The Ultimate Guide to Help You Compare Shower Filters and Find the Right One
In the last decade, the sale of shower filters has risen dramatically. Part of that trend may have a lot to do with the knowledge that herbicides, pharmaceutical drugs and other chemicals are showing up in the water we use in our homes. Another possibility is that the link between showering in filtered water and positive health and cosmetic benefits is steadily growing. One thing that does seem certain is that when the health risks become known, many people view a chlorine shower filter as a need and not just an amenity. Once people become aware of the hidden dangers of chlorine and other chemicals, the issue becomes which product is right for you.
Many reviews rightly focus on attributes like quality and price. However, this in-depth shower filter comparison of five top brands will also delve into service record, guarantees and filtration technology. Figuring out which one is the best can be a lengthy process, but well worth the time. In regards to the specifics of filter performance, the research is based on the manufacturer’s own data. The reduction of chlorine, VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals), THMs (Trihalomethane) and both lead and copper, were used to determine each filtering system’s effectiveness. One of the first points to mention is that the most expensive filter is definitely not always the one that works the best.
Paragon and ShowerWise
When analyzing the price, two of the key factors are the filtration technology and the cost per year. The Paragon filter has one of the lowest prices at $69.99. However, you must remember that the replacement filter costs $39.99 and needs to be purchased every three months, making the initial price slightly deceiving. The ShowerWise system also has an inexpensive startup at $79.99, but it too needs replacing every three months for a price of $39. The average monthly cost for each of the systems is $13.
Their prices are among the lowest of the top brands, but neither system utilizes a carbon filter. The Paragon has a KDF filter and ShowerWise relies on both KDF and Chlorgon. However, both shower filters fail to take advantage of carbon filtration, which is highly effective at removing synthetic chemicals, THMs and VOCs. Though their prices are low, the lack of a carbon filter and having to replace the filter every three months, helps explain why neither are at the top of many comparisons. Additionally, Paragon and ShowerWise reduced the height of the shower and have flow rates that are less than 2.5 Gallons Per Minute (GPM). Therefore, let’s shelve them until we look at the elite of the comparison.
The Wellness Shower System
The Wellness Filter is the priciest at $249. Even though the filter lasts between 18 and 24 months, a replacement filter costs $189. This works out to be $16 a month and the highest price tag in the group. Yet, the filtration performance does not validate the high dollar amount since the much less expensive Aquasana AQ-4100 performs almost identically. Another negative for the Wellness shower filter is that it utilizes KDF media but not carbon. It also sells for $150 more than the next highest system. In the end, the above factors disqualify it from the final two positions in this shower filter review.
Jonathan Beauty and Aquasana
With three of the five leading brands being eliminated because of price or performance, that leaves two. The Jonathan Beauty system is $95 and a replacement filter, which needs changing every six months, costs $55; the monthly cost is $9.25. Most of the top brands may not break the bank, but the Aquasana AQ-4100 beats them all when it comes to price. It has the lowest start-up and yearly cost. The shower filter system is priced at $67.99 and a new filter, which will last as long as six months, is just $42. Total monthly cost is $7! An awesome price for sure, but now it’s time to compare the performance of the two standout brands.
Aquasana scored very high, as it removed over 90% of all chlorine, VOCs, and THMS, while also removing over 70% of all lead and copper. Jonathan Beauty equaled Aquasana in three out of four categories, though when it came to lead and copper, it removed over 90%. These top-rated filters are clearly much better than Paragon and ShowerWise at filtering out chemicals. While not much separates them at this point, Jonathan Beauty does cost over 39% more than Aquasana and the replacement cartridge is 23% more expensive.
The last point to consider about the two leading brands is service. Aquasana has more than 17 patents and has been involved in the home water treatment industry for more than 15 years. They have sold over 9 million water filter products, which are backed by an amazing 60-day guarantee (90 for some products). Furthermore, when you enroll in their auto-ship program called “Water 4 Life,” you get a lifetime warranty on your system. On the other hand, the Jonathan Beauty shower filter webpage does not even mention a shower filter warranty. Only after you look through lots of salon products will you find the terms and conditions. While each item comes with a money-back guarantee, there are no details about how long it lasts, so buyers beware. Given the consistent marks of the Aquasana shower filter in all categories, especially service, it wins the top spot.
Conclusion
Aquasana beat the field when it came to price. Except for one category, its 2-stage filtration process was equal to or outperformed the rest of field. Out of the top five brands examined here, only Aquasana and Jonathan Beauty have won the highly sought after Consumers Digest Magazine’s “Best Buy” award, so they have shown that their manufacturing and quality are very high. A good rule of thumb is that if you don’t feel safe drinking from your faucets, then what comes out of the showerheads is no safer. Take what you’ve learned here and select a high-quality shower water filter.
Learn more about shower filters from the #1 rated home water filter company in the USA. Visit www.aquasanaforlife.com for the best deal on the top-rated Aquasana shower filter system.
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