9 best hard water shower filters 2025, according to experts
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn how we test.
From dry skin, brittle hair, and scalp issues, hard water can lead to a host of issues. The solution? Well, investing in one of the best hard water shower filters may be the secret to softer, smoother hair and skin. According to research, around 60% of the UK is classed as having hard or very hard water, so it's likely that many of us could benefit from a shower head upgrade.
Filtered shower heads have likely appeared on your FYP recently, and while TikTok is full of unsolicited beauty tips, experts agree that hard water shower filters are more than just a fleeting trend. Beyond the lingering chlorine scent, hard water harbours chemicals and contaminants like heavy metals that strip the skin of natural oils, causing dryness, irritation, and clogged pores. For hair, it can lead to brittleness, breakage, and scalp issues. And if that's not already enough, it can also fade coloured hair.
Choosing the best hard water shower filter isn’t as straightforward as picking a new shampoo, though. It’s a bigger investment, and not all filters are created equal. So, we’ve done the research, consulted experts to unpack the issues with hard water, and discovered how it impacts your skin, hair, and scalp.
Below, discover the best tested and reviewed hard water shower filters available. From the viral Hello Klean 2.0, which has garnered thousands of 5-star reviews, to budget-friendly options from Amazon and Wayfair. Trust us, once you experience the difference of showering with filtered water, you'll wish you’d made the switch sooner.
SKIP TO: Our full reviews | How we test hard water shower filters | What is a hard water filter? | How does hard water affect hair & skin? | How often should shower filters be replaced? | What to look for when shopping for the best shower filter | Do shower filters actually work for hard water?
Meet the experts:
- Karlee Oz, Hello Klean Founder.
What is a hard water filter?
A hard water shower filter is designed to remove chlorine and heavy metals such as copper, lead, and iron, which can be harsh on your hair and skin. “Unlike traditional water softeners that require a plumber, permanent installation, and ongoing maintenance, these compact filters simply attach to your existing shower in minutes” says Karlee, Founder of Hello Klean.
How does hard water affect hair & skin?
Hard water can be harsh on both hair and skin due to its high mineral content. “When wet hair dries, dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium crystallise on the hair shaft, forming a physical barrier that blocks moisture from being absorbed,” explains Karlee. “This crystallisation roughens the cuticle, which is why hair can appear dull. “The effects are even more damaging for colour-treated hair — chlorine oxidises colour molecules, while copper binds to hair proteins and triggers colour shifts,” says Karlee. When it comes to skin, hard water can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity. It may also aggravate conditions like eczema or psoriasis and leave a residue that makes it harder for moisturisers and skincare products to absorb effectively.
How we test hard water shower filters at GLAMOUR:
Buying the best hard water shower filter isn’t as simple as picking up a new shampoo. They’re a bigger investment — and not all filters are made equal. To help you spend your money wisely, we spoke to industry experts, combed through hundreds of customer reviews, and tested market-leading models ourselves. Each filter was assessed for ease of installation, water pressure, filtration effectiveness, design, price, and the long-term effects on our skin and hair.
Ahead, shop GLAMOUR's edit of the best hard water shower filters, tested and reviewed.
Hello Klean Filter Shower Filter 2.0
Specifications:
- Fitting type: In-line showers and bath taps.
- Water flow: 8.5L/Minute.
- Dimensions: W77mm x D73.5mm x H150mm.
- Replacement filter: £25 every 3 months.
- Colours: Black, chrome, beige.
- Tested by: Elizabeth Bennet, Freelancer.
Why we love it: Praised as a hair and skincare saviour on TikTok, the Hello Klean shower filter is loved for tackling the drying effects of hard water. Specifically designed for handheld showers, it works by removing chlorine, copper, iron, and lead particles, helping to prevent dryness and irritation for both hair and skin.
“I’ve always been careful with products because of my eczema and sensitive skin, but I never thought about the water,” says Elizabeth. “After noticing how much softer my skin and hair felt in Devon, I tried this shower filter in London — and the results were palpable. My hair was smoother, easier to manage, and the change has lasted. It’s completely upgraded my shower routine.”
The filter includes a cartridge that needs replacing every three to four months, depending on usage, but there's also a choice to subscribe for a £25 replacement every three months. The best part? Installation takes just two minutes — no tools required.
**READ MORE: GLAMOUR's full Hello Klean review. **
Save when you shop for the best hard water shower filters with these Cult Beauty promo codes.
Hello Klean Shower Head Filter 2.0
Specifications:
- Fitting type: Handheld showers.
- Water flow: 6L/Minute.
- Dimensions: W93.2mm x D103mm x H270mm.
- Replacement filter: £30 every 3 months.
- Colours: Black, chrome, beige.
Why we love it: For anyone struggling with low shower pressure, Hello Klean's latest Purifying Shower Head is a great option. It offers all the benefits of the original filter, but with the added bonus of boosting your pressure.
Available in beige, black, and chrome, this shower head will add a modern touch to any bathroom. Building on the success of its shower filters, the brand now offers a range of haircare products, including, shampoos to conditioners, all specially designed to protect your hair from hard water damage and cleanse build-up.
Save when you shop for the best hard water shower filters with these Sephora discount codes.
Kitsch Shower Filter Head for Hard Water
Specifications:
- Fitting type: Handheld showers.
- Water flow: Unspecified.
- Dimensions: 9.53 x 6.35 x 9.53cm.
- Replacement filter: £29.34 each.
- Colours: Terracotta, black, white, chrome.
Why we love it: Kitsch’s shower filter may not include a new shower head, but it’s designed to work seamlessly with the one you already have. Featuring KDF-55 and calcium sulfite, it helps reduce mineral buildup without clogging or affecting water pressure — supporting healthier hair, skin, and nails in the process.
Its twist-on design makes installation simple, and swapping out the filter cartridge is just as easy. The kit includes everything you need to get started: one filter cartridge, a wrench, and plumber's tape. It’s one of the most budget-friendly options in our edit, delivering impressive filtration without sacrificing pressure or performance.
Save when you shop for the best hard water shower filters with these Amazon discount codes.
MEKO Hard Water Filter Shower Head
Specifications:
- Fitting type: Handheld showers.
- Water flow: Unspecified.
- Dimensions: 19 x 7 x 12.7cm.
- Replacement filter: £23.99 for two-pack.
- Colours: Grey, black, white.
Why we love it: With four spray modes – rainfall, spray, mixed, and a powerful cleaning jet – this shower head lets you easily adjust the water pressure by twisting the handle. You can also stop the water flow in one second with the large stop button on the head.
It features a 15-stage (!) filtration system that reduces chlorine, bacteria, algae, and fungus, thanks to activated carbon, vitamin C, and ceramic balls in the handle. Along with the handheld shower head, you get a 1.5m stainless steel hose, teflon tape, and two extra washers.
The only downside? The silicone massage head is a bit heavy (680g), so it may not be ideal for less sturdy shower setups. However, overall, it offers good value for money: it's easy to install, and could even speed up hair wash day with its adjustable spray options.
Philips Water in-Line Shower Filter and 1 Replacement Cartridge
Specifications:
- Fitting type: In-line showers and bath taps.
- Water flow: 8L/Minute.
- Dimensions: 6.6 x 6 x 17.5cm.
- Replacement filter: 1 free included, then £20.99 each.
- Colours: Stainless steel, white.
Why we love it: With its sleek chrome finish, the Philips In-Line Shower Filter will blend into any modern bathroom setup. Equipped with a 3-stage filtration system, it uses double mesh layers and NSF-certified KDF material to reduce residual chlorine, rust, and sediments. The result? Cleaner, gentler water that’s kinder to your hair and skin, especially if you're dealing with dryness, sensitivity, or irritation.
Delivering a steady flow of 8L/min, this high-performance filter won’t compromise your shower pressure, and it’s built for ease. Installation takes less than two minutes and the anti-scald design ensures it safely adapts to your water temperature. It also comes with one replacement cartridge, offering a generous filtration capacity of up to 50,000 litres. That means you’ll only need to swap it out every 4 to 6 months — making it a low-maintenance yet effective addition to your beauty routine.
ShowerPro - Shower Filter, Water Filter for Limescale, Chlorine & More
Specifications:
- Fitting type: In-line showers.
- Water flow: 10L/Minute.
- Dimensions: H13cm x W9cm x D9cm.
- Replacement filter: £40.99 each.
- Colours: White.
Why we love it: Available in sleek white or chrome, this shower head comes with plentiful promises — think relief for dry skin, fragile hair, eczema, brittle nails, dandruff, and even hair loss. It filters at an impressively high pressure of 10L/min, one of the highest we’ve come across.
The best part? It’s universally compatible — fitting easily between your tap and hose or hose and shower head. Designed to target common contaminants like chlorine, lead, mercury, chemicals, micro-organisms, and unpleasant odours, it also outlasts many standard filters, with a lifespan of up to six months.
Save when you shop for the best hard water shower filters with these Wayfair discount codes.
iSpring SF2S 15-Stage Universal Shower Filter
Specifications:
- Fitting type: In-line showers.
- Water flow: Unspecified.
- Dimensions: 6.99 x 6.99 x 11.43cm.
- Replacement filter:
- Colours: Stainless steel, white.
Why we love it: This universal shower filter takes a high-tech approach to water care, using 12 filtration materials across 15 stages to remove up to 99% of chlorine, sediment, hydrogen sulfide, and water-soluble heavy metals.
It’s not just about purification though, this filter goes a step further by infusing your shower water with skin-loving Vitamin C, leaving both hair and skin feeling noticeably softer and more balanced.
While this shower filter is specifically designed for use with the FSF2 replacement cartridge — and isn’t compatible with other models — it stands out for its longevity, lasting between 6 to 9 months, which is notably longer than most options on the market.
Cobbe Hard Water Filter Shower Head and Hose with 20 Stage Filter
Specifications:
- Fitting type: Handheld showers.
- Water flow: Unspecified.
- Dimensions: 28.5 x 13.5 x 12.7 cm.
- Replacement filter: N/A.
- Colours: Black, white, chrome.
Why we love it: One of the most powerful options we've come across, this hard water filter with hose features an impressive 20-layer filtration system. Made with high-quality KDF, calcium sulfite, and mineral balls, it effectively removes impurities and pollutants, helping to protect skin health and restore smooth, soft hair.
With six spray modes to choose from — including rain, massage, and oxygenated flow — you can switch between settings easily with a one-handed paddle press. Installation is just as simple: unscrew your old shower hose and screw in the new universal head.
Among the many glowing reviews, one buyer said: "My curls are back, they look amazing again! No frizzy hair, curls well formed and my skin feels so soft, like I just moisturised."
Specifications:
- Fitting type: In-line showers.
- Water flow: Unspecified.
- Dimensions: 55.5 x 49.5 x 42 cm.
- Replacement filter: £30.
- Colours: Black.
Why we love it: Editor-approved beauty brand Act + Acre’s filtered shower head is a long-time bestseller for good reason. The brand’s founder, Helen Reavey, spent 18 months working with a team of 31 PhDs — including chemists, physicists, chemical engineers, biochemists, and botanists — to challenge conventional hair care science.
The shower head is simple to install, boasts excellent water pressure, and hair health benefits. With 12 different filtration systems, including a proprietary blend of KDF-55, calcium sulfite, and charcoal, it effectively removes physical and chemical impurities from water without sacrificing shower pressure.
At £116, with filter replacements recommended every three months at £30 each, it’s definitely a premium option in the filtered shower head market.
Hard Water Shower Filter FAQs:
How often should shower filters be replaced?
“For optimal protection, shower filters should be replaced every three months, though this varies with usage,” says Karlee. Many brands now offer subscription services that automatically deliver fresh filters right when you need them — no need for calendar reminders or last-minute scrambling. “At Hello Klean, our filters are designed to process approximately 13,000 litres of water, which typically means three months for a household of two, but could be as short as two months for larger families or as long as five months for solo dwellers," Karlee explains.
What to look for when shopping for the best shower filter
The best filters combine multiple technologies (like KDF 55, amino acids and activated carbon) to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities that damage your hair and skin. “Think of it like skincare ingredients — you need the right active ingredients in sufficient amounts to see results,” says Karlee. “Beyond performance, consider two things: aesthetics and sustainability. We believe a filter should look like it intentionally blends into your bathroom, and the best are ones where you only replace the cartridge instead of throwing away the entire unit — it's better for the planet and usually more economical in the long run.”
Do shower filters actually work for hard water?
Yes, shower filters work effectively for the components of hard water that cause the most noticeable beauty concerns. Hard water isn't just about calcium and magnesium - it often contains chlorine, heavy metals like copper and iron, and other contaminants that damage hair and skin. Quality shower filters specifically target these beauty-damaging elements, helping prevent colour fading, brittleness, and irritation in the long run.
