Aquasana Rhino Whole House Water Filter Review: Best for City Water

Aquasana's Rhino whole house water filter is a different beast than a traditional water softener — and it's important to understand what you're getting. This is primarily a water filtration system that removes contaminants like chlorine, chloramines, lead, PFAS, and cysts from every tap in your home. The optional salt-free conditioner add-on prevents scale buildup without removing minerals.

If you have city water and your primary concerns are water quality and contaminants (rather than very hard water), the Aquasana Rhino is one of the best systems on the market. But it's not a replacement for a true softener in hard water situations. Let's break it down.

What the Aquasana Rhino Actually Is (and Isn't)

It IS: A multi-stage whole-house water filtration system that removes harmful contaminants from all the water in your home. It can be paired with a salt-free conditioner that prevents scale.

It is NOT: A traditional water softener. It does not use ion exchange. It does not remove hardness minerals. Your water hardness test reading will be the same before and after the system. You won't get that "slippery" soft water feel.

This distinction matters because many consumers buy the Aquasana expecting it to work like a softener, then leave negative reviews when it doesn't produce the same results. If you understand what you're getting — clean, filtered water with scale prevention — it's an excellent product. For more on this distinction, see our salt-based vs salt-free guide.

Key Specifications

Filtration Performance

Aquasana's multi-stage filtration process is genuinely impressive:

1. Sediment Pre-Filter: Catches rust, dirt, debris, and silt. Protects downstream filters from clogging. Replace every 2–3 months.
2. Activated Carbon Filter: Removes chlorine, chloramines, herbicides, pesticides, and industrial solvents. This is the primary workhorse of the system.
3. Copper-Zinc (KDF) Media: Reduces heavy metals, inhibits bacteria and algae growth, and extends the life of the carbon filter.
4. Post-Filter: Catches remaining sediment and carbon fines for polished final output.

The system carries NSF/ANSI Standard 42 (aesthetic effects — taste, odor, chlorine) and Standard 53 (health effects — cysts, lead where applicable) certifications. These are tested by independent labs, not manufacturer claims.

For lead and PFAS removal, you'll need the OptimH2O model, which adds catalytic carbon and specialized media. The standard Rhino removes chlorine and sediment excellently but doesn't address lead or PFAS specifically.

The Salt-Free Conditioner Option

Aquasana offers a salt-free water conditioner add-on ($400–$600 extra) that uses Template Assisted Crystallization (TAC) to prevent scale. Here's what you need to know:

• It prevents new scale from forming on pipes and appliances
• It does not remove hardness minerals from water
• It works best for water hardness under 25 GPG
• The conditioning media lasts about 6 years before needing replacement
• Requires no salt, no electricity, and produces no wastewater

Available Bundles & Pricing

Aquasana sells several bundle configurations:

• Rhino Filter Only — $1,199: Just the filtration system. Good if you have soft water but want clean filtered water.
• Rhino + Salt-Free Conditioner — ~$1,699: Filter plus scale prevention. Best value for city water homes.
• Rhino + Conditioner + UV — ~$1,999: Adds UV purification that kills 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. Important for well water or compromised city systems.
• Complete Bundle (Filter + Conditioner + UV + Pro-Grade Kit) — ~$2,299: Everything including upgraded brass fittings, better bypass valve, and low-maintenance pre-filter.

Aquasana also offers professional installation through partnerships with local plumbers in many areas, typically $300–$500 additional.

Honest Pros and Cons

Who Should Buy This

The Aquasana Rhino is ideal if:

• You're on city water and want to remove chlorine, chloramines, and other contaminants from every tap
• You have moderate hardness (under 20 GPG) and the conditioner will provide adequate scale prevention
• You want to retain beneficial minerals in your drinking water
• You're in a state that restricts salt-based softeners (parts of California, etc.)
• You prioritize whole-home filtration over traditional softening
• You want low maintenance — no salt bags, no electricity needed

Look elsewhere if:

• You have hard well water above 25 GPG — you need a true softener like SpringWell
• You want that "soft water" shower feel — the conditioner doesn't provide this
• You have a large home (5+ bathrooms) and need high flow rates — the standard 7 GPM may not be enough. Consider the Max Flow model at 15 GPM.

Final Verdict

The Aquasana Rhino is the best whole-house water filtration system for city water homes. Its multi-stage filtration delivers genuinely cleaner water from every tap, and the optional salt-free conditioner handles moderate scale issues without the maintenance burden of a salt-based softener.

Just make sure you're buying it for what it is — a filter and conditioner — not what you wish it was (a softener). If your water hardness is under 20 GPG and you're on city water, the Rhino is an excellent choice. For harder water or well water, pair it with a dedicated softener or choose SpringWell instead.