Considerations for Choosing the Best Whole House Water Filter<\/h2>\n1. Your Water Issues<\/h3>\n
The first step is to determine the water issues you\u2019re facing. Is your water sourced from the city or from a well? Is sediment your biggest issue or rust from old pipes? Are you concerned about the smell and taste of chlorine, or herbicide and pesticide runoff?<\/p>\n
Answering these questions and knowing what you\u2019re trying to filter out is going to serve you better than just grabbing the most expensive or cheapest filtration system.<\/p>\n
2. Level of Filtration<\/h3>\n
Once you\u2019ve got your water situation scoped out a bit, you\u2019ll need to figure out what level of filtration you\u2019ll be happy with. Filtration is measured in microns, and house water filters differ in their micron rating.<\/p>\n
Portable water filters for use in backwoods situations will often filter down to the 0.1 micron level. Why? Because the liquid is raw and there are often nasty things in it that can make you seriously sick, like Giardia, Cryptosporidium, mercury, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).<\/p>\n
Whole house system\u00a0filters will generally filter down to the five micron level. Why not lower? Two reasons \u2014 first, the liquid\u00a0has likely already been through a\u00a0treatment facility. Second \u2014 filtering down to the sub-micron level is going to slow down water flow. Ten gallons per minute is about standard for the filters we review here while half a gallon a minute is considered high speed for 0.1 micron whole house\u00a0filters.<\/p>\n
All that means this \u2014 if you\u2019re looking to get rid of absolutely everything, you may need to run more than one filter \u2014 a whole house system to get most of the stuff out, then additional filters at each faucet to finish the work. Remember, your whole house filter will be filtering the supply\u00a0for your water heater, toilet, washing machine, and other stuff. You may not need to get that liquid\u00a0super clean. But for your drinking water? Might wanna tighten that up a bit.<\/p>\n
One final note about stages of filtration: generally the more stages you have, the better it is going to be. However, a lot of that will depend on how each stage functions and what it does exactly. Multiple stages will usually filter out progressively smaller particulates as the supply flows from filter to filter. In theory, that is a more effective plan, but sometimes a single stage filter can do a better job than multiple stages. It all depends on the makeup of the filters themselves. The main point \u2013 don\u2019t get bogged down in searching for the highest number of stages. Instead, focus on what they do and what they get rid of.<\/p>\n
3. Other Costs<\/h3>\n
A great price on a system does you no good if you\u2019ve got to replace the filter every month. Keep in mind the annual costs of filter replacement when evaluating a unit.Also, most of these would be best installed by a plumber. While they can be done by the end user, unless you\u2019ve done something similar before or are willing to pony up for emergency plumber costs, you might want to just have your friendly neighborhood plumber take care of it.<\/p>\n
Our Top Picks for the Best Whole House Water Filters of 2018<\/h2>\n
Alright, enough beatin\u2019 around the bush. Let\u2019s get to the nitty gritty (get it? gritty? Har har har, right? Sorry). Here are the reviews for the four best whole house water filter systems we found.<\/p>\n
The Home Master HMF2SDGC Whole House 2-Stage Home\u00a0Filtration System<\/a><\/h3>\n\u200bSummary:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Filters:<\/span> Sediment, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, heavy metals, micro-contaminants down to 1 micron<\/li>\n
- F<\/span>ilter Lifespan<\/span>: <\/span>Varies, up to 95,000 gallons in carbon filter<\/li>\n
- Stages:<\/span> two<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> twenty gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Large filter housings and ports allow for full-strength\u00a0pressure.<\/li>\n
- Filtration down to one micron.<\/li>\n
- Oversize filters allow for lower frequency of replacement and maintenance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/watersoftenercritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/The-Home-Master-HMF2SDGC-Whole-House-2-Stage-Home-Water-Filtration-System-e1470930824510.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Home Master is only a two-stage unit, but it\u2019s got some nice features. First up is the main filter \u2014 it filters in varying levels, starting from 20 microns down to 1 micron. Why is that nice? It helps keep the liquid\u00a0flowing and at the same time gets all the stuff out of your water that it should.<\/p>\n
The second stage is a coconut shell carbon filter and gets rid of what most carbon filters do: lead, mercury, copper, and bad tastes and odors.<\/p>\n
The two-stage Home Master system is for chlorinated city liquids only. If your city uses chloramines, you\u2019ll need a different system<\/a>. And if you\u2019re using well supply, you\u2019ll need an entirely different system<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe only drawback? The large filters that allow greater liquid flow are pretty dang heavy. You\u2019ll need to mount them on wall studs or something equally secure. If you\u2019ve got upper-arm strength issues, you\u2019ll need help changing filters or a different system.<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Flow rate of twenty gallons per minute means you get good supply pressure in your house.<\/li>\n
- Long lifespan so you\u2019re not changing filters every month.<\/li>\n
- Filters out pretty much everything you need to worry about, but keeps the beneficial minerals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
CONS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Large filters hold a lot of liquid\u00a0and require to be installed on wall studs.<\/li>\n
- Fairly pricy unit. Replacement filters aren\u2019t cheap, either.<\/li>\n
- Only for city supply. If you have well supply, you\u2019ll need this one<\/a> (which costs more).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best for:<\/span><\/span> The family that\u2019s got a solid place to mount this big boy, is looking to filter out the greatest number of contaminants and knows what kind of water they\u2019ve got so they can pick up the right system.<\/p>\nThe Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House\u00a0Filtration System<\/a><\/h3>\n\u200bSummary:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Filters:<\/span> rust, sediment, microscopic particulates, chlorine<\/li>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> Main filter \u2014 1,000,000 gallons, pre- and post-filter vary<\/li>\n
- Stages<\/span>: three<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> seven gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Removes 97% of chlorine, exceeding NSF standards.<\/li>\n
- Main filter lasts for a million gallons.<\/li>\n
- No salt, electricity, or back flushing required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/watersoftenercritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/The-Aquasana-Rhino-EQ-1000-Whole-House-Water-Filtration-System-e1470930841265.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nA million gallons. 1,000,000 gallons of water. That\u2019s how much Aquasana\u2019s main filter will go through before it needs changing. How long is that? Oh, just 10 years, that\u2019s all. So, there you have it. That is the reason why Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000<\/a> is one of the our favorites on here.<\/p>\nNow, since this is a three stage filtration unit, there are two other filters to think about, and those won\u2019t last a million gallons. Not anywhere close. The pre-filter cuts out everything down to the five-micron level, including rust, dirt, and microscopic particulates. Aquasana says it should be good for three to six months of city supply\u00a0or one to three months of well supply.<\/p>\n
The main filter, the big blue one, contains copper-zinc oxidation media (yeah, I\u2019ve got no idea what that actually is either) and crushed mineral stones. Why? To reduce chlorine and balance the pH of the water, bringing it to a more alkaline state.<\/p>\n
The post-filter is carbon. Cuts the chlorine even more and other baddies in the liquid, and makes it taste fantastic. The carbon filter should last 6\u201312 months in the city and 2\u20136 months with well supply.<\/p>\n
This is the heaviest unit we recommend here. It\u2019s so heavy you\u2019re likely going to want to rest that big blue bottle on the floor. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 you won\u2019t have to change it for the next 10 freakin\u2019 years. Another thing to note \u2014 the filter changes can add up. The pre filters cost about 10 bucks a pop and the post filters run around 30 bucks. Which means about 100 bucks a year in the city and about 300 a year with a well.<\/p>\n
Wanna see what Aquasana thinks? Here\u2019s their promotional video for the Rhino:<\/p>\n
\u200b<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- One. Million. Gallons.<\/li>\n
- Balances the pH of your supply, getting closer to soft water without a liquid\u00a0softener.<\/li>\n
- Removes 97% of chlorine in your system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
CONS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Frequent replacement of pre- and post-filters.<\/li>\n
- Weight of unit requires installation on floor, and likely a plumber.<\/li>\n
- Not great for people who dislike the soft water feel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best for: <\/span>someone who is looking for a robust unit that will get them close to alkaline supply\u00a0without the need for adding salt or using electricity. Also good for anyone looking for unchlorinated liquid.<\/p>\nThe 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House\u00a0Filtration System – Model AP903<\/a><\/h3>\n\u200bSummary:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Filters:<\/span> Sediment, dirt, rust, chlorine taste and odor<\/li>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> 100,000 gallons<\/li>\n
- Stages<\/span>: one<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> twenty gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Stainless steel head with 25-year warranty.<\/li>\n
- Filters out chlorine taste and odor, rust, and sediments down to 5 microns.<\/li>\n
- Twist-off filter replacement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/watersoftenercritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/The-3M-Aqua-Pure-Whole-House-Water-Filtration-System-Model-AP903.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\nLooking for a simple and clean solution to get rid of chlorine, sediment, and rust in your water? The 3M Aqua-Pure might be right for you. Its stainless steel head is warrantied trouble-free for 25 years and its twist-off filter mount promises easy filter replacement every 100,000 gallons or so.<\/p>\n
Now, is it perfect? Nope. Might be a good idea to install a shutoff valve before the filter, just in case the neat-and-easy promises aren\u2019t true. Also, 3M claims this filter can last up to 12 months. Problem is, it\u2019s a single-stage carbon filter and if your supply isn\u2019t already clean, that single stage is going to get clogged up pretty quickly. A pre-filter in place before this unit would help extend the life of the 3M Aqua-Pure.<\/p>\n
And replacement filters? Well, it\u2019s more of a replacement unit, which is kinda nice, but it\u2019s 150 bucks a pop to replace. Simple, but kinda spendy.<\/p>\n
And for the curious, here\u2019s a video showing an installation of the 3M, even though it seems to be a bit of overkill:<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Filters:<\/span> Sediment, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, heavy metals, micro-contaminants down to 1 micron<\/li>\n
- F<\/span>ilter Lifespan<\/span>: <\/span>Varies, up to 95,000 gallons in carbon filter<\/li>\n
- Stages:<\/span> two<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> twenty gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Large filter housings and ports allow for full-strength\u00a0pressure.<\/li>\n
- Filtration down to one micron.<\/li>\n
- Oversize filters allow for lower frequency of replacement and maintenance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
The Home Master is only a two-stage unit, but it\u2019s got some nice features. First up is the main filter \u2014 it filters in varying levels, starting from 20 microns down to 1 micron. Why is that nice? It helps keep the liquid\u00a0flowing and at the same time gets all the stuff out of your water that it should.<\/p>\n
The second stage is a coconut shell carbon filter and gets rid of what most carbon filters do: lead, mercury, copper, and bad tastes and odors.<\/p>\n
The two-stage Home Master system is for chlorinated city liquids only. If your city uses chloramines, you\u2019ll need a different system<\/a>. And if you\u2019re using well supply, you\u2019ll need an entirely different system<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The only drawback? The large filters that allow greater liquid flow are pretty dang heavy. You\u2019ll need to mount them on wall studs or something equally secure. If you\u2019ve got upper-arm strength issues, you\u2019ll need help changing filters or a different system.<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Flow rate of twenty gallons per minute means you get good supply pressure in your house.<\/li>\n
- Long lifespan so you\u2019re not changing filters every month.<\/li>\n
- Filters out pretty much everything you need to worry about, but keeps the beneficial minerals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
CONS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Large filters hold a lot of liquid\u00a0and require to be installed on wall studs.<\/li>\n
- Fairly pricy unit. Replacement filters aren\u2019t cheap, either.<\/li>\n
- Only for city supply. If you have well supply, you\u2019ll need this one<\/a> (which costs more).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best for:<\/span><\/span> The family that\u2019s got a solid place to mount this big boy, is looking to filter out the greatest number of contaminants and knows what kind of water they\u2019ve got so they can pick up the right system.<\/p>\n
The Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House\u00a0Filtration System<\/a><\/h3>\n
\u200bSummary:<\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Filters:<\/span> rust, sediment, microscopic particulates, chlorine<\/li>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> Main filter \u2014 1,000,000 gallons, pre- and post-filter vary<\/li>\n
- Stages<\/span>: three<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> seven gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Removes 97% of chlorine, exceeding NSF standards.<\/li>\n
- Main filter lasts for a million gallons.<\/li>\n
- No salt, electricity, or back flushing required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
A million gallons. 1,000,000 gallons of water. That\u2019s how much Aquasana\u2019s main filter will go through before it needs changing. How long is that? Oh, just 10 years, that\u2019s all. So, there you have it. That is the reason why Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000<\/a> is one of the our favorites on here.<\/p>\n
Now, since this is a three stage filtration unit, there are two other filters to think about, and those won\u2019t last a million gallons. Not anywhere close. The pre-filter cuts out everything down to the five-micron level, including rust, dirt, and microscopic particulates. Aquasana says it should be good for three to six months of city supply\u00a0or one to three months of well supply.<\/p>\n
The main filter, the big blue one, contains copper-zinc oxidation media (yeah, I\u2019ve got no idea what that actually is either) and crushed mineral stones. Why? To reduce chlorine and balance the pH of the water, bringing it to a more alkaline state.<\/p>\n
The post-filter is carbon. Cuts the chlorine even more and other baddies in the liquid, and makes it taste fantastic. The carbon filter should last 6\u201312 months in the city and 2\u20136 months with well supply.<\/p>\n
This is the heaviest unit we recommend here. It\u2019s so heavy you\u2019re likely going to want to rest that big blue bottle on the floor. Don\u2019t worry \u2014 you won\u2019t have to change it for the next 10 freakin\u2019 years. Another thing to note \u2014 the filter changes can add up. The pre filters cost about 10 bucks a pop and the post filters run around 30 bucks. Which means about 100 bucks a year in the city and about 300 a year with a well.<\/p>\n
Wanna see what Aquasana thinks? Here\u2019s their promotional video for the Rhino:<\/p>\n
\u200b<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- One. Million. Gallons.<\/li>\n
- Balances the pH of your supply, getting closer to soft water without a liquid\u00a0softener.<\/li>\n
- Removes 97% of chlorine in your system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
CONS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Frequent replacement of pre- and post-filters.<\/li>\n
- Weight of unit requires installation on floor, and likely a plumber.<\/li>\n
- Not great for people who dislike the soft water feel.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best for: <\/span>someone who is looking for a robust unit that will get them close to alkaline supply\u00a0without the need for adding salt or using electricity. Also good for anyone looking for unchlorinated liquid.<\/p>\n
The 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House\u00a0Filtration System – Model AP903<\/a><\/h3>\n
\u200bSummary:<\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Filters:<\/span> Sediment, dirt, rust, chlorine taste and odor<\/li>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> 100,000 gallons<\/li>\n
- Stages<\/span>: one<\/li>\n
- Rate:<\/span> twenty gallons per minute<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Features:<\/span><\/h4>\n
- \n
- Stainless steel head with 25-year warranty.<\/li>\n
- Filters out chlorine taste and odor, rust, and sediments down to 5 microns.<\/li>\n
- Twist-off filter replacement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
Looking for a simple and clean solution to get rid of chlorine, sediment, and rust in your water? The 3M Aqua-Pure might be right for you. Its stainless steel head is warrantied trouble-free for 25 years and its twist-off filter mount promises easy filter replacement every 100,000 gallons or so.<\/p>\n
Now, is it perfect? Nope. Might be a good idea to install a shutoff valve before the filter, just in case the neat-and-easy promises aren\u2019t true. Also, 3M claims this filter can last up to 12 months. Problem is, it\u2019s a single-stage carbon filter and if your supply isn\u2019t already clean, that single stage is going to get clogged up pretty quickly. A pre-filter in place before this unit would help extend the life of the 3M Aqua-Pure.<\/p>\n
And replacement filters? Well, it\u2019s more of a replacement unit, which is kinda nice, but it\u2019s 150 bucks a pop to replace. Simple, but kinda spendy.<\/p>\n
And for the curious, here\u2019s a video showing an installation of the 3M, even though it seems to be a bit of overkill:<\/p>\n
PROS<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> 100,000 gallons<\/li>\n
- Filters:<\/span> Sediment, dirt, rust, chlorine taste and odor<\/li>\n
- Filter Lifespan:<\/span> Main filter \u2014 1,000,000 gallons, pre- and post-filter vary<\/li>\n
- Filters:<\/span> rust, sediment, microscopic particulates, chlorine<\/li>\n
- F<\/span>ilter Lifespan<\/span>: <\/span>Varies, up to 95,000 gallons in carbon filter<\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/watersoftenercritic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/The-Watts-WH-LD-Premier-Whole-House-Filter-System-e1470930872743.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\n