Many homeowners turn to a water filtration system, such as installing one of the best whole house water filters, because they’re not comfortable with either the well or city water they’re using. When you care about the water that is touching your skin, as well as the quality of the water you’re drinking, the whole house option makes sense. We’ve researched and discovered the best whole house water filters for your home. These filters cover the options for every budget. Use any one of these five recommended filters to improve the quality of your water, and also be aware of the two filters that don’t quit stack up.
Reviews of the 5 Best Whole House Water Filters, Plus the 2 Worst to Avoid
1. Home Master HMF2SDGC Review
The highlight of this Home Master model is the flow rate. With a high 15 gallons per minute flow rate and replaceable carbon filter it’s difficult to find a competing filter. The gradient density, based on its dual filter system, produces filtration of 1-micron. Any particle, taste,and odor are captured quickly and easily. Although the ease of filtering from this system comes with a price. It’s not in most people’s budget,but if you can afford it, it’s worth it!
The Home Master is designed to remove chlorine, sediment, pesticides, and any number of chemicals. It’s meant to meet the water needs of 4 adults,and the filters should last for a year. You can also use this filter system in conjunction with other systems such as a water softener or UV sterilizer. These features make it the best whole house water filter system for both city and well water. It’s difficult to find a filter that meets so many needs,but the Home Master HMF2SDGC delivers on all fronts.
2. iSpring WGB22B Review
Removing herbicides, sediment, pesticides, chlorine, and heavy metals this is an appropriately priced system. iSpring is known for using reverse osmosis which is the best method for water filtration. The filters are large and can handle a large household without losing any significant amount of water pressure. So, in the long run, you end up saving money on filter replacements after the initial investment.
It starts with a 5-micron filter in its first stage, then it follows it with another 5-micron filter that is coconut shell carbon. These filters work together to eliminate odors, chlorine, and unpleasant tastes as well as unwanted chemicals. The highlight of the iSpring system? It’s easy installation.
Although many people are too nervous to install a whole house water filtration system themselves, it’s an easy task that most homeowners can do without problems. With a 15 GPM flow rateand large processing ability it’s earned the number 2 spot on this list.
3. Apex MR-3030 Whole House Water Filtration System Review
This 3-stage Apex MR-3030 system is meant to eliminate any form of water impurity you can imagine. From odors and bad taste to unwanted contaminants this filter aims to eliminate it all. Unlike other filters, this one is all in one body,so it’s easy to change all 3 at once. But the three filters used all filter out different impurities.
The first filter collects 1-micron pores than the other two take care of chemical and heavy metal impurities. The filters are good for about 20,000 gallons which are reasonable for a small home with 2 adults. However, if you start adding in kids, you will need to change your filters more often.
A bonus for this price is water flow rate. A 15 GPM at this price is nearly unheard of for water filters at this price. If your budget is in this range, you should consider the Apex a quality option.
4. Aquasana Whole House Water Filtration System – 10 Year Pro Kit Review
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes. The 10-year pro kit from Aquasana is a top-tier whole house water filtration system that is intended to serve a moderate to large family home for 10 years. That’s a big commitment, but they keep their promise.
The longevity of this device is incredible, and it requires virtually no maintenance. You can also combine this device with softeners, or a UV sterilizer. It filters out chlorine, rust, solvents, lead, mercury, pesticides, and other chemical contaminants using a 3-stage filter system.
So, what’s the downside that keeps this filter from the top spot here? Well, the installation takes a practiced hand,and it has a low water flow rate. A 7 GPM flow rate is much less than we’ve seen with other filters. But your water is extraordinarily clean. It’s a decision that you can make based on your household water needs.
5. Watts WH-LD Premier Whole House Water Filtration System Review
The most cost-effective option on this list is the Watts WH-LD premier whole house system. It is built with a simple design for efficient filtering. The unit operates with a switch that bypasses the filter making filter changes easy. It’s a single filter unit. However they are designed to setup in a series, so you can string together 2 or 3 of them to achieve multi-stage filtration.
Another benefit is that the available filters of varying micron grades are all around $5 or less. They do need changing every 6 months or so depending on usage, so keep in mind that the better the filtration,the more often the filter changes. If you enjoy tinkering or want to gain some hands-on experience with filters, this is a great option,and it’s cheap.
Avoid – Pelican PSE 2000 Whole House Filter Review
Extraordinarily expensive and failing to meet even standard expectations the Pelican PSE is a whole house water filtration system that isn’t worth it. Many users report a taste difference but no change in the amount of scale or hard water stains they’re seeing. Now, this isn’t expected from water filters except that’s what Pelican claims to accomplish.
They claim that this system is both a water filter and a softener. The softener part fails which means that the price difference isn’t justified. The water quality is great, it’s just unfortunate that the softener portion doesn’t meet anywhere near expectations. Many homeowners however find that they have space for either a water softener or whole house water filter of this size and have to decide between the two.
Avoid – DuPont WFPF38001C System Review
If you’re looking for the best whole house water filter, keep looking this DuPont WFPF38001C is not the filter for you. This system appeals to those on a budget, but you get what you pay for here. Where does the DuPont system go wrong? Well, it leaks.
Many homeowners regularly report that the system leaks directly after installation. But, there are many times that the installation will go over well and then months later it starts to leak. What you’re saving in the initial cost you’ll pay for in installation. The installation is difficult,and unless you’re very experienced,you will probably need to call a plumber. Unfortunately, with the amount of leaking there isn’t much to review on the actual filtering. Spend another 30 or 40 dollars for a system that will filter your water and not cause water damage.
2018 Buyers Guide to the Best Whole House Water Filters
If you haven’t considered a whole house water filter system before, it might seem like overkill, when compared to a single outlet drinking options such as a water ionizer for your kitchen. But when you factor in the improved quality of the water you drink as well as shower and bathe in, it’s well worth the investment. Why filter all your water? Water you wash with, and water you clean with has a substantial amount of chlorine. For the best whole house water filter system, consider the water flow rate, cost over the course of its lifespan, and that you’re choosing the right type of filter for you.
3 Main Points to Consider:
- Lifespan and Cost: Unfortunately, many filters, including the best whole house water filter system, is an investment that keeps requiring money. You must replace filters, and in some cases, you might need to schedule maintenance. The worst-case scenario is that your water filter system breaks, and you replace it. The initial cost of purchasing the best whole house water filter system for you is only the beginning. To calculate what the true cost of the system is taken into consideration the price of the replacement filters and how often they need changing. Replacement filters are a hidden cost of many water filters. Figure it this way, if you purchase a whole house water filter system for $100 and then spend $125 a year you are better off with a $200 system that requires a new filter every two years.
- Water Flow Rate: The water flow rate is an important aspect to consider. Unlike water filter systems that affect one output such as your sink or drinking water, the water flow rate for a whole house system can affect your water pressure at every water point. The water flow rate is measured in the unit of gallons per minute. Usually ranging from 5 to 25 gallons per minute you should consider both the size of your home and how much water you use daily to determine what a decent water flow rate is for your home. Even a small house with many people using water constantly can affect your water pressure to meet water demands. But, not every house needs a flow rate of 25 gallons per minute. Most family households in a moderate to large sized home do well with a flow rate of 20 or more GPM. The most standard range of GPM for family households is 15 – 20. If you’re in a small home or have low water needs, 6 GPM should do fine without a severe loss in water pressure.
- Types of Filters: There are two types of filters to choose between when it comes to finding the best whole house water filter system. The first is a carbon tank system. They are known for their long lifespan and low maintenance. Every few years they could need replacing or maintenance. Additionally, chlorine specifically is targeted with the carbon filtration system. The second type of filter is a cartridge system. Usually filters for a whole house system last for about 6 months and some claim to last for long. These systems can be customized to target specific issues such as taste, odor, or contaminants. This ability to customize the filter media through means that you need a bit of knowledge on which media to use.If you’re using well water, this is probably your best option.
How to Install a Whole House Water Filter (Video Instruction):
Final Thoughts on Finding One of the Best Whole House Water Filters:
If you want low maintenance, a high capacity water filter that processes all the water in your house, then you know a whole house water filter is for you. But, finding the best whole house water filter relies on a few important factors.
First, choose the type of filter that suits your needs. Second, ensure that the system you’re interested in has a water flow rate appropriate for your water needs. Finally, factor in lifespan and filter replacement as part of your budget. Hopefully, this information helped you find the best whole house water filter system for your home!
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