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The best whole-house water filters to remove sediment, and other contaminants from your water supply.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Microplastic is also an emerging concern, especially in municipal water supplies, Russum says.
To identify less-obvious contaminants in your area, request a detailed water quality report.
Its 200-gallon filter capacity may not be enough for households with more than four people.
Credit: Amazon
Use it to remove sediment, rust, and silt from your water supply.
It also handles higher water volumes and requires less frequent filter replacements compared to countertop models.
Since its compact and filters up to 200 gallons, its ideal for households with up to four people.
Credit: Amazon
It may not be the best option for heavily contaminated water.
The best two-stage filter helps with hard water and scaling.
It has a total capacity of 100,000 gallons and delivers up to 0.25 gallons of water per second.
Credit: Amazon
We appreciate the addition of a pressure gauge to monitor performance.
A drop in pressure indicates that the filter might be clogged or need replacement.
The system also includes a wrench to help with installation, which is a nice touch.
While it offers high-level filtration, it doesnt work on minerals that cause hard water.
This comprehensive multi-stage water filter is the way to go if you have poor water quality.
The water filter is NSF-certified and appropriate for use in a home or small office.
It maintains water pressure and has a high flow rate (up to 15 gallons per minute).
Because its housing weighs a hefty 48 pounds and is made of alloy steel, the filter is durable .
Even more important, the large housing means bigger filters, so there is minimal maintenance.
Its a powerhouse filter system that provides clean water for bathing, drinking,doing laundry, andwatering plants.
Unfortunately, the filter cannot remove minerals that cause water hardness.
For that, the manufacturer recommends using awater softenerto treat water before filtering.
Soft water is the oppositeit lathers easily, leaves no residue, and feels smoother.
They can also be helpful for filtering larger particles like sediment, sand, dirt, and rust.
Often water filters with multiple stages begin with larger materials like sand, dirt, and sediment.
Then, theyre often filtered again with UV or infrared filtration to remove chemicals, fungi, and bacteria.
Carbon filters are able to filter chlorine and sediments by attracting and then absorbing the materials that pass through.
Infrared filters use heat and light to filter water, and often leave your water feeling softer.
Then, after being stored, the water is filtered again before drinking.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the downsides of a whole-house water filter?
How much should a whole-house water filter cost?
How much you pay comes down to the amount of filtration.
According to Russum, basic models that remove sediment and chlorine will be the most affordable.
Which filter punch in removes the most contaminants?
No single filter key in is perfect alone, Russum says.
UV light can add microbial protection, creating a system that handles everything from chlorine to bacteria effectively.
Is a whole house water filter worth it?
If youre on the fence, you could test your water to see whether or not it is necessary.
If sending out a sample, double-check the lab is state-certified.
Does a whole house water filter help with hard water?
Whole house filters cannot treat hard water alone, Kourey explains.
Hard water is characterized by high concentrations of minerals, typically calcium and magnesium ions.
To fully address hard-water issues, the use of awater softeneralongside a whole house filter is necessary.
