Information to Help You Choose Wisely...
If you're looking at shower filters for the first time, this page provides a helpful overview to get you up to speed so you can make an informed decision.
Shower Filtration Media
Filtration media is the material inside a filter that cleans the water.
KDF Filtration - Used in All Our Shower Filters
KDF is an alloy of copper and zinc. KDF does most of it's work by transforming the water as it passes through the copper-zinc mixture.
Century
KDF transforms chlorine into a harmless chloride because it is combined with other minerals (like calcium) in your water.
KDF also reduces metals in water because the metals attach to the KDF as the water passes by.
KDF is used in every shower filter we offer.
Chlorgon Filtration - Only in Sprite Shower Filters
Output
Chlorgon is another material used in shower filters. Chlorgon was invented and patented by David Farley of Sprite Industries, so it is exclusively found in Sprite filters.
Chlorgon reduces chlorine, some combined chlorines and rust in your shower water.
All Sprite shower filters include Chlorgon filtration.
Carbon Filtration
Carbon filtration (a.k.a. charcoal) has a surface that is sticky, so contaminants attach to the carbon and are removed from the water.
Carbon Filtration
Carbon reduces many chemicals, which can pass right through other filtration methods.
Carbon provides excellent filtration for drinking water at a flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute, but a small carbon-only shower filter isn't effective at the typical 2.5 gallons per minute flow of a shower.
In shower filters, carbon filtration is usually combined with other media, such as KDF.
You will pay more for a shower filter that uses carbon, but carbon does reduce your exposure to chemicals other than chlorine.
The Aquasana shower filter is the only shower filter we carry that includes carbon filtration.
Other Materials
Quartz, magnets and other materials are sometimes included in shower filters. These materials do not filter the water, but they have a "softening" effect that makes the water feel better.
All Rainshow'r shower filters we offer include crystalline quartz.
Other companies claim new technology or a better way to filter showers, but before you buy, look them up on the NSF shower filter certification page.
NSF provides the only independent certification system to verify vendor claims.
Shower Filter Designs
Shower filters are designed to attach to standard shower supply lines like the shower arm (that water pipe that comes out of the wall) or the hand held shower hose.
A standard shower arm is made of 1/2 inch pipe with course threads and is 3/4 inch in diameter (yea, I know, doesn't make sense...).
In-Line Shower Filters
In-Line shower filters attach between the shower arm and the shower head.
CQ-1000
Many of these are available with or without a shower head so you can use your favorite shower head.
The Aquasana shower filter is a variation on the in-line shower filter design.
The Aquasana attaches to the shower arm, but routes the water down through a large cartridge, then back up towards the shower arm so the shower head height is maintained.
All-In-One Shower Filters
All-In-One
All-In-One models from Spite have the shower head and filter built into a single part.
An all-in-one simply replaces your shower head with a new one that includes the filter.
Hand Held Shower Filters
If you're hooked on a hand held shower head, I know how you feel.
Hand Held
Sprite Hand held shower filters have the shower filter in the handle of the hand held shower head.
Most other hand held filters include an in-line shower filter between the shower arm and a standard hand held shower head.
Hose Filter
Filter
The Sprite shower hose filter is a great option if you already have a hand held shower head you really like.
The Sprite hose filter attaches between the water supply and the input side of the hose on a standard hand held shower head.
Just be sure that there is adequate clearance for the hose filter to fit your hand held shower filter.
Specialty Shower Filters
High Output
Most shower filters are made of plastic. Sprite has four designs that are made of all brass construction.
The Sprite All-Brass filters look great and are so tough they come with a 5 year warranty on the housing.
The Sprite High Output and Slim-Line shower filters are available in all brass construction with polished brass, chrome, and satin nickel finishes.
Shower Filter
Sprite also makes ShowerUp extensions that are of brass construction.
The ShowerUp extensions allow you to raise and lower your shower head by 12 inches or 24 inches.
The ShowerUp is available with a chrome or satin nickel finish.
Personal Preferences on Shower Filter Selection
Your personal preferences are the best guide to selecting a shower filter.
Shower Head
Sunflower
Your shower head preference is the first consideration because it has a huge impact on how your shower feels.
Do you like a massaging shower head, a sunflower style shower head, or a hand held shower head?
If you already have that perfect shower head, you can just order a shower filter without a shower head.
Water Flow
If your water flow or pressure is a concern, select a larger shower filter such as the Sprite High Output, the Rainshow'r CQ-1000 or Rainshow'r New Century.
PowerShower
For low pressure situations, a larger filter is generally better; but most pressure reduction is at the shower head.
The Rainshow'r PowerShower head is specifically designed to work well with low water pressure.
The PowerShower really does turn a drizzle into a spray, if you've got low water pressure, you have to try it to believe it.
Shower Head Height
If you're really tall, bending over to take a shower may seem normal. It doesn't have to be that way anymore.
Sprite offers ShowerUp filtered extensions to raise your shower head from 12 to 24 inches.
ShowerFalls
The Sprite Shower Falls model allows for on the fly height adjustment with a hand held shower head.
If your shower head is at a decent height, you don't have to lower it dramatically to add shower filtration.
The Aquasana shower filter only lowers the shower head by about an inch and the Sprite Slim-Line lowers it by less than 2 inches.
OK, Now What?
Hopefully, you're more comfortable in your knowledge of shower filters.
If you'd like to read more about shower filters and see all the options, have a look at the main shower filter page.
Have a look at the shower filter information below the product pictures on the main shower filter page because many people have told us that is very helpful.
If you'd like help choosing a shower filter based on common criteria, have a look at the choosing a shower filter page linked above.
If you have any questions, just ask a question.
