Article By:Drinking filtered water has tangible health benefits, but unless you have a filter in your shower, you’re spending ten minutes a day pouring the same dirty water you won’t drink all over your body in the shower. What’s worse — chances are you’ve noticed the effects of it, but don’t realize your water is to blame.
If you have dry, itchy skin and hair that feels like hay, or you’re worried about exposure to the witches brew of chemicals and contaminants that could be in your water, a shower head filter could be a game changer.
The purity of a spa-quality shower at home is within reach, but which is the best shower head filter for you? We’ve put together this in-depth buying guide and reviewed these seven top picks to help you get started.
#1. AquaYouth 2.0 Shower Filter
AquaYouth 2.0 shower filter uses a dual PP filter, coconut shell activated carbon, and DOLKI anti-bacterial balls, the AquaYouth 2.0 shower filter tested to reduce more contaminants than any other brand. It removes chlorine, heavy metals, plus hydrogen sulfide, herbicides, pesticides and VOCs, and it also balances pH — a plus for skin and hair.
> Check Latest AquaYouth 2.0 Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
 Certified and tested NSF/ANSI 177 & 372 certified for chlorine removal and lead content verification |  Slightly more expensive than the others |
| Twist-on installation | Not as effective against chloramines, but more so than the others |
| One-year warranty | |
| Low cost of ownership | |
| Not Made In China |
My Take
This filter looks amazing on paper and latest version keeps making improvements that outperform its predecessor. That’s the sign of a company who listens to it’s customers. Unlike some models, it’s backed by a one-year warranty, and we love that it’s one of the only filters that are NSF-certified and NOT made in China. Overall, it’s a solid performer and ranked as our #1 pick.
It’s comprised of coconut shell activated carbon, a 5 micron PP filter, and ceramic balls. In general, activated carbon filters remove at least 81 chemicals and are effective at reducing another 52. According to the EPA, activated carbon is the only filtering material that removes all 12 identified herbicides and 14 pesticides, along with all 32 identified organic contaminants.
If you are concerned about chloramines or are more interested in a handheld filter, our #2 choice is a better option for you.
> Check Latest AquaYouth 2.0 Prices <
Video Reviews From Their Amazon Page
And if you thought that was impressive, check out this shocking before and after. On the right is what the filter looks like new, and on the left was after the filter became clogged and needed to be changed.
> Check Latest AquaYouth 2.0 Prices <
#2. AquaYouth Vitamin C Handheld Shower Head Filter
At our number #2 spot on our list, we are placing another shower filter by AquaYouth. This filter uses Vitamin C has it’s main method of filtration and reduces roughly 99% of chlorine. We had to include this because if used alongside the AquaYouth 2.0 shower filter, chloramine can also be reduced by over 50%. The main method of filtration is vitamin C with a hybrid carbon filter to help reduce THM’s, VOC’s, odor, and other contaminants. This is also the only shower filter on the market that has underwent a clinical test to show an improvement in skin moisture (Face: 56.36% / Arm: 20.38%).
| Pros | Cons |
| Only shower filter that has underwent a clinical study demonstrating an improvement in skin moisture after only two weeks of usage. | Slightly more expensive than other options |
| When used alongside AquaYouth 2.0, over 50% of chloramines can be reduced. | The Vitamin C cartridges will need to be replaced every 2 to 3 months. |
| One-year warranty | |
| Low cost of ownership | |
| Not Made In China |
Not only that, but the filter also reduces other harsh compounds such as pesticides, lead, and VOCs while improving the pH of the water.
Like many others, this filter has a good lifespan. There are multiple massage settings to choose from as well.
Installation is as simple as removing your old showerhead and replacing it with this filter. Easy peasy.
> Check Latest AquaYouth Vitamin C Prices <
#3. Aquasana’s AQ-4100
Aquasana’s AQ-4100 is a standard 2-stage shower filter with an attached shower head. Using an activated carbon coconut shell filter patented as AquaSorb HX, this filter has been tested and ANSI/ NSF certified to remove an average of 90% of chlorine.
Not only that, but the filter also reduces other harsh compounds such as pesticides, lead, and VOCs while improving the pH of the water.
Like many others, this filter has a good lifespan. There are multiple massage settings to choose from as well.
Installation is as simple as removing your old showerhead and replacing it with this filter. Easy peasy.
> Check Latest Aquasana 4100 Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
| Certified NSF/ANSI 177 certified for chlorine removal | Not effective against chloramines |
| Twist-on installation | Made In China |
| One-year warranty | Housing cracks easily |
| Low cost of ownership | Replacement cartridges are expensive |
My Take
This filter looks okay on paper, but it’s been prone to crack and leak, and while some instances appear related to improper installation or higher-than-average home water pressure, Aquasana would do well to make the housing bulletproof. The price, however, is competitive, and most users report good results with it. Unlike some models, it’s backed by a one-year warranty, and we like that it’s NSF-certified for chlorine removal. Overall, it’s a solid performer and our #3 pick for shower filters.
> Check Latest Aquasana 4100 Prices <
#4 Berkey Shower Filter
Berkey is a trusted maker of world-class water purification products, and they’ve put their know-how into this well-engineered shower head filter. Its ultra-pure KDF 55 media is the most effective for removing chlorine from water before it can irritate your skin or be vaporized and inhaled.
Heavy metals including lead are significantly reduced as well as select minerals that cause rust and limescale stains in the shower. The unit takes seconds to install and includes a back-flush attachment to help keep it clean.
Installation is as simple as removing your old showerhead and replacing it with this filter. Easy peasy.
> Check Latest Berkey Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
| Works with your choice of shower head | Not Certified by the NSF |
| Twist-on installation | Made In China |
| Back flush attachment improves filter performance | Spray pattern is narrow |
| Not effective against chloramines |
> Check Latest Berkey Prices <
#5 Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mounted Filtered Shower Head with Massage
The WSH-C125 by Culligan is a simple filter for reducing sulfur, scale and chlorine, but if you need to save water, it’s a miser. It’s the only model on our list that’s EPA WaterSense-certified for using two gallons of water or less per minute, and it’s also NSF-certified for chlorine reduction.
The included shower head has five clog-free settings for comfort, and each filter has a 10,000-gallon capacity and a five-year warranty.
> Check Latest Culligan Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
| Certified to NSF/ANSI 177 for chlorine removal | Weak Water Pressure |
| Twist-on installation | Made In China |
| 5 year warranty | Does not remove heavy metals |
| Not effective against chloramines |
> Check Latest Culligan Prices <
#6 Vitamin C Filter Inline Shower Assembly by Sonaki
The use of chloramine as a secondary disinfectant for city water is growing. This chlorine-ammonia compound is more stable and less expensive and Vitamin C filters are more effective at reducing chloramine than carbon filters, it also does a nice job removing chlorine.
> Check Latest Sonaki Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
| Very effective for chlorine | Not NSF Certified |
| Vitamin C is more effective against chloramines than carbon | Very expensive |
| Not Made In China | Does not remove heavy metals |
> Check Latest Sonaki Prices <
#7 AquaBliss High-output 12-Stage Shower Filter
This filter by AquaBliss is currently the top seller on Amazon. Likely because it’s affordable and does an acceptable job reducing chlorine, heavy metals and chemical impurities.
It’s better than no filter at all, but you get what you pay for. It’s definitely not built to last and is our most budget option on this list, but if you want chlorine removal and have a low budget for it, this is our pick.
> Check Latest Aquabliss Prices <
| Pros | Cons |
| Works well for a budget option filter | Not NSF Certified |
| Twist-on installation | Made in China |
| Unknown filtration rates since it hasn’t been tested by 3rd parties | |
| Not effective against chloramines |