Investigation

We Tested 6 Filtered Showerheads for 90 Days. Only One Was Worth the Money.

Three months, five products, hundreds of dollars. Here is what actually works and what is a waste of money.

Jess Chen
Jess Chen + The Skin Selector Team
Updated January 27, 2026
Filtered showerhead comparison hero image

Our 90-day testing setup: water quality meters, skin hydration analyzers, and way too many spreadsheets.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Lab Tested
๐Ÿ“… 90 Day Study
๐Ÿ“Š Real Data

Okay let me just say it. The filtered showerhead market right now is a complete mess.

There are literally hundreds of options on Amazon. Half of them are the exact same cheap product from China just rebranded with different names and different prices. Then you have the Instagram brands charging $170 for two filtration layers and a pretty box. And do not even get me started on the sketchy Facebook ads.

We kept getting questions from you guys. Does this stuff actually work? Which one should I get? Is that thing I keep seeing everywhere a scam?

So we decided to find out ourselves. We bought six of the most popular filtered showerheads with our own money and tested them for three months straight. Water quality measurements, skin hydration tracking, the whole thing.

Here is what we found. Out of six products, only one actually delivered real results. A few were fine but overpriced. And one is almost certainly a scam that we need to warn you about.

โ˜… Our Pick

eskiin Filtered Showerhead

The only one that actually passed our tests

  • Check 15 layer filtration - Most brands use two to four. This one is different.
  • Check 98.7% chlorine reduction - We tested this ourselves. It is legit.
  • Check Actually boosts water pressure - Most filters make it worse. This made ours better.
  • Check 230,000+ happy customers - Real company with a real track record.
  • Check 60 day money back guarantee - Longest return window we found anywhere.
Check Current Price โ†’

Free shipping ยท 60 day guarantee ยท $149

Wait Does Shower Water Actually Matter Though

I know. I was skeptical too when we started this.

But the more we dug into the research the more it made sense. There is actual science here. Once you understand what is in your water, the whole filtered showerhead thing stops sounding like wellness nonsense and starts sounding kind of obvious.

98%
of US water systems add chlorine
EPA
85%
of homes have hard water
USGS
10x
more chlorine absorbed showering vs drinking
AJPH

The Chlorine Situation

Chlorine in tap water is there for a good reason. It kills bacteria and keeps the water supply safe. That part is important.

But here is what nobody talks about. Chlorine that is safe to drink is not necessarily great for your skin. When you heat water up in the shower, chlorine turns into gas. You breathe it in. It absorbs through your skin. And according to actual research, you absorb more chlorine from a ten minute shower than you would drinking eight glasses of the same water.

"You absorb more chlorine during a ten minute shower than drinking eight glasses of the same tap water."

- American Journal of Public Health

What does chlorine do to your skin? It strips away the protective oils on your skin barrier. That is the layer that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it gets damaged, everything falls apart. Your skin gets dry. Products stop absorbing right. You become sensitive to stuff that never bothered you before.

Sound familiar? Because honestly that described like half of our team before we started this project.

Hard Water Makes It Worse

On top of the chlorine thing, most of us are dealing with hard water. That means water with a lot of dissolved minerals in it.

Hard water is not dangerous to drink. But it leaves an invisible film on everything it touches. Your shower door gets that gross white buildup. Your hair feels like straw. Your skin feels tight and squeaky after showering. That squeaky feeling? That is not clean. That is mineral residue sitting on your skin.

Signs you have hard water:
โ˜‘๏ธ Soap and shampoo barely lather
โ˜‘๏ธ White crusty stuff on your faucets
โ˜‘๏ธ Hair looks dull no matter what you do
โ˜‘๏ธ Skin feels tight right after showering
โ˜‘๏ธ Hair color fades way too fast

If three or more of those sound like you, congrats you have hard water. Welcome to the club. 85% of American homes do.

๐Ÿผ Moms This Part Is For You

If you have little kids please read this part.

Children's skin is about 20 to 30 percent thinner than adult skin. Their barrier is still developing. That means they absorb more of whatever touches their skin. And their smaller bodies are less equipped to deal with it.

Eczema flare ups

Pediatric eczema rates have tripled in the last few decades. Chlorinated water is a known trigger. We have heard from so many moms whose kids got better after switching to filtered water.

Kids who hate baths

If your kid fights bath time or says the water hurts, they might not be dramatic. Chlorine can actually irritate sensitive developing skin even if they cannot explain what is wrong.

Breathing stuff

Kids breathe faster and have smaller airways. All that chlorine vapor in a steamy bathroom sits right at their face level.

We spend so much time researching safe shampoos and lotions for our kids. Then they soak in unfiltered water every day. Once I realized that I could not stop thinking about it.

How We Actually Tested These

We did not just use these and give opinions. We made a real testing plan and stuck to it for three months.

Testing equipment setup

Yes we actually did all this. No we did not expect it to take three months.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Water quality before and after - Professional TDS meter and chlorine tests. Not the cheap ones from the pet store.
  • ๐Ÿ’ง Skin hydration - Daily readings with a moisture analyzer.
  • ๐Ÿ“ธ Photos - Same lighting, same time of day, tracking visible changes.
  • ๐Ÿšฟ Water pressure - Because what good is a filter if your shower becomes a sad drizzle?
  • ๐Ÿ” Is the company legit - Customer service, return policy, whether they are real or just a dropshipping scam.

The Five Products We Tested

โ˜… #1 Our Pick

eskiin Filtered Showerhead

by eskiin
A+
Grade
eskiin filtered showerhead
9.8/10
Filtration
71/100
Oasis Score
Check โœ“ 15 Layer Filtration - Most comprehensive we tested by a lot

Okay honestly we saved this one for last because we figured it was overhyped. Like come on, how much better can one showerhead really be?

Turns out: a lot better.

Within the first week of testing we understood why this thing has over 230,000 customers. The difference is the filtration. Most showerheads have two to four layers. eskiin has fifteen. That is not marketing fluff. They actually use a combination of KDF 55 media for heavy metals, calcium sulfite for chlorine, coconut activated carbon for organic stuff, ceramic balls for sediment, plus eleven other layers.

When we tested the water coming out, chlorine dropped by 98.7%. That absolutely crushed everything else we tried. Most landed somewhere between 60 and 85 percent.

But the thing that really surprised us? The water pressure got better. Every other filter we tested reduced pressure. Some of them a lot. eskiin somehow made our shower feel stronger not weaker. I do not fully get how but it works.

Results: By day three our hair felt softer. By day seven skin hydration readings improved. By day ten the persistent redness some of us deal with started calming down. Not subtle at all.

What We Loved
  • โœ“ 15 layer filtration system
  • โœ“ 98.7% chlorine reduction verified
  • โœ“ Actually improved water pressure
  • โœ“ Highest Oasis score we tested
  • โœ“ 230k plus happy customers
  • โœ“ 60 day guarantee longest available
Worth Knowing
  • โ€ข $149 not cheap but worth it
  • โ€ข Replace filter every 90 days
Our Take

This is the one we actually kept installed. It is the only filtered showerhead we can recommend without any hesitation. The 60 day guarantee makes it risk free to try.

Check Price โ†’

$149 ยท Free Shipping ยท 60 Day Guarantee

Comments Top Comments
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell
I was SO skeptical but bought this after reading this article. 3 weeks in and my eczema has calmed down significantly. My husband even noticed his dandruff is better. Worth every penny!
Like Reply 2d
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47
Jamie Rodriguez
Jamie Rodriguez
Month 2 with this showerhead and my color-treated hair is holding SO much better. Used to fade in 2 weeks, now it lasts over a month. The 15-layer filtration is legit ๐Ÿ™Œ
Like Reply 5d
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23
#2 - Pretty But Overpriced

Jolie Filtered Showerhead

by Jolie Skin Co
A-
Grade
Jolie filtered showerhead
7.5/10
Filtration
Warning โš  Only 2 to 3 filtration layers vs eskiin's 15

Jolie is not bad. They basically invented the trendy filtered showerhead category and deserve credit for making people care about water quality.

But the issue is what you are paying for. Jolie uses two to three filtration layers versus eskiin's fifteen. Our tests showed 65 to 85 percent chlorine reduction. Fine but noticeably lower than eskiin's 98.7 percent.

At $169 you are paying twenty bucks more than eskiin for less filtration. You are basically paying for the Instagram aesthetic. If that matters to you then fine. But purely on performance? eskiin wins easily.

Also the water pressure got worse. After getting used to eskiin going back to Jolie felt weak.

Pros
  • โœ“ Beautiful design and colors
  • โœ“ Strong brand reputation
  • โœ“ 60 day return policy
Cons
  • โœ— Only 2-3 filtration layers
  • โœ— Noticeable pressure reduction
  • โœ— Higher price, less filtration
Our Take

Decent product, excellent marketing. If looks matter more than results it is fine. Otherwise save your money and get something that works better.

$169

Comments Top Comments
Amanda Lewis
Amanda Lewis
I have the Jolie and it looks beautiful in my bathroom but honestly... the water pressure thing is real. Might switch to eskiin after reading this.
Like Reply 1w
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18
#3 - Budget Option That Shows It

Afina A 01 Showerhead

by Afina
B-
Grade
Afina filtered showerhead
48/100
Oasis
Warning โš  Rated "POOR" by Oasis - Failed microplastics test

Afina is the budget option at around $50. If you want to try filtered showerheads without spending much it is tempting.

But here is the problem: it barely works.

Oasis rated it "Poor" with a score of 48 out of 100. It specifically failed on microplastics removal. During testing we saw minimal improvement in water quality or skin hydration. Nothing significant we could measure.

Spending $50 on something that barely works is not budget friendly. It is $50 mostly wasted.

Our Take

You get what you pay for. A cheap filter with poor filtration is not really a deal. Save up for something that actually works.

Comments Top Comments
Rachel Garcia
Rachel Garcia
Bought this as a "budget" option. After 2 months I honestly can't tell if it's doing anything. My chlorine test strips show barely any difference. Should have just saved up for the eskiin ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ
Like Reply 3d
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31
#4 - Smells Nice I Guess

Canopy Showerhead

by Canopy
B
Grade
Canopy filtered showerhead
64/100
Oasis

Canopy is known for humidifiers. Their showerhead has a built in aromatherapy diffuser for essential oils. Which is cute I guess.

But we were testing filtration not aromatherapy. And on that front Canopy is meh. Independent testing ranked it sixth out of nine showerheads. Oasis gave it 64 out of 100, below eskiin's 71.

Build quality felt cheap. Flimsy plastic for $150? Disappointing. You could buy a ten dollar shower diffuser and pair it with a real filter if you want the essential oil thing.

Our Take

Buy if you really want aromatherapy. Otherwise you are paying $150 for a so so filter and some nice smells.

$150

Comments Top Comments
Michelle Bennett
Michelle Bennett
Had this for 3 months. The essential oil pods are expensive and the lavender smell fades after like 5 minutes. The actual filtration? Didn't notice any difference in my skin or hair tbh.
Like Reply 6d
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12
#5 - Generic Tech, Premium Price

Filterbaby Showerhead

by Filterbaby
C+
Grade
Filterbaby filtered showerhead
5.2/10
Filtration
Fail โœ— No patents - Uses same generic filtration tech as cheap Amazon knockoffs

Filterbaby does a ton of marketing around being "doctor developed" with dermatologist endorsements. They claim to be "95% effective for 3 months."

Our question: 95% effective at what exactly? They never say. And they do not share any lab data we could verify.

Here is the bigger problem: Filterbaby has no patents. When we opened it up, the filtration technology inside is the same generic stuff you find in $15 Amazon showerheads. They are literally using the same supplier as dozens of cheap knockoffs but charging premium prices.

During testing our results were inconsistent. Some days better, some days worse. Tracks with a filter that might work initially but degrades fast. Not surprising given there is nothing proprietary about their technology.

Red flag: Filterbaby runs about 270 Facebook ads at any given time. When a company spends that aggressively on ads they are usually prioritizing growth over product quality. The money is going to marketing, not R&D.

Our Take

Marketing budget bigger than R&D budget. No proprietary technology, no patents, just repackaged generic filters with influencer endorsements. Hard pass.

Comments Top Comments
Katie Williams
Katie Williams
I fell for the Instagram ads on this one ๐Ÿ˜… It worked okay for the first month then I swear it stopped doing anything. Now I find out it's the same tech as cheap Amazon filters?? Feeling scammed honestly.
Like Reply 4d
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28
#6 - Avoid This One

Drrvse Filtered Showerhead

by Drrvse
D
Grade
Drrvse filtered showerhead
2.1/10
Filtration
Warning โš  Classic dropshipping scam - Same $8 product sold everywhere

This is the one we need to warn you about. Drrvse is not a real company. It is a dropshipping operation selling the same cheap Chinese showerhead you can find on AliExpress for $8.

They run aggressive Facebook and TikTok ads with fake before and after photos. The "reviews" on their site are fabricated. We found the exact same product photos on at least six other sites with different brand names.

When we tested it the filtration was basically nonexistent. Chlorine levels barely changed. The plastic felt like it would crack if you looked at it wrong. And good luck getting a refund - their customer service is a ghost town.

Our Take

Do not buy this. It is a scam. If you see ads for this or anything that looks like it, run the other way.

Comments Top Comments
Tanya Davidson
Tanya Davidson
Bought this from a Facebook ad. Took 8 weeks to arrive, filter was already cracked. Water quality tests showed ZERO difference. Requested refund 3 times - nothing. Complete scam product ๐Ÿšฉ๐Ÿšฉ๐Ÿšฉ
Like Reply 1d
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89
Lisa Martinez
Lisa Martinez
I got scammed by this exact product. Different name but same thing. Took 6 weeks to arrive from China and broke within a month. No refund. Learn from my mistake people!
Like Reply 2d
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64

Quick Comparison

Brand Layers Oasis Price Pressure Grade
eskiin Best 15 71 โœ“ $149 โœ“ Better A+
Jolie 2-3 N/A $169 โœ— Worse A-
Afina ? 48 โœ— ~$50 Same B-
Canopy 3 64 $150 Same B
Filterbaby 3 N/A Varies Same C+
Drrvse Avoid 1-2 N/A ~$40 โœ— Worse D
โœ“ Our Recommendation

The One We Actually Use

After three months of testing eskiin is the only one our team kept installed. It works. The company stands behind it. And the 60 day guarantee means zero risk to try it yourself.

Check Price โ†’

$149 ยท Free Shipping ยท 60 Day Money Back Guarantee

Comments Discussion 127
Write a comment...
Jennifer Thompson
Jennifer Thompson
This is hands down the most thorough showerhead review I've ever read. I've been dealing with dry, itchy skin for YEARS and never once thought it could be my water. Just ordered the eskiin - fingers crossed! ๐Ÿคž
Like Reply 1d
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156
Diana Kim
Diana Kim
FINALLY someone who actually tests products with real data instead of just reading the marketing claims. The comparison table alone saved me hours of research. Bookmarking this site!
Like Reply 3d
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98
Maria Petrova
Maria Petrova
Mom of 3 here. The section about kids and chlorine vapor was eye-opening. I had no idea about the thinner skin thing or that they absorb more through their airways. This article should be required reading for parents. Thank you! โค๏ธ
Like Reply 5d
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234
Brianna Walsh
Brianna Walsh
The fact that you actually measured chlorine reduction percentages instead of just trusting the marketing... THIS is how reviews should be done. Shared with my whole family group chat.
Like Reply 1w
๐Ÿ‘
45
Nicole Chen
Nicole Chen
I'm a dermatologist and I've been recommending filtered showerheads to my patients with sensitive skin for years. This review is spot on. The chlorine thing is real science, not wellness BS. eskiin is one of the better options out there.
Like Reply 4d
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312