When purchasing a whole-house water filter for your home, it’s important to consider several factors: flow rate, which is an indication of how quickly the water will pass through the system and to your desired location, and maintenance requirements, like how often the system needs its filter replaced and whether you have to dismantle the entire unit when doing so. It’s also key to remember that a long-lasting whole-house water filter is going to be as expensive as a new, not-so budget-friendly refrigerator—upward of $2,000 or more, according to Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board. Calling in a professional to help you understand your options and what will work best for you is essential. You’ll want to make sure the system is designed to filter the specific impurities lurking in your tap water. If you’re not sure what’s contaminating your supply, or you’re simply looking into the whole-house water filters available to you, Epstein says, “It’s best to have the water tested by a certified lab or consultant, as well as a comprehensive review of appliances and fixtures, in determining what will work best. This will help determine your needs for whole-house filtering and point-of-use needs.” He adds that “whole-house filtering doesn’t necessarily mean drinking grade water at every location, as this can get expensive.” You can test your water by providing a sample to a state-certified laboratory. It’s best to contact your local health department or the laboratory to ensure you’re capturing the samples properly and don’t need assistance. After the results come back, you can decide which whole-house water filter will work best for your needs, alongside a professional who can also help you install it. We researched some of the finest filtration systems for every concern, home size, and budget, taking into account filtration method, flow rate, maintenance requirements, and effectiveness. Our top pick, the Express Water 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System, works to remove contaminants via three filtration methods and doesn’t require a full dismantling to change the filter. While we love that it has simple maintenance requirements and is backed by a one-year warranty, remember that you’ll find the best option for your home and needs by consulting a professional first. Here, some of the best whole-house water filters for every household. The best filter for your home ultimately depends on what’s contaminating your supply. Having said that, the Express Water WH300SCKS 3-Stage Filtration System addresses a long list of contaminants—including lead and organic matter—making it an effective option for a variety of households. With this system, your water will pass through a sediment filter first, which takes care of small particles and organic matter. Next, the KDF filter removes trace heavy metals, including lead, iron, mercury, and copper. Lastly, your supply is deodorized with the activated carbon filter to improve its taste and smell. The carbon also reduces chlorine levels and takes care of turbidity, which is the clarity of your water. The only thing this whole-home filtration system doesn’t remove is bacteria and viruses. It can also be quite leaky, since some parts that connect to your plumbing are made of plastic and not as durable. However, this system otherwise has a sturdy, stainless steel construction that’ll last for years to come. Replace the filter for each of the three stages every six months or so, but know it’s easy to do without dismantling the system. It uses GAC (granular activated carbon) and a sediment filter to get rid of particles while improving the color, taste, and smell of your tap water. We also like that it’s easy to install. While this whole-house filtration system is much more affordable than others in its category, one thing to note is that you’ll need to buy replacement filters every three months or so. Typically, budget-friendly systems aren’t made to last either, so you may want to splurge on a more expensive system for less worries (and water impurities) going forward. Not only does it get rid of particulate matter and improve the taste and smell of your water, but it also promises to eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria. What’s more, the included water softener prevents scale buildup and gets rid of the distinct hard water smell without removing minerals that actually benefit your health, like calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Not only that, but the UV filter lasts an entire year, and the system itself uses about the same amount of energy as a low-watt light bulb. One thing to note is that the Pelican Disinfection System doesn’t get rid of heavy metals or sediments. After removing sediment, rust, and VOCs with an ultrafine pleated barrier, it captures lead, iron, and other heavy metals with a KDF filter. Finally, your water will pass through a carbon filter, which takes on hydrogen sulfide and chlorine to help leave you with crisp, clean water. This APEC system can filter up to 100,000 gallons of water before needing to change the cartridges. This water filter also reduces mercury levels and eliminates turbidity, leaving you with crystal-clear H2O. While it won’t get rid of particles or pathogens, it’s compatible with various add-ons, including A.O. Smith’s sediment filter, a UV sterilizer, and a whole-house descaler. This whole-house water filter also tackles chlorine and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), along with hydrogen sulfide, to remove the icky sulfur smell. While it’s not designed to get rid of lead, the iSpring targets other heavy metals like iron and manganese. It also comes with a one-year limited warranty and lifetime technical support. While it doesn’t specifically kill bacteria, the bacteriostatic media stops microorganisms from growing. More to the point, the included NaturSoft feature softens your water supply while treating scale buildup in your plumbing, faucets, and appliances without adding any harsh chemicals. There are also substances that can pose a health risk, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other waterborne pathogens, along with heavy metals like lead, iron, mercury, and copper. Lastly, most (but not all) water filtration systems capture particulate matter, like sediment, sand, dirt, and rust.
Flow Rate
Flow rates for water filtration systems are measured by gallons per minute (GPM). Generally speaking, slower flow rates are better, as they allow more contact time with the screening media, thus removing more impurities. The right flow rate for filtering your water supply can also be determined by the size of your household. For instance, if there are two people living in a home with one bathroom, a flow rate of up to 7 GPM is ideal. However, households with five or more people and three or more bathrooms will likely require a faster flow rate of around 15 GPM.
Required Maintenance
After initial installation, most whole-house water filtration systems are relatively easy to maintain. The most important thing is that you change the filters regularly. Be sure to check the manual, as some need to be replaced as often as every three months, whereas others can last an entire year. Since every model is unique, you may want to look for an option that doesn’t require dismantling every time you replace the filters. And just like your other HVAC systems, you’re wise to have your water filter serviced by a professional at least once a year.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Theresa Holland, a copyeditor and commerce writer specializing in home improvement and lifestyle. Theresa has contributed to The Spruce since 2019 by writing full product reviews and covering HVAC, cleaning essentials, appliances, and kitchenware. To determine whether it’s a worthwhile purchase, Epstein says to consider your immediate needs. “Are you drinking or consuming high levels of tap water? Is the water discolored? Does the water smell? Are there high particle levels?” Answering these questions can illuminate the urgency and need for a filtration system in your home. If there is lead in your water supply, Epstein recommends getting a reverse osmosis system that meets NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certification standards. Whole-home water filters with kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) media can also be effective in removing lead. The filters, however, don’t last very long and need to be replaced regularly. Sediment and carbon filters usually need to be switched out every three to six months, and UV water filters typically last about a year. KDF media can last for much longer, often upwards of six years. For this guide, she interviewed Richard Epstein, licensed master plumber and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board for insight into contaminants, safety concerns, and types of filters. Before landing on her final selections, she researched the potential health risks of impure water and treatment certification standards, considering dozens of models from various manufacturers and retailers.
