This $20 Shower Filter Could Make Your Skin Look Even Better

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Access to good, clean, soft water is something many of us take for granted. But, if you deal with hard water in your home, you know the struggle is real. Water that’s overly chlorinated or heavily mineralized often tastes terrible, stains clothing, leaves hair dry and brittle, and can leave an itchy residue on your skin after showering, or worse for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Fortunately, there's a simple solution! Enter: The shower filter.

As the name implies, these water filters clean your shower water to provide you with fresh h20 every time you wash. Most filter out things like chlorine, odors, and minerals, while the best shower filters strip out other nasties, like lead, mercury, and copper as well. The good news is that most are surprisingly affordable and easy to install—sometimes in just a few minutes—even if you’re not a master plumber or a DIYer.

There are dozens of models to choose from, but not all shower filters are created equal. Lesser models are cheaply built and ineffective, while the best, most premium options can “scrub” your water so well you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. Our home and lifestyle team researched and carefully tested dozens of top-reviewed models this year. Below are our picks for the best shower filters worth buying in 2023.

Filtered Shower Head

If you're buying a shower filter, it's almost definitely to help with hard water (that's water that's heavy in minerals like magnesium and calcium). These can leave a harsh, itchy residue on skin and even make it hard to shower and wash your hair. Mist's simply named "Filtered Shower Head" uses a 15-stage filtration system to soften your shower water. It's effective at removing a long list of impurities beyond just chlorine—everything from fluoride and iron to minerals and heavy metals—from your water.

Our team found it dead simple to install in less than 20 minutes with ordinary household tools and zero DIY skills. We also confirmed that it delivers a consistent, high flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (that's good, BTW). Plus, the manufacturer confirms the filter cartridge only needs to be replaced every 12,000 gallons (compared to the usual 10,000).

"Of all the shower filters we tested this year, this is definitely the simplest. That's good and bad," noted one of our editors. "The design is straightforward, easy to use and install, and you can't beat the price. But if you're looking for sleek looks and more options, you'll probably need to spend a bit more."

On the downside, it's only available in one finish (polished chrome), and there are no adjustable spray patterns with this one. It's simply on or off. But it's hard to complain when it means you can score a decent shower filter for less than $20 delivered.

Filtered Shower Head

Most shower filters and shower heads with built-in filters tend to value function over flashy good looks. Not so with The Jolie Filtered Shower Head. This TikTok famous rig is hands-down the best-looking shower filter we tested this year. The sleek, modern design is available in a handful of colors (including brushed steel, jet black, and eye-popping red) to ensure that it blends seamlessly with your bathroom decor.

But it's not just a pretty face. It also, ya know, actually works. Jolie upgrades from the traditional carbon-based filter design to its own unique blend of calcium sulfate and KDF-55 to filter out more contaminants than lesser models.

While we didn't personally test these claims in a lab, all of our panelists who used the Jolie in their home showers found noticeably less scale buildup during their test period. "I live in an old New England home with seriously hard water," said writer Mike Richard. "In the two months since installing this shower filter, I've seen a significant decrease in scale build-up in my bathtub. My girlfriend and I both have sensitive skin, and this has made the water feel so much softer and 'smoother,' if that's a thing?" Bonus: it took less than 20 minutes to install, according to Richard.

The downside to all this premium filtery-y goodness? Cost. At $165, it's the most expensive shower filter of the year. The company also recommends replacing the filter every three months (compared to the usual six), which will no doubt add up over time.

Also, Deputy Commerce Editor Christian Gollayan tested Jolie's rig for three months, and while he appreciated its efficient filtering capabilities, he noticed that the water pressure was pretty weak, and ended up switching it out for a cheaper filter that had stronger water pressure.

Filtered Shower Head

We love a good handheld shower head for getting an easy all-over clean. This budget-friendly model from Cobbe is an Amazon best-seller, with more than 2,000 positive reviews. Like the Mist model above, it features a 15-stage filtration system to remove chlorine and other impurities like lead, nickel, and mercury.

"This is another affordable, super simple shower head that just works," said our commerce editor. "I like the removable, oversized head and the six adjustable spray patterns are a nice-to-have, especially in a model that's this cheap."

We also found this filtered shower head easy to install with zero plumbing experience required. It's mostly a matter of unscrewing and removing your existing shower and replacing it with this one. The whole process should take less than 10 minutes.

Our only real complaint is the 1.8-gallon-per-minute flow rate. It is great for saving water, but it's a bit low for those hard, high-pressure, "squeaky-clean feel" showers that some of us love. But, with with a sale price under $30, it's still a great buy.

Hand-Held Showerhead With Magnetic Base and Filter

Culligan has been a recognized name in water filters for decades. So, it's no surprise this shower head features a high-quality construction with an NSF/ANSI 177 certification (more on that below) to guarantee that it removes chlorine from your shower water. Culligan claims that it also targets other nasties like scale and sulfur odor.

Straight out of the box, our panel of testers loved the upscale design of this shower filter. It looks and feels like a premium product. While it's only available in two finishes—chrome and brushed chrome—both are simple and tasteful enough to work with almost any bathroom decor.

Writer Mike Richard tested this out in a guest bathroom for the last three months. "The magnetic design on this is really clever. I love that it seamlessly goes from handheld to overhead and back again with a nice, easy click," he said." The flow is decent, although it feels like this one is more about conserving water than delivering a squeaky-clean wash."

Our team loved everything about this filtered shower head, from the unique handheld-meets-overhead design to the clean, modern aesthetic to the adjustable spray patterns. The only downside? At more than $100, it's one of the priciest shower filters we tested this year.

Aquifer Filtered Shower Head

Kohler makes some of the coolest-looking water fixtures in the world. Its Aquifer Filtered Shower Head is sleek, and thoroughly modern in polished chrome or brushed nickel. It's a simple, fixed-head design that looks great and works with virtually any bathroom decor.

It's a highly efficient design with a lower-than-average 1.75-GPM flow rate. Great by EPA standards; not so great if you like jet-powered, high-pressure showers, but it's eco-friendly enough to save up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. That's not only great for the environment, but great for your water bill too.

One of our design-obsessed writers was most impressed by the aesthetic of this shower head. "It's prettier than most of the others I tested this year," she said. "It looks like something you'd see at a Four Seasons hotel."

This model was, unfortunately, one of the few we recommend that's not NSF/ANSI 177-certified. So, there's no guarantee of its ability to reduce chlorine or other impurities in your shower water. The filter cartridge also needs replacing after just 8,000 gallons (compared to the 10,000-gallon recommendation of many of the other best shower filters in this year's roundup). Still, we're happy to include it, given its good looks, high-quality construction, and our trust in the Kohler brand name.

6-Spray Wall Mount Fixed Rain Shower Head

Well water is often some of the hardest water of all. According to the EPA, it's often peppered with contaminants from nitrates to fluoride to heavy metals. So it's not only best to filter your well drinking water, but your shower water too. This six-spray fixed rain shower head from Hotel Spa features three different types of filtration: Active carbon, KDF, and calcium sulfite to get rid of as many impurities as possible. It works well on chlorine, as well as plenty of other things like heavy metals.

"My S.O. and I live in a rural area outside Boise and the well water is rough," said one of our editors. "We installed this shower filter a month ago, and it's cut waaay down on the visible scale in our tub. My skin and hair also look and feel noticeably better, too."

While most on our panel prefer one of the handheld models we tested, all of us unanimously loved the adjustable spray patterns of this fixed-head option. Most of the patterns offer a wide angle of coverage, and we especially appreciated the massage function. The 2.5 gallon-per-minute flow rate is also nice for those who like a strong, high-pressure shower. Plus, it's less than $50 delivered.

VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head

If you're looking to save money on your utility bills and don't mind the trade-off of a low-flow showe rhead, Brondell's VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head is worth a look. With a flow rate of less than two gallons per minute (20% less than most typical shower heads), it's EPA WaterSense Certified, so it's guaranteed to help you save water. Less water equals lower energy bills because it reduces the demand on water heaters.

The easy-install design is dead simple: Just unscrew your old 1/2-inch shower head and replace it with this one. Done. The process should take less than five minutes. Because it's a fixed-head, you're forced to forego the versatility of a handheld model. But, the oversized head offers a wide coverage area without you having to direct it.

"It's not quite as nice as a legit handheld shower head, but this one sprays wide enough that I kind of don't even care," said one tester. "It took me about five minutes to install, and I actually like the minimalist vibe. It looks and feels like a shower head that costs twice as much."

The VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head is NSF/ANSI standard 177-certified. That means it's strong enough to filter chlorine, plus mercury, copper, and even lead. It can also reduce the growth of bacteria, germs, and algae, plus cut down on shower scale, which means a cleaner tub and less frequent scrubbing. The filters are good for up to 10,000 months or about six months.

Shower Water Filter System Max Flow Rate

Many shower heads with built-in filters limit the flow of water to allow the filter time to do its thing. Not so with Aquasana's Max Flow Rate Shower Water Filter System. Like most shower filters on this list, it's certified to the NSF/ANSI 177 standard. That means it's capable of eliminating most of the chlorine and other impurities from your shower water.

But, it accomplishes that industry-leading level of filtration without sacrificing water flow. This shower filter pumps out water at a solid 2.5 gallons per minute. So, if you like a strong, high-pressure shower and filtered water, this one is for you.

One of our teaster noted, "I kind of expected the spray on this one to be more like a trickle," she said. "But it's just as strong as the shower head I replaced, maybe even a bit stronger. I love the multi-spray settings, too. On the highest setting, I feel like I can really get my hair clean."

At almost $120 retail, this is one of the priciest shower filters we tested. But it is regularly on sale for almost half that. At around $70, this is one of the best value filtered shower heads of 2023, despite its bland "functional" look.

What should I look for in a shower filter?

Most brands list the most important features and specs of their shower filters right on the packaging, which makes it easy to shop for the best shower filter. Here’s what to look for and how to find the right model for you.

Water contaminant removal

The CDC confirms that “no filter eliminates all contaminants, so understanding what filters do and do not do is important.” Some are more effective at removing minerals, while others target mainly germs and bacteria. The simplest way to know for sure is to read the product label to see if a particular shower filter is NSF-certified. If so, you can search the NSF database for a list of specific contaminants that shower filter targets. Ultimately, finding the best shower filter for you comes down to why you’re buying the filter in the first place. Is it to help curb hard water, to remove bacteria (for households with sensitive or immune-compromised people), some combination of the two, or something else entirely?

Design

Like traditional shower heads, shower heads with built-in filters are available in two main types: Fixed shower heads and handheld shower heads. Both are fairly easy to install, even if you’re not particularly “handy.” Fixed shower heads are usually more compact and a little easier to install, but they don’t provide the same flexibility as handheld models. Handheld shower heads are often a little larger and slightly more complicated to install, but they can be detached to give you a more “targeted” water stream when and where you need it in the shower. Many fixtures also allow you to choose from multiple spray patterns with spray, stream, massage settings, and more.

Filter capacity

In general, you can plan on having to replace your shower filter after every 10,000 gallons or roughly six months of use. If you have a large household or live in an area with particularly hard water, you’ll need to replace it more frequently. If filters are $30 or more, the cost can add up over time, so it pays to factor this into your buying decision.

Budget

Fortunately, most shower filters are affordable. Decent budget models are available for less than $50, while the best shower filters can run just north of $100. They aren’t necessarily cheap, especially when factoring in the replacement cost over time. But if you’re looking to seriously upgrade your shower routine, this is a pretty cost-effective way to do it.

Do shower filters actually work?

Shower filters are surprisingly simple. They work much like the under-sink or on-faucet filter you might already have installed in your kitchen to clean your water directly at the tap every time you open the faucet. While these are typically made to remove things like lead and pesticides from your drinking water, shower filters are often designed to strip out chlorine and other minerals that can leave harsh, itchy residue in your hair and on your skin. The best shower filters are incredibly effective at removing all kinds of minerals and impurities.

Is a shower filter good for your hair?

Hard water (i.e., water with a high concentration of minerals like magnesium and calcium) can leave residue on your skin and scalp that’s itchy and extra bad news for allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skin.

“Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, among other minerals, that can disrupt the skin barrier,” Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a New York City dermatologist, previously told Women's Health. “When the outer layer [of your skin] is compromised, the skin becomes inflamed and can't protect itself as it should."

It can also leave hair dry and brittle, and also make it more difficult to work up a nice lather when shampooing. Bottom line: By removing most impurities with a shower filter, you’ll be doing your hair and scalp a solid.

How often should you replace shower filters?

Shower heads with built-in filters rely on cartridges that need to be replaced regularly. Every shower filter manufacturer provides recommended intervals for replacing their cartridges. In general, plan on swapping yours out every 10,000 gallons. The exact number can be difficult to measure because it depends on how efficient (or not) your shower head is, the number of people in your home, and how long each of those people typically shower for. To simplify things, it’s best to replace your shower filter every six months. Keep in mind that especially hard water will clog your filter more quickly, meaning you’ll need to change it out more often.

How we chose the best shower filters of 2023

Our team of home- and design-obsessed experts researched, tested, and compared dozens of shower filters this year alone. We considered a wide range of options, from sub-$30 budget-buy models on Amazon to premium options from brands like Culligan and Kohler. We paid close attention to everything from the design and ease of installation to the price and filter effectiveness. In the end, we agreed on the eight models above as our picks for the best shower filters worth buying in 2023.

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