Written by: Gene Fitzgerald // Last Updated:
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Sediment water filters are designed to remove sediment and other suspended, relatively large particles from water before they can cause damage. That’s why sediment filters are best used in a point-of-entry fashion, meaning right after water enters your home and before it gets in contact with the pressure tank, water heater, or any other equipment.
This prevents potential damage due to clogging among other issues, and saves you a lot of maintenance work and possibly even future repairs.
In addition, sediment-laden water is not very appealing. It looks unsightly and might have an off-taste or unpleasant odor – no biggie if you use the right sediment filter.
But which one is right and ideal for your needs? Well, here is our collection of the best whole house sediment water filters in 2023.
On This Page You Will…
Filter | Details | |
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![]() Best Sediment Filter for Well Water + City Water: Crystal Quest | Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
Price: $$$ Microns: 5 Flow Rate: 9-13 gpm Filter Life: 5+ Years Annual Cost: ~$40 Read Review: Click |
![]() Best Spin-Down Sediment Filter: SpringWell | Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
Price: $ Microns: 100 Flow Rate: 25 gpm Filter Life: – Annual Cost: – Read Review: Click |
![]() Best Sediment Filter Cartridge: SpringWell PF | Get 5% Off! Use Code: |
Price: $ Microns: 5 Flow Rate: 20-35 gpm Filter Life: 6 Months Annual Cost: $35-65 Read Review: Click |
![]() Best Multi-Stage Whole House Sediment Water Filter: Home Master | Get Free Shipping! Use Code: |
Price: $$ Microns: Varying Flow Rate: Up to 20 gpm Filter Life: Up to 1 Year Annual Cost: Varying Read Review: Click |
Review Order
In our opinion, the best sediment filter for well water AND tap water in 2023 is the Crystal Quest. That’s because it combines effective removal of suspended solids down to 5 micron in size with a long service life of 5 years minimum (750,000-1,000,000 gallons). 5 stars!
![]() Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Filter | |
Price: | $$$ |
Micron Rating: | 5 |
Water: | 9-13 Gallons Per Minute |
Filtration Capacity: | 750,000-1,000,000 gal |
Annual Cost: | $40 |
Our Rating
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Pros
Cons
Best for
The Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter is best for both people on well and tap water who want a system that’s easy to install & service and very effective.
In our opinion, the best spin-down sediment filter in 2023 is the SpringWell.
Spin-down filters are used to capture large particulates. They do the heavy lifting removing big chunks and debris, rust, and sand from water. Spin-down filters are not to be confused with fine-micron sediment filter cartridges designed to trap suspended solids down to 1 micron in size.
In other words, the SpringWell spin-down sediment filter is ideal if you have well water heavily laden with sediment. 5 stars!
![]() SpringWell Spin-Down Sediment Filter | |
Price: | $ |
Mesh Size: | 100 Micron |
Water: | 25 gpm |
Filtration Capacity: | – |
Annual Cost: | – |
Our Rating
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Cons
Best for
With its 100-micron mesh, SpringWell’s spin-down filter is best for removing high levels of coarse sediment. It won’t trap finer particles.
In our opinion, the best regular sediment filter is the SpringWell PF – not so much for the filter itself but everything that comes with it: All the components you need for installation, detailed written instructions + video, 6-month satisfaction guarantee, and lifetime warranty.
![]() SpringWell PF 5-Micron Sediment Filter | |
Price: | $ |
Micron Rating: | 5 |
Water: | 20-35 gpm |
Filtration Capacity: | 6 Months |
Annual Cost: | $35-65 |
Our Rating
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Best for
The SpringWell PF is best for simple yet effective removal of sand, rust, and other dirt from water supplies.
The guys over at Home Master allow you to create your own custom sediment water filter according to your needs. What we like about this approach is that you can choose from a variety of cartridge filters to match your water conditions precisely.
For example, you could create a 3-stage setup starting with a 30-micron sediment filter followed by a 5-micron and a 1-micron cartridge. This way, larger particles are trapped first, smaller ones later on. This prevents rapid clogging of the filters.
![]() Home Master Adaptable Sediment Filter | |
Price: | $$ |
Micron Rating: | 0.2-30.0 |
Water: | Up to 20 gpm |
Filtration Capacity: | Up to 1 Year |
Annual Cost: | Varying |
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Best for
This custom Home Master whole house water filter is best for step-down sediment filtration.
As an alternative to the SpringWell spin-down filter, we recommend the Waterdrop WD-RPFK.
The main difference is that the latter is a heavy duty version with a filter mesh made from molybdenum alloy (as compared to plastic) to be used for many years. Also, pores are 50 microns in size rather than 100. This traps smaller impurities. Lastly, there is the backwashing function for more effective cleaning of the filter screen.
![]() Waterdrop WD-RPFK Spin-Down Sediment Filter for Well Water | |
Price: | $ |
Micron Rating: | 50 |
Water: | 20 gpm |
Filtration Capacity: | – |
Annual Cost: | – |
Our Rating
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Pros
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Best for
The Waterdrop WD-RPFK is our second top pick for trapping high levels of coarse dirt in well water.
Pelican’s sediment filter system can be used for both city water and well water. Rated at 5 microns, it’s ideal for heavy sediment contamination in your water supply. It will protect your entire home including water-using appliances from the damaging effects of dirt and debris and also protect faucets and other outlets from clogging.
![]() Pelican Sediment Filter System | |
Price: | $ |
Micron Rating: | 5 |
Water: | ? |
Filtration Capacity: | 6-9 Months |
Annual Cost: | $30 |
Our Rating
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Pros
Cons
Best for
The Pelican is our second top pick for standard sediment filtration.
If you want a standard-sized sediment water filter for your whole house with a built-in bypass valve, a pressure release button, and fast filter replacements, the Culligan WH-HD200-C or the WH-S200-C could be it.
Both are great for people on a small budget. Eager to learn more?
Culligan WH-HD200-C | |
Price: | $ |
Micron Rating: | 1-50 |
Water: | 4-10 gpm |
Filtration Capacity: | 8,000-24,000 gal |
Annual Cost: | Affordable |
Our Rating
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Pros
Cons
Best for
The Culligan WH-HD200-C and WH-S200-C are best for people who like the idea of customization and experimenting with different cartridge types and filter materials.
How do the best sediment filters for well water perform when directly compared?
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Sediment Filter | Price | Microns | GPM | Capacity | Annually | Additional Info |
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Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Filter | $$$ | 5 | 9-13 | 750,000-1,000,000 gal | $40 | Whole House Water Filtration System Protects Entire Plumbing System, Filtration Efficiency Throughout Whole Lifetime |
SpringWell Spin-Down Sediment Filter for Well Water | $ | 100 | 25 | – | – | Reusable Spin-Down Filter with 100-Micron Mesh |
SpringWell 5-Micron Sediment Filter for Well Water | $ | 5 | 20-35 | 6 Months | $35-65 | Large-Capacity Sediment Filter |
Home Master Custom Sediment Filter for Well Water | $$ | 0.2-30.0 | Up to 20 | Up to 1 Year | Varies | Whole House Water Filtration System for Unlimited Water Consumption |
Waterdrop WD-RPFK Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter | $ | 50 | 20 | – | – | Spin-Down Filter with 50-Micron Mesh, Durable Materials |
Pelican Pre-Filters | $ | 5 | ? | 6-9 Months | $30 | |
Culligan WH-HD200-C & WH-S200-C Cartridge Sediment Filters | $ | 1-50 | 4-10 | 8,000-24,000 gal | Low | Versatile Whole House Filtration Systems i.e. with Pleated Cartridge Filter |
People typically assume sediments are harmless and only cause taste and other aesthetic issues. And they are right for the most part. Effects like intestinal distress may occur, but they’re rare. Still, removing sediment from water is essential to ensure purity and great taste.
Here’s when sediment water filters come into play.
But with so many options on the market, deciding on the best sediment filter for well water can be pretty overwhelming. The following are things worth considering before you go out and buy one. These are also the very same criteria we focused on when picking our top products for this guide.
The first thing you need to consider is your water source. Different water sources have varying levels of contaminants. For instance, city and well water differ greatly in sediment amount, sizes and types.
Therefore, it is crucial to know your water source before purchasing a sediment filter.
However, being on a municipal water supply doesn’t mean you do not need to filter for sediment. Sediments – small or large – must be removed to ensure maximum purity and avoid damage to your plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances.
So what to do? Conduct testing! It’s the only way to determine the type and level of sediment you are dealing with.
Your home water can have different types of sediments, including silt, clay, small and coarse sand, rocks, and even the remains of animals and plants. They can be as large as a little boulder and as small as a tiny grain of salt.
As mentioned, you need to identify the type of sediment before buying a filter.
The particulate size also varies. For instance, well water might have larger particles than city water. Therefore, you cannot depend on any next best filter to remove all sediments from your water.
But once you’ve identified the type of sediment and its size, you’ll be able to determine the filter type you want to purchase.
Also, while installing a sediment filter is the first step to ensure clean water, using it alongside other water treatment systems – like whole house well filters – removes maximum contaminants from your water.
After analyzing the sediment type in your water, you need to choose the micron rating or mesh size of your sediment filter accordingly.
Micron ratings indicate the size of filtration pores in a regular sediment filter cartridge. Common ratings are 1, 5, 10, and 50 microns. Mesh size is used for spin-down sediment filters only. Here, you find figures like 100 or 150 microns.
Any micron rating or mesh size determines how tiny a particle your sediment filter can remove.
Remember, a smaller micron rating can remove smaller particles better. For instance, a sediment filter with a 1-micron rating can remove much smaller sediment than a filter with a 50-micron rating.
But does a low micron rating always indicate a better sediment filter? I’m afraid not.
If your water has large metal chips, dust, and sand particles, choosing a small micron rating might be a bad idea. The large particles will get stuck in the filter and clog it in no time. As such, you’ll need to wash and replace your filter regularly to get the water flowing. This will just add up to the costs.
So, make sure you purchase the micron size per your water requirements. Here is a general guideline.
Several companies have given a lot of attention to engineering systems for easy installation. However, not all whole house sediment filters are easy to install.
Make sure you thoroughly read the instruction manual before installing one.
That said, hiring a plumber for filter installation is better if you are not confident about your DIY skills.
Besides considering the setup process, you also need to find the right place to hook up your new unit. Remember: A whole house a.k.a. point-of-entry filter needs to be plumbing into the main water line.
Whole house sediment water filters are ever evolving and becoming less reliant on maintenance. But that doesn’t indicate they do not need your attention and care at all.
You need to investigate filter capacity and replace accordingly. Some models can also be washed and reused (more on this in a bit).
This is why it’s always best to go with a filter that has a long filter life – think gallon capacity.
When shopping for a pleated filter, make sure you go for a reusable one to get the most value out of the money you’re spending.
Purchasing a reusable sediment water filter means you no longer need to change the cartridge too frequently as they’re easy to wash and put back to work.
Hand cleaning is usually the easiest option here.
Ideal operating pressure for a residential filter is around 60 psi. This can be measured using a pressure gauge. And it’s important to do so before installing a sediment filter, because extremely high water pressure could cause damage.
On the flip side, low pressure can disrupt your home’s flow rate. Usually, this is not that big of a deal with sediment filters as they barely affect pressure, but in case you already suffer from low water pressure/flow, a sediment filter won’t improve the situation.
There are four standard sizes for cartridge filters:
2.5” x 10” and 2.5” x 20” are for point-of-use applications. 4.5” x 10” and 4.5” x 20” are for whole house use.
Large cartridge sizes are important as they have a direct impact on water pressure and flow. Simply put, a smaller filter cartridge can only process so much water at any given time.
Besides, a few manufacturers like to come up with their own proprietary sizes which we recommend to stay away from if possible. For one, they are more costly, and it can be difficult to get suitable replacement filters in future.
Whole house sediment filters are quite affordable so warranty isn’t one of the critical factors when shopping. Still, a reputable manufacturer should back its sediment filter with a warranty in our opinion. This indicates confidence about the quality of products.
Like we said, a sediment filter – regardless of point-of-use or point-of-entry – is pretty affordable.
And when you consider the fact that they may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in maintenance and repairs of your home’s pipes and appliances, they are a worthy investment.
More on Sediment Filters
A sediment filter is designed to trap and remove sediment and other dirt, rust, silt, and sand from your house water. In other words, it acts as a barrier against different types of solid particles suspended in the water.
Sediments can clog your household plumbing, foul your drinking water, and reduce the life of water-using appliances like coffee maker, washing machine, water heater, or dishwasher.
The suspended particles might not be visible to the naked eye, but they can lead to all kinds of issues including some related to health, and removing them is essential.
Whether you’re on city water or well water, installing a sediment filter is always a good idea.
When it comes to sediments, well water often has more contaminants than a city water supply. However, it doesn’t signify that city water is 100% pure. Therefore, no matter your water source, getting a sediment filter can be a good choice.
Below, we’ll discuss a few reasons why getting a sediment water filter for your whole house might be helpful.
Suspended particles in your water don’t only make it dirty but in many cases foul-smelling, too, and thus difficult to drink.
Sediment filters remove particles like dust, sand, silt, rust, and other organic materials improving water quality. On top of that, your water tastes fresh and is odor-free.
This, in turn, encourages you and your family members to drink more which keeps you hydrated and healthy.
Sediments in your water can damage your plumbing system and household appliances. Your house pipes and drainage lines can easily get clogged.
Moreover, any appliances that use water like a coffee maker, dishwater, or washing machines can get damaged easily.
Sediment removal protects your home appliances and plumbing.
If you’re concerned about your family’s health, you might have installed additional water treatment equipment like a reverse osmosis system or activated carbon filters.
Sediments in water can damage the components of these water treatment units. However, clean water ensures a longer life for any other equipment installed in your home.
Sediments in water can reduce the efficacy of a UV filter system, inhibiting the ability of UV light to target waterborne and potentially disease-causing microbes. How?
Sediments create a shadow for bacteria etc. to hide behind during the UV process. This way, they are not exposed to the radiation and live on.
Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say that a sediment filter can promote or improve UV disinfection.
Likewise, if you won’t install a sediment well water filter before your water softener, dirt and sand may enter the system and damage not only the moving parts but the resin bed in particular. A fouled resin bed lacks capacity and requires more frequent regen cycles.
Here is a list of some good and bad points of sediment well water filters:
All sediment filters are designed to perform a single function: getting rid of suspended particles in water and making it clean. Below, we’ve discussed how the different types of sediment filters work.
Pleated sediment filters, also known as surface filters, have a folded design with a high surface area. This enables them to catch lots of particles like silt, sand, dust, and rust and restrict them outside the filter medium.
The large surface area also allows for removing sediments without decreasing water pressure.
Pleated sediment filters are typically made out of polypropylene or a thin polyester sheet. While these filters typically trap greater sediments, they allow small particulates to pass through.
You can choose the filter size depending on how many members live in your household. However, a larger filter capacity means you won’t need to change the cartridges too often, which is a plus.
String-wound filters typically feature cotton string, polypropylene, or polyester, wrapped around a solid core.
These cartridges trap both large and small particles as the water flows, keeping them from entering the main supply.
Melt-blown whole house sediment filtration cartridges are made from PP (polypropylene) and are a kind of depth filter ideal for removing particles throughout the entire volume of the filtering material.
These types of filters can effectively remove fine particles smaller than 10 microns.
A spin-down filter is available in various filtration sizes, from 20 to 1,000 microns. It’s reusable and flushable, making it perfect for whole-house filtration.
The centrifugal force directs the sediment particles outwards, where they get trapped in the mesh.
When spin-down sediment filters get clogged, all you need to do is open the valve and flush the trapped sediments with water.
What’s more, a spin-down sediment filter can work with water pressure of up to 150 psi and therefore is unlikely to cause a drop in flow rate. Nonetheless, the maximum allowed water pressure may vary depending on the type of model you buy.
Just like the name suggests, multi-gradient sediment filters contain multiple filtration screen layers with different micron sizes. The outer layer consists of a large rating, while the inner layer has a small rating for efficient cleaning.
Due to several layers and depth filtration, multi-gradient filters can trap a large number of sediments over a long time.
These cylindrical-shaped filters are made of melted polypropylene. They consist of several layers to block sediments from entering a water supply.
The outermost layer has a high micron level and is more porous. This traps larger sediment particles like dirt, rust, and sand.
As the water moves through the layers, they become less and less porous. As a result, even the tiniest contaminants are filtered out.
Using a spun cartridge filter with another whole house filtration system can step up the water game for you.
Cleaning and maintaining your whole house sediment water filter improves its life and ensures optimum water flow.
Regular flushing washes off larger sediments in flushable spin-down filters. But, small particles can remain on the mesh filter screen so watch out.
To ensure maximum performance, you need to take out the mesh filter and clean it. You can use a light brush to remove the fine sediments.
Further, you can also dip it in a vinegar solution to get rid of tougher, stubborn scales. However, make sure you’re not using any harsh chemicals as they might damage the mesh filter.
If you own a pleated sediment filter cartridge that’s reusable, here’s how you can clean it.
How often you need to change a sediment filter depends on your water usage, quality, and the filter cartridge itself. To illustrate:
Another factor determining the life of a sediment filter is how often you clean or flush it.
Typically, a cartridge-type sediment filter lasts for 6-12 months.
There are several ways to determine when your sediment filter needs to be changed. For instance, if you notice a drop in water pressure, it signifies your filter is clogged and requires renewal.
Further, you can check your water filter for sediments residing on the filter screen. If you notice a brownish color it probably needs to be replaced.
If your water filter housing contains a non-reusable sediment filter cartridge, follow these instructions to replace it:
When earth materials are broken down through the process of erosion and weathering, they form sediments.
Sediments typically consist of rocks, sand, minerals, or organic particles from microbes or plants and can be found in well water and city water alike. Nonetheless, well water is more prone to these particles.
Sediments affect water quality in several ways. Besides giving it an unappealing look, taste, and smell, they can destroy a plumbing system, water appliances, and pumps by clogging them. Additionally, drinking such water can pose a health risk – but only in rare cases.
Therefore, getting rid of sediments is crucial for home appliances and can be important for health reasons, and there’s no better option than sediment filters.
I hope you’ve found your best whole house sediment filter. Questions? Ask away!
And keep in mind: We’ll add a new whole house sediment filter review occasionally. So come back for more!