Introduction

Many of us filter our drinking water to remove potentially harmful contaminants that may pose a risk to our health and wellbeing. But did you know that you can be exposed to contaminants such as chlorine even when you take a shower? Investing in a shower filter that is able to remove harmful contaminants can not only be a boon to your health, but can also improve the condition of your skin and hair. In this article we review our top picks to help you choose the best shower filter for your needs.

Tips for Choosing the Best Shower Filter  

What is a shower filter?

A shower filter is a water filter that either attaches to the shower head or is installed inline between the shower head and the water pipe, typically replacing the shower arm.

How does a shower filter work?

A shower filter contains filter media that targets common contaminants that can be harmful to use when exposed to them while we are taking a shower.

Why do we need a shower filter?

Chlorine — a known carcinogen that is commonly used to disinfect water to make it safe to drink — vaporizes into chloroform and is present in the steam generated by hot shower water. Chloroform vapors can be inhaled as you enjoy your shower. Breathing in chloroform can make you drowsy, and once it enters the respiratory system can irritate the respiratory tract, leading to asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions. Chlorine can also dry out your skin and hair, causing eczema and dandruff, and as it can make hair frizzy, is also responsible for many bad hair days. 

Benefits of using a shower filter

Some benefits of using a shower filter include:

• Reduces your family's exposure to harmful chemicals in water.
• Reduces your family's exposure to carcinogenic pollutants in shower vapor.
• Prevents chlorine from vaporizing into the air, thereby improving air quality in your home.
• Reduces the risk of symptoms such as an itchy throat and coughing, and prevents asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases caused by exposure to vaporized chlorine.
• Reduces your family's exposure to chloroform gas produced by chlorine as it vaporizes, thereby reducing fatigue and boosting energy levels.
• As harsh chemicals that dry out hair and skin are removed, skin complexion will be healthier, more radiant and younger looking, while hair will be soft and shiny.
  

Types of shower water filters

Shower filters come in several different formats. They also use a variety of different filter media, depending on the contaminants they are primarily targeting. Knowing what options are available can help you narrow down your choice according to your needs or the type of plumbing you have installed in your bathroom. An overview of some of the different types of shower filters and shower filter media available is listed below:

Shower Filter Designs

• Shower head filter — a shower head with a built-in water filter that replaces your standard shower head
• Inline shower filter — a water filter that is fitted between the shower head and the water pipe, typically replacing the shower arm
• Inline shower filter + Shower head Filter — a combination of the above two types which attach to each other and can be used to double up on your filtration capacity. Since the water is pre-filtered by the inline filter, the life of the shower head filter is extended
• Water softener shower head filter — a shower filter for hard water
• Hand-held shower head filter — a water filter used with detachable hand-held shower head attachments

Shower Filter Media

• Multi-level Carbon Filters — multi-stage filters consisting of several layers of carbon and other filter media material, which each target a specific water pollutant. Carbon filters are an economical option, but they become less effective at removing chlorine when water is heated.
• Vitamin C Filters infuse vitamin C into the water stream as you shower. While there is no doubt that vitamin C is good for the body, the jury is out as to whether it is effective at removing chlorine from water.
• KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) Filters consist of copper-zinc media that convert chlorine to harmless chloride through a chemical reaction known as reduction-oxidation (Redox).
• Natural anion mineral stones/beads containing calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and other mineral elements required by the human body.
• Filter media consisting of a combination of the above can offer the benefits that each filter media offers.

How to install a shower filter?

Shower filters are generally pretty simple to install. To install a shower head filter, simply screw off your existing shower head and replace it with the shower head filter. To install an inline filter, you will need to remove the shower head and shower arm, then screw the inline filter into the water pipe and the shower head into the inline filter.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Shower Filter?

• Lifespan and Replacement Filters - what is the lifespan and replacement costs of the filter media? The expected lifespan and cost of replacement filters can drastically affect the overall costs associated with having a healthy chlorine-free shower.
• Water Purification Capabilities — does it effectively remove the contaminants you are targeting?
• Material — is it made of durable material that looks good and is easy to clean?
• Weight — can your existing plumbing support the weight of an inline shower filter complete with filter media, water and accumulated contaminants?
• Adjustability — can you adjust the water flow rate, for example to allow you to have a rainfall shower experience, or to save water.
• Warranty — does the manufacturer offer any warranty against defects?

Review of 5 Best Shower Filters

Best Shower Filter for Hard Water

PureAction water softener shower head: this hard water shower filter reduces chlorine, chloramine and fluoride(Claimed), and softens hard water by removing up to 99.9% of calcium, iron, rust, heavy metals and sediments. It also offers several special features that make it stand out from its competitors.

Pros

• Removes chlorine and chloramines
• Removes minerals and solids that make water hard
• Water saving shower head saves water
• High output pressure even when water pressure is low make it a good choice for low water pressure situations
• 1 year warranty

Cons

• Not NSF/ANSI certified
• Fluoride removal claims are questioned as it's a known water industry fact that fluoride removal under water pressure is not effective.
• Fluoride claims raise questions about other contaminant removal claims

Best Inline Shower Filter

Inline Berkey Shower Filter: The easy-install inline Berkey shower filter uses high-purity copper-zinc Redox technology to remove 95-98% of the free chlorine present. It also reducing toxic heavy metals and hydrogen sulfide (which makes water smell like rotten eggs), while also controlling microorganisms and limiting scale accumulation. 

Pros

• Easy to install
• Easy to maintain
• Long lifespan — will last for 1 year or filter up to 30,000 gallons (113,400 liters) of water
• Removes up to 98% of free chlorine present in water
• Effective for reducing chlorine in cold and hot water
• Reduces chemical absorption and inhalation of toxic vapors
• Reduces heavy metals
• Eliminates dirt and bad odors
• Reduces damage to skin and hair
  

Cons

• Not NSF/ANSI certified

Best Shower Filter with Massage Shower head

Berkey Shower Filter with massage: The Berkey shower head filter with massage feature is an extremely long lasting shower head filter that uses the same Redox filter technology as the inline Berkey shower filter, with the added benefits of a massage shower head, offering a truly relaxing shower experience.

Pros:

• Removes up to 98% of free chlorine present in water
• Effective for reducing chlorine in cold and hot water
• Reduces chemical absorption and inhalation of toxic vapors
• Reduces damage to skin and hair
• Eliminates dirt and bad odors
• Back Flush Attachment prevents premature clogging of filter
• Long lifespan — will last for 1 year or filter up to 30,000 gallons (113,400 liters) of water
• Reduces mold, fungi, lime, and scale buildup in showers and inhibits bacterial growth
• Available with message shower head or without massage shower head attachment installed, if you want to use the standard shower water filter with your existing shower head
• 6 month manufacturers warranty on any defects in materials and workmanship

Cons

• Not NSF/ANSI certified

Best Hand-held Shower head filter

Aquasana Premium Shower Filter with Massaging Handheld Wand: The patented technology used in this all-in-one hand-held shower head filter, makes it stand out from other filters in this category. The filter media includes a combination of coconut shell carbon media and copper and zinc media that makes it particularly efficient at reducing chlorine.

Pros

• Available in white and chrome
• Carbon and KDF filter media
• pH enhancement
• Filters out over 90% of chlorine
• Long lasting filter - will last for 6 months or filter 10,000 gallons of fresh water

Cons

• Shorter lifespan that other filters on market resulting in higher costs to operate
• Does not reduce TDS

Best Low Pressure Shower filter (ideal for RVs and Campers)

Luxsego Ionic Pure Filter Shower head: The Luxsego Ionic Pure Filter Shower head is a hand-held shower head filter with a unique transparent design that allows you to see the anion mineral beads held in the arm of the shower head that serve as the filter media. This 2-stage shower filter removes chlorine and softens water, making it a good shower filter for hard water. It offers three spray settings, while The micro-nozzle technology increases the water flow rate, thereby increasing water pressure by 200% and saves 30% more water than a standard shower head. 

Pros:

• Three spray settings (jetting, massage, rainfall)
• Water saving
• Ideal for use in RVs, campers and homes with low water pressure
• Removes chlorine, softens water and adds healthy minerals that benefit hair and skin
• Replacement mineral beads are cheap
• 1 year manufacturer's warranty

Cons

• Not NSF/ANSI certified

Best of the Best

Each of the above water filter shower products offer unique features that set them apart from their competitors. However, the Berkey Shower Filter with massage has several features that makes it stand out above the rest and earn our top pick as the best shower filter. Firstly, it is extremely effective at removing chlorine, removing up to 98% of free chlorine in shower water. It has a much longer lifespan than most of its competitors, filtering 30,000 gallons (or your shower water for a year), which translates into low maintenance costs. It is easy to install and easy to replace filter cartridges., and the massage head feature offers an added bonus of a luxury spa shower experience while cleansing your body with clean, healthy water.