Ever wondered what’s actually inside your water filter? It’s often a combination of specialized media, each with a unique role in purifying your water. Based on a detailed analysis of 22 common filter materials, we’ve created the ultimate guide to what they are, what they look like, and what they do.
22 Types of Water Filter Materials
| No. | Name | Image | Appearance | Size (mm) | Function & Description |
| 1 | KDF |  |
Golden irregular granules | 2-6 | Removes chlorine, iron, lead, heavy metals, and inhibits bacterial growth. |
| 2 | Calcium Sulfite Balls |  |
White spheres | 3-5 | High-efficiency removal of residual chlorine. |
| 3 | Chloroba |  |
White columnar strips | 1-4 | Removes residual chlorine. |
| 4 | ZMC Ball |  |
Gray spheres | 1-2 | Removes chlorine and heavy metal ions. |
| 5 | Coconut Shell Activated Carbon |  |
Black irregular fragments | 1-4 | Adsorbs impurities, chemicals, and improves taste. |
| 6 | Red Mineralized Ball |  |
Red spheres | 3-5 | Adsorbs impurities, adds minerals, increases oxygen. |
| 7 | White Mineralized Ball |  |
White spheres | 3-5 | Adsorbs impurities, releases skin-absorbable minerals. |
| 8 | Far-Infrared Mineralized Spheres |  |
Red spheres | 3-5 | Adsorbs impurities and energizes water with far-infrared rays. |
| 9 | Vitamin C Balls |  |
Beige spheres | 3-5 | Releases Vitamin C and other beneficial elements. |
| 10 | Vitamin E Balls |  |
Beige spheres | 3-5 | Releases skin-friendly Vitamin E. |
| 11 | Alkaline Sphere |  |
Gray spheres | 3-5 | Adjusts water to be weakly alkaline. |
| 12 | Medical Stone Ball |  |
Red spheres | 3-5 | Adds trace elements (K, Na, Ca) and raises pH. |
| 13 | Se-Enriched Ball |  |
Yellow spheres | 3-5 | Enriches water with selenium for antioxidant effects. |
| 14 | Anion Sphere |  |
Deep red spheres | 3-5 | Releases negative ions, increases minerals and oxygen. |
| 15 | Magnetic Energy Ball |  |
Deep gray spheres | 3-5 | Creates micro-clustered water for better absorption, releases minerals. |
| 16 | Blue Antibacterial Ball |  |
Blue spheres | 3-4 | Inhibits the growth of microorganisms and bacteria. |
| 17 | Antibacterial Ball |  |
Black spheres | 3-5 | Inhibits the growth of microbes and bacteria. |
| 18 | Silver Ion Antibacterial Spheres |  |
White spheres | 3-5 | Provides powerful antibacterial defense with nano-silver ions. |
| 19 | Anti-Scale Strip |  |
White strips | 1-4 | Prevents and slows down the formation of limescale. |
| 20 | Polyphosphate Crystal |  |
Semi-transparent granules | 1.5-6 | Inhibits scale formation by reacting with Ca and Mg ions. |
| 21 | Fluoride Remover Ball |  |
White spheres | 3-4 | Removes fluoride from the water. |
| 22 | Hair Growth Ball |  |
Yellowish-brown spheres | 3-4 | Adds substances to aid hair growth and scalp health. |
Category 1: Chlorine and Heavy Metal Removal
These materials are your first line of defense against common municipal water contaminants that affect taste, odor, and safety.
1. KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion):
KDF is a high-purity copper-zinc alloy that reduces contaminants in water using an electrochemical process called oxidation-reduction (redox). They effectively remove chlorine, iron, lead, and other heavy metals. A key benefit of KDF is that it also inhibits the growth of bacteria and algae, which prolongs the life of other filter media like activated carbon. Its appearance is golden, irregularly shaped granules.
2. Calcium Sulfite Balls
These are small (3-5mm) white spheres renowned for their high efficiency and rapid removal of residual chlorine from water. They perform reliably in both hot and cold water, making them an excellent choice for applications like shower filters where water temperature varies.
3. Chloroba
As its name implies, “Chlorine-Buster” is a specialized material focused solely on the removal of residual chlorine. These small white strips provide a large surface area for maximum contact with water, ensuring thorough and quick dechlorination to improve the taste and smell of drinking water.
4. ZMC Ball
These gray spheres are a composite material designed for the dual purpose of removing both chlorine and a range of dissolved heavy metal ions. They provide a comprehensive purification solution, targeting some of the most common and harmful contaminants found in tap water.
Category 2: Adsorption and General Impurity Removal
This group acts like a powerful magnet for a vast array of organic and synthetic contaminants, primarily through the mechanism of adsorption.
5. Coconut Shell Activated Carbon
This is perhaps the most well-known filter material. It’s produced by heating coconut shells in the absence of oxygen to create a highly porous structure with an incredibly large surface area. These pores trap organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It excels at improving the aesthetics of water, removing unpleasant tastes and odors (like the “chlorine” smell) to deliver clean, crisp-tasting water.
6. Red Mineralized Ball
These are red, 3-5mm spheres with a microporous structure. This structure allows them to adsorb impurities from the water while simultaneously releasing beneficial minerals. They are also noted for potentially increasing the oxygen content in the water.
7. White Mineralized Ball
Similar to their red counterparts, these are white, 3-5mm spheres. They also use a microporous structure to adsorb impurities. Their specific formulation is designed to release minerals that are easily absorbed by the skin, making them suitable for beauty and health applications.
8. Far-Infrared Mineralized Spheres
These red, 3-5mm spheres perform a dual function. They adsorb impurities and also emit far-infrared rays. This emission is believed to “energize” the water by causing molecular resonance, potentially improving its hydrating properties.
Category 3: Water Enrichment and Enhancement
These advanced materials go beyond simple filtration to improve the water’s properties, making it more beneficial for the body.
9. Vitamin C Balls
Appearing as beige-colored, 3-5mm spheres, these balls are infused with Vitamin C. As water passes over them, they slowly dissolve, releasing Vitamin C and other beneficial elements into the water, which can have antioxidant effects.
10. Vitamin E Balls
These beige spheres (3-5mm) function similarly to the Vitamin C balls but are infused with Vitamin E. They release this skin-friendly vitamin into the water, which can then be absorbed by the body during washing or drinking.
11. Alkaline Sphere
These spheres are formulated with a blend of natural minerals that, when in contact with water, release mineral hydroxides. This process increases the water’s pH level, typically to a range of 8.0 to 9.5, creating “alkaline water.” This can help neutralize acidity in the body.
12. Medical Stone Ball
Maifan stone is a natural composite ore that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. When water passes over it, it leaches over 20 essential trace elements and minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium. It also helps to gently raise the pH of the water.
13. Se-Enriched Ball
These balls are specifically designed to infuse the water with selenium, an essential trace mineral that functions as a powerful antioxidant in the body, protecting cells from damage.
14. Anion Sphere
Made from tourmaline and other natural minerals, these spheres release negative ions (anions) into the water. This process is believed to reduce water molecule cluster size, making it more hydrating. They also contribute to a slight increase in the water’s mineral and dissolved oxygen content.
15. Magnetic Energy Ball
These spheres contain permanent magnetic materials. As water flows past them, the magnetic field is thought to break down large clusters of water molecules into smaller, more organized groups. This “micro-clustering” is believed to enhance the water’s solvency and make it more easily absorbed by the body’s cells.
Category 4: Antibacterial and Disinfection
Keeping the filter system and the water itself free from microbial growth is crucial for safety and filter longevity.
16. Blue Antibacterial Ball
These are blue, 3-4mm spheres with a clear and vital function: to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and bacteria within the filter and the water, ensuring the water remains sanitary.
17. Antibacterial Ball
These black, 3-5mm spheres perform the same essential function as the blue antibacterial balls. They prevent the proliferation of microbes and bacteria, maintaining the hygienic integrity of the water filtration system.
18. Silver Ion Antibacterial Spheres
This is a more advanced form of antibacterial protection. Nano-sized silver particles are embedded within the ceramic spheres. Silver ions are highly effective at killing bacteria by disrupting their cellular metabolism. This provides a powerful and long-lasting disinfecting effect throughout the filter system.
Category 5: Scale Prevention (Water Softening)
These materials tackle the problem of “hard water” by preventing the minerals that cause limescale from building up.
19. Anti-Scale Strip
These are white, 1-4mm strips designed to combat limescale. They work by preventing and slowing down the crystallization of calcium and magnesium carbonates, which are the primary components of scale. This helps protect pipes and appliances from scale buildup.
20. Polyphosphate Crystal
These semi-transparent granules (1.5-6mm) are another effective anti-scale agent. They work through a process called sequestration, where the polyphosphate reacts with calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from precipitating and forming hard scale deposits.
Category 6: Specialty Filtration
These materials are designed to solve specific, less common water quality issues.
21. Fluoride Remover Ball
Composed of activated alumina or a similar media, these spheres are specifically designed to adsorb fluoride ions from the water. This is a targeted filtration method for communities where fluoride levels in the municipal water supply are a concern.
22. Hair Growth Ball
A highly specialized material, these spheres release a proprietary blend of substances intended to benefit the scalp and hair. The goal is to nourish the scalp, potentially stimulate hair follicles, and counteract the damaging effects that chemicals like chlorine can have on hair, such as dryness and brittleness.
Our Top Recommendation: Leelongs Multi-Stage Shower Filter
For those seeking the ultimate shower experience, we highly recommend the Leelongs Multi-Stage Shower Filter. This advanced filtration system combines several of the technologies mentioned above to deliver a truly transformative shower experience. It features a 15-stage filtration process that includes KDF, calcium sulfite, and activated carbon to effectively remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities.
But what truly sets the Leelongs filter apart is its commitment to not just purifying but also enriching your water. The filter infuses the water with Vitamin C and other beneficial minerals to nourish your skin and hair, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after every shower.
For more information and to explore their full range of products, you can visit the Leelongs Filter Shower page. Leelongs also offer a variety of filter accessories and replacement cartridges to ensure you always have access to pure, great-tasting water.
Investing in a quality water filter is an investment in your health and beauty. Make the switch today and unlock the secret to radiant skin and hair.
