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6 Best Shower Filters, According to Experts
Say goodbye to bad hair days with this shower enhancement.
If your home has hard water, one of the places you’ll notice it most is the shower. “Minerals in the water can prevent shampoo from forming a nice lather, and they also make it harder to rinse all the soap away,” explains Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and executive technical director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. That takes a toll on your hair over time. Too much chlorine in the water, meanwhile, can be bad for your skin. "At higher levels, chlorine is known to be drying and can lead to a rash on the skin known as contact dermatitis," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at the Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology.
Enter the shower filter. It's like the point-of-use filters installed at kitchen faucets to remove impurities like lead and pesticides, except a shower filter is specially designed to capture chlorine and minerals. There are two main types: in-line shower filters, which sit between your current shower head and the shower arm, and all-in-one shower filters, basically a replacement shower head with a filter built into the fixture.
For this report, our experts reviewed more than a dozen shower filters across the two types. These six winners should cover all budgets and shower types.
Our top picks:
Once you’ve sorted through the options, read on for more details on how we evaluate shower 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.
Jolie Skin Company Filtered Showerhead
Jolie Skin Company Filtered Showerhead
Pros
- Sleek design
- Excellent chlorine filtration
- Easy to install
Cons
- Steep cost of shower head and replacement filters
As soon as our market analysts started researching shower filters online, Jolie started popping up all over their social media feeds. After extensive home testing, our experts can confirm that the fixture lives up to the hype (though it's also the most expensive shower filter in this report — both to purchase and maintain). For starters, its sleek, simple all-in-one design and direct-to-consumer business model (it’s been called the Warby Parker of shower heads) is right for the times. The Jolie is also extremely user-friendly. “It was such an easy install, especially considering I’ve never replaced a shower head before,” says Jacqueline Saguin, commerce editor specializing in beauty and lifestyle products at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “Following Jolie’s helpful three-step guide, it took me about 15 minutes to get it up and running.”
Jolie’s filter, which needs to be replaced every three months, contains a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfate that the brand says is better than typical carbon-based filters at capturing contaminants from hot, high-pressure shower water and that the shower head “far exceeds" the industry's NSF/ANSI 177 water filtration certification. We were not able to verify those claims as the brand did not share its third-party testing data. In our ongoing home tests, however, the Jolie has shown some effects against hard water. "There's been less scale buildup at the drain of the tub since using the shower head," says Saguin, adding that the "water feels softer without any sacrifice in pressure." The Jolie also boasts the best-looking design and overall user experience of all shower filters we reviewed.
| Filter type | All-in-one |
|---|---|
| Filter capacity | N/A (brand recommends replacing every 3 months) |
| Dimensions | 8" x 8" x 5" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $132 |
GE GXSM01HWW System Shower Filter
Pros
- Excellent value
- Easy installation
Cons
- Plain design
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 177 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 |
| Dimensions | 2" x 3" x 4" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $27 |
Culligan Hand-Held Showerhead
Pros
- Excellent chlorine filtration
- Quality construction
- Works as handheld or overhead
Cons
- Takes up more space than others
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 provide 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 by the product’s generous five-year warranty, compared with the one-year warranty of many other filters. Keep in mind that this one takes up more space than some others.
| Filter type | All-in-one |
|---|---|
| Filter capacity | 10,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 8" x 5" x 12" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $50 |
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower System
Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower System
Pros
- Excellent chlorine filtration
- Multi-spray settings
- Quality construction
Cons
- Less water-efficient than some
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 filtered shower water (though it may be less water-efficient than others). 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 |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 7.25" x 3.2" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $100 |
Kohler Aquifer Three-Spray Pattern Showerhead
Kohler Aquifer Three-Spray Pattern Showerhead
Pros
- Saves water
- Multi-spray settings
- Sleek design
Cons
- Lower filter capacity
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. The filter is not certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 177, so we can't speak to the Aquifer’s ability to reduce chlorine levels in water. But our engineers like its 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. At 8,000 gallons, the filter capacity is lower than others on the list.
| Filter type | All-in-one |
|---|---|
| Filter capacity | 8,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 7" x 8" x 8.5" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $72 |
Multipure Multipure Aquashower Water Filter
Multipure Multipure Aquashower Water Filter
Pros
- Easy to install
- Exceptional capacity
Cons
- Plain, plastic design
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, since it carries the NSF/ANSI 177 certification. But it’s the simplicity of the installation that makes the Multipure our fave for DIYers. Simply unscrew your current shower head 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, though its plain, plastic housing does not make for a very sleek look.
| Filter type | In-line |
|---|---|
| Filter capacity | Up to 25,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 3" x 4.75" |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $76 |
How we choose the best shower filters
Our market experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab keep constant tabs on water filtration, which is how they noticed the increased consumer interest in shower filters starting a few years back. They also stay on top of trends by attending trade shows and industry events, including the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. For this report, they identified the top-selling shower filters that you’re most likely to find at home centers and online.
Drawing on two decades of water filter tests, our pros then focused on about a dozen brands with a proven track record for performance and reliability. Though formal Lab tests were not part of the review, the filter industry is closely regulated, so our experts were able to review reams of technical data based on rigorous standards set by NSF and third-party certifications. Our engineers also reviewed user manuals to get a sense of how easy each filter is to install and replace. Finally, they pored over thousands of consumer reviews to spot any red flags related to usability, safety and maintenance.
What to look for when shopping for the best shower filter
First and foremost, confirm the shower filter is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 177. "This ensures that the product is capable of reducing the levels of chlorine by 50%, or to 1mg/L or less," says Stefan Buck, Senior Manager of the Global Filtration Division, NSF. "It also ensures that the product does not leach contaminants that would be harmful to your health and also ensures its structural integrity under household pressure." The certification should be clearly listed on the product packaging and website.
From there, the decision comes down to the installation method. There are two basic types to consider:
✔️ In-line shower filter: This type of filter sits between your current showervhead and the main shower arm that connects to your home’s plumbing. Installation and filter replacement can be a bit more complicated, since you have to make a new connection in two places (at the the arm and shower head). But in-line filters allow you to keep your shower head.
✔️ All-in-one shower filter: With this type, you replace your existing shower head with a new shower head that's designed with a built-in filter. It’s an easy swap, but might not be worth it if you love the look and feature set of your current shower head.
If you go the all-in-one route, you'll then need to sort through all the same features you'd find with standard shower heads:
- Multi-setting vs. single-setting: Some shower heads feature 10 or more spray settings. You’ll usually pay more for the luxury compared to shower heads with just one type of spray.
- Overhead vs. handheld: If you like to luxuriate under the shower, go for the overhead. If you like the option of holding the shower head to spray your body from different angles, choose the handheld.
- Flow vs. efficiency: Shower heads can crank out as much as 2.5 gallons per minute for an invigorating spray. Water-efficient models that carry the EPA’s WaterSense badge can't emit more than 2.0 gallons per minute.
Do shower filters work?
The answer to this question is a hard "maybe." A lot of the marketing claims focus on removing chlorine, which makes sense when you think about the damage swimming pools can do to 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 [hair],” says Trefor Evans, Ph.D., Director of Research and Institute Fellow at TRI-Princeton, an independent hair fiber science research organization.
The impact on skin is more plausible, especially for people with extreme sensitivities exacerbated by hard water. But the best treatment for hard water is installing a whole-house water softener, since mineral build-up also wreaks havoc on plumbing and water-consuming appliances, like the dishwasher and washing machine. "Water softeners usually treat water at the point of entry into a building, so these devices can help treat hardness throughout the house, including showers," explains Kyle Postmus, Senior Manager of Residential Water at NSF International, the organization that develops public health standards and certification programs for the filtration industry.
Having said all that, there are still times when a shower filter makes sense. Maybe you do have very sensitive skin. Or you’re a renter and your landlord won't put in a water softening system to fix the hard water. Or you don’t like the smell of treated water. Or science be darned, you just know the chlorine is causing bad hair days.
One thing is certain: No real harm can come from putting in a shower filter, apart from the ongoing cost of replacement filters. So if you want to give shower filtration a try, our advice is to go for it. You can always switch back to a traditional shower head if you don’t notice any positive results.
How often should shower filters be replaced?
Most shower filters need to be replaced every 10,000 gallons, though that’s admittedly a little hard to measure. This is why brands also suggest replacing the filter every six months. This is based on the average person’s shower consuming 17 gallons of water, according to a study by the Water Research Foundation. That works out to 68 gallons per day for an average four-person household, or 12,240 gallons over six months. Not every household member will shower every day, so it’s safe to assume 10,000 gallons in a six-month timeframe. These are rough guidelines, but you can use the basic math to figure out how often you’ll need to change the shower filter in your home. Keep in mind that water quality is yet another variable. For example, if you have very hard water, the scale buildup will cause the filter to clog more quickly.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including water filtration systems. In his role as Director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House. He has also overseen the testing of all types of point-of-use water filters, including carafe-style, under-sink and faucet-mounted.
For this report, Dan worked closely with Health, Beauty, Environment and Sustainability Lab director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., who provided insights into hair and skin care and helped evaluate the contamination-removal claims behind each of our picks.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
Birnur (she/her) has led the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute since 2007. In addition to overseeing product testing and GH Seal applications, she conducts the brand's annual Beauty Awards selection process and is an active leader in GH’s green initiatives, including the Sustainable Innovation Awards and Raise the Green Bar Summit. In addition to earning M.Eng. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering, she recently earned a professional certificate in sustainability management from Columbia University.
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