Before you ever buy a shower filter, it is essential to do your research. This way, you can be sure that you are getting a quality product that will provide you with the best possible experience. However, even if you take the time to do your research, there is still a chance that you could end up regretting your purchase.
So today, we wanted to look at some of the most common regrets people have after buying shower filters.
By understanding these ten notable drawbacks, you can be sure to understand the limitations of shower filters.
1. Filter Needs Too Frequent of Changing
For a shower filter to be effective, it will need to be replaced regularly. Depending on the model you choose, this could be as often as every month or two. For some people, this is simply too much of a hassle. They would rather not use a filter at all than constantly keep track of when it needs to be replaced.
We have a helpful guide outlining the frequency of filter replacement for many popular models on the market. Check it out before making your purchase to know what to expect.
2. Not Seeing an Immediate Difference
Another common regret we often see is that many folks want to see an immediate difference after installing their shower filter. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Depending on the quality of your water, to begin with, it could take a few weeks or even a few months for the full effect of the filter to be realized.
This is particularly important if you want to reduce the dryness of your skin or improve the condition of your hair. Your body takes time to adjust to the new water quality, and you may not see results immediately.
3. Everything Isn’t Being Filtered
Before buying a shower filter, it’s always a good idea to test the water in your area. This way, you can find out what is in your water and decide if a shower filter is right for you.
However, even if you test your water and find that a filter is necessary, there is still a chance that not everything is being filtered. Shower filters are not perfect, and there are always going to be some contaminants that slip through.
This is especially true with chloramines, often used in municipal water supplies. Chloramines are particularly difficult to filter out at the point of source, and you may need to look into a whole house water filter if you are serious about removing them from your water.
Related: Best Shower Filters for Hard Water
4. Not Enough Pressure
Depending on the model you choose, a shower filter could reduce the water pressure in your shower. This is usually not a significant reduction, but it can be enough to be noticeable – especially if you are going from 2.5 GPM to 1.8 GPM (a 28% decrease).
If you are particularly sensitive to water pressure, check out the flow rate of any shower filter you are considering before making a purchase.
5. Costly Replacements
As we mentioned before, shower filters will need to be replaced regularly. Unfortunately, depending on the model you choose, replacement cartridges can be quite expensive over the course of a year.
For example, the Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter comes with a 6-month filter cartridge that costs about $60 to replace. That means over a year; you would be spending $120 on replacement filters.
6. It Only Works on One Point of Entry to the House
What if you have multiple showers in your home? Now you are doubling or even tripling the cost of shower filter replacements. Not to mention that we are only talking about showers, not your kitchen sink or bathroom faucet.
To get the full benefit of filtered water, you need to have a filter at every point of entry to the house. The solution would be a whole house water filter, but those cost several thousand dollars upfront.
And what if you rent an apartment or home and can’t install a whole house filter? Now you are stuck with a single point of filtered entry.
7. Difficulty Finding Replacement Cartridges
Finding replacement cartridges can be difficult and expensive if you opt for a less popular shower filter model. This is because only a handful of companies make replacement cartridges, and they often only sell them in bulk.
Additionally, the company that made your shower filter may go out of business, making it impossible to find a replacement cartridge. This is why buying from a well-known and reputable company is always a good idea.
8. They Can Be Bulky or Unattractive
Shower filters come in all shapes and sizes, but some can be pretty bulky and are only made in a limited number of finishes. Finding one that fits your shower nicely and/or matches the rest of your bathroom fixtures can make it difficult.
9. Lowers Shower Head Too Much
If you or a family member is tall, a shower filter can make it challenging to take a shower. This is because some of them lower the height of the shower head by several inches. As a result, a taller individual may need to squat or lower their head to wash their hair – which can be quite uncomfortable.
10. Keeping a Schedule
Just like the batteries in your smoke detector, you need to remember to change the filter in your shower head on a regular basis. We recommend milestone times such as when you change the clocks or on January 1 and June 1.
Conclusion
Shower filters can be a great way to remove contaminants from your water, but they are not perfect. You should be aware of several potential drawbacks before making a purchase.
Be sure to carefully research the pros and cons before deciding if a shower filter is right for you.
