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 Spin-Down Sediment Water Filter?
The best spin-down sediment water filter in 2024 is the USWS Centrifugal Sediment Spin-Down Filter, because it is affordable yet highly effective, made in USA, has a wide range of mesh sizes (micron ratings) to choose from, and is easy to flush, clean, and reuse. Plus, 25 gpm water flow is enough no matter how large your home.
In all honesty, choosing a spin-down sediment water filter is not as complicated as it may seem. Still, with dozens of models on the market, as well as different types, sizes, and micron ratings, you might feel a bit overwhelmed.
No worries, we’ve reviewed 12+ products! Spending several days researching and comparing, we can now provide you with a complete buying guide – which we are also working on improving regularly. Hopefully, you find it useful…
Product | Details | |
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Best: USWS Centrifugal Sediment Spin-Down Filter |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment removal, flow rates, ease of use, price tag, our testing, third-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $$ Mesh Size (Micron Rating): 24-1,000 (15-711 Microns) Flow Rate: 25 Gallons Per Minute Warranty: Not Specified Read Review: Click |
Best for Auto-Flushing: Frizzlife JX800 |
Overall Rating: 4.5/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment removal, flow rates, ease of use, price tag, our testing, third-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $$$ Mesh Size (Micron Rating): 40 Microns Flow Rate: 20 Gallons Per Minute Warranty: 1 Year Read Review: Click |
Best Budget Option: SimPure DC5P |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on sediment removal, flow rates, ease of use, price tag, our testing, third-party ratings, product support and warranty, and other factors.
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Price: $ Mesh Size (Micron Rating): 40 or 200 Microns Flow Rate: 13-17 Gallons Per Minute Warranty: 1 Year Read Review: Click |
Our Top Picks
In our opinion, the best spin-down sediment filter in 2024 is the USWS Centrifugal Sediment Spin-Down Filter. Its primary advantage is its ease of use and reusability.
Other Specs
Key Features & Pros
Cons
Our Rating
Best for
If you’re looking for a quality, American-made spin-down sediment filter with a wide variety of sizes available then the USWS Centrifugal Sediment Spin-Down is the best option.
If you prefer some advanced features like auto-flushing, make sure to check out the Frizzlife JX800 Whole House Spin-Down Filter.
Other Specs
Key Features & Pros
Cons
Our Rating
Best for
The Frizzlife JX800 Whole House Spin-Down Filter is best for a spin-down sediment filter that cleans itself automatically.
Your budget is limited? We’ve got the perfect solution for you: The SimPure DC5P Whole House Spin-Down Sediment Filter for both well water and tap water.
Other Specs
Key Features & Pros
Cons
Our Rating
Best for
The SimPure DC5P Whole House Spin-Down Sediment Filter is the best whole house spin-down sediment filter on a budget.
This Rusco spin-down sediment filter sold by SpringWell is the best alternative to the model by US Water Systems from the very top.
Other Specs
Key Features & Pros
Cons
Our Rating
Best for
This Rusco is best for anyone looking for a well-made spin-down filter with a solid warranty and satisfaction guarantee.
All you need is 50-micron sediment filtration and that’s it? Try the Waterdrop!
Other Specs
Key Features & Pros
Cons
Our Rating
Best for
If you’re looking for a well-made 50-micron spin-down sediment filter, then the Waterdrop makes an ideal choice.
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Model | Price | Micron Rating | Water Flow | Warranty | Additional Info | |
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US Water Systems Centrifugal Sediment Spin-Down Filter | $$ | 15-711 Microns | 25 gpm | ? | ||
Frizzlife JX800 Whole House Spin-Down Filter | $$$ | 40 Microns | 20 gpm | 12 Months | ||
SimPure DC5P Whole House Spin-Down Sediment Filter | $ | 40 or 200 Microns | 13-17 gpm | 12 Months | ||
SpringWell Spin-Down Sediment Filter (by Rusco) | $$$ | 152 Microns | 25 gpm | Lifetime | ||
Waterdrop Spin-Down Sediment Filter | $$ | 50 Microns | 20 gpm | 12 Months |
The following are key features worth considering when shopping for a spin-down sediment filter. They will help you choose the right on for your needs and budget.
The first thing you’ll want to consider is your home’s water source.
Well water is also more likely to have more and larger-sized particles that require filtration than municipal water. Municipal water treatment facilities will typically remove these larger particulates, but if you have well water you’ll need to remove them yourself.
The bottom line is if you’re water is supplied by a well, you’re more likely to need a coarser-grain filter capable of removing larger volumes of sediment – like a spin-down filter.
Sediment can come from a variety of sources, including silt, dust, sand, clay, shale, pipe scale, or rust from old plumbing lines.
As mentioned previously, well water tends to have significantly more sediment than normal municipal water, as it doesn’t undergo any form of pre-treatment. This is especially true in springtime when runoff and snow melt flow into wells and bring debris with them.
You can usually tell if your water has sediment in it if your home’s faucet aerators clog or if your water has a murky look to it, but you can also fill a 5-gallon bucket with water and examine the bottom for sediments. Professional water testing for sediment is also very cheap.
Once you have an idea of the type and size of sediment you’re dealing with, you’ll be better able to pick the correct size spin-down filter.
When it comes to spin-down sediment filters, perhaps the most important metric to be aware of is their micron/mesh size. Micron ratings refer to the size of the particle that the filter will remove. So, for instance, a 50-micron filter will remove any particle larger than 50 microns, but allow anything smaller than 50 microns to pass through untouched.
Microns and mesh size are related, as the mesh size in the filter determines the micron size the filter will remove – but more on this later.
The right mesh size/micron rating for your situation will depend on the type of debris or sediment in question. Spin-down filters are generally better at removing larger debris, although smaller micron ratings are also available.
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to micron ratings is finer the micron size, the more likely the filter is to clog when exposed to heavy sediment. This is less of an issue with spin-down filters, as they can easily be flushed and reused many times, but it’s still something to remember.
When it comes to installation, spin-down sediment filters tend to be fairly easy to install. All that’s required is connecting the system to your home’s main water line where it enters the home. This can require cutting into the water line, but this is not as hard as it sounds.
Unlike other whole house systems, spin-down filters are compact, don’t require complex mounting or positioning, and don’t require extensive flushing or priming before use.
When it comes to flushing and cleaning, spin-down sediment filters tend to be some of the easiest filter systems to deal with. Most have a built-in valve that when opened causes the trapped sediment to be flushed down the drain line in seconds.
While flushing out accumulated sediment is typically recommended every 2 to 4 weeks, spin-down filters generally also require occasional deep cleaning. This consists of removing the filter housing and mesh and scrubbing them with either soap or bleach.
Flow rates refer to the maximum capacity of a water treatment system to process water at any given time. It’s typically measured in gallons per minute (gpm) and sometimes manufacturers will also provide a figure for the number of bathrooms a system can accommodate. A system with too low of a flow rate can cause low-pressure issues when multiple water outlets are run simultaneously.
Spin-down filters, due to their simple design, tend to have higher flow rates in the 15 gpm+ range, which means they don’t tend to cause low-pressure issues – even in larger homes.
Spin-down sediment filters tend to be fairly inexpensive compared to other system types, so product warranties are less of a concern. Nonetheless, it’s still nice to have a solid warranty in case anything happens to go wrong.
Another plus is a decent satisfaction guarantee, as this allows you to return the product for a full refund no matter what the reason is.
Spin-down filters tend to be highly affordable – with most retailing somewhere in the $50 to $150 range. Combine this with the fact that they rarely require cartridge replacements and the ongoing costs of operating a spin-down filter are extremely low.
More on Spin-Down Filters
A spin-down sediment filter is a filter that’s designed to remove large-sized sediment from water. Unlike fine micron sediment filters, they’re specifically used for large hunks of debris and sediment.
They use centrifugal force to divert water from your main water line and spin it through the filter housing. This centrifugal motion forces dirt and debris to the outside of the filter where it sinks to the bottom and remains until being flushed out.
The flushing is done by opening a ball valve at the bottom of the filter housing. This valve is usually directly connected to a drain.
Mesh sizes refer to the number of holes per inch in a given filter mesh. Lower mesh sizes indicate a courser mesh with a higher micron rating, while higher mesh sizes indicate a finer mesh with a lower micron rating.
As a general guideline, size 24 – 40 mesh (381 to 711 microns) are used for removing coarse sand, shale, debris, and scale. Size 60 to 140 mesh (254 to 104 microns) are used for removing fine sand, while size 250 to 1000 mesh (61 to 15 microns) are used for removing very fine sand, grit, powder, and dust.
There is no official formula for converting between mesh and microns, so make sure to consult the mesh/micron specifics and manufacturer recommendations for your particular filter.
That said, we can make a fairly accurate conversion using the following formula:
Micron = 14,900/Mesh, or Mesh = 14,900/Micron
Generally speaking, it’s recommended to choose the coarsest mesh you can that will still remove the required contaminants. This will prevent the filter from clogging as much, and reduce the amount of flushing/cleaning you need to perform.
Spin-down filters can be further divided into two types: Regular spin-down filters and sediment trappers.
The basic design of the head and housing is identical, with the main difference being that sediment trappers have an increased capacity for trapping sediment. They accomplish this by using a shorter filter with a stem at the bottom for dirt and debris to accumulate.
If you’re dealing with a significant amount of sediment in your water, then a sediment trapper will give you more time in between each flushing.
Spin-down filters remove sediment and not much else. That means sand, dirt, rust, bits of scale, debris, dust, and the like. As mentioned previously, the size of particles that a filter can remove will depend on the mesh/micron rating.
If you have other contaminants that need removal besides floating particulates, then you’ll need additional filtration to get rid of them.
Let’s take a look at both the pros and cons of using a spin-down sediment filter.
Sediment in your water can damage your water-consuming appliances and plumbing over time. This will lead to expensive repairs and maintenance which can end up costing thousands of dollars in the long run.
A spin-down filter will effectively remove this sediment from your water, ensuring your plumbing, dishwasher, washing machine, water heater, and other appliances are free from sediment accumulation. Furthermore, it accomplishes this at a very low price point when compared to other sediment filter systems.
In addition to plumbing and appliances, a spin-down filter is useful for protecting other water treatment systems from sediment accumulation and damage. If you have another filter system installed, like reverse osmosis, activated carbon, or a water softener, then installing a spin-down filter is a cheap way to protect your investment.
Water with significant sediment accumulation can appear turbid or cloudy, and can even take on a brown, red, or yellow coloration depending on the contaminant source. It can also leave fine particles behind in tubs, sinks, and the like.
Spin-down filters are one of the best ways to remove this turbidity and discoloration from your water, leaving you with clear, clean-looking water.
Keep in mind that some discoloration can be caused by the presence of contaminants like iron or manganese, which will require additional filtration beyond spin-down filters.
Spin-down filters are some of the easiest filter systems to install, use, and maintain on the marker.
Installation is probably the most difficult of the three, and even this can be accomplished in minutes with basic tools. Using the system doesn’t require anything other than turning on your tap while the filter does the rest. Maintenance requirements are also very low, with only periodic flushing and occasional cleaning required.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of spin-down sediment filters is their price point. With many retailing for less than $100, you’ll get an impressive level of sediment removal for the cost of many pitcher-style filters.
Unlike other sediment filters, many spin-down systems are designed to last for 1 to 2+ years before needing replacement. Compare this with other filter cartridge types, which typically last for 3 to 6 months, and you can see the advantage inherent to spin-down filters.
Most spin-down filters come with clear filter housings – allowing you to view the accumulated sediment inside the housing. This gives you an easy way to check when it’s time to flush the accumulated sediment without needing to open the filter.
Some spin-down filters come with an auto-flush function which means they do not need to be flushed manually but rather will flush themselves at regular intervals. Auto-flush valves can also be purchased as an optional add-on in many cases.
This further reduces the maintenance required and makes a system nearly maintenance-free.
Spin-down sediment filters are only capable of removing suspended or floating particles and not dissolved particles. That means they can’t remove TDS (total dissolved solids) from your water.
Related to the above, spin-down sediment filters can’t remove water hardness as most hardness minerals are dissolved in the water. This isn’t their intended purpose though, so it’s not much of a disadvantage.
Typically, you want to install a spin-down sediment filter immediately after the pressure tank on a well water system. If installing on municipal water, then you want to install it where the main water line enters the home.
If you have another water filter system installed, then you want to install the spin-down filter before the other system.
Flushing and cleaning spin-down filters are very simple tasks, but they must be done regularly to keep the system functioning correctly.
To flush a spin-down filter, simply open the flush valve at the bottom of the filter. This will remove the accumulated sediment in seconds and doesn’t require you to remove the mesh from its housing.
While flushing the filter will rapidly remove any accumulated sediment, spin-down filters will still require occasional cleaning of the filter screen to remove clogging. To do this follow these steps:
The exact maintenance interval will vary from system to system as well as how often you use the system and your water quality. In general, though, spin-down filters need flushing every 10 to 30 days, and manual cleaning every 3 to 12 months.
In terms of water filtration, sediments refer to suspended solids like sand, silt, clay, dirt, rust, and other debris. The important thing to keep in mind is these sediment particles are not dissolved but rather suspended in the water.
Sediments in your water can cause turbidity, discoloration, as well as clogging of plumbing valves, fixtures, appliances, and water filter systems.
Here is the expert approach we took to review spin-down sediment water filters:
We’ve rated each system 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%), flow rates (20%), ease of use (20%), affordability (15%), testing and user opinions (10%), customer support/warranty (10%).
Questions? Ask away!
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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