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How To Find The Most Effective Shower Filters

Updated 06/11/2025
If you’re looking for the best shower filter to protect your skin, hair, and overall health, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’m reviewing the most effective filtered shower heads and bath filters on the market, including options that reduce chlorine, VOCs, and other harmful contaminants.
The long-awaited shower filter review is here! As promised, I’m sharing the most effective shower filters out there and I even have one for the bath. I researched SO many filters, tested some of the better ones, and picked some clear winners. But before I share those, you may be wondering why you even need a shower filter!
 

Why Filter Your Shower Water?

 
Filtering shower water can improve your hair and skin, and more importantly, protect your health. I’m sure we’re all aware of what lurks in tap water. While you may be diligent in filtering your drinking water, it turns out what you shower in also matters. The biggest problem isn’t transdermal absorption (AKA skin exposure). Instead, the hot steamy water and small enclosed place means you’re inhaling the what’s in the water.
 

You can check to see what’s in your local tap water here.

 
Below are some of the biggest offenders. Depending on your local water, there may be more you want to filter out:
 
Chlorine– Inhaling it in a warm shower gives your body much greater exposure than say, swimming in a pool. It’s also the culprit that makes hair and nails dull and brittle.
 
Chloramines– Used in some water treatment plants. According to many studies, they are quite toxic and the hot dispersed shower water allows it to easily vaporize into the air.
 
THMs– These are disinfectant by-products. So when the water is treated with chlorine or the disinfectant of choice, these other by-products form and are then in the tap water. There are so many and most are unregulated. It seems researchers are just now trying to tackle these but many seem to be harmful. This group also includes chloroform- yes, the stuff from old spy movies. Chloroform happens to be quite toxic.
 
 

The Most Effective Shower Filters

 
My top picks in these shower filter reviews all use KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) to filter water. It filters water the most effectively and consistently compared to other materials. Carbon filters don’t work as well in warm or hot water, so I ruled out filters that were just carbon. Vitamin c has also been shown to break down chlorine and chloramines, but researchers debate how long the contact needs to be. So a fast flowing shower may not give it enough time to work.

Berkey Shower Filter

 
 
A few suggested this one, including my friend, Sammie. This is by far the MOST robust shower filter that I found. It filters out so much but ultimately I decided against it due to price and you have to use their shower head. It also seems to be the largest and as you can see above, our shower stall is tiny (and stuck in the ’80s).
 
Pros:
  • Removes up to 99.99% of chlorine (according to their site)
  • Removes heavy metals, vocs, chloramines, and lowers the fluoride approximately in half
  • Also removes odors, organic waste, trihalomethanes, bacteria, and common carcinogens (and THMs) such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, benzene and vinylidene chloride.  
  • Long lasting- Replace filter parts yearly
 
Cons:
  • One of the most expensive options ($160 + up)
  • You have to use their shower head
  • Very large
 
 
This seems pretty comparable to the Berkey Filter, but I felt it was worth a mention since so many suggested it. I never had a chance to test this one out as it’s been out of stock, but I just learned before publishing this that it’s back!
 
Pros:
  • Removes ~90% of chlorine
  • Lasts 15,000 to 20,000 or close to a year
  • The specs aren’t listed on the site, but as it uses KDF, I imagine it filters out similar substances as Berkey
  • You can use your own shower head
  • Affordable- $45.25 for the full unit and just $29.50 for the replacement cartridge
 
Cons:
  • Doesn’t remove Chloramines or THMs

New Recommendations (2025 Update!)

Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mounted Filtered Showerhead
This budget-friendly option from a well-known brand is widely available and offers decent filtration.

Pros:

  • Removes chlorine and sulfur odor
  • Built-in showerhead filter, so installation is simple
  • Affordable (~$30–$40)
  • Certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)

Cons:

  • Shorter lifespan (around 10,000 gallons or 6 months)
  • Limited contaminant removal (mostly chlorine and odor)

Buy the Culligan WSH-C125 here.

Aquasana AQ-4100 Deluxe Shower Water Filter System
Aquasana’s system includes a coconut shell activated carbon filter and a copper/zinc blend (KDF).

Pros:

  • Removes chlorine, lead, VOCs, and other harsh chemicals
  • Easy to install
  • Strong water pressure
  • Compatible with most shower arms

Cons:

  • Slightly bulky design
  • Replacement filters cost around $50 and need changing every 6 months

Buy the Aquasana AQ-4100 here.

How Long Do Shower Filters Last?

Shower filter longevity varies depending on the filter media, the water quality in your area, and the size of your household.

Here are some general estimates:

  • KDF Filters – 6 to 12 months (15,000 to 20,000 gallons)
  • Activated Carbon Filters – 3 to 6 months (8,000 to 12,000 gallons)
  • Vitamin C Filters – 1 to 3 months
  • Multi-Stage Filters – 6 to 9 months

Keep in mind: if your water has poor quality or high levels of chlorine and sediment, you may need to replace your water filter more frequently. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations and monitor for drops in water pressure or changes in odor as signs that it’s time to replace.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shower Filters

Do shower filters really remove chlorine?

Yes, high-quality shower head filters that use KDF media or activated carbon filters are very effective at removing chlorine from water. Chlorine is commonly added to municipal water supplies for disinfection, but exposure can lead to dry skin and hair, irritation, and even respiratory issues when inhaled as vapor in a hot shower.

How do I know when to change my shower filter?

Most manufacturers recommend replacing your shower water filter every 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of filter and your water quality. Signs it’s time to change your filter include a noticeable drop in water pressure, changes in water odor, or dullness in your skin and hair. Check your filter’s gallon rating or time-based guideline and mark your calendar.

What is the best shower filter for removing both chlorine and chloramines?

Look for filtered showerheads or inline shower filters that combine KDF, calcium sulfite, and activated carbon filter stages. One of the most effective options is the Santé Ultimate Dual KDF, which removes up to 99.99% of chlorine and also targets chloramines, heavy metals, VOCs, and other contaminants.

Can a shower filter improve hair and skin?

Absolutely. By removing harsh chemicals like chlorine and reducing heavy metals, a shower filter helps your skin and hair retain more moisture and natural oils. Many users report softer hair, fewer skin flare-ups, and less itchiness after installing a water filter for their shower.

Will a shower filter reduce water pressure?

A high-quality shower filter should maintain good flow rates while still filtering effectively. Some cheaper models or older cartridges can cause a drop in water pressure, especially if the filter media becomes clogged. Choosing a model designed with strong flow and replacing filters on schedule can help maintain optimal performance.

Are shower filters certified?

Some brands are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for their ability to reduce chlorine and other contaminants. Look for this certification if third-party verification is important to you. The ProOne ProMax and Culligan WSH-C125 are two examples of NSF-certified options.

What’s the difference between a handheld showerhead and an inline shower filter?

A handheld showerhead with a built-in filter offers flexibility and ease of use, especially for bathing kids or pets. An inline shower filter attaches between your existing shower arm and showerhead, so you can keep your preferred fixture while still improving water quality. Both are effective if they use high-performance filtration media.

For The Bath…

 
I get asked about this often and honestly, I’ve never found a bath filter I love. I think your best bet is to buy a shower filter and use the shower to fill the bath. That said, I know some really want a bath product.
 
This bath ball contains KDF filtering media and will eliminate most of the chlorine, along with other common contaminates. It’s kind of tricky to use. It does have the flow extender which helps keep the water from overflowing the filter. We still can’t run the bath at full force and it drives Teddy insane (he’s usually on bath duty while I clean up dinner). It does take forever to fill the tub, but if you have little babies and don’t fill the tub up much, it may be a good option.

In Conclusion

You guys were awesome about sharing what filters you love! It helped me make sure I looked at all the options out there. If you don’t see your favorite filter listed, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad filter. I just tried to narrow the list down to the best of the best. There were a few flops due to expense, lack of things it filtered, and even super short life span. Who wants to change the filter every 6 weeks?? While I won’t go through every flop, I wanted to share one because so many people mentioned it or asked about it.
The most effective shower filters
While this one gets rave reviews, it has a relatively short lifespan compared to the ones above and would be quite costly to replace as often as is recommended. Also, it says it reduces chlorine but there doesn’t seem to be information listed anywhere on how much it reduces. So although it’s a popular one, it didn’t make the cut here.
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I hope you found this review helpful and can enjoy some healthier showers!
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*Some affiliate links used, which means I make a small commission when you purchase through these links. This doesn’t cost you any extra and helps to keep this site running. All thoughts and opinions are always my own.

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5 Comments

  1. Pingback: Berkey Water Filter Review - Maison Pur

  2. Hi there! Thanks for the article- it was helpful! I am wondering where you purchased the flow extender? Thanks!

  3. Hi Jennifer! The flow extender should come with the bath ball I linked. It came with mine and from all the pictures I see in the reviews, it seems like it came with everyone else’s too. Though you can ask the seller before you purchase if you want to confirm they’re still included. Thanks so much for reading! Molly