Arsenic could be secretly dwelling in your water supply and posing serious health risks to you and your family. Long-term exposure can cause skin issues, increase the risk of various cancers (like bladder, lung, kidney, and liver cancer), and even impact your cardiovascular system.
To avoid these issues, it’s crucial that you test your water every so often and install an arsenic filter, whole-house being the safest option.
I’ve taken the time to test and analyze several whole-house arsenic water filters so you don’t have to go through the hassle yourself. These recommended filters are reliable, efficient, and cost-effective, and will ensure that your drinking water remains arsenic-free.
Let’s get right into it.
1. SpringWell WS1 Whole House Water Filter: 9.60/10
- Durable and certified
- $2,204
If your water is a combination of pesky heavy metal, arsenic, and hydrogen sulfide, SpringWell’s proprietary combination of air injection oxidation and greensand filter will do the trick. This, combined with its certified components, long life, and lifetime warranty, makes it the best whole-house filter to filter arsenic.
Pros
The SpringWell WS1 works by oxidizing iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfide, and arsenic in water using an air injection oxidation (AIO) process. The oxidized metallic compounds are then trapped in the filter bed, which is later backwashed. This whole-house filter also features greensand media that removes arsenic and radium.
The best thing about this brand is that it’s totally transparent about the performance of its filters. You can easily find test reports on the website, giving you all the details you need.
I like that this whole-house filter requires only minimal maintenance once installed. You can set it up to automatically backwash and replenish itself. Its NSF-certified electronic control head can connect to any smart device using Bluetooth. You can adjust the frequency of backwash cycles, timing, air draw, and much more from the palm of your hand.
SpringWell offers two models with flow rates of 12 GPM and 20 GPM to suit every household. Compared to typical whole-house filters, these models can run multiple faucets without any interruption.
Whether you decide to call a licensed plumber for its installation or tackle the job yourself, your warranty will remain intact, unlike some brands that void the warranty if you install the unit yourself. With SpringWell, you’ve got peace of mind either way!
Another benefit is that SpringWell uses only certified components to manufacture its products, This speaks volumes about its durability and longevity.
Lastly, SpringWell offers a limited lifetime warranty and a six-month money-back guarantee. That’s the longest protection you can find on a whole-house filter.
Cons
You need to be careful when working with plastic fittings because applying too much force can lead to cross-threading. So, take it easy and be gentle to avoid any mishaps.
Overall
SpringWell combines the latest AIO technology with a greensand filter to remove arsenic, iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide in water. It requires minimal maintenance and is super easy to install. With its exceptional durability and affordability, this solution will stand the test of time. Get yourself a SpringWell WS1 today and get rid of arsenic for good.
To explore the analysis in greater depth, you might want to check my comprehensive review of the SpringWell WS1.
2. Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House filter: 8.90/10
- Removes a wide variety of contaminants
- $3,684
The Crystal Quest Arsenic Whole House system is your next best option if you want arsenic permanently gone from your drinking water. You can pair this up with Crystal Quest’s brine water conditioner and SMART water filter to treat a wide range of pollutants.
Pros
Crystal Quest features a sediment prefilter that captures debris and silt. This is followed by a proprietary blend of iron oxide nanoparticles that have a high affinity for arsenic in water. The last step is a carbon filter that tackles pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic carbon compounds, and an arsenic-reducing mineral tank.
If your water is a dirty concoction of various pollutants, you can further outfit your whole-house water filtration system with Crystal Quest’s SMART filters that can remove heavy metals, chlorine, and other inorganics. Or if you’ve microbial contamination, you can get its 13 GPM UV sterilizer.
This arsenic filter media will last 2–5 years depending on your water quality. The rest of the filters will need swapping every 12–18 months.
I like that Crystal Quest offers fiberglass tanks in addition to stainless-steel tanks. If you live in a particularly humid and hot area, you might need a fiberglass tank to prevent the formation of pinholes and rust.
Cons
Unlike SpringWell, this system is a bit high maintenance. You’ll have to keep up with regular filter changes and trust me, those replacements can really put a dent in your wallet.
I couldn’t find any test results or certification on the website, which is a big red flag.
Another issue is its slow flow rate. The maximum you can get out of the Crystal Quest arsenic filter is 13 GPM.
Lastly, this brand offers a one-year warranty, which is too short considering its hefty price tag.
Overall
Crystal Quest is a reliable unit when it comes to removing arsenic in your water. Although it’s a bit pricier, offers a short warranty, and requires maintenance, you can trust it to keep your water safe and healthy to consume.
3. US Water Systems Non-Electric Arsenic Filter
- Removes heavy metals
- $4,133.95
US Water Systems uses a selective ion-exchange resin that traps arsenic along with chromium, uranium, vanadium, sulfide, and silica. The filter has a high arsenic removal efficiency, but it’s more expensive than both SpringWell and Crystal Quest filters.
Pros
US Water System utilizes ResinTech’s ASM-10-HP arsenic-removing anion-exchange resin. The best part? It is Gold Seal Certified by the WAQ. The filter doesn’t need electricity or regular backwashing. Once it nears its expiration, you’ll need to replace it with new filter media.
One good thing about this resin is that although it targets other heavy metals, as well, it has the highest affinity toward arsenic.
I like that US Water Systems offers three variations in the flow rates. You can choose between 7 GPM, 15 GPM, and 20 GPM to suit your water needs.
If your water meets the conditions of no iron and manganese, TDS less than 1000 PPM, and hardness below 2 GPG, then this system can bring down 50 PPB arsenic to less than 10 PPB for 500,000 gallons of water.
Lastly, US Water Systems gives a lifetime warranty on its tank and five years of warranty on its head assembly.
Cons
This filter should only be utilized when there is no iron or manganese in your water. If you have those pollutants, you might need to treat them first before removing arsenic.
Another drawback is its expensive price tag. Not many users can afford this system.
If you have arsenic III in your water, you might need to oxidize it to Arsenic V before the water passes through this filter.
Overall
US Water Systems’ whole-house filter works effectively against arsenic and other heavy metals in water. Maintenance won’t be a headache, but let’s be real, it’ll give your bank account a beating. If you’re up for splurging a whopping $4,133.95 on a whole-house system, then go for it.
4. US Water System Defender
Here’s another top-quality whole-house arsenic removal system by US Water Systems.
US Water Systems Defender is a whole-house reverse osmosis system that will effectively remove all forms of arsenic and any other toxic pollutants in your water, including microbes and heavy metals This brand gives you the option of choosing between four models with varying flow rates ranging between 2000 GPD and 8000 GPD. And you can also get yourself a storage tank.
Defender’s RO filter is different from the rest on the market in a way that it’s 80% efficient and wastes only 1 gallon for every 5 gallons of filtered water.
It uses a multistage stainless-steel centrifugal pump that lasts many years and doesn’t need replacement every six months like other RO filters.
And lastly, US Water Systems offer a limited lifetime warranty on its tank and a two-year warranty on its components, which is decent.
The downside? It’s crazy expensive, costing over a whopping $8,163.31! If you happen to have that kind of money to spare, you can get your hands on this whole-house system right here.
5. Crystal Quest Big Blue Whole House Filter
Here’s a suggestion for folks who live in small houses or rentals and need something that works for one or two people. Priced at $535.36, Crystal Quest’s Big Blue filter features proprietary arsenic removal resin in the form of iron oxide nanoparticles.
The filter is equipped with 4–6 GPM, which is decent enough for one to two bathrooms. You can pair this up with Crystal Quest’s SMART filter and carbon filters to treat other pollutants. Depending on your water needs, you have the option to purchase this whole-house filter in single, double, or triple configurations. Naturally, higher configurations come at an additional cost.
Crystal Quest’s arsenic filter will last 2–5 years, with the cost running around $261. The rest of the filters will last 12–18 months and cost you around a total of $70.
What makes me skeptical about this unit is that I couldn’t find any certifications to prove it can actually remove water contaminants. And let’s not forget, cartridge filters can be quite a hassle with all that maintenance and constant swapping.
Lastly, you’ll get only a one-year warranty on this whole-house unit, which pales in comparison to the lifetime warranty offered by brands like SpringWell and US Water Systems.
6. iSpring RCB3P
The iSpring RCB3P is a reverse osmosis filtration system that can produce 300 gallons of fresh water a day. It doesn’t come with a storage tank, so you’ll have to spend some extra cash to get one separately. According to the brand, this RO filter is capable of removing over 1000 contaminants in water. I couldn’t really find any certification or test results to prove those claims.
It features sediment filters and carbon filters, along with RO filters, to take care of a wide range of contaminants, including arsenic.
The filter comes with a built-in booster pump that improves the flow rate. You should note that this filter is only good for small families or small-scale commercial applications like a salon, offices, and restaurants.
They’re easy to install, so no worries there. But here’s the thing: You’ll need to keep up with some maintenance tasks. That means regularly checking for leaks and swapping out the filters when necessary. It’s a bit of work.
Plus, it comes with only one year of warranty.
7. WECO Hydrosense Water Filter System
The WECO Hydrosense is another reverse osmosis system that can remove about 80% arsenic III and up to 99% arsenic V. One thing to note about this system is you will need to buy atmospheric tanks and jet pumps to make this a whole-house system, which will cost you extra money.
WECO comes with a prefilter that removes dirt, silt, and chlorine in water. This system is packed with water pressure sensors and booster pumps to ensure a consistent flow of clean water throughout your home. It has the capacity to purify up to 500 gallons of water per day, which is good enough for a couple living in a small apartment.
Installing the WECO Hydorsense might not be a walk in the park. It could require the expertise of a licensed plumber, which might add to the cost. Additionally, if you’re looking to transform it into a whole-house filter, a helping hand would definitely be beneficial.
I couldn’t find any certifications or warranties on this unit. This whole-house filter is quite expensive for the mediocre features it offers.
The Bottom Line
After testing and analyzing filters for nine months, I can confidently say that the SpringWell model emerges as the clear frontrunner.
This filter uses an air injection oxidation process and a greensand filter to oxidize arsenic, iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide in water.
And here’s a nifty feature: You get to control the backwashing cycles. This saves water from being wasted during those untimely backwash cycles. Good for the environment and your wallet.
SpringWell offers two models with flow rates 12 GPM and 20 GPM, so you can choose the perfect fit for your household. It goes the extra mile by displaying detailed test reports, which speaks volumes about the exceptional quality of its filters. It’s a clear sign of its commitment to providing reliable and effective products.
Last but not least, SpringWell offers a limited lifetime warranty and a generous six-month money-back guarantee. That’s the longest protection you can find for a whole-house filter. SpringWell truly stands behind its product!
Research Methodology
Finding the best arsenic filters was no walk in the park. It took me almost nine months to test and analyze whole-house water filters and rank the best ones. If you’re curious about how I ranked the filters on this list, here’s how I did it.
Step 1: A big list of every product available
To kick-start my research into the best whole-house arsenic filters, my first step was to gather the names of popular filters available on the market, including ones found on platforms like Amazon and Walmart.
Additionally, I sought assistance from trusted sources like friends and family, and even consulted with my local plumber. Their insights and recommendations played a crucial role in narrowing down my options and getting a better understanding of the most reliable and effective filters out there.
Step 2: Online reviews
Moving on to the second step of my research, I delved into reading online reviews and testimonials shared by verified customers across the US. This allowed me to gather valuable insights into the performance and user experiences of various products.
I noted the pros and cons of each unit and excluded the ones that had the worst ranking online. Interestingly enough, during my research, I stumbled upon a bunch of bogus and paid reviews for certain brands. Sneaky, right? But I was not fooled. I swiftly excluded those brands from my list.
Step 3: Product analysis
Before I could judge and rank the filters, I realized I needed to gather even more information about whole-house arsenic water filters. So, I turned to my old friend, the Google search bar, and entered a few questions off the top of my head.
I got to know that arsenic in water can be treated with the following filters and technologies:
- Reverse osmosis systems
- Greensand filters
- Oxidation
- Adsorption
- Distillation
I also learned arsenic enters drinking water supplies through natural deposits, as well as agricultural and industrial practices. And that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a safety limit at 10 PPB of arsenic in drinking water.
Here are a few other questions I searched for answers to:
- Can a filter really remove arsenic from my water supply?
- What are the harmful effects of arsenic and how does it get into drinking water?
- What is the ideal flow rate?
- What certification should I look for in an arsenic water filter?
- How should I determine the size of the filter according to the water usage?
- What other industrial poisons and industrial solvents should I worry about?
Step 4: Interviews with real customers
In the next step, I interviewed customers who had used whole-house arsenic water filters. Some sent me their test reports, while others invited me to their homes to try out the water myself. I also put together a survey on Facebook, which gave me some valuable insights.
It was awesome to get direct feedback and different perspectives from real users in my quest for the best filters.
Step 5: Interviews with companies
Next, I decided to email each brand on my list with questions about their certifications, performance, and warranties. It was a fantastic opportunity to analyze how responsive and helpful they were when faced with challenging inquiries.
By engaging in these conversations, I gained valuable insights into their commitment to user satisfaction and their willingness to go the extra mile. It was a crucial step in determining which brands truly prioritize their customers’ needs and stand behind their products.
Step 6: Test drives
So, the next step in my research was to actually test the filters on my list. I rented some and borrowed others, and with the help of a friend, we set up a testing rig in the basement of my house.
Using a water testing kit, I analyzed the filtration performance of each filter. It was really interesting to see how well they tackled different contaminants. During my testing, I also paid attention to how easy they were to install and maintain. Those factors played a big role in my evaluation.
From flow rates to overall efficiency, each filter had its own unique characteristics, and it brought me one step closer to finding the perfect whole-house arsenic filter.
Step 7: Ratings
Now that I had gathered all the information about the whole-house arsenic filters on my list, it was time for the ultimate task: ranking them from #1 to #7.
To do this, I pulled out my old whiteboard from the attic. Channeling my inner detective, I created columns and started jotting down all the important details about each water filter. It was like piecing together a puzzle to determine which filter deserved the top spot.
Here are the characteristics I ranked each filter against:
- Filtration performance
- Flow rate
- Filter durability
- Certifications
- Ease of installation
- Ease of maintenance
- Cost
- Warranty
- Customer review
Final Thoughts
After nine months of meticulous research, I can confidently say that the SpringWell WS1 filter is the best whole-house arsenic filter. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Robust AIO technology and greensand filter
- High flow rate
- Top-quality electronic head
- Ease of maintenance
- Cost effective
- Durable
- Lifetime warranty
It’s all about keeping your H2O clean and staying healthy. Stay hydrated, my friend, and don’t let arsenic ruin the party. Buy the SpringWell arsenic filter today.
If you are intrigued and want to explore more about whole-house water filters, these extra resources can provide you with detailed insights:
