7 Best Whole House Water Filters for Lead Removal (*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 Whole House Water Filter for Lead?
The best whole house water filter for lead in 2024 is the PIONEER, because it is NSF-certified to remove 99.62% lead for 100,000 gallons of water. It is also easy to install and maintain, and backed by a lifetime warranty and 6-month satisfaction guarantee.
Lead being a neurotoxin, it’s no wonder that people don’t want it in their water supply at home.
Fortunately, there are several whole house water filters that can remove lead very effectively. Which to choose from all these different options?
You came to the right place! We’ve reviewed 13+ whole house lead water filters and ranked their best ones. This will help you make your ideal choice easily…
Contents
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No Time to Read? Check Our List of the Best Whole House Water Filters for Lead Removal!
| Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 Best Overall with Highest Lead Reduction: PIONEER |
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Price: $$$ Lead Reduction: 99.62% Flow Rate: 4.51-8 gpm Filter Life: 100,000 gal Annual Cost: ~$400 Read Review: Click |
 The Runner-Up: Aquasana OptimH2O |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Price: $$$ Lead Reduction: 99.62-99.66% Flow Rate: 4.82 gpm Filter Life: 100,000 gal Annual Cost: $570 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Lead + Hard Water: SpringWell CWH-3 |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Price: $$ Lead Reduction: High Flow Rate: 16 gpm Filter Life: 12 Months Annual Cost: ~$350 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Lead + Chromium 6 + Arsenic 5: USWS Purely EZ |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
|
Price: $ Lead Reduction: >95% Flow Rate: 15 gpm Filter Life: 6-12 Months Annual Cost: ~$320 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Smaller Budgets: Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Price: $ Lead Reduction: Not Specified Flow Rate: 10 gpm Filter Life: 6-12 Months Annual Cost: ~$500 Read Review: Click |
 Best for Very High Flow Rates: Crystal Quest |
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Price: $$$ Lead Reduction: Not Specified Flow Rate: 6-18 gpm Filter Life: 750,000-1,000,000 gal Annual Cost: ~$100 Read Review: Click |
Whole House Lead Water Filter Reviews
Our Top Picks
- PIONEER – Best Overall
- Aquasana OptimH2O – The Runner-Up
- SpringWell CWH-3 – Best for Lead + Hard Water
- USWS Purely EZ – Best for Lead + Chromium 6 + Arsenic 5
- Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 – Best for Lower Budgets
- Crystal Quest – Best for High Flow Rates
- Express Water
1. Best Overall: PIONEER Whole House Lead Water Filter
In our opinion, the best whole house water filter for lead removal in 2024 is the PIONEER.
The PIONEER is the only whole house water filter certified and tested for lead removal to NSF standards. It will remove 99.62% of particulate and soluble lead from 100,000 gallons of water. 5 stars!
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PIONEER Whole House Lead Filter |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Lead Removal: | 99.62% |
| Water: | 4.51-8 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 100,000 Gallons |
| Annually: | ~$400 |
|
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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|
Gallery
Other Specs
- Model: LCR-1
- Last Price: $1,554.98
- Filter Media: Carbon-Based
- WxHxD: 8″x40″x8″
- Water Temperature: 34-120 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-125 psi
- Fitting: 1″
- NSF Certifications: Standard 53, P473
- Warranty: 1 Year to Lifetime (Limited)
Key Features & Pros
- PIONEER filter uses special binders to react with soluble lead to create an ionic bond and filter it out kinetically. It also traps particulate lead down to the submicron level.
- 99.62% overall lead reduction certified against NSF standardized testing. Mind-blowing!
- Carbon-based filtration.
- PIONEER is also certified for PFOA/PFOS (97.9%, NSF P473) and cysts (>99.95%, NSF 53).
- The system will also remove most chlorine and chloramine.
- The whole house water filtration system delivers a 4.51 gallons per minute flow rate with an 8 gpm peak flow. This means it can filter water for 1 to 3 bathrooms depending on your usage levels.
- The unit features a real-time display that monitors the flow rate as well as a color-coded LED system that indicates the health of the filter cartridge.
- Green means the filter is healthy, yellow indicates the filter has less than 10% of its lifespan left, and red indicates the filter should be changed immediately.
- Installation can be done on your own if you have basic DIY skills and plumbing knowledge.
- The system ships pre-assembled and includes a bypass valve.
- Each filter cartridge has a capacity of 100,000 gallons or 1 year, whichever comes first.
- Replacing filters is simple and can be done without any specialized tools.
- 6-month satisfaction guaranteed warranty.
- Limited lifetime warranty on the system tank, and 1 year on the rest except filter cartridges which get 30 days.
Cons
- 8 gallon per minute peak flow rate is on the lower side for a whole house system. If you have a home with 3 or more bathrooms, the flow rate may not be adequate.
- You may need to use 2 systems in parallel.
- Relatively expensive.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 5.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 4.0/5.0
- Overall: 5.0/5.0
Best for
The PIONEER is ideal for people looking for the best whole house lead water filter that also includes NSF testing/certification.
→ Full PIONEER Whole House Water Filter Review
2. Runner-Up: Aquasana OptimH2O
Next on our list is the Aquasana OptimH2O whole house lead water filter.
It’s the best alternative to the PIONEER and equally effective. In fact, it seems like the PIONEER and the Aquasana OptimH2O are almost identical systems – except for the pre-filter that’s included with the Aquasana – only with different branding. So because the former costs a couple of hundred dollars less, we obviously prefer it.
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Aquasana OptimH2O POE Lead Water Filter |
|
| Price: | $$$ |
| Lead Removal: | 99.62-99.66% |
| Water: | 4.82 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 100,000 Gallons |
| Annually: | $570 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: OptimH2O Q-OPTM-X
- Last Price: $1,799.00
- Primary Filter Media: Catalytic + Activated Carbon Block
- Filter Stages: 2
- WxHxD: 43″x42″x8″
- Water Temperature: 40-90 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-100 psi
- NSF Certifications: Standard 53, P473
- Warranty: 1-5 Years
Key Features & Pros
- Users were happy to see their water taste improve noticeably.
- First, we have a 1-micron sediment pre-filter which protects the main filtration stage from rapid clogging.
- Lead filter uses .5-micron carbon block combining catalytic and activated carbon filter media. The combination of ion exchange + submicron filtration is capable of removing lead (99.62-99.66%), cysts, chlorine + chloramine (>90%), and PFOA + PFOS (98.2%) very effectively.
- IAPMO tested and certified against NSF 53 and P473 for guaranteed performance.
- As with the PIONEER system, installation of the Aquasana OptimH2O whole house lead filter can be done DIY-style if you have then necessary skills.
- The system uses LED lights to tell you when you need a new lead filter cartridge which is convenient.
- Every 12 months or 100,000 gallons on average.
- The sediment pre-filter lasts 6 months.
- Total average annual replacement cost: ~$570.
- Whole house filter system comes with a 5-year limited warranty. The installation kit is warranted for 1 year.
- Plus you get a 90-Day satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- Sediment pre-filter aside, the Aquasana OptimH2O is still considerably more expensive than the PIONEER, even with our 50% discount.
- Around 4.8 gpm flow rate is barely enough for 1.5 to 2-bathroom homes. If your place is large, you’ll need two systems installed in parallel.
- For some people the filter has stopped working after a few weeks due to clogging. Meaning you need the right pre-filtration in place depending on your feed water quality.
- Non-durable plastic components.
- People weren’t always happy with Aquasana’s customer service it seems.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 3.5/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 3.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The Aquasana OptimH2O whole house water filter is best for people who want a highly effective lead removal system that’s backed by NSF certifications but don’t like the PIONEER for whatever reason.
3. Best for Lead Filtration + Scale Reduction: SpringWell CWH-3 Whole House System
If you are hunting for a whole house lead filter system that also eliminates scaling in your water supply, look no further! The SpringWell CWH-3 is exactly what you are searching for.
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SpringWell CWH-3 Whole House Cartridge System |
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| Price: | $$ |
| Lead Removal: | High |
| Water: | 16 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 1 Year |
| Annually: | ~$350 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: CWH-3
- Last Price: $1055.96
- Primary Filter Process: Submicron Filtration
- Filter Stages: 3
- WxHxD: 23.5″x24″x9″
- Water Temperature: 36-120 °F
- Water Pressure: 42-120 psi
- Water pH: 6.5-10 psi
- Fitting: 1″
- Warranty: Lifetime
Key Features & Pros
- The SpringWell utilizes a three-stage cartridge-based system to remove a wide range of contaminants including lead.
- The first stage is a 5-micron sediment pre-filter designed to remove sand, silt, and other dirt. Its inner core is filled with specialized media that protects home’s appliances and pipes from scale buildup.
- The second filter stage is an activated carbon stage to remove chlorine taste and odor, chloramine, pesticides/herbicides, HAAs, and PFAS.
- Greatly improves water aesthetics and taste.
- The third filter stage is the lead/VOC filter cartridge. It uses submicron filtration to remove lead, VOCs, and other organic compounds as well.
- The system flow rate is an impressive 16 gallons per minute, which is more than enough even for large homes with many bathrooms.
- The filter cartridges are rated for 12 months of use when used with water up to 15 gpg.
- SpringWell gives you a 6-month risk-free satisfaction guarantee.
- Lifetime warranty on valves and filter housings.
Cons
- Maintenance costs total roughly $350 per year for all of the required filter replacements. This doesn’t make it one of the more expensive units for yearly upkeep, but it still isn’t cheap.
- Not backed by test data for lead removal.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 4.0/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 4.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The SpringWell CWH-3 3-stage whole house lead water filter is ideal for municipal water that contains lead and hardness.
4. Best for Lead + Chromium 6 + Arsenic 5: USWS Purely EZ Whole House Water Filter
If you are not only dealing with lead in your water supply but chromium 6 and arsenic 5 as well, we recommend you check out the Purely EZ by US Water Systems.
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USWS Purely EZ Whole House Water Filter |
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| Price: | $ |
| Lead Removal: | >95% |
| Water: | 15 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 6-12 Months |
| Annually: | ~$320 |
|
Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
|
|
Other Specs
- Model: 320-USP-PEZ3
- Last Price: $599
- Primary Filter Media: Carbon
- Filter Stages: 3
- Water Temperature: Up to 100 °F
- Water Pressure: Up to 90 psi
- Fitting: ¾” or 1″
Key Features & Pros
- Whole house filtration featuring 3 stages for targeting lead (>95% reduction), chromium 6 (>85% reduction), arsenic 5 (>95% reduction), and cadmium (>95% reduction) in addition to VOCs, BPA, chlorine, PCBs, and others.
- *Tested by a certified US laboratory at water pH of 6.5
- Three filter stages:
- Stage 1: 1-micron sediment pre-filter removes silt, sediment, sand, and other large particulates.
- Stage 2: The second stage is USWS’s Interceptor sub-micron filter which uses powder-activated carbon together with Agion Silver. At this point, chemicals, heavy metals including lead, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and cysts are filtered out. The Agion silver prevents the fouling of the filter element.
- Stage 3: Lastly, the radial flow carbon filter removes the majority of leftover contaminants and removes any residual foul odors and tastes.
- A flow rate of 15 gallons per minute is enough water for up to four to six bathrooms.
- Installation can be completed on your own provided you have basic DIY and plumbing knowledge.
- The kit comes with a filter wrench, mounting bracket, and screws.
- Easy filter replacements.
Cons
- Whole home lead water filter is only to be used with municipal water.
- Filter cartridge replacement costs add up in the long run. Costs will be somewhere around $320 annually.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.5/5.0
- Filter Life: 4.0/5.0
- Price: 4.5/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 3.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The USWS Purely EZ is best for combined whole house lead/chromium 6/arsenic 5 filtration.
5. Best for Smaller Budgets: Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 Whole House Water Filter for Lead
Are you on a budget? Then the Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 Whole House Water Filter for Lead might be just the right choice!
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Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 Whole House Lead Filtration System |
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| Price: | $ |
| Lead Removal: | Not Specified |
| Water: | 10 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 6-12 Months |
| Annually: | ~$500 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: HMF2SmgCC55
- Last Price: $479.95
- Primary Filter Media: Catalytic Carbon + KDF55
- Filter Stages: 2
- WxHxD: 18″x25″x9″
- Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-90 psi
- Water pH: 4-10
- Fitting: 1″
- Warranty: 2 Years
Key Features & Pros
- 2-stage cartridge based whole house water filter features a sediment filter and a catalytic carbon/KDF-55 filter.
- The first stage has a multi-gradient depth sediment stage for removing sand, silt, sediment, and other particles down to 1 micron. The gradients range down from 25 microns to 10 microns to 5 microns and a 1 micron inner core. It features triple the dirt holding capacity of similar-sized cartridges.
- The second cartridge features a mixture of granular catalytic coconut-shell carbon and KDF-55 filter media with a 6-inch bed depth. This can handle “challenging lead removal applications”. In addition to lead and other water-soluble metals, it will also remove chlorine, chloramine, and foul tastes and odors.
- The system features a 10-gallon per minute flow rate, which is enough to provide water to 3 bathrooms.
- Steel mounting brackets with bolts, housing wrench, and detailed instructions come included.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons
- The carbon filter has a lifecycle of 50,000 gallons. The sediment filter lasts 6-12 months. As such, annual filter replacement costs are on the higher side, approximately $500 per year.
- Not backed by test data for lead removal.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 4.0/5.0
- Price: 5.0/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 3.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 is best for whole house water lead water filtration on a budget.
6. Best for Very High Flow Rates: Crystal Quest Lead Removal Whole House Water Filter
The Lead Removal Whole House Water Filter by Crystal Quest takes a completely different approach: It works pretty much like a water softener binding soluble lead in an ion exchange process. Additional carbon and KDF filter media are used to further improve lead filtration and also target other water contaminants like pesticides, chlorine, and mercury.
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Crystal Quest Lead Removal Whole House Water Filter |
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| Price: | $$$ |
| Lead Removal: | Not Specified |
| Water: | 6-18 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 750,000-1,000,000 Gallons |
| Annually: | ~$100 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: CQE-WH-02174, CQE-WH-02175, CQE-WH-02170, CQE-WH-02171
- Last Price: $1,631.00-$2,338.00
- Primary Filter Process: Ion Exchange
- Filter Stages: 3
- WxHxD: 10-12″x52-54″x10-12″
- Water Temperature: 35-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 20-60 psi
- Fitting: ¾”-1″
- Warranty: 1 Year
Key Features & Pros
- Pre-filtration: Water flows through a 20″ pleated sediment filter cartridge.
- The lead removal stage is made up of a high-quality resin bed. The beads are saturated with sodium. Because lead has a higher affinity to binding with said beads, it substitutes the sodium as contaminated water flows through the system. In addition, catalytic and standard granular activated carbon + two types of KDF + ion exchange resin aid in lead removal.
- Also reduces other heavy metals, chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, etc.
- Eventually, the resin needs to flush out any accumulate lead and recharge with sodium. This happens automatically and according to an adjustable schedule.
- Post-filtration: A 5-micron carbon block filter cartridge removes volatile organic carbon compounds and any other remaining chemicals.
- Whole home lead filter system comes in 4 different sizes for 4 different flow rates and 2 different filtration capacities:
- CQE-WH-02174 – 6-8 gpm flow rate which is enough for 1-2 bathrooms. Lasts 750,000 gallons.
- CQE-WH-02175 – 8-10 gpm for up to 3 bathrooms. 750,000 gallons.
- CQE-WH-02170 – 12-14 gpm for larger homes with up to ~5 baths. 1,000,000 gallon filter life.
- CQE-WH-02171 – 16-18 gpm for 6 or more bathrooms. Lasts 1 million gallons.
- Choose between fiberglass or more durable stainless steels casings.
- You could do the installation yourself if you have some prior plumbing experience.
- Maintenance? Both the sediment pre-filter and carbon post-filter last 12-18 months. Annual replacement cost: ~$100.
- Regeneration of the media bed is taken care of by the control valve on the top of the tank. There is nothing you have to worry about here except refilling the salt tank on a regular basis.
- 1-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Crystal Quest doesn’t provide any lead reduction rates.
- We assume that this is not ideal for hard water supplies, because calcium and magnesium will compete with lead to bind to the resin beads.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 5.0/5.0
- Price: 3.5/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 5.0/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
Crystal Quest’s lead removal whole house water filter is best for soft water supplies and high flow rates.
7. Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter
Last but not least, we are going to review the Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter.
Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter |
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| Price: | $ |
| Lead Removal: | Not Specified |
| Water: | 15 Gallons Per Minute |
| Filtration Capacity: | 6-12 Months |
| Annually: | ~$170-340 |
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Overall Rating: 4.0/5.0 ⓘRatings based on lead reduction %, purchase price, operating cost, filter capacity, NSF standards, product warranties, customer service, our own testing, user opinions, and other factors.
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Other Specs
- Model: Express Water WH300SCKS
- Primary Filter Media: Catalytic Carbon, KDF85
- Filter Stages: 3
- WxHxD: 23.5″x29.25″x8.5″
- Water Temperature: 40-100 °F
- Water Pressure: 45-80 psi
- Fitting: 1″ Female NPT
- Warranty: 1 Year
Key Features & Pros
- Whole house water filtration system combines 3 stages:
- First a 5-micron sediment filter removes floating particles.
- Next, a KDF filter which also contains catalytic activated carbon targets primarily heavy metals including lead.
- Finally, an activated carbon block filter eliminates chlorine, pesticides, all kinds of organic contaminants, etc.
- 15 gpm water flow rate is plenty.
- No more difficult to install than most other cartridge-based whole house water filters.
- Standing steel frame allows for ground installation and makes filter changes easier.
- Easy and quick filter changes every 6-12 months.
- Thanks to pressure release buttons.
- Pressure gauges tell you when filter stages are clogged.
- 1 year of warranty.
Cons
- We don’t have precise lead reduction rates.
- Instead of 100,000 gallons, each replacement filter may only last for 50,000 gallons which doubles the maintenance cost.
- No built-in bypass valve.
Our Rating
- Filtration Performance: 4.0/5.0
- Filter Life: 4.0/5.0
- Price: 4.5/5.0
- Annual Filter Replacement Cost: 3.5/5.0
- Overall: 4.0/5.0
Best for
The Express Water Whole House Filter for Lead is best for people on a budget who are looking for a good price-performance ratio.
→ Full Express Water WH300SCKS Review
More Reviews:
- These Are the Best Whole House Water Filters!
- Top Rated Two and Three-Stage Whole House Water Filters
- Want the Best Whole House Water Filter Cartridge? Right Here!
- The Very Best Lead Water Filters
- The Best Filter Pitchers for Lead Removal
- What’s the Best Lead Water Test Kit?
- Whole House City Water Filter Reviews
- List with All Whole House Water Filters Featured on BOS
Comparison List
(Mobile Hint: Swipe to Scroll)
| Model | Price | Yearly Cost | Lead Removal | Filter Method | Water | Filtration Capacity | Warranty | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIONEER Whole House Lead Filter | $$$ | ~$400 | 99.62% | Carbon-Based | 4.51 to 8 gpm | 100,000 gal | 1 Year to Lifetime (Limited) | |
| Aquasana OptimH2O POE Lead Water Filter | $$$ | $570 | 99.62% to 99.66% | Catalytic + Activated Carbon Block | 4.82 gpm | 100,000 gal | 1 to 5 Years | |
| SpringWell CWH-3 Whole House Cartridge System | $$ | ~$350 | High | Submicron Filtration | 16 gpm | 1 Year | Life | |
| USWS Purely EZ Whole House Water Filter | $ | ~$320 | >95% | Carbon | 15 gpm | 6-12 Months | ||
| Home Master HMF2SmgCC55 Whole House Lead Filtration System | $ | ~$500 | Not Specified | Catalytic Carbon + KDF55 | 10 gpm | 6-12 Months | 2 Years | |
| Crystal Quest Lead Removal Whole House Water Filter | $$$ | ~$100 | Not Specified | Ion Exchange | 6-18 gpm | 750,000-1,000,000 gal | 1 Year | |
| Express Water Heavy Metal Whole House Water Filter | $ | ~$170-340 | Not Specified | Catalytic Carbon, KDF85 | 15 gpm | 6-12 Months | 1 Year |
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Whole House Lead Water Filter That’s Best for You
The following are key features worth considering when shopping for a whole house water filter for lead removal. They will help you choose the right on for your needs and budget.
NSF/ANSI Standard 53
Water filter companies can have their products tested against NSF standards. For the consumer, such third-party certifications are the only bulletproof way to ensure that a certain filter is actually capable of removing the contaminant or contaminants in question.
NSF standard 53 is particularly important if you’re looking for a whole house water filter that targets lead.
Keep in mind, though, that even if a water filter carries this certification, that’s no guarantee that it completely removes all the lead from your water supply. The certification only specifies a certain reduction level that must be met, defined by the EPA. Currently, that threshold is set to be 15 ppb (parts per billion) as an “acceptable” amount of lead.
Bottom line: Look out for whole house lead water filters tested or certified against NSF standard 53 for lead removal, and check the lead reduction rates as specified in the testing data (usually included in the product manual).
Testing Your Water for More Contamination
It’s always a good idea to test your water for additional contaminants. Lead is harmful, but it’s not the only danger you should be on the lookout for. Many other water pollutants can have a negative impact on your health and, in some cases, may require specialized filtration.
Professional water testing laboratories are always the best option if you’re willing to pay for your testing. They can provide you with an accurate overview of your current situation.
Alternatively, you can perform an at-home test, though you might not get completely accurate results this way. This will also not identify all types of water contaminants, depending on the test.
Finally, look into obtaining a copy of your local water quality report. Keep in mind that this is only available for public water supplies and there will be no data for the private parts of your property.
Lead Filter Types
Whole house lead filters generally use either a cartridge-based or a tank-based system. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Typically, cartridge-based systems are smaller and more compact. They are easy to install, in some cases even to the extent where you can do the installation yourself without any specialized help. Finally, they are relatively inexpensive, including some of the more powerful models available.
However, that lower upfront price may not matter much in the long run, as cartridge-based whole house water filters need to be replaced much more often. You should also be careful about hooking up a cartridge-based filter to parts of your plumbing with pressure issues as the filter might exacerbate those problems.
On the other hand, tank-based whole house lead filters are bulkier and more expensive. They are also more difficult to install. All of that is compensated by often more efficient operation and a longer lifetime.
Tank-based systems also usually don’t impact your water flow, at least not as much as some cartridge-based models.
As for whole house lead filtration methods;
- Some systems use special binders to bind soluble lead, and microfiltration to trap particulate lead.
- Others may use catalytic carbon and/or KDF-55 filter media.
- And yet others use cation exchange resin which needs to regenerate every once in a while.
All these methods can be effective if applied right.
System Capacity & Flow Rate
When sizing any whole house water filter, it’s important that a system can provide enough filtered water to your entire household, including kitchen, bathroom(s), and home appliances.
An undersized whole home lead water filter will cause drops in water pressure when operating multiple outlets.
Around 10 to 15 gallons per minute is a good starting point. If you have a very large house, you might even need more than that.
As for filtration capacity, long-lasting filters mean fewer replacements which is less of a hassle and often more cost-effective.
Installing a Whole House Lead Filter
One disadvantage of whole house water filters for lead compared to POU systems is that they can be significantly more challenging to install. In some cases, you might have to use professional services to ensure that the hookup is handled correctly and safely. Some manufacturers make the installation as simple as possible, but you can’t count on that for every model on the market.
Filter Replacements (Maintenance)
The upfront cost of a whole house water filter for lead is not the only expense you’ll make related to it. You should also account for filter replacements. In the long term, these can get quite expensive with certain models.
That’s why it’s important to look into how frequently you’ll have to replace cartridges of whatever system you’re purchasing, and how much the replacements cost. Often, a lower initial price is offset by expensive filter replacements. The opposite is also true in many cases. Filtration systems that are more expensive upfront might end up quite affordable in the long run.
Warranty & Guarantee
We prefer lifetime product warranties and ideally money-back guarantees covering the first 6 months after purchase. Do note, however, that you are usually responsible for shipping cost!
Your Budget
Make sure that you are not biting of more than you can chew. And remember that filter replacements are an ongoing cost factor.
More on Whole House Water Filters for Lead Removal
Further Reading:
What Is Lead?
First of all, lead is a heavy metal and a naturally occurring element on planet Earth.
While it has some advantages to it, lead is highly toxic to both humans and animals, often causing severe health effects.
How Does Lead Enter Our Water Supplies?
Lead contamination is the result of outdated plumbing techniques, which are now thankfully banned – since 1986 to be precise.
And while most households don’t use plumbing with lead pipes, flux, and solders anymore, many still get their water from sources that involve this type of piping at various points. Essentially, the water leaches the heavy metal out of said components as they wear and tear.
It can be difficult to ensure that your water supply is not affected without testing it. Even if your home’s plumbing was put in recently and follows all modern regulations, you can’t guarantee the same for every stage of the delivery system leading to your home.
The Adverse Health Effects of Lead on the Human Body
Lead in drinking water is associated with various adverse health effects. Some of those are minor enough that we might not even notice them in our daily lives, such as abdominal pain and the occasional headache. However, the longer you’re exposed to lead, the more serious those effects can get. In extreme cases, people can suffer from memory loss, unprovoked aggression, severe irritability, weakness, and other symptoms.
In fact, there is ongoing research that has shown a possible link between elevated blood levels of lead and increased crime in some parts of the US. This is primarily linked to the excessive use of lead in consumer fuels a few decades ago. But it doesn’t matter how lead gets into your body – whether you inhale it or consume it with your water, the final effect is always detrimental.
A Safe Lead Level in Drinking Water?
If your water contains any amount of lead, it’s not safe – period. There is no safe level of lead, and you should always aim to avoid consuming it whenever you have control over that.
That’s why installing a high-end whole house lead water filter is recommended if you have positively identified lead contamination in your water supply. Don’t be confused by official regulations – even though there is an “approved” level of lead according to the EPA, even that amount is still harmful.
Testing for Lead in Water
There are generally three methods for testing for lead in water.
- You can submit a sample to a professional laboratory.
- You can test your water yourself.
- Or obtain a copy of your latest Consumer Confidence Report.
Laboratory testing is always the best option. It’s not cheap, but produces the most accurate results. It can also help you identify other contaminants in your water supply, depending on the type of test you order.
Testing your water yourself is also an option, but it’s only advisable to use that approach if you don’t have access to laboratory testing or aren’t willing to pay for it. Some at-home testing kits can produce relatively good results, but they are still not as good as proper laboratory testing.
You should also consider getting a copy of your local water report. Keep in mind that if significant parts of your plumbing are on your private property – especially if you have a dedicated well – the report will not contain any information about that.
Purification Methods to Remove Lead from Water
Several methods are commonly used for removing lead from water. Different whole house water filters may use different approaches, and in some cases may even combine them.
- Reverse osmosis is probably the most reliable method for removing lead and other types of contamination from water available to consumers right now. But it’s a technique that requires very high investment when used at the point of entry. So unless you also suffer from other hard-to-remove water contaminants aside from lead, we recommend choosing one of the other solutions.
- Microfiltration + special binders is a unique approach used by the PIONEER whole house lead water filtration system, which is the only one we know with an actual NSF certification for lead reduction. Meaning, it is highly effective.
- Ion exchange resin can also be used to remove lead.
- Activated carbon filters, catalytic activated carbon filters in particular, capture lead through adsorption. They can also remove various other chemicals from your water supply.
- KDF-55 filters reduce soluble lead to insoluble lead, attracting it to the filter and capturing it.
- Distillation is an old technique which can be useful for removing lead, just not at the whole house level.
Pros and Cons of Using a Whole Home Lead Water Filter
Advantage: Lead-Free Water in Your Entire Home
A whole house water filter always purifies your entire water supply instead of focusing on specific endpoints so you get filtered water in your kitchen but also for showering, doing laundry, etc.
And needless to say, a lead water filter improves the healthiness of your water by removing harmful lead.
Advantage: Additional Contaminants Removed
A whole house water filter for lead will likely remove other types of contaminants as well. A good example is the PIONEER which is also certified for PFOA/PFOS reduction.
Advantage: Low Maintenance
Most systems are very easy to maintain yourself; no need to pay a contractor.
Advantage: Taste
You cannot taste lead in water. Still, the filtered water will likely taste better than before due to a bunch of other contaminants being removed. This makes it easier for your family to hydrate properly.
Disadvantages
- May not completely remove all lead from your water
- In some cases installing the filter can be complicated
- Initial purchase and ongoing filter replacements can be expensive
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does a whole house filter even remove lead?
Some do! The best example is the PIONEER which has been third-party NSF-certified for 99.62% lead reduction. - Is it worth getting a whole house water filter for lead?
If you have lead in your water supply at home and cannot remove the lead source, then yes, getting a whole house water filter for lead is well worth it. After all, lead is a highly dangerous neurotoxin that can wreak havoc on your health! - Does boiling water remove lead?
No, it does not. The boiling point of lead is way too high. - Can you find lead in well water supplies?
The most common sources of lead in water are pipes, fixtures, and faucets containing the heavy metal. As such, lead can enter water when these plumbing materials corrode. - What does lead in water look like?
Water containing lead looks just like regular water. You cannot see lead in water with your naked eyes.
How We Chose and Tested the Best Whole House Water Filters to Remove Lead (Why Trust Us)
How did we go about reviewing whole house lead water filters? We relied on a review process that involved relentless research, hands-on testing, and thorough analysis:
- Our first step was to establish a set of criteria to serve as our benchmark. We identified 20 crucial attributes that we deemed essential.
- Next, we scoured the internet to gather 13 different systems that would undergo our rigorous review process.
- In the initial round, we relied on a range of sources including manuals, descriptions, warranty conditions, lab reports, and NSF certifications. We also reached out to companies to gather further information on their customer support. At the end of this round, the number of whole house lead water filters still on our list had been lowered to 10.
- Next we relied on third-party feedback. We used ratings and opinions to eliminate 3 more products.
- To ensure authenticity, we ordered and tested a selection (not all!) of the remaining 7 lead filter systems. We measured reduction rates of lead and other impurities/contaminants using water test kits and noted factors such as filter installation difficulty, required maintenance, and water taste. Each filter was used for a minimum of two weeks.
- We embarked on this journey to help you make the best decision in your quest for clean and lead-free water. Thus, we had to compile all our findings into a user-friendly buying guide that is 100% independent, unbiased, and fact-checked (Buddhini Dolapihilla, MBSS was instrumental in evaluating claims aimed at reducing contamination – think NSF certifications).
About Our Ratings
We’ve rated each filter on a score of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest rating.
Right now, our evaluation process is based on these key factors: Lead reduction rates (30%), affordability (25%), user feedback and hands-on testing (20%), filter capacity (15%), product support and warranties (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.
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.