It is very vital that every household get a good water softener as it is almost as important as getting a water heater especially if you find yourself in environments where hard water is common. Hard water is not too safe to bath or consume because of the 120 parts per million (ppm) of calcium carbonate it contains.
Though calcium does not pose health hazards but rather beneficial to human, it can come along with magnesium and other minerals that remain on the body after shower causing skin irritation and making the hair dry and brittle.
The minerals also cause scales to form in pipe systems, boilers and household appliances subsequently reducing their life span or durability. They are also what neutralizes soap and detergents, and leaves a stain on your clothes after washing.
Below is a list of our top best water softener to ease your searching troubles, check them out.
Top 10 Water Softeners
1. Pelican Salt-Free Water Softener & Conditioner
If you are caught or faced with issues of hard water, then you can rely on The Pelican Water Systems NS3 NaturSoft Salt-Free Water Softener System to completely soften your water. It is a premium, maintenance-free, no-salt water softener and conditioner certified for 99.6% scale prevention.
This water softener comes along with key benefits which include scale reduction, improved cleaning or housekeeping and subjective improvements in personal care without the use of sodium or potassium chloride (Salt).
This water softener helps in protecting your plumbing from costly damage, extends the lifespan of appliances, then moisturizes the skin and hair leaving it with a more vibrant look, and leaves clothes looking brighter.
Pros
- 90-day satisfaction guarantee and a reasonably good five-year performance guarantee
- It is very handy
- Easy to install
Cons
- The unit does require some regular maintenance
- Complexity in replacing the carbon media
- Does not remove minerals from the water supply
2. Fleck 5600SXT 48,000 Grain Water Softener
This water softener helps to eliminate the hardness in water that causes scale buildup and reduced soap efficiency. It is also made with an extra long-life resin that makes it durable. This water softener system also uses an ion exchange process that helps in removing the Calcium and Magnesium that causes water hardness.
With the meter base regeneration process this softener uses, your water is measured and regeneration will only occur when the need arises and if water needs increases, the system regenerates more often to keep up.
In addition, the SXT controller offers some great features, including a backlit LCD display, touchpad controls, 48-hour internal power backup, and a user-friendly interface.
Pros
- More affordable than many other options
- Designed to soften water in even the most extreme situations
- Made with durable materials and designed to last
Cons
- No indicator for telling you when the salt is low
- Drainage tubing needs to be purchased separately
3. Pentair 5600sxt-48k AFW Filters water softener
The Pentair 5600sxt-48k AFW Filters water softener is an exclusive softener that comes with instructions on USB drive, lubricant, and sanitizer pack and also a hardness test strip for easy setup and a drinking water bottles as a gift to the user.
The 1.5 ft.³ high capacity resin aid in removing hard water using the ion exchange process. This system removes the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hard water.
By eliminating hard water, you extend the life of your homes Plumbing and appliances and that is why you need this softener to achieve that. It has a Meter based regeneration that measures the water used and regenerates only when there is a need for that.
Pros
- Provides reliable long-lasting water treatment
- Ideal for use with municipal water that contains a lot of chlorine
- Has a 48,00 grain capacity
Cons
- Bypass valve is made of plastic and may not last
- May use significantly more salt than other systems
4. Fleck 5600SXT 64,000 Grain Water Softener
The Fleck 5600sxt digital metered, on-demand valve is the newest 5600 model that is exclusively made with fully programmable cycles for a more efficient and reliable result.
With the easy to install DIY instructions which come with AFW Filters kit including USB drive, lubricant, sanitizer pack and test strip, this water softener is very easy to install. It has a 64,000 grain capacity for larger homes or water with high hardness levels.
Uses a microprocessor control monitors that measures and remembers your actual daily conditioned water usage. It also regenerates automatically when necessary, based on your actual conditioned water needs.
Pros
- Removes iron, hardness, rust, sand, manganese, and more from your water supply
- Has a 64,000 grain capacity
- Comes with a 5-year warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
- May be difficult to install if you’re installing in a home without a previous water softener
- Needs to adjust the hardness setting to get the best result
5. Metered water softener
This is a softener that is exclusively made to soften hard water with the sole aim of saving our skin from irritation and given our household appliances longer life span by eliminating the hard water that causes scale build-up and reduces soap efficiency.
This ion exchange process in this system helps in removing the calcium and magnesium that cause hard water.
Made with a Meter Based Regeneration, which means that the water you use is measured and the system only regenerates when it needs to. If there is a need for increment in the water, the system also regenerates more often to keep up. It comes with a DIY Installation that takes 1-2 hours to install with some basic plumbing skills.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly and efficient
- Includes everything you need for installation
- Uses natural carbon to filter water and remove impurities
Cons
- Instructions for installation may be confusing for those with no prior experience
- You may need to purchase extra tubing depending on the plumbing setup in your home
6. Nuvo H2O Dphb-a Home Water Softener System
The NuvoH2O Home Softener System is a unique water softener system that uses a revolutionary technology to drastically and moderately reduce water hardness.
The revolutionary technology works by using basic scientific process of chelation in which the mineral ions causing hard water, principally calcium and magnesium, are bound to the chelating agent in NuvoH2O’s FDA-approved, proprietary formulation, which keeps the minerals soluble and unable to cause hard water problems.
In addition to the NuvoH2O softener housing and its cartridge, your package also includes a manual, mounting backplate, mounting bracket, screws, and housing wrench.
Pros
- Prevents scale build-up and removes existing hard water scale
- no salt, no wastewater, no electricity
- Compact design — fits almost anywhere
- FDA & NSF approved
Cons
- Not appropriate for homes with a private well
- Not recommended for closed-loop recirculation systems or wood-fired boiler applications
- Over tightening the fitting can, and will, cause the system to fail prematurely
7. Tier1 48,000 Grain High-Efficiency Digital Water Softener for Hard Water
The Tier1 48,000 Grain High-Efficiency Digital Water Softener is uniquely made with a digital meter control valve that has LCD display, improved features and ease of operation. It comes with a complete home system which includes brine tank, mineral tank, valve with bypass and adapter for improved and efficient result.
This water softener is made of a unique precision turbine meter which is incorporated in the system bypass valve saving over 4 feet of floor space.
The Series 165 Water Softener by Tier1 has an incredible way of softener water to help alleviate dry skin, hair, and scaling pipes due to hard water.
Features an easy-to-use LCD display showing pertinent operational information. Quick connect fittings on the brine line, drain line, and included power cord, ensure a fast and easy installation.
Pros
- Valve Head Key Features
- Reliable, precise and easy to operate
- The user-friendly LCD display shows pertinent information
- Fully adjustable cycle times
Cons
- Manually index to cycle position for easier and fast installation and service
- Softer Water Benefits
8. Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 Grain Water Softener
If you are faced with the issue of water hardness, then you can rely on this water softener as The Whirlpool WHES30 30,000 grain water softener is ideal for families of 1-4+ people looking for a reliable way to soften their water.
Whirlpool water softeners have the capacity to eliminate embarrassing mineral stains, help you use less detergent in the washing machine for cleaner, brighter clothes and softer feeling fabrics.
Whirlpool water softeners also come with simple to program electronics and include a low salt indicator light and work on city water or well water.
Whirlpool water softeners automatically calculate how much salt and water is required to regenerate and only use what is necessary, resulting in a significant salt and water savings.
Pros
- Great water softener
- Salt saving technology
- Electronic control display
- Space saving design
- Demand initiated regeneration
- Easy program set
Cons
- Not ideal for more than 5 people
9. Tier1 48,000 Grain Capacity Water Softener
This is a complete home system water softener that comes included with brine tank, mineral tank, valve with bypass and adapter and our addition of the RO5 and 4 glass water bottles. The Tier1 RO 5-stage filtration system requires the filters to be changed every 6 months, and the membrane every 2-3 years to give efficient filtration.
With the aid of this exclusive water softener, you will be provided with clean, and great tasting water for your entire household. The Tier1 WS-165-150 features an easy-to-use LCD display showing pertinent operational information.
Quick connect fittings on the brine line, drain line, and included power cord, ensure a fast and easy installation. It is not necessary to live with the perils of hard water, such as dry skin, scale build-up, and dull laundry.
Pros
- High-performance so as not to affect your water pressure
- Includes shut-off valves and fittings
- No draining, backflushing or water waste
Cons
- Doesn’t include PEX tubing need for installation
10. Discount Water Softeners Genesis Premier
If you are looking for a water softener with high performance that can offer more features designed to make your installation easier and faster, then you can rely on the exclusive Genesis Premier Upflow On Demand metered digital water softener.
It is a premier water softening system that sets the new standard and help saves up to 75% on salt and 64% less water. Resin 3/4″ and 1″ unique bypass with integrated turbine meter. Large 14×14 brine tank holds up to 200 lbs of salt. 10×44 Resin tank.
Genesis Premier On Demand Upflow control valve with electronic sensors, adjustable cycles, and proven seal and spacer design Direct Flow design allows for more efficient operation with fewer moving parts Reverse
Automatic System Refresh flushes stagnant water after 7 days of non-use, preventing bacterial growth.
Pros
- Relatively easy to install
- Reduces or removes the most common contaminants found in water
Cons
- Doesn’t include the PEX tubing needed for installation
- Not designed to remove fluoride
Water Softener Buying Guide – Things to Consider
There is no need to lay emphasis on the significance of water usage in our everyday life. It is thus important that people also consider the steps the water takes in getting purified.
The step in which water transforms into more portable and less damaging resources is known as water softening and the device that aids in softening the water is referred to as water softeners.
The water buying guide below will help you in knowing what you should consider when buying the products in this article.
The four Important Things to Consider When Buying a Water Softener are as follows
Importance of a Water Softener
There is a need for you to know the basic importance of water softeners before looking at specific aspects like types, sizes, and costs.
Water is said to be hard when it contains more than one grain per gallon of dissolved minerals. On the contrary, water that has up to 3.5 mineral grains per gallon can still be considered to be soft and ideal for domestic use.
Using the same standard, water containing more than 10.5 GPG is considered hard and not ideal for domestic use. Even if it cannot be detected in plain sight, hard water is still not pure and secure for domestic use.
The evidence and side effects can be noticed from the stains and spots that remain after using the water to wash dishes or plates.
Though hard water does not pose health risks, hard water can cause damage to water-using household appliances, plumbing, clothing, and any other thing that comes in contact with the liquid element regularly.
The importance of water softener now comes into the picture as it easily assists in softener the water for more effective and safer use of water.
Water Softener Types
This buying guide is going to reveal the main types of softeners that are made ideal to completely make water safe for use. Always ensure that your softener has an NSF/ANSI 44 certification, it is the assurance that the softener is effective. The four main types of softeners include:
- Salt-Based Ion Exchange Softener
The mineral residue that contaminates your water is eliminated through a salt-based ion exchange softener by cycling water through two tanks. It uses two separate tanks: one filled with brine and another with special resin beads.
- Salt-Free Water Softener
This water softener works as a scaler, preventing mineral from accumulating and forming harmful deposits. It makes water safe for people concerned about excessive intake of salt. A salt-free softener uses a potassium chloride salt substitute instead of sodium.
- Dual-Tank Water Softener
Dual-tank softeners use two tanks that function alternatively whenever the other one needs recharging because water softeners need regular recharging to work well as water softeners can’t function during recharging periods,
- Magnetic Water Softener or Descaler
Clipped onto the incoming pipe, the electronic or magnetic water softener creates a magnetic field that changes the electromagnetic properties of the calcium carbonate minerals. As a result, these mineral particles repel both the metal pipes and each other. This way, deposits will not form anymore as they used to.
Water Softener Sizes
The size of a water softener is one of the most important factors to put into consideration before purchasing it.
For a water softener to function properly, it must be large and have enough space to adapt itself to each and particular needs of each household.
In contrast to the physical appearance and size, water softeners are measured and credited based on the number of hardness grains they can remove between regenerations. It is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) of water.
Rather than physical size, water softeners are rated according to the number of hardness grains they are able to remove between regenerations. This rate is measured in grains per gallon (GPG) of water.
You can know the softener that matches your household by calculating the size of softener a household needs in relation to the number of people that will use the water daily.
The easy to do it is by first multiplying the number of people in the family by 75 (the average number of gallons used by each person daily) and then multiplying the result by the number of grains per gallon of hard minerals existing in the water.
The resulting number is the minimum capacity the new softener should be able to handle daily. As a reference, we should mention that the average household will be set with a 33,000-grain unit.
Water Softener Controls and Features
You will have to know the features of a water softener before you consider getting anyone. Most water softeners feature automatic functions that control basic things like regeneration cycles and water amounts.
There are also softeners that require adjustable controls. There are various forms of controls but the most common are these following ones.
- Water Softener Timer Controls
An electronic timer has the capacity to regulate regeneration cycles with ease based on average usage. They often regenerate without need, wasting sodium and water. This type of control can also fall short on days in which the water usage is unusually extensive.
- Softener DIR Controls
This is a refined type of softener control that has the ability to determine when one needs to recharge the resin. It is done through an electronic sensor or a mechanical meter that measures and calculates the use of water.
The DIR saves salt and water by entering regeneration when there is only a need for that. This system is ideal for households with an abnormally large usage of water due to its smart regeneration cycle.
Cost
One of the major factors to consider before purchasing a water softener is cost. Considering the function of water softener, it may not be necessary to spend too much on water softeners that perform almost the same function as the other.
It is imperative that we get an effect and quality water softener though, but their function is not too different from each other irrespective of their prices.
What is important is looking at the number of your household and purchase that water softener that will be able to serve well.
Conclusion
Hard water has the ability to cause damage to appliances, clothing, and other important objects so it is important that you get a water softener.
