The 5 Best Shower Filters, Tested by BHG

Jun 24, 2025

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These add-ons remove water impurities for a cleaner shower.

Brandi Fuller is a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens who specializes in gardening and outdoor products, pest control, wildlife, and linens. She has tested bamboo sheets and researched products like cleaners, furniture, appliances, lawn mowers, and more.

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Better Homes & Gardens

You might not know it, but the water that runs from your showerhead might not be as clean as you think. In many homes, tap water can contain traces of unwanted minerals and chemicals like chlorine, metals, pesticides, and rust that can irritate your skin.

If your shower water contains high levels of certain minerals, namely calcium and magnesium, it's considered hard water. Studies have shown showering in hard water can decrease your hair's thickness and strength, increasing breakage—something to keep in mind if you have fine hair or hair that's damaged or dyed.

It's also a potential risk factor for eczema. Luckily, shower filters are a simple way to filter excess minerals from your shower water. Much like filters used for drinking water, these devices contain layers of materials that work to sift out chemicals, metals, sediment, and other pollutants as water passes through.

We evaluated dozens of shower filters and showerheads for their filter types, filter lifespans, and certifications. For those we were able to install in our own bathrooms, we evaluated the ease of installation (and whether the product shipped with the necessary parts to make the swap) and cleaning. We also noted whether or not the shower filter impacted our skin or hair. For more information on how we tested shower filters, check out our testing process below.

The range of colors and finishes is impressive.

The filter only offers a single pressure setting.

As far as aesthetically pleasing showerhead filters go, nothing beats the Jolie Skin Co option. Its sleek exterior hides the inner filtration system in modern and even colorful finishes, including a vibrant red and bright brass. In terms of setup, everything we needed was in the box, including a wrench and plumber’s tape for seamless assembly.

All that’s required is wrapping the tape around the plumbing two times before wrenching it on. We also like that Jolie offers a 60-day trial with a full refund if the showerhead doesn’t work for you, so you can try it out for yourself before you commit. Aside from its good looks, we were impressed by how it softened our hair and skin.

Additionally, it was easy to clean the showerhead (although it didn’t get dirty quickly), and, despite a single stream setting, the pressure was strong without being too powerful.

“The shower head circumference is larger and the water pressure is very strong, so the experience of showering has been nicer. I also feel like the shower head just looks nicer than [a] standard one, so it's aesthetically pleasing as well.” -Better Homes & Gardens Tester

The brand recommends changing the filter about every three months. Since installation, we have replaced the filter three times, but the most recent swap caused a bit of a headache. The front piece refused to twist off, so we had to contact customer service for assistance (they were fast to respond, doing so within the hour on a Sunday).

The representative suggested using rubber gloves to create more friction and a secure hold. After a couple of tries with rubber gloves, we were able to remove the stuck piece. Despite the slight hiccup, we were impressed with the water filter after using it for over six months. The water felt generally cleaner, and our hair and skin benefited.

Product Details: Type: Showerhead | Filtered Materials: Chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants | Filter Lifespan: 90 days | Filter Type: KDF-55, calcium sulfite

The filter makes our skin feel softer and smoother without compromising water pressure.

The bulky design may not blend in well with your shower head.

The Cobbe HD Heavy Duty Output Shower Filter is the product we never knew we needed—even at a fraction of the price of other models on our list. After six months of use, our hair sheds less, our shower walls seem less slimy, and our skin feels less dry and itchy. We love this shower filter so much that we even bought another for our kids’ bathroom.

Our skin felt noticeably softer after switching to this shower filter, allowing us to use less product for the same effect. We now use only 25% of the shampoo we used to, and our hair feels just as soft and clean. The water flow pressure is as strong as ever, and the stream is noticeably quieter.

This model is super easy to install, with the whole process taking less than 30 minutes. The filter needs to be changed every six to eight months, and the process is simple—just unscrew the shower head, unscrew the filter from the waterline, separate the top half and bottom halves to insert the new filter, and screw them back together.

Our only complaint is its bulkiness. The filter does add some length to the pipe that protrudes from the wall, and we wish it were more streamlined to blend in better with our shower head or waterline. That said, we’d happily put up with the extra bulk for its impressive performance any day.

Product Details: Type: Inline | Filtered Materials: Chlorine, heavy metals, rust, sediment | Filter Lifespan: Six to eight months | Filter Type: KDF-55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon | Certifications: Not listed

The showerhead never leaked after using it for six months.

We wished the pressure was higher to more quickly rinse shampoo and conditioner out of thick hair.

If you want to make your bathroom feel like a spa, the Canopy Filtered Shower Head will help you feel calm and relaxed during your shower. It offers three stream settings (wide, narrow, and dual) to toggle between, and all of the nozzles were evenly spaced and provided a consistent stream regardless of the setting.

Get 15% off your Canopy order with a minimum spend of $50 using the code BHG15.

It has a pressure of 2.5 GPM, but we did wish that the stream was more dense to quickly rinse shampoo out of thick hair. The installation process was simple and straightforward—it took about 10 minutes to remove the existing showerhead and replace it with this one.

We appreciated that it came with a wrench to remove the existing showerhead, which was a nice consideration from the brand since the wrench wasn’t actually needed to install the new showerhead. After using the showerhead almost daily for six months, it never leaked or caused us any issues.

We also didn’t notice any hard water or calcium buildup thanks to the triple-action filtration system that combines granular activated carbon, KDF-55, and calcium sulfite. The standout feature of this showerhead is that it comes with an essential oil diffuser attachment (which is optional to use).

Simply hook the felt diffuser on the pipe behind the showerhead and add a few drops of essential oils to create a relaxing aromatherapy experience in your shower. We also have our eyes on the new handheld style that it can be combined with.

Product Details: Type: Showerhead | Filtered Materials: Chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants | Filter Lifespan: 90 days | Filter Type: KDF-55, calcium sulfite, granular activated carbon

If you prefer more than a couple of pressure settings, the T3 delivers with seven options.

During the initial trial period, there was a bit of leakage, but it was resolved by tightening the main bolt.

Made by the same brand known for its hair care accessories and hot styling tools, the T3 Source Showerhead Filter made a noticeable difference to our hair. The mineral mixture of calcium sulfide, zinc, and copper reduces free chlorine from the water, including any smells and sediments like rust and dirt.

The filtered showerhead left hair feeling more moisturized after washing it, and it continued to soften hair over time. But the biggest benefit was the various spray patterns we could choose from based on intensity and coverage, including a rain-like mist and a powerful massage-like jet.

We were pleased that the installation process only took about 15 minutes, and it was easy to do thanks to the clear instructions that came with the showerhead (it also came with plumber’s tape). Initially, we experienced a bit of leakage, but this was resolved by adding a bit of plumber’s tape.

Product Details: Type: Showerhead | Filtered Materials: Chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, iron oxide, dirt, sediment, odors | Filter Lifespan: Six months | Filter Type: Calcium sulfide, zinc, and copper

We experienced noticeable improvements in skin and hair softness, including fewer eczema flare-ups and less brassy blondeness.

It adds significant length to the showerhead, which can be inconvenient.

An inline shower filter attaches directly to the water line, and it’s an ideal solution if you already have a showerhead that you love but want the benefits of filtered water. The AquaBliss filters out particles and reduces the amount of chlorine in the water while adding in beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Plus, it can fit on a handheld, fixed, or rain showerhead and comes in five different finishes to match your bathroom aesthetic. During testing we found this filter easy to install, only requiring five steps.

Performance-wise, the filter received high marks all around. We noted smoother skin with fewer eczema flare-ups as well as softer hair, less scalp build-up, and a less brassy blonde hair color after using this shower filter. We also didn't notice any drop in water pressure or flow rate.

The filter needs to be changed every four to six months (note that there's no indicator), but the replacement filters are relatively affordable, and the process only requires unscrewing the filter and replacing the cartridge.

If we had to change one thing about this filter, it would be the design. While we felt that it blended into the existing showerhead nicely, we'd prefer it to be more compact and suitable for taller people, as it adds a significant amount of length to the showerhead.

Product Details: Type: Inline | Filtered Materials: Chlorine, pesticides, dirt | Filter Lifespan: Six months | Filter Type: Calcium sulfite, activated carbon | Certifications: Not listed

The Jolie Skin Co The Filtered Showerhead is one of the best shower filters because of its modern design, easy installation, and effectiveness. We also liked that the water pressure was strong, and the brand offers a 60-day trial period.

To find the best shower filters, we tested a variety of different options and evaluated each one on its ease of installation, features, performance, and durability.

When installing the shower filters, we timed how long it took for us to install them and noted how easy or difficult the process was. During the testing period, we used the shower filters daily, using the various streams and settings (if applicable) to determine whether they were effective.

Additionally, we noted whether the shower filters were leak-free and how easy or difficult it was to clean or change the filters. Any changes in hair, skin, or nails were also recorded.

Better Homes & Gardens

Regardless of which shower filter type you choose, each unit's filter will have a limited lifespan before it needs to be changed. How often a filter needs to be replaced depends on your shower's water quality as well as your water usage.

While most will have to be switched around six months, double-check that the style you choose doesn't have to be changed more often. Otherwise, the filter might become clogged and be less effective.

Shower filters are available in a few styles—inline, showerhead, and handheld showerhead. In general, an inline style is universal and can attach to any showerhead, making it the ideal choice if you want to keep your existing fixture. A filtered handheld lets you direct the spray right where you need it.

Most of the major types of filters will work to help eliminate or lower the quantity of chlorine. According to dermatologist Dr. Renée Beach, chlorine can be helpful in a swimming pool for reducing the bacterial content, but it can also leave skin dry, itchy, and irritated. “This irritation can trigger a flareup of eczema in patients who have this underlying condition,” she says.

Though there aren't any major differences between the filter styles as far as effectiveness, you'll want whichever one you choose to have either a KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion), vitamin C, or carbon filtration system, depending on your water filtration goals. Each method filters water well and significantly reduces impurities.

A KDF filter contains copper and zinc and uses a redox (oxidation-reduction) process to filter iron, chlorine, mercury, and lead from your shower water. KDF is sometimes used as a pre-treatment within a filtration system and is often combined with other filtration methods like activated carbon. Though there are different types of KDF, KDF 55 is the most common. The filtration media is made to specifically reduce chlorine and other water-soluble metals.

An activated carbon filter uses a process called adsorption. During filtration, unwanted substances will move from your shower water to the filter, similar to a sponge. A vitamin C filter works to remove chlorine by reacting to the chemical and neutralizing it. It's worth noting, however, that the filter type is typically only good for removing chlorine.

Replacing a showerhead as well as installing its filters tend to be easy, but it's worth noting the unit's instructions before you purchase. While some can just be twisted onto your existing fixtures, others may require a few extra steps, like running the water for a few minutes, before they're ready to use.

The Aquasana Shower Filter didn't cause any drops in water pressure and had simple, clear installation instructions, but it caused splash-back during initial flushing, and its girthy design may not be suitable for smaller showers

Although the Kitsch Shower Head Filter made our hair remain cleaner for longer and created a consistent water stream, where it fell short was in design: we experienced slight dripping at the connection point with the shower head and there was no visual indicator for filter replacement.

Better Homes & Gardens

In many homes, tap water contains traces of minerals and chemicals, like chlorine, that can irritate your skin. According to Beach, when chlorine binds with the skin it “can form chloramines, a chemical that irritates the skin and respiratory tract.” That being said, she noted that people with sensitive and eczema-prone skin can experience some benefits from filtration.

Additionally, when you take a shower or bath, these impurities can leave a film on your body, making it more difficult to lather up and rinse clean. Washing up in unfiltered hard water can also lead to hair that appears dull, brittle, and flat, as well as dry or irritated skin.

In higher concentrations, contaminants in the water supply, including heavy metals like lead, can cause serious health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Shower filters and water softener systems can reduce the levels of these specific substances in your water: chlorine, rust, and dirt are some of the top filtered materials. Lowering the levels of these substances in your shower might offer health and beauty benefits over time.

Shower filters that include multiple layers of carbon (usually in the form of activated coconut carbon) are most effective at absorbing chlorine, sediment, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and odors in the water. However, high water temperatures might decrease the carbon filter's ability to capture chlorine and other contaminants.

Kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) filters, which are made out of copper and zinc, use a chemical reaction to neutralize impurities like chlorine, bacteria, lead, mercury, iron, and hydrogen sulfide. These filters can also help reduce limescale and mold in your shower, but they tend to cost more. Vitamin C shower filters are also popular and help dechlorinate tap water while adding the nutrient into your shower stream.

The best type of shower filter depends on the style of shower you have at home. While an inline style can be used in just about any type of shower, whether you get a handheld pick or showerhead is dependent on your current fixtures. Once you've chosen a type, you can consider additional features a filter might offer, like fragrant oils or vitamin C concentrates.

When determining the best shower filter for you, it's also important to know what needs to be filtered out of water. Tools like EWG's online tap water database can help you identify contaminants in your local water system, so you can choose a shower filter that's best suited for your needs.

This article was updated by Brandi Fuller, who has been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022, and Michelle Rostamian, a BHG writer specializing in home, shopping, and small appliances. They conducted more product research on shower filter options and analyzed testing insights from our BHG research team, who evaluated each one on its ease of installation, features, performance, and durability. We also consulted dermatologist Dr. Renée Beach for additional expert insight on what to consider when shopping for shower filters.

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.