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Editor Vetted: The 5 Best Shower Filters That'll Transform Your Hair and Skin
Upgrade your everything shower with one of these for the ultimate self-care moment.
As a beauty editor, I firmly believe in the importance of self-care, and one of my most prized beauty rituals is a luxe everything shower routine. I’ve tried everything from body scrubs to nourishing deep conditioners to make my 15-minute showers the most restorative part of my night, and it all really starts with one beauty device: a filtered showerhead.
Showerhead filters are a simple way to upgrade your wash routine by tackling hard water—aka water with high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. About 85 percent of homes in the U.S. have hard water, which can lead to dryness and dullness for your hair and skin. But think of a filtered head like a Brita for your shower: it helps reduce all the gunk like chlorine, odors, minerals, and other heavy metals before they hit your body, resulting in cleaner and shinier hair, calmer skin, and less breakouts. If you’re ready to make the switch, we rounded up the best shower filters that level-up any rinsing session.
Our top picks for the best shower filters for 2026:
From the cult-favorite Jolie showerhead with thousands of five-star reviews to multitasking options that turn your shower into a spa-level moment, these are the best showerhead filters for any bathroom, according to team Cosmo.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Comes with all the necessary tools to install
Cons
- The replacement filters are on the pricey side
Why we love it: The internet-famous Jolie filtered showerhead is a simple but impactful self-care upgrade. It helps reduce chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants in your shower water, making it ideal for both overall hair and skin improvement. It’s also incredibly easy to install, with all the necessary tools included, and best of all, it doesn’t compromise or clog your existing water pressure.
One Cosmo editor says: "I’ve moved NYC apartments four times, and in every place, having a Jolie showerhead has been a must for me. When I went to Europe this summer, my skin started breaking out consistently—even though I hadn’t changed a single step in my skincare routine. I’m not saying it was definitely the water, but there's a noticeable difference in my acne flare ups when I didn't shower with a Jolie. My hair is also super prone to buildup, and the back of my head used to get so greasy no matter how much I shampooed. But since replacing my standard showerhead with a Jolie, I haven't had that problem since."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Colors | Brushed steel, chrome, gold, black, red |
| Filter lifespan | 90 days |
Pros
- Includes spa-like diffusers and aroma kit
- Can change stream settings
- Tool-free installation
Cons
- Some customers would like a stronger water pressure
Why we love it: This derm-recommended, easy-to-install filtered showerhead does a great job of supporting healthy skin and hair. It's got three stream settings (wide, narrow, and dual), uses granular activated carbon, KDF-55, and calcium sulfite to reduce chlorine and all the other stuff that we don't want in our shower water. And the filter also comes with an aroma kit that'll diffuse a luxurious scent for a spa-like experience.
One Cosmo editor says: "My previous apartment was a quite nice high rise, but that deceived me into thinking that the water would be perfect. I was very wrong. The second I switched to the Canopy filter, I noticed a major improvement in my hair and skin (and so did my roommate). I am deeply challenged when it comes to putting things together and rely on a Task Rabbit to do the smallest household tasks, so knowing that I could install and uninstall this when I moved should tell you that it's outrageously easy."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
| Colors | Polished Chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, brass |
| Filter lifespan | 90 days |
Pros
- Has a remote control to set the red light timer
- Comes in three finishes
Cons
- Needs to be recharged, but it has a 100 minute battery life
Why we love it: This innovation pairs a filtered showerhead with the skin-boosting benefits of red-light therapy. Set the red light on a 5, 10, or 15 minute timer, and as you rinse, the red light helps promote collagen production and reduce inflammation all over. Even better, the light portion is fully detachable, so you can pop it on its charging stand and use it anywhere—including for baths too—it’s basically a mini spa that fits right in your bathroom.
One Cosmo editor says: "When a picture of this new shower head featuring red light hit my inbox, I immediately had a feeling it would change the game. Having used it now, I'm freakin' obsessed. I'm squeezing showers into every conversation for an excuse to bring this shower head up. It's that serious. I love red-light therapy so much, but I genuinely do not have the time to sit naked in front of a panel every single day. I wanna be that person so bad, but no amount of 'new year, new me' propaganda will do it. BUT! This combines something I already do every day (take a shower) with my red light sessions. It's genius. It's expensive, but since it essentially combines two products in one, the cost isn't such a sting."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Colors | Brass, chrome, black |
| Filter lifespan | 75 days |
Pros
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- Also has a pre-filter
Cons
- Only available at limited retailers
Why we love it: Not only does this cute showerhead come in a range of fun colors and metallics, but it's also fully detachable, making it easy to rinse all over with filtered water for an even deeper clean.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love a colorful moment, and while you might think the bathroom isn’t the place for that, sproos! thinks otherwise. There are five bright, beautiful colors to choose from (plus sleek silver and gold if that’s more your vibe), and it instantly breathes life into boring, utilitarian shower designs. We love renter-friendly designs, and this was so easy to assemble I even managed it with my 2-inch gel extensions. While the look alone drew me in, the filtration, easy assembly, and overall accessibility really sealed the deal."—SARAH NG, VIDEO EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Colors | Pink, red, blue, green, black, yellow, silver, gold |
| Filter lifespan | 90 days |
Pros
- High spray setting can help improve showers with low pressure
- Seven spray settings
Cons
- Only comes in one color
Why we love it: T3 makes some of our favorite hair tools, and they also make a sleek showerhead that filters out chlorine and other chemicals you don’t want in your hair and on your skin. It also features seven different spray settings, so you can customize the water pressure and dispersion to your liking.
One shopper says: "My husband installed this shower head within 2 minutes - super easy! This is the second T9 shower head I've bought, so we have them in both bathrooms now. I love that it's filtered and I truly believe it's made a difference in my daughter's eczema, as well as the softness of my hair. This is a must for hard water!"
Features at a Glance
| Colors | Chrome |
| Filter lifespan | 3-4 months |
How we tested shower filters:
We researched dozens of showerhead filters and tried many of them in our own showers. Each option was evaluated based on ease of installation, overall efficacy, price, and compatibility with different shower setups. We used them for weeks, months, and even years in our own bathrooms to test the results firsthand, and only the filters that checked every box made our final list.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers everything including skincare, hair, and more. And Cosmo's beauty team spends all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the best recommendations, including these showerheads.
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