Quick summary: Choosing the best whole-home water filtration system starts with identifying your specific water quality concerns.Whole-home filters treat water at every tap and are designed to target issues like chlorine, iron and sulfur odors, while advanced systems can address concerns like PFAS, arsenic or nitrates. The right system depends on your water test results, household needs and the contaminants you want to reduce.
For most drinking water concerns, a point-of-use filtration system installed at your kitchen sink is the best choice for your home. However, if you’re facing problems that impact every tap and shower — like unpleasant odors, tough-to-clean stains or concerning contaminant levels — you’ll want to consider a whole–home filtration system. That’s because they’re installed right at your water source, so they filter all the water that flows throughout your home.
How to choose the best water filter for your home depends on a number of factors, but the most important is what specific water quality issue you need to address. Unlike drinking water solutions (such as reverse osmosis systems), whole-home filters don’t typically address a broad range of contaminants. Instead, they are designed to tackle specific issues, like rotten-egg or chlorine smells and pH levels. Some more advanced systems are designed to address “forever chemicals” (PFAS), arsenic, nitrate or other more health-related concerns.
In this guide, we’ll help you determine the right option for your home by exploring:
- How whole–home filtration systems work
- What water problems these systems can solve
- Top factors to consider in choosing a system
- Whole–home filter recommendations
- How to get started
Choosing the right type of filtration
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s water, the top two filtration options you’ll want to consider are whole–home filtration and reverse osmosis drinking water filtration. The main differences between the two are where they’re installed and what they filter out. Here’s a look at each option:
Whole–home filtration systems
These systems are installed at your water line, so filtered water flows through every tap in your home. Because they’re filtering a large volume of water, they’re generally designed to address a specific concern or contaminant — like chlorine, iron or PFAS. They address that specific area but don’t provide comprehensive filtration for a wide variety of issues.
Choose whole–home filtration when:
- Your water problem impacts more than just your drinking water (like a foul smell).
- Your water quality is impacted by a contaminant that carries health concerns beyond consumption, like arsenic or nitrates.
Reverse osmosis drinking water filtration systems
Reverse osmosis systems are typically installed under your kitchen sink. They’re designed to provide comprehensive protection from a broad range of potential contaminants, providing drinking water that’s safer, cleaner and better tasting.
Choose reverse osmosis filtration when:
- You want to protect against many contaminants at once, including microplastics, lead, bacteria, viruses and more
- Your water quality is generally safe for cleaning and bathing
Because these two types of systems deliver different benefits, many homeowners pair them together for complete home filtration. Finding the best home water filtration system — or systems — for your needs and your budget can feel like a big task on your own, so it’s a good idea to consult with local experts. Your local Culligan team can help you get started with a free consultation and water test.
Get started: Find a location near you.
What problems can a whole-home filter solve?
Whole–home filters are ideal for solving two different types of issues. The first are noticeable and unpleasant water problems, such as:
- Foul odors: A rotten-egg smell may indicate the presence of sulfur bacteria, while a “swimming pool” smell is usually caused by chlorine.
- Metallic taste: High iron levels can make water taste metallic.
- Stains: Iron in water can also cause rust-colored stains on porcelain and elsewhere in your home.
Solving these problems can be a game-changer for your home’s water. Here’s how Miko D. from Ontario describes his experience as a new Culligan whole-home filter customer: “The difference in water quality is immediate — no more chlorine smell, and the water is crystal clear [….] It’s a solid investment in our home’s water quality.”
While some water quality issues are obvious, others can’t be seen, smelled or tasted — but are important to address with whole-home filtration because of their potential health risks. Examples include:
- Arsenic: Long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic in drinking water is linked to health issues such as diabetes and increased cancer risk.
- Nitrates: High nitrate levels can potentially cause “blue baby syndrome,” or methemoglobinemia (MetHb). Nitrate at lower levels may be associated with thyroid problems, adverse pregnancy outcomes and some cancers.
- PFAS: Exposure to certain levels of forever chemicals may lead to increased cancer risks, decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, reduced immune system function, increased cholesterol levels and more.
Key considerations when choosing a whole-home filter
For the best value, longevity and reliability, choose a water filtration brand you can trust. This impacts everything from the filtration system’s design and functionality to your system’s installation and ongoing service.
Third-party certification
This type of approval means that an outside regulatory agency, like the Water Quality Association (WQA), has evaluated a product against rigorous standards developed by trusted groups such as NSF/ANSI. Depending on the type of system you’re evaluating, look for these certifications for whole-home filters:
Best certifications for whole-home filters:
| NSF/ANSI 42 | This standard establishes requirements for addressing contaminants that cause aesthetic (taste, smell or visual) concerns, such as chlorine, iron, particulates and hydrogen sulfide. |
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| NSF/ANSI 53 | This standard covers health-related contaminants such as lead, certain types of PFAS (forever chemicals), arsenic, chromium and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). |
The best water filtration system brands put a lot of time and effort into meeting these criteria and typically include a regulator-approved performance data sheet in product owner’s guides explaining the certifications and details.
Cost
Cost is an important consideration when choosing a whole–home filter. While exact prices differ, the top factors contributing to pricing include capacity, certifications, functionality, durability and WiFi connectivity/smart features.
However, you should also consider the value you’re getting for that cost. For example, you’re treating water at every tap in your house without installing individual filters for each. If you choose smart features, you benefit from service alerts, remote monitoring and more. When you choose a certified system, you’re also getting a guarantee that it’s designed and tested to address the specific contaminant you’re aiming to address.
Choosing a high-quality whole–home filtration system can make an even bigger difference in your day-to-day life than you may realize. Here’s how Sydney H. in Nebraska describes the impact:
“I met a Sales Rep with Culligan as he was relocating a whole–home water system for one of our mutual clients as they moved into their new house. I was intrigued by the equipment being installed and hearing how big of a difference, not only the taste, but the smell of the water made during our client’s transition from their old home to the new while using the equipment vs. without.
I’ve always been worried about the quality of water coming directly from my tap, so I looked into their products further. They did a great job educating me on the different pieces of equipment, financing and purchase options, as well as reassuring I’d find peace of mind with the quality of the water for years to come. My husband and I are expecting our first baby, so having quality water is a definite priority for us. Will definitely be recommending Culligan to anyone looking for a whole–house water filtration system.”
Exploring the best whole-home filtration systems
The best place to start in choosing a whole-home filter for your home is to understand what water concerns you need to address. Testing your water is the best first step to ensure you’re not only understanding problems you can see, taste or smell, but also those you can’t. At Culligan, our most popular whole-home systems include:
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Water Filter
With this top-rated water filter system, you get customizable, advanced filtration designed to combat your specific water problems while easily monitoring your water usage and more with smart features. If you’re looking for the best well water filtration system, the Aquasential Smart High Efficiency Water Filter is a great choice, as it can be configured to address low pH (acidic water) or sediment, both common well water problems. It can also tackle chlorine, a common issue for homes using city water.
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Iron-Cleer® Water Filter
This system offers both smart features and a unique focus on iron reduction to treat metallic tastes and rust-like stains. It also has capabilities to address hydrogen sulfide. This solution has been tested and certified by the WQA against NSF/ANSI Standard 372 and NSF/ANSI Standard 42.
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Sulfur-Cleer® Water Filter
Another WiFi-connected smart system, the Smart HE Sulfur-Cleer water filter tackles both sulfur and iron, addressing everything from rotten-egg smells to foul tastes and stains through an advanced aeration process. And like all Culligan systems, it’s built to last, giving you comprehensive filtration for years to come.
Aquasential® Whole Home PFAS Water Filter
Culligan’s advanced whole–home PFAS filter is not only top–rated but also third-party certified to reduce Total PFAS throughout your home. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been found in North American water supplies and are linked to negative health effects. With this advanced, targeted filtration, you can gain added peace of mind.
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Arsenic Reduction Water Filter
As the only certified whole–house arsenic water filter on the market, our Arsenic Reduction Water Filter is the best home water filtration system for tackling this issue. It addresses potentially harmful arsenic levels so you can count on cleaner, safer water.* You’ll not only enjoy filtered water at every tap, but you can also access real-time water usage data and advanced system diagnostics that put you in charge of your water quality.
Aquasential® Smart High Efficiency Nitrate Reduction Conditioner
This system is the only WQA-certified whole–house nitrate water filter available today.** Its nitrate-selective resin is specifically designed to prevent the release of high levels of nitrate into your home’s water, which could otherwise cause potential health issues. Nitrate can’t be seen, tasted or smelled, but your Culligan experts can help identify if it’s a concern in your water through affordable lab testing.
Explore whole house filtration solutions.
Take the next step — schedule a free water test
To identify which specific water quality issues you’ll want to tackle, simply schedule a free water test and consultation with Culligan. We’ll test your home’s water for common issues and provide personalized recommendations based on your results and your concerns. If you need further testing, our IL EPA-certified lab has comprehensive capabilities.
Kris B. of Kansas had this to say about the experience: “Everyone is friendly and professional. The water test and short explanation of city procedures is very helpful. The time and effort saved is well worth it. I drink more water now … clean water makes a big difference in my day.”
Whole-home water filtration system FAQs
Find answers to common questions about whole-home water filtration systems, from installation timing to choosing the right solution for your home. Read these common questions to help you understand what to expect and how to make an informed decision based on your water needs.
How long does it take to install a whole–home water filtration system?
Timing can vary, but generally you can expect a typical water filtration system installation to last between two and four hours, depending on the system you chose, the configuration of your plumbing and other factors.
What’s the best type of whole–home water filtration system?
The best water filtration system for your home depends on the specific concerns and contaminants you want to address, as well as what you’re looking for in terms of system quality, durability and certifications. Whole-home systems are designed to target particular contaminants rather than address every possible issue at once.
For example:
- Carbon-based whole-home filters are often best for reducing chlorine taste and odor.
- Iron or sulfur reduction systems are best for metallic taste, rust-colored stains or rotten-egg odors.
- Advanced, purpose-built systems are best for more health-related concerns such as arsenic, nitrate or PFAS.
- Well water homes may also require solutions designed to address sediment or low pH.
That’s why we recommend starting with a free consultation with your Culligan water expert. They’re familiar with your local water supply and can recommend which of our top-rated water filtration systems is right for your home.
How do you choose the right whole-home water filtration system?
To determine the best type of whole house filtration, follow these steps:
| 1. Start with a professional water test: | Testing identifies both noticeable issues (odor, staining, taste) and contaminants that cannot be seen or smelled. |
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| 2. Define your primary goal | Are you addressing aesthetic concerns, protecting plumbing and appliances or addressing a health-related concern? |
| 3. Confirm third-party certification | Look for NSF/ANSI or WQA certifications that match the specific contaminant you want to reduce. |
| 4. Consider pairing solutions: | Many homeowners use a whole-home filter for targeted treatment, a water softener to protect against hard water, and a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive drinking water protection. |
A Culligan water expert can review your test results, explain your local water profile and recommend a system configured for your household’s specific needs.
Does a whole–home water filtration system preserve the value of my home?
It’s possible that a whole–home water filtration system could be seen as an upgraded feature of your home, adding to its overall value. In fact, smart home technology is highly sought after in today’s market, making our whole–home filters with smart technology and WiFi connectivity a good choice.
*Certified to NSF standard 53 for the reduction of up to 100 ppb of Type III and Type V arsenic.
**Certified to WQA ORD-2301 for reduction of nitrate as of 8/1/2023.