Shower Filters & Filtered Shower Heads

A shower filter passes water through a cartridge before it reaches you. It can sit between the shower arm and your current head (an inline filter), inside the handle of a handheld, or be built into a filtered shower head. This collection includes all three, plus the replacement cartridges for many of them.

What a shower filter does

Most cartridges use KDF-55, activated or coconut carbon, vitamin C, calcium sulfite or a multi-stage blend of these. They are aimed mainly at chlorine, which many people notice as a pool smell or as dry skin and hair. Many labels say "for hard water", but shower filters remove very little calcium and magnesium, so they will not stop white scale on glass and fixtures. For hardness you need a whole-house softener.

The real cost is the cartridge

Cartridges last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the maker and how many people shower. Before buying a filtered head, check that refills are easy to find and what they cost. Replacement packs for Cobbe, MakeFit, FEELSO, Hibbent, Aquasana and others are listed here.

Choosing

If you like your current head, an inline filter is the simplest option. If you want a new head anyway, a filtered handheld or a dual combo with a filter gives you both in one step.

Brands: Cobbe, MakeFit, FEELSO, HOPOPRO, SR Sun Rise, Aquasana and Aqua Earth. For drinking water, see water filters and our home water filter guide.

Shop by type: Handheld shower heads · Rain shower heads · Dual & double shower heads · Shower filters & filtered heads · All shower heads & systems

Frequently asked questions

How often should I change a shower filter cartridge?

Follow the interval printed on the packaging, commonly every two to six months. Change it sooner if the chlorine smell comes back or the flow drops.

Do shower filters reduce water pressure?

Slightly. Multi-stage cartridges add some resistance, and a clogged cartridge reduces flow noticeably, which is often the first sign it needs replacing.

Can I add a filter to my existing shower head?

Yes. An inline shower filter screws onto the 1/2-inch shower arm, and your current head screws onto the filter. No tools are needed beyond plumber's tape.