5 Best Shower Filters Of 2025, Tested By Editors And A Plumber
If you don’t have a shower filter, all of that can lead to hard water, which can be harsh on hair and skin. “Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, among other minerals, that can disrupt the skin barrier,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York City dermatologist, previously told Women’s Health. That can translate to dry, irritated skin that’s more prone to breakouts and other issues. Plus, it can make hair weaker and more susceptible to breakage, according to a study in the International Journey of Trichology. (BTW, that ring that often forms around your tub is usually the result of minerals that interact with your bath products and natural body oils. It’s another sign that you’ve got hard water).
Shower filters can keep your water soft by removing contaminants before they land on your skin and hair. Most filter out chlorine and chloramine (both used as water and swimming pool disinfectants) and odors, while more premium shower filters strip out other minerals, like lead, mercury, and copper as well. The good news is that most are surprisingly affordable and easy to install—sometimes in just a few minutes—even if you’re not a master plumber or a DIYer. There are dozens of models to choose from, but not all shower filters are created equal. So, we spoke to a plumber with over 12 years of experience with water filters about how to shop for one. Here’s what to keep in mind.
What To Consider
Water Contaminant Removal
The best shower filters come with a KDF filter, but if you want an extra level of impurity removal, you can shop for one that includes both KDF and carbon. “[This] is a standard win-win option, says Danny Pen, president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, because it helps filter out the high levels of chlorine and the other hard minerals found in the water of most homes. Every filter on this list is designed with a KDF filter.
The CDC confirms that “no filter eliminates all contaminants, so understanding what filters do and do not do is important.”
Design
Showerheads with built-in filters are available in two options: Fixed showerheads and handheld showerheads. Both are fairly easy to install, even if you’re not particularly “handy.” Fixed showerheads are usually more compact and a little easier to install, but they don’t provide the same flexibility as handheld models. On the other hand, “handheld shower filters with a multi-pattern spray head…are super flexible, allowing you to reach specific areas, easily clean the shower, and switch from soothing rainfall to a more focused stream,” Pen says. He also recommends shopping for filters with built-in indicators that let you know when it’s time for a replacement.
Filter Capacity
Shower filter capacity is often measured in how many gallons of water you can run through it before you need to replace it, Pen says. “While some manufacturers may indicate the number of months you can use it, I recommend checking how many gallons of water the filter can handle to understand its durability,” Pen says. A typical shower filter offers 10,000-12,000 gallons of filtration before it needs a replacement, and on average, we use 20-25 gallons of water per shower. That means most filters can handle about 500 showers before you need to replace them. Pen says. But, to be on the safe side, Pen recommends replacing your filter a little sooner than expected.
How We Chose
After speaking to a water filtration expert, we considered a wide range of shower filters, from sub-$30 budget-buy models on Amazon to premium options from brands like Canopy. We paid close attention to everything from the design and ease of installation to the price and filter effectiveness. After evaluating each and tapping editors for their testing feedback, we agreed that these are the seven best shower filters worth buying in 2025.
Below, see the five best shower filters, according to tips from a filtration expert.
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Best Overall
Canopy Filtered Shower Head
Pros
- Designed with carbon to further eliminate contaminants
- Can deliver high water pressure
- Available in 4 finishes
Cons
- Filters less gallons than other options on the list
When it comes to a shower filter that delivers in filtration, water pressure, and aesthetics, we found that Canopy’s Filtered Shower Head takes the cake. It’s made with a three-stage filtration system that uses KDF and activated carbon to remove the impurities in your running water.
The showerhead also comes with three stream settings that allow you to manipulate the amount of water that passes through the filter. The narrow setting releases water from a few points in the showerhead, creating a faster, high-pressure flow, while the wide “uses less pressure and creates a rain-like experience,” says editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, who worked on a Canopy vs Jolie Showerhead review. The final dual setting offers a mix of both.
During her testing of the showerhead, Talbert says she did notice an improvement in how soft her skin felt. She also said that her hair felt a lot cleaner on wash days.
If you love taking scented showers, you’ll also like that as a bonus, Canopy’s showerhead comes with their signature aromas and felt diffuser. Talbert is a big fan of the eucalyptus scent, but you can also shop Canopy’s site for other scents like rose or vanilla jasmine.
Our only gripe with Canopy’s shower filter is that it needs more frequent replacements. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. “In reality, the longer a filter claims to last, the more likely it is that it’s only filtering out the basics, like chlorine, and not addressing other common water contaminants as effectively,” Pen says. “For better water quality, it’s best to opt for a filter that recommends more frequent replacements rather than one that promises a year or more of use.” When it is time to replace its filter, though, you don’t have to unscrew the showerhead. You can simply twist its cap and replace it with a new one, which is impressively convenient.
At $150, the Canopy Shower Head isn’t necessarily budget-friendly, but we found it worth the splurge due to its easy installation and filter replacement process (takes just five minutes!), perfect water pressure, fun-add-ons, and beautiful design.
Read more: Best Shampoos For Hard Water
Water Contaminant Removal | KDF filter and carbon |
---|---|
Design | Fixed; 3 spray patterns |
Filter Capacity | 3,000 gallons |
Best Budget
Mist Filtered Shower Head
Now 43% Off
Credit: Courtesy of Retailer
Mist’s “Filtered Shower Head” uses a 15-stage KDF and carbon filtration system to soften your shower water. It’s effective at removing a long list of impurities beyond just chlorine—everything from fluoride and iron to minerals and heavy metals—from your water.
Our team found it dead simple to install in less than 20 minutes with ordinary household tools and zero DIY skills. We also confirmed that it delivers a consistent, high flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute (that’s pretty good, BTW). Plus, its filter cartridge only needs to be replaced every 12,000 gallons (compared to the usual 10,000).
On the downside, it’s only available in one finish (polished chrome), and there are no adjustable spray patterns with this one. It’s simply on or off. But it’s hard to complain when it means you can score a decent shower filter for less than $20 delivered.
Water Contaminant Removal | KDF filter and carbon |
---|---|
Design | Fixed; 1 spray pattern |
Filter Capacity | 12,000 gallons |
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Best Design
Jolie Filtered Shower Head
Most shower filters and showerheads with built-in filters tend to value function over flashy good looks. Not so with the Jolie Filtered Shower Head. This TikTok-famous option is hands-down the best-looking shower filter we tested this year. The sleek, modern design is available in a handful of colors (including brushed steel, jet black, and eye-popping red) to ensure that it blends seamlessly with your bathroom decor.
But it’s not just a pretty bathroom fixture. It also, ya know, actually works. Jolie’s shower filter is designed with a unique blend of calcium sulfate and KDF-55. The addition of calcium sulfate helps it filter out more chlorine than other models on this list, though the filter can also remove other contaminants, like heavy metals, from your water. All of our testers who used the Jolie in their home showers found noticeably less scale buildup during their test period. “I live in an old New England home with seriously hard water,” says writer Mike Richard. “In the two months since installing this shower filter, I’ve seen a significant decrease in scale build-up in my bathtub.” Richard adds that the shower filter also took less than 10 minutes to install.
Talbert says she also liked the shower filter’s more gentle water pressure. “It was gentler but not to the point where I felt like it was ruining my shower experience,” she says in her Canopy vs Jolie Showerhead review. Additionally, fitness commerce editor Talene Appleton, who has also used the Jolie, says that the shower filter has a better stream than her original showerhead. That’s likely because the Jolie’s filter keeps junk from accumulating in its pores, keeping water flowing smoothly.
The downside to all this premium filtery-y goodness? Cost. At $165, it’s the most expensive shower filter on this list. The company also recommends replacing the filter every three months (compared to the usual six), which can no doubt add up over time.
Water Contaminant Removal | KDF filter and calcium sulfate |
---|---|
Design | Fixed; 1 spray pattern |
Filter Capacity | Replace every 3 months |
Best Eco-Friendly Shower Filter
Brondell VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head
If you’re looking to save money on your utility bills and don’t mind the trade-off of a low-flow showerhead, Brondell’s VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head is worth a look. With a flow rate of less than two gallons per minute (20 percent less than most typical showerheads), it’s EPA-WaterSense-Certified, so it’s guaranteed to help you save water. Less water equals lower energy bills because it reduces the demand on water heaters.
The easy-install design is dead simple: Just unscrew your old 1/2-inch showerhead and replace it with this one. Done. The process should take less than five minutes. Because it’s a fixed head, you’re forced to forego the versatility of a handheld model. But, the oversized head offers a wide coverage area without you having to direct it.
The VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head is made with KDF, which means it’s strong enough to filter chlorine, plus mercury, copper, and even lead, but it is the only filter on the list that doesn’t add carbon to its filter.
That isn’t a dealbreaker, though, since KDF is more efficient at removing contaminants than carbon, and can work on its own. Carbon is more of a nice add-on because it’s effective at increasing the amount of chlorine and odors removed from water when used in combination with KDF.
The KDF in the VivaSpring showerhead can also reduce the growth of bacteria, germs, and algae in your water, plus cut down on shower scale, which means a cleaner tub and less frequent scrubbing. The filters are good for up to 10,000 gallons or about six months.
Water Contaminant Removal | KDF filter |
---|---|
Design | Fixed; 1 spray pattern |
Filter Capacity | 10,000 gallons |
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Best High-Flow
Aquasana Shower Water Filter System
Pros
- Strong flow rate
- Excellent filtration
- Multiple spray settings
Cons
- Not very water efficient
Many showerheads with built-in filters limit the flow of water to allow the filter time to do its thing. Not so with Aquasana’s Max Flow Rate Shower Water Filter System. It’s capable of eliminating most of the chlorine and other impurities from your shower water using a mix of KDF and carbon, while still delivering a powered flow. This shower filter pumps out water at a solid 2.5 gallons per minute, and creates high pressure using smaller nodes than those on other showerheads. It’s designed with 60 silicone nozzles, all scattered across a six and a half inch surface. So, if you like a strong, high-pressure shower and filtered water, this one is for you.
At almost $120 retail, this is one of the priciest shower filters we tested. But it is regularly on sale for almost half that. If you can grab it while it’s discounted, this is one of the best value filtered showerheads of 2025, despite its bland “functional” look.
Water Contaminant Removal | KDF and carbon filter |
---|---|
Design | Fixed; 5 spray patterns |
Filter Capacity | 10,000 gallons |
Meet The Expert
- Danny Pen is the president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC and an expert with 12 years of experience in water filtration.
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Jasmine Gomez is the lifestyle and commerce editor at Women’s Health, where she tests and writes about the best products across home, sleep, travel, and more. She holds an MA in digital journalism and has contributed to other outlets including Seventeen, Teen Vogue, MamásLatinas, Bustle, and more. When not shopping online, she enjoys cooking, dance cardio workouts, karaoke, and traveling to places with palm trees.
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