Soft water in the shower comes from a water softener, not a shower filter: our filter does not soften water or remove hardness (calcium, magnesium); a water softener does that. What our filter does is reduce free chlorine and chloramine.
- Lab result: In independent lab testing, our filter reduced free chlorine and chloramine by 99.9%.
- Install: Tool-free in about 60 seconds, with a wrench in the box.
- Our pick The Second Showerhead, our wall-mount fixed filtered head.
New city, new water. Filter it before it changes your skin and hair.
- 99.9% of chlorine and chloramine (independent lab test)
- Peak window Day 1-60 (own testing)
$79 on subs$99 one-time
*Micron PP sediment filter certified by NSF/ANSI 42* standards.
We make Second Shower, and our filter does not soften water or remove hardness; a water softener does that. So if hardness is your problem, a softener is the system to buy, and if chlorine and chloramine are your concern, a filtered showerhead is the right tool.
In our own testing, the Second Shower Head held its free chlorine and chloramine reduction through Day 1-60 of cartridge life, its peak performance window. It works in two stages: a micron PP sediment pre-filter plus a Vitamin C ascorbic acid core.
Soft water shower heads: what people check versus what matters
| What people check | What actually matters |
|---|---|
| My hardness reading should drop after a shower filter | In our own testing, a soft water baseline reading confirmed that filters do not remove hardness. |
| The filter color shows how much life is left | Color does not show remaining filter life, so replace the filter when the recommended period has passed, because the Vitamin C oxidizes as it works. |
| Any cartridge keeps working until it clogs | In our own testing, KDF-55 cartridges lost chlorine reduction as the cartridge aged. |
| A filter will weaken my water pressure | Our own testing found zero pressure loss, and the micro-jet design boosts perceived pressure. |
Sources: our own testing; Second Shower product record
How to check your shower water filter system at home
- If you have a chlorine test kit, compare your tap water with your filtered water. In our own testing, residual chlorine after Second Shower was essentially non-detect, at 0.01 mg/L.
- Write down the day you fit a new cartridge. We recommend a new Showerhead filter every 60 days.
- Look at the filter and notice the spray. Replace it sooner if the filter looks deep brown or black or the water pressure drops noticeably.
- Check the connection for drips after installing. Plumber's tape is not needed, but if a connection leaks, add a wrap of the included tape.
How we know
We make Second Shower, so read this page knowing that. Each statement above comes from the records listed here, with the source and the date where we have one. If anything here is out of date or wrong, write to hello@secondshower.us and we will correct it.
- Second Shower product record (results on file)
- Independent lab testing (results on file)
- Our own testing (results on file)
- Second Shower website (secondshower.us), Second Shower, captured June 18, 2026
Related Reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the best shower head for soft water?
If your water is already soft, the thing to look for at the showerhead is chlorine and chloramine reduction, which our filter delivers in independent lab testing. The Second Showerhead spreads that filtered water through 176 micro-jets.
Is there a soft water shower head that removes hardness?
Hardness removal is a water softener's job, and our showerhead does not do it. As for other brands claiming to soften water at the showerhead, we could not find a source we trust for this, so we leave it out.
What does the best shower water filter system cost?
Comparing on the subscription tier, the Second Showerhead is $79 with subscription. Its replacement 2-pack is $36 on subscription, and the total first year on subscription comes to $151 to $187.
Will a filtered showerhead change my water flow?
The default flow rate is 2.5 GPM, and a swappable 1.8 GPM regulator is included to meet state-specific water-efficiency requirements.
Should I choose the Showerhead or the Showerhand?
The Showerhead is wall-mount fixed and the Showerhand is handheld. If you pick the Showerhand, we recommend a new filter every 30 days.
