The best water filter for chlorine removal in 2023 is the Springwell CF1 Whole House Filter, a water filter system that uses catalytic carbon filtration technology to remove 99% of chlorine in water.
Chlorine, an integral component of regular household bleach, is a highly effective disinfectant against bacteria and viruses. So, municipal authorities and water suppliers use it to kill viruses in water. However, its presence in water affects the color, odor, and taste, which is why we sought effective ways to remove chlorine from water.
Here are the most important factors to consider in a chlorine water filter:
- The chlorine reduction rate
- The system’s filtration technology (i.e number of filtration stages, contaminants removed, e.t.c)
- Your water source (tap or well water).
- NSF certifications
- The product warranty
Chlorine Water Filters Comparison Chart
- Filtration technology: KDF & catalytic carbon
- Filter type: Whole house filter
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 99%
- Contaminants removed: Unspecified
- Flow rate: 9 – 17 GPM (1 to 7 bathrooms)
- NSF 42 certification: Not certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Filtration technology: High-performance catalytic-activated carbon block technology
- Filter type: Cartridge-based whole house filter
- Chlorine reduction rate: Unspecified
- Contaminants removed: Unspecified
- Flow rate: 15 GPM (1 to 6 bathrooms)
- NSF 42 certification: Not certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Filtration technology: Activated carbon + reverse osmosis
- Filter type: Countertop reverse osmosis system
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 96.6%
- Contaminants removed: 82
- Filtered water capacity: One gallon
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: One year
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Filter type: Water filter pitcher
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 99.5%
- Contaminants removed: 365+
- Filtered Water Capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Filtration technology: Clearly Filtered 3-stage filtration tech
- Filter type: Under-the-sink system
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 98.6%
- Contaminants removed: 232+
- Filtration capacity: 2,000 gallons for each filter (lasting roughly a year)
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
List of Water Filters that Removes Chlorine
- SpringWell CF1 Whole House Water Filter System
- Kind Water Systems Whole House Water Filter
- AquaTru Reverse Osmosis System
- Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under-the-Sink Water Filter System
SpringWell CF1 Whole House Water Filter System
- Filtration technology: KDF & catalytic carbon
- Filter type: Whole house filter
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 99%
- Contaminants removed: Unspecified
- Flow rate: 9 – 17 GPM (1 to 7 bathrooms)
- NSF 42 certification: Not certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Reduces chlorine by 99%
- Made of sturdy material
- Outstanding flow rate of 9 GPM
- Lifetime warranty
- Trusted brand all across the United States
- Made in USA
- Doesn’t have an NSF 42 certification
- Expensive
- Installation requires a professional plumber
Here at WaterDefense, we recommend SpringWell because the brand domestically manufactures some of the most trustworthy, effective, and sturdiest water treatment products, including water filters that remove chlorine.
The SpringWell CF1 model removes chlorine with a 99% success rate because of its state-of-the-art, four-stage filtration process that employs a flex bed, kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF) media, catalytic carbon bed, and a sediment filter.
The sediment filter and flex bed are not directly involved in the process of removing chlorine but are equally important. The former ensures that sediment particles like dirt and clay don’t interfere with the operations of the primary filtration media. The latter prolongs the contact time between the water and filters, improving the effectiveness of the filtration.
The KDF and catalytic carbon technologies, on the other hand, are engineered to remove chlorine and other aesthetic impurities. So, a combination of these two technologies makes SpringWell CF1 the best choice product to filter this disinfectant from your water.
We also recommend the SpringWell unit over others because of its high water flow rate. Most whole-house water filter devices provide only 7 gallons per minute (GPM), yet the SpringWell CF1 offers up to 17 GPM. This flow rate makes the product perfect for meeting the water needs of households with 1 – 7 bathrooms.
That said, the SpringWell CF1 has two main disadvantages;
First, it doesn’t hold an NSF 42 certification. The National Sanitation Foundation grants this certification to products that effectively remove chlorine. Second, it’s one of our list’s most expensive filtration units.
Still, our experience and those of users suggest that it’s a reliable unit for removing chlorine despite its lack of NSF certifications. We also believe its price is justified when you take into account the unit’s quality, functionality, and durability.
Lastly, although the SpringWell CF1 comes with detailed instructions and installation manuals, if you have no experience in plumbing, we advise you to hire a professional to install it.
Kind Water Systems Whole House Water Filter
- Filtration technology: High-performance catalytic-activated carbon block technology
- Filter type: Cartridge-based whole house filter
- Chlorine reduction rate: Unspecified
- Contaminants removed: Unspecified
- Flow rate: 15 GPM (1 to 6 bathrooms)
- NSF 42 certification: Not certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- High-performance catalytic-activated carbon block technology is highly efficient against chlorine (and other contaminants)
- Easy to install
- Space-friendly
- 15 GPM flow rate is more than enough for even crowded households with up to six bathrooms
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- Doesn’t hold an NSF 42 certificate
- Expensive
Traditional whole house systems, such as the SpringWell CF1, often feature heavy water tanks which can be difficult to install especially due to lack of adequate space. The Kind Water Systems E-1000, on the other hand, doesn’t have this challenge because it’s a cartridge-based water filter that doesn’t come with a water tank. Yet, it is among the best-performing products for chlorine removal.
The Kind Water Systems has two filter cartridges. The first of these cartridges houses a sediment filter that takes care of dirt and clay, which eases the process of the second cartridge.
The second cartridge, which employs a high-performance catalytic-activated coconut shell carbon-block filtration technology, is then responsible for flushing out the chlorine after dirt and clay has been removed.
The advantages of cartridge-based filters over traditional whole-house tanks aren’t only in regards to installation, space, or filter replacement. Since there’s no tank through which the water must pass, the Kind Water Systems Whole House Water Filter doesn’t affect the water flow as much as tank-based systems. Thus, the unit delivers 15 GPM, which is an astounding flow rate for a whole house system, and may serve households with up to six bathrooms.
Similarly to SpringWell, Kind Water Systems manufactures its products domestically and offers a lifetime warranty.
That said, this device shares two disadvantages with the SpringWell CF1. First, it doesn’t hold an NSF 42 certification; second, it’s an expensive item.
In contrast to the SpringWell device, however, its installation is more DIY thanks to the fact it’s cartridge-based.
Overall, the Kind Water Systems is one of the best whole-house units on the market if you want chlorine-free water.
AquaTru Reverse Osmosis System
- Filtration technology: Activated carbon + reverse osmosis
- Filter type: Countertop reverse osmosis system
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 96.6%
- Contaminants removed: 82
- Filtered water capacity: One gallon
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: One year
- Ultra-efficient combo of activated carbon and RO technology for removing chlorine
- NSF 42 certification
- Impressive success rate in removing 81 contaminants other than chlorine
- Countertop unit that requires no installation whatsoever
- 96.6% chlorine reduction is among the humblest on our list
- Features plastic components
- Only one year of warranty
In addition to KDF media and catalytic or activated carbon technologies, reverse osmosis (RO) is another common and effective water treatment technique for chlorine removal. The AquaTru Reverse Osmosis System is one of the most competent and affordable units on the market in this category.
Unlike the SpringWell and the Kind Water Systems, the AquaTru RO holds an NSF 42, as well as NSF 53 and 58 certifications. So, it comes with a performance data sheet provided by an independent lab that tested the unit. The data sheet proves the product reduces chlorine by 96.6% alongside 81 other contaminants such as lead, fluoride, and hexavalent chromium.
The AquaTRU reduces chlorine in a four-stage treatment process:
- Mechanical pre-filter: It removes sediments and turbidity, making it easier for the following filters to tackle contaminants like chlorine.
- Activated carbon pre-filter: It eliminates aesthetic impurities, such as color, taste, odor, and chlorine. It also improves the efficiency of the succeeding reverse osmosis membrane to a great extent.
- Reverse osmosis membrane: Apart from the most prominent and dangerous drinking water contaminants (lead, chromium, etc.), the RO membrane of the AquaTru system handles any chlorine leftover from the activated carbon stage.
- Activated Coconut Shell Carbon VOC Filter: It deals with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gives the water a subtle coconut flavor.
The AquaTru RO System isn’t a whole house system – it’s a countertop one, meaning it can’t process the water at all your taps.
However, so long as you keep its unfiltered water tank full of water, it’ll always have a gallon of filtered, chlorine-free water ready for you and your family.
Despite its many merits, though, there are a few disadvantages to note. First, the components of this unit are made of plastic, which is a let down for such a high-quality item. Second, the one-year warranty the manufacturer offers leaves something to be desired, especially in comparison to SpringWell and Kind Water Systems’s lifetime warranties.
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
- Filtration technology: Affinity Filtration
- Filter type: Water filter pitcher
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 99.5%
- Contaminants removed: 365+
- Filtered Water Capacity: 10 cups (80oz)
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- Affinity Filtration technology reduces chlorine by a minimum of 99.5%
- The same filtration technology eliminates 365 other contaminants
- It holds all the relevant NSF certifications
- Its filter has a life expectancy of four months
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- Expensive for a water pitcher
- The cost of replacement filters becomes a burden in the long term
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is our recommended choice for water filter pitcher that removes chlorine. It can reduce chlorine by 99.5%, which is one of the highest rating for a chlorine removal filter.
The superb reputation of this particular water pitcher doesn’t only pertain to its chlorine reduction either. While a granulated coconut carbon media is effective at reducing chlorine, the success of the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher lies elsewhere.
The pitcher reduces more than 365 contaminants, as seen in its NSF-certified performance data sheet. It does it with the help of its exceptional, patented, and innovative filtration technology referred to as Affinity Filtration. Two essential components of the Affinity Filtration technology ensure the removal of chlorine:
- The Clearly Filtered filter’s structure is full of twists and turns, prolonging contact time and allowing the filtration media to pick up contaminants like chlorine and reduce them more thoroughly than other filters.
- The filter structure also acts as a contaminant magnet that identifies, attracts, and binds contaminants in a long-lasting bond.
The filter can produce 100 gallons of chlorine-free water (roughly four months) before the contaminant buildup renders it ineffective, which is a great capacity for a pitcher filter.
That being said, the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher and its replacement filters are among the most expensive in comparison to the other units in this article. Even if you replace its filter once every four months, it might still be expensive to maintain in the long run.
Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under-the-Sink Water Filter System
- Filtration technology: Clearly Filtered 3-stage filtration tech
- Filter type: Under-the-sink system
- Chlorine reduction rate: Minimum of 98.6%
- Contaminants removed: 232+
- Filtration capacity: 2,000 gallons for each filter (lasting roughly a year)
- NSF 42 certification: Certified
- Warranty: Lifetime
- The best non-reverse osmosis under-the-sink unit for removing chlorine
- 98.6% chlorine reduction rate is impressive for an under-the-sink system
- 232+ other contaminants removed
- Holds all NSF certifications possible and comes with a detailed performance data sheet
- Lifetime warranty
- Made in USA
- The unit itself and its replacement filters are expensive
Despite not boasting the same numbers as the water pitcher from the same brand, the Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under-the-Sink Water Filter is undoubtedly one of the best products in its category. It is able to reduce more than 232 contaminants, as listed in its NSF-certified performance data sheet, and reduces chlorine by 98.6%, which is not far from the best chlorine reduction rates.
The Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink Water Filter employs a three-stage filtration process to reduce chlorine and other contaminants. Like in many multi-stage water filtration systems, the first stage is a sediment filter, which, in the case of this Clearly Filtered unit, is referred to as an “advanced priming filter.” However, in addition to sediments like dirt, sand, and dust, this filter effectively reduces aesthetic impurities like color, odor, taste, and chlorine.
The second stage heavy metal + VOCs filter removes chemicals such as chlorine and its byproducts and total trihalomethanes.
Lastly, a built-in fluoride filter removes fluoride without removing healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium. Since RO units typically remove healthy minerals, we love this particular aspect of the Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chlorine is not a health risk. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), drinking chlorinated water is unlikely to result in complications.
However, when chlorine comes into contact with natural organic matter, the chemical reaction between the two often creates total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). When the density of TTHMs in water surpasses 80 parts per billion, they can lead to several conditions, as TTHMs are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Additionally, the presence of chlorine might give water a bleach-like taste and smell and a cloudy appearance. And such water is unpleasant to drink. Considering both health-related and aesthetic aspects of drinking chlorinated water, it’s understandable why many Americans want to remove it from their drinking water supply.
Yes, buying a water filtration unit that removes chlorine will prevent the formation of TTHMs. Furthermore, a water filter that removes chlorine will significantly reduce your drinking water’s taste, color, and odor.
You can tell if there’s too much chlorine in your drinking water supply by its bleach-like taste and odor or its cloudy appearance. You should also check the consumer confidence report your water supplier publishes annually to ascertain how much chlorine they use to disinfect the water supply lines.
However, the most accurate way to test your water for contaminants, including chlorine, is to collect a water sample from one of your faucets and send it to an EPA-certified water testing lab. In return, you’ll receive a data sheet listing everything in your water and how their presence fares up against EPA rules, regulations, and standards.
Of course, this process will take a bit of time, and depending on your location and the lab, you may have to pay between $25 and $400.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher reduces chlorine by a minimum of 99.5%.
However, if you want chlorine-free water across the whole house, the SpringWell CF1 Whole House Filter reduces chlorine by 99%.
Those who want to purchase only NSF-certified products should look for an NSF 42 certification. NSF 42 specifically pertains to manufacturer claims regarding aesthetic impurities such as taste, odor, color, and chlorine.
Conclusion
The SpringWell CF1 is a whole-house unit with 99% chlorine reduction and 9 GPM flow rates.
The Kind Water Systems Whole House model is a cartridge-based alternative to the SpringWell CF1 that it easier to install and maintain.
The AquaTru Reverse Osmosis System is a countertop RO device that reduces chlorine by 96.6% and provides one gallon of chlorine-free water as long as you keep its unfiltered water tank full.
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is the best water pitcher on the market, as it can treat water for 365+ contaminants and has an impressive 99.5% chlorine reduction rate.
The Clearly Filtered Under-the-Sink is a great alternative to RO units, reducing chlorine and more than 232 other contaminants by 98.6%.
