My Unsponsored Hello Klean Shower Filter Review

The Hello Klean Shower Filter is an inline filter that’s claimed to reduce “+90% of chlorine, heavy metals and other impurities”. It uses a blend of KDF, calcium sulfite, ceramic beads, and activated carbon media to “protect hair and skin with better water”. We tested the filter using chlorinated city water to see how effectively it could reduce the shower contaminants we were concerned about. 

We’ve reviewed over a dozen shower filters so far, and this Hello Klean model was one of the poorest performing, with an overall weighted score of 7.39 You’ll find our results and observations in this review. 

Overall Score: 7.39

How We Test & Score

6.00 Contaminant Reduction

7.80 Design

9.50 Maintenance

10.00 Filtration Rate

9.00 Setup

9.10 Company

What We Like

Can be used with your existing showerhead

Affordable upfront cost

Simple setup and maintenance

What We Don’t Like

Only reduced chlorine by 53%

Didn’t address DBPs or hardness

Costs more to maintain than any shower filter we’ve tested so far

Price	$75
Contaminants Reduced	Chlorine, select heavy metals
Certifications	– Not Certified
Process	KDF + Calcium Sulfite + Activated Carbon + Ceramic Beads
Filter Capacity	~3,400 gallons/cartridge
Annual Cost	~$300
Warranty	1 year

View at helloklean.com

View on Amazon

📊 Scoring Data

The Hello Klean Shower Filter has one of the lowest upfront costs of all the shower filters we’ve reviewed: just $75. But performance shouldn’t come as a compromise to affordability. We tested this filter across 6 different performance categories, combining and averaging its scores to rank it against its closest competitors. You can find our test results in the following table. 

🚰 Contaminant Reduction

When you’re deciding which shower filter to buy, the most influential feature by far is contaminant reduction performance. 

We want to see that the filter can address the contaminants that it claims to reduce at the very least. Ideally, it should reduce the three contaminant groups that have known effects in shower water: disinfection byproducts, residual disinfectants, and hardness. 

We awarded a score in this category based on what the filter removed in our own testing, as well as whether or not it has obtained performance certifications to verify its contaminant reduction claims with testing from a professional third party.

Our Performance Testing

Score: 6.00

Our performance testing combined the results from two tests: 

1. Tap Score lab testing, which we used to detect disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and hardness
2. Our on-site digital colorimeter tests, for accurate chlorine testing that delivered immediate results

We repeated each test twice, once with a baseline sample of unfiltered water from our showerhead, and once with a sample of filtered water after installing the Hello Klean filter.

As mentioned above, to fairly assess shower filters for contaminant reduction, we specifically tested each filter’s ability to reduce contaminants that are problematic in shower water. These are:

• Disinfection byproducts. Studies have found that THMs (a common group of DBPs present in our own test water) increase the risk of cancer due to inhalation and dermal contact. 
• Disinfection residual (chlorine, chloramine, etc.), which has been associated with increased incidence of inflammations in people with skin conditions like dermatitis, as well as reductions in hair strength, dryness, and brittleness with repeated exposure in water.
• Water hardness, which results in mineral deposits on the hair and skin, as well as affecting soap lathering.

Our scoring system for our shower filter tests was unique: we evaluated whether a filter could reduce DBPs to below the Health Guideline Level (or to undetectable levels, while our disinfectant residual scoring was based on the remaining concentration post-filtration. For hardness, our scoring corresponded to percentage reduction.

The weight assigned to each contaminant was determined by its possible health effects. Since DBPs have the most serious impacts in shower water, these contributed to 50% of the overall score. This was followed by disinfectant residual (35%) and water hardness (15%).

You can see more detail on exactly how we score shower filters here.

DBPs

Score: 6.00

Our Tap Score report highlighted 10 contaminants with known health effects in our baseline water sample. 

But while many of these, like lead and arsenic, can be harmful in drinking water, they have no known effects through inhalation and dermal exposure in shower water.  

Most of our focus was placed on the 4 disinfection byproducts that were detected:

• 5.47 PPB of chloroform
• 2.62 PPB of bromodichloromethane
• 0.74 PPB of dibromochloromethane
• 0.25 PPB of bromochloromethane

The first three exceeded the Health Guideline Level, while bromochloromethane was detected below the Reporting Limit, meaning its safety couldn’t be evaluated in our water. 

Our filtered water results were a mixed bag: chloroform was reduced by 8%, and bromochloromethane by 36%, but bromodichloromethane actually increased by 23%, and dibromochloromethane also increased by 47%. 

We think these differences in concentrations were simply a result of fluctuations in our water quality between taking the two test samples, rather than being influenced by the filter itself. 

Hello Klean is marketed to neutralize “chlorine and its byproducts”, specifically with its calcium sulfite media. This is misleading — calcium sulfite works as a dechlorinating agent, so while it can prevent the formation of additional DBPs in the water, it won’t be able to remove those that have already been formed. 

Disinfectant Residual

Score: 6.00

We took a different approach to test for chlorine in our water: using a digital colorimeter. This allowed us to access immediate on-site data; the more accurate alternative to lab-testing for a highly volatile contaminant like chlorine. 

That way, we could take our readings quickly after collecting a sample, rather than risking the chlorine dissipating while we shipped our samples to the lab.   

Our baseline sample of water had a chlorine reading of 2.70 PPM. Post-filtration, the reading had dropped down to 1.23 PPM: a 54% reduction.

This is disappointing, especially since the filter apparently uses both calcium sulfite and activated carbon, two media that primarily target chlorine. With these combined approaches, we’d expect to see a chlorine reduction closer to 100%. 

Water Hardness

We measured Hello Klean’s effect on water hardness by comparing our before-and-after lab test results. 

Our unfiltered water sample had a total hardness reading of 128.19 PPM, or 7.49 GPG, putting it in the “hard” category.

Post-filtration, total hardness had increased by around 3% (likely incidental due to fluctuations in our water quality). 

We found the following claim on the Hello Klean product page:

“While no shower filter removes calcium and magnesium, our Hello Klean Filtration range targets harmful elements like iron, copper, lead, and chlorine to reduce the harsh effects of hard water on your skin and hair.”

This makes no sense — the likes of lead and chlorine are entirely separate contaminants that don’t overlap with or influence water hardness in any way. Removing these elements would eliminate their own specific side effects in water, but would make absolutely no difference to the effects of hardness. The only way to do that would be to remove the hardness minerals themselves. 

Performance Certifications

Score: 6.00

Hello Klean makes no claims to be performance certified, and we could find no evidence that this filter has been tested or certified to NSF 177 for chlorine reduction. 

Performance certifications are optional, and only a small handful of shower filters we’ve tested have been certified. 

🚦Filtration Rate

Our flow rate testing helps us to understand how a shower filter influences the “normal” flow of water through a showerhead. We measured this by timing how long it took to fill 2 cups of water after installing the filter, repeating this test three times and converting the data into an average gallons-per-minute (GPM) flow rate. 

The Hello Klean Shower Filter had a filtration rate of 1.58 GPM, based on its ability to fill 2 cups of filtered water in an average time of 4.73 seconds. That makes it one of the slower-filtering shower filters we tested, but not enough to affect your showers. 

For context, modern water-saving shower heads typically use 1.5 to 2.0 GPM of water, so you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference after installing the filter.  

📐 Design

The Hello Klean Shower Filter is an inline filter that sits on your shower hose or shower arm where it connects to the faucet. It has a modern, matte finish and is available in three colors: 

1. Beige
2. Chrome
3. Black

The housing unit is quite long at around 6 inches, but since it’s attached to your shower hose, this extra bulk shouldn’t create any issues.  

To assess this filter in the design category, we focused on its overall look, feel, and function in terms of durability and quality. We also looked for evidence of official design-related certifications. 

Component Quality

Score: 9.00

Hello Klean is one of the sturdier-feeling shower filters we’ve tested. We were unable to find information about the plastics used in the design, so we reached out to support and received a detailed answer from Hello Klean’s “AI assistant”. 

According to this bot, the unit housing is made from ABS plastic, which is a pretty common material for water filters, being food-grade and BPA-free. 

Filter Materials

The filter contains four filtration media: 

• Copper-zinc redox (KDF) media
• Calcium sulfite
• Coconut shell activated carbon
• Ceramic beads

These are all commonly used in shower filters and are known for chlorine reduction. KDF also reduces select heavy metals. 

A good upgrade for Hello Klean to consider is swapping out the activated carbon for carbon block, which has a more compact nature and offers more thorough contaminant removal (including DBPs removal). 

Materials Safety Certification

Score: 6.00

Hello Klean hasn’t obtained a materials safety certification, which isn’t altogether surprising. 

As with performance certifications, filter manufacturers aren’t legally required to get their products certified for materials safety, and most only commit the time and money to certifying filters that treat drinking water.

⚙️ Setup

We expected Hello Klean to have a quick and easy install, like the other shower filters we’ve tested, and that’s exactly what we got. 

The filter took less than 5 minutes to install at our shower line. We just twisted it open, removed the end protectors on either side of the filter, attached one side to our shower faucet, and attached the shower hose to the other. 

We then ran water through the filter for around 1 minute (Hello Klean recommends 30 seconds) to flush away any loose media. There are no difficult priming processes to follow, and the filter can be used immediately. 

🔧 Maintenance

Hello Klean was both easy and affordable to maintain, contributing to its high score in this category. 

Servicing Requirements

9.00

The outer housing is designed to be reused again and again (hopefully for years). All you do is swap out the filter cartridge inside. 

Replacing the filter is a bit of a pain, as you have to reverse the install process, removing the shower hose and untwisting the filter from the faucet. Some of the other filters we’ve tested have had openings that allow the cartridge to be replaced without any disassembly. 

That said, it’s not a difficult job and takes less than 5 minutes, just like the install. Each filter lasts for 13,000 liters, or around 3,400 gallons, so they don’t need replacing often.

We appreciate the fact that the used filter cartridges are recyclable — you just poke a hole in the outer mesh, pour out the media, and recycle the cartridge. 

Costs

Score: 10.00

We calculated Hello Klean’s replacement filter cost at $0.052 per gallon. It’s an affordable filter, but when we compare it to the other shower filters we’ve tested, it’s actually the most expensive we’ve reviewed so far. Its 5-year ownership cost is $1,587 — for some perspective, similar products have 5-year costs ranging from $200-$400 up to around $1,300. 

If you’re looking for the cheapest shower filter to maintain, you might want to consider another model, especially as Hello Klean doesn’t offer anything unique that makes it worth the extra spend. 

🏢 Company

We also reviewed Hello Klean’s company offerings, including its warranty, shipping, and returns policy. 

Warranty

Score: 8.50

Hello Klean warrants its shower filter for 1 year, which entitles you to a repair, replacement, or refund if you discover a manufacturing defect or design flaw. 

That’s pretty good for a shower filter, and a recent improvement (originally, there was no warranty offered beyond the returns period). 

Shipping 

Score: 9.00

Hello Klean offers free shipping to all US territories, but only on orders over $75. That means you’ll pay a fee to ship your original filter, although if you pay for the manufacturer’s subscription service, you’ll get replacement filters shipped for free. 

The catch is that you’re tied into receiving filters every 3 months, which you might not want to do.

You can read about Hello Klean’s shipping procedures on this FAQ page. 

Returns

Score: 10.00

Hello Klean’s returns policy is pretty decent. You can return your filter within 100 days of your purchase, although the language around what’s classed as an acceptable return is ambiguous. 

For instance: 

• All returns must be in their original resalable condition if applicable.
• All returns must be complete with their existing tags and packaging, if applicable.

Your item will be inspected and either approved or rejected for a return. It’s unclear whether you can return a filter simply because you tried it and didn’t like it, or whether there has to be a defect that’s covered by the warranty. 

You’ll also need to cover the cost of returns shipping, which is a bit annoying. 

View Hello Klean’s 100-day guarantee here.

💰 Value For Money

Ultimately, while we think the Hello Klean Shower Filter is nice to look at and useful if you want a filter specifically for your shower hose, we don’t think the value for money is there. 

It only reduced the chlorine in our water by just over 50%, and chlorine removal is our bare minimum expectation for any shower filter. Beyond that, it had no influence on the concentrations of DBPs or hardness, despite misleading claims on the product page, and it’s not performance-certified. 

We’ve tested more than a dozen shower filters, and we know that the bar has been set pretty low in this category. Many of the other filters we tested achieved similar results, failing to eliminate chlorine and not addressing any of the other contaminants we’re concerned about in shower water. But the difference is that, while the Hello Klean filter is affordable upfront, it has the highest ongoing costs of any shower filter we’ve reviewed so far. 

If you’re wondering if any filters we tested managed to meet our expectations, the Weddell Duo reduced chlorine and disinfection byproducts in our testing and has a certified performance, topping our list of the best shower filters.

If chlorine is your only concern, the Afina shower head did a great job, and the Aquatru shower was the only other product capable of sufficiently removing DBPs, but it didn’t do so great with chlorine.

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