The Best Whole House Water Filters

#4 The Pelican Combo Series PSE1800

The unit has a flow rate of 8 gallons per minute, delivering enough water to 2-3 bathrooms depending on the average usage. The minimum/maximum working pressure for the unit is 25-80 psi.

The Pelican Combo Series PSE1800 uses a 4-step filtration system:

Step Stage 1: Micron Pre-filter System

Stage 2 & 3: Catalytic Granular Activated Carbon Media (GAC) Stage

Stage 4: Pelican Media Guard - Copper and Zinc Oxidation Media (KDF-55)

The Pelican uses a carbon filter to reduce chlorine content up to 96%, as well as helping filter out other chemicals like pesticides and built-up sediment. The carbon filter also helps with water aesthetics, giving the water a clearer appearance in addition to helping filter out anything that would discolor the water.

The system uses an oxidation media in step 4 to reduce microbes and bacteria content in the water, and this oxidation media can also help with any residual chlorine content leftover from the carbon filter. This extra filtration both provides cleaner water, but also helps with prolonging the longevity of the softening stage.

The use of a salt-free softening system has quite a few advantages as well. First off, there is no additional salt added to the water in the softening process, meaning your water stays in its natural state. This means that not only is the salt content left to a minimum, but the essential minerals like magnesium and calcium are also left in the water as well. Lastly, you don't lose any water due to backwash or regen.

If you're already handy with plumbing or have some DIY knowledge, the system shouldn't be too difficult to set up, though if you're not very home improvement savvy, you may want to call in a professional. The installation essentially is broken down into a few basic steps:

• Turn off the main water supply
• Open outlets to drain any residual water
• Mount pre-filter housing level with the carbon filter
• Use included Teflon tape to wrap around the threaded end of the male NPT connector
• Push the thread fitting into the outlet side of the pre-filter and hand tighten with a wrench
• Connect the pre-filter to your home's main water supply line
• Connect the pre-filter to the carbon tank bypass
• Connect the carbon filter to the softener tank bypass
• Connect the softener bypass line to the outgoing main supply line
• Turn the water back on and check for leaks

With the setup being a bit tricky, luckily the maintenance is as simple as can be. There is no programming or settings to worry about with the unit, and the only maintenance you'll need aside from calling for service if issues arise is to simply change the filter every 6-9 months. Every 5 years the carbon media does have to be replaced though, which may require a service call.

Features:

• Flow rate of 10 gallons per minute
• 4-stage filtration system
• Filters 600,000 gallons
• Conditions and softens water

#5 Culligan WH-HD200-C Whole House Heavy Duty Water Filtration System

The Culligan Whole House Water Filter does a great job of filtering out sediments, removing odors and chlorine, as well as metals from your water. Another great advantage is that rather than using a specific filter only compatible with the Culligan WH-HD2000-C, it is compatible with almost any filter. The only downside to this is that your water quality can vary depending on the filter you decide to use.

The Water Quality Agency (WQA) has cleared the product completely as it is certified against NSF/ANSI 372. This means that the lead levels in your water after filtration will be negligible.

Features:

• Bypass valve
• Compatibility with multiple filters
• LED indicator
• Temperature range: 40°F - 100°F
• Pressure range: 30-100 PSI
• 1-inch inlet/outlet system

#6 GE GXWH40L Whole House Water Filter

While it is only compatible with filters made for the General Electric line of whole house water filters, there are a variety of filters to choose from based on your needs. The lower the micron count of the filter, the more sediment, and microbes it will catch.

The unit is easy to install, but the filter life is fairly short, needing to be replaced every three months. It has one of lower flow rates, at 4 gallons per minute, so keep your water usage in mind when looking into this unit, as it might not be great for larger homes or homes that use a lot of water.

Features:

• Flow rate of 4 gallons per minute
• Bypass valve
• Variety of filter options
• Measures in at 16.4 x 8.4 x 7.9 inches

#7 iSpring WGB21B Whole House Water Filter

The filter is also highly effective on pesticides, solvents, and other chemicals that might be initially in your tap water. The carbon block filter also removes any bad tastes or odors from your water as well.

The installation of the unit is also extremely easy. The unit comes pre-assembled, meaning all you really have to do is just hook it up to your water lines and you are all set to go. Changing the filters and performing routine maintenance is also very simple, and the unit includes a filter wrench as well as a pressure release valve for when you change the filters, making ita quick and easy process.

The system also does not remove total dissolved solids (TDS) but keeps healthy minerals in your water for you.

Features:

• 1-year warranty
• Two stage filtration system
• Easy filter replacement
• flow rate of 15 galons per minute
• 6 month - 1 year filter lifespan

#8 Whirlpool WHELJ1 Whole House Water Filter

Depending on your needs, you can also adjust how often the WHELJ1 cleans its filters through the system's four-button interface. Regardless of whether you set it for every week, month, or any time in between, the cleaning process usually takes around three minutes and uses a total of 10 gallons of water. Thanks to the self-cleaning system, it does produce a bit of wastewater which might be a turnoff for some more environmentally conscious consumers.

This model is great at removing chlorine and other lighter particles and sediments down to a size of 40 microns. It will remove foul odors and tastes from your water as well. Unfortunately, the unit does not filter out heavy metals like fluoride, iron, and hydrogen sulfide, so depending on what you're trying to filter out, this unit might not be the best choice for your needs.

It is fairly easy to install the Whirlpool WHELJ1. As long as you follow the instructions to the letter, you shouldn't have much issue setting it up yourself. It might require a little DIY knowhow but overall it should be relatively simple. Worst case scenario you could always have a professional set up the system for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

The filter also comes with a 1-year warranty that covers if the unit is faulty, malfunctioning, or even just needs to be replaced entirely.

Features:

• Self Cleaning System
• Easy installation
• Flow rate of 6 gallons per minute
• Easy user interface
• Adjustable cleaning options
• 1-year warranty

#9 DuPont WFPF13003B Whole House Water Filter

The DuPont WFPF13003B includes a 10-micron filter, filter wrench, mounting bracket and housing unit for the filter in the box. Installation is fairly easy, as the unit simply fits together nicely and the mounting bracket is easy to work with. Hooking the system into your existing pipeline is really the only tricky part of the installation.

The product is designed with customization in mind, either meant to be an affordable standalone unit for basic filtration or as part of a two to three-step filtration process set up by linking multiple models of DuPont filters together in a chain. This high level of customization makes is perfect for people who are looking to build their own filtration set up to fit a very specific need as opposed to finding an all-in-one system that can do the trick.

Features:

• 3-year limited warranty
• 10-micron filter
• Flow rate of 5 gallons per minute
• Pressure range of 30psi to 90 psi
• Maximum temperature range of 100 Degrees F
• 15,000 gallon filter life

#10 3M Aqua-Pure Whole House Water Filter System AP904

The filtration system also helps increase the lifespan and quality of your other water-based appliances as they're being supplied with pure and filtered water, reducing the wear and tear on the piping systems and internal workings of the appliances.

The Aqua-Pure Whole House Sanitary Water Filter AP904 has multitasking high-performance filters that help keep your water free of all sorts of contaminants, including sediment, chlorine, rust, and other chemicals normally in the water. These filters are also extremely easy to change out, making maintaining the unit a quick and easy process.

It also uses a scale inhibition system that uses polyphosphates to bind to calcium and magnesium materials. This prevents them from forming as precipitate and collecting on the walls of your pipes and tubing, reducing the flow rate of water through your home.

The main selling point of this unit is the use of the Sanitary Quick Change design. This SQC design allows you to change out the cartridge of the unit without having to even come in contact with the filter. You don't even need a filter wrench to perform maintenance, as all you need to do is swap out the cartridge and you're set.

Features:

• 1" NPT Stainless Steel Inlet and outlet plumbing connections
• Peak flow rate up to 20 gpm/75.7 lpm
• Maximum operating pressure of 125 psi (862 kPa) and operating temperature of 100°F/37.8°C
• The AP902 system incorporates a non-woven pleat media that reduces sediment down to 5 micon nominal
• The AP903 incorporates carbon block filtration with a non-woven pleat media to reduce sediment down
• Scale inhibition media, carbon block filtration and a non-woven pleat media to reduce sediment down to 5 micons nominal, chlorine taste and odor, as well as scale build-up
• System materials are FDA CFR-21 compliant and are food and drinking water safe
• Cartridges are sanitary in design, requiring no contact with the filter media during cartridge change-out