Welcome to our comprehensive Pelican Shower Filter review. We’re happy to bring you our thoughts on the Pelican PSF-1 and Aquasana AQ-4100 as a continuation of shower filter month here at AWMS. Pelican and Aquasana are two of the leading shower filter manufacturers, and two of the names that often appear in our shower filter guides.
In this guide and review, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the Pelican PSF-1 before you buy and decide whether Pelican or Aquasana is the better choice for your home.
There are several clear advantages to owning one over the other, and if you’re ready to see the head-to-head comparison, feel free to jump to that section by clicking the link in the Table of Contents below.
If you’re here for the whole enchilada, let’s start with the core features of the Pelican PSF-1 before moving on to the current Pelican shower filter info to see what you should expect.
Pelican Premium Shower Filter Overview
| Model | Features & Highlights |
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Pelican PSF-1
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Pelican PSF-1C (Chrome)
Pelican PSF-1W (w/ Wand)
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What to expect?
As part of our comprehensive analysis for each product we review, we dive deep into the current info to identify the pros and cons. We then pass our findings along to you to help you make the most informed buying decision.
Here’s what we found during our deep dive into the Pelican shower filter:
- If you live in an area with chloramine-treated municipal water, we highly recommend the Pelican PSF-1 because you’ll find relief for skin issues caused by chloramine exposure. The Pelican PSF-1 is one of few shower filters that effectively removes both chlorine and chloramines.
- The Pelican filter works quite well for eliminating foul-smelling odors such as sulfur or iron bacteria-related funk.
- The Pelican shower filter installation instructions are easy to follow and the installation itself is a breeze.
- You may experience a mild reduction in water pressure and a shorter filter life than 6 months depending on the quality of your incoming water.
- If you previously used the Aquasana shower filter, you may find that the Pelican PSF-1 is superior.
- If you suffer from itchy dry skin, the Pelican PSF-1 could be the answer for hydrating your skin without having to buy expensive cosmetic products.
- Overall, the current feedback leans more in the positive direction than the negative. One thing we’ve noticed during shower filter review month is that all shower filters come with their own set of problems and risks. We have yet to find a perfect shower filter on the market. The good news is Pelican is a trustworthy company that offers both a warranty and money-back guarantee for its shower filter.
Pelican Shower Filter vs Aquasana Comparison
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| Model | Pelican PSF-1 | Aquasana AQ-4100 |
| Filter Life | 15,000 gallons or 6 months | 10,000 gallons or 6 months |
| Filter Media | Copper & Zinc Oxidation Media (KDF), GAC Carbon, Far Infrared Balls | KDF-55, Activated Coconut-Derived Carbon |
| Chlorine Reduction % | 96% | 90%+ |
| Removes Chloramines | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 1-Year Warranty & 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee | 1-Year Warranty & 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee |
| Price | Check Price at Pelican #ad | Check Price at Aquasana #ad |
Who Wins?
While we do rank both of these filters as two of the best shower filters for chlorine removal currently on the market, we give Pelican the slight edge. Here are the key considerations to make before you buy:
- If you have chloramine-treated municipal water, then the Pelican PSF-1 is the clear choice for you since the Aquasana filter does not remove chloramines.
- The Aquasana filter is 2-stage instead of 3-stage, which has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is you get more KDF-55 and activated carbon to remove contaminants from your water. The disadvantage is you miss out on the water-softening effect of the far-infrared balls.
- Both companies provide lab test results for chlorine reduction and are in accordance with NSF/ANSI Standards for chlorine reduction. Pelican meets NSF/ANSI Standard 177 while Aquasana meets NSF/ANSI Standard 42. The Pelican filter shows higher chlorine reduction rates over a longer period.
- Annual replacement filter costs: According to our calculations, the Aquasana filter has a higher annual cost to maintain.
- The current Aquasana shower filter feedback and Pelican feedback are about the same with significantly more positives for both.
- One feature we do like better in the Aquasana AQ-4100 is the showerhead. I previously owned the AQ-4100 back in 2009 when I lived in Las Vegas and liked it a lot. It certainly reduced chlorine odor and made my overall shower experience spa-like.
Final Score for the Pelican PSF-1: 8/10
Bottom Line
We already liked the Pelican PSF-1 and after reading through additional Pelican shower filter info and expanding upon our own analysis, we’re confident that the PSF-1 is a top shower filter selection.
When it comes to chlorine and chloramine removal, this is a tough filter to beat. The only type of shower filter we’ve reviewed that also tackles chloramine is a Vitamin C shower filter. Instead of Vitamin C, Pelican uses a special steam-activated carbon media that removes both chlorine and chloramines.
