replacement filters/cartridges for all of the shower head filters reviewed below—usually both on Amazon and on the company’s website.

Lifespan:

While a sturdy housing on a shower head water filter is important, the lifespan of the replaceable filter/cartridge is usually the more relevant consideration.

A common complaint is that the filters do not last very long, especially in high-use situations. Therefore, it is important to consider both the longevity and the price of replacement cartridges.

Ease of Use:

All of the best shower head water filters are very easy to use, so there is never any need to hire someone to install the unit or replace cartridges. Most units come with both instructions and the needed equipment for installation (usually just Teflon tape, washers, and sometimes, a wrench).

Spray Settings:

Certification:

While some of the best shower head water filters—proven effective by happy consumers—are not certified, certification is a sign that the filter media are up to par.

Common certifying organizations are NSF International, EPA WaterSense (a program of the EPA to promote sustainable water use), and WQA (Water Quality Association).

Warranty:

While shower head water filters are not usually huge investments, it is nice to know that you can get the company to cover your loss if the product does not work as promised. 

The majority of shower head water filters have 1-year limited warranties. Limited means that the company only covers demonstrable manufacturing flaws, not damage from inappropriate use.

1. AquaBliss High-Output (SF220)

The AquaBliss High-Output Universal Shower Filter with changeable multi-stage filter cartridge is the best shower filter on the market. Individual cartridges are effective for about 6 months (less time if it is a heavily used shower).

You can get replacement cartridges for this unit easily. Users unanimously agree that this unit removes so many contaminants that drastic health and cosmetic results are guaranteed.

This filter has a silvery-looking chrome body that blends in perfectly with the metal finishes of most showers. The 3-stage system, which is made up of 7 sub-stages, seems to take care of everything at all water temperatures. However, it is important to note that it cannot remove chloramine.

2. Aquasana AQ-4105

The best-filtered handheld shower head is the Aquasana AQ-4105. Note that you can get the same shower head filter system in either white (as listed here) or chrome color.

This unit promises to remove 90% of the chlorine in your water. 

Aquasana’s design—which allows water to shoot down into the unit and flow back up through the filtering media—is intended to increase water exposure to the filter and prevent clogs. Thankfully, this does not seem to lower the water pressure. Also, tall people appreciate that, unlike other shower filters, this one does not lower the shower height at all.

The 5-foot hose on the wand is sufficiently long to clean pets or children and get to hard-to-reach areas. The included shower head has several massaging options, but you can attach it to your original shower head if you prefer.

3. AquaHomeGroup 15-Stage

The best shower head filter for hard water is the AquaHomeGroup’s 15-Stage Shower Water Filter. While shower filters generally do work as water softeners, this one seems to work well enough in this capacity for most people.

Perhaps more importantly, though, it removes both chlorine and chloramine. In fact, it filters out almost everything you could want to be removed. Plus, it adds healthful components to the water—vitamins C and E, and pH-raising chemical groups. This is the ideal shower filter for the person who wants both cosmetic and health benefits from their shower filter.

Unlike others on this list, this unit comes with an extra cartridge, but replacement cartridges are relatively inexpensive. As an added perk, AquaHomeGroup has attentive customer service.

4. Berkey Massaging

The best shower head KDF-55 filter is the Berkey Shower Filter, which can be purchased with or without the shower head. The redox-driven filter removes an unusually high 95% of chlorine. In addition, this unit effectively removes sediments, lime (which causes scale), bacteria, and fungi. To make the Berkey filter useful for a longer time, be sure to back-flush it as described in the user manual on the Berkey site.

Unfortunately, the buyer might have to be vigilant: Some Amazon sellers appear to deceptively send buyers non-Berkey products—most commonly, Sprite shower water filters (or parts) in place of Berkey parts. On that note, Sprite is an excellent NSF-certified brand, but it is less expensive; therefore, consider it if you want a budget option for a massaging shower head.

5. Sonaki Vitamin C Inline

The best shower head filter for removing chloramine is the Sonaki Vitamin C Inline Assembly with 3 filters included. Like most vitamin C filters, this one has orange vitamin C housed in a clear tube; you can see the vitamin C shrink as it dissolves in the water over time. You can get replacement Sonaki vitamin C filters in a 5-pack.

Most users notice the complete lack of chlorine or chloramine, as this unit removes an impressive 99.9%.

6. Sprite Showers HOB-CM High-Output

The Chlorgon redox filtration medium, which is unique to the Sprite filtered shower head, is designed to remove chlorine more effectively than usual KDF in hot water. Of course, this is perfect for shower filters, since most people take hot or very warm showers. It also removes microorganisms, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

You can get the housing for the filter in 4 different finishes, so it is easy to find a good match for your bathroom. Many users will also appreciate that the filter contents are compostable and the filter is recyclable.

7. Jonathan Product Beauty Purification System

If you want the best shower head filter for blonde hair (or any colored or natural hair, for that matter), consider the Jonathan Beauty system. This unit will also give you softer, less irritation-prone skin and stronger nails.

The system contains an oxidation medium to remove chlorine; it also includes a carbon filter and an ion exchange resin, which together remove synthetic organic pollutants, heavy metals, and water-hardening ions. It makes your water like a natural spring.

8. PureAction Vitamin C Filter

The altogether best fluoride filter shower head is the PureAction Vitamin C system. In addition to fluoride, it removes almost everything.

This filter also is the best-scented shower head filter, as the vitamin C filter adds a noticeable, but not overpowering, citrusy smell to the water. You can also use the lavender, jasmine, or rose filters for different scents. However, note that only the vitamin C filter removes any chloramine.

The practical benefits are real; the indulgence of the scents is a bonus that makes this the perfect gift to pamper someone special.

For even more indulgence: Users love that it increases the water pH to make it more healthy and that it increases the shower’s water pressure.

9. Barclay’s Buys Better Home Goods Filter

Barclay’s Buys makes the best budget filter that also happens to be the best shower filter for low-pressure systems—the Clearly Pure Shower Head. You can get both the filter itself and replacement cartridges on Amazon for very manageable prices.

The system removes 80%-90% of chlorine and dissolved solids (heavy metals, VOCs, pesticides). It is water-saving: It allows you to have a comfortable shower with less water, thanks to the laser-cut micro-holes that compose the shower head.

The shower head has 3 settings: massage (without pulse), rain, and combined. Even on the combined setting, it keeps the flow under 2.5GPM. Unlike other shower filters on this list, this one is actually in the shower head, rather than being installed inline.

More of our favorite massaging shower heads can be found here.

Understanding Hard Water Problems

Difference between Chlorine and Chloramine

Chlorine is the non-metal element that is commonly known as a component of table salt. Chloramine, in contrast, is ammonia with one or more of its hydrogens replaced with chlorine atoms. Both chlorine and chloramine have chemical instability that makes them react with the crucial chemical components of living cells; this is why they are such effective disinfectants for water supplies.

Unfortunately, chlorine and chloramine are similarly harmful to human cells. They damage skin and hair; they vaporize easily in hot steam, so you end up inhaling them in the shower and potentially producing or exacerbating respiratory conditions. Carbon, calcium sulfite, and KDF filters are effective for neutralizing the harmful effects of chlorine, but only vitamin C can do the same for chloramine.

Other Chemicals You Should be Filtering

The first reason people want to remove hydrogen sulfide is the “rotten-egg” smell; however, it also is corrosive to shower equipment and poisonous to your cells.

DDT, perhaps the most infamous chlorinated hydrocarbon, is another example of a toxic water contaminant, but other carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chlorinated hydrocarbons are also found in water.

The industry has introduced fluorocarbons, such as PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), an industrial surfactant; and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), an ingredient of flame retardant coatings. Trihalomethanes (THMs), used in refrigerants and industrial solvents, are similarly toxic and carcinogenic.

Not everyone has all of these pollutants in their water, but at least a few of them end up in almost all water supplies. Even well water can carry pesticides as it travels through the soil.

Installation, Replacement and Maintenance

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What’s the difference between shower filters and regular water filters?

There are a variety of water filter systems—whole house, faucet, etc.—but shower head water filters are filters that attach to a single shower and filter the water before it exits the shower head. Unlike filters for drinking water, most shower head filters do not claim to make water potable.

How often should I change a shower filter?

Most companies claim that you only need the change the filter/cartridge every 6 months. However, it is based on how much water you use; therefore, if a whole family is using one shower, you probably need to replace it much sooner—maybe even every 3 months.

Can I clean a shower filter and then reuse it?

Usually not. Some models allow you to turn a filter over, effectively doubling its effective life, but not all do this.

How do I change a shower filter?

To change the entire unit, you have to unscrew it from the shower head and water source and install the new unit. Realize that if it is a different type of unit, the installation could be slightly different. To change the cartridge/filter that goes into the housing unit, just uninstall it, open it, exchange filters, and reinstall.

Will shower filters work on well water?

Yes, but well water generally needs softening more than anything else. Therefore, be sure to get a unit with ion exchange resin/ceramic beads. Also, look for a unit that removes pesticides, as these can get into well water supplies. You do not need to worry about chlorine or chloramine in well water.

Do shower filters reduce water pressure?

The best shower head water filters do not reduce water pressure. A few even are designed to increase water pressure.

Conclusion

The AquaBliss High-Output Universal (best-rated shower head filter in the reviews above) is the best bet for most people’s needs: it removes everything but chloramine; both the housing and the cartridges are very affordable; and it looks good in most bathrooms.

While there are pricier options such as T3 shower filters; you can get equally effective, but more economical, shower head filters from Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon.