Point-of-entry systems

Whole-house water filtration

One system where water enters your home, protecting every tap, shower, water heater and washing machine downstream. Bigger tickets, bigger differences in paperwork - here is the honest map.

See the rankings The quotes guide

All eight systems we track

Certified whole-house PFAS removal

Aquasana HealthShield

Certified claims

Whole-house tank system with PFAS media by Aquasana.

$2,099

At aquasana.com

Maintenance: Replace the whole tank at end of capacity (about $1,749 per third-party reporting)

Buy at Aquasana

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A decade of chlorine-free showers

Aquasana Rhino (WH-1000)

Third-party tested

Whole-house carbon + KDF tank system by Aquasana.

$999

At aquasana.com

Maintenance: Pre- and post-filters every 6 months; about $120/yr by third-party estimates

Buy at Aquasana

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High flow plus a lifetime tank warranty

SpringWell CF1

No system certification

Whole-house carbon tank system (1-3 bathrooms) by SpringWell.

$1,239

Sale price from a dated third-party price check (Oct 13, 2026); SpringWell's own page did not expose a standalone price - confirm at springwellwater.com

Maintenance: Sediment filter every 6-9 months ($39.95 per 2-pack); media replacement about $334

Buy at SpringWell

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DIY whole-house without a tank

Kind Water E-1000

Certified carbon stage

Whole-house cartridge system by Kind Water Systems.

$976

At kindwater.com

Maintenance: Cartridge set every 6-12 months; $150-$200/yr by Kind's own figure

Buy at Kind Water Systems

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A certified chlorine tank from a water-industry giant

Pentair Pelican PC600

Certified claims

Whole-house carbon tank (1-3 bathrooms) by Pentair Pelican.

$1,049

$1,049 at FactoryPure, an authorized Pentair dealer, with free shipping (checked Oct 23, 2026); Pentair sells this line through dealers, not direct, and other dealers range $828-$1,299

Maintenance: Prefilter every 6-9 months; carbon media kit at about 5 years (dealer pricing varies)

Buy at Pentair Pelican

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Whole-house filtration on a budget

iSpring WGB32B

Third-party tested

Whole-house 3-stage cartridge system by iSpring.

$420

Unit price from an August 2025 review check; the anti-scale WGB32B-KDS variant is $629.99 at ispringfilter.com - confirm current pricing

Maintenance: Full cartridge set about annually; roughly $225/yr by third-party estimates

Buy at iSpring

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Pressure gauges and a stainless frame

Express Water 3-Stage Whole House (WH300SCKS)

Certified cartridges

Whole-house 3-stage cartridge system with gauges by Express Water.

$548

At expresswater.com; replacement filter set $186.99

Maintenance: Replacement set $186.99 every 6-12 months

Buy at Express Water

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Actually removing hardness (a softener, not a filter)

Aquasure Harmony 48,000-Grain Softener

No system certification

Whole-house salt-based water softener by Aquasure.

$630

At aquasureusa.com

Maintenance: Salt refills for the brine tank (interval depends on hardness and usage)

Buy at Aquasure

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Filter, softener, or both?

They do different jobs. Filters reduce chlorine, sediment and - in the one certified case here - PFAS. Softeners remove the calcium and magnesium that cause scale and spotting (about 85% of US homes have hard water, per USGS hardness data as widely reported). Salt-free conditioners change how minerals behave so scale sticks less - they do not remove hardness, whatever the brochure implies. Many homes end up with a carbon system and a softener. Decide with our guides: countertop vs whole-house and the hard-water guide.

Well water? Start here

The EPA does not regulate private wells - more than 43 million Americans drink from one, and testing is the owner's job. Sediment, hardness, iron and bacteria each need a different stage, in the right order. Read the well-water playbook →