After living in London her entire life, beauty editor Maisie Bovingdon only realised how polluted the water truly was after switching to filtered shower heads. According to Scaleguard, 60 per cent of water in the UK is considered “hard or very hard”, with many areas showing “over 200mg of calcium carbonate per litre”, among other contaminants. Alongside stubborn water marks on the glass in her shower, she spotted a build-up of limescale around taps and the shower head – despite a full redecoration just five years ago.
Why hard water matters for hair and skin
Hard water can contribute to scalp conditions, dandruff, hair loss, brittle hair, breakouts, psoriasis, and other skin concerns. Anabel Kingsley, Lead Trichologist at Philip Kingsley, pinpointed unfiltered water as a major culprit. Unfiltered water can carry heavy metals, minerals and impurities, which can wreak havoc with skin, scalp, and hair health. Kingsley explains: “Minerals and metals in hard water can cause the hair to look dull and feel dry, so using a shower head that filters out some of these elements can be beneficial. There is some evidence to suggest that hard water may also impact the skin.”
How the shower filters were tested
Replacing her shower head and separate hose with new filtered shower heads, Bovingdon used each device for several weeks at a time to assess its efficacy. Monitoring her skin, scalp and hair texture for any changes, she took note of hair texture – if it felt softer, was less brittle and looked shinier after hair washes – while using the same shampoo and conditioner. She also paid close attention to any changes in the skin on her face and body. She further considered each filter's compatibility with her shower, including the installation process as a DIY novice, the filtration system, and water pressure. She compared whether each filter needed an additional filter inside or if that was built into each attachment. The dimensions, costs, and colour options had to complement her interiors, too.
Top picks from the test
Qure Skincare Shower Filter took the top spot overall. Comprising three filtering tiers – a carbon fibre layer, KDF layer, and a “filter of future” layer – that remove chlorine, heavy metals and other contaminants from water, their combined magic delivers 90 days of clean water. Water feels gentler and cleaner the instant the shower is switched on, working wonders on skin and scalp moisture. Bovingdon even noticed the corners of her hairline have started to show signs of regrowth. The large head can be tilted effortlessly, and the three adjustable water settings – a gentle yet widespread rainfall setting, a massage option, and a targeted power spray – don’t impact the water pressure.
JML 3 Function Pure Shower Head is the best budget buy at £7. It features Maifan stone pebbles in the transparent hose, and the stop toggle prevents dripping – a useful feature to pause the water flow mid-shower while lathering shampoo and conditioner without wasting water. Note that water is prone to sitting in the head – a significant drawback that could prove counterproductive over time. A workaround is running water for a few extra minutes after showering to empty stagnant water. The shower head is also not compatible with electric showers.
Hello Klean Shower Head+ is the best handheld shower filter, featuring a three-stage filtration with CRS and ADMS to remove limescale, metals and chlorine from the water. This smart design features a built-in intelligence system that analyses shower habits, with an iOS app that tracks real water usage, the duration of the shower, skin health, carbon emissions, optimal time, the metals filtered, as well as the filter life and when to change it. The shower head features a SmartHeat™ light that lights up when temperatures reach over 42°C, as well as a SmartRefill™ light to alert users to replace their filter. This device only offers one pressure flow.
Hello Klean Rain Shower is the best wall-mounted filter, claiming to reduce 90 per cent of chlorine, heavy metals, and impurities from the water to balance the pH level. It also promises to save 25 per cent of water. The filtration neutralises the water and converts chlorine into a harmless chloride ion within a fraction of a second, yet there was no delay when the dial was turned on. The filter sits neatly inside the head and is easy to replace after a few months. Bovingdon noted two bugbears: the filters are costly to re-buy, and the colours are limited.
Curo Filtered Shower Head is the best sustainable option, approved by dermatologists and trichologists. Curo claim this design boosts water flow by 18 per cent, but it feels substantially more. This filter uses a combination of KDF-55, calcium sulphate and activated carbon to remove chlorine, heavy metals and nitrates from the water. An independent study showed an “average chlorine reduction of 91 per cent across its entire recommended lifespan.” The filtration system is housed in a recycled non-woven cloth and 90 per cent less plastic than rival shower head filters. Its weighty filter makes this handheld attachment noticeably heavy, and the brand has advised customers to purchase Curo’s shower holder attachment separately for £10 to avoid weighing down existing pipework.
Tappwater ShowerPro Rain is the best long-lasting filter, boasting an impressive five-stage microfiltration technology (a metallic mesh, cotton film, calcium sulphite, KDF-55, and a Swedish mineral rock filter). This hybrid purifies and remineralises the water simultaneously, removing over 70 contaminants while adding essential minerals – including calcium, magnesium and potassium – into the water to promote healthy hair and skin. The compartment housing the refill was stiff to undo at first, but it only needs replacing every six months, which is longer than all the other shower filters.
The Water2 Filtered Showerhead is best for ease of use, using a triple-filtration system of activated carbon, KDF, and vitamin C to reduce chlorine, fluoride, lead and limescale in the water. After a leaky experience with the Water2 drinking filter, Bovingdon was sceptical about the new Water2Skin filter for her shower. However, the attachment was easy to fit to the main hose without any leaks or changes in water pressure, and the filter was also simple to change. There was no limescale, residue or water marks on the attachment after consistent use – testament to its effective filtration system. More cumbersome than other designs, the 310g design feels significantly larger than most with its 27cm shaft and square head.
Picki Niki Filtered Shower Head with Vitamin C is best for aromatherapy, featuring 200 micro holes for powerful water pressure, and dual filter protection with vitamin C gel. During testing with a sinus infection, Bovingdon swapped out the heavenly spa filter for the tea tree vitamin filter to help clear her airways. This design is fitted with a sediment and vitamin filter, a 200-hole precision plate, and vitamin C gel inside the head. This combination neutralises chlorine, while binding calcium, magnesium and other minerals for gentler water. It left her energised in the morning, breathing better and more relaxed, with softer hair and skin.
Which shower filter came out on top?
All these shower heads left Bovingdon's hair soft, less brittle, and shinier, while her skin also felt smoother – she's completely won over. For those wanting to simply replace their rain shower head, she recommends Hello Klean’s simplistic and effective Rain Shower. Complete with a handheld attachment, it will appeal to those wanting a complete set. Elsewhere, JML’s Shower Filter is ideal for those on a budget and who want more control over the water pressure. However, Qure’s shower head takes the top spot, boasting adjustable water pressure for a luxurious shower experience and a powerful filtration system. For those seeking a handheld hose shower filter, the Hello Klean Head+ is the cream of the crop, with app connectivity making it easy to monitor your shower routine, the temperature, water usage, and be alerted to replace your filter.
