Compare Our Top 6 Shower Chlorine Filters
Grinder Filter media WIRED testing results Certifications/independent lab data reviewed by WIRED Filter replacement cost Type Other features Canopy Filtered Showerhead KDF-55, calcium sulfite, activated carbon Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system No $27-$37, every 3 months Fixture Adjustable spray 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 $27-$37, every 3 months Handheld Filter replacement without de-installation Afina Filtered Showerhead “Proprietary blend” with KDF-55 and calcium sulfite Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system No $29-$40, every 4 months Fixture Broad,e ven spray Hydroviv Filtered Showerhead KDF-55, calcium sulfite, and catalyzed carbon Reduced total chlorine to undetectable levels in a chloramine-treated system No $75, every 6 months Fixture Anti-bacterial material 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
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 to keep your existing showerhead and just slot this filter in between the pipe and your 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 are designed to use minimal plastic, but they're are also more expensive than most, at $42 every three months.
ShowerClear Filtered Shower Head, pictured as installed at a WIRED reviewer's home. Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
ShowerClear Shower Head for $139: OK, you got me. This isn't a filter. The ShowerClear is instead designed to solve a problem you probably hadn't thought about but now may keep you up at night: Potentially infectious bacteria called mycobacteria, prone to causing respiratory lung infections, enjoy growing inside showerheads and are resistant to chlorine-treated water. They grow in colonies, a bit like fungus. Hence, the name. What's worse, if you can't open up your showerhead, you can't see them and you don't know they're there. Gives you the willies. Anyway, this ShowerClear has a hinge and a latch. This means you can open it up, look inside, and clean its interior completely, with soap or vinegar or disinfectants. This is a very rare quality even among filtered showerheads. I'd be happier if the ShowerClear's water flow fanned out a little better, or if the latch were less of a defining design feature. But what's all that for a little peace of mind? (That said, if you want a filter to remove chlorine, you'll also need an inline filter like the Weddell Duo.)
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
Croix Filtered Showerhead for $129 and Croix Handheld Showerhead for $129: Shower filter company Croix was founded by chemical engineer Spencer Robertson, an old hand at water filtration. The fixed showerhead is handsome, and the handheld shower has a much broader array of spray settings than most—including a fun, ultra-broad spray setting that's like a savagely powerful misting device. This said, the KDF-55 and calcium sulfite filter didn't filter even close to the majority of total chlorine levels from my chloramine-treated water system. Based on results I've reviewed from Croix's internal testing, I'd more likely recommend this device for chlorine-treated systems like the one in New York City. WIRED was able to review internal testing showing that Croix's filters were successful at filtering most free chlorine from water, in accordance with NSF standards. Replacement cartridges and filters are reasonably priced and recommended once every four months, a longer interval than most brands on the market.
Photograph: Matthew Korfhage
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