Top 5 Best Sulfur Filters for Well Water 2024 (Hydrogen Sulfide)

Are you experiencing the all-too-familiar “rotten egg odor” in your water? You’re not alone. The culprit behind this rank sulfur scent is hydrogen sulfide. Commonly, well water takes on a rotten egg odor when there’s a hydrogen sulfide problem. Additionally, hydrogen sulfide tends to make friends with iron-rich well water. For this reason, the best sulfur filter for well water typically removes both iron and sulfur.

The goal of this article is to introduce you to the top sulfur filters for well water and teach you how to treat sulfur odors in well water. In reality, it’s not rocket science, and you won’t need a degree to get the job done. Firstly, the most important step is to test your well water. After you receive your results, you’ll be able to see the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in your water.

Once you know the concentration, then choose the right filter for the job. You’ll find that companies list the max concentration of hydrogen sulfide that their filters can eliminate in ppm (parts per million).

Top 5 Sulfur Filters for Well Water

Reviews: Best Sulfur Filter for Well Water

As mentioned in the introduction, the most important first step is to test your water. A certified lab will give you an accurate reading of your hydrogen sulfide levels. Keep in mind, it’s possible to detect the smell of hydrogen sulfide at just a .5 ppm concentration.

Furthermore, concentrations above 1 ppm produce a rotten egg odor. Most likely, you’ve noticed that the rotten egg odor is most offensive when you run hot water or take a shower. This happens due to the hot water releasing hydrogen sulfide into the air.

With that in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at the filters listed above in the following reviews.

#1) Springwell Whole House Well Water Filter System

Springwell is one of the most reliable suppliers of well water filtration equipment, and its well water filter is a great all-in-one solution. Previously, I recommended this filter as part of a complete system in my guide to choosing the best drinking water filter for well water. Depending on your existing system, the single-tank well water filter might be all you need to eliminate sulfur because it’s the backbone of the system.

Firstly, the key to this filter is the Air Injection Oxidizing Filter System. In layman’s terms, this is the part of the system that makes it possible to remove hydrogen sulfide. This step is crucial because the system oxidizes the hydrogen sulfide. Once oxidized, the filter media in the tank removes the oxidized hydrogen sulfide. Then, the control valve automatically backwashes the filter to recharge it.

The good news is that this process is completely automated. Plus, the Springwell control valve has Bluetooth connectivity. In turn, you’re able to monitor and control the filter from your phone. All in all, with hydrogen sulfide removal rates up to 8 ppm, Springwell’s well water filter is a sure winner for anyone with a sulfur issue.

#2) iSpring WCFM500K Iron, Manganese, and Hydrogen Sulfide Water Filtration System

Now for people with high concentrations of sulfur in their water, it doesn’t get much more powerful than the iSpring WCFM500K. With hydrogen sulfide removal rates up to 20 ppm, you leave nothing to chance by choosing this filter. Firstly, this system uses the same oxidation process to trap hydrogen sulfide as all of the best sulfur filters for well water.

Consequently, this filter also removes high concentrations of iron and manganese. Secondly, there are a couple of differences to note between this system and the Springwell filter above. First, this filter doesn’t offer the same high capacity at 500,000 gallons. Second, the control valve does not have Bluetooth. Additionally, the warranty of 1-year is shorter than competitors.

Having said that, this filter is more affordable at the time of this writing, and its impressive hydrogen sulfide removal rates make it worthy of a top spot here. Depending on your hydrogen sulfide concentrations, you may get the most value from this filter.

#3) SoftPro Water Systems Iron Master Ultimate Filtration

Another excellent choice for all of your well water filtration needs is SoftPro. One of the most efficient whole-house filters that do an exemplary job of removing hydrogen sulfide is the Iron Master system. Similar to the first two filters, the Iron Master uses air induction oxidation or AIO to remove hydrogen sulfide. Accordingly, the oxidation process is what allows the Iron Master to remove hydrogen sulfide at up to 5 ppm.

Additionally, as the name implies, this filter removes iron at concentrations up to 30 ppm. Because of this, the Iron Master is a top water filter for iron and sulfur removal. The key here is to determine your iron and sulfur levels to decide if the Iron Master is what you need to clean up your water.

Beyond that, the control valve allows for set-it-and-forget-it operation that includes automatic backwashing. Also, SoftPro offers one of the best warranties available. All in all, for the cost, the Iron Master offers some of the best value you’ll find.

#4) DuraWater Air Injection Iron Eater Filter

One budget-friendly option for sulfur removal is DuraWater’s Iron Eater filter. While not as well-established as Springwell or SoftPro, DuraWater has carved out a nice little niche for itself. First, this filter boasts a powerful hydrogen sulfide removal rate of up 10 ppm. However, it is important to note that one must take DuraWater’s word for it.

With that being said, this filter does have enough positive reports to prove that it functions as advertised. Outside of hydrogen sulfide removal, it removes iron up to 12 ppm and manganese up to 2 ppm. For this reason, you may find that sticking with more well-known brands such as SoftPro is better for higher concentrations of iron.

Next, the filter features a modern Fleck 5600SXT digital control valve. With this valve, you can rest assured that the automation process goes smoothly. Finally, this filter removes hydrogen sulfide using the same oxidation process as the previous filters, and it does come backed by a competitive warranty.

#5) APEC Water Systems IRON-HYDRO-15 Whole House Water Filter System

APEC, most well-known for its reverse osmosis systems, has begun to establish itself in the well water treatment space, and the Iron-Hydro system is the ideal choice in the APEC lineup for hydrogen sulfide removal. Presently, the system is available in two sizes, with the IRON-HYDRO-15 being ideal for larger households and the IRON-HYDRO-10 for small families.

First, one reason you may want to choose this filter over others is if you have well water high in sulfur and manganese. With this filter, you get manganese removal rates up to 5 ppm, which is higher than Springwell’s filter. Next, this filter operates in one of the broadest pH ranges you’ll find. With an operating pH range of 5.0 to 9.0, people with slightly acidic well water will find more value here.

Generally, systems operate in a 6.5 to 10 pH range. Lastly, the control valve ensures minimal maintenance and that the filter functions on autopilot. Plus, APEC backs its filter with a competitive 10-year warranty.

Bottom Line

Choosing the best sulfur filter for well water requires a professional water test. While all of the filters in this guide are good options, the easiest way to narrow down your decision is to compare each filter’s performance to your water levels. For example, you may find that one filter can effectively remove hydrogen sulfide from your water while falling short in the iron department.

Once you know your exact water levels, you’ll know exactly which filter(s) will get the job done. Additionally, it’s never a bad idea to make sure you have some play between your water levels and the max reduction rates offered by the filter. This way, you know for sure that you’re not stressing your filter.

When you test your water, be sure to test the pH, TDS, iron, hydrogen sulfide (sulfur), and manganese levels because those are the most important numbers to consider when choosing your filter.