These whole house water filters remove sediment, bacteria, and even lead from your water supply.
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Whether you’re worried about the quality of your water source or you’re using one as a precaution, installing a whole house water filter helps make consuming water worry-free.
“Whole house water filters are specifically designed to clean and purify all the water that flows into your home, which covers everything from drinking water to general household use,” says Rachel Kourey, pumps and water treatment merchant for The Home Depot.
Whole house water filters are a great choice for those who want to be sure that their water supply remains free of bacteria, sediment, viruses, heavy metals, or even chemicals. Kourey adds that, before committing, it’s “important to be informed about your water source,” and whether or not you’re using city or well water.
City water is supplied by your local municipality and is typically treated with chlorine before it reaches you, which can leave behind a taste or leave your hair and skin feeling dry.
Well water is not treated, so it has a higher risk of contaminants, but you do not pay a monthly fee for it. You can test your water to see which contaminants you may need to remove. Being aware of these factors will help you make a decision about the best whole house water filter for your needs.
If you’re handy, installing a whole house filter can be done yourself. Typically, it is installed close to your water shut off valve in a horizontal pipe that is in line with your existing plumbing, before the pipes branch off to the rest of the home.
Be sure it’s in a reachable spot because you’ll have to change the filter as required. To install, remove a portion of the pipe, fit the filter between, and solder the connections so that they stay put. If you’re worried about installing yourself, it’s best to call a professional.
While looking for the best whole house filter, it’s important to consider what filtration method it uses to clean your water, the flow rate of the water, what contaminants it does (and doesn’t) filter, and the number of stages of filtration your water will go through.
It can be used on well or municipal water, as it removes chlorine and other sediments.
The installation of this filter may be difficult without the help of a professional.
With a moderate price point and effective carbon filtration, the 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter is our pick for the best whole house water filter overall.
This filter uses carbon media to reduce chlorine in water, helping with any taste or odor, and also helps to block other contaminants in the water supply. It’s helpful for well water or municipal water, and has three levels of filtration that eliminate sediment, particulate and rust, and scales as well.
This water filter is effective, while still providing a decent water pressure for the home, with high flow rates up to 20 gallons per minute. This is suitable for most residential and even light commercial needs.
We like that this water filter system is designed to allow for quick and easy filter changes (no wrench required) using just a quarter of a turn to remove the filter without needing to come into contact with any of the filter’s contaminants. This filter comes with a countdown magnet that you can put on the refrigerator to remind the user when to swap out the filter.
Keep in mind that the installation of this whole house filter is a bit more involved and could use the help of a professional as it requires you to have a pipe cutter, plumbing solder, torch, and more.
Price at time of publish: $467
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Sediment, chlorine taste and odor, scale | Number of Stages: Three | Filtration Method: Activated carbon
This filter can improve the taste and smell of your water.
It does not remove any heavy metals or bacteria from your water.
The GE Whole House Water Filtration System is the most affordable pick on our list while still effectively filtering sediment, scale, dirt, and rust from your water. It also is effective in eliminating chlorine, which is often used when treating city water.
This helps to improve the taste and odor of your home’s water. It does this by using a granular activated carbon filter and sediment filter, which effectively block any particles from making their way into your drinking water.
We like that this water filter is easy to install, and includes a 1-inch plumbing connection, pressure relief valve, bypass option, and mounting bracket, providing everything necessary to complete the job without professional help. You install this whole house filter by locating a horizontal pipe near your shut off valve, cut into it with a pipe cutter, and attach the filter using tools provided.
It also has a clear sump that allows you to view the filter easily so you know when it is time for a change. Additionally, there is a remote filter reminder light that you can install that will notify you when it’s time to swap the filter. The filter, according to the manufacturer, needs to be replaced every three months.
Keep in mind that this filter does not remove bacteria or heavy metals (like lead) from your water. While some whole house water filters can cost up to several thousand dollars, this budget-friendly model from GE is less than $100, making it the best whole house filter for someone looking to clean their water without a hefty price tag.
Price at time of publish: $87
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Sediment, scale, dirt, and rust | Number of Stages: One | Filtration Method: Granular activated carbon, sediment
This whole house water filter also has a water softener.
You’ll need to change the filters every two months.
The Aquasana Whole House Well Filter System may come with a hefty price tag, but if you use well water, it is well-worth the price. It has a capacity of 500,000 gallons, which translates to roughly five years of use.
The higher the capacity, the longer the filter life, which is especially helpful for homes with well water, as the water is completely unfiltered. Kourey says this whole house filter, “is tailor-made for homes utilizing well water sources, effectively safeguarding against the typical contaminants often present in private well water,” which can include lead, fluoride, chlorine, sulfate, and more.
What makes this filtration system different from others is that it has an upflow dual tank, which is helpful when it comes to keeping the tank from getting clogged and maximizes the water contact time with the filtration system, ensuring it is filtered well.
It has six stages of filtration, starting with the pre-filter, which captures rust, sediment, and silt. Then, water moves on to the rhine filter, a copper-zinc filter that includes activated carbon that helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and algae. After that, the water is filtered through the salt-free conditioner, which prevents minerals from binding and forming scale build up.
Then, there is the post-filter, which reduces any leftover sediment. Finally, the process is finished off with a UV filter that sterilizes bacteria and viruses, as well as cysts. If you don’t use well water, this water filter is still a great choice because it removes chlorine from water as well. Plus, the capacity means it will last longer, so you won’t need to switch it out as frequently.
Keep in mind that, in order to keep this filter system running at peak performance, you’ll need to replace the filters every two months. This means incurring an additional cost on top of the hefty price tag.
Price at time of publish: $2,149
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Chlorine, bacteria | Number of Stages: Six | Filtration Method: Carbon block, KDF Filter, UV
It filters up to 99% of contaminants, including chlorine, water-soluble lead, and more.
You’ll need to replace three filters every six months.
It’s important to note that every city’s water supply is different, which is why you should test your water to determine which contaminants will need to be removed. Thankfully, the Pro Aqua Elite Whole House Filter removes many of those contaminants, including lead, chlorine, copper, and iron, making it the best whole house water filter for the job.
This filtration system has three stages of filtering, including a sediment filter, an activated carbon filter, and a filter to remove heavy metals. Filtering out these contaminants is good not only for your drinking water, but for prolonging the life of your appliances.
Kourey calls this whole house filter an “easy and low maintenance option.” She adds, “The three-stage filtration system provides safe water for your entire home and removes up to 99% of chlorine, water-soluble lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, iron, rust, pesticides, dirt, sand, and many other contaminants,” making it a great option for those using city water.
We like that each filter has clear housing that lets you know when it’s time to change out the filters. Plus, the stainless steel pressure gauges make it easy to keep an eye on how the system is functioning. However, since it has three separate filters, this means keeping track of and changing three separate filters every six months, which cost $125 for a bundle.
Price at time of publish: $425
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Sediment, heavy metals, chlorine, copper, iron, and more | Number of Stages: Three | Filtration Method: Carbon filter, sediment filter, CRK filter
The lamp lasts a full year and does not need to be replaced as often as other filters.
This system cannot filter out sediment or heavy metals.
With UV light, Kourey explains, “water undergoes exposure to ultraviolet radiation within UV filters, effectively eradicating potentially harmful bacteria that pose health risks.”
Our pick for the best whole house water filter with UV is the PENTAIR PUV-14 Whole House Water Treatment & Disinfection System because it uses a powerful UV light to eliminate E.coli, waterborne pathogens, fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
This filter has an exterior made of stainless steel, so it resists rust and corrosion, prolonging the life of your filter. The UV lamp has an indicator that lets you know the lamp should be replaced 30 days before, and if you forget to do so, there is also an indicator that comes on when it needs to be changed.
We love that this is an eco-friendly option, as it takes about the same power to operate as a low-wattage light bulb. Other filters may put your water through a carbon filter or sediment filter to remove contaminants, but UV filters use light to eliminate microorganisms, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. It is National Sanitation Foundation certified, which means it was independently tested and for guaranteed water disinfection.
This UV filter does not have the ability to filter sediment or heavy metals, so if you’re in an area where you find that you need these things filtered, you may want to choose another filtering system.
Price at time of publish: $1,100
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Micro-organisms, viruses, fungi, bacteria | Number of Stages: One | Filtration Method: UV filter
This carbon filter improves the smell and taste of your water.
It doesn’t filter out lead.
The iSpring Whole House Water Filter System is our pick for the best carbon water filter. Kourey explains, “A carbon block water filter effectively eliminates larger particles from water by attracting and absorbing sediment or silt.”
This whole house water filter removes rust, chlorine, herbicides, industrial solvents, sediment, and more thanks to its three-stage filtration system. The first stage is a polypropylene sediment filter that traps debris, and this particular filter is designed to allow for fewer clogs and minimal water pressure loss.
Next, there is a carbon block filter that uses coconut shell carbon to filter out other impurities. This also helps with the cloudiness of the water, the water’s color, taste and odor. Then, there is an iron and manganese filter that uses ion exchange to catch unwanted particles and reduces chlorine.
These filters have a capacity of 100,000 gallons, which is equivalent to one year of clean water, so you won’t have to worry about changing out the filter constantly.
Though this filtration system is designed to remove iron and manganese from your water supply, it will not be effective in catching lead. If you test your water and find that there is a presence of lead, you may want to choose a different filter.
Price at time of publish: $474
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Sediment, dirt, sand, rust, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide | Number of Stages: Three | Filtration Method: Coconut shell carbon and sediment
The filter lasts for up to six years.
If you want sediment or bacteria removal, you’ll need to purchase add-ons.
“Municipal water treatment often utilizes chlorine to disinfect the water,” Kourey explains. “Residual chlorine compounds in your tap water may result in an unpleasant taste, odor, and can cause skin dryness and itching.”
If your water is showing high chlorine levels—and is tasting or smelling strange as a result—the AO Smith Whole House Water Filter System is our choice for chlorine removal.
Many filters remove chlorine from water, but what sets this model apart is that the central filter lasts for six years or up to 600,000 gallons of water. That means there’s no need to worry about changing the filter constantly in order to achieve drinkable or usable water.
In addition to removing chlorine from water, it also reduces mercury, chloramines, herbicides, pesticides, and more. However, it does not reduce sulfur or iron levels.
Keep in mind that this advanced granular activated carbon filter does not filter sediment or bacteria. If you want to do that, you’ll need to purchase add-ons, like A.O. Smith’s UV and Sediment filters.
Price at time of publish: $339
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Chlorine | Number of Stages: One | Filtration Method: Granulated active carbon filter
This whole house filter is three-in-one, with the ability to soften hard water, too.
You’ll need space for this system’s 3-gallon tank, which reserves clean drinking water.
Hard water is “characterized by high concentrations of minerals, typically calcium and magnesium ions,” Kourey says. “To fully address hard water issues, the use of a water softener alongside a whole house filter is necessary.”
The Aquasure Whole House Filtration System is our pick for the best whole house water filter for calcium. This filter has a 64,000 grain water softener that minimizes scale and spot build up while treating hardness in your water supply.
In total, this system has five different filters. It also has a reverse osmosis under-sink system, which removes up to 99% of contaminants. Additionally, there is a sediment granulated active carbon (or GAC) pre-filter. This means this system not only guarantees softer water, it also filters out sediment and debris and reduces chlorine, copper, fluoride, and iron. The water softener system also eliminates iron and magnesium from your water supply.
On top of being effective, this walter filtration system has a heavy duty, high-capacity tank that is corrosion resistant and reinforced with durable fiberglass.
Keep in mind that you’ll need space for this system’s 3-gallon tank, which reserves clean drinking water. The installation is also a bit more involved than other whole house filters, with one installation for the filter, one for the water softener, and one for the reverse osmosis, under-sink filter. This might be a headache if you’re handling the installation yourself.
Price at time of publish: $919
Product Details: Contaminants Filtered: Chlorine, bacteria, sediment | Number of Stages: Three | Filtration Method: Carbon Block, coconut shell carbon, GAC, polypropylene, sediment, and thin film composite membrane (reverse osmosis)
The 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter is our pick for the best whole house water filter overall because of its moderate price point, easy-to-change filters, and its ability to remove chlorine and other sediments. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, our pick is the GE Whole House Water Filtration System—it’s easy to install and less than $100.
“There are a wide range of water substances that whole house filters help get rid of, including substances like arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals, and pathogenic bacteria,” Kourey says. She adds that “Factors such as the plumbing system, water runoff, and the age of your home can determine the specific water contaminants you may encounter, which could differ from those affecting your neighbors.”
A common contaminant is chlorine, which is usually used in water treatment centers to disinfect the water as it’s treated. Some whole house water filters are also able to filter out heavy metals like lead, iron, manganese, chromium, copper, arsenic, and mercury. They can also be helpful for filtering larger particles like sediment, sand, dirt, and rust.
If you want to know exactly which is the best whole house water filter for your home, Kourey suggests testing your water with a water analysis kit to be sure you know exactly what needs to be filtered out.
Some whole house water filters have just one filtration method, but there are some that use multiple stages of filtration to ensure different contaminants can be caught. Often water filters with multiple stages begin with larger materials like sand, dirt, and sediment. Then, they’re often filtered again with UV or infrared filtration to remove chemicals, fungi, and bacteria.
Finally, the water will be filtered once more, sometimes with reverse osmosis, so that the water is clean. While looking for the best whole house water filter for your home, consider what you’re looking to remove from your water.
If it’s just sand and sediment or chlorine and fluoride, then a carbon filter could do the trick. If it’s bacteria, viruses, or heavy metals you’re worried about, then the more filtration steps the better. The Aquasure Whole House Filtration System has multiple steps, including a final, under the sink reverse osmosis filter, which work together to remove Chlorine, bacteria, and sediment.
The PENTAIR PUV-14 Whole House Water Treatment & Disinfection System is a UV filter that does not remove sediment, only waterborne pathogens, fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Not all whole house water filters clean water in the same way. Carbon filters are able to filter chlorine and sediments by attracting and then absorbing the materials that pass through.
There are also filters that use UV (ultraviolet) light, which destroys bacteria without heat or chemicals, using UV radiation. Our pick for the best UV filter is the PENTAIR PUV-14 Whole House Water Treatment & Disinfection System.
Infrared filters use heat and light to filter water, and often leave your water feeling softer. Most water filters also typically have some kind of sand or sediment mesh so that any larger materials cannot pass through. Our best overall pick, the 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter, has a carbon filter that removes sediment from the water its filtering.
Reverse osmosis systems, which use a membrane to separate any impurities, are great for removing heavy metals (including lead) from water because there are multiple stages of cleaning used. First, the water is pre-filtered to remove sediments and chlorine, and may even go through another carbon filtration.
Then, after being stored, the water is filtered again before drinking. The Aquasure Whole House Filtration System has a reverse osmosis filter that is installed under the sink, for extra filtering of tap water.
If you draw from a well or your municipality does not offer water treatment or if your water is discolored, cloudy, or has an odor, then investing in a whole house water filter may be a worthy investment.
Whole house water filters are connected to your main supply line, which means all of the water in your house gets filtered. If you don’t get a whole house water filter, you may have a filter installed individually to faucets and sinks, but that would mean not having clean water in the rest of the house.
If you’re on the fence, you can test your water to see whether or not it is necessary. There are a few different tests you can purchase, including some where you test your water yourself using test strips to see which contaminants are present or, some that have you send in a sample of your water to a lab to be analyzed. If sending out a sample, make sure the lab is state-certified.
“Whole house filters cannot treat hard water alone,” Kourey explains. “Hard water is characterized by high concentrations of minerals, typically calcium and magnesium ions. To fully address hard water issues, the use of a water softener alongside a whole house filter is necessary.”
Water softeners use a process called ion exchange in order to replace those minerals with sodium, making the water less hard. Because whole house water filters remove chemicals and impurities from your water, it can help with your hard water issues.
This does not mean that all whole house water filters can fix a hard water problem, but some, like the Aquasure Whole House Filtration, our pick for the best for calcium, have a water softening setting built in.
Whole house filters cost anywhere from $80, like our pick for best budget, the GE Whole House Water Filtration System. Others, however, like the Aquasana Whole House Well Water Filter System, can cost a couple thousand dollars.
Because they’re a financial investment, it’s important that you not only determine if installing one is truly necessary, but also that you find the best whole house water filter for your home, budget, and environment.
Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer at Better Homes & Gardens. For this story, she spent several hours researching the best whole house water filters by comparing product reviews, customer recommendations, and product specifications. She also spoke with Rachel Kourey, the Pumps and Water Treatment Merchant for The Home Depot, for more information about whole house water filters.
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