Do Shower Filters Work? What They Do (and Don't Do)

Shower filters are one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your bathroom, but there's a lot of hype around them. Here's an honest look at what a good shower filter does, and what it doesn't.

What a shower filter does well

• Reduces chlorine. Most city water is disinfected with chlorine. Filter media like KDF-55 and calcium sulfite are effective at reducing chlorine in hot shower water, where plain carbon struggles.
• Reduces some heavy metals and impurities, depending on the media.
• Cuts the "pool smell." Many people notice the difference right away.

Lots of customers say their skin feels less dry and their hair feels softer after switching, especially people with sensitive skin or color-treated hair. Everyone's water and skin are different, so results vary.

What a shower filter doesn't do

• It doesn't soften hard water. Hardness comes from calcium and magnesium. Removing those takes a water softener system, not a shower head. Be wary of any shower filter that claims to "soften" water.
• It doesn't make water drinkable. For drinking water, use a dedicated drinking water filter.

How often to change the cartridge

Most cartridges last around 6 months depending on your water and household size. When you notice the chlorine smell returning or flow dropping, it's time. Mark the date on your calendar when you install one.

Which one should you get?

• Want a new shower head with filtration built in? The 15-Stage Chrome Shower Head.
• Want to keep your current setup feel with strong flow? The Heavy Output Universal Shower Filter.
• Want to set it and forget it? The 18-Month Shower Filter Kit includes the filter plus two replacement cartridges, about a year and a half of filtered showers.

Every Denali Spring shower filter installs on a standard shower arm in a few minutes, no tools or plumber required. Free U.S. shipping from Florida.