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Having  issues with hard water and the effect it has on your  skin and hair? A shower filter might provide an answer. It just takes some research to find an option that will accomplish what you need it to do.

Here are our 10 best shower water filters to help you decide.

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PureAction Water Softener Shower Head SH388

For those with hard water, PureAction’s water softener shower head provides relief. It screws in easily and even has three settings—rain, power rain and massage for more comfort. This showerhead has a listed flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute (GPM), but reviews say there’s a lot of water pressure.

CraterAquaSystems 15 Stages Shower Water Filter with Silver layer SF-15ST

CraterAquaSystems uses a silver layer because silver increases the absorption function of carbon by five times, which helps filter contaminants. A 15-stage filter is a big draw and it’s easy to install. The filter lifespan varies, but it comes with two filters.

PureAction Luxury Filtered Shower Head SH888

PureAction’s Luxury Filtered Shower Head filters 99.9% of sediments, heavy metals, dissolved solids present in hard water such as chrome, lead, calcium and iron. It comes with a 60-inch handheld hose and three water settings. While this model filters almost everything, it doesn’t filter bacteria and it comes at a slightly higher price point than other showerhead filters.

AquaHomeGroup 15 Stage Shower Water Filter Ceramic Balls with Vitamin C. Hard Water Shower Filter

AquaHomeGroup’s 15-stage shower water filter is a great value pick for a 15-stage filter. AquaHomeGroup touts that the filter has less scale build-up than competitors and works particularly well in homes that have well water. The filter lifespan isn’t at the top of the list, but it comes with two filters. Plus, you get five shower caps with a purchase of the filter.

Spark Pod High-Pressure Shower Head with Filters ‎X0021TUPSL

Spark Pod’s High-Pressure Shower Head gets great reviews for removing heavy metals, sediments, chlorine and organic material as well as reducing acidity and adding vitamin C. The unit attaches easily, and the showerhead comes with two settings: rain and massage. The 16-stage filter provides an additional stage compared to other showerhead filters, but the filter needs to be changed every two to three months.

ADOVEL High Output Shower Head and Hard Water Filter SF240

ADOVEL’s showerhead and water filter come with 90 nozzles to provide a refreshing shower experience. The showerhead is also sixinches in diameter, which should entice those who want plenty of water coverage. The 18-month warranty is six months longer than most competitors, plus ADOVEL tries to answer any customer questions within 12 hours.

Aqua Earth 15 Stage Shower Filter with Vitamin C Shower Filters for Hard Water Unique Coconut Shell Activated Carbon Technology AQUA-15

There is a lot to like with this shower filter from Aqua Earth. It comes at an affordable price and doesn’t require any tools to install. The filter has a 10,000-gallon capacity, which means it will last longer than other shower filters. It gets rid ofpredominant contaminants, but some customers have said it doesn’t work well to reduce the impact of hard water. Aqua Earth does warn that the filter might generate black water on the first use because of carbon dust. The company suggests running water for 20 to 30 seconds to eliminate the nuisance.

AquaBliss Revitalizing Shower Filter Chrome AB-SF100

The AquaBliss Revitalizing Shower Filter AB-SF100 does much of the same work as the SF220. However, the SF220 is highly effective at reducing chlorine while the SF100 is simply effective. The SF100, however, infuses vitamins and minerals while the SF220 does not. The SF220 is known as a heavy-duty shower filter. Both models are listed for the same price on the AquaBliss website.

AquaBliss Multi-Stage Shower Filter Chrome SF220

AquaBliss boasts about its filter, going as far as to say that not even two 15-stage cartridges are as powerful as its cartridge. This model is highly effective at reducing chlorine, plus it will fit all showerhead types. Installation doesn’t require any tools other than Teflon tape. Some customers report reduced water flow or leaks once the attachment is installed, though.

G-Promise Luxury Filtered Handheld Shower Head ‎8541794743

G-Promise’s filtered handheld shower head has luxury in the title for a good reason. Choose from six settings while getting a 10-stage shower filter for a refreshing shower experience. The flexible stainless steel hose can extend up to 75 inches, which makes it more versatile than other filtered showerheads. The G-Promise model requires a few more installation steps and tools, but a novice DIYer shouldn’t have a problem. As a luxury product, it comes with a steeper price tag, but you’re paying for quality plus a 10-year warranty.

Finding the right shower water filter depends on the needs of your home and current water situation. Some homes don’t have soft water and need a filter to fix that.. Other homes use well water and will need filters that address discoloration, rust and even smell. It’s important to know what you want to address with a water filter before looking for a filter. Most address all the common issues, but some perform better at eliminating specific issues.

Consult the Environmental Working Group’s tap-water database to find out what’s in your water. Also consider these aspects:

Most filters have multiple filtering stages, usually around 15 or so. Some units filter chlorine and fluoride while others will filter just chlorine. Most address sediment, metals, scale build-up and odors. Not all filters tackle iron, which could help you make a decision.

Some filters require frequent changing to remain effective and though the filters come with suggested lifespans, it’s important to research how long a filter typically lasts. Filters cost around $15, which can add up over the course of a year if they have to get changed every few months.

If you like the showerhead you have in place, then you probably want to find a water filter. But if you want a new showerhead as well,  take a look at the features of units that come with showerheads. Water filters with showerheads can have multiple flow settings, like rain or massage. Some models come as handheld units and have varying lengths with the hose, so be sure to find a model that fits your needs the best.

Filters can attach to an existing showerhead and line or they can come as a complete unit that includes a showerhead. Most do not require any tools to assemble and just need Teflon tape, which is typically included. The Teflon tape gets placed on the threads on the water line and/or showerhead and the unit gets screwed into place.

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To determine the best shower water filter ranking, the Forbes Advisor editorial team analyzed data on more than 20 filters, with each rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

The best shower filter is going to remove as many impurities, chemicals and sediment that can lead to dry skin or other health concerns. The best filters should install easily and not cause any leaks. Some filters will infuse vitamins and minerals for better hair care and that can make them better than others.

If you have hard water or other water issues that cause problems for your skin or hair, then a water filter is definitely worth it. If you have well water that causes color and odor issues, then a water filter can be a wise investment. Much of it depends on the scale of your water problems and your willingness to invest.

Shower filters can help with skin care by reducing dry skin and itchiness. Shower filters can also add minerals and vitamins that can help improve skin care.

Shower filters collect material in water and need frequent changing. If buildup occurs, it can lead to decreased water flow and even stop filtering out impurities. It’s important to keep a clean shower filter.

Nick is a content creator with a background in DIY home renovation, maintenance, repair and trends. When he's not writing, Nick likes to rehab vintage or kitsch furniture for his home.

Lowe is a lead editor, covering all things related to home improvement and good design. She previously worked in the decor and lifestyle spaces for digital publishers like Hunker and Ranker and has multiple years of experience creating design and DIY content.