Let us help you choose the perfect water filter for chlorine with our comprehensive guide. We recommend the best certified water filters for every scenario.
If you’ve ever drank water from your faucet and wondered why it has a chemical taste, that’ll often be because of the chlorine which is added to it.
When the municipal water supply is treated, chlorine is added to the water to kill the microorganisms which can cause waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.
Chlorine is so effective at neutralizing viruses and bacteria because it's actually very toxic itself.
In today's guide, we take a close look at 5 amazing chlorine water filters.
We've chosen the best chlorine filtration devices in each range. Each one is certified by leading independent authorities NSF International or the WQA to remove chlorine.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
The Best Chlorine Water Filters
In this section, we review the 5 water filters that we recommend over all others when it comes to removing chlorine from the water supply.
Here's an overview of our recommendations:
1. An undersink water filter that is perfect for kitchen use and takes up minimal space.
2. A countertop model that is portable and won't break the bank.
3. A water filter pitcher that can live in the fridge.
4. A shower filter that will protect your bathing water.
5. A whole house water filter that protects all of the water in the home.
Undersink Water Filter: Aquasana AQ-5300
This under counter system is ideal for eradicating chlorine and other contaminants from your kitchen water supply.
It's actually certified by NSF International under 4 different filtration standards. In our book this makes it one of the most effective water filters on the market right now.
It is certified to standards 42, 53, 401, and +P473. Let's take a quick look at what this means.
Standard 42: Concerns the reduction of chlorine in drinking water. This model removes over 97% of chlorine.
Standard 53: Concerns the reduction of a range of contaminants including lead, arsenic, and mercury. This filter removes over 99% of lead for example.
Standard 401: Concerns 15 emerging contaminants including pharmaceutical drugs, herbicides, and pesticides.
Standard +P473: Concerns the reduction of Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) & Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). These are manufactured chemicals.
Here's a link to the actual test results where you can see how this water filter performed in each category under NSF International testing.
The Aquasana AQ-5300 uses three filtration stages to provide such stringent purification. This means the water flow rate isn't the strongest. It offers 0.5 gallons per minute, which could be a deal breaker for some.
The water filters will need replaced every 6 months on average (every 600 gallons of use), but this figure really depends on the your local water. For example, water that has higher levels of sediment present will cause the pre-filter to wear out sooner. The time to change filters is easily identified by the built-in alarm (requires a battery).
The filters are really easy to remove and replace. Just remember to leave a bit of space at installation time to make your life easier when it comes to filter changes.
On the note of installation, this model comes with its own faucet (nickel, bronze, or chrome). So, be prepared to drill a new hole in your sink (you keep the old faucet where it is).
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line – if you’re looking for an effective filter system for your kitchen, this could be the ideal choice. It's highly decorated with NSF certification for 4 different standards. This makes it one of the most effective under-sink water filters on the market.
Countertop Water Filter: Aquasana AQ-4000W
If you don’t have room under your kitchen sink for a bulky undercounter unit, then this Aquasana countertop model could be the perfect choice.
Besides being smaller, it's also significantly cheaper and easier to install. The main drawback here though (maybe not for everyone) is that it takes up precious counter space.
It couldn’t be easier to fit this model to your sink. Simply attach the diverter onto your existing faucet and this filter will sit convenient on your countertop. This simple installation process also makes this water filter somewhat portable.
This model uses a twin cartridge system to offer ion exchange, sub-micron and carbon filtration to remove even more unwanted contaminants and pollutants. Since the tap water is forced over the filtration material under pressure, it’s capable of removing more than 3 times more pollutants than the leading brands of pitcher filter.
Impressively, this model doesn’t strip out the healthier minerals that exist in tap water, such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. However, it does remove the chemical odor and flavor of chlorine from your drinking water.
It has been fully NSF certified to remove 97.4% of chlorine as well as many other unwanted pollutants such as asbestos, mercury and lead thanks to its 3 stage Claryum filtration system.
And just like the previously discussed AQ-5300 model, this one is certified under 4 different NSF/ANSI standards. They're actually the very same certifications (NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, 401, +P473), which makes this one powerful little water filter. You can read a brief explanation of these filtration standards in the last review.
However, having such impressive credentials does mean that Aquasana charge a little more for the replacement filters. Compared to the competition, these countertop filters can be considered pretty expensive.
They'll last for 450 gallons of use (around 6 months in the average home) and give a water flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute.
Of course, being NSF International certified means compete transparency and you can see the test data here.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line – a really easy to use and maintain water filter that is set-up in just minutes. It also has very impressive credentials and leads the way for countertop devices.
Pitcher Water Filter: ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher
If you have a compact kitchen with limited space for an under counter or countertop filtration system, this ZeroWater 10 cup pitcher could be the perfect option for you.
This model boasts a 5 stage filtration process, which is especially impressive for a pitcher. Rather than solely using carbon filtering, it also uses ion exchange technology for even better reduction of contaminants.
This model is NSF certified (NSF/ANSI 53) for the removal of heavy metals, lead and, of course, chlorine. It’s capable of removing 99.6% of total dissolved solids (TDS) too, which is double the amount removed by the average brand pitcher filters.
This pitcher is easy to operate with its single-handed operation spigot which lets you fill your water bottle or cup with no need to lift.
The big benefits of using a pitcher are complete portability and also the price. It can be a bit of a pain having to fill it up so frequently (and having to wait for the water to pass though the filter) but it can be stored in the refrigerator for ice cool filtered water.
Price-wise, it's by far the cheapest water filter on this list. Be warned though that the replacement filters are on the more expensive side for a water filter pitcher.
You can see how this model compares to other pitchers in our big guide.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line – if you’re looking for a convenient water filter for your home that requires absolutely no installation whatsoever, this is the model for you. Simply fill and pop into your refrigerator for tasty, clean water whenever you want it.
Shower Filter: Aquasana AQ-4100
If you’re sick of your hair being dry and unmanageable after showering or are experiencing irritation on your skin, the Aquasana AQ-4100 shower water filter system could be a great investment.
It attaches to the existing shower line with no need for any tools at all, so it’s a convenient choice for homeowners who aren’t DIY experts or those that rent that aren't allowed to alter the existing plumbing system.
It boasts a 2-stage upflow filter design which uniquely combines coconut shell carbon with a KDF copper/zinc oxidation process. As a result, it’s proven to remove unwanted harsh chemicals like pesticides, lead, hydrogen sulphides, VOCs and chlorine from the water. Thanks to the coconut shell carbon, your water will also smell noticeably better.
This shower filter has been proven to last for up to 10,000 gallons (which is around 6 months of showering) before requiring a replacement. The replacement filters aren't the cheapest though, so remember to factor this cost in when budgeting for a new water filter to remove chlorine.
This filter also comes complete with its own premium quality massaging shower head which offers several settings. It gives a flow rate of 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute) which shouldn't represent any noticeable drop in water pressure.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line – If you’re only looking for an effective way to make the water in your shower cleaner, purer and healthier, this is a great choice. It even comes complete with its own stylish showerhead for an even more convenient solution.
Whole House Water Filter: Aquasana EQ-1000
If you can afford it and the installation process doesn't put you off then a whole chlorine water filter is probably the most sensible option.
With the Aquasana EQ-1000, the water is filtered at every point in the home. That means clean drinking water from every faucet and clean bathing water in every bathroom.
These systems are really heavy duty but relatively low maintenance. They also require a pretty sizeable space (usually in the garage) to be installed. Note that the installation will need to be carried out by a plumber to engage the warranty.
This system has been independently tested to NSF/ANSI 42 standards (but not certified by them) to remove up to 97.4% of chlorine from the water. You can see the test results here. It will also reduce contaminants such as lead, pesticides, and mercury too.
Being a whole house system it is designed to filter serious volumes of water. It has a 7 GPM water flow rate which is a lot but might not be enough for large homes with big families. You should estimate your household's peak water usage (by adding up the water consumption of all appliances and bathrooms that may be used at the same time) when sizing up a whole home unit like this.
The EQ-1000 is designed to last for 10 years (or one million gallons). When this point is reached, the filtration tank will need replaced. The warranty actually lasts for the whole 10 years which is a nice touch.
This system is available in a variety of combinations. We recommend getting the 'Pro Install Kit' which includes a pre-filter, brass fittings, and shut-off valves. UV disinfection lights, descalers and specialized well-water modifications are also available.
There are a lot of customization options available so you can tailor your water filter installation to your specific problem.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line – If you’re looking for a whole house system that will effectively remove most of the pollutants and contaminants from your tap water, this could be the perfect choice for you. Although it has to be professionally fitted, it’s a comprehensive solution for every water outlet in your home and has a long lifespan with minimal maintenance.
Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve decided to invest in a chlorine removing filtration system for your home, you need to know what to look out for to prevent an expensive purchasing mistake.
Here is some advice to point you in the right direction.
What's Wrong With Chlorine Anyway?
Here are 3 reasons you might want to think twice about drinking and bathing in chlorinated water.
1. Chlorine in water reacts negatively with organic matter to form Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids. THMs include chloroform and studies have shown them to be carcinogenic.
THMs can negatively affect our health when consumed, absorbed though the skin, or even inhaled as water vapor (steam) when showering.
Fact About Chlorine: Chlorine gas was actually used as a chemical weapon in World War 1 to devastating effect.
2. It's terrible for skin and hair. Chlorine dries out both skin and hair by removing essential oils from them. This causes hair to look dull and break more easily and strips away any treatments you may be using.
3. It smells and tastes horrible. Chlorinated water just doesn't taste good! Water is definitely better tasting after it's been filtered
Chlorine Water Filter Certification
If you’re wondering how to remove chlorine from water, the answer could lie in one of the many water filters that remove chlorine before you drink or use it.
The best chlorine filters are those which are certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for faucet chlorine water filtration and NSF/ANSI 177 for shower filters.
This independent certification proves that the water filter can be trusted to deliver on the facts and statistics that its manufacturer states. The results of the independent testing are also available online for all to see.
Let's take a look at what this means exactly.
NSF/ANSI 42
This standard concerns water filters that provide drinking water and specifically deals with the removal of chlorine.
Water filters that have this certification can be trusted to remove the amount of chlorine that has been quoted by the manufacturer. The labels and test results are 100% facts.
You can also be assured that the build quality of the filtration device is of a certain standard.
NSF/ANSI 177
This deals with the ability of shower water filters to remove chlorine from your bathing water.
The same goes with the structural integrity of the device and test figures.
How to Select the Right Water Filter
If you’ve never had a water filtration system in your home before, it could be time to consider investing in one now.
More of us than ever before are concerned about the quality of our drinking water and with many known contaminants and pollutants even in the municipal water supplies, it’s no wonder that there is such a high demand for water filters.
There’s so much choice out there, however, and it can be difficult to determine which is the right type of water filter for your needs. That’s why we’ve provided this buyer’s guide so you’ll know exactly what to look for when you’re shopping for a water filter to suit your requirements.
Here are some questions to ask yourself and some factors to bear in mind when you’re searching for the perfect system for you.
Get Your Water Tested!
The first step when choosing a water filter system should always be to get your water tested.
This is the only way you can know for sure which contaminants are lurking in your water. With this information you can then choose the most effective water filter to combat these pollutants.
There are a few ways to do this.
If you have a municipal water supply, the test data for your county is made public. You can find it here.
For those with private water supplies or those that prefer more localized testing at your home (water can become polluted during the voyage from the water plant to your home) you can pay a laboratory or test it yourself.
Test kits are available online from sellers on Amazon.
You can find a local certified laboratory here.
What Type of System do You Need?
There are two types of water filtration system – a Point of Use (or POU) system or a whole house system (Point of Entry). Either might be right for you depending on your needs.
A Point of Use system is a stand-alone device which only filters water at a single point in the home. An example of this would be an under-counter water filter that solely filters the kitchen faucet water.
A whole house system does exactly what it suggests – it removes chlorine and other contaminants from all of the water that you use in your home, whether that be from your kitchen or bathroom faucets or from your shower.
These large-scale systems are more expensive but they give you the peace of mind of knowing that wherever you get your drinking water from it will be cleaner and healthier.
What Size Filter System do You Need?
Water filters vary wildly in their ability to produce sufficient water for your family’s needs. If you live alone or as part of a couple, you may find that a pitcher filter system or a smaller countertop unit may be sufficient for your requirements.
However, if you have a large family, you will need to look for something that can supply a larger amount of clean water to suit your needs. It’s important to check out the capabilities of your chosen system before buying.
In the case of a whole home system, consider your peak household water usage. Add up water consumptions of bathrooms and appliances that are likely to be used at the same time. Make sure the filtration device that you choose can easily handle this water flow rate (measured in gallons per minute).
Ease of Installation
A whole house filtration system will often require installation by a qualified plumber, so if you’re looking for something quicker, cheaper and more convenient, you might want to consider one of the other, simpler to fit options instead.
The simplest model of all is the pitcher filter system which requires absolutely no installation. Remember that having to hire a plumber to fit your system will cost you a lot of money on top of your purchase price.
Be mindful of the size of these devices too. A whole home unit takes up a lot of space and will probably need to fit into your garage.
Maintenance
How often will you have to change the filters or clean your filtration system? How many filters need changed?
If you want to keep your maintenance to an absolute low, you’ll need to pay close attention to how much effort is required to upkeep your system.
Whole house systems are often lower maintenance than point of use systems, but the initial costs are, of course, much higher.
Budget
When budgeting for a water filter it's important to remember that the initial cost is only half the story.
Yes, the initial purchase price can be significant but just as important is the running costs of using the water filter.
The running costs are mainly the price of the replacement filters but in the case of reverse osmosis devices can also include the cost of the waste water.
It's a good idea to estimate the total cost of a water filter system over a period of 5 or 10 years to get a better indication of its true cost.
Take into consideration the filter cost and lifespan. Often, more expensive filters last much longer and this will actually work out cheaper in the long-term. Don't be swayed by cheap filters that will frequently need replaced.
Effectiveness
If chlorine is your main problem, you’re going to need to look for a filtration system which is NSF certified to specific standards remove chlorine (42, 53, 177).
However, you may also want to look for a system which is also capable of removing a wider range of other known contaminants and pollutants.
This is especially the case if you have a well as the source of your water since there are usually more contaminants in this type of water.
In general, you’ll need at least a larger multi-stage under-counter system to remove the widest range of pollutants and contaminants.
Always check out the certification and test data. Water filter manufacturers can be really sneaky with how they word things, so stay vigilant! You can't go wrong with official accreditation from independent authorities like the WQA and NSF International though.
Their stamp of approval means that a filtration device will perform exactly as stated. It is also of sound construction and should be reasonably durable.
Filtration Stages – generally speaking, the more filtration stages the better. Each filter will perform a specific role and deal with a specific type of contaminant. This should mean a wider range of contaminants can be removed from the water.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to simply go for the most expensive system on the market thinking that a higher price must mean that it’s more effective. However, this isn’t always the case.
You may not need all the features that a more expensive system offers, and you could be wasting money. For example, you may not require an additional water softener if you already have soft water in the area where you live.
You must ensure that the filter that you choose is capable of removing the pollutants and contaminants that are known to be in your water supply.
That means testing your water first and then taking your time when choosing the right water filter.
If you’re keen to remove chlorine from your home water, the water filters that we have recommended today each do a solid job.
Whether you’re looking for a pitcher filter, an under counter or countertop system, a model for your showerhead or even a whole house system, we’ve recommended the best models on the market today so you can avoid an expensive purchasing mistake.
We'd be happy to answer any questions you have about anything we've covered today.
Leave us a comment down below or send us a message over on the contact page. We'll be sure to get back to you promptly!
