The AquaYouth 2.0 activated carbon shower filter is one of the most popular filters on the market. It’s designed to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other harmful chemicals from your water while improving your skin and hair quality.
Today we’ll review several aspects of the AquaYouth 2.0, including its performance, ease of use, price, and much more.
Let’s get started!
Filtration Media
As stated at the start, the primary filtration media in the AquaYouth 2.0 is activated carbon. This type of carbon is especially good at removing organic contaminants (like chlorine) from water, making it ideal for shower filters. The EPA has a helpful guide on what granular activated carbon (GAC) can and cannot remove from water. GAC filters can treat radon, fuel oil, solvents, and other VOCs and taste and odor problems.
So if you have had your water tested recently, and it came back with high levels of contaminants like chlorine, the AquaYouth 2.0 will be able to help.
We also liked that this filter was NSF/ANSI 177 and 372 certified, meaning they voluntarily adhere to strict filtering standards.
Related: Best Shower Filters
If you want to read more about the technology that AquaYouth has employed in this shower filter, you can find more details here.
Additionally, here is a great comparison video that AquaYouth put together, showcasing their shower filter against one of the most popular shower filters on the market (likely the AquaBliss SF100):
Compatibility
AquaYouth 2.0 will fit any standard shower head like most shower filters. The 1/2″ connections are easy to install, and the filter can be used with shower heads and handheld showers.
From thread-to-thread, the AquaYouth 2.0 will add about 4″ in length between the shower arm and shower head. And given that the filtering canister is to the side, it should also be compatible with rainfall showerheads.
One important note is that the 4″ additional length may or may not be a problem depending on a few factors in your shower. For example, if you have a very low shower head, it could lower it even more, resulting in uncomfortable bathing, especially for taller individuals. However, the additional length may not be an issue if you have a very tall shower head. So take a minute to measure your shower head before making a purchase.
Installation
Installing the AquaYouth 2.0 is a breeze and can be done in just a few minutes with only Teflon tape and a wrench. To install, simply remove your current shower head, clean the threads of the shower arm, apply new Teflon tape to the shower arm threads to ensure a water-tight seal, and then screw on the AquaYouth 2.0.
After that, screw on your shower head and give both ends of the shower filter a good 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench to ensure a tight seal.
Here’s a video explaining how to install the AquaYouth 2.0:
Initial Cost
For the price, the AquaYouth is more expensive than some of its peers, notably the AquaBliss SF100 and SparkPod shower filter we recently reviewed. The AquaYouth will set you back about $60.
Maintenance Costs
The initial cost is only half the story; when buying any shower filter, you must consider the cost of replacement cartridges. For the AquaYouth, a replacement cartridge costs on average $25 and will last about 3,500 gallons or approximately four months of regular use. In total, that’s $75 per year in the cartridge or roughly $0.20 per shower – while not the cheapest shower filter, it’s still very reasonable for a clean bathing experience.
Design
Design and aesthetics are subjective. However, we think that the AquaYouth 2.0 looks sleek and modern with its all-white housing and clear filtration canister. In addition, the circular design is unique among shower filters and will add a touch of class to any bathroom.
However, we could see where this shower filter could look out of place, say in an all-white or antique bathroom. So keep that in mind when making a purchase.
Lastly, there are no finish options available – just chrome and black.
Warranty
Like many other companies in the shower filtration market, AquaYouth offers a 1-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Additionally, they offer a refund 30-days from the date of purchase (source).
However, the item must be unused and returned in its original packaging, which is disappointing.
Alternative Models
AquaYouth only makes one model of the shower filter, the 2.0. Therefore, the only other product that may be of interest is their complementary vitamin C handheld shower head. A good alterantive to a proper vitamin C shower filter.
Related: Do Vitamin C Shower Filters Work?
Other Brands
Aside from AquaYouth, there are several other options regarding shower filter brands. Some few that we often recommend to our readers include the following:
- AquaBliss
- AquaHomeGroup
- AquaSana
- Berkey
- Culligan
- Philips
- Sonaki
- Sprite
Overall
Overall, the AquaYouth 2.0 is a well-made and thought-out shower filter with a few caveats. We love the sleek design, easy installation, and reasonable price point. However, we think the lack of finish options could be a dealbreaker for some people, and the return policy is a bit disappointing. But if you can look past those two issues, the AquaYouth 2.0 is a great option for anyone in the market for a new shower filter.
Here’s our final rating:
| Dimension | Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration Media | High marks here. The AquaYouth utilizes a proven filtration media that effectively reduces chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants. | 95 |
| Compatibility | The AquaYouth will fit onto most standard shower arms and is compatible with most shower heads. Just measure the distance it will add between your shower arm and shower head. | 100 |
| Installation | Adding this shower filter to your bathroom should be a breeze. | 100 |
| Initial Cost | The AquaYouth 2.0 is reasonably priced compared to similar shower filters on the market. | 100 |
| Maintenance Costs | Requiring slightly more maintenance than some of its peers, the AquaYouth will cost on average $75 per year to keep up and running. | 95 |
| Design | We think the AquaYouth looks great! The sleek and modern design will compliment most bathrooms. However, this is subjective and may not be for everyone. | 94 |
| Warranty | The warranty is good, but the return policy…not so much. We would have liked to see a longer return window and fewer restrictions. | 92 |
| Overall | We like the AquaYouth 2.0, but it’s not perfect. With great filtration media, an easy-to-install design, and a reasonable price, the AquaYouth 2.0 is an excellent option for most people. | 96 |
