The 6 Best Shower Filters of 2024, According to Experts

Nov 03, 2024

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Don’t let hard water filled with impurities hold you back.

Do you ever get out of the shower and find that your skin feels dry and tight and your hair feels unusually brittle? If so, you might be dealing with hard water, which can wreak havoc on skin and hair. Hard water happens when there are large amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium present in water. “Hard water is thought to be harsh on the skin, leading to skin barrier disruption, with loss of hydration and resulting inflammation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor of dermatology and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “This can have an effect on the skin throughout the body, including the scalp. In people who have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or rosacea, hard water can be particularly irritating. It can lead to dryness, flaking, and itching of the skin. Hard water can also have an impact on the hair itself, causing dryness and brittleness. If the hair is frizzy, coarse, or breaks easily, one place to look is the water in your shower as a contributing factor.” Luckily, there are shower heads that can help filter out hard water to make your shower a more pleasant experience. Keep reading for the best shower filters on the market, including picks from ELLE editors and online reviews.

This shower head doesn’t just filter hard water—it also helps filter out heavy metals, chlorine, and other contaminants for the purest water possible. Many filters sacrifice water pressure for purification, but this one keeps water pressure high while it filters.

Filter life: 3 months

Act + Acre Review: 4.9/5

An ELLE editor says: “We tested shower heads for our Tools and Treatments Awards this year, and this one won out. Our tester noted that they’ve tried many different shower heads but have always been disappointed by how they affect water pressure, but this one has the best water pressure of any shower head they’d tried. Plus, they reported it left their skin and hair soft.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor

Canopy is known for their contaminant-filtering humidifiers, and this shower head works similarly to filter water. It has a triple-action filter to make sure the water in your shower is as pure as possible—activated carbon helps absorb impurities, while other filtration mechanisms filter out chlorine and other contaminants. Plus, you can add scents for a spa-like experience.

Filter life: 90 days

Amazon review: 4.6/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “I am absolutely blown away by this Canopy filtered shower head! From the moment I installed it, the difference was noticeable. Not only was installation incredibly easy (took less than 5 minutes!), but the water pressure is perfect—strong and consistent, yet gentle on the skin. The real game-changer, though, is the filtration. I can already feel the difference in my skin and hair. The water feels so much softer and cleaner, and my skin no longer feels dry or irritated after a shower. My hair after only one use is noticeably smoother and shinier, and my scalp feels less dry.”

Jolie, which filters out chlorine and heavy metals from water, is made specifically to help hair shedding, and they have the results to prove it. In a clinical study conducted by the brand, 81 percent of participants had reduced hair shedding—specifically, 46 percent less hair shedding on average. Not only that, but 60 percent of participants also found that with continued use, their hair was more manageable.

Filter life: 90 days

Amazon review: 4.2/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “This filter has saved our skin and our hair. My husband quit breaking out within a week from using this filter. His ‘backne’ is gone. Our hair feels so silky, and we have noticed the lack of hair shed from this product. It comes with all the tools needed for installation which was very impressive. It fits our shower tubing easily. The spray quality doesn’t disappoint as it puts out considerable flow. It works very well. It is actually a beautiful design.”

If you like your current shower head but just want your water to be more filtered, this filter is an easy addition to your shower. This filter helps get rid of dirt, odor, and chlorine, and it also helps prevent buildup. Plus, it balances pH levels for the optimal skin environment.

Filter life: 4-6 months

Amazon review: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “After the first shower, I noticed my skin was softer, and the itching was gone. My hair has now become much softer, and I only lose a few strands of hair versus the wad of hair. I would lose every time I washed my hair. My skin is clearing up, and the shower area stays clean a lot longer without all that hard water and calcium that I was dealing with.”

This filter works for up to six months, making it one of the longest-lasting options on the market. Its unique upflow filtration system makes sure that water gets a longer amount of contact time for purification, and it also helps prevents clogs.

Filter life: 6 months

Amazon review: 4.2/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a wonderful little filtration system that is affordable and works well. If you have sensitive skin, you absolutely should invest in this. Even if you do not have particularly sensitive skin, this really helps keep your skin and hair clean from chemicals.”

This showerhead utilizes a mixture of minerals (calcium sulfide, zinc and copper) to purify your water. It’s also incredibly easy to use—the nozzle resists buildup, and it has a window on it that turns black when it’s time to change the filter.

Filter life: 6 months

Nordstrom review: 4.4/5

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Very easy to install and to use. You have a lot of water flow options to make your shower really a sensorial experience. My hair and skin feel healthier than ever. My hair feels less weighted down while my skin is less inflamed.”

Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. He is an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Filters work by taking out impurities from your water. Keep in mind, there’s a difference between filters just for water softening and filters that take out other contaminants from the water. “Water softeners are devices that remove calcium compounds from the water,” says Zeichner. “These are not to be confused with water filters that remove other impurities. You actually can purchase water softening shower heads to soften the water that you are showering with.”

The products you use can also help combat the effects of contaminants in water. “Stick to ultra gentle cleansers that respect the skin barrier, and avoid true soaps that have an alkaline pH and can disrupt the outer skin layer,” says Zeichner. “After getting out of the shower, consider an antioxidant serum that contains vitamin C. It helps neutralize free radical damage to calm skin inflammation that may be caused by exposure to hard water.”

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE beauty editor Katie Berohn interviewed a dermatologist and found the best shower head filters on the market.

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Katie Berohn is ELLE’s beauty editor. Previously, she held the same title at Who What Wear, where she was promoted from associate beauty editor. She’s written for publications like The Cut, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, and Mashable. Her interests include fragrance, vintage shopping, hot yoga, food, travel, music, books, and attempting to make every NYT Cooking recipe. She’s on the endless hunt to find the perfect shade of red lipstick.

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