This article is all about the issue of hard water and how it can affect the shower in your home. Without a filter in place, hard water can be tough on your skin, mask the shine of your hair and potentially contain other harmful minerals. This may not seem like a major issue but imagine over time, how this could affect your hair and skin, and it soon becomes a concern for every one of us who lives in a hard water area.
The solution is out there and it is a shower filter specifically designed for hard water areas and we have collected some useful information, as well as created a top 10 shower filters to help you pick the right one.
There are a couple of features that really make the Pure 7 stand out from the crowd and to start with, its about the filter system.
Filters:
Its fantastic filter differs from a lot of the standard shower filters and offers water softening, removal of sediment and reducing harmful contents such as chlorine. So you really can stop worrying about its effect on your skin and shower with clean, soft, safe water. As an added bonus, they provide an extra filter free of charge, with each lasting approximately 6 months.
Features:
The second feature we love is the shower patterns you can choose from, with 7 available to you, hence the name. So you don’t have to sacrifice functionality for filtration with this model.
Installation:
Relatively simple to install, coming with everything you need and suitable instructions even for the less experienced consumer.
Pros
Cons
Filter life – These filters will last for quite a long time, potentially up to 10,000 gallons
Efficiency – These filtered shower heads will remove heavy metals from the water as well as other harmful contaminants
Filtered hot water – You can filter hot water with this unit and you won’t harm the filters by doing so
Spray patterns – It comes with 7 spray patterns which is reasonable but less than some other models
2. Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System
The next water filter for showers on our list is this one from Aquasana and we were very impressed with its filter.
Filtration:
It uses a coconut shell activated carbon filter and this means it will actively remove or reduce harmful minerals, pesticides and metals that you don’t want anywhere near your skin or hair.
Installation:
We found this model to be incredibly easy to install, taking only a couple of minutes and not requiring a degree in engineering to replace your existing shower head.
Maintenance:
The only real downside of choosing this shower filter is the cost of replacing the filter cartridges. They do last for a while, so it isn’t a major factor but it is important to note a higher cost than some of the other models on the market.
Pros
Cons
Installation – Easy to install, taking around 5 minutes and then it will be ready to use straight away
Filtration – It uses coconut shell carbon filters to remove and reduce many of the harmful contaminants in your water supply
Replacement filters – Unfortunately, the carbon filters aren’t cheap, adding to the running costs of this system
Pelican has really tried to focus on the premium tag with this model and in many ways, they have succeeded.
Filtration:
It will remove 99% of Chlorine and some other harmful minerals from the water, whilst also softening it at the same time. Softer, more vibrant hair and skin is on the cards for anyone purchasing this model.
Flow Rate:
Aside from the filtration, what we do love about this model is it will actually improve the water pressure, so you don’t lose out by installing a shower filter, as you can do with some other models. It comes with two modes, for high-flow or water conservation, so you can manage your water usage, saving money and environmental waste.
Maintenance:
The filters last for a good amount of time, said to be approx 15,000 gallons of water and are very easy to place. However, they can be a little on the expensive side, so consider how much water your household uses before purchasing this model.
Pros
Cons
Long-lasting filters – This system uses filters that last in the region of 15,000 gallons of water
Enhanced pressure – You will not only get improved filtration but also better pressure and a choice of modes
Filter efficiency – It will remove around 99% of chlorine and chloramine in your water supply
Filter cost – Another model that filters incredibly well but costs more than most to replace, when the filters have reached their end
4. Aqua Eva 15 Stage Shower Filter with Vitamin C For Hard Water
Next on our list is the Aqua Eva which highlights its focus as a shower filter for hard water households and its claim as one of the best vitamin c filters.
Installation and Performance:
The biggest benefits for anyone choosing this model are its easy installation and strong water pressure, so you won’t get frustrated setting it up and then realising you will be showing under a trickle of water.
Filtration:
Where we found this model to be lacking is that despite it being excellent for the removal of chlorine, it doesn’t seem to perform well for other types of harmful particles and doesn’t seem to soften the water a great deal. So this one is a bit of a mixed bag but for great water pressure and chlorine removal, we still think its one to consider.
Pros
Cons
Installation – A relatively straight forward installation and it will be up and running once you’ve run it for approx 30 seconds to clear carbon dust
Water pressure – There is minimal effect on your water pressure thanks to the filter design in this system
Filtration – This unit doesn’t perform well at removing harmful contaminants other than chlorine
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5. Berkey Shower Filter Without Showerhead
One on the list which allows you to use your existing shower head, so you won’t need to worry about losing those amazing shower options, whilst still getting a great filter system.
Filtration:
The Berkey Shower Filter excels at removing harmful contaminants in your water supply, including removing up to 95% of chlorine. In terms of filters, this has one of the longest-lasting on the market, stating it will last for an incredible 20,000 gallons (roughly a year depending on your water usage).
Maintenance:
It doesn’t stop there because the filters are actually quite affordable, so for a long term solution, it really hits the mark.
Weight:
For those with children or anyone who may struggle to lift heavy shower heads and hoses, it is important to note that this is on the heavy side. Unlikely to affect many people but you want to be comfortable using it.
Pros
Cons
Installation – A relatively straight forward installation and it will be up and running once you’ve run it for approx 30 seconds to clear carbon dust
Water pressure – There is minimal effect on your water pressure thanks to the filter design in this system
Filtration – This unit doesn’t perform well at removing harmful contaminants other than chlorine
Another in-line style of shower filter and this one from AquaBliss offers a highly efficient filtration system, as well as long life cartridges.
Filtration:
It will reduce or remove the majority of harmful minerals including chlorine, bacteria, calcium and magnesium, as well as other metals. It has taken the dual approach of making the water safer and also softer at the same time – a perfect mix.
Maintenance:
Another one with a simple installation process, taking a matter of minutes and still allowing you to use your own shower head. It doesn’t stand out and should fit nicely into the design of most bathrooms. This model comes with two filter cartridges, with a combined usage of 40, 000 gallons of water and so you won’t need to replace the cartridges in this model very often at all.
Pros
Cons
Filter life – Each filter will work for approximately 20, 000 gallons of water and it comes with a spare, enough to last the average household one year
Chlorine filter – This system will dramatically reduce the chlorine in your water, as well as most other harmful contaminants such as calcium and magnesium
Leaking – Customers have reported leaking at the joints of the system and having to find a fix using teflon tape
This model is all offering the best shower head, storing the cartridge inside the head unit and making for an efficient, clean design that still maintains good functionality.
Installation:
Simply unscrew your current shower head and replace it with this shower head filter in a matter of moments. It comes with everything you need and the manufacturers offer a 5-year warranty, so you can rest assured of an investment for the future.
Filtration:
It will filter a lot of the harmful contents of your water supply and in particular, improve the smell and taste of the water.
Water Pressure:
Where the Culligan WSH-C125 does fall down is water pressure, as unfortunately, many users did find a noticeable drop in the water pressure. This may not be an issue for some and the trade-off against filtered water may be worth it. If you already have trouble with water pressure in your house, then it may not be the best option for you.
Pros
Cons
Warranty – You will get a 5-year manufacturers warranty with this shower head filter making it one of the best shower filters out there
All-in-one shower heads – Unlike many other options, the filter cartridge sits within the shower head, making for a more compact system
Installation – Simple to install and easy to use
Water pressure – The water pressure will be affected by this unit and those with an already lower pressure may struggle
The iSpring SF1S is an interesting entry on our list because it is an effective shower filter, stylishly designed, but the filters cost almost as much as the unit itself. However, we still think its a great investment and we will tell you why.
Filtration:
Firstly, the filters are pretty heavy-duty, filtering sediment and metals from your water supply and should it ever start to struggle because it’s clogged up, you can easily remove it, unclog and fit it back on.
Design:
Furthermore, they really have put effort into the design so that it won’t stand out as some ugly attachment in your beautiful bathroom, a worry for many of us!
Maintenance:
The filters last approximately 6 months, you can get an extended manufacturer warranty and their customer service is outstanding. The only real downsides, away from the cost of the filters are that it could lower the water flow for some people, particularly if your water supply has a lot of sediment or is lacking pressure.
Pros
Cons
Filter capacity – Each filter will work for up to 16, 000 gallons of water, more than most systems on this list
Customer service and warranty – You will get an extended warranty by registering on the website and their customer service is fantastic, as you’d expect from iSpring
Cleaning – Easy to uninstall and clean if it gets blocked up
Flow rate – We have found that the water flow rate can slow down if the water supply has a high concentration of sediments, thanks to the effective filter
One of the most budget-friendly models on our list, but still full of great features for anyone wanting a shower filter.
Water Pressure:
The shower head has three settings and the impressive water pressure means you won’t get frustrated by the lack of water pressure and potentially save up to 30% of your normal water consumption.
Filtration:
The Luxsego Ionic does filter chlorine and chloramine, sediment and rust and help soften the water, reducing the harm it does to your hair and skin but unfortunately, it doesn’t really do much against other harmful minerals. So if this is an important factor for you, then it might be worth considering a more expensive option from our list.
Pros
Cons
Water pressure – Minimal impact on the water pressure thanks to its innovative design
Price – One of the more budget-friendly systems on our list, but still offering a great solution for chlorine and water softening
Water consumption – It will help you save up to 30% of your normal water consumption
Filtering of contaminants – This model isn’t designed to filter the main harmful minerals found in the water supply, except for the ones mentioned above
Last on our list but by no means least, is another budget-friendly shower filter but this time it is a great choice for removing harmful contaminants, as well as softening the water supply.
Filtration:
You will see a noticeable reduction in chlorine, improvements to your hair and skin and a nicer smell to the water.
Maintenance:
On top of that, it lasts quite a long time, on par with other more expensive models and replacement filters are inexpensive.
Water Pressure:
Perhaps the biggest issue we have found in tests and from customer feedback is its impact on water pressure. There have been reports that it will reduce the pressure of your water, particularly if you already suffer from this issue.
Pros
Cons
Filter capacity – These filters will perform well and last for a good amount of time before needing to be replaced
Filter performance – Despite being at the lower end of the price scale, it performs well at removing harmful contaminants
Water pressure – It could lower the water pressure and if you already struggle with low pressure, it may not be the best choice for you
To summarise, there really are some fantastic options out there on our best shower filter list for anyone considering buying a shower filter, whether because of hard water where you live or the potential contaminants found in the water. Whatever your reason, consider the type of filter system you wish to go for and keep an eye out for the best ones that maintain or improve on your water pressure. We’ve highlighted ten of our favourites with a variety of features and benefits and hope they help you find the right one for your home.
Key Considerations
In order to make a qualified decision on the best shower filter for you, we’ve put together a list of the key considerations and features that you will want to think about. Once you understand these, you can think about your personal household requirements and cross-reference these with each product to find the best for you.
Budget
As with any of the best shower head filters, water filter or other system, prices vary greatly depending on features, performance and customer requirements. When thinking about budget, it is important to think about what you need the shower water filter to do, what the water pressure and water quality is like and ultimately, what you can afford.
If you work out whether your requirements fit into your available budget, then you can easily narrow down potential systems and make an informed, accurate and sensible choice.
Filter performance
You may notice that shower water filters come with a range of filter types and quantities. Filters are designed to remove the most common harmful contaminants in your water supply, but they don’t all deliver the same performance. Some of the best shower filters will focus on specific issues such as chlorine or heavy metals, whereas the more expensive systems will deliver an all-round effective water filtration performance.
Filter Longevity
It is important to think about the longevity of the water filters because this will influence how frequently you need to maintain your system and the running costs involved. Filters range in price from relatively cheap to the same price as a brand new unit.
This is why it is important to go for a system that offers the best combination of performance and longevity. Furthermore, if your water supply has a higher than average water hardness or level of contaminants, then this poor water quality will impact the longevity of filters. As a result, paying a little extra for a system with stronger, long-lasting filters is a great choice in the long run.
Water Pressure
Almost every type of filter, whether a shower water filter, under-sink filter or whole-house filter system will have an impact on water pressure. Fortunately, with improvements in technology, this is reducing but it is important to review the water pressure of each filter and investigate the current water pressure of your water supply.
A good way to do this is to read customer reviews for a more honest, real-world experience of impacts on water pressure.
Size, weight and adjustability
Let’s start off with the size of a shower water filter. You don’t want it to be too big that it is unwieldy to hold or won’t fit in the current shower set up you have. Secondly, weight can be a surprising issue and one that many don’t think about. If you have children or elderly people in the house, they may struggle to hold the heavier water filter attachments and it can be unsafe.
With regards to adjustability, some water filters will offer just basic connections and minimal options for adjusting the shower head or connections. Whereas some of the better models will offer different mounting options, ways to fit the filter etc, so shop around carefully to make sure it works with your existing setup.
Materials used
In general, you will have the option of a plastic shower filter or metal shower filter or a combination of both. We all want to have a stylish bathroom with matching fittings so think about your preference and whether appearance matters as much as performance. Fortunately, there is a great range out there right now, so you shouldn’t have to compromise on one to get the other.
As you would expect, the cheaper units will usually be made with plastic and you run the risk of them being easier to damage or prone to leaking. This lends itself to the idea of paying a little extra for a metal shower head filter that is rust-proof and longer-lasting.
Installation
The best shower water filters on the market not only offer great performance but are easy to install by everyone, without getting an expert in to help. It is still important to check with the manufacturer and customer reviews if you are unsure about whether you can install it on your own.
Secondly, we believe it important to consider how good the manufacturer’s instructions and support systems are. Some manufacturers provide video guides and telephone customer service teams as a backup to the instructions that come with the shower filters, which is a really nice touch.
Benefits of the shower head filters
There are some really great benefits of installing a shower filter in your home, both from a healthy and appearance perspective.
Softens the water
Perhaps the most obvious benefit of purchasing a shower filter is that it will help make the water supply softer, helping improve your hair and skin and reducing the harshness of the water. Aside from the personal benefit, it will reduce the build-up of limescale and damage to the faucet and other parts of the shower.
Reduces harmful contents
From a health perspective, a water filter is fantastic because it helps stop much of the harmful bacteria that can sometimes be found in water supplies, particularly in areas where the supply isn’t that great. Furthermore, there have been studies that suggest a lot of chemicals find their way into the water supply, such as pesticides from farming and pharmaceuticals, and shower filters can help reduce the amount of these that make their way onto your skin.
Helps with chlorine
We’ve put chlorine reduction as a separate benefit because of the prolific use of chlorine by industry and the potential for chlorination to not filter out as much as expected. Chlorine can remove some of the natural oils in our skin and so a shower filter will help reduce the chances of this happening. For those thinking of installing these in family bathrooms, it will mean the water coming from your shower is safer for children, which is a fantastic bonus.
The Types of Shower Filter
Shower filters generally fall into three categories but are, for the most part, made up of two sections, a filter for the shower head and one for the line part (prior to the shower head). The difference is relatively clear but each has its own advantages:
Shower head Filter
In essence, this is a replacement for your current shower head, but one that includes a filter. This type will filter out harmful bacteria and minerals and with improvements all the time, they are becoming more stylish. However, the real downside here is that it will probably have a different design to the rest of your shower equipment and may not match the design you have gone for, sacrificing this for a decent filtration system.
In-line Shower Filter
The other filter option is placing a filter between the shower head and the wall unit or water supply. The biggest advantage here is that you don’t have to replace your existing shower head and can keep the design and features if, for example, it has multiple settings that you like to use. It will still filter harmful contents as you would expect from a filter on our best shower filter list.
Combination of In-line and Showerhead Filters
For those who really want the full filtration system then you can buy the shower head/in-line combo. With this option, you shouldn’t lose much in the way of water pressure but it is important to find that our when you review products. The filter cartridge will normally be placed in the in-line section and it will require more effort to install the entire system.
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