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If you’re concerned about chlorine or bacteria in your water at home, a shower filter is a relatively inexpensive, quick fix. Before selecting one, Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., a senior science adviser at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), recommends first searching your Zip Code in the EWG’s tap-water database to see what substances have been found in your area’s water supply, then looking for filters that are certified to remove or reduce those specific contaminants.
Most of the filters below use KDF-55 (kinetic degradation fluxion), an oxidation-reduction material that uses granular copper and zinc to chemically convert contaminants into harmless substances. Essentially, it changes chlorine (a by-product of water disinfection) into non-harmful chloride, Molecule Project founder Alexander Venet explains. He adds that it also helps eliminate bacteria. Another common filter is activated carbon. “Activated carbon is able to bind to all kinds of chemicals, collect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), decrease the levels of chlorine, and reduce — but not remove — various types of metals,” says Naidenko.
Now that you know what’s in the filters, consider the two common designs: in-line filters and all-in-one models. In-line filters are connected between your showerhead and shower arm (the pipe that delivers the water). The main benefit to in-line filters is that you get to keep your showerhead, but the potential downside is that installation and filter replacement can be slightly more complicated. All-in-ones are exactly what they sound like: They have the filter built into the head itself. They’re easy to install, but you have to commit to the style and features of the showerhead. From there, all-in-ones have the same varieties as other showerheads (number of spray settings, handheld vs. overhead, etc.). Below, we’ve rounded up a wide variety of filters recommended by our 12 experts, and we’ve also noted which have been certified by third-party testing for targeting common contaminants.
Best in-line shower water filters
Venet recommends Sprite filters, which use KDF-55 and are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. According to Stefan Buck, business-unit manager for filtration at NSF International, this means the filter has met the public-health and safety organization’s requirements for chlorine reduction, material safety, and structural integrity. While this high-output filter also comes with a showerhead, we’re including it with the in-line models because you can easily swap in your existing head if you prefer. If you’re not into the white look, Sprite also makes a chrome version (without the extra head).
Berkey is best known for its countertop water filter — the pricey and frequently-sold-out Big Berkey — which has a rather dedicated fan base. (Trinity Mouzon Wofford, co-founder of the wellness brand Golde, calls hers “the heart of my home” and “a Brita filter on steroids.”) According to Mr. Water Geek founder Luke George, the brand’s shower filter is just as impressive. Using KDF-55 filtration, it treats chlorine and reduces microorganisms, lead, hydrogen sulfide, iron, mercury, dirt, and odor in the water.
Johnny Pujol, CEO of water-testing company SimpleLab, says a multistage filter is effective for filtering out free chlorine (residual chlorine from treatment plants) and trihalomethane (compounds that contain chlorine). He says to look for a filter with a KDF-55 filter as the first stage and activated carbon as the second stage and recommends Aquasana’s offerings. This specific one checks those boxes, with a KDF filter and natural coconut-shell carbon, and is easy to install.
Culligan’s filters — recommended by both Naidenko and George — also use carbon to absorb potentially harmful materials. This NSF-certified in-line model works with your existing showerhead and combines activated-carbon and oxidation-reduction technology to filter out contaminants and reduce bacteria. Plus, George says they’re easy to install, fit most standard showerheads, and aren’t as bulky as some of the others.
According to Brian Maffia, director of showrooms at General Plumbing Supply, Inc., Kohler’s “Aquifer” shower filter is a great option from a company with a strong reputation in bathroom and shower fittings. Note, though, that this one will only work with handheld showers. “It improves the odor of the water, and removes chlorine, which can strip out a lot of the natural oils from your hair,” Maffia says. “ Like the Culligan and Aquasana above, this Kohler model uses carbon and KDF-55 filtration.
This 12-stage AquaBliss filter comes highly recommended by Today’s Homeowner host Danny Lipford. “A multistage shower filter will eliminate a variety of substances, but most important are chlorine and other minerals, which can affect skin, scalp, and hair health,” Lipford says. Melinda Carter, who runs the home-maintenance Instagram account @thehomeupkeep, bought one for herself because it doesn’t require switching out her current showerhead and was easy to install. “This filter also infuses vitamins and minerals into the water, which other 20-stage cartridges do not,” she says.
Best all-in-one shower water filters
While the all-in-one shower filters get knocked for their styles, the AquaHomeGroup filter has a rainfall shower head that George says “adds a spa-style touch to your showering experience.” It offers a 15-stage filtration system (including KDF-55 and activated carbon) and even infuses your water with vitamins C and E, which may offer hair and skin benefits.
The Jolie showerhead, which uses KDF-55 and calcium sulfite, has gotten a lot of buzz in the past year. When I tried it out for myself for the Strategist’s Beauty Brief, I noticed my hair was a bit silkier after a week of daily showers. I chalked this up to the slightly lower levels of chlorine in my shower water, which I tested with at-home test strips. It’s pricier than the others listed, but board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Chacon says it’s effective and chic, and it has a money-back guarantee.
Gretchen Freise, a certified trichologist at BosleyMD, suggests this one from Pelican Water. It reduces chlorine and chloramines along with other synthetic chemicals, which in the long run softens hair and skin while reducing dryness and flakiness. She thinks this filter could be especially beneficial for anyone with dandruff or eczema. She adds that it will keep your hair color looking vibrant for longer and eliminate any odors your water may have.
Freise also praises Aquasana’s patented technology and points us to this all-in-one filter. Like the in-line Aquasana above, it’s made with natural coconut-shell carbon that filters out chlorine and other harsh chemicals, as well as a copper and zinc element that reduces chlorine even more while enhancing water pH balance. This one here is the less expensive all-white version, but it also comes in a souped-up chrome option, which you can buy here.
Hairstylist Kristi Wilczopolski is also an advocate of using shower water filters to improve overall hair health. She personally uses this T3 filter, which uses a redox filtration system that employs copper, zinc, and calcium sulfide. “You’re not putting all the extra gunk into your hair. You’re just getting clean, nice water,” she says.
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