The Best Shower Filters, According to Testing and Research
The devices remove minerals that cause hard water, plus other impurities that can take a toll on hair and skin.
By: Dan Diclerio | Updated July 20 2025
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If your home has hard water, it’s not just your hair that pays the price. Mineral buildup from hard water can clog pipes, wear down appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, and shorten the lifespan of your plumbing system. While whole-house water softeners offer a comprehensive fix, they often come with steep installation costs and require ongoing professional maintenance.
That’s where shower filters come in. These compact devices offer a targeted, affordable solution by filtering only the water coming from your showerhead — much like how under-sink systems focus solely on drinking water. By removing minerals like calcium and magnesium, shower filters help restore your water’s ability to properly lather soap and shampoo, while leaving your skin and scalp less dry and irritated.
Many models also reduce chlorine, a chemical commonly used to disinfect municipal water supplies. “Excess chlorine can strip the skin of its natural oils and trigger irritation or eczema in sensitive individuals,” explains Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital.
To help you find the right fit for your bathroom, our team tested over a dozen shower filters, evaluating their performance across different price points, shower setups, and filtration capabilities.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Excellent chlorine filtration
- Easy to install
- Great Price
Cons
- Only available in 2 colors
If you’re serious about better skin, healthier hair, and cleaner showers — Hydreya is the no-brainer.
While most filtered showerheads compromise on either design, filtration power, or water pressure, Hydreya delivers on all three — without the $100+ price tag. Its lab-tested multi-stage filter removes chlorine, heavy metals, and other skin-damaging contaminants. Unlike bulky competitors, the sleek, minimal design fits effortlessly into any bathroom setup and maintains strong, consistent pressure.
Hydreya is also refreshingly easy to install — no tools, no plumbers, just a quick twist. And because it uses a long-lasting, American-made KDF-55 + calcium sulfite filter, you get superior protection without frequent replacements.
Whether you're dealing with dry skin, hair breakage, or just want peace of mind knowing your water’s cleaner — Hydreya outperforms other brands at half the cost.
Cleaner water, visible results — every single shower.
| Filter capacity | Dimensions | Flow rate | Filter replacement annual cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydreya | All-in-one | Brand recommends replacing every 3 months. | 2.4 gpm | $40 |
Pros
- Excellent price
- Compact housing that can be even more concealed with upgrade to premium model
Cons
- Not officially certified for lead removal
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.
During extensive Lab evaluations, the filter proved easy to install in our test shower chamber. It's available in the Standard version (shown), in which the in-line filter is clearly visible, and a Premier version, with a curved attachment that helps conceal the filter behind the main showerhead.
If you're looking for an even more polished look, Delta sells a bundled product that includes the Clarifi filter and a showerhead with a matching design and finish.
One caveat: Delta told our experts that the Clarifi has been independently tested to exceed NSF/ANSI 177 for chlorine removal, but it is still awaiting official certification. We will update this report when the product is certified.
| Filter capacity | Dimensions | Flow rate | Filter replacement annual cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | In-line | 10,000 gallons | 2.5 gpm | $80 |
Pros
- Won't reduce your showerhead's water pressure
- Easy to install
Cons
- Plastic housing is not as design-friendly as some other shower filters
Just like showerheads themselves, shower filters are rated by flow rate, which tells you how much water pressure they can withstand, measured in gallons per minute (gpm). The Duo shower filter's flow rate of 2.8 gpm is the highest of any tested model, making it a good fit for users who like a strong spray, say to rinse shampoo and conditioner from their thick head of hair. 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.
Our engineers were able to install the Duo in minutes in our test chamber. It'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. But if you can live with the design, the filter should deliver solid performance. It 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. If PFAs are present in your home's water, it's most important to remove them from the main tap where you get your drinking water. But it's a good idea to catch them at the showerhead, too.
| Filter capacity | Dimensions | Flow rate | Filter replacement annual cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | In-line | 8,000 gallons | 2.8 gpm | $180 |
Pros
- Sleek design and finishes
- Optional flow rates
Cons
- Higher upfront cost
Winner of a 2025 Good Housekeeping Home Reno Award, Kohler's Cinq showerhead was a hit with our test engineers and expert testers alike. The all-in-one filter is available in several handsome finishes, including matte black (shown), polished chrome, brass and brushed nickel. The sleek design earned universal praise. As one of our style experts put it: “Most shower filters are big and clunky. 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.”
Of course, performance is what matters most, and on that note the Cinq was equally impressive, posting perfect scores with our panel of testers for its superb water pressure, solid construction and quick installation. “The whole hookup process took under 10 minutes,” one reported. The five-filter design also delivered on its promise of removing chlorine and heavy metals. “I deal with dry skin on my scalp and face, and using the filtered showerhead for a few weeks made a huge difference,” said one tester. It's available in a 2.5 gpm flow rate, for maximum pressure, and a 1.75 gpm flow rate, for users who want to maintain optimal water efficiency.
| Filter capacity | Dimensions | Flow rate | Filter replacement annual cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | 10,000 gallons | 5.5" x 5.5" x 5" | 1.75 or 2.5 gpm | $80 |
How we test shower filters
Our market analysts 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. Our editors also saw the trend picking up steam on social media.
For this report, we researched and identified the top-selling shower filters that you’re most likely to find at home centers and online. Then, drawing on two decades of combined experience testing water filters, our experts focused on about a dozen brands with a proven track record for performance and reliability.
Thhe Winner 🏆
When it comes to shower filters, not all are created equal. While many models promise cleaner water and healthier skin, Hydreya delivers — without the inflated price tag. With its sleek design, powerful chlorine filtration, and easy installation, Hydreya proves that you don’t need to overspend to get premium results. It’s lab-tested, trusted by thousands, and built to elevate your daily shower into a wellness ritual.
If you're looking for a smarter, more affordable upgrade for your bathroom, Hydreya is the clear winner.