5 Best Garden Hose Water Filter (Inline)

Thinking of giving your garden plants that extra touch of care? Garden hose water filters might be the compact and affordable solution you’re looking for.  

They not only provide filtered water for the plants in your garden, but some are tough enough to handle very high water pressures, which means they can be attached to pressure washers. So, they’re the ideal way to filter the water you use to clean your decking, driveway, or RV. 

The best filter we tested was the AquaOx DF 7 Garden Hose Water Filter. It removes up to 99.99% of bacteria to keep your plants healthy and your pets safe. It also has a massive 100,000-gallon filtration capacity, so it can last for over 3 years.  

If you’re looking for a garden hose water filter that can handle seriously high water pressure, you’ll love the AQUACREST RV Water Filter. It can withstand up to 400 PSI and comes with a durable anti-kink hose protector, making it perfect for cleaning RVs. The most affordable option is the LOVHO Garden Hose Sediment Filter, which doesn't cost much.

Best Garden Hose Water Filters

• AquaOx DF 7 Garden Hose Water Filter – Most Effective Filter
• Waterdrop WD-GDS Garden Hose Water Filter – Best Bulk Buy
• AQUA CREST RV Water Filter – Best High PSI Option
• Camco TastePURE RV/Marine Water Filter – Most Cost-Effective Filter
• LOVHO Garden Hose Sediment Filter – Best for High Flow Rate

1. AquaOx DF 7 Garden Hose Water Filter

• Filter Type – Positively charged catalytic active surfaces
• Contaminants Removed – Chlorine, sediment algae, viruses, and many types of bacteria

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PROS 

• 100,000-gallon filtration capacity, which means it can last for several months before the filter needs to be replaced 

• 10-year warranty, which is really long for a garden hose water filter 

• Removes 99.9% of bacteria from water 

CONS 

• Much more expensive than other filters at $349, so it might not suit every budget 

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The AquaOX uses positively charged catalytic active surfaces in the filter to disperse and absorb most micro-organisms such as pseudomonas aeruginosa, escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, and many other bacteria that can hurt your plants. 

However, even if these particular micro-organisms are not in your water supply, you’ll be happy to know that this filter can also eliminate much more common contaminants, like chlorine and sediment, as well as unpleasant odors. 

Portability 

Another benefit of this filter is its portability. If you’re a traveler, chances are you’ll come across water sources that might be contaminated or unsafe for drinking. The AquaOx DF 7 makes a great addition to your RV gear. If you attach this filter to your hose, you’ll have safe water for drinking, washing dishes, filling your puppy’s water bowl, or preparing food. 

High Flow Rate and Filter Longevity 

The AquaOx DF 7 can provide a water flow rate of up to 7 GPM (gallons per minute), which is pretty decent for a water hose. Additionally, you’ll get 100,000 gallons of use out of the filter before it needs replacing.  

Considering that an average person uses less than 100 gallons of water daily, and the garden hose probably amounts to less than a quarter of that average, 100,000 gallons equals more than three years, even if you’re wasteful with your water usage. 

Contaminant Removal Capabilities 

We’re really impressed with just how effectively this filter can remove many different types of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and algae. Some of the contaminants it removes (that we haven’t already mentioned) include: 

• Enterococcus hirae 

• MS2 

• Legionella adelaidensis 

• Candida albicans 

• Citrobacter sp 

• Cryptosporidium 

• Anabaena constricta 

This means you can water your plants without worrying about them catching the common plant diseases caused by these contaminants.  

2. Waterdrop WD-GDS Garden Hose Filter

• Filter Type – Ion exchange resin, KDF, and GAC material
• Contaminants Removed – Hard minerals, organic chemicals, chlorine, algae, and various bacteria

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PROS

• Three-phase filtration, which is very effective at removing contaminants
• Prices get reduced when bought in bulk, so it can be quite affordable
• 30-day return policy, so you can try it out and see what you think

CONS

• Can’t buy individual filters, which is something we’ve not really come across before

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The Waterdrop WD-GDS features a powerful 3-stage filtration system, which is highly efficient at removing many different contaminants from your water supply. This makes it a great option if your water is particularly contaminated, as you’ll still be able to keep your plants nice and healthy.

The 3-Stage Filtration filter contains three separate components – an ion exchange resin, KDF material, and GAC material.

• The ion exchange resin takes in minerals and softens the water to a certain degree. It’s not as effective as a water softener, nor does it have nearly the same capacity, but it’s still effective at softening moderately hard water.

• The KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) consists of beads made from high-purity copper and zinc granules to absorb chlorine, algae, and various bacteria.

• The GAC resin, or granular activated carbon, is a filtration medium made primarily from organic materials like coal, peat, and coconut shells. This resin effectively absorbs organic chemicals and removes them from your water.

The 3 filtration media combine to provide adequate protection against the most common water contaminants and ensure that the water coming from your hose is safe for both your pets and plants.

Decent Filter Life

The Waterdrop WD-GDS filters about 1,300 gallons of water before the filter needs replacing. Waterdrop says that you can get around 6 months before the lifetime of these filters runs out, but the truth is that the exact time will vary depending on your water usage. We estimate that even the most wasteful garden hose users can get at least 4 or 5 months out of the filter before its efficiency drops.

Of course, this is nowhere near as good as the AquaOx DF 7’s filter longevity, but 1,300 gallons is still fairly impressive for a garden hose water filter.

Bulk Savings

An interesting thing about these filters is that you can only purchase several at a time, and you can’t get a single filter on the official product page. While this is a bit inconvenient, it means that you can get more filters for a reduced price:

• Buying 2 means that each one will cost $15.99
• Buying 4 means that each one will cost $13.99
• Buying 6 means that each one will cost $12.16

3. AQUACREST RV Water Filter

• Filter Type – KDF, GAC materials, and a Non-Woven Fabric
• Contaminants Removed – Organic chemicals, chlorine, algae, sediment, soil and various bacteria

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PROS

• Comes with a durable and flexible anti-kink hose protector for hassle-free usage
• NSF-certified, which means its contaminant removal capabilities have been independently tested in a lab
• Can handle up to 400 PSI of pressure, so you can attach it to a pressure washer

CONS

• The gallon limit for the filter is unspecified, so we can’t say how long it lasts

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As the name suggests, the AQUACREST RV Filter is designed for RV owners. It can handle up to 400 PSI of pressure, so it can be attached to any type of hose, including pressure washers. This makes it perfect for filtering the water you use to wash your RV.

Key Features:

High-pressure capacity: Since it’s capable of enduring up to 400 PSI of pressure, this filter is ideal for any type of hose, regardless of the water flow, and it can even be used in tandem with a pressure washer for when you need to spray down your RV.

Efficient filtration: The AQUACREST RV Filter uses KDF materials, which absorb chlorine, algae, and bacteria, and GAC materials, which absorb organic chemicals. It also uses Non-Woven Fabric, which is mostly a rigid screen with tiny holes throughout. The concept is similar to reverse osmosis filters, but the holes in the non-woven fabric screen are larger. This means that while the fabric isn’t as thorough as a proper reverse osmosis system, it can still remove sediment and soil particles.

NSF-certified: You might also appreciate that the AQUACREST is certified by NSF against NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 standards. This means that it has been tested to significantly reduce chlorine levels in the water, as well as bad tastes and odors.

Durable anti-kink hose protector: The filter also has an anti-kink hose protector made of BPA-free materials and a silicone gasket that’s both flexible and leak-proof. The head of the protector is also made out of rust-proof copper. These qualities make this particular garden hose filter durable and protected against oxidation and damage from rust buildup or leaky connections.

High-pressure capacity: Since it’s capable of enduring up to 400 PSI of pressure, this filter is ideal for any type of hose, regardless of the water flow, and it can even be used in tandem with a pressure washer for when you need to spray down your RV.

4. Camco TastePURE RV/Marine Water Filter

• Filter Type – KDF, GAC, and a 20-micron membrane
• Contaminants Removed – Organic chemicals, chlorine, algae, sediment, soil, and various bacteria

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PROS

• Three-phase filtration for powerful contaminant removal rates
• Average lifetime of 3 months, which is decent for a garden hose water filter
• Comes with a durable and flexible anti-kink hose protector like the AQUACREST filter

CONS

• The gallon limit for the filter is unspecified

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The Camco inline garden hose filter has almost identical filtration materials inside the casing as the Aqua Crest filter we just discussed. The KDF and the GAC materials eliminate most chlorine, algae, and organic chemicals, while the 20-micron membrane works as a screen that removes sediment and soil fragments.

It’s designed with boat and RV owners in mind, but it’s also ideal for watering plants. 

Key Features:

Powerful filtration: The membranes are divided into several categories. The 5-micron membranes remove contaminants from the water except oxygen and hydrogen molecules. In contrast, the 10-micron membranes remove contaminants aside from small chemical molecules and bacteria, and the 20-micron filters can only remove large soil and sodium fragments.

While this 3-membrane filtration is not effective as a whole-house reverse osmosis system, it’s as good as any other garden filter on the market except the AquaOx. It can get rid of the most common contaminants in small amounts, but if the water is too polluted for a garden hose filter, you’ll need to get a more powerful filtration device.

Anti-kink hose protector: Another similarity this model shares with the AQUACREST is that it comes with a flexible anti-kink hose protector. This facilitates the attachment of the filter to nearly any hose without the risk of damage from the hose’s rigidity.

Good filter longevity: While there is no specified gallon limit, the manufacturer estimates that you can get around 3 months of use out of this filter before it needs to be replaced. As always, this will depend largely on the amount of water that you use regularly, but even wasteful users should be able to get at least 2 months out of this filter.

5. LOVHO Garden Hose Sediment Filter

• Filter Type – 40 mesh screen
• Contaminants Removed – Sediment and soil

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PROS

• Can handle any GPM, which makes it compatible with all hoses
• Can be cleaned and reused, so you don’t need to buy replacements regularly
• Doesn’t limit water flow, allowing you to get a powerful stream
• Can be used for filtering well water

CONS

• The filter is only effective for removing large soil and sediment particles

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The LOVHO isn’t like the other filters we reviewed mainly because of its design and filtration abilities. While the other hose filters on our list are cylinders with filtration materials inside, this model has more of a T-shape. It’s also specifically designed to remove large soil and sediment particles rather than bacteria and other contaminants. The good news is, it’s great at doing so!

Key Features:

Easy maintenance: The filter itself is located in the cup-shaped casing that can be found right underneath the input and output valves, hence the T-shape of the filter. This shape makes it easier to replace since you only need to remove the bottom without actually detaching it from the hose. This is also the only filter we reviewed that can be removed and washed off before it’s re-used again.

Removes sediment and soil: The filter uses a mesh to eliminate large sediment and soil fragments from your water and prevent them from contaminating your garden. Unfortunately, aside from that, the filter is not very effective against small contaminants. Still, removing soil and sediment is important when watering your plants and using your hose for cleaning. After all, nobody wants to cover their decking in soil.

Maintains water flow: On the plus side, the 40 mesh filter won’t reduce the water flow, so this is the perfect choice if your only concern is dirt in your water.

How We Reviewed Garden Hose Water Filters

These are the main factors we considered when selecting garden water hose filters for this article, as well as charts showing how all of them stack against each other.

Filter Types

Each garden hose filter has a unique filtration medium that determines what the device can and can’t filter. The filters are separated depending on the type of material or resin. The filter type you choose should depend on the specific contaminants found in your water.

Contaminants Removed

The only way to find out what sort of contaminants you have in your water is to either get a home water testing kit or send a sample of your water to a testing lab. Once you get the results back, you will need to find a filter suited to removing that specific contaminant.

However, as you can tell from our chart here, most filters have several filtration media that are capable of removing more than one type of contaminant. Because of this, you can easily find something to eliminate the issues you might be having with your water.

Price

Most inline hose water filters have roughly the same price tag. They’re usually between $10 and $20 a piece or slightly less if you buy them in a double pack or more. The one exception to this is the AquaOx, which is 10 times more expensive than most other similar filters.

However, the price is well worth it since you get a very effective filter that can purify much more water than a standard garden hose filter.

What is a Garden Hose Water Filter?

A garden hose water filter is exactly what it sounds like – a filtration unit that you attach to the end of your garden hose.

Regardless of which sort of filter you get, they’re all pretty small. They can be attached to the end of the hose either through the filter connection or an additional joint connection that the filter comes with to make it compatible with different hose sizes.

The water passes through the filter attached to the hose, which is where the contaminants are removed.

How It Works

A garden hose water filter is essentially just a cylinder with filtration materials inside. The cylinder gets attached to the end of the hose, and all the water that passes through the hose also passes through the filter.

The filtration materials inside the cylinder absorb contaminants from the water passing through. The water comes out cleaner and free of the pollutants the filter is designed to remove.

Each filter also has a specific gallon capacity. Once that capacity has been reached, the filter will become so filled with contaminants that it won’t be effective anymore, and you’ll need to replace it.

Types of Garden Hose Water Filters

Garden hose water filters come in a cylinder or T shape. The cylinders simply look like pipes attached to the hose, while the T shape models have an input and output valve at the top and the filter itself is beneath them.

Aside from the general shape, the more important distinction between most garden hose water filters is their filtration medium.

Whether using a carbon filter, ion exchange resin, or KDF material, these filters can do everything from absorbing minerals from the water to getting rid of harmful bacteria.

Bear in mind that there are many more filtration media than the three we just mentioned, and the list of filter types is as long as the list of water contaminants in your water that you want to remove.

Advantages of Garden Hose Water Filters

Garden filters are portable and can be attached to most standard-width hoses. They also come with adapters that allow you to connect them to non-standard-sized hoses that are otherwise too big or too small for the regular filter input.

They can help you ensure that the water in your garden doesn’t contain any contaminants that might kill your plants or make you or your pet sick if you drink the water.

Not to mention that these devices are an absolute godsend when you’re camping since they can allow you to drink water from any source except the most incredibly polluted ones.

There are many different types of hose filters, so you can find a model specializing in the particular contaminants found in your water. There are also filters like the AquaOx and the Waterdrop that have several filtration materials that can absorb more than one type of contaminant.

If all of that wasn’t enough, you might also like to know that these devices are incredibly cheap and can easily last you for several months, even if you use your garden hose every day.

Disadvantages of Garden Hose Water Filters

Due to their small size, garden hose filters can only take in so many contaminants before they can’t absorb anymore and must be replaced. The exact lifetime of the filter will depend on the amount of water you use and the exact filter you get, but aside from the very expensive variety, a standard $30 filter will only last you a few months.

Garden hose filters are also not capable of handling water that’s too contaminated for too long. Since the contaminants clog the filters, highly polluted water clogs them more quickly. This isn’t an issue on camping trips since most filters can handle a few days of harsh contaminants. Still, if the water in your home is very contaminated, we suggest going for a more powerful whole-house filter than any of these units.

And finally, the biggest issue with garden hose water filters is that you don’t know when to replace them. There’s no light or filter replacement warning system, so you’ll either need to stick to the average lifetime the company specifies or try to measure the gallons of water you use.

The latter option is incredibly difficult to estimate accurately, and there’s no guarantee that the 3 months of life specified by the manufacturer won’t run out sooner due to increased water use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The AquaOx DF 7 Garden Hose Water Filter is the best filter in this article, and it will last you far longer than the other filters. However, it also has a steep asking price.

The Waterdrop WD-GDS Garden Hose Water Filter offers the most attractive price if you’re buying several filters at once.

The AQUACREST RV Water Filter has a decent filter and can handle hoses with a high PSI.

The Camco TastePURE RV/Marine Water Filter has no particular strengths or weaknesses, so it’s a good choice if you want to cover all of your bases regarding contaminants removed and overall price.

The LOVHO Garden Hose Sediment Filter doesn’t have a particularly good filter, but it’s a great choice for anyone who just wants to get rid of dirt from their water without limiting the water flow.