And, it’s even worse for bathing as it can cause you lots of problems like hair fall, skin irritation, etc. So, we have shortlisted the best water softeners for you which you can install along with your home’s water supply and get rid of this problem. But, before you pick one, make sure it’s suitable for your home by checking for a few things like:
Grain Capacity: Typically, the grain capacity of a water softener tells you about how many grains it can deal with before needing to go through the regeneration process. So, depending on the hardness of water and the amount of water you use every day, you should pick the right choice of water softener for your home. In general, a 30-35k grain capacity is usually ideal for a family of four. If you have a bigger family, or the hardness levels are extreme, then you will need to use a better option. Hardness Removal: The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon (GPG). So, depending on the hardness level present in the water that’s coming to you, you have to choose a suitable water softener that can handle and remove it ideally. In this list, you will find water softener options that are capable of removing hardness ranging between 48-125GPG, so you can pick the best suitable option for you. Type of Softener: Basically, there are two kinds of water softeners that are most commonly used these days, salt-based, and salt-free water softeners. The salt-based water softeners are much more effective and useful in the removal of hardness. The salt-free ones are just an alternative that descales the effect of hard particles in water but doesn’t take out any minerals from the water.
These are the most important factors that you should be checking before spending your money on any water softener. However, there’s more that you should know, so we will be discussing all of it in the “Buying Guide” section for you, which is mentioned right below the list of best water softeners in this article. So, don’t miss out on reading that too!
Best Water Softeners 2023
Best Water Softeners Reviews
1. Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener
Let’s begin this list with the most reputed and trusted brand out there, Whirlpool is quite a popular name in the market and does provide really high-quality products for home needs. Since Whirlpool has a good history of introducing smart and futuristic features in all its products, this water softener unit is no exception. No wonder, it’s a highly efficient option to choose. But the fact that it can predict the amount of salt and water needed for regeneration, makes it a highly attractive option that everyone should consider. This feature is quite helpful as it will stop you from using excess water and salt, so you don’t waste any stuff, and it’s also safe for the machine and promotes its life. Moreover, the grain capacity of the Whirlpool WHES40E water softener is 40,000 grains which are ideal for families that have up to 6 members. On top of that, it’s certified from NSF, and capable of removing up to 10ppm of iron from the water. In fact, it’s rated to deal with up to 125 GPG of hardness, which is way more than any other option on this list. Apart from that, Whirlpool also offers a 1-year warranty for it which makes it an interesting choice to go with. Best Features:
40,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 125 GPG Removes 10ppm Iron, and other contaminants like Calcium, Magnesium.
Pros:
Easy to install Ideal for 1-6 people families Reduces potential scale problem
Cons:
A little expensive
2. On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Water Softener
On the Go, as the name suggests, is a popular brand that makes portable water softeners, ideally the best ones to use in RV trailers or marine boats. That being said, the On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable Water Softener is your best option to pick if you want to have a clean and soft water supply in your motorhome or boat. This unit comes with a capacity of 16,000 grains that is good enough to provide you with a soft water supply for up to 40 days, without needing regeneration. In general, this tank’s 16,000 grains will clean up to 1600 gallons of water. Afterwards, you can clean it up using 2 packets of table salt and regenerate in just a matter of 30 minutes. The design is kept to be compact, so it can fit and be installed easily, even in tight spaces. Moreover, a large mouth opening is provided so that you can add salt conveniently, while the cap and plug on top make it secure and avoid leakage while traveling. Best Features:
16,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 70 GPG The regeneration cycle is about 30 minutes long
Pros:
Small and travel-friendly Installation is fairly simple Less maintenance
Cons:
Not ideal for household use
3. AFWFilters 5600SXT Grain Water Softener
Coming up next, we have a highly reliable popular water softener option from AFWfilters which comes along with top-notch specs and a Fleck 5600sxt digital meter that allows you to easily adjust its settings. Speaking of its features, this water softener is capable of delivering water at a pace of 12 GPM while filtering and removing the hardness and impurities from water, thanks to its 1.5 cubic ft. high activity carbon. Apart from that, this water softener comes with a capacity of 48,000 grains that can effectively provide clean water to a family of up to 6 members. Apart from that, the installation process is fairly simple and the Fleck 5600SXT digital meter allows you to easily operate it and adjust to your desired settings. It’s designed to deal with extremely hard water up to 70 GPG. In addition, the overall built quality of this water softener is quite solid, and the brand even offers a 10-year warranty for the tank and a 5-year long warranty for the control head, which is great! Best Features:
48,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 70 GPG Provides 12 GPM water flow
Pros:
Less maintenance Ideal for family up to 6 members Comes with 10-year warranty for the tank
Cons:
A little expensive
4. Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener
Water Softeners from the Harmony Series of lineup offered by Aquasure are one of the most popular options that provide you with great value for money and high performance. Particularly speaking about this model, it’s perfectly suitable for whole house systems as it effectively removes hardness and totally eliminates the problems of scale and spot build-up. In addition, this tank is filled with top-quality resin and comes equipped with Aquatrol Advanced Digital On-Demand Meter Control Head that allows users to easily manage its setting and control it as desired. The best part about this water softener is that it can deal with water having hardness up to 90 GPG, for almost a month without entering the regeneration cycle, thanks to the 48,000-grain capacity. Moreover, the corrosion-resistant fiberglass resin tank has a pretty long life and is extremely durable for long-term use. In fact, Aquasure also takes care of its customers as the after-sales service is very good, and you can get anything fixed on your product under the 5-year manufacturer warranty. Best Features:
48,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 90 GPG Aquatrol Advanced Digital On-Demand Meter Control Head
Pros:
High performance Very durable Eliminates scale, spot build-up for the entire home
Cons:
Bulky design
5. Pentair WS48-56sxt10 Fleck water softener
When it comes to making high-quality water softeners, Pentair is one of the most popular names that you will come across in the market. Pentair water softeners are most appreciated as they have low maintenance and they work quite efficiently. In fact, with the help of the embedded display control head, it’s super easy to control and manage the settings to get the best results out of it. The tank size is fairly large and carries up to 48,000 grains, which is a good enough amount for a family of 6 members. The 1.5 Cu. Ft. Upgraded 10 percent crosslink resin perfectly deals with hardness-causing elements like calcium and magnesium and makes your water a lot softer than ever. The best part about this water softener is that it can be used with whole-house systems and it offers an ideal flow of water that most appliances usually demand. On top of that, it’s rated to deal with water having a hardness level up to 75 GPG, making it ideal for most households. Best Features:
48,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 75 GPG Comes with 1.5 Cu. Ft. Upgraded 10 percent crosslink resin
Pros:
Beads regenerate by themselves Comes with a 5-year warranty Has a touchscreen control panel
Cons:
Size is too big
6. AFWfilters Iron Pro 2 Combination water softener
The AFWfilters Iron Pro 2 Combination water softener is one of the highly efficient and pocket-friendly options out there that combines equipment borrowed from two other popular brands, Fleck and Pentair. The intuitive Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve helps you conveniently adjust its settings while the in-built iron filter ensures that you always get iron-free water out from the tank. It’s primarily designed for heavy-duty use as it has a carrying capacity of up to 64,000 grains and can effectively deal with harness levels up to 75 GPG. Not only that, you will find all the installation tools and details along with the guide so you can even install it on your own, or take help from a plumber. No matter what, you will find this water softener highly useful as you start to see the results from day 1. In fact, it is capable of removing iron from the water up to 6ppm range, and manganese also. Apart from that, AFWfilters also offers a 5-year warranty for the tank, which is absolutely a great add-on. Best Features:
64,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 75 GPG Comes with Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve
Pros:
Grain capacity is high Easy to install Maintenance is less
Cons:
Takes a lot of space
7. Tier1 Whole House Essential Series Digital Water Softener
Tier1 should be your go-to choice if you are looking for a high-performance water softener, but don’t want to make a big hole in your pockets. This is the entry-level water softener option offered by Tier1 which comes with a grain capacity of 32,000 grains. Hence, it is an ideal choice for a family of up to 4 members. Apart from that, if the hardness level found in your water is about 45-50 GPG, this water softener can fix all it for you as it effectively removes hardness up to 48 GPG, making the water absolutely fit for almost anything. Since this tank uses an up-flow regeneration process, the hardness minerals only pass through the already used resin and don’t touch the unused portion. That being said, it saves both salt and resin during regeneration for future use, hence, it’s quite efficient as well. Moreover, the control head on the top makes scheduling regeneration cycles easier for you. On top of that, Tier1 offers a 90-days 100% money-back guarantee for this water softener, which accounts for its reliability and high build quality. Best Features:
32,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 48 GPG Uses Upflow regeneration
Pros:
Energy efficient Smart design Comes with a digital meter control valve
Cons:
Not viable for removal of hardness above 50 GPG
8. AFWFilters IRON Pro 2 Combination water softener
Coming up next, we have yet another IRON Pro 2 water softener model from AFWfilters, the brand which is well-known for making efficient and easy-to-use water softener models. Speaking of this one, it is filled with a large capacity of up to 64,000 grains making it an ideal option to deal with hardness levels up to 70 GPG. On top of that, the Fleck 5600SXT digital metered valve does its job pretty well and helps you organize the regeneration cycles on time. In addition, the control valve also has a 48 hours memory backup that keeps your settings saved during power outages. Moreover, the high water flow rate of about 12 GPM offered by this water softener is ideal as it fulfills the water demands of all your home appliances, hence, it’s highly efficient to use in homes. The best part about this water softener is that it’s capable of removing both ferrous and ferric iron particles from water very effectively. Speaking of hardness removal, it removes iron from water up to 4-7 ppm range, and manganese up to a range of 6ppm, and also takes care of the sediment, sand, and rust. Best Features:
64,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 70 GPG The control valve comes with 48 hours memory backup
Pros:
The tank comes pre-loaded with resin Comes with a 5-year warranty An installation kit with a sanitizer, lubricant, and instruction manual provided in the box
Cons:
The tank might not fit in tight spaces easily
9. GE Appliances GXSF30V Water Softener
The GE GSXF30V Water softener provides one of the best solutions to treat the incoming hard water and makes it super-fit to be used by your family, and comes at a price point that’s suitable for your pocket. The GE water softeners are usually equipped with the latest technology, and this one’s no different either. Thanks to the GE SmartSoft technology, this water softener can manage the regeneration cycles on its own and even allows you to set the regeneration cycles at your desired time. With this advanced technology, it can even detect the amount of salt and water required for regeneration, so you don’t end up wasting any material, and helps you save money on that. Apart from that, the capacity of this water softener is about 30,400 grains, which makes it a perfect option for small families. In fact, it’s a highly efficient solution for you as it uses up to 20% less water than other models, and is quite easy to maintain as well. And, we can’t forget to mention that it’s rated to treat up to 95 GPG hard water, and takes out iron up to 8ppm, which makes it one of the best options to try out. Best Features:
30,400 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 95 GPG Uses GE SmartSoft technology
Pros:
Affordable pricing Has an automatic salt-feeding system Less maintenance
Cons:
Not meant for families having more than 3-4 members
10. Iron Pro 48K Combination Water Softener
Last but not the least, the Iron Pro 48K Combination Water Softener from DuraWater is yet another one of the most affordable and high-performance options you can check out as it boasts plenty of features that you might like. This water softener comes with an in-built iron filter that efficiently helps in removing iron from the water up to 6-8ppm range which is quite good. On top of that, since the grain capacity of this tank is 48,000, it’s quite a good option to choose if you have a large family. Moreover, this water softener can treat water with a hardness level up to 95 GPG and also takes care of manganese up to 6ppm, and other factors such as sediments, dust, and sand particles too. Along with that, the installation is basically an easy task that you can even perform by yourself as the instruction manual is quite detailed. In fact, the tank comes pre-loaded with resin so the installation can be done quickly. On top of that tank, it has an intuitive Fleck 5600Sxt digital metered valve for efficiency and ease of use as it allows you to arrange the regeneration cycles on time. Moreover, DuraWater also offers a 5-year warranty on it. Best Features:
48,000 Grain Water Softener Hardness Removal level up to 95 GPG Comes with Fleck 5600Sxt digital metered valve
Pros:
The tank comes pre-filled with resin Quick installation Ideal for homes with 2-5 people
Cons:
The water flow rate is a bit slow
Buying Guide for the Best Water Softeners
Minerals and metal particles like Aluminum, Copper, Manganese, Iron, etc. are usually known to cause hardness in water and are most commonly found in well water. So, if you are experiencing scale-building in your home appliances that use water, or having other problems such as skin irritation after bathing, or soaps or detergents are feeling ineffective. Then, you are probably facing such an issue because of one reason, that’s hard water. However, you can’t change the water supply to your home, but at least you can treat the water to make it soft and suitable for use. We have discussed several good Water Softeners in the list above from which you can simply choose one for you. But, if you don’t know how to pick one, consider reading this buying guide as we will mention all the important factors about water softeners here.
Hardness Level
Before you start looking for a water softener, you should know how much hardness is there in the water that’s being supplied to your home. You can either call a professional for it or do it on your own with the help of any hardness detecting kit, which is easily available in the stores. In general, water hardness is measured in the terms of GPG (Grains per Gallon). While water having 1-3 GPG is considered to be soft, as soon as it goes above 10 GPG, it’s considered to be very hard and unfit for use. So, depending on the hardness of the water, you can pick a water softener that can handle and help you remove the hardness effectively.
Grain Capacity
One of the most important things that you should be checking is the grain capacity of the water softener tank. It basically tells you about the number of grains it can remove from the water before requiring regeneration. Usually, it is decided by considering the hardness and the amount of water used per day. In general, a family of 4 people can consider choosing the water softener options that come with 30-40k grain capacity as it’s quite ideal for them. However, if you have a large family of about 6-8 members, you should consider the better options that come with more grain capacity such as 48k-64k grains.
Size of the Water Softener
The size of the water softener also matters a lot as they generally take up a lot of space. Well, if you need to install the water softener in a tight place, or use it somewhere in your RV trailer or marine boat, choosing a smaller-sized one is going to be a lot helpful for you. Apart from the size, you should also make ample space for the drainage system of the tank so that the hard water can drain easily during the time of regeneration.
Regeneration Cycle
No matter how small or big-sized water softener you are going to buy, it will need to regenerate when the time arrives. Basically, when a water softener works and removes hard particles from the water, they start to build up and collect across the resin present in the tank. So, at a certain limit, the water softener goes into the regeneration cycle, in which it uses salt and water to wash out the hard particles off the resin, and drain it out from the tank. This process usually takes about 30 minutes, and generally happens at night when no one is using the water supply. Although most water softeners these days come with advanced digital meter control valves that help you to adjust the settings and schedule the regeneration cycle as you desire. While some water softeners come with a separate tank that holds salt and takes the needed amount automatically. The basic water softeners require you to add salt by yourself to begin the regeneration process.
Warranty
While almost all the water softeners usually last very long, there may be some cases where any part might go faulty or you find some defect in the tank. That being said, it is always advisable to choose a water softener from a reputable brand only. With that said, you can find offerings from all the top brands in the list above, and they all offer a decent warranty for their products. Most of the options in the list come with either 1 or 5-year long warranty, you will also find a few options that even have 10-year long warranty as well.
Conclusion:
Hardness in water can lead to many severe problems for you, as well as for your home appliances. Hence, it’s quite important to pay attention to it and fix it as soon as you can. To do so, you will require a high-quality water softener and install it along with your home’s water supply to get soft water all the time. Since we have already mentioned so many good options for you in the list above, you can choose whichever suits you the best. Moreover, you can also take help from the buying guide as it contains a lot of important information about water softeners that will help you pick a good option for your home. However, if you are feeling confused, you can even choose to pick one from our personal recommendations:
From the list, we personally like the Whirlpool WHES40E Water Softener as it is certified by NSF, and comes with a decent capacity of 40,000 grains. Moreover, it can deal with hardness up to 125 GPG, and also has a built-in smart technology that lets it save water and salt during the regeneration process, which makes it a highly efficient choice for you to pick. Apart from that, if you are looking for a compact option for your RV trailer or marine boat, the On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable RV Water Softener is quite a good option. It has a 16,000-grain capacity tank and is capable of dealing with hardness up to 70 GPG. Moreover, it also comes with a 1-year warranty as well. On the other hand, if you are looking for a mid-range water softener, that requires low maintenance, you can choose the Aquasure Harmony Series 48,000 Grains Water Softener. It comes with an in-built digital meter control valve that allows you to freely adjust its settings. Moreover, it can deal with up to 90 GPG hardness and comes with a 10-year long warranty as well.
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