10 Best Whole House Water Filters of 2023

If you do not already have or use a whole house water filter, you need to get one as it provides an easy and cost-effective way of getting filtered water in your kitchen and all other water dispensing points in the house.

Also referred to as the point of entry filtration system, this water filter will connect to the main water line that enters your home. Hence, with the best whole house water filter, you can be sure that you will have and use filtered water throughout the house.

The only problem is that there are various types and models of whole house filters out there. Because we do not want you to waste your hard-earned money on substandard ones, below we review 10 of the best ones and also explain how to choose and install them.

10 Best Whole House Water Filters ​– Review

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Home Master HMF3SDGFEC (Best Overall)	100,000 gallons filtration capacity Well-built and highly efficient filtration Maintains a good flow rate Comes with everything required for easy installation
	2. DuPont WFPF13003B (Best Budget)	15,000 gallons filtration capacity Relatively more affordable Easy to install universal design Removes chlorine taste and odor
	3. iSpring WGB32B (For High Filtration Capacity & Reliable Performance)	100,000 gallons filtration capacity Reliable overall performance Efficient 3-stage filtration Maintains the healthy water minerals
	4. 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 (Fastest Flow Rate Guaranteed)	100,000 filtration capacity Highly water flow rate Significant chlorine taste and odor reduction Quick change cartridge design
	5. Culligan WH-HD200-C (Compact & Durable)	2 months filtration capacity Compact, space-saving design Durable stainless steel connectors Bypass shut-off valve included
	6. iSpring WGB22B (Efficient 2-Stage Filtration)	100,000 filtration capacity Highly efficient dual stage filtration Larger housing and filter ensure no significant pressure reduction Maintains healthy water minerals
	7. Home Master HMF2SMGCC (Convenient Clean Water Delivery)	95,000 gallons filtration capacity Convenient filtration system with minimal water pressure drop Greater dirt holding capacity Steel mounting brackets for long service life
	8. Aquasana EQ-1000 (Super High Filtration Capacity)	Super high 1,000,000 gallons filtration capacity High-performing filtration system No backflushing or draining for zero water waste Delivers clean and great-tasting water
	9. Apex MR-3020 (Simple but Effective)	20,000 gallons filtration capacity Simple 3-stage filtration system Highly effective at eliminating chlorine taste and odor Quick DIY installation
	10. Watts WH-LD (Easy to Install & Efficient for Small Families)	6,000 gallons filtration capacity Perfect size for small homes or families Quick and easy filter change Fits all standard household plumbing Easy filtration process monitoring

1. Home Master HMF3SDGFEC – Best Overall

Photo: Home Master

• Filter Capacity: 100,000 gallons (12 months)
• Flow Rate: 15 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 25/10/5/1 micron

With the multi-gradient sediment filters, this Home master water filter will provide filtration efficiency of up to 1 micron which is quite good.

This is also a 3-stage filtration system to ensure that it can trap most kinds of contaminants as the water flows through. You can filter up to 100,000 gallons with this system before you have to change the filter.

Because it has a large filter housing and 1-inch ports, you can be confident that your water pressure will not reduce significantly. And the 15 gallons per minute flow rate is a good proof of this.

This whole house water filter system also comes with a sturdy stainless steel mounting bracket that is not only highly durable but also makes mounting easy.

The fact that the filter is fully assembled when you get it and that the manufacturer provides everything you need also makes it easy to install.

The filters on this whole house water filter can be a little pricey to replace, and this is also the second priciest item in our list. However, for a small family, it will be at least a couple of years before it needs filter replacement hence making it quite economical.

Pros:

• Highly efficient multi-gradient sediment filter
• Reduced maintenance frequency
• More effective 3-stage filtration
• Sturdy steel mounting bracket
• Comes fully assembled

Cons:

• A little expensive
• Replacement filters are also quite pricey

2. DuPont WFPF13003B – Best Budget Whole House Water Filter

Photo: DuPont

• Filter Capacity: 15,000 gallons (3 months)
• Flow Rate: 5 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 10 micron

DuPont WFPF13003B is the cheapest water filter in our whole house water filter reviews, but it still has what it takes to clean and improve the quality of your water.

It is a 15,000-gallon capacity filter that will serve you for at least 3 months before requiring a filter change, and it is one of the easiest to install.

The ease of installation comes from the universal design that works with almost any whole house water filter and the fact that the manufacturer provides everything you need and some detailed instructions.

Like most other high-quality whole house water filters, it will minimize chlorine taste and smell and also get rid of other bad tastes and odors.

Although the 5 gallons per minute flow rate is relatively slower when compared to other models on our list, it should still be good enough for small families or for use in a small office.

Pros:

• Highly affordable
• Easy to install
• Reduces chlorine taste and odor
• Universal and versatile design

Cons:

• Relatively slower flow rate

3. iSpring WGB32B – For a High Filtration Capacity and Reliable Performance

Photo: iSpring

• Filter Capacity: 100,000 gallons (12 months)
• Flow Rate: 15 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 5 micron

The 3-stage filtration system on the iSpring WGB32B ensures that the water you get on your taps is clean, healthy and free of the annoying chlorine taste and odor.

It comes with larger filters and housing that will ensure minimal impact on your water pressure for a high flow rate of 15 gallons per minute. Also, the larger filters will require minimal maintenance and replacement as they can filter up to 100,000 gallons before being replaced.

These filters are designed not to reduce the TDS count and while this can be a demerit in some instances, it also means that your water will maintain the healthy minerals.

To give you some assurances on the quality and performance of this whole house filtration system, it comes with NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certifications.

The assembly manual is not very detailed and hence not helpful enough, but you should not have any difficulties setting up this water filter as it is quite straightforward.

Pros:

• Efficient gradient 3-stage filtration
• Minimal impact on water pressure
• Keeps the healthy minerals
• Meets NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards

Cons:

• Does not reduce TDS count significantly
• Assembly manual is not highly detailed

4. 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 – Fastest Flow Rate Guaranteed

Photo: 3M

• Filter Capacity: 100,000 gallons (12 months)
• Flow Rate: 20 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 5 micron

With a flow rate of up to 20 gallons per minute, this whole house water filter is the fastest on our list, and it can filter up to 100,000 gallons before you need to change the filters.

The carbon filter media on this water filter will reduce the chlorine taste and odor significantly which makes it one of the best whole house water filters for those that use municipal water.

With the non-corrosive stainless steel head, it will allow for sweat in place installation and it also gives the system a long life.

Another impressive element about this filtration system is the quick change cartridge design as you can replace the filters easily without any tools.

However, this being a 5-micron water filter, it can clog easily if you do not have sediment filter installed. But this should not be an issue as there are many cheap and highly effective sediment filters out there. Also, the lack of a wall mount is a small issue to solve as they are also widely available.

Pros:

• High water flow rate
• Non-corrosive stainless steel head
• Reduces carbon taste and odor
• Quick, tool-free filter cartridge change

Cons:

• Can clog up easily without a sediment filter
• No wall mount

5. Culligan WH-HD200-C – Compact and Durable

Photo: Culligan

• Filter Capacity: 2 months
• Micron Rating: 50 micron

The best well water whole house water filter does not always have to be the largest because something compact like the Culligan WH-HD200-C can still do a great job.

This relatively affordable water filter comes with highly durable stainless steel connectors and with larger 1-inch inlet and outlet ports for increased water flow.

There is also a bypass shut-off valve to make filter changes easier and faster and an integrated bracket design to make mounting easy.

You will also never have to guess when to change the filter because apart from the housing being clear for easy monitoring, there is a highly useful battery-powered filter life monitor.

The only significant shortcomings with this water filter are the fact that the LED indicator is not securely fastened and the plastic threading. But, these are minor issues you can easily solve or live with as they do not affect the filter’s performance.

More Detailed: Culligan WH-HD200-C Review

Pros:

• More compact design
• Durable stainless steel connectors
• Battery-operated filter life monitor
• Built-in bypass and shut-off valve
• Relatively affordable

Cons:

• LED indicator not securely fastened
• Plastic threads, not the best quality

6. iSpring WGB22B – Efficient 2-Stage Filtration

Photo: iSpring

• Filter Capacity: 100,000 gallons (12 months)
• Flow Rate: 15 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 5 micron

iSpring WGB22B is a top-rated whole house water filter that uses an efficient 2-stage filtration system designed to remove most contaminants and improve the water tastes and odor.

For the first stage, it uses a polypropylene sediment filter with a high capacity that will filter down to 5 microns. And for the second stage, there is a carbon block that makes use of coconut shell carbon for highly efficient filtration.

This water filter has a capacity of 100,000 gallons which means it will serve a family of four for at least 12 months. With the larger housing and filters, it will not reduce water pressure significantly and you will get a flow rate of at least 15 gallons per minute.

Because this water filter does not reduce the TDS count, you can also be confident that it will maintain the healthy minerals in your water. But, it still removes up to 98% of sediments.

The NSF/ANSI 43 and 53 certified whole house water filters is still not very effective for dealing with heavily contaminated or highly chlorinated water. However, it should still be good enough for use in most homes.

Pros:

• Effective multi-stage filtration
• Removes 98% sediments
• Highly durable metal bracket
• Keeps the healthy minerals
• Meets NSF/ANSI 43 and 53 standards

Cons:

• Not effective enough for heavily contaminated water
• Quite large and bulky

7. Home Master HMF2SMGCC – Convenient Clean Water Delivery

Photo: Home Master

• Filter Capacity: 95,000 gallons (12 months)
• Flow Rate: 10 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 25/10/5/1 micron

Home Masters is a highly reputable water filter brand that you can always trust to have the right whole house water filter for you. This particular one provides a filter capacity of 95,000 that will provide clean water for a small family of four for at least one year.

This water filter conveniently delivers clean water throughout the house. And it does this with a larger housing and large filters and 1-inch ports that ensure minimal water pressure drop and to reduce the frequency of maintenance.

It will provide a flow rate of at least 10 gallons per minute which is still good enough. With its four gradient density sediment filters, it will provide finer filtration and a greater dirt holding capacity. Also, it will remove up to 95% of common water contaminants like sediments, chlorine and heavy metals.

Installation is quite easy as it comes fully assembled and with a durable steel mounting bracket to keep it sturdy.

Although the filter change can be messy, you should be okay if you keep a bucket around to catch the water and by first turning off the water.

Pros:

• Large housing and ports for high water pressure
• Finer filtration and greater dirt holding capacity
• Durable steel mounting bracket
• Comes fully assembled

Cons:

• Filter change can be messy

8. Aquasana EQ-1000 – Super High Filtration Capacity

Photo: Aquasana

• Filter Capacity: 1,000,000 gal (10 years)
• Flow Rate: 7 GPM

Aquasana makes this whole house water filter to outperform and outlast most others in the same category, and it will trap almost all water contaminants including the tiniest ones.

It has the highest capacity in our whole house water filter review as it will filter up to a million gallons before you need to replace the filter which means you can use it for up to a decade.

There is also no draining or backflushing when using this water filter which means that it will not waste any of your water.

Also, it comes in a smart design that ensures increased water contact with the filtration media for more effective filtering. It will remove up to 97% chlorine to give you great tasting water free of annoying odors.

This Aquasana water filter is the priciest in our list but the quality and long service make it worth way much more than what you pay for it. Also, installation can be a little hectic, but this should not be an issue as you can always call in a professional to install it.

Pros:

• Super high filter capacity
• Zero water waste with no draining or backflushing
• Increased water contact with the filter
• Removes up to 97% chlorine

Cons:

• Expensive water filter
• Installation can be hectic

9. Apex MR-3020 – Simple but Effective

Photo: Apex

• Filter Capacity: 20,000 gallons (6 months)
• Flow Rate: 5 gallons per minute
• Micron Rating: 5/1 micron

The best water filter for home use should not only remove sediments and other typical contaminants but also other more harmful things like fluoride and arsenic. With its 3-stage filtration system, Apex MR-3020 is a good example of one such water filter.

This multi-stage water filter comes in a simpler design when compared to others on our list, but it will filter out the contaminants down to 1 micron which is quite good for a whole house water filter.

Its effectiveness in removing fluoride comes from the fact that it has activated alumina and granular carbon filters that will also be highly useful in removing chlorine taste and odor.

The filters will filter up to 20,000 gallons and the unit has a flow rate of 5 gallons per minute which is relatively slower but still not as slow as many points of use water filters.

Also, the filtration unit is not NSF certified, but it is made with materials that are NSF certified to give you some assurances that it is a high-quality and high-performing water filter.

Pros:

• Effective fluoride and arsenic removal
• Efficient multi-stage filtration
• Quick cartridge change
• Easy DIY installation

Cons:

• Relatively lower flow rate
• Unit is not NSF certified

10. Watts WH-LD – Easy to Install and Efficient Whole House Filter for Small Families

Photo: Watts

• Filter Capacity: 6,000 gallons (3 months)
• Micron Rating: 50 micron

Changing filter is always the most problematic and time-consuming task when using a whole house water filter. But, this one makes things easy by including a bypass valve to ensure you do not have to turn off water to change filters.

Being one of the cheapest in our whole house water filtration system review, you will also not need to spend a lot of money to use it.

Although it does not come with a mounting bracket, installation is still quite straightforward thanks to the simple design and the fact that it will come with everything else you need. And it will fit all standard household plumbing.

The filter housing is also made with a clear plastic housing to make it easy to monitor the filtration process and to tell when you need to replace the filter. And you will not need to buy replacement filters anytime soon as you will get three bonus ones in the package.

This whole house water filter will not come with the mounting brackets, but this should hardly be a big deal as they are inexpensive and easy to get online.

Pros:

• Built-in bypass valve
• Relatively affordable
• Easy to install
• Clear housing for easy filter monitoring
• Bonus replacement filters included

Cons:

• Does not come with a mounting bracket

​How to Buy the Best Whole House Water Filters

There are many good point-of-entry water filters in the market, and you only need to look for the following things to ensure you end up with the best one.

1. Water Quality

Before you go out to buy one of these water filters, you will first need to determine your water quality.

Doing this ensures that you know the contaminants that you are dealing with which makes it easy to choose an appropriate water filter.

The best way to determine your water quality is by sending a sample to a lab for testing, but a water quality report from your water supplier can also be very useful.

If you use municipal water, the most common contaminants that you will need to filter out are chlorine, sediments, and chemicals like herbicides, trihalomethane, and pesticides.

For well water, it will depend on where you live and a few other factors, and so it is important to get your water tested. Luckily, many good whole house water filters like 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 can handle both well and municipal water.

2. Filter

Filters are responsible for the actual filtration or trapping the harmful substances, and so they are a crucial factor to consider when choosing a whole house water filter.

Like with most other water filter types there are generally two types of filters to choose from which are carbon and reverse osmosis filters.

Many whole house water filters will have a multi-stage filtration system, and so they will also make use of other filter mediums like ceramic and pleated filters.

Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective as they will get rid of almost 100% of the contaminants to make your water safe for drinking and other uses around the house. However, they are also some of the priciest.

Also, the filter capacity or how much water it can filter before it needs replacement is vital. Here the larger the capacity the better.

Your budget and the contaminants that you have to deal with should guide you when it comes to choosing an ideal filter.

3. Flow Rate

A whole house water filter has to provide water not only for your kitchen faucets but also for the bathroom and other things like dishwasher and washing machines. Hence, it needs to have a good flow rate to ensure that there is enough water for all these household appliances.

Sufficient water flow also ensures that you will not experience a water pressure drop when you open multiple water outlets.

The best water filters for home use are those that have the highest flow rate but to ensure you have enough water when you need it, you should go for something with a flow rate of at least 10 to 15 gallons per minute.

However, there are still some top-notch models like 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 that will give you a superior flow rate of up to 20 gallons per minute.

4. Micron Size

As much as you want a good flow rate, it is also important to make sure that your water filter is effective in filtering out contaminants and other harmful substances.

The effectiveness of a water filter is measured in the micron size that it can filter. The smaller the micron rating the better and the more thorough the filter will be as it means that it can trap tinier contaminants.

Filters that are designed to remove larger contaminants like sand and silt will have a micron rating of around 50 while the highly effective reverse osmosis filter will have a micron rating of 0.0001.

However, it is important to note that the lower the micron rate the slower the flow rate, and so you need to strike a balance between the two.

How Does a Whole House Water Filter Work?

While different types of whole house water filters will employ different mechanisms or mediums to clean the water, the principle behind them is generally the same. Below are a few simple steps that explain how these water filters work.

Stage 1: Sediment Filter

The whole house filter is attached to your mains water supply and before the water heater line to ensure that all the water will be filtered before entering your home.

When your well or municipal water enters your filtration system, it will first encounter the sediment filter. This filter is designed to trap the large particles like debris, sediment, and silt.

This filter also helps to ensure that the other filters serve you for longer and requires a less frequent filter change.

Stage 2: Activated Carbon Filter

After the sediment filters, the water then proceeds to the activated carbon filter free of the large particles. This filter does most of the filtration, and therefore it is the most important stage of the filtration.

Activated carbon provides a large porous surface, and it has nooks and crannies for trapping contaminants. It will remove what is left of the sediments, most of the chlorine, volatile organic compounds and also bad tastes and odors.

Stage 3: Copper-Zinc and Mineral Filter

As the water flows through the carbon filter, it encounters the copper-zinc and mineral filters that are also vital because they will remove most of the remaining contaminants.

These filters get rid of any remaining chlorine and heavy metals, and they are also useful for removing most microorganisms found in the water. And they will also help to minimize the scale in the water.

Stage 4: Softner/Descaler (optional)

Softeners or descalers are an optional step that some whole house water filters will not have. Most water filters that have this stage will use ion-exchange technology to soften the water.

Some manufacturers will also use a salt-free water softener for this stage to ensure the water maintains its neutral tastes because ion-exchange can make it a little salty.

Stage 5: UV Filter (optional)

Another optional filter that is common in some top-rated whole house water filters is the UV filters. And it is meant to kill any remaining microorganisms, bacteria, and virus that might have not been filtered in the other stages above.

If your water source is the kind that has a lot of bacterial contamination or lots of microorganisms, you need a water filter with a UV filter.

How to Install a Whole House Water Filter

Photo: diynetwork.com

One thing that you need to know for sure is that a whole house water filter takes more effort to install than others like the under-sink and faucet water filters.

However, you can still do it on your own if you know what to do. Below we provide a list of some of the tools that you need and the steps to follow during installation.

What you need

• Drill
• Adjustable wrench
• Teflon tape
• Pipe cutter
• Bucket
• Mounting brackets
• Pressure gauge
• Push fittings
• Shut-off and bypass valves (optional)

Steps to follow

Once you gather the necessary tools above, here are a few steps to follow when installing the whole house water filter.

Step 1: Turn Off and Drain Water

The first thing that you need to do when installing any filter is to turn off your water. For a whole house water filter, you need to turn it off by locating the shut-off valve and turning it until it closes.

Once this is done you should then drain the water that is already in the pipes, and an easy way to do this is by turning on your kitchen faucet and letting it run until it drains out most of the water.

Step 2: Pick Installation Location

Now you need to decide on the best location to install the whole house water filter. A good location is one that fully accommodates the entire house including the line to the water heater.

Make sure that it is also near the main water source and away from the reach of children and pets. However, also make sure it is still easy to access for filter change and is in a place that leaves plenty of space for doing this.

Step 3: Cut the Pipe

After deciding on where to have the water filter, you should now measure and cut the pipe. Make sure that you measure correctly and mark spots for the pressure gauges and shut-off valves.

Also place a bucket underneath to ensure the water still in the pipe does not wet or damage the floor and then take a pipe cutter and proceed to cut the pipe at the marked spots.

Step 4: Insert Valves

Next step is to insert the shut-off valves by placing them on both ends of the main water pipe. Shut-off valves are important because they are what you will use to control your water during filter replacement.

Also, you can install a bypass valve at this point if you still want to be able to get access to unfiltered water. For example, you might want to use unfiltered water for gardening to prolong the lifespan of your filters.

Step 5: Install Pressure Gauge

Pressure gauges are optional, but they can still be very useful for monitoring the input and output pressure. For the pressure gauge, you will need to install one on either side of the filtration system. Having them allows you to tell at a glance when you need to replace filters.

Step 6: Mount Filter

It is time now to mount the whole house water filter and for this, you can mount it directly on the wall or on plywood panel screwed on the wall using the mounting brackets.

When mounting the water filter, make sure that the sediment filter comes first followed by the others. Most manufacturers will specify the direction for mounting the filters, and it is important to make sure you follow this.

Also, make sure that you install both the input and output fittings on each side of the filter and apply Teflon tape to keep things sealed up so that you do not get any leaks.

Step 7: Reattach Pipes

The last step is to reattach the pipes on the filtration system to the pipes that you cut using compression fittings or compression nuts depending on what you have or prefer. Once this is done you can turn on the water to check for leaks and if there are no any, the job is done.

Conclusion

We are confident that with our detailed guide above and reviews of 12 top-rated models, finding the perfect one should be an effortless task.

But, if you are looking for a well-built, efficient and high enough capacity Home Master HMF3SDGFEC is our best overall and top recommendation.

For those that prefer something more budget-friendly, the DuPont WFPF13003B will be perfect. And despite being inexpensive, it is easy to install and highly effective at minimizing chlorine taste and odor.