GoKawiilCompare Our Top Shower Filter Systems
Showerhead Filter media WIRED testing results Certifications/independent lab data reviewed by WIRED Filter replacement cost Type Other features Rorra Filtered Showerhead KDF-55, calcium sulfite Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system Yes $45, every 3 months Fixture Easy filter replacement without de-installation Weddel Duo Activated carbon, plus “proprietary medium” Removed most but not all total chlorine in a chloramine-treated system; best for chlorine-treated systems NSF-certified to remove chlorine and lead $25–$30, every 3 months Inline filter Filter replacement without de-installation Canopy Handheld KDF-55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system No $25, every 3 months Handheld Filter replacement without de-installation Canopy Filtered Showerhead KDF-55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system No $25, every 3 months Fixture Adjustable spray Filterbaby Bathroom Sink Filter Propietary “Ultra Filtration” system Reduced most but not all total chlorine in a chloramine-treated system Available upon request $40, every 3 months Fixture Can switch between filtered and unfiltered Canopy Baby Bathtub Filter KDF-55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon About half as effective at reducing total chlorine levels as the Canopy Filtered Showerhead No $25, every 3 months Fixture Works on multiple spout sizes Curo Shower Wand KDF-55, calcium sulfite, and activated carbon Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system Independent data for chlorine-treated systems: removes chlorine for up to 8,000 gallons ~$45 every 3 months, or ~$160 for a set of four filters for the year Handheld Low plastic use
Honorable Mention Shower Filters
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter for $599: The HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter (6/10, WIRED Reviewed) is, in some ways, the most intriguing shower filter idea I've encountered in the past year: It incorporates a ring of lights, delivering dual red and near-infrared wavelengths at purported therapeutic intensity (though the verdict is still out on the efficacy of red light therapy in general). The 10-layer filter is among the most complex I've tested, including steel-mesh filter for sediment and microplastics as well as layers of vitamin C and E. According to my testing, it's effective: This filter reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels. So, far so good. The company also claims that independent testing showed the shower filter could remove the vast majority of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), microplastics, mineral hardness, and heavy metals like lead and cadmium. But HigherDose was not willing to share these results, nor the identity of the lab. So, the high cost of this shower filter system mostly stems from the (somewhat ingenious) ring of therapeutic red lights, better known from their role in red-light masks and red-light hair growth hats. The actual effects of the showerhead's red light therapy are difficult to gauge, given that dosage will differ wildly depending on your distance from the showerhead and how long you like to shower.
Afina A-01 Filtered Showerhead for $129: Afina’s two-stage chlorine filter is as effective as any of the filtered showerheads I tested out of the box, reducing total chlorine levels to undetectable amounts. The broad, spa-like spray was also among the most pleasant of any showerhead I tried. But no independent lab testing was offered, and filter replacement is a bit more expensive than some, at $29 every two months with a subscription (or $40 every two months without).
Filterbaby Diamond Series Shower Filter for $113: This inline filter was able to reduce total chlorine levels to undetectable amounts, one of few filters on the market able to do so—and the fact that it's an inline filter means you'll be able slot this filter in between the pipe and your existing showerhead. That said, it's a bulky filter, which means your showerhead will be about 4 inches lower than it used to be, and the screw-in system is a little awkward: It's one of the only showerheads I actually needed a wrench to install properly. The replacement filters ($42 every three months) are designed to use minimal plastic.
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Sproos! Filtered Hand Shower for $148 ($120 with subscription): Sproos is a quirky, kicky, kooky shower brand offering a rainbow of bold colors for handheld filtered showerheads. Sproos has made some improvements to its design since WIRED first tested it in 2024. Its shower filters are also recyclable, a rare distinction. During our testing in early 2026, the filter removed most, but not all, total chlorine right out of the box in a chloramine-treated water system. Independent, third-party testing reviewed by WIRED showed similar results for free chlorine (i.e., chlorine-treated water systems), removing the majority of chlorine throughout the likely filter lifespan.
Hydroviv Filtered Showerhead for $173: Hydroviv is a water filter company of long standing, and its showerhead filter that uses KDF-55, calcium sulfite, and catalyzed carbon was able to reduce total chlorine levels down to undetectable levels out of the box in a chloramine-treated water system. Hydroviv suggests filter replacements once every six months, a longer span than comparable shower filters such as Canopy or Afina; that said, its $78 filters cost double or more what other filters do, and I noted significant loss of efficacy after four months. As with most makers of shower filters, requests to see independent lab testing results were unsuccessful. Hydroviv claims its filter media help reduce bacterial growth, though the materials cited are the same listed in other shower filters.
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