Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Sep 14, 2023
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In this review, we’ll take a look at the Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter. It’s a reasonably priced system with a good filter life of 651 gallons, or 12 months, and a powerful filtration process.
We also find it interesting that the filter elements are 100% recyclable. The brand runs a recycling program that allows you to get a free replacement filter in exchange for three used cartridges.
What else does the Epic Smart Shield have in store? Keep reading to find out!
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The Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter uses a single activated coconut carbon block to remove up to 99.99% of over 70 water contaminants, such as:
These reduction rates have been tested and certified against NSF standards (42, 53, 401), so you can rest assured that the Epic Smart Shield is indeed effective and does what it’s claimed to do.
What’s more, the system has a flow rate of 1.25 gpm, which is okay, and a long filter life of 12 months (producing 651 water gallons), so maintenance is kept at a bare minimum.
A unique feature of the Epic Smart Shield under sink filter is the company’s recycling program. If you save and mail them three used filter cartridges, you’ll get a new replacement filter for free! How does it work exactly? You save your three used filters and mail them to Epic Smart Shield with your first and last name, shipping address, email address, the filter type you want, and the unwrapped and unboxed filters. Use simple packaging (no bubble wraps, filter boxes/bags, or packing peanuts), and just like that, you can get a free filter replacement!
Being an integral member of the BOS team, Alexa has ordered and tested the Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter at home. She shares her hands-on experience of installing and using the system in the video below:
Most importantly, the Epic Smart Shield water filter is affordable — $135 at purchase and $115 per year to maintain is quite a fair price. You can even join the “Clean Water Club” and get a 20% discount on replacement filters.
The system’s quality is also nice — USA-made, BPA-free.
Plus, you get a 100% lifetime warranty and a smooth return policy if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
The system is also easy to install. It’s an inline filter (meaning it works with your existing faucet), uses quick-connect fittings, and comes with an installation kit. It only takes about 20 minutes to set up, even for plumbing newbies. Don’t worry about voiding any warranties – the system is designed to allow DIY installation and can even sit with other household items under your kitchen sink. If you like, you can buy a dedicated polished-chrome faucet kit to install with the filter.
Lastly, the Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter works for city and well water. If you use well water or have high sediment levels, there’s an additional 5-micron sediment pre-filter by Epic. You can use this to prolong your filter’s lifespan.
As mentioned before, the Smart Shield under sink water filter system by Epic removes up to 99.99% of dozens of contaminants – tested/certified against NSF standards. Specifically, it removes chlorine taste & odor, chloramine, sediments, asbestos, cyst, lead, mercury, MTBE, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, and other (organic) chemicals.
The Epic Smart Shield – learn more on Epicwaterfilters.com
Installing the Epic under sink filter will take 20 minutes max (even if you’re not plumbing-savvy). It’s designed to encourage DIY installation that can stay under your sink with other household items. You can buy a dedicated faucet if you want, but the filter is inline, meaning it works with your existing faucet.
You’ll need these tools:
To install:
The Epic Smart Shield is easy and affordable to maintain ($115 annually). You can even save an additional 20% by subscribing to the automatic filter delivery service. And remember to recycle your used filters!
Follow these easy steps to replace your filter every 12 months:
Here is a link to the official manual:
https://epicwaterfilters.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360050518014-Instructions-for-Home-Filtration
The Epic Smart Shield under sink filter system is independently certified by the IAPMO against NSF 42 (which covers chlorine, chloramine, and Class 1 particulates), NSF 53 (which covers asbestos, cyst, lead, mercury, MTBE, turbidity, and VOCs), and NSF 401 (which covers BPA, estrone, ibuprofen, naproxen, nonyl phenol, and phenytoin).
To our knowledge, this product has no earlier versions.
The Epic Smart Shield has a 1.25 gpm flow rate, so your water pressure may reduce noticeably after installation. Some users complained of low water pressure, so keep that possibility in mind.
We also found a few complaints saying the tubing was too short. The system would have been easier to place if the included tubing was longer and more flexible.
There were also complaints about water leaking from the fittings.
All in all, the Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter by Epic Water Filters is the best budget choice when it comes to under sink water filters. It has a good filter life plus high effectiveness. It is tested against NSF standards and certified to remove many contaminants. It also has extra features like a lifetime warranty, return policy, and the filter recycling program. All at a fair price.
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Let’s compare the Epic to the Clearly Filtered 3-stage Under-the-Sink Water Filter System.
Well, the Clearly Filtered system uses three filter stages instead of one. The first is granular activated carbon, the second a “special blend” that captures heavy metals, VOCs, radiation, and PFAS among other stuff, while the third traps fluoride and arsenic. Overall, the system’s filtration is very broad and powerful – more powerful than the Epic’s. The Clearly Filtered under sink water filter has been tested against NSF standards 42, 53, and 401 for more than 200 contaminants with great results.
Besides, it has features similar to the Epic Smart Shield system, like a 12-month filter life, a limited lifetime warranty, and an inline design (also made in the USA). Additionally, the Clearly Filtered has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. On the downside, it’s much more expensive to buy and maintain than the Epic.
Our conclusion? The Clearly Filtered under sink water filter is a premium product. It’s the best on the market right now. The Epic Smart Shield is more of an all-rounder: Effective, tested for a decent number of contaminants, and yet affordable.
This completes our review of the Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
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