8 Best Whole House Water Filter Systems with In-depth Guide

Whole house water filters are probably the most overlooked products in the market. Wondering why? While it’s true that we believe our water sources are safe, do you know that drinking water in the United States contains dangerous, forever chemicals?

Several environmental watchdogs, including Environmental Working Group, have found an unusual amount of PFAS in US drinking water. And, let’s not even get even started on the water you use for domestic use and showers. You should also look at this The National Geographic report that says one in four Americans drink water from water filtration systems that don’t remove contaminants.

We don’t want to scare you off, but it’s ridiculous to assume that a water filter pitcher is enough to protect you. That is also why experts endorse the use of whole house water filters. Compared to point-of-use water filters, a whole house water filter can offer you ultra-purified water and peace of mind.

We wanted you to give you a diverse list of products, but that did not mean compromising quality. So, we’ve prioritized filtration quality, filter life, and consistency of performance over other factors. Due to the same reason, we have not included non-certified water filters on the list. To say the least, we don’t have products that harm your life.

Best Whole House Water Filters

1. iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter

Another great product from iSpring, this is the better choice if you have a larger home located in an area of contamination. Unlike the first product we have listed, iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter comes with a three-stage filtration process. This ensures a smooth removal of sediments from feed water, not only clearing the water but also removing elements like chlorine. If you thought the protection from our first pick is not enough, you should consider this one.

In terms of filtration, iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter is the best. Three stages of filtering make sure that 95% of sediments are removed from the water before reaching your faucet or showerhead. It is done without compromising the flow rate or water pressure. Despite the combined effort of three stages, you can easily expect a water flow of 15GPM. Coming to capacity, the device does not let us down. It will be able to purify up to 100,000 gallons of water during a span of a year.

Needless to say, the iSpring WGB32B 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter meets all the industrial standards out there. The sediment filter is effective enough to remove sediments of 5 microns, which is a great place, to begin with. As far as installation is concerned, we take a middle ground. We won’t say it’s easy, but you have a lot of YouTube videos to check out if you want references. And, with the right references, you can get the job done in an hour or so.

We don’t find anything wrong with this whole house water filter. It’s just that it’s missing some of the extra features like pressure gauge and indicators.

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2. Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System

We have saved the best for the last! Probably the most expensive water filter in this list, the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System is also one of the best options in the market. This product is for those who want to install the water filter system and forget it. The high-performance filtration system is able to remove up to 97% of chlorine and other sediments. Two filters, Carbon and KDF, work hand in hand to provide the best-tasting water there is.

But, if you are asking about what makes Aquasana Whole House Water Filter System the best, it would be the long-lasting filter. A single filter set on the system would provide you clean water for 10 long years. You can practically install it and forget. During this time, the device can filter up to 1 million gallons of water as well. Although it offers a very good flow rate of 7GPM, you can improve this by frequently replacing pre and post filters of the system.

Installing the water filter can be a Herculean task if you are not familiar with plumbing. There are different components to be arranged and this may take some time. But, once installed, you are getting a whole house filter that can remove lead, mercury, pesticides, and herbicides from water. Reviews highlight that using the filter has improved its water taste like anything. It should also be noted that the device works fine with both well and city feed water.

Apart from the time-consuming installation process, there is nothing wrong with the filter. The filters do an amazing job of cleaning the water.

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3. DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Water Filter — Best Universal Whole House Water Filter

Yet another popular choice among whole house water filters, the DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Water Filter is a great budget choice in the market. It comes with all the certifications that matter as it comes to the sanitation department. While it’s true that there is only a single level filtration in the system, it’s more than enough to offer you standard experience. If you live in a small home, this 10-micron carbon wrapped filter would be enough to clean the incoming water.

But, the real deal about the DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Water Filter is that you can use other filters instead of the built-in one. So, if you are not happy with the purification from the existing filter, you’d always have the option of going third-party. One pack of the existing filter, however, would be enough to filter 15,000 gallons of water. While the number is low, this is the best you can expect for the price you are paying. So, surely a great deal if you ask us.

Coming to installation, everything has been kept as simple as possible. You don’t have to be a plumber to install this filter system. The best part is that you can combine multiple filters and connect them without an issue. When setting up and running, the DuPont WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Water Filter is capable of offering a flow rate of 5GPM. Despite the lower price tag, DuPont is offering a three-year limited warranty with the product, giving you peace of mind.

The only problem is that the in-built filter is not good enough for removing sediments. You may have to go for something that is more powerful and can filter sediments of fewer microns.

Editor’s Verdict: The DuPoint WFPF13003B Universal Whole House Water Filter is a commendable choice if you need the privilege of customization and control. It’s true that the filtration process is not good enough, but you can always replace the filter for better results.

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4. Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System

Coming from a trusted brand like Home Master, this is one of the best whole house water filters if you want to deal with well water. The Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System has one of the biggest housings we have seen among filtration systems and this helps in ensuring an amazing flow rate of 15 Gallon per minute. The 1-inch connector also helps in maintaining one of the highest water pressures as well. The next big thing would be the level of purification it offers.

A multi-gradient density sediment filter is being used with the Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System. It has been designed in such a way that 95% of contaminants can be removed. Unlike the budget-friendly ones, this water filter should be able to reduce the bad taste and improve quality. probably the best thing, it removes contaminants that are as small as one micron. The filters are so big in size that it’s hard not to look at the performance.

Setting up the Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System can be time-consuming — especially if you are new to plumbing and stuff. On the bright side, however, you don’t have to worry about changing the filters so often. A single set of filters would be enough to filter up to 100,000 gallons of water, an amount that suits small and big families. In addition, dirt-storage capabilities of the filter make it easy to change the filters when you have to.

There aren’t any major downsides to the Home Master Whole House Three Stage Water Filtration System. It would have been nice if the installation process was a tad easier, though.

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5. Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Water Filter — Very Affordable Water Filter

The Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Water Filter is an amazing whole house water filter in that it brings the best of both worlds. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a water filter that can easily get rid of dust, rust and normal sediments from your feed water. Compatible with a variety of filters that is made by Culligan, you have some choice here. The filter works perfectly with a pressure range of 30psi to 100psi. It comes with nice transparent housing as well.

It comes with a 1-inch inlet and outlet, which can have a good impact on water flow. Because the filter comes with tools for monitoring filter life and filter battery, you will know the right time to replace the filter. We’d say we also loved how sturdy the stainless-steel construction looks and feels. Installing the Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Water Filter seemed to be a task easier than we expected. We can’t say the same about changing the filter, though.

As we mentioned earlier, this whole house water filter is meant to provide you clear water — not necessarily clean water. We would not recommend this product if you are getting chlorinated water from your city. On the other hand, if you think the water feels fine but the amount of dust is affecting the taste and appliances at home, you should give this a try. It is worth noting that the kit does not come with a filter and that you’ve to purchase it.

We also think the filter replacement could be less messy. At this point, it takes a lot of time and makes us a lot dirty. Apart from this, everything is cool.

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6. Reverse Osmosis Revolution Dual Stage Whole House Water Filter — Best Budget Choice

There are two factors that make the Reverse Osmosis Revolution Dual Stage Whole House Water Filter one of the best-sold water filters on Amazon. First, it has been priced so effectively that every average American can purchase it. Second, it provides a good level of protection from sediments and dirt. The filter comes with a dual-stage filtration system that effectively removes dust, dirt, sand, rust and sand particles. The second stage focuses on high dirt components.

It uses 3/4-inch connectors for installation and offers a flow rate that varies between 1 to 10GPM. The system requires a minimum water pressure of 20psi to work and can sustain up to 80psi. One thing you might have noticed is that the filter does not remove sediment chemicals from the water. If you are trying to get rid of chlorine, for instance, you won’t have any luck. But, when it comes to removing actual dirt, the Reverse Osmosis Revolution Dual Stage Whole House Water Filter does a great job.

While the construction is good enough, we won’t call it the best. For the price you are paying, you get a DIY package that requires some plumbing skills. If you are planning to buy this, you will have to change the filter cartridges more often than expected. Thankfully, though, the Reverse Osmosis Revolution Dual Stage Whole House Water Filter comes with three extra sets. Despite all these, you can get clear water by using this filter system.

Construction quality doesn’t seem to be the strongest forte of this water filter. Many customers have noted problems while installing and this isn’t a long-lasting whole house filter, per se.

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7. iSpring WGB22B Whole House Water Filtration System — Best Overall Whole House Water Filter

One of the most popular whole house water filters you can find on Amazon, iSpring WGB22B Whole House Water Filtration System is a great choice if you are willing to spend a decent amount. It comes with a 2-stage filtration system that can remove a variety of contaminants, including up to 99% of chlorine from your water supply. If you have a minimum working pressure of 25psi, you won’t have trouble setting up this water filter. At the same time, there is also a peak flow rate of 15GPM, which is great.

It is good if you place this water filter after you have used a water softener. Several customers note a huge increase in terms of taste and quality. As mentioned earlier, the combination of Carbon Block and PP Sediment removes up to 95% of sediments from the feed water. This is great when you live in an area with contaminated water supply. Thanks to the filtration capacity of 100,000 gallons for 12 months, you don’t have to worry about changing the filters often.

Another thing we loved about iSpring WGB22B Whole House Water Filtration System is the Do-It-Yourself installation process. If you have the basic plumbing experience, you won’t have trouble installing this filter at your home. Similarly, replacing the filters — we recommend that once in six months — would be an easy job. In that case, you won’t have to depend on bottled water ever again. Thousands of people have cut down the use of bottled water using this filtration system.

There aren’t any major downsides to the iSpring WGB22B Whole House Water Filtration System. It becomes a near-perfect package if you are ready to spend.

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8. Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter — 3-Stage Whole House Protection

If you live in an area with intensely contaminated city water, you need more than two stages of filtration. It is exactly where the Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter comes in. Powered by 3 levels of filtration — ACB, KDF, and SED — this can remove almost every form of sediment from water. The filtration system comes with a maximum water pressure of 81psi and a minimum of 45psi, both of which are good for a family.

Fast Flow Filtration is something that is worth noting in the package. The filtration system is so effective and quick that you can get up to 0.25 gallons of water per second. Each filter set has been designed to filter your water for 6 to 12 months, and the capacity is 100,000 gallons. While it’s true that the device does not soften your water, the improvement of water taste is quite impressive. There are people who convert water that used to taste like iron/rust to something so smooth and serene.

Construction of the Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter is top notch by all standards. First of all, you would love the stainless-steel frame. Installation may take some more minutes, but you can do it without a professional plumber. The 1” connections used by the manufacturer makes it easy for customers to install the purifier and connect it to outlets. Altogether, it’s an easy process to get started with this whole house filter.

The only problem witnessed by some customers is the leakage issues. Many have complained about this but were keen to note that the after-sales support sent the replacements very quickly.

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So, these are the best whole house water filters we’ve filtered for you. Still, wondering how to make the choice? Check out our Buyer’s Guide.

What is a Whole House Water Filter?

A whole house water filter is a type of water filter that can provide clean water for your entire home. Unlike some other types — water filter pitchers and under-sink water filters —, they are very comprehensive. That is, once set up, such a filter can provide clean water through every outlet, such as faucets, showerheads and drinking water points.

In comparison, whole house water filters are better than standalone ones. First of all, your family will not be exposed to contaminants in water — while drinking or taking a shower. Second, these filters provide peace of mind to customers. Depending on the requirement, you can find a variety of whole house water filters in the market.

Buyer’s Guide

Here are a few things you should know while buying a whole house water filter.

What to Look For

You should consider the following factors when you want to make the best selection.

Water Flow

Water Flow refers to the amount of water the filter can provide you after filtration. This is measured in GPM, which means Gallons per Minute. If a whole house water filter says it has a flow rate of 12GPM, it means it will be able to deliver 12 gallons of purified water per minute. Since we are talking about a water filter for an entire home, it’s recommended to go for higher water flow. So, even when someone is using a shower, you will be able to access water from the kitchen faucet. Along with this, you should also consider the maximum water pressure offered by the filter.

Filter

The filter is the most important component of any water filter and it’s the same for whole house ones also. You have to find a balance between the number of filters and your needs. As you have seen above, a filter system may have one or more filter components. Each of these filter sets will be removing a particular kind of contamination from the feed water. Therefore, if you are looking for ultimate safety, you should choose a water filtration system with multiple filters. You should also consider the longevity of the filter, but we will talk about that later.

What Type of Whole House Water Filter Do I Need?

To make the right choice, you have to consider some pointers. The most common ones are as follows

1. Filter Longevity

Filter Longevity refers to how much time a filter lasts. As we said earlier, each filter is different and will be able to filter a particular amount of water only. Once this period is done, you will have to replace it with a new filter. Now, this can be a point of expense for many people. Due to the same reason, most people do prefer filters that last long. This also depends on the type of filter we are dealing with here. There are various types such as fluoride water filters, UV water filters, activated carbon water filters, etc. Each filter would also mention the recommended running time. It’s not safe nor effective to keep using a filter after the expiry.

2. Consumption

Consumption refers to the amount of water you need in the household, overall. Now, this also depends on who you are and why you need the filter. Say, you are buying the whole house filter for a family of four. In this case, the total consumption of water would be extremely high. Consumption can be measured in two ways. First, the frequency at which you have to change the filter and the amount of purified water the filter can provide. The latter must be measured in terms of GPM, Gallons per Minute. Purchasing a filter is only efficient if it can meet the consumption ratio.

3. Microns

Microns refer to the intensity of contamination removal. It’s always recommended to choose water filters that can remove contaminants of lower microns. This means the final output water will have a minimal set of contaminants inside. Along with this, you should check whether the filtration process removes all sorts of contaminants. For instance, in some areas, there will be bacteria and other problems in the water. If that is the case, you will have to purchase a reverse osmosis system or ultraviolet cleaning system. At the end of the day, all we want is clean water, right?

Why is it a Necessity?

There are a few reasons why.

1. A whole house water filter provides clean water through all outlets, such as faucets and showerheads — as opposed to point-by-access filters. This means your family would be interacting with clean water at all times. This is very important since the amount of water contamination is increasing day by day.
2. Compared to other types of water filters, whole house water filters are intuitive and more effective. You don’t have to worry about each outlet before consuming it. It’s not even a problem if you drink some water from the showerhead.
3. Whole house water filters are more effective than other types. These systems are likely to remove more contaminants and chemicals from feed water when compared to a water pitcher or countertop water purifiers.
4. Last but not least, affordable water filters are available, and you can install them with ease. Why miss something like that?

Frequently Asked Questions