Chlorine is a common contaminant found in-home water because city municipal use chlorine and chloramine chemical to treat water. It’s common to have chlorine leftover that affects the smell and taste of your water. Using a carbon water filter helps remove the chlorine taste and odor in the tap water so you have pure and refreshing water.
Carbon filters are made from organic raw materials that are high in carbon. Such raw material includes coal, wood-based, or coconut shell.
The raw material is heated in absence of oxygen to increase the surface area of carbon. Also, heating the filter gives carbon more capacity to hold contaminants. That’s why it is also known as a charcoal filter.
Carbon filter has a large surface area therefore has more capacity to hold impurities.
Whole-house carbon water filter comparisons
| Name | Image | Type | Where to buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Express Water Big Blue Water Filter Activated Carbon Block |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 2 | Express Water Granular Activated Carbon |   | Granular activated carbon (GAC) | Amazon |
| 3 | EcoPure EPW4C Carbon Block |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 4 | iSpring FC15B Big Blue CTO Carbon Block |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 5 | Aquaboon granular activated carbon (GAC) |   | Granular activated carbon (GAC) | Amazon |
| 6 | APEC Water Systems activated carbon FILTER |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 7 | Pentek carbon cartridge |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 8 | Ronaqua Block Activated Carbon Coconut Shell Water Filter Cartridge |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 9 | Home Master CFRFGAC20-20BB Radial Flow GAC 20 Micron Replacement Water Filter |   | Granular activated carbon (GAC) | Amazon |
| 10 | Whirlpool WHA2BF5 Water Filter, Standard Capacity, White |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
| 11 | DuPont WFPFC8002 Universal Whole House |   | Carbon wrap | Amazon |
| 12 | SimPure Carbon Water Filter |   | Activated carbon block (ACB) | Amazon |
How does carbon water filter work
A carbon water filter removes contaminants using the adsorption method. The filter soaks/absorbs contaminants particles in water like a sponge. The particles stick in the filter and clean water pass through.
What to check when buying carbon filter
- Pore size
The filter pore size is measured in micron. If the micron is small the better because the finer the filtration
- Flow rate
Less flow rate or low water pressure gives more time water contact with the surface of the filter and more contaminants the filter soaks.
The more contact time the filter has with the carbon filter surface, the more efficient filtration meaning more contaminants the filter will soak.
- Types of carbon filter
The carbon water filter is available in two types Granular Activated Carbon filter (GAC) and Activated carbon block (ACB).
Granular Activated Carbon filter (GAC)
Granular Activated Carbon filter focused on capturing chemical contaminants such as chlorine, radon, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
It also removes cloudiness, offensive odors, colors, and unpleasant tastes.
After using the GAC filter for sometimes the ability to remove the chemical is used up and require to be changed to work effectively
Activated carbon block (ACB)
Activated Carbon Block filter removes chlorine, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) including insecticides and pesticides.
It also removes chemicals causing bad tastes and odors
The Activated Carbon Block filter focuses on the taste and drinkability of your water and removing chemicals.
What contaminants does carbon filter remove?
- Chlorine, taste, and odor
- Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)-used to make fabric, carpet, paper packaging for food and furniture
- Pharmaceuticals – a chemical found in drugs and can get into water through improper disposal of drug
- Pesticides and herbicides
How often are you supposed to change the carbon filter?
Changing the carbon filter depends on the contaminants level and water use. If contaminants level and water usage are low the filter can last for long but if the case is vice versa you require frequent change.
It is recommended to replace the carbon filter every six months or 1 year. If you wait for long the filter pores will become full causing the collected particles to break from the carbon and eventually flow in your water supply.
Where to install a carbon filter
A carbon water filter can be installed at the point of entry and point of use
A point of entry is installed to treat water for the whole house. They are installed at the main water supply and treats all water entering your whole house.
The Point of use is installed before you drink, use for cooking or bathing.
In this post
- Express Water Big Blue Water Filter Activated Carbon Block Replacement Filter
- Express Water Granular Activated Carbon Replacement Filter
- EcoPure EPW4C Carbon Block Whole Home Replacement Water Filter
- EcoPure EPW4F Premium FACT Universal Innovative Product
- iSpring FC15B Big Blue Whole House Water Filter with CTO Carbon Block
- Aquaboon Premium 5 Micron 20″ x 4.5″ Big Blue Whole House Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filter Replacement Cartridge
- Ronaqua Block Activated Carbon Coconut Shell Water Filter Cartridge
- Ronaqua Granular Activated Carbon Water Filter Cartridge
- APEC 20″ Whole House High Flow GAC Carbon Replacement Water Filter (FI-CAB20-BB)
- APEC Water Systems 20″ Whole House High Flow Carbon Block Replacement Water Filter (FI-CBC20-BB)
- Pentek – 155247-43 RFC-20BB Carbon Filter (20″ x 4.5″), 25 Micron
- Home Master CFRFGAC20-20BB Radial Flow GAC 20 Micron Replacement Water Filter
- Whirlpool WHA2BF5 Water Filter, Standard Capacity, White
- DuPont WFPFC8002 Universal Whole House
- SimPure Carbon Water Filter, 5 Micron 10″ x 2.5″ Carbon Block Filter Cartridge Replacement
Whole-house carbon water filter reviews
Specifications
- Size: 4.5” x 20”
- Filtration Size: 5 Micron
- Max PSI: 80psi
- Max Temperature: 100°F (38°C)
- Material: Polypropylene Shell and Coconut Husk CarbonLife Cycle: 100,000 gallons or 6-12 months
This is Express Water’s 5 Micron Big Blue Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Filter.
The filter measures 4.5” x 20” size that fits all standard 4.5” x 20” whole home water filter system housings.
It is made from pure polypropylene and is finished with a thermally bonded cap and industrial sealed silicon ring
Activated Carbon Block (ACB) Filter captures Chlorine, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Industrial Solvents, Turbidity, Pesticides, Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Solvents, and Chemicals causing bad tastes and odors
It is Tested and verified by independent laboratories, complies with NSF / ANSI Standard 58.
Each filter is good for up to 100,000 gallons or 6-12 months of use
It is compatible with systems such as 3M, APEC, Aqua-Pure, Aquasana, Culligan, Costway, DuPont, GE, Geekpure, Glacier Bay, Global Water, Olympia, Pentek, Smart Aqua Life, The Perfect Water, US Aqua, Whirlpool
Specification
- Size: 4.5” x 20”
- Filtration Size: 5 Micron
- Max PSI: 80psi
- Max Temperature: 100°F (38°C)
- Material: Polypropylene Shell and Coconut Husk Carbon
- Life Cycle: 6 months or earlier depending on the quality of your incoming water
Express Water Granular Activated Carbon Replacement Filter measures 4.5” x 20” inch that fit all standard 4.5” x 20” whole home water filter system housings
The GAC replacement filter life cycle is 6 – 12 months.
The GAC removes major water contaminants like Chlorine, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Pharmaceuticals, Turbidity, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC), Herbicides, Industrial Solvents, Insecticides, Pesticides, and Chemicals causing bad tastes, odors, and more.
It is made of FDA-approved food-grade material. The outer layer is 100% pure polypropylene and is finished with a thermally bonded cap and industrial sealed silicon ring.
The express water GAC filter is Compatible with systems such as 3M, APEC, Aqua-Pure, Aquasana, Culligan, Costway, DuPont, GE, Geekpure, Glacier Bay, Global Water, Olympia, Pentek, Smart Aqua Life, The Perfect Water, US Aqua, and Whirlpool.
- Filtration Size: 25 Micron
- Life Cycle: 3 months
- Contaminants reduced: sediments and chlorine
- Carbon filter
- Filtration Size: 1 Micron
- Life Cycle: 6 months
- Contaminants reduced: sediments and chlorine
- Flow and capture filter
EcoPure EPW2C Carbon Whole Home Replacement Water Filter
- Filtration Size: 5 Micron
- Life Cycle: 3 months
- Contaminants reduced: sediments and chlorine
- 2 Pack carbon filter
The filter is NSF certified to reduce contaminants like chlorine taste & odor, sediment, sand, dirt, and rust down to 5 microns.
It fits Fits EcoPure model EPW2, EPW2VC, EPW2V and all major brands such as Whirlpool, Omni, Culligan, Watts, Filtrete, 3M, GE, and DuPont
The replacement carbon block is used in stage two for the whole house water filter.
It is made of high-quality premium performance activated carbon meant to remove impurities such as hazardous chemicals, chlorine, THM, Organics, pesticides bad taste and odor.
It needs to be replaced after six months or 18000 gallons of water.
The carbon block fits 10-inch filter housing such as Culligan whole house water filter.
Aquaboon Coconut Shell Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Water Filter Replacement Cartridge measures 20” by 4.5” that fits all standard 20″ Big Blue housings.
The product must be replaced once or twice times a year / 5000 gallons @ 1 PPM Chlorine.
This filter is capable of removing volatile organic compounds, pesticides, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and odor.
Aquaboon Premium Big Blue Coconut Shell Water Filter Cartridge
Aquaboon 5 micron activated Carbon Block CTO fits all universal Big Blue 20 x 4.5 housings
This cartridge is compatible with a brand such as CB-45-2005 and Pentek EP-20BB
Aquaboon Big Blue Coconut Shell Water Filter Cartridge | Activated Carbon Block CTO | Universal Whole House 5 Micron 20 inch Cartridge | Compatible with EPM-20BB, CB-BB-20, 155783-43, FC25B 2-Pack-
Aquaboon Big Blue Coconut Shell Water Filter Cartridge Universal Whole House 5 Micron 10 inch Cartridge | Compatible with WFHDC8001, CB-BB-10, EPM, EP-BB 4-Pack-
Ronaqua Activated Carbon block is 5 Micron Water Filters made from fine coconut shell carbon.
The filter helps remove odors, undesirable colors, unpleasant tastes, and chemicals like iron, manganese, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide. It also helps remove the finer filtration of suspended particles and dirt.
The Ronaqua Activated Carbon Block will fit any residential water filtration system or Reverse Osmosis Unit that has a standard 10-inch filter housing.
Replace the filter two or three times a year depending on your water quality
WELL-MATCHED with WFPFC8002, WFPFC9001, WHCF-WHWC, WHEF-WHWC, FXWTC, SCWH-5
This cartridge is available in different packs- two, three, four, six and twenty five
More Ronaqua Carbon block cartridge
- Ronaqua 10″ Big Blue Granular Activated Carbon Filter Cartridge
- Ronaqua 4pcs Big Blue CTO Carbon Block Water Filters 4.5″ x 20″
- Ronaqua 2 pcs Big Blue CTO Carbon Block Water Filters 4.5″ x 20″
This cartridge fits 10 inch housing and ideal for standard reverse osmosis filtration system. It also fits model such as Everpure EV910811 CGT-10, AquaPure AP117, Cuno CFS117, American Plumber WCC 155155-51, Dupont WFPFC9001, GE GX1S01R, Omni GAC1, WHKF-GAC, Hydronix HDG-P117, HydroCure PC 36599, Pentek GAC-10, and 3M AP117
The filter is wrapped and sealed and meets NSF (National Science Foundation) Standards and Regulations
It lasts after treating 12,000 gallon of water that is normally a period of four months.
The GAC filter help remove and reduce iron, manganese, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, herbicides, pesticides, as well as other industrial chemicals.
This filter is available in a pack of two, four, six and twenty five
APEC 20 inch filters single
This is Apec 20″ Whole House GAC Carbon Replacement Water Filter that treats up to 100,000 gallons of water.
The filter helps remove chlorine, taste, odor, and organic compounds
APEC carbon block replacement treats up to 100,000 gallons and compatible with most 20 in. standard whole house Big Blue housings.
The filter helps reduce chlorine, taste, odor, and organic compounds
APEC 10″ Whole House High Flow GAC Carbon Replacement Water Filter (FI-CAB10-BB)
Pentek 25 micron carbon filter measures 20″ x 4.5″. The size fits most standard 20-inch Big Blue housings.
It is effective in removing chlorine, taste, and odor
More Pentek Carbon Block Filter Cartridge
- Pentek – 155634-43 EPM-10 Carbon Block Filter Cartridge, 9-3/4″ x 2-7/8″, 10 Microns
- Pentek – 155022-43 C2 Water Filter Cartridge 4.875″ x 2.5″, 5 Micron
- Pentek – 155597-43 C1-20 Carbon-Impregnated Cellulose Filter Cartridge, 20″ x 2-1/2″, 5 Micron,Silver
Home Master Granular Activated Carbon 20 Micron Replacement Water Filter help reduce chlorine and chemical.
The filter has a lifecycle of 100,000-Gallon or 1 year
Home Master CFKDF85GCC-20BB Granular Catalytic Carbon KDF85 Filter
Whirlpool WHA2BF5 carbon block filter that helps remove sediment and chlorine
This is a 5-micron filter and each cartridge has a 3 months filter life.
More Whirlpool carbon block filter
- Whirlpool WHA2FF5 Water Filter
- Whirlpool WHA4FF5 Water Filter, Dark Grey
- Whirlpool WHEEDF Dual Stage Replacement Pre/Post Water Filters | Fits WHADUS5 & WHED20 Filtration Systems | 1 Set, Pack of 2, Grey-
- DuPont WFPFC8002 Universal Whole House carbon wrap
The pack include 2 universal 10 inch cartridge best in removing contaminants such as sediments, chlorine, odor, taste, silt, and rust.
It improves the taste and odor of water.
Each filter have a capacity of 15,000 gallons which lasts up to three months
Comes with two universal cartridges and is compatible with most standard size water filter systems such as Culligan, Omni, Watts, and GE.
More dupont carbon block filter
- DuPont WFQTC30001 QuickTwist Carbon Block Filter Cartridge
- DuPont WFQTC70001 Quicktwist Carbon Block Filter Cartridge
- DuPont WFPFC9001 Universal Carbon Block Whole House Water Filter Cartridge, Black
- DuPont WFDWC20001 Universal Drinking Water 1,000-Gallon Carbon Block Cartridge
- DuPont DUPONT-WFHDC8001 Universal Heavy Duty House Carbon 2 Phase Cartridge
SimPure activated carbon filter is made of high-quality coconut shell carbon. The outer layer is made from food-grade plastic net wrapping PP non-woven fabric, which can last up to six months.
This filter is sized 10” x 2.5” with a filtration rating of 5 micron and filters up to 15,000 gallons. 10 inch Cartridge fits most standard under-sink RO system, whole house 10” standard filter housing, and any 10” water filtration unit
Replace the cartridge every 6 months or earlier
It effectively removes sediment, chlorine, organic chemicals, and odor.
This cartridge is verified by independent laboratory tests, compliance with NSF 42 certification standards
SimPure Carbon Water Filter is available in 10″x 4.5″ Big Blue Carbon Block Filter in a two-pack- https://amzn.to/3m6aGMf
SimPure, 5 Micron 10″x 4.5″ Big Blue Carbon Block Filter Cartridge Replacement
More whole house filters
- Spin down sediment filter
- Whole house sediment filter
- Whole house replacement filter
- Whole-house UV water purifier
- Whole house water filter
