It can be a tough task, finding a perfect solution to remove sediment and other contaminants from your water.
Well Water has levels of sediments, iron, and other dissolved solids that can cause harmful effects to your health. City Water, though treated, still contains some sediments.
With different products in the market, it can be quite tricky to figure out the best sediment filter.
We curated a list of 5 of the best water sediments filters in the market and a buying guide that outlines features to consider when deciding on one.
Best Water Sediment Filters
1. iSpring WSP100ARB Reusable
- [Flushable and reusable] The whole house spin down sediment water...
- [Pressure-resistant and durable materials] Lead-free brass...
- [Easy installation] No welding or glue needed. Works well with...
- [Auto Flushing] Integrated Auto Flushing Module(dual power...
- [High flow rate] Provide a maximum flow rate of 35 GPM. Two types...
The iSpring WSP100ARM water filter is reusable and flushable.
It features a toggle switch that allows particles and contaminant buildup trapped in the filter to be flushed out without shutting down the water supply first, down sediment filter with a scraper, and auto flushing feature.
It is designed to protect equipment and appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, etc.
The filter includes an integrated Auto Flushing Module that automatically flushes on a preset schedule. This can be controlled through the HD touch screen. There are 3 flush modes to choose from, semi, auto, and manual.
The flushing module comes with a dual power supply, a power adapter, a Built-in alarm, and an automatic self-diagnostic system.
The water filter features a lead-free brass machine head, 100-micron food-grade stainless steel mesh filter screen, and explosion-proof transparent housing.
It is easy to install as no welding or glue is needed. The filter works well with copper, PEX, and CPVC pipes.
Due to its 360° rotatable head connection, the water system can be installed in any direction.
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2. EcoPure EPWHE No Mess Whole Home Water Filtration
- Provides cleaner, clearer, better tasting water while protecting...
- Automatic bypass - no need to shut off your water supply when...
- Encapsulated filter design captures dirt and contaminants...
- 5 micron filter – the lower the micron rating the more...
- NSF certified to reduce chlorine taste & odor, sediment, sand &...
The EcoPure whole-house sediment filter is compact, affordable, and eco-friendly. It allows you to filter out chlorine taste and odor, sediment, dirt, rust, and sand down to 5 microns.
The encapsulated filter chamber is a great design as it allows the changing of filters to be changed without touching the filter media. It then captures the dirt and contaminants whilst keeping your hands clean.
The best part is that it eliminates the risks of adding unwanted contaminants when replacing the filter.
The water filtration system features an automatic bypass that allows you to change the filters while your water supply is still running.
The filter is certified by NSF hence qualifying it as a great product. Lastly, the water filtration system is designed to be installed where water enters the home.
It can be installed before your water heater and/or water softener to protect your plumbing and water.
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3. iSpring WSP-50 Sediment Water Filter
- Rated at 50 micron. Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter....
- Flushable and Reusable. Take the considerable workload off finer...
- Durable Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filtration. Solid...
- Easy installation with double threads.1-inch MNPT and 3/4 inch...
- Indoor friendly. Its for 40- 100F, 20 -100 psi and for indoor use...
The iSpring Reusable Spin Down Sediment Water Filter protects your entire plumbing system from sediment, rust, dirt, sand, and large particles.
The iSpring Sediment filter is easy to install since it comes with double threads on both ends. It is also flushable and reusable.
The filter features a solid, lead-free brass machine head with a stainless steel mesh filter screen that usually lasts roughly 1-2 years.
The water filter offers various options in terms of micron size. They have sizes all the way from 50 to 1000 micron, and the system is compatible with all of them.
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4. Rusco Spin Down Separator
- Package Dimensions: 9.2 cms (L) x 14.5 cms (W) x 36.1 cms (H)
- Product Type: Potable Water Filter
- Package Quantity: 1
- Package Weight: 0.776 kg
Rusco Spin Down Separator Sand/Sediment Water Filter is made of plastic and features a polyester mesh with a rubber seal. This ensures that the metal filters don't corrode over time.
The lack of metal makes the water filter very light, less than 2 lbs. This prevents any possible damage from corrosive elements that usually occur to metallic filters.
The water filter has a pressure rating of 150 psi. It features a 1.5-inch PVC inlet outlet head (slip fit) that provides a 50 GPM flow rate.
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5. Aquaboon Big Blue Whole House
- 💧[HIGH QUALITY] Water filter house system is a large capacity...
- 💧[SAFETY AND EASE OF USE] The product is designed to provide...
- 💧[HOUSING] The housing accepts 20” x 4. 5” water filter...
- 💧[COMPATIBLE SYSTEMS] SimPure RSWHB002Z_S8, OKSLO KTTR7942,...
- 💧[COMPATIBLE FILTERS] Pentek DGD-5005-20, S1, RFC20-BB, 84634,...
The Aquaboon Big Blue 4.5 x 20″ whole house well water filter system is ideal for high flow and heavy-sediment water. It is an opaque blue sump made from polypropylene which is strong and resistant to chemicals.
The black cap is made of high-flow polypropylene (HFPP) for stiffness. The water filter is designed to provide security and ease of use, which contains a Double O-ring and prevents leaking.
The filter cartridges can be changed with the help of the pressure release button found on the inlet side of the cap.
It accepts 20” x 4. 5” water filter cartridges which are sold separately, and you also have the option of selecting from other brands such as iSpring and Geekpure.
The Aquaboon Big Blue filter allows for greater cartridge capacity; hence you can collect more sediments before you need to replace it.
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Features To Consider When Buying The Best Water Sediment Filter
a) Water Source
Checking your water source is one of the first things you should do before deciding on a water sediment filter.
Water sources have different levels of concentration. For example, well water has higher levels of contaminants compared to municipal water.
Whether you have well water or city water, you're likely to arrive at these two sediment filter solutions:
- Flushable spin down sediment filter
- Water filter housing + sediment filter cartridge (PP filter, multi-gradient filter, or pleated filter)
A flushable spin-down sediment filter allows the flushing of collected sediments through the filter's bottom when clogged to maintain its performance and can last for 1 to 2 years with regular cleaning.
Families with high water usage often use the reusable spin-down filter.
Water filter housing and sediment filter cartridges - These can be used for many years. All that needs to be done is for the sediment filter to be replaced every 3 to 12 months, depending on filter capacity, water quality, and usage.
If your main source is city water, you're best suited with a filter with a smaller micron rating. This could either be a spin-down sediment filter or a large capacity-based filter.
b) Type of Sediment
Sediments come in various forms ranging from silt, sand, rocks to remains of plants and animals.
To ensure that you're selecting the best sediment filter, it's important to know the type of sediments present in your water.
This is essential as some filters are designed to deal with certain sediments.
c) Micron Size
Micron rating refers to the size of a filter's pores. To know and select the ideal micron size, it's key to check the sediment type in your water.
Once this is done, pick a filter with a micron size that is bigger than the sediment. This will ensure that the deposits will pass through and will be filtered out.
A micron is a unit of length that is equivalent to one micrometer (1μm). A 1-micron particle means it has 1 micrometer (1μm) in diameter.
Smaller Micron rating (or higher Mesh size) = Stronger filtration = Shorter filter lifespan
Larger Micron rating (or smaller Mesh size) = Weaker filtration = Longer filter lifespan
The smaller the filtration size, the more sediments it will accumulate over time, hence the more often you need to flush or replace it.
A filter with a smaller pore size is better in sediment removal, but the downside is that it gets clogged faster, while filters with a larger pore size filter fewer sediments but last longer.
The frequency of your water filter is dependent on your micron rating. If you prefer a filter with a higher micron rating, this will reduce the frequency of maintenance. A lower micron rating means frequent maintenance.
The best option is to get multiple sediment filters with different filtration sizes and functions that are in line to achieve the best result and filtration efficiency.
Filtration Strength vs. Water Flow Rate
Smaller Micron rating (or higher Mesh size) = Stronger filtration = Slower water flow rate
It's important to keep in mind that you shouldn't install a 1-micron sediment filter as the pre-filter for the whole house as it's inefficient and may need to be replaced every 1 to 2 months.
It will also impact your water flow rate.
It's better to install a sediment filter with a larger micron size on the front line, which is around 10 to 500 micron depending on your water quality, and gradually reduce the micron rating toward your inner house.
Essentially, you're better off using a large micron sediment filter for point-of-entry filtration and a small micron rating for point-of-use filtration.
d) Flushable
Many sediment filters include a flushable feature. The best filter should ideally fit your needs and, if possible, have a back-flushing or spin-down element.
Flushing refers to the process of cleaning your filter and removing the built-up sediment, dirt particles, and rust that your filter has removed from your water.
Various filters can be cleaned by hand; however, this is a messy job that can occasionally lead to breakage if mishandled.
Having a flushable filter means that you ‘rinse’ the filter off every so often to ensure it operates at maximum capacity.
e) Type of Sediment Filter
Reusable Spin-Down Filters
This type of sediment filter is best suited for medium- to large-sized sediments. They are usually used in the pre-filtration stage in multi-staged filtration models.
Reusable spin-down filters feature a filter medium spun around in the middle. The multi-layered design effectively removes and filters out different particles' sizes, ranging from 25 to 1,000 microns.
During the sediment filtration, some of the finer ones are bound to slip in. However, this is not an issue as they will be filtered in the end with the multi-staged filtration model.
Spin-down filters tend to be more durable and long-lasting. They are also easy to clean and maintain. Some models of reusable spin-down filters have their auto-flush valve systems.
Reusable spin-down filters can also support up to 150 PSI in terms of operating pressure and flow rates up to 90 GPM.
Cartridge Filters
Cartridge filters are ideal for filtering out the finer particles that spin-down filters couldn’t tackle. They come into two categories:
1. Pleated Cartridge Filters
These cartridge filters feature a pleated filter medium. The kind of medium varies; however it is usually made from paper, cloth, woven wire, etc. Depending on the model, it can even filter sediments as small as .10 microns.
They are designed to target a large surface area; hence, most people use them either as a pre-filter or stand-alone filtration solution.
Pleated cartridge filters allow for higher flow rates and pressures. Some models come with protection features, thus enabling them to withstand and last for a long time.
2. Spun Cartridge Filters
The difference between pleated and spun cartridge filters lies in depth. Spun cartridge filters come with a filter medium wrapped around the base.
Hence you have a multi-layer that can target various particles of various sizes. They are more effective and versatile. They are also more common, cheaper, easier to use and maintain.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Is A Sediment Filter Used For?
a) Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems require a sediment pre-filter. Reverse osmosis purifies water by filtering it through a semipermeable membrane that removes salts, dissolved solids, and metals.
The sediment filter functions as pretreatment and protection for the Reverse Osmosis system.
b) Protecting Carbon Filter Lifespans
Carbon filters are known for their ability to restore water’s fresh taste by removing chlorine and chloramines.
Though carbon can filter out sediment, dirt particles can clog up the carbon and quickly exhaust the filter media.
If carbon filters are forced to filter out large quantities of sediment, their filter life is reduced.
Sediment filters are cheaper to replace than carbon filters. Hence, to prolong your carbon blocks' life, it is better to install a sediment pre-filter.
c) Whole House Sediment Filtration
A whole house sediment filtration application can save you a ton of money.
Sediment flowing through your home pipes can cause an absolute detriment to your household appliances.
Your pipes will eventually clog, which will slow down the water pressure and flow in your home.
Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines can experience shorter lifespans.
Sediment filters provide those who depend on well water with the necessary purification and water supply for their household.