Cost-of-Ownership Database
Looking for our full breakdown of equipment prices, plumber installation rates, and hidden upkeep fees? Read our complete Whole House Water Filter Cost Guide (2026).
The flagship question: what does this system actually cost to own? The sticker price is usually the smallest part. A $400 cartridge system can cost more over ten years than a $1,500 tank system with cheap maintenance. Compare the 10-year column before you fall in love with a low equipment price.
| System | Equipment | Install | Annual upkeep | 5-year total | 10-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3M Aqua-Pure AP902 | $328–$370 | $150–$300 | $185–$235 | $1,405–$1,845 | $2,332–$3,019 |
| 3M Aqua-Pure AP903 | $425–$545 | $250–$600 | $233–$299 | $1,840–$2,640 | $3,005–$4,135 |
| 3M Aqua-Pure AP904 | $421–$490 | $150–$300 | $272–$316 | $1,931–$2,369 | $3,292–$3,947 |
| APEC CB1-CAB20-BB | $147–$153 | $300–$1,000 | $70–$90 | $797–$1,603 | $1,147–$2,053 |
| APEC CB1-SED20-BB | $137–$150 | $300–$1,000 | $0–$25 | $437–$1,275 | $437–$1,400 |
| APEC CB3-SED-KDF-CAB20-BB | $471–$504 | $300–$1,000 | $200–$220 | $1,771–$2,604 | $2,771–$3,704 |
| Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 | $1,998 | $300–$600 | $100–$120 | $2,798–$3,198 | $3,298–$3,798 |
| Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000-AST (whole-house filter + SimplySoft salt-free conditioner, no UV) | $1,773–$1,847 | $300–$1,000 | $100–$290 | $2,573–$4,297 | $3,073–$5,747 |
| Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000-AST-UV (whole-house filter + SimplySoft + UV purifier) | $2,077–$2,596 | $300–$1,000 | $140–$390 | $3,077–$5,546 | $3,777–$7,496 |
| Aquasana Rhino EQ-WELL-UV-PRO-AST (well-water filter + SimplySoft + UV purifier) | $2,697 | $300–$1,000 | $140–$340 | $3,697–$5,397 | $4,397–$7,097 |
| GE GXWH60T | $99–$130 | $100–$250 | $120 | $799–$980 | $1,399–$1,580 |
| GE GXWH70M | $206–$230 | $150–$350 | $64 | $676–$900 | $995–$1,219 |
| Home Master HMF2SMGCC | $325–$376 | $300–$1,000 | $150–$160 | $1,375–$2,176 | $2,125–$2,976 |
| Home Master (Perfect Water Technologies) HMF2SmgRFCC | $360 | $250–$600 | $130–$200 | $1,260–$1,960 | $1,910–$2,960 |
| Home Master HMF3SDGFEC | $471–$504 | $300–$1,000 | $135–$215 | $1,446–$2,579 | $2,121–$3,654 |
| iSpring WDS150K | $315–$363 | $300–$600 | $308 | $2,155–$2,503 | $3,695–$4,043 |
| iSpring WF150K | $1,327–$1,989 | $200–$600 | $0–$10 | $1,527–$2,639 | $1,527–$2,689 |
| iSpring WGB12B | $102–$129 | $300–$600 | $50 | $652–$979 | $902–$1,229 |
| iSpring WGB22B | $287–$370 | $300–$600 | $83–$100 | $1,002–$1,470 | $1,416–$1,970 |
| iSpring WGB32B | $420–$441 | $300–$700 | $114–$227 | $1,290–$2,276 | $1,860–$3,411 |
| iSpring WGB32B-PB | $572–$750 | $300–$600 | $190 | $1,822–$2,300 | $2,772–$3,250 |
| iSpring WGB32BM | $437–$483 | $300–$600 | $126–$210 | $1,367–$2,132 | $1,997–$3,181 |
| Kind Water E-1000 | $770–$980 | $150–$300 | $124–$200 | $1,540–$2,280 | $2,160–$3,280 |
| Kind Water E-2000 | $1,082–$1,353 | $150–$300 | $75–$150 | $1,607–$2,403 | $1,982–$3,153 |
| Kind Water E-3000 | $1,780–$2,094 | $300–$600 | $100 | $2,580–$3,194 | $3,080–$3,694 |
| Kind Water E-3000UV | $2,585–$2,680 | $300–$1,000 | $200–$312 | $3,885–$5,240 | $4,885–$6,800 |
| Kind Water WS-6000 | $2,541–$2,800 | $300–$600 | $150–$250 | $3,591–$4,650 | $4,341–$5,900 |
| Pelican (Pentair) PC1000 | $1,052–$1,299 | $200–$600 | $100–$156 | $1,752–$2,679 | $2,252–$3,459 |
| Pelican (Pentair) PC600 | $828–$1,049 | $300–$700 | $100–$180 | $1,628–$2,649 | $2,128–$3,549 |
| Pelican (Pentair) PSE1800 | $2,599–$2,700 | $500–$1,200 | $90–$136 | $3,549–$4,580 | $3,999–$5,260 |
| Pelican (Pentair) PSE2000 | $2,900–$3,099 | $500–$1,200 | $100–$156 | $3,900–$5,079 | $4,400–$5,859 |
| Pelican (Pentair) WF10-P | — | $800–$2,000 | $120–$270 | — | — |
| SpringWell CF+ Whole House Water Filter (7+ bathrooms, 20 GPM) | $1,737–$2,112 | $300–$1,000 | $40–$65 | $2,237–$3,437 | $2,437–$3,762 |
| SpringWell CF1 | $924–$1,144 | $300–$600 | $27–$40 | $1,359–$1,944 | $1,494–$2,144 |
| SpringWell CF4 | $1,500–$1,800 | $300–$600 | $27–$40 | $1,935–$2,600 | $2,070–$2,800 |
| SpringWell CSF1 Water Filter + FutureSoft Salt-Free Combo (city water, 1–3 bathrooms) | $1,531–$2,321 | $500–$700 | $40–$70 | $2,231–$3,371 | $2,431–$3,721 |
| SpringWell CSF4 | — | $300–$600 | $27–$40 | — | — |
| SpringWell FS1 FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner (1–3 bathrooms) | $1,450–$1,597 | $300–$500 | $20–$40 | $1,850–$2,297 | $1,950–$2,497 |
| SpringWell FS4 FutureSoft Salt-Free Water Conditioner (4–6 bathrooms) | $1,960 | $300–$500 | $20–$40 | $2,360–$2,660 | $2,460–$2,860 |
| SpringWell SS1 (32,000-grain salt-based softener) | $1,531–$1,800 | $300–$800 | $40–$100 | $2,031–$3,100 | $2,231–$3,600 |
| SpringWell SS4 Salt-Based Water Softener (4-6 bathrooms, 48,000 grain) | $1,684 | $300–$1,000 | $75–$150 | $2,359–$3,434 | $2,734–$4,184 |
| SpringWell WS1 Well Water Filter (1–3 bathrooms) | $2,003–$2,255 | $500–$700 | $40–$150 | $2,703–$3,705 | $2,903–$4,455 |
| SpringWell WS4 Well Water Filter (4–6 bathrooms) | $2,690 | $500–$700 | $40–$150 | $3,390–$4,140 | $3,590–$4,890 |
| US Water Systems Bodyguard Whole House Filtration + GreenWave Salt-Free Softener Alternative System | $2,180–$3,274 | $400–$1,000 | $194–$262 | $3,550–$5,584 | $4,520–$6,894 |
| US Water Systems Defender Whole House Reverse Osmosis System | $10,895–$16,395 | $4,000–$6,000 | $80–$300 | $15,295–$23,895 | $15,695–$25,395 |
| US Water Systems Matrixx Smart Whole House Backwashing Catalytic Carbon Filter (081-MXF-CX-200) | $1,596 | $300–$1,000 | $61–$98 | $2,200–$3,086 | $2,506–$3,576 |
| US Water Systems Matrixx InFusion Iron and Sulfur Removal System | $2,983–$3,179 | $500–$1,500 | $200–$600 | $4,483–$7,679 | $5,483–$10,679 |
| US Water Systems Matrixx Smart Metered Water Softener (MXX-100 / MXX-150 / MXX-200) | $1,296–$1,751 | $300–$1,000 | $50–$150 | $1,846–$3,501 | $2,096–$4,251 |
| Whirlpool WHELJ1 | $297–$579 | $200–$500 | $0 | $497–$1,079 | $497–$1,079 |
Methodology
- Total cost = equipment + professional installation + (years × annual maintenance). All inputs are ranges, so totals are ranges.
- Equipment prices observed 2026-09-30 from manufacturer sites and major US retailers (two sources where available). Promotional pricing varies, treat these as observed ranges, then check the current price.
- Installation is estimated from 2026 pro-install cost guides by system type (cartridge housings, media tanks, softeners, UV, RO); no manufacturer publishes model-specific install pricing.
- Annual maintenance covers consumables: cartridges, salt, media amortized over its rated life, UV lamps. Gallon-rated intervals assume 300 gallons/day (~109,500/year).
- Two systems have no computable total: the SpringWell CSF4 (manufacturer pricing loads dynamically; no capturable price) and the Pelican WF10-P (discontinued; no current retail price).
- No hands-on testing. Figures come from manufacturer documentation and published pricing.