When it comes to filtering the water we shower, bathe, and brush our teeth with, whole house water filters offer a simple, low-maintenance solution. Of course, with all the options available, deciding on which one to go with is not so simple.
We’ve already covered common harmful contaminants in tap water – including ones that tend to be inhaled or absorbed through skin when showering or bathing – so in this article I’m going to dive right into the pros and cons of going with a whole house water filtration system. I’ve also included my top recommendations.
2025 Update: A few of the models I previously mentioned are no longer available, so I’m researching alternatives. I’ll update when I have additional recommendations.
Pros of Whole House Water Filters ^
They filter all the water that comes into the home, including the water we use to shower, bathe and brush our teeth.
Long-term, the price-per-gallon of filtering the water is generally lower than the cost of installing point-of-use systems for all showers and sinks.
Many systems have water softener or chemical-free water conditioning options available, which may extend the lifespan of plumbing and appliances that use water.
Cons of Whole House Water Filters ^
Initial Cost – Although they tend to save money in the long-run, whole house systems do require an upfront investment.
May Reduce Flow Rate (Depending On The Model) – Because all the water that comes into the home has to pass through the filter, the speed at which the water can pass through determines how much water you can use at any given time.
The number of gallons of water per minute (GPM) a filter can produce is called its flow rate. If the flow rate is too low (based on the square footage of your home and number of people using water), it can cause a noticeable drop in water availability.
Installation – Unlike countertop or even under counter systems which are fairly easy to set up, whole house systems often require a fair amount of DIY skill or professional installation.
What is the optimal flow rate? ^
Two main factors influence how many gallons per minute a home needs to function normally:
- The number of people in the home (1-4 people is considered a small household, 5+ people is considered a large household)
- The square footage of the home
- How many appliances/faucets/shower heads are likely to be often used simultaneously (For example, do you almost always have a load of laundry and dishes running when someone hops in the shower?)
If the GPM is too low to meet demands, users may experience a decrease in water flow. Unfortunately, there isn’t a consensus on what the optimal GPM should be.
7 GPM will probably work for most small families (1-4 people) with 1-2.5 bathrooms. For small families with 2.5 or bathrooms and/or who consider themselves a little higher on the usage scale (lots of dishes/laundry + frequent showers, etc) 10 GPM might be a little more comfortable.
My family is considered large (5 people) and because we cook three meals from scratch every day we always have dishes (and laundry) going. For families like us, a minimum of 12-15 GPM may be a better fit.
Why Microbe Resistant Materials Matter ^
Most whole house filters use activated carbon because it’s so effective at binding with a variety of contaminants. However, what’s not as well-known is that it can serve as a growth-medium for bacteria. (1)
That’s why when it’s used in water filters – especially ones that are changed infrequently like whole house filter cartridges – it needs to be paired with bacteriostatic (bacteria inhibiting) materials.
I was able to confirm that all the filters I recommend include bacteriostatic materials with one exception: the Aquasana OptimH20 filters are replaced frequently enough (1 year vs up to 10 years) that colonization is not a concern.
Aquasana OptimH2O ^
Price: $1799
The OptimH20 is IAPMO tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53, which covers contaminants known to have negative health effects. Under optimal conditions, the system also reduces more than 99% of lead and cysts, 98% of PFOA/PFOS, plus chlorine, chloramines, and more.
It does not filter fluoride and cannot accommodate an add-on filter to do that, so if fluoride reduction is a priority for you, another system may be a better option.
The basic filter can be customized in a couple of different ways:
If you have city water that frequently issues boil notices due to microbial contamination, you can add a UV filter that kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and chlorine resistant cysts for an additional cost of around $580. The UV filter is included in their well water filter, which I’ll review below.
If you want to counteract hard water buildup, you can add on a salt-free water conditioner to naturally and safely reduce scale buildup on internal pipes and plumbing for an additional cost of around $670.
Filtration Technology
The OptimH20 uses a single, ultra-dense carbon block with its “own unique formula of high-potency, contaminant-grabbing media and filtration” that includes both catalytic and activated carbon.
Pros
- Certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 – reduces chlorine and chloramine up to 90% plus 99% of lead and cysts, 98% of PFOA/PFOS, and more
- The system monitors water and flow rate and gives you a color-coded notification when it’s time to replace your filter
- Replacing filters is easy
Cons
- Does not filter fluoride
- Installation requires tools and skills that are probably outside the average DIYers’ scope
- 7 GPM flow rate may not be enough for some families, but for an additional investment there is a dual manifold installation option that can increase GPM
- Some reviews noted a drop in water pressure after installation, but the company says this was due to a post-filter issue that has been corrected
My Take on Aquasana
The OptimH20 is best suited for families who don’t have fluoride added to their water and/or are using well water that does not contain naturally occurring fluoride.
Aquasana Rhino Well Water with UV
Price: $1249
Because the contaminants found in well water are typically different from those found in municipal water, Aquasana has created a system specifically designed to target those concerns. It uses a slightly different form of carbon (catalytic instead of activated) along with a UV filter that kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and chlorine resistant cysts.
Like the OptimH20, it also comes with the option to add a salt-free water conditioner to naturally and safely reduce scale buildup if needed.
Filtration Technology
The Aquasana Rhino Well Water with UV filtration uses activated carbon, catalytic carbon, and KDF 85 media with a dual tank design that increases water contact time for optimal contaminant reduction. As the name of the filter implies, it also incorporates a UV filter to address microorganisms.
Pros
- Third-party tested for the reduction of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants commonly found in well water
- Includes bacteriostatic media that prohibits bacteria and algae from growing inside the system
- Relatively easy installation
- Replacing filters is easy
Cons
- 7 GPM flow rate may not be enough for some families, but for an additional investment there is a dual manifold installation option that can increase GPM
My Take On The Aquasana Rhino Well Water With UV
If you’re on well water, the Aquasana Rhino Well Water filter is a solid system well worth considering.
Other Whole House Filters I Considered ^
Any time I publish a review of several products at once, I get asked if I’ve considered a brand that is not mentioned. Below are some that I did look into. If you think there’s another one I should please let me know in the comments!
SpringWell makes whole house filters that are designed for both municipal and well water. While they do use NSF certified components – which basically means that that the materials used to make the components won’t leach toxins into the water – I couldn’t find any independent certifications that verify the performance of their systems.
The Aqua-Pure Whole House system is affordable and certified to meet NSF/ANSI standard 42 for chlorine removal, but other than that the only other thing it seems to do well is remove sediment. It doesn’t remove heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, chloramine, and other contaminants.
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1. Wu, Chia-Chen et. al. (2017) The microbial colonization of activated carbon block point-of-use (PoU) filters with and without chlorinated phenol disinfection by-products
2. National Sanitation Foundation. NSF Standards for Water Treatment Systems
