Having a showerhead filter provides a significant health benefit that you might not have put much thought into before. The majority of people hop into the shower without thinking about the harsh sediments and chemicals that your skin is absorbing in the process.
Staying hydrated by drinking water is a part of keeping your body healthy, so it’s important to ensure that the water that your skin absorbs is also as clean as the water that you drink.
In this read, we’ve reviewed filters to conclude which one is the best shower filter and provided some answers to your questions to help you purchase the right one.
Dr. Mercola Discusses Shower Filters
Comparison Chart
| Recommended Products | Key Features | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 |
AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter | |
 |
Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter | |
 |
Berkey Shower Filter |
Best Shower Filter Reviews
AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter
AquaBliss is an American-based, family-owned company that has committed themselves to provide their customers with modern, innovative, elegantly designed shower and water filtering products.
They use due diligence to ensure that their products undergo rigorous testing before getting sent out. They have also used their strong customer satisfaction philosophy to help build their brand.
The AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter is one of AquaBliss’ top-selling filters, but whether or not we find it to be the best shower filter has yet to be determined.
Product Highlights
The AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter works to purify the water by removing contaminants such as heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, and nickel from it. Aside from all that, it also removes chlorine, hidden bacteria, and pesticides, as well as helps to prevent the growth of bathroom scale and curd, mold, and fungi.
This device uses a multi-stage filtration method that combines the capacity of both KDF 55 and sediment carbon cartridges to heighten the filter’s efficiency. It is effortless to install and has universal connectors that are guaranteed to work with all shower types without the need to use tools.
The filter lessens the likelihood of irritated, dry skin, as well as helps with eczema and improves the look, feel, and condition of your nails, skin, and hair. The multi-stage cartridge is easily replaced and can handle upwards of 12,000 gallons of water.
What’s to like about the AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter
The most significant feature that stood out to us during our review is the universal factor. We were able to test it on a variety of showers, and it worked fantastically with all of them.
What’s more is that it is also quite affordable, and we found that there was instant relief from hard water as our skin felt healthier and softer after use.
What’s not to like about the AquaBliss Universal Multi-stage Shower Filter
There was a noticeable drop in water pressure, which we noticed after installing the filter and using it. The slow of pressurized flow is a major dislike in our opinion. We also don’t like that the filtered residue builds up quickly in the filter, and it needs to be cleaned every one to two weeks, if not sooner.
Depending on the size of your family and frequency of your showers, you might not get six to eight months of use from one cartridge.
PROS
- Great at removing chlorine from the water
- Universal design fits all types of showers
- Fantastic customer service
- Comes with 30-day money-back guarantee and one-year warranty
CONS
- Reduced shower pressure
- Sediment residue builds up quickly
- The filter needs consistent cleaning
- Might not be suitable for large families who shower daily
Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter
Sitaflo is an e-commerce brand that specializes in designing, manufacturing, and selling their shower filtration products on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, as well as various other suppliers. The company has a handful of shower filters available, along with other helpful bathroom necessities.
For this read, we chose to review the AmazonChoice Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter to provide you with one of the best options around. Check out what it can offer below.
Product Highlights
This device boasts a 15-stage filtration system that helps eliminate chlorine, harsh chemicals, pesticides, metals, and other contaminants from the water. Impressively, the Sitaflo filter includes a layer of Vitamin C balls that assist with removing chloramine as well as chlorine from the water.
The 15 stages of filtration are made up of a stainless steel mesh, ultra-fine stainless steel mesh, microporous PP cotton, KDF 55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon, medical stone, mineralized balls, ceramic balls, magnetic energy balls, Vitamin C balls, and alkaline balls.
The stainless steel mesh sandwiches them together to ensure the best filtration. The process is safe for anyone of any age, and the universal design allows it to work with all showers.
What’s to like about the Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter
One of the key selling points for us is the fact that the Sitaflo filter isn’t just universal, but it contains Vitamin C balls as part of the 15 stages of filtration as well. The majority of the multi-stage cartridges remove chlorine and not chloramine, but this one removes both.
In addition, we also like that it’s safe for everyone to use, and the company provides an additional cartridge to use when it’s time to replace the original.
What’s not to like about the Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter
Unfortunately, the directions that come with the shower filter are a little convoluted, so it might take some additional time to install if it’s your first time; otherwise, it’s a simple install.
We also found that there was a small amount of leakage after installation. However, and fortunately, it didn’t impact the water pressure.
PROS
- Includes Vitamin C balls to remove chloramine as well as chlorine
- Universally designed to fit all showers
- Safe and effective for people of all ages and pets
CONS
- Noticed a small amount of leaking when first installed
- Installation instructions aren’t very clear
Berkey Shower Filter
The Berkey brand is one of the most well-known water filtration brands there is. Their systems are designed to meet international standards, making them capable of being used in even hostile water environments.
They have rigorously tested their products and conducted thousands of hours’ worth of research to ensure that they supply their customers with the best filtration systems possible.
In addition to shower filters, the company also provides full filtration systems, accessories, and replacement filters.
Product Highlights
The Berkey Shower Filter is designed to remove up to 95% of the chlorine in the water, all while working to kill off bacteria. It also helps to prevent the growth of that bacteria, mold, algae, and fungi.
The specific filter media used lowers the levels of hydrogen sulfide, iron oxide, and iron. It is composed of zinc, calcium, and copper.
The cartridge is capable of handling up to 20,000 gallons of water, and it includes a backflush attachment that helps prevent any premature clogging.
What’s to like about the Berkey Shower Filter
The filter is effortless to install, and it comes with a massaging showerhead, which was an added benefit. There wasn’t any need to fuss around the existing one.
There didn’t seem to be any drop in the water pressure or leaking. It did also remove the smell of chlorine and reduced the level of other contaminants.
What’s not to like about the Berkey Shower Filter
The size of the filter does cause the amount of headspace available in your shower to drop. Depending on how tall you are, this might prove to be an issue. The product is also more on the expensive side.
PROS
- Cartridge lasts for one year or 20,000 gallons of water
- Easy to install
- Compatible with standard showerheads
- A significant difference in chlorine smell
CONS
- Heavy design that lowers the amount of shower space
- More expensive than similar models
- Only 30-day money-back guarantee with no full warranty
BUYER’S GUIDE
There is a vast range of shower filters available on the market, and many people might find it confusing when looking through the features and benefits that those filters provide.
We’ve created a simple buyer’s guide to help you through the process and to help you better understand filtration, cartridges, and materials used among other elements that are used with shower filters.
You can use this information as an aid in purchasing the right filter that suits you and your family’s needs.
1. Filtration Type
Many types of showers exist, which means that it’s imperative that you purchase a shower filtration system that’s going to work for the kind of shower that you have. The first step in the process is taking a look at your shower and understanding the type that you have. From there, you can go ahead with determining the filter type that you need.
Here are common filtration system types that are used:
Showerhead Filters:
These type of filters look just like your standard showerhead. However, they have a built-in filtration cartridge that removes harmful particles in the water. They also typically provide good water pressure.
In-line Shower Filters:
In-line shower filters don’t come with showerheads. They are filters that you need to install between your current showerhead and the water pipe.
The benefits of in-line shower filters are that they don’t interfere with the features that your showerhead offers.
In-line and Showerhead Filters:
These types of filters are unmistakable. They are the largest of them all and come with a showerhead attached to them.
You need to install the in-line portion directly to your water pipe. You can find the cartridge within the in-line part of the filter.
2. Dimension
It’s not possible to determine the exact dimension for a shower filter because of how many makes, models, and types are out there. Each shower filter that you come across with is going to have a different depth, width, and height.
As a general rule of thumb, the majority of filters don’t have a height that’s more than 10 inches, and those filters are usually showerhead or in-line and showerhead filters. The filters that have the smallest dimensions are the in-line filters.
It does add additional weight and height to your shower system as a whole once it’s attached, but the filter itself is generally less than eight inches in height and four inches in depth and width.
3. Weight
As with shower filter dimensions, the weight of the filters also varies depending on the make, model, and type. It’s challenging to determine an exact weight of all filters because of this.
That being said, you can expect your filter system to be lightweight because of what it’s designed to do. It’s not going to be safe to have something heavy-weighted hanging above your head.
The majority of all shower filters are going to have a weight that ranges between one and four pounds. It’s also safe to assume that the heavier filters are the larger, in-line and showerhead filter combinations.
4. Material
The material that gets used during the manufacturing of shower filters also varies. It all depends on the design and the company that’s manufacturing the product itself. Though, many common materials are found in most of the filters on the market.
Finding a filter that’s been produced with high-quality, ABS, and PC plastics are just as common as finding filters that are made from metal/stainless steel. Under most circumstances, the internal cartridge usually has some stainless steel mesh that helps with ensuring the components used to filter the water stay together.
5. Cartridge Capacity
All of the above information is important to know and understand when it comes to purchasing a filtration system. However, the essential part of your filter is the cartridge inside and the sediments, free radicals, and chemicals that it has the capacity to remove.
If you don’t understand what type of cartridge is in your filter, there’s a good chance that you might miss out on eliminating the primary contaminant you want to get rid of.
Sediment/Multi-Chamber Carbon Cartridge:
These types of cartridges are ideal for the removal of chlorine and water scale. If your water has a lot of sediment in it, this type of filter is perfect for you.
They can also remove the overpowering scent of sulfur that is a significant problem in many American households.
However, these cartridges don’t typically have the capabilities of filtering chloramine, even though they are designed to force water through multiple stages of filtration before it’s released from the shower head. Because of this, it’s essential that you contact your city’s water department to find out the type of chlorine used to treat the water.
Vitamin C Cartridge:
While Vitamin C cartridges work much differently than the standard, multi-stage shower filtration systems, they are the most effective at removing chlorine and chloramine from the water. These filters consist of an intermediary cartridge that holds Vitamin C powder.
The filter has a restrictor valve that allows small amounts of the powder to mix with the water, ultimately removing any chlorine and chloramine. Vitamin C also has natural anti-oxidant properties, so you benefit from healthier-looking skin and a lack of free radicals on the surface of it.
KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) Cartridge:
KDF 55 and carbon cartridges are commonly found being used together, even though they can be used alone. They are made from copper and zinc and are highly recommended when it comes to removing bacteria that lies within the water.
These cartridges are also commonly used to remove the other contaminants found in local water.
Shower Filter FAQs
1. How to filter hard water?
Anyone who has had to deal with hard water in their home knows how much of a nuisance it can be. It’s especially frustrating when using the shower or the bath because it affects your hair, skin, and the structure of your shower.
When soap comes into contact with hard water, it mixes with dissolved metals to create soap scale that is hard to get off your shower walls and tubs, as well as hard to wash from your hair. The first step to ridding yourself of hard water is to purchase a suitable shower filter that works with the type of shower that you have.
Depending on how hard your water is, a shower filter might not be enough, and there is a chance that you need to invest in whole house water softening system to work with your shower filter.
2. How to install shower filters?
Installing a shower filter is a very straightforward process. The majority of shower filters can be installed in approximately five minutes, or maybe 10 minutes if it’s your first time. There aren’t many tools required in the process, and what tools are needed typically come with the purchase.
However, you do need your own wrench to ensure that the valves of the filter are securely fastened. Many YouTube tutorials can help with the process, but the user’s manual that your filter comes with usually has a step-by-step instruction to follow.
Under most circumstances, all you need to do is attach the filter directly to the water line, and then attach your showerhead to the filter.
3. What is a shower filter?
Shower water filters are small filtration systems that are specifically designed to fit on the waterline of your shower. They come in an array of shapes, sizes, and styles that you can choose from.
Shower filters are designed to help remove chlorine, sulfur smells, scale, and a variety of other harmful sediments and chemicals that your water supply might contain. They usually provide instantaneous relief from irritated, dry, itchy skin as well as help to soften harder water.
Depending on how often your shower is used, the cartridges inside of the filter itself need to be changed anywhere between six months to one year.
4. Do shower filters work?
Yes. Shower filters are a highly effective way to get rid of or reduce the number of contaminants that your water has. Different types of filters feature different types of cartridges that can remove your primary concern.
Multi-stage carbon filters are great at removing chlorine and other sediments, while Vitamin C filters are ideal for removing chloramine. Filters are designed to target the contaminants in your water, so it’s important to understand exactly what you’re looking to remove, so you can purchase the right filter for your needs and ensure its effectiveness.
5. Is there a shower filter that actually filters out chlorine?
Yes. Filters that feature a sediment/multi-stage carbon cartridge can effectively remove traces of chlorine in your water. However, it’s vital that you understand that chlorine and chloramine are entirely different contaminants.
If you need to remove chloramine, your best bet is a Vitamin C filter system. The sediment/multi-stage carbon filters are most commonly used to remove chlorine.
Final Verdict
After testing out shower filters and looking at how closely their performance meets the claims the manufacturer of the product has made, we were able to determine our overall best choice. Our choice for the best shower filter is the Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter.
This shower filter is very affordable, making it a product that’s attainable for practically everyone. What’s more is that it’s very efficient too. The 15 stages of filtration work together to reduce all types of contaminants thoroughly, including chloramine.
When it comes to finding an affordable, highly efficient shower filter that is universal, you can’t go wrong with the Sitaflo 15-stage Shower Filter. The sooner you purchase one, the sooner your skin is going to start reaping the rewards. Don’t forget to also read our article on the “Best Shower Filter for Hard Water of 2020: Complete Reviews with Comparisons“.
