Do Filtered Showerheads Make a Difference? We Tried One to Find Out

(This is an independent review and not a sponsored post.)

Filtered showerheads tend to promise a lot. Better skin. Healthier hair. A spa-like experience, all from a simple switch above your head. The upgrade sounds appealing on paper, but it’s also easy and natural to be skeptical about it — especially if you’ve tried similar “wellness” add-ons before.

So when Halo’s filtered showerhead landed on our radar, we decided not to overthink it.

We got our colleague, Abby, to test it out at home and use it like she normally would as a working parent with a young child — rushed weekday showers included.

Did the shower actually feel better? Was anything noticeably different once the novelty wore off? And is this the kind of upgrade you’d keep using, or forget about after the first week? Here’s her verdict.

Installing the Halo showerhead

Abby (A): I honestly thought the installation was going to be more complicated than it turned out to be. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t fit my existing shower fixture, so I went in expecting some level of struggle.

But it was actually really easy. I just unscrewed my old showerhead and screwed the Halo one on. That was it. The whole thing took less than five minutes, which surprised me because I’m not someone who does a lot of DIY beyond IKEA-level assembly.

Once it was installed, there were no leaks or issues. The only time I noticed a bit of dripping was when I later changed the filter from the normal one to the aroma filter, which felt normal since water does get trapped inside the showerhead.

Overall, installation wasn’t something I had to think too much about. If you’re worried it might be troublesome or won’t fit your bathroom setup, this was the easiest part of the whole experience.

Showering experience

A: The first thing I noticed was the spray pattern and water pressure. Our existing showerhead is a normal rain-style spray, but the Halo showerhead has more of a mist-like feel. Paired with stronger water pressure, showers were more relaxing.

But to be fair, though from a reputable brand, my existing showerhead is an entry level model. Maybe that’s why it felt like an ‘upgrade’.

The Halo showerhead also comes with aroma filter add-ons, which I added a couple of days later (after getting used to the showerhead on its own).

To be honest, the scent was very subtle. There wasn’t much smell at first, and I only started noticing it after using it a few times. It’s not overpowering at all, which some people might prefer, but I personally wished the scent was a bit stronger.

I was also slightly disappointed that it didn’t smell very much like lavender. I do diffuse lavender essential oil at home, so I had a pretty clear expectation of how it should smell.

That said, I wouldn’t say the aroma filter made the shower feel like a spa. If anything, the showerhead itself — the water pressure and spray pattern — made a much bigger difference to the overall experience.

Thoughts on day-to-day use

A: After the first few showers, the novelty does wear off — but not in a bad way. It just becomes part of your routine. I stopped actively thinking about the showerhead and only really noticed it again when I thought about switching back.

I was actually quite skeptical about whether it would make any difference to my skin, but after a couple of weeks, I noticed my face didn’t feel as tight or dry after showering. I wouldn’t say it completely changed my skin, but it did feel more comfortable than before.

The effects on my hair were a bit more mixed. My hair tangles very easily, and while it didn’t suddenly feel healthier or softer, I did notice it was slightly easier to manage over time. I even skipped using a hair mask for a bit to test this, and while it’s not a miracle fix, there was some improvement.

That said, I don’t think a showerhead alone can replace things like a balanced diet or proper hair care. It helped to a certain extent, but I’d still keep expectations realistic.

Verdict on the Halo filtered showerhead

A: As a parent, I’d be more inclined to use the Halo showerhead for my child than for myself. Children’s skin is more delicate, and while I can’t scientifically measure how much chlorine is being filtered out, the idea of reducing impurities still feels reassuring. The showerhead is also relatively compact, which makes it easy to bring along when travelling, especially to places where water quality may differ.

At $125, this isn’t something I’d buy on impulse. It makes more sense if you’re a new homeowner shopping for bathroom fittings, or if you catch it on sale. On its own, it’s harder to justify replacing a perfectly functional showerhead unless you’re unhappy with your current setup.

That said, the improvement in water pressure and overall shower comfort was real for me. The aroma filter felt optional, and the skin and hair benefits were subtle — but as an everyday upgrade, it held up better than I expected.