The Best Water Softeners Reviews

We often think about why people don’t buy water softeners as often as they buy water filters. This time, we figured out the reason.

Thanks to the various scandals and reports, people have started taking water filtering seriously. This resulted in an increasing demand for water filters out there.

Water Hardness, however, is still overlooked by most people.

Probably, because they don’t understand the consequences.

Unlike what most people think, consuming hard water can cause a lot of issues.

First things first, it isn’t really good for your health. Also, hard water can damage almost every metal-made equipment in your kitchen — including that premium kitchen faucet you bought. Let’s not even get started on how hard it is to wash something using detergent if you have hard water.

Long story short, hard water can make your life tougher. And, that is why you must get one of the best water softeners for your home. What a coincidence? We’ve listed some of the best water softeners of 2024 to buy right now.

Shall we begin, then?

#1 ABCwaters Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener

There are times when the water supply at your home is impacted by the hard-water property. In such instances, you would need a whole-house water softening system. ABCwaters Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener is an impressive candidate for that position. The Fleck 5600SXT Digital Valve is one of the most noted features of this softener system.

The system is easy to use, comes with a simple installation process and is eco-friendly for the most part. There’s no need to worry about power consumption either. While it does not remove other contaminants in your feed water supply, ABCwaters Built Fleck 5600sxt Water Softener gets rid of almost all components that are causing water hardness.

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#2 Fleck 64k Water Softener

Fleck is one of the most trusted names when it comes to the world of water softener systems. And, the Fleck 64k Water Softener is the best choice if you need the best performance. It comes with a big grain capacity of 64000, and the installation is easy to. The best part about this softener system is that you can start using the system as soon as it arrives at your doorstep.

The high-efficiency valve, combined with the LCD Control panel, also makes the water softener one of those best options in town. While the installation method is generally simpler, you may need to check out the basic instruction manual. You also get a bypass valve with the package, and that may come in handy at times. Just so you know, you can purchase the same product with different grain capacities as well.

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#3 Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener

This is a great choice if you don’t mind spending a relatively huge amount of money for a whole-house water softening system. While you can get variants with up to 80,000 grain capacity, the 64,000 grain capacity one would be sufficient for most people. It also comes with the Fleck 5600SXT Digital Valve, which performs quite great in terms of water and power consumption management.

The said valve has been designed for ease of use as well. Despite the higher performance, it feels really easy to install and start using Iron Pro 2 Combination Water Softener. The best part about the system is that it is capable of removing some low-key sediments from your water as well. Because there are multiple channels of customer support, dealing with the device is easier.

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#4 Aquios FS-220 Salt Free Water Softener

Are you looking for a water softener that is salt-free? In that case, we’d recommend going for Aquios FS-220 Salt Free Water Softener, which packs a number of features. It’s surely a value-for-money deal that brings a standard level of performance as well. Because it’s a salt-free water softener, you can stop worrying about the potential replacement of resin and stuff.

Compared to other products we’ve covered here, this one is pretty easy to set up. For one, it does not need a huge number of connectors and hoses. As to the areas where compromise is made, there is the quality of construction. Aquios FS-220 Salt Free Water Softener has been built with some standard products and leaks are common in some scenarios.

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#5 Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System

With respect to its price, Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System is one of the best water softeners in the market. It should be noted that the system does not offer anything fancy. You have an option to soften the water supply and that’s it. Like the previous system we covered, this water softener is also salt-free and you don’t have to worry about corrosion or bad-tasting water.

It does not mean, however, that the water softener system is perfect from all senses. First of all, it cannot be forgotten that performance is basic. If you have a big family, you would either get fed up or will have to change the filters way too often. While the product delivers good water from feed supply, you may need an extra filtration system for well-water.

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#6 Fleck WS-96k-91SXT 9100SXT Dual Tank Water Softener

Are you someone who wants the best performance from a water softener? Do you not mind spending a huge amount on a whole-house system? If you answered yes for both, make sure you check out the Fleck WS-96k-91SXT 9100SXT Dual Tank Water Softener. As the name says, it’s a dual-tank softener that can provide consistent-quality water throughout the year.

Even when one tank is regenerating, the other would work fine. It comes with a massive grain capacity of 96,000, but the resin is capable of lasting for up to three years. Because everything is pre-loaded, the whole installation ordeal is simple enough. The only concern is the amount of space you have. This water softener will take up a lot of space, be ready for that.

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#7 Eddy Electronic Water Descaler

Are you ready for a solution that addresses a particular problem of hard water — water build-up on your pipes and faucets? Now, Eddy Electronic Water Descaler is not technically a water softener. It basically prevents a variety of build-up components from sticking onto your pipes and faucets. In order to do that, the device is making use of electromagnetic waves.

Of course, there are a few downsides. First of all, you cannot expect the same performance from the Eddy Electronic Water Descaler and a standard water softener we’ve listed. Also, don’t even think about using the device if you consume a lot of water per head. On the other hand, if you need a no-salt alternative to water softener systems, this one is worth the consideration.

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#8 Tier1 48,000 Grain Water Softener

In case you are looking for a basic water softener, Tier1 48,000 Grain Water Softener is a great choice from the market. One thing to be noted here is that, despite the lower price tag, it has a grain capacity of 48,000. Durability and performance are the two areas where the product is compromising. This product too comes with the Fleck 5600SXT, which is a great monitoring valve.

We should warn you, however, that Tier1 48,000 Grain Water Softener caters to the basic needs only. You cannot expect this tool to offer you the best-quality water for years of time. We loved the fact that the Fleck valve makes it really easy to manage regeneration cycles. It’s great to find that you have control over the whole softening process.

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#9 iSpring ED2000 Whole House Electronic Descaler

We already listed one of the alternative water softeners in the market, and this one belongs to the very same category. If you don’t want to use salt or other chemicals in your water supply, you should consider the iSpring ED2000 Whole House Electronic Descaler. It’s even affordable than the product we listed earlier. So, if you need something different and affordable, go for it.

Ease of use and portability are the best aspects of having an electronic descaler. You can simply connect the device to your plumbing system and it would start working in a jiffy. Compared to the traditional models, you need not worry about replacing the salt or resin. As opposed to the common notion, iSpring ED2000 Whole House Electronic Descaler works fine with super-hard water as well.

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#10 Abundant Flow Water WS-48k-91SXT 9100sxt Complete Softener

To end this list, we have one of the best water softeners from the premium sector. Abundant Flow Water WS-48k-91SXT 9100sxt Complete Softener checks all the boxes when it comes to effective water softening. It has dual tanks to ensure water supply, an effective resin that provides high rates of hard water to soft water conversion and an incredibly easy installation process.

Just so you see, Abundant Flow Water WS-48k-91SXT 9100sxt Complete Softener comes with a whopping grain capacity of 48,000. While it’s not the highest in town, it provides an awesome softening result in the long run. It’s also one of the long-lasting products in the list, considering the build quality and accessory construction.

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Water Softener Buying Guide

Now that you have seen some of the best water softeners out there in the market, it’s time to have a detailed water softener buying guide.

Advantages of Having a Water Softener System

Still wondering why you should purchase a water softener for your home? Here are a few reasons why you should use these devices.

• Healthier Hair and Skin

Continuous consumption of hard water can harm your hair and skin, along with causing other issues. When you start using a water softener, you can start seeing changes in how your skin feels. This would also have a rather indirect impact on your clothing. Because your skin is so better, the clothes won’t be affected much.

• Long-lasting Appliances

A number of home appliances are at stake if you have hard water at your home. The build-up of sediments can contract the life of the appliances. If you are using a water softener, however, you can improve the life of a variety of home appliances, such as faucets, plumbing equipment etc.

• Energy Efficiency

Do you know that a heater requires more energy to heat hard water? Well, that’s true and ensuring proper function of a water softener will improve overall energy efficiency in the long run. In the course of time, you can see a reduction in your electricity bill as well.

• Better-Tasting Water

On top of all this, water softeners offer you better-tasting water. Hard water isn’t the best-tasting water, as you may have noticed earlier. This would also have an impact on your food and other drinks. So, a softener system makes everything awesome.

Don’t you think these advantages are enough?

Different Types of Water Softener Systems

Not every water softener is suitable for your specific needs. If you want the best purpose-fulfiller, you must know about the different types of water softeners available in the market. Let’s have a look at the big ones.

• Salt Water Softeners

This is what you would call the conventional type of water softener. Suitable for both homes and commercial needs, these water softeners make use of something called resin. This resin would be the main agent which can convert hard water into soft water. At least once in a while, you will have to replace the salt. There are a few things you should know about the salt used in water softeners though.

• Salt-Free Water Softeners

Apparently, some people don’t want to use salt for softening water. This gave rise to something called salt-free water softener systems. These devices don’t make use of the resin; instead, other methods are used to get the unwanted stuff out of the water. The problem here is that non-salt water softeners aren’t as really effective as the salt-based ones.

• Magnetic Water Descalers

A Magnetic Water Descaler is a different way to soften water. Instead of letting the water pass through the resin or other salts, electromagnetic waves are passed through the water. This simple device can be connected to your plumbing system and it would start working almost instantaneously. The problem here is that you can’t expect much change in the water taste, although sediment build-up would be lower.

• Dual-Tank Water Softener

This is not a different type of water softener, technically speaking. Instead, it’s a water softener that comes with two tanks that are linked. So, even when one tank is going through the regeneration cycle, the other is supposed to work fine. This type of water softener is recommended if you want a non-stop supply of softened water.

You have to choose the right water softener based on your particular requirements also. For instance, if you have a big house that consumes a lot of soft water all day, you should have a dual-tank water softener.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Now, you may have fixed the type of water softener you want to buy. Even then, you should consider a few factors before checking out a product. We’ve listed some of the important points below.

• Capacity: This refers to the amount of water the system can soften before the regeneration circle is started. You can find water softeners with an incredible variety of grain capacity. Normally, they start at 16,000 and may go up to 96,000. You would need a higher capacity if you are planning to get a dual-tank water softener.
• Regeneration Cycle of the water softener is also important in many aspects. This can have an impact on how the resin in regenerated and how much water you get before each circle. Depending on the type of device you have, you can choose between timed regeneration and metered regeneration. In most cases, the second one is recommended, since it does not cause practical problems.
• Design: At the end of the day, you need to dedicate space for the water softener. At this point, you’d have to consider the size of the device as well. If you need a water softener with high grain capacity, the overall size would be higher. On the other hand, if you can compromise in terms of performance, you may get a rather portable device.
• Additional Features are always great to have in a water softener system. We’d recommend some of the essential features like the bypass valve. This valve would allow you to get some water without making it go through the softening process. If you want to get some water for the pool, this is a cool idea, indeed.
• Valve: You should always have a look at the metering valve the water softener has. We’d recommend a product that has an intuitive and powerful control valve. You will be able to save a lot of resources and have more control over the regeneration process. At the end of the day, it’s a great way to save water as well.
• Price: If you are looking for an effective system, you should not give priority to the price. It’s better to adjust the price after you have found the right product. For instance, if you want a dual-tank water softener, you should be ready to pay more. On the other hand, even for an affordable price tag, you can get something like an electromagnetic descaler.

Keeping these factors in mind would surely help you get the best water softener for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s answer some of the questions people commonly ask regarding water softeners.

1. Are water softeners safe?

Yes, they are. These devices don’t add anything to your water supply. Instead, the feed water is treated in a way that sediment build-up is removed effectively. Some of these systems can remove certain contaminant elements from water as well.

2. How long does it take to install a water softener?

While the answer depends on the type of water softener you have, the task is relatively simple. You have to connect the water supply to the water-softener system and wait for it to start the process. In case of a non-conventional magnetic descaler, the set-up would be even simpler.

3. Is it better to drink soft water?

Yes, it’s better to consume soft water when compared to the impact of hard water. By preferring soft water over hard water, you can protect your body, skin and other elements as well. You even end up protecting a bunch of home appliances.

4. Do I need a water softener?

If you are living in an area where the feed water is hard, you need. Continuous use of hard water can cause a number of problems, and it’s recommended to convert the water into soft.

5. How often should I replace the resin?

This answer depends on the grain capacity and the quality of the resin. You have to consult with the product support team or user manual to find the optimal interval. You should change the resin at these intervals to prevent further issues.