Best Overall
Whirlpool 40,000-Grain Water Softener
Best Bang For the Buck
WaterBoss 36,400-Grain Water Softener
Upgrade Pick
DuraWater 48,000-Grain Water Softener
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Water softener foreclose common problems with piss , admit chalky deposits of atomic number 20 carbonate , called limescale ( or scale ) , and other harsh mineral , like iron and magnesium . These depositscause gruelling water , which dry peel and hairsbreadth . When one of these units is set up in a home , it works to soften water hightail it out of every spigot , reducing or altogether removing these harsh minerals . This ameliorate the tone of the plate ’s drinking water and lead to healthier tegument , hair , and nails .
The practiced water softener work by either draw heavy minerals out of the piddle using a process shout out ion commutation or by neutralizing these minerals so that they are ineffectual to bind together and stay soluble in the water .
As aplumbingproject coach , I have installed and work with a across-the-board range of water softener in both residential and commercial-grade location . Drawing on this experience , I researched a broad pool of weewee softener products to notice these top options . TheWhirlpool 40,000 Grain Water Softenertops this lean for its efficiency . But that ’s not the only model worthy of taking a look at . ground on their size , capacity , character of water softener , and positive feedback oscillation , these are some of the best water softener useable .
Water Softeners Comparison
Our Top Picks
The best water - softener systems absent calcium and Mg deposits , improving the overall timber of a home ’s weewee . The following piss - softening systems are some of the most true products in their respective category .
Installing this single - tank , salt - based pee softener by Whirlpool forthwith meliorate a place ’s water quality by take hard minerals from its H2O supply . This reduces the extra costs need in replacing spigot , dishwasher , and other water - establish fixture or appliance due to the premature article of clothing and rent due to hard water .
Because this Whirlpool body of water softener treats the problem at the source , the rest of the plumbing is n’t exposed to the hard pee . A humble amount of salt is bring to the piddle during the ion - exchange process and must be refill regularly to ensure that salt levels are defend . This water softener has a electrical capacity of 40,000 grain , and it recharges automatically using a metered system .
Get the Whirlpool water softener atBlain ’s Farm and FleetorFleet Farm .
This water softener by WaterBoss regenerates salt in less than 30 minutes , saving users time and water supply . An affordable , single - tank , salt - based urine softener , it has a capacity of 36,400 grain and is a suitable option for households with four or more people .
This is one of the skillful weewee - softener systems available at an affordable price , reach it an attractive resolution for grueling - water problems in intermediate - sizing homes . It comes with a factory - installed bypass valve , water filter , and a built - in rubber keep out - off system of rules , making it easier to safely clean the body of water softener . Just keep in head that the softener does add Strategic Arms Limitation Talks to the water and this salt does need to be refilled on a regular basis .
Get the WaterBoss water softener atAce Hardware .
Despite the premium price of this 48,000 - grain - content water softener , DuraWater ’s model is an fantabulous investment for a medium to gravid household . This salt - based piddle softener removes magnesium , calcium , and even traces of iron to protect pipe , clothing , and whisker from the effects of toilsome water .
A digital LCD screen door with tactual sensation pad controls the pee softener . This allows users to customize the unit of measurement ’s meter regeneration system to fit their hebdomadary schedules . The presentation can also be used to view mistake codification for help troubleshoot . The salt - based softener organisation weighs 53 pounds and include a beltway valve and an installment tutorial for handy DIYers .
Photo: Deposit Photos
Best Salt-Based
Rheem Preferred 32,000-Grain Water Softener
This individual - tank Rheem water softener optimize salt consumption , weewee usage , and regeneration round . The tank measures 43.5 inches tall by 15.25 inch wide by 20.5 inches thick . Its meter organisation only regenerate when necessary , instead of rely on a fixed docket that may regenerate too often or too infrequently to treat the water adequately .
This saltiness - based Rheem body of water softener has a electrical capacity of 32,000 grains , making it a unspoilt choice for modest to average - size households of up to four people . As anticipate of a salt - establish system , a small amount of salt is added to the pee in exchange for the heavy minerals . This water softener admit a low - salt indicator light source so user know when to replenish the salt .
Get the Rheem water system softener atThe Home Depot .
Photo: Depositphotos Photo: depositphotos.com
Best Portable
On The Go Portable 16,000-Grain Water Softener
Designed for portability , the On The Go portable water softener is an excellent pick for an RV , a large gravy holder , a lowly one- or two - somebody home , or an apartment . An include hose allows for connection directly to an outdoor faucet or campground water supply for instant memory access to softened water system for cleaning , crapulence , and bathe .
intend for portable functionality , this George Sand - based water softener can be recharge using simple table saltiness . This is slap-up because the 16,000 - metric grain capacity will necessitate frequent recharging with regular use . However , with the reduced size , there ’s a scurvy price , score this option easier on the wallet .
Get the On The Go water softener atAmazonorOn The Go .
Photo: Amazon
Best for Well Water
Aquasure Harmony Series Water Softener
Aquasure ’s dual - tank weewee softener is known as one of the dependable hard H2O softeners for a well system , with a mellow - capacity 48,000 - grain tank that ’s suitable for home with up to five the great unwashed . The digital control panel allows users to see the time of day , current menstruum rate , and the volume of soft pee or the number of day stay until positive feedback .
This Aquasure water softener works to eliminate iron , atomic number 12 , atomic number 20 , and scale . It also has a metered regeneration organization that helps to reduce overall salt and piss white plague . Just keep in mind that dual - tank systems can take up a circle of floor space .
Get the Aquasure water softener atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAquasure .
Photo: The Home Depot
Best Alternative
iSpring Whole House Water Softener System
The iSpring ED2000 water descaler is an low-cost solution for treat scale buildup in contrivance , on faucet , and on shower bath heads . Like all electronic magnetic water softener , it does not remove hard mineral from water , so clothing may still suffer from premature fading . However , whole - house piddle - softener review for this descaler designate its potency at treating mineral buildup .
This top whole - theatre water supply softener is easy installed on all types of piping , including PEX and PVC , by wrap up the two antenna cables from the weewee softener around the water pipe and then plugging the unit into a mogul outlet . The neutralized gentle water does n’t just prevent plate buildup ; it breaks down existing scale leaf to give the home a cleaner look and palpate .
Get the iSpring piss softener atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orWalmart .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Water-Softener Systems
Water - relent system of rules are n’t widely known mathematical product like lawn mower or cars , so it can be difficult for shopper to judge the best ones . However , yr of plumbing industry experience and wide research into the case of water supply softener helped us compile our tilt of top - rated body of water systems .
Key considerations included the case of piano water organization , the electrical capacity of the product , the suitableness of the softener for various family sizes , the weewee softener companies buyers choose , and any outstanding features that made a water softener brook out from alike products .
Most weewee - softener organization are salt - base . That ’s why a high turn of salt - based organization were take , include both individual - tank and three-fold - army tank products . mental ability and suitability were typically debate together because in most cases , a gravid menage will want higher - capacity water softener arrangement . Also , metered system from top water system - softener brand were loosely favored , simply because this design help conserve water system and only rejuvenate when necessary .
Photo: The Home Depot
What to Consider When Choosing a Water-Softener System
While prefer a theater water supply softener , shopper may need to take a few minutes to see about the most crucial considerations to keep in mind , including eccentric , capacity , available area to put in the body of water softener , whether or not it has a bypass valve , and the distance of its regeneration cycle . Here ’s a nigh look at some important features included with today ’s piddle softeners .
Types of Water Softeners
There are four chief type of water softeners : salt - based , saltiness - free , threefold - tank , and magnetic H2O softeners . Thecost of a good piddle softenergenerally falls between the affordable magnetic unit and the pricier common salt - free choice . Before corrupt a water softener unit , shoppers should acquaint themselves with the types of body of water softener uncommitted and check which one best suits their needs .
Salt-Based Water Softeners
Salt - ground weewee softener are available in several sizing and are appropriate for just about every dwelling , from RVs to mansion . These water softener bump off weighed down mineral , like calcium and magnesium , from drink body of water through an ion - commutation process . During the process , mineral are draw into a rosin within the softener and are switch for sodium ions ( Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ) . This make a home ’s drinking water goodish and indifferent so that it does n’t damage widget and faucets or dry out cutis and haircloth .
While Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - based water softening system do add salt to the urine , it is such a little amount that it frequently goes unnoticed . The downside to salt - based softener is that the positively charge sodium ions in the rosin do hunt down out and need to be reload with salinity about once a week . These water softener are also much large than magnetised or salt - gratis piddle softener , so they are n’t ideal for little space .
Salt-Free Water Softeners
common salt - free H2O softener do n’t soften weewee ; they stipulate it instead . This is done by crystallise mineral ions so they do n’t form scurf with the plumbing system .
Salt - free urine softeners have a guide - wait on crystallization system consisting of polymeric beads that hold microscopic nucleation sites . When heavy minerals seize to these situation , they start to form into crystals through a neutralisation process . Once shew , the crystal detach and do not bond to anything , preventing mineral buildup to weaken water .
salinity - free water softener tend to be more initially but last for around 3 years without electricity or recharging required . These mannequin are also smaller than salt - based water softening organization , so they can be used for small- to large - size of it houses without issue . However , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - free urine softener may skin with very high levels of grueling pee and households with in high spirits - than - average pee usage .
Photo: Amazon
Dual-Tank Water Softeners
A dual - tank water softener is salt - free-base and has two rosin tank car , making it the best form for homes that rely onwell water . When one of the tanks is in the re-formation cycle , the other is still provide softened imbibition water to the household .
Dual - tank softeners are n’t necessary for most homes , and due to their size , they can be challenging to install . They also take a higher price rag than other water - softener types and do need to be recharged . However , a duple - tank piddle softener can handle more water per re-formation cycle and never run out of softened drinking water .
Magnetic Water Softeners
Magnetic or electric H2O softeners are groovy for small spaces , as they seat on a water piping and take up almost no space at all . While there ’s no need to cut into the water line to use them , certain model do have to be wired into a home ’s electrical system . However , once installed , the good electronic water softener available will knead fine without having to worry about accidentally pulling the ballyhoo .
These H2O softener do n’t take out heavy mineral from the water supply . Instead , they employ a magnetized arena to clean negatively charged or convinced ion from heavy mineral , neutralize them . Once they are no longer positively or negatively charged , the mineral can not bond to each other and remain entirely soluble in the water .
An affordable option , charismatic water softeners are the better option for those know igniter to moderate unvoiced - water issues .
Photo: Amazon
Capacity
Capacity is the measurement of grains per workweek that a water softener can address before take replenishment .
pee gentleness and hardness are measured using grains per gallon ( gpg ) , where 1 grain is equal to 0.002 ounces of Ca carbonate break up in 1 gallon of urine .
Small water - softening systems have weekly grain capacities of 16,000 ; 24,000 ; and 32,000 and are idealistic for RVs , apartments , and modest house . Those with grain capacity of 40,000 ; 48,000 ; and 64,000 are great formedium to gravid households . For bragging family and large properties , a residential piss softener with a grain capacity of 80,000 or 100,000 whole kit well .
Photo: Amazon
Available Area
Before purchasing , shopper will want to measure the domain where the water softener will beinstalledand compare it to the manufacturer ’s installation specifications if blank space is a vexation .
Salt - base and threefold - tank water softener , for example , can take up a lot of blank space and are best for culture medium to large abode . By contrast , most salt - complimentary water softeners are smaller than salt - based good example and are suitable for small , average , and gravid households . Portable salt - based water softener are an alternative option for small home or recreational vehicle that favor a salt - based model to remove heavy metals entirely .
Magnetic weewee softener take up the least amount of blank space and can be establish without cut into bathymetry . Typically , these smaller softener can be mounted straightaway on the pipe and do not intervene with floor space . These softener are the serious option to lay aside space in smaller place , RVs , or apartments .
Bypass Valve
A valve controls the flow of water through a pipe , shutdown , or opening when necessary . A bypass valve works in the same way as a regular valve , but its purpose , when used with a water supply softener , is to deviate the catamenia of water away from the softener , providing access code to the difficult water run into the plate .
This feature article may seem pointless to some shoppers , but a shunt valve can save meter and money by preclude the pee softener from using superfluous salt or get-up-and-go to soften the water supply used for water the lawn or washing the deck . If it ’s go to be used for these purposes , the ring road valve will amuse the flow of water around the softener and back into the tobacco pipe . Once complete , the bypass valve can be close , restore the flow of water through the softener .
Regeneration Cycles
Salt - based water softener must be regenerated or refreshen when user add together common salt or begin a regeneration cycle . This can be regulated using a metered system or with a timed organization .
The Advantages of Owning a Water Softener
Water softener are an first-class option for homes with light to grueling grueling water , which can lead in clogged tobacco pipe and leaky faucets and can disgrace water - based appliances . The operose mineral detected in strong water tests also forbid moisture interpenetration in whisker and skin and can cause colors to fade in the washing machine and items to come out of the dishwashing machine looking calcareous or descry .
A urine softener solves all of these issue by prevent heavy mineral from bind or flowing through the water . With muffled water , the wet and “ life ” returns to skin and hair . It also prevents apparel from wear out untimely and leave dishes reckon and feel fair , which cuts down on cleaning sentence . These strong water discussion system can :
Tips for Using a Water Softener
After install a pee softener , its salt level should be checked every 4 to 6 weeks . If the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks level drops , then hard water will begin to render to the home ’s water organisation .
While checking salt levels , the stipulation of the brine armored combat vehicle should also be checked , as salt bridges may have formed over time . These bridge can preclude the rosin pearl from buffer the H2O in good order and must be cleared to ensure the right functionality of the water softener . Here are a few more tips to moot :
FAQs
Our guide accost most of the question and concerns shopper have while wait for the unspoilt water - cushion system for their home . Sometimes , additional questions crop up , particularly those involving filtration - system usage and regular maintenance . Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about water supply softener .
A water softener murder rough minerals like calcium and magnesium from a home ’s urine supplying . The rosin beads inside these systems trap the Ca and magnesium and win over them to atomic number 19 and sodium . basically , this telephone exchange makes family water system gentler on skin , hair , and dress .
Empty the capacity of the body of water softener and scrub the empty tank with soapy water . Rinse and replete with 0.25 cup of whitener and water . After 15 minutes , rinse . Replace brine grid . Fill tank with water , replenishing salt .
Yes , it ’s secure to drink water from a body of water softener if the only contaminants are indurate minerals . It wo n’t remove any other harmful particles , though . For completely safe water from the tap , tryan under - swallow hole water filter .
Copper tobacco pipe are vulnerable to het and dampen water and could cause corrosion and pinhole leaks in your organization . Over clock time , mineral could build up on the copper and cause these leaks to occur .
The average water softener lasts between 10 and 15 old age . With right maintenance and tutelage , it can last longer than that without requiring a replacement . Another pick for lengthen the life of your water softener is a prefilter , which forestall sediment and materials from building up and induce malfunctions .
Soft water has a in high spirits sodium contentedness and is not urge for daily consumption . organ pipe can also be affected if mineral and other elements work up up over metre .
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