Bath filter tests find easy setup, but results may depend on use
NBC Select tested two bath filters and consulted experts on what they can and cannot remove from tub water.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
Bath filters are being sold as an easy way to reduce chlorine, odors, sediment and some minerals in tub water, and NBC Select found two models simple to attach at home. The testing also found no clear changes to hair or skin after more than a month, a reminder that buyers should weigh claims, replacement costs and third-party testing before purchasing.
Bath filters are point-of-use devices, meaning they treat water at the fixture where it comes out, according to Deon Marecheau, a Thumbtack pro and owner of Antillean Restoration. Marecheau told NBC Select that water passes through filter media inside the device, which can trap or reduce impurities before the water enters the tub.
Tap water is safe to use, but it may contain chlorine, chloramine and hard water minerals, according to NBC Select. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says chlorine or chloramine is commonly used in small amounts to disinfect drinking water.
What the tests found
NBC Select’s Zoe Malin tested bath filters for more than a month using courtesy samples from brands. She installed each filter in her apartment bathroom, filled the tub several times with warm water and checked installation, water flow, replacement steps and any effects on hair or skin.
Malin reported that the filters she recommended did not noticeably slow the water coming from her tub spout. She also said she had not seen a clear difference in her hair or skin, while noting that she does not take baths every day.
Her two recommended models were the Canopy Bath Tub Filter and the Tru Bath Water Filter. NBC Select said both brands either post third-party testing data or provided it when asked.
Two models highlighted
The Canopy Bath Tub Filter was named NBC Select’s pick for families. According to NBC Select, it uses activated carbon, calcium sulfite and copper-zinc media, has a 90-day filter life and comes in six finishes.
The Canopy model covers the full tub spout with a soft silicone exterior, which NBC Select said may help protect children from hitting a metal fixture. It also has a temperature indicator that turns red when the water is too hot, according to the review. NBC Select listed the price at $89 at Amazon and Canopy and $69.99 at Target, with replacement filters costing $37 each or $26 with a subscription.
The Tru Bath Water Filter was described by NBC Select as better for occasional use. The device hangs from the spout and can be removed after the tub is filled, according to the review.
NBC Select said the Tru filter uses a 12-stage system that includes sand, stainless steel mesh, cotton, calcium sulfite, redox and activated carbon. The filter lasts for 30 baths, replacement filters cost $19.99 and the unit was listed at $27.99, down from $29.99, at Tru Water Filters and USA Berkey Filters.
What experts say
Dr. Dendy Engelman, a double board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue, told NBC Select that bath filters can help reduce exposure to impurities that may dry or irritate skin. Engelman said people with sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis or rosacea may see the greatest benefit.
Engelman also told NBC Select that chlorine, chloramine and minerals can affect hair and scalp by leaving residue, contributing to buildup and making hair feel dull, brittle or weighed down. She said filters may be especially useful for color-treated, chemically treated or curly hair.
For babies and children, Engelman said reducing exposure to chlorine, chloramine and hard water minerals can help lower irritation risk because their skin is more delicate. She also recommended lukewarm water, gentle fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizing right after bathing, according to NBC Select.
Marecheau told NBC Select that bath filters should not be confused with water softeners. He said softening hard water requires an ion-exchange process that basic bath filters do not perform, though some filters can reduce the presence of certain minerals depending on their media.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.