Are you familiar with hard water? Well, it is the most relevant query anyone should know before asking about best water softeners. The water may contain a large amount of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that create the hardness of the water, which is a common issue for the household water supply.
In the United States, above 85% of household use depends on hard water. The high mineral dissolvents refer to the increases in the hardness of the water. In general, when the amount of calcium carbonate is over 60mg per liter, it is considered hard water.
What is a Water Softener?
A water softener is a filtration system that removes minerals from the water and transforms the hard water into soft water. It extends the lifespan of home appliances and helps to save water. It also prevents limescale and corrosion caused by hard water. If you have a hard water supply in your house, you can find the best water softener to deal with this problem.
Continue reading this review article for the best water softeners among hundreds of variations from several brands and our buying guides to make the perfect decision when searching for the best solution for hard water.
The 11 Best Water Softener Reviews
Tier1 Salt-based Water Softener
This Tier1 salt-based water softener is one of the best water softener that can reduce the hardness of up to 32,000 grains before regenerating. It features an LCD to show the pertinent information, a control valve, and pre-installed quick line connections to save time. The water softener operates at a flow rate of 11.2 gallons per minute, and it works at a pressure of 20-120 psi. It allows adjusting the cycle times and managing the capacity.
Due to the compact design of this model, it requires small floor space compared to other salt-based softeners. However, you can rely on this Tier1 essential series to improve the quality of your whole house water system that will save you money and increase the efficiency of the household appliances.
Pros-
- Fast and easy installation
- Compact bypass and control valve
- The digital LCD makes it more convenient
- The cycle time is fully adjustable
- Energy-efficient and no waste of water
Cons-
- Needs to recharge the resin with salt frequently, perhaps at least once every week
- Whirlpool WHES40E Salt Saving Technology Water Softener
Traditional Salt-Based Water Softener
The traditional salt-based water softener requires recharging a significant amount of salt, while this Whirlpool model comes with advanced technology to reduce the use of your salt and water. The measurement of salt and water is needed for regeneration, automatically ascertained according to your actual water consumption by the water softener system. It also includes an indicator that will notify you when the salt level is low and requires more salt to regenerate.
If you want a high hardness removal water softener, this Whirlpool technology is an ideal system to soften your cold and hot water. It can remove hardness up to 40,000 grains which is a reliable solution for your hard water supply. Moreover, the water softener will take care of a large amount of water softening.
Pros-
- Long-lasting and energy-efficient
- Capable of removing high hardness while handling a maximum of 40000 grains of hardness
- Regenerate only when it requires and use that amount only needs for regeneration, thus saves a significant amount of salt and water
- Easy and detailed installation kit allows to do it yourself
- Perfect for 1- 6 or more people in a household
- Easy cleaning with WHE- WSC water softener cleanser
Cons-
- Some instructions from the manual are not clear. Although you can get better direction online to avoid any types of misleading in the installation
- iSpring ED2000 Alternative Electronic Salt-Free Water Descaler
This electronic system is ideal for removing scales effectively from whole water supply systems without exterminating the healthy minerals from water. It actually does not perform the way a water softener does, whether it is more likely to work as a descaler. The iSpring ED2000 is a good alternative for the traditional softener system when you have low water hardness. Thus it is designed for water with a hardness of 10-19 grains per gallon.
You can easily install it on the main pipe of the water system with two antenna cables included in this model. The system creates electromagnetic waves that allow to dissolve scales and helps to prevent build-up scales in the pipe. As a result, the limescale deposits will be cleaned easily from your faucets, s`erheads, and sinks.
If you are on a salt-restricted diet and want to avoid salt, you can choose this alternative water conditioner softener.
Pros-
- Easy installation and works with any type of pipes like PVC and PEX
- It does not require any modification for plumbing
- Maintenance-free
- Low energy consumption
Cons-
- High iron content water needs to install an additional iron removal filter
- Only capable of handling water area with less hardness
- On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener
This unit comes with a portable design that you can use outside the home or anywhere else if you want. It is compatible to work as both a softener and conditioner. This model is well known for producing 40% more soft water in comparison to other softeners.
It features a high-quality resin, a large opening to add salt, a cap and plugs specially designed for preventing leakage, and a back-flush adapter. Because of the compact design, you can easily store it if needed. When it comes to the regeneration process, you have to do it manually though it does not take much time. For regeneration, you will need two boxes of common table salts, and it will provide up to 1600 gallons of soft water.
We highly recommend this double standard model whose priority is to extra soften water for their household use.
Pros-
- Compact design saves the installation space
- Portable and easy to install with a standard garden hose connection
- Quick and simple regeneration
- It includes the test stripes to measure water hardness
Cons-
- Though it has an easy carry handle, still it is heavy to lift by one person
- AFWFilters 5600sxt 48,000 Grain Digital Metered Water Softener
The most popular salt-based Water Softener from Pentair and manufactured in the USA. This highly efficient water softener features a high-capacity resin, no waste of salt and water. Are you worried about the regeneration process? It is a simple digital meter-based way that will measure the water you use and regenerate when it is needed. Another advantage is the controller that allows increasing the system regeneration. It includes a brine tank capable of holding up to 250 lbs. of salt for standard settings.
In addition, it includes the safety float to prevent overfilling or overflow of water and a 1-inch plastic threaded bypass. To make your installation easy, it offers a new app known as scan and service. You just need the fingertips, and it will provide access product information, including spare parts, configuration, and troubleshooting manual.
Undoubtedly, I would like to recommend this 5600sxt 48000 grains that you will find worthy of its price.
Pros-
- Easy to install and operate
- It comes with a bypass valve and 1-inch adapter
- Double backwash system
- Specially designed to save salt and water for regeneration
Cons-
- It can be difficult to install if the resin does not come pre-installed
- Capacitive Electronic Salt-Free Water Descale System for Whole House Alternative Water Softener
Yarna CWD24
The Yarna CWD24 is one of the best electric water descalers that you can use as an alternative to your regular water softener. It usually gives better output than any other electric system. Now you can ask, how does it differ from other units? Here, the optimization of electric fields where we can see it uses a capacitive effect to make it unique to fight with scales build-up and more effective than other electro-magnetic or any magnetic systems.
By applying electric field frequency, it forces cations and ions of calcium for continuous movement. It also increases the velocities of ions, where it creates soft crystal forms of minerals that dissolve into the water quickly. Thus this powerful electric system effectively removes minerals with water and prevents scales in your water pipe, sinks, and baths.
This water descaler features a copper impulse band, which is very thin and flexible to operate in small spaces. It doesn’t require cutting the pipe, and you can simply install it with any type of pipe up to a 2-inch diameter. It will take around 15 minutes to install, and no need to call any professional to do it.
If I compare the price, it is a more affordable one than any other electronic descalers. You can get the additional benefits of soft water, like softening your hair and skin and increasing the lifespan of your appliances.
Pros-
- Super easy installation and no tools are required
- Reliable and maintenance-free
- Low power consumption with a wide range of applications
- It minimizes heating costs
- No use of chemicals to avoid any adverse reaction to health and damage environment
Cons-
- Only for indoor use
- H2oEliteLabs EWC-Max I Salt-Free Electronic Water Conditioner, Whole House Descaler, Hard Water Softener Alternative
H2oEliteLabs EWC-Max
Here, I want to include another best alternative of the water softener for your whole house. The H2oEliteLabs EWC-Max protects your water plumbing system from hard water. It does not allow any limescale build-up in showerheads, faucets, sink, pipes, and water heaters. It helps to improve the efficiency and increase the lifespan of household appliances.
You can easily install this water conditioning system for an average size house of up to 5,000 square feet, while it can handle up to 35 grains per gallon of hardness. It is perfect to use in residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural applications. More interestingly, it will not waste your floor space because you can mount it on the wall. It works with all types of pipes, including PVC, PEX, copper, and so on.
To get the best results and enjoy all benefits of soft water, you can install this descaler in addition to your regular water softener system. It can be considered the simplest solution to the problems of water hardness. Once you install it, you will love this unit the way it is designed and featured by using technology.
Pros-
- Easy to install and use
- It can work on horizontal or vertical pipes
- Save the maintenance cost
- A wide range of applications
- Eliminate scales and improve the efficiency of home appliances
Cons-
- It is not suitable for outdoor use
- Though the installation is easy but time-consuming but time-consuming
- GE Appliances 30,400 Grain, GXSF30V Water Softener
GE GXSF30V
The GE GXSF30V is another best water softener which one is ideal for 1-3 people or a small house, and the brand itself offers the blending valve to select how soft water you desire. This salt-based unit comes with a capacity of 30,400 grains. It can remove up to 95 grains of hardness per gallon. Notably, it has an iron removing capacity of 7 ppm.
Regeneration works on demand of your usage patterns, and it uses only the amount of salt and water is needed. It features a status light indicator with the technology of days to empty. Even if you are not sure when to recharge, it will give reminders.
Pros-
- Easy to use and work efficiently for years
- User-friendly electronic controls to show the status with light indicator
- Capable of removing iron
- Salt holding capacity up to 200 lbs
- Save money and water
- Less energy consumption
Cons-
- Installation is not as easy as it seems, and you may need help from a specialized person.
- When installing outside, be careful about the temperature. Excessive heat or cold temperatures can damage the non-metallic parts.
- Aquasure AS-HS48D Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener
Aquasure Harmony Series
The Aquasure Harmony Series is built to deliver excellent spa-quality softened water for the whole house. With the hardness handling capacity of 48000 grains, it will perfectly work for a medium-sized house. It will efficiently fulfill the soft water demand for up to 5 people with a maximum of 4 bathroom water usage.
It features an advanced control system that ensures a hundred gallons of water savings. It also includes a high-capacity brine tank and an overflow regulator to eliminate the waste of water. The advanced technology provides a fully controlled and customizable head to optimize performance. The control head is more efficient and informative than other water softeners.
You can manually set the recharge time, backwash duration, brine draw/ fill duration, and the capacity, more specifically as you want to set up. In addition, it comes with a 1-inch bypass valve, but you can also request the seller for the 3/4-inch if needed.
Pros-
- Advanced digital control console
- A high-quality fiberglass resin tank to resist corrosion
- The resin tank is pre-filled
- Bypass valve with 1-inch NPT adapter
- Double backwash regeneration
Cons-
- Heavy unit to move
- Eddy Electronic Water Descaler, Alternative Water Softener
Eddy Water Descaler
The Eddy Water Descaler provides excellent solutions to prevent scales and dissolves existing deposits. It uses electromagnetic waves for this alternative water softening process. The water descaler is effectively ready to treat up to 20 grains of hardness per gallon.
Without any changes in plumbing, it allows easy installation on metal or plastic pipes diameter up to 1.5 inches. It has two circuits that you can connect with two separate pipes. This electric descaler works with a 110V power supply with minimum power usage.
It will be a perfect alternative for water softeners within a lower price range. When it comes to warranty, surprisingly offers 12 months of money-back guarantee and a lifetime repairing or replacement warranty. Buy it with confidence.
Pros-
- Easy DIY installation and no maintenance
- Time and cost savings
- Energy efficient
- Water keeps the healthy minerals
Cons-
- Only for indoor use as it is not waterproof
- It does not work for removing iron
- Whirlpool WHESFC Pro Series Water Softener Plus Whole Home Filter System
If your water contains harmful contaminants like sediment and chlorine, get this multi-tasking best water softener, and it will save the cost for an additional filter system. This Whirlpool pro series is manufactured in the USA, considering the high-quality with innovative technology. No doubt it is suitable for a home with up to 5 members.
With a capacity of 31,000 grains, this hybrid water softener system removes hardness on average or above 120 GPG. It features demand-driven regeneration that ensures save the salt up to 25%. Moreover, it can handle iron up to 3 ppm.
The whole house filtration system is accountable for the reduction of contaminants from water. It will ensure the clean water supply, no smell or change in taste of your water.
Pros-
- 2-in-1solution for whole house water system
- Efficient and cost-effective
- Protect from the harmful contaminant
- Quick installation
- It comes with all installation parts, including a bypass valve, and two adapters
Cons-
- There is no display light included
- Buying Guide for the Best Water Softener
How do you want to deal with your hard water? Yes! It is important when you desire the best water softener to treat your hard water supply. Because there are different types and features of water softeners, you have to choose the one is worthy of your needs. Have a look at what you should know when buying a water softener.
Two Popular Types of Water Softening Systems
Salt-based process- The salt-based system is the most popular water softening system. It is also known as the ion exchange process, which means it will pull all mineral ions and contaminants from water and replace them with salt.
The traditional salt-based method is considered the most effective way of softening water to protect your home appliances. This type of water softener usually has a mineral tank and a brine tank.
The installation is much easier and ideal for your entire household water usage. In some areas, salt-based systems are restricted for environmental impact.
Salt-free Process- Unlike the traditional system of softening hard water, it does not require salt or any chemicals. In this process, the minerals of hard water remain to exist in the water. It just breaks down those minerals into small crystal shapes. Thus the minerals cannot create scales.
So, it is clear that the salt-free system does not soften the water and actually prevents scale build-up. It requires little or no maintenance though it needs to be replaced more frequently while the salt-based system has a longer life. The salt-free system is considered good for the environment.
Benefits of soft water
A best water softener will give you the benefits of soft water in many ways:
- Get smooth skin and shiny hair, as well as a more favorable wash and cleanness of your clothes with soft water.
- Extend the lifespan of your home appliances.
- Soft water easily lathers with soap, which requires less soap and cleaning efforts.
- It increases the efficiency of heating elements.
- Clean and residue-free surfaces.
- Soft water does not allow scale deposits on pipes that can reduce your water flow rate.
- Important features of the water softener
The capacity of a water softener
The capacity usually indicates how many grains of hardness a water softener can handle in a cycle. The capacity of 32,000 grains to 40,000 grains, you can consider for small or medium size softener systems. So, you should know what size water softener you need. However, you can determine it by the hardness level of your water and how many people live in your house.
Bypass Valve
A bypass valve usually helps to turn off the water flow into the softener, but it will not interrupt flowing water into the home. When you need a lot of water for outside work, or you do not need soft water, you can turn off the softener. It will save the salt for softening water. Thus the bypass valve increases the efficiency of a water softener system. It is also useful when you find any problem with the softener or require maintenance. You can use the bypass valve to keep safe from getting worse until it is fully repaired.
Installation
Check the installation process and make sure you can install it yourself. Easier installation means you can save on installation cost and time. If the system is complicated, you may need a professional plumber, which is costly. You can consider the pre-filled resin bed for easy installation.
Another important thing you should keep in mind is the size of your water softener, is there enough space where you want to set it up.
Flow Rate
When you install a water softener, it should be quick enough to produce the soft water. Make sure the flow rate is perfect for your home water demand. The low flow rate can affect your daily life of water usage. For instance, if your family members are using two or more faucets at a time, the water pressure can be reduced because of the lower flow rate of your water softener. It can also pass the hard water when not able to flow soft water for your demand.
FAQs
How to determine if I have hard water?
Some visual points you can notice are wastage of soap for cleaning, scales build-up in your dishwashers, water heaters, coffee makers, and other home appliances. You can also take your tap water for analysis to measure the hardness level in the water. The hard water has a hardness level of more than 60 mg/L that can come to over 180 mg/L.
What are the disadvantages of hard water?
The hard water is responsible for build-up scales in the pipe that will reduce the durability of your plumbing and also lower the water pressure. Hard water can also damage your home appliances such as dishwashers and the efficiency of heating elements in your water heater.
Are there any health issues because of hard water?
Hard water has not any serious health problems though it can be harmful to your hair and skin. It can aggravate the dryness of hair and itching of the skin when you have hard water.
What does it mean by grains of hardness?
It is a process of eliminating the hardness of water by the water softeners before the cycle regenerates. It usually depends on the size of your house and the hardness that exists in water.
Can I use any alternatives instead of salt to soften water?
Yes, you can use Potassium in your regular softener, which will give the same result. However, Potassium is more expensive than salt, so most people prefer salt. If you don’t want salt in water and are willing to spend more on it, just go with Potassium.
How to clean a water softener?
You should clean the softener at least once every four to six months if you want to remove the scale build-up and maintain the efficiency of the softening process. Cleaning a water softener is not a big deal at all.
First, turn off the softer system using the bypass valve, discharge all the water and salt from the softener tank and remove the brine grid. Next, take a long-handled brush and wash it with warm and soapy water. Then rinse with normal water.
After washing, fill the tank with water and mix some bleach. You can keep the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it again. Replace the brine grid and it’s done. Now you can recharge the tank with water and salt for the regeneration cycle.
How long does a water softener last?
First of all, if you use a salt-based system the longevity of water softeners indicates the life of the resin bed. It can be 8-20 years or more. But, for a water descaler system longevity can be 1-5 years. However, it usually depends on the water hardness and usage of the water softener.
Conclusion
Based on profound research and experts’ suggestions, we provide the reviews and guidelines to make your buying decision effortless. Now you already know how essential a water softener is when you want good quality water. Investing in a product like the water softener can never be worthless.
We always recommend you to research when buying a product whether it will meet your demand or not. From our best water softener reviews, you will find specific features for different water softeners. You can use the information and guidelines we have provided to identify the right one.
we hope this article will help you to choose the best water softener for you.