Why I Finally Switched to a Filtered Shower Head — And Why You Should Too
If you have ever stepped out of the shower with your hair feeling weighed down, dry, or just plain dull, you are not alone. For years I chalked it up to my shampoo or the humidity, but the real culprit was hiding in my water supply. When I discovered the Speakman Anystream Hotel Pure Luxury Filtered Shower Head, everything changed — and I am here to give you the full, honest breakdown.
In this review, I am covering the unboxing, the installation process, the spray settings, and most importantly, the filtration system that has made a noticeable difference for my fine, easily weighed-down hair. Whether you are dealing with chlorine-damaged hair, sensitive skin, or just want a spa-quality shower experience at home, keep reading — this one is for you.
What Comes in the Box
The unboxing experience is clean and straightforward — exactly what you want from a product that positions itself as a premium upgrade. Inside the box you will find:
- The Speakman Anystream filtered shower head in a gorgeous chrome finish
- A small roll of plumber’s tape (PTFE tape)
- Basic installation instructions
The first thing I noticed when I picked up the shower head was the weight of it. This is not a cheap plastic piece that feels like it came out of a dollar-store grab bag. The chrome is polished and substantial, and it gives off that hotel-bathroom vibe right out of the packaging. If aesthetics matter to you — and in a bathroom they really do — the Speakman delivers.
The inclusion of plumber’s tape is a small but appreciated touch. It means you can go from box to shower without a trip to the hardware store, which is always a win.
Installation: Easier Than You Think
Here is some good news for anyone who is not particularly handy: installing the Speakman shower head requires no special tools and no plumbing experience. I enlisted a little help from my husband, but honestly this is a one-person job if you want it to be.
The process goes like this:
- Wrap the plumber’s tape around the threads of your existing shower pipe (this creates a watertight seal and prevents leaks)
- Screw the Speakman shower head onto the threads by hand
- Tighten snugly — no wrench needed in most cases
- Turn on the water and check for leaks
From start to finish, we were done in under five minutes. The shower head screws onto the standard 1/2-inch threaded pipe that is found in virtually every North American home, so compatibility is rarely an issue. Compare this to some filtered shower head systems that require separate filter housings, additional brackets, or proprietary fittings — the Speakman keeps it refreshingly simple.
Pro tip: If you notice any dripping at the connection point, just add another layer of plumber’s tape and re-tighten. That usually solves it immediately.
The Two Spray Settings
One of the features that sets the Speakman Anystream apart from a basic filtered shower head is its dual spray setting design. You get two distinct water flows, and both are genuinely useful.
Setting 1: The Regular Flow
The first setting is a full, wide spray that delivers a solid, even flow of water. This is your everyday shower setting — plenty of pressure to rinse shampoo and conditioner out of thick or long hair, warm and enveloping for those mornings when you just want a comfortable, relaxing shower. It does not feel restricted or weak the way some filtered shower heads can, which is a common complaint in the category.
Setting 2: The Power Jet
The second setting is where things get fun. This is a concentrated, high-pressure stream — think of it as the spa massage setting. It is perfect for rinsing off after a workout, targeting sore muscles in your neck and shoulders, or just power-blasting conditioner out of your hair at the end of wash day. The pressure on this setting is genuinely impressive, especially considering that filtration systems can sometimes reduce water pressure.
Switching between the two settings is as simple as rotating the collar on the shower head. No buttons, no levers, no confusion.
The Filtration System: The Real Game-Changer
This is the part that makes the Speakman more than just a pretty shower head. Inside the unit sits a replaceable filter designed to remove some of the most common — and most damaging — elements found in municipal tap water.
The filter is rated to remove:
- Chlorine
- Heavy metals (including lead and mercury)
- Other contaminants and impurities
If you are thinking “my water seems fine,” consider this: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows up to 4 parts per million of chlorine in treated tap water. That level is considered safe to drink, but it is a very different story when you are standing under it for 10 to 15 minutes every day. Chlorine in shower water can:
- Strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp
- Cause color-treated hair to fade faster
- Leave fine hair feeling limp and unable to hold product
- Dry out skin and aggravate conditions like eczema or psoriasis
- Absorb through the skin, since hot shower water opens your pores
Heavy metals are an additional concern, particularly in older homes with aging pipes. Lead, copper, and other metals can leach into your water supply without any visible sign, and they are not doing your scalp or skin any favors.
Filtering your shower water is one of the simplest upgrades you can make for your hair and skin health — and the Speakman makes it easy to do it without buying a whole-house filtration system.
Benefits for Fine Hair Specifically
I want to spend some time here because this was the deciding factor for me personally. I have really fine hair. If you also have fine hair, you know the struggle: product buildup feels heavy, your hair goes flat by noon, and anything that messes with your hair’s natural texture makes styling exponentially harder.
Here is what happens when fine hair meets chlorinated water:
- The chlorine disrupts the hair cuticle, causing it to swell and roughen
- A rough cuticle grips more oils, minerals, and product residue
- The result is hair that feels heavy, coated, and unresponsive to styling
- Your products cannot penetrate the hair shaft properly, so they sit on the surface and weigh your hair down
After switching to the Speakman filtered shower head, my hair genuinely felt softer. Not in a “maybe I’m imagining it” way — in a “wait, did I change my shampoo?” way. My styling products started performing better because they could actually get into the hair shaft the way they are supposed to. If you have fine hair that never quite behaves the way you want it to, filtered water may be the missing piece.
Filter Maintenance: What You Need to Know
A filtered shower head is only as good as the maintenance routine behind it, and this is where Speakman really nailed the user experience. The filter replacement process is simple enough that you will actually do it, which is not something you can say about every filtration system on the market.
Here are the key maintenance details:
- Filter lifespan: Approximately 6 months or 10,000 gallons, whichever comes first
- Replacement process: Unscrew the front cap of the shower head, pop out the old filter, insert the new one, and screw the cap back on — the shower head stays mounted the whole time
- Where to buy replacements: Amazon carries the replacement filters, so you can set up a recurring delivery and never think about it again
The 6-month interval is easy to remember — just change it when you change your smoke detector batteries. Set a reminder in your phone, order the replacement when you install a fresh one, and you are always prepared.
Pro tip: If your home has particularly hard water or high chlorine levels, you may want to check the filter at the 4-month mark just to see how it is holding up. Heavy water use or a large household could shorten the effective lifespan.
How Does It Compare to a Standard Shower Head?
To put the Speakman’s value in context, here is a quick comparison between a typical shower head and the Speakman Anystream filtered model:
- Standard shower head: No filtration, single or multiple spray settings, low upfront cost, no ongoing maintenance required
- Speakman Anystream: Built-in filtration (chlorine + heavy metals), two spray settings including a power jet, premium chrome finish, filter replacement every 6 months, competitive price point for the category
The ongoing cost of filter replacements is real, but it is modest — and when you factor in the potential savings on hair products that actually work better in filtered water, plus the skin and health benefits, the math makes sense for most people.
Who Is the Speakman Anystream Best For?
This shower head is a strong fit for:
- People with fine, limp, or color-treated hair that is sensitive to mineral and chemical buildup
- Anyone with dry or sensitive skin that is aggravated by chlorinated water
- Households in areas with hard water or older plumbing
- People who want a hotel-quality shower experience at home without a major renovation
- Anyone who prefers a low-maintenance, DIY-friendly upgrade with no special tools required
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the filter reduce water pressure?
Some users notice a slight reduction in pressure compared to an unfiltered shower head, but in my experience the Speakman maintains very solid flow — especially on the power jet setting. Most people will not notice a meaningful difference.
Does it fit my existing shower pipe?
The Speakman Anystream is designed to fit standard 1/2-inch NPT shower arm connections, which is the universal standard in North American homes. It should work in virtually any residential bathroom without adapters.
How do I know when the filter needs replacing?
The easiest approach is to track the date you installed it and replace it every 6 months. Some users notice water starting to smell slightly of chlorine again as a signal that the filter is spent, but scheduling it by date is more reliable.
Can I use this with a shower filter I already own?
The Speakman has the filter built in, so there is no need to pair it with a separate inline filter. Adding one could actually restrict your flow unnecessarily.
Is it hard to clean the shower head itself?
The chrome finish is easy to wipe down. For mineral deposits on the spray nozzles, a quick soak in white vinegar does the trick — remove the filter first before soaking.
The Verdict
The Speakman Anystream Hotel Pure Luxury Filtered Shower Head earns its place in the bathroom. The installation is genuinely simple, the dual spray settings deliver real versatility, and the filtration system addresses a problem that most people do not even realize they have until they experience filtered water for the first time.
For fine-haired folks, people with sensitive skin, or anyone who just wants to stop bathing in chlorine every morning, this is one of the most practical and impactful upgrades you can make. The filter replacements are affordable and easy to source, the chrome finish looks premium, and the power jet setting is legitimately satisfying after a long day.
If you have been on the fence about filtered shower heads, consider this your sign. Your hair — and your skin — will thank you.
CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE SPEAKMAN ANYSTREAM HOTEL PURE SHOWER HEAD on AMAZON
Have you tried the Speakman shower head? Drop a comment below and let me know how it’s worked for your hair and skin!
