7 Best Whole House Sediment Filters for Well Water & City Water – Reviews + Guide

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Sedimented water must not be harmful when ingested, but it certainly doesn’t help when trying to meet your daily hydration goals.

The main issue with well or city water containing high amounts of sediment, however, is that it can damage your home’s entire water system, including pipes, fixtures and appliances – like water heaters, washing machines, etc. The potential result? Higher maintenance and repair needs/cost.

This is where sediment water filters come in. They can remove small and large suspended particles from water, ideally at the main water line and before the water is distributed throughout your house.

So, here is our collection of the 7 best sediment filters for well water and tap water. Enjoy!

Best Sediment Filters for Well Water & Municipal Water – Top Picks

Products	Specs & Features	Where to Buy
Best Overall Crystal Quest ★★★★★	Price: $$$ Type: Zeolite Media Tank Mesh/Micron Rating: 5 Filtration Capacity: 750,000-1,000,000 Gallons Flow Rate: 9-13 Gallons Per Minute Best For: All Sediment Types & Levels	Check Current Price Or read our review
#1 Spin Down SpringWell Spin-Down ★★★★★	Price: $ Type: Spin Down Mesh/Micron Rating: 100 Filtration Capacity: – Flow Rate: 25 Gallons Per Minute Best For: Coarse Sediment	Coupon Code (5% Off): Masterz5 Check Current Price Or read our review
#1 Cartridge Based Home Master Custom ★★★★★	Price: $$ Type: Cartridge Sediment Filters Mesh/Micron Rating: 0.2-30.0 Filtration Capacity: Up to 1 Year Flow Rate: Up to 20 Gallons Per Minute Best For: Customization Based on Water Conditions	Check Current Price Or read our review

Best Whole House Sediment Filter Reviews

The order of the following whole house sediment filter reviews is deliberate. Our favorite products are at the top.

1. Best Overall: Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter

In our opinion, the best sediment filter for well water and tap water in 2023 is the Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter.

The filter effectively eliminates suspended solids sized 5 microns or larger. Besides, the filter media has a minimum life expectancy of five years, so it’s quite durable.

Overall, it’s an all-in-one package. 5 stars!

★★★★★

See More Product Images at crystalquest.com

Main Specs

• Price: $$$
• Filtration method: Zeolite^[1]
• Micron rating: 5 microns
• Filter life and flow rate depend on which filter size you choose
  • Smaller unit: 750,000 gallons, 9 to 11 gallons per minute (1-3 bathrooms)
  • Larger unit: 1,000,000 gallons, 10 to 13 gallons per minute (4+ bathrooms)
• Best for: The Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter is best for the overall removal of fine sediment.

Pros

• The Crystal Quest sediment whole house water filtration system features 3 stages.
• The first stage is a sediment pre-filter rated at 5 microns. It traps dirt, silt, sand and other solid bits and pieces.
• The second filter stage features a large mineral tank that contains natural zeolite. The mineral is tested to successfully remove suspended particles and sediment down to 5 microns in size.
  • KDF filter media is added to inhibit bacterial growth.
• In the last filtration step, the water flows through a carbon block filter, eliminating chemicals like industrial agents. Besides, it also improves the water’s taste.
• As a filter media, Zeolite is lightweight resulting in reduced backwash rates, saving you water.
• The zeolite granules are bigger than average, with an uneven form and shattered edges, making water flow more complex. As a result, sediment removal is more efficient with little to no decrease in water pressure. Besides, caking on top of the filter media is prevented, giving longer runs between backwashes.
• If durability is your preference, you can upgrade the fiberglass tanks to stainless steel.
• The user manual includes easy-to-follow instructions making the installation process straightforward.
• You’d only need to replace pre and post-filters every 1 to 1.5 years, and it’ll cost you around $40 annually. So, maintenance won’t require much money or time.
• A 1-year warranty backs the sediment filter.

Cons

• It is a little expensive compared to other whole house sediment water filters.

Check Current Price

2. Best for Very High Sediment Levels: SpringWell Spin-Down Sediment Filter

Coupon Code (5% Off): Masterz5

If you ask us, the SpringWell is the best spin-down sediment filter in 2023.

Spin-down filters typically target large particulates in water. They successfully remove rust bits, sand and big blocks of debris.

In other words, they’re not the same as fine-micron sediment filter cartridges meant to remove the tiniest particles.

Simply put, this spin-down filter is ideal as a first defense if your well water is loaded with dirt. For that purpose, it’s without a doubt the #1 you can buy and deserves five stars!

★★★★★

See More Product Images at springwellwater.com

Main Specs

• Price: $
• Filtration method: Spin down
• Mesh rating: 100 microns
• Filter life: Unlimited
• Flow rate: 25 gallons per minute
• Best for: The SpringWell Spin-Down is best for treating water with very high sediment levels.

Pros

• SpringWell’s whole home sediment water filter is designed mainly to remove large chunks from your water.
• The head of the filter creates a circular motion in the water. The sediment is forced to the outside of the filter housing due to centrifugal force and it settles down at the bottom. Later, you can flush it out by opening the valve.
• You won’t experience any pressure loss due to the high 25 gpm flow rate.
• You can reuse the 100-micron mesh filter screen, and it’s pretty easy to clean, too.
• There are no cartridge filters to replace.
• You can install the sediment filter all by yourself; it’s DIY approved.
• The company gives a 6-month guarantee for all its items.
• You also get a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• Nothing reported yet.

Check Current Price

3. Ideal for Customization: Home Master Filter – CREATE YOUR OWN

The cool thing about Home Master is that they allow you to design a custom sediment filter as per your preferences.

This is a huge plus as it gives you a chance to select from different types of sediment filter cartridges and select the one that’s best suited for your water issues.

For instance, you can create a setup featuring a 3-step filtration process: a sediment filter 30 microns in size followed by a 5-micron cartridge followed by a 1-micron cartridge. Cool, right?

Such a three-stage filtration process allows large particles to trap first and smaller ones later. Further, it keeps the filters from clogging prematurely. And there’s much more you can do!

★★★★★

See More Product Images at theperfectwater.com

Main Specs

• Price: $$
• Filtration method: Sediment cartridge filters
• Size: 4.5 x 20 inches
• Micron rating: 0.2-30.0 microns
• Filter life: Up to 1 year
• Flow rate: Up to 20 gallons per minute
• Best for: The Home Master filter is ideal for those interested in a customizable system.

Pros

• You have the freedom to choose 1, 2, or 3 filtration stages.
• You can select from several cartridges.
• A multi-grade polyester sediment filter featuring four layers of 25, 10, 5 and 1 micron offers depth filtration with maximum dirt-holding capacity. It successfully eliminates turbidity, sand, rust, silt and sediments from your water.
• The washable pleated polyester sediment filter rated at 5 microns can be reused up to 6 times. It’ll reduce the amount of silt, sand and rust in your water.
• Another washable pleated polyester sediment water, this time rated at 30 microns, can remove silt, sand and rust. You can reuse it up to 6 times.
• An absolute pleated sediment filter (1 micron) traps silt, sand, dust and rust as well as cysts like cryptosporidium^[2] and giardia from your water, and can be reused after washing.
• The absolute nano-fiber pleated filter (0.2 microns) is tested to catch up to 99% of viruses, bacteria, and cysts. Besides, it also removes fine silt, rust, sand and turbidity.
• Installation and maintenance of this custom Home Master whole house sediment water filtration system are pretty easy, and you can do it by yourself.
• Replacement costs are budget-friendly.
• Includes a 2-year warranty.

Cons

• The system doesn’t include a built-in bypass valve.

Check Current Price

4. Best Standard Unit: SpringWell PF Sediment Filter Canister + 5 Micron Filter

Coupon Code (5% Off): Masterz5

The combination of SpringWell PF sediment filter canister and 5-micron filter compels us to declare it as the best regular sediment filter.

Here’s what it includes: All the filter components required for installing, comprehensive written setup instructions + video, satisfaction guarantee for 6 months, and above all, a lifetime warranty!

★★★★

☆

See More Product Images at springwellwater.com

Main Specs

• Price: $
• Filtration method: Sediment filter cartridge
• Micron rating: 5 microns
• Filter life: 6 months
• Size and flow rate depend on which filter version you choose
  • PF-10: 10-inch filter cartridge, 20 gallons per minute
  • PF-20: 20-inch filter cartridge, 35 gallons per minute
• Best for: The SpringWell PF is ideal for those looking for a standard sediment filter.

Pros

• This simple whole house sediment filter is ideal for removing sediment 5 microns or larger in size, including rust, dirt, sand and dust.
• Melt-down polypropylene is resistant to temperature fluctuations and chemicals in your water.
• The filter is typically installed before setting up the main water treatment system.
• The company provides you with comprehensive instructions + video for installation.
• The package includes a filter spanner to let you change cartridges every 6 months. It costs around $35-65 annually (depends on the filter size).
• SpringWell gives a 180-day satisfaction guarantee; if you aren’t satisfied with the product, you can return it for a full refund.
• Comes with a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• Little costly compared to most off-the-shelf sediment water filters.

Check Current Price

5. Best for Easy Cleaning: Quality Water Treatment SoftPro Spin-Down Sediment Separator Filter

The SoftPro Spin-Down Sediment Separator Filter is an alternative to the one listed by SpringWell.

The main difference is the smaller filter mesh rating of 60 microns for smaller particle filtration.

★★★★☆

See More Product Images at qualitywatertreatment.com

Main Specs

• Price: $
• Filtration method: Spin down
• Mesh rating: 60 microns
• Filter life: Unlimited
• Flow rate: 25 gallons per minute
• Best for: The QWT SoftPro is best for those who want a system that is easy to clean.

Pros

• The SoftPro spin-down sediment water filter offers clogging protection for your home against sediments in the water supply. This prevents wear and tear for your pipes and home appliances.
• The system features an Easy Access Flush Clean-Out. All you need to do is open the bottom valve to clean out the filter occasionally.
• The polyester filter screen is also reusable after cleaning. And the cleaning procedure is very simple, provided you have water and 1 ounce of regular household bleach.^[3]
• There’s no need to buy new filter cartridges. In fact, there are none.
• A clear filter housing makes monitoring much simpler.
• You can choose from 4 different plumbing sizes, most typical are 3/4-inch and 1-inch.
• QWT offers a 1-year manufacturer warranty.

Cons

• We need to wait and see how users are rating the product.

Check Current Price

6. Best for Lower Budgets: Tier1 Sediment Filters for Well Water

Tier1 is the ideal water filter brand for people on a low budget. Tier1 sediment filters can be used to clean well water from sediment, rust and/or sand with good results.

★★★★☆

See More Product Images at discountfilterstore.com

Main Specs

• Price: $
• Filtration method: Sediment filter cartridge
• Size and micron rating depend on which sediment filter cartridge you choose
  • 10-inch polypropylene filter: 5 microns
  • 20-inch polypropylene filter: 5 microns
  • 10-inch pleated filter:30 microns
  • 20-inch pleated filter: 30 microns
• Filter life: 6 months
• Flow rate: 15 gallons per minute
• Best for: The Tier1 sediment filter is best for those on lower budgets.

Pros

• The polypropylene sediment whole house water filtration system comes in both industry standard sizes. Rated at 5 microns, it eliminates sediment and other dirt like rust.
• You can also choose between 10 and 20-inch industry standard size with the pleated sediment filter kit. Only that this one is rated at 30 microns and therefore better suited to target larger particles.
• All 4 packages include a filter canister, cartridge, O-ring, filter wrench as well as mounting bracket and screws.
• DIY installation is quick.
• Filters last for an average of 6 months. There’s a pressure release button which makes filter changes much easier.
• If you are dissatisfied with the product, you can return it within 60 days of the ship date, for a full refund of the product price + original shipping.

Cons

• Sometimes, a low price tag translates to low quality. We’re not sure if this is the case here.

Check Current Price

7. Best for Large Mesh Rating: iSpring WSP-50 Reusable Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter

The iSpring WSP-50 is another spin-down filter designed to act as a first line of defense for your washing machine and other home appliances, fixtures and pipes against sediments.

★★★★☆

See More Product Images at amazon.com

Main Specs

• Price: $
• Filtration method: Spin down
• Mesh rating: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 microns
• Filter life: 12-24 months
• Flow rate: Up to 20 gallons per minute
• Best for: The iSpring WSP-50 Reusable Whole House Spin Down Sediment Water Filter is best for large mesh ratings.

Pros

• With its stainless steel filter cartridge this POE sediment water filter takes considerable workload of any water treatment equipment installed downstream.
• It filters sediment, rust, dirt, sand and other large particles.
• The system is flushable and reusable.
  • It’s recommended to flush daily or weekly, depending on your water’s hardness level, sediment amount, and your water usage.
• You can connect a garden hose when flushing to avoid a water mess.
• iSpring provides written installation instructions and video for an easy do-it-yourself hook-up. The filter fits 1″ and 3/4″ water lines.

Cons

• Highly restricted flow is one of the most common complaints.
• Some customers reported the flushing wouldn’t work that well.

Check Current Price

Whole House Sediment Filtration System Comparison Chart

How do the best whole house sediment filters perform when directly compared to each other?

Product	$$$	Method	Size	Mesh/Micron Rating	Filter Capacity	Flow Rate	Best For	Details
Crystal Quest Sediment Filter for Well Water	$$$	Zeolite Filter Medium	–	5	750,000-1,000,000 gal	9-13 gpm	Best Overall for Fine Sediment Removal	#1 Choice for Drinking Water
SpringWell Rusco Sediment Filter	$	Reusable Spin Down Filter	–	100	–	25 gpm	Best for Very High Sediment Levels	No Need to Buy Replacement Filters, Clear Housing
Home Master Sediment Filter for Well Water	$$	Cartridge Filters	4.5 x 20 inches	0.2-30.0	Up to 1 Year	Up to 20 gpm	Best for Customization	Frequent Filter Replacement May Be Required
SpringWell PF Water Filtration System	$	Filter Cartridge	10-20 Inches	5	6 Months	20-35 gpm	Best Standard Sediment Filter	Cartridge Type Sediment Filter
QWT SoftPro Water Filtration System	$	Spin Down Filter System	–	60	–	25 gpm	Best for Easy Cleaning	Clear Housing
Tier1 Sediment Filter for Well Water	$	Cartridge Filters	10-20 Inches	5-30	6 Months	15 gpm	Best for Low Budgets	Pleated Cartridge Filters
iSpring WSP-50	$	Spin Down Sediment Filter	–	50-1000	1-2 Years	20 gpm	Best for Large Mesh Ratings	Clear Housing

Buyer’s Guide – How to Buy the Best Sediment Filter for Well Water or City Water (+ How We Tested)

A sediment filter has many benefits, IF you choose one that’s up to standards. But what does that even mean? Here’s our buyer’s guide with everything you need to consider when buying the best sediment filter for well water or city water.

Type of Water Source

Knowing your water source is crucial to purchasing a sediment filter. Are you on well water or a city water supply?

The type and concentration of sediments vary from source to source. Simply put, well and municipal water have different sediment types and therefore sizes.

• City water is less affected by sediments. In fact, it might not contain any sediment at all.
• More often than not, well water is heavily contaminated and contains both small and large sediment.

If you’re on well water, perhaps you can’t let go of the idea of installing a sediment filter. On the flip side, homeowners on city water might think they can skip using sediment filters.

The thing is, if you want pure water and wish to prevent your fixtures, plumbing system and water appliances from damage, a water sediment filter could be mandatory.

Sediments – small or large – should be removed regardless of your type of water source.

Sediment Type

But how to know about the sediments in your water? Consider testing! It is the only way to know about the type and concentration of sediments in your water.

Your drinking water can have various sediments, including rocks, silt^[4], clay, fine sand and biological remains. These can be really tiny or as large as a small gibber stone.

The particulate size is another thing to consider. You cannot purchase the next best sediment filter system on the market and expect it to eliminate all sediments from your water effectively.

Only after determining the sediment type and size can you proceed with the purchase; makes sense?

Additional Filtration

Note that a sediment filter is excellent for getting cleaner water. However, consider installing other water treatment systems like carbon-based whole house water filters if you want to complement its usage.

This practice will ensure maximum contamination removal from your drinking water.

Mesh Size and Micron Rating

After determining the particulate type and size in your water, you’re required to select the mesh size or micron rating of your new sediment filter.

Micron ratings signify the filtration pore size in cartridge sediment filters and loose filter media.

Standard ratings include 50, 10, 5 and 1 micron. On the other hand, mesh size is only specific to spin-down sediment filters. These include ratings like 100 or 500 microns.

Both mesh size and micron rating determine the particle size the filter can remove.

A small micron rating can successfully eliminate smaller particles. For example, a 1-micron rating sediment filter can remove smaller particles than one rated at 50-micron.

So, does this mean that a good sediment filter always has a low micron rating or the other way round? Well, not necessarily.

It depends on the types of sediments you’re dealing with. For instance, if your water has sand particles, chips and dust, going for a small micron rating will do you no good. These large particles will clog up your filter instantly.

The result? You’ll end up washing and replacing your filter more often than usual to ensure optimal water flow and pressure. It’ll also increase the costs, which is another setback.

So, the key is to buy a sediment filter with a micron size that fits your water requirements. As a rule of thumb, remember:

• A filter with a 10-micron rating or lower will remove microorganisms, like bacteria, along with clay and silt.
• A 50-to-100-micron filter will eliminate fine dust, sand-like particles and some cysts.
• A filter rated at 100 microns or more is best for removing rust chips, pipe scale and grit.

Installation

Recently, brands have paid a lot of attention to engineering their whole house filtration systems to ease the installation process for customers. Nonetheless, all sediment filters do not feature a convenient installation process.

It’s best to read the detailed instructions on the manual before you begin a DIY install.

If you lack confidence in your skills, it’s best to hire a plumber for that purpose.

Besides taking the installation procedure into account, you also need to find a proper place to install your new filtration system.

Note that a POE sediment filter should be installed at the main water line of your house.

Filter Capacity (Maintenance)

In terms of maintenance, sediment filters are not to be neglected.

A few filter cartridges are washable – you can reuse them. All others need to be replaced after a certain time. This depends on the filter itself, your water conditions and your water usage.

In general, it’s always better to go with a filter with more gallon capacity to enjoy its longer life.

Flow Rate and Water Pressure

60 psi is considered the ideal water pressure for residential water filters. You can measure it using a pressure gauge.

What’s more, it’s essential to measure water pressure before plumbing your filter system because extremely high pressure can damage a filter.

On the other hand, low pressure disturbs the flow rate. Generally, this isn’t much of an issue because sediment filters rarely affect water pressure. However, if you already have low water flow, the filter won’t improve it.

Wash + Reuse

Buying a reusable filter will give you the best return on investment.

A reusable filter allows you to clean and reuse it at least several times before replacement is due. This means you won’t need to replace too often, and you’ll end up saving money.

How to clean? Soaking in water or using a brush or even your bare hands should put most sediment filters back to work.

Filter Cartridge Size

These are the dimensions for cartridges that follow industry standard sizing:

• 2.5 x 10 inches
• 2.5 x 20 inches
• 4.5 x 10 inches
• 4.5 x 20 inches

4.5” x 10” and 4.5” x 20” are whole house water filter cartridge sizes, whereas 2.5” x 10” and 2.5” x 20” are for point-of-use application.

A large-enough cartridge is essential as it directly affects water flow and pressure. Conversely, a small cartridge can only process so much water in any given time.

A few filter manufacturers also introduce their special proprietary sizes. However, we suggest you ignore those if possible for two good reasons:

1. First, they tend to be pretty expensive.
2. And second, it’ll be challenging for you to find replacements for those filters.

Product Warranty

Sediment well water filters are budget-friendly, so warranty isn’t a big issue when purchasing one. Still, we believe that any reputable company should offer a warranty for the products they’re selling.

A warranty shows that the manufacturer is confident about the products they make.

Price

We get it, upfront cost are high. But, whole house filters are pretty cost-effective. You can save hundreds of dollars you would otherwise spend on repairing and maintaining your house appliances and pipes.

If you ask us, it wouldn’t be wrong to consider them a worthwhile investment.

What is a Sediment Filter?

Sediment filters remove sediment like silt, rust, coarse sand and dirt from water. Simply put, it cleans your water by removing all the large, suspended particles in your home’s water supply.

More often than not, these particles are not visible to the naked eye. However, they can cause several issues.

For one, sediment can clog your plumbing system, cause aesthetic water problems and reduce the performance of water-utilizing home equipment like dishwashers, coffee makers, water heaters and washing machines.

So, whether you’re on city water or well water, it’s always worth to go for a sediment filter.

Why Consider a Sediment Water Filter Anyway?

As mentioned earlier, well water is more prone to contaminants and sediments than city water. Nonetheless, it doesn’t indicate that city water is entirely pure. Therefore, installing a sediment filter – whole house or point of use – is always a good idea.

We’ll discuss why you should consider a whole house sediment filter and how it’ll benefit you.

Protects Home Appliances and Plumbing System

All your home appliances that use water can easily get damaged if your water has sediments in it. These suspended particles harm the internal components of equipment like coffee makers, washing machines or dishwashers, reducing their life.

What’s more, sedimented water clogs house pipes and drainage lines.

Improves Water Quality

Water containing sediments can become dirty and have bad smell and a foul taste to it, making it hard to drink.

Sediment filters can remove dust, rust, silt, sand and organic material from water, improving its overall quality. The filtered water will taste a lot better and be odor-free.

The result? Your family will be encouraged to drink more which will keep them hydrated.

Protects Other Water Treatment Systems

You might have installed additional water treatment systems like activated carbon filters, a water softener or an RO system that ensures pure drinking water for you and your family.

Sadly, if your water contains sediments, it can damage the internal parts of these systems. However, installing a (whole house) sediment filter protects other water treatment units and prolongs their life.

Water Softeners

If you want to install a water softener on a private well, it’s important to install a sediment filter before it.

Otherwise, sediments will enter the softening system damaging its internal components, especially the resin bed.

A dirt-laden resin bed has less softening capacity and requires regeneration more frequently.

UV Water Disinfection

A UV water filtration system targets disease-causing and waterborne microbes through UV light.^[5] However, if your water has sediments, it’ll reduce the efficacy of the UV system.

The bacteria can hide behind the suspended sediment particles, and thus escape the radiation process.

A sediment well water filter will remove these sediments complementing the UV disinfection, and target all the microorganisms lurking in your water supply.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sediment Water Filters for Well Water

We’ll discuss some pros and cons that come with a sediment filter for well water below.

Advantages

• Sediment filters improve the taste of your drinking water.
• An efficient filter eliminates silt, sand, rust, dirt and other organic and inorganic matter from water.
• It improves the process of UV disinfection.
• Sediment filters are pretty easy to install.
• They prevent your plumbing system from clogging and protect your home appliances that use water.
• A variety of filter types offer you a solution for all kinds of sediments – big or small – in your home water.
• This one-time investment gives you cleaner water for years.
• A whole house sediment water filtration system can eliminate the use of bottled water, thus reducing your carbon footprint.
• Sediment filters complement the use of other water treatment solutions in your home.
• The best sediment filters can even eliminate contaminants like microorganisms and heavy metals from your water supply.

Disadvantages

• Sediment filters might not entirely remove foul odors and unpleasant taste.
• They won’t eliminate most hardness minerals from the water.
• Sediment systems have almost no effect on total dissolved solids (TDS).^[6]

Types of Sediment Water Filters and How They Work

Below, we’ll discuss a few common types of sediment water filters and how they work.

1. Spun Cartridge Filter

Spun cartridge filters contain polyester, cotton string or polypropylene swathed around a solid core.

These filters successfully catch small and large particles and keep them from mixing in the main water supply.

Advantages

• Hold both small and large sediment.
• Excellent dirt holding capability.
• Structure prevents clogging.

2. Pleated Cartridge Filters

Also known as surface filters, pleated sediment filters have a high surface area and a folded design.

They trap particles like dust, silt, sand and rust.

The large surface area of pleated filters removes sediments without affecting water pressure, which is another plus.

They typically feature polyester or a polypropylene sheet and are great at removing larger particles but might allow smaller ones to pass through.

You can choose one or another filter size – it depends on the number of family members in your home. Nonetheless, if you want to avoid the hassle of frequent cartridge replacements, opt for a larger filter.

Advantages

• Last long.
• Good water flow rates.
• Reusable and washable filters are available.
• No drop in water pressure.
• High capacity.

3. Spin-Down Sediment Filter

Spin-down sediment filters are reusable and flushable – the perfect option for whole house filtration. Besides, they are available in varying mesh sizes (20 to 1000 microns).

The filter creates a centrifugal force that pushes the particles outwards, where they get caught in the mesh.

These sediment filters work great with up to 150 psi water pressure and rarely cause a drop in water pressure. However, the pressure limitation may vary depending on your very model.

If these filters get clogged, you just need to open the valve and flush the settled sediments out.

Advantages

• Few filters feature an auto flush feature.
• The mesh filter screen doesn’t require frequent replacement.
• High flow rate.
• Reusable and flushable.
• Portable size.

4. Melt-Blown

Melt-blown filters are great for eliminating particles throughout the entire filtering material. They usually are made from polypropylene.

Melt-blown filters successfully eliminate fine particles (smaller than 10 microns in size).

Advantages

• The entire volume of filter material collects the dirt contributing to a longer filter life.
• Depth layer offers maximum filtration.

5. Multi-Gradient Sediment Filters

These filters feature several filtration layers with different micron sizes. The outer layers have a large rating, while the inner ones have a smaller rating for effective cleaning.

Because of multiple layers and depth filtration, these filters catch large and small sediments over an extended period.

Advantages

• Long life.
• Several layers ensure maximum suspended particle removal.

6. Spun

These feature melted propylene and consist of multiple filter layers. The layers effectively block sediments and keep them from remaining in your water supply.

The outer layer has a higher micron rating. It’s used to catch larger sediments, including sand and dirt.

As the water passes through to the inner filter layers, they become less porous. Eventually, even the smallest of contaminants are trapped and filtered.

Using a whole house filtration system with a spun cartridge is a great way to ensure maximum water purity.

Advantages

• When layers become less porous, they filter out even microscopic contaminants.
• Several layers ensure maximum sediment removal and filtration.

How to Clean Your Sediment Filter

If you want to enjoy optimal water flow and improve the life of your sediment filter, it’s best to clean and maintain it regularly. Below, we’ve shared tips and recommendations on cleaning and maintaining one.

Pleated Sediment Water Filter Cartridge

If you own a reusable pleated sediment filter cartridge, here’s how you can clean it.

1. Turn off the incoming water valve.
2. Now, push the pressure relief button on the sediment filter housing.
3. Take out the filter cartridge and use a brush to remove smaller sediments.
4. Once you’ve brushed off the fine sediments, keep the cartridge under running water – this will ensure proper dirt removal.
5. Now use fresh water to flush the filter sump.
6. Place the cleaned, unclogged filter cartridge back in its housing.
7. Put everything back together, and that’s it! You have successfully cleaned your filter.

Spin-Down Filter

You might be flushing out your spin-down sediment filter cartridge frequently, which is great. But did you know small particles can get trapped on your mesh filter screen?

To make sure this doesn’t affect performance, it’s best to take out the filter and clean it thoroughly. You can take a soft brush and brush off the fine sediments from the filter screen.

If you come across any stubborn stains, you can use a vinegar solution to remove them. Just avoid using harsh chemicals that’ll end up damaging your filter.

How Often Should You Replace a Sediment Filter?

How often a sediment filter needs replacement depends on several factors like the type of filter cartridge, its quality and, of course, your water usage. To explain further:

• If you have a family of 6-7 people, you’ll constantly use plenty of water. Therefore, you’ll struggle to keep your filter functioning properly, and you’d need to replace it more frequently.
• On the other hand, if you have a family of 2 people, you’ll be using less water. You can enjoy a longer filter life and won’t replace as often.

Generally, a cartridge-type filter lasts for up to 6-12 months.

But how do you know if you need a replacement or not? Here’s how:

First, you need to check for particles on the filter screen; if you notice brownish color, you probably need to replace your filter.

Second, you can observe the outgoing water pressure; if it’s low, it indicates a clogged filter that requires replacement.

Replacing a Sediment Filter

If your system features a non-reusable sediment filter, here’s how you can replace it.

1. Use a wrench to open the filter housing.
2. Take out the clogged filter cartridge and throw it away.
3. Use fresh water to flush the filter housing and clean it thoroughly.
4. Place a new cartridge into the filter housing.
5. Close the filter housing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What micron filter is best for well water?

This entirely depends on the type, size and amount of sediment present in your well water supply. For dirt, sand and other large particles it’s recommended to choose a higher micron rating first. If your well water contains finer sediments like silt, a smaller micron rating is required. Ideally, you combine both in one system.

How do you remove heavy sediment from well water?

Heavy sediment in well water is best to be removed using a spin-down sediment water filter.

Which is a better 5-micron or 20-micron sediment filter?

This depends on the size and levels of sediment in your water supply. A lower micron rating removes smaller particulates, but it also clogs faster.

Is a sediment filter for well water worth it?

The right sediment filter for well water can protect your home’s plumbing, fixtures and water appliances from damage. So yes, sediment filters are worth it.

How often should you change a sediment filter?

As a general rule, you should wash or replace a sediment filter every 3 to 12 months, depending on your water quality and usage.

What is the cost of sediment filters?

Low-budget sediment filters are readily available for $10. More sophisticated filter cartridges can cost up to $50. A tank-based whole house sediment water filtration system costs up to $1,000 and more.

Conclusion

A whole house sediment filter for well water can make a great addition to your home. You just need to install one suited for your water conditions. Our first choice is the Crystal Quest Turbidity Whole House Water Filter. For heavy sediment contamination we recommend the SpringWell Spin-Down Sediment Filter as a first defense. One of the best sediment filters for well water using filter cartridges is the Home Master.

If you have any questions about these or other sediment filters please leave a comment below!

Further Reading

• The Best Whole House Water Filters 2023
• The Best Well Water Filtration Systems in 2023
• The Best Combos of Whole House Filters and Softeners
• What’s the Best Whole House Water Filter Cartridge?
• Are Whole House Water Filtration Systems Worth it?
• Where to Buy a Whole House Water Filter?
• Sediment Water Filter Manufacturers – List

More Sediment Water Filters Reviewed

• Culligan WH-HD200-C

Resources

• [1] https://wcponline.com/2021/03/15/zeolite-a-superior-water-purification-material/
• [2] https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/index.html
• [3] https://www.thespruce.com/is-bleach-a-great-choice-as-a-cleaner-1900778
• [4] https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/silt/
• [5] https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200723/Disinfection-of-drinking-water-using-UV-light.aspx
• [6] https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/tds-and-ph