2023’s Pelican Water Filter System Reviews – All Pros & Cons

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Pelican Water Systems, or simply Pelican Water, is an Enviro Water Solutions, Inc. company. Established back in 2007, the headquarter is located in Deland, Florida.

Pelican Water provides a number of home water treatment solutions for hardness and other issues such as high chlorine content, fluoride contamination or bacterial infestation.

The goal: Help families enjoy cleaner, safer, better tasting H2O in their homes in an environmentally friendly way.

For this Pelican water system reviews series we are going to take a close look at:

Pelican Water Systems – Water Filter Overview

Model Details
Pelican PC600 Whole House Water Filter
Best for Whole House (Small Homes): Pelican PC600 Filter System

Price: $$$
Type: Whole House System
Flow Rate: 8 gpm
Filt. Capacity: 600,000 gal
Read Review: Click
Pelican PC1000 Whole House Water Filter
Best for Whole House (Large Homes): Pelican PC1000 Filter

Price: $$$
Type: Whole House System
Flow Rate: 12 gpm
Filt. Capacity: 1M gal
Read Review: Click
Pelican PSF-1 Shower Filter
Best for Showering: Pelican PSF-1

Price: $
Type: Shower Filter
Flow Rate: 1.5 gpm
Filt. Capacity: 15,000 gal
Read Review: Click

Pelican Water Filter Reviews

Review Order

  1. Pelican PC600 – Best for Whole House Filtration in Small Homes
  2. Pelican PC1000 – Best for Whole House Filtration in Large Homes
  3. Pelican PSF-1 – Best for Chlorinated Shower Water
  4. Pelican PRO-RO – Best for Filtered Drinking Water
  5. Pelican EZ-Connect – Best for Cartridge-Based Filtration in Small Homes

1. Best for Whole House Filtration in Small Homes: Pelican PC600

Pelican’s PC600 whole house water filtration system was designed for water dechlorination/dechloramination. The goal: Vastly improving the taste and smell of tap water and allowing you to enjoy cleaner showers for softer skin and hair that’s easier to manage.

But not only that, the PC600 also reduces chemicals like VOCs and water-soluble heavy metals including chromium and lead.

High-grade catalytic granular activated carbon is the primary filter media. It’s NSF certified for 96.6 percent chlorine removal for more than 650,000 gallons. Furthermore, Pelican guarantees chlorine and chloramine reduction below the minimum detection level for those 650,000+ gallons or 5 years. So you can be rest assured that this water filter works exactly as advertised.

In addition to catalytic carbon, we have copper-zinc oxidation media (KDF-55) mainly to inhibit bacteria and algae growth inside the tank for obvious health reasons.

8 gallons per minute is the service flow rate which is sufficient for small to mid-sized homes. Peak flow is 12 gpm.

Installation is suited for DIYers, and for maintenance all you need to do is change the sediment pre-filter every 6 to 9 months at $30-40 a year. After 5 years or 600,000 gallons, the media bed inside the tank is saturated. The good news: You can easily replace it yourself – no need to call a plumber. Plus, you can keep the tank!

Lastly, everything is backed by a limited lifetime warranty (12 years), a 90-day satisfaction guarantee for peace of mind, and Pelican’s A+ customer support.

All in all, the Pelican PC600 provides clean and great-tasting water for a reasonable price. It’s one of our go-to whole house water filters for city water and basic filtration needs.

Pelican PC600 Whole House Water Filtration System

Pelican PC600

Price: $$$
Purpose: Making Water Ready for Drinking
Ideal for: Small to Mid-Sized Homes
Water Source: Tap Water w/ Chlorine or Chloramine
NSF: 42

Our Rating

Pros

  • Reasonable price
  • Guaranteed to reduce chlorine + chloramine
  • NSF Standard 42 certified for 96.6% chlorine removal
  • Also filters a bunch of chemicals and heavy metals
  • Greatly improves water taste and odor
  • Clean water in your entire home
  • Uses high-grade catalytic granular activated carbon + bacteriostatic KDF-55
  • Very high filtration capacity
  • Sediment pre-filter increases system longevity
  • Media tank made from durable stainless steel
  • Installation suited for DIYers
  • Cheap and easy to maintain
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • 90-day satisfaction guarantee for peace of mind
  • A+ customer support

Cons

  • Plastic instead of metal fittings
  • Carbon media pre-soaking can be problematic

Best for

The Pelican PC600 is best for people living in a small household who want a whole house water filter.

→ Read Our Full Pelican PC600 Review Here

2. Best for Whole House Filtration in Large Homes: Pelican PC1000 Filter System

The Pelican PC1000 whole house system is identical to the PC600 above, except that it’s much larger and therefore has an even higher filtration capacity of roughly 1 million gallons over five years.

It, too, was designed for the elimination of chlorine and chloramine among other contaminants from municipal water supplies.

Again, using catalytic GAC, the PC1000 is NSF certified to reduce 96% chlorine throughout its lifetime. And Pelican guarantees chlorine and chloramine reduction below the minimum detection level for that same period. The addition of KDF-55 prevents microorganisms from growing inside the system tank.

This time we have a flow rate of 12 gpm, so enough for homes with 4-6 bathrooms.

Installation and maintenance are DIY friendly. Maintenance cost: $30-40 per year with minimal efforts.

The manufacturer recommends to replace the primary media bed after 1,000,000 gallons or 5 years which you can do yourself.

Limited lifetime warranty? Check! 90-day satisfaction guarantee? Check! Reliable customer support? Check!

Bottom line: The Pelican PC1000 whole house water filter provides clean & great-tasting tap water at a fair price. It’s our second favorite whole house water filter for city water with basic filtration needs.

Pelican PC1000 Whole House Water Filter System

Pelican PC1000

Price: $$$
Purpose: Making Water Ready for Drinking
Ideal for: Small to Large Homes
Water Source: Tap Water w/ Chlorine or Chloramine
NSF: 42

Our Rating

Pros

  • Fair price
  • Guaranteed to reduce chlorine + chloramine
  • NSF certified (Standard 42) for 96.6% chlorine removal
  • Also filters various chemicals and heavy metals
  • Greatly improves water taste and odor
  • Clean water throughout the entire home
  • Uses high-grade catalytic granular activated carbon + bacteriostatic KDF-55
  • Very high filtering capacity
  • Sediment pre-filter increases system longevity
  • Media tank made from durable stainless steel
  • Setup can be completed by DIYer
  • Cheap and easy to maintain
  • Lifetime warranty (limited)
  • 90-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind
  • A+ customer support

Cons

  • Plastic instead of metal fittings
  • Carbon media pre-soaking can be problematic

Best for

The Pelican PC1000 is best for people living in large homes looking for a whole house water filter.

→ Read Our Full Pelican PC1000 Review Here

3. Best for Showering: Pelican PSF-1 Shower Filter

Are you suffering from dry skin and brittle hair because there’s too much chlorine in your shower water? The Pelican PSF-1 shower filter might be just what you are looking for.

It uses 3 different types of media (KDF, granular activated carbon, Far Infrared balls) to reduce about 90% of free available chlorine for 15,000 gallons of water – all according to NSF Standard 177 lab testing for guaranteed performance.

Chloramine, disinfection byproducts and other synthetic chemicals will also be partially removed, says Pelican (no test data provided).

What’s more, the Far Infrared balls are supposed to alter the water’s surface tension “for better hydration of hair and skin“.

By the way, you can choose from 3 different configurations:

  • PSF-1 (standard version) – Includes shower head
  • PSF-1NH – Without shower head (use your own)
  • PSF-1W – With 5-foot hand-held massaging wand

They all fit ½” industry standard connections. Just make sure that there is enough space between shower head and ceiling to accommodate the filter.

Total filtration capacity: 6 to 9 months in a 2-person household.

Pelican PSF-1 shower filter

Pelican PSF-1

Price: $
Purpose: Clean Shower Water
Ideal for: Dry, Flaky Skin & Brittle Hair
Water Source: Chlorinated Water
NSF: 177

Our Rating

Pros

  • Available in white and chrome
  • High-flow and water-conserving spray settings
  • NSF Standard 177 certified
  • Does not lower height of shower head for comfortable standing
  • 100% BPA-free
  • 1-year limited warranty (requires product registration)
  • Handy accessories clip
  • Optional Ocean Breeze aromatherapy scent bar for spa-like shower experience
  • Easy installation
  • Fast filter changes

Cons

  • Expensive replacement cartridges
  • Connection prone to leaking
  • Will reduce water flow rate to 1.5 gallons per minute (1.0 gpm for water-saving spray setting)

Best for

The Pelican PSF-1 is best for filtering chlorinated shower water.

→ Read Our Full Pelican PSF-1 Review Here

4. Best for Drinking Water: Pelican PRO-RO 6-Stage Reverse Osmosis System

The Pelican PRO-RO 6-stage reverse osmosis system delivers refreshing, pure drinking water free from unpleasant odors, harmful chemicals and other impurities straight to your kitchen faucet.

A 20-micron sediment pre-filter followed by granular activated carbon (GAC), the actual RO membrane and a second GAC filter stage reduce:

  • Arsenic 5 – 99.0%
  • Cadmium – 98.3%
  • Chromium 6 – 98.3%
  • Fluoride – 93.8%
  • Lead – 96.8%
  • Radium 226/228 – 98.8%
  • Turbidity – 98.7%
  • TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) – 93.1%

*All according to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 tested and certified by the Water Quality Association.

A second activated carbon post-filter combined with a remineralization stage gives your water the finishing touch. The carbon removes any residual tastes while the calcite adds beneficial calcium and magnesium minerals back into the water that were lost during filtration.

What’s more, the system produces a maximum of 15 gallons of purified per day at a recovery rate of roughly 26%. This means that for every gallon of filtered water, 3 gallons of wastewater will go down the drain. We know, this sounds like a lot, but it’s just how the reverse osmosis treatment process works.

Did we mention that you get a 1-year limited warranty?

Pelican PRO-RO 6-stage RO system

Pelican PRO-RO

Price: $$
Purpose: Clean Drinking Water
Ideal for: Small to Larger Families
Water Source: Dirty Tap Water
NSF: 58

Our Rating

Pros

  • Provides clean and delicious drinking water
  • Tested and certified against NSF Standard 58
  • Remineralizes your water for natural taste and balanced pH
  • Good recovery rate
  • Compact design will leave plenty of room in kitchen sink cabinet (great for smaller apartments and condos)
  • Select from 3 faucet finishes to match your kitchen decor
  • System + membranes made in the USA
  • Low in maintenance
  • Easy filter replacements
  • Includes 1-year warranty (limited)
  • Free biannual water sample testing to ensure that RO membrane works properly

Cons

  • High initial cost
  • High annual maintenance cost
  • Issues with leaking faucets

Best for

The Pelican PRO-RO reverse osmosis system is best for people who want a drinking water filter.

5. Best for Cartridge-Based Filtration in Small Homes: Pelican EZ-Connect Compact System

The Pelican EZ-Connect Compact water filtration system delivers chlorine/chloramine-free water to every outlet in your home. Water that feels and smells clean for the ultimate shower experience and that also tastes great – although the EZ-Connect is not a drinking water filter.

You can choose between 2 versions:

  • The PC100 features 10″ industry standard housings and reduces 99% chlorine using a carbon block filter.
  • The PC200 features 20″ industry standard housings and reduces 99% chlorine as well as chloramine making use of catalytic carbon. (Nowadays, chloramine is being commonly used as a chlorine alternative for water disinfection in municipal supply systems.)

FYI: Both come with a 5-micron pre-filter that traps sediment.

A flow rate of 5 gpm is enough for small homes and families with 1 or 2 bathrooms.

And lastly, everything is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Pelican EZ-Connect Compact Water Filtration System

Pelican EZ-Connect

Price: $$
Purpose: Mainly Improve Water Taste & Odor
Ideal for: Small Homes
Water Source: Tap Water
NSF:

Our Rating

Pros

  • Very effective at chlorine/chloramine reduction
  • Clean water throughout your entire home
  • Sediment pre-filter increases system longevity
  • Clear sediment pre-filter housing allows for timely replacements
  • Housing cover connects both filter stages to prevent leaks
  • Easy to hook up
  • Low in maintenance
  • Lifetime warranty (limited)

Cons

  • Pricey considering the relatively small size and simple build
  • High maintenance cost
  • Missing NSF certifications for chlorine/chloramine reduction

Best for

The Pelican EZ-Connect is best for people who want a cartridge-based whole house water filter for small homes.

→ Read Our Full Pentair EZ-Connect Filter Review Here

Pelican Water Systems Review: Why Pelican?

To ask why choose Pentair Pelican and not go with one of the competitors seems like a legitimate question. Here are a few good reasons:

  • Guaranteed Performance – Some (not all) Pelican filters were tested and certified according to NSF Standards. For instance, the PC600 and PC1000 whole house filters have earned an NSF Standard 42 certification for chlorine taste and odor reduction as well as structural integrity. In addition, Standard 61 guarantees material safety. The Pelican PRO-RO reverse osmosis system is certified to reduce arsenic 5 (99.0%), chromium 6 (98.3%), fluoride (93.8%), lead (96.8%) and radium 226/228 (98.8%) among other potentially harmful contaminants (Standard 58). And lastly, lab tests according to NSF Standard 177 for the reduction of free available chlorine have shown that the Pelican PSF-1 shower filter is capable of eliminating 90% of the halogen even after 15,000 gallons of filtration.
  • DIY – Pelican filters are easy to set up and use – no need to call a plumber. This is going to save you quite a bit of money obviously.
  • Easy Maintenance – Apart from cartridge replacements here and there, Pelican systems are maintenance-free for the most part.
  • Receive Replacement Filters Automatically – If you join Pelican’s Water Shield Autoship Club replacement filters for your Pelican system will be shipped to you on full automation. You can also order replacement parts for your drinking water unit, shower filter and UV/RO system. As an additional benefit you get a discount on all filter cartridges and possibly free shipping.

If you have any questions about Pelican water filters please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

And remember to revisit this page from time to time as we are going to add new Pelican water system reviews occasionally.

About the Author Gene Fitzgerald

Gene Fitzgerald is one of the founders of BOS and currently head of content creation. She has 8+ years of experience as a water treatment specialist under her belt making her our senior scientist. Outside of BOS, Gene loves reading books on philosophy & social issues, making music, and hiking.
Learn more about .

Gene

Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
We adhere to strict editorial guidelines. Rest assured, the opinions expressed have not been provided, reviewed, or otherwise endorsed by our partners – they are unbiased, independent, and the author’s alone. Our licensed experts fact-check all content for accuracy. It is accurate as of the date posted and to the best of our knowledge.

Leave a Comment:

Karen Reid says March 26, 2020

I have chronic, severe eczema and I’m not sure if salt or carbon unit is better

Reply
    Gene says August 11, 2020

    Sorry Karen, we are not allowed to provide health advice.

    Reply
Robert Leon says May 6, 2020

We’re considering a whole house Pelican system. We live in Broward county (Davie) fl. Don’t want to be tied to salt systems. Worried about any system reducing the pressure at any of our faucets. Would you recommend this system?
Thank you

Reply
    Gene says August 11, 2020

    It depends on the size of your home.

    Reply
Shannon mills says February 22, 2022

Had system installed; changing filter for first time. Turning canister clockwise as instructed and will not budge. The PVC pipes on either side and the metal bracket buckled and almost broke. Called to request a tech change it since either it was installed to tight or less than adequate bracket to hold in place. They want to charge $89 for a service visit for equipment that is not functioning as advertised. Said warranty only good for a month; funny since it’s 6-9 months before filter is to be changed. So warranty seems a bit useless. Tech line hung up on me, just as poor service from CSU line……

Reply
    Gene says June 15, 2022

    Thanks for sharing your experience, Shannon!

    Reply
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