If you have a lot of chlorine or other impurities in your home’s water supply, it can make showering a less-than-idyllic experience. Your water may have an unpleasant odor or even cause dry hair and skin, but the good news is that you can solve this issue quickly by installing one of the best filtered shower heads. These fixtures have built-in filtration systems that help remove chlorine, odors, minerals and even heavy metals from your shower, and the best part is that they’re often surprisingly affordable and easy to install. Our top pick is the Brondell VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head, an easy-to-install model with the ability to reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, mercury and copper in your water.
Filtered shower heads have built-in filtration systems that help remove chlorine, odors, minerals … [+] and even heavy metals from your shower.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
“Using a filtered shower head comes with several advantages, such as eliminating impurities and contaminants from the water, and providing a hygienic and healthy shower experience,” explains Jeff Palla, president of home repair and improvement company Mr. Handyman. “This is especially useful for people with sensitive skin or allergies, as it reduces skin irritation and prevents inhaling potentially harmful substances.”
These fixtures come in multiple styles, including both fixed and handheld shower heads, and you can find options with different flow rates to suit your needs. As you shop, keep in mind that most filters can only remove certain impurities—some might target chlorine, while others remove hard water minerals—so you’ll need to select a shower head that’s effective on the specific contaminants in your water.
If you’re ready to start bathing in fresher and cleaner water, these are the best filtered shower heads to install in your bathroom.
The Brondell VivaSpring Filtered Shower Head is a simple fixed model that virtually anyone can install—all you have to do is screw it onto your existing shower arm, and it’s good to go. This rainfall-style shower head has 60 nozzles that create a wide-angle get of water, and it features metal connections for increased durability. It has a flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute (GPM), and it’s WaterSense certified, meaning it will help save water without compromising performance.
While it may look like a standard shower head, the VivaSpring has a replaceable filter built into the fixture. It’s able to reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, mercury and copper in your water, and it also helps to inhibit the growth of algae, fungi, bacteria and scale on shower surfaces. Each filter can treat up to 10,000 gallons of water, and the brand recommends changing the filter every six months.
Pros:
Removes chlorine, lead, mercury and copper from water
Wide angle water spray
Metal connections for durability
WaterSense certified for efficiency
Cons:
Only one spray pattern
Pricey replacement filters
Best Budget Filtered Shower Head
An Inexpensive Handheld Model That Uses Filtration Beads
Amazon
Cobbe Filtered Shower Head
Style: Handheld| Head diameter: 5 inches | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM | Spray patterns: 6| Filter capacity: Not listed
The Cobbe Filtered Shower Head is an affordable pick if you prefer a handheld shower head. The fixture boasts 142 silicone nozzles that create a powerful stream of water, and you can choose from six different spray modes, including pulsing and massage patterns. The fixture’s hose is 60 inches long, and it has a flow rate of 1.8 GPM to help save water.
Unlike other shower heads that have one-piece filters, this unit actually uses filter beads to purify your water. It includes four different types of beads, including activated carbon balls, to remove chlorine and odors, as well as adjust the pH of your water. The replacement beads are inexpensive, but you do have to carefully pour them into the handle of the shower head, which can be tricky.
Pros:
Filter helps remove chlorine and odors
Easy-to-clean silicone nozzles
Replacement filter beads are inexpensive
Cons:
Filter isn’t as easy to replace as other models
Best Splurge Filtered Shower Head
A Sleek Design That Comes In Several Trendy Finishes
Jolie
Jolie Filtered Shower Head
Style: Fixed| Head diameter: 5.3 inches | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM | Spray patterns: 1| Filter capacity: 90 days
The Jolie Filtered Shower Head is a worthwhile purchase if you want a fixture that looks great and effectively removes impurities from your water. The fixed shower head comes in five finishes, including Jet Black, Brushed Gold and Vibrant Red, and its inner filter uses a proprietary blend of KDF-55 and calcium sulfite to remove chlorine, heavy metals and other contaminants from your water. Each filter can be used for around 90 days before needing to be changed, and the brand actually offers a subscription service that will automatically deliver new filters on a recurring schedule.
In addition to its good looks, the Jolie Shower Head exceeds the National Science Foundation’s standards for water treatment and has been tested to ensure it won’t clog or decrease your water pressure. Plus, if for whatever reason you don’t like the fixture, you can return it within 60 days for a full refund, no questions asked.
Pros:
Removes chlorine, heavy metals and other contaminants
Stylish design in several finishes
Doesn’t clog or reduce water pressure
60-day risk-free return period
Cons:
Requires more frequent filter changes
Only one spray pattern
Best Filtered Shower Head For Hard Water
A High-Pressure Fixture To Remove Minerals From Your Shower
The term “hard water” is used to describe water with high levels of calcium, magnesium and other minerals—you can often tell that you have hard water if there’s a lot of build-up on your faucets or shower head. Hard water can also make your skin and hair dry and itchy, which is why the Mist Water Softening Shower Head can come in handy. The fixture uses a 15-stage filtration system to remove chlorine, minerals, fluoride, iron and heavy metals from your water, and the brand claims it may also help reduce dry skin, scalp itching, dandruff and eczema.
This shower head has a high flow rate of 2.5 GPM, and it’s easy to install onto your existing shower arm. Each filter is able to treat 12,000 gallons of water, so you’ll likely need to change the filter every six months or so. The only downside is that it solely comes in a chrome finish, which may not match your other fixtures.
Pros:
Removes removes chlorine, fluoride, iron and heavy metals from water
Provides high water pressure
One filter can last up to six months
Cons:
Only one finish available
Best Filtered Shower Head For Well Water
A Simple Model That Uses Three Types of Filtration Media
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are a number of contaminants commonly found in well water, including heavy metals, fluoride and nitrate. To ensure these impurities don’t make it to your shower, you may want to install a fixture like the Hotel Spa Fixed Rain Shower Head. It has six spray patterns, including a massage option and creates wide-angle coverage for a luxurious feel.
Inside this shower head, there’s a filter that uses three types of media—KDF, calcium sulfite and active carbon—to remove a wide range of impurities. It’s effective for keeping chlorine, heavy metals, minerals and more out of your water, and each filter can last for up to nine months before it needs to be changed.
Pros:
Helps remove chlorine, heavy metals, minerals and other impurities
Several spray patterns available
One filter can last up to nine months
Cons:
Only comes in one finish
Best Filtered Shower Head For Removing Chlorine
A Highly Adjustable Handheld Unit With A Chlorine Filter
Lowe’s
American Standard Spectra Shower Faucet Bar System
Style: Rail system with handheld shower head| Head diameter: 5 inches | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM | Spray patterns: 4| Filter capacity: 5,000 gallons
If chlorine is your primary concern, the American Standard Spectra Shower Bar System is able to remove about 50% of the chemical from your shower thanks to its replaceable activated carbon filter. While it may look complicated, the rail-style handheld shower head can be retrofitted to most existing showers, and the unique design allows you to adjust the height and angle of the spray to perfectly fit your needs.
This shower head offers four different spray patterns, including a soothing massage option, and it’s also WaterSense certified. However, each of its filters can only treat around 5,000 gallons of water, so you’ll need to change the filter every few months for best results.
Pros:
Height-adjustable rail system
Removes 50% of chlorine from water
WaterSense certified for efficiency
Cons:
Requires more frequent filter changes
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Water quality is an important issue for the health of your family, so we spent hours researching common water contaminants and the best filters to remove them from your home. To ensure our research was accurate, we also consulted with two plumbing experts while researching this story. Both experts have experience dealing with bathroom plumbing and were able to speak to the benefits of using a filtered shower head, as well as the latest innovations in at-home water treatment.
How We Chose The Best Filtered Shower Heads
To find the best filtered shower heads for every home, we looked for models that are effective on a variety of common water contaminants—at the very least, they should be able to remove chlorine from your shower water, but we prioritized models that are also effective on heavy metals and minerals. We also looked for filtered shower heads that are easy to install without a professional, making them more accessible to use.
While researching different products, we selected both fixed and handheld models, as well as options with different flow rates, including WaterSense-certified options for those who want to conserve water.
What To Look For In Filtered Shower Heads
Contaminant Removal
It’s important to know what type of contaminants are in your water so you can target them with an appropriate shower filter. If you aren’t sure what’s in your water, it’s a good idea to send a sample out for testing or use an at-home water testing kit to identify any impurities.
From there, you’ll want to select a filtered shower head that can eliminate any unwanted materials in your water supply. “Contaminants that [filtered shower heads] can effectively remove include chlorine, sediment, heavy metals and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs),” explains Palla.
To ensure the filter you’re buying actually does what it claims, it’s a good idea to look for a brand that conducts external testing. “To verify that a product can deliver what it promises, you should look for third-party testing,” recommends Thomas Dougherty, vice president operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. “There are many on the market that have been properly vetted and can prove their claims through unbiased testing, so it’s best to rely on those options.”
Design
There are many types of shower heads available with built-in filters, and you’ll need to decide what style will work best in your home. The two most popular options are fixed shower heads and handheld shower heads, both of which are typically easy for anyone to install. Handheld shower heads take up more space in your shower, but they can be detached from the mount, giving you a wider range of motion while bathing.
You may also want to look for a fixture that offers multiple spray patterns. Many of these shower heads even have a massage setting, which can help soothe sore muscles on your neck and back.
Filter Capacity And Replacement
Most filtered shower heads tell you how often their filters need to be replaced—the average is every 10,000 gallons or roughly every six months. However, this frequency will vary depending on your use habits. “A household with six members will need to replace their filter more quickly than a household of two,” explains Dougherty. “Additionally, if the water quality in your area is poor, the filter will need to be replaced more frequently than the filter suggests.”
As you shop, you’ll also want to consider how much replacement filters cost. If filters are $30 each and you have to replace them every few months, the expense will add up quickly, so be sure you’re willing to invest in the necessary upkeep before you buy.
Do Filtered Shower Heads Work For Hard Water?
Hard water has high levels of calcium and magnesium, as well as other minerals. Over time, it can cause build-up of soap scum around faucets and sh
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