Last Updated on September 1, 2020
Are you searching for the best whole house water filter?
There is no denying the importance of providing your family with safe drinking water and a quality whole house water filter can provide you with all the clean water you and your family need.
I have reviewed the most popular whole house water filtration systems on the market and after reading this article you will know my recommendations.
Check out the quick list below for links to customer reviews and prices for my best whole house water filter picks, or read on for my full review:
There are a few main things to consider when selecting a whole house water filter to ensure that you choose the best one for your needs.
First, know what type of certification the filter has.
Water filters that are NSF Certified will reliably remove contaminants from your drinking water.
Additionally, there are different types of whole house water filters that you need to consider when shopping.
Some include softeners in the system, which are great for homeowners who have hard water.
While other whole house water systems utilize reverse osmosis. I recommend understanding your ability to install your system.
Some whole house water filters can be complex to install.
If you are not comfortable with installation, opt for a simple system for your home.
Benefits of Having a Whole House Water Filter
The primary benefit to having a whole house water filter system is the massive improvement in water quality.
All water that you use, no matter if it is for drinking, cooking, or cleaning, will be filtered.
This means that you never have to think twice about the safety and condition of your water.
Generally speaking, these filters don’t require a lot of maintenance or upkeep.
Once installed you will not have to invest a significant amount of time in maintaining your whole house water filter system.
Whole house water filters have a long life, avoiding the cost and time of frequent filter changes that come with other water filter optons.
You will also find gong with a whole house system that it is incredibly cost effective.
Instead of having to buy a lot of bottled water or purchase a number of different filters for all your faucets, you can take care of all of the water in your home with just one filter.
Along with the long life of the whole house filter, this makes these systems the most economical way to maintain clean drinking water.
What to Look For
I recommend selecting a filter system that comes with all necessary installation and operation components.
Additionally, pay attention to the ratings on the filter and how much of each contaminant the filter is going to remove from your tap water.
One common contaminant that you want to have removed from your water is chlorine, as this can affect the taste and odor of your water, so look for a filter that can remove this. All my recommended filter systems provide this feature.
When I first looked into a whole house filter for my own family, I underestimated the importance of the flow rate.
A high flow rate is going the way to go. Having your water flow throttled down gets old quick.
One general rule of thumb, larger filters will last longer without service and will have more water flowing through them at a greater pressure.
Make sure to look for a system that has 1” ports, as this will prevent any bottlenecking and will allow for ample flow.
Even homes that have ¾” piping need to make sure to use a 1” port, as this will ensure the fastest possible water flow.
Using Your New Whole House Water Filter
The great thing about whole house water filters is that they provide set and forget access to clean, great tasting water.
Every time you run water in your home, it will travel throughout the filter and will be clean and pure.
Depending on the system you choose, setup will vary. Follow the manufacturer instructions for do it yourself installation, or hire a professional if you are not comfortable with the process.
Best Whole House Water Filter
3M Aqua Pure Whole House Water Filtration System
This filter does a great job of removing chlorine odor and taste from water. Thanks to the high flow rate, there is very little possibility of running out of water or not having strong enough water pressure from any faucet in the house. Since the cartridges twist off to be replaced, switching them is fast and easy. This is an excellent whole house water filter system.
Pros
● Carbon filter does a great job reducing odor and taste
● 20 gallons of water per minute
● Quick change cartridge is easy to change
● Filters have a 100,000 gallon capacity
● High-quality stainless steel head
Cons
● Moderate installation difficulty
iSpring WGB22B 2 Stage Whole House Water Filtration System
Thanks to the powerful filters in this whole house system, homeowners don’t need to worry about any sediment getting through the filter and into the drinking water. This is a great option for municipal water that is lightly contaminated and doesn’t do a great job with heavily contaminated water. This system will remove chlorine, as well as heavy metals, sediment, and other contaminants that may be in your water.
Pros
● 2 stage filtration system
● Has 1” inlet/outlet
● Offers 15 gallons per minute flow
● Keeps healthy and beneficial minerals in the water
● High-capacity filter is 5-micron
Cons
● Doesn’t come with all fittings
Express Water Whole House Water Filter 3 Stage Home Water Filtration System
Thanks to the 3 different filters on this system, you won’t need to worry about the safety or condition of your water. You’ll be able to easily tell when you need to change the filters, and since the port is 1”, you won’t have to worry about a major drop in water pressure. Additionally, this filter is good for 6-12 months or up to 100,000 gallons. This is one of my favorite systems on my list.
Pros
● Clear housing allows you to easily see when to replace filters
● Swapping out filters is fast and easy
● Great for removing cloudiness, chemicals, and more
● 3 stage water filter provides clear water
● Won’t result in a drop in water pressure
Cons
● Plastic threaded fittings can come loose
Express Water Whole House Filter
This long lasting filtration system comes equipped with a post-filter and pre-filter, but also on UV sterilight filtration. This alone is able to kill 99.99% of certain bacteria, such as Giardia and E. coli. This filter does not strip all beneficial minerals from your water. Excellent choice for households with 3/4″ pipes.
Pros
● Removes 97% of chlorine
● Lasts for 10 years of 1,000,000 gallons
● No water waste, back flushing, or draining
● Dual tank design increases how long water is in contact with filters
● Products UV filtration
Cons
● Fittings for ¾” pipe
● Doesn’t do a great job as a water softener
iSpring WGB32BM 3 Stage Whole House Water Filtration System
Thanks to the 100,000 gallon capacity of this water filter, you and your family will be able to enjoy clean water for a full year without having to worry about changing the filter. Not only does this system last a long time, but it will remove up to 98% of chloramines, heavy metals, sediment, chemicals, and chlorine. The back-to-back carbon block filters are made from coconut shell and densely packed for the best possible filtration and removal of contaminants. Awesome system
Pros
● Has 3 stage filtration
● Offers minimal pressure reduction
● Filter life is extended
● Filters have capacity of 100,000 gallons of water
● Includes bracket for mounting
Cons
● Air vents can leak
For more water guides and tips, check out these articles:
I love the iSpring WGB22B whole house water filter system. It does a great job of removing rust, chlorine, sediment, solvents, pesticides, VOCs, and herbicides. Thanks to the 1” NPT inlet and outlet, there is very little drop in water flow and pressure when you install this system. It doesn’t reduce total dissolved solids the way that reverse osmosis systems will, which means that you don’t have to worry about missing out on important minerals in your water. Finally, the filters have a large capacity of 100,000 gallons, so they don’t need to be changed very often, but when they do, it’s very easy to do.
Fred is the Ready Zeal owner and editor. He has been passionately pursuing all things emergency preparation since working alongside his grandfather as a boy growing up in the Midwest. When not working on the family homestead he can be found brewing coffee and reading a good book or backpacking in the wilderness. Contact Fred at fred@readyzeal.com