Most of us jump in the shower without giving it much thought. Lather, rinse, repeat. But what’s in that water you’re being sprayed with, and what effect is it having on your skin and hair? Tap water contains a laundry list of chemicals and minerals, some of which may be detrimental. Chlorine is the most common concern, which can dry out your skin and hair and possibly even aggravate asthma.
Fortunately, it can be removed with filters, which claim to solve all of these problems and sometimes more. One calls itself an “essential beauty wellness tool”; another is “step zero of your self-care routine”. When I began researching, the claims of beautification were so varied and extreme that I half expected to begin as a middle-aged man with thinning hair and end up as Jacob Elordi. No such luck.
What most of them can do well is reduce chlorine. Some filters also claim to turn hard water into soft water. I’ve chosen one that works – with caveats.
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At a glance
Best overall:
Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead
Best budget:
AquaBliss Multi-Stage Shower Filter SF220
Best looking:
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Best body coverage:
Afina Filtered Showerhead
Best long-term performance:
Weddell Duo
All prices current at time of publication.
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Other filtered showerheads we tested
If you love variable spray settings:
Kohler Aquifer
If you have really hard water:
ShowerStick Shower Water Softener
If you’re lazy about replacing filters:
Aquasana Shower Filter with Handheld Wand
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Why you should trust me
I have been writing about consumer products for more than two decades and have written product testing reports – including showerheads – for a wide variety of newspapers and magazines. I have also spent years attending industry shows about products for the home to stay up to date on the latest products.
How I tested
I showered. A lot. Sometimes several times a day. I tested eight models at home and looked for:
Chlorine reduction: I measured my baseline chlorine using a Total Chlorine Colorimeter, as well as the levels after installing a filter. (For reference, my base levels were 0.55 ppm – which is considered a normal amount.)
Flow rate: Both before and after installing a filter. (My base flow rate was 6.7 gallons per minute [gpm].)
Ease of installation: All were relatively easy to install.
General observations: Did the spray cover my whole body? Were the spray settings adequate? I also conducted a somewhat unscientific experiment whereby I lathered up my body and hair with soap and shampoo, then counted how long it took for me to feel rinsed off.
To learn more about how shower filters work and what you can reasonably expect them to do, scroll to the bottom.
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Best overall:
Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead
$105 at Sephora $150 at Canopy Why we love it
Overall, the Canopy delivered the best showering experience. It has a handheld spray wand and a flexible hose that doesn’t kink up. I liked that the setup raised the head several inches above the feed pipe, handy for someone like me who is 5 ft 11in. Although it didn’t have the largest head or the highest gallons per minute, it delivered a robust spray with an effective soaking feeling – and was very effective in the soap/shampoo rinse test. The 67in-long hose makes it easy to target any area of your body.
The Canopy was one of the few filters that made my skin feel different: it seemed less dry and smoother. It comes in four finishes – polished chrome, matte black, brushed nickel and brass – so you have options in terms of matching existing hardware. An optional aromatherapy kit consists of a felt pad to which you apply scented oils (“Relaxation” came with mine) and hang from the shower pipe. Pleasant, but not necessarily something I would want all the time.
It’s a shame that ... the scalp massage attachment requires you to remove the front plate of the shower head and swap in a new one. This is awkward in general, moreso in the middle of a shower.
Filtration type(s): Granular activated carbon, KDF-55, and calcium sulfite
Flow rate: Just over 1.5 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0.0 ppm
Filter replacements: Recommended to change every three months. There is a subscription program for $27 every 90 days.
Third-party testing: Says it was tested to ANSI/NSF-177 standards but provides no documentation.
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Best budget:
AquaBliss Multi-Stage Shower Filter SF220
$35.99 at Amazon $35.99 at AquaBliss Why we love it
This one packs a lot into an affordable package. It attaches between the wall pipe and your own showerhead, meaning if you’re really attached to your existing shower head, you can keep it and still benefit from the filtration. Although it is made of plastic, it felt solid. Despite a battery of filtration materials inside, it didn’t impede the water flow much.
Some of these are designed to trap sediment, so if you know your shower water contains it, this can be a benefit. (You will know you have sediment if your device frequently clogs and the flow slows, and if you notice discoloration on the shower curtain or door.) Ditto water scale, the minerals that build up and clog the openings the water comes through.
It’s a shame that ... these intermediary filters drop the shower head down, in this case about 4.5in, making it borderline too low for me.
Filtration type(s): Sand filter (blocks large sediments), steel mesh (medium sediments), calcium sulfite, redox media (controls scale and chlorine), activated carbon, and a couple of cotton filters to trap smaller sediments.
Flow rate: 6.09 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0.0 ppm
Filter replacements: Replacement filters: $17.99, and it’s recommended to change them every six months.
Third-party testing: States “rigorous third-party testing” but doesn’t supply source.
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Best for its looks:
Jolie Filtered Showerhead
$151.54 at Amazon $169 at Jolie Why we love it
If you’re looking to incorporate a filter but prioritize aesthetics, this model is the most “regular” looking, with the filter housed in a sleek tube. It comes in five finishes:brushed steel, chrome, black, gold and red. In addition to its good looks, it produced decent spray with fairly wide coverage. The water felt gentler than some of the other filters, which was pleasant for general washing.
It’s a shame that ... it wasn’t as effective as some others in the soap/shampoo test, and I found myself rinsing for a long time to make sure I was shampoo free.
Filtration type(s): KDF-55 and calcium sulfite
Flow rate: Just over 1.6 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0.0 ppm
Replacement filters: A subscription of $35 every 90 days. A one-time purchase is $38.
Third-party testing: They claim yes but offer no documentation.
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Best body coverage:
Afina Filtered Showerhead
$129 at Amazon $159 at Afina Why we love it
With the second widest face of all the models tested (7”), the Afina provided a wide, invigorating spray that was on the pleasantly needle-y side. As a result, it performed very well in the soap/shampoo test, and was the fastest to get the job done overall. It has a nice-looking housing that comes in three finishes: chrome, nickel and black. While I don’t think it’s as sleek as the Jolie, it’s still well-designed. I also found the water to be noticeably softer feeling, and my skin wasn’t as dry as it normally is when I was using it.
It’s a shame that ... it doesn’t have third-party testing.
Filtration type(s): KDF-55, activated carbon, calcium sulfate, and vitamin C.
Flow rate: 2.5 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0.0 ppm
Filter replacements: $29 every 60 days with a subscription; $40 for a single filter.
Third-party testing: None specific to this filter.
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The best of the rest
Best for sediment and forever chemicals:
Weddell Duo
$89.99 at Amazon $89.99 at Weddell Water Why we love it
Another of the inline systems that goes between the water pipe and your preferred shower head, the Weddell Duo has two large filters, one that traps sediment and another that reduces chlorine and other nasty chemicals. It’s available in three colors: white, black and pink. It’s the only one that lets you see the filter, which is satisfying if scary. The sediment filter turned brownish after only a few days of showering.
It claims to to remove 99% of Pfas (forever chemicals) as well as significant concentrations of chlorine and particulates, and shares testing demonstrating this. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests that risks from Pfas in shower water are low, but if you like the thought of having them removed, this is for you. I found my sometimes itchy scalp itching less while using the filter.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it is quite large and protrudes a couple of inches in either direction, which might be visually unpleasant to some.
Filtration type(s): a sediment-capturing pre-filter and an activated carbon filter
Flow rate: 4.1 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0.0 ppm
Filter replacements: $29.99 for each pair; $49.99 for a set of two pairs; $59.99 for three sediment filters and one charcoal filter. Claims 8,000 gallons (30,000 liters) of use for filters.
Third-party testing: Lots. It is the most tested and transparent of all the models here. From the manufacturer: “Weddell Duo is the only shower filter on the market to be NSF certified, verified by IAPMO Lab to reduce PFAS, and clinically tested to improve skin hydration and scalp.” (The NSF is the National Sanitation Foundation, an independent testing facility established in 1944. IAPMO is the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the organization that helps develop plumbing codes, which also runs an independent lab.
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If you love variable spray settings:
Kohler Aquifer
$70.58 at Kohler $83.91 at Home Depot Not many of these shower heads offer spray settings, but this one had three. The switches are made with an easy-to-operate lever that can be employed even with shampoo in your eyes. The three sprays are called full coverage, silk and Powerzone. Silk, in which the water came out of only the perimeter of the head, was good for rinsing (slightly more pressure than the “full”). The Powerzone was a round, firm blast from the middle. Of the three, I found myself using the full coverage the least as it felt less effective than the others.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it didn’t pass the chlorine removal test. My water still contained measurable chlorine. This could be because KDF-55 filters don’t do a good job on chloramines, a form of chlorine used in some water systems.
Filtration type(s): KDF-55
Flow rate: 1.875 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 50 ppm (I did the test three times on different days.)
Filter replacements: Recommended filter cartridge replacement every six months. $75 for a two-pack at Kohler.
Third-party testing: None listed.
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If you have really hard water:
ShowerStick Shower Water Softener
$260 at WaterSticks Most shower filters cannot actually “soften” water (see our FAQ below to understand why). WaterSticks provides a localized water-softening system that installs within your existing shower, and it’s a renter-friendly alternative to whole-house systems.
Water in New York is not particularly hard, so we asked Guardian writer Stephen Starr, who copes with extremely hard water in Dayton, Ohio, to test the WaterSticks. Using the SafeHome tap water test kit, we measured water hardness before installation, immediately afterwards, and after two weeks of use. Without WaterSticks, his water hardness was a remarkable 445 ppm (hard water is anything over 180 ppm). Using WaterSticks, dropped to 0 ppm. He said the water that came out “almost feels softer”.
It didn’t make the final cut because ... the frequent manual regeneration is not difficult, but might become tedious. In order to “regenerate” the filter, you have to periodically add a cup of table salt. Also, it is not designed to reduce chlorine.
Filtration type(s): Softening resin.
Flow rate: N/A
Total chlorine after filtration: N/A
Filter replacements: With proper maintenance and chlorine reduction, it should last 10 years.
Third-party testing: Not provided.
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If you’re lazy about replacing filters:
Aquasana Shower Filter with Handheld Wand
$97.99 at Walmart $84.99 at Aquasana With the longest effective volume listed (10,000 gallons), this model would give you the most time between filter changes – handy if you’re someone who is challenged in the home maintenance department. The shower head itself has a dial that adjusts the spray between a more concentrated and needle-y one to a wider, softer one.)
It didn’t make the final cut because … the hose is awkward. It gets twisted and can be hard to maneuver. The spray settings are more difficult than the Kohler to operate, especially if you have soapy hands or soap in your eyes.
Filtration type(s): Coconut shell carbon and KDF
Flow rate: 1.5 gpm
Total chlorine after filtration: 0 ppm
Filter replacements: Every 10,000 gallons. $59.99 for single filter. $50.99 with subscription that includes free shipping, no-contract auto-ship program, every six months and extended product warranty.
Third-party testing: Yes, the documentation lists that it was tested to NSF/ANSI Standard 177 at Pace Analytical Labs.
What other filters did the Guardian test?
Kohler Cinq
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What you need to know about shower filters
What are the different kinds of shower filters?
KDF-55: Uses copper and zinc alloys to reduce contaminants. It removes chlorine, various metals, and some chemicals. It is more effective at removing chlorine than chloramines. The two comprise the majority of water treatment methods nationwide.
Activated carbon: Removes a long list of contaminants from water through adsorption. This includes chlorine but also odors. It is less effective at removing chlorine in hot water than KDF-55.
Calcium sulfite: Another chlorine zapper.
Others: Various physical filters (for sediment) and vitamin C (another chlorine reducer).
Can shower filters really improve your hair and skin?
Yes, to a degree. “Chlorine can lead to dryness and irritation of both the skin and hair, stripping essential oils,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. He says that while the effects on skin from chlorine are temporary, brittleness of the hair from chlorine can be long lasting. “Brittleness caused by damage to the hair shaft is a permanent change. Hair is made of a dead material called keratin. While there are some products on the market that can help fill in damages and repair cracks, they cannot undo the structural changes that have occurred. All you can do is wait for healthy, new hair to grow in and eventually cut off the damaged strands.”
About third-party testing
Many filters claim they have been tested to various standards in terms of chlorine and mineral reduction, but do not indicate who did the testing nor do they provide documentation. A lot of the “results” reported are also anecdotal, such as quotes from anonymous users. Only two models in these tests – the Weddell Duo and the Aquasana – provide their sources and the stats. They both used ANSI/NSF-177, which verifies chlorine reduction.
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Can shower filters really treat hard water?
Many of the filters claim that they can soften water. But the expert I consulted says this isn’t a reality. “Hard” water has high levels of calcium and magnesium, sometimes over 180 ppm. These minerals cause scale buildup and reduce soap effectiveness, among other things. Soft water, by contrast, has less than 20 ppm. Water can be softened if it passes through softening resin, “which absorbs the calcium and magnesium,” said Dr Eric Roy, head of science at Culligan International, which produces water filtration and softening systems. “A good way to visualize the resin is to think of it like sand that attracts hard minerals. The hard minerals cling to the softening resin, allowing only soft water to pass through the filtration system for the end user,” he said.
While shower filters are capable of lessening levels of certain minerals, most can’t perform a reduction from hard to soft. “Shower filters do not meaningfully soften water primarily because of their small size,” Roy said. “Small filters, like those in shower filters, cannot hold enough softening resin to remove the minerals found in the amount of water typically used during a shower. Shower filters are designed to filter chlorine from water, and well-made ones do so effectively.”
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Stephen Treffinger is a Brooklyn-based journalist and editor covering design, architecture, tech and travel. He has road-tested consumer products since 2005. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Architectural Digest and many other outlets. A world traveler who has visited more than 45 countries and attended design shows in at least seven, he has seen enough stuff to appreciate what is essential and what is merely hype.
