If your main water source is well, it is highly possible that it contains iron. The amount of iron in well water may differ in different areas. This iron also causes rust you find in your sink, bathtub, and bathroom floors. It is also responsible for reducing the lifespan of appliances that use water to operate.
If you are using well water for every water need, you need to have a filter that removes iron from the water which not only guarantees your safety but also your appliances.
We have prepared a buying guide for the best iron filters for well water for you to choose from.
Durawater Iron Eater (Best of The Best)
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AFWFilters AIS10-25SXT
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AFWFilters IRON Pro 2
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iSpring WGB32BM
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AFWFilters 5600SXT
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iSpring WGB22BM
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Table of Contents
Best Iron Filter for Well Water
1. iSpring WGB32BM Whole House Iron Water Filtration System
Why consume well water that is not healthy for your family or even your appliances? The well water that has a high amount of iron in it can reduce the life of your appliances.
The first in our list of the best iron filters for well water is iSpring’s WGB32BM 3-stage whole-house filtration system. The three stages of the filter system are sediment filter, carbon block, and most important Iron and manganese reducing filter.
The third stage filter is specifically designed to remove iron from the water. It can remove iron as small as 0.01 ppm to 3 ppm. Before the system removes iron from the water, it removes large sediment in its first stage of filtration, and these sediments can include rust and dust.
In the second stage of filtration, the system removes any bad odor or taste from the water. The system is also tested by a third party to meet the NSF/ANSI standards. The whole system has the capacity to filter out 1,00,000 gallons of water before needing the filter cartridge replacement.
The installation of the system is quite easy, and you can do it by yourself. You will have to connect it to your main water line and you can also claim the warranty on your system by registering your purchase online.
iSpring is also known for its customer support. If you want a system that also removes TDS from the water, you may want to choose another system as this one doesn’t remove TDS from the water.
What we like
- Easy to install
- Does not affect water flow
- Removes Iron and Manganese from the water efficiently
- Removes any foul odor or taste from the water
- Low maintenance
What we don’t like
- Does not remove TDS from the water
- The filters might need frequent cartridge changes if there are high amount contaminants
2. AFWFilters AIS10-25SXT Air Injection Iron Removal Water Filter
Do you prefer a water filter system that removes iron from your well water without any chemicals? If yes, then AFW’s air injection filter can be added to your list of preferable filters. The main focus of this filter is to remove fluoride, iron, manganese, and sulfur from the water. The whole system is automatic and doesn’t require any filters at all.
Installing AFW air injection filters is very easy, and they come with a bypass valve that attaches to your waterline. The air injection does the process of oxidization, and it removes water contaminants.
The whole system is made from one single tank; hence it is very easy to maintain after installation. The system removes iron up to 10 ppm and manganese up to 2 ppm. This air injection filter is cost-efficient and cost-saving compared to all the other filters.
The system gives water flow up to 10 GPM for 10 minutes, and after that, the water flow might reduce to 7 GPM. Make sure you check out the instructional manual before you purchase the system. Once purchased, this filter can last up to 5 years without needing any kind of extensive maintenance.
You can get a digital air injection controller to maintain and keep track of your filter. The whole system is from silver series 10, which is one of the small filters that gives efficient results.
What we like
- Easy installation
- Effortless maintenance
- Removes Iron
- Includes stainless steel bypass valve
- Durable construction
What we don’t like
- Manual instructions can be more clear
- It can be a little noisy at times
3. iSpring WGB22BM 2-Stage Whole House Water Filtration System
If you want a filter system that is affordable as well as excellent infiltration, iSpring’s 2-stage Iron water filtration system can be on your list of choices. The 2-stage filters of the system include a PP sediment filter and a coconut shell carbon block.
It is most suitable for medium households. If there is a high amount of contaminants like iron and manganese in your well water, it removes them efficiently. Why spend more money on your big filter systems when you can get this system at the most affordable cost?
The system is also tested to meet NSF/ANSI standards for its filtration efficiency. Installation of the system is really easy, and with the help of an instructional manual, you can easily do it yourself. iSpring even gives you lifetime customer support to its customers. If you are facing any issues in installation, technical support will help you out with it.
The filter capacity of the system is 1,00,000 gallons. Although it has exceptional performance in removing contaminants from the water, it does not remove TDS from the water. The system lasts three times more than any other catalytic media filter.
By installing a filter that removes any possibility of your appliances breaking down because of the rust in the system. What we like the best about this iron filter system for well water is that it comes at a low cost and needs way less maintenance compared to other systems that are costlier than this.
What we like
- Easy to install
- Heavy-duty components
- Matches NSF/ANSI standards
- Removes Iron
- Long-lasting filters
- Lifetime customer support
- Requires low maintenance
What we don’t like
- Only 2 stages of filtration
- Not suitable for big households
4. AFWFilters 5600SXT IRON Pro 2 Water Softener & Iron Filter
If you want to purchase an iron filter that also softens the water, AFW got your back. The filtration system shows exceptional performance in removing iron and other contaminants from the water.
Isn’t it amazing? You just have to purchase and maintain one system for both the filtration process and the softening process. Now you can make sure that there is no build-up in your lines or even on your skin’s pores.
The installation of the system is quite easy, you will also get resin that helps softens the water with your kit. The tank comes preloaded, so you do not even have to load the components.
Another best part of installing this system is that you will only need to install one filter component, and thus, you will have to maintain only one component; think about the time and money you will be saving. It would just take an hour or so to install the system.
The capacity of the filter is 64,000 gallons before needing any replacement in the system. More than that, the AFW offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and there’s also a warranty on the valve for 5 years and 10 years warranty on the tank, making it one of the preferable choices for some customers.
There is also a digital control in the system you can use for making the operation easy for you. The whole system increases the life of your appliances, and plumbing line and it also makes your hair and skin more healthy. Click Here to read the full review of this Iron Filter.
What we like
- Easy installation
- 2-stage filtration that even softens the water
- Removes iron efficiently
- 48-hour memory backup meter
- Fine mesh resins that can give better performance
- Digital meter
- 30-days money-back guarantee
What we don’t like
- It doesn’t remove ferric iron
- It’s almost like an all-in-one system so even if it’s one container, it’s quite big
5. Durawater Air Injection Iron Eater Filter
Dura Water Air Injection Iron Eater Filter makes its way on our list because of its exceptional performance in removing iron from the water.
The filter does not only remove the iron from the well water but also removes all the other minerals that make your water hard. If you have well water coming out of your tap, this might be one of the ideal filter systems for you.
The filtration process includes a Fleck air injection control head, which automatically backwashes the filter, washing the iron from the filters and sending them down the drain. The filter uses a process called oxidization that makes the filtering faster and more efficient.
The installation process of the system is easy, and you can do it by yourself. You will get a bypass valve with the system you can attach with your water line. You will not even require plumbing services as well—more than that, the air injection iron water filter lasts for a long time.
You do not have to worry about your plumbing lines getting blocked because if you install this filter and it removes the contaminants like sulfur and iron that cause scaling.
Unlike any other iron water filter, this one requires no maintenance at all, and there’s a digital meter you can use to control your filter. If we look into the efficiency of the system, it removes iron up to 12 ppm, sulfur up to 10 ppm, and manganese up to 2 ppm. If maintained properly, the filter is supposed to last up to 8-10 years.
What we like
- Easy to install
- Backwashing of iron filter
- High-quality and durable
- The digital air injection system
- Water oxidization makes water filtration more effective
- Removes iron, Sulfur, and manganese
What we don’t like
- Installation takes up more time
- Some complaints have been noticed for poor customer service
6. AFWFilters IRON Pro 2 Water softener Iron Filter Combo
A filter that not only removes iron but also makes your well water soft, making it perfectly healthy for your hair and skin. The 2-in-1 system can make it into your list of choices because of its excellent performance in sediment and iron removal.
It removes iron in the range of 4-7 ppm and can easily handle the hardness in the water by 75 GPG. The system parts come preloaded and use fine mesh resin to filter the water. One of the best parts of the system is that it also removes large sediments like sand from the water.
The installation of this system is easy, but it might require a little bit more time than usual. As we mentioned before, the system comes preloaded, and you can install it with the assistance of the instructional manual that comes with the purchase.
You will also get a digital meter with the system to keep tracking easy for you. One common review we examined from the customers is that it is easy to maintain without any fuss.
With its 64,000-grain softener, it removes all the minerals from the water, making it soft and safer for use. What else we like about this filter is its regeneration feature. The system not only gives you soft water and also prevents scaling in the plumbing lines.
What we like
- Low maintenance
- Removes Iron, manganese, and sediments from the water
- Regeneration feature
- Softens the water
- 64,000-grain softener
- Digital meter
- Prevents scaling
What we don’t like
- Even though the system comes preloaded it takes up time to installation
- Not ideal for a large amount of iron-concentrated water
Why is there iron in the water?
Mostly you will find a high amount of iron in the well water, and that iron comes from the soil. When water from rain or snow goes through the soil, the soil adds minerals to the water. Eventually, this water finds its way into the underground waters. Iron can be the reason for rust in your plumbing lines and sinks.
Dangers of consuming water with high iron in it
Although we need a small amount of iron in our body, it can be hazardous to our health if consumed in excess amounts. If you shower with iron water, there is a possibility of that iron being absorbed into your skin and making you sick. If you wash your face with well water that has a high amount of iron in it, it will cause problems like acne, itchy skin, etc.
In the long run, if you keep consuming and using iron water, there is a possibility of developing heart and liver disease.
The iron water can create that brown rust you see in your bathtub, sinks, and bathroom floor. The iron water even reduces the life of the appliances that use water to function—for example, washing machines, dishwater, etc.
Lastly, you will not have water that tastes better. If the well water has an even higher amount of iron in it, the water will not even be crystal clear.
Types of iron filters
Water softeners
As technology reaches its advancement, water softeners are now capable of filtering out iron from the water. These water softeners are supposed to be installed at the point of entry in your house. Softeners also remove the minerals from the water, making it healthy for your skin, hair, and overall health. It is necessary to know that water softeners only remove iron in a low amount.
When you get a softener that removes iron from the water, it also removes minerals like calcium, magnesium, etc., from the water. If you want to filter out contaminants from the water, you might need to get an extra filter for that.
Air Injection
Air injection is considered to be one of the most cost-effective ways to remove iron from the water. The air injection is installed between your well and the water line that enters your house. Basically, what happens in an air injection is that it oxidizes the iron in the water, then the water passes through a filter where the oxygenated iron is stopped from going further.
Air injections are more preferable for consumers who want a unit that is easy to maintain and install. This system is supposed to last for years after installing it once. The filter also regenerates itself after a certain period of time, so you do not have to worry about replacing filter cartridges often.
Whole house water filters
Whole house filter systems are suitable for those who need to remove contaminants, TDS, VOCs, and metals like iron removed from the water. These systems consist of different sediment filters, carbon block filters, etc. The whole house system is supposed to make the water as pure as possible. Besides removing the sediments and contaminants from the water, it even removes iron effectively from the water. You can also install a water softener with your system to remove hard minerals from the water.
Systems like these are a lot of hard work. You have to keep track of filter cartridge replacement and change it when the need arises. This kind of filter is high maintenance.
What to look for when purchasing an iron filter for well water?
Budget
Before you decide on one system for removing iron from the well water, it is necessary that you set out a budget. That will help you identify and short-list the filters that come in under your set budget. We recommend that you get your water tested for the amount of iron in it, and based on that, you can set your budget and make sure you get the best system available in that budget.
Water quality and the contaminants
If you get a filter that is not as efficient as it should be, it might just leave out the contaminants in the water. You can get the water tested for the amount of iron it has. Once you have tested and got the water report, get the system that perfectly removes the contaminants. If you don’t identify the water quality and the contaminants, it’s highly possible that you will not end up with the most suitable system.
Method of filtration
There are different filtration methods that are extremely efficient in removing iron. You can choose a system with the method that is more suitable for the amount of iron in the water. These methods of filtration are water softeners, air injection, and a whole-house filter system.
Maintenance
There are iron filters that require high maintenance, and there are also those that require low maintenance. If you do not have time to maintain or keep track of your filter system continuously, you can get a system that needs no maintenance. You can get an air injection system to remove iron from the water and require almost zero maintenance.
Installation
You might want to opt for a filtration system that is very easy to install. When you get a system that you can install by yourself, you will save service costs on a plumber as well. Usually, for the systems that are easy to install, you will receive an instructional manual with it. Some providers even have great customer service that helps you in the process of installation if you get stuck.
Filter capacity
Depending on the size of your house and the number of bathrooms that you have in your house, you can choose your filters. Different filters have different capacities for filtration. Make sure that you choose the iron filter that matches the capacity of your house.
Installation and maintenance
Installing iron filters is actually very easy. Based on the type of filter you purchased, you will get an instructional manual with it. You will have to install your system based on that.
Most of these filters are do-it-yourself installation, and you will not require a plumber for it. However, some systems may take more time than others for the whole process.
There is one basic process of installation that almost every filter system has,
- Turn off the water supply.
- Check for the parts that need to be installed with the system.
- Check the manual instruction and figure out how all the parts should be connected.
- Make an incision on your pipes where you want to connect the system. For some filters, you might receive a bypass valve. Once you have figured that out, connect the bypass valve to the waterline. Usually, iron filters are supposed to be installed at the point of entry.
- Once you have installed the bypass valve, you can install the main filter to the valve or the lines depending on the system that you have got.
- Make sure that you connect a meter if you have received one with your system.
- After checking if all the parts are perfectly connected as they should be connected, you can turn on your water supply.
- Check if there are any leaks happening in the system. If there is no leak, your system is ready to get you water without iron in it.
The maintenance wholly depends on the kind of filtration system you get. Let us see how you can maintain the different types of iron filters,
If you want to get a water softener for removing iron from your water, the maintenance it will require might be a little tiresome. There are two types of softeners available for you to choose from; Softeners that require salt and softeners that do not require salt.
The softeners that operate with salt will require you to load salt every few months, depending on the softener that you got. And a softener that does not require salt might need resins for purification that you will need to replace in the gap of 1-2 years.
Air injections are one of the easiest to maintain. If you want to install an air injection system in your house, you will not have to worry about keeping continuous track of it. Almost all the air injections are supposed to regenerate the system every few days. Air injection filters last up to 8-10 years without needing any kind of extensive maintenance.
If you want to have purified water at every tap and shower of your house, you can get a whole-house filter system. Whatever water comes from the well to your home will be thoroughly purified.
Maintenance of the whole house filter system is easy but depends on which type of filters you have in your system, and you will need to make timely replacements of the filter cartridges.
You can get a water softener installed with your system. Most of the filters in the whole house filter system come with a predefined lifespan, and you can keep track of it and replace the filter cartridges when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it wise to get an iron filter and softener combo?
Yes. They work great and are worth every penny you spend on them.
Q. Which one is better, Iron filters or water softeners?
It completely depends on what kind of filter or softener you are purchasing. Depending on the different brands, you can get one that is ideal for your house.
Q. How much an iron water filter for a well cost?
There is no definite answer for that because there are both kinds of available that will cost you less, and there are those that will cost you a fortune. Based on your preferences, you can get a filter that is most suitable for you.
Q. Can the Reverse Osmosis system remove iron from the water?
Generally, the reverse osmosis system does not remove iron, and if some of the advanced RO systems do remove the iron from the water, there are chances that your filter cartridges will be clogged sooner than they should. You can get pre-filters you can attach to your system before your RO system to increase longevity.