Aquasana Shower Filter Review (2023)

🧾 Overview

The Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Water Filter is a shower filter unit with an attached showerhead. The unit uses a patented AquaSorb HX carbon coconut shell filter which is tested and certified to remove an average of 90% of chlorine from shower water.

It enhances water pH, improving quality and filtering other harsh chemicals, including lead, pesticides and VOCs, from water. This showerhead water filter has a 10,000-gallon lifespan, and can be used for up to 6 months before it needs replacing.

You can customize your shower experience with the Aquasana AQ-4100 by adjusting the showerhead to switch between multiple massage settings.

The filter won’t remove TDS from water – only reverse osmosis systems can do that – but it will trap chlorine, particles and soften water, making it kinder to skin and hair. Only the filter and showerhead are included in this product, so you’ll need to have a shower arm ready to install the AQ-4100 straight onto.

💡 Features

Showerhead

The AQ-4100’s showerhead attaches onto the filter housing unit. It has an adjustable nozzle that can be used to alter the stream of water during showering.

Filter unit

The filter unit is relatively large, and not the most discreet. With that said, its large surface area makes for more efficient filtration, so you may need to sacrifice appearance for performance in this case.

Coconut shell carbon filter

The unit’s filter fits inside the plastic casing and uses coconut shell carbon to trap contaminants through the process of adsorption. It needs to be changed every six months or so.

Installation instructions

The manufacturer says that installation can be carried out in 4 simple steps, which are highlighted in the unit’s instruction manual.

🚦 Performance

You don’t have to take Aquasana’s word for it when it comes to performance – the filter is actually NSF/ANSI certified to remove up to 90% of chlorine. Chlorine removal is one of the primary functions of a showerhead water filter, as there has been some research to suggest that breathing in chlorine fumes in water may be dangerous. The filter’s copper/zinc blend also enhances water’s pH, preventing hard water issues.

The Aquasana shower filter lasts for 6 months, which the manufacturer claims are “some of the longest lasting on the market”. If that was true at the time of production, it isn’t now. The majority of showerhead water filters are now designed to last up to 6 months, so the Aquasana is really just as efficient as the rest.

As in all cases, exact filter lifespan depends on the level of contaminants in your water, plus how many showers your family has per day.

🔧 Installation & Maintenance

Aquasana has made it simple to install the showerhead water filter in 4 steps.

You’ll need teflon tape, pliers and a bucket for installation.

Once you have unpacked and unwrapped your filter, remove the plastic caps and attach the chrome collar of the filter unit to your shower arm, using teflon tape to keep everything in place.

Tighten with a wrench, making sure not to overdo it, then flush the filter for 2 minutes before attaching the showerhead.

To change the filter, you don’t need to take the whole unit off the shower arm, as the bottom of the unit can be unscrewed. Simply pop out the old filter and press the new one firmly in its place, then re-screw the bottom of the unit back in place.

There’s no filter change reminder on this unit, so you’ll need to note your own reminder to assess the performance of your filter after 4 to 6 months.

📝 Filter Info

The big selling point of the Aquasana shower filter is that it’s NSF/ANSI certified, which means it’s guaranteed to remove the advertised 90% of chlorine from shower water. If you want to spend your money on a showerhead water filter that’s proven to work, you can’t go wrong with the Aquasana AQ-4100.

The filter is split into two: the top coconut shell carbon filter reduces chlorine, while the bottom patented copper/zinc blend further reduces chlorine while also enhancing water pH. These stages of filtration combined help to produce cleaner, healthier water. The filter won’t remove total dissolved solids – though that’s to be expected with a shower filter. You’ll need to look for a reverse osmosis system for filtration on that level of thoroughness.

🔔 Pros & Cons

❔ Frequently Asked Questions

Does this filter out fluoride?

No, Its main focus is the removal of chlorine.

Does this showerhead water filter affect pressure?

No, it won’t worsen your water pressure noticeably. All you may notice is that it takes a second or two to switch the water from hot to cold after you have turned the faucet.

Can I use my own showerhead instead of the one that comes with this unit?

Yes you can use your own showerhead with the filter if you prefer, but you will still need to pay for the whole set. Note also that some showerheads may not fit directly onto the filter. You might want to contact the manufacturer before making a purchase.

Does this filter soften water?

Yes, it does soften water somewhat, though its main purpose is chlorine removal. It uses two filters that should remove a significant portion of the hard water causing minerals, just keep in mind that its primary goal is not to soften water.

Can this be used to filter chloramines?

No. This showerhead is for filtering chlorine only. You should check to see if your water supply is disinfected with chlorine or chloramines to know which of the two you want to remove from your water.

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