The Best Whole-House Water Filters of 2024

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Improve the taste and smell of your water by removing common contaminants directly at the inlet valve with a whole-house water filter.

Well and city water can contain a range of contaminants. Though there are several water filter options to treat incoming water, it may be better to use a whole-house water filtration system for clear, filtered water as soon as it enters the home plumbing system.

Whole-house water filters are common in areas with hard water but can be used to improve the quality of water in other locations, too. As a plumbing project manager, I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of whole-house water filters, including GE, Aquasana, and Aqua Pure models, often needing to re-install the filtration system after making room for a main shut-off valve or water meter. I researched more than 25 whole-house systems, drawing on my personal experience in the plumbing industry, to come up with this list of the best whole-house water filters. I weighed the type, flow rate, installation difficulty, filtration capabilities, and NSF or ANSI certification to find the top products available.

The best whole-house water filter can come in 1-stage, 2-stage, or 3-stage options, with whole-house water filtration capabilities increasing with each added stage. These house water filter systems can also incorporate water softeners to reduce hard metals and improve overall water quality. Keep in mind the key considerations detailed in the following sections, and check out some of the top products on the market.

1. BEST OVERALL: Express Water Heavy Metal Whole-House Water Filter
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: GE GXWH04F Water System
3. BEST FILTER/SOFTENER COMBO: Aquasana EQ-1000-AST-UV Whole-House Filter
4. BEST 1-STAGE FILTER: 3M Aqua-Pure Whole-House Sanitary Quick Change
5. BEST 2-STAGE FILTER: iFilters Whole-House 2-Stage Sediment
6. BEST 3-STAGE FILTER: iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole-House Water Filtration
7. BEST FOR CITY WATER: iSpring WGB21B 2-Stage Whole-House Water Filtration
8. BEST FOR WELL WATER: Aquasana Whole-House Well Water Filter System
9. BEST 1-INCH INLET: Culligan WH-HD200-C Heavy Duty Filter Housing

How We Chose the Best Whole-House Water Filters 

A whole-house filtration system provides enhanced water quality for better tasting and smelling drinking water, and prevents harmful minerals and toxins from polluting your cleaning and drinking water supply. Selections for the best options available depended upon the type, flow rate, filtration, compatibility with household water systems, the longevity of the filter’s cartridges, and ease of installation.

As the type of water filter greatly influences the level of filtration included, the above list has prioritized 1-stage, 2-stage, and 3-stage options for different levels of filtration and personal preference. With these types in mind, many of the above models come with varying flow rates of 3 to 20 GPM depending upon an individual home’s water consumption. The above water and sediment filters also vary between 1-inch and ¾-inch inlets or connections to be compatible with your home’s current water system.

Cartridges are also key in whole-house water filtration systems, which is why most last anywhere between 3 months and 1 year depending upon water consumption and filtration type. Finally, each of the above water filtration systems is easy or moderately difficult to install. But, most come with informational guides and kits which should make the process easier.

Our Top Picks

These products are considered among the best whole-house water filters on the market. The top whole-house water filtration system options were chosen based on important product information and the most sought-after features, with significant attention given to product efficacy and overall value.

Best Overall

Express Water Heavy Metal Whole-House Water Filter

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The best type of cartridge filter available is usually a 3-stage whole-house water filter because they can be equipped with three different filter cartridges, allowing this whole-house filtration system to remove a wide range of contaminants. The Express Water whole-house water filter comes with three filter cartridges that last for 6 months to a year before needing to be replaced.

This whole-house filter has a 15 GPM flow rate and 1-inch connections, so users need to make sure their incoming pipes are 1 inch in diameter. The first stage of the whole-house water filtration process removes sediment, sand, rust, and dirt down to a size of 5 microns.

The second stage of this house water filtration system captures iron, lead, chloramine, algae, viruses, chlorine, and other heavy metals and microorganisms. The final stage captures filtration media like chlorine, pesticides, pharmaceutical runoff, and other chemicals, improving the taste of the drinking water.

Product Specs 

• Type: 3-stage filtration
• Flow rate: 15 GPM
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Filter cartridges can last about 6 months and up to 1 year
• Removes 5 micron-sized filtration medialike sediment, sand, rust, and dirt
• Easy-to-change filters with twist-off cartridges
• Solid freestanding stainless steel frame included

Cons

• Total dissolved solids are not filtered
• The current pipes must be 1-inch in diameter to be compatible with this filtration system

Get the Express Water whole-house water filter at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.

Best Bang for the Buck

GE GXWH04F Water System

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This well-priced General Electric whole-house water filter is made to be used with GE whole-home system filter cartridges, which have a range of filtration capabilities to remove dirt, silt, sand, rust, and other filtration media from the incoming water supply. Each whole-house filter cartridge lasts for up to 3 months, improving the quality, odor, and taste of the home’s drinking water.

This whole-house water filter has a maximum flow rate of 12 GPM, though it works best at a water flow rate of 4 GPM. The inlet connections for this house filter are 3/4-inch diameter, and this water filter also comes with a mounting bracket to make installation easier. A reminder light on the water filter indicates when to change the filter cartridge, so users don’t need to estimate.

Product Specs 

• Type: 1-stage filtration
• Flow rate: 4 to 12 GPM
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Filters dirt, silt, sand, rust, and other sediments to improve the taste and quality of drinking water
• Reminder light indicates when it’s time to change sediment filters
• Uses a standard ¾-inch inlet connections
• Mounting bracket included for easier installation

Cons

• Some users have reported manufacturing defects in this house water filtration system
• Water filter cartridges only last 3 months

Get the GE whole-house water filter at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Filter/Softener Combo

Aquasana EQ-1000-AST-UV Whole-House Filter

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The Aquasana whole-house water filtration system features carbon and kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) filtration cartridges that last up to 3 months, capturing filtration media like iron, lead, chloramine, chlorine, pharmaceuticals, and a variety of other contaminants.

It also has a UV purifier that kills viruses, bacteria, and 99.9 percent of other microorganisms. After filtration and purification, the drinking water passes through the salt-free softener. It coats any heavy metal minerals that passed through the filters, preventing them from sticking to the pipes, faucets, and hot water tank, providing better water quality.

While there is a high cost associated with this whole-home water filtration system, few products are more capable of removing contaminants from the entire home’s water supply, including 99.9 percent of microorganisms, 97 percent of chlorine, and a significant reduction in the mineral buildup. Though the water filter only has a maximum water flow rate of 14.5 GPM, it can be adapted to either 3/4-inch or 1-inch pipes.

Product Specs

• Type: Carbon and KDF filtration
• Flow rate: 14 GPM
• Ease of installation: Moderate

Pros

• UV purifier included to kill 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms
• Thoroughly filters chlorine, pharmaceuticals, and minerals like iron and lead
• Cartridges need to be changed every 2 to 3 months
• Installation kit includes fittings for either ¾- or 1-inch pipes

Cons

• Expensive price point for a house water filtration system with a lower flow rate
• Some parts may be shipped in separate packages

Get the Aquasana EQ-1000-AST-UV whole-house water filter at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best 1-Stage

3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Sanitary Quick Change

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This 3M Aqua-Pure whole-house water filter is a 1-stage filter with a single filtration tank that’s equipped with a carbon filter cartridge. The whole-house water filter removes chlorine, sand, dirt, rust, and other sediments from the water. It has a 1-inch inlet connection and a maximum water flow rate of 20 GPM, though the filter performs best at 10 GPM.

The filter cartridge lasts for about 6 months to a year, depending on the average amount of daily water used in the home. When it’s time to change the filter, users don’t need to unscrew the filter; instead, they’ll just pull the locking latch upward, turn it a quarter-turn to the left, then pull down. Replace the filter cartridge, then reattach the filter and lock the latch to secure the house filter with no leaks.

Product Specs

• Type: 1-stage filtration
• Flow rate: 10 to 20 GPM
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Easy-change carbon filter cartridge included; lasts for 6 months
• 1-inch inlet connection with a flow rate of up to 20 GPM
• Locking mechanism; easy to install replacement cartridges
• Removes chlorine, sand, rust, and other sediments

Cons

• May not be the best option for well water
• Some users have reported issues with filtration

Get the 3M Aqua-Pure whole-house water filter at Amazon.

Best 2-Stage

iFilters Whole-House 2-Stage Sediment

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The iFilters whole-house water filter is a 2-stage filtration system that uses both sediment filters and a carbon filter to remove harmful contaminants from the incoming water supply, including sand, dirt, rust, silt, and chlorine. This improves the taste, odor, and overall quality of the water, filtering out any particles larger than 5 microns in size.

Install the whole-house water filter on 3/4-inch pipes, or adapt existing plumbing to fit the 3/4-inch connections. Take advantage of the built-in pressure relief valves to quickly and efficiently remove the filter housing to replace the filter cartridge about once every 6 months.

However, users should note that the typical flow rate for this 2-stage filter is just 3 GPM, though it does have a maximum flow rate of about 6 GPM. This means that the water pressure in the home may be reduced to certain plumbing fixtures, like the shower or dishwasher, with the installation of this filter.

Product Specs

• Type: 2-stage filtration
• Flow rate: 3 GPM
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Sediment and carbon filtration provided; tackles sand, dirt, rust, silt, and chlorine
• Compatible with ¾-inch pipes
• Built-in pressure relief valves simplify filter replacement
• Universal ports for any home installation

Cons

• Some users have reported decreased water pressure and manufacturing defects
• Lower max flow rate than others; though most users note typical rate is just 3 GPM

Get the iFilters whole-house water filter at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best 3-Stage

iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole-House Water Filtration

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This iSpring product is a good option for those who have significant concerns about the quality of the incoming water. This 3-stage water filtration can remove a wide range of contaminants using the three individual filtration tanks and included filter cartridges.

The water filter comes equipped with a sediment removal cartridge that traps sand, dust, silt, dirt, and rust. It also has a carbon block cartridge to remove chlorine, VOCs, harmful chemicals, and to improve the taste and odor of the water. The third cartridge is an iron- and manganese-reducing filter cartridge, ideal for homes with heavy metals.

The whole-house water filter is also available with a KDF filter cartridge that can remove lead, mercury, pesticides, herbicides, and hydrogen sulfide, which may be a better option for some users. This water filter has a high maximum flow rate of 15 GPM and has 1-inch connections. The filter cartridges should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on the amount of water typically used in the home.

Product Specs 

• Type: 3-stage filtration
• Flow rate: 15 GPM
• Ease of installation: Easy

Pros

• Built-in sediment removal and carbon block cartridges
• Filters out a wide range of contaminants, including chlorine, VOCs, iron, manganese, and harmful chemicals
• KDF filter cartridge increase the efficacy of this system
• Cartridges last for 6 to 12 months

Cons

• Not suitable for use in sunlight or freezing temperatures
• Some users have reported leaks

Get the iSpring 3-stage whole-house water filter at