Best Whole House Water Filter Systems: Top Picks For 2023

If you’re looking for an effective whole house water filter system to improve your water quality, then you’re on the right page!. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you by evaluating the many water filtration systems available today.

Each home water filter in this guide was evaluated using factors such as contaminants filtered, NSF certification, bathroom size and water flow rate. These are important criteria homeowners typically consider when on the market for a new water filter.

In the end, the Springwell CF1 water filter stood out as the best-value whole house filter. With 1million gallons water filter capacity and 1 – 7 bathrooms options, it is one of the top options to consider for homes with city water supply.

Homeowners also looking for the best whole house water filtration and softener system combo will be far-fetched to find a better deal than the Evo E-3000, which offers a carbon filter & salt-free water softener at a considerably lower price than other competitors.

Best Whole House Water Filters:

• Best overall: SpringWell CF1 Whole House System | (Jump to Review)
• Best cartridge-based whole house filter: Evo E-1000 | (Jump to Review)
• Best whole house water filter & softener combo: Evo E-3000 | (Jump to Review)
• Best whole house well water filter for iron & manganese: SpringWell WS Well Water System | (Jump to Review)
• Best budget whole house filter: Aquasana Rhino | (Jump to Review)

COMPARISON TABLE FOR WHOLE HOUSE FILTERS

BEST FOR CITY WATER

Springwell CF1

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 9 GPM – 20 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1- 7

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BEST FOR WELL WATER

Springwell WS

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 12-20 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-4, 4+

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BEST CARTRIDGE-BASED

Evowatersystems E-1000

• Capacity: 80,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-6

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BEST FILTER & SOFTENER COMBO

Evowatersystems E-3000

• Capacity: 80,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-6

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Aquasana Rhino

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 7 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3

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AquaOX XL

• Capacity: 3,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 37 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 4+

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iSpring WBG32B

• Capacity: 100,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3

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USWS Matrixx

• Capacity: Unspecified
• Flow Rate: 10-25 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3, 4-6, 7+

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SoftPro Carbon

• Capacity: 600,000, 1,000,000
• Flow Rate: High
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3, 4-6

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How We Reviewed Whole House Filters

Picking the best water filter systems required a lot of research, data-gathering, and testing. In choosing each of the systems on this list, we evaluated products based on a carefully crafted list of criteria.

We looked at:

• NSF Certification
• Contaminants filtered
• Home size/number of bathrooms
• Flow rate
• Micron ratings
• Maintenance requirements
• Price

We Considered NSF Certification

The National Sanitation Foundation, founded in 1944, is the organization that sets standards for food safety and sanitation. Following NSF directives, foodservice product manufacturers know the rules and safety guidelines to implement in the factory.

These rules, or rather sanitation guidelines, help ensure that materials used in the foodservice industry is truly safe. It also translates to items used in the home, like systems engineered for purifying, softening, or filtering water. 

Having a certification from the NSF means that the numbers and figures a brand boasts of have truly been subjected to tests and confirmed true. Therefore, we only looked at water filter systems that were NSF-certified and compliant with all technical requirements.

We Considered the Amount of Contaminants Filtered

The main objective of a filter system for the whole house is to remove a good portion of contaminants from the water. Without this ability, the entire system is ineffective. 

Finding good systems meant looking at the filtration of contaminants and particulates such as:

• Manganese
• Sulfur
• Chlorine
• Iron
• Sodium
• Dissolved solids
• Nitrates
• Bacteria
• Sediment
• Dirt

We examined these filters by looking at how many contaminants they effectively removed. Not only does the removal of these particles help your water taste better, but it also improves the smell and your long-term safety.

Home Size and Number of Bathrooms Were Important Considerations

Depending on how big your house is, different water filter sizes might be necessary. The number of bathrooms will also impact how well these systems work. 

Ideally, you want to find a filter that matches the size of your home. Consider each water dispenser in the house and how many gallons per minute (GPM) are dispensed when making a purchase.

Water Flow Rate is an Important Metric We Considered

If your system’s water flow rate is too low, you’ll experience annoying disruptions in the water flow. Your filters should match the flow rate of your home’s water dispensers. 

A shower has a flow rate of about 2.5 to 5 GPM. Dishwashers are around 5 GPM, and toilets are about 3 GPM. 

Knowing your flow rate will help you pick the right filter to keep up with your water use.

Micron Ratings Were Considered

Micron rating tells you the size of the particles retained by your water filter. Here are a few things we considered when looking at the micron ratings of these systems:

• We measure microns at a thousandth of a millimeter or a micrometer.
• The smaller the micron number, the better.
• Smaller micron ratings filter more but clog easily.
• A 5-micron rating removes a lot of debris without getting as clogged.
• You can use multiple filters at one time if you aren’t satisfied with the micron rating.

Maintenance Requirements are Important to Consider

Installing these systems that may sometimes be huge and complicated is not a cheap endeavour. So, finding a system that doesn’t require much maintenance can help make the cost worthwhile in the long run.

Ideally, a good system won’t require too much maintenance, and even when it’s required, it should be inexpensive.

Price is a Factor We Considered

Of course, the price is a major factor when we’re out shopping for anything. We looked at the price of these systems as a reflection of the service received, which tends to help the expensive items seem more reasonable.

Some products on our list come with different flow rates or capacity options. Depending on what flow rate or capacity is chosen, their prices will also change.

Best Home Water Filtration System Reviews

SpringWell CF1: The Ideal Whole House System For Mid Size Households

The SpringWell CF1 is the best home water filtration system because its four-stage filtration process removes the most contaminants in municipal city water supply. The production rate of 1 million gallons of water per day is sufficient for 3-bathrooms home (with additional capacity up to 7 bathrooms) and lastly, it is an all round quality product at an affordable price.

Here’s a quick breakdown of of how the Springwell CF1 Works:

The first stage of filtration utilizes a critical design called a flex bed that allows for maximum contact time, ensuring high filtration and reduction of channeling (water passing too fast through the layers). In the second stage, a KDF bed made of a copper/zinc alloy comes into play, eliminating chlorine, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), herbicides, and pesticides to great effect.

Then, a catalytic carbon bed filter supplements these by removing organic compounds. In the end, if there are any other harmful contaminants like dirt and clay left in the water, the 5-micron sediment filter capably removes them. Eventually, the water coming out of taps is devoid of any unhealthy minerals and tastes much better. 

Despite all the complexity and efficiency of its filtration process, the SpringWell CF1 is a low-maintenance system as well. The 5-micron filter should be replaced once every six to nine months to keep the system working with high efficiency, and that’s it.

Also, it doesn’t affect the house water pressure while maintaining a constant 9 GPM flow rate, which is ideal for houses with 1-3 bathrooms. For houses that have more, the Springwell CF1 comes with upgraded flow rate options. These options include the CF4 with a 12 GPM flow rate for 4-6 bathrooms and CF+ with 17 GPM for 7+ bathrooms. Of course, the prices tend to shift along with the upgrades.

That said, the Springwell CF1 is not all gloomy. For a product that’s made of high-quality material overall, having plastic made fittings is quite disappointing to say the least. But, it’s still an ideal choice for small to mid-size families.

SpringWell CF1 Whole House System

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 9 GPM – 20 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1- 7

Pros

• The best system for city use
• Tested and trusted
• Requires low maintenance
• Produces noticeably clear water

Cons

• Plastic fittings

Check SpringWell CF1 Price

Evo E-1000: The Best Carbon & Cartridge-Based Whole House Filtration System

The Evo E-1000 is the best cartridge-based whole house water filter. It uses high-performance catalytically-activated coconut shell carbon block filter technology to remove common water contaminants as well as dirt and sediment.

The sediment gets collected into a pre-filter which can easily be removed and washed out. You won’t be able to do this indefinitely, and will need to replace the pre-filter every year or so, but you can still get a lot of mileage out of it in that time. The coconut shell carbon block filter also only needs to be replaced once a year.

The installation is incredibly easy as well. All you need to do is mount it on your wall, attach the input and the output hoses, and you’re done. It doesn’t require any electricity, you don’t need to pre-soak the carbon media, and the filters are easily accessible and removable for maintenance purposes.

Being easy to attach and detach also means it’s convenient for transportation. While there are systems that are even more easily portable, like the iSpring, this unit can handle twice as many bathrooms, making it ideal for mid – large families.

Evo E-1000

• Capacity: 80,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-6

Pros

• 120-day satisfaction guaranteed return policy
• Very easy to install
• Doesn’t take up much space under the sink
• Lifetime warranty on Filter Housings
• High-Performance Carbon Block Filter

Cons

• A much shorter filter life than the other models on the list
• The website is pretty barebones when it comes to available information

Check EVO E-1000 Price

Use Coupon code wd5off for 5% off.

Evo E-3000: Best Whole House Water Filtration and Softener System

The Evo E-3000 is the best whole house filter and softener combo due to its ability to filter and soften water at a cheaper price than other options. The E-3000 is pretty similar to the E-1000, only that it comes bundled with a salt-free water softener. This system can be an ideal option for homes with up to 6 bathrooms, and it’s super easy to install and maintain.

The main difference between Evo E-1000 and E-3000 is that the E-3000 is a three-stage filtration unit instead of a two-stage process:

1. The first stage is the 20-inch 5-micron pre-filter that’s meant to catch the larger sediment particles that might be present in the water.
2. The second stage is the high-performance coconut carbon block filter that does the heavy lifting here since it gets rid of contaminants like lead, PFAS, pesticides, herbicides, and many more.
3. The third stage is the water-conditioning stage, where the water passes through a water softener that gets rid of magnesium and calcium hard water minerals. Unlike other softeners, the eSoft cartridge doesn’t use a sodium ion-exchange system, so the water that passes through the filter doesn’t end up with a salty aftertaste.

The sediment filter and the carbon filter will both need to be replaced once a year; however, the eSoft salt-free TAC filter doesn’t require replacement since it uses a physical alteration method to soften the water rather than a chemical one.

Evo E-3000

• Capacity: 80,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-6

Pros

• Made from NSA certified components
• Can handle up to 75 GPG of hardness
• Doesn’t take up any floor space and can easily be moved if necessary
• No carbon dust produced and no carbon pre-soaking is required

Cons

• Doesn’t remove Arsenic or Fluoride
• Annual maintenance fees are required for the sediment and carbon filters

Check EVO-3000 Price

Use Coupon code wd5off for 5% off.

SpringWell WS: The Ideal Whole House Filter System for Well Water

Filtering well water requires a stronger filtration system than what is required for municipal city water. In this case, the SpringWell WS impressed us with its ability to remove plenty of harmful contaminants from well water. It is the best well water filtration system.

Private well is the breeding ground for contaminants like hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs), iron, and other chemicals, but the four-stage filtration process of the SpringWell WS easily takes care of them.

Compared to SpringWell CF1, the main difference is that the Springwell WS is an Air Injection Oxidizing Filter System which uses a bed of green sand fusion instead of a KDF to filter water. The pocket of air oxidizes hydrogen sulfide, iron, and manganese, and the green sand fusion backwashes all contaminants out of the bed via an Empress Vortech Tank.

Ease of use and installation is another benefit of the Springwell WS we found useful. It comes with a Smartphone app and built-in Bluetooth made it easy to control the system and adjust settings such as control valve and water usage.

The SpringWell WS is manufactured with components that have been NSF-certified. However, they only provide a six-month money-back guarantee, but all tanks and valves come with a lifetime warranty. 

Although the system’s upfront cost is high, the maintenance costs are low because of the single tank design.

SpringWell WS Well Water House System

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 12-20 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-4, 4+

Pros

• The best system for well water
• Improves orange and black staining problems
• Eliminates rotten egg sulfur smell
• No maintenance required
• No drop in water pressure
• Well water test kit add-on available

Cons

• Costly investment at the beginning

Check SpringWell WS Price

AquaOx XL: For Large Homes with High Water Needs

The XL in AquaOx XL unsurprisingly stands for “x-large,”. It is ideal for houses with five or more bathrooms. The reason it’s on our list, though, is thanks to its ability to serve as a whole house water filter for commercial use in restaurants and offices, as well as large homes.

The AquaOx XL filters water through a seven-stage filtration process: 

1. The pre-sediment filter removes all large solids like dirt.
2. KDF 55 filters out heavy metals and helps prevent bacterial growth.
3. KDF 85 removes hydrogen sulfide.
4. Garnet removes more sediment, including minute particles, and keeps the bed clean during backwash.
5. Centaur catalytic adsorptive carbon removes chlorine and chloramine.
6. Activated coconut shell carbon picks off the leftover chemicals and gives water a better taste.
7. Filter-AG filters one last time and enhances your water pressure.

In the end, the overall quality of the filtered water is much better, as is the health of your skin, hair, vegetables, or appliances washed with purified water from the AquaOx XL. Furthermore, unlike most filters on the market that only have a lifespan of five years, AquaOX XL has a lifespan of more than 15 years.

Like most systems mentioned in guide, the AquaOX XL requires low-maintenance. It automatically backwashes every fourth day. This backwash cycle gets rid of all leftover particulates caught in the first stage of the filtration.

Of course, all that quality comes at a high price—and the AquaOX XL is much more expensive than other options in this list. However, considering its durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and filter efficiency, we think that it’s worth it. 

For those looking for a water filter system for commercial use, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option that can produces more than 3 million gallons of water per day like the AquaOX XL does.

AquaOX

• Capacity: 3,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 37 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 4+

Pros

• Multi-stage filtration process that is highly effective
• Activated coconut shell carbon
• Self-maintenance
• Digital brain for easy control

Cons

• Cannot remove fluoride from water
• It has to be plugged in

Check AquaOX XL Price

iSpring WBG32B: Carbon Block Sediment Whole House Water Filter

The iSpring WBG32B water filtration system is another option for those looking for a sediment water filter. Although not as effective as other water filters in removing contaminants, it’s a more suitable solution for removing sediments and chlorine in water.

The first stage of water filtration with the iSpring is the filtration of sediments. This stage removes large water particles like dust, dirt, silt, sand, and rust. It also works to prevent clogs later on in the filtration process. 

Stages two and three involve the carbon block filter and the two CTO filters that work together to remove the chlorine and other chemicals that affect odor and taste of water. These filters also last a year and are able to produce 100,000 gallons of water in that period.

iSpring claims no loss in water pressure with the WBG32B, and we’re inclined to agree with them. Our evaluation found that the iSpring provides filtered water without losing water pressure through the taps.

Also, unlike other filters that waste gallons of water during either filtration or backwash, the iSpring WBG32B has a zero wastewater, which makes it an eco-friendly option.

Ease of use and maintenance are bonus points for this water system. The filters can be changed regularly with the help of the iSpring manual that comes with the system or an online video guide.

Compared to other options in this guide, its inefficiency in eliminating contaminants might be a problem. However, those looking to get rid of sediment in water will struggle to find any better than the iSpring WBG32B.

iSpring WBG32B

• Capacity: 100,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 15 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3

Pros

• Utilizes mechanical filtration and chemical absorption
• Eliminates bad odors in the water
• Removes 99% of chlorine present in water
• Easy installation and maintenance
• Adheres to third-party sanitation standards
• Online registration for extended warranty

Cons

• Cannot reduce total dissolved solids (TDS)
• Doesn’t really remove contaminants
• Bulky packaging

Check iSpring WBG32B Price

Aquasana Rhino: Another Option For City Water Treatment

The Aquasana Rhino is a worthy runner-up to the Springwell CF1 whole house water filter for municipal city water. It removes up to 97% of chlorine and reduces the presence of VOCs, mercury, lead, herbicides, and pesticides to a significant extent in city water. Moreover, with a 1,000,000 gallon capacity, it will run for at least 10 years.

This system operates with a unique upflow dual tank. The tank works to prevent clogging or channeling, which is a common problem with water filter media.

The filtration process is supplemented by the bacteriostatic media, which protects your water supply and extends the lifespan of the filter itself. It prevents bacteria and algae from growing inside the system and wreaking havoc on the filter.

One benefit we really like about the Aquasana Rhino is how easy it is to fix. Maintenance is rarely required, but when it is, the process is simple and painless. The owner’s manual found on the Aquasana website in PDF format is very straightforward. The only real downside is that, in order for the warranty to be valid, professional installation is required. 

The Aquasana Rhino filter system is also a little expensive at the outset, but the overall benefits far outweigh the high cost. If you’re interested in increasing the filter’s potency, you can easily add-on a salt-free water conditioner or a UV filter as well—with a bump in the price, of course.

Aquasana Rhino

• Capacity: 1,000,000 gallons
• Flow Rate: 7 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3

Pros

• Add-ons available for salt-free conditioner, UV filter, and pro-grade install kit
• Independently-tested system
• Removes up to 97% of chlorine present in water
• Improves your home’s air quality
• 10-year filter life and 10-year limited warranty

Cons

• Costly (If you include add-ons)
• Professional installation required for warranty

Check Aquasana Rhino Price

USWS Matrixx: Commercial Filter Bundled with Water Softener

USWS is one of the best brands when it comes to producing commercial-grade filtration systems. Their Matrixx whole house water filter system is a testament to that.

We particularly like the Matrixx because it’s a combination system of water filter and softener. It also comes with an iron and sulfur eradicator and a softener combo, making your water softer and taste better. 

In addition to providing healthier drinking water, it also takes care of the rotten egg smell that comes from faucets. Appliances and clothes are washed with softer water.

A hydrogen peroxide injection panel in the incoming water line kicks off the filtration process by oxidizing all the iron and sulfur present in your water. This is then followed by a coconut shell catalytic carbon block filter that expunges dangerous chemicals, including iron, sulfur, and manganese.

The process is further re-inforced by a Magna filter that removes sediments like silt and sand, after which comes the water softener. A backwash that runs automatically removes all the leftovers from the filter media and reduces the rate of water waste.

There’s no professional help needed to set it up either. Installation is a breeze thanks to the simply-worded and thoroughly laid-out instruction manual. It also has smart valves and a Bluetooth app that allow the user to track and control the processes of filtration and softening.

Although its far more expensive than our recommended well water filter, the SpringWell WS, the USWS Matrixx is a decent runner-up to get. 

One downside to know though is that the water capacity wasn’t specified. We had difficulty finding this information online but reaching out to customer support might help.

USWS Matrixx

• Capacity: Unspecified
• Flow Rate: 10-25 GPM
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3, 4-6, 7+

Pros

• Adjustable sizes to meet different bathroom needs
• Pre-oxidation process
• Backwash feature to effectively remove all contaminants from filter media
• Easy to clean and install
• Free app to track water usage
• At least a 5-year warranty on all features

Cons

• Related expenses run high
• Not as reliable as the SpringWell WS
• Not as effective on hard water

Check USWS Matrixx Price

SoftPro Carbon: Affordable Home Water Filtration System

The SoftPro Carbon is an affordable home water filtration system that works well when combined with a water softener.

Don’t be alarmed by its affordability—it doesn’t imply a lesser quality or worse filtration technology at all. On the contrary, the SoftPro Carbon has an upflow design, just like SpringWell systems, which eradicates contaminants in a more efficient way than most downflow water filter systems.

An advanced catalytic carbon media does the filtering in the SoftPro system, and it’s kept clean by a chemical-free and catalytic backwash. The SoftPro Carbon is made of copper and zinc and uses oxidation and reduction to get rid of dissolved contaminants in water. This includes heavy metals, chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, and highly dangerous chloramines.

The SoftPro Carbon is also capable of maintaining high flow rates during filtration while ensuring minimal wastewater. Moreover, its filter can last up to six years and can provide for 1,000,000 gallons of water during that period. This makes it one of the most durable and economical options in this guide.

That said, it has some limitations such as inability to remove total dissolved solids or fluoride from. But, it’s a decent option for those looking to have relatively healthy, odor- and taste-free water.

SoftPro Carbon

• Capacity: 600,000, 1,000,000
• Flow Rate: High
• No. of Bathrooms: 1-3, 4-6

Pros

• Inexpensive and cost-effective
• Highly efficient at removing contaminants
• Very high storage capacity
• Maintenance is easy
• Requires no electricity to run

Cons

• It does not work on well water
• Additional water softener might be necessary

Check SoftPro Carbon Price

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Purchasing a filtration system for the whole house is important because, as we said earlier, healthy water for drinking should be everyone’s right. SpringWell CF1 is the best option for municipal water systems. For those with well water supply, SpringWell WS is the best filtration system to have, thanks to its ability to filter stubborn well water contaminants like iron and manganese.

For large buildings with higher water demand, the USWS Matrixx is the go-to system. On the other hand, if you’re on a budget and live in a small house but want a whole-house system, the Evowatersystems, iSpring, Aquasana, or SoftPro options in this guide will do a decent job.