Yahoo LifestyleBeauty Experts Weigh in On Whether You Need a Shower Filter
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Beauty Experts Weigh in On Whether You Need a Shower Filter
Before we tell you about the best shower filter for your home, know this: You might not actually need one.
Consumer interest in shower filters has been surging behind marketing claims that the devices improve hair and skin health by removing chlorine from the home’s water. It makes sense when you think about the damage swimming pools can do on hair and skin. But residential tap water is usually a different story.
“Chlorine is present in municipal water at minutely small concentrations which are low enough to kill bacteria, but not affect
Once you’ve sorted through the options, read on for more details on how we evaluate water filters and what to look for when choosing one for your bathroom. And be sure to check out related tips from our beauty experts, including the best shampoos for dry hair and hand creams that can repair cracked, damaged skin.
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1) AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower System
Aquasana
amazon.com
$81.47
A 25-year leader in water filtration, Aquasana impressed our experts with the combination of performance, value and ease of use on its Deluxe Shower System. Like all filters in this roundup, it's certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 177, so it's guaranteed to remove virtually all chlorine from your home’s water. The all-in-one filter and shower head combines superb filtration with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute, meaning you won't have to give up an invigorating spray for chemical-free shower water. Our experts also like that the adjustable shower head offers multiple settings, from gentle to pulsing. With a claimed filter life of 10,000 gallons, you'll only need to change the filter a couple of times a year.
• Filter type: All-in-one
• Filter capacity: 10,000 gallons
• Filter replacement annual cost: $100Aquasana - 3/6
2) GXSM01HWW Shower Filter System
GE
homedepot.com
$21.47
If you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to test out the benefits of a shower filter in your home, consider this no-frills model from GE. It costs three to four times less than other top picks but is backed by the same NSF/ANSI certification. That means it should do the job of removing chlorine and other impurities from your water. The in-line filter is compatible with standard ½-inch plumbing, so our engineers say it should retrofit to any shower configuration without the need for extra tools. Replacing the filter is simple too — simply unscrew the housing and swap in a new filter.
• Filter type: In-line
• Filter capacity: 10,000 gallons
• Filter replacement annual cost: $27GE - 4/6
3) Hand-Held Showerhead
Culligan
amazon.com
$69.99
If you prefer a handheld spray, our experts tapped this option from Culligan, another brand that’s performed well in our tests over the years. With its NSF/ANSI Standard 177 certification, the filter is sure to remove chlorine from your water, and Culligan claims it can also take care of sulfur odor and scale. In terms of user experience, the five spray settings give a range of massage options, and the magnetic dock makes it easy to switch from handheld to overhead. Our engineers say the stainless-steel construction and anti-clog rubber spray nozzles should extend the life of the system, a fact backed up by the product’s generous five-year warranty, compared with the one-year warranty of many other filters.
•Filter type: All-in-one
• Filter capacity: 10,000 gallons
• Filter replacement annual cost: $50Culligan - 5/6
4) Aquifer Three-Spray Pattern Shower Head
KOHLER
homedepot.com
$93.98
This high-efficiency all-in-one shower filter from Kohler uses just 1.75 gallons of water per minute (GPM), down from 2.5 GPM of standard shower heads. That’s good enough for the EPA’s WaterSense seal and, better yet, it could save you up to 3,000 gallons of water over the course of the year! Our engineers also like the Aquifer’s smart design, including the multi-spray feature that lets you switch from a gentle mist to a concentrated pulse with the press of a thumb button. In terms of style, this is one of the better-looking filters our experts reviewed, whether you choose the polished chrome or brushed nickel finish.
• Filter type: All-in-one
• Filter capacity: 8,000 gallons
• Filter replacement annual cost: $72homedepot.com - 6/6
5) Multipure Aquashower Water Filter
Multipure
water2drink.com
$60.00
Our experts consider Multipure another top brand in residential water filtration thanks to its consistent performance and reliability over the years. (Its Aquaversa MP750 is one of our top-rated under-sink water filters.) Our engineers expect the same filtration power from the Aquashower, especially with the removal of chlorine. But it’s the simplicity of the design and installation that makes the Multipure our fave for DIYers. Simply unscrew your current showerhead and thread the Aquashower onto the pipe, then put the shower head back on. When it comes time to replace the filter, the Aquashower unscrews at the middle, one of the smartest designs our engineers have seen in the category.
• Filter type: In-line
• Filter capacity: Up to 25,000 gallons
• Filter replacement annual cost: $76Multipure
