How long do shower water filters last, since there are quite a few out there. It’s not just about what goes onto your skin, I mean, you know this is absorbed in certain ways too.
If you are fortunate enough to live in an area that has pristine water that has been filtered to perfection, then you might not worry about drinking or bathing in your tap water.
But, if this is not the case for you, you might want to consider a shower water filter and you will have to keep up with the cartridge replacement.
Comparing how long filters last for shower water filters – Aquasana offers a 10,000 gallon or 6-month filter life. Crystal Quest offers a 1-year (non-specified gallons) filter life. Pelican Water has two models including the Premium Shower Filter with Wand having a 30,000 gallon or 9-month capacity, and the other having a 10,000 gallon or 6-month capacity.
| Shower Filter Brand | Filter Life |
|---|---|
| Aquasana | 10,000 Gallon or 6 months |
| Crystal Quest | 1 year |
| Pelican Water – Premium | 30,000 Gallon or 9 months |
| Pelican Water | 10,000 Gallon or 6 months |
So, your average filter life for a shower water filter is roughly 6-months, but this depends entirely on the shower water filter that you have installed, the level of filtration, your water’s contamination level pre-filtration, and your water usage.
Let’s take a closer look at the life of common water filter cartridges as well as the factors that can affect this.
How Long Do Filters Last for Shower Water Filters?
As you step out of your steaming hot shower, wrap yourself in a fluffy white towel, and begin your prep work for getting ready for your day (or your night), a seemingly random thought pops into your head.
“When was the last time I changed the shower water filter?” This might leave you wondering how often the cartridge needs to be replaced in the first place.
After all, most shower water filters do not have a lifetime capacity or replacement warning like an under sink water filtration system might have, for example.
So, how long do filters last for shower water filters? The average shower water filter lasts 6-months or up to 10,000 gallons filtered. This is largely determined by your water’s contamination level before it enters the filter as well as your water usage level. Some filter cartridges have a higher capacity of as much as 30,000 gallons or 1-year.
Of course, you will need to pay attention to the specific model that you are using and the specifications that it comes with. While there are good general rules of thumb to follow, you will see the best results in your shower water filtration by following the guidelines that come in your shower water filter owner’s manual.
Since there are several different types of companies out there that attempt to create the best shower water filter option for you, you may find that your shower water filter has a higher or a lower capacity than you thought.
Fortunately for you, replacing your shower water filter will likely be a simple process that you do not have to spend too much time dedicated to.
Because of this, you can enjoy the easy purchase and a pretty simple installation process when it becomes the time to change your shower water filter.
Comparison of 3 Shower Water Filter’s Cartridge Life
Even though you can follow an average, it is still best to follow the specifications put in place by your shower water filter’s manufacturing company.
Considering they have used the unique cartridge and filter design to give their best shot at pristine water filtration, their recommendations will be specific to the model that you have purchased.
Three companies that are known for their effective shower water filters include Aquasana, Crystal Quest, and Pelican Water. Let’s take a closer look at the cartridge life of the shower water filters put out by each of these companies.
Aquasana
Aquasana is a reputable company that sells shower water filters among other water filtration systems. Mainly, their shower water filter cartridges are expected to last up to 10,000 gallons or 6-months.
Of course, this depends on the level of water contamination pre-filtration as well as the amount of water used.
The cost for replacing this shower water filter cartridge currently sits at $52.50. However, Aquasana has one of the most promising subscription services for generous cutbacks on water filter replacements.
You can get up to 15% off of your water filters by subscribing to automatic renewal, so your cost comes down to $44.62.
Crystal Quest
Crystal Quest is yet another reputable water filtration company that sells shower water filters. You will be pleased to know that their water filter cartridge life is on the higher end of the life expectancy compared to most other shower water filters.
While this company does not provide the gallons of water that this filter is expected to last through, it does provide a 1-year life expectancy as well as a 90-day warranty.
Additionally, you will find that this shower water filter is a much lower cost at $29.50 (with a subscription service that lowers the filter cost by 5% to $28.03). This is on the lower end compared to many other popular shower water filter brands.
However, it is likely due to the filtration capacity (in other words, what all it can filter). It is still known to provide high-quality shower water filtration, so you should be good to go for a longer life expectancy and a lower price.
Pelican Water
Pelican Water is another reputable company that offers a long-lasting shower water filter. Honestly, the amount of gallons that their Premium Shower Filter with Wand can handle is pretty impressive at 30,000 gallons or a 9-month life expectancy.
Of course, they have other shower water filter models that this will work with, too, but this is the main shower water filter marketed by this company.
In addition, you will find a pretty average price point for the Pelican Water shower water filter cartridges. This comes in at around $49, but it does not currently have a subscription service for automatic replacements.
Either way, the life expectancy for this shower water filter is the top of the line in terms of gallons of water it can filter.
When Should You Replace the Shower Water Filter?
Ok, so you have three main companies and their standard shower water filter replacement. But, what if you are unsure about when you recently purchased your shower water filter or the last time that the cartridge was changed? What do you do then?
When should you replace the shower water filter? The average shower water filter life expectancy is 6-months or after 10,000 gallons of water filtered. If you are unsure of the last filter change, then make observations of foul odors, discoloration, or other signs of water contamination that indicate that your filter is not functioning properly.
Of course, determining your shower water filter cartridge’s life expectancy is highly dependent on your water quality pre-filtration as well as personal water usage.
For example, if you live in an area that will require your shower water filter to do more “work”, then the filter might not last as long as it would if your filter is not required to do as much filtering.
Along with that, if you live in a household of 2 people who shower for 10-minutes once daily, you will obviously expect for your shower water filter to need less-frequent replacements than a family of 6 people who shower for 15-minutes once or twice daily.
The more water that passes through the filter, the more frequently that it is put to use.
Thus, most companies will provide you with a shower water filter cartridge life expectancy in gallons as well as months (or years) to give you an estimate based on average water filtration and average water use.
However, if you are unsure of what your product specifies for proper shower water filter cartridge replacement, you can look up your specific product and the instructions that come with it.
Or, you can follow a general rule of thumb of 6-months and observe any signs that your water filter might not be working as well as it once did.
Then, once you decide to replace the shower water filter, you can mark the date on the cartridge itself (since it is usually made of plastic on the outside and placed inside of your filter).
After this, if you are still unsure of the last time you changed the filter, you can check the date that you wrote previously by simply untwisting and checking the date you marked on the cartridge.