Whole house water filters are effective in keeping sediments, harsh chemicals, and unpleasant odors out of your home’s water supply. The specific contaminants that a filter can prevent from entering your water can vary, so it’s important to find a filter that suits your needs best.
While all whole house water filters remove impurities from your water, some are particularly effective for well water filtering, where issues like rusty discoloration are common, or for softening hard water. These filters come with either a single or multiple filter stages, with the latter offering enhanced removal of contaminants and impurities.
Unlike point-of-service water filters that are installed at individual faucets, such as in kitchens or bathrooms, a whole house water filter purifies the water as it enters your home from the municipal system or well. By filtering all the water in your home, you can ensure clean water from every source throughout the house.
There is a wide range of types, styles, sizes, and variations available for whole house water filters. However, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging with limited information. Here, we have listed two of the best whole house water filters for your convenience.
1. Springwell CF+
The Springwell CF+ Whole House System stands out as the top choice for a whole-house water filtration system due to its exceptional features. It effectively eliminates 99.6% of all contaminants, offers a remarkable filter lifespan of 1,000,000 gallons, provides a water pressure of 9 gallons per minute, and comes with a six-month money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty.
One of the notable advantages of the Springwell CF+ system is its three-stage filtration process, which ensures that your water meets the rigorous industry standard of NSF/ANSI 42 for water quality.
In the first stage, a 5-micron sediment filter efficiently removes sand, clay, and silt, preventing any unpleasant surprises in your water glass or shower. Additionally, this sediment filter prolongs the lifespan of the subsequent filtration stages, saving you money and time by reducing the frequency of filter replacements.
The second stage of the filtration system utilizes high-purity copper-zinc granules, known as KDF media, to eliminate various chemical contaminants such as PFAS, PFOS, chlorine, iron, hydrogen sulfide, lead, mercury, calcium carbonate, magnesium, and chromium. Through a process called redox, the KDF media exchanges electrons with these contaminants, transforming them into harmless waste products that are effectively trapped in the filter.
The third and final stage involves a catalytic-carbon filter that effectively eliminates harmful organic compounds, including pesticides, herbicides, and VOCs, which can enter your water supply from farms and other sources. Overall, the Springwell CF+ Whole House System offers a comprehensive and reliable solution for ensuring clean and purified water throughout your entire home.
2. Aquasana Rhino 600,000
The Aquasana Rhino 600,000 holds the second position in our ranking due to its unique dual-tank design, convenient filter replacement process, and a six-year warranty. However, it should be noted that this system is more expensive, its filters are certified for up to 600,000 gallons (compared to the CF+ with a 1,000,000-gallon lifespan), and it offers lower water pressure compared to the CF+.
The Aquasana Rhino 600,000 employs a three-stage filtration system that includes a sediment filter, KDF media filter, and catalytic charcoal filter. This filtration setup is certified to NSF/ANSI 42 standards and can effectively reduce water contaminants by up to 97%. Additionally, Aquasana lines all of its tanks with a bacteriostatic media that helps minimize bacterial growth within the tanks. If you have hard water or require UV filtering (for off-grid situations), Aquasana offers upgrades to address these specific needs. The Rhino system comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee and a 6-year warranty, providing added assurance.
The standout feature of the Aquasana Rhino is its dual-tank system. Most whole-house water filtration systems have their Stage-2 KDF media filter and Stage-3 catalytic charcoal filter housed within a single tank. In contrast, Aquasana separates these filters into two tanks. The water first flows upward into the KDF media filter and then downward into the catalytic charcoal filter before entering your home’s water supply.
While this dual-tank design does not necessarily result in superior water filtration (as discussed in the cons below), it does make the process of changing the KDF media filter easier when it reaches the end of its lifespan.
The Bottom Line
When selecting the best water filter, consider factors such as filtration efficiency, filter lifespan, warranty coverage, and water pressure to ensure optimal performance. Evaluate the specific contaminants you need to remove, compare different models, and choose a filter that aligns with your water quality needs and preferences. Prioritize reliability, certification, and customer reviews to make an informed decision for clean and safe drinking water.