PHILIPS Shower Filter, Water Softener for Hard Water Shower Head Filtration with Double Mesh & NSF Certified KDF Material, Reducing Chlorine/Impurities/Rust Sediments for Handheld Showerhead AWP1775CH

What I tested

I installed the Philips shower filter (model AWP1775CH) in two bathrooms—one with a fixed rainfall head and one with a handheld setup—then used it daily for several weeks. My home has moderately hard municipal water with a noticeable chlorine smell. I was looking for a filter that reduced chlorine and sediment without strangling flow, and that could handle hot showers without leaking or cracking.

What it is (and isn’t)

This is a compact, chrome-finished inline shower filter that threads between your shower arm/hose and the showerhead. Inside is double-mesh filtration combined with 100% KDF media (a copper–zinc alloy) that is NSF-certified. KDF is very good at reducing free chlorine and capturing particulate like rust or sand. It does not remove dissolved minerals (calcium, magnesium), so don’t expect a drop in TDS or a full “water softener” effect. Philips is upfront about that, and you should be too with your expectations.

The rated capacity is up to 50,000 L (about 13,208 gallons). Depending on your water quality and usage, that translates to roughly 4–6 months per cartridge. Replacement cartridges are model AWP175.

Installation and setup

Installation took me under five minutes each time, with no tools beyond plumber’s tape:

• Turn off the water, unscrew the showerhead, and wrap the male threads with fresh Teflon tape.
• Hand-thread the filter in line, ensuring the flow direction matches the arrows on the housing.
• Reattach the showerhead or hose, snug everything by hand, then turn the water on and check for leaks.
• Run warm water for a minute or two to flush out air and any fine media dust.

A few practical notes:
- The housing is compact (about 6.85 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches), but it’s still heavier than a bare connector. On a flimsy plastic holder or a worn slider bar, the added weight can make a handheld head droop. If your bracket is marginal, consider upgrading the mount or positioning the filter lower on the hose (between hose and head rather than at the wall outlet).
- The factory seal on the body can be tight. Before you install, crack the housing open once to make sure you can remove the cartridge later. If it’s stubborn, a rubber jar gripper or strap wrench helps. Lightly lubricating the O-ring with silicone-safe grease makes future changes easier.

Both of my installs sealed up first try with plumber’s tape. No leaks at cold or hot temperatures.

Flow and pressure

The big question with any shower filter is: will it kill my water pressure? In both bathrooms, I didn’t notice a meaningful drop in flow. The spray patterns on a rainfall head and a multi-function handheld felt essentially the same as without the filter. If you’re in a low-pressure home to begin with, you may feel a minor difference, but this design is notably less restrictive than many granular carbon filters I’ve used.

Day-to-day performance

Within the first few showers, the chlorine smell that’s normally evident in my bathroom was gone. Over the test period, my skin felt less tight after long hot showers, and my hair was less frizzy—small but tangible changes that tend to come with reduced chlorine exposure. If you’re sensitive to chlorine or you color your hair, this is the kind of benefit you notice quickly.

Sediment capture was another clear win. When I swapped the cartridge after a month of heavy use (well before end-of-life, just to inspect), the pre-filter mesh had trapped visible fine particles. That tracks with what I see occasionally in my aerators: our water carries a bit of grit. If you’re on a line that gets periodic sand or rust bursts, this helps keep it out of your shower.

As expected, it didn’t change limescale formation on glass doors and fixtures. Hardness minerals remain in solution, so you’ll still get spotting and scale over time. If your main goal is to stop scaling, you’ll need a real softening or conditioning solution upstream.

Hot-water compatibility

I purposely ran multiple long, very hot showers to stress the housing. The shell handled the heat without softening or odor, and the seals held tight. Anti-scald materials and a simple straight-through flow path seem to help here. Some budget filters can get noisy or whiny at high temps; this one stayed quiet.

Maintenance and cartridge changes

Philips recommends replacing the cartridge every 4–6 months depending on usage and water quality. I’d base your schedule on three signs:
- Noticeable return of chlorine odor/feel
- Reduced flow from accumulated sediment
- Visible discoloration on the pre-filter mesh when checked

Cartridge swaps are straightforward: unscrew the housing, pull the old cartridge, seat the new one, and reassemble. Two tips to keep it painless:
- Don’t overtighten the housing—snug by hand, then a smidge more.
- Give the O-ring a quick look each change to ensure it’s clean and not twisted.

Build and design

The chrome finish blends well with standard bathroom fixtures and doesn’t scream “aftermarket gadget.” The housing feels sturdy, threads are clean, and the double-mesh screens are well seated. I appreciate that the team didn’t go gimmicky with complex internal pathways that can create flow bottlenecks.

The trade-off for durability is weight. On a solid metal shower arm, it’s a non-issue. On a lightweight or worn plastic holder, you may need to reposition the filter or upgrade the mount to avoid droop. That’s worth planning for if you use an adjustable slide-bar or a swivel bracket.

What it won’t do

• It won’t reduce TDS. If you measure before/after with a TDS meter, expect the numbers to be the same. That’s normal for KDF filtration.
• It won’t eliminate hard-water scale. You may notice slightly less soap scum because chlorine reduction can improve rinse, but the underlying scale will still form.
• It’s not a substitute for a whole-house filter if you’re battling heavy iron, sulfur, or persistent turbidity throughout the home. It’s a point-of-use fix for your shower.

Who it’s best for

• Renters or homeowners who want a no-plumber upgrade to reduce chlorine and capture sediment.
• People with skin or scalp sensitivity who notice chlorine’s drying effect.
• Households that struggle with occasional rust/sand bursts and don’t want grit in the showerhead.
• Anyone who values maintaining strong flow while improving water feel.

If your top priority is scale prevention or TDS reduction, you’ll need a different category of product (salt-based softener, TAC/Template Assisted Crystallization, or RO for point-of-use).

Tips to get the most out of it

• Flush the filter for 1–2 minutes after installation or cartridge changes.
• Use fresh plumber’s tape and avoid overtightening; hand-tight plus a quarter turn is usually enough.
• If your holder can’t support the added weight, install the filter between the hose and showerhead rather than at the wall outlet.
• Keep a strap wrench or rubber jar opener handy for first-time housing removal.
• Mark a calendar reminder at 4 months to check performance and decide on replacement timing.

The bottom line

The Philips shower filter hits the right balance for a shower-specific upgrade: effective chlorine reduction, honest claims about what it does and doesn’t do, minimal impact on flow, and straightforward maintenance. In my testing it improved water feel and smell right away, trapped visible sediment, and held up to hot showers without leaks.

The main caveats are practical rather than performance-related: the housing’s weight can expose weak mounts, and the first cartridge swap may require a firm hand or a strap wrench. And it won’t fix hard-water scaling or change TDS—if you expect that, you’ll be disappointed.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone who wants cleaner-feeling showers with fewer chlorine-related skin and hair issues, and for those dealing with occasional rust or sand in the line. It’s easy to install, maintains good flow, and uses proven NSF-certified KDF media. Just pair it with a sturdy shower mount, keep expectations clear about hardness, and you’ll get exactly what this filter is designed to deliver.