9 Best Whole House Well Water Filter

Having a private well water has several benefits over city water, such as cost-effectiveness, reliability, and control. Plus, it is natural water with no other chemicals like chlorine and fluoride in city water. However, well water has natural contaminants and bacterias. How to remove it? You may need to invest in a whole house water filter.

Now the question is, what is the best whole house water filter for well water you can buy? Fortunately, there are many choices currently out there on the market, and this article will help you clear out which are the best.

DISCLOSURE: We may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

Our Top Pick

4.5/5

Home Master HMF3SDGFEC

Featuring a 3-stage filtration system can remove up to 95% sediments, VOCs, TOCS, chemicals, iron (up to 3 PPM), and others. Many satisfied customers highly recommend it.

What is a Whole House Water Filter?

From the name itself, whole house water filters clean and filter water directly from your water supply before it is distributed across your home. When you first purchase a whole house water filter, it requires installation usually directly into the pipelines where your water supply first enters. Most whole house water filters can process either city or well water, but some can process both.

Whole house water filters come in different designs and features depending on the needs. Some models come with a water softener and complex but advanced controls, while others are simple and easy to use.

How Does It Work?

Whole house water filters for well water works as a point-of-entry filtration system. This means that it processes the water directly from your water pipes before it is distributed across the house.

A typical whole house water filter usually consists of several filters (generally inside a single or a dual tank setup) that is used to filter and remove contaminants. You may refer to the list below:

  • Sediment Filter: used to remove sediments such as dirt, rust, and other large solid contaminants.
  • Activated Carbon Filters: this removes contaminants such as chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, and others. It also improves the water’s taste and odor.
  • Reverse Osmosis: This furthers cleans and removes bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and other types of contaminants.

Some whole house water filters on the market feature additional filtration stages such as a water softener, UV filter technology, post sediment filters, etc.

Whole House Well Water Filter Comparison

Image PRODUCT/ Features Rating  
Top PickComparing Home Master HMF3SDGFEC Home Master HMF3SDGFEC Filtration Capability: 3-Stage filter system removes 95% sediments, VOCs, TOCS, iron, chemicals, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$$$, $261 Yearly
Lifespan:
100,000 Gallons
Read Full Review
Popular PickComparing SpringWell Filter SpringWell FilterFiltration Capability: AIO 4-Stage system removes contaminants like sulfur, iron, manganese, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$, $0 Yearly
Lifespan:
18-25 Years
Read Full Review
Budget PickComparing SoftPro Carbon Filter SoftPro Carbon Filter Filtration Capability: Catalytic activated carbon filter removes 99% sediment, iron, chloramines, chlorine, VOCs, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$, $0 Yearly
Lifespan:
8-10 Years
Read Full Review
Comparing Express Water Filter Express Water FilterFiltration Capability: 3-Stage filter system removes sediments, heavy metals, viruses, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$$$$, $310 Yearly
Lifespan:
6-12 Months
Read Full Review
Comparing iSpring WGB32B-PB 3-Stage Whole House Water Filter iSpring WGB32B-PB Filtration Capability: 3-Stage filter system removes 95% sediments, chlorine, VOCs, heavy metals, lead, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$$, $196 Yearly
Lifespan:
100,000 Gallons
Read Full Review
Comparing Pelican Iron & Manganese Water Filter Pelican Iron & Manganese Filtration Capability: 4-Stage oxidation system removes sediments, chlorine, chloramines, iron, manganese, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$$, $104 Yearly
Lifespan:
6-12 Months
Read Full Review
Comparing SpringWell ULTRA Whole House Well Water Filter SpringWell ULTRA Filtration Capability: 3-Stage filter system combo removes sediments, heavy metals, VOCs, pesticides, chloramine, and prevents limescale buildup.
Cost: $, $35 Yearly
Lifespan: 18-25 Years
Read Full Review
Comparing Aquaox File Aquaox FileFiltration Capability: Unmatched 60-Micron 7-Stage filter system removes 99% sediments, chlorine, toxins, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
Cost:
$, $0 Yearly
Lifespan:
20 Years
Read Full Review
Comparing Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino Aquasana RhinoFiltration Capability: multiple-stage filter system removes 99% viruses, contaminants, bacteria, chlorine, resistant cysts, and more.
Cost:
$$$, $232 Yearly
Lifespan:
10 Years
Read Full Review

1. Home Master HMF3SDGFEC (Top Pick)

review of Home Master HMF3SDGFEC

Starting on the best whole house water filter for well water is the Home Master HMF3SDGFEC. Highly recommended by many satisfied customers, this is an excellent well whole house water filter capable of providing a perfect 3-stage filtration system without reducing water pressure.

Filtration Capabilities: the HMF3SDGFEC features a 3 stage filtration system capable of reducing up to 95% of sediments, VOCs, TOCS, chemicals, and other types of contaminants.

  1. Multi-Gradient Depth Polypropylene Sediment Filter – utilizes a multi-layer of 25, 5, and 1 micron of sediment filters. It is designed to trap sediments such as dirt and other bacterias.
  2. Radial Flow Iron Reduction Filter – Specializing in iron reduction, this stage effectively reduces sulfur and iron in water up to 3 PPM with minimal pressure drop.
  3. Radial Flow Granular Activated Carbon Filter – the last stage consists of a high-grade 20-micron coconut shell carbon filter capable of reducing chlorine (for taste and odor) and other chemicals.

Large Parts: The filters, housings, and fittings used in Home Master are more extensive than their ordinary counterparts. This is to ensure water pressure never drops; thus, less maintenance is needed.

Maintenance: For maintenance, Home Master claims that all three filter cartridges can deliver up to 100,000 gallons of water before a replacement is needed. The Sediment Filter, Carbon Filter, and Iron Reduction Filter cartridges cost around $36.00, $100.00, and $125.00, respectively. The product also has a 2-year limited warranty as well.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $261.00

Customer Rating 4.4 | Our Rating 4.6

PROS
+ Excellent 3-stage filtration system
+ Oversized parts for less water pressure
drops and maintenance
+ Affordable maintenance cost
CONS
Some customers reported brown water after
prolonged use
Hard to install

Check out the Home Master whole house water filter review now.

2. SpringWell Whole House Well Water Filter (Popular Pick)

review of SpringWell Whole House Well Water Filter

Famous for its no drop in water pressure and UV Technology, SpringWell’s WS1 is designed to be an economical and environmentally friendly well water system that utilizes the latest technology in providing great tasting water.

Filtration Capabilities: The WS1 uses the SpringWell Air Injection Oxidizing (AIO) system. It is a 4-stage filtration system capable of removing bacterias and contaminants such as iron up to 7 PPM, sulfur up to 8 PPM, and manganese up to 1 PPM.

  1. Stage 1 – First stage where water flows through a pocket of air located on the top of the tank, which therefore oxidizes iron, sulfur, and manganese. It adds oxygen to the water.
  2. Stage 2 – Sulfur gas is then trapped in the bed of green sand fusion.
  3. Stage 3 – Using an Empress Vortech Tank for faster cleaning, the AIO System will backwash the contaminants away from the bed of green sand fusion into the drains. This also replenishes the pockets of the air used in the first stage.
  4. Stage 4 – Clean water is released and spread across your home.

Bluetooth Head Technology: A defining feature of the WS1. Developed by Nelsen Corporation, it gives you the ability to adjust settings (such as air draw, backwash cycles, timing, etc.) and control your water filter system through your smartphone via an app.

Fast Water Pressure: SpringWell takes pride in its products to ensure no drop in water pressure. A SpringWell 1-4 bathroom configuration unit gives you 12 GPM compared to 7 GPM from its competitors.

BLACKCOMB UV Technology: If you require deeper contaminant removal on your water, SpringWell’s optional UV technology can be worth considering. It is proven to remove up to 99.9% of harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacterias. Examples of these are E.Coli, Cryptosporidium, and giardia lamblia.

Maintenance: SpringWell claims that their water filters do not require maintenance, and the filter media has a long lifespan of around 18 to 25 years. Because of this, Springwell does not offer any replacement media.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $0.00

Customer Rating 5.0 | Our Rating 5.0

PROS
+ 4-Stage SpringWell Air Injection Oxidizing. (AIO) filter system
+ Bluetooth head technology
+ UV Technology
+ No drop in water pressure
CONS
Expensive.

3. SoftPro Carbon Filter (Budget Pick)

review of SoftPro Carbon Filter

For our budget pick, the SoftPro Carbon Filter provides excellent filtration performance and features at an affordable price.

Filtration Capabilities: SoftPro Carbon Filter utilizes a catalytic activated carbon filtration system that comprises primarily granulated activated carbon (GACs) for its water treatment process. Removing contaminants is done by trapping the chemicals within the GAC, thus separating it from the water.

The filtration system can remove up to 99% of contaminants such as sediment, iron, chloramines, VOCs, etc. It also improves taste and odor by reducing chlorine.

Backwashing: SoftPro Carbon filter also has a backwashing feature that essentially drains the contaminants contained by the GACs, thus cleaning the filter media. It is processed without the use of chemicals or salt.

Maintenance: SoftPro’s filter media has a lifespan of 8-10 years before a replacement is needed. SoftPro does not state any other maintenance requirements for this particular product; therefore, it requires little to no maintenance.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $0.00

Customer Rating 4.6 | Our Rating 4.6

PROS
+ Catalytic activated carbon filtration system
+ Salt-free backwashing
+ High flow rate
+ Low maintenance
CONS
Lack of further specific information about this filter.

4. Express Water 3-Stage Water Filter System

review of Express Water Heavy Metal

The Express Water 3-stage filtration system is built for ease of use. It is a whole house water filter that provides good quality filtered water with a fast flow rate.

Filtration Capabilities: Express Water utilizes a triple-stage filtration system capable of filtering and reducing sediments, heavy metals, viruses, and other contaminants.

  1. Sediment Filter (SED) – made of 5 micron layered pure polypropylene micro thread, the SED filter can filter dirt, rust, sand, dust, and other types of sediments.
  2. Kinetic Degradation Fluxion Filter (KDF) – designed for heavy metal filtration, the KDF filter primarily captures iron, lead chloramine, sulfur, and other heavy metal contaminants. It is made from catalytic carbon, ionically charged copper and zinc granules that give you maximum contaminant absorption.
  3. Activated Carbon Block Filter (ACB) – the final stage comprises polypropylene shell, silicon ring, and coconut husk carbon materials that maximize filtration surface. It can remove pesticides, VOCs, and other industrial solvents and  improve taste & odor through chlorine removal.

Fast Water Flow Rate: Despite having a 3-stage filtration system, Express Water provides clean water without a drop in water flow. It can supply up to 0.25 gallons per second.

Easy to Install: Express Water designed the water filter system to be easy to install. These include a free-standing frame (mounted or unmounted installation), standard 1” connections for easy adaptability, and pressure gauges for system information.

Maintenance: Express Water claims that all three filters have a lifespan of 6-12 months. The SED, KDF, and ACB cartridges cost around $25.00, $90.00, $40.00, respectively. However, Express Water offers a filter replacement set for $150.00, which offers a slight discount compared to purchasing the filters individually.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $310.00

Customer Rating 4.6 | Our Rating 4.9

PROS
+ Excellent 3-stage filtration system
+ Easy to Install and Manage
+ Fast water flow rate
CONS
Customers reported water leaking.

5. iSpring WGB32B-PB

review of iSpring WGB32B-PB

iSpring’s whole house water filter systems are always met with positive reviews from its satisfied customers for its filtration system, flow rate, and easy installation. There are a handful of variants that specialize in removing specific contaminants. In this case, the iSpring WGB32B-PB focuses on lead reduction.

Filtration Capabilities: Like other iSpring whole house filtration systems, the WGB32B-PB features a 3-Stage filtration system that is NSF/ANSI tested to remove up to 95% contaminants. It consists of the following stages:

  1. FP25B PP Sediment Filter – the first stage removes sediments such as dirt and debris down to 5 microns. It is made from high-capacity multi-layer polypropylene, which allows for fewer clogs and minimal pressure loss.
  2. FC25B CTO Carbon Block – uses high-quality coconut shell carbon for maximum filtration efficiency. It can filter contaminants such as chlorine, lead, VOCs, chloramines, chemicals, heavy metals, and more.
  3. FCRC25B Lead Reducing Filter- specially designed for reducing lead, this high capacity filter can effectively reduce lead below 15 ppb.

High Water Flow Rate: The WGB32B-PB comes with 3 large 20-inch capacity filters with a peak flow rate of up to 15 GPM.

Maintenance:iSpring claims that both the FP25B and FC25B have a capacity of around 100,000 gallons or 12 months before a replacement is needed. The FP25B cost $26.00 per filter, while the FC25B cost $35.00.

On the other hand, the FCRC25B Lead Reducing filter has a much longer capacity of 150,000 gallons at 100 ppb, and replacement cartridges cost around $135.00

Annual Maintenance Cost: $196.00

Customer Rating 4.5 | Our Rating 4.8

PROS
+ 3-stage filtration system with lead reducing filter
+ High water flow rate
+ Affordable maintenance cost
CONS
Leaks might occur
Build quality.

Check out our iSpring WGB32B review to learn more about this filter.

6. Pelican Iron & Manganese Water Filter

review of Pelican Iron & Manganese Water Filter

Produced by Pentair and specializes in removing iron and manganese, the Pelican WF4 & WF8 is a 4-stage oxidation well water filter that is great for households whose water has high amounts of iron and manganese.

Filtration Capabilities: the WF4 & WF8 filter features a 4-Stage Oxidation System that is capable of removing contaminants such as sediment, chlorine, chloramines, and more. It can also remove manganese and iron up to 10 PPM.

  1. Pelican Sediment Filter – Most of Pentair’s water filters include a 5-micron sediment filter that can filter and remove dirt & debris from the water.
  2. Pelican Chlorination System – Installed directly in the water supply line, it mixes a unique chemical concentrate with the water.
  3. Greensand Iron Removal – this stage is designed to trap and separate iron and manganese under a greensand bed, which is then flushed out using a backwash system.
  4. Carbon Filtration – Separated in a second tank is the premium carbon filtration system. It is the last stage that is designed to filter chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants. This also improves taste and odor.

Certified Iron Filter: Pelican WF4/WF8 has been tested and certified to ensure excellent quality and experience when using the product itself. It has been certified in the following:

  • NSF/ANSI 42 certified for its Carbon Filtration Media and Sediment Filter.
  • WQA/NSF 61 certified for the Greensand Iron Removal performance.

Maintenance: Pentair claims that the WF4 and WF8 does not require any maintenance on the filter media as it has a lifespan of around 10-15 years. However, that does not apply to the  Sediment Filter and Chlorination System.

The Sediment filter has a lifespan of 6-9 months before a replacement is needed. Each filter cartridge costs $52.00. On the other hand, the Chlorination System can last for 6-12 months; however, replacement filters (Injector Pump Seal Kit – 3 O-Rings & Check Valve) can be purchased through a customer service representative.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $104.00

Customer Rating 4.5 | Our Rating 4.8

PROS
+ 4-Stage Oxidation System
+ WQS Gold Certified NSF / ANSI standards
+ Sediment filter included.
CONS
Noisy.

7. SpringWell ULTRA Whole House Well Water Filter

review of SpringWell ULTRA Whole House Well Water Filter

While the SpringWell WS1 is already a great water filter system, the SpringWell Ultra UWS1 is the bigger brother that provides the ultimate filtration performance. A combo filtration system ideal for anyone who has high levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide.

Filtration Capabilities: The SpringWell UWS1 combines their whole house well system and FutureSoft salt-free water softener. It can filter contaminants and prevent limescale on your appliances, pipes, fixtures, and more.

  1. SpringWell Air Injection Oxidizing (AIO) System – Similar system found in the WS1. It can remove contaminants such as iron up to 7 PPM, sulfur up to 8 PPM, and manganese up to 1 PPM.
  2. Whole House Carbon Filtration System – after passing through the AIO system, the water then moves on to the 2nd filtration system. It consists of 4-stages that are able to clean the water further.
    1. 5-micron Pre-Filter  – removes sand, silt, clay, and other sediments.
    2. KDF Media – improves taste and odor by removing chlorine as well as some heavy metals.
    3. Coconut Shell Carbon Media – removes organic contaminants such as chlorine, chloramine, VOC’s, pesticides, and others.
    4. Stage 4 – the last stage is designed to eliminate channeling while producing more contact time.
  3. FutureSoft Water Softener: Lastly, the water passes through the water softener where it utilizes Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC), which converts minerals into crystals, thus separating from the water.

More Features: Other features found in the WS1 such as bluetooth head technology (controls the system via smartphone app), fast water pressure (12GPM vs. 7GPM from competitors), and optional BLACKCOMB UV technology (bacteria removal) can also be found in the UWS1 as well. 

Maintenance: SpringWell claims that their iron filters do not require maintenance, and the filter media has a long lifespan of around 18 to 25 years. Because of this, Springwell does not offer any replacement media.

SpringWell claims that their water filters do not require maintenance as it has a strong lifespan of 18-25 years. However, the pre-sediment filter does require replacement every 6-9 months.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $35.00

Customer Rating 5.0 | Our Rating 5.0

PROS
+ Ultimate filtration system performance
+ Bluetooth head technology
+ UV Technology
+ No drop in water pressure.
CONS
Expensive.

8. Aquaox Water Filtration System

review of Aquaox Water Filtration System

Known for its unmatched 7-stage filtration system, the Aquaox water filtration system received one of the most positive reviews, with customers praising its filtration performance, easy installation, and little to no maintenance needed.

Filtration Capabilities: the Aquaox features a 7-stage 60-micron filtration to remove up to 99.9% of contaminants, toxins, and heavy metals from the water. Some customers claim that the water produced by the filter system works great on their skin and hair.

  1. Pre-Sediment Filter – refines the water by filtering sediments and larger solids like hair, dirt, rocks, and more that are found in wells.
  2. Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) 55 Filter – removes chlorine, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals. It also inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi.
  3. Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) 85 Filter – filters and removes hydrogen sulfide.
  4. Garnet Filter – this stage further refines the water and functions similar to the pre-sediment filter.
  5. Centaur Catalytic Adsorptive Carbon – removes chloramines, hydrogen sulfide, and VOCs.
  6. Activated Coconut Shell Carbon – removes other contaminants such as chlorine, chlorinated solvents, and VOCs.
  7. Filter AG – the last stage of the filtration process, which removes suspended material and turbidity. This causes less pressure loss.

Self-Cleaning System: The Aquaox’s most prominent feature is its self-cleaning feature. It is done by utilizing an automatic backwash feature through its Vortech plates, thus minimizes the deterioration in the filters. This means that no maintenance is required.

Maintenance: Aquaox claims that its filtration system has zero maintenance and its 60-micron filter has a long lifespan of around 20-years or 1.2M-gallons of water. Most customers also stated that it is relatively easy to install in their home, and customer support was accommodating.

Annual Maintenance Cost: $0.00

Customer Rating 5.0 | Our Rating 5.0

PROS
+ 60 micron 7-Stage filtration system
+ Strong filtration performance
+ No maintenance and long-lasting filters.
CONS
Expensive.

9. Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino

review of Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino

Lastly, our best whole house water filter for well water is none other than the Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino, which provides a complete package for water filtration and salt-free water conditioner worth considering.

Filtration Technology: The Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino comprises several filtration stages. It can remove 99.99% of viruses, contaminants, bacteria, chlorine, and resistant cysts.

  1. Sediment Pre-Filter – The first stage capable of filtering dirt, sand, rust, and other sediment particles. Its 20” sized filter helps prevent clogging and loss of water pressure.
  2. SimplySoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner – utilizes SCM technology, which changes the minerals like iron, lead, and manganese into crystal structures, thus softening the water.
  3. Copper-Zinc & Mineral Stone – located on the top part of the Premium Rhino Whole House Filter tank, uses copper-zinc and mineral stone to reduce chlorine, heavy metals and inhibits bacteria algae growth.
  4. Activated Carbon Filter – located on the bottom part of the Premium Rhino Whole House Filter tank, reduces herbicides, pesticides, and other contaminants. It also removes up to 97% of chlorine to improve taste and odor.
  5. Aquasana Post-Filter – Considered a polishing agent, this reduces any last remaining sediment and organic particles.

Unique Upflow Technology: Its dual tank filter design is equipped with an up-flow technology that prevents clogging and increasing contact time between the water and the media.

UV Water Purification Technology: The last stage of the filtration process that utilizes a UV light. It can remove up to 99.99% of microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria without using chemicals.

Maintenance: Each component of the Aquasana 1M Gallon Rhino features its own filtration capacity before a replacement is needed in order to maintain optimal performance.

  • Sediment Pre-Filter –  Lifespan of 6-Months and cost $70.00 yearly ($35.00 each)
  • SimplySoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner Tank – Lifespan of 5-Years and cost $670.00
  • Premium Rhino Whole House Filter Tank- Lifespan of 10-Years and cost $695.00
  • Aquasana Post-Filter – Lifespan of 6-Months and cost $60.00 yearly ($30.00 each)
  • UV Replacement Lamp – Lifespan of 12-Months and cost $102.00 yearly

Annual Maintenance Cost: $232.00 ($1,570 every 5-10 years)

Customer Rating 4.0 | Our Rating 4.4

PROS
+ Excellent filtration performance
+ Unique upflow technology
+ UV water purification technology.
CONS
Poor customer service
Maintenance.

Check out our Aquasana Rhino filter review to learn more.

What is Well Water? What contaminants are in it?

Well water is a type of water supply that usually comes from rainwater and is then stored in underground porous rocks. To access it, it needs a well in the ground and a pump like the shallow well pump or submersible well pumps is used to deliver fresh water into your home for consumption. Well structures are built well and can typically last for around 30-50 years.

Unlike city water, well water has many advantages: reliability, endless supply, cost-effectiveness, and more. Well water typically absorbs more natural minerals than city water does. However, this also means that natural but harmful contaminants are absorbed as well, such as chlorine, magnesium, heavy metals, bacterias, chlorides, and more.

These contaminants can be harmful when consumed in large quantities and make the water taste or smell unpleasant. This is the reason why well water must be filtered and processed first before it can be used.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Like every other water filtration system out there, a whole house water filter for well water has its own share of advantages and disadvantages. Although one of the most cost-effective solutions for filtering well water, it is best to know these as it may affect your purchasing decisions when finding the right water filter solution. You may refer to the list below:

Advantages

  • Innovation: A whole house water filter has some of the most advanced features and technology packed in. As discussed earlier on, some of these include additional filtration stages like UV technology, water softener and more. These can provide further filtration capabilities and may improve your water quality.
  • Cost-Effective: Having a whole house water filter in your home further reduces cost in purchasing bottled clean water. In terms of maintenance, these types of filters have little to no maintenance at all.
  • Convenience and Efficiency: Unlike some water filters where you have to fill up the reservoir, whole house water filters work directly on your water supply line before it is distributed across. This means that water arrives clean and safe for drinking in the faucet.

Disadvantages

  • Expensive: Despite having a lot of advantages over other types of filters, whole house water filters generally are quite expensive. Most of these have an average cost range from $1000 to $4200 and even more. Some of these may have an annual maintenance cost as well in the long term.
  • Requires Installation: Most whole house water filters require installation directly into the pipeline which does need a lot of effort such as cutting, plumbing and more if you are going DIY for it.
A newly filtered glass of water held by a smiling woman

Types of Water Filters For Well Water

Using a whole house water filter can provide many benefits, including clean and filtered water throughout your home. They can also extend their appliances and pipes’ lifespan as several contaminants that can affect these are removed. However, what are the different types of whole house water filters for well water? Let’s take a look at the most well-known ones below:

Standard Whole House Water Filters

These are your typical standard whole house water filters. This type of water filter simply removes contaminants from the water connected to the waterline before it is distributed across the house.

Depending on your situation and the amount of contaminants present in the water, standard filters come in many variations to accommodate these types of water sources (spring, well, or city water). In the case of well water, there are standard whole house water filters capable of filtering natural contaminants. In contrast, people with city waters may opt for water filters with carbon filtration to remove chlorine and other volatile compounds.

However, if specific contaminants such as fluoride, iron, bacteria, or sediment present in your water, then specialized whole house water filters are a great choice for solving these specific issues.

Most standard whole house water filters require some form of maintenance from time to time as most of their filtration media are not designed to last for a very long time. Fortunately, most replacement filters are quite reasonable in price. 

Heavy-Duty Whole House Water Filters

Designed for long-term heavy filtration, heavy-duty whole house water filters can remove contaminants by utilizing high-quality large media amounts. The media is usually embedded inside a tank to ensure long term use without needing replacement.

What differentiates the standard over the heavy-duty is that the latter requires less maintenance than the former. Like the standard water filters, there are specialized versions of heavy-duty water filters for removing certain types of contaminants.

Other types of Whole House Water Filters

Besides the standard and heavy-duty type, there are other types of water filters that you can also choose from. UV filters are great and can remove contaminants such as pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and more. They are popular and commonly seen either as an optional add-on to primary filters or standalone.

Whole house reverse osmosis filtration systems are high-end filters that can deeply remove contaminants, while activated carbon filters remove large contaminants and improve taste and odor. On the other hand, water ionizers and infrared filters complement each other as they soften the water and eliminate certain minerals.

Water ionizers use electrolysis by passing electrically-charged plates (alkaline and acidic) into the water. This softens the water and also makes it less acidic. Infrared filters also soften the water and help treat well water.

How To Pick a Whole House Water Filter

Now that you know more about whole house well water filters, it is time to invest in one. Before investing in an iron filter, kindly take a look at a couple of things you need to consider before making a giant leap in purchasing one.

Filter Type

As we have discussed above, there are different types of whole house water filters, but the main ones are standard and heavy-duty. Heavy-duty filters are made to last incredibly long (10 years or 500,000-1,000,000 gallons) and have little to no maintenance.

On the other hand, standard filters require maintenance quite often (1-2 years or 200,000 gallons), but it has some flexibility when choosing the filter to be connected and may cost less in annual maintenance.

When choosing the right filter type, consider you and your household members capable of maintaining it regularly or fits your budget.

Filtration Stages

Filtration stages are one of the most important things to consider as it determines how the system will filter and remove contaminants from the water. Depending on your needs and the impurities your water supply has, the general rule is that the more stages a water filter has, the cleaner the water will be.

3-stage water filters are relatively standard and decent, but 4-stage or 7-stage whole house water filters are more effective. However, the number of stages of your water filter may not be enough as you also need to consider the micron ratings of each stage.

Most water filters typically have a 5-micron filter, which is enough to filter a lot of contaminants. However, some may offer as low as 0.1 microns, which can further filter the water but can have your water flow drop considerably.

Flow Rate

This brings us to the flow rate. It is usually measured in gallons per minute. It is always great to consider a water filter with a high flow rate that can meet your household’s current water flow rate. A typical household usually has 15 GPM.

Filter Lifespan and Maintenance

Although it requires little to no maintenance, most whole house water filters are quite costly. Some require changing filters every year, while others last for a very long time. The longer the filter can last, the less maintenance frequency required.

In terms of maintenance, check if the replacement cartridges are within your annual budget. Furthermore, it is recommended to identify if you need to do other maintenance besides replacing the filter cartridges.

Installation Process

Whole house water filters require installation, and most can be done by yourself. It is always recommended to choose the right one that is easy to install. Ensure that the right instructions and tools are included to make the installation process much more manageable. Otherwise, you also have the option to ask a professional for help.

Extra Features

Whole house water filters differentiate from each other in terms of the extra features it has. Consider the extra features that may help improve your experience in using a whole house water filter. Examples of additional features include backwashing, water softener, app controls, and more.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing a whole house water filter varies from one product over the other. It can be done either by yourself (D.I.Y. Style) or through a professional plumber. If you have some basic knowledge of working with water pipes, you may not find this task quite challenging.

So, here are the general steps in how to install your whole house water filter. Do note that it is highly recommended for you to read the included instruction guide as well.

  1. To begin with, please turn off your main water supply. This can be done by turning the valve until it is closed.
  2. Drain as much water from the system. It is done by turning on the faucet until there’s no water coming out.
  3. You are ready to install the filtration system. Choose the right location for your water filter to be installed and placed on. Typically on the basement and right on the point-of-entry of your water supply. Make sure to have adequate space for the equipment.
  4. With a bucket at the ready, use a pipe cutter to cut through the pipes. Make sure to catch any water that remains inside the pipes.
  5. If there are shut-off valves included, you may install them by attaching it to both ends of the pipe.
  6. Afterward, install your water filters in the correct order of stages as stated in the instruction manual.
  7. Finally, install the compression nut, ensuring you face the input and output fittings the right way. Then turn the inlet valve off and turn on your water supply. Check for leaks if there are any.
  8. You may do a little bit more testing with your water filter to check for further leaks. Once the testing is complete, and there are no leaks reported, then you have finished installing your whole house water filter.

FAQ on Best Whole House Well Water Filter

Do I need a whole house water filter?

This entirely depends on what type of water supply you get for your household. If you are using well water, you may need a water filter to remove harmful chemicals and heavy metals. On the other side, if you are using city water, you may not need to get a water filter. However, some city water may still contain certain contaminants, so it is best to do some water testing.

Are whole house water filters worth it?

Whether your water supply is well or city water, whole house water filters are worth it. They are great for filtering sediments, rust, chemicals, and other contaminants in order to protect your health as well as household appliances. Again, it depends on what contaminants your water has so it is recommended to do water testing.

Can I drink the water filtered with a whole house filtration system?

Definitely yes. The water produced by a whole house water filter is already clean, and the contaminants that were once residing within are removed as the water passes through different filtration media. If you want to be sure, you may do a water testing again with both the clean and unfiltered water.

What filters do I need for well water?

Depending on the contaminants found in your well water, the ideal filtration system can remove sediments and other contaminants through a water softener and an activated carbon filter. You may also add a UV filter for further bacteria removal. Also, take note of the pore size of the initial sediment filtration. A 5-micron filter is already good enough, but you can also choose a 1-micron filter as well.

Wrap Up

So that’s about it for our product reviews and other helpful details for our best whole house water filters for well water. Our top pick is the Home Master HMF3SDGFEC, a great 3-stage iron filter capable of removing 95% of contaminants, so make sure to consider that.

All in all, hopefully, this article will be a tremendous help for you in choosing the right whole house water filter for your family’s needs. No doubt, well waters are incredibly beneficial, so don’t miss the opportunity to use it. After that, you can start looking for one of our best water softeners for well water.

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