6 Best Shower Filters for Hair and Skin Health, Tested by Home Experts
The devices remove minerals that cause hard water, plus other impurities that can take a toll on your body.
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Hard water does more than ruin a good hair day. The minerals that make water "hard" can also damage plumbing, water heaters, and appliances over time.
A whole-house water softener tackles hard water at the source, but it can cost thousands of dollars and require ongoing professional maintenance. That’s why experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab recommend shower filters as a practical starting point for many households. Like an under-sink filter for the kitchen tap, a shower filter treats water right where you use it—without the cost and complexity of a whole-house system.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Weddell Duo Shower Filter
- Best value: Delta Clarifi Standard Shower Filter
- Best for hard water: Jolie Filtered Showerhead
After hours of hands-on testing, we identified these top-performing shower filters. They work by reducing minerals like magnesium and calcium, which prevent soap and shampoo from lathering properly. Most also cut down on chlorine, which is known to be drying and can lead to a skin rash called contact dermatitis (a type of eczema), says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research at the Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Dermatology.
Best Deal
Pros
- Won't reduce your showerhead's water pressure
- Easy to install
- Removes PFAS
Cons
- Plastic housing is not as design-friendly as some other shower filters
WHY WE LOVE IT: The downside to any water filter, whether at your showerhead or kitchen faucet, is that it can take away water pressure—not ideal when you have a head full of shampoo suds. That's what stood out to our experts about the Duo shower filter from Weddell. Its flow rate of 2.8 gallons per minute is the highest of any tested model, making it a good fit for users with thick hair who need a strong spray to rinse away shampoo and conditioner.
To be clear, the Weddell will not improve your showerhead's water pressure, but it won't make it worse, which could happen if you choose a filter with a lower flow rate than that of your showerhead.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Our engineers had the Duo installed in minutes in our test shower chamber, after which it delivered a steady, high-powered stream through weeks of evaluations. Consumer testers reported similar experiences. “I could feel a difference right away,” one tester told us. “My soap lathered much better, and my skin felt softer right away.”
Weddell says the Duo filter is even third-party tested to remove PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, because they don’t break down in the environment or in our bodies.
The only complaints from testers had to do with appearance. The Duo's long, cylindrical design is among the more conspicuous, and the plastic housing means no matching the filter to your showerhead and other fixtures in the bathroom. "The horizontal shape doesn't look great against my round showerhead," one tester observed. But if you can live with the design, the Duo filter offers a great combination of price and performance.
| Filter type | In-line |
| Filter capacity | 8,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 8.66" x 2.44" x 3.74" |
| Flow rate | 2.8 gpm |
| Filter annual replacement cost | $180 |
Pros
- Excellent price
- Easy to install and replace filters
Cons
- Looks bulky on the shower arm
WHY WE LOVE IT: Delta is a trusted brand with our test engineers, having secured top spots in roundups of our favorite traditional showerheads, rain showerheads, kitchen faucets, and more. The Clarifi, the brand's first-ever shower filter, lives up to the same high standard, especially given its competitive price.
HOW IT PERFORMED: In Lab evaluations, the filter was easy to install and maintained a strong spray. Consumer testers also found the filter simple to replace; Delta recommends changing it every six months, depending on shower frequency and duration.
One drawback: The Delta is bulkier than some other filters we tested.
| Filter type | In-line |
| Filter capacity | 10,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 4.19" x 3.06" x 5" |
| Flow rate | 2.5 gpm |
| Filter annual replacement cost | $80 |
Pros
- Sleek design
- Excellent filtration
- Easy to install
Cons
- Steep cost of showerhead and replacement filters
WHY WE LOVE IT: Our first two picks have been in-line shower filters, meaning they work with your existing showerhead. The Jolie is an example of an all-in-one showerhead with a built-in filter that replaces your existing showerhead. Since its 2021 launch, Jolie has generated a ton of buzz on social media, and our Lab and in-home consumer testing confirm it lives up to the hype.
HOW IT PERFORMED: The Jolie stood out in our tests for its sleek design and user-friendliness. “It was such an easy install, especially considering I’ve never replaced a showerhead before,” said a former GH editor who tested the Jolie in her New York City apartment over the course of several months.
Jolie’s filter uses a proprietary blend of KDF-55, a copper-zinc alloy granule, and calcium sulfate, which the brand says outperforms typical carbon-based filters at capturing contaminants, including chlorine and heavy metals. The brand also says it "far exceeds" the NSF/ANSI 177 certification for chlorine removal. We could not verify those claims, but in home tests, we noticed less dark soap scum congregating along the sides of the tub after two weeks, and our consumer tester reported cleaner skin and silkier hair.
On the downside, the filter must be replaced every three months—more often than the six months typical of competitors—and with its upfront cost, Jolie is one of the priciest options in this report.
| Filter type | All-in-one |
| Filter capacity | N/A (brand recommends replacing every 3 months) |
| Dimensions | 8" x 8" x 5" |
| Flow rate | N/A |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $144 |
Pros
- Excellent filtration
- Multi-spray settings
- Quality construction
Cons
- Cost of filters can add up
WHY WE LOVE IT: Aquasana does one thing, and it does it well—making filters that get the job done. A 25-year leader in the water filtration category, the brand has long impressed our experts, and we found that again with the Deluxe Shower System. It’s not going to win any design awards, but the no-nonsense filter strikes the right balance between performance, value, and reliability.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Like other filters in this roundup, the Aquasana is certified to the NSF/ANSI 177 standard, so it's designed to remove virtually all chlorine from your home’s water. During Lab tests, the all-in-one filter and showerhead combined superb filtration with a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute. Our experts also liked that the adjustable showerhead offers multiple settings, from gentle to pulsing.
With a claimed filter life of 10,000 gallons, you'll only need to change the filter a couple of times a year. Each filter is about $70, so the cost does add up.
| Filter type | In-line |
| Filter capacity | 10,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 7.25" x 3.2" |
| Flow rate | 1.75 gpm |
| Cost | $70 per filter |
Pros
- Sleek design and finishes
- Optional flow rates
- Quick installation
Cons
- No multi-spray settings
WHY WE LOVE IT: The Kohler Cinq is another all-in-one filter that took home a recent Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award on the strength of its streamlined design and superb performance. It comes in several attractive finishes, including matte black, polished chrome, brass, and brushed nickel. "Most shower filters are big and clunky," said one consumer tester. "The Cinq is the perfect size—not too big, not too small—with a nice finish and clean lines that add to its sleek look.”
The Cinq is available in a 2.5-gallon-per-minute flow rate, for maximum pressure, and a 1.75-gallon-per-minute flow rate, for users who want to maintain optimal water efficiency.
HOW IT PERFORMED: The Cinq's filtering performance was just as strong. Lab experts and consumer testers gave perfect scores for water pressure, construction, and quick installation. “The whole hookup process took under 10 minutes,” one tester noted. Its five-filter system effectively removes chlorine and heavy metals, according to the brand. “I deal with dry skin on my scalp and face, and using the filtered showerhead for a few weeks made a huge difference,” said another tester.
The only complaint from consumer testers about the Cinq is its lack of multi-spray options. “You can’t change the stream at all,” explained one tester. “You just install it and turn it on, and you get what you get. That’s fine by me, but may not be the best for someone looking for a little something special in the showerhead.”
| Filter type | All-in-one |
| Filter capacity | 10,000 gallons |
| Dimensions | 5.5" x 5.5" x 5" |
| Flow rate | 1.75 or 2.5 gpm |
| Filter annual replacement cost | $80 |
Pros
- Doubles as a spout cover
- Has a built-in temperature indicator
- Comes in five colors
Cons
- Only filters the tub water
WHY WE LOVE IT: Canopy’s new baby bathtub filter, a recent Parenting Award winner, brings the benefits of shower filtration to your tub, reducing chlorine and other contaminants that can dry or irritate skin. The soft silicone filter also doubles as a spout cover, includes a temperature indicator, and comes in five colors, making it both functional and stylish.
HOW IT PERFORMED: Our Lab experts and consumer testers found the Canopy to be easy to set up and effective. “I use a shower filter, and I’ve seen huge improvements with my hair, so I was super excited to start using this bathtub filter when cleaning my baby,” said one tester. “It does the job, and the water appears less yellow.”
The only drawback? You'll still need a separate filter to address the water coming from your showerhead. But, overall, our analysts think this is a great option for households—especially those with kids—where the bath gets used regularly.
Features at a Glance
| Filter type | In-line |
| Filter capacity | N/A (brand recommends replacing every three months) |
| Dimensions | 3" x 7" x 7" |
| Flow rate | N/A |
| Filter replacement annual cost | $108 |
How we test shower filters
Our experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab stay on top of bathroom trends by attending trade shows and industry events, including the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. That’s how we first spotted the uptick in consumer interest around shower filters starting a few years back.
For this guide, we researched top-selling shower filters available at major retailers and online. Drawing on more than two decades of combined experience testing water filters and showerheads, our experts selected about a dozen brands with established reputations for performance and reliability for closer evaluation.
Hands-on testing took place in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, as well as in consumer testers’ homes, giving us a combination of controlled Lab results and user feedback based on performance in real-world conditions.
The filter industry is closely regulated, so we reviewed standards and third-party certifications set by NSF to determine which impurities the filters can capture.
After reviewing the user manuals, our engineers then installed the filters in our shower test chamber, assessed ease of setup, and ran the shower over an extended period to observe any changes in water pressure.
What to look for when shopping for the best shower filter
✔️ Certifications: First and foremost, check the certifications to determine which contaminants the filter can remove, based on third-party testing and standards established by NSF, the organization that develops public health standards and certification programs for the filtration industry. The two most relevant standards are:
- NSF/ANSI 177: verifying the reduction of chlorine
- NSF/ANSI 372: verifying low lead content in product materials
The certification, which should be clearly listed on the product packaging and website, “also ensures that the product does not leach contaminants that would be harmful to your health and also ensures its structural integrity under household pressure,” says Stefan Buck, senior manager of the Global Filtration Division at NSF.
From there, the decision comes down to the installation method. There are two basic types to consider:
✔️ In-line shower filter: This type of filter sits between your current showerhead and the main shower arm that connects to your home’s plumbing. Installation and filter replacement can be a bit more complicated, since you have to make a new connection in two places (at the arm and the showerhead). But in-line filters allow you to keep your showerhead—both a cost savings and an aesthetic win.
✔️ All-in-one shower filter: With this type, you replace your existing showerhead with a new showerhead that's designed with a built-in filter. It’s an easy swap, but might not be worth it if you love the look and performance of your current showerhead.
Is a shower filter really worth it?
If you’re concerned about what’s in your water and how it might affect your hair or skin, a shower filter can be a simple, low-cost upgrade worth trying. Ideally, if your home has hard water, the best approach is to treat it at the source, since it can cause other issues throughout the house. But we know that’s expensive—and often not an option for renters—so a filter is a simpler way to protect your skin and hair in the meantime.
How often should shower filters be replaced?
Most brands recommend replacing shower filters every six months, since tracking by gallons—typically around 10,000—can be tricky. According to a study by the Water Research Foundation, the average person uses about 17 gallons per shower, which adds up to roughly 68 gallons per day for a four-person household, or about 12,240 gallons over six months. Not everyone showers daily, so 10,000 gallons is a safe benchmark. Water quality also affects filter life. Very hard water can cause scale buildup that clogs filters faster, meaning you may need to replace them sooner.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
In his role as director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings 25 years of experience to the Good Housekeeping Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House. He also oversees the testing of all types of point-of-use water filters, including those used for shower and kitchen faucets.
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