With 16-stage water filtration, the SparkPod is one of the most popular shower filters on the market. This filter system is designed to remove 99.9% of harmful water impurities by relying on important filtration media, including a high-density stainless steel mesh and an activated carbon block filter.
In this review, we’ll take a detailed look at the SparkPod shower filter and how it performs regarding water quality, durability, and value for money.
Beyond how well the shower filter performs, we’ll also look at the cost (both initial and long-term) along with the design, compatibility, warranty, and much more.
So, if you’re in the market for a new shower filter or are simply curious about how the SparkPod might perform, stay tuned!
Filtration Media
As we mentioned in the intro, the SparkPod shower filter uses several forms of filtration media to achieve its 16-stage water filtration.
As your dirty water enters the cylindrical filter housing, it must first pass through a high-density stainless steel mesh. This initial layer of protection is important as it helps to remove any larger impurities, including rust, dirt, and sediment.
After the water passes through the stainless steel mesh, it enters a series of filters, including ultra-fine PP cotton, magnetic energy balls, ceramic balls, magnetized balls, and an activated carbon filter.
These all work together to remove chlorine and sediment past that initial stainless steel mesh.
The water is further treated with a KDF or Kinetic Degradation Fluxion filter. This type of activated carbon has been treated with zinc to help remove heavy metals, iron, and other inorganic compounds.
Finally, the water passes through calcium sulfite and a few other filters before exiting through the shower head. This last stage of filtration is crucial as it helps to remove any residual impurities that might be left after passing through the previous filters.
Overall, it’s a pretty impressive filtration system and one that is sure to leave you with cleaner, healthier water.
Compatibility
With 1/2″ NPT connections, the SparkPod shower filter is compatible with most standard showerheads. In addition, unlike the Aquasana AQ-4100, which has a limitation on the diameter of the shower head it can be used with (4.5″ max), there are no such restrictions with the SparkPod. So if you have an oversized rainfall shower head, this won’t be an issue.
Installation
Like most standard shower filters, installing the SparkPod High Output Shower Filter Capsule is a breeze. Simply remove your old shower head from the shower arm, clean the threads of any residual Teflon tape with a rag, apply a fresh layer of Teflon tape to the shower arm, and then screw on the filter housing.
You must use Teflon tape (also known as plumbers tape) on the shower arm threads as this will help to create a watertight seal. Without it, you run the risk of leaks.
Once the filter housing is tightened down, simply reattach your shower head to the other end of the housing. Give both ends of the shower filter a good 1/4 or 1/2 turn with a wrench to ensure a tight fit, and voila, you’re all done!
The entire process should only take a few minutes.
Initial Cost
The SparkPod Shower Filter is cheap, in a good way. Priced at $32.99, it’s one of the market’s more affordable high-output shower filters.
To put this into perspective, the other brands, including Kohler, Pentair, and others that have few stages of filtration, cost nearly double or, in some cases, triple the price of the SparkPod.
Maintenance Costs
Initial costs only share half the story; the other half is how often you’ll need to replace the filter cartridge. The great news is that replacement cartridges for the SparkPod are about $15 a piece and only need to be changed once every six months.
Over the year, you’ll be paying $30 to bathe in filtered water. This equates to less than $0.10 a day – not bad!
Design
One of the biggest advantages of the SparkPod over so many other filers is the number of finishes it’s available in. While most other brands are limited to a single finish (usual chrome), the SparkPod comes in five different finishes, including chrome, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, matte black, and gold. This allows you to find a filter that perfectly matches your bathroom’s decor.
However, one downside can be the length it adds between your shower arm and shower head. It will lower it a few inches, which may be an issue for taller people (although this could be advantageous to shorter people).
Warranty
Before buying any bathroom fixture, it’s always a good idea to check if the company offers a warranty. This is doubly important for products that contact water regularly as they are more susceptible to leaks and other issues.
The SparkPod comes with a one-year extended warranty, which is in line with other brands. Also, SparkPod offers a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee, so if you’re unhappy with the product for any reason, you can return it within a month for a full refund (source).
Alternative Models
Aside from the unit we are reviewing, SparkPod only makes one other model worth mentioning – a SparkPod filter and shower head combo. We recommend this only if you are also looking to replace your shower head, as it will likely be cheaper to buy the two together than to purchase them separately.
Other than that, there are no other SparkPod models to speak of.
Other Brands
There is no shortage of competitors in the high-output shower filter market. Here are a few other brands that you may want to consider:
- AquaBliss
- Aquasana
- AquaYouth
- Culligan
- Sprite
- Sonaki
- Speakman
These are all well-known brands with a good reputation in the industry. Many of them have been around for decades and have earned the trust of homeowners around the world.
Overall
To summarize, the SparkPod High Output Shower Filter is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable, easy-to-install, and reliable shower filter.
Here’s our rating:
| Dimension | Summary | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration Media | High marks here; the KDF 55 and Chlorine filters significantly reduce chlorine, bacteria, and other contaminants. | 95 |
| Compatibility | With a standard 1/2″ connection, the SparkPod will work with nearly all shower heads on the market. Plus, the design allows for easy installation and removal. | 95 |
| Initial Cost | One of the more affordable options, especially when compared to similar products from other brands. | 100 |
| Maintenance Costs | For less than $0.10 a day, you can enjoy filtered water for your shower. | 98 |
| Design | With five different finishes, you’ll have no problem matching your bathroom decor. However, the length of this filter may lower the height of your shower head by a few noticeable inches. | 99 |
| Warranty | The standard one-year warranty is about average for this product category. It’s nice to see a 30-day satisfaction guarantee as well. | 90 |
| Overall | If you are looking for a promising yet affordable shower filter, the SparkPod checks all the boxes. Not much more you can ask for here. | 96.1 |
