The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
Whole house water filters help keep sediments, harsh chemicals and smells out of your home. What a filter prevents from entering your water can vary, so it’s important to find a filter that caters best to your needs. Non Electric Softener
While all whole house water filters remove contaminants from your water supply, some work better for well water where rusty discoloration is common or can have a bigger impact on softening hard water. Whole house water filters are available with single or multiple filter stages. More contaminants and impurities are removed as the number of stages increases.
Unlike point-of-service water filters designed for use at a single faucet, such as in a kitchen or bathroom, a whole house water filter removes contaminants from all of your home’s water supply as it enters from the municipal system or well. Filtering all of your home’s water ensures that you’ll enjoy clean water from every source in the house.
There are numerous types, styles, sizes and variations available in whole house water filters. It’s challenging to choose the right one for your needs with just a few data points. To help you decide which one is best for your water-filtering needs, we evaluated more than 20 of the top contenders based on criteria ranging from price and flow rate to warranty protections and filtering quality and listed the top 10 here.
We developed our list of the best whole house water filtration systems by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria, then reviewing the 23 most widely available systems from that list and scoring them all based on 17 different attributes. We further pared our list down to the top 10 whole house water filtration systems. Our ratings take into consideration factors like pricing, warranty, noise level, energy output, load management and high-temperature shutdown. Our ratings also consider factors like price, flow rate (GPM), stage type, NSF/ANSI- Standard Certification, filter lifespan, softening capability and warranty. All ratings are determined solely by the editorial team.
Why you can trust Forbes Home: The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Water Treatment Installation Contractors
3M Aqua-Pure™ AP900 Series Model #AP904
3M’s Aqua-Pure™ AP904 whole house water filter boasts some impressive numbers, like a 20 gallon per minute flow rate and a 100,000 gallon filter capacity. The 25-year warranty will also impress. The 100,000 gallon filter capacity might not live up to its billing as some customers have said their filter did not last that long. How long a filter lasts can depend on usage, water conditions and other factors.
The 904 model has NSF/ANSI standard 42 certification, which is the lowest certification level, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just means that those filters will reduce impurities like chlorine and taste/odor problems. The filter is carbon activated.
Aquasana Rhino® Well Water with UV Model #EQ-WELL-UV-PRO-AST
Aquasana features a robust filtering system and has some tremendous add-ons available. This model includes a pre-filter, a filter and a post-filter. The filter uses copper-zinc and minerals to stone reduce chlorine and heavy metals while activated carbon removes herbicides, pesticides, PFOA/PFOS, VOCs and more.
This model is designed specifically for well water and the UV filter helps block bacteria, viruses and other contaminants found in well water. Aquasana also has a salt-free water filter as an add-on to help prevent buildup so you don’t have to buy salt pellets or worry about adding salt to the environment.
Aquasana whole house filters tend to cost in excess of $2,000, so it’s quite the investment. But it could be worth it if your water has significant issues.
G.E. Appliances System Model #GXWH40L
The nice thing about this G.E. filtration system is that it connects easily to your main water supply and it comes at a reasonable price. It uses a clear canister, which is great when you’re wondering if it’s time for a new filter. It’ll reduce chlorine, sediment, rust, scale and dirt in your water and accommodate a maximum flow rate of 15 gallons per minute.
This model doesn’t come with a filter and the filter needs to be replaced every three months. Customers have reported issues with the canister and the bypass relief valve breaking down.
SoftPro Water Systems Whole House Upflow Catalytic Carbon Filter
SoftPro’s water filter will remove 99% of contaminants along with many other impurities using its catalytic carbon filter, which also eliminates minute metal materials and chloramine. It has a one million gallon filtering capacity and an expected lifespan of seven to 10 years.
SoftPro’s filter doesn’t use any electricity and doesn’t produce wastewater, making it an attractive choice for eco-friendly-minded homeowners.
The filter has to be purchased through SoftPro or a SoftPro authorized dealer and won’t soften hard water. Like other filters, it won’t remove total dissolved solids, and a UV filter is an additional cost.
Whirlpool Central Water Filtration System Model #WHELJ1
The lifetime filter is the big draw for this Whirlpool filtration system. The system will clean the filter every two weeks at a programmed time to eliminate the need for purchasing filters throughout the year. This model does a great job of filtering chlorine and sediment, but it won’t filter out other contaminants like other filtration systems often do.
It’s rated for a flow rate of six GPM, which is adequate for an average household, but not as high as other filtration systems.
G.E. Appliances Whole House Water Filtration System Model #GXWH04F
If you’re looking to get rid of a chlorine smell and taste to your water, then this G.E. water filtration system is a good option. You’ll get a good maximum flow rate of 12 GPM, which is adequate for an average household. Plus, the filtration system comes with a magnetic reminder light that you can keep on your refrigerator so you’ll know when to replace the filter.
The filter does need changing every three months and is only NSF/ANSI Standard 42 certified. This filtration system will not remove harsh chemicals but it will get rid of sediment.
Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter Model #WH300SCKS
NSF/ANSI certified, this Express whole house water filter is pretty easy to use and has the power needed for bigger households. With a 15-gallon per minute flow rate, there shouldn’t be a noticeable reduction in water pressure. The filters have a lifespan of about six months or 100,000 gallons. Customers suggest using silicone grease when installing new filters to get a tight fit and prevent any leaks.
SpringWell Water Whole House Water Filter System 1,000,000 Gallons Capacity Model #CF1
This SpringWell model has a lot of upsides because it has a one million gallon capacity, so you’ll never run out of clean, filtered water. SpringWell uses a four-stage filtering system, which is an extra stage more than most others on the market. SpringWell also has the distinction of having Bluetooth connectivity, making it easy to operate from your phone.
Like a lot of other whole house filters, SpringWell’s filter needs an add-on for well water and won’t filter bacteria. Installation is more complicated than others and might require the assistance of a plumber or handyman.
Aquasana Rhino® 600,000 Gallons Model #EQ-600
The Rhino® 600,000 gallon model has many of the same features as the well water model, but it comes at a fraction of the price. Rhino® uses an up-flow dual tank that helps prevent clogging, which is a frequent complaint from whole house water filter users. This model does not have a UV filter like the well water model, and it won’t reduce total dissolved solids like some water filters.
Pentair Water Solutions Water Filter & Pelican Water Softener Alternative Combo System Model #PSE1800-P
This Pentair system is robust, and the water softener component makes it a great choice for homes with hard water issues. The system works for those with well water, too. The water softener is great because it doesn’t use any electricity or produce any wastewater while not using any salt.
The carbon filter has a lifespan of five years on average, but the pre-filter needs more frequent changing, usually every six to nine months.
This Pentair system tends to run on the higher end of cost, and installation might be tougher for the average DIYer.
A whole house water filter system works to keep contaminants out of your water while removing sediment, bad odors and taste. It typically connects to your main water supply and filters out chlorine and other chemicals. Some filter systems include water softeners to reduce the impact of hard water.
Whole house water filtration systems remove or destroy contaminants in your water supply as it enters your home. There are five basic ways a whole house filter may be used to do the job. Whole house water filters currently on the market use one or more of these methods to target and remove or destroy specific water-borne elements. Depending on what’s in your water will determine what type of water filter you need.
Water softeners are the most basic form of home water filtration. Many whole house water filters offer water softening as a byproduct of filtering. Water softening passes your home’s water through a synthetic medium to remove minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and others. Removing these minerals “softens” the water and reduces scale and mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures.
A sediment filter removes larger contaminants from your water. Typically a sediment filter is the first one in multiple-stage filtering and purification systems. Sand, dirt, clay, sediment pollutants and metals are all captured within the sediment filter before the water moves on to subsequent filtering stages that remove even smaller particles.
A carbon filter passes water through an activated charcoal medium, often after it has passed through a sediment filter. The carbon can remove very fine particles, including contaminants like herbicides, pesticides and chlorine, and eliminate contaminants that cause poor-tasting or smelling water.
Ultraviolet or UV purification destroys organic pollutants in water by breaking DNA molecules down. UV purification is typically the final stage in a whole house filtering system. Unlike a mechanical filter, UV light penetrates the cells of viruses, water-borne algae, bacteria, fungi and parasites and destroys the chemical makeup from within, rendering them harmless for consumption
Many whole house filters also pass water through a calcium carbonate medium to neutralize highly acidic water. Whole house water filters that include acid neutralization are excellent for use with well-water potable water systems. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Looking For Experts To Solve Your Plumbing Problems? Finding a reliable Plumber in your state doesn't have to be a hassle. Choose from a list of top-rated plumbers with extensive knowledge and experience on Angi. Find A Plumber
Looking For Experts To Solve Your Plumbing Problems?
Finding a reliable Plumber in your state doesn't have to be a hassle. Choose from a list of top-rated plumbers with extensive knowledge and experience on Angi.
Whole house water filtration systems come in various styles, capacities and price points to meet the needs of any family. The amount of filtration and purification your water needs to reach your desired water quality is the most significant factor affecting price.
A relatively simple sediment filtration system for a home can range in cost from $30 to $100 to purchase and install as a DIY project. Replacement filters for these systems typically cost under $40 and must be replaced after six to 12 months, depending on use and water quality.
Multi-stage, whole home, complete purification systems can cost between $1,000 and $4,000 or more to purchase and have professionally installed. The higher cost of these systems is justified by providing higher flow rates, larger filter capacity and less frequent filter changes. Accessories, such as reverse osmosis or UV purification options, are often available as add-ons if they’re not already included as part of the system.
Between those two extremes are large selections of additional one and two-stage filtration systems that cost between $100 and $2,000 that address specific filtration needs such as sediment removal or various levels of purification to eliminate micro-organisms or water-borne minerals.
Whole house water filtration systems are also known as point-of-entry systems. The idea behind them is to remove or destroy contaminants and harmful pollutants from your home’s water before it can enter the rest of the water system in the house.
The whole house water filtration system that your home needs depends on the water source and your desired level of purification. There are several methods of filtering and treating water to achieve similar results. While systems and manufacturers vary in how they reach the goal, your system will include one or more of the following steps.
Sediment removal filters remove particles from water. This is the first step in the purification process in multi-stage filtration systems. These filters mechanically separate out solids by passing the water through a fine-mesh media and sending the clearer water to your faucet or the next filtering stage. Sediment filters are rated by the size of debris they can remove. Filters that can capture sizes down to around five microns effectively eliminate cloudiness in the water.
The second stage of filtration passes water through additional mechanical filters that may include activated carbon, fine membrane filters or carbon-zinc combinations to remove minerals, chemicals and metals, as well as having some ability to eliminate or destroy organics like algae, fungi and other microorganisms.
The final stage of water purification destroys or eliminates microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. A reverse osmosis system or exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) can accomplish this level of purification by capturing or destroying biological contaminants on a molecular level.
It’s important to know what’s in your water that you want to filter out. Filter systems should remove, at a minimum, chlorine and sediment. After that, filter systems can remove chemicals, volatile organic compounds, scale, minerals and metals. How much a filter system removes can vary greatly between manufacturers and the type of filters yours includes.
While some systems work by simply removing sediment from your water, others are more comprehensive and can include UV light exposure or other means to destroy or otherwise eliminate microorganisms on a molecular level.
The size of the impurities in water is measured in terms of microns. A micron rating is closely associated with a system’s filtration degree and identifies the purity level in treated water. Filter micron ratings indicate the largest size of particles that are allowed to pass through the filter. A filter designed to capture five-micron particles won’t allow larger particles to go through the filter, but will let particles smaller than that pass.
Pre-sediment filters trap sand, dust and large metal contaminants from water, typically down to around 50 microns. Finer filters that remove and trap 20-micron particles eliminate those elements down to a size in which you’ll begin to see cloudiness disappearing. Five-micron filtering will remove any particles visible to the naked eye and eliminate many bacterias, cysts and some organics, while one-micron and smaller purification methods create very pure water.
A filter’s capacity matters because it will determine how often you need to purchase a new filter. Filter capacity and lifespan can vary depending on how much water you use and the quality of water you’re filtering. Filters become ineffective once they fill up.
As a general rule, the finer the filter media, the more often you’ll need to swap filters for a fresh one. For instance, a five-micron filter will need replacement more often than a 20-micron one. However, frequent filter changing can be reduced in a multi-stage filtration system by starting with large-micron filtration and sequentially moving through finer filters.
Home filtration systems tend to impact the flow rate in a home, or at least it’s a frequent complaint of homeowners who install them. The flow rate determines how much water can pass through the filter at one time. A five GPM filter is typically adequate for one to two people in a one or two-bathroom home.
Generally, the finer the filtration, the lower the flow rate. Meaning cleaner water requires more time to pass through the filtering system. Whole house filtration systems that provide a high water purity are often physically larger to increase the flow rate or can be accompanied by temporary filtered water storage.
Whole house water filtration systems can only operate if adequate water pressure is available. Typically these systems require a minimum of 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) to function. Higher filtration levels require higher pressures. Most municipal water systems deliver somewhere around 35 PSI of pressure. However, homes served by private wells may have to ensure their well pump can deliver adequate pressure.
Water temperature can also affect water filtration. However, most homeowners don’t have much to worry about. Optimal filtering is achievable in a wide range of temperatures between freezing and boiling. A filter system located outdoors should only be considered in climates that don’t experience freezing weather.
Most water filtration systems can be installed by yourself. However, some of the higher-end models will need professional installation. Anytime you’re dealing with water, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re doing because any error can lead to catastrophic damage to your home. If you’re not comfortable installing a filtration system, call a pro.
Water filtration systems vary widely in their maintenance needs, and the manufacturer can supply information regarding what your particular system will require. Single-stage systems may only require infrequent filter changes on a regular schedule, while complex, multi-stage systems could require regular backwashing, cleaning, regeneration and other maintenance that you can perform or hire a professional to complete the work.
Warranties on whole house filtration systems are highly variable between manufacturers, products, what they cover and for how long. Warranties of one year are just as common as lifetime warranties. A typical warranty covers manufacturing defects and component failures, but doesn’t cover installation issues or filter changes.
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) tests and rates water filters and has developed requirements for safety and performance. The number signifies that the order, requirement or protocol was established, and not focused on the rating.
NSF certification ensures that your water filtration system meets rigorous safety and construction standards. An NSF-approved system has been tested to ensure that it removes the contaminants it claims to, and won’t allow specific pollutants to pass through.
A home water filtration system is a quick way to eliminate poor tasting water. Filtration systems will eliminate chlorine, which is often the cause of the poor taste. Additionally, whole house water filtration systems can remove or destroy harmful contaminants from your water, such as metals, sediments, chemicals, pollutants and microorganisms, to ensure that the water you use is safe for consumption.
Cloudy water could contain impurities, like sediments, that a whole house water filter can help remove. Cloudy water can be the result of suspended particles in the water as small as five microns. Although some sediment filtration can lessen water cloudiness, charcoal filtration can typically eliminate the condition altogether.
Whole house water filter systems can help remove chemicals and VOCs. Some will even remove herbicides, pesticides, iron and heavy metals. Impurities such as algae, fungi, viruses and bacteria can also linger in untreated water. Comprehensive whole house systems can eliminate or destroy these elements as well.
Water filtration systems can significantly decrease chlorine levels in your water. Most can remove around 80%, while some can remove up to 99%, depending on the level of filtration your whole house system can achieve
Hard water is caused by the presence of minerals such as calcium and magnesium suspended in water. Many homeowners experience the effects of hard water, like mineral buildup on faucets and showerheads, in municipalities with water that contains these and other minerals.
Whole home water filter systems with a water softener function can reduce the impact of hard water. Some models feature salt-free water softening, and others don’t even use electricity.
Relatively simple whole house water filters can be installed quickly as a DIY project if you have some plumbing experience or knowledge. The process involves ensuring the water to the home is turned off at the water main valve, cutting the pipe, installing a pair of valves, a bypass line and valve and the filter itself.
Professionals often install more complex water filter systems. However, the reason isn’t often because the plumbing is more complex, but correctly setting up the filtration requires additional system knowledge.
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Water Treatment Installation Contractors
To determine the best whole house water filter system ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on 23 whole house water filter systems, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Because price is a major deciding factor when choosing a potentially large investment product for your home, products that equated to an excellent value in their price range were awarded in our review.
Flow rate for a whole house system affects the product’s usability. For that reason, systems with excellent flow rates for their level of filtration were awarded higher points in this crucial category.
In our review, the type of stages or filtration included with the filtration system was analyzed and scored against other systems with similar abilities.
Filter changes and maintenance determine the overall convenience and affordability of a whole house filtration system. Filter lifespans were evaluated against their level of filtration and the average number of months it will last with regular use.
Warranty durations on whole house systems are highly variable between manufacturers and product lines. Longer warranties were compared against competitor products and rewarded in our review.
Safety certification is crucial when dealing with products that can have a direct impact on health. NSF/ANSI certification is rewarded with higher ratings in our review.
Not all water filters have water softening capability. Likewise, not all homes require water softening. Systems that include the ability to soften water were rated slightly higher than their competitors.
The installation cost of a whole house water filtration system depends on the type of water filter system you purchase. Some filtration systems cost less than $30 and can be installed by yourself. Other systems cost $1,000 or more and will require professional installation. On average, a whole house water filtration system costs $2,000 to be installed.
The best whole house filter is the one that will address all of your concerns with your water. You might not need a system that includes UV filtering. If your water has several issues, you’re going to want to find a filtration system that can tackle multiple issues.
A whole house filter is worth it if you purchase a lot of bottled water or have well water. If you detect contaminants in your water, a filtration system can be worth the investment, too.
A whole house water filter needs to be installed near your water main shutoff, which is typically in the basement or a utility closet. Some systems can be installed outside.
The best filtration system for city water is the one that removes what the city doesn’t address and the elements it uses to combat more damaging pollutants.
City water is treated against contamination by heavy metals, biological presence, sediments and some mineral content. Activated charcoal and UV light purification can be useful for removing any existing pollutants and microorganisms still present or added to the water.
Whole house water filters are excellent for providing drinking water. Whole house water filters can remove elements in your drinking water that large-scale filtering can’t address, as in the case of municipal water. Additionally, whole house filters can remove water-borne contaminants that enter the water after it leaves the city’s treatment facility.
Nick is a content creator with a background in DIY home renovation, maintenance, repair and trends. When he's not writing, Nick likes to rehab vintage or kitsch furniture for his home.
Automatic Water Softener Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and consultant for several publications. Throughout his career, he strived to assist his clients in finding the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empowering them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors. Deane’s primary career goal involves sharing home-related knowledge and providing self-sufficiency tools to as large an audience as possible.