Aquasana Whole House Water Filter: My Honest Review
Water is one of those things we all rely on daily, whether it’s for drinking, cooking, cleaning, or even just taking a shower. Over time, I’ve come to realize how much water affects everything—from the taste of my morning coffee to how my skin feels after a nice, hot shower. It’s incredible how something so essential can have such a big impact on our daily lives.
So, after doing a lot of research and experimenting with different options, we finally decided to install the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter in our home. I’m excited to share my experience with it and how it’s truly transformed the way we use and enjoy clean water every day.
What is the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter?
The Aquasana Whole House Water Filter is all about improving the water quality in your home. Whether you're getting your water from a municipal supply or a well, this system removes harmful contaminants, leaving you with cleaner, better-tasting water throughout the house. From the water you drink and cook with, to the water you shower in, it handles it all.
What really sets Aquasana apart is how it goes beyond just removing the usual suspects like chlorine and lead. Unlike many other filters that strip away healthy minerals, Aquasana leaves those in, ensuring that every drop of water you use is not only safe but still packed with the minerals your body needs. This system filters the water for your whole house, making sure all of your water is clean, safe, and delicious.
How Does the Aquasana Water Filter Work?
The Aquasana system uses a multi-stage filtration process to eliminate harmful substances from your water supply. Depending on the system you choose, it can include a sediment filter, carbon filter, reverse osmosis filters, and even a UV light for sterilizing bacteria and viruses. Here’s a breakdown of the filtration stages:
Sediment Filter – The sediment filter acts as the first line of defense, capturing larger particulate matter. This includes not only visible elements like sand, silt, and rust flakes from aging pipes but also sediment from well water and even fine debris that can cloud your water and potentially damage later filter stages.
Carbon Filter – The carbon filter employs activated carbon, a material with a vast surface area that effectively adsorbs various impurities. This stage is crucial for removing chlorine and chloramine (disinfectants that can affect taste and odor), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and trihalomethanes (THMs), pesticides and herbicides from agricultural runoff, and pharmaceutical residues that may be present in water supplies. This significantly improves the taste and smell of your water.
Reverse Osmosis Filters – The reverse osmosis (RO) filters utilize a semi-permeable membrane to filter out an incredibly wide range of contaminants at a molecular level. This includes heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury, dissolved inorganic solids such as fluoride, nitrates, and sulfates, microplastics, and even certain bacteria and viruses that may be too small for standard filters. The RO stage provides a very high level of purification.
UV Light (Optional) – The optional UV light acts as a powerful disinfectant. It emits ultraviolet radiation that damages the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and cysts like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, rendering them harmless. This stage is particularly beneficial for those using well water or concerned about potential microbial contamination in their municipal supply.
Mineral Filter – The final mineral filter reintroduces beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium that may have been removed during the filtration process, particularly by the reverse osmosis stage. This not only improves the taste of the purified water but also ensures you're still getting these essential nutrients in your drinking water.
What Are the Pros of the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter?
Now, let’s talk about the pros of this system, because there are quite a few that made me fall in love with it.
Improved Water Quality for the Entire House – The most obvious benefit of installing the Aquasana whole house water filter system is that it provides clean water to every faucet in your house. Whether you’re drinking water from the kitchen tap, taking a shower, or washing dishes, you can be confident that you’re using water that’s free from harmful chemicals and contaminants. This is an excellent choice for families who are concerned about family’s health and want to improve their water quality across the board.
Better-Tasting Water – One of the immediate changes I noticed after installing the system was the taste of the water. Before, our tap water had a slightly metallic taste due to the presence of heavy metals like lead and chlorine. After the installation, our water tasted great—finally, some truly great tasting water! It’s much fresher and cleaner, and I no longer feel the need to buy water bottles or use a pitcher filter. It’s like having bottled water right from the tap.
Effective Contaminant Removal – The Aquasana system is highly effective in removing a wide variety of specific contaminants, such as chlorine, lead, pesticides, herbicides, and even fluoride. For example, the reverse osmosis system can remove arsenic, microplastics, and industrial solvents, which are concerning contaminants found in municipal water. This offers a high level of protection for your health and your family’s health, ensuring you're drinking water that’s safe from harmful chemicals.
UV Filter for Extra Peace of Mind – We added the UV light to our system, and I’m glad we did. It sterilizes 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, which is important for peace of mind, especially if you’re concerned about the safety of your water supply. This extra layer of protection makes this system stand out from others that don’t offer this feature.
Long-Lasting and Low Maintenance – Aquasana's whole home water filters are built to last. The filters are rated for up to 1,000,000 gallons of water, or about 10 years of use, depending on your household’s water usage. The replacement filters are easy to replace, and you don’t have to worry about frequent filter changes. This is an ideal solution for people who want a long-term filtration system without the hassle of constant maintenance.
No Salt, No Chemicals – Aquasana’s Salt-Free Water Conditioner is a unique feature that helps prevent scale buildup on pipes and plumbing. Unlike traditional water softeners that use salt, this system uses a natural process to protect your plumbing without the need for chemicals or salt. It’s a safer option for your home and the environment.
If you’re looking for a system that handles both filtering and softening, the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter with Water Softener is a great option. It combines clean water with reduced scale buildup—ideal for homes with hard water.
7. Saves Money and Helps the Environment – A whole house filtration system not only provides clean water directly from the tap, eliminating the need to purchase gallons of water, but it also contributes to reducing plastic waste. By relying on filtered water instead of bottled water, you can save money while doing your part to protect the environment.
Which Aquasana System Is Right for You?
Here’s a quick look at the three Aquasana systems I recommend most—from whole-home coverage to under-sink convenience. These are all systems I’ve personally used or researched deeply, and I’d recommend them to anyone looking to upgrade their water quality.
1. Aquasana Whole House Max Flow
Best for: Families who want clean, filtered water from every tap in the house.
Filters all the water in your home—perfect for showers, laundry, cooking, and drinking.
Best for: Homes with hard water that need both filtration and softening.
Removes contaminants and reduces scale build-up—no salt required.
Best for: Apartment living or anyone who wants ultra-purified drinking water.
Compact and powerful—delivers the cleanest, best-tasting water straight to your kitchen tap.
What Are the Cons of the Aquasana Whole House Water Filter?
Of course, no product is perfect. Here are the cons I’ve experienced with the Aquasana system.
Installation Complexity and Cost – The installation of the Aquasana whole house water filter system requires a professional plumber, which can add to the initial cost of the system. In our case, the installation fee was around $1200. While I understand that a professional installation is necessary for proper setup, this can be a barrier for some homeowners, especially if you’re on a budget
Reduced Water Pressure – Because the system filters water in real-time, you may experience a slight reduction in water pressure. For us, the change in flow rate was minimal, and we barely noticed it, but I’ve read that some people with hard water or higher water usage could see more of a reduction. If you're used to high water pressure, this may take a little adjustment.
Indoor Installation Requirement – The whole house system has to be installed indoors, near the water shut-off for the house. This could be an issue for people who don’t have a garage or who prefer a more outdoor installation. It’s something to consider when planning where to put the system.
Which Aquasana System Do I Have?
We opted for both the Aquasana whole house system and the reverse osmosis filters for the kitchen. The combination of the two has given us the best of both worlds: filtered water throughout the house and highly purified water for drinking and cooking.
We ended up going with two systems: the Aquasana Whole House Max Flow for filtering all the water throughout our home, and the Aquasana Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filter for extra-purified drinking and cooking water in the kitchen. This combo has worked perfectly for us and covers all the bases. You can check out both of these filters if you're looking to upgrade your setup.
The reverse osmosis water tastes absolutely amazing. It’s the cleanest, best water filtration system I’ve ever used. Whether I’m making coffee, boiling pasta, or just filling a glass, the water has a pure taste that makes a huge difference.
How Has Aquasana Changed Our Life?
The change has been significant. Here’s how the Aquasana water filter has improved our daily routine:
Peace of Mind: I feel so much more comfortable knowing Olive can drink the bath water, as it's clean and safe.
Comfort in Daily Tasks: Washing dishes, cleaning fruit, cooking, and drinking water has become so much easier and more enjoyable with clean water.
Amazing Taste: The Reverse Osmosis water is the best tasting water we've ever had—it really makes a difference!
Big Savings: We’re saving a lot by no longer needing to order gallons of water for drinking.
Portable Convenience: We can take the filtration system with us if we ever decide to move, making it an ideal long-term investment.
Better Cooking Results: Cooking with filtered water has enhanced the flavors, sped up cooking times, and improved the overall outcome of our meals.
If you’re not ready to commit to a whole-house setup, I highly recommend starting with the Aquasana Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Filter. It’s compact, powerful, and delivers the cleanest, freshest water I’ve ever tasted. This one has made the biggest impact in our daily cooking and drinking routine.
If you’re unsure about which system to choose, I highly recommend speaking with an Aquasana water specialist. You can reach them at 866-554-3115, Option 2 to get personalized advice on the right filter for your home.
FAQs About the Aquasana Water Filter
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An in-home water filtration system helps clean up your tap water by removing harmful substances like chlorine, lead, and pesticides, while keeping the good stuff—healthy minerals. It’s designed to give you cleaner, safer, and better-tasting water for everything from drinking and cooking to bathing.
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Unfiltered tap water can contain a mix of chemicals, heavy metals, and bacteria that aren’t great for your health. A filtration system helps protect your family, improves the taste of your water, and can even save money by cutting down your need for bottled water.
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Here are some common options:
Whole-house systems: Filters water for your entire home.
Under-sink filters: Clean water for drinking and cooking.
Countertop systems: Quick, easy-to-install options for specific taps.
Shower filters: Reduce chemicals like chlorine for healthier skin and hair.
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You’ll want to consider:
Contaminants removed: Does it filter out what’s most important for your water, like lead or chlorine?
Capacity: Can it handle the amount of water your household uses?
Ease of installation and maintenance: How easy is it to set up and replace the filters?
Certification: Look for certifications like NSF to ensure quality.
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You can ask your local water supplier for a water quality report, or you can use a home water testing kit to get a clear picture of what’s in your tap water.
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Most filters need to be replaced every 6 months, but this can vary based on the system and how much water you use. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Prices can vary. Basic under-sink or countertop filters might start around $50, while whole-house systems can range from $500 to $3,000. Remember to factor in maintenance costs, like filter replacements.
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Definitely! By removing chemicals like chlorine and other impurities, you’ll notice fresher, cleaner-tasting water.
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It depends on the system. Many under-sink and countertop systems are easy to install on your own, while whole-house systems might need a professional to get everything set up.
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Yes! They help reduce the need for bottled water, cutting down on plastic waste and the environmental impact that comes with producing and transporting bottled water.
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After experiencing the Aquasana water filtration system in action, I can confidently say that it’s been an excellent choice for our home. It provides clean water, improves the taste of your water, and protects your family from harmful contaminants. While there are some upfront costs, the long-term benefits, including better water quality, savings on bottled water, and peace of mind, far outweigh any drawbacks.
If you’re looking for the best whole house water filters, I highly recommend giving Aquasana a try. Their systems are easy to use, highly effective, and offer great value for the money. Plus, they’re a trusted brand with certifications from NSF International, ensuring their filters meet high standards of quality.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to notice such a big difference, but the change in our water has been huge. The filtration technology really works—you can taste it. It’s crisp, clean, and just feels better overall. Having great-tasting water from every faucet has made everything from cooking to just grabbing a glass of water so much more enjoyable. Whether you're using one of their sink water filters or one of their whole house water filtration systems like we are, it's such a relief knowing we’re drinking healthy water every day. After trying this new water filter, I can confidently say it’s been a great product for our family. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your system, I hope our experience with the Aquasana filter helps you feel more confident in going for it!
