Lecture on Testing and Ranking Shower Water Filters

Introduction

• Tested 10 popular shower water filters.
• Ranked from best to worst using a data-driven scoring system.
• Evaluated based on six key performance data points with contaminant reduction as the most important.

Key Contaminants Analyzed

• Chlorine: Widely used disinfectant in water treatment. Causes dryness and brittle hair.
• Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs): Result from chlorine interacting with organic matter. Linked to health issues like cancer. Absorbed through skin or inhaled.
• Water Hardness: Composed of calcium and magnesium. Can cause dryness and irritation.

Additional Evaluation Criteria

• Filtration rate, design quality, ease of setup and maintenance.
• Ongoing costs and company policies.

Testing Methodology

• Used Simple Lab Tap Score products.
• Baseline unfiltered water tests conducted.
• Tested with cold water for more accurate DBP data.

Results and Rankings

Last Place: Shower Stick

• Overall score: 7.37
• Strengths: Reduced water hardness to nearly zero, fast filtration rate.
• Weaknesses: Poor DBP reduction, increased lead concentration, complex setup, not certified.

9th: AquaSana Shower Filter

• Overall score: 7.86
• Strengths: Reduced DBPs by 73%, easy setup, high maintenance score.
• Weaknesses: Increased copper and zinc, no chlorine reduction certification.

8th: Jolie Filtered Shower Head

• Overall score: 8.23
• Strengths: 100% chlorine reduction, easy setup and maintenance.
• Weaknesses: No DBP or hardness reduction, not certified, expensive.

7th: Canopy Filtered Shower Head

• Overall score: 8.25
• Similar issues as Jolie. Increased lead concentration.

6th: AquaBliss SF100

• Overall score: 8.25
• Strengths: Affordable, easy setup.
• Weaknesses: Did not eliminate chlorine, misleading mineral claims.

5th: Hello Clean

• Overall score: 8.31
• Strengths: Durable design, easy setup.
• Weaknesses: No reduction in DBPs or hardness, most expensive ongoing cost.

4th: Berky/Sprite Filter

• Overall score: 8.36
• Strengths: Eliminated chlorine, NSF certified.
• Weaknesses: Did not address DBPs or hardness.

3rd: Sprite Slim Line 2

• Overall score: 8.35
• Strengths: Affordable, NSF certified.
• Weaknesses: Did not address DBPs or hardness, increased zinc.

2nd: WEDO Duo

• Overall score: 8.73
• Strengths: Eliminates chlorine and DBPs, easy maintenance.
• Weaknesses: Minimal effect on hardness.

Recommendations

• Best for DBPs: WEDO Duo.
• Best for Water Hardness: Shower Stick (though not effective against DBPs).

Conclusion

• Most filters did not effectively address DBPs or hardness.
• Importance of testing water to identify specific needs.
• Recommendation against manufacturers' misleading claims.

• Next Steps: Consider watching the next video on drinking water filters.