Best whole house water filtration system for hard water

Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Oct 27, 2022

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Whole house water filters, also known as point-of-entry (POE) water filtration systems, are perfect to clean all water entering a home before it gets distributed to the various outlets like faucets and showers.

A good filter will improve the smell and taste of your water and make it safer for consumption by removing potentially harmful contaminants. Some filtration systems might even reduce hard water minerals. This means less staining on surfaces, softer laundry, and healthier looking hair and skin.

The only problem: There are so many whole house water filters to choose from. And, of course, you don’t want to waste your hard-earned cash making a wrong buying decision. So which one is ideal for your needs? Here is our collection of the best whole house water filters currently available on the market.

On This Page You Will…

• Find our whole house water filter systems best-of list
• Find our whole house water filter reviews
• Buying guide – Learn what to consider when buying a whole house water filtration system
• Find more useful information on whole home water filters

No Time to Read? Check Our List of the Best Whole House Water Filters!

Best Whole House Water Filter Reviews

Review Order

1. SpringWell Water CF – Best Overall
2. SpringWell Water WS – Best for Well Water
3. USWS BodyGuard Plus – Runner-Up for Tap Water
4. USWS Matrixx inFusion – Runner-Up for Well Water
5. Crystal Quest SMART – Best for Broad Contaminant Removal
6. NU Aqua 3-Stage – Best Budget Option

1. Best for Municipal (Tap) Water: SpringWell CF Whole House Water Filter System

In our opinion, the best whole house water filter for municipal water in 2022 is the SpringWell CF. It turns even the nastiest tap waters into great-tasting, odorless H2O. 5 stars!

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Pros

• Top pick for tap water containing chlorine and chloramine.
• Apart from improved aesthetics, your water will be rid of sediments, a bunch of organic contaminants and some heavy metals, meaning it’s cleaner and more healthy to use for drinking, cooking and showering.
• A 5-micron pre-filter traps sediments to prevent the carbon and KDF media bed from clogging.
• KDF removes chlorine and heavy metal content, and controls the growth of algae, bacteria and viruses, and fungi.
• Uses high quality, long-lasting catalytic carbon filter media to adsorb a large range of contaminants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), herbicides, pesticides, trihalomethanes, …
• SpringWell Water guarantees chlorine and chloramine reduction below the minimum detection levels for 1,000,000 gallons or 6 years.
• 3 whole house filter system versions available:
  • CF1 delivers up to 9 gallons per minute (used for 1-3 bathrooms).
  • CF4 flow rate is 12 gpm which is perfect for up to 4-6 bathrooms.
  • CF+ delivers up to 20 gpm which is very high.
• Easy to install if you’re handy with tools.
  • A bypass valve + illustrated instructions outlining every step are included.
  • Optional installation kit.
• Maintenance is simple and kept at a bare minimum for maximum convenience. Cost for replacement filters: About $40 per year.
• 6-month money back guarantee: SpringWell offers a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the results.
• You get a limited lifetime warranty on the filter.
• SpringWell’s customer support is said to be helpful and cooperative.

Cons

• The provided fittings are plastic which are prone to cross-threading. We would have preferred brass for example.

Best for

The SpringWell CF is best for people on tap water who want a whole home water filter which is easy to install and maintain, and which removes chemicals and certain heavy metals.

→ Read Our Full SpringWell CF Water Filtration System Review Here

2. Best for Well Water: SpringWell WS Whole House Well Water Filter System (+ SpringWell CF)

If you are on well water we definitely recommend the SpringWell WS – possibly combined with the SpringWell CF.

The WS is not a bargain, but it’s the perfect solution to well water contaminated with iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide. Paired with the CF, you get access to water 100% odorless and with the cleanest taste. It’ll also be much healthier with zero (or reduced) chemicals, organics, and heavy metals. Definitely 5 stars!

Please note: To learn all about the SpringWell CF whole house filter check the review above. Here are all the important details about the WS:

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Pros

• SpringWell whole house water filter eliminates rotten egg smell as well as staining in toilets, sinks, showers, and on laundry. It also greatly improves water taste.
• Uses air injection oxidation + greensand filter to trap a maximum combined of ferric & ferrous iron (up to 7 ppm), hydrogen sulfide (up to 8 ppm), and manganese (up to 1 ppm). The greensand also helps with arsenic and radium in water.
  • Safe for septic and sewer system.
  • Water pH of 6.5 – 10 is required for the process to be effective.
  • Shouldn’t be used with water that’s microbiologically unsafe or contains viruses without further treatment. Tip: Use live chat feature on website to contact SpringWell Water for more information.
• 2 sizes available:
  • WS1 whole house well filter with 12 gpm service flow rate (1-4 bathrooms).
  • WS4 filters up to 20 gallons in one minute, enough water flow for homes with 4 or more bathrooms.
• Treatment process includes daily reset of air pocket in the top of the tank and periodic backwashing of media bed to flush all accumulated contaminants down the drain. Both are controlled by electronic head and happen fully automatic. Set and forget!
  • Programmable via smartphone/tablet app thanks to Bluetooth function.
• Easy to install for DIYers.
  • Bypass valve + illustrated installation guide is part of the package.
  • Optional installation kit.
• Whole house water filter is 100% maintenance-free. Environmentally-friendly greensand lasts 18 to 25 years.
• Manufacturer provides 6-month money back guarantee on all systems.
• Tank, valve, fittings, and filter media are covered by lifetime warranty.

Cons

• Filter comes with plastic fittings instead of metal.

Best for

The SpringWell WS filtration system is best for people on well water containing iron, manganese, or sulfur.

→ Read Detailed Review Here

3. The Runner-Up for Tap Water: US Water Systems BodyGuard Plus Whole House Water Filtration System

We wanted to provide you with an alternative for whole house municipal water treatment in case you don’t like the SpringWell CF for whatever reason. Thus, let us introduce you to the BodyGuard Plus whole house water filter system by US Water Systems.

It’s a tad more expensive than the SpringWell, but still one of our top choices. That’s because we have catalytic carbon combined with granular activated carbon for removal or reduction of chemical contaminants like chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, VOCs, THM, and many others, resulting in great-tasting water that’s also healthy for your hair and skin. Plus, the pre-filters are top-notch…

Pros

• American Made.
• Provides (drinking) water of the highest quality.
• Catalytic carbon and coconut shell granular activated carbon contained in the main tank do the bulk of the contaminant removal. They remove hundreds of contaminants, primarily chemicals: Chlorine and chloramines, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, industrial solvents, THMs, PCB, VOCs.
• 2 optional pre-filters to choose from. Both prolong the life of the carbon filter media:
  • The Interceptor is a 5-micron sediment filter outside with pleated material made up of nano fibers inside. These nano fibers literally attract contaminants including bacteria (99.9%), lead, chromium 6, and sediments down to the sub-micron level like a magnet due to their Zeta potential (51 millivolts).
  • The Magna is a high-quality 5-micron pleated sediment pre-filter used to trap dirt.
• Whole house water filter comes in 3 sizes:
  • 117-BGP-100 delivers 10 gallons per minute (1-3 bathrooms).
  • 117-BGP-150 can process up to 15 gpm (4-6 bathrooms).
  • 117-BGP-200 for up to 20 gpm water flow (7 or more bathrooms).
• You can track and monitor your water usage connecting the head unit to your smartphone. The Waterlogix app to pair the devices is free.
• Simple, easy Installation.
  • Package includes a bypass valve.
• The carbon can be used for hundreds of thousands of gallons or even millions, depending on the level of contaminants in your water. US Water Systems recommend replacement after 5 years. Both pre-filtration cartridges last about 1 year. Hassle-free maintenance guaranteed.
• You get a warranty lifetime on the tank, 10 years on the valve and electronics, and 5 years on the carbon filter media.

Cons

• Sediment filter replacements are more expensive than with the competition.

Best for

The USWS BodyGuard Plus filtration system is our second top pick for chlorinated and chloraminated city water.

4. The Runner-Up for Well Water: USWS Matrixx inFusion Iron and Sulfur Removal System

As an alternative to the SpringWell WS for well water treatment, we recommend the Matrixx inFusion by US Water Systems.

Using hydrogen peroxide for oxidation in combination with catalytic carbon, the whole house filtration system is designed for removing very high levels of iron, hydrogen sulfide, and manganese (the company says the system excels at 5-6 ppm iron and/or sulfur or higher). It can even handle iron and sulfur bacteria without issues.

Pros

• Filter provides rust-free and sulfur-free water. Also removes or reduces sediment, sand, silt, and cloudiness.
  • Protects plumbing, fixtures, and appliances.
• When water is used, the water meter notices and signals the chemical pump to inject hydrogen peroxide into the water stream based on flow rate and settings. The hydrogen peroxide instantly oxidizes any iron, manganese, and sulfur precipitating it from solution. Thus, as the water passes through the catalytic carbon filter, all oxidized contaminants are removed.
  • Being a very strong oxidizer, the hydrogen peroxide also eliminates odors and microorganisms.
  • There are no unwanted byproducts. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) disintegrates into oxygen (O2) and water (H2O). This is much safer than using chlorine.
• Every few days, all accumulated contaminants are automatically backwashed from the filter media during regeneration.
  • A Vortech plate increases backwashing efficiency: Up to 30% less wastewater. And it eliminates channeling for continuous performance and long catalytic carbon life.
• Filter system comes in 4 sizes:
  • 10 gpm peak water flow for 1-2 bathrooms.
  • 15 gpm ideal for 2 to 3.5 bathrooms.
  • 20 gpm for 4-6 bathrooms.
  • 25 gpm for 7 bathrooms or more.
• Package includes all accessories you need: 15-gallon peroxide tank, injection panel (Stenner Econ Series chemical pump + precision water meter), 5 gallons NSF-approved H2O2 (OxiPro-7).
• Easy to clean chrome sleeve.
• Easy installation with good step by step directions. Built-in bypass.
• 30-second programming with smartphone. WaterLogix app also allows you to track and monitor all water usage using your mobile device.
• Virtually maintenance-free.
• Lifetime warranty on filter tanks, 10 years on control valve, 5 years on peroxide injection panel.

Cons

• Due to the nature of the filtration process, it entails an annual hydrogen peroxide bill of around $200-400.

Best for

The USWS Matrixx inFusion is our second top pick for private well systems laden with Fe, Mn or S.

5. Best for Broad Contaminant Removal: Crystal Quest SMART Whole House Water Filter

Crystal Quest’s SMART Whole House Water Filter is another system providing an unlimited pure water supply to your kitchen, bathrooms, and the rest of your home.

What makes it special is the combination of 7 different filter media for broadest contaminant removal – suited for both city water and well water.

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Pros

• Crystal Quest water filters are Made in USA.
• First comes a 5-micron sediment pre-filter. It traps floating solids such as sand, rust, and silt. It’s used to prevent fouling of the other filter stages.
• 7 types of media are combined in the main filtration stage: Granular activated carbon, catalytic carbon, Eagle Redox Alloy 9500 (KDF), Eagle Redox Alloy 6500 (KDF), ion exchange resin, ceramic balls, and tourmaline balls. Combined, they filter out chlorine and chloramine, DBPs, pesticides and other chemicals, heavy metals including lead, sulfur gases, and all kinds of other organic as well as inorganic impurities. The treatment process also provides for balanced water pH and microorganisms have no chance of accumulating inside the system.
  • Naturally, this improves water aesthetics by a great bit.
• 5-micron solid carbon post-filter neutralizes residual tastes.
• There’s a larger and a smaller version of the Crystal Quest SMART:
  • 1 million gallons filtration capacity at 9-11 gallons per minute flow rate (1-3 bathrooms).
  • 1.5 million gallons at 10-13 gpm (2-4+ bathrooms).
• You can upgrade the fiberglass to stainless steel tanks for longevity.
• System maintenance doesn’t require much of your time or attention. All you need to do is change the pre- and post-filter cartridges after 12 to 18 months of use. The costs are manageable.
• System warranty is valid for 1 year.

Cons

• Filter has higher price tag.

Best for

The Crystal Quest SMART whole house water filter system is best for targeting all the different types of water contaminants.

6. Best Budget Pick: NU Aqua 3-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System

The last of our whole house water filter reviews features NU Aqua’s 3 Stage.

In our opinion, the NU Aqua 3 Stage makes the best whole house water filtration system if you are on a budget and dealing with chlorinated city water. It’s a whole house water filter that’s working with filter cartridges. Just like the products reviewed above, the NU Aqua provides clean water for the entire house.

The big difference, however, is that – and this goes for cartridge water filters in general – the system is much lower cost upfront. In fact, it’s surprisingly cheap, especially considering all the extra features. Bottom line: 4.5 stars!

Pros

• People report drastic improvement as to how their water tastes and smells.
• 5-micron sediment filter made from polypropylene fiber traps larger particles – think sand, rust, dust, dirt, and debris.
  • Protects water-using appliances like water heater and extends their life.
  • Prevents premature clogging of the other water filters.
• Granular activated carbon filter adsorbs chlorine taste and odor, herbicides, pesticides, industrial solvents, lead, and many, many other contaminants and chemicals (with health effects) that may be present in your water source.
• 5-micron carbon block post-filter further reduces contaminants listed above as well as giardia, cryptosporidium, and more.
• 15 gallons per minute water flow rate is perfect for small to large households.
• Built-in pressure gauges allow for easy filter monitoring.
• Pressure release buttons are a convenient solution to stuck filter housings.
• Intuitive DIY installation + easy-to-follow instructions is ideal to save money.
  • Filter system is shipped preassembled.
• Sediment + carbon filters need replacement every 100,000 gallons of filtered water or 6 months, so not much to do in terms of maintenance.
• Replacement filters are affordable and standard-sized (20″ x 4.5″ big blue) so you could go off-brand if need be.
• Stainless steel frame provides stability. You can wall mount or leave as free standing.
• Comes with 6-month satisfaction guarantee: NU Aqua guarantees full satisfaction or you get 100% of your money-back.
• The whole house filter is covered by a 3-year warranty.

Cons

• Defective GAC filters might be causing a drop in water pressure.
• Less effective against chloramines.
• No built-in bypass.

Best for

The NU Aqua filtration system is best if you prefer an affordable cartridge-based unit for your municipal water.

→ Read Our Full Review Here

Filtration System Comparison List

How do the best whole house filters perform when directly compared?

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Buyer’s Guide: How We Picked the Best Whole House Filters

The following are things worth considering before you go out and buy a water filtering solution for your home. These are also the very same criteria we focused on when picking our top products for this guide.

Test Your Water Source for Contaminants!

First things first. You need to find out more about the quality of your water. This allows you to purchase a whole house water filter capable of dealing with all or at least most of the contaminants lurking in it.

Are you on well water or on municipal water a.k.a. city water? If your water is sourced from a well, do you have access to a water quality report? If not, your best option is to send a direct sample to an independent lab. Alternatively, you can purchase a well water test kit which gives you a rough idea of what you are facing (hard water level, iron and other heavy metals, etc.).

If you’re on city water you can go here or visit this page and search for your utility. All reports in both databases are free!

Filtration System Type

There exist different types of whole house water filters.

Those for city water usually focus on removing chlorine, chloramine, disinfection byproducts, and various other chemicals that are often responsible for creating unpleasant odor and taste. These systems are carbon-based and might even contain additional KDF media to reduce heavy metals and keep bacteria and algae in check. Units making use of bone char can even remove fluoride from water with enough contact time (see best fluoride water filters here).

Filters specialized in well water treatment will usually eliminate iron, manganese, and sulfur, which are the most common contaminants here.

You’re living in an older house and have detected lead in your water? Check our guide in which we select the best lead water filter.

Filtration Capacity

Another factor to consider is filtration capacity. A whole house water filter with a low capacity needs more frequent filter media replacements which adds to the cost.

System Size and Flow Rate

A whole house filtration system has to provide enough filtered water for your kitchen, bathroom(s), dishwasher, washing machine, and all other household appliances that use water.

Therefore, high flow is mandatory if you don’t want to experience a water pressure drop when opening multiple outlets. 10 – 15 gpm is pretty standard for a whole house water filter. Less might not suffice for a large household.

On a side note: A bathroom faucet uses up to 1.5, a kitchen faucet up to 2.2 gallons per minute. The maximum water flow for a shower head usually doesn’t exceed 2.5 gpm.

Micron Ratings

When dealing with suspended solids, filtration effectiveness is measured in micron (one micron is a thousandth of a millimeter). Generally speaking, a smaller micron rating indicates more thorough filtration with more contaminants removed.

For example: Whole house water filters that only remove sand, silt, and rust might have a micron rating of 50. This means they trap the vast majority of particles with a minimum size of 50 microns, which won’t affect contaminants such as fluoride, lead, chemicals, and most pathogens like bacteria.

Other micron ratings are 25, 10, 5, and 1, followed by the sub-micron level. The dilemma: The smaller the micron rating, the lower the output water pressure and flow. This is also why whole house reverse osmosis water systems are super rare. Regular reverse osmosis water purification membranes are rated at 0.0001 micron which is great for TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) reduction. However, the process also reduces water pressure to a trickle if no additional booster pump is applied.

Installation and Maintenance

Not every homeowner has the skills necessary to install and maintain a whole house filter without professional help. Some systems, however, make the process much easier than others.

NSF Certifications

Although not that important when it comes to whole house water filters, we check each product for NSF certifications. That said, most manufacturers use nothing but NSF-certified components.

Your Budget

You should not only take into account the initial purchase price of a whole house water filter, but also the lifespan and cost of replacement filter media/cartridges.

A system featuring a large media tank might cost much more upfront, but likely filters up to 1,000,000 gallons of water or more. This not only means virtually no maintenance requirements for several years, you also save tons of money in the long run.

Cartridge-based home water filters are cheaper in the beginning. Therefore, you need to replace filters every 6 months or so, so that replacement cost start to add up over time.

Space

Whole house water filtration systems are way bigger than the average point-of-use filter. Don’t underestimate their size and make sure you have enough space for installation and maintenance.

More on Whole House Water Filter Systems

What Is a Whole House Water Filter?

Opposed to point-of-use units, whole house filters filter water at the point of entry, so all incoming water in your home before it gets distributed. This way you have access to filtered water at every outlet including water-using appliances.

Whole house water filters are also known as point-of-entry water filtration systems.

Reasons Why You Need a Whole House Water Filter

If you look at the data, almost all US water supplies are contaminated. Not all of the contaminants are harmful, but many are. So the number one reason why you may need a whole house water filter is to protect the health of your family. And the purified water will taste and smell much better, too!

What if I drink nothing but bottled water? Well, what about the water you use for cooking and showering? For example, did you know that the largest chunk of your daily chlorine exposure does not come from the water you drink but from the water you use for showering? That’s because human skin is permeable for all kinds of stuff. Plus, you inhale some of the volatile compounds. Also, a lot of the bottled water on the market is plain tap water.

The second reason to use a whole house water filter is to prevent your plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances from taking damage due to water containing high levels of iron or sediments and so on. This will result in reduced maintenance, fewer repairs, and ultimately safe you a lot of money.

Whole House Water Filter Types and How They Work

Whole house filtration systems connect to the main water line and filter all the water entering your home. How each individual system works depends on what type of filter process it applies.

• Whole house sediment filters work by size exclusion.
• Activated and catalytic carbon filter contaminants like chlorine through surface adsorption.
• KDF uses oxidation and reduction to remove chlorine and certain heavy metals and other inorganic contaminants from your water.
• Bone char relies on adsorption and chemical reactions to remove fluoride and heavy metals from water.
• Greensand oxidizes and then traps iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide.
• Air injection oxidizes iron and manganese plus sulfur which are then trapped by subsequent filter stages.

Cartridge-Based vs Tank-Based Whole House Water Filters

What’s more, we can differentiate between whole house systems using replaceable filter cartridges and those with a large tank filled with filter media.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How much does it cost to install a whole house water filtration system?
  That’s hard to predict as it depends on the exact system as well as your plumbing setup. We would think the bare minimum is somewhere between $300-500 USD. That said, if you feel comfortable cutting into your main water supply line you might be able to complete the project yourself.
• Are whole house water filters worth it?
  Yes, a whole house system is definitely worth it. With the right filter you not only get clean and great tasting drinking water in your entire home. It’ll also protect your home appliances from harm – think sediments.
• How long does a whole house water filter last?
  This completely depends on the type of system. For example, the SpringWell WS uses greensand media which is backwashed on a regular basis. This allows for an average filtration capacity of 18-25 years. In contrast, regular activated carbon filters may only last one year.
• Where should a whole house water filter be installed?
  You are free to install your whole house water filtration system wherever you want (as long as no freezing temperatures occur), but it needs access to the main water supply. The garage or basement is usually the preferred location. By the way, make sure to install your system after the pressure vessel.

I hope this list of the best whole house water filters was helpful. Questions? Ask away!

And keep in mind: We’ll add a new whole house water filter review occasionally. So come back for more!

About the Author Alexandra Uta

Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Her writing interests have included many different topics, water treatment among them, which have encompassed varying writing styles.
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