How Much Does a Lead Water Filter Cost?
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated: Oct 20, 2022
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Looking to filter lead from your water but not sure how much it will cost?
In reality, the cost of lead water filters varies, depending on the filter type and where you purchase them.
In this article, we’ll break down the average cost of a lead water filter based on several factors. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision about which option is most suited for you.
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Key Takeaways
Lead water filter cost by type:
- Whole house lead water filters cost around $1,500.
- Lead filter pitchers typically cost around $60.
- Reverse osmosis systems have an average price of $200-500.
- Under-the-sink water filters removing lead can range anywhere from $50 to $600.
- There are some shower filters that reduce lead content (not a lot). Their prices start at around $30 and go up to $100 or more.
How Much Does a Lead Water Filter Cost?
Below are several product examples of lead water filters and their price tags.
| Lead Water Filter Model | Price Tag |
|---|---|
| PIONEER Whole House Lead Water Filter | $1501.97 |
| Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 Whole House Water Filter | $479.95 |
| Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher | $90.00 |
| Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher | $60.00 |
| AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis System | $449.00 |
| Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis System | $249.99 |
| Home Master TMAFC Artesian Full Contact Reverse Osmosis System | $329.95 |
| Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System | $550.00 |
| Epic Smart Shield Under Sink Water Filter | $139.00 |
| Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under Sink Water Filter | $224.99 |
| Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter | $69.99-104.99 |
| Big Berkey Gravity Water Filter | $387.00 |
Lead Water Filter Cost by Type
When checking out what’s available, you may notice that lead water filters come in different types. We’ve picked out our top recommendations.
Whole House Lead Water Filters
A whole house water filter is a filter installed on your main water line coming into your home. It’s a great choice if you want all the water you use in your entire household to be contaminant-free.
There are different whole house water filters for specific contaminants, like sediment and bacteria. However, whole house lead water filters are quite rare. Fortunately, we were able to find one online.
- Pioneer Whole House Lead and Cyst Removal System | $1,501.97
The Pioneer Whole House Lead and Cyst Removal System is NSF-certified to remove 99.95% of lead, along with PFOA and PFAS. It also treats cysts, chlorine, and chloramine.
Like many modern whole house filters, this system tells you when to replace filter cartridges. It may be on the pricey side, but no other product is comparable.
Lead Filter Pitchers
A water filter pitcher is one of the more inexpensive ways to remove lead from drinking water. Simply pour water from the tap into the pitcher, and it will filter out lead and other contaminants before dispensing clean water into your cup. These filters typically cost around $60.
Below are the 2 leading lead water filter pitchers.
- Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher | $90.00
The Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher is considered the #1 on the market. It is an NSF-tested product that removes lead, fluoride, BPA, Glyphosate, and 360+ other impurities.
- Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher | $60.00
The Epic Pure Water Filter Pitcher is a cheaper alternative but still packs quite a punch. It’s capable of eliminating over 200 contaminants, including lead, mercury, and microplastics. It also has a lifetime warranty. The filter would need to be changed every 3 to 4 months with moderate use.
RO Systems
A reverse osmosis (RO) system uses a process of water purification that forces your water through a semipermeable membrane. This type of filter is very effective in removing lead from your water, as well as other contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and salts.
Because of their powerful capabilities, RO systems are on the more expensive side. The average price of an RO system is $200-500.
- AquaTru Countertop RO System | $449.00
The AquaTru Countertop RO System is our favorite of its kind. It has a space-saving design and is easy to install. Independent tests show it is capable of removing over 82 contaminants.
- Aquasana OptimH2O | $249.99
The Aquasana OptimH2O is our choice for runner-up. It’s cheaper and can remove lead and 87 other contaminants. However, the flow rate of this system may be slower compared to others.
Further Reading:
Under-the-Sink Water Filters
As its name suggests, an under-the-sink water filter is installed under a kitchen or bathroom sink. This type of filter will require you to have some basic plumbing knowledge to install, but once ready, it will remove lead from all the water coming from your kitchen or bathroom faucet.
Prices for under sink water filters can range anywhere from $50 to $600. Here are our top picks.
- Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System | $550.00
The Clearly Filtered 3-Stage Under the Sink Water Filter System ticks all our boxes. It is verified by EPA-accredited laboratories to remove 232+ contaminants. Recommended replacement for the filters is 1 year. And finally, it has a lifetime warranty!
- Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow | $224.99
If you’re looking for something lighter on the budget, the Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow is a decent choice. The system uses carbon among other filters to remove 77 contaminants.
Shower Filters
A shower filter is an excellent way to go if you want safe water for bathing, showering, and cleaning. These devices typically attach to the showerhead.
Some shower filters reduce lead content, but often not a whole lot. Prices start at around $30 but can go up to $100 or more for high-end models.
Here’s a closer look at our recommended shower filter.
- Aquasana AQ-4100 Shower Filter | $69.99-104.99
The Aquasana Shower Filter comes in different versions. You can choose the model with the massaging head, the one with a handheld wand, or the one without a head. While it is popularly known to remove chlorine, it also targets other contaminants like lead.
Installation Cost
Many of the filters above can be installed without professional help, but for others like whole house water filters and under sink water filters, you may need to hire a plumber.
Plumbing costs can vary depending on the type of filter you have, the size of your home, and whether or not you need to make any modifications to your plumbing.
Installation costs for lead water filters could range from $0 (think water filter pitcher which is installation-free) to $1000+ (a more complex whole house water filter installation that requires help from a professional plumber).
To save money, you can attempt to install any filters by yourself. Manufacturers would often provide instructions with their units. There are also plenty of online resources available.
Maintenance Cost
Once a lead water filter is installed, there are ongoing costs for replacement filters. These maintenance costs will depend on your filter type and how often it needs to be replaced.
For instance, some whole house filters need replacement every 6 to 12 months. Meanwhile, a reverse osmosis membrane may only need to be replaced every 2 to 3 years. A pitcher water filter usually doesn’t last more than 3-4 months.
In the long run, ongoing maintenance costs are often much higher than a filter’s initial price tag. This is definitely something you want to keep in mind before making a purchase.
If you have any questions about lead water filter cost please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
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