Epic Smart Shield Replacement Filter | Under Sink Water Filter | NSF 53 Certified

The media could not be loaded. Long Island water SCWA allows 14 contaminants to our drinking water. This is not okay with me. I researched and found Epic Shield water filter. This is our third one- our first one lasted 5 months because the water was so bad, I was happy to replace it and happier that the water pressure slows down to let you know it’s time to replace. Look at the video at the yucky crap that came out of the filter - ugh. We also filter the filterd water with a charcoal filter system called Berkey. I highly recommend the Epic Shield , so easy to replace , so delicious crisp and clean water and worth every flipping penny ! I mean we are putting it in our bodies so why ask for anything less.

I initially purchased the Epic Smart Shield water filtration system in 2023. The website suggests the product lifetime is 12 months for a 2 person household. My original filter seemed to live up to that claim with no noticeable degradation of taste or water flow rate in that period, and I don't see any indication this replacement filter will fare any worse.This replacement filter can be swapped out in seconds if you are well practiced. Since it only requires replacement roughly yearly depending on usage, I wouldn't consider myself "practiced," but I was still able to swap the filter in about 2 minutes. The filter needs to be oriented correctly, then pushed into the bracket/manifold and twisted in order to seat properly, but neither the bracket nor filter itself have any visual cues besides the physical ports on the top of the filter which are obscured by the bracket. Trying to insert the filter reminded me of inserting an old style USB cable: I was twisting the filter around trying to find the correct orientation by feel and somehow still missing it. In theory the filter cannot be inserted incorrectly, but it could use a more strongly keyed connection and/or obvious visual indicators on the side of the filter showing correct positioning, especially considering this procedure is typically being performed underneath a sink in a cabinet which are usually the opposite of well-lit and accessible.And to the reasons I am giving this less than 5 stars: country of origin and cost.One of the major factors in my purchasing decision of the original Smart Shield kit in 2023 was that this was a made in USA product. Upon attempting to reorder towards the end of 2024, I noticed the replacement filters seemed to be out of stock on both Amazon and direct from the company website. I initially assumed they were discontinuing the product line, but several months later the filters were back in stock and I was able to order a replacement. Unfortunately, the replacement filter I received indicates it is a product of Mexico, and no longer made in the USA. Further researching this change, I have found that Epic has come out with a new product, the Epic "Smart Shield Max," which is approximately 12-15% more costly than the original Smart Shield, depending on if you are purchasing the filter or the kit. Of course, the mounted bracket/manifold for the original is not compatible with the Max, necessitating the purchase of an entirely new kit and another installation process.Notably, the Smart Shield Max is now advertised as made in USA, while information on the country of origin of the original Smart Shield is now conveniently omitted on the company's website. I speculate the change in manufacturing could possibly have lead to the stocking issues in 2024 as the company retooled their US facility for the new product and worked to relocate manufacturing of their original product. Whether this change was for cost reason or simply space/personal is unknown to me. The cost of this product has not changed in the time I have been purchasing it, so if the company is saving money as a result of the change, they are not factoring that into pricing (beyond leaving price static, which could be argued is an indirect lowering of price over time).Looking up the companies test results for the original Smart Shield vs. Smart Shield Max, the results do appear to be slightly better for the Max, so there is an indication that the higher price for the Max is commensurate with higher performance.All that said, the cost for the Smart Shield original filter replacements is nearly as much as the initial starter kit, and this is still one of the more expensive carbon filters on Amazon. I was and still am willing to pay a premium to support a quality product made domestically. This product no longer falls under that umbrella, so I will be re-evaluating my options when my current filter reaches end-of-life.

We've had the Epic Smart Shield undersink water filtration system (we're on city water) for the past 3 years or so. Installation was straightforward for us. Swapping out the filters is very, very easy. We usually go about 9 months on one filter. What is filtered out is of greatest interest to us: this filter is one of the best we've seen/read/heard. It's one of the very, very few EWG (Environmental Working Group) certified water filters out there. That's a big deal for us. Great product, great value, great water!

We live in hard water country but manage to get more than a year use from these filters. This is our third. I find changing the filter to be a chore and a bit tricky. I have to take the bracket from the original kit off the wall and pull the flexible hoses out onto the floor and step on it to get the leverage to twist the filter off and then twist the new one in. Being careful not the damage the plastic fittings. I only had a small leak where the metal flex hose had loosened a bit. This filter does not come with the fittings, hoses and bracket. That one costs a bit more.

I absolutely love the water that this filter gives us. I installed a new drinking water faucet so all the water we drink comes through this filter. We are so used to the taste now that we only realize how great it tastes when we are somewhere without it. Ugh! I carry gallon sized containers when we travel! Really easy to install. I did it myself, even with the new faucet!

I've been using these filters for a few years now and have been VERY happy. After replacing it again recently, I tested PPMs and found that they increase by approx 10% when comparing filtered water to my tap water. I repeated the test 3 times using 3 different meters and all had the same final results :(Unfortunately on my order page in Amazon I don't have a link to contact the seller or I would, because this is pretty expensive.

I purchased the full install kit last year. Huge difference in the taste and smell of water. I have this on our kitchen sink faucet and replace it once a year. Super Bowl time. The coffee taste better the cooking is better and you can really tell the difference with City Water. Once a year is a cheap price for pure water.

I started buying these filters years ago. I loved the fact that they were made in the USA. That is no longer the case. It also looks like the list of filtered contaminates has gotten shorter. It is sad to see another U.S. company selling out.