We've tested 10 filtered showerheads (so far) — and yes, they really work

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How much thought do you put into your shower water? Barely any? I was with you until I spoke to experts. Shower water often has impurities like chlorine, heavy metals and sediments, which can irritate sensitive skin , make dry hair worse and even clog plumbing fixtures over time, says Doug Anderson, vice president of global engineering, research and development for Culligan. Filtered showerheads are a solution. They have built-in filtration systems that purify water before it hits your body, so you're rinsing off with the cleanest H20 possible.

The NBC Selected team has been testing filtered showerheads for almost three years, and we're constantly trying new models. Below, I share our experience installing and using eight shower filters from popular brands like Jolie , Canopy , Act+Acre and Afina . I also spoke with experts about the benefits of using a filtered showerhead and how to shop for one.

Updated March 2026 to reflect new testing and product availability.

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The best filtered showerheads of 2026

All the showerheads below come with one pre-installed filter, as well as necessary installation tools like a wrench and plumbers tape. (To continue using them beyond the initial trial period, we had to buy replacement filters.) They’re all tested to meet NSF-177 standards, according to the brands' websites, and each one is easily adjustable, so we can point the water stream in any direction.

Best overall

Jolie Filtered Showerhead

Jolie’s filtered showerhead is the first model I installed, a process I found easy and stress-free thanks to the included step-by-step guide. I love that it looks like a typical showerhead, so it blends into my space.

After testing four filtered showerheads, Jolie’s model is the one I returned to and continue to use now. Over the past two years, I’ve noticed that my skin is less dry and my hair is softer. In fact, my hairdresser says my curls have never looked or felt healthier, which she credits to my filtered showerhead. I also appreciate how easy Jolie makes managing my filter subscription online, and that it lets me skip or delay a filter delivery if I want to. For example, if I’m away for a while and don’t use my showerhead, I might want to push back the next time I swap it out.

Although the spray only has one setting, the stream of the showerhead is still wide enough to cover my whole body while standing underneath it. The first time I replaced the filter, I found twisting the fixture’s head off its base challenging, but it got much easier with practice.

Best overall handheld

Sproos Hand Shower + Filter

Sproos’ handheld filtered showerhead has three spray settings (full coverage, gentle rainfall and jet), a pause button and a 70-inch hose. In comparison, the other handheld fixture we recommend only has one spray mode, no pause button and a 60-inch hose. There’s also a pivot at the top of the showerhead’s bracket, which lets you turn it in any direction. And out of all the models we tested, Sproos’ comes in the most finish options — there’s eight to choose from, including neutral options like silver, gold and black, and bright colors like yellow, blue and red.

NBC Selected editorial operations associate Jem Alabi says installation took her less than 10 minutes, and she never felt confused throughout the process due to clear directions the brand provides, both via a video presentation online and written instructions. The fixture’s filter is mounted to its side, rather than inside the showerheadhead itself, so you simply screw off the old filter and add a new one when it’s time.

“Since using this shower filter, I can confidently say that my skin and hair are softer, shinier and healthier, plus I’ve experienced far less breakouts and my hairline is thicker than before,” says Alabi. “As someone who struggles with keratosis pilaris , I’ve noticed the follicles on my arms, legs and knees have reduced in size. Additionally, my skin is much less dry this winter season, my nails have gotten stronger and ultimately, my shower experience has been truly elevated.”

Best handheld attachment

Canopy Handheld Filtered Shower Head

You can only use Sproos' handheld filtered showerhead as your main fixture, so you attach it directly to the pipe built-in to your wall, like all the other options on this list. Canopy's handheld filtered showerhead gives you more options: You can install it as your main fixture or as a secondary attachment for your current showerhead. To do the latter, which former NBC Selected editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez opted for, you’ll also need to buy Canopy’s accessories kit , which comes with a diverter and mount.

Rodriguez says the installation process took less than 20 minutes, and that changing the showerhead’s filter is very easy. “Since it’s handheld, I don’t have to reach up or stand on the edges of my tub ,” she says.

Rodriguez has used the fixture for over a year, and appreciates the convenience, control and flexibility it gives her. She can remove the handle from its base to bring the waterstream closer to her body, giving her the ability to target specific areas. The handheld showerhead is also useful for cleaning kids, pets and your shower. “The handheld ability makes my shower experience so much smoother,” says Rodriguez. “It not only upgrades my overall shower experience, but also makes cleaning my shower and tub a million times easier.”

This showerhead comes with a scalp massager attachment, a mount and a 5-foot, 7-inch hose. It's also American Disabilities Act-compliant, according to the brand.

Most spray settings

AquaTru Shower

AquaTrue’s filtered showerhead has the most spray settings out of the options we tested: regular, massage, mist and high pressure. You can seamlessly switch among settings using a sliding notch on the bottom of the fixture. Since each person who uses the shower can choose the setting they like best, it’s great for multiperson households, says NBC photo editor Kara Birnbaum, who lives with her boyfriend. She also likes to change the spray setting to something gentler when she’s applying a hair treatment versus something stronger when she’s washing away shampoo.

Birnbaum installed the filtered showerhead in minutes, and from day one, it’s been a positive experience. “Living in a New York City apartment often means coming to terms with having a super old shower head — since we’ve moved in, our fixture’s nozzles have been clogged or just not working completely,” she says. “Ever since installing the AquaTru, we’ve had even water distribution and it helped increase our water pressure.”

Easiest filter replacements

Canopy Filtered Shower Head

Changing this showerhead's filter was quicker and easier for me than with all other models since there's no twisting or turning involved. You just press up on the sides of the front panel to remove it, pop out the old filter, add a new one and slide the front panel back into place.

Canopy’s filtered showerhead has three spray settings, wide, narrow and dual, which you can switch between using a sliding notch on the bottom of the fixture. When shopping directly from the brand's website, you have three buying options: the fixture; the showerhead and a filter subscription; or the showerhead, a filter subscription and an aroma subscription. The aroma subscription comes with essential oils and hook-shaped felt diffusers to hang on the showerhead. I tried the aroma subscription and, while I liked adding fragrance to my showers, I don’t reach for it often enough to need repeated refills.

Longest filter lifespan

Hydroviv Filtered Showerhead

Out of all the showerheads we tested, Hydroviv’s has the longest filter lifespan at six months — in comparison, most others are about 90 days. Former NBC Selected senior editor Lindsay Schneider says being able to “set and forget” the filter motivated her to install the showerhead. “I didn’t want to be changing the filter all the time, even though installation is easy,” she says. “I’ll just come back to this showerhead in six months, which is nothing.”

According to Hydroviv, this fixture removes over 93% of chlorine in water and takes about five minutes to install. Schneider attached it to her bathroom’s pipe without stress or difficulty since the included instructions were straightforward.

After using Hydroviv’s filtered showerhead for about three months, Schneider says she noticed a difference in how her hair feels. “My hair is genuinely softer, and the appliance looks nice in my bathroom, too,” she says. While the fixture shouldn’t impact water pressure, according to the brand, Schneider says hers is a bit lighter since installation.

Biggest splurge

HigherDose Red Light Shower Filter

HigherDose’s filtered showerhead doesn’t just purify water — it’s also a red light therapy lamp, which is why it’s more than three times the cost of the other shower filters we recommend. The fixture has a spot for its replaceable 10-stage water filter, which the brand says gets rid of chlorine, microplastics, heavy metals and other contaminants, and a rechargeable, dual-wavelength red light ring that supports circulation and has mood boosting benefits, according to HigherDose. You can detach the red light ring from the fixture to charge it — HigherDose says its battery lasts for about seven hours. The included charging dock doubles as a stand, letting you use the light by itself, too.

NBC Selected updates editor Mili Godio has used HigherDose’s Red Light Showerhead Filter for two months. “This showerhead filter is a great way to get red light therapy to my hair, face and body all at once since it fully covers me,” she says. “I also love that it helps me habit-stack, especially since I tend to forget to do consistent red light therapy like dermatologists recommend.” Godio also appreciates that she can control the red light part with a remote control timer. “I easily choose how long each session is, and, depending on what I selected, the light automatically turns off after five, 10 or 15 minutes,” she says. It took her less than 10 minutes to set up everything.

Other filtered showerheads we tested and recommend