About six years ago, a friend of mine in New York told me that she’d been dealing with the worst acne and hair dryness of her entire life…until she started using a shower head filter. At the time, I thought that seemed a bit extreme. Then I began seeing more and more people on social media sharing their game-changing experiences with the best shower head filters—and when I started to do my own digging into the state of water quality in my city (Los Angeles), my interest officially piqued.
Vogue’s Favorite Shower Head Filters:
In This Article:
What’s the appeal, exactly? “Shower head filters are designed to remove contaminants in tap water that may cause skin or or hair dryness,” says Carmen Castilla, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC. This can include chlorine, heavy metals, or harsh chemicals, which can contribute to common skin and hair issues (dry skin, eczema, dandruff, damaged hair, etc.) “In theory, removing these substances can lead to softer hair and more hydrated skin,” says Castilla.
After trying out a few shower head filters myself, I do believe it makes a difference for the better—both in the feel of the water (it’s much softer) and its effect on my hair, skin, and scalp. Here, I’ve rounded up some of the best shower filters on the market, based on personal experience and Vogue editors’ favorites.
Best Overall: Canopy Filtered Shower Head
- Why We Love It: Personally, I’m always on the quest to make my entire bathroom feel more like a spa—and this Canopy shower head helped me get one step closer to that goal. Not only does this shower head feel absolutely luxurious with its waterfall-like stream, but it also provides the option to apply felt diffusers with soothing aromas, for a truly spa-like feel. I also opted to add the secondary handheld shower head, which allows for more versatility—not to mention, it also comes with an interchangeable scalp massager shower head option, which makes hair washing days absolutely incredible (my hair feels so clean, soft, and silky afterwards). This shower head filter also comes highly recommended by dermatologists, and it’s easy to install.
- Filter type: Activated carbon, KDF-55, calcium sulfite
- Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
- Spray settings: 3
- Filter replacements: $35, every 90 days ($25 with subscription)
- Colors: 4 (polished chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, brass)
Best for Scalp Care: Act+Acre Showerhead Filter
- Why We Love It: Editor-loved beauty brand Act + Acre now makes a filtered shower head, so you can level-up your hair-care routine from the very first step. I used this shower head for the months leading up to my wedding, and my skin honestly never looked better. I also noticed some significant improvements in my scalp health (I tend to deal with dryness), which isn’t a huge surprise coming from a brand that specializes in scalp care. With this filter, the water feels wonderfully soft (especially compared to the hard water I was used to in Los Angeles County). My husband thought the water pressure was a bit lacking, but I didn’t personally notice a major difference—that said, it could be something to keep in mind for people who prefer very strong water pressure.
- Filter type: Coconut activated carbon, calcium sulfite, KDF 55
- Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
- Spray settings: 1
- Filter replacements: $32, every 3 months
- Colors: 1 (black)
Best for Versatility: Sproos! Shower Filter Set
- Why We Love It: Available in six vibrant colors (think: bubble gum pink and bold blue), this cute shower head will provide a nice dopamine hit during your morning routine. Beyond the aesthetics, Sproos features a filter designed to remove chlorine, impurities, rust, and sediment from the water; an extra-long hose for versatility; and a powerful spray. What’s more, it’s incredibly easy to install—and if you don’t love it, you have 60 days to return it for free.
- Filter type: Cotton PP, KDF 55, calcium sulfite
- Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
- Spray settings: 3
- Filter replacements: $33 every 90 days
- Colors: 6 (red, blue, green, pink, black, yellow)
Best Water Pressure: Afina Filtered Shower Head
- Why We Love It: Vogue editors swear by this effective, no-frills shower head filter. Like the other filters on this list, it features a lab-tested filter, designed to remove all major contaminants from your water. However, unlike some filters that either slightly or significantly reduce water pressure, this shower head is designed to actually improve the flow. But if it’s still not powerful enough for your liking, you have 90 days to return the filter, free of charge.
- Filter type: KDF-55, calcium sulfite
- Flow rate: 2.0 GPM
- Spray settings: 1
- Filter replacements: $29 every 3 months
- Colors: 1 (chrome)
Best Inline Shower Filter: Hydroviv Shower Water Filter
- Why We Love It: Maybe you already love your existing shower head, and can’t imagine swapping it for a completely new one. If that’s the case, allow us to introduce you to this Hydroviv filter: a no frills, easy-to-install, inline option that’s compatible with your beloved shower head (it fits any standard half-inch connection). This system is specially designed to treat chlorine and chloramide, plus keep bacterial growth at bay when the shower isn’t in use. I love that the brand also makes under-sink filters, if you’re ready to upgrade all the water sources in your home.
- Filter type: Bacteriostatic
- Flow rate: N/A
- Spray settings: N/A
- Filter replacements: $75 every 6 to 9 months
- Colors: 1 (white)
What is the benefit of a shower head filter?
According to data published by the U.S. Geology Survey, approximately 85% of the country has hard water and 45% contains polyfluorinated alkyl substances (aka PFAS, or “forever chemicals”). What’s more, Castilla notes that our tap water commonly contains chemicals like chlorine (or chloramine); minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can leave a residue on the skin; and impurities such as heavy metals or pesticides. The point of a shower head filter is to minimize or eliminate those contaminants, before they have a chance to mess with your hair, skin, and overall health.