Best Water Softeners

Water coming from our taps is usually rich in minerals like Magnesium, Manganese, Calcium, and Iron. The mineral-rich water is typically referred to as hard water, and the effects can be felt right from drinking to home usage. For instance, you may have noticed while showering that the conditioner or even the shampoo does not lather well, laundry having stains and looking very dingy, dishes having water spots, rings on the bathtub, and the toilet pan or scale deposits on the coffee maker and electric kettles well as. Drinking the water isn’t any fun either.

You don’t have to live with these problems, though. Water softeners are designed to eliminate these minerals or suppress the effects that come about by their presence in the water. You can call them whole-house filtration systems. They work by through ion exchange, a process through which magnesium and calcium are removed from the water. Hard water flows through resin beads made from polystyrene and charged with sodium ions. Having positive charge, the minerals are are captured by the bed of resin beads.

If you are looking to make the hard water coming out of your taps soft, you are right to buy a water softener. But because of the complexity of these systems, we won’t leave you browsing through dozens of options to select the right one. We have done the research, providing you with 10 best water softeners in the market.

The Winner, Second Best, Editor's Choice
Aquasure
9.6
Model: Harmony AS-HS64D
11 Plates
Filtration Stages: 5
Dual Filters
Made in USA
Apec
9.3
Model: FUTURA-15 Premium
9 Plates
Flow rate: 30 GPS
Dual Filters
Made in South Korea
AFWFilters
9.2
Model: Fleck 5600SXT
7 Plates
Flow rate: 30 GPS
Dual Filters
Assembled in China

Best Water Softener Systems - Full Comparison Table
ImageGrainsFlowBathroomsPriceScore
6400012 GPM4-6Aquasure Harmony
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$$$$
9.6
N/A15 GPM3-6APEC  FUTURA-15 Premium
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$ $ $ $ $
9.2
4800012 GPM2-4Fleck 5600SXT  Water Softener
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$ $ $ $
9.1
4800012 GPM2-4DuraWater 48k-56sxt-10-1 9100sxt
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$ $ $ $ $
9.0
N/A12 GPM1-3Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener
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$$$
9.0
300007.6 GPM1-2Whirlpool WHES30E Softener
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$$$
8.8
46000N/A3-4WECO Whole House Filter/Softener
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$$$
8.7
4800011.2 GPM1-2Tier1 Everyday
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8.6
6400012GPM4-6APEX WS-1060
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$$$
8.5
6400017 GPM4-5Discount Water Softeners Genesis
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$$$
8.5

Aquasure Harmony Review

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Rated at 64000 grains
  • Quality construction using fiberglass lined with polyethylene
  • Comes with aqua control advanced digital meter head

9.6

Aquasure AS-HS64D from the Aquasure line of water softeners is built with advanced water softening capabilities for the entire house. It can provide very soft, scale-free, and spot-free pure water for the whole family to use around the house. This device can treat a large 64000 grain of hardness. It can support a household of seven people as well as 4-6 bathrooms. It comes with an advanced digital control console, which allows for precise back washing when in need. This helps save gallons of water. The meter head includes an in and out bypass, a 1-inch NPT male adapter, and also a prefilled grade resin.

The digital control head comes in handy in calculating the amount of water it has treated as well as the backwashes performed. This goes a long way in saving you water while lessening the need for adding salt. The control head is fully customizable. The whole unit features easy and quick-connect parts. The system features one-button for regeneration to make it more comfortable while operating the device.The Aquasure water softener comes with three different kinds of recovery, including time clock delayed control, meter-delayed-control, and also metered immediate-control. These features give you ultimate control of the entire system while optimizing the performance of the system to suit your needs.

This appliance features a premium, corrosion-resistant polyethylene tank lined with fiberglass. It is not only very durable but also free of corrosion. The high capacity brine tank comes with an overflow regulator as well as a fiber-reinforced bypass valve made of polymer. For optimum regeneration, you can expect a metered, time-delayed manual double backwash. A 14 feet flex tubing is included in this water softener for draining. You will also find a 5 feet high strength Brine line with this appliance. It also features a 5-year warranty, and if you are not satisfied with the quality, a 90-day money-back guarantee is imposed on the warranty.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Natural scale reduction and prevention
  • Great brand reputation
  • 75GDP and high RO water purity

9.2

Searching for the best water softener with a high flow rate? APEC FUTURA-15 Premium Water Softener is a large quantity Water Softener that was designed to support a maximum of 6 bathrooms. These systems feature a high-water flow rate of up to 15 gallons per minute. Its quality performance prevents the build-up of scale while at the same time, taking care of the pipes and appliances within your home. It does not make use of harsh chemicals as well as salt.

APEC FUTURA-15 Premium, which features a straightforward installation, can last for a couple of years with little to no maintenance at all. It can run freely without electricity, drainage for wastewater, backwash, nor salt replacement. For a more enhanced taste and natural water feel, this unit conditions water leaving no slimy feeling. It also does an excellent job of cleaning up hard water spots on cars, dishes as well as on windows. It works best on 25 grains per gallon of water hardness levels for the best results.

APEC FUTURA-15 Premium works 100% without discharging chemicals or salt waste into the water. It is very safe on plants. More to that, it improves the cardiovascular system while alleviating various health risks. The system comes with a ten-year warranty policy to keep you going worry-free. On top of this, when you purchase this system, you get a lifetime expert support from the manufacturer whenever you need them.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Can filter up to 48000 grains of hardness
  • Bypass valve for bypassing system without shutting the main water supply
  • High flow rate of 12gpm, peak at 28gpm

9.1

Fleck 5600SXT from the line of AFWFilters is yet another water softener which comes with a digital on-demand meter as well, much like the Aquasure Harmony. The on-demand digital meter is reinforced with a paddle wheel meter (BR5600SMS-SXTPW). This unit was designed to remove scale build-up, water spots, and even soap scum while giving you soft water for all your home uses. It features a simple yet very impeccable design, which makes it very efficient at its functionality. The metered model comes in handy during regeneration and also measuring the water usage.The digital controls give you ultimate control over simple adjustments for maximizing the capacity of the appliance while also minimizing salt usage.

This water softener comes with a standard 1inch MNPT yoke connection,which has been threaded to make the assembly straightforward.  A bypass valve makes it possible to bypass the whole water softening system without having to shut down the main water supply. The standard 10×54″ PG 2.5T (CH30579-03010203-30), 14″x34″ blackbrine tank,which features a square shape design,is used for storing salt used for regeneration. Furthermore, it prevents accidental overfilling. It comes with a safety float is included. This system comes with a high-water softening capacity resin tank, which features an 8% standard crosslink.

This Fleck 5600SXT water softener can treat up to 12 GPM flow rates with a peak of up to 28gpm. This is enough to support a family of up to 6 people and can work with moderate to hard water conditions. The whole unit has been rated 48000 grains of hardness and even though this is far less compared to the Aquasure harmony. However, it makes up for the difference in many other ways. When it comes to installation, you are not left out as the system features an easy installation process as well as a user guide with step to step instructions on how to get the system up and to run. Don’t get stuck alone, trying to find your way around how the system works. The brand has a very supportive technical support team that is always up and ready to assist. They not only very knowledgeable in the field but also highly motivated to their clients.

Home Master RO water filter system
Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Twin tanks for continuous water softening
  • Rated at 48000 grains per tank
  • High life span advanced new fleck 9100 valve

9.0

Searching for the best water softener for large homes or light commercial softening? Why not Consider DuraWater 48k-56sxt-10-1 9100sxt, which offers you a 24 hours water softening for all your home or business uses. The system comes with a twin tank for providing continuous soft water when you need it. A new fleck 9100 valve also comes as an added feature in this model, contrary to the previous models by DuraWater.  This new valve features a revolutionized engineering that can withstand up to a 27years life span given daily use. During the first use, the system provides soft water after 100% of the first tank has been used, which regenerates while the second tank is being used. This creates a continuous cycle.

This model comes with both the paddle wheel and also the turbine meter. During purchase, the system also comes with an addition turbine meter. The system comes connected with the paddle wheel meter, which you can use or change during installation. The paddle wheel meter is very durable and also comes preprogrammed into the valve. However, it is tremendous compared to the very compact turbine meter. The downside of the turbine meter is that it is not as durable as the paddle wheel meter. It also requires pre-programming to be able to change the meter type to the new TO.7

This water softener comes with a Noryl plastic bypass, which is accompanied by a ¾ inches and 1-inch yokes. The by-pass is convenient in bypassing the whole unit without having to shut off the main water supply. During purchase, the brine tanks come preloaded, making installation a walk in the park for you. An iron kit comes standard with genuine units. This kit can be used for testing the level of hardness of the water. This system has been rated at 48000 grains per tank with a maximum of 12gpm flow rate.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Versatile installation application
  • An eco-friendly model with a water-saving design
  • High-efficiency water softener

9.0

This salt-free water softener is the best way to treat hard water without having to worry about the damaging effects of sodium. This is a very Eco-friendly advanced system that neither requires recharging nor backflushing with freshwater, unlike other softeners that use salt. This process of backflushing is not only very costly but also very corrosive to the water pipes, heaters, and even to the environment at large.

This unit requires little to no maintenance at all. The only essential maintenance is for the sediment prefilter, which is changed every eight months. The pre sediment prefilter, which comes with the unit, eliminates rust, scale as well as debris, which might be in your water supply. Furthermore, you will also find granulated activated carbon, which is very efficient in removing chlorine while improving the overall smell and taste of water.

The Filtersmart flow system does not require any electricity to run and drain and neither salt replacements. It features a 5 second contact time no matter the level of hardness of the water while the conventional ion exchange will need 90 seconds. This increases its efficiency level.  It does not demineralize water by removing the minerals which are replaced by sodium. It is the perfect solution when you are protecting the life expectancy of your home appliances that use water like washing machines and dishwashers to name a few.

To simplify installation mode while giving you a range of options to work with, Filtersmart Salt-Free Water Softener features a built-in bypass which allows for installation of the unit either inside or outside the house. This salt-free unit is very efficient in water conservation as a sustainable way to treat water at home

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Features demand-initiated regeneration
  • 30,000-grain rating with 95grains per gallon
  • NSF certified water softener

8.8

In the search for a small home water softener? Why not consider Whirlpool WHES30E, which is very ideal for a small home of 1-4 people? This softener comes in a very compact design, yet very appealing form and finish. It features a white and gray color finish and is excellent for minimalistic people who don’t like complicated setups. It can remove up to 8ppm of iron in clean water. This beautiful machine has been certified by NSF and can eliminate some hard water symptoms like plumbing and faucet build-up, embarrassing stains, and also spotting on dishes and window panes. It even effective on removing Magnesium, Manganese, and also calcium.

Whirlpool WHES30E is very efficient when it comes to maintenance and also usage of resources like salt and water. Since this water softener uses salt as a primary resource for softening water, it automatically saves you water and salt by calculating just how much it will need for regeneration and uses what is required. This way, it saves you some extra dimes. This home appliance is rated at 30,000 grain with 95grains per gallon of water, which uses demand-initiated regeneration technology to enhance its performance. It also features a control panel with a low salt light that alerts you whenever you are running low on salt.

When it comes to installation, you can expect a straightforward procedure that does not require the presence of an expert plumber. This way, you can save a few resources. The installation is backed up by a user guide manual, which directs the customer on how to install this unit successfully. Cleaning the appliance has been made a lot easier thanks to the Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleaner, which is typically sold separately from the system. This liquid helps eliminate germs and other agents, which might be harmful to the water. The benefits of using this machine are evident in the other home plumbing appliances that we use, like the washing machines, and also dishwashers. The water softener has been proven to improve the lifespan of these water-using machines by 30-50%. This advanced technology comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. You are given the option of increasing the system warranty to two years when you purchase up to three bottles of Whirlpool WHEWSC water softener cleanser.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Combined water filter and softener
  • Automatic backwashing for the screen and softener
  • 46000 grains

8.7

WECO Filters’ new Filter and Softener WECO is the best solution if you are looking for a water softener for the whole house. This appliance uses EcoMix proprietary advanced media for softening water while reducing the symptoms of hard water like manganese, iron, and tannin. When using this appliance, you have no reason to worry about scale build up either on sinks, faucets, or even the plumbing pipes which run throughout the house. This device alleviates the effects of clogging showerheads, stained bathtubs, and shower doors that need to be regularly cleaned as well as eliminating white deposits that are found on silverware.

The effects of hard water are not only felt on plumbing and glassware, washing machines, dishwashers, and all other appliances that use water like coffee makers and electric kettles are safeguarded from damage by iron oxide, which is also found in hard water. On the packaging comes a blue large sediment filter that filters out sand, debris, grit, mineral particles which have precipitated and other contaminants down to 5 microns. This unit features an automatic backwash for the screen and softener as well while recharging with the regular softener salt. It is also rated at 46000 grains.

The WECO Whole House Filter/Softener is a very versatile device that can be used in a range of settings and scenarios including homes and also commercial applications. It features low operational costs saving you a few dimes. The control panel found on this device comes in handy when operating it. The controls are easy to operate, allowing you easy control over the variety of features that come with this device as well as the settings. If you please, you can always opt for the resin tank jacket, which comes in a durable yet beautiful stainless-steel body. It comes in dimensions of 16 inches by 65inches. You can expect a brine tank, a big blue filter as well as a 1-inch MNPT connector.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Dedicated support team
  • 48000 grains of hardness
  • Energy efficient with on-demand regeneration

8.6

Water softeners are an excellent investment in our homes, but what makes them even better is their simplicity, and that’s why Tier1 Everyday is one of the most manageable devices to operate, thanks to the LCD panel. This key feature helps navigate your way through the settings and functions without any form of hindrance in comparison to the Fleck 5600SXT. The whole set up includes the brine tank, a control valve, ¾ inch water control connections, a prefilled mineral tank which comes with 1.5 cubic feet of resin, a brine tubing, mechanical components as well as a drain line.

The most fundamental feature which this water softener comes with is energy efficiency. By enhancing the effectiveness of various soaps and detergents, this device will not only save you a few dimes but also promote excellent skin health, great hair as well as bright laundry. Again, the quality of water produced by this system improves and protects your water-using devices while preventing clogging of plumbing, stain on glass, waterspots as well as scum all over. Tier1 Everyday has been modeled using a smart design that features the precision turbine meter being incorporated in the bypass valve. The result is four feet of saved up floor space.

This water softener can process around 48000 grains of hardness. The mineral tank comes in 10”x 54”. The control panel allows the customer to key in the family size as well as the water hardness, which enables the device to calculate the regeneration cycle. When purchasing this device, it is recommended that an iron filter which comes separately with the system be purchased for iron levels above 3ppm. The units are also demand initiated compared to the timed systems. The control valve of the appliance commonly uses a water use probe (usually a propeller). The regeneration process for this machine takes about two hours, and during this period, the water service is generally interrupted. You can expect a flow rate of 11.2 GPM with an operating pressure of 20-120PSI and temperatures of 40-120 °F.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • Rating of 64000 grains of hardness.
  • Fleck 5810 SXT control valve
  • Rated at 12GPM.

8.5

APEX WS-1060 is a high capacity water softener from the line of Apex water filters, which comes with a rating of 64000 grains of hardness. It is the perfect solution for a large family of around 4-6 people. This system comes with an LCD control panel mounted on the brine tank, which can be used for accessing the controls and functions of the device. It is on this panel that you key in the size of the family as well as the hardness of water upon which the method works by calculating the regeneration cycle for free service.

This water softener reduces mineral scale build-up on various plumbing elements within your home, including the sinks, faucets shower doors as well as other plumbing fixtures. Not only that, but APEX WATER FILTERS also do increase the efficiency of your water relying appliances and heaters by increasing their lifespan and providing water that is soft and clean. It can eliminate various minerals found in water like manganese, magnesium calcium and also iron. This water softener comes with a Fleck 5810 SXT control valve and high-flow bypass w/1-inch MNPT connection. It also uses ion exchange resin, which is found in the mineral tank.

The Fleck electronic control valve comes in handy in monitoring and also regulating the water softeners activity. When it comes to regeneration, the pipe takes over the task as well as back washing the water softener, given the rate of water usage within your home. This control valve,which is made with industrial-grade features in mind, also allows for double backwash as well as brine refill option. It is a durable valve that can last for years when used appropriately. The outer jacket of the mineral tank is made from stainless steel, which is not only durable but also very safe rust free. The device uses electrical power with a rating of 110V to run it. It is rated at 12GPM.

Flow Rate
Filtered Water Quality
Ease of Maintenance

  • High-efficiency up-flow water softener
  • Save 60480 gallons of water
  • On-Demand metered digital softener

8.5

Genesis 2 premier by Discount water softeners is yet another one of the heavy-duty softeners in the market with a rating of 64000 grains of hard water. Compared to the APEX WS-1060, Genesis stands out given its premier up-flow On Demand metered control, which has a rating of up to 17GPM with a dedicated 3.5GPM backwash rate. It comes with a 2 Cu ft 10% crosslink and a 1-inch unique bypass, which has an integrated turbine meter. This device features a resin tank measuring 12 by52 inches, which comes with a lifetime warranty as well as a ten-year control head warranty.  A neoprene tank jacket which minimizes tank sweating is also included in the package. The brine tank comes in 18 by 33inches and can hold up to 300lbs of salt. To prevent salt bridging, a salt grid that comes with a lifetime warranty is included.

When it comes to efficiency, Genesis 2 premier utilizes very scarce resources hence saving you money and time.  When operating for a family of four, this system can efficiently save up to 12960lbs of salt as well as 60480 gallons of water, which translate into money saved in your pocket.  For an enhanced operation with minimal moving parts, this softener features an on-demand flow control valve, which comes with electronic sensors, adjustable cycles, as well as proven seal and spacer design, which direct flow design. The reverse flow regeneration can preserve available softening beds from unnecessary exchange, which in turn saves as much salt as possible.

The brine tank refill comes in handy in keeping the brine tank and the injectors clean. This appliance has an automatic system refresh that flushes stagnant water week, which prevents a build-up of bacteria that could contaminate the water. Again, during heavy water usage, a soft water recharge mode ensures there’s software throughout. The control head valve comes with a ten-year warranty while the brine and resin tank comes with a lifetime warranty. This system comes with new features that are designed to ease the installation of the entire set up.

Best Water Softeners Buying Guide

So, how do you solve this problem of hard water in your home? You can get yourself the best water softener for all your home water uses and forget about the harsh effects which cost you far more money than you would incur installing these systems. However, getting the right device for your home does not come easy, especially there being so many manufacturers. To make it more comfortable for you, we have decided to highlight some of the factors that you need to consider when purchasing these systems.

But before we even head there, let us look at a few basics that will help us understand these systems properly. We already know that hard water is that which is rich in minerals like Manganese, Magnesium carbonate, and calcium. So, water softeners are machines that are used to eliminate these minerals resulting in soft water.

How does a water softener work? Let’s look at the specifics

Standard whole-house softeners work by substituting the minerals that harden water with sodium chloride using the ion exchange principle, also termed as Cation exchange. Conventional water softener comprises a mineral/resin tank, brine tank as well as a control. The water supply inlet pipe is generally connected to the control valve and a timer attached at the top of the tank.

The water flows through the control valve into the resin tank. The resin (plastic-like beads), which are in most cases made from styrene and also divinylbenzene, are arranged into columns referred to as resin beds. They usually carry a negative electrical charge. These resins attract the mineral ions, which on the other hand take a positive charge. For this reason, as the water passes through the tank, the minerals adhere to the resin bed as the already softened water continues to flow towards the bottom of the tank where it is pumped back up through a manifold outlet and a riser tube. At this point, the water is distributed to other parts of the house.

After a while, the resin beads become saturated with these mineral ions and need to recharged/cleaned to become active. The timer does a convenient job of running the appliance through the recharge, backwash, and the rinsing process for these beads.

A backwash cycle is when the water is forced down the riser into the bottom of the resin tank. It flows up the resin tank through the resin beads. This activity flushes while expanding the beads, consequently washing off excess mineral ions. This solution is then drained through a drainpipe.

The brine tank is usually paired with the resin tank during the regeneration process. As the water is being forced down the riser, a brine solution (saltwater) is pumped into the riser. As the mixture flows through the resin beads, the mineral ions which are flushed from the surface of the resin beads are substituted with sodium. This process regenerates the electrical charge of the beads.

After the brine tank runs empty, a rinse process is initiated with the first rinse being speedy and the second one being comprehensive — the rinse process, which uses freshwater washes off excess salt from the resin beads.

After the excess brine has been washed off, the brine tank is again refilled, and the service cycle initiated. The softener salt has to be replenished regularly since it is dissolved in the brine tank when the regeneration process commences. For every gallon, about three pounds of salt are dissolved.

Types of water softeners

Water softeners work differently depending on the manufactures. There are various types of these devices in the market, and knowing how each one works will help you determine which is right for you. Let’s have a look.

The most commonly used type of water softener is the ion-exchange (cation exchange) system. However, there are others to consider.

  • Salt-based: This type of water softener works by passing the household water through the resin tank where it is softened. The resin tank is filled with resin beadswhile the brine tank is filled with the brine solution (salty water). The brine solution is used during the regeneration process. This softener works by substituting the minerals found in water with sodium (salt)
  • Salt-Free softeners: This type of softener usually uses potassium-chloride as a substitute for sodium during the regeneration process. Salt-free systems are much preferred by people who are overly cautious about salt intake. This unit does not reduce the minerals in water; rather, it prevents the scale from being deposited on the appliances that use water as well as plumbing.
  • Double tank softener: Water softeners usually need some time to recharge to be able to work effectively, a process termed as regeneration. Often, when this process occurs, the machine disconnects from the main water supply hence no softened water will be available during this process.

Depending on the model and brand of the machine, this process takes between 30 minutes and two hours. Many of the softeners are usually set to regenerate at night when the softened water is not required. However, should the need for softened water arise, then basically, this becomes a problem.

During the regeneration process, the system switches to the secondary tank to keep the process going simultaneously. This means that while one of the containers is recharging, the other is basically at work to supplement the first one. There a few models available with this feature, including Fleck.

  • Point-of-Entry (POE) vs. Portable systems: as you may have already realized from our review above, most water softeners come as whole house water softeners which serve the entire home. They are typically installed at the point of entry of the main water supply for the home hence the name POE. The water being distributed to different parts of the house has to first pass through the unit. This means that the POE unit has to be reliable in terms of capacity as well have a high flow rate compare to the Point-of-Use (POU) unit. The latter is design to be used primarily in outdoor activities like camping sites and also carwashes.

Portable units are usually smaller and mainly feature only one tank. Given their compact size, they can only handle a limited amount of water. These units typically feature manual regeneration. For this reason, you’d expect the POE softeners to be pricier.

What Makes the Right Water Softener?

When it comes to choosing the right water softener, there is no way to define which one is right and which is not, given that we all have different preferences and needs. However, you must pick the one that meets your needs. Here are some qualities of theright water softener.

  • Maintenance Costs: A decent water softener is one that comes with low maintenance costs. You’ll be able to tell when reading about the features of each softener, whether it needs maintenance or not.
  • Filtered Water Quality: it is good to note that different water softeners will result in varying levels of filtered water quality given the technology they use. For example, the salt-based softeners eliminate the minerals that cause water to be hard consequently leading to a better quality of soft water compared to salt-free softeners which most often do not remove these minerals
  • Flowrate: As we have already seen, the POE water softeners need to be high capacity as well as have high flowrate to sustain the needs of the whole house water supply in comparison to POU water softeners. Different brands come with different flowrate, but at the end of the day, the higher the flowrate, the better for you.
  • Dual Tank Softeners: We have already covered how these softeners work. If your soft water-needs stretch to the night when the softeners are scheduled to regenerate, then a double tank would be the best for you.
  • Lifespan: The best water softener come with over ten years to a lifetime lifespan. The warranty will typically indicate this as the shorter the warranty period, then the lower the quality of the softener hence a shorter lifespan.

Just how much are you willing to part with?

There are very many factors that determine the cost of a water softener, including the type, brand, size and also features. These appliances will generally fall somewhere between $350 to $3500 and more for the complex ones. If you are looking for a standard ion exchanger, you can expect to spend anywhere between $350 to $1000. This is not a guarantee as the prices will also vary depending on the retailer. If you go for the descalers, you’ll probably be able to save a few dimes here and there.

When it comes to installation, expect to incur, an additional $200 to $500 should decide to hire an expert. Depending on the complexity of the softeners, you can opt to install it yourself. Extra costs you are like to incur are maintenance-based charges like stocking salts, water bills, and also servicing of the sewer.

What Capacity and Flowrate should you go for?

The size or capacity of a water softener refers to the number of grains of hardness it can remove before regeneration is required. These capacities will range anywhere between 8000 to 80000 grains. Some standard water uses include;

  • Faucets: 1.0 Gpm
  • Toilet: 3.0 GPF (gallons per flush)
  • Shower: 2.0 – 2.5 Gpm
  • Dishwasher: 6.0 – 16.0 GPL (gallons per load)
  • Washing Machine: 25.0 GPL (gallons per load)

The size of the unit will also determine the flowrate. The flowrate will consequently define the number of outlets that you can have. You must choose the right size for you. Most of the units will also come indicated how many users it can sustain in regards to number of bathrooms as well as number of people it can serve.

The downside of choosing an underrated unit is in exhausting before time, bleeding of hard water as well as reduced flowrate and pressure. Maintenance costs will eventually skyrocket as well as reduced lifespan.

Again, an overrated unit will not bring any advantage as it will leave you leached out financial wise due to the high cost as well as the low number of regeneration processes, which will eventually lead to damaged resin bed. So, choose wisely, depending on your needs.

Check the Level of Hard for Your Home Water

Before you go purchasing a water softener, you need to know the level of hardness for your source of water. Hard water is everywhere, but what differs is in the level of hardness. This is important as it will guide you in determining which device will work for you. Testing water is not complicated science; all you need is a test kit that you can get at the local supply store.

Typical test kits come either in tablets or color strips and a color chart indicator. All you need to do is collect a sample of water in a container, drop the tablet or dip the color strip in the vessel, wait several minutes for the water to turn color, and then compare the results with the color chart indicator.

Timer Regeneration vs. metered Regeneration; Which One is Better?

 

New water softeners feature a demand -initiated regeneration (DIR) otherwise termed as a metered regeneration, which is the most recommended feature in your preferred unit.

Advanced technology allows for the softeners to measure the amount of consumed water thanks to the electronic sensor and also the mechanical meter. Consequently, this allows the softener to start the regeneration process when necessary (when the resin is almost getting depleted or even better after a predetermined amount of water has been used). As a result, you experience high efficiency in water and salt use, which translates to significant savings.

When it comes to timer-based softeners, the regeneration process starts at a given time, which can be set on the control panel. For such machines, the regeneration process takes place at the arranged time every day regardless of prior water usage or even the nature of the salt. For this reason, the same amount of salt and water is used.

Careful thought should be given when selecting time settings like the intervals to prevent wastage of resources while keeping in mind a sufficient supply of soft water. There are, however, a few units which come with automatic fine-tuning feature which can be used to increase the device’s efficiency in salt use.

There’s also a manually initiated regeneration water softener, which neither features a timer nor a meter. These types of units feature a lever with which you can use to commence the regeneration process whenever needed.

The Brand is also a Key Factor to Consider in the Selection Process

Can we stress enough the importance of the water softener brand in the selection process? Not really. This is because some brands dominate over others in the market with quality products model after model.

When selecting the best water softener for hard water, you will find that some brands will keep featuring in every category. One of the best brands which has had great performance in terms of quality systems is Fleck. It is known to have introduced the control valves in these devices. Other common top brands include Morton, Kinetico, Aqua Harmony, Apex, and the list goes on and on. The best brands have quality experience in these systems and have come along way compared to some new brands in the market. It is perhaps something to keep in mind when searching for the best device.

Is it User Friendly?

Is the water softener you’ve chosen user-friendly? Will you have a tough time getting your way around the settings and controls? Does it feature a control panel for displaying relevant information? Does it come maintenance-free? You should ask yourself these kinds of questions before you check out your new unit to avoid getting low-quality units.

Of course, a system that allows you to operate easily should be your priority. But don’t be too scared because all water softerners will always come with an instructional manual to help you set it up and troubleshoot any problems in the course of your usage.

Will it Fit in the Designated Area?

Before you buy the system, you need to think about the physical size, and whether it is ideal for space you have reserved. Remember, these water systems come in different sizes and capacity as we have already seen above, like the POE and the POU. Installation space is essential because it helps you determine whether you need a large or a smaller type of softener and whether you need to increase the installation area or work with what you have.

Final Words

We cannot stress enough on the importance of soft water in our daily lives. The benefits outweigh the cost incurred while purchasing and installing these vital appliances in our homes, for example, improving the performance of water-using devices back at home as well as keeping the plumbing intact without clogging with scale. We can also see these benefits even in other areas in our homes like keeping our laundry, bathtubs, and also sinks in perfect condition.

In our review, we have covered some of the best brands and models of water softeners that are worth your attention — models like the Aquasure Harmony, Apec Futura-15, Fleck 5600SXT stand out, with impressive features and great flow rate, water filtration levels and low maintanance. Other systems are also good and they stand out in their own ways

To help you be able to pick out the best water softener, we have also covered an in-depth guide on some of the essential details like how the device works, some of the features that make the best devices and even what to keep in mind when choosing the right one for you.