Best water softener – Top 10 Reviews and Buying Guide

Having a water softener is a safe way to protect your family from challenges inherent in hard water. The units can be attached to your existing water systems. This review examines the best water softeners for 2020.

Water influences almost every aspect of our lives. We need it for drinking, cooking, doing laundry and keeping our bodies clean. However, hard water possesses serious challenges to our wellbeing. For one, it clogs our water systems, stains toilet bowls, and leaves us with dry and itchy skin. This is due to the high content of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. If you throw in sulfur, then you have some foul-smelling water that leaves you with a rotten egg odor.

Even the normal municipal/city water isn’t safe from contaminants. It could have excessive amounts of chlorine that possess problems to your body. Water softeners come with filtration systems that turn hard water into soft. They are pretty easy to install and operate and help keep your family protected from water-borne diseases. In this review, we take a closer look at the top ten water softeners that you should consider in 2020.

How the Top ten water softeners for 2020 compare

Model	Dimensions (inches)	Grain Capacity (GPM)	Weight (pounds)	Buy on Amazon
ABCwaters With Fleck 5600sxt	10 X 10 X 54	12	148	Buy Here
AFWFilters with Fleck 5600sxt	54 X 10 X 10	3	54	Buy Here
Iron Pro 2 Combination	14 X 7 X 21	N/A	119.5	Buy Here
SpringWell Futuresoft water softener	33 X 18 X 13	20	147	Buy Here
Fleck 5600sxt BR8	27 X 17 X 62	12	20.8	Buy Here
ON THE GO Water softener	23.4 X 11 X 10.8	N/A	32	Buy Here
Tier 1 Digital Water softener	10 X 10 X 62	N/A	135.6	Buy Here
Fleck 9100sxt dual tank water softener	13 X 13 X 65	22	95	Buy Here
Poly Triple Action Water Softener	4.5 X 4.5 X 10	30	4	Buy Here
Eddy Water Descaler Electronic	6.7 X 1.6 X 3.5	N/A	1.45	Buy Here

ABCwaters With Fleck 5600sxt water softener – Best for large households

Problems associated with hard water like dry skin, yellowing of toilet bowls to foul-smelling water can make living in your home unbearable. This unit by ABCwaters is what you need for your household water needs – handles a large household of 7 people. It features an up-flow carbon filtration system that capitalizes on reverse osmosis. The unit is capable of filtering up to 48,000 GPM. It comes with an efficient Fleck 5600sxt digital control unit that checks your household water intake before initiating the regeneration process. The regeneration will be initiated when the grain capacity hits 64,000.

Most water filters can handle calcium and magnesium with ease but few can filter out the iron. The ABCwaters filter will prevent iron from getting into your piping systems hence causing yellowing. The system will supply you with 13 gallons of iron-free water each minute. This is due to its fine resin mesh that also has the capacity to filter out very minute grains. The unit can be pre-programmed so that you can save on time and salt. The ABCwaters uses a highly efficient 5-stage reverse osmosis filtration technique that involves post line carbon, thin-film composite membrane, and activated carbon block.

The unit will remove over 96% of contaminants found in tap water through the RO method then up-flow carbon filtration system will also remove bad odors, bacteria, and viruses. This leaves you with very clean water.

Pros

• Suitable for large families
• Resin filter can remove iron
• Removes manganese stain
• Ensures economical use of water

Cons

• Not easy to install

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AFWFilters with Fleck 5600sxt – Most efficient water softener

The AFWFilters is what you need to meet all your house household water needs. It has a capacity of 48,000 grains that comes with the innovative Fleck 5600sxt control valve that monitors your water consumption and initiates regeneration.

The AFWFilter comes with a 1.5 cubic foot standard 10% resin, brine tank with float, and an easy to use navigation system. With a reset regeneration system that monitors your household water needs, you do not need to run out of water again. The regeneration process will be activated whenever you reach maximum capacity. This helps you save on electricity and salt.

Control of the unit is through an LCD screen that shows you all your current water usage data and allows you to make adjustments. You also have a set of error codes that inform you that show up whenever there are problems with the unit. You can use their user manual for troubleshooting. The control panel is intuitive and easy to understand. The AFWFilters is credited by the WS48-56sxt10. This means all the components been used for water purification have undergone the most stringent of standards.

Pros

• Very efficient water softener
• Easy to control LCD panel
• NSF certified
• Auto regeneration feature

Cons

• Won’t filter your iron effectively

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Iron Pro 2 Combination –Best Iron removal water softener

Iron while important in our bodies for efficient cell development can be harmful when used in excess. If you have noticed yellowing of your toilet bowls and kitchen sinks then the culprit is iron. Iron also gives your water a metallic taste that can be quite irritating.

Iron Pro 2 is one of the best water softeners for iron removal. It comes with the Fleck 5600sxt control valve that offers you a variety of capacity options ranging from 32,000 to 80,000 grains. This allows you to choose depending on your household consumption needs. The water softener is not only good for removing iron but will filter out extremely hard water having a GPG of 85. It will handle iron to a level of 8 ppm.

One of the benefits of having the Fleck 5600sxt control valve it that it monitors your water consumption and initiates regeneration when you reach maximum capacity. All this is controlled through a digital touchpad. The Iron Pro 2 has a grain capacity of 64,000 grains. It will eliminate scale up from your plumping and faucet systems with ease.

Pros

• Can handle extremely hard water
• Suitable for iron filtration
• Auto-regeneration
• You can choose grain capacity depending on household needs

Cons

• You may need to upgrade the iron filter if it is very high

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SpringWell Futuresoft water softener – Best compact size water softener

Tired of seeing all calcium buildup and limescale in your plumbing, fixtures, and faucets then this unit from Springwell will clear them out. It will turn your hard water into soft hence enabling you to enjoy clean showers that are odor-free. The unit has a capacity of 32,000 to 80,000 and is ideal for a household of 5 to 7 people.

The 11 GPM flow rate ensures that all your household parts are well supplied with clean water. It will also remove some low-level iron compounds hence preventing yellowing of your toilet bowls. Elimination of hard minerals is done through a process of ionization. Here sodium ions are exchanged for the calcium and magnesium ones hence giving you soft water. It uses the latest Fleck 5600sxt control valve that automatically initiates the regeneration process. This helps you save on time and salt.

Pros

• Removes low iron content
• High capacity
• Auto-regeneration
• Produces odorless water
• No electricity needed

Cons

• Small size

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Fleck 5600sxt BR8 – Most durable water softener

The preference for salt-based water softeners is due to their ease of use and efficiency. Instead of preset times for the regeneration process, this unit uses the Fleck 5600sxt that measures your consumption and automatically regenerates itself when it reaches maximum capacity. The benefit of this is you do not have to worry about the system regenerating itself – like in preset times – when you are not around. You get to save on salt and there is no water wastage. You can also increase your soft water consumption should you have guests.

The Fleck 5600sxt BR8 has a grain capacity of 48,000 grain and can serve a household of up to 6 people. It has a GPM rate of 12 and can peak to 28. This unit is easy to install and comes with resin filter, brine tank with safety float, brine tubings, bypass valve, and a host of connectors. It will hold 250 lbs. of salt in its tank and you can use this for up to 6 months before refilling it.

Pros

• Easy to install
• High capacity
• Bypass valve
• Auto-regeneration

Cons

• Won’t handle extreme iron in your water

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ON THE GO Water softener – Best portable water softener

There those moments you decide to take your family out for a camping trip but get worried about consuming river or well water. This unit is fully portable and compact enough to fit in any RV. The unit serves as both a softener and conditioner.

The ON The Go portable water softener comes in handy during road trips as it is very economical. It only requires 2 boxes of salt and you get over 1,600 gallons of soft water in less than 30 minutes. The unit has a capacity of 16,000 and is known to produce up to 40% more soft water than other similar units.

This water filter comes with an ergonomic handle at the top that makes it easy to carry and you have this large opening for adding salt. You can use your normal garden hose for connection between your RV and the park faucet. It does not run on electricity and is very easy to install.

Pros

• Excellent flow rate
• Offers up to 40% more water than other portable units
• Enough water to last you up to 40 days
• Compact design
• Enhances water taste while removing the smell

Cons

• You may notice some drop in water pressure

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Tier 1 Digital Water softener – Most economical

The key feature that makes this water softener economical is its LCD screen, turbine meter control valve, and bypass valve. The control meter is different from what you have in the Fleck 5600sxt. The LCD is straightforward and you have easy access to all your dials. You get adjustable time cycles and all information about water usage.

Hard water when not managed well will result in serious problems to your skin and hair. It also makes you use more soap than soft water. Tier 1 has all the standard systems you get in traditional systems like brine tubing, 1.5 cubic feet of cation resin, drain line and brine tank. During installation, you may require compression fittings if your home is installed with CPVC or PEX.

The Tier 1 has a grain capacity of 48,000 and it quite effective in turning hard into soft water. This helps you save money for soap while giving you odorless water. With time you will notice a considerable reduction in scale buildup. The Tier 1 has a unique design that utilizes a precision turbine meter that is added to the bypass valve hence helping you save 4 feet of floor space.

Pros

• Manual bypass valve
• Easy to use LCD screen
• Adjustable time cycles
• Prevents scale buildup

Cons

• Not easy to install in homes with compression fittings

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Fleck 9100sxt dual tank water softener –Best commercial model

If you have a large family that has unique water needs then you need to put your money in the Flack 9100sxt. This twin tank water softener comes with a grain capacity of 80,000. If also features Fleck’s new 9100sxt valve that ensures you have longer regeneration intervals and this keeps the water flowing in your homestead at all times. Each of the tanks has a grain capacity of 40,000. The valve in the unit detects when one tank is finished and then triggers the regeneration of the other.

In most Fleck 5600 models you do get an anti-memory loss back-up water softener power capacitor. With the feature, the model knows how much gallons of water you have used and saves this for the next regeneration cycle for up to 48 hours.

The Fleck 9600sxt can be considered a commercial water softener due to its high grain capacity and flow rate of up to 22 GPM. It will handle all household needs or for a small business. Besides, all the features that come with the Fleck 9100sxt, the water softener is very easy to install. It comes with a 5-year warranty for the Fleck head and 10 years for the tanks.

Pros

• High grain per minute flow
• Large capacity tanks
• Auto-regeneration of both tanks
• Anti-memory loss back up

Cons

Requires more space than traditional water softeners

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Poly Triple Action Water Softener – Best none salt water

The poly triple comes with an unusual design that makes it stand out. The unit does not require salt for the filtration process. What it does is that it crystallizes the hard minerals with polyphosphate and this prevents them from sticking on pipes, your skin, and hair. The design of this water softener makes it a practical and reliable unit. The lack of salt means you do not need resin or make huge calculations for salt usage. The polyphosphates used during the filtration process cause no harm and should cause you little concern.

The Poly triple action is waterproof and this extends its usage to a variety of areas. The plastic body is BPA-free and you have many replaceable components. You have an easy to use a mounting bracket that increases your methods of hosting it. The unit does an impressive job of removing limescale and calcium carbonate from water. The downside does not expect it to handle your iron or chloramine as it lacks an iron resin filter.

The Poly captures sediments through a 30-micron filter while providing you a decent 30 gallons of soft water per minute. You connect the unit to your water supply lines through a connecting pass. The poly is also lightweight and easy to install. Maintenance is simple. All you do is switch off your water supply valve, run a faucet until you notice the line is emptied then unscrew the lid of the softener. You can then remove the filter and rinse it with some vinegar solution.

You will need to replace the polyphosphates every 6 to 12 months depending on your usage. This is an affordable option to those who are tired of saltwater softeners.

Pros

• Does not require salt and resin
• The polyphosphate works well in getting rid of limescale
• Easy to clean
• Lightweight

Cons

Does not perform well in removing chloramine and iron

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Eddy Water Descaler Electronic – Best electronic softener

If you are looking for an alternative to salt then the eddy requires only a power supply line and it will turn your hard water into soft. It uses your standard 110-volt power outlet and you connect to both your cold and hot supply lines. The Eddy water Descaler operates by supplying electromagnetic waves to your hard water hence suspending grains into the pipes until it is passed off through the drainage system.

The best part is you do not have any salt to change or filters to clean. Once it is connected to the supply like you start getting soft water. While the softener isn’t that effective for extremely hard water, you still can connect it to your usual salt water softeners. If your drainage pipes have too much accumulation of calcium and magnesium then it can take time to clear it.

The other downside to using the Eddy Descaler electronic is that you will immediately notice some spike in your electricity bills. But, when you compare this to the overall costs of running a saltwater softener then the costs are almost negligible. The water softener is compact in design and fits anywhere in your home. In the purchase you get a 12- month money-back guarantee and a lifetime warranty.

Pros

• Does not require salt or resin filters
• Compact in size with little maintenance
• Minimal energy costs
• Affordable with a long warranty

Cons

• Ineffective for extremely hard water with iron content

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Buying Guide

How to pick the right water softener

Hard water is characterized by high amounts of calcium and magnesium. This clogs your drainage systems, forces you to use more soap, causes itchy skin and can cause various respiratory problems. Choosing the right water softener is vital if you are going to meet all your household water needs. Here are some factors that you should consider.

Grain capacity

Water softeners are categorized by their grain capacity. This is the number of hard minerals the unit can remove per gallon per minute. Almost all water softeners will indicate this amount during purchase. When calculating the grain capacity you will need to know your average household needs. The water softeners range from a low of 10,000 GPM to a high of 80,000 for those with dual tanks. Once your water has been filtered off these minerals the next step is the regeneration cycle when salt water is used to rinse off the minerals from the filters so that the process can start again.

Flow rate

This is closely related to the grain capacity but it relates to how many gallons of water are supplied through the unit per minute. Each of your household appliances will have a GPM. If you have many people in then go for a unit with a higher flow rate. The rates used are for a house with 2 people use the unit with 5 GPM, 3 people 6 GPM and 4 people 7 GPM.

Smelly water

If you have ever encountered well water then you know that some of it have a foul smell. This is due to the presence of sulfur in the water. To help you combat such sulfur, iron or manganese choose a water softener that has an additional resin filter material. You can also use KDF-85 to filter out bacteria, viruses or algae. The more the hard water, the more innovative you have to get rid of contaminants.

Hard water problems

Before you even decide to purchase a water softener you may want to know the dangers of constantly been exposed to hard water. Most of the minerals present in hard water like calcium, magnesium or iron are not necessarily bad for your body, it is the high quantity in hard water that makes them a hazard. If you are using well water or municipal water with a high content of minerals then your water piping systems are going to be clogged with limescale. This limescale when not dealt with will find itself into your faucets and eventually your cooking apparatus. Limescale is a hindrance to the efficient movement of water in your home. At the worst, limescale will lead to breakages and leakages of your drainage systems and faucets.

If you are constantly experiencing itchiness, skin problems, acne, and general skin dryness then your dermatologist will probably suggest you change your water supply. The high mineral content in hard water changes the PH balance of water resulting in skin problems. Hard water will also worsen skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema. Some of the water softeners will come with Vitamin C and E cartridges that help reduce skin conditions.

Stained items

If your water has a high iron content then you are going to experiencing yellowing of your toilet bowl, showerheads, tiles and bathtubs. Constant exposure to these minerals will leave your items becoming an eyesore and not attractive for guests. The problem is you spend more on detergents just to get these stains off your back.

Water softener components

The majority of water softeners in the market are salt-based with a few being non-salt and some using electromagnetic technology. Having a basic understanding of how a water softener works will go a long way in influencing your purchase decisions.

Resin Tank

Here you will have several resin beads that are mostly made of polystyrene. It is here that your hard water is turned into soft. The process of turning hard to soft water is done through a process of ionization. Ionization allows the exchange of sodium ions present in the resin beads for the hard water minerals ions like manganese, calcium, magnesium, or radium. The resin beads will have the sodium ions attached to them through a process called electrostatic. Hard water will be pumped to the resin tank and the ion exchange takes place. At some point during this process, the resin tank will become filled with hard water mineral ions and can no longer be effective. It is at this point that regeneration will take place to flush out these ions.

Brine tank

The brine tank as the name suggests contains sodium/salt. It this sodium that is used for ionization in the resin tank. Some of this sodium often finds its way into your water during softening. The problem is some people may experience problems consuming too much sodium. As an alternative, water softener manufacturers will use potassium instead. While potassium causes fewer problems for your health it is more expensive than sodium.

Control valve

The control valve will initiate the cleaning of the resin beads after they are saturated with hard water minerals ions. The most common control valve in the market is the Fleck 5600sxt. This one is great as it monitors your household average consumption and automatically starts regeneration.

Bypass valve

If you are in search of more added features, then go with a water softener that comes with a bypass valve. This valve allows your water flow to bypass the water softener. There many times you need the normal water that is not treated by the softener. You can use such water to refill your pool, water your kitchen garden plants or clean your front porch. Fleck has some control units that have a bypass valve. With the bypass valve, you get to save on salt when you are not using the water for domestic purposes. The bypass valve basic design contains two opposing arrows that enable you to prevent the water from going to the softener.

Regeneration settings

There two main types of regeneration settings – timed and metered. With the timed settings your regeneration cycle is activated after a certain duration of time – like five days or a week. The metered settings allow the system to regenerate after a certain amount of water has been used. The control unit will monitor the household consumption then automatically regenerate itself. The benefit of this system over the timed one is that you do not run the danger of running out of the water before the time set comes. The timed meter also has the disadvantage of you will waste soft water when you are away as the system will still regenerate itself. This wastes both water and salt.

Dual tanks

If you are running a very large household or have a small business establishment then we would recommend you go with a dual tank. This allows you to get a continuous flow of soft water as one tank is regenerating. This type of tank uses salt and resin for the softening process. Most of the dual tanks in the market will have a combined capacity of over 80,000 grains. This gives you enough water to sustain a household of over 10 people.

Conclusion

Hard water will influence your daily water intake negatively. Firstly, you will start to notice some discolorations on your kitchen sinks, bathtubs, toilet bowls, and even tiles. If you are doing laundry then you are forced to use more detergent. Depending on your water source, some of the hard water may be laden with bacteria and viruses that cause one to constantly fall sick. To mitigate all these challenges water softeners are installed in homes. The systems work through a process of ionization where sodium ions are exchanged for the hard minerals ions. Most of the water softeners in the market come with both brine and resin tanks. One of the key factors to consider when purchasing a water softener is your household capacity. This allows you to purchase a unit that constantly supplies you with fresh and clean water. In this review, we found the ABCwaters With Fleck 5600sxt water softener as the best water softener for large homes.