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The 5 Best Whole House Water Filters – [2020 Reviews]

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.


With a whole house water filter your clothes will be washed in clean water, you’ll shower in clean, filtered water, and you’ll have the cleanest  water for cooking and drinking.

To figure out which option is the best home water filtration system for you, read our guide on How to Choose the Best Whole House Water Filtration System. And consider one of our top 5 picks for the best whole house water filter below.

Best Whole House Water Filter

Express Water Whole House Water FilteriSpring 20” 2-Stage Whole House Water FilteriSpring 10” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter






Filter3-stage filter2-stage filter2-stage filter
Filter CapacityUp to 0.25 gallons per secondUp to 0.25 gallons per secondUp to 0.25 gallons per second
Special FeaturesCarbon block filter, 100,000 gallons per filterCarbon block filter, 100,000 gallons per filterCarbon block filter, 50,000 gallons per filter
Customers Rating4.4 / 5.0 Stars4.5 / 5.0 Stars4.2 / 5.0 Stars






Also see: Whole House Water Filter Comparison Table


Quick Answer: The 5 Best-Rated Whole House Water Filters – [2020]

  1. Express Water Whole House Water Filter
  2. iSpring 20” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter
  3. iSpring 10” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter
  4. ROR Whole House Water Filtration System
  5. Culligan Whole House Sediment Filter

Whole House Water Filter Reviews

#1 – Express Water Whole House Water Filter

Express Water Whole House Water Filter At A Glance:

  • 3-stage filter
  • Sediment filter
  • Granular activated carbon filter
  • Carbon block filter
  • 1-inch connections
  • Free-standing stainless-steel frame
  • Clear first filter housing
  • Pressure gauges
  • Pressure release buttons
  • Up to 0.25 gallons per second
  • 100,000 gallons per filter
  • Up to 12 months between filter replacements
Our top pick for the best home water filter comes from Express Water. This is a top-of-the-line whole house water filter system. It has three different stages, which is the most of any of the options we’ve reviewed here.

For each stage of filtration, there is a separate filter that the water travels through before it is dispersed throughout your home.

The first stage of filtration is through a sediment filter. It is made with tightly packed polypropylene microfiber that is, of course, food-grade. This is the filter that will remove the course contaminants from the water.

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Things like sand, rust, and dirt will be held in the filter while the rest of the water passes through. One of the cool things about this sediment filter is that it is made from 5 different layers.

The first layer holds back the largest of these particles while the final layer of the filter stops the smallest of these particles as small as 5 microns in size. To give you an idea of how small that actually is, the thinnest of human hairs would be around 50 microns in diameter.

So even by itself, this first filter is making a huge difference in water quality. It doesn’t stop there, though. The second filter is a granulated activated carbon filter. This is where a lot of the chemicals will be removed from your water.

Chlorine, herbicides, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), insecticides, industrial solvents, and various other chemicals are going to be removed from the water during this second stage of filtration. A lot of undesirable tastes and odors that can be found in tap water are taken out with this filter.

Finally, the third filter is a carbon block filter. This is going to take care of the remaining chemicals, tastes, and odors. It will finish removing any leftover chlorine. It will also get rid of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and total organic compound or TOC.

The connections on this whole house water filter are the standard 1-inch connections. It comes with a really cool mounting bracket because most water purification systems come with a mounting bracket that is JUST a mounting bracket. This one actually doubles as a frame that is free-standing.

So, depending on your exact set-up, you could choose to not mount this system at all and just have it sitting free-standing. The filter housings are all nice and large as well.

This helps to extend the life of your filters while also working to avoid a reduction in water pressure due to the filters. This filtration system can output 0.25 gallons per second! The filters won’t need to be replaced too often, either.

They can last up to a year for an average family of four. Of course, there are a lot of factors that go into how often your filters will need to be replaced.

The good news is that Express Water considered this as well and decided to make it easy for you with a clear filter housing for the first filter – the sediment filter.

This allows you to see inside clearly for easy monitoring. You also have a pressure gauge on each of the filters for additional ease in monitoring your system. When you do have to change the filters, it is super easy.

You just press the pressure release buttons, twist off the housings, switch the filters, and then twist the housings back onto the stainless steel frame.

Of course, this is the most expensive option you’ll see here in our recommendations. It is pretty pricey but definitely worth the cost.

It is our pick for the best water filter system for home and really does provide incredibly clean and crisp water all throughout your home!


#2 – iSpring 20” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter

iSpring 20” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter At A Glance:

  • 2-stage filter
  • Sediment filter
  • Carbon block filter
  • 1-inch connections
  • Wall-mounting bracket
  • Pressure release buttons
  • Up to 0.25 gallons per second
  • 100,000 gallons per filter
  • Housing wrench included
  • 20-inch x 4.5-inch housings
If you’re looking for the best water filtration system for your home, but you can’t or don’t want to spend as much as you would on the Express Water, this option from iSpring is also excellent but much more affordable!

It is still a lot pricier than the least expensive options on our list, but it is more than $100 cheaper than the Express Water.

The biggest difference between this and the Express Water whole home water filter is that this is a 2-stage filter rather than a 3-stage filter. This water filter has a sediment filter and a carbon block filter.

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So, it basically skips the second stage of filtration that you get with the Express Water and then goes straight to the third. There is no granular activated carbon filter in this system.

Basically, this means that the carbon block filter is fully responsible for removing chemicals, tastes, and odors from the water. The sediment filter will first remove the larger particles, dirt, rust, sand, silt, and so on.

Then, as the water goes through the carbon block filter, the chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants will be taken out.

This may be slightly less effective but won’t necessarily have a major impact on the water quality compared to the 3-stage Express Water system.

One thing that might happen is that the carbon block filter will become clogged faster than it would with the granular carbon filter prefacing it. Even so, these filters are designed to last up to a full year for a family of 4 just like the Express Water filter.

These do come with a mounting bracket but keep in mind that it must be mounted, unlike the free-standing option you get with Express Water.

These are relatively large filters with 20-inch housings. The size helps to extend filter life and also helps to make sure that water pressure is not reduced in your home. The housings are easy to remove by simply twisting them.

They also come with a special wrench that fits over the housing to allow you to get them snugly tightened and easily loosened when you are doing maintenance.

Just like the Express Water system, this option features convenient 1-inch connections. With the more affordable pricing and ability to still provide very high-quality and clean water, this is certainly a valuable option as a water filter system for home use.


#3 – iSpring 10” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter

iSpring 10” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter At A Glance:

  • 2-stage filter
  • Sediment filter
  • Carbon block filter
  • 1-inch connections
  • Wall-mounting bracket
  • Pre-assembled
  • Pressure release buttons
  • Up to 0.25 gallons per second
  • 50,000 gallons per filter
  • Housing wrench included
  • 10-inch x 4.5-inch housings
Here is another great choice from iSpring – especially if you need something cheaper but still highly efficient. This model from iSpring is actually almost identical to our previous recommendation.

There is just one major difference between the two systems. This option has shorter filters and filter housings. The filter housings of this system are 10 inches long each compared to the 20-inch length of the last iSpring filter system that we reviewed.

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There are a few things you are going to want to consider if you are wanting to choose one of these 2-stage iSpring filter systems. The biggest consideration with the difference in size is how long the filters last.

While the 20-inch option can last for up to a year without needing the filters replaced, this option will last you about half of that. It is rated to last up to 6 months before needing the filters replaced for the average family of 4.

One of the cool things about this smaller set-up, though, is that it actually comes mostly pre-assembled. Instead of having to put the system together and onto the mounting bracket before installation, you simply have to install it.

Everything is already put together, attached to the bracket, and ready to go with this 10-inch iSpring system! Of course, it is the price that will really have you considering the smaller option.

This system is half the size and close to half the price as the first 20-inch iSpring pick! Other than that, all of the other features are the same.

The connections are 1 inch, it has a sediment filter, it has a carbon block filter, it comes with a housing wrench, and it has an output of up to 0.25 gallons per second.

It does an excellent job overall, it just takes a bit more maintenance throughout the year.


#4 – ROR Whole House Water Filtration System

ROR Whole House Water Filtration System At A Glance:

  • 2-stage filter
  • Sediment filter
  • Carbon block filter
  • ¾-inch connections
  • Up to 0.17 gallons per second
  • Approximate life of 3 months per filter
  • 3 extra (4 total) sets of filters included
  • 10-inch x 2.5-inch housing size
  • Housing wrench included
For those wanting to stick to a 2-stage filter on an even tighter budget, Reverse Osmosis Revolution (ROR) makes this valuable option coming in at less than $100!

A 2-stage whole house filter at that price is an incredible deal. It is important to note that the name of this brand is Reverse Osmosis Revolution, but this is NOT a reverse osmosis filter.

This is a 2-stage water purification system similar to that of the iSpring options we reviewed above. This includes a sediment filter followed by a carbon block filter.

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These filters work the same as our previous picks. The sediment filter removes the particle contaminants from the water like sand, dirt, rust, and so on. Then, the carbon block filter will take care of the chemicals, odors, and tastes including chlorine removal.

There are definitely some things that are different about this filter system that you’ll need to consider, though. The biggest disadvantage of this system is the size of the filters and filter housings.

They are the shorter 10-inch length like the second iSpring option and they are also almost half the width of even the smaller iSpring option.

Rather than the 4.5-inch width of most of our picks, these filters are only 2.5 inches wide each. The biggest problem with the smaller size is that the filters don’t last nearly as long.

You’ll probably need to change the filters on this system every 3 months or so. The system does help to make up for that drawback by including 3 extra sets of filters for a total of 4 sets.

This means that even though you’ll have to change the filters relatively often, you do still get about a year’s worth of filters with your purchase.

Of course, the small size also means that it has a lower water output rate of up to 0.17 gallons per second. This system has ¾-inch connections rather than the 1-inch connections that most of our picks include.

It does also come with a filter housing wrench like the iSpring systems for a little more added convenience.


#5 – Culligan Whole House Sediment Filter

Culligan Whole House Sediment Filter At A Glance:

  • Single stage filter
  • Sediment filter
  • ¾-inch connections
  • 3-6-month filter life
  • 10-inch x 4.5-inch housing size
  • Clear housing
  • Built-in filter monitor
Our final pick for a whole house water filter is from Culligan! This is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a super affordable option.

This whole house filter is just over 1/8 of the cost of our top pick from Express Water. Unlike our other recommendations, this is simply a single stage filter.

This won’t be as effective at cleaning the water compared to multi-stage filters, but it still does a great job at improving the quality of the water.

This is a sediment water filter specifically. It does an amazing job at removing dirt, sand, rust, and other sediments from the water.

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It gets your water very clean, but it won’t purify the water the same way that multi-stage filters do. It isn’t going to remove chemicals and some of the things that can cause bad odors and tastes.

So, it is excellent for helping to extend the life of your appliances and ensure things like your clothes get truly clean. It just isn’t ideal for drinking water. It is great to be used in addition to a point-of-use drinking water filter at your kitchen sink or perhaps in your fridge.

This filter and filter housing is the same size as the filters in the smaller iSpring system above. It is 10 inches long and 4.5 inches wide. This leads the filter to last 3-6 months in most cases.

However, there are a couple of cool features about this filter that helps you know exactly when you need to change out the filter to guarantee the best possible results without changing so often that you’re wasting your filters.

First, there is the simple fact that the filter housing is actually clear in color. This allows you to visually monitor your filter for signs that it needs to be changed.

Even more helpful, though, is the built-in filter monitor. This monitor is battery-powered and will actually alert you when your filter needs to be changed.

This adds a ton of convenience to the system! It has the ¾-inch connections on both ends and it does include a mounting bracket as well. The best part is definitely the price!

It is super affordable, which makes it much more reasonable to purchase alongside an additional filter specifically for your drinking water.


Whole House Water Filter Comparison Table

PriceFilterFilter CapacitySpecial FeaturesCustomer Ratings
Express Water Whole House Water Filter$410.703-stage filterUp to 0.25 gallons per secondCarbon block filter, 100,000 gallons per filter4.4 / 5.0 Stars
iSpring 20” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter$273.122-stage filterUp to 0.25 gallons per secondCarbon block filter, 100,000 gallons per filter4.5 / 5.0 Stars
iSpring 10” 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter$150.732-stage filterUp to 0.25 gallons per secondCarbon block filter, 50,000 gallons per filter4.2 / 5.0 Stars
ROR Whole House Water Filtration System

Price not available2-stage filterUp to 0.17 gallons per secondCarbon block filter, Approximate life of 3 months per filter4.3 / 5.0 Stars
Culligan Whole House Sediment Filter

$69.42Single stage filterNo infoSediment filter, 3-6-month filter life4.1 / 5.0 Stars

How to Choose the Best Whole House Water Filtration System

The quality of the water that you drink has a direct impact on your overall health. It isn’t just your drinking water that you need to consider, though.

Ideally, you want the best quality possible for all of the water that you use in your home – from what you drink and cook with to what you wash your clothes or flush your toilet with.

best whole house water filters reviews
best whole house water filters reviews

The reason is that poor water quality won’t just negatively impact your health. It can also damage and shorten the lifespan of your appliances. The best whole house water filter can help you combat these issues with ease!

A full home water filtration system filters water as it comes into your home before it is distributed throughout it. This means that you’ll have clean, filtered water at every faucet and you’ll also have it for all of your water-using appliances.

A whole house water filter is definitely a product you need to research before purchasing. There are some really major differences among your varying options and it not only affects how well the filter works, and the maintenance involved, but it also determines the cost.

The cost of these filters varies by a ton, so it is really important to consider your specific needs to decide which whole house filter is best for you. Here are some important factors to consider to help you make your decision!

 

Filter Stages

First, it’s a good idea to decide how many filter stages you’ll want your filter to have. Some filters only have a single stage where they generally clean the water of sediments but they don’t actually remove chemicals and things that would make the water less good for drinking.

A single stage filter like this is great for increasing water quality for showering, washing clothes, and keeping for your appliances (such as hot water tanks) in good condition for longer.

If you do want a whole home filter that removes chemicals like chlorine, pesticides, and so on, then you want at least a 2-stage filter. This does the same as the single stage filter and then filters it again for these chemicals. There are filters that have more than 2 stages as well.

These generally have other methods of removing sediments and/or chemicals to help ensure that as many contaminants as possible are actually removed from the water. Multi-stage filters generally produce drinkable water from every faucet in your home.

Filter Size

The size of your filters, as well as your filter housing, is also very important. The larger your filter, the longer it lasts as it has more area for contaminants to become trapped.

That means it takes longer for the filter to become clogged and need to be replaced. The size of the housings is also related to the water flow speed. Larger options let the water flow more quickly to avoid a reduction in water pressure for your home.

Smaller housings can do more to slow the speed and pressure of the water in the home down.

Additional Considerations

The stages of a filter, as well as the sizes of the filters, are some of the most important considerations for purchasing one of these systems. However, there are definitely some other things you’ll want to look at as well.

  • Connection size

  • Pre-assembly

  • Mounting bracket

  • Clear housing

  • Housing wrench

Whole Home Water Filter FAQs

How do whole home water filters work?

The way that whole house water filters work is very uncomplicated. They simply are installed directly into your home’s incoming water line.

All water that enters the home first goes through the filter before continuing its way into the home and being distributed through different faucets and appliances.

 

Do I need a drinking water filter if I have a whole home filter?

Whether or not you need a specific filter for drinking water or not in addition to your whole home water filter depends on a few things. First of all, it depends on your specific whole home filter. If it is a multi-stage filter, it likely purifies the water to a point where it is good as drinking water.

The only thing you may also want to consider is that the freshly purified water then goes through the pipes in your home on the way to your faucets.

Depending on the age and quality of your pipes, it is possible that the water may pick up additional contaminants after going through the whole house water filter. You can always test your water to help you make a decision on this.

Buyer’s Tips for Whole House Water Filters

The quality of water sources like city water or well water can be pretty questionable and vary a lot. That is why having a good water filter for home use is so important.

You don’t just want to filter your drinking water, though. Filtering all of your water is ideal for keeping your appliances and faucets in good working order for as long as possible.

Filtering the water for your entire home helps to keep your things in good condition and keeps you healthier. To choose the best water purification system for your needs, consider the stages of filtration, the size of filters, and the cost of each system you look at.

These are the most important factors for choosing the right option for your needs. From there, choose a good retailer to purchase your system from.

Amazon is an example of a great retailer because of good variety, competitive pricing, and top-notch customer service – not to mention they often offer free fast shipping!

It is definitely always a good idea to shop around and compare your options, though. Whatever system you choose and wherever you purchase it from, you’ll hopefully soon be enjoying crisp, clean water throughout your entire home!

Notice:

HealthWellness365 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. HealthWellness365 earns fees from products sold through qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com. Amazon offers a commission on products sold through their affiliate links.

In March 2019 Amazon announced that Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA) would be accepted as new forms of payment for eligible product purchases. Using HSA/FSA funds to purchase on Amazon can be a great way to reduce taxes and reduce overall healthcare costs for items not covered under medical insurance. Users of such medical savings plans are issued a debit card by their provider, which can be added to their payment methods in their Amazon account.

Whether items sold on Amazon are deemed as eligible for HSA/FSA plans remains the responsibility of the buyer and their particular health plan provider. It’s ultimately up to the IRS and participating health plan providers to deem which medical and health products are considered eligible for the payment plans.

But the eligibility is quite broad and inclusive of thousands of products that are sold on Amazon and considered Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts plan-eligible. See this IRS document for more information about Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p969.pdf

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