5 Best Sediment Water Filter Cartridges (*Update 2024)
Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Expert Fact-Checking: Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS // Last Updated: Jan 31, 2024
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Top Pick: What’s the Best Sediment Filter Cartridge?
The best sediment filter cartridge in 2024 is the Kind Water Systems E-100R, because it targets sediments down to 5 microns in size, has a long filter life of around 1 year as well as a fast flow rate, it fits standard-sized housings, and it is pretty affordable although made in the USA.
There are dozens if not hundreds of sediment water filter cartridges of different types, sizes, and micron ratings. Naturally, choosing the one cartridge that’s right for your water conditions can be tough.
To help you, we’ve analyzed 13+ of the most promising models on the market. We’ve spent dozens of hours researching, reviewing, and testing sediment filter cartridges in order to provide you as valuable of a buying guide as possible. And we are working on improving it on a regular basis. Hopefully, you find it useful…
Contents
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No Time to Read? Check Our List of the Best Sediment Filter Cartridges!
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Best 20-Inch: Kind Water Systems E-100R Sediment Filter Cartridge |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
Price: $ Micron Rating: 5 Type: Pleated Cellulose Filter Life: 12 Months Annual Cost: ~$40 Read Review: Click |
 Best 10-Inch: PureT 5-Micron Sediment Filter Cartridge |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $ Micron Rating: 50 to 5 Type: Polypropylene Filter Life: 6-9 Months Annual Cost: ~$40 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Step-Down Sediment Filtration: Home Master CFdgd2501-20BB |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
|
Price: $ Micron Rating: 25 to 1 Type: Polypropylene Multi-Gradient Density Filter Life: Not Specified Annual Cost: ~$40 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Sediments + Lead: USWS Interceptor |
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $$ Micron Rating: Submicron Type: Mixed Filter Media Filter Life: ~12 Months Annual Cost: ~$200 Read Review: Click |
Sediment Filter Cartridge Reviews
Our Top Picks
- Kind Water Systems E-100R – Best for 20-Inch Filter Housings
- PureT – Best for 10-Inch Filter Housings
- Home Master CFdgd2501-20BB – Best for Step-Down Filtration
- USWS Interceptor – Best for Sediments + Lead (and Other Contaminants)
- Crystal Quest CQE-RC-04033 & CQE-RC-04034
1. Best 20-Inch Sediment Filter Cartridge: Kind Water Systems E-100R
In our opinion, the best 20-inch sediment filter cartridge in 2024 is the Kind Water Systems E-100R, which traps sediments down to 5 microns in size while maintaining a very high flow rate.
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Kind Water Systems E-100R 5-Micron Sediment Filter Cartridge |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Microns: | 5 |
| Type: | Pleated Cellulose |
| Filter Capacity: | 1 Year |
| Annually: | ~$40 |
|
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
Other Specs
- Model: E-100R
- Last Price: $39.98
- Flow Rate: 15 gpm
- Size: 4.5”x20.0” (Standard Big Blue)
Key Features & Pros
- Made in the USA.
- 5-micron pleated sediment filter traps sand, rust, dirt, debris, and other particulates.
- Sediment filtration protects your home’s plumbing, fixtures, outlets, and later filter stages.
- Comes in standard big blue 4.5”x20” size, so it will fit any sediment filter system that takes standard-sized filter housings including all Kind Water Systems.
- The flow rate of 15 gallons per minute is enough to accommodate larger homes with up to 6 bathrooms.
- Includes O-ring and lubrication for leak-free performance.
- The manufacturer recommends changing the filter every 12 months.
- You can try to wash and reuse.
- 120-day money-back satisfaction guarantee in case you are unhappy for any reason.
- The company has a strong reputation and has responsive and knowledgeable customer service.
Cons
- None that we can see so far.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Kind Water Systems W-100R is the best option for a standard-sized 20-inch sediment filter cartridge.
2. Best 10-Inch Sediment Filter Cartridge: PureT 5-Micron
If you are looking for the best 10-inch sediment filter cartridge, go with the PureT 5-Micron!
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PureT 5-Micron Sediment Filter Cartridge |
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| Price: | $ |
| Microns: | 50 to 5 |
| Type: | PP |
| Filter Capacity: | 6-9 Months |
| Annually: | ~$40 |
|
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
Other Specs
- Model: PureT 5-Micron
- Last Price: $40.18
- Flow Rate: 20-35 gpm
- Size: 4.5”x10.0” (Standard Big Blue)
- NSF Certification: 42
Key Features & Pros
- 5-micron polypropylene sediment filter cartridge is designed for “general water filtration”. As a result, any sand, silt, sediment, dirt, and other particles down to 5 microns will be trapped by the filter.
- 4 layers of gradient depth-filtration ranging from 50 microns down to 5 microns increase the filter’s dirt-holding capacity.
- Certified to NSF standard 42 for structural integrity.
- Comes in both standard filter sizes (big blue), so can be used in any system that will accept standard cartridges:
- 4.5×20”
- 4.5×10”
- The flow rate of 20 to 35 gallons is exceedingly high – making the cartridge ideal for large homes and even commercial/residential buildings.
- Each sediment filter cartridge will last approximately 6 to 9 months before requiring replacement. Annual costs for cartridge replacement come to just $30 to $40.
- Subscribing to the auto-ship program will save you 5%.
- Springwell has a top reputation for providing excellent customer care. Their customer service is fast, responsive, and capable of solving any issues you might have.
Cons
- Nothing as of yet.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The PureT 5-Micron (sold by SpringWell) is the best 10-inch sediment filter cartridge for well water and makes a great all-around product.
3. Best for Step-Down Filtration (of Well Water): Home Master Multi-Gradient Density Cartridge
If you have lots of sediments in your (well) water, step-down filtration can be a great approach. It prevents premature clogging and thus provides for a long filter life. Sounds promising? Check out the Home Master Multi-Gradient Density Cartridge!
|
Home Master CFdgd2501-20BB Multi-Gradient Density Cartridge |
|
| Price: | $ |
| Microns: | 25 to 1 |
| Type: | PP Multi-Gradient Density |
| Filter Capacity: | Not Specified |
| Annually: | ~$40 |
|
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
|
|
Other Specs
- Model: CFdgd2501-20BB
- Last Price: $35.95
- Size: 4.5”x20.0” (Standard Big Blue)
- Water Pressure: 20-100 °F
- Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
- Water pH: 4-10
Key Features & Pros
- Multi gradient density sediment water filter cartridge features multiple layers to filter various-sized sediments.
- 25-micron outer layer traps larger particles.
- 10-micron and 5-micron inner layers trap dust, silt, and smaller particles.
- 1-micron core layer traps minute particles like ultra-fine dust, cysts, bacteria, and other microbial contaminants.
- The multi-layered design also increases the filter’s sediment-holding capacity – increasing its lifespan.
- Designed for high flow rate and minimal pressure drop.
- Standard-sized 4.5×20” big blue size.
- Bacterial and chemical resistant.
Cons
- The manufacturer hasn’t provided a flow rate or filtration capacity, so we can only guess at these figures.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 4.5/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The Home Master Multi-Gradient Density Cartridge is the best sediment filter cartridge for well water that requires 20-inch step-down filtration.
4. Best for Sediments + Lead and Other Contaminants: US Water Interceptor PAC DOE Filter Cartridge
If you are not only dealing with sediments but also with lead, chromium 6, bacteria, and more, we recommend the Interceptor filter cartridge by US Water Systems.
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USWS Interceptor PAC DOE Filter Cartridge |
|
| Price: | $$ |
| Microns: | Submicron |
| Type: | Multi-Media |
| Filter Capacity: | ~1 Year |
| Annually: | ~$200 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
Other Specs
- Model: 361-USP-IN-PAC-4520-D
- Last Price: $201.95
- Filter Media: Submicron, PAC, Agion Silver
- Size: 4.5”x10.0” (Standard Big Blue)
- Water pH: 5-9.5
Key Features & Pros
- Made in the USA.
- Multi-stage filter cartridge designed to remove sediment, lead, chromium 6, and chlorine.
- Both soluble and particular lead are removed.
- 5-micron outer filter layer removes sand, silt, sediment, and other particles.
- Sub-micron filtration reduces lead, silica, chromium 6, bacteria, and cysts.
- Powder-activated carbon reduces or removes chlorine, pesticides, and foul tastes/odors.
- The filter is also infused with Agion silver to minimize the growth of bacteria, mildew, mold, and other microbial contaminants.
- Conforms to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 – for drinking water systems and their components.
- Low-pressure drop.
- Standard 4.5×20” big blue sizing means it’s compatible with any system that takes standard sediment filter cartridges.
- Filter lifespan is one year or more depending on water quality and pre-treatment.
Cons
- Elevated levels of turbidity, iron, sulfur, or manganese will need to be removed in pre-treatment for the filter to work effectively.
- No flow rate is provided by the manufacturer.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 4.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The US Water Interceptor PAC DOE Filter Cartridge is the best option for when you need to remove sediment in addition to lead and other common water contaminants.
5. Crystal Quest Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge
Our final review features the Crystal Quest Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge. It’s ideal if you like the idea of cleaning and reusing your sediment filter cartridge multiple times.
Crystal Quest Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge |
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| Price: | $ |
| Microns: | 5 |
| Type: | Pleated Cellulose |
| Filter Capacity: | 1-1.5 Years |
| Annually: | ~$20-45 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment reduction, water flow rate, filter capacity, costs, first-hand testing, 3rd-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
|
Other Specs
- Model: CQE-RC-04033, CQE-RC-04034
- Last Price: $34.50-$44.50
- Water Temperature: 40-120 °F
- Water Pressure: 30-60 psi
Key Features & Pros
- The 5-micron pleated cellulose sediment cartridge is designed for general water filtration.
- The pleated design with a polypropylene core increases the filter’s sediment-holding capacity and strength.
- Clean + reuse!
- Comes in both standard whole house filter sizes:
- 4.5×10”
- 4.5×20”
- Filter lifespan is 12 to 18 months depending on water quality and usage level.
Cons
- No flow rate or filter capacity is provided by the manufacturer.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Maintenance Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.5/5.0
Best for
The Crystal Quest Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge is best when you want a standard-sized sediment filter cartridge that can be cleaned and reused.
More Reviews:
- The Very Best Sediment Filters for Well Water
- Best Spin-Down Sediment Water Filters
- We Reviewed the Best Whole House Water Filter Cartridges!
- Best Whole House Well Water Filtration System
- Best Whole House Well Water Filter Cartridge
- Best 2-Stage Whole House Water Filter
- List with All Whole House Water Filters Featured on BOS
Comparison List
(Mobile Hint: Swipe to Scroll)
| Model | Price | Microns | Type | Filter Capacity | Flow Rate | Size | Annually | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kind Water Systems E-100R 5-Micron Sediment Filter Cartridge | $ | 5 | Pleated Cellulose | 1 Year | 15 Gallons Per Minute | 20-Inch Big Blue | ~$40 | |
| PureT 5-Micron Sediment Filter Cartridge | $ | 50 to 5 | PP | 6-9 Months | 20-35 Gallons Per Minute | 10-Inch Big Blue | ~$40 | |
| Home Master CFdgd2501-20BB Multi-Gradient Density Cartridge | $ | 25 to 1 | PP Multi-Gradient Density | Not Specified | ? | 20-Inch Big Blue | ~$40 | |
| USWS Interceptor PAC DOE Filter Cartridge | $$ | Submicron | Multi-Media | ~1 Year | ? | 20-Inch Big Blue | ~$200 | |
| Crystal Quest Pleated Cellulose Sediment Cartridge | $ | 5 | Pleated Cellulose | 1-1.5 Years | ? | 20-Inch Big Blue | ~$20-45 |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Sediment Water Filter Cartridge That’s Best for You
The following are key features worth considering when shopping for a sediment water filter cartridge. They will help you choose the right on for your needs and budget.
The Type of Sediment in Your Water
Sediment in water can come from several sources, including silt, clay, sand, dust, pipe scale, and even rust from old plumbing lines.
Well water tends to have significantly higher levels of sediment than city water, as it doesn’t go through any form of water treatment before flowing into your plumbing. As a result, sediment levels tend to be higher, which can cause buildup and clogging in your plumbing lines, fixtures, or water treatment equipment.
You can have your (well) water professionally tested for sediment, which tends to be fairly inexpensive. This will give you precise information on the quantity, type, and size of sediment you are dealing with.
You can also use a home test kit to determine the level of sediment you’re dealing with, or even fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and examine the bottom for sediments.
Once you have a decent idea of the quantity and size of sediment you’re facing, you’ll be better equipped to select the right sediment filter cartridge for the job.
Overall Water Quality
In addition to testing for sediments, it’s a good idea to check your water for other common contaminants like manganese, iron, sulfur, and water hardness.
While sediment is common to well water, these other contaminants are also frequently present and require removal for your water to be completely clean and tasty.
Comprehensive well water testing can be done with either a home test kit or sending in a water sample for professional testing. Home test kits are cheap and instant, but aren’t as accurate as professional testing.
If you find additional contaminants through testing, they can be removed by installing additional filtration, or in some cases by using a specialized filter designed to remove sediments along with other contaminants.
Cartridge Type
Whole house sediment filter cartridges differ in terms of design and can be divided into three primary categories.
1. Surface Filter Cartridges
Surface filters – also known as pleated filters – are made from a thin sheet of material that is folded over and over into a ‘pleated’ pattern. This design gives the filter increased surface area. This makes them more effective, as well as increasing the filtration capacity.
Surface filters are also typically washable and reusable, so you can use them multiple times before replacement is needed.
2. Depth Filter Cartridges
Depth filters differ from surface filters in that they utilize thicker layers of media to trap sediment through the depth of the filter. They can be made of several materials including polyester, cellulose, polypropylene, ceramic, and glass fiber.
Many of these filters feature a graded density structure, which means they have multiple layers of absorptive material with differing levels of filtration. This allows the filter to remove differing sediment sizes without clogging – leading to a low pressure drop and a high dirt-holding capacity.
3. Absorptive Filter Cartridges
Absorptive filters use electro-kinetic absorption rather than the mechanical filtration used in the above two types. This involves binding particles with an opposite charge to prevent them from moving through the filter.
This filter type is highly effective at removing tiny particles – down to just 0.5 microns in some cases.
Micron Rating
A sediment filter’s micron rating refers to its ability to remove a certain-sized particle from water. So, for instance, a 5-micron sediment filter will remove any suspended particle larger than 5 microns, and allow most particles smaller than 5 microns to pass through unaffected.
Micron rating is perhaps the most important factor to be aware of when it comes to sediment filter cartridges, as it determines their filtration ability.
One more thing to keep in mind is that you want to select the largest micron size possible while still eliminating your desired contaminants. This is because smaller micron sizes are significantly more prone to clogging than larger ones.
If you have high sediment levels, then it can make sense to use step-down sediment filtration. This involves installing multiple filter cartridges in a row starting at a higher micron rating and stepping down to a lower one.
Filter Size
Most sediment filter cartridges sold for whole house systems will fall into one of two standard sizes – 4.5×10” 4.5×20” (big blue). The latter is double the length of the former, and as a result, tends to have significantly better flow rates.
These standard-sized cartridges can be used in any standard-sized system – making them highly versatile.
Water Pressure and Flow Rate
Sediment filter cartridges tend to have significantly higher flow rates when compared with other water filter cartridges, so the flow rate is less of an issue, but it’s good to be aware of nonetheless.
Flow rate refers to the maximum capacity of a filter cartridge to process water at once. It’s measured in gallons per minute (gpm) and sometimes in the number of bathrooms a system can accommodate. If the flow rate is too low, then your water pressure can lower significantly when running multiple outlets at once.
Filter Life
Filter life refers to the lifespan of the filter cartridge. This can differ significantly depending on design and size.
While manufacturers typically provide a figure for filter lifespan, it’s important to note that this is just an estimate and will vary depending on your water quality and how much you use the filter.
Cost
Sediment filter cartridges tend to be on the cheaper side when compared with other types, and can often be purchased for less than $40 per unit.
That said, it makes sense to consider the annual cost of cartridge replacements rather than the unit cost. This is because a cartridge that costs $80 but only needs replacement every 18 months has a lower annual cost ($53.33) than a cartridge that costs $50 but needs replacement every 6 months ($100).
More on Sediment Filter Cartridges
Further Reading:
What Is a Sediment Filter Cartridge?
A sediment filter cartridge is any filter cartridge designed to remove sediments like sand, dirt, rust, and other particulates from your water. These cartridges can remove any sediment suspended in your water – provided it has the right micron rating – but they can’t remove particles that are dissolved in water.
Sediment filter cartridges are often used in conjunction with other filter types.
The Types of Sediment Water Filter Cartridges and How They Work
Let’s take a look at the most common types of sediment filter cartridges and see how they work.
1. Pleated
Pleated cartridge filters have a folded accordion-like design that creates a large surface area. This also allows them to remove sediments without restricting the water pressure.
Pleated sediment filter cartridges can be made from a variety of materials but are most often polypropylene or thin polyester. Many are also washable and reusable, which means they can be cleaned and reused numerous times before requiring replacement.
They tend to have high capacities, flow rates, and create little to no pressure drop, making them an ideal choice for most applications.
2. String-Wound
String-wound filters are a type of depth cartridge that uses a string wrapped around a solid core. The string can be made from polypropylene, cotton, polyester, or other materials.
The depth filter design allows the cartridge to trap different sediment sizes at different layers, increasing dirt-holding capacity and lowering pressure drop.
3. Melt-Blown
Melt-blown filter cartridges are another type of depth filter made from polypropylene, nylon, or cellulose. These materials are pressed, heated, and melt-blown into a solid structure.
These filters offer excellent chemical resistance, and due to the melt-blown design, binders, lubricants, and additives will not leach into your water.
Melt-blown filter cartridges can either have a fixed pore size or a gradient design with descending pore sizes. Graded filters allow for greater dirt-holding capacity and lower pressure drop.
4. Spun
Spun filter cartridges are manufactured from polypropylene fibers which are woven together to form a gradient from the outside down to the core. This design allows the filter to capture contaminant particles through the entire depth of the filer – reducing clogging.
This filter design tends to be one of the least expensive, while still maintaining effective sediment removal.
5. Multi-Gradient
Multi-gradient sediment filter cartridges feature multiple separate filer layers with varying pore sizes. This filter design allows for the efficient removal of different-sized sediments while offering impressive dirt-holding capacity, flow rates, and a low pressure drop.
The 2 Standard Sizes of 4.5-Inch Filter Cartridges
When it comes to whole house sediment filter cartridges, there are two standard sizes offered by many manufacturers:
- 4.5×10”
- 4.5×20”
There are also two other standard sizes (2.5”x10” and 2.5”x20”), although these are typically used for point-of-use systems and not whole house systems.
When it comes to choosing a size, the larger big blue filter offers higher flow rates, making it better suited to larger homes with many bathrooms.
There are also proprietary, non-standard-sized filter cartridges available, although we recommend staying away from these as replacements tend to cost more, plus you may run into sourcing issues if the company goes under or discontinues the product.
Why Do You Need a Sediment Filter Cartridge (for Well Water)?
As mentioned previously, well water tends to contain significantly higher levels of sediment than city water, which can cause several issues in your home.
(But even when on municipal water, in some houses a sediment filter is a must to protect the plumbing system from dirt clogging.)
Protect Your Entire Plumbing System
Sediment in your well water can lead to buildup and clogging inside your home’s plumbing lines and fixtures. This not only causes cloudy, poor-tasting water but can lead to low-pressure issues and even permanent damage to your plumbing.
A sediment filter is an inexpensive and simple way to prevent this issue and keep your water clear and sediment-free.
Protect Appliances + Other Water Treatment Equipment
In addition to potential damage to your plumbing lines, high levels of sediment in your water also have the potential to damage your home’s water-consuming appliances. This can lead to expensive maintenance and repairs for your dishwasher, washing machine, and even your home’s water heater.
Another concern for sediment damage is other water filtration systems. If you have another filter system installed such as activated carbon or reverse osmosis, high levels of sediment will prematurely clog the filter elements leading to more frequent filter replacements.
Installing a sediment filter will prevent sediment buildup damage both to household appliances and water filtration systems.
Pros & Cons of Sediment Filter Cartridges
Pros
Water Taste and Aesthetics
Removing sediment from water will eliminate cloudiness, turbidity, discoloration, and other aesthetic issues. Depending on the contaminants in question, it may also improve the taste of your water.
Installation
Simple cartridge-based sediment filters are generally easy to install on your own without the need for a plumber or contractor. Once installed, all that’s needed to keep the system working is cleaning or replacing the cartridge when necessary.
Protect Plumbing/Appliances
Removing sediment from your water will protect your home’s plumbing and water-consuming appliances. This will save you a significant amount of money on repairs, maintenance, and even heating bills from increased water heater efficiency.
Versatility
If your filter system takes standard-sized cartridges, then you can swap your current filter cartridge for any other standard-sized cartridge. This allows you to opt for a cheaper cartridge if desired, or swap to a specialized cartridge to remove additional contaminants.
Cons
Cartridge Replacements
While sediment filter cartridges are fairly inexpensive, they must be replaced on schedule to ensure the system continues to remove sediments. The exact replacement interval varies depending on the cartridge in question, as well as your water quality and usage level.
Contaminants Removed
While there are specialized cartridges capable of removing additional contaminants like lead and chlorine, most sediment filter cartridges can only remove sediment. That means you’ll likely need additional water filtration to completely purify your well water or city water supply.
How and How Often to Replace
The precise interval required between replacing sediment filter cartridges depends on the filter in question, your water quality, and how much you use the filter.
Typically, sediment cartridges should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, although this may be more or less depending on the above factors.
If you notice a steady decrease in water pressure over time, this is a good sign your filter needs replacement. Typically, you can inspect the filter for sediment buildup by examining the exterior of the cartridge.
To replace the filter cartridge:
- Loosen the filter housing by hand or using a housing wrench.
- Remove the old filter cartridge from the housing and discard it.
- Clean out the inside of the housing using dish soap or unscented bleach.
- Examine the condition of the O-ring and lubricate or replace it if needed.
- Remove the new filter cartridge from its packaging and slide it into the filter housing.
- Mount the filter housing back to the system head.
How to Clean a Pleated Sediment Filter
If your sediment filter cartridge has a pleated design, then it can be cleaned and reused multiple times before needing replacement.
To clean a pleated sediment filter:
- Turn off your main water supply line or activate the shut-off valve.
- Loosen the filter housing from the unit head and remove the clogged sediment filter.
- Brush the filter carefully to remove loose sediments.
- Next, run the filter under cold water for several minutes until the water runs clear.
- Clean out the inside of the filter housing with water and dish soap.
- Replace the pleated cartridge into the filter housing and tighten it.
- Turn the water supply back on or deactivate the shut-off valve.
What Is Sediment Exactly?
When it comes to water filtration, sediment refers to suspended solids in water such as sand, dirt, clay, rust, and other debris. Sediments refer to particles that are suspended or floating in water rather than dissolved particles.
Sediment in your water can cause several issues including cloudiness, discoloration, poor taste, and odor, as well as more serious problems caused by clogging or buildup in your plumbing lines, water-consuming appliances, and filter systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Which type of sediment filter cartridge is best?
This entirely depends on your water conditions and needs. Have your water tested before making a decision! - What micron filter cartridge is best for sediment?
Higher micron rating means less sediments removed but also a lower risk of a potential drop in flow rates. In the end, it depends on your water quality, what you want to achieve, and other factors like the size of your household. - What are the different types of sediment filter cartridges?
In regards to filtration process, there are surface, depth, and absorptive filter cartridges. Another way to categorize is by manufacturing process, so pleated vs string-wound vs melt-blown vs spun etc. There are also different materials used for sediment filter cartridges such as polypropylene, cotton, and cellulose. - What is the lifespan of a sediment water filter cartridge?
Average life is probably somewhere around 12 months. But, again, this is different for each individual case. - Are sediment filter cartridges worth it?
Yes, they are. They protect your pipes, fixtures, and appliances from damage due to sediment clogging. This usually means less maintenance and repair works required, and often a longer lifespan.
How We Chose and Tested the Best Sediment Water Filter Cartridges (Why Trust Us)
As water treatment experts, our approach to reviewing sediment water filter cartridges follows a strict methodology:
- First, we put together a list of criteria. These criteria consist of 13 attributes to evaluate all products thoroughly.
- To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, we have compiled a list of over 13 sediment water filter cartridges available online.
- Our evaluation process began by thoroughly examining product manuals, descriptions, and third-party testing and certifications. Additionally, we reviewed warranties to gather detailed information about each cartridge.
- Seeking further insights, we engaged with representatives from US Water Systems, CQ, SpringWell, Kind Water Systems, and Home Master. We asked questions as potential customers and assessed the level of support provided by each brand.
- To ensure the inclusion of authentic user perspectives, we browsed various platforms for genuine user reviews and ratings.
- Recognizing the importance of firsthand experience, we ordered and installed a selection of the remaining products on a suitable water supply. We assessed each cartridge’s performance, considering factors such as ease of installation and pressure loss. To gather accurate data, we allowed each filter cartridge to operate for a minimum of two weeks.
- Finally, we prepared all the gathered information in an easily digestible format, ensuring that our readers have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each sediment filter cartridge.
It is essential to note that our reviews are completely independent, unbiased, and thoroughly fact-checked. We prioritize accuracy to provide our readers with reliable information and ratings. Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS was instrumental in the evaluation of NSF certifications.
About Our Ratings
We’ve rated each filter cartridge on a score of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating.
Currently, our evaluation is mostly based on these key factors: Sediment reduction (25%), cartridge life (20%), flow rates (20%), replacement cost (15%), testing and user opinions (10%), customer support and product warranty (10%).
Questions? Ask away!
About the Author Gene Fitzgerald
Information provided on BOS is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.
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