Even suited best beauty products, you shower could be doing more harm than good.
Research shows that hard water can decrease hair strength (causing breakage) and has been associated with atopic eczema—but the best shower filters can help. Y Shape Connectors
Available in various sizes and types, these filters remove harsh chemicals and contaminants in shower water that can adversely affect your hair and skin, like chlorine and heavy metal.
While they might just seem like the latest hyped up TikTok accessory, our team has seen the benefits of shower filters firsthand. We've tested a few models and firmly believe they're a worthy addition to any bathroom?
That's why we did the research, spoke with experts, and curated your guide to round up the best shower filters available today.
Riggs Eckelberry, founder and CEO of OriginClear, a clean water innovation hub, explains that a shower filter is a filtration system designed for use right in your shower. “It typically consists of a screw-on attachment that helps remove irritants like chlorine and even Round Up—that’s right, the weed killer,” he says.
Kyle Postmus, Senior Manager of Residential Water at NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), echoes this sentiment and elaborates that a shower filter helps remove unwanted contaminants from shower water. “Many people choose to use a shower filter to help reduce irritation and damage to their skin and hair,” explains Postmus.
Shower filters are often easy to install and have many benefits. As mentioned earlier, these filters can remove chlorine, pollutants, and bacteria from shower water. Eckelberry explains that this, in turn, can have significant effects on our bodies—it can soften skin, improve hair, and reduce skin inflammation.
“On top of that, the less we’re exposed to these toxins, the better our overall health can be,” he adds. “Skin absorbs water, so you want to make sure it’s high quality.”
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Not only does the Jolie Filtered Showerhead out chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants from shower water, but it looks great while doing so. Sleek and design-forward, this eye-catching shower filter is available in brushed steel, jet black, or chrome—so you can match your shower aesthetic accordingly.
The brand uses a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and calcium sulfite, and the filter has been tested via multiple third-party labs and exceeds NSF-177 certifications, which is excellent news. Even better? It doesn’t reduce shower pressure or easily clog.
In fact, our commerce editor, Carleigh Ferrante, has been using the Jolie shower filter for three months and says it actually improved her shower's water pressure. She says she's shocked by the impact the filter has had on her skin and hair—and others have noticed, too.
Showering with the Jolie has significantly reduced frizziness in her hair, evened her skin tone, and her skin feels more moisturized all over. Plus, the water feels cleaner and lighter, she's experiencing less shedding, and multiple friends have commented on how thick and healthy her hair looks. "Had I known a shower filter could make such a huge difference, I would have bought it much sooner," she says, noting that she even made her boyfriend buy one for his apartment.
Installation is a breeze, too. The Jolie comes with a small wrench, plumbers tape, and a how-to guide that takes just a few minutes to follow. The brand also offers a filter subscription service that automatically sends you a new filter every three months for $33 (that comes out to around $0.40 per day when you break it down).
We tested it: Our full review of the Jolie Filtered Showerhead.
You may be familiar with Berkey’s drinking water filtration systems, but did you know they make a shower filter, too? Available to purchase with or without a shower head attachment, this filter is ANSI/NSF Standard 177-certified and has a back flush attachment to help limit clogging. It’s specifically designed to limit 95% of chlorine and chlorine vapor, and hydrogen sulfide, iron, and iron oxide, making your shower water healthier for your hair, skin, and body.
Berkey's filters are some of the longest-lasting of our picks; each one lasts up to one whole year and is designed to work well with both hot and cold water. If you’re nervous about installation, don’t worry. This filter is easy to set up and even comes with Teflon sealing tape to prevent any leaks.
Our tester, Emily Kelleher, agrees that installation is easy. She says the filter does a great job preserving her water pressure and, although it's not the most aesthetically pleasing, she loves knowing that her water is cleaner and healthier. Other shoppers say the Berkey filter removes chlorine odors from their water and that they've noticed a big difference in their skin, reporting that it feels less itchy and dry and their hair feels softer and more manageable.
This popular filter is well-loved for a reason: It simply works great. Featuring thousands and thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon, the well-made model uses an advanced multi-stage system to reduce chlorine, pesticides, dirt, odors, and pharmaceuticals.
It has a layer of mineral beads that infuse water with beneficial minerals to help keep your hair, skin, and nails looking next-level good. If you don’t have any tools on hand, you’re in luck. This super simple filter can quickly be clicked into place sans screwdrivers or wrenches. Just pop it on, and off you go.
This filter is one of my (the writer) favorites out there. After having hair and scalp issues some months ago, I decided to order this model from Amazon and I haven’t looked back since. It took mere minutes to put together and doesn’t change the look of my shower that much.
The best part is that you instantly feel the difference. The filter makes my New York City apartment shower water feel so much cleaner and lighter. I've been using it since January and I’ve noticed my hair is much shinier and stronger, with much less shedding.
If you have hard water, it's likely negatively affecting your hair and skin. Featuring an impressive filtration system that utilizes natural coconut shell carbon, this popular pick reduces lead, iron, chlorine, and other harsh chemicals while keeping your water’s pH levels balanced.
It's NSF-certified and incredibly easy to install. In fact, the setup is only four simple steps; just make sure after putting it together to let the water run for a few minutes to flush out any carbon fines.
The shower filter features a unique up-flow design which means that your shower water pressure won’t be compromised. You can expect filter cartridges to last approximately six months.
Customers love this high-quality shower filter because it doesn’t affect water pressure, removes a good amount of chlorine, and it’s easily adjustable.
At just $65, reviewers say it's well worth the cost, especially if you live in an apartment with hard water. The majority of people notice a significant improvement in their scalp, hair, and skin health. However, there are a few complains about needing to replace it every six months.
This shower filter pick is a great choice if your home has well water. This NSF/ANSI 177-certified option uses a powerful multi-stage filtration system to reduce chlorine, rust, sand, heavy metals, and more for a better shower experience. It also has a streamlined design, so you don’t have to worry about any bulky attachments that can get in the way of bathing.
Available for around $60, this model’s multi-layer system consists of a coconut shell activated carbon layer, ceramic balls, and a dual PP 5-micron filter, so you know it’s getting the job done. A detail people love is that filter cartridge replacement is so easy—there’s no need to disassemble the whole unit when you need to do so. According to reviewers, filter cartridges typically last around a few months before they need to be switched out.
Those with well water in their homes are huge fans of this easy-to-assemble filter. People note that it cleared up water that was yellow from iron, and that they've noticed an immediate different in their hair and skin during and after their showers.
Make dingy, discolored hair a thing of the past with this AquaHomeGroup shower filter. This top-rated shower head filter reduces heavy metals, rust, chlorine, and other contaminants from your water, and instead infuses it with healthy minerals like vitamins C and E. This popular pick is so simple to use and its filter cartridges last for approximately six months, so you don’t have to worry about switching them out frequently.
What’s more? This pick fits all standard shower types, including rainfall and handheld showers, and no tools are required for installation. It also has a flexible universal joint, so you can move it around in the shower with ease.
With over 11,000 5-star Amazon ratings, this vitamin-enriched shower filter is one of the best picks out there for those with blonde hair. If you're blonde, you know hard water can give your hair a greenish hue, but reviewers say this filter clears that right up, with visible results after just one use. Some do note that the filter can be difficult to adjust.
A shower filter that not only filters out gunk from your shower water but also infuses it with vitamin C? Sign us up. This AquaHomeGroup picks features a heavy-duty 15-stage filtration system that utilizes coconut carbon, alkaline ceramic balls, KDF 55, and high-density stainless steel mesh to filter out contaminants, including chlorine, heavy metals, and sediment, from your water. It also infuses your shower water with vitamin C to help keep your hair and skin in tip-top shape.
This NSF-certified pick is specifically designed to ensure that your water pressure isn’t too affected by the filter. This means that you don’t have to worry about frustratingly low water pressure while showering.
If you’re interested in an even more heavy-duty model, AquaHomeGroup offers a similar model made with a 20-stage filtration system.
Customers rave about this shower filter, noting that it's made a huge difference in the cleanliness, shine, and overall feel and appearance of their hair. In fact, many say they're able to get away with less washes since installing this filter.
If you’re interested in setting up a shower filter but want to make sure installation isn’t a headache, pick up this NSF-certified option that can be installed easily in mere minutes.
Clocking in at just a few inches high and weighing only one pound, this compact non-carbon filter extends your shower head by only an inch and a half. This is great news if you’re nervous about your shower head height changing drastically.
What makes this filter so special is its unique extend-a-path baffle system, which means the shower water is in contact with the filter for a longer period of time. This translates to cleaner, better-feeling water.
This pick also comes with a “dial-a-date” filter replacement indicator, so you’ll never again forget when the filter needs to be swapped out. Sprite also offers filter tracking, user instructions, and more via the Sprite app that can easily be downloaded to your smartphone.
With hundreds of 5-star ratings on Amazon, this well-made shower filter is praised for its easy installation and the relief it provides to dry skin and hair. People say it's totally worth it if you have hard water.
Postmus shares that there are many different types of shower filters out there, including inline shower filters and shower head filters. “For choosing which one to purchase, it really comes down to preference of aesthetics, ease of installation, and how often users are willing to replace it,” Postmus says.
Regardless of your choice of filter, Postmus recommends choosing an NSF-certified filter to NSF/ANSI 177. “Certification for shower filters assures consumers that the filter effectively removes chlorine from the water,” he adds.
Eckelberry says that if you’re looking for a filter that will reduce the most amount of contaminants, try to go for one that also uses activated carbon in the filtration process. “I recommend a shower filter with advanced filter technology, often with activated carbon,” Eckleberry says. “These are designed to remove a wide range of contaminants—some remove as many as 200 different kinds—and cover all your bases.”
RELATED: Why You Should Filter Your Water, According To An MD
Installation depends on the model—while some will replace your whole shower head others will just be a filter you attach to your already-existing shower setup. Be sure to read each product’s descriptions carefully to get a better idea.
This depends on the shower filter. While some shower filters last up to six months, others may last for a full year.
If your hair and skin are feeling dull or dry, or you're experiencing more shedding than usual, your shower water may be to blame.
Installing a shower filter is an excellent way to enhance the quality of your shower water with little to no effort—and to bring huge benefits for your hair and skin.
To learn more about home water filtration, be sure to check out our best water filter guide and expert tips on using a sink filter.
Brittany Natale is a freelance writer who covers topics such as wellness, fitness, lifestyle, food, beauty, and more. After graduating with a B.S. in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology, she started a career in writing and research. With over 8 years of experience, her byline often appears in publications such as SELF, Popsugar, i-D, Teen Vogue, Domino, Martha Stewart, and Eat This, to name a few. Born and raised in NYC, when she is not writing you can find her exploring the city, visiting her local library, or getting her steps in at The Met.
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