Best Whole House Water Filter For Well Water [Certified by Experts]

Imagine that you go to fill up a pot of water for your morning coffee only to find that it looks discolored. Or, perhaps you take a shower and later realize that your skin feels dry. You make your oatmeal only to discover that it doesn’t taste right, even though all you used were oats and water.

There are a few things that can make your water taste or smell bad. If your water comes from a well, a water filter can address issues such as:

Discolored water
Odorous water
Water stains on glassware
Feeling sick
Bad taste

By separating out contaminants and softening your water, you can enjoy your morning coffee, delicious oatmeal and smooth skin.

But it’s not always that easy.

After you install a water filter, you’ll need some patience. It may take time for the filter to take effect, but it can help you avoid the adverse effects of contaminated water.

Specific contaminants, like pesticides, can cause undesirable symptoms, like dizziness. Some common water problems can lead to diseases and other long-term health problems.

Whether you have bad tasting water or are dealing with impurities that don’t affect the taste, installing your whole house water filter system can improve the quality of your water.

But what is the best water filter? Which aspects of water filters deserve the most attention?


Editor’s ChoiceEditor’s ChoiceSpringwell ULTRA Whole House Filter	Water Flow: 9 – 20 GPM Efficiency: 99.96% Filtration Capacity: 1,000,000 Gallons	Check Price →
Pentair Pelican Whole House Filter	Water Flow: 10 – 15 GPM Efficiency: 99.6% Filtration Capacity: 650,885 – 1,301,770 Gallons	Check Price →
Best BudgetBest BudgetAquasana 500K Rhino Filter	Water Flow: 7 GPM Efficiency: 99.99% Filtration Capacity: 500,000 Gallons	Check Price →

Best Whole House Water Filtration Systems For Well

When it comes to a whole house water filtration system for well water, there are only a few models that we trust most.

1. Springwell ULTRA Whole House Well Water Filter System Combo

The ULTRA Whole House Well Water Filter System Combo is perfect for managing high levels of hydrogen sulfide, iron and manganese. It is a combination of a whole house well system and a carbon filtration system and water softener.

This system can remove contaminants from your water, and it can also keep calcium and limescale from building up in your plumbing. Because of that, you won’t have to worry about bringing in a plumber as often.

The filter system has free shipping, as well as a lifetime warranty and a satisfaction guarantee. It will clean your water and remove any odors and contaminants, and it will clean the current buildup of minerals.

You won’t need to worry about replacing the salt-free softener, and it’s easy to set up when you first get it. Also, the filter system maintains good water pressure, whether you choose a filter for 1-3 bathrooms or more.

The kit comes with everything you need, including a pre-filter housing and a sediment filter. You’ll also get a mounting bracket, bypass valves and a drain line. The kit even includes instructions so that you can install it yourself.

If you’re wondering what makes this the best whole house well water filtration system, consider that it uses multiple steps to clean your water. Instead of letting well water get into your house, it will treat the water from the start.

You can use the system to clean the water as it comes into your home. Each new step helps clean the water even more than the last.

It’s also relatively affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank to get a good whole house water filter system. Instead, you can take advantage of a financing program, and you can try the system for a few months. If it doesn’t seem to work for you, you can return it.

How It Works

The first step for the whole house water filtration system will remove contaminants like hydrogen sulfide and manganese from your well water. Each day, the system will create a backwash that can remove the contaminants as they build up, so they won’t clog up your pipes.

Next, the water will travel through a sediment pre-filter to catch larger particles, and another stage will remove harmful chemicals. A coconut shell carbon media (carbon filter) then removes chlorine, herbicides and pesticides. The last stage involves a channeling system to produce more contact time.

Finally, your water will go through the salt-free softener. It will condition your well water so that hard minerals don’t build up. Then, you can use your clean water for drinking, cooking, showering and more. So whether you don’t like the smell of your water or it just has a bad taste, you should consider the ULTRA combination filter system.

This system also has features that matter, such as superior water filtration, strong water pressure and water flow rate (9 to 20 gallons per minute flow rate), a well water filtration system designed specifically for this job, and a quality sediment filter. The system is also rate for a 1,000,000 gallon capacity for lifetime filtration.

2. Pentair Pelican Water Filter & Water Softener Alternative with Pro UV

Another excellent whole house water filtration system is the Pelican Water Filter & Water Softener Alternative with Pro UV. It can help improve the taste of your water as well as coffee or tea that you make.

The water can taste better than bottled water, so you can easily get great water at home. It can also help soften your skin and hair after you start taking showers with the filtered water.

This system is easy to install, and it doesn’t require a drain, plus it won’t waste well water as water goes through it. The water softener alternative helps treat and maintain your water, but it won’t use salt. It also won’t remove beneficial minerals, so you can still get the nutrients you need.

You can use the water from the filter and softener for your garden or for drinking water for your pets. The included Bacterial Static Media helps prevent bacterial growth in your water as well.

Finally, the UV Pro system can disinfect your water, and it can kill microbes and other contaminants that can harm your water supply. The UV light helps minimize other problems in your water, so you don’t have to worry about anything getting through. The sediment filter also removes larger particles.

Using such a whole house system can also help clear chlorine from well water, which can improve the taste. It can also affect how foods taste when you use water to cook them. And since chlorine can dry out your hair, showering with the filter system can help keep your hair from getting too dry.

You can get the filtration system for either 1-3 or 4-6 bathrooms, and both options are relatively affordable. Still, you can use financing to pay for the filter if you can’t afford to pay in full.

The tank for 1-3 bathrooms is 9 inches wide, and the system is 49.5 inches high. It uses 25-80 PSI (pounds per square inch) for the water pressure, and it operates with the water at 36 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, the larger tank is 11 inches wide and 59.5 inches high. The system has the same water pressure and temperature range as the smaller model with a good flow rate of 10-15 gallons per minute.

3. Aquasana Rhino Well Water Filter

The 500K Gallon Rhino from Aquasana is another fantastic whole house well filtration system. It is a high-performance water filter that can last a long time, and it can provide clean water to your entire home.

This system works specifically to combat contaminants like viruses and bacteria that come from wells. It can also eliminate organic chemicals, like pesticides, and certain heavy metals, which you might find in your private well water. It does this with a variety of components that you see in the picture below, including a sediment filter.

When it comes time to cook, you can use the filtered water to help with cooking times. The filtered water can also help with the flavor or your food. It will also help you maintain healthy hair and skin since the system filters out chemicals that can dry out your skin and hair.

The tank has an upflow dual tank design that allows for more contact time for the water. Having more contact time can increase the number of contaminants that the system can remove from your water supply.

This system is salt-free, so it can reduce current mineral buildup in your pipes, and it can prevent future buildup from occurring. The UV filtration step is optional, but it can eliminate chlorine, bacteria and viruses.

You can also opt for an installation kit, which makes it easy to set up the system yourself. The brass fittings are easy to install, and they don’t require a ton of maintenance.

Unlike other filters, this one has one model, regardless of how many bathrooms you have. It measures 57 inches high and 49 to 69 inches long, depending on if you get a water conditioner with your filter system.

Upgrading to the option with the conditioner can help improve the taste and quality of your water, but it does make the system more expensive. And whether you upgrade or not, the system will last for as long as it takes for you to use 500,000 gallons of water.

However, you will have to replace the filter after the first few months. You’ll then have to replace each subsequent filter so that the water filtration system can work efficiently for your well water. Also, the flow rate (7 gallons per minute flow rate) is decent, but the water pressure of this filtration system doesn’t match the other two reviewed here.

Water flow rate is decent, well but can be slow at times, so water pressure may not be great always
Filter lasts a long time
Gets rid of odors in the water, they have a good carbon filter
Easy to install the system
Good price for the value

Common Underground Water Contaminants

When you embark on your search for the best whole house water filtration system, consider some common underground contaminants. Understanding the contaminants is an essential step to improving the quality of your water.

You can find both organic and inorganic contaminants in your well water.

Organic Contaminants

Organic contaminants include carbon, hydrogen and other naturally occurring elements. Common organic contaminants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which commonly occur in plastics, inks, preservatives, dyes and more.

VOCs can cause cancer, skin irritation, exhaustion and gastrointestinal problems. They can also lead to blurry vision, anemia and liver damage.

Pesticides are another group of common organic contaminants, including insecticides and herbicides. They can lead to poisoning, dizziness, headaches and weakness. Pesticides can also damage your thyroid, kidneys and liver.

Inorganic Contaminants

Other contaminants are inorganic. However, some contaminants are natural elements, such as copper and fluoride. Copper can come off of metal plating, and it can damage your liver and kidneys, and high doses can lead to anemia.

Fluoride can be natural, and some cities will add it to their water supply. It can help avoid tooth decay, but too much can stain your teeth.

You might also find lead in your water, which can cause developmental problems in children. In adults, it can raise your blood pressure, and it might lead to cancer.

How Can A Whole House Filtration SystemTreat Your Well Water?

Your well water may contain heavy metals, chemicals or a bad smell. Choose a water filtration system that can most directly combat the issues you have.

As water enters your home, the whole house water filtration system will start working. Some systems take the water through multiple cleaning steps to eliminate larger particles as well as smaller contaminants.

Luckily, whole house filtration systems work well for small and large homes.

How to Choose a Filter

First, consider your situation. For example, you can choose a system with a sediment filter if you experience problems with larger particles. The sediment filter will catch these particles early in the filtration process and help the function of your whole house water filtration system.

If you have problems with hard water, a water softener can help. Water softeners help keep water from staining your glasses or drying out your skin. Be sure to pay attention to flow rate to protect your water pressure, as well.

How to Treat Well Water

Depending on the specific issue you have, there are a few ways you can treat well water as it enters your home. First, your water filter can help block chemicals and other contaminants from moving through the system.

Next, some filters use a water softener to reduce calcium and magnesium, which can make water hard. Softer water is typically better for your skin when showering, and it can taste better than hard water.

You can also use a UV filter to kill any harmful bacteria or viruses that get in your water. UV rays are a popular option for disinfecting water, but you can also use heat to kill certain pathogens.

Combining multiple methods can maximize the removal of contaminants from your well water.

Why Filter + Softener + UV Filter Is The Best Option

If you can’t decide between a traditional water filter, a salt-free softener and UV filtration, consider using them all.

By combining the different options in an overall filtration system, you can make sure that you take out as many impurities (like heavy metals) as possible. You can choose the water filter system that comes with a softener and UV filter, or you can get them separately.

Multiple Steps

As water enters your home, your whole house water filter should address any major impurities.

Some systems can eliminate sediment with a special filter (not 1 micron, 1 micron filters are for tiny objects like parasites and bacteria) and most systems will weed out smaller particles.

The filter is the most important step towards clean water because it can clear out pathogens and larger particles.

What if you still have problems with your water?

Some systems feature a water softener to soften the water. While it’s not always necessary, softening your water can make your pipes and appliances last longer. Softer water also won’t leave as many stains on your glasses or dry out your skin in the shower.

Finally, a UV filter can use ultraviolet rays to kill viruses and bacteria. It can help eliminate the smallest particles that can make it through your whole house water filter, and it can catch anything that the filter missed.

Variety of Options

Variety can provide additional peace of mind. Putting your water through multiple water filtration and cleaning steps can help reduce more particles and pathogens for optimal water output. Some filters might miss impurities, so a UV filter can be a great back-up tool.

Pre-Purchase Considerations

First, determine your budget, why you need a filter, and where you’ll install it.

Don’t rush to buy the first whole house water filter system that you see. Not all houses are the same, and not all water needs are the same. Think about why you want or need the filter and how you plan to use it.

Where You Live

Before you buy a water filter, you should make sure it will be compatible in your home. A smaller home generally won’t require a large system.

You should also know what contaminants are common in your area so that you can find a filter to combat them.

Why You Need a Filter

If you have water that tastes or smells bad, a water filter can fix the issue. The right filter can also keep various contaminants from getting into your water. A carbon filter is one of the most popular items for great drinking water. The carbon filter will remove contaminates and provide crisp and fresh water with great taste.

Perhaps you live in an area known for lead or arsenic in the water (or other heavy metals). In that case, you’ll need a filter system that can eliminate those compounds.

If you’re interested in water filtration because you’ve recently developed health problems or had a procedure, you should always consult your doctor. A doctor can recommend a more specific filter, or they can point you in the right direction so that you can be safe when drinking and using your water after filtering it.

If you have hard water, you should look for a filter system that includes a water softener. Hard water isn’t necessarily harmful, but it is inconvenient.

Whatever reason you have, make sure you prioritize it when shopping for the best whole house water filtration for well water. You don’t want to invest in a filter system only to find that it doesn’t fix your problem.

How You’ll Install It

Some whole house water filter systems are easy to install, while others aren’t. In some cases, you’ll get all of the tools you need to install the system yourself. But you may need to purchase an installation kit separately.

If the water filter is more complex, you may need to hire a plumber to set it up for you.

How Much You Can Spend

Another point of emphasis when looking at whole house water filters is your budget. Some water filters cost under $1,000 while others can come close to $5,000 like some Home Master products. While Home Master has good products (such as the Home Master hmf3sdgfec), we didn’t include them in this focused round up of the very best due to Home Master cost and other factors. In general, prices will vary significantly depending on several factors.

A payment plan may not be ideal, but it might help you get the right filter for you if you’re on a tight budget.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

The specific maintenance tasks that you’ll need to perform will depend on the whole house water filtration system that you choose. You’ll have to replace the filter every few months so that the system can continue to work.

If you let the filter go too long, contaminants may enter your water supply.

Make sure that you know what water filters your system utilizes and how often you should replace them. To prepare, you can set a reminder in your calendar to change your filters.

You should keep any instructions on hand for when you have to replace the filters. If your water filter system has an automatic backwashing filter, you shouldn’t need to perform much maintenance.

If you use a UV light as part of your water filter system, you should make sure that it is always working properly. If the light begins to dim, you’ll need to replace it so that it can keep functioning optimally.

You may also want to record the phone number for the company that made your filter system as well as the number for a local plumber.

Frequently Asked Questions

To decide on the best whole house water filtration system for well water, you should arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible.

Consider a few common questions before you choose the right water filter for you.

How Do Contaminants Get Into Well Water?

The way contaminants get into your well water depends on the contaminant. Elements like arsenic can show up naturally in your water supply.

If a nearby sewer overflows, the sewage can get into your water, and the same is true if a nearby water treatment plant has problems.

Live near a farm? Livestock waste and pesticides can run off from the farm’s water and into your well.

Do You Need to Test Your Water to Get a Filter?

You don’t need to test your water before you get a filter for it, but it can help. Testing your water can tell you which contaminants you have.

If you know what’s getting into your water, you can look for a water filter that can separate out the pollutants.

Are Whole House Water Filters the Best?

It can be hard to determine if the whole house water filter is the best option for everyone. Depending on your well water and the current state of it, you may need something that is more or less complex.

If you need a system that can filter out particles, soften water and remove pathogens, a traditional water filter is probably your best bet. Some of these systems have the three components that you need to clean and purify your water. One of these is a carbon filter that uses activated carbon. The activated carbon element is what helps to clean up the taste and freshness of the water. If you’re picky about your water quality, be sure to look for a carbon filter with activated carbon in water whole house system.

But if you just need a standard water filter, a whole house system may be overwhelming. Luckily, there are some more straightforward whole house systems that work well but don’t require as much setup or maintenance.

Are They Perfect?

While it would be great to say that the whole house water filter you get will be perfect, you should temper your expectations. Its effectiveness can and will depend on the water quality that comes into your house and the different parts of your filtration system.

How Can You Tell If a Filter Is Good?

You can search the NSF database to see what a certain water filter can protect against. The filter you choose may not be perfect, but NSF-certification is a good sign that the filter is suitable. You’ll find that the products we recommend will typically be looked at as the very best in the industry and hold appropriate certifications. SpringWell, Home Master (like the Home Master hmf3sdgfec), and other top manufacturers utilize NSF certified components in their designs.

How Often Should You Change the Filter?

The easiest way to know when to change a filter is based on the service cycle. For some filters, the service cycle is a set length of time. But for others, it will depend on how many gallons pass through it. Check your owner’s manual to figure out the service cycle for the filter you choose to keep your water quality high.

Can You Install It?

In most cases, you can install your whole house water filtration system. Some systems come with a kit that has all of the tools you’ll need, while some systems will sell the tools separately. If that’s the case, it’s not a bad idea to get the recommended kit so that your tools will be compatible with the system. Whatever you do, take it slowly so that you install the system correctly.