The Sprite Slim-Line 2 is a shower filter that claims to remove chlorine, dirt, and odors from water.
We tested the filter in a residential property in Colorado to see how it could improve our shower water quality. Our results combined objective data with insights from our subjective experience using the filter during testing. This involved analyzing it across a spectrum of performance categories, including contaminant reduction, design quality, flow rate, ease of installation and maintenance, and more.
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
| Price | $35 |
| Contaminants Reduced | 10+ |
| Certifications | NSF/ANSI 177 |
| Process | KDF + Calcium Sulfite |
| Filter Capacity | 10,000 gallons |
| Annual Cost | ~$12 |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Table of Contents
📊 Scoring Data
As with all the water filters we review, we tested the Sprite Slim-Line 2 ourselves, to see how its performance compared to the manufacturer’s claims. We also conducted testing on eight other shower filters, so we could weigh up their differences and rank them based on our data-based scoring system.
Each individual performance category receives a separate score, which we then combine into an overall weighted score. See the table below to see how the Sprite Slim-Line 2 performed.
| Criteria | Results |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.37 |
| Health Related Contaminants | 7.80 |
| Aesthetic Related Contaminants | 9.90 |
| Performance Certification | NSF 177 |
| Filtration Rate | 1.56 GPM |
| Component Quality | Fair |
| Component Certification | Not Certified |
| Setup | Excellent |
| Servicing Requirements | Excellent |
| Costs | $0.002/ gallon |
| Warranty Length | 1 year |
| Shipping | Variable Shipping Costs |
| Returns | 30 days |
🚰 Contaminant Reduction
Score: 7.96As with all the water filters we tested, our priority when testing the Sprite Slim-Line 2 was to understand which contaminants it could remove from our own water.
To obtain this data, we performed our own water quality testing. The score we awarded in this category was also influenced by whether or not the filter had performance certifications from the NSF/ANSI, IAPMO, or the WQA for reducing select contaminants.
Our Performance Testing
Score: 7.81
To see how well the Sprite Slim-Line 2 actually worked, we conducted a before-and-after analysis using SimpleLab’s Tap Score testing service. Tap Score sent us a collection kit, which we used to take water samples (one unfiltered and one filtered) from the shower line, then shipped them back to their lab. We received two test reports highlighting the contaminants detected in both water samples.
Our kit also included chlorine test strips, which we could use to check our chlorine levels in real time. This is a more accurate method of analysis than waiting for testing to be conducted at the lab, as chlorine levels dissipate over time. For hardness, we used a separate titration test to get an accurate, instant measurement.
Here’s what you should know about our testing setup:
- We only tested for shower-specific contaminants of concern: chlorine, water hardness, and disinfection byproducts. These are the contaminants that can affect your skin, hair, and the air quality in your shower.
- Both of our tests were conducted with cold water. Even though shower water is typically hot, disinfection byproducts can dissipate faster at higher temperatures. So, using cold water gave us the most accurate snapshot of what was really present.
Health-Related Contaminants
Score: 7.80
The Sprite Slim-Line 2 was the second-highest scoring model of all the shower filters we tested, but it didn’t blow us away with its health-related contaminant reduction outcomes.
Our unfiltered water test detected several contaminants that we were particularly concerned about in shower water. These were:
- Disinfection byproducts, specifically:
- 2.62 PPB of bromodichloromethane
- – 5.47 PPB of chloroform
- 0.74 PPB of dibromochloromethane
- 0.25 PPB of bromochloromethane
- Around 2 PPM of chlorine
The first three disinfection byproducts were detected in concentrations that exceeded the Tap Score HGL, meaning they had possible health effects, specifically as a result of inhalation of shower vapor. Bromochloromethane was detected in concentrations that didn’t exceed the Reporting Limit, which meant its safety couldn’t be evaluated by our testing lab.
Sprite says that the Slim-Line 2 filter can reduce chlorine, dirt, and odors. “Dirt” is a pretty ambiguous claim and can’t be easily corroborated with testing, but we did confirm that the filter reduced chlorine and its associated odors. While the Slim-Line 2 might offer a less exciting performance than some of the shower filters we’ve tested, we appreciate that Sprite hasn’t misled customers with exaggerated contaminant reduction claims (something that many manufacturers are guilty of).
As for disinfection byproducts, the Slim-Line 2 did appear to reduce bromochloromethane by 36%, but this could have simply been due to the dissipation of this contaminant from our filtered water before the filtered sample was taken. The other three DBPs were only reduced by 1-7%; likely an incidental reduction and not a result of filtration.
So far, only one shower filter we’ve tested has effectively removed disinfection byproducts: the Weddell Duo. The difference here is that the filter uses solid carbon block media, while the Slim-Line 2 uses a copper and zinc alloy.
Water Hardness
We conducted two water hardness tests: our Tap Score lab test, and a more precise on-site titration test.
In the Tap Score test, our unfiltered shower water had a total hardness reading of 128.19 PPM, or 7.49 GPG, putting it in the “hard” category. Our on-site titration test results were similar, with a detected hardness of 8 GPG.
Post-filtration, both hardness readings were pretty much the same, meaning that the Slim-Line 2 doesn’t have water-softening abilities.
Hard water doesn’t pose a serious health risk, but it has been linked to skin and hair problems. It also affects shampoo and soap lather, which is why so many people want to remove it from their shower water.
Many shower filter manufacturers claim that their products can soften hard water or remove hardness minerals, but most simply don’t contain the filter media (usually ion exchange resin) that’s required to do this. So, while it’s disappointing that the Slim-Line 2 didn’t alter our water hardness, it also isn’t surprising, and at least Sprite doesn’t claim to do this.
Unexpected Outcomes
Alongside the results we expected in our contaminant reduction testing, there were also a few datapoints that we didn’t anticipate.
The biggest surprise was that the filter increased zinc by more than 13,500%. We think this is likely due to the presence of zinc in the KDF filter media, but we still wouldn’t expect to see such a significant increase.
Molybdenum also increased by 24.55%, which is possibly due to an incidental difference in our water quality between taking our two samples. All it tells us is that the Slim-Line 2 doesn’t effectively address this contaminant, which we wouldn’t expect it to do anyway.
Performance Certifications
Score: 8.50
Any shower filter manufacturer can make contaminant reduction claims, but these don’t hold any weight without proof of performance from an unbiased third party. That’s why many water filter companies choose to get their products certified by the NSF, the WQA, or IAPMO. For shower filters, the most commonly sought-after filter is NSF 177, for the reduction of chlorine.
It’s important to note that performance certifications aren’t a legal requirement, but they are reassuring for customers who obviously want to spend their money on a product that works.
The Sprite Slim-Line 2 has an NSF 177 certification from IAPMO for chlorine reduction, resulting in a score of 8.50 in the certification category. That’s better than any other shower filter we’ve tested so far (the majority weren’t certified at all).
🚦Filtration Rate
Score: 10.00Since shower filters reduce the flow of water as it filters through the media, you can expect your shower flow rate to be slightly slower after installing any filter on your showerhead. Sprite is realistic with its flow rate claims, estimating a maximum flow rate of 1.8 GPM (gallons per minute).
To see the speed of flow in our own testing, we timed how long it took the Slim-Line 2 to filter 2 cups of water. We then repeated the test twice more, taking an average time from all three.
The Slim-Line 2’s average flow rate measured at 1.65 GPM, with an average time of 4.55 seconds to fill 2 cups with filtered water. This is pretty comparable to most other shower filters we tested—the majority had filtration rates ranging from 1.50 to 1.60 GPM, with a small handful exceeding 2.00 GPM.
Why was our flow rate slower than the manufacturer’s claimed number? Ours was likely affected by factors including our water pressure and the flow from our own showerhead. Remember that Sprite’s claimed flow rate is the maximum, meaning the very quickest flow that could be achieved in optimal conditions.
We didn’t notice a drop in our water pressure after installing the Slim-Line 2, and the filter received the highest possible score in this category
📐 Design
Score: 7.20The Slim-Line 2 has a standard design that we’re used to seeing for a shower filter, with a cylindrical housing that contains a single filter cartridge. It’s available as an in-line filter (the filter only, which sits between the shower arm and your existing shower head), and as a complete filter (with the filter and a replacement shower head).
You can buy the unit in four finishes:
- Brushed nickel
- Chrome
- White
- White with chrome trim
Aesthetically, it’s not the most attractive filter we’ve come across, but it has a design advantage compared to many similar models we tested: The unit has threads up inside the housing, which shortens its overall length. That means the showerhead doesn’t extend down too much.
Component Quality
Score: 8.00
The Slim-Line 2 uses plastic housing that feels flimsier than most of the other shower filters we tested.
The unit held up fine in our testing, but from a durability perspective, we question whether the flimsiness of the plastic may cause issues like cracking down the line.
Filter Materials
The Slim-Line 2 contains KDF media, which is commonly used in shower filters that are predominantly designed to remove chlorine, tastes, and odors. The manufacturer has combined this media with calcium sulfite, which uses a chemical reaction to convert chlorine into water-soluble chloride ions, and patented it as their own invention, chlorgon.
We know that KDF is good at reducing chlorine, and works with high temperatures, so it’s a good choice for shower filters. But it doesn’t reduce DBPs, as confirmed by our testing.
Materials Safety Certification
Score: 6.00
Alongside performance certifications, manufacturers can also get their water filters certified for materials safety, offering proof of their build quality and safety. Again, these certifications are optional but a nice, reassuring bonus to offer.
Sprite hasn’t obtained a materials safety certification, but neither have the manufacturers of the other shower filters we’ve tested so far.
⚙️ Setup
Score: 9.00We were able to install the Slim-line 2 in a matter of minutes, with no tools or DIY knowledge required.
The process involved unscrewing our shower head and screwing the filter onto the shower arm, then re-attaching our showerhead. (If you buy the filter with the included shower, you attach that one instead).
We also activated the shower filter by running hot water through it for five minutes before we used it.
🔧 Maintenance
Score: 9.50We awarded the Slim-Line 2’s maintenance score based on two factors: its servicing requirements and how much it costs to maintain.
Servicing Requirements
9.00
Replacing the filters in this Sprite shower filter is another nice and easy process, involving four steps:
- First, we unscrewed the shower filter housing and removed the used filter cartridge.
- Next, we cleaned and lubricated the O-rings with petroleum jelly.
- We then inserted the new filter cartridge into the handle and screwed it onto the neck of our shower head.
Sprite recommends replacing the filters every 6 months or after 10,000 gallons of use. While there’s no easy way to track your water usage, you’ll know that the filter needs replacing when your water pressure decreases significantly.
Costs
Score: 10.00
The Slim-Line 2 is one of the most affordable shower filters upfront, but that doesn’t guarantee that changing the filters is equally as low-cost.
We calculated the ongoing filter replacement cost at just $0.002 per gallon, so there were no nasty surprises here: the filter is the most affordable upfront and among the most affordable to maintain on this list.
| Product | Upfront Cost | Replacement Filter Cost/ gal. |
|---|---|---|
| Shower Stick | $375.00 | $0.002 |
| Jolie | $165.00 | $0.012 |
| Canopy | $150.00 | $0.012 |
| Aquasana | $119.99 | $0.006 |
| Weddell | $89.99 | $0.003 |
| Hello Klean | $87.00 | $0.015 |
| Berkey | $60.00 | $0.003 |
| AquaBliss | $59.95 | $0.002 |
| Sprite | $35.00 | $0.002 |
🏢 Company
Score: 8.35Finally, we looked at Sprite’s warranty, shipping, and returns offerings to determine its reputability and reliability as a manufacturer.
Warranty
Score: 8.50
Sprite offers a 1-year warranty for its products—one of the better warranties we’ve seen for a shower filter.
Under the warranty (which is for the filter housing only), you’re entitled to a repair or replacement product if you discover design defects when using it under normal operating conditions. The warranty only applies if you register your water filter on the Sprite website within 15 days of your purchase.
Learn more about Sprite’s warranty here.
Shipping
Score: 8.00
Sprite’s shipping costs are variable, resulting in a score of 8.00 in this category. Shipping fees also depend on where you buy the filter (either on the Sprite website or through one of the company’s retailers and distributors.
Returns
Score: 8.50
Sprite also offers a returns policy, which varies depending on the state of the filter you’re returning:
- You can return an unused filter within 45 days of your purchase for a full refund. You’ll need to pay the return shipping costs.
- You won’t receive a refund for returning a used filter, but you will be eligible for replacement parts under the warranty if your filter is defective.
- When returning an item under warranty, Sprite will pay for the shipping label.
Sprite only offers refunds for water filters purchased on their own website, not through a third-party seller.
View Sprite’s returns and exchanges policy here.
💰 Value For Money
So, would we say that the Sprite Slim-Line 2 is good value for money? Our hesitant answer would be yes—as long as you manage your expectations.
This model was the second-highest scoring of the 9 shower filters we tested, Aside from its flimsy build, it performed well across the board, being one of the few filters in our testing to have an NSF performance certification for chlorine reduction, which corroborated the data from our own water quality analysis.
But chlorine reduction is really all this filter can do. So, if you’re also concerned about disinfection byproducts in your shower water, you’ll need to divert your focus to a filter that can address these, like the Weddell Duo. You’ll also need to invest in a point-of-entry water softener, or a water-softening shower filter like the ShowerStick, if you want to address hard water minerals too.
With a starting cost of less than $30 and a low ongoing maintenance spend, the Slim-Line 2 is one of the more affordable shower filters we tested. Many of its competitors cost two or even three times as much and deliver a virtually identical performance. So with that in mind, the value for money is definitely there.
We’d recommend the Slim-Line 2 to anyone who wants to buy a basic, fairly-priced water filter that removes chlorine and its associated odors.
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