Introduction
Many people filter their drinking water to remove any contaminants that are potentially harmful to their health, yet neglect to take similar proactive measures in the bathroom. Yet water that flows out of our shower-heads, bath- and basin faucets can contain contaminants, such as chlorine, that can also wreak havoc with our health. A bathroom water filter that fits onto your shower and/or bathroom faucet/s can alleviate this problem, and make a big difference to the health of your skin, hair and lungs. In this article we review a selection of top bathroom water filters to help you choose the best bathroom water purifier for your needs.
Things to Consider when Shopping for a Bathroom Water Filter
Why use a bathroom water filter
Hard water and water treated with chlorine — the chemical used to disinfect tap water to make it safe to drink— can cause dry and itchy skin, particularly if you already have sensitive skin; as well as dry, brittle and lifeless hair. Chlorine, which vaporized into chloroform, can also irritate the eyes, as well as the respiratory tract, and can lead to drowsiness when inhaled after it vaporizes in steam in the confines of the bathroom or shower cubicle. Fitting a bathroom water filter to your bathroom plumbing fixtures will remove some of these contaminants so they don't make contact with your skin and hair, and cannot be vaporized and inhaled.
Benefits of using bathroom water filter
When you use a bathroom water filter your skin and hair will be healthier, you eyes less red and irritated, you will cough less and your breathing will be easier. A bathroom water purifier can prevent health conditions such as eczema, dandruff, asthma and other respiratory diseases from developing. Even though you may not drink the water that comes out of these fittings, you will still gain many health benefits by fitting a bathroom water filter.
How to choose a bathroom water filter?
When shopping for a bathroom water filter, there are a few features you need to keep in mind to help you choose the best bathroom water purifier for your needs. There are several different types of bathroom water filters on the market, and the best type for you will depend on several factors. Let's explore these in a bit more depth.
- Function — Where are you planning on installing the water filter? Are you looking for a shower filter, a filter for the bathtub, a faucet filter, or a filter you can use on multiple faucets. If you don't have a shower, then obviously you can rule out that option. Same goes for a bathtub. Deciding where you want to install the filter can help you narrow down your purchasing choice, so bear in mind how and where you want to use it.
- Filtration capabilities — What contaminants are you targeting? Are you primarily interested in removing chlorine or chloramine — knowing which of these two contaminants is prevalent in your water can help you narrow down your choice. Or are you wanting to remove minerals responsible for hardness and scale, or heavy metals such as lead? Knowing which contaminants you are targeting is essential for selecting the best bathroom water filter for your needs.
- Beneficial minerals — does the filter add any minerals that are beneficial to the health of your skin, hair, nails, etc.? This is probably not a deal-breaker, but if you are yearning for a glowing complexion and shiny hair, this may be an added incentive.
- Lifespan and Replacement Filters - what is the lifespan of the filter media and the replacement costs? If they filter media needs to be replaced often and/or is expensive to replace, the filter may work out excessively expensive over time. How much are you prepared to pay for the luxury of a chlorine-free shower/bath?
- Adjustability — can you divert water flow or adjust the water flow rate, for example to have a hard shower or to save water, or to divert water from the filter when non-filtered water will do.
- Aesthetic design — is the filter available in a color that will not look our of place in your bathroom, and is the overall design aesthetically pleasing?
- Durability — is the bathroom filter well constructed and made of durable material that is easy to clean?
- Warranty — what, if any, warranty does the manufacturer offer?
Types of bathroom water filters
There are several different types of bathroom water filters and each of these is designed with specific features in mind depending on where the filter will be used and what contaminants it is targeting. Some of the different options available are listed below:
- Shower head filter — a shower head with a built-in water filter that replaces your standard shower head
- Inline shower filter — a water filter that is fitted between the shower head and the water pipe, typically replacing the shower arm
- Inline shower filter + Shower head Filter — a combination of the above two types which attach to each other and can be used to double up on your filtration capacity. Since the water is pre-filtered by the inline filter, the life of the shower head filter is extended
- Hand-held shower head filter — a water filter used with detachable hand-held shower head attachments
- Bath ball water filter
- Faucet water filter with carbon filter
- Organic cotton faucet filter
Considerations before buying a bathroom water filter
Before you rush out and buy a bathroom water filter you need to first assess where you will be using the water filter. Are you looking for a shower filter or a water filter for bathroom faucets? You then need to consider what health issues you are concerned about and what contaminants you are targeting, and look for the best water filter for bathroom fixtures based on these requirements.
Best Bathroom Water Filter
Below we review some of the best water filters for use in the bathroom, outlining the pros and cons of each to help you narrow down your choice when shopping for a bathroom water purifier.
Best Water Filter for Bathroom Faucets
A faucet-mounted bathroom water filter is a good option if you are wanting to filter water that you use to fill your basin, or even water you use to wash your teeth, or drink in the bathroom, for example, to wash down medication. The Pur Advanced Faucet Filtration System stands out as a top performing faucet filter as it is ANSI/NSF certified to remove 71 contaminants, including lead.
Pros
- Certified to remove 71 contaminants, including lead, mercury, industrial chemicals, pesticides and 12 'emerging compounds'.
- Easy to install onto a standard faucet.
- Includes a built in flow meter and indicator light that alerts the user when the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.
- Various finishes to choose from.
- Optional upgrade to filter cartridge that puts beneficial minerals back into the water.
- Toggle between filter and regular tap to improve flow and preserve the filter when filtered water is not required.
Cons
- Filter cartridge lasts approximately 3 months or filters 100 gallons before needing to be replaced .
- Requires a lithium ion battery (included) to operate.
- Hot water may damage the filter cartridge, so only suitable for filtering cold water.
- Doesn't work on faucets with integrated faucet sprayer attachments.
Best Organic Bathroom Water Purifier
For those that prefer to opt for organic alternatives when shopping for home products, the Santevia Organic Cotton Faucet Filter offers a refreshing and sustainable alternative to conventional bathroom water purifiers. It consists of a loofah-like filter media housed within a cotton bag, which filters water as it passes through the bag.
Pros
- Reduces chlorine by 99%
- Adds beneficial minerals such as magnesium and zinc that help promote healthy skin, hair and nails.
- Versatile, can be used on bath and basin faucet, and moved between the two.
- Simple to use, just slip it over the bath or basin faucet before turning on the tap to let the water flow through the bag.
- Suitable for babies, children and those with a sensitive skin.
Cons
- Filter media will need to be replaced after approximately 1-2 months or 100 baths.
- Primarily targets chlorine, so if you are targeting other contaminants this may not be the best option for you.
Best Bath Ball Water Purifier
If you are looking for a water filter to filter your bath water we recommend the CuZn Bath Ball as its easy to use, economical, and effective.
Pros
- Easy to install — just slip the cord around the faucet, tightening the bead so it can't slip off, and let the water flow through the ball.
- Utilizes innovative KDF-55 Media Disc technology
- Targets contaminants responsible for causing dry, itchy skin; dry and lifeless hair, as well as eye and respiratory irritations.
- Filter media lasts approximately 12 months before needing to be replaced, which makes it very economical and convenient.
- Eco-friendly, as the filter media is not enclosed in a plastic cartridge media housing and is therefore fully recyclable.
Cons
- Not effective for extremely hard water such as well water.
Best Inline Shower Filter
If you are wanting to filter shower water, we recommend the inline Berkey shower filter, as it is capable of removing up to 98% of free chlorine present in water and will also reduce pathogenic microorganisms, heavy metals and contaminants that give water an unpleasant smell.
Pros
- Easy to install — just unscrew the shower head and shower arm, and insert the filter between the shower head/arm and the water pipe.
- Easy to maintain.
- Utilizes high-purity copper-zince KDF/Redox technology.
- Long lifespan — filter will last approximately 1 year or filter up to 30,000 gallons (113,400 liters) before needing to be replaced.
- Removes up to 98% of free chlorine present in water.
- Effective ar reducing chlorine in both hot and cold water.
- Reduces chemical absorption and inhalation of toxic vapors while showering.
- Reduces scale accumulation.
- Reduces heavy metals.
- Eliminates dirt and bad odors.
- Reduces damage to skin and hair.
Cons
- Must be replaced approx once a year
Best Shower Filter with Massage Feature
If you are looking for a shower filter that offers a more luxurious shower experience, the Berkey Shower Filter with Massage Head is highly recommended. This offers all the benefits of the standard Berkey inline shower filter above, with the added feature of a massage head to ease tired muscles and relax tensions at the end of a busy day.
Pros:
- Removes up to 98% of free chlorine present in water.
- Effective for reducing chlorine in both hot and cold water.
- Reduces chemical absorption and inhalation of toxic vapors in steam.
- Reduces damage to skin and hair, and irritation to eyes, throat and lungs.
- Eliminates dirt and bad odors.
- Back flush attachment prevents premature clogging and extends the life of the filter.
- Long lifespan — will last for 1 year or filter up to 30,000 gallons (113,400 liters) of water before needing to be replaced, therefore very economical.
- Reduces mold, fungi, lime, and scale buildup in showers and inhibits bacterial growth.
- 6 month manufacturers warranty on any defects in materials and workmanship
Cons
- Must be replaced approx once a year.
- Only offered in white BPA-free plastic, no chrome option available.
Best of the Best
Your choice of bathroom water filter will ultimately depend on where you are wanting to use it, and each of the above filters has their merits. However, in terms of value for money, filtering capability and overall contribution to your improved health and wellbeing, our top pick is the Berkey shower head with massage shower head. Berkey shower filters will filter 30,000 gallons of shower water or last for one year before need to be replaced, making the Berkey an extremely low-maintenance and economical option. Both the standard Berkey shower filter and the Berkey shower filter with massage feature will remove up to 98% of chlorine present in your shower water, preventing it from damaging your skin and hair or irritating your eyes, sinuses, throat and lungs. But the Berkey shower head with massage offers the added feature of a massage head for the ultimate relaxing shower experience, and is the clear winner as a result.