Ion Drops filters and replacement cartridges
Everything about Ion Drops (IonDrops) filter replacements: price, how long a cartridge lasts, how to change one, and how to tell when it is spent.
Last updated September 2026Written by the IonDrops product team 4.8/5 rated
Replacement cartridge price
A genuine Ion Drops cartridge 2-pack is $14.99. The cheapest way to buy them is as an add-on during checkout — the option appears under your bundle, ships in the same parcel, and avoids paying shipping a second time.
What is inside a cartridge
- Stainless mesh screen — stops grit, sand and rust flakes carried from older pipework.
- Mineral layer — the bulk of the filtration media.
- Activated stage — reduces the chlorine smell you notice in hot steam.
How long an Ion Drops filter lasts
| Use pattern | Expected cartridge life |
|---|---|
| One person, short showers | 5–6 weeks |
| Typical household, daily showers | About 4 weeks |
| Very hard or sediment-heavy water | 3 weeks |
Changing a cartridge, step by step
- Turn the shower off. There is no need to unscrew the head from the arm.
- Twist the front face of the head anti-clockwise by hand to open it.
- Lift out the used cartridge and discard it in household waste.
- Seat the new cartridge in the same orientation, flat side down.
- Screw the face back on hand-tight and run the shower for ten seconds.
Cartridge running costs
| Showers per day | Cartridges per year | Yearly cartridge cost | Cost per shower |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | About 13 | $97.44 | Around 27 cents |
| 2 | About 17 | $127.42 | Around 17 cents |
| 4 (family home) | About 24 | $179.88 | Around 12 cents |
Adding cartridges to your original order is the cheapest route because the parcel ships once. See the full price list for bundle totals.
Troubleshooting after a cartridge change
- Weak spray: the cartridge may be seated crooked. Open the face, reseat it flat side down and close hand-tight.
- Drip from the face: the face is not fully closed, or the washer has shifted. Hand-tighten again — do not use tools.
- Fine white dust on the first run: harmless media dust. Run the shower for ten to twenty seconds and it clears.
- Cartridge looks clean after four weeks: your supply carries little sediment. Stretch the interval and inspect again.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
How much are Ion Drops filters?
A replacement cartridge 2-pack is $14.99 in USD. You can add it to any order at checkout so it ships with your shower heads and you only pay shipping once.
How often should Ion Drops filters be replaced?
About every four weeks of daily household showering. Very hard or sediment-heavy water can shorten that to three weeks; a single person taking short showers may get closer to six.
How do I know when the Ion Drops filter needs changing?
Three signs: the cartridge is visibly grey, brown or orange when you unscrew it; the spray feels weaker than it did when new; or four weeks have passed. The colour is the most reliable indicator.
How do I replace an Ion Drops filter cartridge?
Unscrew the front face of the shower head by hand, lift out the old cartridge, drop the new one in the same orientation and screw the face back on. No tools and no need to remove the head from the shower arm — it takes under a minute.
Will generic or third-party cartridges fit?
We do not recommend them. The cartridge diameter and flow rate are matched to this head, and an ill-fitting cartridge can bypass filtration or reduce pressure. Genuine cartridges are only sold here.
Can I rinse and reuse a cartridge?
No. Rinsing removes loose surface sediment but does not restore the activated stage, so filtration performance does not come back. Cartridges are single-use consumables.
Questions before you order? Read our shipping times, returns process and 90-day guarantee, or contact our team.